RTHK: My life has been turned upside down, freed Meng says Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou was expected to return to China on Saturday after a Canadian judge signed her order of discharge, vacating her bail conditions and allowing her to go free after nearly three years of house arrest. Meng earlier reached an agreement with US prosecutors to end the bank fraud case against her, a move that allows her to leave Canada, relieving a point of tension between China and the United States. The years-long extradition drama has been a central source of discord in increasingly rocky ties between Beijing and Washington, with Chinese officials signaling that the case needed to be dropped to help end a diplomatic stalemate between the world's top two powers. She was emotional after the judge's order, hugging and thanking her lawyers. "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Chinese embassy in Canada for their constant support," Meng told reporters after the hearing in Vancouver. "Over the past three years, my life has been turned upside down. It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, wife and a company executive," she said. "But I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life," she said. "The saying goes, the greater the difficulty, the greater the growth." A person familiar with the matter said Meng was flying back to China on Friday night, Vancouver time. Meng had been confined to her expensive Vancouver home at night and monitored 24/7 by private security that she paid for as part of her bail agreement. Referred to by Chinese state media as the "Princess of Huawei," she was required to wear an electronic ankle bracelet to monitor her movements, which became fodder for the tabloids when it hung above her designer shoes. (Reuters/AFP) This story has been published on: 2021-09-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. RTHK: Huawei executive freed in Canada Chinese telecoms executive Meng Wanzhou was freed on Friday after three years of house arrest in Canada, following an agreement with the US Justice Department to suspend the fraud charges against her that had poisoned Beijing's relations with Washington and Ottawa. Meng the 49-year-old daughter of Ren Zhengfei, the billionaire founder of world-leading telecoms equipment supplier Huawei was granted release in a Vancouver court hearing, hours after US prosecutors announced an agreement in New York under which charges are to be suspended and eventually dropped. She then boarded a flight to Shenzhen, returning to the mainland for the first time since her arrest in Vancouver's international airport at the behest of US authorities on December 1, 2018. Canadian officials can now hope her freedom will lead to China releasing two Canadians, businessman Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig, who were arrested and imprisoned on espionage charges in the days after Meng was detained. The resolution of the case removes a deep thorn in the relationship between Beijing, Washington and Ottawa, with China accusing the United States of a political attack on one of the Asian giant's technology titans. Beijing meanwhile accused Ottawa of doing Washington's bidding by arresting and holding Meng, who was known inside Huawei as the "princess" of the company and its possible future leader. The United States had accused her of fraud against HSBC bank and wire fraud, saying she tried to hide violations of US sanctions on Iran by Huawei affiliate Skycom. It said Huawei routed Skycom-linked payments through the US banking system, tying it to the sanctions violations, and said that Meng had served on the Skycom board. But on Friday, US prosecutors settled for Meng agreeing to a statement of facts in the case. In exchange, they agreed to defer the charges which carried the risk of up to 30 years in prison until December 1, 2022, and then drop them if Meng abides by the terms of the agreement. (AFP) ______________________________ Last updated: 2021-09-25 HKT 08:55 This story has been published on: 2021-09-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. RTHK: 'Two Canadians released by China and headed home' Two Canadians, who were imprisoned in China, were headed home on Friday after being released, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. The pair former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor had "left Chinese airspace, and they're on their way home," he told a news conference in Ottawa. Their plane was expected to land on Saturday in Canada, he said. The Two Michaels, as they have become known in Canada, had been arrested and imprisoned on espionage charges in the days after Canada detained Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. Earlier, a Canadian judge ended extradition proceedings against Meng and lifted her bail conditions, allowing her to return to China for the first time since her arrest in Vancouver's international airport at the behest of US authorities on December 1, 2018. The Canadian judge's move followed an agreement she made with the US Justice Department to suspend fraud charges against her. Both Kovrig and Spavor were put on trial in March of this year. In August, Spavor was sentenced to 11 years in prison, while there had been no decision in Kovrig's case. Trudeau previously denounced Spavor's sentence as "unacceptable and unjust," and said the charges were "trumped up." (AFP) This story has been published on: 2021-09-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. RTHK: Pakistan, India trade extremism charges at UN India and Pakistan clashed on Friday at the United Nations as Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan accused the rival of a "reign of terror" on Muslims, drawing a stern rebuke. Even for Pakistan, which routinely castigates India at the world body, Khan's speech to the annual summit was strikingly loaded as he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a plan to "purge India of Muslims". "The worst and most pervasive form of Islamophobia now rules India," Khan said in an address, delivered by video due to Covid precautions. "The hate-filled Hindutva ideology, propagated by the fascist RSS-BJP regime, has unleashed a reign of fear and violence against India's 200 million-strong Muslim community," he said. Khan was referring to Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and the affiliated Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a century-old Hindu revivalist movement with a paramilitary component. Under Modi, India has rescinded the statehood of Kashmir, its only Muslim-majority region, pushed through a citizenship law that critics call discriminatory and has witnessed repeated flare-ups of religious-based violence. Speaking on the day Modi was visiting the White House, Khan who has yet to speak to President Joe Biden alleged that commercial interests with billion-plus India were allowing it to "get away with human rights abuses with complete impunity". While India often ignores Pakistan's statements at the world body, a young Indian diplomat on the floor exercised the right to respond to Khan. Sneha Dubey, a first secretary at India's UN mission, accused Pakistan of sheltering and glorifying Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden who was killed by US special forces in a 2011 raid in the army city of Abbottabad. "This is the country which is an arsonist disguising itself as a firefight," she said. "Pakistan nurtures terrorists in their backyard in the hope that they will only harm their neighbors." She highlighted violence against minorities in Pakistan as well as its "religious and cultural genocide" in 1971 as Bangladesh won independence. "Unlike Pakistan, India is a pluralistic democracy with a substantial population of minorities who have gone on to hold highest offices in the country," Dubey said. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2021-09-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Hong Kong: SJ meets Legal Subsector Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng today met Election Committee Legal Subsector members. Ms Cheng listened to their views on how the legal profession should make best use of the opportunities brought about by the Plan for Comprehensive Deepening Reform & Opening Up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone. She also extended her congratulations to the members who were elected in the Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections, noting that they are joined by the Hong Kong members from the Committee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, as well as the nominees from the China Law Society's Hong Kong Members Association, in representing the Legal Subsector under the Election Committee's new term. The members are responsible for the nomination and election of the Chief Executive as well as the nomination of candidates for the Legislative Council polls and election of 40 LegCo members. The justice chief pointed out that, with broad representation, the Election Committee Legal Subsector could fully reflect the needs of different stakeholders. The members, who are familiar with the situations in Hong Kong and the Mainland as well as international developments, would offer professional and practicable advice on how to capitalise on the growth in Qianhai, she added. Given that the Qianhai plan clearly sets out a higher level of opening up in legal matters and the establishment of an international legal services centre and an international commercial dispute resolution centre in the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone as well as exploration of different legal systems and the cross-boundary legal regulatory interface, Ms Cheng opined that it would create abundant opportunities for the Hong Kong legal and dispute resolution sector. She also discussed with the members the measures set out in the Qianhai plan including exploration of ways to improve the mechanism for wholly owned Hong Kong enterprises to adopt Hong Kong law and choose for arbitration to be seated in Hong Kong; establishment of a new mechanism for civil and commercial judicial assistance and exchanges; and deepening reform of the partnership association mechanism. Having listened to the members' opinions, Ms Cheng was delighted to learn they shared the view that the Qianhai plan would open up more markets for the Hong Kong legal and dispute resolution sector, which would benefit their professional development. She noted that they also expressed their support for the Department of Justice's policy initiatives and agreed that Hong Kong, being the only common law jurisdiction within China, should leverage the unique advantage under one country, two systems and three jurisdictions in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Ms Cheng anticipated that, following the implementation of the GBA Legal Professional Examination, there would be more lawyers from Hong Kong who could practise both Mainland and Hong Kong law in providing legal services for enterprises in Qianhai and elsewhere in the bay area. She encouraged the Hong Kong legal sector to jump at the chance. Before concluding the meeting, the justice chief said she looked forward to the continued and close co-operation with the legal sector in bringing out the best of Hong Kong in order to integrate with the needs of the country. She emphasised that it is a common goal to establish Hong Kong as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region so as to facilitate the long-term development of Hong Kong, the bay area and the whole country by proactively participating in the national development. This story has been published on: 2021-09-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Hong Kong: John Lee to attend SZ meeting Chief Secretary John Lee arrived in Shenzhen yesterday and will lead Hong Kong Special Administrative Region representatives to attend a meeting on the Mainland and Hong Kong's anti-epidemic work tomorrow. The Hong Kong SAR representatives who will attend the meeting include Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan, Secretary for Innovation & Technology Alfred Sit as well as Department of Health and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer representatives. Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong after the meeting. Secretary for the Environment KS Wong is Acting Chief Secretary during Mr Lee's absence. This story has been published on: 2021-09-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. RTHK: Meng Wanzhou arrives back to red carpet welcome Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou returned to China on Saturday shortly after two Canadians released from prison in China also arrived in Calgary, ending a bitter diplomatic row that has poisoned ties for three years. Meng and the two Canadians -- former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor -- were detained in a bitter spat critics have called "hostage diplomacy". Meng, the 49-year-old daughter of Ren Zhengfei, the billionaire founder of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, was granted release in a Vancouver court hearing after three years of house arrest in Canada while fighting extradition to the United States. This came hours after US prosecutors announced an agreement under which fraud charges against her are to be suspended and eventually dropped. She then boarded a flight to the southern city of Shenzhen, returning to China for the first time since her arrest at Vancouver's international airport at the behest of US authorities in December 2018. Meng received a red-carpet welcome as her flight landed, according to a live feed on state broadcaster CCTV, with Huawei employees waiting on the tarmac as a staffer in full protective gear held a bouquet of flowers. A red banner hanging at Shenzhen airport arrivals hall read "Welcome home Meng Wanzhou" and a crowd of several hundred supporters gathered waving Chinese flags and banners. Some chanted "Go Huawei!" and sang the national anthem. "I think China is going to... turn Meng Wanzhou's release into a big victory, a diplomatic victory," said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, Professor of Political Science at Hong Kong Baptist University. Meanwhile, the two detained Canadians arrived back in Calgary, western Canada on Saturday, and were shown on TV being greeted and hugged by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The "two Michaels" -- as they have been dubbed by international media -- were detained just days after Meng on what Ottawa has contended were "trumped up" espionage charges. In turn, Beijing called Meng's case "a purely political incident." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said "the US Government stands with the international community in welcoming the decision" to release the men. Speaking to reporters before heading to China, Meng said: "Over the past three years, my life has been turned upside down. It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, wife and a company executive." Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Saturday that the detention of Meng was an "incident of political persecution against a Chinese citizen." The resolution of the case removes a deep thorn in the relationship between Beijing, Washington and Ottawa, with China accusing the US of a political attack on one of its technology titans. Beijing also accused Ottawa of doing Washington's bidding by arresting and holding Meng, known inside Huawei as the "princess" of the company and its possible future leader. Washington had accused her of wire fraud and deceiving HSBC bank, saying she tried to hide violations of US sanctions on Iran by Huawei affiliate Skycom. But on Friday, US prosecutors settled for Meng agreeing to a statement of facts in the case. In exchange, they agreed to defer the charges until 2022, and then drop them if Meng abides by the terms of the agreement. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2021-09-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. RTHK: North Korea hints at possible summit with Seoul The influential sister of North Korea's leader said in a statement on Saturday that an inter-Korean summit could take place, but only if mutual "respect" and "impartiality" are guaranteed. It was the second statement in two days by Kim Jong Un's sister and key advisor Kim Yo Jong. She had on Friday urged Seoul to end its "hostile policies" towards Pyongyang after South Korea's president called for declaring an official end to the state of war with the North. The 1950-53 war between the two Koreas ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, leaving Seoul and Pyongyang technically at war for over half a century. An inter-Korean summit between her brother and the South's Moon Jae-in could be held "only when impartiality and the attitude of respecting each other" are guaranteed, Kim said in a statement carried by Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency. She also said a summit, as well as discussions on a declaration to end the war, could be held "at an early date through constructive discussions". "There is no need for the North and the South to waste time faulting each other and engaging in a war of words," she added. She also reiterated Friday's call for the South to drop its "unequal double-standards", in an apparent reference to Moon's criticism of the North's recent missile launches. Last week, the South successfully test-fired successful a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), making it one of a handful of nations with the advanced technology. North Korea carried out two missile firings this month alone, one involving a long-range cruise missile and the other short-range ballistic missiles. Communications between the North and South have largely been cut in the aftermath of a second US-North summit in Hanoi that collapsed in February 2019 as then-president Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un couldn't agree on the terms of an agreement. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2021-09-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The coastal city has received a lot of Chinese investment in recent years. Inside the China Project compound, at least 8,000 people are held prisoner, trained to commit Internet fraud. A Khmer Times investigation found that criminals are moving their activities to other parts of the country. Phnom Penh (AsiaNews/Agencies) From the outside they look like a dozen square buildings, residential complexes for Cambodian or foreign workers. In reality, the China Project hosts 8,000 to 10,000 slaves, people recruited by deception, held prisoner and forced to commit Internet fraud. Every Chinese person who spends more than a couple of months in Sihanoukville knows about it. They call it China City, an anonymous source told the Khmer Times. A group of entrepreneurs who bought the entire area after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen banned gambling in 2019 is behind the crime syndicate. Sihanoukville has changed in recent years. Before Chinese investments poured in, it was a sleepy coastal town in southern Cambodia. After Chinese President Xi Jinping launched his mega infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Western tourists were thrown out to make room for the Chinese. Signs in Khmer and English have disappeared, replaced by signs in Mandarin. Hotels, restaurants and casinos now form many small Chinatowns. The city is BRIs first port of call with the Chinese investing US$ 4.2 billion in local power plants and offshore oil fields. China also provided US0 million in aid to modernise Cambodias military. Perhaps this is why China Project bosses can act undisturbed. China City is the worst of the worst, the source told the Khmer Times. They are protected by the police. The only reason the cops will go in there is a strong tip-off about drugs. Its a very clear line in the sand, he added. According to the Cambodian newspaper, most slaves are Chinese, but many come from Southeast Asia. Scammed with fake job offers, their passport seized, taught how to create realistic social profiles to trick people into investing in fake cryptocurrencies, they are groomed to engage in criminal behaviour. Whoever gets to turn social media interactions into WhatsApp or WeChat contacts gets a reward, such as having sex with East European women, who are also held prisoner. According to some witnesses, one scammer managed to steal up to US$ 400,000 from a single individual. Some of these modern-day slaves are forced to find new recruits for the China Project through the same fraudulent methods with which they were first tricked. An anonymous police officer reported that near the China Project, law enforcement officers find bodies every other week, but cannot separate murders and suicides. Sometimes bodies have messages written on their arms indicating that the death was not by suicide. The husband of a former China Project employee said that his wife had been referred to the company through an agency as a call centre employee. Everything was okay in the beginning, he explained. Then They said they would train her near the airport. Eventually, the company picked up my wife from my house and took her to the training centre. But when they were on their way, they said that they had to take her to a trainer in Sihanoukville. The woman quickly realised that it was a scam and that people in Europe were being scammed. She immediately said that she wanted to resign but the people there did not allow her to leave. They wanted to sell her to another company. Other sources confirm that people are sold and then moved to other buildings. And going to the Cambodian police with such a story will not change things. I told the story to the police but they didnt take any action, the husband said. I didnt give any money but they wanted ,000 at first. When some news websites talked about what happened, she was released. Following the Khmer Times investigation, local real estate agents reported receiving many requests for housing from companies in the city. It appears that the crime bosses are now moving to O'tres, Victory Hill, near the seaport and downtown Sihanoukville. Some are thought to be looking at Battambang province and even the capital Phnom Penh. 1.05 million doses of Cuban COVID-19 vaccine on way to Vietnam 900,000 doses of COVID-19 Abdala vaccine developed and produced by the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) of Cuba were handed over to the Vietnamese Embassy in the country on September 24 (Cuba time). Ilustrative image (Photo: AFP/VNA) On the same day, the Cuban Defence Ministry also presented 150,000 doses of Abdala vaccine to the Vietnamese defense attache in the country. All the vaccine doses will be transported to Vietnam on the special plane serving the overseas working trip by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc made an official friendship visit to Cuba on September 18-20 and then travelled to the US to attend the High-level Debate of the UN General Assemblys 76th session (UNGA 76) in the US. Green finance promotes Vietnms sustainable growth Due to the adverse impacts of climate change, green growth financing projects play a very important role for the sustainable development of Vietnam, experts have said. Capital flows into green growth projects are still quite positive despite the adverse impacts of the pandemic. VNA/VNS Photo According to the World Bank, Vietnam is one of the five countries most likely to be affected by climate change because most of the population lives in low-lying coastal areas. It is estimated that climate change will reduce the country's national income by up to 3.5 per cent by 2050, Vietnam News Agency reported. Meanwhile, an International Finance Corporation (IFC) study shows climate finance in Vietnam accounts for only about 5 per cent of total bank loans, equivalent to US$10.3 billion, and the value is projected to increase significantly in the coming years. The IFC said the implementation of the national target of reducing total greenhouse gas emissions by 9 per cent by 2030 to mitigate the effects of climate change will provide a climate investment opportunity worth $753 billion for Vietnam in the 2016-30 period. Meanwhile, a survey by international rating agency MSCI found 79 per cent of investors in Asia-Pacific significantly increased their investment in Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) in 2020 in response to uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic and 57 per cent of them planned further study to make investment decisions by the end of 2021. Although the growth rate of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam is slowing down due to the negative impact of the pandemic, capital flows into green growth projects are still quite positive. Especially, through domestic credit institutions, international financial institutions are playing an important role in financing green economic development in Vietnam. Recently, French development finance organisation Proparco granted a US$50 million loan to HDBank to lend green projects to promote sustainable development. The IFC last month also provided a $100 million long-term loan to the Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank (OCB) to further promote the contribution of the private sector in green and sustainable growth in Viet Nam. The green growth trend of international investment organisations is opening up many opportunities to raise capital for Vietnamese firms, however, in order to receive the international capital funding, local firms also need to make more efforts and be consistent with their planned development goals. According to HSBC Vietnam, as Viet Nam's economy has developed rapidly over the past decade, the country is fertile land for investors looking for growth. However, to sustain the growth, the country will need to develop capital markets, and foreign capital will play an important role. HSBC assessed anti-climate change initiatives and green finance programmes in Viet Nam are still in their infancy, but this frontier market is gradually catching up with governance and social factors. Many investors were surprised to learn that Vietnam has a detailed set of corporate governance rules and is on the right track with meeting a significant number of the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations. For example, in the renewable energy sector, Vietnam is recording the highest level of investment in renewable energy in the ASEAN region. To attract more FDI and provide foreign companies with a more sustainable energy source, the country has demonstrated a strong commitment to renewable energy. However, with the increasing importance of investing in ESG, HSBC experts believe Vietnamese firms will be under greater pressure to comply with ESG standards so they will focus more on sustainable growth and further make public on ESG issues. Investors will demand more from firms. Therefore, firms operating in the high-carbon emission sector need to rethink their business models and strategies, Vietnam News Agency quoted Wai-Shin Chan, Head of HSBCs Climate Change Centre of Excellence and also Head of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Research, as saying. Vietnam Days in Switzerland 2021 to be held online in October The Vietnam Days in Switzerland 2021 will be held online for the first time amid the Covid-19 pandemic to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Switzerland and Vietnam diplomatic relations (October 11th, 1971 - October 11th, 2021). The information was announced at a press conference held in Hanoi on September 24. Delegates at the press conference The event not only contributes to the friendly relations between the two countries, but also promotes Vietnams image as an authentic yet dynamic country to the public in Switzerland and European countries. Vietnam Days in Switzerland 2021, under the framework of Vietnam Days Abroad Program approved by Vietnamese Prime Minister, is honored to welcome special guests, such as MOFA Leader Representative, Ambassador of Switzerland to Vietnam Ivo Sieber, Ambassador of Vietnam to Switzerland Le Linh Lan; Ambassador and Head of Vietnam's Permanent Representative to the UN, WTO and other International Organizations in Geneva Le Thi Tuyet Mai; Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Switzerland Philipp Rosler (former German Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Economics and Technology)... As a part of the event, well-known cultural figures will present to talk about Vietnamese culture, cuisine and landscape. Prominent figures from intellectuals and entrepreneurs circle, namely Former Deputy Director of Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies Nguyen Thi Hien, FPT Telecom Chairman Hoang Nam Tien, VinAI Research Director Bui Hai Hung, MindX CEO Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, are also invited to the event to share their stories and experiences which couple with the national development. Besides, Lawyer Pierre Schifferli, who has been living in Ho Chi Minh City since the 1970s, and other Swiss tourists will also share their memories about Vietnam, as well as the 50-year relations between Vietnam and Switzerland. Vietnam Days in Switzerland 2021 consists of 5 chapters including (1) Hello, Switzerland! Hello, Europe!, (2) Authentic Culture, (3) Amazing Country, (4) Future Generations, (5) See You in Vietnam. The audience will not only have an overview of the diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Vietnam, but also discover distinctive characteristics of each country through special art performances, footages and stories shared by participants. With live broadcasting format, the event allows live comments and interaction. On behalf of the organizing committee, Mr. Tran Quoc Khanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO, under Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: Hosting this event online for the first time in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic poses huge challenges. However, we devote ourselves to make it successful. This is an opportunity to strengthen the 50-year-relation between Vietnam and Switzerland, as well as to promote the image of a youthful and vibrant Viet Nam to the public in Switzerland, including overseas Vietnamese, and in other European countries. Vietnam is well-known for its fascinating culture and long-standing history, as well as world heritages. Our country is also blessed by mother Nature while Vietnamese people are well-prepared to integrate with the world. So, we put great efforts into this event, to promote these features to global audience, said Mr. Tran Quoc Khanh. Vietnam Days in Switzerland 2021 is hosted by the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with representative agencies of Vietnam to Switzerland, the Swiss Embassy in Vietnam, Vietnam Television and LeBros. Following this event, Vietnam Days in the United States 2021 is scheduled to take place this November, contributing to the cooperation across many fields between the two countries. Vietnam Days Abroad is an annual national promotion program, assigned by the Prime Minister to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2010. The program usually takes place on the sidelines of Vietnamese high-level leaders official visit to other countries, receiving positive responses from localities, international businesses, agencies, organizations and overseas Vietnamese. Vietnam Days in Switzerland 2021 will be held from 3pm to 6pm (Vietnam time) on October 9, 2021 and will be broadcast live from 3 bridge points: main stage from Viet Nam, the Embassy of Viet Nam in Switzerland and Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN, WTO and other International Organizations in Geneva. Visitors can follow the event on Fanpage Vietnam Days Abroad, Youtube Vietnam Days Abroad, Fanpage VTV4, and Youtube VTV4. Vietnam aims to return to new normal situation by September 30: PM The National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control has adjusted the pandemic response strategy in the direction of safely, flexibly adapting to and effectively controlling COVID-19, implementing pandemic control and socio-economic development at the same time, and striving to bring the country back to the new normal situation by the end of September, stated Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is the head of the committee. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the meeting (Photo: VNA) Speaking at an online meeting on September 25 between the steering committee and officials from 10,400 communes, wards and townships, 705 districts, and 63 cities and provinces nationwide, the PM noted that so far, COVID-19 has been gradually put under control in the majority of localities, but complicated developments continue. Statistics of the committee showed that last week, the number of new cases reduced 9.7 percent to 72,236, while the death toll also fell 12.1 percent compared to the previous week, he said, adding that 16 localities have gone through 14 days without any new infection. As of September 24, 37.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been injected, with about 22.3 million people receiving first shots and 7.3 million people getting full two shots, while about 14 million more vaccine doses will continue to be administered, he said. Lauding localities efforts in pandemic fight, the Government leader also pointed to outstanding shortcomings in the field, including the ineffective implementation of directions in some localities, particularly at grassroots level, slow testing progress and inefficiency in conducting support policies for pandemic-hit groups. He asked localities to strengthen decentralisation in pandemic prevention and control activities, taking communes, wards and townships as fortresses and people as warriors in the fight. They should speed up vaccination, especially targeting those in high-risk areas, he requested. PM Chinh also urged ministries, sectors and localities to promptly design measures to restore production while continuing to eensure safety against the pandemic. He assigned the Ministry of Health to gather ideas and build a set of criteria on safely, flexibly adapting to and effectively controlling COVID-19, along with detailed guidelines on its implementation. Ministries, sectors and localities should immediately set up their task force for socio-economic recovery and development headed by their top leaders, and build their plans for economic recovery in accordance with their own situation, the Government leader requested. He also asked for the revision of regulations on entry-exit control, thus giving optimal conditions for foreign experts to enter the country for working. It is necessary to study regulations on the recognition of "vaccine passports", he stressed. The PM asigned the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) to coordinate with localities to ensure telecoms services and computers for students serving online studying. The MIC was requested to promptly develop an app used for all COVID-19 prevention and control activities. PM Chinh also underlined the need for ministries, sectors and localities to give timely and effective support to pandemic-hit groups in a transparent manner, honoring individuals and organisations with outstanding contributions in pandemic prevention and control, and strictly handling violations in the field. At the meeting, participants shared experience in pandemic fight, especially the implementation of social distancing, testing, quarantine and the care for COVID-19 patients. They also discussed the a draft guidance on safely and flexibly adapting to and effectively controlling the pandemic, focusing on specific criteria, rules and process that serve as the basis for easing social distancing restriction. Merkel's party backs Steinmeier for hotly contested presidency German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) will endorse Social Democrat Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier as a candidate for the presidency, according to sources in the government. GALLERY Although the role of German president is largely ceremonial, the candidate is meant to represent Germany internationally; the presidency is therefore hotly contested between rival parties. Berlin (dpa) - The centre-right CDU, which heads a grand coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), agreed to back Steinmeier in response to a suggestion from SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel, who is also Merkels deputy."Steinmeier is going to be an excellent president. He represents responsibility, reliability and unity," said Thomas Opperman, the head of the SPDs parliamentary group.The news comes after protracted talks between the leaders of the SPD, the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU).The CSU hasnt yet officially announced its own endorsement, but its leader, Horst Seehofer, said Monday that the parties were "in agreement."After a candidate is officially put forward, they must be approved by a special constitutional convention on February 12. Each term runs for five years.Although the role of German president is largely ceremonial, the candidate is meant to represent Germany internationally; the presidency is therefore hotly contested between rival parties. Criticism sparked worldwide over AUKUS, submarine deal Xinhua) 16:40, September 24, 2021 BEIJING, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The newly established trilateral security partnership dubbed AUKUS among the United States, Britain, and Australia has sparked fierce criticism and widespread concerns over its impact on regional security in the Asia-Pacific and global non-proliferation. Last week, the three countries announced that the first initiative under AUKUS is to deliver a nuclear-powered submarine fleet to Australia. Shortly after the new deal was unveiled, Australia announced it would scrap a deal with France signed in 2016 to purchase 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called Australia's decision a "stab in the back." Indonesia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it is "deeply concerned over the continuing arms race and power projection in the region," urging Australia to maintain its commitment to regional peace and stability. Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob warned that the nuclear submarine project might heighten military tensions in Asia. Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad called the move an "escalated threat" to the region. INCREASED RISK OF COLD WAR Hugh White, a professor of strategic studies at Australian National University, said the trilateral submarine deal is "full of risks." He said the deal would be seen as a further demonstration that Australia had sided with the United States in face of a rising China, raising worries over a potential new Cold War in Asia. The view was echoed by many in different countries in the Asia Pacific region. Allan Behm, director of International and Security Affairs Program at The Australia Institute, told Xinhua that the risk of a new type of Cold War in Asia is increasing, which would be bad for everyone including China, the United States and Australia. He cautioned that the decision and the manner in which it was announced might encourage other countries to follow suit. Will it trigger an arms race in Southeast Asia? Will the acquisition of hunter-killer submarines optimized for sinking ballistic missile submarines expand Australia's naval capability into a new domain of warfare? These are the questions worth great attention, according to Behm. "By arming Australia with nuclear-powered submarines amid the jingoistic remarks made against China by the Australian minister, it is believed to further escalate the geopolitical tension looming in the region," said Ong Tee Keat, chairman of Malaysian think tank Center for New Inclusive Asia and former Malaysian transport minister. He said that it would risk stoking a military standoff between China and the U.S.-led Quad or AUKUS on the sea and create a more conflict-prone region. INCREASED THREAT TO REGIONAL STABILITY Ong believed that with the inception of AUKUS, the possibility of a bloc-versus-bloc confrontation cannot be ruled out, as it heralds the transfer of nuclear technology for military use through the security partnership. Yang Baoyun, a professor specializing in ASEAN studies at Thailand's Thammasat University, pointed out that Australia has rich uranium resources. "That lays the foundation for the potential nuclear industry in the country," he said. "If nuclear submarines are developed with the support of American and British technologies, it is possible that the country will also make progress in nuclear material processing technologies, leading to higher risk of nuclear proliferation." That would undoubtedly cast a shadow over peace, stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region, he added. Australia's possession of nuclear-powered submarines, coupled with its ability to carry ballistic missiles, would change the strategic balance in the region, Yang noted. "It could even cause the proliferation of carriers for mass destructive weapons, and pose a direct threat to the neighboring countries." Bambang Suryono, chairman of Indonesia's think tank Asia Innovation Study Center, told Xinhua that as Australia's neighbor and the largest southeast Asian country, Indonesia feels directly threatened by the AUKUS. As countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are not equipped with nuclear weapons, he said that Australia, given its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region, is a direct danger to Southeast Asian countries. He pointed out that the deal not only tears apart the United States and France, but also split the United States and ASEAN countries. "It fully demonstrates that (the) U.S. as an ally is untrustworthy, and could stab others in the back." SERVING AMERICAN INTERESTS Like Suryono, many believe that AUKUS and the submarine deal serves the interests of the United States, rather than countries in the Asia-Pacific region. "While most of the countries in Asia-Pacific are still grappling with the pandemic and seeking economic recovery, the inception of such a security partnership as AUKUS is indeed out of sync with the prevailing regional needs that could only be well met through multilateral cooperation," Ong said. "Beyond any euphemism, AUKUS is merely another tool in the U.S. toolbox to 'make the world safe for the U.S.' in the perspective of safeguarding the U.S. geopolitical primacy, even at the expense of regional peace and post-COVID-19 economic recovery," he said. Ong gave the example of the recent trade discord between China and Australia, in which the United States openly backed Australia. However, American exporters were quick to fill the void left behind by Australia, leaving no chance for Australian goods to regain lost market share. In an interview with the Australian Financial Review, former Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad said that AUKUS is a sign that the West has not adjusted to the rise of Asia. "You keep on trying to persuade ASEAN to confront China, to be unfriendly. We cannot do that," he said. For Australia, while there are scholars calling for a more independent foreign policy, Behm worried that without a civil nuclear industry, the submarine deal would leave the country more dependent on a foreign supplier. "With no experience in the design, construction, operation or disposal of nuclear power plants, Australia will be entirely reliant on either or both Britain and the U.S.," he said. "A nuclear-powered submarine cannot be a sovereign capability for Australia. So Australia's sovereign autonomy will be inevitably reduced," Behm warned. (Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun) China makes great strides in robot industry People's Daily Online) 17:42, September 24, 2021 Despite being a latecomer, China has seen the vigorous development of its robot industry over the past years. A service robot dances at the World Robot Expo in Beijing, Sept. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) In 2020, the size of Chinas robot sector surpassed 100 billion yuan (about $15.48 billion) for the first time, with the country becoming a vital force to support the development of the global robot industry, according to an official from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Xin Guobin, vice-minister of the MIIT made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2021 World Robot Conference, held in Beijing from Sept. 10 to 13. China has remained the worlds largest market for industrial robots for eight consecutive years, and its installed industrial robots accounted for 44 percent of the global total, Xin noted, adding that the output of Chinese industrial robots increased from 72,000 units in 2016 to 212,000 units in 2020, recording an annual growth rate of 31 percent on average. A reporter interacts with an intelligent robot actor at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, Sept. 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Meanwhile, Chinese service and special robot manufacturers above the designated size, or those with an annual revenue of more than 20 million yuan each, earned 52.9 billion yuan in revenue last year, a year-on-year increase of 41 percent, Xin said. However, its not easy for China to secure its position in the global robot sector. Qu Daokui, founder of Chinas leading robot maker, Siasun Robot and Automation Co., Ltd., was one of the pioneers of the countrys robot industry. In 1992, Qu was a young researcher at the Shenyang Institute of Automation under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in northeast Chinas Liaoning province. When he visited Volkswagens plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, he was astonished by a car assembly line featuring hundreds of robots. Back then, few Chinese labs had robots for research purpose, but robots had been widely applied in foreign countries, he recalled, indicating that China lagged far behind Germany in terms of the robot industry at that time. Eight years later, Qu led a team of several researchers and established Siasun. From the very beginning, the company was determined to become a pioneer, not a follower, by leveraging its research and development capabilities and technological advantages. Over the past 20-plus years, Siasun has grown into one of the top ten robot manufacturers in the world, with the most comprehensive robotic product line. The companys robots have been exported to over 40 countries and regions. A robotic bull performs at the World Robot Conference in Beijing in 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Similarly, Li Zexiang, another academic entrepreneur in Chinas robot sector, established the Automation Technology Center at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 1992 after completing his studies overseas. He founded Googol Technology (HK) Limited in Shenzhou, south Chinas Guangdong, in 1999, for the research and development of motion controllers for the manufacturing sector. Now, Googol Technology has provided over one million motion control systems for companies in nearly 60 industries, including new energy, in over 30 countries and regions. The rapid development of the two companies epitomizes the rise of Chinas robot industry, which has gone from zero to one and from nothing to something. Apart from the efforts of pioneers like Qu and Li, tech talents and comprehensive industrial and supply chains are the other driving forces behind Chinas booming robot industry, according to industry insiders. Photo shows a panda robot at the World Robot Conference in Beijing in 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Despite the achievements, the development of the countrys robot sector is still in its infancy, Xin Guobin said, calling for making breakthroughs in core technologies and increasing the supply of high-end robots. Talents hold the key to the further development of Chinas robot industry. To Li Zexiang, turning academic teams into entrepreneurs is the most direct way for cultivating talents in the sector. For this purpose, Li set up the Songshan Lake Xbot Park in Guangdongs Dongguan city, which has incubated 60 enterprises that specialize in robotics and smart hardware. (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) Cental China's Dongting Lake makes great strides in improving ecological environment People's Daily Online) 17:50, September 24, 2021 Photo shows a glimpse of the natural beauty at a wharf at the East Dongting Lake. (Photo/chinanews.com) In recent years, the Dongting Lake region of central China's Hunan province has made considerable strides in improving its natural environment. Dongting Lake, the second-largest freshwater lake in China, is known as "the kidney of the Yangtze River". However, due to long-term development and overuse, the lakes water level dropped markedly, with its wetlands being threatened by a sharp reduction in its area as well as undergoing functional degradation. In March 2016, Hunan launched five special actions to tackle eco-environmental problems in the vicinity of Dongting Lake, such as pollution related to livestock and poultry breeding. Furthermore, the province issued a three-year action plan designed to improve the ecological environment of Dongting Lake at the end of 2017. "Over the past three years, all the 1,139 environmental problems in Dongting Lake have been solved," said Tong Zheng, director of the East Dongting Lake nature reserve administration. Tong explained that through a series of measures, such as dismantling fences and redirecting natural water, 668,800 mu (44,586 hectares) of wetlands in East Dongting Lake have been restored and over 72 percent of wetlands have are now well protected, signifying significant improvements to the overall ecological environment and water quality. Besides, Hunan has also promoted the construction of ecological corridors along the Yangtze River shoreline, restored 13,000 mu of green land and built three 50-meter-wide demonstration shelterbelts at a length of 10 kilometers, as well as basically putting an end to illegal sand mining. Greening efforts also paid off in the wetlands around Dongting Lake with more than 260 species of plants now thriving in adjacent lakes, rivers, beaches and meadows. Last year saw the overall water quality of Dongting Lake improve from Class V, as recorded in 2015, to Class IV, while its wintering waterbird population meanwhile expanded to more than 288,000, the highest in 10 years. The populations of finless porpoise and elks also rose to about 130 and 220 respectively. "Beautiful pictures of egrets soaring, elks rushing and finless porpoises leaping have reemerged in Dongting Lake," said Peng Xiaocheng, deputy director of the water and ecological environment organ under the Hunan provincial ecological environment department. Peng added that the ecological environment of Dongting Lake has been continuously improved, demonstrating a gratifying picture of lavish grass, abundant fish, a larger variety of birds and clean water. (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) Commentary: US is the biggest threat to world peace 17:56, September 24, 2021 By Xin Yue, Qin Chuan ( People's Daily Online Earlier this month, the United States House Committee on Armed Services passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022, boosting defense spending by $777.9 billion for military and national security programs. The bill named China as a threat to the US, and used this as an excuse to increase the US military budget in a bid to expand the military power of the country. As history has proved, the US is a true threat to world peace. The US has hyped the so-called China threat theory, holding onto a zero-sum game mentality In the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance released by the US National Security Council on March 3, 2021, US President Joe Biden said that America is back. Diplomacy is back. Alliances are back. By hyping the China threat cliche, the US administration has again taken the wrong direction in ganging up with its allies to maintain American hegemony. To maintain the countrys hegemony, the Biden administration shifted US military strategy from the war on terrorism, which the US has waged over the past two decades, to the competition arena of major powers. To complete its global strategic adjustment, the US withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, and continued to view China as a vital challenge. In an interview with the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) on Feb.7, 2021, Biden said China is in for extreme competition with the US under the course of his administration. In the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance, the US said clearly that China, in particular, has rapidly become more assertive. It is the only competitor potentially capable of combining its economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to mount a sustained challenge to a stable and open international system. The Guidance also defined the US China policy from three perspectives: cooperation, competition, and confrontation, while regarding addressing challenges from China as a national security priority. As a guiding document on US national security during the current US administration, the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance is a demonstration of the US zero-sum game mindset, as well as an old trick of the US to trumpet the China threat with an aim to maintaining its hegemony. The continuously increasing US military budget reflects the countrys ambition to maintain American hegemony The US has the highest military spending worldwide, maintaining a large defense budget. According to a report on trends in global military expenditure in 2020 released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on April 26, US military expenditure last year increased by 4.4 percent over the previous year, representing the third consecutive year of growth. This expenditure accounts for 39 percent of overall global spending, and is equivalent to the sum of all the countries ranked between third to 33rd on the list. In December 2020, during the Trump administration, in order to promote the countrys Indo-Pacific Strategy, the US Congress passed the national defense budget for fiscal year 2021, establishing the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, a military fund to boost deterrence against China. The Biden administration has also continued its predecessors policy by further enhancing the US presence in the region. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 released in May showed that the US defense budget for operations in the Indo-Pacific region reached $66 billion, and $5.09 billion went to the Pacific Deterrence Initiative. At a summit on global emerging technologies held in July, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin proposed the strategy of Integrated Deterrence, saying that the US needs to create technological advantages for itself in the competition between major powers. In a word, the US government, in the past or at present, has always had strategic anxiety toward China, as well as ambition to maintain its hegemony. The US has a notorious record of intervening in the affairs of other countries and waging wars around the world We add value to the stability to the region, said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin before his visit to Asia on July 24, 2021. However, this is not the truth at all as US troops brought only chaos to every place they were found to be present and displaced local people. It is a common practice for the US to maintain hegemony through waging wars. The US has only been at peace for less than 20 years since its independence in 1776. According to incomplete statistics, from the end of World War II in 1945 to 2001, among the 248 armed conflicts that occurred in 153 regions of the world, 201 were initiated by the US, accounting for 81 percent of the total number. The 800-odd US military bases located around the world frequently launched wars in foreign countries. Since 2001, the US has waged unjustified wars and military operations in foreign countries, causing over 800,000 deaths and displacing tens of millions. On Aug. 29, the US launched a drone strike in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, under the guise of counter-terrorism operations, having claimed that two terrorists were killed in the action. On Sept. 17, the Commander of US Central Command Kenneth McKenzie admitted that the strike was a mistake because those who died were not in fact associated with terrorist groups, with the strike killing as many as 10 civilians, including 7 children. The US is a big arms exporter and the black hand destroying world peace and stability Apart from being directly involved in wars, the US has intervened in other countries affairs by supporting proxy wars, inciting anti-government insurgencies, carrying out assassinations, providing weapons and ammunition, and training anti-government armed forces. According to a research report by Brown University on Sept. 13, the Pentagons spending has totaled over $14 trillion since 2001, with nearly one-half of the total going to military contractors. Statistics by the SIPRI indicate that the US has remained the worlds largest arms exporter. Between 2010 and 2020, more than a third of all weapons traded worldwide were manufactured in the US. In August, Mexico filed a lawsuit against multiple US gun makers, arguing that the American companies knew that their practices would facilitate gun violence in Mexico and yet still did nothing to stop selling guns to Mexico regardless of the buyers record. Peace and stability is the shared aspiration of people all over the world. However, with US politicians refusing to take responsibility for creating chaos around the world, while trumpeting the China threat in an attempt to justify the US soaring military spending, the US has proved once again that it is the biggest threat to global peace and security. The practices of the US will inevitably lead to more humanitarian disasters if the country does not discard its zero-sum game mindset, refrain from intervening in the affairs of other countries and stop waging wars in foreign countries. The right path for the US to take is to view China in an objective manner, and adhere to mutual respect and cooperation, so as to control divergences, safeguard global peace and stability and improve the welfare of all mankind. (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) Hong Kong affairs allow no US intervention 09:03, September 25, 2021 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily A national flag-raising ceremony is held by the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Hong Kong, south China, July 1, 2021. (Xinhua) Hong Kong citizens want a stable country, good governance, and long-term prosperity. The US should respect China's internal affairs and stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs. It should never underestimate the firm determination of the Chinese people to safeguard national dignity and their legitimate interests. Hong Kong-related issues have always had a complex international background. The world should have a clear understanding of what has been done to the special administrative region (SAR) of China by external forces. The Foreign Ministry of China on Sept. 24 issued a fact sheet on its website enumerating US intervention in Hong Kong affairs from February 2019 until August this year. The long sheet, titled Fact Sheet: US Interference in Hong Kong Affairs and Support for Anti-China, Destabilizing Forces, listed five major kinds of facts of US intervention. It says the US has enacted Hong Kong-related acts, vilified China's policy on Hong Kong, meddled in Hong Kong affairs, and wantonly interfered in China's internal affairs, as well as imposed sanctions in an attempt to obstruct the implementation in Hong Kong of the Hong Kong National Security Law and relevant decisions of China's National People's Congress (NPC). The long list also includes US politicians and government departments that have repeatedly made unfounded charges against Hong Kong affairs and Hong Kong police's law-enforcement actions in an attempt to undermine Hong Kongs prosperity and stability. The US has also shielded and supported those who are opposed to China and attempt to destabilize Hong Kong, provided platforms for them to advocate "Hong Kong independence" and spread political disinformation, and justified the acts of those lawbreakers by twisting facts and misleading the public. The fact sheet also contains evidence of the US colluding with some countries to exert pressure, and teaming up with allies to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and make irresponsible comments by such means as joint statements. The US acts on Hong Kong have fundamentally gone against the international law and the norms governing international relations. They are undermining Hong Kong's development and prosperity and siding against Hong Kong citizens. The intervention efforts from the US are ultimately a "Hong Kong card" played by Washington to contain China's development. However, the more hypes the US makes about Hong Kong and the more it does to help its agents making troubles in Hong Kong, the more clearly people can see the US hypocrisy in pursuing double standard. Why didn't the US applaud for the Capitol violence, since it cheered for the anti-China rioters who tried to destabilize Hong Kong? Why wasn't there anybody condemning the US security guards firing rounds at the demonstrators who attacked the Capitol building, or calling the martial law around the building by the US military a breach of human rights, since the righteous actions taken by the Hong Kong police to maintain orders were widely attacked by the US? Obviously, for some US politicians, being right or wrong doesnt matter . What they actually care about is if they can seize every opportunity to fabricate double-standard stories on democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law, so as to take these stories as an excuse to disturb other countries and to make them a fig leaf for the US hegemony. The wishful thinking of the US about China's Hong Kong is only wishful thinking. Today's Hong Kong is a land of patriotism, and the Hong Kong citizens want a stable country with good governance and long-term prosperity. The enactment and implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, as well as the improved electoral system of the SAR, have helped Hong Kong put an end to chaos and embrace governance and prosperity. A concert celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival was recently held in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The joyful and passionate concert mirrored the Hong Kong citizens' aspiration to advocate the "one country, two systems" principle and "patriots governing Hong Kong," as well as their confidence in a better and more prosperous Hong Kong. It is believed that Hong Kong, integrated into China's national development, will surely achieve faster, bigger and better development. China's central authorities recently issued a new plan for further developing a cooperation zone for the southern metropolis of Shenzhen and the Hong Kong SAR, which will ensure more inspiring development of the Greater Bay Area. Apart from that, China's Ministry of Finance recently announced to issue a total of 20 billion yuan ($3.09 billion) of yuan-denominated treasury bonds in Hong Kong in three batches. It will better meet the demand for the allocation of yuan assets by international investors, and demonstrate China's confidence and determination in opening up to the outside world. This issuance will also help consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international financial hub and the world's largest offshore yuan center. Those who conform to the magnificent trend of the times prosper, while those who go against it perish. The "political mire" that had long existed in Hong Kong is gone forever, and no one can contain China's development by playing the "Hong Kong card" anymore. The US should respect China's internal affairs and stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs. It should never underestimate the firm determination of the Chinese people to safeguard national dignity and their legitimate interests. (Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.) (Web editor: Sheng Chuyi, Liang Jun) Xi says safeguarding Communist governance vital common interest of China, Vietnam Xinhua) 09:49, September 25, 2021 BEIJING, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that it is the most fundamental common strategic interest of China and Vietnam to safeguard the security of their Communist parties' governance and that of their socialist systems. Xi made the remarks in a telephone conversation with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong. Xi said he is glad to talk on the phone with Trong on the eve of China's National Day, adding that so far this year he and Trong have maintained close communication by multiple means, helping the two parties and countries deepen strategic mutual trust and consolidate traditional friendship, and jointly steering bilateral relations toward sustained and steady progress under new circumstances. China and Vietnam, he added, are socialist neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, and are a community with a shared future that bears strategic significance. Facing the complicated and combined impacts of global changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, China and Vietnam share many common interests and concerns, Xi noted. He suggested that the two sides maintain the right direction, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, continuously develop the socialist cause, earnestly safeguard the fundamental interests of the two parties, countries and nations, and make positive contributions to regional and global peace and development. The Chinese side firmly supports Trong in leading the CPV and the Vietnamese people to advance on the socialist path suited to Vietnam's national conditions and realize the development goals set at the CPV's 13th national congress, Xi said. The two sides, he added, should conduct institutionalized exchanges in such areas as theoretical discussions, cadre training and cooperation between local party committees, deepen communication and mutual learning between counterpart departments of the two parties and countries, and strengthen the guidance of public opinion. They should also accelerate the coordination of their development strategies, create new bright spots in bilateral cooperation, and bring the people in both countries a greater sense of fulfillment, Xi said, adding that China firmly supports the Vietnamese side in defeating COVID-19 and promoting economic and social development. Meanwhile, they need to enhance coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, defend peace and stability in the South China Sea, oppose politicization of COVID-19 origins tracing, practice true multilateralism, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi added. Trong warmly congratulated China on the successful celebration of the centenary of the CPC and the upcoming 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC). He spoke highly of the great achievements China has made in various fields since the CPC's founding 100 years ago, since the PRC's founding over 70 years ago, and especially under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core since the 18th CPC National Congress. He said he firmly believes that China will make new glorious achievements on its new journey of fully building a modern socialist country. Trong said that relations between the two parties and countries now enjoy a good momentum, featuring close high-level exchanges and fast-growing economic and trade cooperation. Vietnam attaches great importance to the development of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and always treats it as a top priority, he said, adding that his country is grateful for China's valuable support and assistance for Vietnam's fight against the pandemic and restoration of economic and social development. The CPV, he said, is willing to work with the CPC to strengthen inter-party exchanges, enhance political mutual trust, and deepen experience sharing on party and state governance. He also suggested that the two parties push for closer win-win cooperation between the two countries in such areas as economy and trade, epidemic response and cultural exchanges and at local levels, so as to continuously advance both countries' socialist causes and bilateral relations, and jointly promote regional and global peace and stability. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Sheng Chuyi) DPRK says ready to improve relations if Seoul ends hostility Xinhua) 10:51, September 25, 2021 PYONGYANG, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Pyongyang is willing to hold discussions on improving bilateral ties if South Korea ends its policy of hostility, a senior official of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said on Friday. "We have willingness to keep our close contacts with the South again and have constructive discussion with it about the restoration and development of bilateral relations" if Seoul ceases its hostile policies toward Pyongyang, Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency. Kim made the remarks in response to a proposal by South Korean President Moon Jae-in a few days ago. During a speech at the 76th United Nations General Assembly, Moon called for a political declaration to terminate the 1950-53 war on the Korean Peninsula. Kim, who is also the younger sister of Kim Jong Un, the DPRK's top leader, said the proposal is "an interesting and an admirable idea," which means "a physical end to the unstable state of ceasefire" and to "withdraw hostility toward the opposite party." Concern remains whether the time is ripe to officially announce the end to the war. "Now double-dealing standards, prejudice and hostile policies toward the DPRK and speeches and acts antagonizing us persist," she said. "Under such situation, it does not make any sense to declare the end of the war." She said for the termination of the war to be declared, "respect for each other should be maintained and prejudiced viewpoint, inveterate hostile policy and unequal double standards must be removed first." Only then would it be possible to sit face to face and discuss the future of the Korean Peninsula, Kim said. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Sheng Chuyi) 3 people killed in courtroom shootout in Indian capital Xinhua) 10:53, September 25, 2021 NEW DELHI, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Three people including a gangster were killed Friday in a shootout inside a courtroom in the Indian capital city Delhi, police said. The shootout took place at Rohini court complex in north Delhi. According to the police, two men dressed as lawyers fired upon gangster Jitender Gogi inside a courtroom, killing him on the spot. However, the attackers were immediately shot dead by security personnel on duty. The police said the attack on the Gogi was a result of a gang war. Gogi involved in several criminal cases and jailed at Tihar was being produced in court when members of the rival gang attacked him. "Two people from rival gang opened fire at Jitender Gogi inside the court. The police present there retaliated swiftly and killed those two assailants," a senior police officer said. "Total three dead, including Gogi." The firing incident triggered panic inside the court complex. On the footage aired on television news channels, gunshots can be heard and the policemen and lawyers were seen walking in panic. Reports said the Rohini court complex is a highly secured area and visitors are thoroughly checked before entering the premises. However, the firing incident marks a huge security lapse inside the complex. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Sheng Chuyi) World upbeat about China's pledge at UNGA to stop building new coal plants overseas Xinhua) 11:06, September 25, 2021 BEIJING, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent pledge delivered virtually at the United Nations (UN) promises a low-carbon future for China and contributes to better global environmental governance, experts, business insiders and media personnel have said. "China will step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy, and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad," Xi said ealier this week in his statement addressing the general debate of the ongoing 76th session of the UN General Assembly via video. Shakeel Ramay, chief executive officer of Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development, commended Xi's announcement as a significant one, which demonstrates that "China once again has proved that it is serious about the issue of climate change. China doesn't only talk but deliver (its promise) as well." Almas Chukin, managing partner of Visor Kazakhstan, said China's move shows its determination to actively promote global environmental protection. Chukin, whose company Visor Kazakhstan is an investor of Central Asia's biggest wind power project Zhanatas, also said that the move blazes a new trial for global energy conservation and emission reduction. Oleksiy Koval, a Ukrainian expert, said China actively supports developing countries in developing clean energy and shares its advanced technologies, experience and achievements with the world while improving its domestic environment. Such a move by China is of great significance to reducing global carbon dioxide emissions, demonstrating China's commitment to improving global environmental governance, he added. China's new promise to tackle climate change is a "historic turning point" away from fossil fuel, French newspaper "Les Echos" quoted Helen Mountford, vice president for Climate and Economics at the World Resources Institute, as saying. China's move demonstrates its efforts to fulfill its commitment to jointly tackle global climate change with the international community, said an article published on the website of the Thailand-based Manager newspaper. Accelerating the global phase out of coal is the single most important step to keep the goal of the Paris Agreement within reach, Singapore-based Lianhe Zaobao quoted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as saying in a statement. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Sheng Chuyi) HKSAR gov't supports Chinese foreign ministry's issuance of fact sheet on U.S. interference in Hong Kong affairs Xinhua) 11:15, September 25, 2021 HONG KONG, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Friday voiced full support for the Chinese Foreign Ministry's issuance of "Fact Sheet: U.S. Interference in Hong Kong Affairs and Support for Anti-China, Destabilizing Forces." The United States has been colluding with anti-China, destabilizing forces for years and disseminating anti-China comments and thoughts via organizations and individuals with ulterior motives to incite emotions and advocate such ideas as "Hong Kong independence" and "self-determination," the HKSAR government said in a statement. It said such malicious acts seriously jeopardized the national sovereignty, security and development interests, making Hong Kong a gaping hole in national security, with its prosperity and stability also placed at risk. As the foreign ministry has now exposed the U.S. malicious acts with ironclad evidence, Hong Kong people can now grasp the facts, understand clearly the years of interference by external forces in Hong Kong, and avoid falling prey to the malicious attempts of the United States, the HKSAR government said. The central authorities took resolute actions in enacting the national security law in Hong Kong, allowing the HKSAR government to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for any act endangering national security in accordance with the law, it said. The following improvement of the electoral system of the HKSAR also prevented individuals with anti-China sentiment from entering the HKSAR's political system through elections, thereby demonstrating the full and faithful implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" institutionally, the HKSAR government said. Hong Kong society has since been transformed from chaos to stability and moved towards prosperity, it noted. With the country's staunch support, the business environment of Hong Kong not only remains intact, but is presented with unlimited business opportunities with the enormous opportunities brought about by the 14th Five-Year Plan and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development, the government said. The HKSAR government said it will continue to enforce the national security law in Hong Kong resolutely and implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" fully and faithfully, firmly opposing and guarding against foreign forces interfering in the internal affairs of Hong Kong. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Sheng Chuyi) SCO "Peace Mission 2021" counter-terrorism drill concludes in Russia Xinhua) 13:33, September 25, 2021 Chinese troops participate in the closing ceremony of the "Peace Mission 2021" counter-terrorism military drill of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, at the Donguz training range in Russia's Orenburg Region on Sept. 24, 2021. The "Peace Mission 2021" counter-terrorism military drill of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states wrapped up on Friday in Russia. (Xinhua/Mei Shixiong) MOSCOW, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The "Peace Mission 2021" counter-terrorism military drill of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states wrapped up on Friday in Russia. The military exercise was successful and all the tasks were finished, Commander of the Russian Central Military District Alexander Lapin said at a closing ceremony at the Donguz training range in Russia's Orenburg Region. During the ceremony, 27 Chinese military personnel were awarded for their outstanding performance. The participating forces conducted live-fire drill on Thursday, when military equipments such as infantry fighting vehicles and assault vehicles made fierce attacks against the targets. The participants of the military drill were from eight SCO member states, namely China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Pakistan and Uzbekistan. The participating troops consisted of about 4,000 military personnel, among which over 550 were from China. The senior military officials also exchanged their views at a meeting of chiefs of general staff of the SCO member states on Thursday, on the current international and regional situations, security challenges, and deepening military and security cooperation. They also expressed concern over new risks arising from the hasty withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Sheng Chuyi) First International Summit on BDS Applications held in China 14:15, September 25, 2021 By He Yong, Shen Zhilin ( People's Daily A carrier rocket carrying the last satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 9:43 am, June 23, 2020. (Photo by Li Jieyi/People's Daily Online) The first International Summit on BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) Applications, themed "BDS serves the world, application fuels the future," was held in Changsha, central China's Hunan province on Sept. 16 and 17. China's BDS system has realized compatibility and interoperability with other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and will promote the development of today's navigation and positioning, as well as timing technologies, and lay a solid foundation for the development of a more flexible, solid and elastic structure of the navigation satellite technology, said Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, in a video message to the summit. This summit would make a contribution to the international application of space technologies, she added. The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, or what's known as BDS-3, was officially commissioned on July 31, 2020, marking the completion of a satellite constellation fully and independently developed by the Chinese. However, the BDS benefits not only the Chinese, but also the entire world. At present, it has been applied in over half of the countries and regions around the world. As a matter of fact, the BDS has been gradually introduced to other parts of the world and started serving other countries' socioeconomic development and infrastructure construction since the second phase of the project, or the BDS-2 was completed in 2012. In 2013, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of Myanmar purchased hundreds of BDS/GNSS receivers to collect agricultural data and manage land across the country. Two years later, BDS high-precision receivers were used in the construction of a 300-meter-high headquarters for the National Bank of Kuwait. Receiving BDS signals ensured millimeter-level measurement error in the vertical direction during the construction, and it marked the first time that the BDS navigation and positioning technology was applied to high-rise building monitoring overseas. The information integration system for Pakistans new Islamabad International Airport commenced its construction in 2017, and the BDS was applied for high-precision timing services. In 2018, 1,046 high-precision GNSS receivers powered by the BDS were used in the survey and construction of land right confirmation, road, railway and water conservancy projects in Indonesia. So far, BDS products have been exported to over 120 countries and regions, providing services for more than 100 million users. The BDS belongs to China, and the world, too, said Mohamed Ben Amor, Secretary-General of the Arab Information & Communication Technologies Organization. He noted that the organization will support the construction of the BDS and promote the system in all Arab countries and even beyond, so as to expand the influence of the system and its application, enhance the system's application, and benefit local communities. The powerful performance of the BDS is why the system has such a big presence in international and domestic socioeconomic construction. The positioning accuracy of the system has reached 2.5 meters horizontally and 5.0 meters vertically. Its velocity accuracy is 0.2 meters per second, while its timing accuracy stands at 20 nanoseconds. As for global short message communication services, the service capability is 40 Chinese characters per message (560 bytes), and the number goes up to 1,000 when it comes to short message communication services in China and surrounding areas. The BDS also offers distress alerts acknowledgement services. Besides, the satellite-based augmentation and ground augmentation services of the BDS system can provide high-precision positioning with centimeter-level accuracy in real-time processing and millimeter-level accuracy in post-processing. At present, the BDS-3 offers seven kinds of services, introduced Chen Gucang, deputy director of the China Satellite Navigation Office. Since its formal commission in July 2020, the BDS-3 has maintained steady operation and top-class service performance, he added. With expanding application areas and the rising number of applications, the BDS has been widely used in transport, public security, disaster relief, agriculture, forestry, husbandry, fishery, and urban governance, and integrated into power, finance and communication infrastructures. It is also powering consumer goods, the sharing economy, and the livelihood sector. Now, there are around 14,000 enterprises and institutions in China doing businesses related to the BDS, with over 500,000 employees. During Chinas 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), the average annual growth of the output of the Chinese satellite navigation and positioning industry exceeded 20 percent, and the output value of the industry hit 403.3 billion yuan ($62.39 billion) last year. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Sheng Chuyi) Germany needs to work more closely with China in post-Merkel era Xinhua) 14:45, September 25, 2021 BERLIN, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- After 16 years in office, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will go off duty while a new German federal government will be formed after the Bundestag election on Sunday. No matter which party will govern after the election, China policy is one of the top diplomatic priorities for a new German government in the post-Merkel era. And only by closer pragmatic cooperation can Germany continue to boost its ties with China in the future and make greater contributions to global economic recovery amid the pandemic and other daunting planetary challenges. During her tenure, Merkel has ushered in an era of prosperity for Germany, casting off the tag of "sick man of Europe," and helping Germany achieve almost full employment before the pandemic. Her risk-management responses have guided Germany, and to some extent the European Union (EU), in overcoming the economic crises such as the 2008 global financial meltdown and the European debt crisis. That has earned her the highest support rate among German politicians in the latest days of her political career. In recent years, the China-Germany relationship has also seen steadfast development. The resilience in their relations is inseparable from the strong political mutual trust between the leaders of the two sides. Since last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Merkel have maintained highly frequent and efficient exchanges, which has played an important leading role in the development of China-Germany and China-EU relations, and also demonstrated the high-level mutual trust between the two countries. Trade and economic cooperation has always been a forceful booster for the China-Germany relationship. Official statistics show that China has been Germany's largest trading partner since 2016, with two-way trade amounting to around 248.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Volker Treier, member of the executive board of German chamber of industry and commerce, said if China had not recovered in time, the German economy would have had a much more difficult time in 2021. The two countries have also helped China and the EU complete their investment agreement negotiations on schedule, and worked together to uphold multilateralism, safeguard free trade, and actively tackle climate change, jointly making positive contributions to maintaining world peace and stability. The fundamental reason for the great achievements of China-Germany relations, Xi said in a phone conversation with Merkel this month, lies in the fact that the two countries respect each other, seek common ground while reserving differences, focus on win-win cooperation and pursue complementation of their respective advantages. Looking into the future, China and Germany should work more closely to support the world organizations to shore up confidence in the international community and boost global economic recovery in the post-pandemic world, confronting the Cold War mentality of some countries and other transnational challenges such as climate change and terrorism. As the world is becoming more turbulent, China and Germany shoulder important responsibilities and their cooperation extends beyond bilateral ties. Sustained China-Germany and China-EU strategic cooperation not only benefits the people of China and Europe, but will bring more confidence and certainty to the world racked by frustrations. (Web editor: Sheng Chuyi, Bianji) China maps out blueprint for building up IP strength in new era 14:55, September 25, 2021 By Shen Changyu ( People's Daily A visitor learns about Chinas achievements in intellectual property protection from 2016 to 2020 at a thematic exhibition area at the Dalian World Expo Center, Dalian, northeast Chinas Liaoning province, Nov. 11, 2020. (Photo by Liu Debin/Peoples Daily Online) China recently issued a guideline on building up its intellectual property (IP) strength between 2021 and 2035, which charts the route to advancing the development of intellectual property rights (IPR) in the next 15 years and represents a milestone in the countrys IPR sector. In recent years, Chinas IPR sector has made steady progress, blazing a path of IPR development with Chinese characteristics. Jumping to the 12th this year from the 35th in 2013 in the worlds innovation index ranking, China is the highest-ranked among middle-income economies and one of the fastest growing countries in the world in terms of innovation capability, according to the Global Innovation Index 2021 released recently by the World Intellectual Property Organization. The country has truly become a big country in IP and is well prepared for growing into an IPR powerhouse. By 2025, China will see significant results in enhancing its strength in IPR development, including stricter IPR protection, a high level of social satisfaction, greater market value of IPR, and significant improvement in the competitiveness of domestic brands, according to the guideline issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council. Chinas overall IPR competitiveness will be at the forefront of the world by 2035, when the country will basically become a world-class IPR power with Chinese characteristics. The guideline also specified Chinas major tasks in six aspects for building up its IP strength, which are also key areas and links in developing the country into an IPR powerhouse. First, China will build an IP system oriented to socialist modernization. In particular, it will establish a comprehensive, well-structured, IP legal system featuring internal and external coordination, and accelerate IP legislation in new fields and business forms such as big data, AI and genetic technology. The country will also set up a management system featuring unified responsibilities, scientific standards and excellent services, and strengthen the central governments power in the macro-management, regional coordination, and overall planning of foreign-related matters concerning IPR protection. Besides, it plans to form a fair, reasonable and scientific IP policy system and an IP rule system for emerging and specific fields characterized by timely response and sound protection. Second, China intends to build an IPR protection system that can sustain a world-class business environment. For the purpose, it will establish a fair, efficient, and complete judicial protection system that features scientific approach and clear responsibilities, a convenient and efficient administrative protection system that is strict, fair, open and transparent, as well as a collaborative protection pattern featuring unified leadership, smooth connection, and fast and effective response. Meanwhile, it will implement a project for the construction of the IPR protection system and facilitate the channel of collaboration between administrative and judicial protection. Third, China will establish an IPR market operation mechanism that encourages innovation. It aims to improve a market-oriented high-quality innovation system with enterprises as the mainstay, and perfect an efficient and sound IPR application mechanism that can fully realize the market value of IPR, under which the country will strengthen the cultivation of patent-intensive industries and promote the construction of trademarks and brands. The country also plans to establish a standardized, orderly and dynamic market-oriented operation mechanism and implement a project for the construction of the IPR operation mechanism. Fourth, the country will build an IPR public service system that is convenient and beneficial to the public. It will also strengthen the supply of comprehensive, standardized, intelligent and efficient public services, implement a project for the construction of intelligent IPR public services, advance the standardization, normalization, and network construction of public services, and form an information service model featuring standardized data, resource integration, and efficient utilization. Fifth, China will foster a cultural and social environment that helps promote high-quality IPR development. It will strive to create a cultural atmosphere of respecting knowledge, valuing innovation, upholding integrity and observance of the law, and encouraging fair competition, establish a cultural communication matrix featuring novel content, diverse forms, and integrated development for IPR development, and cultivate a more open, active and dynamic environment for the development of IP talents while strengthening the training of IP talents with a global vision. Sixth, China will further deepen its participation in global IPR governance, for which the country will actively participate in the reform and construction of the global IPR governance system and expand opening-up in the field, build an international cooperation network that coordinates multilateral and bilateral platforms, actively safeguard and develop multilateral systems for IPR cooperation, deepen pragmatic cooperation with countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative on IPR, and create high-level cooperation platforms. The author is the Director of China National Intellectual Property Administration. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Sheng Chuyi) Palestinian man killed, dozens injured by Israeli soldiers in West Bank Xinhua) 14:58, September 25, 2021 People carry the body of Palestinian man Mohammed Khbeisa during his funeral in the village of Beita, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, on Sept. 24, 2021. A Palestinian man was killed and dozens were injured on Friday in clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, medics and eyewitnesses said. Mohammed Khbeisa, 28 years old, was killed by Israeli soldiers during clashes in the village of Beita, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a statement. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian man was killed and dozens were injured on Friday in clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, medics and eyewitnesses said. Mohammed Khbeisa, 28 years old, was killed by Israeli soldiers during clashes in the village of Beita, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a statement. Eyewitnesses said that dozens of Palestinian protesters demonstrated in the village in protest against Israeli settlement expansion and confiscation of Palestinian lands. The protesters burned tires, waved Palestinian flags, chanted anti-Israel slogans and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed at an Israeli outpost near the village, while the Israeli soldiers fired teargas canisters, live gunshots and rubber-coated metal bullets to disperse the demonstrators, said the eyewitnesses. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a press statement that dozens were injured by rubber bullets and others suffered suffocation after they inhaled teargas, adding that most of them received field treatment by medics. Clashes in the village have been going on for around four months following the establishment of an Israeli outpost on parts of the village's lands owned by its residents. Meanwhile, Palestinian medics said that dozens were injured during clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers in Qalqilya and Hebron in the West Bank. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the killing of Khbeisa. (Web editor: Sheng Chuyi, Bianji) Invoking rollback terms of DPRK-related resolutions at early date effective to break deadlock: Chinese envoy Xinhua) 15:46, September 25, 2021 VIENNA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Invoking rollback terms of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)-related resolutions at an early date is the effective way to break the deadlock, said Wang Qun, Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, on Friday. On Friday, the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted the resolution titled "Implementation of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) safeguards agreement between the Agency and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" by consensus. Meanwhile, at the 12th Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization's Preparatory Commission issued the Final Declaration and Measures to Promote the Entry into Force of the CTBT as well as the 25th Anniversary Declaration. Both documents included the content of the rollback terms of the DPRK-related United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, as proposed by the Chinese delegation. "The rollback terms were formulated in relevant UNSC resolution in 2006, but this is the first time that it was included in important documents of the two aforementioned major international organizations," said Wang. "This reflects the voice and demand of the international community on an early settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and also demonstrates China's longstanding implementation in conducting international relations, which features mutual respect and win-win cooperation, has gained wide support among the international community," he said. Wang said that pressure and sanctions would never solve the problem, adding that the rollback terms of the DPRK-related resolutions requires to "keep the DPRK's actions under continuous review and is prepared to strengthen, modify, suspend or lift the measures as may be needed in light of the DPRK's compliance," which has reserved a way out for the political settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue. Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, has said earlier at the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum that the effective way to break the current deadlock is for the UN Security Council to invoke the rollback terms of the DPRK-related resolutions at an early date and ease sanctions against the DPRK, so as to create a positive atmosphere for the resumption of dialogue and consultation. Under the current situation, it is in line with the spirit of the Security Council resolution to invoke the rollback terms of the DPRK-related resolutions as soon as possible, which is conducive to alleviating the humanitarian and people's livelihood situation of the DPRK and creating conditions and injecting momentum for the political settlement of the Peninsula issue, said Wang Qun. The DPRK has stopped its nuclear test for years and taken positive measures such as blowing up tunnels at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, but the United States has not taken any substantive action, said Wang. Obviously, the crux of the deadlock in the DPRK-U.S. dialogue is that the denuclearization measures taken by the DPRK have not received due attention and the legitimate and reasonable concerns of the DPRK have not been properly addressed, Wang said. In addition, negative developments such as the U.S.-ROK joint military exercise and the U.S. and UK's assistance to Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines have also added new destabilizing factors to the regional security situation, Wang added. In order to promote proper settlement of the nuclear issue on the Peninsula, Wang said that the United States should strictly abide by the principle of a balanced, parallel progress, immediately take practical measures on the cancellation of hostile policies towards the DPRK, the lifting of sanctions and the provision of security guarantees to the DPRK, and show its sincerity in constructively promoting the settlement of the Peninsula issue. Meanwhile, the United States should give an account to the international community, rather than saying one thing and doing another, taking any action that may lead to an escalation of tensions, Wang added. China also calls on the international community to make joint efforts to actively promote the early invoking of the rollback terms of the DPRK-related resolutions and contribute positive energy to promoting the denuclearization of the Peninsula and long-term regional stability, Wang stressed. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Sheng Chuyi) On journey home, Meng says "without strong motherland, no freedom today" Xinhua) 15:46, September 25, 2021 BEIJING, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Meng Wanzhou, a Chinese business executive who had been arbitrarily detained for more than 1,000 days in Canada, shared her thoughts and expressed her appreciation on a Chinese-government charter flight bringing her home. According to a statement issued earlier by one of the lawyers who represents Meng, she has not pleaded guilty. Meng will not be prosecuted further in the United States and the extradition proceedings in Canada will be terminated, said the statement. "It is pitch dark outside. I am in the sky over the Arctic, heading home," Meng said in comments widely circulating in Chinese social media on Saturday. "I will soon return to the embrace of the motherland." "Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, my home country is becoming stronger and more prosperous day by day. Without a strong motherland, I won't have my freedom today," she said. "We live in a peaceful time and were born in a great country," Meng said, adding that as she grew up during the era of reform and opening-up, she had witnessed and experienced the great transformation made possible by the Chinese people under the Party's leadership. Meng described the motherland, the Party and the government as the shining light that has lit up "the darkest moments" of her life and led her on the long journey home. Meng also expressed gratitude to her family, colleagues and every well-wisher. "Despite all twists and turns, this returning journey is the sweetest journey home," she said. (Web editor: Sheng Chuyi, Bianji) Nuclear submarine deal impacts Australia's image, increases defense reliance on U.S., says scholar Xinhua) 15:54, September 25, 2021 SYDNEY, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Australia's nuclear-powered submarine deal with the United States and Britain will shift the way in which some of its neighbors usually look upon it, and increase its defense reliance on the United States, said Allan Gyngell, a leading Australian scholar on international relations. "It's certainly true that some of our neighbours will see this as an escalation of an armaments race in the region. So there's a lot of talking to be done," said Gyngell, national president of the Australian Institute of International Affairs, who had an extensive career in Australian international affairs. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, he said his concern about nuclear-powered submarines is that they might not be particularly relevant in the strategic environment Australia will be heading into. Since the vehicles are enormously expensive, much more expensive than diesel submarines, the spending will require the Australian government to seriously think about where to distribute its resources more, whether in social policy, education, or defense expenditure, said Gyngell, who was the founding executive director of the Lowy Institute for International Policy from 2003 to 2009, and served as a senior advisor to then Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating between 1993 and 1996. "This is such an expensive capability. I'm not sure how the rest of the region will respond to it," said the scholar. As the author of the well-known bestseller the Fear of Abandonment, which analyzes the historical and psychological factors behind Australian diplomatic practices since 1942, Gyngell believes the similar psychological strain also applies to Australia's decision to join AUKUS, or the newly-established security pact among the United States, Britain and Australia, and the signing of the submarine deal. He warned that the deal is likely to increase Australia's defense reliance on the United States. "My concern is that it does limit Australia's autonomy because unlike other parts of our defence force, these submarines could not be operated without the acquiescence of the United States as Australia simply won't have the capability to maintain and support the whole of the nuclear propulsion system." "Australia's capacity to operate the nation's most expensive and powerful defence asset will always be subject to U.S. veto and the program will lead inevitably to deeper operational integration with the United States," Gyngell noted in a recent East Asia Forum article. "It will be harder to disentangle our strategic commitments and our deep identification with the United States and Britain from our foreign policy interests. U.S. expectations of Australian support in almost any contingency, whether it involves China or not, will grow," he observed. "So the agreement is a big Australian bet on the future of the United States, and at a more uncertain time in American politics than at almost any point in the history of the alliance," said the article. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Sheng Chuyi) Virtual currencies in the crosshairs of authorities China Daily) 15:58, September 25, 2021 China's central bank and nine other government departments jointly announced a crackdown on illegal services and trading of virtual currencies on Friday. The People's Bank of China said it is illegal for overseas virtual currency exchanges to provide services to residents in the country via the internet. Local staff working for overseas exchanges who offer marketing, settlement and technical services related to virtual currencies will be prosecuted according to relevant laws. Chinese authorities said they were cracking down on speculative trading of virtual currencies because illegal activities were recently increasing in number, causing a potential threat to economic and financial stability. Such activities may also stimulate other illegal activities such as gambling, illegal fundraising, fraud, pyramid schemes and money laundering, according to a statement released on the central bank's website. Financial regulators clarified that virtual currenciessuch as Bitcoin and Etherwhich are not issued by the nation's monetary authority, and other forms of "stablecoins", are illegal and they are not fiat currencies, so they cannot be circulated in the market, the statement said. Any "mining" activities creating virtual currencies should be banned in China, and local governments are not allowed to provide financial support to new mining projects, the National Development and Reform Commission along with other government departments said on Friday. It is prohibited to invest in new mining projects of virtual currencies, and for existing projects, they should cease such activities in due course, making sure the withdrawal process is smooth and orderly, the commission said. Local governments, financial institutions and nonbank payment institutions should not provide financial support for new virtual currency mining projects "in any form". For government-led industrial parks, it is unlawful to introduce new virtual currency mining projects, the commission added. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Sheng Chuyi) Meng Wanzhou leaves Canada for motherland after sustained efforts by Chinese government (Global Times) 16:12, September 25, 2021 Key events in Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou's case. Graphic: GT Huawei's Meng Wanzhou reached a landmark deal with the US Justice Department on Friday that allows her to return to China, under which the senior executive of the Chinese company has not pleaded guilty. It marks the end of Meng's nearly three-year detention in Canada, and may help ease the frozen China-Canada tie and frictions between China and the US, experts said. Meng has been released after reaching the agreement. Thanks to sustained efforts by the Chinese government, Meng Wanzhou left Canada on a chartered plane by the Chinese government on Friday local time. She will return to the motherland and reunite with her family, according to a report from the Xinhua News Agency. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said he welcomes the return of Meng in a post on his personal Weibo account. In a video footage seen by the Global Times, a GPS tracker ankle bracelet that Meng had worn for over two years has been removed, and she addressed the public after the hearing, expressing gratitude for the Canadian judge and court upholding the rule of law. She also thanked the Chinese embassy in Canada, her defense team and her colleagues. Although it has been a very difficult time, there's always hope, Meng said. Meng appeared virtually in an American federal courtroom in Brooklyn on Friday, and reached a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in a case of federal charges against her for bank and wire fraud. Under the terms of this agreement, Meng will not be prosecuted further in the US and the extradition proceedings in Canada will be terminated, according to a statement of William Taylor, one of the lawyers who represent Meng. "She has not pleaded guilty and we fully expect the indictment will be dismissed with prejudice after fourteen months. Now, she will be free to return home to be with her family," he said. It's exciting news that the US and Meng have finally reached an agreement, which would also be a landmark deal that may help ease frictions in the China-US relations, Chinese experts said. At the request of the US government, the Canadian government, based on so-called accusations of fraud levelled by the US, on December 1, 2018 illegally detained Meng, who is also the daughter of Ren Zhengfei, founder of Huawei. Meng and her defense team made the final push against extradition to the US, and the legal proceedings ended in mid-August without a decision. The judge was supposed to convene a case management conference on October 21. During the conference, she would indicate a date when the decisions will be given, according to a court note the Global Times obtained at the time. The earlier-than-expected deal with the US made all the following process "unnecessary." On the same day, the Canadian court also signed off on a discharge order for Meng, withdrawing the US extradition order and allowing her to return to China. Lu Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times early Saturday that there are multiple factors driving the US to resolve this issue, including the consistent attitude of the Chinese government in urging the US and Canada to release Meng, and the mounting pressure that Canada has been facing as it clearly knows that if it insists on the extradition of Meng to the US, it would create irretrievable negative consequences on China-Canada relations. Over the past years, Chinese diplomats and experts have urged the Trudeau administration many times to correct its mistake of serving as Washington's willing accomplice that has dragged China-Canada relations to freezing point. The souring bilateral relationship has also disrupted the once stable trade relations between the two countries, and some Chinese businesspeople have been looking for a "plan B" over the past two years to diversify their import sources other than Canada. "Canada has been persuading the US to drop the case. For the Biden administration, it has been evaluating US-China relations from the position of strength over the past eight months, and it understands that if it drops the charges against Meng, such progress would meet the expectation for improving bilateral ties," Lu said. On the same day Meng flew back home, Canadian media outlets reported that two Canadians - Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor - left China on a plane back to Canada. Spavor was sentenced in August in China to 11 years in prison after being convicted of spying on China's national secrets. He was ordered to be deported from China. Although some Western media outlets and politicians claimed the releasing of the two Canadians was an example of "hostage diplomacy," experts said Meng was indeed a "political hostage" taken by the US and Canada, noting that mounting evidence throughout the legal proceedings during Meng's fight against extradition showed she was the victim of political prosecution. "In Spavor's case, imposing the order of deportation means he may not serve his jailtime in China but will be deported back to Canada. It leaves certain room for indictment while unleashing a gesture of goodwill," Qin Qianhong, a constitutional law professor at Wuhan University, told the Global Times. Kovrig and Spavor were prosecuted by the Prosecutor General's Office in China for suspected crimes undermining China's national security in June 2020. Kovrig was accused of using an ordinary passport and business visa to enter China to steal sensitive information and intelligence through contacts in China since 2017, while Spavor was accused of being a key source of intelligence for Kovrig. Spavor was found to have taken photos and videos of Chinese military equipment on multiple occasions and illegally provided some of those photos to people outside China, which have been identified as second-tier state secrets, a source close to the matter told the Global Times on September 1. Chinese officials and diplomats reiterated that the incident of Meng is entirely different from the cases of the two Canadians in nature. Another factor behind the resolution of the matter is that Canada and the US can't ignore the strong public call to release Meng, experts said. Her release has been widely considered as the best scenario among China, Canada and the US, as the incident of Meng has become a dilemma that froze China-Canada relations and dragged China-US ties into a spiraling downturn over the past few years. Nearly 15 million netizens from over 100 countries and regions including major allies of the US, such as the UK, Australia and Canada, signed a petition launched by the Global Times on August 18, and an open letter was sent to Canadian Ambassador to China Dominic Barton, demanding Meng's immediate and unconditional release, and protesting the ugly acts of the Canadian government. On her flight back home, Meng said in a public note that she deeply appreciated the motherland and the leadership of the Communist Party of China, as without them, she would not have been freed. "The color red, symbolizing China, lightens the brightness in my heart," she said. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Sheng Chuyi) BRUSSELS, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The decision taken by the United States to bypass France and sign a military alliance deal with the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia has fueled concern over nuclear proliferation as it has breached the European Union's (EU) trust. According to an analysis published on Sept. 17 in the French daily Le Monde, the nuclear-submarine deal poses a risk of nuclear proliferation in the Indo-Pacific region. "The AUKUS strategic partnership between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, which includes the supply of American nuclear-powered submarines to Canberra, could encourage other states to want to acquire such submarines," the newspaper wrote. It said that Washington's decision to export U.S. nuclear expertise in submarine propulsion to Australia "is bad news from a proliferation perspective." The future Australian submersibles in service from 2040 are expected to carry conventional Tomahawk missiles, according to the newspaper. Annick Cizel, a specialist in U.S. foreign policy at Sorbonne Nouvelle University-Paris 3, said this week that the deal had sparked an "arm wrestling" between French President Emanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden. Cizel told the French daily Le Figaro that Macron's absence from the United Nations (UN) General Assembly this week and his discussion with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi were meant to mark France's autonomy. Asked whether Australia's nuclear-powered submarines instead of conventional French-powered submarines pose a technology risk, "It's a risk," said Barthelemy Courmont, senior research fellow at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS) in an article posted on the IRIS website. "It is also a very big problem for the Australian government, which had expressed the wish not to acquire nuclear-powered devices and changed its decision without having taken care to consult its French partner beforehand," Courmont said. "That is why Kevin Rudd, former Australian prime minister, was very critical of the decision of the current leader, Scott Morrison," Courmont said. Constantinos Filis, executive director of the Institute of International Relations of Panteion University of Athens, told the news website iefimerida that the United States has seen its prestige severely damaged by the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the way it has been done, raising concerns among its allies in the wider region of Asia and beyond. Mikhail Kostarakos, former chairman of the EU Military Committee, said in an article in the Greek newspaper Ta Nea that the agreement was "hasty," adding that by trying to create a new alliance, the U.S. ended up alienating and causing rifts with its European allies and possibly the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), creating a situation that is very difficult to reverse. "The rift in the transatlantic link is very deep and the British no longer have a say in the EU," he said. According to The Guardian newspaper, the agreement revealed "dark clouds across the Indo-Pacific," while the BBC believes that although the U.S. and France aim to mend the rift, "much trust has gone." JAKARTA, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian military has intensified its hunt for armed criminals after five Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers and one female nurse were killed this month in three separate attacks committed by armed militants in the country's eastern provinces of Papua and West Papua. The TNI in recent years has been combating armed criminal groups in the two provinces. On Sept. 21, a shootout occurred between TNI soldiers and armed militants of Ngalum Kupel (KKB) in the Kiwirok area, leaving one TNI soldier dead during the crossfire. Due to the growing tensions, security forces have decided to evacuate all the local people that live in the Kiwirok area by airplane on Saturday. On Sept. 13, armed criminals burned a health clinic at the Kiwirok area in Papua province, leaving one nurse dead, five health workers injured, and one worker held as hostage. In late April, the Indonesian government declared armed criminal groups in Papua and West Papua provinces as terrorists for inciting violence and being separatists to the country's sovereignty. The decision was made after a police officer was killed in a shooting with armed militants in Papua. The United States would not support redeploying tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea, or a nuclear weapons sharing arrangement with Seoul, according to a U.S. State Department official, after a leading South Korean presidential candidate proposed the move. "All I can say is, U.S. policy would not support that. And I would be surprised that the people who issued that policy don't know -- or [who] issued those statements -- don't know what U.S. policy is," said Mark Lambert, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Japan and Korea, in an online forum. The statement was in response to a question about Yoon Seok-youl, a conservative South Korean presidential candidate, who this week said he would ask Washington to redeploy tactical nuclear weapons or agree to a nuclear-sharing deal if South Korea were threatened by North Korea. The U.S. withdrew tactical nuclear weapons, sometimes known as battlefield nuclear weapons, from South Korea in the early 1990s. Conservative South Korean politicians have for years called for their redeployment, especially as North Korea has expanded its own nuclear weapons program. Yoon appears to be the biggest name in South Korean politics to recently make such a call. Opinion polls suggest Yoon, a former prosecutor general, would be locked in a tight race with Lee Jae-myung, a left-leaning provincial governor, for the presidential election in March. Both appear to be frontrunners to become nominees of their parties. "It is not the first time for a conservative politician to make that promise. But certainly Yoon is the first leading candidate to do it," said Lee Sang-sin, a political science expert at the Seoul-based Korean Institute for National Unification. Nearly 70 percent of South Koreans support the country developing its own nuclear capability, suggested a poll released earlier this month by South Korea's Asan Institute, a research organization. That finding is broadly in line with other polls on the issue, said Lee, who focuses on public opinion. "Given the geopolitics and North Korea, that shouldn't surprise anyone. Of course, the public doesn't understand the complexity and the possible costs of nukes. We have been under the nuclear threat from North Korea for so long, and it's natural that people want something that makes them feel safe," he added. Leaders of the United States, Japan, India and Australia proclaimed Friday a shared commitment to safeguarding democracy in the Indo-Pacific region, leaving unspoken their common concern about China's growing power. The leaders from the group of four countries, known as "the Quad," met at the White House, marking the first time U.S. President Joe Biden has held an in-person summit during his presidency. "We're four major democracies with a long history of cooperation. We know how to get things done and we are up to the challenge," Biden said alongside his fellow leaders: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. While the four did not directly mention China in their public remarks, Beijing had been expected to be a large focus of their private meeting. Suga said the meeting showed an "unwavering commitment" among the four countries to a "free and open Indo-Pacific." Morrison said, "We believe in a free and open Indo-Pacific, because we know that's what delivers a strong, stable and prosperous region." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian appeared to criticize the Quad in comments to reporters earlier Friday in Beijing. "A closed, exclusive clique targeting other countries runs counter to the trend of the times and the aspirations of regional countries. It will find no support and is doomed to fail," he said. Following the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue meeting, Biden had a one-on-one meeting with Suga, who is soon to step down from his post. Saturday Notes: OS Updates, Product Releases, Changes and Comments By Graham K. Rogers Updates appeared for all Apple operating systems this week, apart from Monterrey which is expected in a few weeks, perhaps at the same time as new Macs. Safari was updated separately. The EU wants us all to use USB-C: Apple objects. The email Tim Apple sent to staff about leaking was leaked. News reports in the last few days tell us that the iPhone 13 and the iPad mini have begun to ship and are arriving in customers hands. There will be lots of "out of the box" comments. Early comments mentioned that Apple had not compared the A15 to the A14 but output from other handset manufacturers. It was suggested that the relative increase in power was lower than usual. Jason Snell (MacWorld) comments on this: the real point is not the total power potential, but the built-in features and what the whole system on a chip (SOC) is able to do. This ability to add features that other chip makers would not have (at least not right away) was discussed back when the first A-series chips appeared in the iPad. This flexibility was amplified when the iPhone 5s used a 64-bit version of iOS for the A7 leaving other handest makers months behind. The M-series SOC was a development of the A-series and there is more to come. iPhone 13 and iPad mini - Images courtesy of Apple The iPhone 13 should be available for order next week here (1 October), but the iPad mini still shows "Check back for availability". With news that orders for this updated device - that is seeing some good reviews - are beginning to slip, I am less upbeat about when ordering for this may open. On a positive note, on Friday morning Apple sent me three messages: next episodes of Ted Lasso and Morning Show, and the arrival of Foundation on Apple TV+. I watched all three, starting with the feel good Ted Lasso, which is beginning to have some undercurrents. I followed that with the current episode of The Morning Show which has a fair balance of behind the scenes angst. Just imagine what GBTV was like. As Friday evening wore on, I settled down for a look at just Episode 1 of Foundation, which may actually run up to 80 episodes. The one word that kept popping into my head was "scope" - it is after all about a galaxy. It seems a slow burner, which some early viewers turned into, "slow". Instant gratification it is not and much groundwork was laid down in that first look. I will return later to the other 2 episodes currently available. The EU has released a document that outlines its intention that all mobile phones will be moved to the standard of USB-C cables 2 years after the planned legislation is passed (Matthew Weaver, Guardian). Apple is still using the Lightning cable (and port) on the latest iPhones, as well as the latest iPad (Generation 9), but all of its other devices (apart from accessories) use USB-C. I have long hoped that the iPhone would switch to this connector type, so was a little disappointed with the iPhone 13 inclusion of Lightning. Apple is not happy with the new EU approach which is designed to reduce electronic waste: chargers are also banned from sales of new phones, although Apple has already switched to not supplying these (to great criticism when it was announced). Other handset manufacturers have followed this practice. I use USB-C for almost every connection these days and even bought some spare Thunderbolt 4 cables to make sure I had optimum potential: looking to the future. I was interested to see the data transfer speeds of the respective cables and found this on Pitaka It's known to all that Lightning cables transfer data at USB 2.0 speed, which is 480Mbps/60MBps while USB-C can handle USB 3.0 speed, with transfer speeds as fast as 5Gbps/640MBps (USB 3.1 Gen 1), or 10Gbps (USB 3.1 Gen2), and Thunderbolt 3, the superset of USB-C, is capable of 40Gbps. Theoretical transfer speeds with Thunderbolt 4 are said to be up to about 3,000MB/s (Zeus, Windows Central). Apple insists that the EU approach will stifle alternative development, but it is difficult to see how this is much more than territorial protection: Lightning now, another proprietary cable later. I am all for this move and would be happy to see USB-C for all devices. It is not as if current devices will stop working of course, and any transition will take a while as Michael Simon (MacWorld) explains. Apple released its iOS 15 update on Monday (Tuesday here and a number of other countries) which also meant a release of iPadOS 15, along with updates to tvOS and WatchOS, but not macOS. That is on the coming soon list, but I would guess this may be tied to a product release. There has been much speculation about new Macs and this is to be expected, particularly with the count down to the end of year holiday season, which for Apple starts with Thanksgiving on Thursday, 25 November. Subtract a week for deliveries and another for orders and I guess there would be an announcement about new models around 9 November at the latest. As that is over a month away, if Apple has these in production, there could be an announcement by mid-October. I am hedging my bets here, but this is no more accurate than Wall Street analysts and rumor mongers. It is based on simple analysis and previous history. Just after I had started the install process for iOS 15, there was a micro power-cut here: less than a second, but enough for the WiFi router to restart. I looked at the iPhone and it showed Update Requested as it had before. I tried to make the request again, then restarted the device, with no change. However, when I connected the power cable (it was already fully charged) there was a note that the request had failed. I started again. Ankur Thakur (iDownloadBlog) has a series of suggestions for what to do if the download gets stuck, although thankfully I did not need to go as far as resetting the Network settings. The download was quick enough, although Preparing Update went on for several minutes. Eventually the Verify panel appeared and I clicked on that. I also updated WatchOS to version 8.0, but had to remind myself that this still needs the Watch itself to be on charge, even if it does have full power. As soon as I fixed that, the download began. I will deal with tvOS later. The Watch update brought some changes, especially to workouts and I am still looking at others. The shortcuts to specific apps, via the button on the side (not the crown) had been changed and the regular breathing app was not shown. It took me a while to find that and it now has an additional Reflection mode that tried once and may not worry about again, although it keeps pestering me late night and early morning. The breathing part had also been changed with a different moving icon. The original display had been used since this app first appeared and was a stable feature. Not now, there is a moving icon that varies its display and is not uniform all the time. Rather than allowing me to relax for a minute, this has disturbed me. I will doubtless become used to it, but why fix what is not broken? During the upgrade to iOS 15 I had a look at the Terms & Conditions, actually taking time to read through the new iCloud T&C, which were also sent by email. I requested the whole T&C (iOS, iCloud, et al) as well. I always ask my students about these conditions that we all agree to, but none read them and nor do the majority of users. We agree, for example, not only to the revised T&C but any future changes that Apple makes. Other companies have almost identical conditions. With time pressure, it is often hard to read such legal information when an update is pending, and here it can be more difficult. In the past, one section was entirely in Thai, so I could never hope to understand that, but clicked Agree anyway. Although there are some interesting new features with iOS 15, some of these are either not yet available, or not available for earlier iPhones, particularly those with pre-A12 Bionic chips. Joe Rossignol (MacRumors) has the details, which begin with "Portrait mode in FaceTime, which blurs your background and puts the focus on you" and includes the interactive 3D globe in Maps. This is on my iPhone 11 Pro. Two new features that I had been keen to try out were the ability to copy text from images, and the new information panel (metadata) in Photos: long overdue. Apple also released a major update to Safari for those with Big Sur and Catalina. That can be found in System Preferences > Software Update. At 121 MB it was not large and only took a minute or so. I quit Safari first, updated then restarted the browser. A panel with the new features, including Tab Groups appears. I used the feature in History that allows me to Open all pages from the last session, and I was back to normal working in a couple of minutes from starting the download. It will help me organize teaching better as the groups synchronize over platforms. I often download a series of pages for a specific subject, as well as my day to day interested. I normally have these organized by pages: one for my interests, one for the graduate class, another for the undergraduates. When not in use I save these in the Dock on the Mac but this has also meant I may have to move tabs from one page to another as I find more information that might be used in class. Using groups should alleviate this. The Safari update with iOS 15 changed the shape of the tabs. The Groups feature on the iPad Pro seemed easy enough to work with: creating a group, working with the tabs within the group and switching between groups. I had also made full use of the feature that showed all tabs created and this does not seem to have changed, although on the iPhone, this is now the same as the iPad rather than the "fan" display before, which I prefer because of the limited space on the screen. On the iPhone, the update to Safari also moved the search bar to the bottom of the screen, which I hated: Settings > Safari > Tabs. There are some other new controls in the Safari section. There have been a lot of changes on my devices this week. Some were reset in the updates and I keep having to find the right settings to put the features back to how I like them. One new feature I do like is Translation. When highlighting some text, we usually have options like Select or Select All and Look Up, but an additional option allows the user to translate the text selected. Unfortunately although it makes the offer, this feature does not do Thai, at least not at the moment. I kept to information around Apple's recent event last time, but there were a number of items that I had already bookmarked, such as a simple app that was created by a columnist on iDownloadBlog because there was no other app that would fit the bill for his young child. One of the basics of mathematics in the UK when I was first at school were the times tables: 1 through 12. These were learnt so thoroughly by rote that I never forgot and as soon as a pair of numbers are mentioned, say 7 x 9, the answer (63) appears in my head. It is easy now, but not when you are starting as a 5-year old. Sebastien Page (iDownloadBlog) decided to make his own app for the purpose: a straightforward app that runs through each of the multiplication tables. It is also interesting to read his demands and the parameters he set while he was working on the app, even the colors were chosen as part of a strategic decision-making process. There are tests that can be timed or untimed, with selections of how many questions are in the test. Simple and aimed at the one task. Times Tables - Multiplication is a useful app for those with youngsters beginning with maths. In the past couple of weeks I have mentioned the litigation that is being prepared against Apple with regard to some of the new 13" M1 MacBook Pro computers that have cracked screens. I damaged the screen of my previous (Intel) MacBook Pro, but that was clearly my fault and I paid for the replacement. While that was going on I also picked up a basic MacBook Air and had a lot of good use out of it in the year or so I owned it. I gave it to a friend who was suddenly in need of a computer, so it went to a good home. Why some of the new Macs are cracking the screens is a mystery right now, although I expect Apple is looking into the precise history of the models affected. Mine is not and it was one of the first shipped here. Whether or not a specific batch of screens, or some specific Macs were assembled with some odd fault, is not known at the moment. Nonetheless the lawyers have developed the complaint against Apple and Sami Fathi (MacRumors) reports that they are now suing Apple for false marketing and fraud. My first instinct there is that that one is not going to stick. For every damaged screen, there are hundreds (or more) that are fault-free. Tacked on to the fraud are "fraudulent business practices, misconduct in customer support, and violation of consumer law" which are more an attempt at leverage. I have been watching Suits on Netflix so am now an expert at law, and this looks like a tactic that Harvey Specter would use to encourage early settlement from Apple's coffers. I do not think that is going to work. Rather than the gospel according to Harvey Specter, Sami Fathi looks at a number of aspects that both sides have already presented in this class action lawsuit. The iPad mini has begun deliveries and early reports are positive (see below). It is apparently highly popular and orders are reportedly now being pushed back to November. The iPad mini is still not shown as available to order here of course (Joe Wituschek, iMore). That has me in a slight difficulty. This week a friend messaged me asking about new iPads as his was now too old and needed urgent replacement. On a tight budget, the iPad mini was too much for him (he does have a MacBook Pro too) and like the new Generation 9 iPad this is not available for order here at the moment. I thought for a few seconds and offered my older iPad Pro (with A-series chip) for a price somewhat lower than the new iPad. iPad Pro - new and old As he was visiting Ratchaburi for work with a colleague, he would be passing my location on the trip home, so I suggested collection that day. That was agreed. I installed the iPadOS 15 update and reset the iPad. He was late. He always is. But I handed it over and gave some quick instructions as well as information about what the latest update can do. I was still using the iPad Pro (as well as my M1 iPad Pro) on a daily basis. For basic writing and internet work it is fine. It may be a little slower for photo-editing, but this is not a serious defect, even with the large RAW images I use. With my spare iPad now gone, that leaves me open to the iPad mini. I had been thinking about this since it was announced, but had a problem justifying it to myself. Now I can, once it becomes available here. With the delays I may well see the iPhone 13 first. Apple has had a problem with leaked information for a while and it has been particularly obvious for the last couple of years. It spoils the rumor game because, if the information is coming from internal sources, it ceases to be a rumor. With the original iPhone, the speculation was fun, but it is less so now, particularly with some of the rumors that are based on limited supply chain information and seem aimed more at stock price movements. Apple too is annoyed, although the failure of some rumor-mongers with the recent Apple Watch announcement put a smile on my face. I am wary about my own speculation and work with known facts and history to comment on probabilities. In an email this week, which was ironically also leaked, Tim Cook wrote to Apple employees telling them that this is not part of the Apple and leakers have no place at the company (Hartley Charlton, MacRumors). That is sort of ominous but with any company there are non-disclosure agreements. I dug up my notes on the 2007 iPhone event for a class this week and found a non-disclosure agreement tucked in the pages. A few years ago I asked about sharing that with students in my Ethics and Morals class, but it was suggested that the agreement itself was not for disclosure. I kept to that. Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. After 3 years writing a column in the Life supplement, he is now no longer associated with the Bangkok Post. He can be followed on Twitter (@extensions_th) This index contains short hints about more than 60 herbs and spices that are not treated on my pages. Some of these spices are very obscure, have highly specialized (often non-culinary) applications, are only used in a small region or are merely of historic interest. Some others are quite interesting and deserve a fuller treatment, but I do not know enough about them to write a full article. Whenever that changes (maybe because of your help?), I will gladly write more about these spices. You may find that this index is rather Asia-centered; although certainly true, I claim that this is not due to my personal interest in Indian and South-East Asian cooking, but rather due to the fact that nearly all spices important in our days are of Asian origin (exclude allspice , vanilla and chile from this statement). Therefore, it seemed convenient to split up the Asian section of this index in several parts, while only one section deals with African or American spices, respectively. For every region, I have included the most important spices used in present-day local cuisine. Of course, this information cannot be exhaustive, in part because spice usage may differ even in relatively small regions and in part because since I have not travelled to all these places, I rely on second-hand information, which is rather sparse about some topics. In this index, you will find spices ordered according to the region they probably stem from. Since spice trade is nearly as old as humanity itself, we cannot reconstruct the natural occurrence of spice plants in all cases. Surprisingly few spices actually stem from Europe, although many have been imported. The Romans brought many of their Mediterranean spices to the countries north of the Alps, and some of them found the climate acceptable and were easy to cultivate; some even spread over the new habitat and became part of the local flora. The following plants are commonly believed to be of European origin, although you might find different opinion expressed in some literature. Today, Europes local cuisines use a lot of herbs from the Mediterranean, of general importance are bay leaf, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, savoury and thyme, most of which can be grown in cool temperate climate (in our days, though, they get mostly imported because of cost and quality considerations). Since ancient times, onion and garlic are cultivated in Europe. However, because of its strong odour, garlic is less appreciated especially in North Europe, where excessive garlic consumption seems to be regarded as a kind of social crime. Onion is more used as a vegetable. Hungary is well-known for its paprika (bell pepper) and its variety of diverse chiles (a gift from the New World). In other European countries, hot chiles are less enjoyed, although they do play some role in South East Europe (Balkan peninsular) and in some of the Mediterranean states. Tropic spices are usually not essential ingredients in traditional European cuisine with the exception of black pepper, which is held in high esteem all over the world. Cinnamon and cloves find their main applications in sweet dishes, ginger and nutmeg are used even less. Although cardamom is nearly unknown in most of Europe, Scandinavians are very fond of it and use it to flavour bread and pastries. There are more European plants that get used culinarily, though in most cases use is rare, or restricted to a small area; others are mainly of historical interest. In the first place, there are truffles (black or Perigord truffle, Tuber melanosporum , and white or Alba truffle, Tuber magnatum ), whose absence from this page can only be regarded as a serious demerit. They played an eminent role in French cuisine of the 18.th century, and still have much importance despite their high price. Angelica ( Angelica archangelica , Apiaceae) is distributed over Northern Eurasia. All plant parts have a strong and penetrating odour and are occasionally used for cooking, particularly in Northern Europe ( e. g. , for fish soups). The plant is, however, more important for flavouring liqueurs. Asarabacca (European ginger, Asarum europaeum , Aristolochiaceae/Aristolichiales/Magnoliidae) is a perennial herb of forests in Europe except the Mediterranean. The fleshy rhizome contains an essential oil of variable composition and has a pleasant aromatic flavour. In Chinese ( A. sieboldii , A. heterotropoides ) and North American ( A. canadensis , wild ginger ) relatives, a nephrotoxic compound called aristolochic acid has been found. Nevertheless, both the European and a American species enjoy some popularity as wild vegetable and flavouring. Calamus (Sweet flag, Acorus calamus , Araceae/Arales/Arecidae), though native to India, is now naturalized all over the Northern hemisphere. The rhizome is very aromatic and can be candied like ginger (whence the name German ginger ), but is rarely used to flavour food. It is quite bitter (which is why it often appears in liqueurs), and the high content of -asarone makes it rather unsafe on regular use. Calamus traded in pharmacies nearly always stems from American plants that are low in -asarone. Elder ( Sambucus nigra , Caprifoliaceae/Dipsacales/Cornidae) bears highly scented flowers, which are used as flavouring for desserts and beverages. The dark purple fruits have, in times fortunately long past, been used as a wine colourant. Garlic mustard ( Alliaria petiolata , Brassicaceae) has leaves with a distinct garlic flavour and seeds that are pungent like mustard. It is used occasionally by peasants, especially in Eastern Europe. Ground ivy ( Glechoma hederacea , Lamiaceae) is an extremely common weed in Central and Western Europe. The leaves, which have an aroma slightly reminiscent of mint and thyme, are an interesting if seldom-used culinary spice; I have heard of Czech recipes using it. In the past, they were also employed for beer brewing whence the name alehoof . Hop ( Humulus lupulus , Cannabaceae/Urticales/Dilleniidae) is, of course, very important for beer brewing, but is hardly ever used for cooking. Also, beer has (other than wine) not much use in the kitchen except, maybe, to quench the cooks thirst. Poplar ( Populus alba , Salicaceae/Salicales/Dilleniidae) yields leaf buds and young leaves with characteristic, aromatic odour; some sources state that they have been used as a flavouring in the past. They are still employed as flavourant for local types of liquor. Reflexed stonecrop ( Sedum reflexum , Crassulaceae/Rosales) has fleshy leaves with fresh flavour which are used mainly in Western Europe as a garnish. Chopped stonecrop leaves have formerly been quite popular to add extra sensation to salads, but in our days it is no longer fashionable. Salad burnet ( Sanguisorba minor , Rosaceae) is a wild plant in Western Europe that gets occasionally cultivated. It is rich in tannines to which the leaves owe a astringent but nutty taste. The leaves are used to spice up lettuce, salads and particularly the Frankfurt Green Sauce (see borage). Flowering marsh tea Wild rosemary, flowers Wild rosemary (Marsh tea, Ledum palustre , Ericaceae/ Ericales/ Cornidae ) is a wild plant of bogs and swamps of the Northern hemisphere. There are several subspecies, one of which ( Labrador tea ) is a popular tea plant in Canada. The European form was, like the ecologically similar gale, used for gruit beer, although it contains narcotic sesquiterpene alcohols and is not fully harmless. Sorrel ( Rumex acetosa , Polygonaceae) is known for its acidic and pungent leaves which contain oxalic acid. It is used occasionally, e. g. , in Green Sauce. Tansy ( Tanacetum vulgare , Asteraceae) grows all over Europe, but as far as I know, its culinary usage is restricted to Britain. The leaves have a dominant, not very agreeable, odour which is mostly due to the toxic thujone (see also southernwood). Woodruff (Galium odoratum , Rubiaceae/Gentianales/Cornidae) grows wild in the forests of Western Europe. On wilting of the aerial parts, coumarine is liberated (see also tonka bean) which gives its incomparable flavour to some traditional flavoured wines. The area around the Mediterranean Sea, belonging in part to Europe, Asia and Africa, has always been a cultural unity. Early spice trading routes lead from China and India via the Arab peninsular to the Mediterranean Sea, which made the region an important place of cultural and culinary exchange. In the warm Mediterranean climate, many fragrant plants grew abundantly; and in the course of millennia, even more have been introduced by traders, refugees or immigrants from further East. The following are generally considered as native Mediterranean plants; however, some are open to dispute, e. g., cumin or even the apparently typical Mediterranean olive. Ajwain ( Trachyspermum copticum ) ) Anise ( Pimpinella anisum ) ) Coriander ( Coriandrum sativum ) ) Cumin ( Cuminum cyminum ) ) Fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ) ) Hyssop ( Hyssopus officinalis ) ) Garden cress ( Lepidium sativum ) ) Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) ) Mahaleb cherry ( Prunus mahaleb ) ) Myrtle ( Myrtus communis ) ) Nigella ( Nigella sativa ) ) Oregano ( Origanum vulgare ) ) Olive ( Olea europaea ) ) Rocket ( Eruca sativa ) ) Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) ) Rue ( Ruta graveolens ) ) Sage ( Salvia officinalis ) ) Saffron ( Crocus sativus ) ) Savory ( Satureja hortensis ) ) Sumac ( Rhus coriaria ) ) Thyme (Thyumus vulgaris ) Asian spices became popular in Europe first in the Age of Hellenism. Later, spice trade blossomed in the late days of the Romans, about two thousand years ago; from the beginning, spice trade was dominated by the Arabs. Apicius De re coquinaria is one of the oldest European cookbooks; it lists some tropical spices, of which long pepper was most valued. Black pepper, cloves and Chinese cinnamon (cassia) also figure prominently. The enigmatic spice silphion (probably of Northern African origin) became extinct around 100 AD and was substituted by asafetida (from Central Asia). The usage of olive oil is a cultural constant in the Mediterranean since five millennia. Today, Mediterranean Europe mostly relies on its native or imported herbs. Basil (stemming originally from South or even South East Asia) today grows wild all over South Europe and is used extensively, especially in Italian cuisine; the same holds for the indigenous oregano. Garlic figures more prominently than in Northern European countries. Regionally, saffron is used for fish or sea food specialties, but the high price of this spice limits its usage. Throughout the region, some dishes require small amounts of chiles; fiery food, however, is not typical. Typical spice mixtures from Southern Europe are bouquet garni (see parsley) and Herbes de Provence (see lavender). In Asia Minor and West Asia, herbs cease to be dominant. Coriander and cumin (from Persia, but grown locally) are popular, and the use of pungent spices (mainly black pepper and chiles) becomes more common. The berries of the sumac tree are essential to reproduce the astringent and sour taste found in many dishes from Turkey to Israel. In Northern Africa, chiles take an important part in fiery stews and sauces. Coriander and cumin both are used extensively, but also African spices (grains of paradise) are common. Of the spices from tropical Asia, cinnamon and cloves find most use. All these, and more, may appear in Moroccan spice mixtures (ras el hanout, see cubeb pepper). Although a large number of Mediterranean herbs is discussed here, the treatment is not exhaustive: There are many more that find their way in the kitchen on occasion. Sometimes, these are wild relatives of herbs treated here which are collected by knowledgeable family members, because their flavour is regarded superior to that of commercially grown ones. This usage is often very local and is hardly mentioned in cookbooks. This applies particularly to herbs of the mint family, e. g., thyme, marjoram and especially oregano. Further interesting plants from the Mediterranean are: Black lovage (alexanders, Smyrnium olusatrum , Apiaceae) is similar to lovage and celery, having aromatic roots, leaves and fruits. Today, the culinary importance of that herb is low. Mastic ( mastiha []) is a resin obtained from Pistacia lentiscus var. chia (Anacardiaceae), a tree growing only on the island of Chios in Eastern Greece, though lesser grades are harvested from related species. It was an important commodity in the Middle Ages, but is now only used in Greek cooking (see mahaleb cherry for more). Samphire Samphire ( Crithmum maritimum , Apiaceae) grows along all coasts of Europe, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea. The leaves are succulent with a saltyaromatic flavour and have been a popular flavouring for salads in the past; samphire pickle, formerly much eaten in Britain, is now still popular in the Mediterranean. Pennyroyal , Mentha pulegium (Lamiaceae), differs markedly from culinary mints. It is used since antiquity in Roman cooking (see silphion). Despite its mild toxicity, it is a traditional herb in Britain. Calamint , Calamintha nepeta , is an aromatic herb used in regional Italian cooking ( nepitella ). Its flavour reminds of related Lamiaceae herbs, e.g., thyme, mint savory or oregano. Pine nuts ( pignoli ) are the seeds collected from the Mediterranean stone pine ( Pinus pinea , Pinaceae/Pinales); in temperate Asia, related pine species are also used. They have a wonderful etherealaromatic flavour and are particularly important in Spanish and Italian cooking, e. g. , for pesto (see basil). Purslane (Portulaca oleracea , Portulacaceae/Caryophyllales) is an annual herb probably native to the Himalayas, but today naturalized in Western Asia and Southern Europe. Although often eaten cooked as a vegetable, the raw leaves and stems have a crispy texture and a salty, fresh taste that makes them a good garnish for Mediterranean cold foods, e. g., West Asian appetizers. The flower buds have a more pronounced flavour and have been tried as a caper substitute. Many important spices actually stem from West or Central Asia, even if some of them are in our days cultivated from Morocco to Vietnam: Possibly, cumin and some other of the spices listed in the previous section have their origin actually in western Central Asia, being spread westwards by migrating peoples in prehistoric times. Todays Persian or Arabian cooking uses a multitude of spices, having easy access to Indian or Southeast Asian ingredients. Cardamom is much valued as an essential component of Arab-style coffee. Cooking styles of the Arabic peninsular have a preference for aromatic but fiery food. Yemeni zhoug (see coriander), a spicy chili-laden paste, and Saudi Arabic baharat (see paprika) may serve as examples. The Caucasus republics, situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, have developed a unique style of foods, although Russian and Turkish influences can bee seen. Georgia has a mild yet flavourful cuisine much basing on the flavours of dried herbs (see blue fenugreek for the Georgian spice mix khmeli-suneli [-]) and of sourfruity sauces prepared from fresh or preserved fruits. Fresh herbs are often sprinkled over warm and cold dishes; uniquely, Georgian cooking makes parallel use of both parsley and coriander leaves; the latter are not used anywhere else in the region. Barberry flowers Imeretian saffron Barbery fruits A similar inkling to fruity flavours is found in neighbouring Azrbaycan (Azerbaijan) and in Iran. A typical Irani spice that is, unfortunately, missing from these spice pages is barberry, Berberis vulgaris (Berberidaceae/Ranunculales), called zereshk or sereshk [] in Farsi and kotsakhuri [] in Georgian; it is often used to flavour ground meats or Persian rice dishes (polo []). Another source of sour flavour in Irani foods are dried limes (see also fenugreek for khoreshte ghorme sabzi). An interesting herb typical for Georgian cooking is marigold (Tagetes erecta , Asteraceae), which appears in several recipes including the spice mix khmeli suneli (see blue fenugrek). In Georgian, it is simply called yellow flower (qviteli qvavili [ ]) or Imeretian saffron (imeruli zaprana [ ]), and sometimes just zaprana which can lead to confusion with the much different saffron. The marigold flowers are dried and ground to yield a yellow powder that hat a mild, sweet scent. It can best be substituted by safflower. Sometimes, also the fresh sprigs are used that have a different, much stronger flavour reminscent of the South American huacatay. The proper Central Asian region, between the Caspian Sea and the Tianshan mountains [], is a region rather devoid of local spices, although imported spices are available since antiquity, because the ancient Spice Route running from China to the Mediterranean cuts through that region. Cookbooks of Kazakhstan sometimes mention local herbs with cress-like flavour. Combinations of dried fruits with meats are very popular, where cooks often use local species of genus Prunus (apricot, plum). South Asia, which encompasses the Deccan peninsular and the southern slopes of the Himalayas, has a variety of indigenous spice plants. Furthermore, Southeast Asian spices have been traded in India since thousands of years. Therefore, Indian cuisine is one of the most fragrant and aromatic in the world. A large number of spices native to South Asia has been exported long ago either to the West or to the East. For example, in todays South East Asia, we find spices of Indian origin that have no place in todays Indian cooking, e. g., lemon grass or lesser galangale. The following table shows only those South Asian spices that flavour the contemporary South Asian kitchen. In todays Indian cuisine, many more spices play an important part. Chiles, brought to Asia from the New World by the Portuguese, are used generously, especially in South India and Sri Lanka. Tamarind (from East Africa) is used to give some Southern Indian curry dishes a sour and tart flavour. Of the European and Central Asian spices, coriander, cumin and garlic are now indispensable for the taste of Indian food. Cinnamon, originally growing on the island of Sri Lanka, is now valued all over India and frequently combined with cloves, which stem from Southeast Asia. Arab influence in South Asia is strongest in Afghanistan, Pakistan and North India. Cooks in these regions tend to use less chiles but more fragrant spices (cloves, saffron and cinnamon). There are numerous spice mixtures in India, but most of them have nothing in common with the curry powder of Western supermarkets (see curry leaves). Most mixtures are actually not powders but pastes, made from ground spices, garlic, ginger and oil and are neither stored nor traded. Mixtures containing only dried spices are the Bengali panch phoron [ ] (see fenugreek), the North Indian garam masala [ , , also ] and the more Southern sambar podi [ ] (for the latter two, see cumin and coriander, respectively). Southern Indian mixture (bese bele powder) is mentioned under coconut. See black cumin about Northern Indian (Moghul style) cooking, and ajwain about spiced butter (tadka or tarka). See also onion. For a few typical recipes, see Indonesian bay-leaf for the aromatic Northern biriyani and tamarind for the fiery Southern vindaloo. Indian spiced tea (chai masala [ ]) is discussed under cardamom. Nepali cooking resembles Indian cooking in several ways, and some preparations, e.g., pickles, are quite comparable. Nepali food is typically milder than Indian food, both with respect to actual heat and usage of aromatic spices. This doesnt make the food of Nepal bland or uninteresting, because due to Chinese influence, there are several additional flavourings made by fermentation: Cheese, soy products and the typical Nepali gundruk [], dried fermented vegetable leaves. Noodles in various styles are another culinary mark left by neighbouring China. Finally, Burma, or Myanmar, as it is now called, is the meeting place and melting pot of the great cooking traditions of India and Southeast Asia. Noodles, shrimp paste, soy sauce and sesame oil on one side and cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric and cumin on the other side witness the mixed heritage and give Burmese curries their distinct and very tasty character. Fish flavourings are rare in the Indian subcontinent; this is in line with the observation that fermented products generally have only little tradition. The main exception to that is dried fish in Sri Lanka (umbalakada []), which is usually referred to as Maldive fish in English. Yet, fermented preparation from water-living organisms play an imortant role in North Eastern India and the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Eastern Bangladesh, which indicates South East Asian influence (mostly, Burmese). The Khasi people use a paste of fermented fish with various spices (tungtap) as a condiment, the Chakma employ shrimp paste (sidol []) for cooking, and in Manipur, the Meitei have a dry-fermented fish called ngari [, ]. More rarely, fermented soy bean products are found in that region: Khasi tungrymbai, Manipuri hawaijar [, ]. I am fascinated by Indian cooking; consequently, my treatment of Indian spices is intended quite exhaustive. Nevertheless, there are some Indian spices of which I still know too little to write a detailed description: Dried kokam Goraka fruits grow on high trees First of all, one should mention kokam ([], kokum, Garcinia indica , Clusiaceae/ Theales/ Dilleniidae ), a souring agent for South West Indian fish curries. The main constituent responsible for the acidic taste is hydroxycitric acid. In Sri Lanka, goraka [, ] is a similar spice also rich in hydroxycitric acid, derived from Garcinia cambogia . It is used for many meat and particularly fish curries, imparting both a refreshing sour note and a brownisch colour to the foods. There is a little-known spice radhuni [] or randhuni [] used only in Bengali cooking and practically unavailable outside of Bengal. Its botanical identity is Trachyspermum roxburghianum (Apiaceae, Hindi: ajmud ), but it gets often confused with ajwain. True radhuni has an aroma comparable to celery and fenugreek. Truly authentic variants of the Bengali spice blend panch phoron contain radhuni where the common mixtures have black mustard seeds (see nigella for details). Dried jimbu (seen in Mustang, Nepal) with remants of flowers Dried cockscomb (found on a market in Kashmir) In Nepal, jimbu [] are the dried leaves of a local onion species ( Allium wallachii (variously also identified as A. hypsistum or A. przewalskianum , Alliaceae). The plants grows in the higher part of the Himalayas (Mustang district) and is collected from wild populations. It is a local spice mostly used by ethnic groups living in that area (especially Thakali, also Gurung). When fried very shortly, is relases a flavour very similar to asafetida which is not known in that region. In the Indian union state Uttakhand, the spice is known as jambu [] and used equivalently. See chives for some more usage notes. Cockscomb ( Celosia argentea var. cristata , Amaranthaceae/Caryophyllales) is a common ornamental in some European countries. In India, the bright red flowers (Hindi lal murghka , Kashmiri moul []) are used as a food colourant. Horseradish tree (Drumstick tree, Moringa oleifera , Moringaceae/Capparales) grows wild in Northern India (Southern foothills of the Himalayas). The tree is very versatile: The young fruits ( drumsticks ) are eaten as a vegetable, an interesting oil ( ben oil ) is extracted from the seeds, the leaves are used medicinally and the root and root bark are rich in glucosinolates, which lend them a pungent, horseradish-like flavour. Nevertheless, this is one of the more rare flavourings in Indian cooking. The wild tree Buchanania lanzan (Anacardiaceae) yields edible seeds ( chironji []) with almond flavour; they are used in India, particularly the North East, to make sweets. The herb Saussurea lappa (syn. S. costus ) (Asteraceae) is native to Kashmir and grows nowhere else; in India, it is known as putchuk or kushtha [], and in the West, the name costus is most common. The dried root has a strong, perfumed odor and is often used in perfumery; in late antiquity and the early Middle Ages, it was used in Europe as a culinary spice. Spikenard ( Nardostachys jatamansi , Valerianaceae/Dipsacales/Cornidae, Sanskrit jatamansi [] or jatavati []) is a similar case: It is also native to the Himalaya region and is of great importance for perfumery, but in our times practically never used for cooking. The related herb Valeriana celtica (Alpine valerian, speick) was, since the Middle Ages, often used as a cheaper substitute for expensive spikenard. Dried niepfu Indian cuisines, generally, use very little herbs besides coriander and to a lesser extent mint. Yet, the cooking styles on the North-Eastern edge are an exception to that and employ a large number of herbs also found in Southeast Asia, most so in the Manipur state. There, cooks make use of chameleon leaf, dill, long coriander and even Vietnamese coriander. A herb unique to that region is Elsholtzia blanda , known as lomba [, ] in Manipuri, lengser or lengmaser in Mizo, niepfu or runou in Angami Naga, zutsu in Lotha Naga and napa in Ao Naga. The dried inflorescence, which form a thick spike, has an intensive fresh lemon fragrance quite similar to lemon verbena and is used to flavour pickled bamboo sprouts and soupy fish curries. A closely related herb is Elsholtzia fruticosa sometimes called Shrubby Mint in English,, which I found not in Nagaland but only in Manipur. It is locally known as kang-human [, ]. The flavour is quite comparable to Vietnamese balm which is closeley retated botanically and also looks very similar. Dried alkanet (found on a market in Rajasthan) Alkanet ( Alkanna tinctoria , Boraginaceae) is a Mediterranean plant cultivated in India for its red rhizome, which yields a dye (Hindi ratan jot [ ]). The dried rhizome is occasionally used as a food colouring in the North West. The so-galled mango ginger ( Curcuma amada ) is a minor and rather strictly South Indian spice. The plant much resembles turmeric, but the rhizome is only pale yellow; its scent indeed mimicks the fragrance of unripe mangos very closely. A rather enigmatic spice of Southern India is a dried lichen referred to as kalpasi [] in Tamil and dagor phul in Marathi (the latter name occasionally stands for star anise, though). The plant material is rather tastelesse, but it is widely used; I am not sure about its culinary merit. Due to its tropical climate, Southeast Asia has a large number of native aromatic plants, most of which are preferred fresh in local cuisines. The Moluccas, a group of small islands on the border between Asia and Australia and home of nutmeg and cloves, have been the center of European spice policy in the late Middle Ages and the first centuries of the modern times. Today, all these spices (with the exception of cinnamon varieties, cloves and nutmeg, which are not so much in use) feature prominently in at least some of the major South East Asian cuisines. Furthermore, chiles, ginger and garlic are found all over the region, as are coconut products: coconut milk and coconut oil. In Southeast Asia, numerous independent culinary styles have evolved; yet most of them prefer spices fresh (if available), and also fresh herbs (basil, coriander leaves and mint) are popular as a fragrant decoration in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Throughout the region, pungent fish preparations are essential: Fish sauces (nam pla [] in Thailand, nuoc mam [nuoc mam] in Vietnam), shrimp pastes (gapi [] in Burma, trassi in Malaysia and Indonesia) and the unique Cambodian paste prepared from fresh water fish, prahok []. Fish sauce is also known in Southern China, where it is called yu lu []; but in Chinese cuisine, it is only a minor flavouring. Thai cooks use even more spices (e. g., kaffir lime leaves, lemon grass and fingerroot) and other strong-smelling ingredients like dried fish to achieve the characteristic aroma of Thai dishes. Since they use chiles generously, Thai food is sometimes extremely hot and fiery. For Thai curries, see coconut. See also basil and mint for more Thai recipes. In Cambodia and Vietnam, spice usage is not that dominant, and also Philippinos cook rather mildly. Besides garlic and ginger, Philippine cuisine makes use of the South American annatto seeds. This spice was introduced to the Philippines by the Spaniards and is hardly known in other Asian countries. Vietnamese cuisine is unique for its massive use of fresh herbs, some of which are used only rarely outside of Vietnam (Vietnamese coriander, long coriander), while others (rice paddy herb, chameleon herb) do not appear in other any other cooking style at all. On the numerous islands of Indonesia, lots of very different regional cuisines have developed, which is to be explained by different life conditions (jungle nomads, farmers or seafarers; village-bound or cosmopolitan urban cultures), food taboos because of different religions (Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Animism), different climates (tropical jungle, mountain woods, highlands or even dry areas) and several other factors. Most Indonesian cuisines do not use sweet spices, which is all the more remarkable because cloves, nutmeg and the Sumatra cinnamon variety are indigenous to Indonesia. Instead of these, the most popular spices are ginger, onion, garlic and moderate amounts of chiles, furthermore galanga and turmeric. Indonesian dishes frequently need shrimp paste (trassi) and soy sauce (kecap), which is also used in a thick and very sweet variety (kecap manis). Especially Jawanese dishes sometimes contain large amounts of sugar and taste sweetspicy, while I enjoyed rather hot food in Sumatra, and Bali certainly displays the largest variety of different spices. Some highlights of Indonesian cookery are shortly discussed under greater galangale (rendang, a buffalo stew from Western Sumatra), Sichuan pepper (sangsang, a spicy pork variety meats stew from Northern Sumatra), coconut (ayam papiong, a chicken dish from Sulawesi), mango (the pan-Indonesian fruit salad rujak) and lesser galangale (bebek batulu, Balinese roast duck). About Indonesian spice pastes (bumbu) in general, see lemon grass, for information about Balinese cuisine see Indonesian bay leaf and for Jawa cookery see tamarind. Many more herbs and spices are used in the many and varied culinary styles of that large region. Particularly in Vietnam, there is a large whealth of local herbs that are not commonly available in the West. The following are particularly worth noting: Torch ginger Torch ginger ( Etlingera elatior , Zingiberaceae) is a unique spice: The inflorescence is used to flavour curries in Singapore and Malaysia ( bunga kantan ). In Thailand ( cha pluu []) and Vietnam ( la lot [la lot]), fragrant wild betel leaves are commonly used to wrap rice or other foods into. These leaves stem from a member of the pepper genus ( Piper sarmentosum , Piperaceae) which is closely related to the so-called betel pepper, Piper betle , in indispensable part of the betel bits consumed in South East Asia and India ( pan []). Musk mallow (ambrette, Abelmoschus moschatus , Malvaceae/Malvales/Dilleniidae) is a closely related plant with aromatic seeds. There is constant rumour of it being used as a coffee flavourant, but I dont even know where this usage is supposed to happen. Vietnamese balm Butterfly pea Vietnamese balm ( Elsholtzia ciliata , Lamiaceae) plays some role in Southern Vietnam ( rau kinh gioi [rau kinh gioi]) as part of the canonical herb garnish (see Vietnamese coriander). Butterfly pea ( Clitoria ternatea , Fabaceae) has large, deeply blue flowers that are used to give a bluish hue to desserts in Thailand ( anchan , anjan []) and Malaysia ( bunga telang ). In our days, it is mostly substituted by synthetic food colourants. Broadleaf thyme (Cuban oregano, Indian borage, Mexican mint, Plectranthus amboinicus , Coleus amboinicus , Lamiaceae) is a herb native to South East Asia, though it has been introduced to the Caribbean. The leaves posses a strong odour due to an essential oil rich in carvacrol. The fresh herb is used in Indonesia ( daun jinten ), but especially in Vietnam ( rau day tan las [rau tan day las]), as a garnish. Quite rarely, I have read reports claiming that the pungent seeds of some members of the Araceae family ( e. g. , Giant Elephants Ear , Colocasia gigantea ) are used as pepper surrogate in South East Asia. The fruits of the tree Garcinia atroviridis (Clusiaceae/Theales/Dilleniidae) are used as a source of acidity especially in Malaysia ( asam gelugur ), similar to the use of other Garcinia species in South India and Sri Lanka. Aleurites moluccana (Euphorbiaceae/Euphorbiales/Dilleniidae) yields seeds ( candle nut , kemiri ) which are a very common although bland ingredient of Indonesian spice pastes. See also lemon grass about spice mixtures containing candlenuts. Pangi seeds (shelled and unshelled) A quite interesting spice is derived from the Indonesian pangi or kepayang tree, Pangium edule (Flacourtiaceae/Violales). The seeds, known as kluak or kluwak in Indonesian and as pamarassan in bahasa toraja , are an ingredient typical for a few Indonesian local cuisines, e. g. in East Jawa and Central Sulawesi. They provide a dark colour, an intensive nutty taste and a smooth, somewhat oily texture. For flavour development and removal of hydrocyanic acid, the seeds need a fermentation procedure by which they turn from cream colour to almost black. Sandalwood (Santalum album , Santalaceae/Santalales/Rosidae) is the core wood of a parasitic plant native to the Lesser Sunda Islands, probably Timor. Today much of it is grown in Southern India and used for incenses. Though powerfully fragrant, it has never been used much for cooking. The whole East Asian region is dominated by Chinese culture. Chinese cookery is very varied and highly sophisticated; it has influenced all East Asian cuisines, and is also a important contribution to all South East Asian culinary styles. Chinese cuisine derives its attraction not so much from different spices, but from a multitude of meat and vegetable ingredients with different flavour, shape, colour and texture, and from a wealth of standardized cooking and frying methods; the only common spice mixture is the famous five spice powder (wu xiang fen [], see star anise), which is frequently used to flavour fried meat all over China. Soy sauce (jiang you []) is the most important condiment in China, but to prepare authentic Chinese foods, also other soy products are needed, for example sweet bean paste (haixian jiang [], better known by its Cantonese name hoisin jeung []), hot bean paste (douban jiang []) and fermented black beans (dou chi []). The least spicy cooking style in China is Cantonese cuisine, which is native to the Guangdong province [, ]. The name Cantonese derives from the province capital Guangzhou [, ] that was formerly known as Canton in the West. Cantonese cuisine has a reputation for its exotic meat dishes made from dogs, cats, monkeys and snakes. It is also known for a varity of barbecued meats (siu mei [], Mandarin shao wei []), for example spare ribs (cha siu [], often spelled char siu in the West, Mandarin cha shao []). A famous Cantonese food term is dim sam [] (in English also spelt dim sum), which is not a dish but a light meal composed a selection of small dishes; a most popular choice are meat-stuffed dumplings made from ground pork, chicken or shrimps with light yet subtle flavourings. Outside of Guangdong, the term has mainly come to mean a variety of such steamed pasta. Though Cantonese in origin, dim sam is now enjoyed all over China (Mandarin dian xin []). By tradition, fiery food is rather uncommon in China, except in two Central Chinese provinces: Hunan [, ] and Sichuan (Szechwan) [, ], which is also known as Tian-fu [] ( heavenly province or land of plenty ). In these both provinces, but especially in Sichuan, chiles, garlic and aromatic sesame oil are popular. An important flavouring of Central Chinese cookery is red hot bean paste, doubanjiang [] made from fermented broad beans. Due to domestic migration, spicy Sichuan and Hunan foods have recently become available and popular in wider parts of China. In contrast, the cuisine of the mountainous Yunnan province [, ] has not yet attracted much interest, though it is spicy and related to the Sichuan cuisine. The North-Eastern Chinese cooking is usually termed the Shanghai [] style. It is particularly rich and often uses sweet flavours. A typical motive of Shanghai cooking is the use of rice wine (liao jiu []). Red-braising (hongshao []) is a cooking technique that originates in Shanghai, although it is today commonly found all over China. The fourth and last Great Cuisine is the Northern Beijing [] style, which has a large repertoire of baked foods (a Central Asian influence) and uses more wheat than rice due to climatical reasons. Two signature dishes are Beijing duck (beijing kao ya []) and Mongolian hotpot (meng-gu huo-guo []). Furthermore, sweet and sour dishes are popular: Fish ore meat are battered, deep-fried and served with a sweetsour sauce (tangcu [] sugar and vinegar ) A handful of Chinese dishes are shortly discussed at this site: See ginger on gong bao [] (stir-fried chicken with peanuts in Sichuan style), orange on au larm (Sichuan braised beef), Sichuan pepper on shui zhu niu rou [] (Sichuan water-boiled beef) and chile on mapo doufu [] (bean cheese with ground pork in spicy sauce). See also star anise about five-spice-powder (wu xiang fen []) and cassia on red braising (hongshao []) and cooking in master sauce (lu shui []). Cuisine in Japan restricts itself to utmost simplicity with respect to spices: Only Sichuan pepper (more precisely, a closely related Japanese species) is used as a condiment, either alone or mixed with tangerine or orange peel and chiles in form of the spice mixture shichimi togarashi [ ]. Japanese dishes, thus, owe most of their flavour to their ingredients, whose freshness and skilful preparation are crucial, furthermore to dried sea grass and kelp, several different soy products (e. g., soy sauce shoyu [, ]) and other fermented crops (miso [, ]). A pungent root, wasabi, is served as a green paste to raw fish (sashimi [, ]) and rice bits (sushi [ , ]); several herbs (water pepper, perilla and the young leaves of Sichuan pepper) are used both for flavour and as a decoration. In sharp contrast, the cuisine in Korea, the most Eastern country of East Asia, is fiery and pungent, dominated by chiles, toasted sesame seeds and garlic; pickled vegetables (kim chi []), both spicy and sour, are also very popular. Soy bean paste (den jang [], also spelled doen jang or doin jang) similar to Japanese miso and bean-chile paste (gochu jang [], also spelled kochu jang) are essential flavourings. In both Korea and Japan, fresh spring onions are a common garnish. There are some further local herbs and spices that are occasionally used. For example, Chinese cuisine utilizes several local onion species (Allium , see chives); for Sichuan, particularly, cookbooks mention local Himalaya herbs but dont give any clear identification. We should also note the following: Ginseng ( Panax ginseng , Araliaceae/Araliales) is mainly known as an expensive herb in traditional Chinese medicine, and as a flavouring for alcoholic drinks. Nevertheless, it is also used as a culinary spice, especially in Korea. Camphor is of old an important aromatic, although it has never much been used for cooking. Yet in China, camphor has been used in the past for flavouring frozen desserts, and even now it is sometimes part of smoking mixtures, giving rise to specialties like tea and camphor wood smoked duck ( zhang cha ya zi []). There are two different products commonly named camphor : The better-known Chinese or Japanese camphor (from Cinnamomum camphora , Lauraceae) is composed of 2-bornanone and generally considered much inferior to the much more pricey Sumatra camphor or camphor of Baros (from Dryobalanops aromatica , Dipterocarpaceae/Malvales/Dilleniidae) which is mostly composed of borneol. Japanese cuisine uses the fresh leaves of mitsuba [, ] (Cryptotaenia japonica , Apiaceae), as a culinary herb. Fresh leaves are chopped and sprinkled over soups or salads. In Chinese, the herb is known as ya er qin []). Few African spices have ever become known in the West. Personally, I know only four, of which sesames origin is uncertain. During the Age of Explorations, the former two (from West Asia) were traded as cheep substitute of black pepper, unless the sea route to India was established. Later, people lost interest in them and they are now nearly forgotten (and difficult to obtain). Silphion is the name of a legendary spice in ancient Rome, which was so popular that it became extinct in the early Imperial era. Its botanic classification is subject to debate. Tamarind probably stems from East Africa, but is in our days grown in tropical climate all over the world and is an important ingredient in Asian or Latin American cuisine. Sesame is one of the most important oil seeds of mankind, yet little of the crop is used as a spice. Specialties containing sesame are found all over the Old World, from Europe to Korea. Todays African cooking is dominated by Arabic influences, mostly so in the North and East, where Islam prevails. In the South, there is much colonial influence, both by European colonists and immigrants from India and Malaysia. East Africa has absorbed Arabic and Indian cooking techniques and developed a unique cuisine by blending foreign influences with local traditions. Cooking in West and Central Africa has conserved its distinct character and is hardly comparable to any other culinary style. In West Africa, e. g. in Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, food is often very pungent due to the use of extrahot chiles that have been imported from the Caribbean. Other important flavourings are dried fish products, smoked meats and toasted peanuts; the typical cooking medium is unrefined palm oil (from Elaeis guineensis ) whose flavour also contributes significantly to the character of West African cooking. Furthermore, a number of local spices are used that are, however, hardly available outside the region (except grains of paradise and, if one is very lucky, negro pepper). In North Africa, however, subtle spice mixtures based on cumin and coriander dominate, and aromatic Asian spices are popular. See cubeb pepper about the exceedingly complex mixture ras el hanout. Arabic or Indian influence is manifest in spice mixtures like Tunisian galat dagga (see grains of paradise) and Ethiopian berbere (see long pepper). Quite many spices of other continents are grown in todays tropical Africa, where they are mostly planted as cash crops and exported. Nigeria, for instance, is a large producer of ginger. The tiny but fertile islands East of Africa are sources for several of the finest spices for European consumers: Reunion (formerly known as Bourbon ) exports vanilla and allspice, and Zanzibar has long outgrown Indonesia as the major clove producing country. I dont know much about other native African spices, which of course does not mean that those do not exist. For example, various scented pelargoniums are native to South Africa; they are often referred to as scented geraniums but belong not to genus Geranium but Pelargonium , which is closely related but distinct (Geraniaceae/Geraniales). These herbs have an amazing spectrum of different flavours, most often lemony or rose-like floral, but there are also types with fragrance resembling mint, cinnamon and even nutmeg. Nevertheless, these astonishing plants have not yet found much application in cooking, although a few varieties are grown for the perfume industry. Also in West Africa, the potentials of indigenous spices have not yet been exploited. Most of the native West African spices are unavailable in the rest of the world. In some cases, like the akob bark and felom fruits (seeds?), I dont even know the botanical identity. Some more West African spices are mentioned in the below list. Several species of genus Aframomum (Zingiberaceae) yield edible fruits and pungent seeds, e. g. , Aframomum danielli and Aframomum citratum ( mbongo spice ) See also grains of paradise The related genus Amomum also has representatives growing in the tropic belt from Senegal to Ethiopia which are used locally. Some of these have been traded as cardamom adulterants or surrogates in the past. See also black cardamom. Furthermore, there are African pepper species like Piper clusii (see cubeb pepper). Another source of pungent flavour might be found in the numerous indigenous Zanthoxylum species (Rutaceae) found in tropical Africa, but the literature is scarce (see Sichuan pepper about Asian relatives). Calabash nutmeg leaf Calabash nutmegs Calabash nutmeg is the seed of Monodora myristica (Annonaceae) which was a common surrogate for nutmeg in 16.th century Europe; today, the species is also grown on Jamaica. However, I do not know about usage of calabash nutmegs in contemporary African or Caribbean cuisines. The oily seeds of the tree Ricinodendron heudelotii (Euphorbiaceae/Euphorbiales/Dilleniidae) have a characteristic, strong flavour and are used as a spice and thickener for sauces (local names njangsa , njasang ). Wild mango or bush mango is the fruit of the jungle tree Irvingia gabonensis and the related species I. wonbolu (Irvingiaceae/Sapindales/Rosidae); there is only a loose botanical relationship to mango. The seeds, dried and ground, are known as ogbono and lend a sticky texture and presumably some flavour to West African chicken stews ( sauces ). Koseret [] is the Amharic name of the herb Lippia adoensis (Verbenaceae) which is used as a culinary spice in Ethiopia. It figures prominently in kitfo [], raw ground beef flavoured with spiced butter. Most Ethiopian cookbooks silently replace it by basil. See also long pepper about the spice mixture berbere . Roselle (red sorrel, Hibiscus sabdariffa , Malvaceae/Malvales/Dilleniidae, Arabic karkadi []) is the purple, dried calyx of a plant related to the popular ornamental hibiscus species. A refreshing acidic beverage prepared from the calyces is quite popular in parts of Northern and Western Africa; more rarely, one reads about roselle calyces being used in salty food, e. g., Indian and Malaysian curries. The contribution of the two Americas to the list of spices is, unfortunately, rather short. This is not for lack of aromatic plants, but mostly for lack of information regarding native American spices in Europe. In the USA, due to immigration, Latin American spices are easier to get by, but few of them have found a permanent place in the spice shelf. Of course, there is this one American nightshade plant that revolutionized almost any cuisine in the world Because in Northern America (the US and Canada) the cooking style is largely derived from and not very different from European cuisine, spice usage is generally rather low (exclude the Mexican-influenced cuisine of the Southern states of the US from this statement). Currently, there is only one plant native to North America treated on these pages: Sassafras (file) has great though only regional importance in New Orleans cooking. Allspice was introduced to Europe from the Caribbean islands; its alternative name newspice indicates its origin from the New World. Vanilla is native to Mexico and has been used for flavouring a chocolate-like drink since Aztec times. A culinary herb native to Mexico is epazote. Toasted pumpkin seeds are an ancient flavouring of Central American peoples that goes back to pre-Columbian times; yet extraction of oil from toasted pumpkin seeds, as practiced in Central Europe, is a much more recent invention. From South America stem annatto seeds, much used locally, and pink pepper, a spice that became popular during the past decades in the nouvelle cuisine. Further South American spices are tonka beans and paracress, which have, however, found only limited use outside of South America. Lemon verbena is another spice generally underrated. The most important spice of both Americas are, however, chiles and bell peppers, which are both thought to be native to the Amazon region, but have been traded extensively as far north as the southern states of todays USA before the arrival of the Europeans. Today, they are high valued in all tropical countries of America, Asia and Africa. Some more interesting plants from North, Central and South America are, unfortunately, not yet treated on this page. Some of these are: The Californian bay leaf tree ( Umbellularia californica , Lauraceae) possesses highly aromatic leaves that have, however, been mostly replaced by Mediterranean bay leaves even in the USA in recent years. The spice bush ( Lindera bezoin , Lauraceae) is native to the Eastern USA. All parts of the plant have a strong and pleasant, spicy aroma. The fruits have been used as a substitute of allspice. Flowering anise hyssop Anise hyssop leaf Anise hyssop inflorescence Anise hyssop ( Agastache foeniculum , Lamiaceae) is native to Northern America; though belonging to the same family, it is not particularly closely related to hyssop. The broad leaves are intensively scented, reminding of anise or licorice, but are hardly ever used for cookery. The early North American settlers knew about the aromatic leaves of wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens , Ericaceae/ Ericales/ Cornidae ), a dwarf shrub of Northern North America: wintergreen tea was a popular beverage. Its aroma is due to an essential oil composed almost entirely of methyl salicylate. The essential oil is still used to flavour candies and confectionery in the USA and Canada. Bergamot (bee balm, Monarda didyma and relatives, Lamiaceae), was, similar to the former, a popular tea herb in the days of the pioneers, which reduced the dependency on expensive, imported black tea from Asia ( Boston Tea Party ). It has a lemony, but as the same time thyme-like, spicy flavour well suited for cooking. See also lemon balm. A sour beverage was brewed from the fruits of several American sumac species, e. g. , smooth sumac , Rhus glabra (Anacardiaceae), but I do not know about culinary usage comparable to that of Mediterranean sumac. West Indian bay leaves (also bay rum or Caribbean bay-leaves ) stem from the tree Pimenta racemosa (Myrtaceae) or, according to some other sources, also from the closely related allspice tree. They have a strong clove aroma and are particularly used in the cooking of Jamaica and Cuba. Mexican bay-leaves are quite different, stemming from Litsea glaucescens (Lauraceae), a tree closely related to the Mediterranean laurel. Flowerings branch of White Cinnamon White cinnamon spice The so-called White cinnamon (wild cinnamon, Canella winterana , Canellaceae/Magnoliales) is native to the Caribbean and Florida. Its aromatic bark is occasionally used as an alternative for true cinnamon, yet I find its aromatic-pungent flavour more akin to sweet flag or galanga. In Central America, there is much usage of herbs termed oregano or marjoram in the cookbooks, but I suspect that local herbs are meant in the first place. At least two different herbs are known as Mexican oregano : Poliomintha longiflora (Lamiaceae) and Lippia graveolens (Verbenaceae). Furthermore, there are many more aromatic species in genera Lippia , Coleus and Plectranthus (both Lamiaceae) that have found culinary applications locally. Aztec herb ( Lippia dulcis ) is a shrub with leaves both aromatic and intensely sweet. Despite its toxicity (due to Campher), it is moderately popular among Western herb lovers (mainly for infusions), while I know nothing about indigenous use. The herb Crotalaria longirostrata (Fabaceae) is indigenous to Mexico and used in Oaxacan cuisine, where its fresh leaves impart a mild bean flavour to soups and tamales . It is referred to by native names like chepil , chipil and chipilin . The name hierba de conejo ( rabbit herb ) refers to h herb used to flavour bean dishes in Tabasco and Veracruz. Different sources give the botanical identity as Tridax coronpifolia (Asteraceae) and Castilleja lanata (Scrophulariaceae) The heart-shaped leaves of Peperomia pseudoalpina (Piperaceae) are a native flavouring of some Central Mexican provinces (Oaxaca, Veracruz, Puebla). The plant is known as tequelite or cilantro silvestre coriander of the forests , where the latter name refers to both the coriander-like flavour and the wild occurrence. Yet another Mexican herb with coriander flavour is Porophyllum tagetoides (Asteraceae) with the local names pepicha , pipitza , tepicha and chepiche . Huacatay Peruvian coriander ( Porophyllum ruderale , Asteraceae) is called papalo or papaloquelite in Mexico and killi or quillquina in Peru and Bolivia. Its flavour is reported intermediate between coriander leaves and rocket , but I dont find it too similar to those. This herb is employed like coriander leaves, mainly for salsa (Bolivia: sarsa ). Mint marigold ( Tagetes minuta and Tagetes elliptica , Asteraceae) is an important herb in the Andean cuisines of Bolivia and Peru. In cookbooks, it is mostly named by its name in Quechua huacatay (Aymara wacataya ). The herb has a remarkable, spicy-fresh flavour and should be used only in the fresh state, although a pesto -like concoction ( Salsa de Huacatay , black mint sauce ) can be made from it that preserves much of the original taste. The peanut (groundnut, Arachis hypogaea , Fabaceae) stems from Southern America, but is widely cultivated as a source of protein and oil all over the world. Toasted peanuts are an important flavouring in many cuisines of West Africa and South East Asia. Heliotrope flowers Fragrant heliotrope Heliotrope ( Heliotropium arborescens , Boraginaceae) is a common ornamental of Peruvian origin; its vanilla-scented flowers have, in Europe, been used as a flavouring for pastry, fudge-like desserts and sherbets. Sweet honey leaf ( Stevia rebaudiana , Asteraceae) is native to the highland of Paraguay; it is traditionally used by indigenous peoples as a sweetener, particularly for the local mate tea. Fresh and dried leaves have an intensive sweet flavour due to several diterpene glycosides (steviol, stevioside). Today, the plant is grown on a commercial scale in Japan, where stevia extract plays an important role as an artificial sweetener. In other countries, however, it has not yet been so successful. Native cinnamon bark (from Bolivia) The members of genus Ocotea are trees with aromatic leaves, bark and fruit calyces; in the two species O. pretiosa and O. quixos native to the Amazonian basin, the aroma comes close to cinnamon. In the 16.th century, a large Spanish expedition perished, almost down to the last man, while searching for the origin of this spice (see annatto). Yet after its discovery, American cinnamon has not gained any culinary importance; but the closely related species O. sassafras is commercially grown as a source of safrole in Brazil. Few plants of Australia have ever gained economical importance, macadamia nuts (Macadamia integrifolia and M. tetraphylla , Proteaceae/Proteales/Rosidae) being the chief example. There are, however, plenty of aromatic plants, some of which might gain some importance in the cuisines to come. Lemon myrtle ( Backhousia citriodora ) ) Tasmanian pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata ) You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Home > 2021 > Happenings After Kamba Ramayanam | T J S George IMPRESSIONS It is rather foolish, politically and socially, to question what God does. But sometimes God himself makes us raise questions. Familiar legends tell us about what happened one day when he allowed leaders of the worlds great democracies to meet him and ask him any questions. This is what followed. Joe Biden asked God: "When will America become the most magnificent nation on earth admired by all?" God said: "In about five years." Biden burst into tears. "Five years? I wont be around to see it." Then Boris Johnson asked God how long it will take Great Britain to become a magnificent nation admired by all. God said: "About 25 years." Johnson started crying: "Twenty-five years? I wont be around to see it." It was then the turn of Narendra Modi, impeccably groomed, to ask God in shudh Hindi how long it will take India to become a splendid land admired by all. On hearing this, God burst into tears. Through sobs, God said: "I wont be around to see it." Didnt Kamba Ramayanam envisage India as a splendid land admired by all for the godliness that prevailed among its people? Kambar looked at Ayodhya and wrote: "There were no guards because there were no thieves. None ever gave for none ever took. Since no one in that city ever stopped learning, none was ignorant and none fully learned. Since everyone had as much as he needed, none was poor and none rich." In todays India everyone is either poor or rich, none is learned and all are ignorant, none ever gives but all ever takes. But we need not worry. If Kambar has become irrelevant, Narendra Modi has emerged not only relevant but ever ready to jump into action. He is already out with "Ayodhya Vision 2047," an elaborate plan to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Indias independence. It may be 26 long years away, but Modiji is a far-sighted leader whose ability to foresee things and plan well ahead has already benefited India as citizens know. Reports say that he plans to develop Ayodhya as a modern city even as its ancient cultural heritage is maintained intact. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is currently an inspired man. He is bursting with ideas of making Ayodhya an "international spiritual city" and the "City of Ram." Given his record, Adityanath might well end up making a mess of the city. When it was Faizabad, the first capital of the Nawabs of Awadh, it had the grandeur of an imperial capital. After Yogi Adityanath renamed the district as Ayodhya in 2018, life has been patriotically dull. These are days when Valmiki is forgotten and Tulsidas alone commands attention. Adi Kavi Valmiki who composed the Adi Kavya had a literary grandeur that was in a class of its own. His Kavya remained a literary work for more than 20 centuries until Tulsidas transformed it into a religious text in the 16th century. Religion gained, literature lost. Tulsidas made changes in Valmikis text with abandon. Valmikis Hanuman, for example, was a human belonging to the vanara tribe while Tulsidas turned him into a undisguised monkey. Valmikis Dasaratha had 350 wives, Tulsidas reduced it to three. In Valmikis original, Sita was kidnapped by Ravana. In the Tulsidas version, the kidnapped Sita was a clone of the real Sita; Rama had handed over the real Sita to Lord Agni before the kidnapping took place. The titles further underline the difference between the two versions. Valmiki wrote Ramayana while Tulsidas wrote Ramacharitmanas. Tamil poet Kambar made it even more obvious by naming his work Ramavataram. The way Ramayana spread to the cultures of Southeast Asia is a phenomenon by itself. When you land in Jakarta, the first thing you notice is the imposing statue of Krishnopadesam just outside the exit gates. In Bali the statue of Ghatotkacha in his magnificent chariot dominates the geography. There are 4600 Hindu temples in Bali and Vijaya Dasami is a national holiday there. But dont miss the point that these are cultural rather than religious features of life in that country. Indonesias national hero Sukarno was named after Karnan. The Wayang puppet shows built around Ramayana episodes are popular round the year. Indonesias national bank is named after Kubera while its national airline is Garuda Indonesia. We should see these as evidence of the cultural influence India exerted in days gone by. To see them as proof of Indias supremacy would be foolish. Rather, we should see them as proof of the influence India has lost in the course of politics. Home > 2021 > Myanmars exile government signs up to ICC prosecutions | Adam (...) by Adam Simpson* A recent decision by Myanmars National Unity Government (NUG) may offer a path to justice for the victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide in Myanmar. The NUG was formed by elected representatives of the parliament and others who were ousted by the February military coup. On 20 August the NUG announced [1] that it had lodged a declaration with the International Criminal Court (ICC) accepting the courts jurisdiction with respect to all international crimes in Myanmar since 2002. The NUG had been considering this option since March [2], but this was the first formal submission by the government-in-exile under Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute. The day prior to the announcement, Fortify Rights, an NGO, released a lengthy report [3] on the legal basis for the diplomatic manoeuvre. This announcement was significant for four reasons. First, this was a major shift in policy regarding the ICC since the former National League for Democracy (NLD) government led by Aung San Suu Kyi was openly hostile [4] to any prosecutions under the auspices of either the ICC [5] or the International Court of Justice [6]. The NLD government refused to accede to the ICC under the Rome Statute or respect its rulings [7] and repeatedly aligned itself with Myanmars military over the ethnic cleansing [8] of the Muslim Rohingya population in 2017. Second, it would mean that the ICC could investigate crimes against the Rohingya in Rakhine State itself, as well as any crimes committed in ethnic conflicts within Myanmar dating back to 2002. Since November 2019, the prosecutor of the ICC has been undertaking an investigation of crimes against the Rohingya, but the case has been strictly limited to those crimes that occurred at least in part [9] in Bangladesh, a signatory of the ICC. This included crimes against humanity of deportation across the Myanmar-Bangladesh border and persecution on grounds of ethnicity and/or religion against the Rohingya population. However, individuals could not be charged for crimes committed only within Myanmar. In addition, the prosecutor was only examining events since August 2017 [10], when the most significant wave of refugees flooded across the Bangladesh border despite historical and ongoing ethnic conflicts in the region. Third, it would allow the court to prosecute the Myanmar military for crimes committed during the coup and its ongoing repression of the opposition. Over 1000 [11] opponents of the regime have been killed since the coup, with over 6000 currently under arrest and another 2000 in hiding. Most of these events cannot be examined under the existing ICC case since there is no link to Bangladesh or other signatories of the Rome Statute. Fourth, the announcement effectively legitimises the historically ignored grievances of the Rohingya ethnic minority. The previous government argued that the military operations against the Rohingya only targeted militants and were therefore justified, even while all evidence pointed to the contrary. In early June, the NUG challenged this argument and decades of settled policy on the Rohingya in Myanmar by promising to repeal [12] the 1982 law on national races [13], base citizenship on birth in Myanmar and abolish the process of issuing National Verification Cards. This commitment of citizenship for the Rohingya was followed up by another statement [14] on the fourth anniversary of the atrocity crimes committed against the Rohingya people, acknowledging the horrendous violence, gross human rights violations and massive displacement experienced by the Rohingya. In another unprecedented move, a Rohingya activist, Aung Kyaw Moe, was appointed [15] as an advisor within the NUGs Ministry of Human Rights. These changes have reflected a broader reassessment of the treatment of the Rohingya in Myanmar following the coup. While some argue that the ICC is irrelevant in bringing autocrats to justice, just a week prior to the NUG announcement Sudan informed the ICC prosecutor that former dictator of Sudan Omar al-Bashir and other wanted officials would be extradited to the ICC. The next step for the NUG will be to sign up to the Rome Statute, which is a complicated process. While any country acceding to the ICC is welcome, an impending ICC prosecution may inadvertently extend military rule in Myanmar because the military leadership could be concerned about future prosecution. A contributing factor in the coup may have been Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar military Min Aung Hlaings concern over being prosecuted under the existing ICC case. But immunity from prosecution in an active ICC case could bring the military junta to the negotiating table. The NUGs announcement tightens its embrace of a federal democracy that respects international human rights norms. The more the international community supports the NUG with recognition and resources, the more the NUG will stay true to these policy commitments. States within the international community must decide whether to accept the Article 12(3) submission and thereby implicitly accept the NUG as Myanmars legitimate government and international voice rather than the military junta. There have already been weeks of behind-the-scenes diplomatic negotiations at the United Nations and elsewhere regarding the status of Myanmars ambassadors and diplomats abroad who have spoken out against the coup. While some of these diplomats, and members of the NUG, have defended the actions of Myanmars military against the Rohingya in the past, the recent efforts towards reconciliation should provide sufficient impetus for granting international recognition. Russia and China which would likely veto the ability of the NUG to speak for Myanmar if this were a UN Security Council resolution are not members of the ICC and therefore have no say in the approval of representatives. This submission therefore provides an ideal opportunity to increase the legitimacy and recognition of the NUG while bolstering the international criminal justice framework for war crimes and crimes against humanity. * (Author: Adam Simpson is Senior Lecturer in International Studies at the University of South Australia.) [The above article from East Asia Forum is reproduced here under a Creative Commons License] Our company is a producer of acai pellets which is consisted of natural biomass that helps the preservation and sustainability of the environment. It is a renewable energy solution that uses acai seeds as an alternative of biomass for heating system radiators, boilers, burners, for both residential and industrial applications, which presents considerably higher yield compared to other alternative biomass on the market, and excellent cost x benefit. The raw material used are acai seeds, which are obtained from native acai berries from the rainforest of Amazonia. The acai berry has a dark purple skin and yellow flesh surrounding a large seed. After the extraction of the pulp for food purposes, the raw material (acai seeds) passes through a pre cleaning process to remove the fibers from the seeds in our industrial plant, and then through screening, followed by a process of drying in ovens and again is sifted, creating a product of high quality and highly efficient, being an alternative biomass considerably superior to other biomass alternatives on the market. After being processed, the acai pellets obtain a moisture content below 10% M.C. The annual production capacity is up to 50,000.00 tons per year. We can also increase our production with confirmed long-term orders. Properties: Ash of 12%, BTU's at 7,000 and low ash of only 1.18% We are not exporting to the international market yet. We are selling in the domestic market in Brazil to companies like Coca- Cola etc. We can sell our production on FCA, FOB, CNF, IF, DAP terms (Incoterms 2010). - 15 kg bags - 80 EUR/ton, FOB Vila do Conde port in Barcarena PA Brazil (Incoterms 2010). We also can accept CIF order at 2.40 EURO per 15 Kg bags. - big bags (1200 kg) - 75 EUR/ton, FOB Vila do Conde port in Barcarena PA Brazil (Incoterms 2010). We also accept CIF orders at 165.00 EURO / TON / CANADA / USDA / EUROPE / ASIA main ports. Vila do Conde Port in Barcarena PA is 100 Kilometers from our plant and we can ship in containers. For complete vessels orders we can ship complete bulk vessels by our company for competitive overseas freight rates. Payment terms: We work on prepayment (bank transfer) or L/C. Any questions please dont hesitate in contacting us. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC) has processed over 4,000 transactions at Aconex, a one-stop-shop platform that was created to ensure seamless centralised communication between Dubai South and participating countries at Expo 2020 Dubai. Each participating country submitted a main package, which includes designs and plans, part of which were reviewed internally for structure and architecture purposes while others were shared and discussed with local authorities for feedback as well as for the issuance of NOCs. Following the completion of review by all concerned parties, all the packages were compiled and issued to Expo 2020 Dubai organisers. Among other services that were also provided, Dubai South also reviewed and permitted 252 fit-out designs for pavilions and facilities across different areas at the Expo 2020 site. The company also issued 93 building permits for participating countries, including the main building at the Opportunity Pavilion, the helipad, welcome plazas, the Expo Mall, the three substations, as well as various services buildings. Moreover, fit-out design review was completed in coordination with local authorities, with permits and certificates of completion granted to various renowned local and international restaurants at Expo 2020 after they received approvals from all other authorities. Finally, inspections for all participating countries were also completed in time to ensure that all the countries will be ready for the opening day. In addition, Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH), the regions first dedicated free zone for aviation and aerospace at Dubai South, have also confirmed their readiness to welcome visitors and offer them services via the hubs VIP Terminal. This is part of the ongoing cooperation between Dubai South and various government institutions to emphasise the status of the emirate and reflect its decades-long prestigious reputation. The VIP Terminal is in full swing to receive large numbers of dignitaries and participants, in conjunction with the Expos organisers and other relevant government entities. As the number of VIP travellers through the terminal are expected to surge during the global event, the number of PCR testing facilities will be increased to ensure that travellers are granted streamlined and facilitated access, with as little delay as possible. Moreover, the FBOs at aerospace hub are also prepared to welcome visitors according to the highest standards. Another milestone will be the launch of the first phase of Dubai Helipark, MBRAHs Helicopter Centre, which will cater to the needs of VIP travellers and HNWIs, who would want to utilise the most luxurious and exclusive modes of transport to attend the exhibition as well as commute to multiple helipads across the UAE. Emirates Flight Catering will also operate via its facility at MBRAH to cater to the increased demand of travellers coming through the VIP Terminal. DACC Executive Chairman Khalifa Al Zaffin said: "With the world setting its eyes on what Dubai has to offer through Expo 2020, we are pleased to have contributed in this mega global event." Dubai Souths mandate is to support the governments initiatives and activities, especially those that will cement the emirates position on the global map. "The dedicated efforts of government and private entities across Dubai will ensure that Expo 2020 Dubai is a testament to the determination that was instilled in us by our wise leadership," noted Al Zaffin. Dubai South was launched as a Dubai Government project in 2006, representing an emerging 145 sq-km, master-planned city based on the happiness of the individual. The city is identified as Dubais flagship urban project and is designed to create 500,000 jobs in an integrated, economic environment that supports all types of businesses and industries.-TradeArabia News Service 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 Help India! Ten diaspora groups signed a joint statement calling for the removal of Ambassador Atul Keshap. Support TwoCircles Pieter Friedrich | TwoCircles.net The nature of Keshaps meeting with the RSS came across as a photo-op, it was public, and it platformed and promoted a violent, fascist (and many call it terrorist) organization which serves as the greatest enemy to religious freedom that Indian citizens face today, declared ten Indian-American organizations in a 25 September 2021 joint statement denouncing US Ambassador Atul Keshaps recent meeting with the head of Indias Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) paramilitary. Keshap continues to find himself in ever hotter water as controversy increasingly rises around his 8 September visit with RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat. The latest development sees Indian diaspora groups including three of the largest Indian-American Muslim associations calling for his resignation or removal from any and all postings within the US State Department in reaction to the meeting. Keshaps meeting with RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat seemed to place a stamp of approval on and act as an endorsement of the RSS which is exactly how the action is now being interpreted by the paramilitary itself, says the joint statement, which was signed by groups such as the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), Association of Indian Muslims of America (AIM), and North American Indian Muslim Association (NAIMA). Previously, AIM Executive Director Kaleem Kawaja comparing the RSS to the Nazis argued that Keshaps meeting lowers the prestige and image of America as a nation for liberty and equality and that the ambassador had disqualified himself from serving as a representative of the United States. According to the statement, Keshaps endorsement of the RSS serves to embolden its agenda to crush any and all dissent. The statement continues, Furthermore, we are worried that Keshaps meeting will also embolden the international network of RSS support groups, many of which operate on US soil. These especially include the Overseas Friends of the BJP (which only last year registered as a Foreign Agent after operating for nearly 30 years) and the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (which, as the US wing of the RSS, maintains close ties with its mother organization, including conducting strategy and training sessions for members both in the US and in India). These groups and their sympathizers appear to bear some responsibility for the wave of intimidation, rape threats, and death threats issued to many participants in the recent US-hosted Dismantling Global Hindutva conference which took place just two days after Keshaps meeting. This latest development in the Keshap controversy follows on the heels of a webinar in which six Indian-American groups denounced the ambassadors meeting with RSS, a protest against him in California, an online petition for his resignation/removal which has garnered over 2,200 signatures, and remarks by a representative of Human Rights Watch who called the meeting troubling, and disturbing, and compared it to if the US Ambassador to Germany in 1933 had attended Nazi rallies at Nuremberg. The full joint statement, including all signatories, can be viewed here. 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 Chaldean Patriarch Sako: Abortion is Cain-style Murder The practice of induced abortion repeats what happened in the story of Cain, who committed the first "premeditated murder" told in the Bible. And for the Church "all human life, including that of unborn children, has its dignity and has the right to be protected. This is what the Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako writes in a text published on the site of the Chaldean Patriarchate, in which he also quotes the paragraph from the encyclical Evangelium Vitae in which Pope John Paul II recalls that in the voluntary interruption of pregnancy "The one eliminated is a human being at the very beginning of life. No one more absolutely innocent could be imagined. In no way could this human being ever be considered an aggressor, much less an unjust aggressor! He or she is weak, defenceless, even to the point of lacking that minimal form of defence consisting in the poignant power of a newborn baby's cries and tears. The unborn child is totally entrusted to the protection and care of the woman carrying him or her in the womb" (Evangelium Vitae, 58). The patriarchal considerations on abortion practices are included in a text of reflections on Sacred Scripture and the doctrine of the Church: a kind of "catechism of the patriarch", full of references to the current problems and events of the moment, which Cardinal Sako publishes in sections in the media of the Chaldean Patriarchate. In the text in question, the biblical story of Cain and Abel, "the two first sons of Adam and Eve", raises radical questions about the mystery of evil that accompanies the history of mankind. "How is it possible that man, created in the image and likeness of God, can become like a ravenous beast?" asks the patriarch. The Bible - continues the Iraqi Cardinal - acknowledges in the book of Genesis that hatred and violence are part of human history. And even our time is marked by murders and acts of death which "are carried out under the guise of God and of religion". The story of Cain and Abel highlights the fact that the horror of murderous violence can also bloody and break the bond of brotherhood, of shared filiation. Evil - the biblical text teaches - did not enter the world by the will of God, who wanted death in his work of his Creation. The gates of violence and death were opened by the ingratitude and pride foretold in the biblical story of original sin, the corrupt fruits of which find their first manifestation in the death of Abel at the hands of his brother Cain . "Just as Adam and Eve strayed from God's presence" continues Patriarch Sako, "the murderer Cain did the same, and any premeditated murderer will do the same. Because human life is a sacred gift of God, and that no one has the right to take it away ". Evil, having entered the world, affects relations between brothers. It destroys the harmony between human beings. And in the face of all of this, there is no need for willpower or generic appeals to compassion, since human beings are incapable of "humanizing" themselves. Only the gratuitous and unprecedented occurrence of the salvation brought to the world by Christ can, by grace, germinate the seeds of forgiveness at the heart of human relationships. A miracle without which any call for dialogue and fraternity risks turning into stifling moralism, or a "party game". by Vladimir Rozanskij Siberian entrepreneurs seeking investment from China. Moscow needs to boost energy supplies between Lake Bajkal and the Amur River. The Chinese want control of the new facilities. Russian critics say opening the doors to Beijing's money goes against the national interest. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Under recent agreements work is set to begin on new hydroelectric power plants in the Siberian regions of Amur and Khabarovsk, which border China. For some time Russian companies in the area have been asking the Chinese to invest in local energy facilities, where several engineers from China work. Now the new complexes could end up in Beijing's hands. In an official report to President Vladimir Putin, Russian entrepreneurs have made it known that this choice will be essential to ensure energy supplies in the area between Lake Bajkal and the Amur River. The new power plants will be built along the Amur basin and on the Niman and Selemdza tributaries, in order to "develop the energy system of the Far Eastern federal region, with the necessary flood prevention measures," as the report states. The financial means for such an operation are not specified: "The matter is being worked out, and it will be necessary to attract appropriate investments as soon as possible." In order to fix the eastern aquifer basins, at the beginning of August the Deputy Premier for the Far East, Jurij Trutnev, had tasked the Ministry of Energy and the State Electricity Agency Rusgidro with submitting proposals. The acting governor of Khabarovsk, Mikhail Degtarev (who replaces the incumbent Sergei Furgal, in prison for almost a year), has also suggested various solutions to contain overflows from the Amur basin. One of them is the construction of new power plants: "So the whole [railway section] Bam [Baikalo-Amursky Magistral] will be powered by electricity." Since the end of July, the regions of Oltre-Bajkal, Khabarovsk, and the Birobizan Autonomous Jewish Region have been in a state of emergency due to flooding. Heavy rains have caused the Amur and Zeja rivers to rise out of control. Many roads were flooded and hundreds of houses and cultivated fields were swept away and evacuated. Cyclones have been plaguing the Amur region since the beginning of June, causing damage worth more than 6 billion rubles (nearly 70 million euros). The new power plants will be added to the two existing Soviet-era power plants in the Khabarovsk and Amur regions, which serve to regulate water in the basins and have now reached the limits of their capacities (over 30 billion tons of water). Discussions about the need for the new power plants have been going on since 2013, at the time of the previous floods, and even then the authorities signed a 230 billion ruble (2.7 billion) agreement with the Chinese group Ctgc (China Three Gorges Corporation). The aim was to jointly implement energy projects on Russian territory. The Russian side would have retained 51% of the new facilities. However, the Chinese withdrew from the deal in 2016. Now the Russians are back in talks with Ctgc and other Chinese companies, which now want majority control to agree to invest in Russian power plants. Initial surveys show the Chinese are ready to build the new facilities on a turnkey basis, but holding on tightly to control. Some voices of protest have been raised against this initiative, such as that of Sergej Sasim, director of the Center for Electro-Energy Research at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. In his opinion, these agreements go against national interests: "We should use a system of financing repayable with interest on energy produced". One way or another, the new power plants will be built, and the Chinese will certainly not be left empty-handed. Russian-Chinese trade is expanding all the time. On August 31, the Minister of the Russian Republic of Cuvasja, Alina Semenova, disclosed an agreement to export liquor from Ceboksary, on the Urals, to China. Its value is 8.5 million euros. In Priangarje, the Siberian region of Irkutsk, a Chinese citizen has been accused of smuggling wood worth hundreds of millions of rubles, extending beyond all rules the Chinese business in the Siberian forests. by Shafique Khokhar An amendment to a 2001 ordinance threatens to multiply cases of illegal occupation. Christians, Sikhs and Hindus worried about their historic places of prayer. Civil society and religious leaders are calling for the restitution of stolen property. Lahore (AsiaNews) - Human rights activists and lawyers and religious leaders are asking the government to protect the communal property and places of worship belonging to minorities. The appeal came on September 23 during a conference organised by the Center for Social Justice (CSJ), during which participants dennounced that an amendment to the 2001 Ordinance on the Protection of Community Property risks multiplying cases of illegal occupation of property belonging to minorities. Christians, Sikhs and Hindus fear that proposed changes to the law will deprive them of valuable historical property. According to Peter Jacob, director of the SECJ, the repeated attacks on sacred places cause great suffering and social unrest. Historian Yaqoob Khan Bangash emphasised the social value of the common property of minorities, which should be safeguarded from corruption, the 'land mafia' and the government itself. Albert David, member of the Commission for Minority Rights, expressed the same view, calling for a total ban on the sale of community property. Humphrey Peters, Protestant bishop of Peshawar, on the other hand, pointed out that the rights of minorities are explicitly protected by the Pakistani Constitution. In addition to blocking parliamentary approval of the amendments to the 2001 ordinance, the conference rapporteurs call on the authorities to take action to ensure that illegally stolen property is returned to the affected minorities. The government should also act to address religious intolerance and ensure protection for minorities, as stipulated in a 2014 Supreme Court ruling. According to various sources, Ahmadis, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Shiites are the most discriminated against minorities in Pakistan, a country of 212 million people, most of whom are ethnic Punjabis and Sunni Muslims. by Vladimir Rozanskij Four Tajiks and one Russian jailed; the others are being sent back to their countries of origin. According to the FSSB, they organised attacks "against the infidels". Together with China and Pakistan, the Kremlin has opened a channel of dialogue with the Afghan Taliban: it could come to regret it. Moscow (AsiaNews) - On September 23 the internal secret service (FSSB) arrested 15 members of a terrorist group active in the Sverdlovskaya Oblast, the Yekaterinburg region on the Urals. This was reported by Tass in a communication from the local branch of the SFB. The authorities detained five of those arrested in prison; the other 10 were expelled from Russia and sent back to their countries of origin. Moscow's 007 seized about three kilograms of nitroglycerin from the terrorists. The five arrested, accused of organising attacks "against the infidels", are four citizens of Tajikistan and one Russian, all supporters of the Taliban movement. They had set up their hideout in the very central ulitsa Sverdlova in Ekaterinburg, where they held meetings in which they propagated jihad according to the ideology of the new masters of Afghanistan. After the Taliban recaptured Kabul, the Kremlin began to fear the spread of the Afghan fundamentalists' ideology and possible attacks related to it. Terrorists can enter the country in the guise of common refugees and seek followers throughout the country, as the Tajiks arrested in Ekaterinburg appear to have done. It is no coincidence that the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rakhmon, does not miss an opportunity to warn that the new Taliban government constitutes a danger for the States that are more involved geographically and historically with the Afghan events. Just days before the capture of the terrorists in the Urals, on 21-22 September, a meeting was held in Kabul between representatives of Russia, China and Pakistan together with the Taliban leaders to discuss common positions in the fight against terrorism, as the press room of the Russian Foreign Ministry had announced. Diplomats Zamir Kabulov, Yue Sayun and Mohammad Saddik met with Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and other members of the Taliban interim government. The four sides made agreements "to counter terrorism and drug trafficking internationally". They also talked about human rights, the development of economic and humanitarian relations, also involving Afghanistan's neighbouring nations. According to the Russians, "the Taliban emphasised the privileged relationship" with Moscow, Beijing and Islamabad. The Afghan rulers then expressed their desire to exchange official ambassadors with them, as soon as the "recognition of the Islamic Emirate" is granted. The Taliban assured that they had "changed a lot in these 25 years". Judging from the events in Ekaterinburg, however, this does not seem to correspond to reality, and Russia risks bitterly regretting its support for the old-new masters of Afghanistan. The case of the well-known activist, detained for over 20 months without trial, has worsened. Despite his detention, he is reportedly in good health. A critic of Xi Jinping, he will not plead guilty. The same charge has been brought against Ding Jiaxi, another human rights lawyer linked to the New Citizens Movement founded by Xu. Beijing (AsiaNews) - The case against prominent human rights lawyer Xu Zhiyong has worsened. The former law professor at Peking University is now accused of planning a "coloured revolution" to overthrow state power, the South China Morning Post reported today, citing an official indictment dating back to August. Xu has been in prison for more than 20 months and is awaiting trial. Previously, the judicial authorities had sent him to trial for the lesser offence of "inciting subversion against state power". He is being held in Linshu prison (Shandong). An anonymous source told the Post that Xu is in good health and in high spirits. The activist said he would not plead guilty, believing that 'a better China will come if all citizens live according to the true spirit of citizenship'. He is allowed to talk to his lawyer by videoconference every three weeks, but cannot meet his family. His case is classified as a threat to national security, which is why his lawyers cannot address the media. On the run for some time after attending a meeting with democracy activists in Xiamen (Fujian) in December 2019, Xu was arrested on 15 February 2020 in Guangzhou (Guangdong) during a "health check" for Covid-19. The academic, founder of the New Citizens Movement, is a well-known critic of the Chinese Communist Party. He was already imprisoned in January 2014, serving a four-year sentence, for his ideas in defence of democracy, and for exposing the corruption of China's leaders. In early February last year, Xu published an article on the web claiming that Xi was 'unable to handle' the coronavirus crisis. He alleged that the regime's clampdown on freedom of expression had contributed to the uncontrolled spread of the lung infection. For the activist, the Chinese president has also failed to deal with the tariff war with the US and the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. According to the Linyi Prosecutor's Office, Xu tried to overthrow the Party's power in a peaceful way by organising a "citizens' movement" together with his colleague Ding Jiaxi, who is also in prison and awaiting trial on the same charges. The two activists are said to have been inspired by the colourful revolutions that broke out in the early years of the new century in former Soviet republics such as Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. Li Qiaochu, Xu's girlfriend, has also been imprisoned for some time. She is accused of inciting subversion against the state. Other activists linked to Xu are in prison: Zhang Zhongshun, Dai Zhenya, Li Yingjun and Chang Weiping. 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. He later asked: In the last 20 months when the pandemic weighed so heavily on us, we have often asked ourselves: what will the post-pandemic world be like? Will it be the world of solidarity? Or shall we resume business as usual and consider that these months have been nothing more than an interruption in our routine, after which we can go on repeating our old mistakes? As part of the deal, disclosed in federal court in Brooklyn, the Justice Department agreed to dismiss the fraud charges against Meng in December 2022 exactly four years after her arrest provided that she complies with certain conditions, including not contesting any of the governments factual allegations. The Justice Department also agreed to drop its request that Meng be extradited to the U.S., which she had vigorously challenged, ending a process that prosecutors said could have persisted for months. Over the last 20 years, Pakistan has been vital for various logistics purposes for the U.S. military. Whats really been troubling is that, unfortunately, there hasnt been a lot of trust, said U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat who is on the House Intelligence Committee. I think the question is whether we can get over that history to arrive at a new understanding. Before being released from the hospital, the officer sent out a message over the radio that said, I just want to say thank you to everyone who responded, and I will be back soon. Have a goodnight and you all be safe, Brown recounted. We understand that there is a lot of frustration but we cant open or reopen a criminal investigation because we dont have the power to do a criminal investigations like that, Jurowicz said. Our case is about the bigger picture, which she said could be a powerful thing to help bring about change in the department. Two Sherman-based doctors brought the issue to the attention of the Elgin City Council this week, describing a situation in which a lack of anesthesiologists meant they couldnt treat trauma victims and surgeries for such things as cancerous tumor removal had to be moved to other facilities. Women in labor could not be assured there would be an anesthesiologist available if they needed an epidural or C-section or if an emergency situation developed, they said. You are here: Business German carmaker BMW will invest 25 billion yuan (about 3.87 billion U.S. dollars) in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. Oliver Zipse, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, made the announcement in a video speech Friday at an economic and trade cooperation promotion event for participants of the China International Import Expo. The new investment comes in addition to BMW's total investment of over 64 billion yuan in Shenyang since 2009, Zipse said. Shenyang is home to one of BMW's largest production bases and a massive research and development center of the carmaker. BMW, which has a presence in Shenyang for more than 18 years, has achieved fruitful results with its localization strategy. Its China joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive has been the city's largest taxpayer for years. China will strengthen credit information connection and sharing between enterprises and finance institutions to meet financing demand from small and micro businesses, and efforts will be made to ensure support for private businesses is delivered in a timely manner and in full, officials and an analyst said on Friday. By building a nationwide social-credit network, China has been expanding the model of credit-based loans to better serve the real economy and facilitate private business financing, Zhang Chun, an official from the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner, said at a news briefing on Friday. Noting that the lack of sufficient credit information is an acute issue causing financing woes for smaller firms, the credit-based loan model works on the basis of credit information sharing and utilizing big data to fully harness the value of credit information. This helps tackle disinformation and misinformation problems between banks and smaller businesses, and forge a solid credit information channel between the two. A nationwide comprehensive credit service platform in support of small and micro business financing has been established, Zhang said. It has worked in connection with some 255 subnational platforms dealing with business-related information queries for financial institutions. China has been making constant efforts in channeling more affordable loans to smaller enterprises. By late July, outstanding inclusive loans for small and micro businesses stood at 17.8 trillion yuan ($2.75 trillion), a 29.3 percent increase year-on-year. He said that efforts will be made to improve the financial service platform network. Efforts are in the pipeline to include information on tax, social insurance and intellectual property in the credit information sharing system. Risk monitoring will be enhanced, and information security will also be safeguarded. At the briefing, Jiang Yi, also an official from the NDRC, said that the commission will work to ensure that policies in support of private businesses are delivered in full and that the level of support remains unchanged. With the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting global dynamics since last year, China's economy faces acute growth challenges. But the country's private businesses have demonstrated strong growth potential, resilience and vitality, Jiang said. He said stronger efforts will be made to overcome barriers for private businesses in gaining market access. The NDRC is now working with related ministries on comprehensive overhaul of the current negative list for market access and to make the list even shorter. Zhou Mi, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing, said that the country's recent antimonopoly efforts are essentially piloting steps in some emerging business modes. "The country's antitrust efforts are mainly aimed at preventing major risks and creating a fair market to drive the growth of all enterprises, ensuring that all businesses, regardless of their size, are able to compete for market resources on an equal footing," he said. Liu Yeqing, founder and president of Holic Electrical Technology Co Ltd, a private company in Wuhan, Hubei province, said the company has notably benefited from national support for private firms in recent years. She said that last year, the company successfully received patent pledge loans of up to 10 million yuan from local banks. The loan interest stood only at 2.03 percent thanks to certain subsidy incentives for private firms in helping with temporary bailouts, which were much lower than general loans. "It was an amount of liquidity that greatly alleviated businesses' operational pressure during the tough times of COVID-19", she said. The Chinese mainland on Friday reported 10 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Saturday. Of the new local cases, eight were reported in Heilongjiang and two in Fujian. Also reported were 28 new imported cases, with nine in Guangdong, seven in Yunnan, six in Shanghai, and one each in Beijing, Tianjin, Liaoning, Fujian, Hubei and Guangxi, the commission said. Two new suspected cases arriving from outside the mainland were reported in Shanghai on Friday, it said, adding that no new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported. A total of 8,935 imported cases had been reported on the mainland by the end of Friday. Among them, 8,412 had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, and 523 remained hospitalized. No deaths had been reported among the imported cases. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland reached 95,986 by Friday, including 1,020 patients still receiving treatment, 12 of whom were in severe conditions. A total of 90,330 patients had been discharged from hospitals following recovery on the mainland, and 4,636 had died as a result of the virus. A total of 14 asymptomatic cases were newly reported, all arriving from outside the mainland. There were a total of 348 asymptomatic cases, of whom 340 were imported, under medical observation as of Friday. By the end of Friday, 12,176 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 213 deaths, had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), while 65 cases had been reported in the Macao SAR, and 16,176 cases, including 841 deaths, had been reported in Taiwan. A total of 11,888 COVID-19 patients in the Hong Kong SAR had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, while 63 had been discharged in the Macao SAR, and 13,742 had been discharged in Taiwan. Meng Wanzhou, a Chinese business executive who had been arbitrarily detained for more than 1,000 days in Canada, shared her thoughts and expressed her appreciation on a Chinese-government charter flight bringing her home. According to a statement issued earlier by one of the lawyers who represents Meng, she has not pleaded guilty. Meng will not be prosecuted further in the United States and the extradition proceedings in Canada will be terminated, said the statement. "It is pitch dark outside. I am in the sky over the Arctic, heading home," Meng said in comments widely circulating in Chinese social media on Saturday. "I will soon return to the embrace of the motherland." "Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, my home country is becoming stronger and more prosperous day by day. Without a strong motherland, I won't have my freedom today," she said. "We live in a peaceful time and were born in a great country," Meng said, adding that as she grew up during the era of reform and opening-up, she had witnessed and experienced the great transformation made possible by the Chinese people under the Party's leadership. Meng described the motherland, the Party and the government as the shining light that has lit up "the darkest moments" of her life and led her on the long journey home. Meng also expressed gratitude to her family, colleagues and every well-wisher. "Despite all twists and turns, this returning journey is the sweetest journey home," she said. Flash A Chinese diplomat on Friday voiced concern over the human rights situation in the United Kingdom (UK) and urged the country to face up to its own problems, put an end to all human rights violations and stop using human rights as a political tool. Speaking on behalf of a group of countries at the ongoing 48th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Jiang Duan, Minister of the Chinese Mission to the UN in Geneva, told the Council that systemic racism and racial discrimination are deep-rooted in the UK. "Hate speech, xenophobia and relevant violence are increasingly exacerbated. The living conditions of minorities in the UK continue to deteriorate," Jiang said. The diplomat further pointed out that poverty is a serious problem in the UK, with one third of families that have children under the age of five living in poverty. He said in the joint statement that the UK has frequently conducted military interventions in other countries, causing numerous civilian casualties and undermining the economic and social development of the affected countries. The UK's military personnel committed serious crimes during their overseas military operations by arbitrarily killing innocent civilians and conducting torture, but the perpetrators have been shielded by the UK government, he said. The UK also imposes unilateral coercive measures arbitrarily, he said, severely infringing on the human rights of the people in the relevant countries. "Turning a blind eye to its human rights violations and indulged in the mentality of colonialism, the UK is obsessed with fabricating and spreading disinformation, pointing fingers at others and interfering in others' internal affairs to serve its own political agendas," he noted. "We call on the Human Rights Council and the relevant Special Procedures to look into the human rights violations in the UK and take the necessary steps to monitor the UK government's actions to correct its mistakes," he said. Flash The United Nations (UN) presented a report on Friday to the ongoing 48th session of the Human Rights Council, according to which 350,209 identified individuals were killed in the conflict in Syria between March 2011 to March 2021. Michelle Bachelet, the UN's high commissioner for human rights, told the Council that this assessment was based on her office's own data, records maintained by civil society organizations and information from the Syrian government. She explained that the numbers include only those people identifiable by full name, with an established date of death and who had died in an identified governorate. "Any information that did not include these three elements had been excluded, and an exhaustive review had been carried out to prevent duplicate records," she said. According to Bachelet, among the 350,209 identified individuals killed in the conflict, over one in every 13 was a woman and almost one in every 13 was a child. Bachelet stressed that the killings may have had even more victims, but that has yet to be fully documented. The armed conflict in Syria broke out in 2011 and quickly turned into a full-fledged war. Over the past years, the delegations of the Syrian government and the opposition have held several rounds of peace talks in Geneva, but they have yet to find a solution. THAI, 25 SEPTEMBER 2021 When people choose any activity to conduct, they consider their earnings, and it has been recognized that people dont accomplish those tasks that arent in a position to deliver revenue. 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Website : https://www.gclubsclub.com/ Union Minister of State for Ports Shantanu Thakur, along with Chairman of Visakhapatnam Port Trust Ramamohana Rao, cleans roads as they take part in Swachh Bharat programme during his visit to Visakhapatnam on Friday. DC Image/P. Narasimha Murthy Visakhapatnam: Union minister of state for ports, shipping, and waterways Shantanu Thakur said here on Friday that the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) has set a target of handling nearly 75 million tonnes of cargo for this fiscal. Addressing a press conference at the VPT chamber on Friday, Thakur said the port has achieved a throughput of nearly 73 million tonness of cargo, and is now setting a higher target in order to maintain its standard of being among the three major ports in the country. Thakur, who was in the city on his three-day maiden official visit, reviewed the development works of the port and laid foundation stones for several projects including the prestigious cruise terminal for operating international Panamax cruise vessels. "The cruise terminal will be ready for operations by the next year. The project is being developed with support from the Union Ministry of Tourism," Thakur, who represents the Bangaon Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal, said. Earlier, he visited the Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Simhachalam. He also participated in the Swacchata Pakhwada along with VPT chairman Rama Mohana Rao. The minister distributed prizes to winners of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav competitions conducted by the VPT during June-July. The Union ministry of commerce presented 67 awards to various sectors of the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (VSEZ) at a function here on Friday. Commerce secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam presented awards to the achievers from categories like engineering, food and agri, chemicals, pharma, IT/ITES, warehousing, trading, gems and jewellery, exports, investment, employment generation for the years 20019-20 and 2021-22. Meanwhile, the leaders and activists of five federations under the umbrella of Visakhapatnam Port trade unions staged a protest against the Union Government over privatisation of berths at the ports. According to union secretary Jagan, the Centre proposed to privatise 31 berths at all major ports against the interests of the workers. The berth number EQ 6 and EQ 7, and the WQ 6, 7 and 8 berths at Visakhapatnam Port Trust have been included in the list of berths set for privatization. We appeal to the government to withdraw this decision, the union leader said. It is not just the residents, even those living in Rasoolpura, which is a stone's throw away, have expressed their willingness to join the GHMC. Representational image/DC Hyderabad: As the push for merger of the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) into the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) gains steam, residents of the former civic body are hopeful that the merger materialises soon. Their hope is that the issues relating to incomplete civic works will be attended to on a priority basis. An open manhole exists near Geeta Nursing Home for the last ten years. Repeated complaints from the SCB have not helped. If merger would help GHMC force the officials to pay more attention to such public issues, then we are all for it, said Ravindra Thota, a resident of Seshachala Colony. Similarly, Karunakar, a builder from Shobana Colony, said: There are several problems with the SCB. It is best if it is merged with the GHMC. We have several issues pertaining to roads, taxes, revenue etc. We see the merger as the only solution. There is development in other parts of the city but not in the SCB wards. It is not just the residents, even those living in Rasoolpura, which is a stone's throw away, have expressed their willingness to join the GHMC. There have been several instances where the colonies were flooded with water from the drains. Though we have given a complaint, there was no action. Priority is given only to the calls from the armed forces, said Nayeem Pasha, a resident of Rasoolpura. Thiruvananthapuram: Amidst discussions on the reshuffling of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, veteran leader and former KPCC chief, V M Sudheeran resigned from the political affairs committee of the party's state unit, party sources said here on Saturday. The displeasure over the reshuffle procedures and the working style of the present leadership under new KPCC Chief K Sudhakaran were said to be the reasons behind his sudden decision, they said. Sudheeran handed over the resignation letter to the state leadership on Friday, sources added. Though contacted, the leader was unavailable for comment. Known for his non-corrupt and idealist image, Sudheeran's firm stand on various issues had led to differences between him and many of his party colleagues in the past. Reacting to the reports of Sudheeran's resignation, senior Congress leader and MLA, P T Thomas said the KPCC Chief would intervene into the issue and clear any misunderstanding of the veteran. He also said Sudhakaran had visited Sudheeran at his home recently and held a detailed discussion. "Sudheeran is one of the most respected leaders of the Congress party in Kerala," he said. Thomas, also the working president of the KPCC, said major discussion or consultation with regard to the reshuffle of the state unit leadership was yet to be started. Recently, KPCC former general secretary K P Anil Kumar and its secretary P S Prashanth had resigned from the primary membership of the grand old party over the selection of new DCC presidents. New Delhi: The newly forged Opposition unity already seems to be in tatters. Just a month ago, on August 19, at the Opposition leaders' meeting convened by the Congress president. Mrs Sonia Gandhi, it was decided that joint Opposition protests would be held from September 20 till 30. The leaders of these parties issued an 11-point charter of demands to the Centre and in a joint statement said, We will jointly organise protest actions all over the country from 20th to 30th September, 2021. The Opposition parties had jointly demanded a repeal of the three new farm legislations, a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the Pegasus hacking controversy, early elections in Jammu and Kashmir and release of all political detainees there and a high-level probe into the Rafale deal. But five days out of the 10-day period have passed and there have been no joint protests anywhere in the country. Interestingly, senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were away in Shimla for a few days. The entire machinery of the TMC is busy in the by-elections in the state that is being contested by chief minister Mamata Banerjee. In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party is busy campaigning and shortlisting candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections that are slated early next year. The response so far from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has also been lukewarm. Similar is the case in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Similar is the case in other states where the party is in alliance. Last month the Congress had constituted a committee to plan and organise protests under Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh. The committee also has general secretary Ms Priyanka Gandhi as a member. But as of now there are no joint protests planned by the Congress. The committee has had just one meeting in which it has decided to liaison with advocacy and pressure groups. General secretary incharge K.C. Venugopal has written to the office bearers of the party till the bloc level to organise dharna and protests against the policies of the government but the party is yet to see action on the ground. VIJAYAWADA: Opposition parties Telugu Desam (TD), the Jana Sena, the BJP, the Congress and the Communists could not make any impact in the MPP elections in 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh. The ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRC) showed its dominance by grabbing 621 MPPs out of 634 for which elections were held. Principal Opposition TDP was limited to only 7 MPPs, Jana Sena 1, CPM 1 and independents won four MPPs. The TDP failed to open its account in nine districts in MPP elections, Jana Sena and CPM did not open their accounts in 12 districts and the Congress, the BJP and other parties were washed away in all 13 districts without any seats. Out of a total of 660 MPP seats, elections were held for 634 MPP seats while elections were postponed for another 13 MPP seats. The YSRCP won 621 MPP seats and broke all the previous records as no political party won 97.95 percent seats in the history of the state. Women got top priority in MPP seats as 397 women elected as MPPs from YSRCP which is 64 percent and the rest of 223 were men with 36 percent seats. The YSRCP gave utmost priority to BC/SC/ST and minorities by giving 67 percent MPPs and the rest of 33 percent MPPs were given to OCs. Interestingly, the saga of humiliating defeat continues for the TDP and other Opposition parties in all elections from general elections 2019. The TDP won only two MPPs each in Krishna, East Godavari and West Godavari districts and one MPP in Kadapa district. The TDP showed good performance in Visakhapatnam district in the general elections but it failed to open its account in the MPP election as YSRCP won 35 MPPs and rest of four seats by independents. The humiliating defeat of Opposition parties continued in Srikakulam where all the 36 MPPs were grabbed by YSRCP. Similarly, YSRCP won all 33 MPPs in Vizianagaram, all 52 MPPs in Guntur district, all 53 MPPs in Prakasam, all 44 MPPs in Nellore, all 61 MPPs in Anantapur, all 53 in Kurnool and all 61 MPPs in Chittoor district. The YSRCP won 49 out of total 50 MPPs in Kadapa and the rest - one - was won by the TDP. The coastal districts were regarded as a TDP bastion for decades but things changed now as YSRCP won 55 MPPs out of total 59 in East Godavari and TDP won two seats and each one by Jana Sena and the CPM. Similarly, in West Godavari, the YSRCP won 45 MPPs out of total 47 and the rest of the two by the TDP. Krishna and Guntur districts were political forts of the TDP but the YSRCP demolished the forts by grabbing 44 MPPs out of total 46 in Krishna district where the TDP was limited to only two seats. It was a nightmare for the TDP, the BJP, the Jana Sena, the Congress and the Communist parties in Guntur district as they were washed away in the YSRCP storm of winning all 52 MPPs. Senior political analysts say that usually Opposition parties win considerable seats in the local body elections due to contesting of local leaders who have influence in their areas but the tradition was totally changed this time creating a new history. They opined that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy got peoples trust by implementing all welfare schemes immediately after coming into power and continued them in the Corona crisis which got accolades in the elections. YSRCP state general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said the people did not care about the false allegations made by TDP leaders and indeed put their faith in Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy due to the welfare and development-aimed governance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden meets in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Washington. (PTI Photo) Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first-ever in-person meeting with President Joe Biden raised a number of issues involving the Indian community in America, including access for Indian professionals in the US and speaking about the H-1B visas, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said. Prime Minister Modi described as "outstanding" his first bilateral meeting in the Oval Office with US President Joe Biden who said the Indo-US relationship is destined to be "stronger, closer and tighter. The prime minister and his counterparts - Scott Morrison of Australia and Japan's Yoshihide Suga also attended the meeting of Quad leaders hosted by US President Biden in the US capital on Friday. He (Modi) spoke of the issue of getting access for Indian professionals to the United States. In that context he mentioned H-1B visa, Shringla told reporters at a news conference on Friday. The most sought-after H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. He also spoke of the fact that many Indian professionals who work here contribute to Social Security. The return of those contributions in the United States is something that affects the number of Indian workers, Shringla said. A fact sheet issued by the White House later said that the United States was proud to have issued a record 62,000 visas to Indian students so far in 2021. The nearly 200,000 Indian students in the United States contribute USD 7.7 billion annually to the US economy. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Programme worldwide, the programme has been bringing Americans and Indians closer together for 71 years since its launch in India. In 2008, we welcomed India's decision to jointly fund these fellowships with the United States, and renamed the program the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship Program. Over 20,000 fellowships and grants have been awarded under this exchange programme, and the United States looks forward to building on these successes, it said. The Partnership 2020 programme continues to foster higher education cooperation to promote economic growth and technological advances. In collaboration with the University of Nebraska at Omaha, this programme funds 15 research partnerships between US and Indian universities in the fields of advanced engineering, artificial intelligence, public health, and energy, among others, the White House said. According to the White House, the upcoming launch of the US-India Alliance for Women's Economic Empowermenta public-private partnership between the Department of State, USAID, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, and George Washington Universitywill help catalyse collaboration to advance women's economic resilience and empowerment in India. The US-funded Nexus startup and innovation hub showcases the best of American and Indian entrepreneurial innovation and technology commercialisation. Nexus serves as a central hub for entrepreneurs, innovators, faculty, industry players, and funding organisations interested in promoting Indian startups and the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, it said. Since 2016, Nexus's 138 graduates have raised over USD 19 million in outside funding and closed over 70 deals with many prominent Indian and US companies, it said. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration works closely with Indian counterparts in areas such as ocean and fisheries science, meteorology, and earth observation, which helps us better understand climate change and save lives through improved weather modeling and information sharing, the White House said. The US Department of Agriculture looks forward to cooperating with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research on climate-change issues related to agriculture through strategic research on crops, livestock, and fisheries, it said. USAID looks forward to working with the Indian government on establishing the US-India Gandhi-King Development Foundation to promote initiatives and exchanges that honor both visionary leaders, it added. Washington: The Taliban's takeover of Kabul has deepened the mutual distrust between the US and Pakistan, two putative allies who have tangled over Afghanistan. But both sides still need each other. With the Biden administration looking for new ways to stop terrorist threats in Afghanistan, it will likely look again to Pakistan, which remains critical to US intelligence and national security because of its proximity to Afghanistan and connections to the Taliban leaders now in charge. Over two decades of war, American officials accused Pakistan of playing a double game by promising to fight terrorism and cooperate with Washington while cultivating the Taliban and other extremist groups that attacked US forces in Afghanistan. Islamabad, meanwhile, pointed to what it saw as failed promises of a supportive government in Kabul after the US drove the Taliban from power following the September 11, 2001, attacks as extremist groups took refuge in eastern Afghanistan and launched deadly attacks throughout Pakistan. But the US wants Pakistani cooperation in counterterrorism efforts and could seek permission to fly surveillance flights into Afghanistan or other intelligence cooperation. And Pakistan wants US military aid and good relations with Washington, even as its leaders openly celebrate the Taliban's rise to power. Over the last 20 years, Pakistan has been vital for various logistics purposes for the US military. What's really been troubling is that, unfortunately, there hasn't been a lot of trust, said US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat who sits on the House Intelligence Committee. I think the question is whether we can get over that history to arrive at a new understanding. Former diplomats and intelligence officers from both countries say the possibilities for cooperation are severely limited by the events of the last two decades and Pakistan's enduring competition with India. The previous Afghan government, which was strongly backed by New Delhi, routinely accused Pakistan of harbouring the Taliban. The new Taliban government includes officials that American officials have long believed are linked to Pakistan's spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence. Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the US, said he understood the temptation of officials in both countries to try and take advantage of the situation and find common ground. But Haqqani said he expected Pakistan to give all possible cooperation to the Taliban. This has been a moment Pakistan has been waiting for 20 years, said Haqqani, now at the Hudson Institute think tank. They now feel that they have a satellite state." US officials are trying to quickly build what President Joe Biden calls an over the horizon capacity to monitor and stop terrorist threats. Without a partner country bordering Afghanistan, the US has to fly surveillance drones long distances, limiting the time they can be used to watch over targets. The US also lost most of its network of informants and intelligence partners in the now-deposed Afghan government, making it critical to find common ground with other governments that have more resources in the country. Pakistan could be helpful in that effort by allowing overflight rights for American spy planes from the Persian Gulf or permitting the US to base surveillance or counterterrorism teams along its border with Afghanistan. There are few other options among Afghanistan's neighbours. Iran is a US adversary. And Central Asian countries north of Afghanistan all face varying degrees of Russian influence. There are no known agreements so far. CIA Director William Burns visited Islamabad earlier this month to meet with Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan's army chief, and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, who leads the ISI, according to a Pakistani government statement. Burns and Hameed have also separately visited Kabul in recent weeks to meet with Taliban leaders. The CIA declined to comment on the visits. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi noted this week that Islamabad had cooperated with US requests to facilitate peace talks before the Taliban takeover and that it had agreed to US military requests throughout the war. We have often been criticized for not doing enough, Qureshi told The Associated Press on Wednesday. But we've not been appreciated enough for having done what was done. Qureshi would not directly answer whether Pakistan would allow the basing of surveillance equipment or overflight of drones. They don't have to be physically there to share intelligence, he said of the US. There are smarter ways of doing it." The CIA and ISI have a long history in Afghanistan, dating back to their shared goal of arming bands of mujahedeen freedom fighters against the Soviet Union's occupation in the 1980s. The CIA sent weapons and money into Afghanistan through Pakistan. Those fighters included Osama bin Laden. Others would become leaders of the Taliban, which emerged victorious from a civil war in 1996 and gained control of most of the country. The Taliban gave refuge to bin Laden and other leaders of al-Qaida, which launched deadly attacks on Americans abroad in 1998 and then struck the US on September 11, 2001. After 9/11, the US immediately sought Pakistan's cooperation in its fight against al-Qaida and other terrorist groups. Declassified cables published by George Washington University's National Security Archive show officials in President George W Bush's administration made several demands of Pakistan, from intercepting arms shipments heading to al-Qaida to providing the US with intelligence and permission to fly military and intelligence planes over its territory. The CIA would carry out hundreds of drone strikes launched from Pakistan targeting al-Qaida leaders and others alleged to have ties to terrorist groups. Hundreds of civilians died in the strikes, according to figures kept by outside observers, leading to widespread protests and public anger in Pakistan. Pakistan, meanwhile, continued to be accused of harboring the Taliban after the US-backed coalition drove the group from power in Kabul. And bin Laden was killed in 2011 by US special forces in a secret raid on a compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad, home to the country's military academy. The bin Laden operation led many in the US to question whether Pakistan had harbored bin Laden and angered Pakistanis who felt the raid violated their sovereignty. For years, CIA officials tried to confront their Pakistani counterparts after collecting more proof of Pakistani intelligence officers helping the Taliban move money and fighters into a then-growing insurgency in neighbouring Afghanistan, said Douglas London, who oversaw the CIA's counterterrorism operations in South Asia until 2018. They would say, You just come to my office, tell me where the location is,' he said. They would just usually pay lip service to us and say they couldn't confirm the intel. London, author of the forthcoming book The Recruiter, said he expected American intelligence would consider limited partnerships with Pakistan on mutual enemies such as al-Qaeda or Islamic State-Khorasan, which took responsibility for the deadly suicide attack outside the Kabul airport last month during the final days of the US evacuation. The risk, London said, is at times your partner is as much of a threat to you as the enemy who you're pursuing. Start Time: Mar 12, 2020 | End Time: Mar 12, 2020 Flag raising ceremony on the occasion of the 52nd Independence Anniversary and 28th Anniversary of the Republic of Mauritius. The ceremony will be held in presence of the President of the Republic of Mauritius, the Prime Minister, and other eminent ... Page Content The island had for a long time remained unknown and uninhabited. It was probably visited by Arab sailors during the Middle Ages, and on maps of about 1500, it is shown by an Arabic name `Dina Arobi'. The Portuguese sailor Domingo Fernandez Pereira was probably the first European to land on the island at around 1511. The island appears with a Portuguese name `Cirne' on early Portuguese maps, probably because of the presence of the Dodo, a flightless bird which was found in great numbers at that time. It was another Portuguese sailor, Don Pedro Mascarenhas, who gave the name Mascarenes to the group of islands now known as Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion. The Portuguese did not stay long as they were not interested in these islands. In 1598, a Dutch squadron, under the orders of Admiral Wybrand Van Warwyck, landed at Grand Port and named the island "Mauritius", in honour of Prince Maurice Van Nassau, "Stathouder" of Holland. However, it was not until 1638 that there was a first attempt of Dutch settlement. It was from here that the famous Dutch navigator Tasman set out to discover the western part of Australia. The first Dutch settlement lasted only twenty years. Several attempts were subsequently made, but the settlements never developed enough to produce dividends and the Dutch finally left Mauritius in 1710. They are remembered for the introduction of sugar-cane, domestic animals and deer. Abandoned by the Dutch, the island became a French colony when, in September 1715, Guillaume Dufresne D'Arsel landed and took possession of this precious port of call on the route to India. He named the island "Isle de France", but it was only in 1721 that the French started their occupation. However, it was only as from 1735, with the arrival of the most illustrious of French governor, Mahe de La Bourdonnais, that the "Isle de France" started developing effectively. Mahe de La Bourdonnais established Port Louis as a naval base and a ship-building centre. Under his governorship, numerous buildings were built, a number of which are still standing today - part of Government House, the Chateau de Mon Plaisir at Pamplemousses, the Line Barracks. The island was under the administration of the French East India Company which maintained its presence until 1767. From that year until 1810, the island was in charge of officials appointed by the French Government, except for a brief period during the French Revolution, when the inhabitants set up a government virtually independent of France. During the Napoleonic wars, the "Isle de France" had become a base from which French corsairs organised successful raids on British commercial ships. The raids continued until 1810 when a strong British expedition was sent to capture the island. A preliminary attack was foiled at Grand Port in August 1810, but the main attack launched in December of the same year from Rodrigues, which had been captured a year earlier, was successful. The British landed in large numbers in the north of the island and rapidly overpowered the French, who capitulated. By the Treaty of Paris in 1814, the "Isle de France" which regained its former name `Mauritius' was ceded definitely to Great Britain, together with its dependencies which included Rodrigues and the Seychelles. In the act of capitulation, the British guaranteed that they would respect the language, the customs, the laws and the traditions of the inhabitants. The British administration, which began with Robert Farquhar as governor, was followed by rapid social and economic changes. One of the most important events was the abolition of slavery in 1835. The planters received a compensation of two million pounds sterling for the loss of their slaves which had been imported from Africa and Madagascar during the French occupation. The abolition of slavery had important repercussions on the socio-economic and demographic fields. The planters turned to India, from where they brought a large number of indentured labourers to work in the sugar cane fields. The Indian immigrants, who were of both Hindu and Muslim faith, were to change rapidly the fabric of the society. They were later joined by a small number of Chinese traders. Cultivation of sugar cane was given a boost and the island flourished, especially with the export of sugar to England. Economic progress necessitated the extension and improvement of means of communication and gradually an adequate infrastructure was created. Constitutional development On the constitutional plane, the Council of Government which was first established in 1825, was enlarged in 1886 to make room for elected representatives. The new council included 10 members elected on a restricted franchise. It was not until 1933 that the Constitution was again amended in a significant respect. The proportion of nominated members of the Council not holding public office was raised to two-thirds. However, franchise was still restricted to persons within a certain income bracket and to proprietors. A major breakthrough occurred in 1948, when after years of protracted negotiations for a more liberal constitution, franchise was extended to all adults who could pass a simple literacy test. The Council of Government was replaced by a Legislative Council composed of 19 elected members, 12 members nominated by the Governor and three ex-officio members. General elections were held in August 1948 and the first Legislative Council met on 1st September 1948. Following constitutional conferences held in London in1955 and 1957, the ministerial system was introduced and general elections were held on 9th March 1959. Voting took place for the first time on the basis of universal adult suffrage and the number of electors rose to 208,684. In 1961, a Constitutional Review Conference was held in London and a programme of further constitutional advance was established. It was followed in 1965 by the last constitutional conference which -paved the way for Mauritius to achieve independence. After general elections in 1967, Mauritius adopted a new constitution and independence was proclaimed on 12 March 1968. Mauritius achieved the status of Republic 24 years later on 12 March 1992. After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief disregarded her own advisors to suggest booster doses, President Joe Biden is ordering a group of 60 million Americans who had the Pfizer vaccine and satisfy other requirements to get them. Biden made the remark after CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, in an unusual move late Thursday night, rejected her own agency's advisory panel and added a recommendation for COVID-19 vaccine boosters for those at risk due to their professions. Millions of Americans were added to the guideline as a result of the move. The CDC committee decided against recommending usage for people who are at risk because of "occupational or institutional settings," citing a lack of data. Biden tells 60 millions Americans to get Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot Per Daily Mail, only individuals who have received the Pfizer vaccine are affected by the decision. Moderna Inc.'s application for boosters has yet to be considered by the FDA, while Johnson & Johnson Inc. has not yet filed one. After six months, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that third doses be reserved for Americans 65 and older, as well as those with underlying diseases. Walensky disagreed and reintroduced the recommendation, saying that it corresponds with a booster authorization decision made by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this week. Only individuals 65 and older, as well as those with specific medical conditions, should take the third dose, according to the panel. People who live in institutional settings that enhance their risk of exposure, such as jails or homeless shelters, as well as healthcare professionals, teachers, and grocery store staff, are all included in this group. Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots are now available at Walgreens and CVS Health stores nationwide, USA Today reported. Patients may book appointments for certain CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic sites online beginning Friday, said CVS Health. Appointments at Walgreens locations nationwide may be arranged online or over the phone starting Saturday. The White House said Friday that all federal contractors and subcontractors must be properly vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 8. Millions of government contractors are anticipated to be affected by the announcement. Read Also: Donald Trump Files $100 Million Lawsuit Against Niece Mary, New York Times Over Tax Report That Alleges "Insidious Plot" Biden administration expects smooth COVID-19 booster shots rollout According to the White House, there are exceptions "in rare instances when an employee is legally entitled to an accommodation" due to a disability or a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. Biden signed an executive order on September 9 requiring vaccinations for federal employees and contractors. The CDC's latest K-12 school year data backs up the agency's recommendation for masks in schools and in-person sessions. Coronavirus outbreaks were nearly four times more prevalent in public schools without mask regulations on the first day than in those that reopened with a masking requirement, according to research conducted in two Arizona counties. Another study revealed that case rates in children and teenagers grew higher in counties where public schools did not have mask mandates than in areas where they did. Other metrics that may have impacted the outcomes were not included in these studies. Despite the lack of a method to identify those who mislead about their eligibility, the Biden administration is optimistic that COVID-19 booster shot administration to limited populations will proceed well. Seniors, individuals with underlying illnesses that put them at higher risk, and front-line employees, such as teachers and healthcare professionals, would all receive booster shots, according to the Biden administration. Even if they lie about their eligibility, those who received the first two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine but do not yet qualify for a third dose might acquire a booster at one of approximately 80,000 locations around the country, as per Washington Examiner. Related Article: Joe Biden COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Plan Faces Blowback as FDA Rejects Proposal To Give Every Vaccinated Americans Extra Shot @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Meng Wanzhou, a top executive of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Technologies, settled criminal charges with the US Justice Department on Friday, clearing the way for her to return to China and bringing an end to a case that strained ties between Washington and Beijing. Wanzhou wept after the virtual hearing in a federal court in Brooklyn, when US prosecutors agreed to the agreement and dismissed charges against her, after being confined to her multimillion-dollar Vancouver, Canada, home for three years. After Meng Wanzhou negotiated an agreement with US prosecutors earlier on Friday that terminated their bank fraud case against her, Canadian government attorneys urged the court to remove the power to proceed in her case and dismiss her. US DOJ reaches deal with Huawei's Meng Wanzhou The US Justice Department said on Friday that it has struck an agreement with Meng to defer prosecution, avoiding a trial and moving toward defusing a case that has strained ties with China. Meng, who consented to a statement of facts in the case but did not plead guilty, would have the felony fraud charges against her withdrawn on December 1, 2022, if she follows the deal, according to a Justice Department attorney who testified in federal court in Brooklyn. In December 2018, the executive was detained at Vancouver International Airport on a US warrant and charged with bank and wire fraud for allegedly lying to HSBC about Huawei's commercial operations in Iran. According to another individual familiar with the situation, the deferred prosecution deal solely applies to Meng Wanzhou, and US accusations against the firm remain. One of the significant conflicts between the world's two largest economies would be resolved as a result of such a deal, The Strait Times reported. The deal may also open the door for the release of two Canadians detained in China, businessman Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig, who was apprehended shortly after Meng was detained in 2018. Read Also: Justin Trudeau's Third Term Begins After Winning Canada Election But Falls Short in Bid To Form Majority Government Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou expected to plead guilty to minor crimes According to the BBC, Meng Wanzhou is anticipated to plead guilty to minor charges and have the more severe accusations withdrawn. In an email, Meng's lawyer, Reid Weingarten, confirmed the existence of the deal but did not offer any information. In 2019, shortly before a critical two-day session of trade talks between the US and China, the Trump administration's Justice Department unsealed criminal allegations claiming Huawei of stealing trade secrets and alleging Meng of defrauding banks about the company's business connections in Iran. The indictment claims Huawei sold equipment to Iran through a Hong Kong shell company named Skycom, in violation of US sanctions. Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's founder's daughter, opposed the Justice Department's extradition request, saying that the evidence against her was flawed. Last month, a Canadian court postponed a ruling on whether Meng should be extradited to the United States after a Canadian Justice Department lawyer concluded his argument by stating that there is enough evidence to prove she was dishonest and deserved to face trial in the United States. Huawei is the world's largest provider of networking gear to phone and internet companies, and some analysts believe Chinese firms have broken international regulations and conventions in the wake of allegations of technology theft. The corporation reflects China's development toward becoming a technology powerhouse, and it has raised security and law enforcement worries in the United States. It has frequently disputed the claims made by the US government and the security risks raised by its products, as per Newsweek via MSN. Related Article: Canada Says Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou Receives Fair Extradition Proceedings Despite China's Sentences to Two Canadian Citizens @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The expiration of unemployment benefits contributed to the widespread pandemic's effects, which continue to touch thousands of lives, with many Americans unable to pay rent and meet basic requirements. As a result of the emergency warning, several states are looking to offer extra-economic boosts to their residents in need to assist them to get through difficult circumstances. For individuals who qualify, this boost will come in the shape of stimulus checks and a variety of additional perks. If you're having trouble paying your expenses and finding it tough to find work in this downturn, you might be able to breathe a sigh of relief now that many states have announced state financial help. Scroll down to see whether your state qualifies you for any benefits. California provides fourth stimulus check A new stimulus payment is available to two out of every three people in the United States' most populated state. According to sources, a wave of California stimulus checks is currently being distributed, with many families receiving $600 payments. Families with children may be eligible for up to $1,100. The first round of checks, totaling 600,000, was mailed to eligible California citizens at the end of August. The second round of payments was mailed to approximately 2 million California households last week. Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration, which survived a recall election attempt, campaigned for the $600 stimulus checks earlier this year. They're now coming out every two weeks and California officials are akin to a fourth stimulus payment for many households. These payments are part of a larger $100 billion rescue effort. One that qualifies as the "largest state tax rebate" in the country's history, according to Newsom's administration. This is also in the context of the federal government issuing additional stimulus checks. Those are expected to continue through the end of the year. Per BGR, one of the primary criteria is that recipients must have lived in California for more than half of 2020. Being a California resident on the day the stimulus check is issued is also required. Read Also: $2,000 Recurring Stimulus Checks Mount, Will President Joe Biden Make Future Payments Automatic Without a Vote? Are there other states giving extra stimulus checks? According to Marca, Alaska residents may be eligible for 13 to 20 weeks of extra payments under the Federal-State Extended Benefits program. The quantity of money and requirements to be eligible for the payments are yet unknown, as they will be determined by how much of the pot remains after part of it has been claimed for other purposes. Colorado residents who have received at least one weekly unemployment benefit check of less than $500 will be eligible for a $375 direct payment. The majority of teachers and administrators have yet to receive the $1,000 payment that was allotted to them. Georgia's generous proposal, like Florida's, includes a $1,000 payment for full-time instructors and administrators, with part-time teachers receiving half of the money. Preschool educators will certainly be eligible for a stimulus check as well, but the amount is uncertain. All families that applied for the Earned Income Tax Credit in Maryland will get $500, while individuals will receive $300, as per AS.com. With funding given by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, $700 million has been made aside for farm workers and meatpackers, with about $20 million going to grocery shop workers. With funding given by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, $700 million has been made aside for agricultural employees and meatpackers, with about $20 million going to grocery store workers. A $500 incentive will be given to Michigan state teachers. New Mexico has proposed a proposal to provide $5 million to citizens who were not eligible for federal assistance. Meanwhile, the city of New York has set aside $2.1 billion for workers whose illegal status precluded them from seeking financial aid. Residents of New York must earn less than $26,208 in 2020 to be eligible for the stimulus payment. In Tennessee, full-time teachers will get a $1,000 incentive, while part-time instructors will receive an additional $500. In addition, Irving, Texas has provided a $2,000 payment for teachers who return to the classroom. Related Article: New Stimulus Checks Coming In Less Than a Month; Will Social Security Beneficiaries Receive Payments? @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. United States President Joe Biden expressed his disappointment of border patrol agents on Friday after supporting false "whipping" allegations that have been proven to be inaccurate, telling the country he would make the individuals "pay." On Sunday, photographs of agents riding horseback that were seemingly whipping Haitian immigrants went viral. However, officials, agents, and the one who took the photographs quickly debunked the claims, arguing that agents were using trained strategies to control their horses. On the other hand, activists and several Democratic officials have fueled allegations that the agents were being violent towards the refugees. Joe Biden vs. Border Patrol Agents A day later, Alejandro Mayorkas, the DHS secretary, and Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz had criticized the false allegations against border patrol agents. They expressed their disappointment after the White House called the photographs "disgusting" and argued that agents were "weaponizing" their horses against refugees. Authorities later ordered an investigation, which has forced involved agents to shift to desk-work, to look into the legitimacy of the claims that many have been making after seeing the pictures. On Friday, the Democratic president weighed in on the issue without properly discussing with concerned individuals and without letting the investigation finish, Fox News reported. "To see people treated like they did, horses barely running over, people being strapped - It's outrageous. I promise you, those people will pay. There will be an investigation underway now and there will be consequences. There will be consequences," Biden said during his address. Read Also: Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll Shows that Trump was a Better President than Biden With more and more people criticizing border patrol agents over the viral images, the DHS announced on Thursday that the use of horses in the Del Rio area was suspended. The United States federal government has extended the use of the policy signed under former President Donald Trump's administration that expelled undocumented immigrants quickly. Mayorkas said on Friday that the expulsions were based on concerns and fears of the risks of the coronavirus pandemic on public health. The official said that the decisions were not the kind of immigration policy that they embraced, BBC reported. Haitian Immigrants in the United States After the release of the viral photographs showing the border patrol agents on horseback and immigrants, groups of Haitians and their supporters rallied in downtown Boston on Friday. The demonstrators expressed their frustrations at the brutal treatment of Haitian migrants at the border. More than 100 people gathered in front of the John F. Kennedy Federal Building while holding signs that read "Haitian Lives Matter" and "End Anti-Blackness." The protesters also chanted "Stop the flights" and "We deserve better." Boston Democrat and State Rep. Brandy Fluker was one of the people urging President Biden to grant protection to Haitian migrants. The official said that sending back refugees to the Caribbean nation would be "disrespectful" while the nation was still in chaos after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July and a massive earthquake in August. Several Haitian community leaders in the nation have argued that migrants from the most recent treks were starting to make their way into the Boston area. The region is home to the third-largest Haitian diaspora community in the United States, the Associated Press reported. Related Article: US Special Envoy For Haiti Resigns After Calling The Deportation Of Haitian Migrants Inhumane @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In her legal lawsuit involving ex-husband Johnny Depp, Hollywood star Amber Heard has requested a subpoena; but this time, she has targeted the Los Angeles Police Department. Heard's legal team asked the LAPD to produce the books, documents, records, electronically stored material, and physical items related to a 2016 domestic incident between her and the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor, which was validated by a clerk in Fairfax County. In January, Heard's attorneys sent a similar subpoena, but the one filed earlier this month asks for body camera video from cops who attended to the house Depp and Heard used to share. On Thursday, an LAPD public information officer said, "We don't comment on open or pending litigation," Big News Network reported. Amber Heard subpoenas LAPD over 2016 incident Heard has requested "all documents and communications" related to the police investigation, as well as any records that reflect any deletions, alterations, or viewing up to the present for footage submitted during that timeframe. Johnny Depp had sued his ex-wife for defamation and she had countersued for $50 million. A trial date has been scheduled for 2022. After losing his defamation case against a British tabloid, the actor has previously stated that he feels Hollywood is boycotting him The subpoena requests "the audit trails for any deletions, modifications, or viewing of the body camera footage uploaded to evidence.com by Officers Saenz and Hadden between October 1, 2015, and August 1, 2016," as well as any supporting documents. Last year, both policemen testified in Depp's libel action against The Sun for their coverage of the separation, in which he was dubbed a "wife-beater." Saenz testified in the 2020 trial that she did not notice any injuries on Heard despite her accusations that Depp had slapped her in the face with a mobile phone. During the breakup, photos of Heard's sporting injuries were made public. Read Also: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt Fight Over $164 Million Chateau Miraval Estate Amid Custody Battle Johnny Depp slams cancel culture amid Amber Heard battle The actor, well known for his portrayal of Jack Sparrow in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series, finally agreed to pay Heard $7 million, which he would donate to the American Civil Liberties Union and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Elaine Bredehoft, Heard's lawyer, said in January that the actress, who was born in Austin, Texas, "has already been responsible for seven figures in donations to charity organizations and wants to continue to give and eventually complete her commitment." Amber Heard had demanded in January that the LAPD produce "any records and conversations of any type with Mr. Depp, and/or any of Mr. Depp's agents, attorneys, or others acting on his behalf from May 21, 2016, until the present." Per Daily Mail, Depp addressed his legal issues openly while in Spain, stating, "It doesn't matter if a judgment, per se, has taken some artistic license. When you see injustice, whether it's against you, someone you love, or someone you believe in, don't sit down. Because they need you." The Kentucky-born actor was in Spain accepting the Donostia Award honors at the San Sebastian Film Festival after losing his part in Warner Bros. 'Fantastic Beasts.' Johnny Depp had already sued his ex-wife for defamation in the amount of $50 million, and she had countersued. A trial date has been scheduled for 2022. Depp previously stated that he feels Hollywood is boycotting him as a result of his defamation case against a British tabloid being dismissed. The court found 12 of the 14 domestic violence episodes to be true, which was enough to convict Depp. On Wednesday, the 58-year-old actor raged against cancel culture at the San Sebastian Film Festival, Fox News reported. Related Article: Johnny Depp Scores Second Libel Case Against Amber Heard as Judge Rejects Her Bid to Throw $50 Million Defamation Suit @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. United States President Joe Biden expressed his support on Friday of the idea to tax rich people, urging wealthy Americans to "step up and pay" their "fair share" of taxes amid reports that the Democratic official himself owes the IRS up to $500,000. Democratic officials, led by the president himself, proposed paying for a pending $3.5 trillion social spending bill through an IRS crackdown on tax cheats. The bill would raise taxes on higher incomes and businesses across the country. Raising Taxes on Wealth Americans "We have to rehire some IRS agents, not to try to make people pay something they don't owe, just to say, 'Hey, step up. Step up and pay like everybody else does'," Biden said during a speech at the White House. The Democrat added that it was about time for people to pay their fair share of taxes. However, it was reported that Biden avoided paying Medicare taxes on speech and book-sale income in 2017 and 2018. He was able to do this by conducting a dubious accounting tactic that many rich people used to keep themselves from paying for federal health programs, the New York Post reported. Chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, Rep. Jim Banks, criticized Biden's proposal to raise taxes by $2.1 trillion despite skirting his payroll taxes himself. The official said that the Congressional Research Service report, which detailed the Democratic president's avoidance of Medicare taxes, used "S corporations." Read Also: Joe Biden Vows To Provide Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Shots After CDC Signals Green Light to 60 Million Vulnerable Americans The documents wrote that while Biden and his wife, Jill, earned more than $13 million on speaking fees and book sales, less than $800,000 of the total was counted as salary. On the other hand, the White House defended the president by saying that the salaries Biden earned were "reasonable." Biden's $3.5 trillion bill aims to support child care, education, and health care. The Democratic president calls for targeting tax avoidance while raising taxes on high-income bracket residents to help pay for the massive legislation, Fox News reported. Biden's Avoidance of Paying for Medicare Taxes One of the bill's measures was proposed by Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden and aims to change the way that the federal government taxes earnings on assets such as stocks and bonds. The idea focuses on wealthy Americans, whose fortune is primarily based on investments rather than salaries. The income that many people get from those assets, which are classified as capital gains, is currently taxed at a far lower rate than regular wage income. The United States has a marginal tax rate ceiling of 37% on income while capital gains are only taxed a maximum of 20%. In an interview, Wyden said that one of his priorities in the negotiations was to make it clear that billionaires and exceptionally wealthy Americans were not exempt from the general proposition that other workers experience every year, which is to regularly pay taxes. President Biden echoed the official's sentiments on Friday, expressing his support of the proposal during a press conference. The idea is similar to the Democratic leader's idea of raising capital gains tax to 43%, which is more than double of the original rate, Business Insider reported. Related Article: Joe Biden's Approval Rating Slumps; Voters Think The President is Mentally Incapable, Has Bad Immigration Policy @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Less than a day after the arrival of its new phone, Apple has warned about the iPhone 13 bug that affects Apple Music. The bug was disabling users from accessing their music lists, settings, and sync library on the device. The new 9th gen iPad and 6th gen iPad mini also encountered the same problem. Fortunately, the tech giant has released a fix update. Apple has warned users, "if you restore your new iPhone or iPad from a backup, you might not be able to access the Apple Music catalog." This issue is found on the following devices: iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPad (9th generation) iPad mini (6th generation) Users with older Apple devices should be safe from the bug. How to Fix iPhone 13 Bug: Apple Music Issue The Apple update recently released is described as a security fix. According to MacRumors, the iOS 15 software update is sized 462.7 MB. "This update provides important security updates and fixes an issue where widgets may revert to their default settings after restoring from a backup." Here is an image of the update. To fix the issue, Apple instructed users to: Go to "Settings" and open "General" Tap on "Software Update" Tap on "Install Now" Wait for the update to finish The update should take a few minutes up to a few hours, depending on the internet connection speed. Users who have slow connections are recommended to plug in their devices to avoid power interruption. A pro suggestion for the issues is not to open Apple Music before the update. Immediately after opening the brand-new iPhone 13, iPad, or iPad mini, backup the data and update the system to 15.0. This should render the whole device, including Apple Music, bug-free. Read Also: iPhone 13 Price in India Requires 90 Days of Work; 6 Days for US How to Order Apple iPhone 13 Apple officially announced the highly anticipated iPhone 13 on September 14 at the California Streaming event. The company introduced the following product models with their respective prices: iPhone 13 Mini: $729 iPhone 13: $829 iPhone 13 Pro: $999 iPhone 13 Pro Max: $1099 All models listed have a base storage of 128GB. iPhone 13 and mini are expandable up to 512GB, while Pro and Pro Max are expandable up to 1TB. Apple initially took pre-orders for the device after its announcement. However, its product launch day is marked this Saturday for the U.S. Apple is now selling iPhone 13 models in its online shop. At the time of writing, all models, storage options, and color choices are still available. To order the iPhone 13, head to this website. Select the desired iPhone 13 model. Keep in mind that customers could opt for a trade-in to get some discounts. Afterward, select the color of the desired device. Choose storage capacity as well Customers can opt to connect with a carrier through Apple's services or connect it later. After completing the choices, click on continue. Submit the shipping address and payment method to complete the process. Related Article: iPhone 13 Pro Max vs. Samsung S21 Ultra: Specs, Design Differences, and Which Should You Buy? Thinking of getting the 2022 Toyota Tundra? The company's executives explained the hidden features behind Tundra's 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine and tailgate design. After long years of waiting, Toyota officially revealed the 2022 Tundra to the public. Fans' opinion are torn to two sides: whether or not the car received enough upgrades to succeed its 2007 predecessor. The experts, however, highlighted some of the extra features fans might have overlooked with the full-sized pickup truck. 2022 Toyota Tundra Engine: Why Choose V6 Instead of V8? Toyota disappointed some of its fans with its decision to use a V6 hybrid option instead of the V8 option on the 2022 Toyota Tundra. The V8 engine is a traditional choice for reliability and performance, featured in Toyota Lexus, Land Cruiser and Tundra models. Executive Program Manager, Jay Sackett, told Road and Track that Toyota decided its hybrid option to improve overall power. In truth, the new motor is all about making torque. "I think the priority was definitely performance. We did see some improvements of efficiency and that was absolutely one of the things on our list. But one of the things we really wanted to focus on was the performance, and it was really centered around torque. We wanted to ensure we provided the torque numbers that full-size pickup truck customers want," he shared. Sackett said the twin-turbo V6 in iFORCE MAX is supported by a 35 kW electric motor-generator, sandwiched between a 10-speed automatic gearbox and engine. The powertrain should combine 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, a significant number compared to standard V6 torque. Toyota's powertrain engineers also reworked 2022 Toyota Tundra's start/stop system. The newly improved motor-generator gives drivers a fully electric driving mode. To clarify, this is not an EV drive mode feature but an intuitive system that decides whether or not the engine is needed. Drivers who want even more power could press on their pedal to get the extra torque previously mentioned. Read Also: Warning for Elon Musk, Tesla? NASA Experiment Reveals Humans Feel More Sleepy With Self-Driving Cars 2022 Toyota Tundra: No Multifunction Tailgate Another question fans asked was about the simple tailgate design of the 2022 Toyota Tundra. Unlike Chevrolet Silverado or RAM trucks and their multifunction tailgates, Tundra used its traditional solid door. According to Motor1, Toyota's Calty Design Research President Kevin Hunter said, "Mainly, it's because our customers use our trucks for hauling simple things like bikes and ATVs. We're going after a recreation market, not a work market." Instead of pooling their resources to a multifunction tailgate, the Toyota design team concentrated their efforts on 2022 Toyota Tundra looks. The car received a full blocky design with deep contours all over its body. Hunter explained, "nobody wants a wimpy truck on the boat ramp or hauling their camper into a camp. You want to look solid, strong, and capable and that's part of the whole attitude of driving a truck." Fortunately, the 2022 Toyota Tundra should be available in showrooms before the end of the year. Fans can see for themselves if the new Toyota Tundra lives up to consumer expectations. Related Article: 2022 Toyota Tundra Powerful Engine, New Design, Improved Towing Confirmed: Is It Better Than Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150? By Scott Shepherd Since our wedding, my wife and I have been thinking about getting a cat by which I mean that I've been trying to convince my wife to let us get one. And last week, after over two years of careful consideration (pleading), we (my wife) finally decided that we were ready. So off to the animal rescue center we trundled. Weirdly, not long afterward indeed, while I was still trying to get my thoughts together for this piece The Korea Times about what appears to be a kind of utopian animal rescue shelter, called the Bom Center in Paju. I suppose there's something in the air these days in Korea. We live nowhere near Paju, so we happily settled on our local animal rescue center. The process was pretty straightforward. The person at the desk I suppose a veterinarian nurse led us through the hospital to the animal viewing room, and presented in turn each of the kittens up for adoption. We chose the youngest, signed some forms, paid for a few (pricey) medical procedures, and we were off. On the way home, we agreed on the name, "Podo," the Korean word for grape. Now we have a pet cat. However, our experience was nothing like what I imagine the good residents of Paju go through when they visit their local pet rescue center. The place where we got Podo consisted of two rooms: one customer-facing room and one back room. The former was a little shabby, but otherwise looked much like an ordinary shop in Korea, with a cashiers' desk at one end and along the walls, an assortment of pet toys, toothbrushes and this being Korea pet clothes for sale. At the rear of the first room is a door that leads to the back room, where the cats are kept and where, presumably, the vets perform their work. As soon as our veterinarian guide opened that door, we were hit by the overwhelming odor of cat feces and urine. Inside there were two cages on the left, each with a dung-filled litter tray and about four or five kittens apiece. It was dark and dank. Now I'm hardly the poster child for the WWF. I'm a proud omnivore and human supremacist. I believe animals are inferior to humans and should be treated as such; I love eating meat and I hate the personification of beasts. If we place too high a value on what some call an animal's rights, my personal view is that we risk devaluing the precious value of humanity. I positively loathe the sight of people carrying around little runt-like dogs dressed up in frilly pink costumes; a trip to the trendier areas of Seoul is therefore something of a risk for me. Yet, despite these personal beliefs, I couldn't help but feel that the treatment of the cats in that shelter seems wrong. It was poorly ventilated, with no stimuli, no space, no light just a stinking, overcrowded den. Contrary to all my own expectations, I actually felt guilty about the cats we were leaving behind. The lucky ones will be rescued and taken to what will hopefully be a much more pleasant environment. That's certainly the case for the newly-christened Podo. It is unfortunate that Podo's peers may spend the rest of their short days in that dingy room. It would be better to let the cats roam free, surely. True, Korea is a land of stark contrasts between seasons, and it takes one tough cookie of a feline to cope with the scorching summers and freezing winters. Even aside from the weather, a feral or wild feline has a veritable smorgasbord of ways to shuffle off its mortal coil. There are all kinds of dangers, both natural and man-made. But the word, "rescue," has lost all meaning if we're just taking them from one perilous situation and putting them in another. All we've done is to change the rules. In that dark cage, the poor things owe their existence on whether a human happens to choose them before the vet decides that they need to free up the space. If it's too ugly or old or the wrong breed, the moggy will eventually be put down killed by someone from the very institution that touts itself as a rescue center. At least in the wild, a cat's chances have to do with its own actions. Of course, the country faces other more pressing issues than the welfare of abandoned cats, and I usually try to highlight them in my columns. It is my opinion that is quite right to put people before pets. Maybe I'm making much ado about nothing. It's only been a few days since we got little Podo, and it already seems well-adjusted with no evident trauma from its months confined in that cage. Podo escaped. Maybe the system is working well, and those animals that do end up being put down are just the natural and necessary by-products of an otherwise functioning balance between the humans and animals of this land. Maybe, but probably not. We can treat animals better than this. While the zoological nirvana in Paju might be too expensive to be scaled up nationally, it is certainly a start. It's time that humans treat abandoned and stray pets better. Indeed, the very capacity to do so is one of the things that shows we are, in fact, humans. Let's start acting like it. Dr. Scott Shepherd is a British-American academic. He has taught in universities in the U.K. and Korea, and is currently assistant professor of English at Chongshin University in Seoul. The views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not reflect the editorial direction of The Korea Times. A Westerner and his Korean ponies in the late 19th century / Robert Neff Collection By Robert Neff Horace N. Allen, an American missionary, arrived in Jemulpo on Sept. 20, 1884, at age 26, aboard the English steamship Nanzing. He had come to Korea leaving his wife and infant son in Shanghai in search of opportunity and adventure as a doctor. Allen's initial descriptions of Korea were far from flattering and it would be easy to blame this negativity on his journey from Shanghai to Korea, which had been a rough one. While in the Korea Strait, the Nanzing encountered a powerful typhoon causing him to become violently seasick his ship survived relatively undamaged but other ships were not so lucky. In his diary, he wrote: "Arrived in [Jemulpo]. This is a motley place of slab shanties, mud huts, sheds and bush earth. The Japanese here also are in the ascendancy and (have) the choicest place. They also have a fine Consulate. Mr. C.H. Cooper has just built a nice little white building to be used as the American Consulate. The Chinese are wisely building a fine house of brick which they burned themselves on the ground. The British bought an old Saloon, the Royal Oak in Nagasaki and brought it over to be erected as a consulate. It came in the Nanzing with us and cost $400.00 freight. As there is no means of landing we go ashore in small boats and make our way from them to the shore on the rocks." The description of the Royal Oak is interesting. Except for Allen's account, there is no other source suggesting a saloon was dismantled and brought to Korea. Cooper's house was pre-manufactured in Japan and brought over. A small ferry boat in the late 19th century / Robert Neff Collection Allen meticulously noted the names of the handful of Westerners in the port except those of the women, who are known through other sources to include Vladimir S. Bekofsky's Russian wife and Woo Li-tang's Spanish wife (a young vibrant ballet dancer named Amalia C. Amador). Along with a lot of other things, Allen was not fond of mixed marriages. Allen spent Sunday (Sept. 21) aboard the ship and left for Seoul early on Monday morning accompanied by Chu, his Chinese teacher. In his diary he noted that they left Jemulpo at 8 a.m. on ponies and that his pony was "especially vicious" and nearly killed him. It wasn't until nearly two decades later that he explained just how violent his pony was: "As I approached the horse he attacked me viciously, first with his heels and then with his forefeet. The grooms tried to restrain him, and frantically motioned to me to keep away. They then covered his head with one of their long robes, and I took a running jump and landed in the saddle. I had brought with me a foreign saddle, otherwise I might have been compelled to ride on a pack frame and would probably have been thrown, for the beast plunged and tried to buck, but his education had fortunately been neglected, and the nearest he could approach to this accomplishment was to run hard for a while and then come to a sudden stop with his forefeet planted rigidly. Once he jumped upon another horse and knocked off the rider, but I could not stop to apologize" The road just outside of Seoul in the winter of 1883/84 / Robert Neff Collection At a small inn halfway to Seoul, he dismounted and talked with a Western gold prospector who claimed Korea was filled with gold. After eating lunch it was time to remount something Allen was not looking forward to. The horse was once again blindfolded and Allen remounted with a running jump: "I remained on his back, even while being ferried in a small boat over the river. Had he capsized the boat or jumped overboard, as I have expected him to do, I think I should have clung to him, his back was a vantage post not to be lightly relinquished." They arrived in Seoul just before the city gates were closed. For the next two weeks, he stayed at a "new [Korean] hotel, the house that was fitted up to receive the men of the U.S. Flagship Trenton, that brought home the [Korean] Embassy." The hotel was not ready for customers and Allen was forced to fend for himself. That night, having no provisions, he "gladly accepted a bottle of beer and some hard biscuit" from an Englishman who was staying there the night before heading into the interior. A shop in Seoul in the winter of 1883/84 / Robert Neff Collection Over the next couple of weeks, Allen secured his position as the physician for Korean Customs and the American legation. He also purchased a house and arranged for his goods to be brought to Seoul (this required him to ride a pony to Jemulpo and back in the rain). He also met Walter Townsend, an American businessman, who would become one of his closest friends despite the fact he had a Japanese mistress. Allen was now ready to retrieve his wife and son, so, knowing his steamship was due to depart Jemulpo for Shanghai on Oct. 11, he rode to the port a day or two early. With time on his hands, he turned his attention to his neglected diary and instead of describing the port and its events, he bemoaned the worthlessness of his Chinese teacher the same person who was taking care of his goods and preparing his house while he was away in Shanghai. A young man and his pony in the late 19th century / Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, reads a statement outside the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Sept. 24. AP-Yonhap Chinese telecoms executive Meng Wanzhou was freed Friday after three years of house arrest in Canada, following an agreement with the US Justice Department to suspend the fraud charges against her that had poisoned Beijing's relations with Washington and Ottawa. Meng the 49-year-old daughter of Ren Zhengfei, the billionaire founder of world-leading telecoms equipment supplier Huawei was granted release in a Vancouver court hearing, hours after US prosecutors announced an agreement in New York under which charges were to be suspended and eventually dropped. She then quickly boarded a flight to the city of Shenzhen, returning to China for the first time since her arrest in Vancouver's international airport at the behest of US authorities Dec. 1, 2018. Her departure led to China immediately releasing two Canadians, businessman Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig, who were arrested and imprisoned on espionage charges in the days after Meng was detained, in what China's Western critics branded "hostage diplomacy." "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Chinese embassy in Canada for their constant support," Meng told reporters after the hearing in Vancouver. "Over the past three years, my life has been turned upside down. It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, wife and a company executive," she said. "But I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life," she said. "The saying goes, the greater the difficulty, the greater the growth." An Air China flight bound for Shenzhen, believed to be carrying Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, prepares to take off from Vancouver International Aiport in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, Sept. 24. Reuters-Yonhap The Labour right wing have carried out a brazen attack on press freedoms, explicitly denying the Marxist journalists of Socialist Appeal entrance to the partys upcoming Labour conference on political grounds. We urge readers to rally against this injustice. In a scandalous attack on press freedoms, the Labour bureaucracy has barred Socialist Appeal journalists from covering the partys upcoming annual conference. This outrageous move shows how far the Labour right wing will go to suppress ideas they deem dangerous; to explicitly ban Socialist Appeal the Marxist voice of Labour and youth. We call on our readers and the rest of the labour movement to denounce this brazen assault on the left and on the basic democratic principle of freedom of the press. Double standards The hypocrisy and double standards stink. While left-wing journalists are prevented from covering the Labour conference, a veritable rogues gallery of outlets are being allowed in, no questions asked. From the Murdoch press, including reactionary rags like the Sun; to the rest of the Tory media, such as the fascist-supporting Daily Mail; to mouthpieces of big business and the establishment, such as the Financial Times and the BBC: all of these right-wing scoundrels, and more, will be present in Brighton next week. Socialist Appeal journalists, however, will explicitly be denied entrance. Application rejected As with previous Labour conferences, Socialist Appeal editorial board members Rob Sewell and Adam Booth were planning to attend this years event, which begins on Saturday. Socialist Appeal will be denied press access to Labour Party conference, unlike right-wing and openly fascist supporting publications like the Daily Mail / Image: Socialist Appeal Both writers had been granted press access at the last Labour conference held two years ago under Jeremy Corbyns leadership without any problems. However, a week ago, both comrades who are registered members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) received a blunt response from the Labour conference arrangements team, informing them that their application for press passes had been rejected, for not having the relevant portfolio. This is despite the fact that Rob has been a socialist journalist for over four decades! Rob and Adam appealed this decision, only to receive an even more curt message from the Labour press office, saying: Thank you for your email. But we will not be approving your application on this occasion. Aims and values At this point, the NUJ were brought in, in the hope that some light could be shed on the reasons behind this decision a decision that prevents two bonafide journalists from doing their job. The NUJ general secretary contacted Labour HQ, and was given an equally brusque reply, which is worth quoting in full: Rob Sewell and Adam Booth informed us that their work would be for Socialist Appeal. As you are probably aware, Labours NEC recently proscribed Socialist Appeal as a political organisation that does not share Labours aims and values. We are fully committed to supporting press freedom and we have accredited more than 1,200 UK and international staff and freelance journalists for this years conference, including some who work for politically aligned outlets. But we do not feel obligated to provide media passes for people working on behalf of a proscribed political group. In other words, everyone under the sun including the Sun (!!) is allowed in, and by implication is considered to share Labours aims and values. Socialist Appeal, meanwhile, the paper Starmer wants banned, is explicitly censored. NUJ branch secretary Steve Jones told Socialist Appeal: "I am truly shocked at how our branch members have been treated. Journalists do not cover conferences to help out the party leadership or act as glorified PR officials. They are there to work for their newspaper or media outlet, and to provide quality copy for the benefit of their readers. "What's next? Political vetting of reporters? Loyalty tests? Journalists must be able to work free from hindrance. "Socialist Appeal is a legitimate labour movement newspaper, and to have NUJ members who work for it targeted like this presumably in furtherance of some internal party conflict is shameful and does the party no credit, in my opinion. "Freedom of the press must be defended." Defend press freedoms! Defend freedom of the press! No to bans and proscriptions! / Image: Socialist Appeal This political victimisation is a clear attack on journalistic freedoms: vetting reporters; excluding those who are considered not acceptable by the bureaucracy; and turning the press into PR agents for the party. And above all, it is a direct attack on Socialist Appeal and the ideas of Marxism: ideas that have far more of a tradition and far greater legitimacy in the labour movement than the pro-capitalist interests that Starmer and the right wing represent. We therefore urge all our supporters to mobilise against this suppression of press freedoms, and to rally in defence of Socialist Appeal journalists, by raising this issue in CLPs and trade union branches; and by bombarding the Labour bureaucracy with letters of complaint, written to the partys press team (press@labour.org.uk). Most importantly, support Socialist Appeal the paper that the right wing doesnt want you to read by subscribing today; and donate to our crowdfunder, to help us take the fight to the Labour right at this years showdown conference. Defend freedom of the press! Say no to bans and proscriptions! An injury to one is an injury to all! Originally published 21 Sept at socialist.net | At the 31st Annual Meeting of Shareholders of SBI (Mauritius) Ltd (SBIML) for the Financial Year 2020-2021 held at SBIML Head Office, on 24th of September 2021, shareholders voted in favour of adopting the 2020-21 financial statements of SBIML. The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of SBIML was chaired by Dhiren Ponnusamy, Independent Director. Neeveditah Maraye, Independent Director, Sudhir Sharma, MD and CEO and Aboo Bakar Mosaheb, Vice President Compliance and Company Secretary were also present at the meeting. In his address to the shareholders, Sudhir Sharma, MD and CEO of SBIML, has pointed out that the Covid crisis has adversely impacted trade, cross-border travel, international production & supply networks. The demand or consumption is depressing worldwide. However, the global economy has rebounded from the lows of 2020, but its future direction is uncertain. He added Despite the fact that COVID-19 is causing immense disruption to the world economy, the business during the reporting year has been encouraging for SBIML. We believe that the response is also paving the way for brighter future for the bank on sustainable basis. Highlights: Net Profit: Amidst a challenging local and global environment, the Bank has booked a Net Profit of USD 5.70 Mio for the FY 2020-21 compared to year before results of USD 1.32 Mio. Dividend Payment: For the year 2020-21, dividend at the rate of 10% per share was paid to shareholders. Loans & Advances The loan book has also expanded by 5.10% to stand at USD 491.20 Mio as on 31st March 2021 as compared to USD 467.35 Mio as on 31st March 2020. We have adopted cautious approach for building up loan portfolio and is on the lookout for high quality medium to long term assets. The response to our retail Housing & Car loan products was very encouraging. Investment The investment book has registered an increase of 4.07% to stand at USD 260.17 Mio as on 31st March 2021 as compared to USD 249.99 Mio as on 31st March 2020. We have successfully churned the portfolio to book capital gain during 2020-21. About SBI Our parent bank, State Bank of India (SBI), with a rich heritage of over 200 years, is the largest commercial bank in India in terms of assets, deposits, profits, branches, customers and employees. SBI is among the top 50 banks in the world with a Balance Sheet size of over US$ 635 billion (INR 41 trillion), over 277,000 employees and 500 million customers. SBI has presence outside India with 229 offices in 31 foreign countries. SBI (Mauritius) Ltd The Bank is presently having 15 branches, (including Global Business Branch) in major cities/towns of the country including one at Rodrigues Island and 20 ATMs across Mauritius Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn On Friday 24th September 2021, environmental activists and citizens across the continent took part in a host of events, in solidarity with the Global climate strikes, highlighting the need for urgent climate action. The events took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria. While the events addressed varying issues in the host countries, the underlying message was clear African countries need to take urgent climate action to bring fossil fuel exploration to an end and accelerate plans for a just transition to renewable energy. Landry Ninteretse of 350Africa.org said, Years of empty promises and lack of real action have pushed once again young people around the world to the streets this Friday. African countries continue to suffer disproportionately from the devastating climate impacts. The widespread actions across Africa are a move by the people most affected by these impacts to hold governments, financial institutions funding fossil fuels and other stakeholders accountable. They are urging world leaders to end any kind of support to the fossil fuel industry while investing massively in renewable energy which will provide clean energy, create millions of jobs and protect our fragile climate and ecosystems. Our collective actions going forward will determine the fate of our planet. Pascal Mirindi of Extinction Rebellion (DRC) What the people are fighting for is the future of our planet. With time not being on our side, we cannot afford any more fossil fuel projects that threaten sensitive ecosystems, pose human right violations and interfere with livelihoods of local communities. The people are standing firm against fossil fuels and calling on governments to safeguard the interests of their citizens and protect our environment Portia Adu Mensah, Coordinator of the Renewable Energy for Communities (RE4C) campaign said It is great to see people coming together to agitate for climate action. It is time governments heard the call to reject fossil fuels and formulate plans for a rapid, just transition to a clean energy future. Beyond hearing the call, governments have to prioritize climate action, to secure the future of our planet. The well-being of the people and the state of our environment, should come before the selfish interests of fossil fuel companies and investors. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn International Myanmar monks march against military junta Myanmars coup has exposed a schism in the monkhood, with some prominent clerics even giving the generals their blessing and others supporting the protesters. (AFP) Yangon, Sep 25 (AFP) | Publish Date: 9/25/2021 2:28:51 PM IST Scores of pro-democracy Buddhist monks took to the streets of Myanmars second-biggest city Saturday, rallying against the military coup in demonstrations that coincided with the 14th anniversary of previous clergy-led mass protests. Myanmar has been in turmoil and its economy paralysed since February when the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyis civilian government, ending a ten-year experiment with democracy. Around the country, an anti-junta resistance has taken root, prompting the military to unleash a brutal crackdown on dissent. More than 1,100 civilians have been killed and 8,400 arrested, according to a local monitoring group. Historically, monks in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar have been seen as a supreme moral authority, organising communities and at times mobilising opposition to the military regimes. But the coup has exposed a schism in the monkhood, with some prominent clerics giving the generals their blessing and others supporting the protesters. On Saturday, dozens of monks in their bright orange and crimson robes marched through the streets of Mandalay with flags and banners and threw colourful streamers in the air. Monks who love the truth stand on the side of the people, a protest leader told AFP. The monks chanted for the release of political prisoners including members of Aung San Suu Kyis political party, which won a landslide in last Novembers election. Some monks carried upside down alms bowls -- ordinarily used to collect food donations from the community -- in a symbol of protest to reject the junta regime, which calls itself the State Administration Council. We have to take risks... to protest as we can be arrested or shot at any point. We are not safe to live in our monasteries anymore, a 35-year-old monk told AFP. In 2007, Buddhist monks led huge demonstrations nationwide against the previous military junta regime -- an uprising that kicked off after a sudden hike in fuel prices. The Saffron Revolution posed a severe legitimacy crisis for the then 35-year-old dictatorship, which responded with brutal crackdowns that killed at least 31 people and saw hundreds of monks defrocked and arrested. Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 04:35:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Haitian migrants who are seeking asylum wait to get into a van to be transported from Del Rio, Texas, the United States, Sept. 24, 2021. The last remaining migrants, mostly Haitians, on Friday departed a temporary camp under a bridge in Del Rio, a border town in south central U.S. state Texas, according to local media reports. (Photo by Nick Wagner/Xinhua) HOUSTON/WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The last remaining migrants, mostly Haitians, on Friday departed a temporary camp under a bridge in Del Rio, a border town in south central U.S. state Texas, according to local media reports. A CNN team captured images under the Del Rio International Bridge of the final two buses as they departed for U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing centers just before noon local time on Friday. In the peak time, there were almost 15,000 migrants living under the bridge earlier this month. The soaring influx of migrants in Del Rio is a result of word-of-mouth or social media posts saying that the border at Del Rio was open, the CNN report quoted U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz as saying previously. Earlier this week, the Texas authorities sealed off the border in Del Rio by placing "a wall of vehicles" extending for miles as a makeshift barrier along the Rio Grande river bank separating the Texas border town from Ciudad Acuna in Mexico. According to Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, the state is spending 3 billion U.S. dollars to address border security and will continue moving state law enforcement to "reduce the unprecedented influx of people trying to cross the border." Local media outlet The El Paso Times reported on Thursday that Mexican State Police also guarded the south bank of the Rio Grande with vehicles spacing out along a path that runs alongside the river. The White House is facing fierce criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over the issue. Republicans slammed President Joe Biden's administration for "lack of action" on curbing the immigration crisis while Democrats criticized its large-scale deportation of Haitian migrants. Video footage and images showing mounted U.S. border agents on horse patrol in Del Rio apparently using their reins as whips against migrants circulated earlier this week, stirring public outrage over the "inhumane" hostile treatment. Biden on Friday called these images "un-American" and "beyond an embarrassment" to the U.S. government, vowing to punish those responsible. "To see people treated like they did, horses barely running them over and people being strapped. It was outrageous. I promise those people will pay," Biden said in response to a reporter's question at the White House. A probe within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) into border agents' treatment of migrants is currently underway and expected to be concluded next week. The use of horse patrol has already been suspended in Del Rio, DHS officials said on Thursday. Daniel Foote, the U.S. special envoy to Haiti appointed two months ago, resigned on Thursday over the Biden administration's "inhumane" decision to deport thousands of Haitians attempting to enter the United States. In his resignation letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Foote, a career diplomat, said the U.S. approach to Haiti "remains deeply flawed." Many Haitian migrants are being expelled under Title 42, an authority used since the Donald Trump administration to expel migrants during the coronavirus pandemic without allowing them to apply for asylum. The White House has defended its current policy and insisted the administration is working to implement an "orderly and humane process" at its southern border, according to a The Hill report. 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. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 14:02:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Ren Ke, Zhang Yuan BERLIN, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- After 16 years in office, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will go off duty while a new German federal government will be formed after the Bundestag election on Sunday. No matter which party will govern after the election, China policy is one of the top diplomatic priorities for a new German government in the post-Merkel era. And only by closer pragmatic cooperation can Germany continue to boost its ties with China in the future and make greater contributions to global economic recovery amid the pandemic and other daunting planetary challenges. During her tenure, Merkel has ushered in an era of prosperity for Germany, casting off the tag of "sick man of Europe," and helping Germany achieve almost full employment before the pandemic. Her risk-management responses have guided Germany, and to some extent the European Union (EU), in overcoming the economic crises such as the 2008 global financial meltdown and the European debt crisis. That has earned her the highest support rate among German politicians in the latest days of her political career. In recent years, the China-Germany relationship has also seen steadfast development. The resilience in their relations is inseparable from the strong political mutual trust between the leaders of the two sides. Since last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Merkel have maintained highly frequent and efficient exchanges, which has played an important leading role in the development of China-Germany and China-EU relations, and also demonstrated the high-level mutual trust between the two countries. Trade and economic cooperation has always been a forceful booster for the China-Germany relationship. Official statistics show that China has been Germany's largest trading partner since 2016, with two-way trade amounting to around 248.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Volker Treier, member of the executive board of German chamber of industry and commerce, said if China had not recovered in time, the German economy would have had a much more difficult time in 2021. The two countries have also helped China and the EU complete their investment agreement negotiations on schedule, and worked together to uphold multilateralism, safeguard free trade, and actively tackle climate change, jointly making positive contributions to maintaining world peace and stability. The fundamental reason for the great achievements of China-Germany relations, Xi said in a phone conversation with Merkel this month, lies in the fact that the two countries respect each other, seek common ground while reserving differences, focus on win-win cooperation and pursue complementation of their respective advantages. Looking into the future, China and Germany should work more closely to support the world organizations to shore up confidence in the international community and boost global economic recovery in the post-pandemic world, confronting the Cold War mentality of some countries and other transnational challenges such as climate change and terrorism. As the world is becoming more turbulent, China and Germany shoulder important responsibilities and their cooperation extends beyond bilateral ties. Sustained China-Germany and China-EU strategic cooperation not only benefits the people of China and Europe, but will bring more confidence and certainty to the world racked by frustrations. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 17:48:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on June 29, 2021 shows China's national flags and flags of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on a street in south China's Hong Kong. (Xinhua/Li Gang) BEIJING, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of China's State Council firmly supports the foreign ministry in releasing the fact sheet on U.S. interference in Hong Kong affairs and support for anti-China, destabilizing forces, a spokesperson with the office said Friday. The fact sheet, released online earlier in the day, is a powerful counterblow after the United States has repeatedly slandered the Chinese government's governance over Hong Kong and brazenly imposed so-called sanctions on Chinese government officials, said the spokesperson when responding to a journalist request for comments. The spokesperson pointed out that through the fact sheet, people can tell how hard, nakedly and unscrupulously the United States had been working to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and lend support to anti-China, destabilizing forces. The solid evidence provided by the document can help people develop a better understanding of the "double standards" the United States has been applying on issues of democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law, the hegemonic nature of the U.S. obsession with acting as a preacher dictating others and the evil intention of Washington in its attempts to contain China's development by destabilizing Hong Kong, the spokesperson said. "However, the U.S. indulgence in wishful thinking will not work after all," the spokesperson said, noting that following the enforcement of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and improvements to the region's electoral system, Hong Kong is resuming stability and advancing toward prosperity. No intervention from external forces can shake the firm determination of the Chinese government to fully and accurately implement the policy of "one country, two systems," nor can it stop the "one country, two systems" ship from continuing to cleave through the waves, the spokesperson said. Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 21:19:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close -- Up to 65 countries voiced opposition at a UNHRC session to the politicization of human rights issues, especially those unfounded allegations against China out of political motivation. -- Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the UN Office at Geneva, stressed at the session that the trick of taking human rights as a political tool should be jointly opposed and rejected by the international community. -- The international community has also voiced deep concerns over the human rights situation in some western countries, calling on them to face up to and solve their own problems. GENEVA, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- In a joint statement delivered Friday at the 48th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, 65 countries voiced their opposition to the politicization of human rights issues, especially those unfounded allegations against China out of political motivation. Pointing out that the allegations are based on disinformation, the joint statement, delivered by Pakistan on behalf of the countries, rejected interference in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. In addition to the joint statement, six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council issued a joint letter to back China, and more than 20 countries expressed their support for China in their national statements. As Hector Constant Rosales, permanent representative of Venezuela to the UN Office in Geneva, has said, the latest voice from the international society once again highlighted the need to respect countries' sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as the basic norms and principles that govern international relations. OPPOSE POLITICIZING HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES The joint statement delivered by Pakistan said that issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet are China's internal affairs that brook no interference by any external forces, and reiterated support for China's implementation of "one country, two systems" in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It called on all states to uphold multilateralism, solidarity and collaboration, and to promote and protect human rights through constructive dialogue and cooperation. Also on Friday, Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the UN Office at Geneva, stressed at the session that the trick of taking human rights as a political tool should be jointly opposed and rejected by the international community. Photo taken on June 8, 2020 shows a protester holding a sign that reads "Black Lives Matter" near the White House during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd in Washington D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) "Turning a blind eye to their own human rights problems, some countries, out of political purposes, continue to interfere in the internal affairs of others under the pretext of human rights, in an attempt to impose their own values on others," the Chinese envoy said. He further pointed out that this seriously undermines the sovereignty and independence of other countries as well as international solidarity and cooperation, and causes persistent damage to the international efforts to promote and protect human rights. Earlier this week, speaking on behalf of a group of countries at another meeting of the ongoing human rights session, Chen highlighted that a democratic and equitable international order is essential to the promotion and protection of human rights. Urging all parties to practice true multilateralism and make the international order more just and equitable, Chen stressed the importance of the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, and expressed opposition to bullying, unilateralism and double standards. The Chinese diplomat called on all nations to remain open and inclusive, respect the diversity of civilizations and the development paths independently chosen by countries, and refrain from imposing one's own social system and model on others or creating division and confrontation. Protesters hold placards with anti-racism messages during the Million People March demonstration to protest against systemic racism in the UK in London, Britain, Aug. 30, 2020. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua) INTERVENTION, POWER POLITICS GET NO SUPPORT Using human rights as a political tool to serve their own interests, some Western countries have indulged in intervention and power politics, creating countless human rights disasters around the world. The UN human rights session from Sept. 13 to Oct. 8 is held at a time when Afghanistan is experiencing dramatic changes after the United States' hasty withdrawal from the war-torn country. Delivering a joint statement on behalf of a group of countries earlier this month, Jiang Duan, minister of the Chinese mission to the UN in Geneva, pointed out that by April 2020, at least 47,000 Afghan civilians had been killed in the war waged by the United States and more than ten million Afghan people had been displaced. "The United States and its allies have conducted military intervention in Afghanistan for 20 years, which severely undermined the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, compromised its economic and social development, and violated the human rights of the Afghan people," Jiang said. In another joint statement delivered at the session, Jiang said that although the U.S. military has withdrawn from Afghanistan, the crimes of killing civilians by the U.S. troops and its allies must be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators must be held accountable. "The drastic change in Afghanistan shows once again that military intervention and power politics get no support. Imposing the American-style democracy on others will only lead to chaos and turmoil and is doomed to failure," he said. A man sits beside white flags placed on the National Mall to honor the lives lost to COVID-19 in Washington, D.C., the United States, Sept. 18, 2021. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) HUMAN RIGHTS WOES IN THE WEST The international community has also voiced deep concerns over the human rights situation in some western countries, calling on them to face up to and solve their own problems. Speaking on behalf of a group of countries on Friday, Jiang told the UN council that systemic racism and racial discrimination are deep-rooted in Britain, while hate speech, xenophobia and relevant violence are increasingly exacerbated there. The diplomat further pointed out that Britain has serious poverty, with one third of families that have children under the age of five living in poverty. During the first week of the current UN human rights session, the spokesperson for the Chinese mission to the UN Office at Geneva issued a statement, saying that the United States actually is the "champion" in the world in killing Muslims. Since 2011, the statement said, illegal wars waged by the United States in Afghanistan, the Middle East and elsewhere have led to more than 800,000 deaths, most of whom are civilians, and tens of millions in displacement. Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2021 shows the site of a car bomb in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Sayed Mominzadah/Xinhua) In recent years, the statement added, the human rights situation and living conditions of Americans have deteriorated, while the U.S. government remains indifferent and has done nothing. "The United States is the only developed country where millions of people are still in starvation, and nearly one seventh of its population are struggling in poverty," the statement said. Naming the United States a "human rights perpetrator" and a "loser" in protecting its own people's human rights, including the rights to health during the COVID-19 pandemic, the statement urged the United States to act as a "decent power" and invest its resources in improving the welfare and human rights of its own people, rather than violating the human rights of people in other countries and "playing low political tricks." (Video reporter: Jiang Xuelan; video editor: Yang Zhixiang) Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 21:22:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KHARTOUM, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The crises in eastern Sudan continue to escalate and analysts believe it's part of a plan to put pressure on Sudan's transitional government to respond to the region's demands. In a statement on Friday, supporters of the leader of the Hadendawa tribe Mohamed Al-Amin Tirik, announced closure of Kassala airport in eastern Sudan, one day after the closure of Port-Sudan international airport. The closure of the sea ports and land roads linking eastern Sudan with the capital Khartoum entered its 7th day as part of a plan to put pressure on Sudan's transitional government to respond to the region's demands. Tirik, who is also the chairman of the High Council of Beja Nazirs (chieftains), demands cancelation of the eastern Sudan's track of the Juba Agreement for Peace in Sudan and dissolving of the civilian government, provided that the rule be assumed by army leaders. Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok recently established a committee composed of cabinet affairs minister, foreign and transport ministers and borders commissioner to resolve the crises in eastern Sudan. To this end, the oil sector workers' association said in a statement on Friday that the closure of Bashayer Port may lead to halting exportation of South Sudan's oil through the Sudanese pipeline, and bring negative impact on the production of Khartoum refinery as well as the electricity production. Meanwhile, Abdul-Khaliq Mahjoub, a Sudanese political analyst, warned that the closure of ports will have negative effects on the state, which may lose millions of U.S. dollars if South Sudan's oil exportation ceased. "The move is also expected to push the international transport companies to stop using the Sudanese ports," he added. Eastern Sudanese tribes mainly reject eastern Sudan's track in the Juba Agreement for Peace in Sudan signed in October 2020, and demand a new track that discusses their demands and addresses issues, mainly about the region's development. The eastern Sudan's crises come amid rising differences between the partners in the ruling military and civilian coalition in Sudan. Yasir Arman, political adviser to Sudan's prime minister, believes that the developments in eastern Sudan constitute one of the steps aiming to end the transitional period. In an article published on Friday, Arman said that "there are new steps on the path to starve the people, threaten their security and end the transitional period with the so-called early elections." "Preventing the oil export by closing the pipeline and Bashayer Port on the Red Sea in eastern Sudan will lead to major economic losses that both Sudan and South Sudan, which export oil through the pipeline and the port, will not bear," he added. Arman further warned that the protests in eastern Sudan would stop shipping of about 600,000 barrels of oil and cancel pre-contracts and international agreements which will result in legal penalties and costly technical damages to the oil carrier which may exceed more than one billion dollars. Since the announcement of foiling a coup attempt on Sept. 21, the differences between the military and civilian components in the transitional government have further escalated. Mohamed al-Faki Suleiman, a spokesman for Sudan's Sovereign Council, said in an interview with Sudan's official TV on Friday that "there is a complete closure of the political process, and the relationship between the civil and military components is not good." Sudan is ruled amid a 39-month transitional period under a transitional government of military and civilian elements, established after the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. The transitional period is set to be followed by elections to form a new government. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 22:02:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on Sept. 25, 2021 shows the scene of a suicide car bombing attack in Mogadishu, Somalia. Seven people were killed and nine others wounded after a suicide car bomber detonated explosives at the El-Gab junction near the Presidential Palace on Saturday, the police said. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua) Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 10:43:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday urged the United Nations to intervene in Haiti, saying the Caribbean nation is racked by instability, violence and "total disorder." "Something has to be done and the UN is taking too long here," Lopez Obrador told reporters during his daily press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City. Since the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise on July 7, he said, there has been "a lot of violence" in Haiti, which has driven waves of Haitians to migrate north through Mexico to the United States. Lopez Obrador also repeated his call for the U.S. government to invest in development programs in Latin America and the Caribbean to help discourage immigration. "We want the underlying problem to be addressed so people are not forced to emigrate, because if not, we will continue to get the same results," the president said. "What we want is to change the policy that has been applied for many, many years and has not produced results," he added. The president hoped to expand Mexican development programs to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, as a way to reduce mass migration. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 15:50:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Over 1,600 firefighters are battling a new fast-moving wildfire that has grown to over 6,800 acres (around 27.5 square km) in northern California in the United States, authorities said Friday. A total of 1,663 firefighters have been assigned to battle the wildfire, dubbed Fawn Fire, said Captain Chris Harvey of the Sacramento Fire Department, who was serving as a public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) on the incident, during a virtual meeting Friday night. At least 25 structures have been destroyed by the wildfire, which started some 19 km north of Redding city Wednesday evening and triggered multiple mandatory evacuation orders. Around 9,000 structures remain threatened by the wildfire, which was only 10 percent contained, said Harvey. Harvey said that 169 engines, 45 dozers and 29 water tenders were also sent there to help contain the wildfire. Officials cautioned local residents to leave if fire activity increases. The wildfire has forced over 4,000 residents to evacuate from Shasta County in northern California. Multiple massive wildfires are currently burning across the western U.S. state. Dixie Fire, which started on July 13 in northern California and now the largest wildfire in the country, has burned 963,276 acres (around 3,898 square km) with 94 percent contained. Another explosive wildfire, now burning in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in central California, has engulfed more than 40,000 acres (around 162 square km) with zero containment to date. Statewide, more than 9,400 firefighters remain on the frontlines of 12 major wildfires in California as of Friday, said Cal Fire in its California Statewide Fire Summary on Friday, adding that 7,641 wildfires have burned more than 2.38 million acres (around 9,631 square km) in California so far this year. Enditem ZRP cops accompanied by Zanu PF youth disrupted an MDC A meeting that was being held at Zvavahera Business Center in Gutu on Sunday. A convoy of Zanu PF youth using Gutu North MP, Yeukai Simbanegavis blue Ford Ranger (without number plates) and the Police arrived at the venue of the meeting at around 2pm. Gutu North MDC chairman Philip Mahachi who was eventually arrested and charged for holding an unsanctioned meeting questioned the rationale of a joint Police, Zanu PF operation. He alleged that the intention of the mission was to beat up MDC supporters but Simbanegavis vehicle made a quick u-turn after realising that there were journalists present at the meeting. Gutu North witnessed gory violence in 2008 where MDC supporters were made to eat their feces while dozens others have since died from injuries inflicted at torture camps. Mahachi accused Simbanegavi, a Border Gezi graduate who was addressing a Zanu PF meeting 5km away at Farai Business Center of commandeering the Police and the youth to stop the MDC meeting. Simbanegavi who is a Deputy Minister arrived 30 minutes later in a chauffeur-driven luxurious Toyota Land Cruiser VX normally reserved for full Cabinet Ministers. She tried to chat to the MDC supporters but they snubbed her. Simbanegavi refused to shed light on the role of her car and Zanu PF youth on a Police assignment. Munodei vanhu vekuMirror? Leave me alone, she told a Mirror reporter over the phone. Masvingo assistant Police Spokesperson Sergeant Lloyd Masundire asked for three hours to get details from Gutu Police but he later asked for more time. I still havent anything. Maybe you can phone later, said Masundire. National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi referred The Mirror to the Police Public Relations Department in Masvingo. MDC A vice president, Tendai Biti said Zimbabwe has become an authoritarian State under the leadership of President Mnangagwa. He said there is rising fear of the 2023 elections in the ruling party. There is a Zanu PF, State conflation and selective application of the law which in itself is lawlessness. Local authorities, Parliament and the Judiciary have been captured, said Biti. After noticing the presence of journalists at the meeting, the vocal button stick wielding Sergeant Brighton Ndlovu toned down and sought to talk to two senior members of the MDC at the meeting. The Police arrested Mahachi and the MDC ., .. who have since appeared in court and were released on $2 500 bail each. The Mirror established that Simbanegavis Ranger was driven by her driver Tembisani Ndlovu and her former domestic worker Munyaradzi Mutare was part of the group of youth in the car. From Zvavahera, Simbanegavi drove off to address two other meetings and one of them was at Chitsa Business Centre. Masvingo Mirror ADJACENT to Kopa Growth Point in Ward 21 Chimanimani lies a shallow gorge. In it are mounds of rubble occupying what appears to be a dry river channel. A lone blue house about 800 metres away is the only sign that suggests it was once a residential area. Where a police station used to be, a chapped floor awkwardly protrudes from the ground. Words simply cannot explain the circumstances that saw a whole suburb being reduced to debris that fateful day on March 15, 2019. The Cyclone Idai carnage was not limited to Kopa only, it extended to Ngangu, Skyline and some parts of Bikita in Masvingo province. Although the number of those missing cannot be fully ascertained, it is believed they could be more than 300. Most of these (279) come from Kopa, Skyline, Wengezi and Ngangu in Chimanimani. At Kopa, the temporary camp that has been home to survivors is located less than 20 metres from the area they used to stay. For two years, they have had to wake up to the sight of a place where they lost all they had worked for, including their families. Every time I take a walk, I am reminded of my wife who is still missing after the tropical storm. I am left with no choice, but to accept that she died in the flood. I was left taking care of two children and the going has been tough, said Mr Heriman Kazembe, a teacher resident at Kopa camp. Although Kazembe had signed up for a funeral assurance policy, it has not provided him any relief considering his peculiar circumstances. The funeral assurance company understood our situation and wanted to give us money, however, because there is no death certificate, we could not get the funds, he said. A death certificate can only be made available where there is a declaration of death, which, at law, cannot happen until five years. The Missing Persons Act, read together with the Births and Deaths Registration Act, states that a person has to be missing for five years before they are presumed dead. Mr Kazembe has been seeking scholarships for his daughter who is currently enrolled at the University of Zimbabwe, but it is has been difficult to prove that his wife is deceased. I fear she may end up having to drop out. I am working hard to ensure that it does not happen, but it hurts when you know you have money that could have assisted. For some, it is not about money, but the need to have a place to remember the memory of a loved one. Chairperson of the residents at Kopa Camp, Mr Clever Mundeta, said they understand that existing laws were enacted for a reason, but they hope the Government treats their cases as exceptional because of the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai. We have made peace with the fact that their bodies may not be found. We hear there are bones that are in Mozambique if they can be brought back and we get to bury them somewhere we can visit, he said. The community wants to conduct rites in line with local culture in order to bring closure. In the event that there is no breakthrough in finding their bodies as we are hoping for, it would be better if we can get a memorial site built, where we can annually converge to pay our respects. Those who were killed during the war at Nyadzonia and Chimoio have their memorial sites where annual events are organised to remember them. In the aftermath of the mishap, families of the missing victims of Cyclone Idai have been engaging Government representatives for assistance. Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo told The Sunday Mail that processes are underway to bring finality to the issue. The President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) approved a plan to expedite the declaration of the missing Cyclone Idai victims as dead. There are processes which must be done, like the exhumation of bodies believed to be of Zimbabweans in Mozambique and the DNA tests with survivors, which will allow us to locate the families of the deceased. We are already working on that, he said. Asked on timelines, Minister Moyo said after the greenlight from the President, they are now hard at work to implement the plan. There is hope that, as has been the case with other promises made by the Government to the Chimanimani community, the declarations are followed through. It is believed that the process will bring the much-needed peace of mind, which has remained elusive as some continue to hold on to hope that someday, maybe, they will be reunited with their loved ones. Elders in the community are worried that if not managed well, the maelstrom of hope and optimism might take a mental toll on some community members. Cyclone Idai struck in March 2019, killing at least 1 300 people in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, while hundreds are still missing in all the three affected countries. Sunday Mail Kljucne reci Rubrika --- Dzet set Fudbal Balkan Najnovije Ona i On Knjizevnost Hronika Life style Kosarka Zanimljivosti Obrazovanje Svet Zabava Beograd Nauka Muzika Odbojka Politika Svet Sexy Tenis Pozoriste Srbija Astro Recepti Film Rukomet Drustvo Zdravlje Muzeji Vaterpolo Forum za borbu protiv prosvetne mafije Humanitarne akcije Umetnost TV Biznis Ostali sportovi Kofer Izlozbe Sport Fun Obrazovanje Festivali Zivotinjsko Carstvo Globus Tehnologija Intervju-Press-online Zanimljiva istorija Automobili Datum (od) Datum (do) 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. Film: Birds of Paradise (Streaming on Amazon Prime) Duration: 113 minutes Director: Sarah Adina Smith Cast: Diana Silvers, Kristine Forseth, Jacqueline Bisset, Caroline Goodall, Helene Cardona and Nassim Lyes IANS Rating: **1/2 Friendship and competition are two sides of the same coin. They can never see eye to eye. This dichotomy is evident in director Sarah Adina Smith's young adult drama, 'Birds of Paradise', which is based on A.K. Small's novel, 'Bright Burning Stars'. Featuring some of the dark facets of the ultra-competitive, professional Ballet Universe in Paris, the film focuses mainly on Marionette aka Marine Elise Durand (Kristine Froseth) and Kate Sanders (Diana Silvers) at a prestigious Ballet School in France, where all the students are very committed and the competition aspect plays a huge role in their lives, as well as in keeping the narrative moving. While Kate is an aspiring American ballerina who arrives at the institution on a scholarship, Marine with her high connections, is the star ballerina and the favourite of the institution. Their association starts on the wrong foot after Kate innocuously mentions Ollie, a student who had recently killed himself. But soon, being roommates and opponents for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the Paris Opera Ballet, they form an inseparable bond forged by their respective family tragedies and a fierce love for dance. They call each other "best friends", yet they are poles apart on intimacy and trust factors, frequently stepping on each other's toes. Forseth and Silvers are brilliant and impressive actors. But in the film, they appear dull, tired, and jaded in their "warriors of pain" role. The duo appears shouldering the weariness of their world. Jacqueline Bisset as Madame Brunelle is flat and perfunctory. Her lines and general disposition remind you of Neena Gupta in the Indian Star Plus reality show 'Kamzor Kaddi Kaun'. While the film captures the haunting nature of the compelling story, it also triggers a lot of contexts but does not end up addressing all of them. Ensconced in its own dance bubble, the narrative gets lost in its muddied aesthetic pretensions. Yes, it even recycles tired tropes of ballet dance training we've often seen in films earlier. Also, the dance sequences never give you the feeling of satisfaction, and its sensual art-house moodiness also appears cliched. In one of the lines of the film, we are told, "Ballet has never been an even playing field. It's always been about sex, blood, money..." and, all this is very superficially touched upon. Overall, 'Birds of Paradise' does not have, "a rebel's heart, will of steel and eyes set true North." "We're launching a new chapter in the history of US-Indian ties and taking on some of the toughest challenges we face together," President Joe Biden said on Friday as he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi began their summit in a fast-changing world throwing up problems and new issues at dizzying speeds. After their meeting, Modi tweeted: "Had an outstanding meeting with @POTUS @JoeBiden. His leadership on critical global issues is commendable. We discussed how India and USA will further scale-up cooperation in different spheres and work together to overcome key challenges like COVID-19 and climate change." Here are glimpses from the Quad leaders meeting. The discussions with @POTUS @JoeBiden, PM @ScottMorrisonMP and PM @sugawitter were extensive and productive. pic.twitter.com/cNedF0XRz6 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 24, 2021 Speaking before the formal start of their meeting, Modi told Biden: "I find that under your leadership, the seeds have been sown for the Indo-US relations to expand, and for all democratic countries in the world, this is going to be a transformative period. I can see that very clearly." The shared democratic values of the two countries was a thread weaving them together. "Democratic values, traditions to which both countries are committed, I find that importance of these traditions will only increase further," Modi said. Biden said: "Our partnership is more than just what we do. It's about who we are. It's rooted in our shared responsibility to uphold democratic values, our joint commitment to diversity." Both leaders spoke of the Indian diaspora, another factor that is binding the two nations together. India-US relations are "about family ties, including four million Indian-Americans who make the United States stronger every single day", Biden said. Modi said: "You mentioned, there are more than four million Indian Americans who are participating in the journey of progress of America. When I look at the importance of this decade, and the role that is going to be played by this talent of the Indian Americans, I find that the people-to-people talent will play a greater role and Indian talent will be a full partner in this relationship. And I see that your contribution is going to be very important in this." The two leaders mentioned Gandhi Jayanti that comes up next week. "As the world celebrates Mahatma Gandhi's birthday next week, we're all reminded that his message of nonviolence, respect, tolerance matters today maybe more than it ever has," Biden said. "Mahatma Gandhi always used to talk about the principle of trusteeship, trusteeship of the planet," Modi said turning to environment, a subject dear to Biden. "It means that the planet that we have, we have to bequeath it to the following generations, and this sentiment of trusteeship is going to assume more and more importance globally, but also between the relations between India and the United States, and it is these ideals that Mahatma Gandhi espoused," he said. "The responsibility of global citizens is only going to go up." Biden referred to the Quad summit where they will be joined by Prime Ministers Yoshihide Suga of Japan and Scott Morrison of Australia, and said: "The Prime Minister and I are going to be talking today about what more we can do to fight Covid-19, take on the climate challenges that the world face, and ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific, including with our own Quad partners." Modi profusely thanked Biden for his efforts to continue building relations with India and recalled that their meeting in 2014 while Biden was Vice President and discussed the ties between the two countries. He said: "You had laid out a vision for India-US relationship in great detail. And really, that was a vision that was inspirational. And today, Mr. President, as President, you are making all efforts and taking initiatives to implement that vision." "I see is that this is the third decade of the 21st century, this is the first year of the third decade. And I see that when I look at the entire decade, I find that under your leadership the seeds have been sown for the Indo-US relations to expand," Modi said. India has denounced Pakistan as a patron of terrorism and a suppressor of minorities in reply to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's tirade against the country. "This is the country which is an arsonist disguising itself as a firefighter," Sneha Dubey, a First Secretary in India's UN Mission, said on Friday. "Pakistan nurtures terrorists in their backyard in the hope that they will only harm their neighbours. Our region, in fact, the entire world has suffered because of their policies. "Today, the minorities in Pakistan, the Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, live in constant fear and state-sponsored suppression of their rights. This is a regime where anti-Semitism is normalised by its leadership and even justified," she said. Responding to Khan's claims about treatment of minorities in India, Dubey said: "Pluralism is a concept which is very difficult to understand for Pakistan which constitutionally prohibits its minorities from aspiring for high offices of the State. The least they could do is introspect before exposing themselves to ridicule on the world stage. "Unlike Pakistan, India is a pluralistic democracy with a substantial population of minorities who have gone on to hold highest offices in the country including as President, Prime Minister, Chief Justices and Chiefs of Army staff. India is also a country with a free media and an independent judiciary that keeps a watch and protects our Constitution." As for Khan's allegations of "war crimes" by India, Dubey recalled the genocide perpetrated in Bangladesh in 1971 during and before the War of Independence in which more than 300,000 people were killed by Pakistan and hundreds of thousand women raped. Pakistan "still holds the despicable record in our region of having executed a religious and cultural genocide against the people of what is now Bangladesh. As we mark the 50th anniversary this year of that horrid event in history, there is not even an acknowledgement, much less accountability", she said. Khan in his speech said that after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, "terrorism has been associated with Islam by some quarters" and "increased the tendency of right-wing, xenophobic and violent nationalists, extremists and terrorist groups to target Muslims". He then went on to link this to the BJP and the RSS. Dubey said: "We marked the solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks a few days back. The world has not forgotten that the mastermind behind that dastardly event, Osama Bin Laden, got shelter in Pakistan. Even today, Pakistan leadership glorify him as a 'martyr'. "Regrettably, even today we heard the leader of Pakistan trying to justify acts of terror. Such defence of terrorism is unacceptable in the modern world." Pakistan has made an annual ritual of using up most it time at the high-level General Assembly session to attack India, which it also does at all meetings, regardless of the topic. Dubey said: "This is not the first time the leader of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country, and seeking in vain to divert the world's attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities, are turned upside down. "This is a country which has been globally recognized as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of State policy. It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council." Khan said that Pakistan "desires peace with India" but it is "contingent upon resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and the wishes of the Kashmiri people". Pakistan, however, is in violation of Security Council Resolution 47 adopted in 1948 that requires it to withdraw all its personnel from Kashmir. Dubey declared: "Let me reiterate here that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation." On the conditions for peace, she said: "We desire normal relations with all our neighbours, including Pakistan. However, it is for Pakistan to work sincerely towards creating a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible actions to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross border terrorism against India in any manner." Khan blamed the US for the developments in Afghanistan, recalling the support Washington under President Ronald Reagan gave mujahidin fighting the Soviet Union in the 1980s. "We were left with sectarian militant groups which were never existed before," he said. After 9/11, the US needed Pakistan's help to invade Afghanistan, he said. As a result, the same Mujahidin also turned against Pakistan and the Taliban attacked his country, he claimed. After Dubey gave the right of reply speech, a Counsellor in Pakistan's UN Mission, Saima Saleem, replied to the right of reply. Saleem repeated many elements of Khan's speech, in addition to quoting Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and UN human rights bodies, ignoring their scorching criticism of her country. Children aged below 14 now account for the highest Covid-19 infection rates among all age groups in Ireland, according to the figures released by the country's Central Statistics Office (CSO). In the week ending September 17, a total of 8,662 confirmed cases were reported in Ireland, of which children aged below 14 accounted for 34 per cent, the highest figure among all age groups, Xinhua news agency quoted the CSO as saying on Friday. Of all the cases reported in the above-mentioned week, people aged 25 to 44 accounted for 27 per cent, followed by 17 per cent for those aged 45 to 64, 15 per cent for those aged 15 to 24 and 7 per cent for those aged 65 and over. The CSO figures also revealed that the share of children aged below 14 in the weekly cases reported in Ireland has almost tripled when compared with two months ago. In the week ending July 16, children aged below 14 accounted for only 12 per cent of all the new cases in Ireland. Since then, the share of children of this age group in the weekly cases in the country has witnessed a consistent rise. By the week ending September 10, children aged below 14 replaced people aged 25 to 44 for the first time to account for most of the new cases in Ireland. Ireland has already started to inoculate its children aged 12 to 15 with Covid-19 vaccines, but it has not announced any plan regarding the vaccination of kids aged below 12. The Irish Department of Health on Friday reported 1,163 new cases of Covid-19 in the country. To date, Ireland's daily cases have remained above the 1,000 level for 70 days in a row despite the fact over 90 per cent of adults in the country have been fully vaccinated. Four separate sparsely-attended protests were held outside the UN on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the the United Nations General Assembly. The groups were separated from each other in enclosures put up with police barriers, advocating different causes. The biggest group of them was that of about 100 Khalistan supporters waving yellow flags and carrying portraits of Simranjit Singh Mann, the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar). The organisers of the other three protests disowned the Khalistanis and said they were not associated with them, pointing to the barriers separating them from that group. One of the groups was the Indian National Overseas Congress, which supports the Congress in India and was protesting against what they said were human rights violations. Another was a protest organised by a local gurdwara in support of the farmers' agitation in India focused solely on the agriculturists' issues. They stationed themselves far from the Khalistanis and an organiser said that they did not have anything to do with that protest and distinguished themselves with green turbans. The Hindus for Human Rights (HHR) organised yet another protest that was sandwiched between the Congress and Khalistani protests. An organiser said that they were not associating themselves with the Khalistanis and their enclosed barrier next to that group's was assigned by the police. HHR protested against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and other laws and regulations, as well as what they called human rights violations and detention of activists in India. They were joined by a representative of the New York State Council of Churches, a protestant organisation that also lists the World Council of Churches among its members. Its executive director, Peter Cook, a protestant pastor who said he had been deported from India, asserted that his organisation opposed the CAA even though it gave citizenship rights to Christians fleeing persecution, because it "pits Christians against Muslims". The Khalistani protesters, who were not allowed by the police to demonstrate outside India's mission to the UN, drove past it in cars flying their flags and raising slogans. Supporters of Kashmiri separatists and Pakistanis, who held protests in the previous years, were not seen this time. The cynical War on Terror that started after al-Qaedas attacks on the US has claimed almost one million lives and eroded democracy and civil liberties throughout the world. by Christopher McMichael The attacks that took place on 11 September 2001 in the United States were horrific atrocities that left at least 3 000 civilians from 90 countries, as well as many emergency workers dead. Even two decades later, bodies are still being identified. The United States gave itself unlimited scope to wage war wherever it wanted with its so-called War on Terror, which was declared after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. (Illustration courtesy of Max Pixel CC0 1.0) Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is said to have based the idea to attack the World Trade Center in New York on the Israeli military bombardment of high-rise buildings in Lebanon during the 1982 war. The US attacks, which came to be known as 9/11, were preceded by truck bombings in Tanzania and Kenya in 1998 in which more than 200 people were killed. Before deciding to target the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, Al-Qaeda had contemplated targeting nuclear power plants. In a video released in 2004, Bin Laden claimed that the attacks were reprisals for US foreign policy in the Middle East, such as the sanctions that led to the premature deaths of vast numbers of civilians in Iraq and US support for Israels occupation of Palestine. But the 9/11 attacks were themselves a grotesque act of collective punishment as officer workers and maintenance staff were killed for the often clandestine actions of the US security state. A small group of highly motivated extremists delivered a shocking blow to a country with the most powerful military apparatus on Earth. This kind of conflict between unevenly matched opponents is often described as asymmetric warfare. Throughout the 20th century, both political organisations and criminal cartels used asymmetric tactics in battle against more powerful states. In the 1980s, Pablo Escobar unleashed a terror campaign on Colombia through the Medellin Cartel, a criminal drug organisation that planted bombs on passenger airplanes and used a truck bomb to level a government building in the capital, Bogota. Al-Qaeda took this tactical approach to a nightmarish extreme, using passenger airliners full of civilians as hugely destructive fuel bombs. Its operations inspired abject terror as millions throughout the world watched live on television as United Airlines Flight 175 smashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, instantly incinerating hundreds of people trapped inside. Political and corporate elites were quick to capitalise on the visceral anxiety inspired by the spectacular acts of carnage. Cynical opportunism On 16 September, as the flames still smouldered in the wreckage, then-president George W Bush announced a new global War on Terror, a conflict that was defined as being geographically unlimited in scope. Bush, vice-president Dick Cheney and secretary of defence Donald Rumsfeld framed this as a struggle between good and evil, a war for freedom and security. In practice, however, they were motivated by cynical opportunism. The aftermath of 9/11 was seen as a chance to assert American hegemony in the Middle East in order to control the worlds oil supply and open new markets for US corporations. Twenty years later, the resulting wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and beyond have left almost one million dead and squandered trillions of dollars on endless conflicts. Far from increasing freedom and safety, it has reduced civil liberties, fuelled authoritarian governance and militarised everyday life. The sense of fear that the attacks provoked was used to push draconian anti-terror legislation. The US engaged in illegal detentions, torture and the disappearance of suspects into Central Intelligence Agency black sites. In turn, this encouraged state abuses in allied countries. In Thailand, the location of the first black site, the security forces adopted tactics such as waterboarding (a form of simulated drowning) to quell domestic dissent. In South Africa, the government used 9/11 as a pretext to introduce a wave of anti-terror laws, such as the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act, which handed a raft of increased powers to the intelligence services. (Earlier this year, the Constitutional Court ruled that certain provisions of the act were unlawful.) Port cities such as Durban were also forced to accept draconian security measures in order to continue trading with the US. These onerous new laws restricted public access to the formerly open city harbour. The war bonanza The War on Terror was a lucrative opportunity for corporate interests to sell security to a scared public. The war zones of the Middle East became a bonanza for private military companies, which hired former security personal from repressive regimes such as apartheid South Africa and Augusto Pinochets dictorship in Chile. Infamous companies like US private military contractor Blackwater were regularly implicated in human rights abuses in Iraq and Afghanistan, among others. It also fuelled a rise in new forms of killing, seen in the increased use of automated drones, as a recent attack that killed seven children attests. These hunting machines have become increasingly deadly according to reports from Libya this year, there are now drones that can act autonomously, without human control. The attacks also led to increased paranoia around security in cities and suburbs across the world. From intensified airport security regimes to the fortification of buildings, the world after 9/11 saw a drastic militarisation of everyday life. This fused with an existing war on crime, aimed at defending sites and spaces against an outside deemed unruly and dangerous. In particular, it intensified the militarisation of domestic policing, with tools and techniques originally developed for conflict zones being deployed against impoverished people and political protesters. The creeping securitisation extended to the online space. As revealed by whistle-blower Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency in the US collaborated with Silicon Valley tech companies such as Google to gather information clandestinely and on a mass scale. This has normalised a dystopian situation in which private interests own and share the personal information of millions of people. Conspiracies and paranoia In the paranoid world post 9/11, governments implemented new border security regimes while darkly warning of enemies within and terrorist sleeper cells. This resulted in growing Islamophobia and heightened xenophobic behaviour targeting migrants in general. The image of Muslims as a demonic menace became a central mythology of a new, populist far right in the US and Europe. Demagogues such as Donald Trump capitalised on this, whipping their supporters into hysteria about the forced implementation of Islamic Sharia law and other conspiracy theories. Migrants from conflict zones have become increasingly demonised as security threats. The Brexit movement in the United Kingdom used fearmongering about the uncontrolled influx of Syrian refugees to swing votes in 2016, and Afghan migrants now fleeing from the Taliban are meeting a hostile reception from many governments across the world owing to sentiments like these. The War on Terror has been of great benefit to the powerful and unscrupulous. The government spent trillions of dollars creating profit for arms dealers and other death-based industries. But for the global majority, it has made daily life both more unstable and less democratic. Instead of responding to the real existential challenges of our time, such as catastrophic climate collapse and the spread of pandemics, governments have squandered resources on bombs, drones and border walls. From increasingly fragmented urban spaces to hellish refugee detention centres, the dictates of security have had a chilling impact on civil liberties and public life. The endless war that began in 2001 has only fuelled racism, abuse of power and a growing political climate of authoritarianism and fear. Courtesy: new Frame. Click here to read the original essay. 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: 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: 28: 29: ... 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(0x7f50073902c8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f50071a7ef0)', '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(0x7f50073902c8)') 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(0x7f50071a7ef0)') 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(0x7f50073b5f90)') 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(0x7f50071a7ef0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f50071a7ef0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f5006aa8d00)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f50073b2910)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f50073b2910)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 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: 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: 28:
29: ... 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(0x7f50078d6d70)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f500755e308)', '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(0x7f50078d6d70)') 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(0x7f500755e308)') 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(0x7f500753ee48)') 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(0x7f500755e308)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f500755e308)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f5006aa8178)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f500788a648)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f500788a648)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 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: 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: 28:
29: ... 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(0x7f50074373b8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f5007ba9538)', '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(0x7f50074373b8)') 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(0x7f5007ba9538)') 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(0x7f50075916c8)') 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(0x7f5007ba9538)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f5007ba9538)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f5006aa89d0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f5007b6cdb8)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f5007b6cdb8)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine identifies criteria that could allow robotic missions to certain locations on Mars to be carried out with less restrictive "bioburden" requirements, which are designed to prevent the unintentional transport of Earth-based microbes to Mars. Dili, (Timor-Leste) 25 September 2021 (SPS) - A Campaign was launched last Thursday by various Organisations from the Civil Society in Timor-Leste calling for urgent actions to save the life and free Sultana Khaya and her Family. The Title of the Campaign is Morocco must free now the Saharawi human rights defender, Sultana Khaya from house arrest and together we can free and save life of Sultana. Sultana Khaya and her family have been under arbitrary home arrest since last November 2020 in their home in city of Boujdour, Western Sahara imposed by the Morocco security. This unlawful detention is part of a wider crackdown by the Moroccan authorities on Sahrawi activists and critical voices within Western Sahara against the illegal occupation of the last colony in Africa. The Timorese Organisations in their Campaign focus on: - We add our voices to many others calls including Human rights watch and Amnesty international that Morocco must immediately lift the arbitrary house arrest against the Saharawi human rights defender, Sultana Khaya and her family. - We condemn Moroccos human rights violations against Saharawis peacefully calling for self-determination and independence in illegally occupied Western Sahara. - We call upon the International Committee of the Red Cross to take "urgent steps" to ensure the security and safety of unarmed Sahrawi citizens and to urgently send a medical mission to the city of Boujdour to examine the ongoing violations of the international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions against Sultana Khaya family. - We call upon Morocco to free release all the Saharawi human rights activists including Gdeim Izik Group 062 The Sunset Conspiracy Written by: Steve Hadden Available In: eBook|Paperback Author Website: http://www.stevehadden.com/ Nathan Robbins dream job becomes a nightmare when he rejects his companys explanation for the death of his mentor and friend. His search leads him to New Mexico and an attractive environmentalist who despises everything he represents. Trapped between Big Oil and a prominent U.S. Senator, they race to expose a discovery that will change the world overnightif they live to tell their story. A Death in the Family (Adam Stone Novels Book 1) Written by: Geoff Collins Available In: eBook|Paperback Author Website: Detective Adam Stones wife is the first victim in a series of gruesome murders of women in Charleston, SC. With each successive murder, it becomes more apparent that a serial killer is prowling the streets of Charleston. The Holy City is frozen in fear. Pressure is mounting on Stone and his fellow detectives to hunt down the killer. This is the first book in the new Adam Stone detective series. Stone and Marcus Williams had both spent almost twenty years on the force, the last five as partners. They were members of the elite Organized Crime Unit (OCU) of Captain Ed Merchants Special Operations Division. From the beginning of their partnership, they consistently topped the departments kill chart, which tracked the successful completion of investigations. The two could not have looked more different or come from more divergent backgrounds. Stone was white, 5 11 and 185. Williams was black, 6 4, topping the scales at 250. Williams face was all hard edgeslike it was whittled from a block of mahogany. Stones longish light blond hair was in stark contrast to his partners shaved charcoal-black head. Williams dressed in dark blue suits, his tie always knotted, his gold detective badge clipped to his leather belt. Stone preferred jeans and a sport coat, and Williams was always on him about it. Adams life is torn apart when his wife, Ann, is found murdered. The department is frustrated when lead after lead goes nowhere, and the case becomes cold. However, almost one year later, other woman begin to be murdered, and all the killings look to be a mirror image of the way Ann was murdered. It soon becomes clear a serial killer is behind the murdersthe killer always leaves a prayer candle in the hands of his victims. The time between the murders is getting shorter and shorter, and the pressure to catch The Candle Killer mounts. Emerson, a technology and engineering company, has announced a collaboration with BioBusiness, an Egyptian medical equipment manufacturing company, to design and manufacture several types of ventilators using its Asco valves and Aventics regulators to provide precise control of pressure and flow of gases. Providing consultancy support on the design of the ventilators, Emerson worked with BioBusiness to build a prototype using Asco miniature valves and Aventics regulators, completing the project ahead of schedule. BioBusiness gave the ventilator the production brand name Biovent A Series & E Series. Emerson and BioBusiness are also currently working on an intensive care unit ventilator design and prototype E Series. BioBusiness said it had selected Emerson to work on the new series of ventilators because of the companys local capabilities in supporting indigenous design and manufacturing standards that meet the stringent requirements of Egypts medical industry. BioBusiness CEO Engineer Mostafa El Wakeel said: "The battle is far from over. As long as Covid-19 threatens the region and the world, we will continue to innovate and create new solutions to meet the evolving challenges of the virus." "Emersons advanced automation technologies arm us with the weapons necessary to help combat the pandemic and save lives," he added. "Emerson is proud to support BioBusiness in helping ramp up the manufacturing of life-saving health care devices," said Khaled Saleh, area director for Egypt, Libya and Sudan at Emersons Automation Solutions business. "We will continue to offer our expertise in building such innovations to help the world fight this pandemic," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Mammoet, one of the world's largest engineered heavy lifting and transport service providers, said it has helped procurement and logistics provider CAB van der Vinne transport a multicat vessel, destined to undertake various assignments on a dredging project in Lagos, from the UAE to Nigeria. CAB van der Vinne pointed out that the Rebecca Multicat tugboat was originally due to be transported on a heavy lift vessel; however, following the huge increase in global shipping costs this became unfeasible and it turned to Mammoet for a more cost-effective alternative. Following its strategic partnership with Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic Base (Ladol) in 2020, Mammoet had installed its terminal crane MTC 15 at the Nigerian group's quayside to increase the project cargo capacity of the ports for industrial projects. The MTC 15 transformed Ladols quayside into a high-capacity fully independent heavy lifting terminal, thereby unlocking faster and more efficient routes for project cargo in Nigeria. With a load moment matching a 1,200t crawler crane or a large floating sheerleg, the MTC 15 offers capacity for loads up to 600t to be lifted to and from any quay. According to Mammoet, the operation began in Dubai, where its team in the UAE oversaw the loading of the 320 tonne multicat onto a vessel at Saqr Port in Ras Al Khaimah bound for Nigeria. Once the vessel arrived at the Ladol quayside, the MTC 15 carefully lifted the multicat from the vessel, then safely lowered it directly into Nigerian waters. According to experts, rising shipping costs have impacted numerous sectors, but they have been felt particularly hard among industries that normally utilize heavy lift vessels. This has made some transportations unviable and also resulted in a growing need for ports with greater crane capacity, as ports now need to be able to perform the offloading of increasingly heavy items from non-geared cargo vessels. Without this capability, entire regions risk losing out on newer, more complex construction projects. Commenting on the successful heavy lift, Joop van der Vinne, Director of CAB van der Vinne, said: "It has been a pleasure to be part of this record breakbulk lift in Nigeria. After a long journey that started in the UAE, the Rebecca Multicat Tugboat was safely lowered onto Lagos waters." "There are only two MTC 15 cranes in the world. With one at the Ladol quayside, customers operating in Nigeria have the opportunity to use extremely cost-effective logistics and shipping solutions," he added. Jide Jadesimi, Ladols Executive Director, Business Development said: "This highly technical lift was carried out with all stakeholders involved in perfect unison. The decades of experience, unrelenting hard work and constant flow of communication between the entire team meant the project worked like clockwork." The multicat vessel was the largest weight ever offloaded at the Ladol base. The MTC 15 was the only crane capable to receive the cargo in the ports of Lagos from a non-geared cargo vessel. Olivier Dirkzwager, Sales Manager for Mammoet West Africa said: "Ladols infrastructure combined with Mammoets MTC 15 crane - a unique piece of heavy lifting equipment, unlocks smarter, more efficient routes for heavy cargo in Nigeria.' "The successful delivery and discharge of the multicat is a testament to that and we expect it to be the first of many more successful projects," noted Dirkzwager. The installation of the MTC 15 will benefit numerous industrial sectors across West Africa, ensuring that the region is able to attract general fabrication jobs as well as the complex construction projects that are in increasing demand - in Nigeria and across West Africa.-TradeArabia News Service UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan today (September 25) approved a new federal government cabinet following a reshuffle. The new cabinet was announced by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, following discussions with HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, reported Wam. The key changes include the appointment of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, while Mohamed Al Hussaini has been made Minister of State for Financial Affairs. Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi is the new Minister of Justice and Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar as Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation. In another development, Mariam Almheiri, the Minister of State for Food and Water Security, has been rewarded for her efforts with additional responsibilities, by making her incharge of Minister of Climate Change and Environment. Abdullah Muhair Al Ketbi has been appointed Minister of Federal Supreme Council Affairs. Unveiling the line-up, Sheikh Mohammed said: "Following discussions with Mohamed bin Zayed and directives of the UAE President, we announce a new UAE cabinet and a new government strategic approach that will lay the foundations of work for the next 50 years." "The new government will follow the strategic approach we launched today and the priorities laid by the UAE President in the 'Principles of the 50' to adapt to the ever-evolving trends of todays world and achieve the objectives of the next phase of our development journey," he stated. Sheikh Mohammed said the government strategic approach comes after we achieved plans laid out in the UAE Vision 2021 for the last 10 years. "Today, the UAE is in leading rankings globally across 100 development indicators and regionally in 470 indicators. We usher into the next 50 years with high ambitions," he noted. "We need to shift the tools we use to lead change. The new UAE government strategic approach will spearhead our efforts in accelerating development, setting priorities and adopting projects and budgets. We ask all federal entities to use this approach as their reference moving forward," he added. The new government strategic approach includes fives pillars: The government work will be led by major transformative projects and not just long-term strategic plans. Sheikh Mohammed pointed out that the next cycles of change will be flexible and fast (between six months to two years), unlike the previous strategic cycles which used to last five to 10 years. Priorities for sectors will be determined and followed by identifying clear transformative projects. Ministerial teams will be created to implement these projects and there will be reliance on national talents who have deep understanding of the field and the mechanism of change in determining the new government's priorities, he stated. "There will be a shift from individual responsibility of ministries to shared responsibility among the field teams. Performance contracts will be signed with these teams to implement projects. Under the supervision of the cabinet," said the UAE Premier. There will be incentives and promotions based on performances of the field teams and their ability to implement the projects set by the cabinet, he added.TradeArabia News Service Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines largest national flag carrier, mounts two special commercial flights from Dubai to Manila this September, as well as the resumption of its daily flights from Manila to Dubai by the end of this month as it rebuilds international operations. The special commercial flights are scheduled on September 27 and 29 in response to the governments call for assistance to repatriate overseas Filipinos in the Middle East. Hence, these flights are aptly called Bayanihan flights. "Following the lifting of entry restrictions for Philippine-inbound flights from several countries including the UAE, we are glad to be able to bring home more Filipinos who want to fly home and be reunited with their loved ones through Bayanihan flights," said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience of Cebu Pacific. It has opened more opportunities for us to serve and assist in the repatriation efforts for our kababayans from the Middle East. Guests are required to present negative RT-PCR test results, taken within 48 hours before departure, amongst other travel guidelines issued by the governments of the Philippines and the UAE. Cebu Pacific has also announced the resumption of its daily flights from Manila to Dubai starting from September 30. Other reinstated air travels include flights to Kuala Lumpur starting October 4 and Fukuoka on November 5. The airline will also fly twice weekly to Nagoya starting October 2, and Osaka on October 4. Meanwhile, CEB will increase its October flights to tourism havens such as Siargao, Boracay, and Bohol, in a bid to support the Philippine Department of Tourism's push for local tourism and responsible travel. The airline will expand its flights to Siargao from five times to six times weekly; raise its frequencies to Boracay from four to five times daily; and bump up flights to Bohol from nine to 10 times weekly, said Iyog. "We believe reopening domestic travel and the promotion of responsible travel is critical to rebuilding the trust and travel confidence in the industry," he added.-TradeArabia News Service The main office of the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan hosted a ceremony of handing Turkmen passports to new citizens of Turkmenistan. On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the country's independence, guided by the principles of humanism, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed the decree On granting citizenship of Turkmenistan, in accordance with which 2,657 people became citizens of Turkmenistan. The head of state also signed a resolution according to which 406 people received Turkmenistans residence permit. People that were granted citizenship of Turkmenistan represent 20 nationalities. According to the official report, Turkmenistan has been working consistently on rendering assistance to migrants, refugees, stateless persons and protection of their rights in accordance with the national legislation and the UN Conventions on Refugees and Human Rights. TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2021 Washington, Sep 25 (UNI) India and the US, during the first in-person bilateral between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, condemned cross-border terrorism and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to be brought to justice, even as they reaffirmed the strength of their defence partnership. In a joint statement, issued after the talks on Friday, the two sides denounced any use of terrorist proxies and emphasized the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks The Leaders reaffirmed that the United States and India stand together in a shared fight against global terrorism, will take concerted action against all terrorist groups, including groups proscribed by the UN. They noted that the upcoming U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group, Designations Dialogue, and renewed U.S.-India Homeland Security Dialogue will further strengthen counterterrorism cooperation between their two countries, including in intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation. On Afghanistan, the Leaders said the Taliban must abide by the UN Security Council 2593, adopted during Indias presidency last month, which demands that Afghan territory must never again be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or finance terrorist attacks, and underscored the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan. They called on the Taliban to adhere to these and all other commitments, including on safe passage from Afghanistan and to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and members of minority groups. They called on the Taliban to allow full, safe, direct and unhindered access for the United Nations and all actors engaged in humanitarian relief activity. They determined to continue to closely coordinate and to work with partners toward an inclusive and peaceful future for all Afghans, it said. On defence, President Biden reaffirmed the strength of the defense relationship and the unwavering commitment to India as a Major Defense Partner through close defense engagements in information sharing, sharing of logistics and military-to-military interactions, strengthening cooperation in advanced military technologies, and expanding engagements in a multilateral framework including with regional partners, it said. They noted the recent project to co-develop air-launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative, and encouraged more such joint efforts. They called upon the government and private stakeholders to use the existing ecosystems of innovation and entrepreneurship in defense industries for co-development, co-production and expanding mutual defense trade. They also looked forward to the inaugural meeting of the Industrial Security Agreement summit to facilitate high-end defense industrial collaboration. President Biden applauded Indias strong leadership during its UN Security Council Presidency in August 2021. In this context, he also reiterated the US support for Indias permanent membership on a reformed UN Security Council and for other countries who are important champions of multilateral cooperation and aspire to permanent seats on the UN Security Council. He also reaffirmed U.S. support for Indias entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. They welcomed the extension of the Statement of Guiding Principles on Triangular Cooperation for Global Development to leverage the combined capacities of their countries to address global development challenges around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Africa. They looked forward to the launch of the U.S.-India Gandhi-King Development Foundation to advance cooperation on health, education, and the environment, it said. On trade, the two leaders said they looked forward to reconvening the India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum before the end of 2021, to enhance the bilateral trade relationship by addressing trade concerns, identifying specific areas for increased engagement and developing an ambitious, shared vision for the future of the trade relationship. The Leaders looked forward to convening the U.S.-India CEO Forum and the Commercial Dialogue in early 2022, leveraging the talents of the private sector. The Leaders noted ongoing negotiations on an Investment Incentive Agreement that facilitates investment in development projects and committed to an early conclusion. The Leaders decided that the two countries must continue and expand their partnership in new domains and many areas of critical and emerging technology space, cyber, health security, semiconductors, AI, 5G, 6G and future generation telecommunications technology, and Blockchain, that will define innovation processes, and the economic and security landscape of the next century. They looked forward to the finalization of a Space Situational Awareness Memorandum of Understanding that will help in sharing of data and services towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities by the end of the year. As global partners, the two nations resolved to further strengthen their collaboration in education, science and technology and people-to-people engagement. They welcomed close consultations through the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue of the Foreign and Defense Ministers of India and the United States to be held later this year. Prime Minister Modi conveyed his deep appreciation for the repatriation of antiquities to India by the United States. The Leaders committed to strengthen their efforts to combat the theft, illicit trade and trafficking of cultural objects. Reflecting shared values and principles, and growing strategic convergence, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi resolved to advance the U.S.-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, and looked forward to what the United States and India will achieve together, it said. UNI/RN New York, Sep 25 (UNI) India on Friday slammed Pakistan as an arsonist disguising itself as a firefighter and a country that nurtures terrorists in its backyard as a matter of state policy which has led the entire region and world to suffer, in reply to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans tirade against the country at the UN General Assembly. Sneha Dubey, First Secretary in India's UN Mission, in a scathing attack on Pakistan, also reminded the world that Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, was sheltered in Pakistan. The world has not forgotten that the mastermind behind the dastardly event Osama bin Laden got shelter in Pakistan, she said, and added that the Pakistani leadership continues to glorify Osama as a martyr. Regrettably, even today we heard the leader of Pakistan trying to justify acts of terror. Such defence of terrorism is unacceptable in the modern world, she said, exercising Indias Right of Reply. Referring to the state of minorities in Pakistan, she said: Today, the minorities in Pakistan, the Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, live in constant fear and state-sponsored suppression of their rights. This is a regime where anti-Semitism is normalised by its leadership and even justified. Dissenting voices are muzzled daily and enforced disappearances and extra judicial killings are well documented." Responding to Imran Khan's claims about treatment of minorities in India, the young diplomat said: "Pluralism is a concept which is very difficult to understand for Pakistan which constitutionally prohibits its minorities from aspiring for high offices of the State. The least they could do is introspect before exposing themselves to ridicule on the world stage Unlike Pakistan, India is a pluralistic democracy with a substantial population of minorities who have gone on to hold highest offices in the country including as President, Prime Minister, Chief Justices and Chiefs of Army staff. India is also a country with a free media and an independent judiciary that keeps a watch and protects our Constitution." On Imran Khan's allegations of "war crimes" by India, she referred to the genocide perpetrated in Bangladesh in 1971 during and before the War of Independence in which more than 300,000 people were killed by Pakistan and hundreds of thousand women raped. This is also the country that still holds the despicable record in our region of having executed a religious and cultural genocide against the people of what is now Bangladesh. As we mark the 50th anniversary this year of that horrid event in history, there is not even an acknowledgement much less accountability. "This is not the first time the leader of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country, and seeking in vain to divert the world's attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities, are turned upside down." "This is a country which has been globally recognized as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of State policy. It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council," she said. Categorically emphasising Indias position, she said: "Let me reiterate here that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation." On the conditions for peace, she said: "We desire normal relations with all our neighbours, including Pakistan. However, it is for Pakistan to work sincerely towards creating a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible actions to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross border terrorism against India in any manner." UNI/RN Washington, Sep 25 (UNI/Sputnik) Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has called on the international community to support the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan to prevent the humanitarian crisis in the country, it was reported on Saturday. "Right now the whole international community should think what is the way ahead. There are two paths that we can take. If we neglect Afghanistan right now, according to the UN half the people of Afghanistan are already vulnerable, and by next year almost 90% of the people in Afghanistan will go below the poverty line. There is a huge humanitarian crisis looming ahead. And this will have serious repercussions not just for the neighbors of Afghanistan but everywhere," Khan said on late Friday addressing the UN General Assembly, as quoted by the Nation newspaper. From the prime minister's point of view, further destabilization of Afghanistan would turn the country into a safe haven for terrorists. UNI/SPUTNIK ACL0945 New York, Sep 25 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that many questions are being raised regarding the effectiveness of the United Nations, especially in context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis and the current crisis in Afghanistan. Addressing the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, the Prime Minister said: Today there are many questions being raised on the UNs effectiveness. We saw the questions being posed during the climate crisis, during the Covid pandemic. 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. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-28 16:58:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LUANDA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Angolan Parliament on Tuesday approved the integration of Angolan forces into the Southern African Development Community (SADC)'s mission for peace in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. Francisco Pereira Furtado, the Angolan minister of state and head of the security house of the president of the republic, told reporters that the Angolan mission will join the SADC forces on Aug. 6. According to the official, Angola will participate with a team of 20 officers of which two will be in the Regional Cooperation Mechanism, eight officers in the Force Command and 10 crew members for the IL-76 military transport aircraft. He said the Angolan mission will last three months and count on an initial budget of 575,500 U.S. dollars. Since 2017, the Cabo Delgado region in northern Mozambique has been experiencing terrorism actions. The Angolan official also expressed concerns towards outbreaks of terrorism in other countries in central and southern Africa, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo. "We must take into account the need for our participation in this mission, given the efforts not only that SADC countries are undertaking, but also those of other countries that do not belong to our region, such as Rwanda," he said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-10 03:48:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A grand celebration is held to mark the 30th anniversary of the Republic of Tajikistan in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Sept. 9, 2021. In honor of the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Tajikistan, a grand national procession was held in Dushanbe on Thursday. (Tajik presidential press service/Handout via Xinhua) NUR-SULTAN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- In honor of the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Tajikistan, a grand national procession was held in Dushanbe on Thursday. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon congratulated the inhabitants of the capital and the people of Tajikistan on the anniversary of state independence in the central square. "Our greatest achievement during the state's independence is peace, tranquillity, political stability, and national unity. These achievements came at a hefty price and as a result of hard work. Therefore, it is a civic duty for each of us to protect them," noted the president in his speech. After the speech, a march was held from Rudaki Avenue to Ismoili Somoni Street, in which more than 30,000 workers from various professions, students and members of educational institutions took part. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-13 17:14:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KATHMANDU, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The damaged sections of the road stretching from the Nepali capital of Kathmandu to Tatopani bordering China have been repaired and maintained, facilitating timely trade for Nepal's festival season in October. "A few days ago, we completed the repair and maintenance work at the damage site near Liping stream too. With this repair, vehicles now can move up to the border point from Kathmandu," Bijaya Kumar Mahato, an engineer at local road office, told Xinhua. The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down trade through the Tatopani-Zhangmu border point, a situation further exacerbated by the damage to the road caused by landslides and floods sparked by monsoon rains in the last three months, according to the Department of Road. While makeshift repair has been done in different locations, the section of the road washed out near Liping stream, which is very close to the border point, has remained unattended for the past three months. "Even though most importers may have already planned to use other routes to import goods from China targeting the Dashain festival, the resumption of vehicular movement may encourage other traders to choose this route," said Narad Gautam, chief officer at the Tatopani customs office. The Dashain festival, the most important festival of Nepali Hindus and Nepali people in the Hindu-majority country, will be celebrated from Oct. 7 over victory of deities over devils, followed by another Hindu festival -- Tihar, also known as the festival of lights. "The transportation fee is relatively lower compared to fare for bringing goods through the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point with China, so I have been importing goods through the Tatopani-Zhangmu border point," said Bikas Shrestha, an importer of fruits and spices from China. In the 2020-21 fiscal year that ended in mid-July, Nepal exported goods worth 1.01 billion Nepali rupees (8.67 million U.S. dollars) to China, while its imports from the northern neighbor stood at 233.92 billion rupees (1.99 billion dollars), according to Nepali central bank figures. Nepal-China trade through the Tatopani-Zhangmu border point stood at 5.84 billion rupees (49.52 million dollars) during the period, the bank said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 09:35:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Friday that the failure in Afghanistan shows that military strength alone does not work. "Military strength without the will to forge understanding, without the courage to engage in diplomacy, does not make the world more peaceful," he told the General Debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). "We need strength at the negotiating table just as we need strength in defense." Describing the fall of Kabul as a turning point in Afghanistan, he said: "We achieved our goal of defeating those who wrought horrendous terror on this city (of New York) 20 years ago. But despite immense endeavor and investment, we were not able in two decades to establish a self-sustaining political order in Afghanistan. My country also shares responsibility. And we have an ongoing responsibility, particularly toward the many Afghans who had hoped for a more peaceful, free and democratic future." Warning against pride of the West, Steinmeier said: "We need to be smarter in selecting our instruments and setting our priorities. German and European foreign policy must not restrict itself to being right and condemning others. What we need to do is extend our toolbox -- diplomatic, military, civilian, humanitarian." "And for me, being smart in turn means: less sense of mission and more openness in our endeavor to find potential solutions and common ground -- also with those who are different from us," he added. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 10:19:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WELLINGTON, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- A farmer who underfed nearly 300 cows and heifers has been fined 9,000 NZ dollars (6,300 U.S. dollars) and ordered to pay vet costs of 1,763 NZ dollars (1,234 U.S. dollars), according to a statement by New Zealand Ministry For Primary Industries on Friday. He also faces permanent restrictions on the number of animals he can own. Waikato Farmer Nigel George Rowan pleaded guilty to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act at the Hamilton District Court for underfeeding 178 milking cows, 50 dry cows and a mob of 60 heifers. In addition to the fine and costs, Rowan has been disqualified from having more than 250 cattle over the age of 6 months and 60 calves under the age of six months on the farm. The court heard that the situation could have been managed, but Rowan allowed conditions on his farm to deteriorate. Between 2018 and 2020, he received advice and a plan to improve the body condition of his animals from a number of parties, including his industry bodies and a farm consultant. Ministry For Primary Industries' Animal Welfare and NAIT Compliance Regional Manager Brendon Mikkelsen said people in charge of animals have responsibility for their welfare. "Rowan failed his animals by not taking opportunities to address the issues. Our Animal Welfare Inspectors, backed by a veterinarian, inspected all 288 cattle at the property and found the farm low on pasture," Mikkelsen said. "Supplementary feed was available but it wasn't being fed out at a level that would improve the situation for his animals." "The body weight of many of the milking mob was too low for milking and some of these animals had become emaciated, while others showed signs of stunted growth," Mikkelsen said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 11:49:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Several world leaders on Friday, the fourth day of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week, reflected on the failure of the United States and other Western countries in Afghanistan. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the failure in Afghanistan shows military strength alone does not work. "Military strength without the will to forge understanding, without the courage to engage in diplomacy, does not make the world more peaceful," he told the General Debate of the 76th session of the UNGA. "We need strength at the negotiating table just as we need strength in defense." Describing the fall of Kabul as a turning point in Afghanistan, he said: "We achieved our goal of defeating those who wrought horrendous terror on this city (of New York) 20 years ago. But despite immense endeavor and investment, we were not able in two decades to establish a self-sustaining political order in Afghanistan. My country also shares responsibility. And we have an ongoing responsibility, particularly toward the many Afghans who had hoped for a more peaceful, free and democratic future." Warning against pride of the West, Steinmeier said: "We need to be smarter in selecting our instruments and setting our priorities. German and European foreign policy must not restrict itself to being right and condemning others. What we need to do is extend our toolbox -- diplomatic, military, civilian, humanitarian." Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a pre-recorded speech, said the international community should think about what is the way ahead in Afghanistan after the Taliban retook power. "If we neglect Afghanistan right now, according to the UN, half the people of Afghanistan are already vulnerable, and by next year almost 90 percent of the people in Afghanistan will go below the poverty line. There is a huge humanitarian crisis looming ahead," Khan said. This will have serious repercussions not only for the neighbors of Afghanistan but everywhere across the world. A destabilized, chaotic Afghanistan will again become a safe haven for international terrorists -- the reason why the United States came to Afghanistan in the first place, he said, adding "we must strengthen and stabilize the current government, for the sake of the people of Afghanistan." The Taliban have promised that they will respect human rights and have an inclusive government, and will not allow their soil to be used by terrorists. And they have given amnesty, he noted. "If the world can incentivize them to go this direction, then this 20-year presence of the coalition forces in Afghanistan would not be wasted after all, because the Afghan soil would not be used by the international terrorists," Khan said. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said, "It is imperative to ensure that humanitarian aid organizations can safely deliver assistance and that human rights, especially those of women, are protected." "We will carefully monitor the actions, not words, of the Taliban, to see whether or not they will honor the commitments they have publicly announced. We will also work closely with relevant countries and organizations to that end," he said in a pre-recorded speech to the UNGA. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the current situation in Afghanistan is disturbing for the long-suffering people of Afghanistan, for the women and children, and for the international community. "We need a strong and coordinated response. The contribution at the international donor conference last week was an important step," she said. Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah also expressed concern over the situation in Afghanistan. He called on the Taliban movement and all relevant parties to exercise utmost self-restraint in order to prevent bloodshed, provide full protection to civilians, adhere to international obligations and international law, and to preserve the security and stability of the country, as well as the gains of the Afghan people in the past two decades. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: "We envision a peaceful, stable, and prosperous South Asia. We firmly believe that it is upon the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country and decide the course of the future themselves. Bangladesh stands ready to continue to work with the people of Afghanistan and the international community for its socio-economic development." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 12:29:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WELLINGTON, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's Westpac McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index rose 1.8 points in the September quarter to a level of 105.7, 2.9 points higher than the number at the end of 2019 before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Michael Gordon, the acting chief economist for Westpac, noted on Saturday that the increase was driven by another strong lift in people's perceptions of current job openings. "Even with the latest lockdown, employers are aware of the severe skill shortages that have developed in recent times and have remained in hiring mode." "Expectations for earnings growth and perceptions about job security were down in September, but only marginally," noted Gordon. "That's notable as the survey was held during a time of higher Covid Alert Levels. This indicates that workers remain optimistic about the outlook for economic conditions and the demand for labor." "Confidence amongst employees working in the public sector has risen this quarter (an increase of 6.1 points to 110.0), after a drop in the previous quarter. This compares with private sector employees whose confidence has remained almost unchanged from last quarter (a drop of 0.8 points to 104.2)," observed Imogen Rendall, Market Research Director of McDermott Miller Limited. "Concerns over job security and a more cautious view of future earnings appear to be impacting confidence of those in the private sector, while those in the public sector see the current and future job market in a more positive light," commented Rendall. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 18:01:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Three laborers were killed after inhaling toxic gas while they entered a sewage tank to clean it in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, police said Saturday. The deaths took place Friday evening at Kachni village of Singrauli district about 650 km east of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. "Preliminary investigations revealed that the trio had inhaled the toxic gas and fell unconscious inside it," a police official in Singrauli said. According to officials, the tank was being repaired and a private contractor had hired the laborers for the work. Reports said the contractor has fled from the spot after the incident and the police are looking for him. The workers had entered the tank without taking precautions or wearing proper gear. The police have registered a case against the contractor and ordered an investigation into the deaths. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 20:27:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Saturday that the COVID-19 has hit almost half of the Buddhist pagodas here in the capital city. "Yesterday, medical teams took samples from Buddhist monks and laypeople at all the pagodas in Phnom Penh for testing. As a result, COVID-19 cases had been found in almost half of the pagodas," he said in a voice message released publicly. There are 151 Buddhist pagodas in the capital city, according to the Ministry of Cults and Religions. Hun Sen said the Southeast Asian nation has more than 4,000 pagodas across the country and the samples of monks and laypeople outside Phnom Penh have not yet been collected for COVID-19 testing. COVID-19 outbreaks at pagodas occurred after Buddhists began to celebrate the 15-day traditional Pchum Ben festival, or honoring-the-dead festival, on Wednesday. In a bid to contain the spread of the virus, the government on Friday decided to suspend the festival, warning that any large gatherings at pagodas could put the country at high risk of a large-scale outbreak of COVID-19, particularly its highly contagious Delta variant. Pchum Ben festival is the second-largest traditional celebration in Cambodia after the Khmer New Year. During the celebration, devotees visit pagodas to make offerings to monks in order to dedicate to their relatives and loved ones who had passed away. They believe that everything they offer to the monks will reach their dead ancestors or relatives and in return, the dead will bless them with luck, health and wealth. Cambodia on Saturday confirmed a daily record of 816 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the national total caseload to 108,257, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said, adding that 21 more fatalities had been recorded, taking the overall death toll to 2,218. The country launched a COVID-19 vaccination drive in February. As of Sept. 24, it had administered at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines to 12.95 million people, or 80.9 percent of its 16-million population, the MoH said. Of them, 10.77 million, or 67.3 percent, had been fully vaccinated with both required shots, and 860,551, or 5.37 percent, had received a booster dose, it added. Hun Sen said vaccines alone are not enough to stop the spread of COVID-19, calling on people to continue complying with health guidelines laid down by the government, particularly the '3 do's and 3 don'ts'. The 3 do's include wearing a face mask, washing hands regularly, and maintaining physical distancing of 1.5 meters, and the 3 don'ts are avoiding confined and enclosed spaces, avoiding crowded spaces, and avoiding touching each other. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-25 22:51:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Four security personnel were killed and two others injured in a blast in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Saturday, police said. The incident took place when roadside-planted explosives hit a vehicle of paramilitary troops Frontier Corps in Harnai district of the province, police sources in the area told Xinhua. The forces' vehicle was on a routine patrol in the area when the explosion happened, said the police sources. Following the explosion, rescue teams, police and security forces rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and the injured to a nearby hospital. Police and security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to arrest the culprits. No group or individual has claimed the blast yet. Enditem IN support of ongoing efforts to control the spread of Covid-19, European Union (EU) has promised to support 20 per cent of the vaccines Zanzibar requires for its more than 1.5 million population, starting with the vulnerable groups. This follows a meeting between the EU Ambassador to Tanzania Mr Manfredo Fredo with the Zanzibar Minister for Health, Social Welfare, Elders, Gender and Children Mr Ahmed Nassor Mazrui. It was a familiarisation consultation for the new ambassador. "We discussed a lot about the EU/Zanzibar relations, in various areas of development. The EU has been supporting Zanzibar in health, agriculture, environment, and gender, among others such as supporting youth and women's getting employed, but top of the agenda now is Covid-19," Mr Mazrui briefed journalists after the meeting. He said that the EU ambassador left Zanzibar with hope that the isles will seriously maintain it commitment against the global pandemic by ensuring Zanzibaris are vaccinated and take all the required health precautions to stop Covid-19. EU's support is through COVAX programme. COVAX is a global initiative working with governments and manufacturers to ensure Covid-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lowerincome countries. The Health Minister said those required to vaccinate early include health workers, elderly persons at the age of 60+, journalists and workers in tourism business to build confidence of tourists and investors from abroad that Zanzibar is safe. Zanzibar launched its Covid-19 vaccination exercise last week with Mr Mazrui becoming the first to be vaccinated after China donated 110,000 doses of SINOVAC vaccines. "Ten thousand was received and is being used, and the consignment of the one hundred thousand is expected on Friday (July 30) from China," he said. The minister put emphasis, "I urge all people to ignore speculations and unfounded rumors about the vaccines. As long as it has been approved by the World Health Organizations (WHO), the jab is safe. Let us have it to win the war against the virus." press release The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, on Monday 23 August called for a more dynamic approach in a bid to bolster bilateral relations between The Gambia and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to another level. Foreign Minister Tangara made this assertion after receiving copies of Letters of Credence of the new Mauritanian Ambassador to The Gambia, His Excellency Sidi Mohamed Ould Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamed Radhy, who was at the Foreign Ministry to present copies of his Letters of Credence. Ambassador Mohammed is lined up to present his Letters of Credence to His Excellency President Adam Barrow. Welcoming the new Mauritanian Envoy, Minister Tangara congratulated Ambassador Mohammed on his appointment and assured him of the continuous collaboration and support of the Government of The Gambia during his tour of duty. Dr. Tangara informed Ambassador Mohammed of his open door policy whilst assuring him of strengthened bilateral relations. For his part, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to The Gambia, His Excellency Ambassador Sidi Mohamed Ould Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamed Radhy, used the opportunity to express gratitude to the President His Excellency Adama Barrow, the Government and People of The Gambia for the warm reception. He said his country is ready to explore possible areas of cooperation with The Gambia. Issued by the Communication Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad LOSE-LOSE SITUATION COURT CASES In its abuse of power and relentless efforts to disenfranchise indigenous citizens, the Kgatleng Landboard is disregarding all principles of good governance, in the process wasting government financial resources. This happens when all Government votes are dwindling due to covid and where financial prudence should be a critical priority for all Accounting Officers. The Land board is pursuing litigation that is destined for loss in any competent court and they know it. So far, the Kgatleng Landboard and its parent Ministry has LOST 2 court cases, WITH COSTS, without even making appearances or defence as they have none. In another, third case that is on-going, the Kgatleng Landboard has not made any filing or appearance at all the hearings. In all these cases, Government pays for the careless loses. All these cases will ultimately be lost with costs to Government. The pursuit of the cases is driven by deep rooted jealousy (Lefufa la Setswana), vindictive personalities and hatred to see fellow blacks excelling. The other factor is that there is no consequence for this poor management and decisions. The Land board has surrendered its powers to the management. The management manipulates facts to mislead the Board, which in turn relies on the opportunistic law firms who create a business opportunity by giving advice that will create disputes and court cases. The Executive is warned of this fraud and to take urgent action to avert reputational risk and financial loses. There is no accountability in all these mediocracies. We expect more shocking decisions in the next board seating influenced by the lawyers for the known ulterior motive. The legislators and executive are on record in this current winter parliament decrying this conduct of government officials and some law firms. THE ISSUE OF POWERS OF THE SUB LANDBOARD At the centre of the decisions and court cases is a big fat lie regarding the powers of sub land board in respect of change of land use processes. Before we deal with the powers of sub land board we need to make it clear to the incompetent management and Kgatleng Land board that sub land boards exercise delegated authority of Land boards. Clients are not privy or responsible for internal processes of boards. This is a simple principle of law known as the Law of agency. The Tribal Land Act does not limit the powers of the sub land board hence there is nowhere in the sub land board regulations or Act where the subordinate makes recommendations. In any case, the Land board operates as an appellate body. Where would clients appeal decisions if the Land board is part of decisions made by its subordinate. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Botswana Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Section 31 of the Botswana Land board policy is clear where it says "Amongst the recommendations accepted with modifications was that Land boards should remain corporate bodies responsible for land administration and that subordinate land boards be given authority to make final decisions on all land use applications" It is embarrassing that when the document they issue on a daily basis (COMMON LAW LEASE) is expressly written that the Land use can be changed with written permission of Sub Land board, the Kgatleng land board still decide to go to court to establish the legal facts. The wording of the lease is pursuant to Statutory Instrument 36 of 2013 which grants the Sub Land boards power to issue and vary common law rights. The Town and Country planning supersedes the Tribal Land Act in planning decisions. This is contrary to an unfortunate belief by Kgatleng Landboard that they have power to revoke planning decisions issued by the Kgatleng District Council. In the recent PAC meeting the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Lands was asked by the Honourable Member Mabuse Pule, what the cause of problems at the Kgatleng Landboard is, given the clear powers of Sub Landboard. The PS conceded that the Sub Landboard indeed has powers over change of land use. Her statement contradicts actions and court cases by the Land boards she oversees. This is regrettable leadership by the Permanent Secretary. It is not leadership that can drive progress and economic developments by citizens. Government officials embrace and support unlocking of value out of land when its perfomed by foreigners but greatly oppose it done by citizens. I call on and plead with the Executive in the name of the God of our forefathers to make corrective action soonest and avert the obvious. Gilbert Sesinyi- Land Activist/ Registered Land Surveyor s Tanzania joins the rest of the world today in marking International Literacy Day, plenty of questions have been swirling with regard to literacy in the country in recent decades. According to Unesco, Tanzania's current adult literacy rate is 77.89 percent, which is not bad at all, but the country has retrogressed compared to the situation in the 1970s when the literacy rates hovered around 90 percent, and were among the highest in the world. This is hardly surprising, given that surveys conducted in recent years by reputable organisations show that there are primary school leavers who cannot write their own names, let alone read a simple sentence written in Kiswahili, or solve Standard Two mathematics problems. Needless to say, these young folk turn into adults who are virtually illiterate in a few years, and become statistics that don't cast Tanzania in a particularly favourable light when it comes to literacy. So, where did we drop the ball? First, the fact that we have Standard Seven finalists who cannot read or write speaks volumes about the quality of our primary education. It is alarming, to say the very least, when the seven years that are supposed to comprise the foundation of the lives of a sizeable number of our children turn out to be a complete waste of time and resources. It is an irrefutable fact that primary education in Tanzania is not what it used to be. There is also the matter of adult literacy classes. These are now virtually non-existent, in stark contrast to the first two decades or so of Tanzania's independence. Adult literacy classes played a pivotal role in pushing up literacy levels, and making Tanzania a shining example in Africa. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Education By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. While it may not be possible to reintroduce 1970s-style adult literacy classes, Tanzania needs to find a way to improve the literacy skills of people who miss out on formal education. Technology can play a key role in making this endeavour a success. TIME TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX Local government authorities' dependence on the Treasury for expenditure funds is currently estimated to be between 80 to 90 per cent. Traditional revenue streams such as property tax, service levies and other forms of taxes that were formerly being collected by local governments are currently under the central government's control. As a result, local governments have become overly dependent on the Treasury for developmental projects. In order to be self-sustaining, local authorities should think outside the box and initiate development projects that will act as a revenue source, an alternative that will help boost their economies and also help cut back on the heavy dependence on the central government. Due to the squeeze in funding from local sources, local governments need to be more creative in looking for alternative revenue streams. However, they should avoid imposing taxes that are considered a nuisance. The Strategic Revenue Project, which was rolled out in the 2017/2018 financial year, should be fully utilised in order to enable local governments to run their affairs without depending too much on funding from the central government. Tanzania has secured a grant amounting to 25 million Euros (about 68bn/-) to support a project on sustainable natural resource and ecological sustainability development. The financing agreement has been reached by the government of Tanzania and Germany through its KfW Development Bank. Speaking after signing the agreement in Dar es Salam yesterday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Mr Emmanuel Tutuba, said the fund will be used for conserving natural resource in Serengeti National Park. He said the funding will also be used for sustainable natural resource and ecological management of the Katavi-Mahale corridor. "The Serengeti project is anticipated to contribute in the socio-economic development of the people as well as to sustainably manage the natural resource in Bariadi, Bunda, Serengeti and Ngorongoro districts. "On the other hand, the Katavi-Mahale corridor project focuses on natural resource management, while improving the livelihoods of the people, proper land use and issuance of customary title deeds," said Mr Tutuba. The PS also revealed that a sum of 21.7bn/- will be spent on developing and conserving natural resources in the Serengeti, and 46.1bn/- will cover the project for sustainable natural resource and ecological management of the Katavi-Mahale corridor. Monrovia Liberian President Dr. George Manneh Weah has challenged leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to take seriously the issue of adherence to constitutional term limits to avoid political and security upheavals in the sub-region. President Weah asserted that if the manipulation of constitutional terms is sternly discouraged by ECOWAS, the region could be spared the agony of military coups. "While we are condemning these military coups, we must also muster the courage to look into what is triggering these unconstitutional takeovers," he said. "Could it be that we are not honoring our political commitments to respect the term limits of our various constitutions," the Liberian leader queried. Addressing the extraordinary summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government held virtually on Wednesday to discuss the situation in neighboring Guinea and Mali, President Weah reminded his colleagues of Liberia's zero-tolerance for military coups, recounting how Liberia is still reeling from such unconstitutional ascendency to power. President Weah said Liberia as a notable member of the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS aligns its position on Guinea and Mali to the position of these multilateral bodies that support ECOWAS' Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. He, however, called for a more coordinated and all-embracing mediation strategy for Guinea, saying the inclusion of all the major stakeholders is paramount so as not to repeat the missteps of Mali. President Weah then offered Liberia's willingness to be a part of the ECOWAS Mediation Team for Guinea, saying Liberia is well-placed to be included given the socio-cultural relations and geographic proximity that both countries share. Meanwhile, ECOWAS has unequivocally reiterated its condemnation of the coup and will immediately dispatch a high-level mediation team to Conakry to examine the political, social, and humanitarian situations. ECOWAS also called for the immediate and unconditional release of President Alpha Conde and all others detained in relation to the military takeover. The regional bloc cautioned the coup leaders of the CNRD that they will be held individually and collectively responsible for the safety and well-being of President Conde and others who were also detained. Guinea has now been immediately suspended from the regional body and all its subsidiaries, pending the restoration of democratic rule to that West African nation. A military parade in Conakry on September 6, 2021, the day after a military coup in the country. The Authority of Heads of State and Government of regional group Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Guinea from all ECOWAS governing bodies with immediate effect, voicing its unreserved opposition to the military junta's overthrow of President Alpha Conde's government last Sunday, 5 September 2021. The Authority took the decision during an extraordinary session convened via videoconference Wednesday, 8 September, announcing plans to immediately dispatch a high-level ECOWAS mission to Guinea to assess the situation there. "[The] Authority will review the situation in light of developments in the Republic of Guinea and the Assessment mission report," a final communique from the extraordinary session said. Led by army Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, members of Guinea's Special Forces captured President Conde in a coup Sunday over claims of his alleged disrespect for democratic principles, corruption, and tampering with the constitution, among others as factors for the uprising. The junta carried out the coup while Prof. Conde was serving a third presidential term he won after changing the constitution months before elections were held in Guinea, amidst violence in the country and resistance from citizens opposed to the move. But the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS reaffirms its unreserved opposition to any political change by unconstitutional means and condemns, in the strongest terms, this coup. It demands respect for the physical safety of President Conde, and his immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of all arrested persons. Meanwhile, the Authority calls on the African Union and the United Nations to endorse decisions it has taken and are stated in its final communique. "The Authority expresses deep concern over the political developments in the Republic of Guinea following the coup d'etat of 5 September 2021 and their consequences for regional peace and stability," the communique reveals. The Authority holds the coup plotters, under the aegis of the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development (CNRD), individually and collectively responsible for the physical safety of President Alpha Conde and the arrested persons. It calls for the immediate return to constitutional order and demands that the Defence and Security Forces maintain a constitutional posture. The Heads of State and Government express their solidarity with the people of Guinea and affirm their determination to take every necessary action for the restoration of constitutional order in Guinea, in conformity with the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. On the political transition in the Republic of Mali, the Authority considered the report by the Mediator, former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, on his mission to Mali from 5 to 7 September 2021. The mission reviewed the transition process and, particularly, the progress made in the preparations for the election scheduled to be held in February 2022. The Authority welcomes the relative calm observed in the country and takes note of the renewed commitment of the transitional authorities to respect the planned duration of the transition period. The Authority also takes note of the lifting of the restrictive measures imposed on the former President of the Transition, Bah N'Daw, and the former Prime Minister, Mr. Moctar Ouane. It calls on the Chair of the Authority to remain seized of the matter and of the conditions of detention of former senior government officials, particularly, the former Prime Minister, Mr. Boubeye Maiga, a person of advanced age. The Authority expressed great concern over the lack of progress in the preparations for the different election-related activities scheduled for the end of February 2022, in accordance with the decisions of the Authority. It urged the Transitional Government to draw up rapidly, a timetable detailing the calendar, reforms, and priority actions to be undertaken, including the consensual definition of the legal framework for the elections, the preparation of the voters' list, and the choice of the body to conduct the elections. The Authority insisted on adherence to the agreed electoral timetable. The Authority reaffirmed ECOWAS' commitment to supporting the Republic of Mali for a successful transition and called on multilateral and bilateral partners to continue to support the transition process, particularly in the preparations for the elections. In this connection, the Authority congratulated the Mediator and urged him to continue his efforts for a successful transition in Mali. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines West Africa Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The Heads of State and Government express their deep gratitude to Ghana's President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for his leadership of the Community. Present at the videoconference summit were Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore; Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara; The Gambia President Adama Barrow; Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; Guinea Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Liberian President George Manneh Weah. Niger President Mohamed Bazoum; Senegalese President Macky Sall; Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio; Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe; Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Benin Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Aurelien Agbenonci and Cabo Verde Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration Rui Alberto de Figueiredo Soares were also at the extraordinary session. Further, the session was attended by ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou; African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat; and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa Mahamat Saleh Annadif. analysis The recent eruption of Sinophobia in the national media has been a shameful illustration of the weakness of our public sphere. We need to do better. In "Seven Centuries of Slander", an essay in the current issue of The New York Review, Sarah Lipton reviews two significant new books on the history of anti-Semitism. She concludes that they offer the same lesson: "The well of gullibility has to be primed through frequent repetition, especially with the backing of seemingly authoritative sources." This places a particular responsibility on socially authorised forms of making public meaning, in particular those that, like the media and the academy, present themselves as operating in the public interest. In South Africa, journalism, like the academy, is frequently animated by a strong sense of its own virtue. Both professions often claim to make meaning for wider society from an elevated position outside of the everyday ignorance and prejudice of society. There are people who approach this work as a vocation rather than a career. There is courage, tenacity, brilliance and flair. There has been and will continue to be work of extraordinary import, and work that while not given much notice, performs the essential day-to-day labour that keeps the public sphere in motion. But there is a difference between taking on the responsibilities of a public vocation and collapsing into narcissism, which is always a form of blindness. Those of us who are given or assume the right to make public meaning through socially authorised institutions always need to be mindful of our limits, and those of the organisations and institutions in and through which we work. All academic work and journalism emerges from within particular social contexts and, across space and time, is most often an expression of the dominant ideas in those contexts, including their prejudices and ignorance. This is often masked to some degree in publications of high standing, but in many countries, right-wing tabloids are unashamed to explicitly spew rank hatred. British newspapers The Guardian and the Daily Mail are both deeply invested in the idea of Western superiority, but they express it in very different ways. Great writers and thinkers move beyond the constraints of their socialisation, opening new vistas of thought and perception. And from time to time, specific publications have golden periods in which they do the same. But these are the exceptions. Factual errors In South Africa, the public sphere has particular weaknesses. A record of public dishonesty, or even participation in wild conspiracy theory, is not always a barrier to access to the appearance of academic and journalistic credibility. Anyone personally familiar with matters that receive academic and media attention will know that articles without multiple errors of fact are rare. In the media, the first few lines of Wikipedia entries appear in articles with dispiriting regularity. In the academy, peer review often means little more than that two people with similar assumptions and prejudices to the author have read a piece before publication. But the weaknesses of our public sphere go beyond a systemic lack of seriousness with regard to empirical rigour. The enduringly colonial structure of our society means that race and class intersect in a way that produces a systemic disregard for the full and equal humanity of impoverished Black people. This is the point at which our authorised institutions for making public meaning most consistently fail to adhere to credible ethical and empirical standards. It is, therefore, both striking and revealing that the code of ethics adopted by the Press Council asserts that the right to free expression is not extended to advocating hatred on the grounds of "race, ethnicity, gender or religion", but says nothing at all about class. It is also telling that there is no mention of xenophobia, a form of prejudice that is often rank in our media. People with South African citizenship are habitually referred to as "foreign nationals", and criminal conduct is frequently described in terms of nationality when it is carried out by people not deemed to be South African. The dominant assumptions in a society, or more specifically in the middle-class space from within which journalists and academics work, carry real weight. It is not easy to consistently operate independently of the gravity of that weight. When New Frame launched a little over three years ago, we set high standards for ourselves, and talented and committed people have invested huge intellectual and professional energy in working to ensure that we meet those standards. But there are areas in which the weight of certain kinds of social consensus drag us away from what is ethical and empirically credible. One example is that we have sometimes struggled to engender sufficient critical distance from the drive to misrepresent complex social problems in the crude and reductive language of criminality. We once published an article on the heroin epidemic that presented addiction, a way of coping with profound pain, in terms of personal criminality rather than social crisis. We have even repeated the ridiculous and profoundly anti-impoverished claim that whoonga and nyaope are made, in part, from antiretroviral medication. We published an article that, eliding the social context, implicitly ascribed the July riots to an outbreak of mass criminality. Recently, we caught a telling error in an article before it went to print. The article dealt with American military bases in Africa. It made no mention of China having a military presence on the continent. The wider facts are that the United States has 30 bases in Africa (32, if a more expansive definition of a base is used) while China has one. Yet the blurb for the article read: "The military presence of the US on the continent is second only to China." If Sigmund Freud was correct about errors in speech sometimes having unconscious roots, this error in writing may perhaps be an unconscious expression of a world view. We published a piece in 2020 on the Covid-19 lockdown in Wuhan that, following the language of Donald Trump's more deranged supporters, referred to China as "the beast from the East", a reference to the demonic beast in Revelations. It situated the writer, and our audience, as the "West" with China as a fundamentally alien presence. It carried noxious stereotypes about Chinese people familiar to anyone who grew up reading English children's fiction such as the Biggles novels. When we have caught slips, we have swiftly corrected them, sought to reflect on them and strategised about how to avoid making them again. But the fact is that we made these mistakes. A Sinophobic turn Crude Sinophobia has been a standard feature of much of the Western press in recent years, and much of the media across Africa too. Paranoia about the "yellow peril" has a long history in Europe and its settler colonies, including South Africa. It has ebbed and flowed over the years, but rapidly escalated when Covid-19 was first identified in Wuhan. Trump infamously gave a virus a national character, referring to "kung flu" and the "China virus". Newspapers in Australia and Canada ran headlines shrieking about the "yellow peril". People identified as Chinese were subject to discrimination and street violence, something that continues even in a city as cosmopolitan as New York. As Joe Biden persists with the new Cold War between the US and China begun by Trump, Sinophobia is escalating, marked by increasing violence in the US against people identified as Chinese. In countries such as Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo, media coverage of corporate labour and environmental abuses has given capital a national character in a way that is not done with, say, Australian or Canadian firms, resulting in intense hostility to people identified as Chinese. The South African media has also taken an increasingly Sinophobic turn. This is not a new development. John Matshikiza wrote a profoundly prejudicial article in the Mail & Guardian in 2007, warning the newspaper's readers to be "terrified" and "scared" of "hard-core Chinese" migrants. Online publication News24 published an article on 1 September said to be based on a leaked report from the State Security Agency (SSA), stating that there was a "high likelihood" that ANC member of Parliament Xiaomei Havard was spying for the Chinese state. The SSA moved rapidly to rubbish the report, with the deputy minister of security saying that there are actors "who are deliberately and intensely peddling false information through disinformation and misinformation". This is something that has happened repeatedly in the past and done serious damage to the reputations of people and institutions, as well as the credibility of the media. The Independent Panel Report Inquiry into Media Ethics and Credibility, commissioned by the South African National Editors Forum and released in January 2021, was clear that the findings of its investigation into media ethics provided "important lessons to be learned about the strengths and weaknesses of SA media". It noted that this included "uncritical repetition of agendas, perpetuating concepts without interrogating them, lack of nuance, very limited search for and understanding of complexity, and lack of engagement with subtexts". In a context in which the media have repeatedly been played by "reports" and "dossiers", as well as anonymous "open letters" and so on, it should always be understood that "leaks" of this nature are highly likely to be aimed at shaping media coverage, and highly likely to be empirically incorrect. Great caution should be exercised. Yet in the News24 article, Havard is presented as "highly likely" to be a spy without any credible evidence provided to support this assertion. The article also carries a clear implication that all Chinese people in South Africa should be suspected of acting as spies. No counter-views are given, and no Chinese South Africans are asked for their views. An entire category of people is slandered. This slander is formally expressed in national terms, but was widely understood in racial terms. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Media Asia, Australia, and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Mistakes happen It is well known that the US has agents operating around the world, and that its Central Intelligence Agency works through its embassies and organisations such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAid). Yet it is difficult to imagine that a US-born person or current citizen occupying a position in public life in South Africa would be treated the same way as Havard, let alone that all people identified as American would be presented as potential spies. A person with a connection to USAid, as many academics and non-governmental organisation people have, is not assumed to be a spy. It is difficult not to conclude that this double standard is both racial and racist. Jonathan Shapiro, whose work appears under the Zapiro moniker, published a crudely racist cartoon featuring Havard and titled "Not so secret agent" in online publication the Daily Maverick on 5 September. Havard is a South African citizen and so the image of her emerging from a box emblazoned with the insignia of the Chinese state and a "Made in China" label is simply xenophobic. It, along with the title of the cartoon, suggests agreement with the entirely unsubstantiated claim that she is a spy. Her facial features are drawn in an exaggerated way to make her "Chinese" in a way that is clearly racist. There is also the kind of red-baiting trope that anti-communist cartooning used all the time - we should remember the politics of The Manchurian Candidate film. The colours of the ANC are black, green and yellow, but in the cartoon it is yellow that overwhelmingly dominates Havard's dress. Given that referring to people identified as Chinese as "yellow" is widely understood to be a racial designation and a racial slur, this is a gesture that can only be read as racial and racist. In terms of the claim of corruption made in the cartoon, it should not be necessary to say that if Havard is corrupt, and if she did buy a place in Parliament, this would be because she is a corrupt individual and not because she was born in China. Noting all this is not an exercise in self-righteous finger-pointing. There is no publication, including our own, that does not make mistakes, and that never gives in to the weight of the prejudices of wider society. The point is that we all need to work with humility and care, always trying to be as mindful as we can of the weight of society pushing against our work. And after this week and last, it is clear that we must include the Sinophobia that festers across Africa and Euro-America as one of the issues that requires scrupulous collective reflection as we undertake our work. As the country is slowly opening up, Tsumeb will be treated to a night of good Jazz sounds tomorrow. The first-ever festival will be held at Lilly's Pub in the heart of the copper town. Tickets are going for N$150 in advance, while a N$250 fee is payable at the gate. The event will be hosted by Salt and Light Namibia, with performances by Nasim, Arthur, Water and Suzy Eises, among others. "The festival will not leave the guests hungry, as there will be an opportunity to taste Salt and Light's cuisines. As the spring season is starting, our approach to this event is to add colour to our beautiful town by bringing one of the most respected and celebrated music genres in the world to Tsumeb. We have curated a lineup of local talent that music lovers will enjoy," said Alina Garises, founder and managing director of Salt and Light Namibia. Garises further emphasised the importance of observing all health and safety protocols, such as technology solutions, safe food and beverages handling, social distancing and the wearing of masks at the event. "As the world is opening again, it is important to remain vigilant. For instance, we encourage music lovers to purchase e-tickets in advance. Furthermore, we opted for an outdoor event with advance space, as the event will be hosted at Lilly's Pub in Tsumeb, a more than a hectare premises, which will create a good in-person experience while observing social distancing." With regards to food, Garises said they will provide pre-packed meals with minimal touch, using serving equipment that attendees can grab and go. Salt and Light Namibia is an infant company, having started operations in March this year. It is currently an online driven business that offers delicious food, a selection of books and breath-taking blooms. "It is a company birthed to provide innovative solutions with a view to make meaningful contributions to the development of people in the community and country it operates." Police in Ntchisi have launched a manhunt for criminals who have exhumed the body of a person with albinism, James Nyama, and have made away with his bones. Nyama was 1921 and died on December 6, 2018, in the area of Traditional Authority Vuso Jere in the district. His grave was tampered with on the night of September 8, 2021. The resurgence of exhumation of body tissues for persons with albinism (PWA), either dead or alive, has created fear among the PWA community in the country. Apparently, the exhumation of Nyama's bones comes barely a few days after some people killed a man with albinism in Blantyre, Ian Muhama. Association for Persons with Albinism (APAM) president, Ian Simbota, said it is unfortunate that persons with albinism are being treated like second class citizens in Malawi. Simbota said such an uncalled for behaviour must never be tolerated in Malawi. "It is worrisome that even in death persons with albinism have no rest for unknown criminal gangs go and hunt them," he said. Simbota called upon the Government of Malawi to ensure that persons with albinism are protected at all levels. He further reminded the State President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and Tonse Alliance Partners to stick to their campaign promises and the memorandum of understanding (MoU) the parties signed with APAM in 2019 through Center for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) that they will see to it that the rights of persons with albinism are promoted, protected and defended at all levels. Recently, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) national coordinator and staunch human rights defender, Boniface Chibwana, said he is baffled and frustrated with the resurgence of attacks, abductions and killings of persons with albinism. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Malawi Legal Affairs Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Chibwana said he is even worried that both the National Technical Committee on Abuse of Persons with Albinism in Malawi and the Commissions of Inquiry, which the immediate former President Peter Mutharika constituted to investigate the root cause of the vice, have not made their findings public three and two years after they were instituted, respectively. "There have been several studies, yet up to now, there have never been study findings that have been submitted to the President. And yet we spend a lot of money on these studies. As CCJP, we believe if we can establish, through the studies we have been conducting, the market for body parts of persons with albinism," he said. Chibwana was reacting to the abduction and gruesome murder of a 26-year-old person with albinism, Dyton Mussa, in Mangochi last weekend and an attack on a girl with albinism in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kawinga in Machinga. Mussa's dismembered body was laid to rest in Kadewere Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chowe in Mangochi where he hailed. Chibwana said that the recent crimes perpetrated against PWAs in Mangochi and Machinga have demonstrated that Malawi is far from achieving full protection of PWAs' right to life. "CCJP believes in the sanctity of life and that every life matters and it doesn't matter whose life it is, but every life in this country must matter. And when we have deliberate killing of people with albinism, it's a matter of huge concern to CCJP," he said. Exactly 63 years ago, on September 13, 1958, Ruben Um Nyobe was shot by the French army. Perpetrated in the context of a "secret war" that Paris has never recognized, the assassination of this nationalist activist is now mobilizing Cameroonians. Through this anniversary, they are commemorating tens of thousands of victims of the colonial power, who have never been recognized either. "After having shot him in his forest hideout, France and its Central African henchmen also wanted to kill him in the hearts of Cameroonians. But they did not succeed," says activist Andre Blaise Essama of Ruben Um Nyobe. This Cameroonian independence fighter was killed precisely 63 years ago by the French army. When Essama was a child, the name of this hero was evoked in the greatest secrecy. But today, against all odds, the memory of Um Nyobe has come out of hiding - to the great displeasure of the current regime of Paul Biya, whom Essama and other Cameroonian activists accuse of being a "servant" of France. From farmer's son to militant nationalist Um Nyobe was born in 1913 in Bassa country, in the south of Cameroon, which was under German occupation at the time. His mother and father were small farmers. After the German defeat at the end of the First World War, the new League of Nations (predecessor to the United Nations) gave France and the United Kingdom a mandate to administer Cameroon. After his studies in Presbyterian schools in French Cameroon, Um Nyobe became a civil servant. He became known as a trade unionist before creating, in 1948 in Douala, the Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC), a nationalist party. The UPC campaigned for the reunification of the country, independence and social justice. Very quickly, he became the undisputed leader of Cameroonian nationalism. He began to be called the Mpodol ("spokesman for his people" in the Bassa language). "Ruben Um Nyobe has an almost mythical, extremely powerful aura. He is a key figure in the struggle for Cameroon's independence, the lynchpin, a thinker, an outstanding organizer, a unifier of absolute integrity," explains French journalist Thomas Deltombe, co-author with Manuel Domergue and Jacob Tatsitsa of the book "Kamerun! A Hidden War at the Origins of Francafrique (1948-1971)". "He enjoys immense respect from his compatriots, and his qualities are recognized in the confidential reports of the French colonial administration and police. He is the most emblematic figure of the UPC." In 1955, a new High Commissioner, Roland Pre, arrived in Cameroon, determined to put an end to the UPC and to Um Nyobe, whose charisma was disturbing. Barely after Pre's arrival, social unrest shook Cameroon, causing several deaths. The French government used this as a pretext to ban the UPC on July 13, 1955. Um Nyobe went into hiding in a forest in his native region. And the colonial administration swore to find and kill him. The hunt began. Body immersed in concrete "His hideout was spotted around September 13, 1958. During the hunt, Um Nyobe's companions were arrested. Under torture, some of them told the French army where he was. On September 13, 1958, he was shot by a unit of auxiliaries commanded by a French officer," recounts Cameroonian historian Jacob Tatsitsa in an interview with Justice Info. In his book "La naissance du maquis dans le Sud-Cameroun," (Birth of the Resistance in southern Cameroon), Cameroonian philosopher Achille Mbembe describes this killing, which he says took place in the early morning. "The soldiers, including a Chadian conscript, Sara Abdoulaye, were firing in all directions. The trackers did not recognize Um Nyobe at first. (... ) It was then that one of the guides pointed him out to the troops. Abdoulaye fired and hit him from behind. Um Nyobe collapsed, dropping a briefcase containing some documents and notebooks in which he had written down his dreams, and he died with a groan. Before being buried, his body was immersed in a concrete block. By disfiguring the corpse, they wanted to destroy the individuality of his body and reduce it to a shapeless and unrecognizable mass." The ultimate goal, Deltombe adds, was to "root out the idea of independence from the very minds of Cameroonians". The assassination of Um Nyobe did not, however, mean the death of the Cameroonian independence movement, even if "it dealt it a heavy blow and demobilized some of the fighters," says Tatsitsa. Paris stooge Ahmadou Ahidjo defeats the UPC insurgents After getting rid of the main pro-independence leader, France granted independence to Cameroon on January 1, 1960. Elections were held in May the same year, while in the Bassa and Bamileke regions the French army continued to repress UPC militants. Ahmadou Ahidjo, a protege of Paris, took advantage of this situation and became the first president of the Republic of Cameroon following massive electoral fraud. The UPC then launched an armed insurrection that was put down by Ahidjo with the help of French military advisors. According to the book "Kamerun! Une guerre cachee aux origines de la Francafrique", it was French officers who secretly directed the operations by the new Cameroonian army against the insurgents. A range of methods were used: torture, forced regrouping of the population, extrajudicial executions, psychological warfare and poisoning. Nationalist leaders were killed not only in Cameroon but also in exile. Returning to the country to coordinate the insurrection from within, Ernest Ouandie, a fellow fighter of Um Nyobe, was arrested in 1970, tried and sentenced to death. He was executed on January 15, 1971. Crimes never recognized by France Because of the strategic secrecy maintained by France around this conflict, it is difficult to give a human toll. British archives mention 76,000 deaths between 1954 and 1964. On a visit to Cameroon in 2009, Francois Fillon, then French Prime Minister, declared without flinching: "I absolutely deny that French forces participated in any way in the assassinations in Cameroon. All this is pure invention." On July 3, 2015, after a meeting with Paul Biya, in Yoaunde, the French head of state Francois Hollande took a first timid step, responding to the press. "On the question of history, it is true that there have been extremely tormented and even tragic episodes, since after independence there was repression in the Maritime Sanaga and in Bamileke country," he said. The word "war" was subtly avoided. However, 63 years after Um Nyobe's assassination, the traces of this bloody repression are still visible. "I have met survivors who still suffer from pathologies linked to the torture they underwent" in the hands of the French army, says Tatsitsa. "The Bassa region is still isolated, a kind of punishment for its lack of submission to the French army." For the Cameroonian historian, France must make reparation: "Just as the British compensated the Mau-Mau fighters (in Kenya), France should compensate the UPC fighters and make economic and cultural investments in the areas concerned, as a form of collective reparation." Theophile Nono, secretary general of the Memoire 60 collective, notes, however, that there is "not yet a structured movement that demands reparations in an official way". Eclipsed by the Algerian war For Deltombe, the war in Cameroon was overshadowed by "a combination of different factors. First France, to which the United Nations had granted trusteeship over Cameroon, had to conceal the massive repression because it was illegal under international law and contravened the trusteeship agreements signed with the UN in 1946". Then there was "the fact that it coincided with the Algerian war, which monopolized the attention" of French public opinion and media. Finally, the defeat of the nationalists itself contributed to this concealment, and the authorities of independent Cameroon continued the work of annihilating the UPC, by prohibiting any reference to Um Nyobe and his companions in the struggle". Cameroonian Tiemeni Sigankwe, a researcher at the National Education Centre, agrees with this analysis. "This episode is little known because all those who fought for reunification and independence were eliminated or dismissed. Today, in school history curricula, little is devoted to these nationalists. At one point, it was even forbidden to talk about the UPC, and mentioning the people who fought for independence was considered a subversive act." Under current President Biya, who has been in power since 1982, it was not until December 1991 that the first law was passed to "rehabilitate great figures of Cameroon's history who have disappeared and who have worked for the birth of national sentiment, independence or construction of the country, promotion of its history and culture". The law mentions Ruben Um Nyobe and Ernest Ouandie... but also Ahmadou Ahidjo. Family, friends and admirers of Um Nyobe then rushed into this breach, erecting in 2007 a monument to the memory of their hero in Eseka village in Bassa country, which was the independence leader's native land. But, according to the Cameroonian media, the government was not represented at the inauguration on June 22, 2007, although it was duly invited. "The rehabilitation law has not been translated into reality," says Sigankwe. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Cameroon Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Cameroonians were expecting a concrete gesture for the 50th anniversary of independence on January 1, 2010. But, as Sigankwe points out, "in his speech, President Paul Biya referred to those who fought for independence, but without mentioning a single name". Today, mentioning the war of independence and its heroes is no longer a subversive act. But the government has other weapons at its disposal, as Theophile Nono, secretary general of the Memory 60 collective, testifies: "Our association was created in 2010, but the administration refuses to recognize us because our objective is to promote the duty to remember the struggle for the reunification and independence of Cameroon." Essama's activist crusade Activist Essama does not need this recognition to act. For the past ten years, he has been on a crusade against the symbols of colonialism that still stand in the country, especially in Douala. "The decolonization of public spaces is an imperative, destroying the monuments of the colonists is an act of public health. To each people its heroes, to each nation its pride," he told Justice Info. His first target was the statue of General Philippe Leclerc, considered in France to be a hero of the Second World War. Essama wanted to replace it with a monument to the memory of Um Nyobe. After toppling the statue of the French general in 2003, he decapitated it several times, for which he spent time in prison. After restoring the statue's head each time, the Douala authorities finally sealed it off and assigned guards to secure it. Essama says he has now given up attacking statues in favour of a campaign with his group, Essama Hoo Haa, for the erection of monuments to Cameroonian and African heroes. In the streets of Douala, "the fighter", a colourful character, rides his bicycle decorated with the colours of Cameroon and with a banner on the front in memory of Um Nyobe. To commemorate the assassination of his hero, Essama has announced that his group will show a documentary this week featuring relatives of the nationalist who are still alive, including his children and two wives. "The authorities will not be able to stop our movement," he says. opinion The presence of ECOMIG in The Gambia is a matter of international agreement under the purview of Section 79(1)(c) of the Constitution which requires the National Assembly's prior approval. In 2017, when ECOWAS decided to deploy their forces into The Gambia there was no approval from the National Assembly because the term of Pres. Jammeh elapsed and the National Assembly at that time was in cahoots with him to flout the Constitution. Therefore, the National Assembly led by Abdoulie Bojang as Speaker and Fabakary Tombong Jatta as Majority Leader with the majority APRC NAMs, was a rogue parliament. By that time, the National Assembly had already imposed an unconstitutional state of emergency to illegally extend the term of both the President and the Assembly itself. Consequently, the international community, including AU and ECOWAS could not have obtained a mandate to send troops in the Gambia to protect constitutionality because the lawful authority of the Gambia was in exile. But in line with the international principle of responsibility to protect, and to protect international peace and security as per the UN Charter, as well as the AU and ECOWAS charters on governance, democracy and elections against unconstitutional change of government through stealing elections, there was ground for international community to deploy foreign forces to protect the verdict of the people and ensure constitutionalism. But what was required when normalcy was restored and the constitutional authority was in place, (in this case Pres. Adama Barrow and his Government), everything should be put in line with the Constitution. This means, henceforth if ECOMIG is to stay ever more in this country, Pres. Barrow should seek the expressed approval of the National Assembly to legalize and legitimize the presence of ECOMIG. This was never done. Not only has Pres. Barrow failed to do what is constitutional, but the National Assembly has also decided to ride along with him. Therefore in 2020 Barrow went to ECOWAS to seek an extension of ECOMIG presence on Gambian soil until December 2021 without any approval from the parliament, who did not also object until today! It should be clear to all that the continued presence of ECOMIG on this land is utterly unconstitutional. Do not listen to the disgusting narratives of the Government Spokesman Ebrima Sankareh and NPP surrogates who try to rationalise this unconstitutionality just to mislead and aid and abet wrongdoing by the President. The fact is, the Gambia does not need foreign troops under the current circumstances. If there is, let the President tell citizens why that is the case. The claim that there are loyalists of the Tinpot Dictator in the army is true, but they do not pose any threat to the peace and stability of this country. If so, we would have seen armed response from those loyalists when 8 soldiers were arrested, detained, tried and convicted for nine years for planning to overthrow the Government in 2019. But none of that happened. This shows that even if there are Jammeh loyalists, they do not have capacity to change anything, with or without the presence of ECOMIG. After all, Jammeh loyalists are in the State House. They are in the National Assembly. They are in the Judiciary. They are in public offices at both central and local levels. They are in the army, police, intelligence and in each and every security agency. In fact, Jammeh's party APRC is still a legally registered political entity with supporters across the country. But do these people pose any threat? Let the President and his CDS and IGP and DG NIA tell us how Jammeh loyalists are a threat. After all, if indeed Jammeh loyalists pose a threat it is because Pres. Barrow has given them the oxygen to become a threat. By his poor leadership and undermining transitional justice process and jumping into bed with Jammeh Enablers everywhere, Barrow has served Yaya Jammeh and APRC more than he has served the Gambia since he took office. By his actions, Barrow has actively empowered, encouraged, strengthened and resuscitated APRC and Jammeh loyalists from dying, naturally! His failure to ensure effective and robust security sector and civil service reforms; his failure to support a draft constitution; his failure to support and defend victims; his failure to speak up against impunity and support accountability, means Barrow has become the number one lifeline for Yaya Jammeh, APRC and impunity in this country. Therefore, why should the Gambia need foreign forces here when Barrow is already in bed with Jammeh and his loyalists? All Gambians must rise up to demand that ECOMIG forces leave our shores. We appreciate their mission to remove Jammeh which was beautifully accomplished in January 2017. Since then, they are no more here to serve the Gambia but Adama Barrow and by extension, that same Yaya Jammeh. Therefore, it is also in ECOWAS' and ECOMIG's best interest that they leave now because the presence of their troops is now becoming an unbearable liability to Gambian citizens. The frequent incidents of violence, abuse and general misconduct committed by their soldiers in various communities are reaching boiling point! Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Gambia Peacekeeping By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Above all, the presence of ECOMIG is the single most leading cause for the delay and the derailment of the necessary security sector reforms, hence the democratic transformation of this country. Because of this challenge, security agencies remain in abnormal circumstances while Barrow refuses to follow good governance principles, which pose a clear and direct threat to national security. Thus, the effect of ECOMIG presence is adversely huge, thereby highlighting the irresponsible nature of this President in failing to stand up to defend the best interest of the country. The truth is, Pres. Barrow has no authority to bring and keep foreign forces in the Gambia all by himself, hence ECOMIG has no mandate to be in the Gambia. For The Gambia Our Homeland press release NOTICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC The General Public will recall that on the 13th August, 2021, the President of the Transport Union issued a notice of industrial action (sit-down strike) by members of his union slated for the 13th September, 2021 unless government fulfilled their demands by the scheduled date. The Union demanded six points as follows; Identification and allocation of additional garages nation-wide Harmonized and standardized Afrique Pessage operations in The Gambia with their operations in Senegal Reduction of Toll Crossing fees at Senegambia bridge Approval of GTU proposed general transport tariff increasement by 30% Re-introduction of queuing system for transit goods at the Gambia Ports Authority Full operationalization of the inter-state road transport permit (ISTP) by removing blockage at Karang of Gambian commercial passenger vehicle to Senegal The following day 14th August 2021, His Excellency the President directed for an urgent meeting with the members of Union to look into their demand and amicably find a lasting solution to the union's requests. Several meetings, field visits, inspections were made with active participation of the union executive under the leadership of the Secretary General & Head of the Civil Service. Government is happy to report that the consensus and agreement were mutually reached on the following points: Identification and allocation of additional garages nation-wide: Garage Sites were identified, surveyed, demarcated and allocated to municipal councils in the following local government areas and for some being processed for allocation: Banjul The Bund Road Truck Terminal layout area confirmed, sketched and ready for formal allocated to Banjul Area Council Kanifing Municipal Council Farup, site behind Mobile Police - Private Property- being process for allocation to KMC Abuko Truck Garage - Demarcated and ready for formal allocation to KMC West Coast Region Coastal Layout - Allocated to BAC Salagi Layout Car Park, - Allocated to BAC Burusubi Face I- Allocated to BAC Burusubi Face II - Allocated to BAC Tanjeh - site almost ready - being processed for allocation to BAC Sotokoi Layout - Allocated to BAC Nemasu Layout - Allocated to BAC North Bank Region Essau - Allocated to KAC Maka-farafenni, Allocated to KAC farafenni Layout - being processed for allocation to KAC Konjo - Allocated to KAC Lower River Region Soma Opposite the new market - being processed for allocation to MKAC 2.Harmonized and standardized Afrique Pessage operations in The Gambia with their operations in Senegal The axle load weighing Tariff is harmonized and the Afri Pesage equipment at Bereto weighing station is inspected by both Standard Bureau and the Comptroller of Weight and Measure. The Comptroller have also verified the scale and certify that the scale is good order. A certificate is being process to that effect. Representative of the GTU observed the inspection and verification exercise. 3.Reduction of Toll Crossing fees at Senegambia bridge Government have agreed to reduce the SeneGambia Bridge crossing user charges across all vehicle category. This is not only because of the union demand, but also by the transitioning from the interim toll management tariff modelled to the existing ferry tariff to the Toll Plaza system which does not factor weight and only charges by vehicle category/size. PENDING 4. Approval of the GTU proposed transport tariff by 30% Government received the request for general transport fares increment from the union in May 2021 and replied that we would initiate the review and consultation process on this and requested for details break-down of tariff input cost for technical assessment. In so doing, in the interim to end December 2021 requested the union to delay the measure to the new year January 2021. The union replied agreeing to the government proposition and suggested instead fuel price reduction. Ministry of Finance & Economic Affairs responsible for fuel price setting was approached for concession on this matter. The Ministry agreed to freeze fuel pump prices in The Gambia since June 2021 to the rest of the year and now further provide additional concession by committing to reduce the prices of fuel beginning the month of October, 2021. That the price setting and notification are made monthly allowing for oil marketing companies to adjust their importation plans. It's noteworthy that pump prices in the Gambia while considered high mirrors fairly the international oil prices and much lower in the region compared to our neighbors. The monthly oil price setting mechanism in use here in the Gambia guarantees stability and availability where elsewhere shortages and queuing at the pump is frequent. The union insisting on getting the reduction in September and by whooping D6.50 well after the September price notice is agreed with OIL MARKETING COMPANIES (OMC) is the principal disagreement over this matter. MOFEA have written a letter that they will reduce the pump price by the 1st October, 2021 and made it available to the union. 5. Re-introduction of queuing system at Gambia Ports Authority for transit goods trucks Ministry of Trade have engaged stakeholders, the managements of GPA, GRA, Clearing & Forwarding Agents, Locateurs (transit good agents) since the last union action at the Ports of Banjul. No consensus on the re-introduction of the queue was reached and agreed to by the stakeholders. Last time government imposed the queue, the transit good agents counter-strike and the measure have to be suspended. The government is faced with the challenge of arbitrating fairly and in the national interest and in principle agreed to establish a framework for transit good transportation arrangement to increase participation of The Gambia registered vehicles in the transit good business. The guideline or framework will cover registration, tariff, roadworthiness, operations among others. Government requested for additional time of one(1) month to develop one, validate it and push it through the approval process. Yet again on this point, the union insist on immediate decision and its implementation. 6. Full operationalization of the inter-state road transport permit (ISTP) by removing blockage at Karang of Gambian commercial passenger vehicle to Senegal The Republic of Senegal is notified of the perennial agitation of the commercial passenger transport operators of the Gambia. The matter has been discussed at the highest level both at the Presidential Council and international AU and Ecowas Commission forums. In fact, the President of Senegal H.E Marky Sall both at Council meeting and to a Gambian envoy, Hon. Mamodou Tangara instructed that the ISTP be launch and operationalized and a dateline given. Regrettably, before the launch date the borders were closed due to covid control mechanism. This is being rekindled through exchange of letters at the level of the two transport ministries and the Presidency. We have also indicated government preference for the diplomatic channel to resolving the matter than the pathway of confrontation. The Senegalese minister of transport Mansour Faye have agreed to receive Hon. Lamin Ousman Jobe upon his return from overseas trip sometime next week. A special envoy by the Presidency will also follow all seeking to remove this bottleneck at Karange. Conclusions: While significant progress has been made in the talks and within a very short time, three (3) of the six(6) demands were met, two (2) issues (fare increment/pump price reduction and re-introduction of queuing system at the Port of Banjul for transit goods needed little more time to accomplish. That is, notice period for pump price reduction announcement and finalization of the framework for the operationalization of the queue at GPA. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Gambia Labour By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. One matter (ISTP) involves a 3rd party decision and indications are that there is demonstratable goodwill to resolve it. Consequently, it is unfortunate and bizarre that the union have determined to pursue their industrial action starting Monday, the 13th September, 2021 coinciding with examination calendar for grade 12 students, Presidential statutory tour nation-wide, the state of the nation in these times of election. We have put in place contingency plan to assist student to commute to exam centers. Secretary General have instructed all government, agencies and SOEs drivers pick students to and from exam centers in the wee hours of 5am to 10am & 1am to 3pm. The DG - GTSC is also by release requested to mobilized additional buses to cover the GBA (Banjul, KMC, WCR) for commuting students and workers. Equally the driving public are all requested to assist during the period of the strike to assist students and the travelling public The action of the union reinforces the urgency of stepping the expansion of the public transportation service to the nation i.e ferry, buses, river transport and light rails). To that effect, we salute GTSC recent acquisition drive for 33 buses from the QGroup. Government have taken note and will compliment your efforts by granting necessary support and continue to putting in place the needed infrastructure such as roads, bridges etc. Government sincerely appeals to the general public adversely affected by the strike to be patient. To those drivers in Banjul, Serrekunda, Gunjur, Brikama, Barra, Farafenni, Somma, Kaur, Bansang, Basse that want to continue their normal services, are encourage to do so as all rights would be respected and protected. To the GTU President and striking drivers, we urge you to come back to the negotiation table and discontinue the strike in the interest of your members and your beloved clients. FOR: PERMANENT SECRETARY NEA holds inception seminar for land/seascape GEF-6 project The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has penned the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General, Martha Chizuma, challenging the Bureau to take steps towards bringing to bare circumstances surrounding the controversial fuel supply saga at National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA). CDEDI executive director Sylvester Namiwa warns that since this development created room for speculations, some Malawians will be forced to conclude that ACB has now joined the cartel to skin the taxpayers alive, as they will dig deeper into their pockets to pay for the difference. ACB gave NOCMA a go ahead to award the fuel supply contract to a company that offered the liquid at US$50 million more when the approved supplier had some capacity challenges to sustain supply in an event of forex dry spells in the country. At one, in his response to the report by the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Mining and Natural Resources, the former Minister of Energy, Hon. Newton Kambala, raised this question in parliament. Namiwa says Malawians thought the results of the ACB investigations would have tasked NOCMA to address the hiccups before proceeding with the awarding of the contracts. "The question was, and still remains: Who is going to pay for the extra US$50 million? We, at CDEDI, believe Malawians are still in the dark on the matter. Additionally, it is an open secret that awarding the fuel supply contract to a company that does not have the financial capacity to sustain the supply during the forex lean period in Malawi, is a recipe for disaster. This also raises a question as to why the ACB ignored such an aspect in its investigations," says the firebrand human rights activist. Namiwa reminds Chizuma that as a constitutional organ, with one of the finest legal minds at the helm, ACB should have, at least, raised a red flag that NOCMA is currently operating illegally since it does not have a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Director of Finance, and a Procurement Officer. "It is further alleged that the position of Deputy CEO does not exist at NOCMA, and yet it is currently occupied. Now, given such revelations, is it wrong to say that NOCMA is currently operating illegally? How does the ACB allow an illegal entity to proceed to broker deals on behalf of Malawians?" he asks. "We would also like to put it to your attention madam, that one of the members of the Board of Directors for NOCMA, resigned at the height of the recent arrests by the ACB, of some officials that are suspected to have attempted to influence the NOCMA fuel supply contracts. Has the Bureau taken interest in investigating the reasons for the board member's resignation, which have a direct linkage to the fuel supply mess?" Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Malawi Petroleum By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. CDEDI has challenged Chizuma to look into the issues that have been raised in the letter in order to avoid a looming crisis due to an increase in the pump prices and a fuel crisis, which will be caused by erratic fuel supplies. Namiwa warns that should this happen, it will impact negatively on the innocent, marginalised and the vulnerable Malawians, who are mostly taxpayers and voters. "CDEDI does not think that you, madam ACB Director, would want to be associated with this mess. We are looking forward, therefore, to seeing these issues being addressed by your office, promptly," concludes the letter. Chizuma could not immediately be reached for her comment. A GROUP of churches has raised the spectre of Namibia fostering a new kind of apartheid between those vaccinated against Covid-19, and those who choose to remain unvaccinated. "The thought of carrying mandatory vaccine passports brings back terrible memories of the apartheid regime that discriminated between races and didn't allow people of particular races in certain public spaces," Dolly Nengushe of the Alliance of Christian Churches in Namibia (ACCN) said at a press conference yesterday. Her statements come after the minister of information and communication technology, Peya Mushelenga, said unvaccinated Namibians are hampering the fight against the Covid pandemic. Moreover, some companies have amended their company policies in favour of vaccinated people, while others have a vaccination requirement as part of their conditions of employment. Nengushe said this has the potential to drive hatred of the unvaccinated. "This would further segregate and instigate enmities among employees, family members, friends, colleagues, and even church members, and may hamper progress in strengthening social cohesion in our nation," she said. She said the nation should not return to the apartheid days of classifying people according to their vaccination status. Nengushe is pleading with the government to assure the nation that Covid-19 vaccines would not become mandatory. The Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) concurs with the ACCN, saying vaccination should remain optional. "Keep it as it is, and rather build on encouraging people and getting their confidence in vaccines," CCN general secretary Ludwig Beukes says. The council recently endorsed Covid-19 vaccination after the religious community rejected for months. Beukes says mandatory vaccination at organisations should not be normalised unless the law stipulates such. "It cannot be like that," he says. Labour expert Herbert Jauch says mandatory jabs enforced at the workplace poses challenges. "On the one hand it is an individual's right to say whether they want to get vaccinated or not. It is a human right. The other aspect is workers' rights enshrined in the Constitution. Another aspect that contrasts it is that employers have an obligation to provide a healthy and safe environment," he says. Jauch says the risk unvaccinated employees pose in the work environment and leaving it up to individuals to decide could be seen as the employer not protecting workers. "In court, these two arguments would clash. Would the collective interest to protect employees override individual interest? I am not sure in legal terms how it would go," he says. Jauch suggests a court case would be the best way to see what the law would dictate. "No one has challenged this yet. This would require a legal clarification," he says. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), even if there is a sufficient supply, and if a mandate for vaccination of the general public is considered necessary and proportionate, a few considerations exist for those in power. "Policymakers should still consider whether a mandate for the general public would threaten public trust or exacerbate inequality for the most vulnerable or marginalised," the WHO states in a recent study. In South Africa, president Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the government will introduce Covid-19 'vaccine passports' to fully reopen the economy and avoid a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections. Minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula, however, maintains that vaccination remains a choice - regardless of company policies. "Vaccination is voluntary even when some companies may require proof of vaccination," he says. The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Office of the Attorney General were yesterday approached for comment, but did not do so at the time of going to print. GLOBAL STANDARDS Countries around the world have made vaccination against Covid-19 mandatory, explaining it is in the interest of the public. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Governance Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. According to Reuters, Canada will soon require all federal public servants and many other workers to be vaccinated. The vaccine mandate will also include air, train and cruise-ship travellers. Nightclubs and other venues in the United Kingdom with large crowds will require patrons to present proof of full vaccination from the end of September. Australia in late June opted to make vaccination mandatory for high-risk aged-care workers and employees in quarantine hotels. VACCINATION FIGURES As of yesterday, 231 283 Namibians received their first jabs, while 141 295 have received a second shot. Shangula recently said there has been a decline in the number of first Covid-19 vaccine doses. "Once we have up to 60% of the population vaccinated, it will help us live our normal life. We have endured a lot during this pandemic. When vaccination is one of the effective weapons to help us defeat the invisible enemy, why not go for it?" he said. Investigations into the K42 billion which 'grew legs' and miraculously vanished into thin air from a Malawi Leaf Limited bank account two years ago have been concluded and ready for the wheels of justice to get into motion, the Malawi Police Service have announced. Malawi Police Service national spokesperson, James Kadadzera has disclosed that they had finalised the investigations into the K42 billion saga saying that they were ready to submit the files to the Ministry of Justice and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda and Director of Public Prosecutions Steve Kayuni could not be readily available for their comments on the matter. Said Kadadzera: "This means, therefore, that former top bosses (of the company) are expected to be charged for money laundering and fraud among other others," he said. According to a police docket that Nyasa Times has seen, other charges include recording of stolen money as existing tobacco stock in warehouses when there was no stock and excessive and unjustifiable sales travel. Auction Holdings Limited (AHL) Group owns Malawi Leaf and had been unable to pay staff salaries for over three months. It is highly thought that it was the K42 billion scam that drove AHL Group into the financial quagmire. The situation further forced AHL to seek a K6 billion government bail-out to cater for salaries of staff at both AHL Group and its subsidiaries. In 2017, an audit at AHL Group had revealed a loss of K45 billion, of which K42 billion was posted by Malawi Leaf. AHL Group spearheads 53 percent of the country's total tobacco exports. Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) chairperson, Gift Trapence, has since welcomed the conclusion of the probe. "We want justice on this matter. AHL and other parastatals have been centres of abuse by politicians and public officers. "No wonder AHL staff have not been receiving salaries for months," Trapence said. HRDC has since asked the Tonse Alliance-led government to conduct forensic audit at AHL to unearth all other suspected abuse of public resources and bring to book those responsible. Said Trapence: "HRDC wants the audit to also be extended to other suspected public institutions to ensure that there is economic prudence everywhere." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Malawi Legal Affairs Banking By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency, Executive Director, Willy Kambwandira, also welcomed the conclusion of the investigation but decried the pace at which the police worked. "It is encouraging that Malawi Police has finally concluded investigations on the matter. "Our concern though is that it has taken Police years to conclude the investigation and this sometimes affects evidence," he said. Kambwandira said the timing of their conclusion vindicates fears that some oversight institutions were captured and could not independently perform their duties. "It is our expectation that both Malawi Police and the Office of the DPP will move with speed to ensure that people suspected to have participated in the looting at Malawi Leaf face the law and our taxes recovered," Kambwandira said. THE Odelela Festival, an annual Namibian cultural heritage event is back, said organisers on social media recently. The event celebrates the Odelela's importance to national identity and culture through workshops, showcases, cuisine and storytelling. Slated to take place from 1 to 3 October at the National Museum of Namibia in Windhoek, the festival aims to awaken cultural knowledge within the youth, says creative director and project manager Loide Nantinda. "This project seeks to tap into knowledge that dates back generations. As the community changed from wearing leather to Western clothes, prominently in the mid 1950s - white linen was often worn in the form of a skirt that became popular among women as they increasingly abandoned their leather skirts that once reflected their ethnical identity like the 'onguwo/oshivelelo'," Nantinda says. The odelela attire project is a form of heritage preservation that draws its historical content from the norms, beliefs and values of practices, identity, belonging, cultural pride, inclusivity and inter-generational learning. "Odelela is the local name derived from the Oshiwambo language which reflects the flaps as a person moves in the skirt. Initially, these skirts were worn topless but later a new fashion of wearing the skirts with white singlets was invented and became popular lasting through the 1950s to this day," Nantinda says. The festival was first held in 2018 and is the brainchild of cultural enthusiast, Elly Namashisha Ihuhua, who is very knowledgeable about Oshiwambo heritage, storytelling and all things cultural. Ihuhua is an entrepreneur who is passionate about women's empowerment and bringing people from all walks of life together. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Entertainment By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "This year we can look forward to an odelela-themed fashion show by local talented tailors. Our keynote speaker for the opening ceremony will be Esther Moombolah-Goagoses, director of the National Museum. She will be going in-depth on the origin and story of the odelela material. At the festival there will be market stalls, cultural performances, storytelling and so much more," Nantinda says. Ihuhua says when the festival started it was about testing the waters. It has since gained momentum and support. "We need to be proud as Namibians and celebrate it. The odelela material has become a proudly Namibian brand. It is unique and recognised to be of Namibian heritage when worn outside our borders. That means a way forward in trademarking our heritage. It is really a special celebration for us Namibians," Nantinda says. "Although odelela derives from the Oshiwambo culture, it has become part of Namibians' heritage as a whole. Odelela material is widely used by Namibians from all cultural backgrounds." Nantinda urges the public to come out in numbers to celebrate, have fun and learn together. She says that national unity is important, especially in times like these. "Come learn something new about being Namibian. Let's have fun getting your odelela material designs showcased at the festival. Eat some amazing authentically Namibian cuisine and watch some cultural performances," she says. "All are welcome." document Dear Mr President, As I write this open letter to you, it comes at a time when innocent civilians including women, children and other vulnerable groups in the Afar and Amhara regions have been violently displaced, their livelihoods disrupted, their family members killed, and their properties as well as service giving institutions destroyed intentionally by TPLF. This letter comes at a time when our children in the Tigray region are being used as cannon fodder by remnants of an organization recently designated as 'terrorist' by our House of People's Representatives. Children of a post-war generation that have held high hopes in the possibility that their lives would be distinctly different from that of their parents, whose lives have been marred by the terror of war with the DERG regime and a cross border conflict with Eritrea in the late 1990s instigated by the TPLF. As the rest of their peers in the country pursue their studies and lives, our children of Tigray have been held hostage by a terrorist organization that attacked the State on November 3, 2020 exposing them to various vulnerabilities. While the use of children as soldiers and participation in active combat is a violation of international law, the terrorist organization TPLF has proceeded unabated in waging its aggression through the use of children and other civilians. The cries of women and children in the Amhara and Afar regions that are displaced and suffering at the hands of TPLF's enduring ruthlessness continues under the deafening silence of the international community. Unfortunately, while the entire world has turned its eyes onto Ethiopia and the Government for all the wrong reasons, it has failed to openly and sternly reprimand the terrorist group in the same manner it has been chastising my Government. The many efforts the Ethiopian Government has undertaken to stabilize the region and address humanitarian needs amidst a hostile environment created by the TPLF have been continuously misrepresented. The mounting and undue pressure on a developing African country, with limitless potential for prosperity, has been building up over the past months. This unwarranted pressure, characterized by double standards, has been rooted in an orchestrated distortion of events and facts on the ground as it pertains to Ethiopia's rule of law operations in the Tigray region. As a long-time friend, strategic ally and partner in security, the United States 'recent policy against my country comes not only as a surprise to our proud nation, but evidently surpasses humanitarian concerns. More on conflict: US restricts visas, aid over conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region Also read: Ethiopia urges US 'not to meddle' in its internal affairs For almost three decades, Ethiopians in all corners have been subjected to pervasive human rights, civil and political rights violations under TPLF's regime. Various identities under the Ethiopian flag were exploited by a small clique that appropriated power to benefit its small circle at the expense of millions, including the impoverished of the Tigray region. The suppression of political dissent, egregious human rights violations, displacements, suffocation of democratic rights and capture of State machinery and institutions for the aggrandizement of a small group that ran a country of millions with no accountability for 27 years has been met with little to no resistance by various Western nations, including the US. The period 2015-2018 that marked Ethiopia's awakening where the TPLF was deposed from power in a popular uprising, is telling of the stance that millions throughout this great country took against a criminal enterprise that subjugated Ethiopians to oppression and stripped citizens of agency. TPLF's track record of pitting one ethnic group against the other for its own political survival did not end in 2018 when my administration took over the helms of power. It rather mutated and intensified in form, putting on the robe of victimhood, while financing elements of instability throughout the country. Now, the destructive criminal clique, adept at propaganda and spinning international human rights and democracy machinations to its favor, wolf cries while it leaves no stone unturned in its mission to destroy a nation of more than a 3000-year history. Although this hallucination will not come to pass, history will record that the orchestrated turbulent period Ethiopia is going through at the moment is being justified by some Western policy makers and global institutions under the guise of humanitarian assistance and advancing democracy. In a demonstration of my people's aspiration to democratize and unprecedented in Ethiopia's modern history, close to 40million of my country folk went out to vote on June 21, 2021 in this country's first attempt at a free and fair election. In spite of the many challenges and shortcomings the 6th National Election may have been faced with, the resolute determination of the Ethiopian people for the democratic process was displayed in their commitment to a peaceful electoral period. Against the backdrop of previous electoral periods in which the choice of the people was snatched through rigged processes by the former regime, the 2021 elections came on the heels of the democratic reforms processes we embarked upon three years ago. The significance of our 2021 elections is in its peaceful conclusion, demonstrating Ethiopia's new trajectory amidst the global warnings that the elections would be violent. With the Ethiopian people having spoken and affirmed their faith in Prosperity Party to lead them through the next five years in a landslide victory, my Party and administration with this responsibility at hand, are ever more determined to unleash the potential for equitable development these lands are blessed with. Read: US doubles aid to Ethiopia's Tigray region amid famine fears Also read: Ethiopia rejects US claims of ethnic cleansing in Tigray We are even more resolute in granting our people the dignity, security and development they deserve within the means we have and without succumbing to various competing interests and pressures. And we will do this by confronting the threats to democracy and stability posed by any belligerent criminal enterprise. While threats to national, regional and global security continue to be a key component of US interests in many parts of the world, it remains unanswered why your administration has not taken a strong position against the TPLF - the very organization the US Homeland Security categorized as qualifying as Tier 3 terrorist organization for their violent activities in the 1980s. In the same manner that your predecessors led the global 'war on terror', my administration supported by the millions of Ethiopians thirsty and hungry for their right to peace, development and prosperity, are also leading our national 'war on terror' against a destructive criminal enterprise, which poses a threat to both national and Horn region stability. Ethiopia has remained the US's staunch ally in fighting the terrorism threat of al-Shabaab in the Horn. It is our expectation that the US would stand by Ethiopia as a similar terrorist organization with hostility towards the region threatens to destabilize the Horn. Mr President, The American people that have supported the US government's global interventions under the pretext of democratization would be hard-pressed to know that a small impoverished but culturally, historically and naturally rich nation in East Africa embarked on its own democratization path three years ago. However, the American people and the rest of the Western world are being misguided by the reports, narratives and data distortions of global entities many believe were driven to help impoverished countries like mine, yet have in the past months portrayed victims as oppressors and oppressors as victims through partisan narratives and bankrolled networks. History always smiles upon those who have stood for truth. And so, I am certain that truth will shine upon this proud nation Ethiopia! Many Ethiopians and Africans looked with optimism at your ascent to the Presidency earlier this year. This optimism has been rooted in the belief that a new dispensation for Africa - US relations will materialize in 2021, and that your Presidency would usher in respect for the sovereignty of African nations and nurture partnerships based on mutual growth and in depth reading of context. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia Governance Conflict By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. African nations that have broken free from the shackles of colonialism starting from the 1950s have continued to resist the chains of neocolonialism that is manifesting itself in various overt and covert ways. Despite escaping the yokes of colonialism, Ethiopia now struggles with its mutation. As a founding member of the United Nations and the Organization for African Unity (now African Union), Ethiopia remains a proud nation that through its sons, daughters and kinship with other African nations, is determined to meet our current challenges with the resilient and indomitable spirit that defines this great nation. Developing nations, like Ethiopia, have been expectant that a new course in the US's foreign policy will be charted, departing from the influence of individuals that have entrenched themselves into the politics of other nations. Read: Over 2m Ethiopians displaced by conflict in Tigray region: official A foreign policy that can extricate itself from decisions made based on key policymakers and policy influencer's friendships with belligerent terrorist groups like the TPLF and the narrative distortions of lobby groups. We have seen the consequences and aftermaths of hurried and rash decisions made by various US administrations that have left many global populations in more desolate conditions than the intervention attempted to rectify. It is essential to point out here that Ethiopia will not succumb to consequences of engineered pressure by disgruntled individuals for whom consolidating power is more important than the well-being of millions. Our identity as Ethiopians and our identity as Africans will not let this come to pass. The humiliation our ancestors have faced throughout the continent for centuries will not be resuscitated in these lands upon which the green, gold and red colors of independence have inspired many to successfully struggle for their freedom! Their arrest followed a petition written to the police authorities by the lawmaker representing Ijebu North II State Constituency, Oludare Kadiri. The police in Ogun State have arrested a former member of the House of Assembly, Joseph Adegbesan, and two others over allegations of cultism, breach of public peace, threat to life and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms. The lawmaker was arrested and whisked away to Lagos, alongside two others known as Muibi Olufodun and one Samson, by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Force Headquarters, Abuja. Their arrest followed a petition written to the police authorities by the lawmaker representing Ijebu North II State Constituency, Oludare Kadiri. A member of the APC in the area told PREMIUM TIMES that other suspects targeted for arrest "took to their heels." "Yes, it's true that armed policemen came today and arrested Hon. Adegbesan. He was apprehended in Awa (a town in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State)," said the member who didn't want to be named to avoid being victimised by the party hierarchy. "Muibi was arrested in Ago-Iwoye. All the accused persons were subsequently taken away. We learnt that the officers were from the IG squad." It was learnt that the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali, had directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau to act on the petition filed by Mr Kadiri's counsel, Oludare Adejare, alleging threat to the life of his client. Abimbola Oyeyemi, the police spokesperson in Ogun State, confirmed the arrest, but added that only the IRT can provide details. Mr Kadiri, who is currently represents Ijebu North II State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, had accused Mr Adegbesan, one of his predecessors, of sponsoring suspected cultists to attack and kill him. A copy of the petition seen by our correspondent stated that some of the accused's accomplices had, in the past, confessed to killing two students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye. LOCAL authorities' spending of devolution funds is expected to hit $19,8 billion, a senior government official has said. Local Government minister July Moyo, speaking at the roll out program of the revised Indigenization Economic Empowerment Policy by Zanu-PF in partnership with the Business Economic Empowerment Forum (BEEF) program in Kwekwe, said government is serious about implementing devolution. "Through devolution we are no longer looking up to Harare to grow this economy. We must look into the provinces; we have to look into all of the 92 local authorities. For instance, all the 92 local authorities across the country are going to spend $19,8 billion in their localities. That's the only way we can grow the economy," he said. Moyo said devolution is aimed at empowering local communities. "That's why the President has been saying noone should be left behind. No village will be left behind, no District will be left behind and no province will be left behind," he said. "The economy is not grown by government. The economy is grown by businesses these are the people who grow our economy. To grow our economy permanently and sustainably we have to be organised. If the business is not organised it will not grow an economy. Progressive businesses will make sure that the policies the government makes are benefiting businesses," Moyo said. He challenged businesses to challenge the government saying: "Give us pressure and we will grow the economy and we will make the right policies." analysis From juggling tradition and modernity to having few outlets to express their inner fears. DW's The 77 Percent explores what masculinity means to African men today. What does it mean to be an African man in the 21st century? What kind of pressures are men under? And how do we even define masculinity in the modern world? These were just some of the questions put to the panel in the latest edition of The 77 Percent's Street Debate in Nairobi, Kenya. Conversations around masculinity and manhood are not unique to the African continent. But many African societies are now navigating an often stark clash between traditional and modern values. "A majority of us come from a background of being brought up in a patriarchal society," said Charles Okumu, the facilitator of the Man Enough program in Kenya, which seeks to redefine traditional roles and traits of masculinity. "There was a way that we were expected to behave, or how we saw our fathers treat our mothers." Tradition meets modernity In many African societies -- especially in rural communities -- traditions still play an important role in everyday life. Men and boys are often raised to view the 'man' as the dominant force and provider in the household amid shifting societal norms. In fast-growing cities like Nairobi, the demands of keeping up with modern values in the face of persistent ideas on what makes a man a man is even harder to navigate. "Some of our patriarchal ways that we borrowed from our background are not really helpful to modern life," explained Okumu. "There are still some who want to behave in the way our fathers behave. But on the other side, modernity has taught us a better way of how to handle ourselves." Kenyan influencer, radio host and comedian Eric Omondi has seen a big evolution in Kenyan society in compared to a few decades ago. "While roles were clearly defined then -- i.e. the man bringing home the bacon and the woman cooking it -- they're not anymore," Omondi told DW. Juggling expectations As modern and traditional values collide, African men, especially the younger generation, can find it difficult to live up to expectations on both sides. "There is a struggle that comes from within," said Okumu. "Wanting to do things that are morally right in the modern way of doing things. ... But there is that inwards struggle of still not wanting to let go of how we saw our fathers show us the way." Many men also still feel the pressure from their families to meet these masculine 'ideals.' "Expectations are vast and [often] unrealistic," said Omondi. "From his parents' requirements that he pays it forward with his younger siblings and his aging parents -- aka the Black Tax -- to his wife or girlfriend's need for a new hairdo, facial and a house on a hill [while] being emotionally present and sensitive to all her feelings. The list goes on and on." Okumu believes young boys have also been left behind when it comes to education, albeit unintentionally. "In the last decade or so, there has been an emphasis on the education and empowerment of the girl child -- which I am fully supportive of," said Okumu. "However, that happened at the expense of the boy child and now those boys and girls have grown up. Those girls are now more informed, they make more informed choices and make more money. So now, the struggle is how should a man provide leadership to a much more informed [woman]?" Mental health in focus This discussion on masculinity also shines a spotlight on the importance of mental health among African men -- an issue which for remains difficult to discuss openly. "There's the implied need by most African societies for men to 'man-up' -- so that all emotions a man feels shouldn't be openly or even privately expressed," said comedian and influencer Eric Omondi. "Because of this, many of [men's] challenges are swept under the carpet and are rarely spoken about" Omondi cities infertility, domestic abuse and financial abuse as just some of the many issues facing African men that they are reluctant to discuss, even among their family or closest friends. If these problems aren't addressed, they can lead to higher rates of gender-based violence, depression and suicide among men, Omondi stressed. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide rates across Africa are higher than the global average. Stress among men was compounded even further during the COVID-19 pandemic, with job loss and isolation taking their toll. But more African men are speaking out about the pressures they are under. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Human Rights Sustainable Development By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Resources like Okumu's Man Enough program encourages participants to move beyond traditional gender roles. Okumu also highlighted the importance of providing boys with good role models at an early age. "Boys become the men they see around them," he told DW during the Street Debate. "We have to make a deliberate choice to talk to our kids, not because of the way we feel that [this or that] defines masculinity but helping them to realize how to just be a responsible person." As for comedian Omondi, he thinks African men today can benefit from borrowing values from other cultures while also staying true to their roots. "Since the world has now become a village, it's not far-fetched to reach for a little bit of what works from Western or Eastern cultures and fuse it with our very rich African culture as modern men," Omondi said. If you are struggling with your mental health or experiencing suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to seek help. You can find mental health services resources in your part of the world here: https://www.befrienders.org/ African leaders have urged for global solidarity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic at this year's UN General Assembly. World leaders are delivering their speeches at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In the past, Africans have mainly ignored this event but this year appears to be different. DW has the highlights of what several African nations brought to the global arena. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan makes debut Making her maiden appearance at the UN General Assembly, Tanzania's first female president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, took the occasion to emphasize the need for the world to work together in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. "As the first female president in the history of my country, the burden of expectation to deliver gender equality is heavier on my shoulder," Suluhu Hassan said, warning that COVID-19 is threatening "to roll back the gains that we have made." Moreover, she also touted her country's democracy, describing it as "flourishing." Political analyst Sammy Ruhuza, a former opposition politician, said it was ironic that Suluhu Hassan talked of democratic gains given the current political climate in Tanzania. "Tanzania's democracy is a long way off," Ruhuza said. " Authorities treat opposition members as second-class citizens. So, even when you seek justice, you are "rubbished off" as the opposition." Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo calls for unity In his speech, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo struck a pan-African tone. He said it was high time the African Union got a seat among the G20 -- a group of 19 nations plus the European Union that works to meet world economic challenges. "With the AU at the table, the [G20] group would suddenly have representation for 54 more countries, 1.3 billion people, and $2.3 trillion (2 trillion) output," Akufo-Addo said. While repeating some of his oft-made remarks about Ghana's determination to "move beyond aid," the 77-year-old leader pointed out the need to defend democracy, noting that recent events in Mali and Guinea, which have both seen coups, have undermined democratic governance. Akufo-Addo stressed the role of the West Africa regional body ECOWAS in trying to break the crisis in both countries. "ECOWAS has given Guinea six months to [return to the constitutional order] and requested the immediate release of President Alpha Conde," Akufo-Addo told the UN General Assembly. "The authority has also made it clear to the military government in Mali that it is not prepared to negotiate an extension to the February deadline for the holding of democratic elections. DRC's Tshisekedi spurns charity for Africa Felix Tshisekedi, president of the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo, called on UN member states to fulfill their pledges made to Africa in compensation for the sacrifices agreed to protect humanity against global warming. According to Tshisekedi, Africa requires $30 billion a year to adapt to climate change, an amount that could rise to $50 billion by 2040. "Africa does not need charity but constructive win-win partnerships," Tshisekedi said. He also stressed the need to collectively combat terrorism, which he warned was gaining a foothold in many African countries. "[Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb] and other groups affiliated with DAESH [another name for the so-called Islamic State] are gaining more ground every day in places like Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Burkina Faso," Tshisekedi warned. Eastern DRC is also facing an Islamist insurgency from the Ugandan Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group. But Tshisekedi vowed that: "Africa refuses to serve as a base for international terrorism." As a parting shot, Tshisekedi called for the UN Security Council to include two additional non-permanent member seats for Africa and two permanent member seats with veto rights equal to those of other permanent members. South African President Ramaphosa criticizes vaccine inequality "It is generally agreed that vaccines are the greatest defense that humanity has against the ravages of this pandemic," a somber-looking Cyril Ramaphosa said. The South African president reminded the UN General Assembly that solidarity was the reason why countries in need received medical equipment and supplies to fight the virus. "It is, therefore, a great concern that the global community has not sustained the principles of solidarity and cooperation in securing equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines," Ramaphosa said, adding that it was an indictment on humanity that more than 82% of the global vaccine doses have been acquired by wealthy countries, while less than 1% has gone to low-income countries. "Unless we address this as a matter of urgency, the pandemic will last much longer, and new mutations of the virus will emerge and spread," he said. The South African leader urged all member states to support the proposal to temporarily waive certain World Trade Organization intellectual property rights to allow more countries, particularly low- and middle-income countries, to start producing COVID-19 vaccines. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Governance International Organisations By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema charms General Assembly Fresh from his inauguration a month ago, Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema showered praises on his country's electoral process. He said Zambia had proven once again that "the outcome of an election is determined by those who vote and not those who count the votes." The former opposition leader defeated president Edgar Lungu by a landslide in the August elections. "We were able to achieve this political transformation even at the time when Zambia was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and in the midst of deep sorrow following the passing on of our founding father and first republican president, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda," Hichilema said. On the issue of gender equality, Hichilema said Zambia had made history. "For the first time in the history of our country, our new parliament elected the first female speaker to preside over Zambia's supreme law-making organ of the government." Hichilema's deputy and the deputy speaker of the house are women. George Njogopa in Dar es Salaam contributed to this article. analysis Earlier this year the UK introduced a "traffic light" system in yet another attempt to contain and mitigate the effects of COVID-19. The system assigned the status of either red, amber, or green to other countries with each colour indicating different rules for a range of things including terms of travel and quarantine requirements. In mid-September the UK government announced a change to the three lists: the amber and green colours were replaced with one "OK to travel" category. The red list remains in place. The changes will take effect from 4 October. Attempting to determine the justification for the lists and accurate details about them is less than straightforward. The rules for which countries are in or out is far from transparent making it difficult to find any justification for why a country is placed on the red list and, perhaps more importantly, how they get off it. Of the 54 countries on the red list 22 (approximately 41%) are from sub-Saharan Africa. Put another way, of the 48 countries making up the sub-Saharan region, 21 (approximately 44%) are on the UK's red list. Reports suggest that the UK Government's justification for placing a country on the red list include: known variants of concern; known high-risk variants that are under investigation; and very high in-country or territory prevalence of COVID-19. These justifications are difficult to understand on a number of levels. The revised rules reported on the UK government's website are similarly opaque. Just take the issue of variants. An important feature about viruses like COVID-19 is that mutations are a natural phenomenon. Some mutations present additional risks but many are inconsequential . And, of course, knowledge about the variants present in any country at any particular time depends entirely on the accuracy and extent of testing taking place. This is just one reason why the red list has kicked up a storm, with some recommending that it be "scrapped in its entirety". In South Africa scientists have been critical of the reasons cited as justification for retaining their country on the red list. When the UK's red list is considered at perhaps a more granular level, the difficulties become immediately apparent. Two scenarios point to the flawed logic being applied. Sudan versus South Sudan Sudan is on the red list whereas South Sudan is not. Yet the numbers available about COVID-19 in the two countries point to this being a ridiculous call. Current estimates are that Sudan has a rate of daily new confirmed cases per million of 0.23. South Sudan's rate is higher, at 1.18. On top of this Sudan's rate of total vaccinations per 100 is 3.34, South Sudan's is much lower at 0.84. Sudan has a rate of total deaths per one million of 64.15 while South Sudan's rate is 10.36. At the end of July South Sudan had confirmed the presence of the Delta variant while the spread of the Delta variant in Sudan had not been confirmed. One may well question what these data tell us about the two countries. It is very hard to make firm conclusions in the absence of information about the health systems and other important factors in the two countries. Comparisons become difficult and somewhat arbitrary. This is precisely the difficulty with the red list. Is it a case of cherry-picking the data? At the very least it indicates an opaqueness to decision-making that should be unacceptable in an era of rigorous scientific thinking and evidence-based policy making. When difficulties arise, we need to raise, rather than lower, the bar on our standards of what counts as credible evidence. Barbados versus Rwanda The rules around the red list and vaccination status is equally baffling and difficult to fathom. The UK Government website states that from 4am on 4 October, you will qualify as fully vaccinated according to two criteria. The first specifies an approved vaccination programme from a small number of countries. The second stipulates a full course of one of four named vaccines from a "relevant public health body" in 18 different countries. None are in Africa. Also, from that date if you have been in a red list country in the last 10 days, you will only be allowed to enter the UK if you are a British or Irish national or you have residence rights in the UK. To illustrate how ridiculous this is I have mapped out a scenario. I am an Australian academic currently working in Rwanda. I have had both doses of the Pfizer vaccine and have had numerous COVID-19 tests all with negative results. Neither I nor any member of my family have ever tested positive for COVID-19. I received my Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations in Rwanda, a country that acted swiftly and decisively with clear and transparent leadership from the earliest indications of the monumental significance of the virus. Despite all this, I will be unable to visit the UK under any conditions. Suppose I have a colleague from the UK who, prior to relocating to Rwanda, received her two Moderna vaccinations in Barbados - one of the countries named with an approved vaccination programme - and has been living in Rwanda for six months. After she had been in Rwanda for two months she, hypothetically, tested positive for COVID-19 even though she was asymptomatic. From 4am on 4 October she would be able to return to the UK according to certain rules such as a pre-departure test and a period of quarantine once she arrives. It is unfathomable to me how this can be achieving anything other than an exacerbation of existing inequities. What possible difference can it make where I had my vaccinations? Is there some reason that being vaccinated in Rwanda or South Africa is inferior to being vaccinated in Barbados (with 360.98 daily new confirmed cases per million or Malaysia with 488.11 daily new confirmed cases per million? Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Africa Europe and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. In fact the World Health Organisation recently commended Rwanda's vaccination drive. Yet it remains on the UK's red list and Rwanda is not listed as a country with an approved vaccination programme. More fancy footwork with numbers perhaps? Or simply skewed thinking. Equity in global health The World Health Organisation is clear that vaccination will not bring an end to this pandemic until it is distributed to everyone around the world. Yet some countries, predominantly high-income ones, are stock piling far more vaccines than they need and providing booster shots to people who don't require them. COVID-19 is providing us with opportunities to learn a great many things about health and health systems. But perhaps it's most valuable lesson is the inescapable importance of equity to the global community. That lesson is ignored to the peril of us all. Maybe rather than focusing on a red list country club with unclear and questionable criteria, we should create a red list of countries that are actively creating vaccine distribution inequities. Timothy A. Carey, Director: Institute of Global Health Equity Research, Andrew Weiss Chair of Research in Global Health, University of Global Health Equity analysis Debating Ideas is a new section that aims to reflect the values and editorial ethos of the African Arguments book series, publishing engaged, often radical, scholarship, original and activist writing from within the African continent and beyond. It will offer debates and engagements, contexts and controversies, and reviews and responses flowing from the African Arguments books. "No land in Ethiopia must create and sustain a weed like them. We must ensure that people like them are not born. Just like the devil, they must be banished forever." Daniel Kibret, advisor to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and prominent Deacon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church". Since November 4, 2020, Ethiopia is embroiled in a horrific civil war bearing the hallmarks of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and man-made famine. Underneath this grisly reality lies an appalling politics of hate that was deployed in full-scale and is currently permeating the social, political and cultural facets of the country. In her insightful book, Fascism: A Warning, former US Secretary of State Madeline Albright cautions us to be wary of leaders who sow fear and anger and not to be tempted to give away freedoms, or the freedom of others, to leaders promising law and order. She challenges us to ask the following questions and adds that the answers will either provide grounds for reassurance, or a warning of fascism that must not be ignored: Do the leaders exploit the symbols of patriotism, the flag and the pledge in a conscious effort to turn one against another? Do they solicit our cheers by speaking casually and with pumped up machismo about using violence to blow enemies away? In a scramble to make sense of what is happening in Ethiopia, these books provide a useful guide. While contemporary fascism has obvious variations from that of the early 20th century, its basic tenets remain consistent. Stanley argues that fascism starts by separating people between "us" and "them" appealing to various forms of ethnic, religious, linguistic or racial divides to ultimately shape its ideology and policy. The "us" casts itself as the righteous citizens and the "them", by contrast, as the enemy - a criminal collective whose behaviour poses an existential threat to "us". As the fear of "them" grows, "us" becomes to represent everything that is virtuous. Secondly, fascism finds its genesis in a mythical and romantic past that it seeks to restore. It laments the tragic loss of a glorious history and harnesses feelings of nostalgia. According to this mythology, such a glorious past is free from any dark moments and has been lost due to the humiliation brought on by the current politics of the "others". It extols national identity above all other identities. Ultra-nationalism of the "us" represented by the state and draped in national symbols is fervently deployed. Third, violence is intrinsic to fascist politics. It is used both discursively and physically to pursue the project of cleansing politics and people of the perceived enemy. Significant resources are spent on incessant use of propaganda to influence perceptions of reality and ultimately shape the course of violent events on the ground. Using propaganda and conspiracy theories against segments of the population, the state seeks to limit the capacity for empathy among other citizens, paving the way for the execution and justification of mass atrocities, concentration camps and imprisonment, expulsion and in extreme cases, mass extermination. And finally, fascist politics has a vocal proponent at the helm of the state and society. It is led by an authoritarian figure regarded by followers as singularly trustworthy leader. A master in exercising self- delusion. History tells us that fascist politicians convince citizens that they are in pursuit of a noble cause, conveying the message that they are representatives of the common good. None illustrates such delusion more than Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Final Solution, who said: "I did no wrong. I was only trying to save a country that I loved." For a casual Ethiopia observer, it is an inescapable reality that fascist politics has rapidly thrived over the past year. The roots and rise of such political dispensation require a deeper historical and social inquiry. However, its frightening escalation is a phenomenon of the past three years following the appointment of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018. A relatively unknown figure, Abiy was catapulted to state power on the heels of a popular youth movement and a political settlement achieved between the embattled members of the then ruling party, EPRDF. Ethiopians desperate for change celebrated his emergence pinning their hopes and aspirations on a more democratic future. Abiy launched his premiership preaching love and forgiveness and promising a new dawn for Ethiopia. He sought to mend grievances locally and internationally. He undertook bold and rapid measures to liberalize the economic and political space. He released political prisoners, invited exiled opposition parties and broke a two-decade old stalemate with neighbouring foe, Eritrea. As a result, his popularity rose and a full-blown "Abiymania" gripped the nation, with some referring to him as "Moses" and a divinely ordained Messiah. The international community followed suit, crowning him with the coveted Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. Abiy not only basked in such adulation, he claimed it was prophetic. In a speech to members of parliament, he claimed he always knew he would one day become the 7th king of Ethiopia. What started out as a promising reform, quickly faded. Communal violence, political assassinations, instability and mass displacements were recorded in all regions of the country. At present, Abiy presides over a country devastated by a brutal and intractable civil war which started in November 2020 and is threatening to tear the whole country apart. What preceded a bitter political dispute and an escalation of tension between Abiy's Prosperity Party and his former colleagues of a regional party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), evolved into an all-out war triggering a chain of catastrophic events. Abiy ordered a military campaign in the northern region of Tigray to quell a military and political rebellion. He dubbed his military move in Tigray as "rule of law" and "surgical operation" on the "criminal clique" of the TPLF. Nothing proved further from the truth. The "operation" unleashed a monstrous evil on the civilian population in Tigray fuelling fears of genocide. To win the war, Abiy deployed his federal forces and recruited the help of Tigray's historical adversaries. Eritrea, led by the despot President Isayas Afeworki and neighbouring Amhara regional militias, and having a historical land dispute with Tigray, descended into Tigray with a carte blanche to conduct a revenge war. A scorched earth military campaign saw widespread war crimes committed. Civilians were deliberately targeted for massacres. Military jets bombed busy markets. Industries and essential infrastructure were decimated. Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers took pleasure in systematically gang-raping women and girls. They went on a door-to-door rampage searching and executing young and able-bodied men. They attacked villages, burning crops, shooting animals and looting properties. With no apparent military objective, they went after Tigray's cultural and historical heritages, vandalizing churches, mosques and desecrating spiritual symbols. Soldiers enthusiastically film and flaunt images of their dying victims. Some even sneaked smiley selfies. Footages of bemused soldiers casually shooting at civilians on a mountain cliff were shared on social media. Reminiscent of the Rwandan genocide, dead bodies were dumped in rivers and washed down through international borders into Sudan. Beyond the battlefront, the state's assault on ordinary Tigrayans reached the military and civil service. Thousands in the military were detained for perceived collaboration and support to the TPLF. Tigrayan diplomats and military officers working overseas were either dismissed or recalled. Those working in international organizations were fired. Some were extradited from neighbouring countries. In his rhetoric, Abiy led a campaign of vilifying his political opponents. He aptly played the blame-game putting all the evils befalling Ethiopia on the TPLF, recasting the period prior to his appointment as one of darkness and manipulating people's genuine grievance for his own political ends. Conveniently erasing his active role in the service and sustenance of the intelligence apparatus of the EPRDF/TPLF, he effectively plays into people's amnesia to portray himself as distinct from his predecessors. He routinely uses incendiary language like "traitors", "satans", "daytime hyenas", "cancer", "weeds", "tumour", and "backstabbers" to refer to his Tigrayan adversaries. Such virulent attacks were not directed at known individuals, rather at an ambiguous collective of Tigrayans deliberately stoking fears among the populace. He doubled down on the rhetoric by encouraging citizens to expose enemies living among themselves (euphemism for Tigrayans). The state propaganda apparatus dutifully followed the pattern to excessively push narratives of victimhood and fear. True to fascist politics, Abiy's violent crusade is sold to Ethiopians as a law-and-order operation with the noble mission to "Save Ethiopia" or a campaign for the "Survival of Ethiopia". Human and material sacrifices vanish in the name of Ethiopian patriotism and the promise of renewal. European fascism of the early 20th century tells no different story in war ravaged countries. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. All the while, Ethiopian elites cheered on such depravity serving as the state's reliable fascist base. Leading intellectuals, known personalities, artists, activists, religious and social leaders, "opposition" political parties all joined the chorus of war, pledging allegiance to the military and its (mis)adventures in Tigray. Few that spoke against the war were either harassed or forced into silence. Once pro-democracy activists transformed into leading war protagonists. The overwhelming evidence of mass atrocities committed against civilians is lost in the face of fascist politics. In an Orwellian state of affairs, an alternative reality is created in which Ethiopians only believed stories they were convinced to be true. In the wider society, anti-Tigrayan sentiments deeply festered. Citizens willingly collaborated with the state to expose Tigrayans in their communities, easing the state's ethnic profiling for random searches, mass incarceration and harassment. People with personal grudges randomly tipped police allowing random detention, seizure of Tigrayan properties and closure of prominent and small businesses. Individual greed and the legitimization of crackdown on Tigrayans gave bureaucratic vultures opportunity to profiteer. Tigrayans were compelled to pay hefty bribes to secure release from prison or exit out of the country. This grim reality continues unabated. The history of Ethiopia is fraught with ethnic frictions, repression and a vicious cycle of war and violence. But today's episode is distinctively different. Nations have risen against each other. Mistrust and discord are sown among communities and violence is glorified. Heeding the warnings of Madeline Albright, we must confront the Ethiopian reality for what it is. Fascist politics, brutishly propagated by the state and uncritically embraced by society, has taken hold of the country. While the role of leaders in fomenting hate for political expediency cannot be discounted, such discursive and physical violence does not exist in a vacuum. Perhaps the politics is a symptom of a deeper, structural and societal malaise that needs to be urgently interrogated. If there is any chance of reversing such tragic course, it must start with the recognition and rejection of the fascist politics of hate, "othering" and its violent consequences. Eighty-nine Kenyans, majority of them domestic workers, have died in the past two years in Saudi Arabia where authorities reported the cause of death as "cardiac arrest". A report submitted to the National Assembly by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Kamau Macharia adds a new dimension to cases of abuse of Kenyans working in Saudi Arabia that have in the past prompted the government to ban its citizens from seeking work in the country. This year, 41 Kenyans have died in Saudi Arabia, 28 of them domestic workers. Last year, 48 Kenyans - 29 of them domestic workers - died in the Middle East nation. The number of Kenyans reported to be in distress at the embassy in 2019 were 883, but the cases have risen to 1,025 in the last one year, according to the report submitted to the Labour committee on Thursday. The PS told the committee the government accepted the cardiac arrest explanation given by the Saudi government and never conducted autopsies on the bodies to independently determine the causes of the deaths. This triggered condemnation from shocked MPs who suspected foul play in the deaths and pressed the government to do more to protect Kenyans in the Gulf against abuse. Belgut MP Nelson Koech wondered how 89 people could have died as a result of a one disease. "There is no way 89 people can die of a specific disease," Mr Koech. The PS agreed with MPs that all the deaths cannot be explained by a common factor, but insisted that his ministry's functions do not include determination of such matters. "It is the ministry of Labour and the National Employment Authority that should do it (confirm autopsy reports), but they have reduced our ambassa "The statistics indicate the dire reality we face. It warrants bold and decisive action to curb further suffering of Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia," he explained, adding that the country should not condone such a high death toll. Mr Kamau blamed the "dysfunctional nature" of the ministry of Labour for the problems, adding that they had also become a "nightmare" for Kenya's diplomats. He said a "structured arrangement" and establishment of a full-fledged labour office dedicated to the affairs of immigrant labourers will address the problem. dor to an undertaker and they want me to be a mortician," he said. Ethiopia's finance minister Eyob Tekalign has called for an end to the ongoing conflict in the northern part. In a statement released on Thursday, Tekalign said that collective effort must be made to resolve the nearly year long Tigray conflict, which has spread to the neighboring Amhara and Afar regions. "As we work hard to win peace in Ethiopia and move forward on our prosperity path, let there be a collective resolve that there should no longer be war in Ethiopia," Eyob said, adding that "guns should be silenced for good." Mr Eyob is the first sitting Ethiopian minister to call for peace since Tigray conflict broke out in November last year. The finance minister's call for peace comes at a time when Ethiopia is registering economic distress, largely caused by the ongoing conflict. Besides, the Africa's second most populous nation has been ravaged by and is yet to recover from the effects of Covid-19 pandemic. Last July, Addis Ababa admitted that it had lost some $2.3 billion in infrastructure damage in Tigray, where Ethiopian forces had been pursuing the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), once the ruling party but now considered a terrorist group. During the last two months, Ethiopia has reportedly spent hundreds of millions of dollars to purchase weapons from Turkey, Iran and the UAE. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Monday issued a short and vague statement on his Twitter account, even as TPLF forces continue to push deeper into the Amhara and Afar regions. "The National Security Council has undertaken an evaluation of peace and security issues throughout the country and set direction for subsequent tasks to carry out," Abiy said. In the wake of Abiy's Twitter statement, many analysts have suggested to Nation.africa that it would mean a declaration of a new phase of war or Tigray reinvasion. Others speculated that Abiy's statement could mean the ENDF and allied forces will launch a new massive offensive against Tigray forces to push them out of the neighboring Amhara and Afar regions. "The equivocal nature of the premier's tweet may be intentional, beyond withholding classified information, and directed to both domestic and foreign audiences," Metta-Alem Sinishaw, a political analyst on Ethiopia and the horn of Africa's region told Nation.africa. "By omitting the details of the findings, he avoided a possible inference on subsequent measures. The tweet conveys his reluctance to negotiate with TPLF to the international community" Metta-Alem Sinishaw added. Metta-Alem also said that the tweet's obscurity shows that armed response to Getachew Reda's call to topple Abiy's government on an Egyptian television is inevitable. "Abiy's tweet, coupled up with the massive enlistment and armament acquisition, makes the launching of new military offensive likely to happen," added Metta-Alem. There is growing fear that extending the status quo will render Abiy's government more dysfunctional. "Cautious of public opinion and the unfolding humanitarian crisis, the administration seems to be targeting TPLF's leadership and aspiring to move onto a more serious foreign threat shielding behind TPLF and Sudan," said Metta-Alem. "However, despite precarious conditions, TPLF remains adamant that only negotiations will resolve the impasse, a view largely promoted by the international community that is causing unprecedented anti-Western sentiment among the Ethiopian public," he added. The statement by Eyob Tekalign was seen as a positive development, although no statement has come from Abiy's government backing or rejecting the same. The minister's call for peace also shows that the Ethiopian government is taking precautionary measures to avoid further sanctions by the US that could impact negatively on Ethiopia's economy. Last Friday, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order authorising sanctions targeting parties involved in the Tigray conflict. President Biden's new executive order comes at a time when reports on large scale atrocities continue to emerge from the troubled Tigray region. The sanctions will target the Ethiopian government, the Eritrean government, the Amhara regional administration and members of the TPLF, who are responsible for exacerbating the conflict, obstructing the provision of humanitarian aid or ceasefire, and committing serious human rights abuses. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia Conflict By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Biden's administration did not immediately impose sanctions under the new order, but "is prepared to take aggressive action" unless the parties, including the Ethiopian government, the Eritrean government, the Tigray People's Liberation Front, and the Amhara Regional Government, take "meaningful steps to enter into talks for a negotiated ceasefire and allow for unhindered humanitarian access," a senior administration official told reporters. According to US officials, the administration would impose the sanctions within "weeks, not months," should warring parties fail to bring positive developments to end the conflict. However, Biden's administration said that it might delay or lift the potential sanctions if the parties involved in the conflict take immediate actions to end it, which claimed the lives of tens of thousands and displaced millions. Nairobi The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has kicked off a Sh7.5 billion to accelerate the country's response to HIV. Three-year program funded by the Global Fund will be rolled out in 46 counties. KRCS Head of Global Fund Program Emily Muga said the funding will strengthen the response to the disease. Muga said the implementation team has worked on a plan for the roll out of interventions in the counties. "We are meeting here to discuss how we are going to manage our implementation and interventions across all the counties, we are actually working in 46 counties," she told news reported in Kisumu on Friday at the end of a training session for KRCS staff tasked with the implementation of the project. Muga said the initiative will target those living with HIV to provide them with care and ensure adherence to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). "We will ensure they are first tested for HIV, link to treatment, adhering to treatment or retention in care," she said. Muga said Red Cross is keen on adherence to drugs since that offers viral suppression and leads to no more new infections. She said the country will record no new infections if viral suppression is achieved through strict adherence to medication. Muga said the Red Cross had lined up engagements with adolescents, pregnant mothers and key populations in the fight against new infections. "The other aspect is looking for mothers who are pregnant and are HIV positive to ensure we eliminate the transmission from mother to child infections," she said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines AIDS Kenya By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Among the key populations that are vulnerable to HIV, includes sex workers, men who have sex with men, the transgender population and people who inject drugs. Muga said this group's behavior predisposes them to new infections and the program has prevention and gives them information commodities to enable them to prevent new infections amongst them. She noted that the program strives to ensure the country's Strategic AIDS Framework goals and objectives are achieved by 2025. "The goal is universal health care for the people living with HIV to ensure that all of them have access to treatment," she said. Muga said the objectives of the framework includes, reduce new infection by 50 percent, to reduce AIDs related mortality by 75 percent and to reduce stigma and discrimination down to 25 percent. Embu County has been exempted from the program for what Muga termed as statistical reasons. "In terms of prioritizing key population treatment care and support, we look at the amount of money that has been provided and the result framework for the government and we pick the counties that have the most needs," she said. Kenya Red Cross Western Regional Chairperson Bob Madanji who presided over the closing of the training session on behalf of Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong'o called for prudent use of the funds for the betterment of the people. "This is a grant which must always be managed transparently and accurately," he said. Tunis/Tunisia On the sidelines of his participation in the work of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, Othman Jerandi, discussed Friday with his Mauritanian counterpart, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, issues and challenges facing the Arab and African region. The two ministers discussed the "excellent" relations of brotherhood between the two countries, reaffirming the common will to promote them in the service of the two peoples and brotherly countries, a statement of the Department of Foreign Affairs said. For his part, the Mauritanian minister said that President Mohamed Ould El Ghazouani welcomes the invitation that has been extended to him to participate in the work of the 18th Summit of the Francophonie, which will take place in Djerba, November 20 and 21. South Africa's local elections due on November 1 have witnessed emerging insecurity in what looks like history repeating itself. Political killings among black-majority political parties have always been a common in South African political space, even during apartheid era. But since the 2011 local government elections, politically motivated murders have been on a rise. Factional battles within the ruling African National Congress (ANC) have been attributed as the major source of these killings. KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is often regarded as the epicentre of violence as the jostling for posts and power intensifies. On September 10, three women were gunned down in Inanda township of Durban during an ANC branch meeting at Buhlebethu Primary School. Five were wounded when gunmen opened fire at a group of people at the meeting in what was concluded to be a politically motivated attack. This incident came shortly after 11 people were shot dead in uMlazi in two separate shootings within five days. Another Durban town of Ntuzuma has also recently had reported violence although a conclusive number of people killed is yet to be established. The volatile situation in KZN has prompted Police Minister Bekhi Cele to contemplate the deployment of the South African National Defence Forces (SANDF) in the area as back-up in the run-up to the elections. "We still have the army that has not been called back to the bases to those specific places in the three provinces that we have mentioned. The SANDF are still in KZN and Gauteng and the Western Cape if need be," Minister Cele said. While at least 14 people have so far been murdered in the run-up to the November 1 polls, there were 33 killings recorded the last time around when South Africa went for local government elections. A total of 33 killings were recorded during the pre-and post-election period of January 2016 and June 2017. After that, the situation remained tense especially in Durban's Glebelands Hostels which are known as the "reservoir of hitmen." So serious was the violence that then KZN Premier Willies Mchunu established the Moerane Commission of Inquiry in October 2016 to probe the political killings. The Commission found out that more than 150 political murders since 2011 had Glebelands as their source. Another KZN area in the Mid Illovo, in the Mkhambathini Local Municipality was also identified as a political murders hotspot. But in the build-up to the upcoming plebiscite, Inanda, Ntuzuma and uMlazi have so far been the centre of the violence. So tense has been the situation that some election candidates have withdrawn their candidatures for fear of their lives. This was confirmed last weekend which was the last voter registration period. While the ANC has been mostly blamed for the killings, the South African Communist Party (SACP) is now complaining the violence is now affecting their members as well. "This is a clear indication that democracy has been thrown out of the window through these brutal killings," said SACP KZN secretary Themba Mthembu. "People are terrified at what is happening and they are opting to withdraw despite being favoured by their respective constituencies." Six SACP aspiring ward councillors pulled out of the elections in what the SACP says is a result of intimidation from ANC rivals who have always been fighting amongst themselves. Mr Mthembu does not shy away from blaming the ANC for the bloodbath in the province "The elephant is in the room. We had several meetings with the ruling party to raise our concerns about the flawed nomination processes," Mr Mthembu said. "But our concerns were rubbished. This is not for the first time, even during the 2016 local government elections, some of the SACP members were killed leading up to the elections." While Cele has hinted at the deployment of the military, the KZN situation has attracted the attention of President Cyril Ramaphosa's office. Since Mr Ramaphosa moved the intelligence department to be directly under him, any acts of violence are now being taken more seriously. There are fears the KZN situation could degenerate into chaos similar to the violence which rocked KZN and Gauteng in July during the protests against the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma. Deputy Minister of State Security in the Presidency, Zizi Kodwa says they are closely monitoring the disturbances. "Our overall responsibility at the moment is to protect citizens in these elections because when we do so, we are protecting the system because there is a very clear orchestration of criminality who want to intimidate." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We want to ensure that we assure our people that these elections will be safe. If there are elements that continue to intimidate, those elements will be dealt with by the law." Mr Kodwa says this problem is not only unique in KZN. "It's not just here in KZN, there are a lot of problems in Gauteng and last Friday we had some problems in the Western Cape in Gugulethu," he said. "It's an issue that is very linked to elections. There also should be an understanding that crime is high here [Inanda] so it could be a combination of criminals finding a new space in the political space. "It's intimidation of people so they don't get into the gear of elections and voting." Brushes between political rivals within parties fighting for a common cause are not new in South Africa. They were prevalent even in the 1980s. There was a brutal confrontation between the Inkatha Freedom Party and the United Democratic Front fighting for political space in KZN. Assassinations between the two parties were witnessed and after independence, 450 politically motivated murders were recorded by 2013. Now with the ANC in shambles in KZN, more intra-party killings are expected as the country heads to local government elections. The legal process is far from being over Dr Jose Manuel Pinto Monteiro Alex Saabs Defence Team wishes to condemn in the strongest possible terms the ill-informed and ignorant speculative comments coming from certain sections of the tabloid media. Whilst we appreciate that there are those who will never acknowledge that Alex Saabs actions in delivering what has been asked of him by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on time and on budget, and that these same parties have an agenda which seeks to only show fealty to the United States, the reality is that Alex Saab is a Special Envoy of Venezuela and his detention has been declared illegal and arbitrary by respected international organisations as well as many states. The 7 September ruling of the Cape Verde Constitutional Court represents one end of several lengthy ongoing legal processes both inside and outside of Cape Verde. The legal process in Cape Verde is far from over. Those that are hysterically proclaiming Alex Saabs imminent extradition should understand this before making nonsensical public statements. commented Dr Jose Manuel Pinto Monteiro, Lead Cape Verde counsel to Alex Saab. He went on to say, It is telling that those wishing to see Alex Saab extradited to the United States are silent when it comes to admitting that the US courts themselves are yet to determine if the US even has jurisdiction over him, as the question of his diplomatic status has yet to be ruled upon by the Court of Appeals of the 11th Circuit. The Defence Team points out that the Russian Federation, the Peoples Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran, amongst many others, have all pointed out that Alex Saab is a Special Envoy and thus entitled to immunity and inviolability. This understanding has underpinned international law and the free movement of diplomats and political agents for centuries. JOSE MANUEL PINTO MONTEIRO Attorney The Russian Federation in a statement issued on 12 August pointed out that the United States and Cape Verde would do well to understand that these long-standing international laws and practices are the very same that their own diplomats and political agents rely upon when travelling around the world on official business. That statement went on say that the arrest of diplomat Alex Saab, if not reversed, was setting a dangerous precedent the consequences of which would come back to haunt those involved in orchestrating and executing Alex Saabs arrest and detention. Praia, 24 September 2021 German Bank Fined for Angolan Loan Exposed in Luanda Leaks German authorities have imposed a U.S.$178,000 fine on state-owned KfW-Ipex-Bank for facilitating loans to an Angolan brewery linked to Isabel dos Santos, the eldest daughter of the country's former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos. Frankfurt prosecutors said that the subsidiary of Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW) violated German anti-money laundering laws. The deal was first reported by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and its German media partners in 2020 as part of the Luanda Leaks investigation into the insider deals that made dos Santos once Africa's richest woman. A leaked trove of financial and business records revealed the inside story of how Isabel dos Santos, once Africa's wealthiest woman, moved hundreds of millions of dollars in public money out of Angola companies and subsidiaries, many of them in offshore secrecy jurisdictions around the world. The Luanda Leaks details two decades of insider deals that made Dos Santos rich and left oil - and diamond-rich Angola one of the poorest in the world. In this sense, the Head of state ratified his commitment to continue fighting for the working class. "The Government Palace's doors are open, and I would like the next meeting to take place there, at the Government Palace, alongside the working class, alongside you, because you represent the humblest families; you are the living voice of families that do not have rights," he expressed. Likewise, the top official called for the working class to stand united, which will lead to supporting the attainment of their goals. "We will provide all support to the working class in order to have a united, firm, and strong guild; so no one is left behind, so everyone can be heard," he added. Furthermore, President Castillo criticized the repressive laws against the masses and union leaders who demand labor rights. Therefore, he said his administration will make arrangements with the purpose of eliminating those rules. Presidente @PedroCastilloTe: Todo trabajador sabe que los derechos son producto de una lucha y un esfuerzo. Llamo a la mas amplia unidad de los trabajadores en el pais. Les pido que hagamos un esfuerzo por cohesionar la fuerza obrera en el Peru. pic.twitter.com/g23om16j7I YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan met with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell on September 24, the foreign ministry said in a press release. Mirzoyan and Borrell were pleased to note the dynamic development of Armenia-European Union partnership. Issues pertaining to the effective implementation of the Armenia-EU CEPA, and the upcoming Eastern Partnership summit were discussed. The Armenian FM and the Vice President of the European Commission also exchanged ideas around issues of regional stability and security. In the context of addressing the humanitarian issues caused by the 44-day war, FM Mirzoyan underscored the imperative of unconditional repatriation of the Armenian POWs, including civilian captives still held by Azerbaijan and the unacceptability of the politicization of this issue. The need to re-launch the peaceful resolution process of the NK conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship and a lasting and comprehensive resolution was emphasized. Both sides attached importance to making efforts for de-escalation and ensuring security and stability in the region. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan delivered a speech at the General Debate of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly. ARMENPRESS presents the full text of the speech. September 25, 2021, 09:28 We realize that the path will be difficult and long: Speech of Armenian PM at General Debate of the 76th Session of UNGA STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 25, ARTSAKHPRESS: Honorable President of the General Assembly, Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to once again deliver a statement at the United Nations General Assembly. First of all, I would like to congratulate Mr. Abdulla Shahid on his election as President of the General Assembly, as well as Mr. Antonio Guterres on his re-election as Secretary-General of the United Nations. I am confident that with your leadership you will help us overcome the vast challenges we are facing. Today in my speech, I would like to refer to the situation in the South Caucasus region, present our views and proposals on the solution of the existing problems. As you know, in the fall of 2020, Nagorno-Karabakh was subjected to aggression. The war that lasted forty-four days took the lives of several thousands of people. Tens of thousands of residents of Nagorno-Karabakh were displaced. The aggression was accompanied by numerous gross violations of international law by the Azerbaijani armed forces, including deliberate targeting of civilians and vital infrastructure, extrajudicial killings of prisoners of war and civilian hostages, torture and many other documented crimes. As a result of these actions, in the parts of Nagorno-Karabakh, which came under the control of Azerbaijan, the Armenian people were subjected to complete ethnic cleansing. Unfortunately, the international community here again could not prevent the mass atrocities. Today, no Armenian lives or practically could live in the territories under the control of Azerbaijan. Thanks to the mediation efforts of the Russian Federation, it was possible to stop the bloodshed. On November 9, a trilateral ceasefire statement was signed. Peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation were deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh, which today ensure stability and security thereon. Dear Colleagues, One month ago, the Republic of Armenia National Assembly approved the Government's Action Plan for 2021-2026, where one of the key provisions is to open an era of peaceful development for our country and the region. Moreover, as per the results of the early parliamentary election held on June 20, 2021, the people of Armenia gave to our Government a mandate to move towards this key goal. It should be emphasized that our Government received this important mandate based on the results of elections that were held to overcome the domestic political crisis. This was the second election in our country after the Non-violent, Velvet, People's Revolution in Armenia in 2018. Both elections were assessed by international observers as competitive, transparent, and in line with democratic standards. So, how are we going to achieve the goal of opening an era of peaceful development for our country and the region? Through dialogue, overcoming incrementally the atmosphere of painful hostility in our region. We realize that the path will be difficult and long. Unfortunately, the incidents designed to delegitimize the peace agenda and deepen and institutionalize the atmosphere of hostility occur on a daily basis. Violations of the ceasefire, aggressive and insulting statements against Armenia and the Armenian people continue to escalate the atmosphere. An act against the peace agenda is the fact that, contrary to Article 8 of the November 9 statement, Azerbaijan not only still holds several dozen citizens of the Republic of Armenia in captivity, but also has sentenced many of them to 6 to 20 years imprisonment on trumped-up charges. In addition, there are persons whose captivity has not yet been confirmed by Azerbaijan, although there is clear evidence that they were captured. This becomes even more unacceptable against the background that in the fall of 2020, Azerbaijani users posted videos of the capture of specific Armenian soldiers, and later the decapitated or shot bodies of those soldiers were discovered. We have irrefutable evidence about the torture of our captives. An outrageous example of the deepening of the atmosphere of hostility is the opening of the so-called trophy park in Baku, where Azerbaijani schoolchildren are taken on excursions to watch the mannequins of captured, killed or bleeding Armenian soldiers. These and other steps are taken to demonstrate the impossibility of peace in our region, but we will consistently advance that agenda by using every opportunity and by creating new opportunities to open an era of peace for our region. In this sense, I consider the opening of regional communications extremely important, which is stated in the 9th point of the trilateral declaration signed by the President of the Russian Federation, the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia of November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021. The interconnected transport arteries of the region will be an outcome of resolving this issue. Opportunity will be created for establishing economic ties, which is one of the important prerequisites for peaceful development. While examining the topic of reopening transport links, we discovered that there are options that aim at sustaining regional isolation and hostility, but there are also options that emphasize regional interconnectedness and can be a step-by-step solution of the problem of hostility. We are an advocate for the latter option. If the railway connecting Armenia to Turkey is opened too, then the topic of opening regional communications will cover broader scope. Honorable Mr. Secretary General, Armenia is ready for a constructive dialogue, which should lead to the establishment of sustainable and lasting peace in the region. In this regard, we propose to complete the process of return of prisoners of war, hostages and other captives without delay. It is also necessary to resume the peace process for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. There is no doubt that the situation created through the use of force cannot gain legitimacy from the point of view of international law. The right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination cannot be suspended through the use of force; the conflict cannot be considered resolved through the use of force. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is awaiting its just settlement. This is evidenced by the statements of the Co-Chair countries, which emphasize the need to resume the negotiation process based on the well-known principles. We believe that the contacts mediated by the Co-Chairs will enable the parties to find common ground, and to open avenues for addressing many difficult issues. Next is the issue of delimitation and demarcation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. I must state with regret that it is difficult to imagine a border delimitation process on the backdrop of almost daily shootings and various provocations on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, on the backdrop of units of the armed forces of Azerbaijan having infiltrated the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia on May 12, 2021 in the Sotk-Khoznavar section. To overcome this situation, we have suggested the following actions: In the above mentioned section, the armed forces of both Armenia and Azerbaijan should withdraw simultaneously to the Soviet times border, international observers would be deployed along that border and under international auspices we would start delimitation and demarcation. We are ready to implement this proposal at any time. Dear Colleagues, In my speech, I touched upon issues of vital importance for our country and for the region. These issues need urgently to be addressed today and require the urgent attention of the international community. At the same time, as I conclude my speech, I would like to reaffirm that Armenia, as a responsible member of the international community and a reliable partner, will continue to contribute to the strengthening of comprehensive international order, to international cooperation based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, promoting sustainable development and protection of fundamental human rights. We are committed to a constructive and inclusive dialogue with all our partners. Armenia is ready to make every effort to contribute to overcoming the current global challenges such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, issues of international peace, security, and sustainable development. With this, let me complete my speech by wishing success to the works of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. Thank you for attention. Within the framework of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Friday met with Josep Borrell, Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, news.am informs, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. September 25, 2021, 11:57 Armenia FM, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy discuss Karabakh peace process STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 25, ARTSAKHPRESS: The interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the dynamic development of the Armenia-EU partnership. The effective implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, and the forthcoming EU Eastern Partnership summit were touched upon, too. The parties exchanged views also on regional stability and security. In the context of addressing the humanitarian issues as a result of the 44-day Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war last fall, FM Mirzoyan stressed the imperative of unconditional repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian detainees held in Azerbaijan and the inadmissibility of politicizing this issue. During the meeting, the need for resumption of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and a lasting and comprehensive settlement was stressed, too. Also, both sides underscored the importance of making efforts to de-escalate tension and ensure security and stability in the region. Ankara plans to buy additional S-400 air defense systems from Moscow, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview for CBS published Friday, Tass informs. September 25, 2021, 12:39 Turkey intends to buy more S-400 air defense systems from Russia - Erdogan STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 25, ARTSAKHPRESS: When asked by a journalist whether Ankara plans to buy more S-400 systems, the Turkish leader said: "In the future, nobody would be able to interfere in what defensive systems we buy, from which country and on which level. Nobody would be able to meddle in it. Only we would be able to make such decisions. Of course, yes, we will [buy the S-400]," Erdogan underscored. "I explained everything to [US] President [Joe]. We made a decision to buy F-35 planes and we paid $1.4 billion," he said, adding that Ankara "still has not received the F-35." "We also asked to sell us Patriot [air defense systems], but we were denied," Erdogan noted. "You dont give me the Patriots, so I will probably buy defense systems from other countries. Nobody can interfere in that." The Turkish leader expressed his certainty that US ex-President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg both agreed with his position. When asked whether the US will be able to trust Turkey after that, Erdogan said: "This is what I say in response: excuse me. Who will share the risks regarding out security? How are we supposed to take necessary measures amid the security risks? Should we expect shipments of defense systems from countries that refuse to provide them to us?". BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian Prime Minister Florin Citu won the leadership election of his ruling Liberal Party on Saturday, further reducing the chances of reuniting the centrist coalition government which collapsed earlier this month. The fracture of the Liberal-led coalition, which includes the junior partner USR Plus and ethnic Hungarian group UDMR, threatens Romania's economic recovery and efforts to reduce the European Union state's large deficits. It also comes at a time when COVID-19 cases are rising sharply again. Citu secured his leadership at an election during the Liberal Party congress on Saturday. USR Plus, a relatively new centrist party, withdrew its ministers from the cabinet in early September in a row over a regional development fund and filed a no confidence vote in parliament, refusing to return until Citu was no longer prime minister. USR Plus opposed a government decree to set up a 50 billion lei ($11.85 billion) regional infrastructure development financing scheme which would give local mayors access to funds with limited oversight. With the second-lowest vaccination rate in the EU, Romania is bracing for a fourth wave of the pandemic that looks set to overwhelm hospitals where medical staff are already stretched thin. Daily infection rates have doubled in a week and are nearing a record high of over 10,000. The Liberal Party election has dominated public agenda for months and stalled policymaking, analysts said. Citu, a relative newcomer but backed by centrist President Klaus Iohannis, challenged the unseated former party leader and premier, Ludovic Orban. Liberal lawmakers have objected to USR Plus's no-confidence motion at the Constitutional Court on technical grounds, with a ruling expected next week. Regardless of the current motion, Citu must still bring a new cabinet line-up to parliament for approval in October, following the resignation of USR Plus ministers. A minority government of Liberals and ethnic Hungarians would rely on backing from opposition leftist Social Democrat lawmakers, which would make them vulnerable to concessions. ($1 = 4.2208 lei) (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; editing by Clelia Oziel) Ms Meng, pictured on arrival in China, had been accused of fraud by US prosecutors A Chinese tech executive released after being detained in Canada for nearly three years has returned home. Huawei's Meng Wanzhou flew to Shenzhen on Saturday evening, hours after two Canadians freed by China had gone back. In 2018 China accused Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig of espionage, denying detaining them was in retaliation for Ms Meng's arrest. The apparent swap brings to an end a damaging diplomatic row between Beijing and the West. Mr Spavor and Mr Kovrig arrived in the western city of Calgary just before 06:00 local time (12:00 GMT) and were met by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A couple of hours later Ms Meng touched down in Shenzhen, China, to applauds from a crowd gathered at the airport. "I'm finally back home!," said Ms Meng, according to the Global Times, a Chinese tabloid backed by the ruling Communist Party. "Where there is a Chinese flag, there is a beacon of faith," she added. "If faith has a colour, it must be China red." Ms Meng was wanted on charges in the US but was released after a deal between Canada and US prosecutors. Michael Kovrig (r) and Michael Spavor had been held since 2018 Before her release, Ms Meng admitted misleading US investigators about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. She spent three years under house arrest in Canada while fighting extradition to the United States. China had earlier insisted that her case was not related to the sudden arrest of Mr Kovrig and Mr Spavor in 2018. But China's the decision to free them after Ms Meng's release appears to show that pretence has been abandoned, reports Robin Brant, the BBC's Shanghai correspondent. Mr Kovrig and Mr Spavor have maintained their innocence throughout, and critics have accused China of using them as political bargaining chips. After they arrived in Calgary, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared images on Twitter of him welcoming the pair. "You've shown incredible strength, resilience, and perseverance," he wrote in the tweet. "Know that Canadians across the country will continue to be here for you, just as they have been." Story continues Mr Kovrig is a former diplomat employed by International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank. Mr Spavor is a founding member of an organisation that facilitates international business and cultural ties with North Korea. In August this year a Chinese court sentenced Mr Spavor to 11 years in prison for espionage. There had been no decision in Mr Kovrig's case. On Friday, a Canadian judge ordered the release of Ms Meng, Huawei's chief financial officer, after she reached a deal with US prosecutors over fraud charges against her. Huawei said in a statement that it would continue to defend itself in court, and looked forward to seeing Ms Meng reunited with her family. Before her arrest, US prosecutors accused Ms Meng of fraud, alleging that she misled banks into processing transactions for Huawei that broke US sanctions against Iran. As part of a deferred prosecution agreement, Ms Meng admitted to misleading HSBC about Huawei's relationship with Skycom, a Hong-Kong based company that operated in Iran. China's foreign ministry said the charges against her had been "fabricated" to suppress the country's high-tech industries, according to state media. But in a statement the US justice department insisted it would continue to prepare for trial against Huawei, which is still on a trade blacklist. Ms Meng is the elder daughter of Ren Zhengfei, who set up Huawei in 1987. He also served in the Chinese army for nine years, until 1983, and is a member of the Chinese Communist Party. Huawei itself is now the largest telecom equipment maker in the world. It has faced accusations that Chinese authorities could use its equipment for espionage - allegations it denies. In 2019, the US imposed sanctions on Huawei and placed it on an export blacklist, cutting it off from key technologies. The UK, Sweden, Australia and Japan have also banned Huawei, while other countries including France and India have adopted measures stopping short of an outright ban. Another woman claims to have picked up the hitchhiking boyfriend of slain Gabby Petito just two days after she was last seen. A manhunt for the 22-year-old YouTube blogger's partner, Brian Laundrie, is underway after the 23-year-old was reported missing by his parents on September 17. They hadn't seen him in three days after he set off for a hike. Ms Petito, who was last seen on August 27, was found dead at a national park in Wyoming this week after a cross-country van trip with Mr Laundrie. Police named him as a person of interest after he returned to their Florida home on September 1 without Ms Petito. Brian Laundrie speaks to a police officer after being pulled over in the van he was travelling in with Gabby Petito in August. Source: AAP On Thursday (local time), Norma Jean Javolec told Fox News she had just realised that she had picked up Mr Laundrie, who was hitchhiking, on August 29 and dropped him off at the Spread Creek camping area where Ms Petitos remains were found. Ms Javolec said she had been at a church service in the area when she spotted the 23-year-old and asked him where he was going. After she revealed that she lived in the opposite direction that he wanted to go, Ms Javolec said Mr Laundrie jumped into her passenger seat and asked to taken to Spread Creek. She told Fox News the pair made small talk, during which he told her he had a fiancee and offered money for petrol. At one point, she said she made a sharp turn and her bible fell from the dashboard onto the 23-year-old's lap. He simply placed it back. Gabby Petito, 22, was reported missing on September 11 and later found dead in a national park. Source: AAP However, Ms Javolec told the publication that when she offered to drive him into the camping area instead of dropping him off out front, Mr Laundrie "freaked out" and tried "to get out of the moving car". "Everything's legitimate. Everything's corroborated. I already talked to the FBI," she said, adding that she only realised she had given Mr Laundrie a lift after spotting a TikTok video by Miranda Baker. Story continues Ms Baker also claims to have given Mr Laundrie a ride. Search for Brian Laundrie continues In Florida, searchers spent an unsuccessful week searching for Mr Laundrie in the forbidding wilderness preserve near his parents home. The search at the Carlton Reserve park began after Mr Laundrie told his parents he was going there, several days after returning home alone. On Friday, Ms Petito's friend has revealed Mr Laundrie has the skills needed to survive in the wilderness. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Rose Davis revealed the 23-year-old had spent three months hiking the Appalachian trail last year by himself. The US District Court of Wyoming issued a federal arrest warrant for Mr Laundrie on Wednesday (local time), relating to "activities following the death of Gabrielle Petito". FBI agents take away evidence from the family home of Mr Laundrie. Source: Getty Images The warrant, however, was issued in relation to the unauthorised use of a debit card. The FBI is yet to comment further. Teton County Coroner Brent Blue has classified Ms Petitos death as a homicide meaning her death was caused by another person but did not disclose how she was killed pending further autopsy results. Officials urged anyone with knowledge of Mr Laundries role in Ms Petitos death or his whereabouts to contact the FBI. With online sleuths and theories multiplying by the day, the FBI and police have been deluged with tips about possible Mr Laundrie sightings. with The Associated Press Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. At the end of the week, active COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations decreased in Cayuga County. The Cayuga County Health Department reported 32 new cases, 20 of which are unvaccinated. The active case total is 274, down from 304 on Wednesday. Nineteen residents, including 11 who are unvaccinated, are in central New York hospitals due to COVID-related illnesses. The patients include four in their 50s, three in their 90s, three in their 80s, three in their 70s, two in their 60s, one in their 100s, one in their 40s, one in their 30s and one in their 20s. There were 21 hospitalizations reported on Wednesday. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cayuga County remains an area with a high level of COVID-19 transmission. The county has a 7-day case rate of 344.76 per 100,000 people. The 7-day average positivity rate was 7.1%. The health department is aiming to boost the county's vaccination rate. The CDC says 59.3% of eligible residents ages 12 and older and 60.6% of adults ages 18 and older are fully vaccinated. A majority of the county's population (51.9%) is fully vaccinated. Bands The Skycoasters and Perform 4 Purpose supplied live music for the event. Refreshments, raffle baskets and more were available. In a large hall with guests, there was a large sign acknowledging Quinn. Sheri Quinn's husband, Dennis Quinn, who is on the committee for Stand By Me, gazed at the event around him at one point. "This is something she dreamed up. Unfortunately, she didn't make it, but Joe's continued with the quest to support people going through difficult times," Dennis said. Allison Skinner, who was at the event with loved ones, said she has cancer and had received money through the event in the past, so she wanted to come to support Stand By Me. "Having cancer is hard enough that you don't want to struggle financially, so the community helped me, I'm going to give back to the community," she said. Meghan and Scott Biter, along with their children, Ainsley, Finleigh and Ruari, were also at the event. AUBURN Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin marveled at what he was seeing: A piece of Cayuga County and American history. Benjamin stopped in Auburn on Friday to tour the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. He was joined by Karen Hill, president and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home, and Rev. Paul Carter, who led the tour. As Carter and Hill led Benjamin through the Home for the Aged, which Tubman established on her property, they showed him artifacts that help tell Tubman's story. Hill informed Benjamin that at the site, they celebrate the work of the "free Harriet." "Her work didn't end when she started bringing people from being enslaved in the South, those freedom seekers, north," Hill said. "Her work just began and then she did the work of freedom." Benjamin looked around inside the Home for the Aged. "This is amazing," he remarked. After the tour, he described it as an emotional experience. He grew up in New York City Harlem, Brooklyn and Queens and noted that a Harriet Tubman statue in central Harlem is often used to host women's empowerment events. While speaking with reporters, he echoed Hill's statement about celebrating the free Harriet. Karen Hill, president and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, introduced Gillibrand and praised her work to establish the commission, which required congressional action. "Senator Gillibrand made this commission happen," said Hill, who served on the commission. In her speech, Gillibrand told the crowd that women U.S. senators fought to establish a commission so that there would be a conversation about how to commemorate the 100th anniversary and to determine how to best tell the story for children to learn about "why the struggle and the fight for the right to vote is so fundamental to this American democracy and to our shared history." Regarding the statue, Gillibrand called the quartet "bold, brave women." She highlighted Tubman, whom she described as "one of my favorite New Yorkers of all time." Tubman is known for her work on the Underground Railroad and for leading enslaved people to freedom, but she also supported the women's suffrage movement later in her life. Gillibrand later noted that for some women, particularly Native Americans and women of color, the right to vote wasn't granted until the 1960s. Three of the four women featured in the "Ripples of Change" statue were either Native American (Cornelius Kellogg was an Oneida leader) or Black (Tubman and Truth). The Biden White House, meanwhile, has kept up a hard line on Huawei and other Chinese corporations whose technology is thought to pose national security risks. Huawei has repeatedly denied the U.S. governments allegations and security concerns about its products. Meng had long fought the Justice Department's extradition request, with her lawyers calling the case against her flawed and alleging that she was being used as a bargaining chip in political gamesmanship. They cited a 2018 interview in which then-President Donald Trump said he'd be willing to intervene in the case if it would help secure a trade deal with China or aid U.S. security interests. Last month, a Canadian judge held off on ruling whether Meng should be extradited to the U.S. after a Canadian Justice Department lawyer wrapped up his case saying there was enough evidence to show she was dishonest and deserved to stand trial in the U.S. Comfort Ero, the interim Vice President of the International Crisis Group, Kovrig's employer, said they have been waiting for more than 1,000 days for the news. NEW YORK (AP) Actor Michael K. Williams died of acute drug intoxication in what New York City's medical examiner said Friday was an accidental death. Williams, known for playing Omar Little on The Wire and an Emmy Award nominee this year, had fentanyl, parafluorofentanyl, heroin and cocaine in his system when he died Sept. 6 in Brooklyn. Williams, 54, was found dead by family members in his penthouse apartment. Police said at the time that they suspected a drug overdose. The city's Office of Chief Medical Examiner said it would not comment further. A message seeking comment was left with Williams' representative. Williams had spoken frankly in interviews in recent years about his struggle with drug addiction, which he said persisted after he gained fame on The Wire" in the early 2000s. I was playing with fire, he told the Newark Star-Ledger in 2012. It was just a matter of time before I got caught and my business ended up on the cover of a tabloid or I went to jail or, worse, I ended up dead. When I look back on it now, I dont know how I didnt end up in a body bag. After launching several relief initiatives in Uttarakhand, Hero MotoCorp has now announced a global ride Ride for Real Heroes to honour the frontline healthcare warriors across the world. The Splendor maker informed in a press note that participants of the newly announced global ride will distribute Covid-19 safety kits to the healthcare workers including doctors and medical personnel in 100 cities and towns across the world. (Also Read: Hero MotoCorp achieves its second Guinness World Records title) The new Hero ride has been slated to take off on October 2, 2021. Hero will be organising the Ride for Real Heroes ride in 100 cities across the world. Some of the countries where the ride will take place include India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Guatemala, Colombia, Bolivia, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Turkey and UAE among others. The ride will span 100 kilometres in each city. To participate, the interested Hero customers can apply for the ride on the company's official website. As a responsible corporate citizen, Hero MotoCorp remains committed to contributing to the betterment and well-being of society. To honour the frontline healthcare workers across the world, we are delighted to announce one iconic ride Ride for Real Heroes. The riders participating in the ride will be distributing Covid-19 safety kits across 100 cities is in keeping with our ongoing efforts to support the medical infrastructure in the country. For this noble cause, we encourage more participants from more cities to come forward and be a part of our 100Kms, 100 Cities, 100 Rides initiative," said Naveen Chauhan, Head Sales and Aftersales, Hero MotoCorp said. Daimler AG will team up with Stellantis NV and TotalEnergies SE to boost the scale of their European battery venture to more than 7 billion euros ($8.2 billion) in a move to secure supplies for electric Mercedes-Benz cars. The worlds biggest luxury-car maker will take a 33% stake in battery manufacturer Automotive Cells Company, whose projects will be financed through equity, debt and subsidies, Daimler said Friday. ACC aims for capacity of at least 120 gigawatt hours in Europe by the end of the decade, more than double the amount laid out by the two founding partners. The venture, which has held talks with French rival Renault SA, is open to adding more partners, Stellantis said separately. Mercedes will invest roughly 500 million euros next year and expects its total spending to remain below 1 billion euros. This investment marks a strategic milestone on our path to CO2 neutrality," Daimler Chief Executive Officer Ola Kallenius said in a statement. This new partnership allows us to secure supply, to take advantage of economies of scale, and to provide our customers with superior battery technology." Daimlers move is the latest step by the maker of the EQS sedan to accelerate toward fully electric vehicles. Joining with Europes second-biggest carmaker will help Mercedes gain scale to fend off Tesla Inc. and Volkswagen AGs luxury brands. The deal adds to a flurry of activity across the industry to ensure sufficient supply of batteries. In Europe, EVs accounted for 17% of sales during the first half. Mercedes investment will help get ACC off the ground" as a potential European leader in the battery race, Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois said in a note. ACC is an initiative forged in 2020 by Totals Saft unit and Stellantis, formed from the merger of PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler earlier this year. Originally slated to cost 5 billion euros, its also backed by France and Germany as part of the EUs push to chip away at Asian dominance in EV batteries and create new jobs. The venture is going up against the likes of Swedens Northvolt AB, co-founded in 2016 by former Tesla executives thats won Volkswagen and BMW AG as customers. The manufacturer will have to successfully juggle production of cells for Mercedes luxury cars as well as for Stellantis mass-market brands, said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director at the Center Automotive Research in Germany. The cell materials for Mercedes are bound to differ significantly from the ones for Opel, Peugeot or Fiat." Joining forces with Stellantis will also put Daimler back in touch with Chrysler and add further distance with Renault in a sign of the deep shifts upending the industry. Daimler and Chrysler in 2007 dissolved their merger after failing to find synergies, while Renault and Nissan Motor Co. earlier this year sold their equity stakes in Daimler to help finance their turnaround efforts. Daimler will hold two of six supervisory board seats for the battery maker, which will supply Mercedes from mid-decade and is weighing an expansion of its production network in Europe. The companies will work together on battery technology development, including high silicon anode and solid-state batteries. The carmaker is also weighing to expand a cooperation with Chinas Farasis, Daimler development Markus Schaefer said during a call with reporters, dismissing reports the battery-cell partnership faces technical roadblocks. Mercedes in July unveiled plans to spend more than 40 billion euros this decade to electrify its lineup and defend its leadership in the luxury segment. The goal includes building battery cars on three all-electric vehicle platforms from 2025 and setting up eight battery factories worldwide with partners. After years being viewed as a laggard in the EV race, the inventor of the automobile stepped up its game this year with the launch of the EQS, the electric version of its flagship S-Class. The sedan blends upscale appeal and competitive battery range to challenge electric leader Tesla. Itll be flanked by the EQE, the battery-powered counterpart to the E-Class sedan, which was unveiled earlier this month in Munich.. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. ANAHEIM, Calif.Sexual wellness brand Wicked Sensual Care returned as a sponsor to this year's Gay Days Anaheim event at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure after a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The weekend included meet-ups, parties, screenings, dances, live shows and celebrity guests such as Broadway icons Audra McDonald and Chita Rivera, and RuPaul's Drag Race favorite Jackie Cox served as host. As in previous years, the event attracted thousands of LGBTQ+ attendees from around the country. "We were proud to be at Gay Days Anaheim showing everyone simply Aqua Special Edition and supporting this community," Wicked Sensual marketing director Cassie Pendleton said. "I had a great time introducing Wicked Sensual Care to the folks attending Gay Days Anaheim, added account executive Nicole Talley, who oversaw Wicked Sensual Care's booth in the Trillium Room of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. It was great to see everyone and show them some of our products! In a prepared statement, the events organizers commented, It was a spectacular weekend! Thank you Jackie Cox, Audra McDonald, Chita Rivera, and all the Gay Days volunteers and sponsors. We will see you September 16 -18 2022! To view a photo gallery of the event, visit Weho Times. For information on future activities go to Gay Days Anaheim. For real-time updates, including sexual health and wellness tips from resident sex educator Jessica Drake, follow Wicked Sensual Care on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: www.instagram.com/ wickedsensualcare, www.Facebook.com/WickedLubes, and www.Twitter.com/WickedSensual. Plant species worldwide face an increasing barrage of threats to their survival. The deliberate collection of rare plants poses a far greater threat to wild plant species. In Wild Plants in Trade (1992), the reasons and effects of wild collection on plants for cultivation and international trade can be found. The trade of orchids, bulbs, cycads, palms and tree ferns, cacti and other succulent plants, carnivorous plants and air plants were introduced in detail in the second half of this book, as well as the attempts to control the collection of these plants by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and governments. Forests are also an important source for plant trade. The dipterocarp forests of Southeast Asia are today the largest source of hardwoods in international trade, but they are likely to be logged over within a decade or two. India, Burma and Southeast Asia are rich centers of genetic variation in cultivated fruit trees. The scale of exploitation of the forests in the last few decades has led to serious forest degradation. In The Conservation Atlas of Tropical Forests: Asia and the Pacific (1991), tropical timber trade of Asia and the Pacific areas are discussed in detail, along with government policies and land-use planning. The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) created in 1983 is largely concerned with improving market conditions and encouraging the development of national policies aimed at maintain[ing] the ecological balance in the regions concerned. One of the important economic values of plants, especially herbal plants, is in medicine. Approximately 60,000 plant species are harvested mainly for medicinal usage in the world. Today, people in many Asian countries still use medicinal plants for traditional health care treatments. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also acknowledged the importance of traditional medicines. The ethnobotany of southern Balochistan, Pakistan: with particular reference to medicinal plants (1992) collects two distinct types of ethnobotanical information: (1) plants used by nomads and village dwellers for nutritional, utilitarian, and medicinal purposes; and (2) plants prescribed and/or dispensed by herbalists or herbal doctors residing in population centers. The Latin binomial, relevant synonyms, field collection number, locality collected, local vernacular name(s), use(s), specifics of preparation(s) or treatment(s), and miscellaneous comments are provided for each species. The medicinal plants of the Philippines (1901) describes the Philippines Dicotyledonous (including Polypetalous and Gamopetalous) and Monocotyledonous plants which have medicinal properties. Ethnobotanical Use of Medicinal Plants by Inhabitants of Al-Mafraq, Jordan (2015) records and lists all medicinal plants that have shown therapeutic effects as analgesic/stimulant by the inhabitants of Al-Mafraq in the northern parts of Jordan during March 2011 to May 2013. Taxonomy and Conservation of Medicinal Plants in Canal-Irrigated Areas of Punjab, Pakistan (2006) presents the taxonomic position of 131 medicinal plants belonging to 112 families and 52 genera from the canal-irrigated areas of Punjab. Some of the important families are Fabaceae (21 medicinal species), Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Solanaceae (6 species each), Cucurbitaceae, Malvaceae, and Poaceae (5 species each). The life form, parts used and pharmaceutical uses of these plants are also described. Food and medicinal plants used for childbirth among Yunnanese Chinese in northern Thailand (2003) describes the folk knowledge of medicinal foods and plants used for childbirth care by Yunnanese Chinese in northern Thailand. More than 40 species of steam bath herbs were collected and identified. This paper also makes an initial ethnobotanical comparison with steam bath herbs among other ethnic groups in northern Thailand. References Jenkins, M., & Oldfield, S. (1992). Wild plants in trade. TRAFFIC International. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.44938 Collins, M. N., Sayer, J. A., & Whitmore, T. C. (Eds.). (1991). The Conservation Atlas of Tropical Forests: Asia and the Pacific. Macmillan Press Ltd. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.44927 Goodman, S. M., & Ghafoor, A. (1992). The ethnobotany of southern Balochistan, Pakistan: with particular reference to medicinal plants. Field Museum of Natural History. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.2542 Pardo de Tavera, T. H. (1901). The medicinal plants of the Philippines. (J. B. Thomas, Jr., Trans.). P. Blakistons Son & Co. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.21044 Al-Quran, S. (2014). Ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants by inhabitants of Al-Mafraq, Jordan. Arnaldoa, 21(1), 119-126. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/46625105 Akbar, K. F., & Athar, M. (2006). Taxonomy and conservation of medicinal plants in canal-irrigated areas of Punjab, Pakistan. SIDA, contributions to botany, 22(1), 593-606. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/9182015 Liulan, W., Nanakorn, W., & Fukui, K. (2003). Food and medicinal plants used for childbirth among Yunnanese Chinese in northern Thailand. Journal of Ethnobiology, 23(2), 209-226. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/32740176 Emergency AGAIN. My child, 17 years old daughter, Alexandria Wang, wanted to desert this biological family. Recently, so many things, very dangerous events, have happened, which APPEARED (ONLY APPEARED) to be STARTED by her contact with her high school Bronx High School of Science. Then reportedly American Children Service people and reportedly NYC-WELL people came to bother me again and again so often since September 21, 2021, a very special day for this family and a traditional Mid-Autumn Festival for us the Chinese. Early tonight, I got text message from Alexandria's phone number claiming she needed to fill in for some coworker at her temporary workplace World Ice Arena. She COULD NOT REPLY MY EARLY ANSWERS OR CALL ME BACK. I suspect that she was lying to me again. I strongly suspect that she could actually be in contact with HUMANSCUMS WITH THE EVIL SYSTEM about the fabricated, coerced stuff against me. Then Alexandria revealed that she had already made arrangement to have a "happy" life in ANOTHER "family". Neither I the father nor Li Li the mother has known anything about such!!!! Readers, witness how the AMERICAN EVIL SYSTEM'S HUMANSCUMS CAN RUIN A FAMILY, ON EACH MEMBER AND BY EACH MEMBER AGAINST OTHER MEMBERS. IT"S A SHEAR EVIL SYSTEM. I then called 911 twice, on 11:51 pm of Sept. 24, 2021, and then on 12:05 am of Sept. 25, 2021. We live at 136-09 59th Ave, Ground Floor Rear Apartment, Flushing, NY 11355. Now is 12:28 AM, the beginning hour of Sept. 25, 2021. NO POLICE OR EMS YET. The 1990s were not great for Bill Geerhart, an unemployed and not-so-aspiring screenwriter in his 30s. As a way to pass the time, he channeled his inner 10-year-old Billy and began writing letters to famous and infamous people and institutions. He wrote them in pencil on elementary school ruled paper and asked funny, relevant questions to celebrities, politicians, serial killers, movie stars, lobbyists, and corporate executives. Geerhart saved a copy of each letter he wrote and each reply he received. Harper Collins released them in a book titled Little Billy's Letters: An Incorrigible Inner Child's Correspondence with the Famous, Infamous, and Just Plain Bewildered. We were able to include a few of our favorites thanks to the publisher's permission. Take a look! The National Hobo Association believes that "unlike tramps or bums, the hoboes are usually very resourceful, self reliant and appreciative people." Susan Atkins is a convicted murderer former member of the Manson Family. When she died in prison in 2009, she was the longest-incarcerated female inmate in the California penal system, having been denied parole 18 times. Robert Shapiro was a member of O.J. Simpson's "dream team" of defense lawyers. The Catholic Church is the world's largest Christian church, with more than a billion members. Caesars Palace is a hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. At a public meeting on September 21, Klickitat County Commissioner Dan Christopher moved to fire countys health officer, Dr. Amy Person because she called to revive a state mask mandate. No one supported Christopher's motion, which seemed to enrage Christopher as he gave an emotional speech linking the the trauma of sexual assault to mask-wearing. From Oregon Public Broadcasting: In a roughly 4-minute speech, sometimes pausing for emotion, the first-term commissioner said he felt ordering the public to wear masks disregarded the "mental health and safety of the 1-in-4 girls that were sexually molested as children and the 1-in-6 women who have been forcibly raped." "My question is: who is looking out for these people, that got the vaccine even though they didn't want it? But they couldn't have something over their face a mask or a hand to bring back memories that trigger panic attacks and PTSD?" Christopher said. "Then understand the masks (sexual abuse survivors) are forced to wear by the governor, even after getting the vaccine, might as well be the governor's hand silencing the screams of their past," Christopher added. "I'm sorry if that hurts some of your feelings or upsets you, but that's where I stand." A 28-year-old Canadian woman had a stroke in a part of the brain known as the insular cortexand after she recovered, she found she'd lost any sense of hunger. She lost over 10 kilograms because she'd forget to eat. As this piece in Revyuh notes, when doctors examined her they found that even with a lack of calories, the woman did not feel any physiological signals that it was time for her to eat, for example, a rumbling in her stomach. Despite the fact that the patient did not have problems with the sense of taste, smell and texture of food (only in the first two months she complained of a metallic aftertaste after eating any food), even her favorite foods and products, for example, chocolate. There's a paper in Neurocase describing her experience, and a paywalled story in New Scientist notes that the brain region where her stroke occurred (sometimes just called "the insula") is still a mystery to science The insula is one of the least understood parts of the brain because it is tucked deep inside the folds of this organ. It appears to have a diverse set of functions, involved in consciousness, empathy and pain. But there is growing evidence that it also helps to process signals from different parts of the body in order to assess our internal bodily state for example, whether we are hungry or full, warm or cold, or tired or rested. If the insula senses that something is out of balance our blood sugar levels are too low, say it tries to amend this. For example, it may work with other parts of the brain to create a feeling of hunger that encourages eating, says Yoav Livneh at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. "In this woman's case, her brain would still have been receiving signals that she was missing calories, but because of the damage to her insula she wouldn't have been aware of them," he says. As the scientists pondering this rare case note, it's possible knowing now the role the insula has in sensations of hunger that one could design a drug that targets its functioning and artificially reduces hunger, for weight loss. The problem is that because the insular seems involved in lots of other sensations and bodily self-regulation, you might cause new and weirder problems if you mucked with the insula's functioning. More evidence of a what a crazy mystery the brain is. (Public domain photo of fridge courtesy the US Department of Agriculture) By David Kirton and David Stanway SHENZHEN, China/TORONTO (Reuters) - Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou arrived in China on Saturday, ending her near three-year U.S. extradition fight, the same day two Canadians detained by Beijing for more than 1,000 days returned home, potentially paving the way for improved ties between China and the two western allies. Meng https://www.reuters.com/business/huawei-heir-apparent-prepares-life-after-three-years-canada-court-battle-2021-09-24, the daughter of Huawei Technologies founder Ren Zhengfei, was allowed to go home after reaching an agreement with U.S. prosecutors on Friday to end a bank fraud case against her. The extradition drama has been a central source of discord between Beijing and Washington, with Chinese officials signalling that the case had to be dropped to help end a diplomatic stalemate. Two Canadians detained by Chinese authorities just days after Meng's arrest - Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor - were embraced on the tarmac by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after they landed in Calgary. "You've shown incredible strength, resilience, and perseverance," Trudeau said in a Twitter post with photos of him welcoming them home. "Know that Canadians across the country will continue to be here for you, just as they have been." In the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, Meng wore a patriotic red-coloured dress as she exited a plane to be greeted by well-wishers. "I'm finally back home," Meng was quoted as saying by the Global Times tabloid backed by the ruling Communist Party. "The waiting in a foreign country was full of suffering. I was speechless the moment my feet touched Chinese soil." Chinese state media welcomed Meng back but were silent about Kovrig and Spavor, who were released hours after Meng on Friday. Huawei said in a statement that it "looked forward to seeing Ms. Meng returning home safely to be reunited with her family." It said it would continue to defend itself against U.S. charges. Story continues The agreement opened U.S. President Joe Biden to criticism from Washington's China hawks who argue his administration is capitulating to China and one of its top companies at the centre of a global technology rivalry between the two countries. Some Republican senators swiftly condemned Meng's release and urged the White House to address the U.S. Congress on the issue. "The release of Ms. Meng raises serious questions about President Biden's ability and willingness to confront the threat posed by Huawei and the Chinese Communist Party," said Marco Rubio in a text message to Reuters. Senator Jim Risch said in a statement that the deal was "a victory for one of the world's most brutal and cruel regimes," and would embolden the Communist Party "to use other foreign citizens as bargaining chips because it now knows hostage taking is a successful way to get what it wants." Some Chinese commentators felt otherwise. "By agreeing to let Meng return to China, the Biden administration is signalling that it hopes to clear the mess left behind by the former Trump administration," said Wu Xinbo, dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University. 'BLURRING WITH TEARS' Chinese state broadcaster CCTV carried a statement by Meng, written as her plane flew over the North Pole, avoiding U.S. airspace. Meng said her eyes were "blurring with tears" as she approached "the embrace of the great motherland." Meng was detained in December 2018 in Vancouver after a New York court issued an arrest warrant, saying she tried to cover up attempts by Huawei-linked companies to sell equipment to Iran in breach of U.S. sanctions. Acting U.S. attorney Nicole Boeckmann said Meng had "taken responsibility for her principal role in perpetuating a scheme to defraud a global financial institution." Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the charges against her had been "fabricated" in order to suppress the country's high-tech industries. At the airport in Shenzhen, Meng's hometown, a crowd of well-wishers chanted patriotic slogans and held aloft red banners to welcome her return. "The fact that Meng Wanzhou can be declared not guilty and released is a huge victory in politics and diplomacy for people in China," said Liu Dan, who was among the crowd. State news agency Xinhua attributed Meng's release to the "unremitting efforts of the Chinese government". Hu Xijin, editor in chief of the Global Times, wrote on Twitter that "international relations have fallen into chaos" as a result of Meng's "painful three years". He added, "No arbitrary detention of Chinese people is allowed." However, neither Hu nor other local media have mentioned the release of Spavor and Kovrig, and reactions on China's Twitter-like Weibo social media platform have been few and far between. China's foreign ministry has not commented publicly. China has previously denied engaging in "hostage diplomacy", insisting that the arrest and detention of the Canadians was not tied in any way to the proceedings against Meng. Spavor was accused of supplying photographs of military equipment to Kovrig and sentenced to 11 years in jail in August. Kovrig had still been awaiting sentencing. (Reporting by David Kirton in Shenzhen and David Stanway in Shanghai; Additional reporting by Yew Lun Tian and Denny Thomas, and Michael Martina and Lucia Mutikani in Washington; Writing by Denny Thomas; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, William Mallard, Jane Merriman and Daniel Wallis) National Conference president Farooq Abdullah (Photo/ANI) New Delhi [India], September 25 (ANI): Urging India to initiate dialogue with the Taliban, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that India has invested billions in Afghanistan and there is no harm in engaging with the new-regime in the war-torn country in order to safeguard its investment. "Taliban is in power in Afghanistan now. India spent billions on different projects during the last regime in Afghanistan. We should talk to the current Afghan regime. When we've invested so much in the country so what's the harm in keeping relations with them?' Abdullah told ANI here. On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit, the National Conference leader said, "I am sure that PM Modi must be taking to all leaders, including the US president Joe Biden. There is no doubt that terrorism is eating the whole world. But who started terrorism? Who attached Iraq?... Who bombed Libya despite the UN's warning? Which is the terrorist nation that destabilised the other nations." Acknowledging that terrorism is a global menance, Abdullah said that to make sure all the countries are safe, "all the powerful nations have to collectively make sure that no nation is weak." The National Conference leader also urged the Centre to initiate dialogue with farmers and form new laws for the agriculture sector with inputs from farmers. (ANI) Solar panels and windmills Written by Ambrose O'Callaghan at The Motley Fool Canada Political leaders have been increasingly focused on the climate change question to kick off the 2020s. The recent Canadian federal election highlighted the importance of this issue among voters. A recent Angus Reid survey revealed that 18% of respondents listed climate change as their top issue this election. The focus on reducing emissions has also sparked runs for stocks like Facedrive (TSXV:FD). Today, I want to discuss why Id avoid Facedrive and focus on green energy stocks that boast stability and nice income. Why Facedrive has been highly volatile in September Facedrive aims to offer a socially responsible transportation network. It aims to achieve this through verticals like ridesharing, food delivery, health tech services, and even an e-commerce platform. Of course, building a green transportation network from the ground up is an extremely challenging task. Moreover, the company must contend with giants like Uber and Lyft that are also offering green alternatives to their consumers. In March, Id discussed why Facedrive was an exciting stock but a dangerous gamble for investors. Shares of this stock have plunged 91% since late March. Last month, one of its founders resigned as chief executive and chair. Imran Khan, another co-founder, said in September that the company was mulling bankruptcy. Canadian investors should turn their attention to some of the top green energy stocks available on the TSX. These equities offer that socially responsible alternative while boasting stability and income. Heres why Id buy these green energy stocks instead TransAlta Renewables (TSX:RNW) is a Calgary-based company that develops, owns, and operates renewable power-generation facilities. Shares of this green energy stock have dropped 13% in 2021 as of close on September 23. However, the stock is up 22% year over year. The company suffered a dip after the August release of its second-quarter 2021 results. Comparable EBITDA dropped $18 million from the prior year to $97 million. Meanwhile, adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) plunged $26 million to $64 million. It revised its outlook downward for the full year in response to outages at its Sarnia location and lower wind production. Regardless, these short-term events are not expected to impact its positive long-term cash generation. Story continues Shares of this green energy stock last had a price-to-earnings ratio of 38, which puts TransAlta in favourable value territory relative to its industry peers. Better yet, it offers a monthly dividend of $0.078 per share. That represents a solid 4.7% yield. Algonquin Power (TSX:AQN)(NYSE:AQN) is another green energy stock Id look to buy instead of Facedrive. Its shares have dropped 7.2% in the year-to-date period. The stock is still up 3.2% from the same time in 2020. In Q2 2021, the company delivered revenue growth of 54% to $527 million. Meanwhile, adjusted EBITDA climbed 39% to $244 million. Algonquin was bolstered by projects that were placed in service in August 2020. Moreover, it has benefited from its aggressive acquisition strategy. Adjusted net earnings rose 93% year over year to $91.7 million. This green energy stock possesses a very attractive P/E ratio of 10. It last paid out a quarterly dividend of $0.171 per share, which represents a 4.4% yield. Id look to own both top green energy stocks over the volatile Facedrive as we move into October. The post Forget Facedrive: Buy These Top Green Energy Stocks Instead appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. Free 5G stock picks from The Motley Fool Invest in 5G Stocks for the Long Term Our Stock Advisor Canada analysts have put together a special report with 5 of our favorite 5G stocks. Get the report today for free! Get Your Free Report! More reading Fool contributor Ambrose O'Callaghan has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Uber Technologies. 2021 Security officers patrol on the site of a car-bomb attack in Mogadishu. A suicide car bomb which exploded near the presidential palace in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday has killed at least seven people. District police chief Mucawiye Ahmed Mudey told reporters that at least eight others had been injured. In a short statement, the Islamist militant group Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack targeted a convoy heading towards the presidential palace as it waited at a busy checkpoint. A witness told AFP that the bomb was detonated when police stopped the driver to carry out a security check. "They normally stop to check and clear vehicles before they can pass by the checkpoint. This car was stopped by the security guards and it went off while there were several other cars and people passing by the nearby road. I saw wounded and dead people being carried," Mohamed Hassan told the news agency. Eyewitnesses told the BBC that seven cars and three rickshaws were destroyed. The blast comes just hours after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive near Somali military headquarters in the capital, leaving no casualties. Many in the country have criticised Somali politicians for the country's deteriorating security situation, claiming that they are distracted by a much-delayed election process and a mounting dispute between the president and the prime minister. Al-Shabab, which means The Youth in Arabic, is an extreme Islamist group which has been battling UN-backed government troops for more than a decade. The jihadists controlled the capital Mogadishu until 2011 when it was pushed out by African Union troops, but it still holds territory in the countryside and launches frequent attacks against government and civilian targets in Mogadishu and elsewhere. It advocates the strict Saudi-inspired Wahhabi version of Islam, while most Somalis are Sufis. It has imposed a harsh version of Sharia in areas under its control, including stoning to death women accused of adultery and amputating the hands of thieves. Government officials have blamed the group for some of Somalia's deadliest terror attacks. Last year analysts at the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project estimated that Al-Shabab had been responsible for the deaths of over 4,000 people since 2010. Workshops / Conferences Shattering The Red Zone: By-Stander Intervention Training Students for Gender Violence Awareness will be presenting a bystander intervention training for the USI community. In this training you will learn how you can intervene in difficult situations. Bystander intervention is an imperative step to eradicating sexaul assault from our campus community. According to research "The Red Zone" is the time between the beginning of the semester and thanksgiving break where over half of reported sexual assaults are known to take place. Students for Gender Violence Awareness wants to help eradicate gender based violence from our campus. In attempt to help shatter the red zone SFGVA will be conducting a bystander intervention training for students. During this training students will learn how they can intervene in difficult situations. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday said it will begin including cases diagnosed with COVID-19 through antigen tests in its daily tally beginning next week. "Unti-unti na po nating ipapasok itong mga positive results ng antigen test after we validate ito pong mga na-i-re-report sa atin," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a Laging Handa briefing. [Translation: We will officially count positive antigen test results after we validate the reports submitted to us.] "So simula po next week unti-unti na ho nating ipapasok iyan at magkakaroon naman po tayo ng qualifier kung ilan ang RT-PCR, ilan naman po ang antigen test doon po sa mga kasong ire-report sa ating public," she added. [Translation: We will include that gradually. And we will have a qualifier, showing how many samples were tested using RT-PCR and antigen tests on our reports to the public.] Vergeire also said the department is working with other agencies to ensure all antigen test results are submitted to the government. "Kami po ay nakipagcoordinate na with the MMDA and the National Task Force para matulungan po tayo na ma-mobilize natin pati ang regional offices ng DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) at saka DOH so we can have registration process for clinics o local governments na gumagamit [ng antigen test]," she said. [Translation: We are coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the National Task Force to mobilize the regional offices of the DILG and DOH so we can have a registration process for clinics and local governments that use antigen tests.] "May specific na po tayo na reporting system for that na ibabahagi sa kanila so we can make this official at maging mandato po ng bawat gumagamit ng antigen na ma-i-report po ito sa ating gobyerno," she added. [Translation: We already have a specific reporting system for that, which we can share to make this official and to mandate all those who use antigen tests to report results to the government.] Vergeire reiterated her appeal to use the antigen test correctly to ensure the accuracy of results. She renewed her call after a DOH validation found most of the antigen test results reported to the department so far are invalid. "Based on our recent analysis, with almost 6,000 plus [results] submitted to us, when we validated these - only about 300 plus [were used correctly]," she said. The DOH previously said antigen tests should only be used to test people with flu-like symptoms, and those who have been exposed to a COVID-19 patient or living in areas with an outbreak. (CNN) -- Alibaba is dumping its shares in one of China's largest TV broadcasters just months after it bought them, as the company comes under growing pressure from a government campaign to rein in Big Tech's power and influence. Alibaba plans to sell its 5% stake in Mango Excellent Media, according to a statement from the media company on Thursday. It owns Mango TV, which is massively popular for its variety shows in China. China's second largest state-owned television network, Hunan Broadcasting System, controls Mango with a stake of 56%. The statement also said that Alibaba is seeking a waiver from an agreement not to sell the shares for a year. The e-commerce giant bought them only nine months ago for 6.2 billion yuan ($960 million). Based on Mango Excellent's stock price on Friday, Alibaba has already suffered a notional loss of about 2 billion yuan ($320 million) from the investment. The statement didn't provide any reason for Alibaba's plans to exit Mango. Alibaba didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The planned sale comes as Alibaba, founded in 1999 by Jack Ma, faces enormous political and regulatory pressure from Beijing, which has intensified a crackdown on the internet industry since late last year. Beijing has become increasingly concerned about the clout that big, private tech firms have over media, finance, data, and other sensitive sectors, and how entrenched they have become to everyday life in China through news, digital payments apps and other services. While Alibaba's mainstay business is e-commerce, the company has expanded into a variety of industries over the years. It has assembled a big media empire, owning major stakes in the country's most popular social media or online video platforms, such as Weibo, Youku, Bilibili, Xiaohongshu, and Qutoutiao, as well as in China Business Network, a state-owned financial media outlet. Alibaba also owns the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong's leading English-language newspaper, which it bought in 2015. Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal reported that Beijing had asked Alibaba to dispose of its media assets, as officials were concerned about its sway over public opinion. Last November, regulators shelved a highly anticipated IPO by Alibaba's financial affiliate, Ant Group. In December, President Xi Jinping said that stronger anti-monopoly rules against internet firms would be one of his most important goals for 2021. Days later, regulators announced an antitrust investigation into Alibaba. In April, Alibaba was fined a record $2.8 billion by the anti-trust watchdog. Ant Group was also cut down to size and ordered by the banking regulators to overhaul its operations. Ma who retired from the company in 2019 has largely remained out of sight through all of this. He vanished from public view for months before briefly emerging in a video earlier this year to speak to teachers at a philanthropic event. This story was first published on CNN.com "Alibaba was building a media empire. Now it's dumping Chinese TV shares". (CNN) -- China is intensifying its crackdown on cryptocurrencies. Chinese government agencies including the country's securities regulator and the People's Bank of China (PBOC) said in a statement on Friday that all cryptocurrency-related business activities are illegal and vowed to clamp down on illicit activities involving digital currencies. The agencies said that overseas crypto exchanges would be blocked from providing services to Chinese residents through the internet. Bitcoin fell about 5% on the news. Ethereum, another leading cryptocurrency, was down 9%. The agencies said that China would develop "new systems" to counter risks posed by cryptocurrencies. China will gradually start shutting down crypto mining operations, and no new mining projects will be permitted, the National Development and Reform Commission said in a separate statement. The announcements are the latest in a series of tough measures from China on cryptocurrencies. In May, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He told a group of finance officials that the government would "clamp down on bitcoin mining and trading activity" as part of its goal to achieve financial stability. And finance and banking watchdogs said that financial institutions and payment companies should not participate in any transactions related to cryptocurrency, nor should they provide crypto-related services to their clients. The measures aren't just about curtailing financial risk. The computers needed for bitcoin mining eat up a ton of computing power and electricity, raising concerns about the cost to the environment. China was on track to generate more than 130 million metric tons of carbon emissions by 2024, according to a Nature Communications study. That's more than the total annual carbon emissions output from the Czech Republic and Qatar in 2016. That kind of output is also disastrous for China's ambitious climate plans. President Xi Jinping has vowed to make his country carbon neutral by 2060, and the country is already struggling to contain carbon emissions from other industries. -- CNN Business' Laura He contributed to this report This story was first published on CNN.com "Bitcoin plummets after China intensifies cryptocurrency crackdown". Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) The Philippine economy may hit its pre-pandemic level by the end of 2022, but coronavirus restrictions will continue to hurt the country in the next four decades, with estimated losses amounting to a whopping 41.4 trillion, the state's top economic policy body has predicted. "Over the past six months, NEDA, with assistance from our development partners and attached agencies, has been estimating the total cost of COVID-19 and the quarantines," Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said in a statement issued by the agency on Saturday. "The present and future costs are estimated at 41.4 trillion in net present value terms," he said, referring to foregone revenues that various sectors are seen to experience in the wake of the pandemic and restrictions put in place to contain it. Still, there are a few strategic moves the government can initiate to help soften the blow and keep the economy on a growth track again, according to the NEDA assessment. The country may have to face up to 37 trillion losses more "in the next 10 to 40 years", on top of the 4.3 trillion recorded in 2020 alone, said Chua, who is ex-officio NEDA director-general. Chua said the sectors of tourism, restaurants, and public transportation will realize a "reduced demand" due to coronavirus rules, such as social distancing, dampening the consumption and investments in the next ten years. If businesses will still be barred from opening at their full capacity, tax revenues will also be affected. The estimated total loss due to weaker consumption is 4.5 trillion, the NEDA said. The pandemic will take its heaviest toll on private investments, with losses seen at 21.3 trillion. Chua also warned that workers' productivity will also "be lower due to untimely death, illness, and lack of face-to-face schooling", the impact of which is "likely to be permanent" in the next four decades. "Based on the study, the resulting productivity loss in human capital investment and returns is estimated at 15.5 trillion for the next 40 years," NEDA said. Breaking down, 4.5 trillion will be losses due to premature deaths and illness-related lost productivity costs. The suspension of face-to-face classes in 2020 to 2021 will also haunt the Philippines, with up to 11 trillion losses due to the reduction in future wages and productivity, coupled with lost wages of parents who cut their work hours to monitor their children in online classes. "The loss in future wages is based on the impact of lower quality education from online and other types of distance learning during the pandemic," NEDA said. "Every year of lost schooling leads to a 10% permanent decrease in future wages," it added, citing a study by the Asian Development Bank. The school closure in 2020 cost the local economy 230 billion, Chua said. "Its impact over the next 40 years of the students' lifetimes in the labor force is estimated at 10.7 trillion. This impact on productivity is likely to be permanent over the person's lifetime," the NEDA chief said. Chua stressed the need to further ramp up vaccination against COVID-19 across the country, safely reopen the economy through localized lockdowns and pilot face-to-face classes, and implement the recovery program to soften the "long-term scarring effects" of the virus on the economy. "Our recommendations have not changed. We can still recover to pre-pandemic level by the end of 2022 or early 2023, with a growth rate of 4% to 5% this year, and 7% to 9% next year, if we do these three things," Chua said. (CNN) -- Get ready all you cool cats and kittens, Netflix has announced "Tiger King 2" is coming to the streaming service. The first season of the series, "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness," was told over seven episodes. The second season was filmed in 2020 and into part of 2021. It's not known which colorful characters from the first season will be featured. Directors Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin told the story of "Joe Exotic," or Joseph Maldonado-Passage, who kept tigers, lions and other big cats in Oklahoma. The docuseries explored a murder-for-hire plot against Carole Baskin, a woman who ran a facility called Big Cat Rescue and had lobbied to shut down facilities like the one Maldonado-Passage managed. Baskin was able to finance her battle through the fortune she inherited from her late husband, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. In January 2020, Joe Exotic was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison after being convicted of trying to hire two different men to kill Baskin. In July, a federal appeals court ruled he should get a shorter prison sentence. This story was first published on CNN.com "'Tiger King 2' is coming to Netflix" Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday echoed President Rodrigo Dutertes call for a peaceful 2022 polls, adding it is working closely with security forces to avoid any violence. The statement comes following Dutertes warning that he may be forced to "use the military" to ensure the orderly conduct of the elections. The Comelec shares the Presidents sentiment and would like to reassure the public that it works very closely with both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to ensure that the elections are free of violence, its spokesperson James Jimenez said. In a speech on Friday, Duterte appealed for the public to stick to the rule of law during the poll period. Either we have an election that is free or I will use the military to see that the election is free," the chief executive warned, adding he could call the troops anytime to make sure that voters are protected. READ: Duterte threatens to use military to ensure 'peaceful' 2022 polls Jimenez said Dutertes pronouncement is a powerful reminder for all candidates and their respective campaigns to reject violence. However, he also noted the poll body can take steps to address such situation including imposing Comelec control in concerned areas in the country. Under this move, the Comelec can take immediate and direct supervision over all national and local officials in the area, and can exercise control over all law enforcement agencies as well as the military. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) A crew member's body was pulled from a submerged ferry in Ormoc City, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Saturday morning, while authorities also launched search and rescue operations for missing fishermen in the waters off the Visayas. The body was retrieved from a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel that figured in an accident at the port of Ormoc City. In a statement, the PCG said the victima female purser aged 33 years oldfound under several pieces of cargo carried by the MV Lite Ferry 3. "There were no passengers on board the vessel but was loaded with cargo," Danilo Lines Inc., owner of the vessel, said in a Facebook post. The distressed ship had a total of 16 crew members, 15 of them were successfully rescued shortly after the ferry sank while conducting a docking maneuver at Ormoc Port late Friday night. The PCG is still investigating the cause of the maritime incident. In a separate update, the PCG said search and rescue operations for nine crew members of FV St. Peter The Fisherman II are ongoing. As of past 7 p.m., Coast Guard spokesperson Armand Balilo said there were still no signs of the passengers even through helicopter inspection. "We are also checking from the survivors the possibility that the missing fishermen were trapped inside the sunken motorboat," Balilo said. He added that PCG personnel will continue to scour the waters but the helicopter search will have to resume on Sunday. The missing crew includes the captain of the fishing boat, the coast guard said. The vessel sank between the waters off Tanguingui Island in northern Cebu and Gigantes Island in Iloilo on Friday. On Friday afternoon, its sister vessel FV Old Man and The Sea successfully rescued 22 of the 31 crew members. Based on one of the survivors' accounts, the PCG said the boat encountered strong winds and big waves at 1 a.m. on Friday while conducting fishing operations. Health personnel from Cadiz City provided medical treatment to the survivors. The PCG ensured that the fishermen were in good physical condition before they were transported back to their respective families. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) The Philippine National Police has ordered an investigation into the death of a cadet at the PNP Academy, police chief Guillermo Eleazar said Saturday. In a statement, Eleazar said he sought a "thorough probe" on the case of George Karl Magsayo, who was reportedly "punched in the body" by an upperclassman on September 23. Magsayo was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival. The suspect is now under detention and charges are being readied against him, according to the PNP chief. "Nasa kustodiya na ng Silang Municipal Police Station ang kadeteng nanakit kay Cadet 3rd Class Magsayo at tinitiyak ko na haharapin niya ang mga kaukulang kasong nakatakdang isampa laban sa kanya batay sa magiging resulta ng imbestigasyon," Eleazar said. [Translation: The cadet who hurt Cadet 3rd Class Magsayo is now under the custody of the Silang Municipal Police Station, and I will make sure he will face the appropriate cases based on the results of the investigation.] Meanwhile, the PNP Academy stressed it maintains a strict anti-hazing policy in the academy. Programs including seminars, weekly body checks, and surprise inspections will also be rolled out to address maltreatment issues. (CNN) -- Police in India arrested 29 men on Thursday in connection with the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl, which occurred repeatedly over a period of almost eight months. The victim was first raped on January 29 this year, said Dinkar Mukne, a junior officer with the Mandapa police in the city of Dombivli, which neighbors Mumbai in Maharashtra state. The rape was filmed, with the video then used to blackmail her repeatedly for the next eight months, said Mukne. She was allegedly raped by 33 perpetrators in total, including two teenagers, with the abuse lasting until this week. When her family -- which had so far had no idea what was happening -- found out, they brought the victim to the police station on Wednesday and filed a complaint, Mukne told CNN on Friday. The 29 men were arrested under the country's penal code, and separately under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) law, which has more severe sentences of longer jail time. "We are investigating the allegations and how the initial contact came about. But the girl knew some of the men and had come in contact with a few through social media," said Sonali Dhole, senior police official who is heading the investigation. According to Dhole, the victim was taken to multiple locations within Dombivli and outside. The incident is the latest in a slew of rape cases and controversies that have horrified the nation and highlighted once again its persistent problem with sexual assault. Just two weeks ago, a woman allegedly raped in Mumbai died of her injuries, after she was found lying unconscious inside an open minibus. Activists say the case bears a striking similarity to the brutal 2012 gang-rape and murder of a student that prompted mass nationwide protests. And last month, a 9-year-old girl was gang-raped and murdered in the capital of Delhi. Four men, including a Hindu priest, have been charged with involvement in her death. Since the 2012 protests, when millions of women called for stronger laws and protections for women, the government has introduced new legislation and tougher penalties. But, activists say, the problem persists, fueled by difficulties in reporting, poor enforcement by authorities, deeply rooted gender inequality and caste discrimination. Reported rapes have increased over the years, potentially because of a greater awareness surrounding the issue. More than 32,000 were recorded in 2019, up from 25,000 in 2012. But many rapes go unreported, meaning the real number may be much higher. The recent string of rapes in Mumbai has prompted police to announce new measures. Police will install women's safety cells in every police station in the city, and deploy patrolling vehicles in hotspots for crimes against women, police announced on September 14. Other measures will include creating a sexual offenders' list dating back five years, and requiring officers to undergo training in dealing with sexual assault victims, complete with an exam before they join the force. This story was first published on CNN.com "This country claims it hasn't had a single Covid-19 case. Activists say that's a lie". (CNN) Six United Airlines employees are asking a federal judge to block the airline's vaccine requirement set to take effect on Monday. The employees, including two pilots and a flight attendant, are accusing the airline of a "pattern of discrimination against employees who requested religious or medical accommodations. "They say the airline's approach of putting exempt employees on an indefinite leave of absence means "that they would be effectively terminated." The policy, they claim, violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and Civil Rights Act. The employees filed a lawsuit this week and asked a federal judge to grant a temporary restraining order preventing the policy from taking effect. Judge Mark Pittman has scheduled a Friday afternoon on the request. Challengers to vaccine mandates so far have not had much success blocking them in federal court. Most notably, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett declined a request that the Supreme Court block Indiana University's vaccine requirement. However, that requirement, like the others that federal courts have refused to block, had exemptions for those claiming religious reasons for not getting vaccinated. The mandates being implemented by the New York state government have attracted some pushback in court, including a temporary restraining order that was issued this month in a case brought by medical workers who targeted the New York mandate's lack of religious exemption. But private businesses may have more legal wiggle room than public entities when it comes to imposing vaccine mandates, experts say. United's argument against issuing a temporary restraining order says no other court has taken such broad action, and that the company's public standing would be damaged if unvaccinated employees are allowed to stay on the job. The airline said it "is making a good faith effort to manage workplace safety and provide reasonable accommodations in the face of unprecedented and rapidly evolving circumstances." The airline said Wednesday that "more than 97% of our U.S. employees are vaccinated" and that only a "small number of people" requested an exemption. "United will start the separation process as early as September 28," which is Tuesday, for non-compliant employees. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Six United employees ask court to block vaccination requirement." (CNN) -- The task of accommodating 10,000 Afghan refugees, including approximately 2,000 pregnant women, is putting facilities at Ramstein airbase in Germany under tremendous strain as nighttime temperatures drop toward freezing and what was meant to be a 10-day temporary stay is stretching into weeks, with one US source familiar with the situation describing it as becoming "dire." Already 22 babies have been born to Afghan mothers at Ramstein, and that number will rise very soon with roughly two thirds of the 3,000 women being housed there pregnant, requiring the time and effort of medical personnel from Ramstein and other bases, two US sources familiar with the situation at the base told CNN. Even though it's one of the largest US bases in Europe, Ramstein was never designed to handle such a large transient population especially when there are better equipped and larger facilities in the US. One of the sources called the Afghans at Ramstein "the forgotten 10," as the focus has shifted away from the almost 10,000 who remain stuck in limbo in Germany towards some 53,000 Afghan evacuees already housed at eight military bases across the US. Ramstein called it a "temporary humanitarian city" on social media, built to handle the surge of Afghan evacuees fleeing Kabul. The Afghan families, some with as many as 20 men, women, and children, were only supposed to be at the base for 10 days for screening and processing under an agreement with Germany, the commander of European Command, Gen. Tod Wolters, said on September 1. Now the remaining Afghans have been in Germany for several weeks and are set to stay longer after a confirmed case of measles among the Afghan evacuee population in the US led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to pause the flights for 21 days. The interruption is scheduled to last until October 9, but the challenges of housing such a large population on an overseas military base have grown exponentially, the sources said. Two-thirds of tents are currently heated Nighttime temperatures have dipped to near freezing and are set to keep dropping, forcing the base to find generators and heaters for hundreds of tents set up on aircraft taxiways and parking spots. So far, approximately two-thirds of the tents are heated, one source said, and the rest should be within days, but it underscores the magnitude of the problem that was never supposed to be handled at Ramstein. The base has dealt with some illnesses but is in "a good state" now, one source said. Since Afghans began arriving in late-August, there have been nine Covid cases, as well as a very small number of mumps, chicken pox, and norovirus cases, the sources said. There has also been a case of malaria. But it was the confirmed case of measles in the US that prompted the CDC to issue guidance that flights of Afghan evacuees from Europe should be paused until the entire Afghan population could be vaccinated. The CDC then added another three-week delay after inoculation to ensure the population is fully vaccinated. The CDC representative at Ramstein recommended moving Afghans to the United States once they had been vaccinated, but the sources said CDC headquarters overruled the representative, effectively halting the flights. CNN has reached out to the CDC for comment. One flight did go from Ramstein to Chicago, but it was an exception. An Omni Air flight landed in Chicago on Wednesday morning, bringing 58 unaccompanied Afghan children for a new start in the United States, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security told CNN. A spokesman for Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot welcomed their arrival, saying on social media the minors had given up "their homes, their families, their lives as they know them for a chance to survive." The flight, chartered by the State Department, made stops at al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Sigonella Naval Air Station in Italy, and Ramstein Air Base in Germany before touching down in the United States. The children received some vaccinations before flying to the US and will receive Covid and chicken pox vaccinations in America. "This flight took place to ensure children are unified with vetted sponsors and family members as quickly as possible and was done in accordance with public health guidelines," the DHS spokesman said. One half-empty flight has left recently But the flight was more than half empty when it left Ramstein, far short of the capacity of the 767-300, which can hold more than 200 people. According to the two sources, the State Department denied a request to put more Afghan evacuees, including women, children, and late-term pregnancies on the flight, frustrating efforts to resettle the population. The State Department has not responded to a request for comment. Ramstein has been vaccinating Afghans against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and chicken pox, and a "preponderance" are vaccinated now. In addition, a sample test of disease immunity found that 95% of Afghans at Ramstein had long-term immunity to MMR, one source said, indicating that they had likely either received the vaccine already or had the disease as children. Few, if any, Afghans have much more than a set of clothing, let alone a copy of their vaccination records. The extended stay at Ramstein has compelled officials to offer education on hygiene, including the use of bathroom facilities and washing hands. The massive tent city has begun to take on a less temporary feel, including the opening of a barbershop, since some Afghans "were very concerned that they were starting to look like the Taliban," one of the sources said. The base set up wi-fi as well, so the Afghans could communicate with family members already in the US or elsewhere. Ramstein has relied on the surrounding community for the supply of water and food. The German embassy in the US downplayed any concern over the longer-than-expected stay. "It remains our mutual understanding that Ramstein airbase can be used as a transit point for evacuees from Afghanistan on their way to the US for a limited amount of time. We are confident that the air operations will restart soon," a spokesman for the embassy told CNN. This story was first published on CNN.com "Situation becoming 'dire' at US airbase in Germany housing approximately 2,000 pregnant Afghan refugees". Everyone eligible should be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of long-distance travel or employment. Vaccination should be voluntary but those who don't get vaccinated should be frequently tested for COVID-19 as a condition of long-distance travel and employment. Both vaccination and testing should be voluntary and not required as a condition of long-distance travel or employment. I defer to the judgment of lawmakers as long as they base their decisions on a consensus of medical professionals. 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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 Denton featured The Watchdog: With its new cryptocurrency mining business on city land, Denton is suddenly a crypto player Lola Gomez/The Dallas Morning News Denton Municipal Electrics Jim Christal Substation is shown Thursday. Land next to the substation is set to become the first cryptocurrency mining business in Denton. Lola Gomez/The Dallas Morning News Land next to Denton Municipal Electrics Jim Christal Substation is set to become the first cryptocurrency mining business in Denton. Dave Lieber/The Dallas Morning News In the city of Dentons 2021 agreement with crypto mining company Core Scientific, key details are redacted. Lola Gomez/The Dallas Morning News Land next to Denton Municipal Electrics Jim Christal Substation is set to become the first cryptocurrency mining business in Denton. Dave Lieber/The Dallas Morning News In the city of Dentons 2021 agreement with crypto mining company Core Scientific, key details are redacted. Lola Gomez/The Dallas Morning News Denton Municipal Electrics Jim Christal Substation is shown Thursday. Land next to the substation is set to become the first cryptocurrency mining business in Denton. Dave Lieber The city of Denton has leased 31 acres of vacant land next to its gas-fired energy plant to a cryptocurrency mining company. You may not have heard this because most public documents in the deal refer to the venture only as a data center. The secretive agreement requires that no news releases be sent out describing the deal, unless special permission is given. So far, that hasnt happened. The Watchdog will fill you in. City officials say that when the operation opens in the coming months, the amount of electricity used by Denton Municipal Electric customers will suddenly double. Thats how much electricity the new facilitys powerful computers and cooling systems will use every day an amount equal to what the city-owned utility already sells. Officials say it will stabilize rates for all its customers and not put any further strain on the fragile Texas electric power grid. In the event of a power emergency, crypto mining businesses can power down immediately and send unused power to grid operator ERCOT to help replenish the power supply. In return, crypto companies are paid by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas for this assistance. The company involved, Core Scientific of Bellevue, Washington, wants to maintain a low profile. After I sent an inquiry to the company, its public relations firm contacted me to ask when this story would run. The company did not take questions about the project. I cant tell you the financial details of the deal because important numbers are withheld from public view. City officials say information relating to public power utility plants is allowed to remain confidential under the state public information law. The Denton City Council passed an approval ordinance, and leaders also signed a complex power purchase agreement, but important details were redacted. Heres what The Watchdog has learned: The citys agreement allows the company to run crypto mining operations on city property for seven years with an option to renew for seven more. The city could earn up to $4 million a year from sales tax and franchise fees, Mayor Gerard Hudspeth told me. Denton Municipal Electric, the city-owned electricity utility, will earn up to $8 million a year through additional but unspecified fees built into the contract, DME General Manager Tony Puente told me. That money will go to pay back loans the city took out after the February freezeout caused exceptionally high energy costs, Puente said. Because of this new deal, customers will not see their rates go up, he said. The mayor said the deal should allow the city to lower its property tax rate, pay for more police officers and fund environmental projects. We have a surplus budget because it [the deal] passed, the mayor said proudly. In public meetings, some City Council members raised valid questions about the environmental impact and the strain it could put on the state electricity grid. The mayor said the city will monitor the impact using funds from the citys sustainability fund. City staff has tried to reassure elected officials that the steady electrical usage of the plant adds predictability to the grid because the same amount of power would be used each day. They say thats good for the grids stability. Texas is bitcoin country Thanks to Chinas decision to expel the cryptocurrency industry, Texas is a hot destination (no pun meant there). Crypto companies looking for cheap land, low electricity rates and a state willing to cater to confidential agreements hit the trifecta here. Lee Bratcher, head of the Texas Blockchain Council, a trade association for the burgeoning industry, coined a slogan: Texas is bitcoin country. He said the Denton deal is the first in the state where a company is leasing city-owned land near a power plant. The setup is that temporary structures will be placed on concrete slabs. The structures, which look like shipping containers, will house hundreds of high-powered computers costing up to $15,000 each. The structures will be air-conditioned with additional loud whirling fans to help keep the computers cool. Core Scientific expects to hire only 16 people to run the facility 24 hours a day. In crypto mining, computers constantly race other computers to crunch numerical patterns in the hope of latching on to a financial transaction. When it works, the financial reward can be great, and the earnings count toward a valuable bitcoin. Even though the value of bitcoins fluctuates, its often high enough to make these mining operations practical. On Friday, a bitcoin was valued at $41,000. Why Texas? Its hard to imagine that one mining operation can use as much electricity as DMEs 53,000 customers. Texas seems like a strange place to attract the growing industry, if for no other reason than the hot and humid weather. New York University professor David Yermack told Wired magazine that Texas is about the weirdest place hes heard of for bitcoin mining. He said many companies being forced out of China end up in countries with cold, dry weather such as Iceland or Sweden. Crypto companies, he said, should be treated like any other consumer of electricity, and if they can make money doing that, Im not sure theres any cause for concern. If somebody wants to buy the energy, there should not be any question about what it is being used for. However, he criticized the confidentiality of these kinds of deals. The industry is pretty transparent, he said. Theres very little trade secrets among bitcoin miners. Theyre all just plugging in specially built hardware, and its all doing exactly the same thing. Im not sure there are any proprietary secrets that you want to keep people from finding out. Yet in the city ordnance approving the deal, the city says it is withholding information because it contains competitive electric commercial and financial information which could provide an advantage to competitors. The citys agreement with Core Scientific states, Neither party shall issue any press or publicity release or disseminate any information with the intent that such information will be published. Besides, a data center sounds so much less threatening that a bitcoin mine. And this one project might not be the end of it. Hudspeth told me, Theres more of these. Theres another one being considered in a different part of town with the potential to double [usage]. Instead of $4 million next year, we could potentially get an increase on that. That fixes a lot of roads and really helps the city get back on solid ground. When I asked Puente about the mayors comment, he laughed and said, Wow, the mayor didnt hold anything back. Two mines in Denton would help turn the city into a crypto capital of Texas. In an interesting example of cooperation to avoid duplication, Tanzania is planning to use electricity infrastructure to deploy broadband services. More precisely, the countrys Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has signed a partnership deal with the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) to extend broadband connectivity using Tanescos already-installed infrastructure. According to the Tanzanian Daily News website, this approach will triple the pace at which fibre optic internet connectivity is being delivered in the country. Official figures show that national optical fibre connectivity is currently 8,319 kilometres, just over half the government target of 15,000 kilometres by the end of this year. According to the Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Dr Faustine Ndugulile, the ministrys plan is to ensure that at least 94 per cent of Tanzanias citizens have access to broadband coverage. This presumably includes wireless connectivity: reports indicate a current internet reach of a little under 30 million people (the population is just over 61 million), the majority via mobile phones. Another issue is the high cost of data. The cost per Mbps is estimated at $5, a price that could come down if fixed broadband is extended. The plan is for TTCL to use Tanescos electric poles to distribute its fibre optic cables nationwide. Tanesco is currently linking dozens of districts to the national grid by building large-scale power distribution lines. The hope is that every home with electricity connectivity will also have internet access. This new partnership should add more than ten regions in the Tanzanian mainland to the 21 that so far have fibre connectivity. There appears to be no precise timeline for the expansion, though the communications ministry and TTCL are said to believe it will at some stage expand broadband to at least 4,449.7km, more than twice the 1,880km targeted for the financial year 2021/22. HCMC delivery firms tell drivers to pay for Covid tests as city pulls plug A medical staff takes samples of shippers in HCMC's Go Vap District, Sep. 20, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran Delivery companies in HCMC have told their shippers to pay for Covid-19 tests since the city is set to stop footing the bill. Grab said its employees could test themselves at 16 locations around the city where it has set up facilities. The test costs VND75,000-160,000 ($3.29-7.02), and 30-40 delivery persons can be tested at each location every 30 minutes. AhaMove has also rented medical facilities to test its drivers. The company, like all others, gets free test kits provided for by the government. Shippers pay VND75,000 for each test. ShopeeFood has set up medical facilities and supports its delivery people with weekly reward points. Grab too has several reward mechanisms to cover the testing expenses and ensure a minimum income of VND160,000 a day for each driver. Food delivery company Baemin bucks the trend by providing free tests to all its shippers at 13 locations. They receive a QR code confirming their Covid status 60-90 minutes after testing, and it will be valid for three days. The city was providing free testing since allowing inter-district deliveries to resume on Sep. 16. The city will provide the free testing kits until the end of this month. Some delivery people complain that there are too few testing locations for the size of Vietnams largest city. Thanh, a driver who lives in Binh Tan District, said some test locations are overloaded due to the large demand. Thien, who lives in Thu Duc City, said: "I live 12 kilometers away from the nearest testing site. The test and fuel costs are around VND100,000." Delivery companies said the testing requirements are a big burden for them. Testing a large number of drivers poses challenges in terms of cost and management, ShopeeFood said. AhaMove warned that if it has to bear the testing costs it would have to reduce the number of drivers, causing a shortage and requiring customers to seek expensive non-professional delivery people. It called for increasing the validity of tests, especially for those who have been vaccinated or have had Covid. There are around 92,000 shippers working in HCMC. Batches of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine doses from Japan arrive in Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport in June 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Tran Minh Around 400,000 AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine doses from Japan landed on HCMC's Tan Son Nhat Airport Saturday morning. The doses' donation was announced by Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide on September 15, according to the Ministry of Health. The new batch raises Japan's total vaccine donation to Vietnam to around 3.58 million doses since June. Vietnam has received over 50 million Covid-19 vaccine doses from multiple sources. Around 29.5 million people have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine shots, and 7.3 million people have been fully vaccinated. The country aims to secure 150 million vaccine doses to cover 70 percent of the population by next year. Ho Chi Minh City led the day's tally with 4,046 new cases, followed by Binh Duong (3,629) and Dong Nai (996). 180 deaths were recorded on Saturday, including 123 in HCMC, 34 in its neighbor Binh Duong and seven in Dong Nai. Other deaths were recorded in An Giang, Tien Giang and Tay Ninh (three each), Ben Tre and Da Nang ( two each), Binh Thuan, Kien Giang and Can Tho (one each). The national death rate over the past week has been 220 a day on average. The coronavirus death toll in Vietnam so far is 18,400. Also on Saturday, 10,590 Covid-19 patients were announced recovered, bringing the total tally of recovered cases so far to 516,449. The country has vaccinated over 37 million people with at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot. Over 7.5 million have been fully vaccinated. A batch of Cuban Covid-19 vaccine Abdala is transported aboard a jet to be flown back to Vietnam, September 24, 2021. Photo by Vietnam News Agency Over a million Abdala Covid-19 vaccine doses from Cuba would be sent to Vietnam on a jet with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc. A total 900,000 doses were handed over to the Vietnamese embassy in Cuba by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) on Friday. Another 150,000 doses were also handed over to the Vietnamese defense attache in Cuba by the Cuban Ministry of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, Vietnam News Agency reported. The 1.05 million vaccine doses were transported on a jet with Phuc to be flown back to Vietnam. Previously during a visit to Cuba from Sept. 18 to 20, Phuc agreed to buy 10 million Covid-19 vaccine doses from the country. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Cuba was willing to provide vaccine technologies to support Vietnam in the Covid-19 fight. Vietnam has vaccinated 29.5 million people with at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot. Around 7.3 million people have been fully vaccinated. The country aims to secure 150 million doses to cover 70 percent of its population by next year. La Palma airport closed: update With the volcanic explosions continuing to spew red hot lava high into the air and as a new emission vent opened, the small Spanish island was forced to close its airport, thus preventing some people to leave. The Cumbre Vieja volcano is entering a new explosive phase. The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute, Involcan, said the new emission vent that had opened was to the west of the principle vent. Spanish airport operator Aena said the island's airport had been closed because of the volcano. 'La Palma airport is inoperative due to ash accumulation. Cleaning tasks have started, but the situation may change at any time,' it tweeted. Workers swept volcanic ash off the runway, electronic boards showed cancelled flights and the departures hall was quiet as some people arriving at the airport discovered they would not be able to leave the island in the Atlantic. 'We were due to leave today but the flight has been cancelled. There are no flights to Tenerife tomorrow, the next one is on Monday so we have to stay two more nights,' said Laura, 46, from Madrid. She had been due to fly back to the Spanish capital via Tenerife for work. People evacuated from three more towns on Friday will not be able to return to their homes to retrieve their belongings because of the 'evolution of the volcanic emergency,' local authorities said. 'Volcanic surveillance measurements carried out since the beginning of the eruption recorded the highest-energy activity so far during Friday afternoon,' emergency services said. La Palma, with a population of over 83,000, is one of an archipelago making up the Canary Islands. At the quiet port of Tazacorte, fishermen described the devastating effect the eruption has had on their livelihoods. 'We haven't been out fishing in a week, the area is closed,' said Jose Nicolas San Luis Perez, 49, who has lost his house in the eruption. 'About half the people I know have lost their homes,' he told Reuters. 'I run into friends on the street and we start crying.' A reminder that no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported in the volcano's eruption, but about 15% of the island's economically crucial banana crop could be at risk, jeopardising thousands of jobs. How you can watch it Youll be able to watch Global Citizen in prime time on ABC beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. If you already have a cable TV package, then there is nothing extra you need to do. However, there are other methods to watch the show. Buying a digital TV antenna on Amazon here will give you access to basic cable channels, including ABC, without a monthly bill. Fans can also watch Global Citizen Live online, as the show is available to stream free with a Hulu + Live TV subscription. The streaming service is currently offering a 30-day free trial which you can use to watch Global Citizen Live online free. fuboTV or SlingTV will give you access to ABC as well, allowing you to watch Global Citizen Live on TV or stream Global Citizen Live from your laptop, tablet or phone. Even tho you pay a monthly fee, it is possible to get the first month free at sign up. If you have a Roku-compatible device you can watch the Global Citizen Live performances for free via The Roku Channel. The Roku Channel offers free programming, including 24/7 live news from ABC News, which will be airing the Global Citizen event. Who is performing? The list is extensive due to the breadth of places being performed in. Some of the stand-out stars include huge K-pop band BTS performing in Seoul, as well as Andrea Bocelli in Tuscany. Duran Duran are playing in London, while fellow Brits Elton John and Ed Sheeran are in Paris. What is the Global Citizen event? It is organized by the United Nations, Global Citzen has three main issues to tackle: Stop the hunger crisis End the pandemic Protect the planet It aims to end extreme poverty in the world by 2030. Ahead of the G20 summit and the Glasgow climate conference, the Global Citizen campaign is also wanting big economies to share 1 billion doses of the covid-19 vaccine with the developing world. Some 4% of Africans have had one jab, while the United States alone has 55% of people fully vaccinated with two jabs. Since 1980, the US federal government has shut down ten times, with the longest taking place over the course of thirty-five days between December 2018 and January 2019. The 2018-2019 shutdown occurred after Republicans, led by President Trump, withheld their votes on a spending bill in an attempt to gain funding for the border wall. Democrats who came to hold a majority in the House in early January 2019 did not budge, and in the end, Republicans surrendered. With just five days left to avert a government shutdown, negotiations on Capitol Hill are not instilling confidence. The White House has directed the heads of federal agencies to put plans in place if Congress does not reach an agreement. Consequences Shutdowns, especially for a government as large as the US, are logistically difficult and costly. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the most recent shutdown cost about five billion dollars. About $3 billion had to be spent to pay back furloughed federal workers. An additional $2 billion in losses were reported by the IRS, which could not carry out tax compliance activities to reduce evasion. A smaller amount in losses was also reported by other agencies for fees, including those associated with the closure of national parks and other services. Furloughed workers In the 2018-2019 shutdown, more than 380,000 workers were furloughed, meaning they were sent home and not required to work. They were not paid. An additional 420,000 workers were required to work but did not get paid until after the spending showdown ended. Federal workers were compensated after the crisis ended. However, many federal contractors hired by a third party and paid by the government were not paid for the hours lost during the shutdown. The fact that federal contractors, many of whom are security officers, custodians, cooks, landscapers, were not compensated was widley condemned by progressive Democrats and activists. Many of these people who lost thier incomes are low-wage workers who already find themselves in an economically precarious situation. SNAP, Social Security, and other benefits Thankfully, the funds allocated to send SNAP benefits or food stamps to millions of families were not scheduled to lapse until March 2019. With the shutdown-ending in late January, families did not see thier benefits cut. However, these protections are not in place this time around. Senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Paul Van de Water told CNN, "Just about everyone is likely to be affected in some way or another" The White House has warned that more than $30 billion in funds for various food assistance programs, including WIC, school meals, and SNAP, could be at risk if the government shuts down. While the Department of Agriculture has a legal mandate to distribute food assistance benefits, it only includes the first thirty days after a shutdown. After that thirty-day period, it would take an act of Congress to allow for the distribution. Additionally, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a non-partisan organization, has warned that during a shutdown, stores that take Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards may not be able to renew their license, meaning that those receiving SNAP benefits may have fewer options when shopping. As for Social Security beneficiaries, the White House warns that there could be delays in making payments in October, valued at over $90 billion. In an option piece in The Wall Street Journal, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen noted that if the shutdown happens, Social Security payments could be missed for the first time since the program was established in 1935. Parents who have just received thier third payment of the Child Tax Credit should also be aware that the October payment could be delayed if a shutdown is triggered. The IRS, who is tasked with distributing the credit, will be forced to reduce staff, and with limiting operating capacity, the agency is warning lawmakers that they may not be able to make the 15 October deadline. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, attends a closing gala of the sixth ethnic minority art festival and presents awards to the group and individual winners of the festival's competition, in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2021. The festival, which kicked off on Aug. 31, concluded here on Friday. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) BEIJING, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Top political advisor Wang Yang on Friday evening attended a closing gala of the sixth ethnic minority art festival. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, presented awards to the group and individual winners of the festival's competition. Focusing on the theme of celebrating the centenary of the CPC and strengthening the sense of community for the Chinese nation, the performances told stories on a wide range of topics. These included ethnic unity, poverty alleviation, green development, and support to ethnic minority regions. During the month-long festival, 42 performances were staged and streamed online, attracting more than 13 million viewers. Enditem 2 1 Editor: GSY Aircraft from Russia crossed the restricted area, which was reserved for the exercises of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on its Facebook page. "In the area of field firing of anti-aircraft missile forces of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Black Sea, reconnaissance aircraft of the Russian Federation, such as the Su-24MR and Il-20, grossly violated the procedure for using the airspace, repeatedly flying into the restricted area, which Ukraine has reserved for the exercise," the message reads. The report notes that Russian planes crossed the battle routes of targets of the VR-3 Flight type, along which Ukrainian anti-aircraft guided missiles were used. "The Russian leadership is once again demonstrating its true face, arranging provocations and endangering its military pilots," the military stressed. At the initiative of President of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) Gianni Buquicchio, a phone conversation with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky took place, during which he appealed to the President of Ukraine with a request to provide the text of the law on de-oligarchisation. "Gianni Buquicchio noted the adoption in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the law initiated by the President 'On the prevention of threats to national security associated with the excessive influence of persons of significant economic or political importance in public life (oligarchs).' The President of the Venice Commission also asked to provide the Commission with the adopted text of the law in the wording signed by the Head of State for consideration and preparation of the relevant opinion," the presidential press service said. Zelensky, in turn, thanked the head of the Venice Commission for his support and solidarity in the fight against the oligarchic system. "My team and I will continue to pursue a systemic transformation in the country," the presidential press service quoted Zelensky as saying. Zelensky and Buquicchio stated the unity of approaches on the need to build the rule of law, democracy and implement judicial reform in Ukraine. The President stressed that his approaches to the transformation of the justice system are clear and unambiguous - "no step back in judicial reform." The Head of State noted that it is necessary to act quickly and decisively, "because the people of Ukraine have been waiting for these changes for 30 years." There was a constructive exchange of views on the draft laws of Ukraine, which are being considered by the Verkhovna Rada and aimed at improving the constitutional procedure, the procedure for appointing judges of the Constitutional Court, as well as the selection of judges to the CCU, it says. Separately, the interlocutors discussed the formation of the Ethics Council, which will check the integrity of candidates for members of the High Council of Justice. The President of Ukraine and the President of the Venice Commission stressed that this process should be completed as soon as possible, and all existing obstacles should be removed. It is noted that the President of the Venice Commission expressed regret and condolences to the Head of State over the attempt on life of First Aide to the President of Ukraine Serhiy Shefir. The attempt on the life of the first assistant to the President of Ukraine Serhiy Shefir and his driver was committed by a professional criminal, what is more, he was not alone, said First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Yevhen Enin. "We quite clearly understand that the criminal was not alone. We have an imaginary portrait: height, weight and other traces that we established during the investigative actions. They have been submitted to the appropriate expertise. This will simplify the search for the assassin and his accomplices," said Enin in the program Freedom of Speech (Svoboda Slova) by Savik Shuster on the Ukraina TV channel on Friday. Enin added that "the assassination attempt was carried out in a professional way." According to him, the criminals sat in ambush and within four seconds about 20 bullets were fired at the car. "We have 15 hits in the car. Two bullets hit the driver's leg. The car was not armored. The bullets went through the car doors easily," he said. "We no longer have to prove to anyone that it was a staging. The key goal was to stop the car by neutralizing the driver in order to commit the intended crime," Enin stressed. Answering a clarifying question whether it was an attempt to stop the vehicle with the intent of murder, Enin replied: "There is no doubt about that." The FBI will be involved in the investigation of the assassination attempt, according to Enin, in order to minimize doubts about the objectivity of the investigation. The deputy head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs also added that at present, law enforcement officers cannot share additional information so that the criminal does not use this information. As it was reported, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 22, near the village of Lisnyky (Kyiv region) the car of first assistant to the president of Ukraine Serhiy Shefir was shot up, the driver was wounded. The bullets were fired from automatic weapons from the forest in the direction of the vehicle. Law enforcement officers are currently considering three main versions of the assassination attempt: the victim's state activities, pressure on the country's top leadership, destabilization of the political situation in our country, including a version with the participation of foreign intelligence services. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova has invited Justice Rapid Response (JRR) analyst Glyn Morgan to join the International Council of Experts on Crimes Committed in Armed Conflict, which is being formed under the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO). According to the website of the PGO, this was discussed during a meeting between Venediktova and Morgan, an expert at Justice Rapid Response (JRR), an international organization that carries out missions of specialists to consult states in the investigation and prosecution of violations of international criminal law, including, during armed conflicts. "We need methodological assistance from recognized experts, experience and practical aspects of investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity. We are working to bring to justice all those involved in the hostilities and occupation of Ukrainian territories, both at the national and international levels," noted Venediktova. The expert visit to the PGO takes place in collaboration with Justice Rapid Response. Morgan is getting acquainted with the work of the 'Department of War', registering of types of crimes, evidence, victims, places of illegal detention, chronology of events, which are maintained by the Department and subordinate units. And also a criminal analyst will deliver a lecture for prosecutors about the experience of investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity. The result of his work will be formalized in the form of recommendations, including for subsequent work with JRR. In the future, visits to Ukraine from Justice Rapid Response are also planned for former prosecutors and investigators with international experience in investigating violations of international humanitarian law: attacks on civilians and civilian objects, torture, sexual violence, etc. Three trucks with humanitarian aid from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have entered the temporarily occupied territory of Donbas (separate areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, ORDLO). "Three trucks with humanitarian aid from the International Committee of the Red Cross passed through the Novotroyitske checkpoint. Some 37.2 tonnes of hygiene kits were delivered to residents of the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine," the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said. The service recalled that entry-exit checkpoints operate daily from 08:00 to 16:00. "However, traffic in most of the humanitarian road corridors is blocked from the side of the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine," the message says. Thus, of the seven open checkpoints, a full-fledged pass is carried out only in Stanytsia Luhanska. During the week, passenger traffic in it has decreased by 6%. Opposite the Novotroyitske checkpoint, the invaders unblocked the movement only on Monday. The investigation into the crash of the An-26 aircraft near Chuhuiv is at the final stage and is ready to be submitted to court, but the defense of the ex-Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is delaying this process, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova has said. "On May 5, we provided the parties with access to the collected materials. So far, all the victims and their representatives, four suspects and their defenders, have completed familiarizing themselves with them, one suspect and his defender are at the final stage of acquaintance. At the same time, the suspect, who has already been dismissed from the post of Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has never come to the State Bureau of Investigations and has not read the materials of the pretrial investigation," Venediktova wrote on Facebook on Saturday. According to the prosecutor general, lawyers for the ex-commander of the Air Force are delaying the consideration of the investigator's petition to set a time limit for familiarization with the materials, making numerous motions and challenges to the investigating judge. Therefore, this petition has not been considered for more than half a month. "On September 20, the investigating judge dismissed the complaint of the defender of the ex-Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to report the suspicion. Therefore, only because of the suspect's improper procedural behavior, the indictment has not been sent to court yet," she said. The Prosecutor General recalled that six military officials were suspected of violating the rules of flights, preparation for them and the rules for operating aircraft, which entailed a catastrophe and serious consequences, and in a negligent attitude towards the service. This is the head of the flights that took place on September 25, 2020 in the military unit A4014, the deputy commander of this unit for flight training, the deputy unit commander, the unit commander, the head of the Kharkiv Air Force University named after Ivan Kozhedub and the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As Venediktova said, the investigation established that these military officials made improper preparation and approval of documents on the operating conditions of the aircraft. Takeoff from the "assembly line" was not provided for in the flight manual. There were people on board that shouldn't have been there at all. The procedure for the implementation of flight training of cadets was violated, and control over the level of training of pilot-instructors and the educational process and compliance with safety measures was carried out inappropriately. During the catastrophe, the flight management did not take sufficient adequate measures to avoid the plane crash. "The Prosecutor General's Office is doing everything possible to ensure that everyone involved in the systemic violations that led to the air tragedy near Kharkiv is accountable before the law. Establishing justice and proper conclusions of all those responsible for flight safety in order to prevent such disasters is all we have to do in memory of those who flew on the AN-26 into eternity on September 25, 2020," concluded Venediktova. As reported, the An-26 plane crashed on the Kyiv-Kharkiv-Dovzhansky highway, not far from Chuhuiv at about 20:50 on September 25. The plane crash happened when the aircraft was landing at the airfield of a military unit in the town of Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region.There were 27 people (20 cadets and seven officers of Kharkiv University of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine named after Kozhedub) onboard. Some 25 people died instantly, two were hospitalized. On September 26, one of the hospitalized cadets died. Irans former hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lambasted the ongoing political deadlock in the country in two strongly worded letters to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ahmadinejad warned that Public dissatisfaction with the regimes performance is serious and extremely high and quickly engulfing the Islamic Revolution itself. In the letters published on his mouthpiece Dolat-e Bahar website, Ahmadinejad demanded structural reforms in institutions such as the conservative-led Guardian Council and the Judiciary; called for putting an end to the rule of parallel institutions and urged to establish a constitutional court and ban the armed forces from intervening in political and economic activities. The letters, dated February 19 and March 13, were published on the website following the arrest of two of Ahmadinejads closest aides, Esfandiar Rahim Mashai, and Hamid Baqai. Ahmadinejad wrote these letters after Khamenei accused him in February of doing what the enemy would have done in Iran. The majority of Iranians demand essential changes. Some even want change through radical and violent measures, while others follow other ways to bring about change, fearing that the country and its people might suffer even more if Irans fate becomes like some other regional states - Ahmadinejad Khamenei made the comment as a reaction to defiant statements by Ahmadinejad and his close aides. Khamenei added that Those who have been in power for eight years cannot play the role of the opposition. You have suggested both explicitly and implicitly that I am not allowed to talk about the countrys fundamental problems, responded Ahmadinejad in his February 19 letter, asking Shouldnt others also keep silent? Ahmadinejad warned elsewhere in the letter Every single case of injustice exercised by the government in Iran can lead to the collapse of a big empire. He said, The majority of Iranians demand essential changes. Some even want change through radical and violent measures, while others follow other ways to bring about change, fearing that the country and its people might suffer even more if Irans fate becomes like some other regional states, insisting, Obviously, the best practice would be conducting essential reforms from within the system. Ahmadinejad wrote these letters after widespread protests in December and January, during which protesters chanted slogans against all state officials, some demanding regime change and return of monarchy. Ahmadinejad criticized the countrys security atmosphere and structural problems that have led to accumulated public grievances. No trace of political freedom has remained after four decades as the government and its security agents rule peoples cultural, social and economic lives, said Ahmadinejad in the February 19 letter, adding that An intelligence Ministry agent or one from the IRGC Intelligence or the Judiciary can ruin the life of any cultural, social or economic activist and the victim cannot do anything about it. No trace of political freedom has remained after four decades as the government and its security agents rule peoples cultural, social and economic lives - Ahmadinejad. Ahmadinejad made the comment while similar events took place frequently during his own term of office as President after his disputed re-election in 2009. In the letter Ahmadinejad also criticized most senior officials for their economic activities, as well as the engineering of elections by the Guardian Council, lack of supervision on the Judiciary, parallel authorities, and increasing intervention in peoples private lives. Ahmadinejad also mentioned that financial institutions under Khameneis supervision run businesses worth 700 thousand billion tumans, but the public is kept unaware of their activities and income and where and how that income is spent. He also called for an end to economic activities of the military and criticized the chaos in cultural institutions under Khameneis supervision. In 2011, Ahmadinejad had charged that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) was involved in smuggling, calling IRGC commanders our smuggler brothers. IRGC Commander General Mohammad Ali Jafari ruled out the accusation at the time. Many economic and development projects in Iran in the area of energy, telecommunications, roads and dam construction are handed over to IRGC without tender bids that could give a chance to IRGCs competitors in the private sector. In recent years, the IRGC has criticized the Rouhani administration for not giving it major oil and ship building projects. Last June, Rouhani criticized IRGC for its economic activity, calling it a parallel government that carries guns. Disgruntled IRGC commanders subsequently accused Rouhani of attempting to weaken IRGC. One week before his March 13 letter to Khamenei, Ahmadinejad had criticized the closed circle of Iranian leadership, in a strongly worded commentary on his website Dolat-e Bahar on March 7, adding that the closed circle has reached the last act of the show, and the powerful hand of the nation will break this rigid circle. That was the harshest tone and language Ahmadinejad had used in a series of defiant remarks since his disqualification in the latest Iranian presidential race in May 2017. While similar comments by anyone else could have landed him in jail, some observers say Khamenei is not willing to have Ahmadinejad arrested because it would mean that the infallible supreme leader made a mistake by endorsing him in the first place at the price of alienating his long-time allies such as former President Hashemi Rafsanjani. Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou speaks to media outside the B.C. Supreme Court following a hearing about her release in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Photo : REUTERS/Jesse Winter) Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou flew home to China on Friday after reaching an agreement with U.S. prosecutors to end the bank fraud case against her, relieving a point of tension between China and the United States. Within hours of the news of the deal, two Canadians who were arrested shortly after Meng was taken into custody in December 2018 were released from Chinese jails and were on their way back to Canada. Beijing had denied that their arrests were linked. Advertisement The years-long extradition drama has been a central source of discord in increasingly rocky ties between Beijing and Washington, with Chinese officials signaling that the case needed to be dropped to help end a diplomatic stalemate. The deal also opens U.S. President Joe Biden to criticism from China hawks in Washington who argue his administration is capitulating to China and one of its top companies at the center of a global technology rivalry between the two countries. Meng was arrested https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-huawei/top-huawei-executive-arrested-on-u-s-request-clouding-china-trade-truce-idUSKBN1O42S1 at Vancouver International Airport on a U.S. warrant, and indicted on bank and wire fraud charges for allegedly misleading HSBC in 2013 about the telecommunications equipment giant's business dealings in Iran. In an exclusive https://www.reuters.com/technology/huawei-cfo-meng-appear-brooklyn-federal-court-2021-09-24 on Friday, Reuters reported that the United States had reached a deferred prosecution agreement with Meng. Nicole Boeckmann, the acting U.S. attorney in Brooklyn, said that in entering into the agreement, "Meng has taken responsibility for her principal role in perpetrating a scheme to defraud a global financial institution." The agreement pertains only to Meng, and the U.S. Justice Department said it is preparing for trial against Huawei and looks forward to proving its case in court. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the release of Meng or the Canadians. A spokeswoman for Huawei declined to comment. A person familiar with the matter said Meng - the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei https://www.reuters.com/business/huawei-heir-apparent-prepares-life-after-three-years-canada-court-battle-2021-09-24 - had left Canada on a flight to Shenzhen. The two Canadians, businessman Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig, had been held in China for more than 1,000 days. In August, a Chinese court sentenced https://www.reuters.com/article/china-canada-spavor-idCNL1N2PI07Y Spavor to 11 years in prison for espionage. The International Crisis Group, where Kovrig works, said it was "overjoyed" at the "most just decision" to release him, thanking Canada and the United States for their roles. "The day we have been waiting for 1,020 days has finally arrived," the advocacy group said in a statement. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in brief remarks late on Friday the two men had left Chinese airspace just minutes before. He was not asked whether the two countries had struck a bilateral deal. "I want to thank our allies and partners around the world in the international community who have stood steadfast in solidarity with Canada and with these two Canadians," he said. At a hearing in Brooklyn federal court on Friday, which Meng attended virtually from Canada, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kessler said the government would move to dismiss the charges against her if she complies with all of her obligations under the agreement, which ends in December 2022. He added that Meng will be released on a personal recognizance bond, and that the United States plans to withdraw its request to Canada for her extradition. Meng pleaded not guilty to the charges in the hearing. When U.S. District Court Judge Ann Donnelly later accepted the deferred prosecution agreement, Meng sighed audibly. A Canadian judge later signed Meng's order of discharge, vacating her bail conditions and allowing her to go free after nearly three years of house arrest. She was emotional after the judge's order, hugging and thanking her lawyers. Speaking to supporters and reporters on the steps of the court afterward, Meng thanked the judge for her "fairness" and talked of how the case had turned her life "upside down". Meng was confined to her expensive Vancouver home at night and monitored 24/7 by private security that she paid for as part of her bail agreement. Referred to by Chinese state media as the "Princess of Huawei," she was required to wear an electronic ankle bracelet to monitor her movements, which became fodder for the tabloids when it hung above her designer shoes. 'HUAWEI CONFIDENTIAL' Articles published by Reuters in 2012 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-huawei-hp/exclusive-huawei-partner-offered-embargoed-hp-gear-to-iran-idUSBRE8BT0BF20121230 and 2013 https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-huawei-skycom/exclusive-huawei-cfo-linked-to-firm-that-offered-hp-gear-to-iran-idUKBRE90U0CA20130131 about Huawei, Hong Kong-registered company Skycom and Meng figured prominently in the U.S. criminal case against her. Reuters reported that Skycom had offered to sell at least 1.3 million euros worth of embargoed Hewlett-Packard computer equipment to Iran's largest mobile-phone operator in 2010. Reuters also reported numerous financial and personnel links between Huawei and Skycom, including that Meng had served on Skycom's board of directors between February 2008 and April 2009. The stories prompted HSBC to question Meng about Reuters findings. Huawei was placed on a U.S. trade blacklist in 2019 that restricts sales to the company for activities contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. The restrictions have hobbled the company, which suffered its biggest revenue drop in the first half of 2021, after the U.S. supply restrictions drove it to sell a chunk of its once-dominant handset business before new growth areas have matured. The criminal case against Meng and Huawei is cited in the blacklisting. Huawei is charged with operating as a criminal enterprise, stealing trade secrets and defrauding financial institutions. It has pleaded not guilty. A Canadian government official said Ottawa would not comment until the U.S. court proceedings were over. CHINA VS USA Huawei has become a dirty word in Washington, with China hawks in Congress quick to react to any news that could be construed as the United States being soft, despite Huawei's struggles under the trade restrictions. Then-President Donald Trump politicized the case when he told Reuters soon after Meng's arrest that he would intervene if it would serve national security or help secure a trade deal. Meng's lawyers have said she was a pawn in the political battle between the two super powers. Republican China hardliners in Congress called Friday's deal a "capitulation." "Instead of standing firm against China's hostage-taking and blackmail, President Biden folded," Republican Senator Tom Cotton said in a statement. Senior U.S. officials have said that Meng's case was being handled solely by the Justice Department and the case had no bearing on the U.S. approach to strained ties with China. During U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman's July trip to China, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng insisted that the United States drop its extradition case against Meng. U.S. officials have acknowledged that Beijing had linked Meng's case to the case of the two detained Canadians, but insisted that Washington would not be drawn into viewing them as bargaining chips. Explainer - Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine booster in the United States? Vials and syringes filled with the "Comirnaty" Pfizer BioNTech vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are seen on a table at a nursing home in Seville, (Photo : REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo) The United States is rolling out booster shots https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-cdc-advisers-recommend-covid-19-vaccine-boosters-65-older-high-risk-2021-09-23 of the Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE COVID-19 vaccine for some Americans who received their second jab at least six months ago. The following explains the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) decision on who can and should get shots now. Advertisement WHICH OLDER AMERICANS SHOULD GET A SHOT AND WHY? The CDC said people aged 65 and over, which make up nearly 17% of the U.S. population, should get a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech shot now if they previously received that vaccine. Over 13.6 million people in that age group had received a second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at least six months ago, according to CDC data. While scientists are divided over the need for a booster dose, data has shown declining protection of the vaccine against hospitalizations in older adults due to the dominance of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus. Some studies suggest that vaccine efficacy wanes over time for that group. WHO QUALIFIES AS "HIGH-RISK"? The CDC said people aged 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster, and that it may be given to those aged 18 to 49 based on their individual benefits and risks. The high-risk medical group includes people who are more susceptible to developing severe COVID-19 such as those with diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease and certain heart conditions. Smokers and pregnant women are also likely to be eligible for a booster dose, experts say. The FDA and CDC said that people aged 18 to 64 can be considered to be at high risk based on COVID-19 exposure at work or where they live. They did not define at-risk work and the CDC said boosters are available based on people saying they need one. The FDA said such workers include those in healthcare settings, teachers and day care staff as well as grocery workers among others. It also said they include people living in homeless shelters or prisons. The CDC estimates over 50 million people would eventually be eligible for booster shots under such a recommendation, but that figure also includes recipients of the Moderna Inc and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. WHEN AND WHERE? White House advisers have said boosters should be available immediately at roughly 80,000 locations nationwide including pharmacies, state vaccination centers and long-term care facilities, at no cost. Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are on the list of eligible recipients. Retailers including Walmart Inc and Walgreens Boots Alliance have said they are ready to administer booster shots. WHAT ABOUT MODERNA AND J&J? Only Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine has been authorized as a third booster dose so far. Moderna applied to FDA for authorization of a third dose of its vaccine earlier this month. Johnson & Johnson has not yet applied for authorization of what would be a second shot for it's one-dose vaccine, but has said it plans to do so. The CDC said it will look to address the recommendations for the Moderna and J&J boosters "with the same sense of urgency," as the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, as soon as the data is available. Shares in Russia's Novatek recover from fall after executive's U.S. arrest Chief Financial Officer Mark Gyetvay of Russia's gas firm Novatek speaks during the Reuters Russia Investment Summit in Moscow (Photo : REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin) Shares in Russia's Novatek recovered from an early tumble on Friday after the arrest in the United States of its deputy head, Mark Gyetvay, viewed by analysts as a key figure in investor relations as the gas producer expands. The U.S. Department of Justice said on Thursday that Gyetvay had been arrested on tax charges related to $93 million hidden in offshore accounts. Gyetvay, who holds passports from both the United States and Russia, faces a lengthy prison sentence if convicted. Advertisement Novatek said in a statement it was seeking details of the arrest but added the move would not affect the firm's operations. After falling as much as 4% in early trading on Friday, shares recovered to trade slightly up by the evening. Novatek said Gyetvay had left the company's board of directors and the position of chief financial officer in 2014, saying that he "subsequently was not involved in financial activities of the company, including attracting financing." Gyetvay has been the leading voice at Novatek, anchoring conference calls with investors and presenting the company at industry events as it seeks funds for liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects. "He has played an important role in the company's strategic planning and he has been pivotal in establishing the excellent relations the company has with its shareholder base. Therefore, we expect a negative stock reaction in the short term," Russian VTB Bank said in a note to clients. Gyetvay was ordered released on a $80 million bond by U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Frazier of the federal court for Florida's Middle District, according to court filings. He was also ordered to appear before Judge Frazier on Sept. 30 for a bond status hearing. Gyetvay did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Novatek declined to comment beyond its earlier statement. New Jersey-born Gyetvay, 64, moved to Russia in 1995, working as a partner at PwC Global Energy. Russian President Vladimir Putin granted him a Russian passport in 2019, when he was at Novatek, in a move seen as potentially helping the U.S. national bypass some U.S. sanctions restrictions. A Kremlin spokesperson said Russian diplomats were ready to provide legal assistance to Gyetvay in the United States. "Because this individual is also a citizen of the Russian Federation, if I understand this correctly, he has dual citizenship, of course we are interested in his future and the circumstances of the case," Dmitry Peskov told a conference call. Novatek commissioned Yamal LNG, its first LNG plant in the Arctic, in 2017. The project challenges state-controlled Gazprom, which has a monopoly on Russian gas via pipeline. It wants to build more LNG plants in the Russian Arctic and is in the middle of efforts to attract more than 9 billion euros ($11 billion) for its Arctic LNG 2 project, to be raised from the Russian banks, Japan, China and others. ($1 = 0.8522 euros) U.S. President Joe Biden listens as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a 'Quad nations' meeting at the Leaders' Summit of the Quadrilateral Framework held in the East Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., (Photo : REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein) Leaders of the United States, Japan, India and Australia presented a united front on Friday at their first summit and stressed the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific region amid shared concerns about China. The two-hour meeting at the White House of the Quad, as the grouping of the four major democracies is called, will be watched closely in Beijing, which criticized the group as "doomed to fail." Advertisement While China was not mentioned in the public remarks by the four leaders, Beijing was clearly top of mind. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters after the meeting the countries agreed to cooperate on vaccines, clean energy and space, and to hold a summit meeting every year. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his fellow Quad leaders India will allow the export of 8 million COVID-19 vaccines by the end of October under a deal reached by the grouping in March to supply a billion vaccine doses to the Indo-Pacific, India's foreign secretary told reporters. "We stand here together, in the Indo-Pacific region, a region that we wish to be always free from coercion, where the sovereign rights of all nations are respected and where disputes are settled peacefully and accordance with international law," Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the start of the meeting. The plan to supply a billion shots across Asia by the end of 2022 stalled after India, the world's largest vaccine producer, banned exports in April amid a massive COVID outbreak at home. India has said when it restarts vaccine exports it will prioritize the COVAX international vaccine initiative and neighboring countries. The Quad is expected to announce several new agreements, including one to bolster supply chain security for semiconductors and to combat illegal fishing and boost maritime domain awareness, a senior U.S. official said, referring to initiatives prompted by concerns about China. The group was also expected to roll out a 5G partnership and plans for monitoring climate change. U.S. President Joe Biden said the Quad represented four "democratic partners who share a world view and have a common vision for the future." The meeting came just over a week after the United States, Britain and Australia announced an AUKUS security pact under which Australia will be provided with nuclear-powered submarines, a move that has been roundly denounced by Beijing. A Japanese government spokesman said Suga had said at the meeting that Japan considered the AUKUS partnership to be "taking an important role for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region." U.S. officials have sought to play down the security aspect of the Quad - even though its members carry out naval exercises together and share concerns about China's growing power and attempts to exert pressure on all four countries. Morrison said AUKUS and the Quad were "mutually reinforcing." "That's the whole point of the Quad and AUKUS. They're not there to replace anything but to add to it," he told reporters. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian appeared to criticize the Quad in a briefing on Friday. "A closed, exclusive clique targeting other countries runs counter to the trend of the times and the aspirations of regional countries. It will find no support and is doomed to fail," he said. China has denounced the Quad as a Cold War construct and says the AUKUS alliance would intensify an arms race in the region. Vice President Kamala Harris had a joint meeting with Suga and Morrison after the Quad talks ended, as Modi departed Washington to return to New York for U.N. meetings. Suga, who is stepping down as Japan's leader, also held a separate meeting with Biden and the U.S. official said the Japanese leader wanted to discuss China's recent efforts to join the CPTPP Pacific trade pact. People place candles and flowers during a candlelight vigil for travel blogger Gabby Petito, whose body was discovered in a remote corner of the Bridger-Teton National Forest after travelling with her boyfriend, in Blue Point, New York, U.S., (Photo : REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz) Gabby Petito's boyfriend, whom police have sought for six days in connection with the 22-year-old travel blogger's death during their cross-country road trip, was charged on Thursday with fraudulently using her bank debit card. A search warrant was issued for Brian Laundrie, 23, after a grand jury in U.S. District Court in Wyoming indicted him on a single count of unlawfully using the card and Petito's personal identification number. He was not charged in her death. Advertisement "While this warrant allows law enforcement to arrest Mr. Laundrie, the FBI and our partners across the country continue to investigate the facts and circumstances of Ms. Petito's homicide," FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider said in a statement. "We urge individuals with knowledge of Mr. Laundrie's involvement in this matter or his current whereabouts to contact the FBI," Schneider said. The indictment accuses Laundrie of spending $1,000 or more on the card between Aug. 30 and Sept. 1. Petito was last seen alive on Aug. 24. Investigators appear to believe she was killed sometime from Aug. 27-30. Americans have followed the case closely in the media since Petito was reported missing by her mother, Nicole Schmidt, on Sept. 11. Ten days earlier Laundrie returned home to North Port, Florida, without her from the road trip. Petito's body was discovered on Sunday near the remote Spread Creek Dispersed Campground in Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming. Coroner's investigators have ruled her death a homicide, but have not revealed the cause of death. Police and FBI agents using divers, tracking dogs and helicopters have been searching for Laundrie in the Carlton Reserve wilderness area near North Port since Friday, when his parents told them that he had gone there to hike three days earlier. Search teams ended a sixth day of searching the alligator-infested wilderness as darkness fell on Thursday, saying they would resume the search on Friday. SUSPICIOUS TEXT MESSAGES The FBI on Thursday asked for information from members of the public who may have had contact with Laundrie or Petito at the Spread Creek Dispersed Campground from Aug. 27-30. Petito's remains were found less than 1,000 feet (300 m) from where, on the evening of Aug. 27, another pair of travel bloggers caught video images of the couple's 2012 white Ford Transit van parked along a dirt road. Petito, who was documenting the couple's "van life" road trip on social media, posted her final photo to Instagram on Aug. 25, the same day that she last spoke to her mother by phone. The family believes the couple was headed to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming at the time. Schmidt received text messages from Petito's phone on Aug. 27 and Aug. 30, but suspects that someone other than her daughter sent them, according to investigators. In one text Petito's grandfather is referred to by his first name, which Schmidt says was out of character for her daughter. The second message said only "No service in Yosemite," the national park in California that Petito and Laundrie are not believed to have visited during their trip. Petito and Laundrie, who met at a Long Island, New York, high school, left New York in early July heading west, and posted on social media as they traveled through Kansas, Colorado and Utah. On Aug. 12, a 911 caller reported that Laundrie was slapping and hitting Petito in front of the Moonflower Community Cooperative in Moab, Utah. Moab police stopped the van on a highway near Arches National Park. Body camera footage showed Petito crying as she described an argument that escalated into her slapping Laundrie as he drove. The officers did not detain the couple but told them to spend the night apart. Expo 2020 will be officially opened in a ceremony Thursday evening with the participation of 192 countries The Egyptian pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai received more than 10,000 visitors as part of the exhibition's trial opening activities, according to a statement by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Expo 2020 will be officially opened in a ceremony Thursday evening with the participation of 192 countries. Egypt is participating in the six-month international event with a distinguished pavilion that reflects its status at the regional and international levels. The pavilion sheds light on the Egyptian civilization and the most characteristic features of the Egyptian personality throughout history, in addition to focusing on Egypt's future and the most important opportunities available to investors in all sectors. Expo 2020 Dubai was scheduled to be held last year but was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. It is set to be held this year with the same name starting 1 October and lasting through the end of March next year. The Dubai Expo is the latest in the list of world expositions organised since 1851 every five years in different countries under different names. It is held by the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). These expositions gather people of different nations with the aim of finding solutions to pressing challenges through immersive and engaging activities. In an interview with Al-Ahram in February, UAE Minister for State for International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimi said continuous coordination is taking place at the highest levels between Expo 2020 administration and the Egyptian side to provide all means of support. This coordination aims to make the Egyptian participation a success, Al-Hashimi, also managing director of the expo, said. "We are confident that the Egyptian participation will be special due to Egypts exceptional experience acquired through participating in earlier versions of this international event," Al-Hashimi said. Search Keywords: Short link: King Al-Khalifa of Bahrain reiterated his country's support and solidarity with Egypt and Sudan including all efforts to safeguard their legitimate rights and water security in the Nile River Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa discussed in Sharm El-Sheikh on Thursday the latest developments regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) following a UN Security Council presidential statement urging resuming talks, the Egyptian presidency said. According to the Egyptian presidency, King Al-Khalifa of Bahrain reiterated his country's support and solidarity with Egypt and Sudan including all efforts to safeguard their legitimate rights and water security in the Nile River as well as all efforts to establish a fair and legally binding agreement concerning the filling and operation policies of the dam in a way that prevents harm and benefit all parties involved in accordance with the rules of the international law. On Wednesday, the UNSC issued a presidential statement urging Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia to continue the African Union-sponsored talks on the GERD, stressing the need to reach a mutually acceptable binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam within a reasonable time frame. Aside from the GERD, the Egyptian president and Bahraini king held talks on bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially in the economic and investment fields. The two leaders also discussed the latest regional developments, especially in Libya and Afghanistan, in addition to joint efforts to address the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic. During their talks, El-Sisi and Al-Khalifa agreed to boost Egyptian-Bahraini cooperation and coordination in a way that helps protect Arab national security and boosts their capabilities in the face of challenges and threats in the region. According to the Egyptian presidency, El-Sisi stressed Egypts commitment to the security of the gulf region, rejecting any attempt to destabilize it. The two leaders also talked about developments in the Middle East peace process between Israelis and Palestinians; the Bahraini King praised recent Egyptian efforts to cement the ceasefire deal and the Egyptian initiative to rebuild Gaza. Both King Al-Khalifa and President El-Sisi also agreed in their talks on the necessity of intensifying international efforts to revive the peace process and to resume negotiations in order to reach a settlement for the Palestinian crisis based on international laws and resolutions. Search Keywords: Short link: Tunisia has expressed on Friday "astonishment" at Ethiopia's angry reaction to the recent UNSC non-binding statement that was sponsored by Tunis to encourage negotiations as a means to resolve the GERD dispute, faulting Addis Ababa for questioning "Tunisia's sincere and lasting commitment to defending African issues in all international forums." On Wednesday, the UNSC adopted a Tunisia-drafted presidential statement encouraging Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia "to resume negotiations" to swiftly reach a "mutually acceptable and binding agreement on the filling and operation" of Ethiopias controversial mega-dam, a source of tension between the three countries over the past ten years. As opposed to both downstream countries Egypt and Sudan who welcomed the statement, Ethiopia slammed on Wednesday Tunisias draft statement, describing it as a historic misstep that undermines [Tunisias] solemn responsibility as a rotating UNSC member for Africa. In response to Ethiopia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, the non-permanent Arab member at the 15-member UN body, said on Thursday the UNSC statement was issued after consultation and coordination with all stakeholders and UNSC members at various levels. "This initiative was not directed against any party, but rather aimed at encouraging the concerned countries to resume negotiations in a constructive manner as well as value the pivotal role of the African Union," the Tunisian statement read. The statement was tabled by Tunisia as part of its commitment at the African and Arab levels and also a part of its responsibility in the Security Council to serve peace and promote the values of dialogue and negotiation, the ministry added. The goal was to bridge points of view and reach a balanced agreement that takes into account the stakeholders' concerns and interests, guarantees their right to development and at the same time keeps the region free from tension, the ministry stressed. Tunisia reiterated the necessity of the negotiating path as the only way out to surmount all differences, voicing its keenness that the Nile River remain a source of cooperation, prosperity, peace and development for all countries in the region. Ethiopia rejects UNSCs intervention Ethiopia has repeatedly rejected the referral of the issue to the UNSC, a step that both Egypt and Ethiopia restored to after the collapse of the African Union-sponsored talks in April. Ethiopia claims that the issue is outside of the councils mandate. It also rejected many proposals tabled by Cairo and Khartoum to widen the mediation of the GERD negotiations to include other parties alongside the African Union. It is regrettable that the council [has chosen to impose] itself over an issue of water rights and development that is outside of its mandate, Ethiopia reiterated in its Wednesday's statement. The presidential statement came two months after the UNSC held its second session on the long-running issue at the request of Egypt and Sudan, who have been negotiating with Ethiopia for a decade now to reach a legally binding agreement on the filing and operation rules of the dam. Both downstream countries blame the talks failure on upstream Ethiopias intransigence. Ethiopia, which unilaterally completed the first and second filling of its controversial dam despite the absence of agreement, has repeatedly refused to sign such a deal, seeking mere guidelines that can be modified at any time at its discretion. Ethiopia has pinned hopes of development and power generation on the multibillion-dollar hydropower project Both downstream countries do not oppose Ethiopias development goals, but want a legally binding agreement that regulates the rules of filling and operating the dam as Egypt fears an impact on its water supply and Sudan is concerned about regulating flows to its own dams. Following the UNSC's push, the DR Congo, the current chair of the African Union, is planning to resume the talks between the three African countries in a new bid to end the GERD row. Search Keywords: Short link: 'We recognise Ethiopia's right to benefit from development sources, but this should not harm other Blue Nile basin countries,' Al-Mahdi said Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi accused Ethiopia on Saturday of fabricating problems with Sudan to escape its internal problems as both countries witness tensions over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and border attacks. In a press conference held in Khartoum on Saturday afternoon over Sudans foreign policies, Al-Mahdi said that the Ethiopian claims that Al-Fashaqa border region is Ethiopian are completely rejected and unacceptable. The minister added that her countrys stance on the GERD is based on international law and the Declaration of Principles on GERD which was signed in 2015 in Khartoum between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan. Al-Mahdi stressed Sudans support for the rights of the River Nile Basin countries as well as the necessity to implement projects on the river through cooperation and integration. We recognise Ethiopia's right to benefit from development sources, but this should not harm other Blue Nile basin countries, she said. Al-Mahdi's statement on relations with Ethiopia and GERD came after the United Nations Security Councils statement on Wednesday calling on Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt to continue the African Union-sponsored talks on GERD according to a timeframe to reach a legally binding agreement on the operation and filling of the dam. Both Egypt and Sudan welcomed and supported the statement, but Ethiopia rejected it completely. Previous rounds of AU-sponsored talks collapsed before they could reach an agreement between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, with the two downstream countries blaming the talks failure on Ethiopias intransigence. The decades-long Al-Fashqa border dispute concerns large swaths of agricultural land Sudan says are within its borders, according to an agreement that demarcated the borders between the two nations in the early 1900s. The two nations have held rounds of talks, most recently in Khartoum in December, to settle the dispute, but haven't made progress. The dispute has escalated in recent months after Sudan deployed troops to Al-Fashaqa, driving out Ethiopian farmers and militias in the area. At least 84 Sudanese troops were killed in clashes with Ethiopian forces and militias from November to August. Search Keywords: Short link: The Egyptian foreign minister continues his meetings with top diplomats and officials on the sidelines of the 76th UNGA session Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has asserted the importance of stabilizing the situation in Libya at a meeting of Libya's neighboring countries on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Shoukry underlined the role that Libya's neighboring countries could play to help reach a comprehensive settlement that preserves Libya's sovereignty away from any foreign interference, the Egyptian foreign ministry said on Saturday He stressed in the meeting the necessity of holding the elections in Libya as scheduled as a key step to maintain stability in the North African country. The Egyptian foreign minister also continued his meetings with top diplomats and officials from around the globe. He held meetings on Friday with the foreign ministers of Brazil, Senegal, Norway, Portugal and Malta. Shoukry also held a meeting on Friday with his Syrian counterpart Faisal al-Mekdad where they discussed means of resolving the crisis in Syria. Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ambassador Ahmed Hafez tweeted that the talks took place at the headquarters of the Egyptian mission in New York. Search Keywords: Short link: The ruling upheld a previous decision by the minister of Awqaf to place 42 mosques in Beheira governorate under the ministry s supervision Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court issued on Saturday a final verdict banning the use of mosques for political purposes and upholding the state's right to supervising them. The ruling upheld a previous decision by the minister of Awqaf to place 42 mosques in Beheira governorate under the ministry's supervision, stating that the government should control the mosques by all legal means. This comes as part of the countrys efforts to control the religious discourse and teaching methods within worship houses. Search Keywords: Short link: El-Sisi affirmed keenness to boosting relations to include food industries, wheat silos, ports, energy and tourism Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy via phone on Saturday establishing joint investment projects and boosting cooperation in various fields. El-Sisi affirmed his keenness to boost bilateral relations including various possible forms of cooperation, especially food industries, wheat silos, ports, energy and tourism, Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said. The Egyptian president hailed the momentum gained recently for boosting the bilateral relations with Ukraine. Zelenskyy stressed his keenness on coordination and consultation with El-Sisi in various fields, Rady said. Zelenskyy voiced aspiration to enhance the cooperative relations between the two friendly countries in light of Egypts pivotal role under El-Sisi to enhance stability and security in the Middle East and Africa. Zelenskyys aspiration toward boosting cooperation with Egypt also comes in light of Egypts successful and appreciated efforts to halt the danger of illegal emigration across its lands to Europe, Rady added. El-Sisi and Zelenskyy discussed boosting bilateral relations, especially economic and commercial ties as well as investments, Rady said. The two leaders addressed boosting security cooperation between Egypt and Ukraine in a way that serves their joint interests. They also discussed regional and political issues of mutual concern, Rady added. El-Sisis last official bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy was in September 2019 on the sidelines of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 74) in New York. According to Ukraines Embassy in Cairo in February, 31 bilateral treaties, mostly economic, are in force between the two countries. They include conventions, agreements and MoUs. Trade volume in goods and services between the two countries hit $1.8 billion in 2020. Almost 730,000 Ukrainian tourists visited Egypt in 2020, during the first year of the pandemic in the African country, down from 1.49 million in 2019, said the embassy in February. This makes Ukraine the second largest source of tourists visiting Egyptian resorts. In June last year, Egypt and Ukraine also established an inter-parliamentary friendship group in Ukraines Parliament. Search Keywords: Short link: Guterres underlined the UN support for the mediation efforts made by the African Union regarding the dam dispute United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has affirmed the importance of resuming dialogue on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in a spirit of reaching a compromise, a UN statement said. Guterres made the remarks in a meeting on Friday with Ethiopias Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen in New York on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Guterres underlined the UN support for the mediation efforts made by the African Union regarding the dam dispute, the statement added. Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have recently expressed readiness to engage in the AU-sponsored negotiations aiming to resolve their dispute over the mega dam Addis Ababa is building on the Blue Nile. The UN Security Council issued a statement earlier in September encouraging the three sides to return to the AU-sponsored talks to reach a binding deal. Rounds of AU-sponsored talks to resolve the decade-long dispute have collapsed, with Egypt and Sudan expressing grave concerns about the potential impact of the GERD. Egypt and Sudans call for a legally-binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam have been resisted by Ethiopia, which implemented the second phase of filling the dams reservoir unilaterally in July without an agreement. In TV remarks on the fringe of the UNGA meetings, Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Egypt welcomes an anticipated decision by DR Congo, the current chair of the AU, to resume the GERD negotiations. Shoukry affirmed the importance of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia resuming the GERD negotiations in a framework that is strengthened by the participation of international observers, hailing the international role in this regard as indispensable. Earlier this month, DR Congos Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula embarked on an official visit to Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt to discuss arrangements regarding the resumption of the GERD talks. Shoukry, during a press conference with Lutundula in Cairo, said Egypt received a vision and plan from the DR Congo on the resumption of the AU-sponsored talks regarding the GERD during the coming period. Search Keywords: Short link: Shoukry stressed the depth of Egypt s strategic relations with the US and reviewed Egypt s vision toward the most prominent issues in the region Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reviewed in a meeting with a delegation from the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in New York Egypts efforts to revive the peace process and achieve comprehensive peace. Shoukry said these tireless efforts made by Egypt aim to enhance the pillars of security and stability in the region, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry read. The Egyptian FM, during the meeting, stressed the depth of Egypts strategic relations with the US and reviewed Egypts vision toward the most prominent issues in the region, the statement read. The top Egyptian diplomats meeting with the AJC took place on the sidelines of the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 76). Established in 1906, the AJC is a New York-based advocacy group with dozens of offices worldwide. It has partnerships with 37 global Jewish community organizations. The organisation aims to influence public opinion and policy through its relationships and international presence. In February last year, Shoukry received an AJC delegation in Cairo, during which they discussed the most pressing regional issues as well as the developments in Egypt-US relations. During the 2020 meeting, the AJC delegation praised the efforts exerted by the Egyptian government in maintaining Jewish heritage in Egypt and preserving Egypts Jewish antiquities. The Egyptian foreign minister has held over the past week meetings with top diplomats and counterparts from around the globe on the UNGA sidelines. He also gave a speech during the high-level meeting celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action adopted in 2001 to fight racism. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi also participated in the UNGA, delivering recorded remarks to the session on Tuesday and to the UN Food Systems Summit on Thursday. Search Keywords: Short link: We renew our rejection of any unilateral act and affirm the necessity to reach a binding agreement on the dam filling and operation, Hamdok told the UNGA on Saturday Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok told the 76th UN General Assembly (UNGA) General Debate that Sudan suffered damages during the filling phases of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). In recorded remarks, Hamdok urged that a binding deal should be reached to spare Sudan probable harm to its citizens and on the safety of its dams. Ethiopia unilaterally implemented the second phase of filling its mega dam last July without reaching a binding deal with both Egypt and Sudan on the filling and operation of the dam. Egypt and Sudan, who repeatedly affirmed the need to reach a deal that would end their concerns on their water interests and peoples livelihoods, have denounced Ethiopias unilateral filling of the dam. The two countries have also blamed failure of negotiations under the auspices of the African Union (AU) on Ethiopias intransigence. We renew our rejection of any unilateral act and affirm the necessity to reach a binding agreement on the [dam] filling and operation, Hamdok told the UNGA on Saturday. He noted that such agreement will spare our country the probable damages that threaten the means of livelihood of half of Sudans population. Hamdok warned that such unilateral acts by the Ethiopian side threaten the safety of operation of Sudans dams and negatively affect irrigation of agricultural projects and drinking water plants. The Sudanese PM also warned of the negative social, economic, environmental effects of these unilateral acts along the Nile River. We suffered some of these damages during the first unilateral filling [of the dam] last year and the second unilateral filling over the past weeks despite the numerous and costly preventive measures that we have taken to avoid these impacts, Hamdok affirmed. Sudans report of harms due to the second filling comes although Ethiopia late in July claimed that the second GERD filling was implemented in accordance with the Declaration of Principles (DoP) signed with Egypt and Sudan in 2015. The DoP obliges the three countries to take all the necessary procedures to avoid causing significant damage among them while using the Blue Nile. Earlier this month, the UN Security Council issued a presidential statement urging the three countries to resume their AU-sponsored talks on the GERD and reach a binding agreement. This came two months after the UNSC convened to discuss the issue as per a request by both Egypt and Sudan, a step that Ethiopia has slammed. The UNSCs session came after the parties failed during the previous rounds of negotiations to reach any agreement due to the intransigence regarding the dam issue, Hamdok said told the General Debate. He affirmed that this failure came despite the great efforts exerted by the past and current African Unions presidencies. Hamdok said placing the GERD file before the UNSC aimed at enhancing the current path of negotiations under the umbrella of the African Union in a way that allows the achievement of the desired agreement. The Sudanese PM stressed his countrys readiness to resume its participation in any peaceful move or initiative that leads the parties to an agreement that meets the interests of them all. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has affirmed the importance of resuming GERD dialogue in a spirit of reaching a compromise, a UN statement said. Guterres made the remarks in a meeting on Friday with Ethiopias Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA. Guterres underlined the UN's support for the mediation efforts made by the African Union regarding the dam dispute, the statement added. Following the UNSCs presidential statement in September, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have recently expressed readiness to engage in the AU-sponsored negotiations aiming to resolve their dispute over the mega dam. Search Keywords: Short link: Shoukry mentioned Egypt s recent launch of the National Strategy for Human Rights as the first strategic, comprehensive, long-term, homegrown human rights strategy in the country Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reviewed with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday Egypts efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and effectively promote human rights. Shoukry met with Guterres in New York on the sidelines of the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and congratulated him on holding the UNGA despite the circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry read. The meeting comes at the end of Shoukrys visit to New York. Shoukry mentioned Egypts recent launch of the National Strategy for Human Rights earlier this month as the first strategic, comprehensive, long-term, homegrown human rights strategy in the country, the statement read. Egypts top diplomat also expressed his aspiration that the UN and its secretary-general continue supporting the efforts aimed at reaching a legally-binding agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) file. Shoukry reiterated the necessity of reaching such a deal in a way that serves the interests of all parties as encouraged by the UN Security Councils presidential statement issued in mid-September. Guterres affirmed in a meeting with Ethiopias FM Demeke Mekonnen on Friday the importance of resuming AU-backed GERD dialogue in a spirit of reaching a compromise. Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have recently expressed readiness to engage in the AU-sponsored negotiations aiming to resolve their decade-long dispute over GERD. This comes after the UN Security Councils presidential statement encouraging the three sides to return to the AU-sponsored talks to reach a binding deal. During the Saturday meeting, Shoukry expressed Egypts appreciation and support to the efforts made by Guterres and the specialised UN agencies to avoid conflicts, build peace and achieve development goals. Shoukry also affirmed that the UNGAs discussions and activities have focused on pushing forward the international, multilateral working mechanisms and strengthening international peace and security. During the meeting, Shoukry and Guterres discussed regional issues and affirmed the importance efforts aimed at resolving crises and achieving stability. The Egyptian foreign minister has held over the past week meetings with top diplomats and counterparts from around the globe on the UNGA sidelines. He also gave a speech during the high-level meeting celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action adopted in 2001 to fight racism. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi also participated in the UNGA, delivering recorded remarks to the session on Tuesday and to the UN Food Systems Summit on Thursday. Search Keywords: Short link: Many Turks have turned their frustration toward the country's roughly 5 million foreign residents, particularly the 3.7 million who fled the civil war in Syria Fatima Alzahra Shon thinks neighbors attacked her and her son in their Istanbul apartment building because she is Syrian. The 32-year-old refugee from Aleppo was confronted on Sept. 1 by a Turkish woman who asked her what she was doing in our country. Shon replied, Who are you to say that to me? The situation quickly escalated. A man came out of the Turkish woman's apartment half-dressed, threatening to cut Shon and her family into pieces, she recalled. Another neighbor, a woman, joined in, shouting and hitting Shon. The group then pushed her down a flight of stairs. Shon said that when her 10-year-old son, Amr, tried to intervene, he was beaten as well. Shon said she has no doubt about the motivation for the aggression: Racism. Refugees fleeing the long conflict in Syria once were welcomed in neighboring Turkey with open arms, sympathy and compassion for fellow Muslims. But attitudes gradually hardened as the number of newcomers swelled over the past decade. Anti-immigrant sentiment is now nearing a boiling point, fueled by Turkey's economic woes. With unemployment high and the prices of food and housing skyrocketing, many Turks have turned their frustration toward the country's roughly 5 million foreign residents, particularly the 3.7 million who fled the civil war in Syria. In August, violence erupted in Ankara, the Turkish capital, as an angry mob vandalized Syrian businesses and homes in response to a deadly stabbing of a Turkish teenager. Turkey hosts the world's largest refugee population, and many experts say that has come at a cost. Selim Sazak, a visiting international security researcher at Bilkent University in Ankara and an advisor to officials from the opposition IYI Party, compared the arrival of so many refugees to absorbing a foreign state that's ethnically, culturally, linguistically dissimilar. Everyone thought that it would be temporary, Sazak said. I think it's only recently that the Turkish population understood that these people are not going back. They are only recently understanding that they have to become neighbors, economic competitors, colleagues with this foreign population. On a recent visit to Turkey, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi acknowledged that the high number of refugees had created social tensions, especially in the country's big cities. He urged donor countries and international organizations to do more to help Turkey. The prospect of a new influx of refugees following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has reinforced the unreceptive public mood. Videos purporting to show young Afghan men being smuggled into Turkey from Iran caused public outrage and led to calls for the government to safeguard the country's borders. The government says there are about 300,000 Afghans in Turkey, some of whom hope to continue their journeys to reach Europe. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who long defended an open-door policy toward refugees, recently recognized the public's unease and vowed not to allow the country to become a warehouse for refugees. Erdogan's government sent soldiers to Turkey's eastern frontier with Iran to stem the expected flow of Afghans and is speeding up the construction of a border wall. Immigration is expected to become a top campaign topic even though Turkey's next general election is two years away. Both Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party, or CHP, and the nationalist IYI Party have promised to work on creating conditions that would allow the Syrian refugees' return. waste collection fees foreigners there to propel them to leave. Following the anti-Syrian violence in the Altindag district of Ankara last month, Umit Ozdag, a right-wing politician who recently formed his own anti-immigrant party, visited the area wheeling an empty suitcase and saying the time has come for the refugees to start packing. The riots broke out on Aug. 11, a day after a Turkish teenager was stabbed to death in a fight with a group of young Syrians. Hundreds of people chanting anti-immigrant slogans took to the streets, vandalized Syrian-run shops and hurled rocks at refugees' homes. A 30-year-old Syrian woman with four children who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals said her family locked themselves in their bathroom as an attacker climbed onto their balcony and tried to force the door open. The woman said the episode traumatized her 5-year-old daughter and the girl has trouble sleeping at night. Some shops in the area remain closed, with traces of the disturbance still visible on their dented, metal shutters. Police have deployed multiple vehicles and a water cannon on the streets to prevent a repeat of the turmoil. Syrians are often accused of failing to assimilate in Turkey, a country that has a complex relationship with the Arab world dating back to the Ottoman empire. While majority Muslim like neighboring Arab countries, Turks trace their origins to nomadic warriors from central Asia and Turkish belongs to a different language group than Arabic. Kerem Pasaoglu, a pastry shop owner in Istanbul, said he wants Syrians to go back to their country and is bothered that some shops a street over have signs written in Arabic instead of Turkish. Just when we said we are getting used to Syrians or they will leave, now the Afghans coming is unfortunately very difficult for us, he said. Turkey's foreign minister this month said Turkey is working with the United Nations' refugee agency to safely return Syrians to their home country. While the security situation has stabilized in many parts of Syria after a decade of war, forced conscription, indiscriminate detentions and forced disappearances continue to be reported. Earlier this month, Amnesty International said some Syrian refugees who returned home were subjected to detention, disappearance and torture at the hands of Syrian security forces, proving that going back to any part of the country is unsafe. Shon said police in Istanbul showed little sympathy when she reported the attack by her neighbors. She said officers kept her at the station for hours, while the male neighbor who threatened and beat her was able to leave after giving a brief statement. Shon fled Aleppo in 2012, when the city became a battleground between Syrian government forces and rebel fighters. She said the father of her children drowned while trying to make it to Europe. Now, she wonders whether Turkey is the right place for her and her children. I think of my children's future. I try to support them in any way I can, but they have a lot of psychological issues now and I don't know how to help them overcome it, she said. I don't have the power anymore. I'm very tired. Search Keywords: Short link: More than 300 Iraqis, including tribal leaders, attended a conference in autonomous Kurdistan organised by a US think-tank demanding a normalisation of relations between Baghdad and Israel More than 300 Iraqis, including tribal leaders, attended a conference in autonomous Kurdistan organised by a US think-tank demanding a normalisation of relations between Baghdad and Israel, organisers said Saturday. The first initiative of its kind in Iraq, where Israel's sworn enemy Iran has a very strong influence, the conference took place on Friday and was organised by the New York-based Center for Peace Communications (CPC). The CPC advocates for normalising relations between Israel and Arab countries, alongside working to establish ties between civil society organisations. Iraqi Kurdistan maintains cordial contacts with Israel, but the federal government in Baghdad does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. Four Arab nations -- the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan -- last year agreed to make peace with Israel in a US-sponsored process dubbed the Abraham Accords. "We demand our integration into the Abraham Accords," said Sahar al-Tai, one of the attendees, reading a closing statement in a conference room at a hotel in the Kurdish regional capital Arbil. "Just as these agreements provide for diplomatic relations between the signatories and Israel, we also want normal relations with Israel," she said. "No force, local or foreign, has the right to prevent this call," added Tai, head of research at the Iraqi federal government's culture ministry. The 300 participants at the conference came from across Iraq, according to CPC founder Joseph Braude, a US citizen of Iraqi Jewish origin. They included Sunni and Shia representatives from "six governorates: Baghdad, Mosul, Salaheddin, Al-Anbar, Diyala and Babylon," extending to tribal chiefs and "intellectuals and writers", he told AFP by phone. Other speakers at the conference included Chemi Peres, the head of an Israeli foundation established by his father, the late president Shimon Peres. "Normalisation with Israel is now a necessity," said Sheikh Rissan al-Halboussi, an attendee from Anbar province. Kurdish Iraqi leaders have repeatedly visited Israel over the decades and local politicians have openly demanded Iraq normalise ties with Israel, which itself backed a 2017 independence referendum in the autonomous region. Search Keywords: Short link: Dozens of Sudanese demonstrators blocked Port Sudan airport in the country's east, days after protesters closed a crucial port to deplore a peace deal between rebels and the government Dozens of Sudanese demonstrators blocked Port Sudan airport in the country's east, days after protesters closed a crucial port to deplore a peace deal between rebels and the government, witnesses said. In October last year, several rebel groups signed a landmark accord with the transitional military-civilian government which came to power shortly after the April 2019 ouster of long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir. The Hadendoa tribe, the largest subdivision of the Beja people in Sudan's impoverished east, have criticised the fragile peace deal saying it does not represent them. A spokesman for Badr airlines, which has a daily flight between Port Sudan and the capital Khartoum, said it has suspended operations due to the unrest. Airport officials were not immediately available for comment. Witnesses told AFP that demonstrators also blocked a bridge linking Kassala with the rest of the country on Friday. They said public transport and motorists were barred from entering of leaving the riverfront city of Kassala. Since Monday, demonstrators have impeded access to Port Sudan, the country's main seaport and a vital trade hub for its crippled economy dependent on exports. The witnesses who spoke to AFP did not identify the protesters. But Abdullah Abu Shar, a leader of the Beja people, confirmed the latest developments suggesting his tribe was behind the unrest. "Today (Friday) there is a total closure of Red Sea and Kassala states," Abu Shar told AFP. "We have prohibited traffic in and out of Port Sudan airport and blocked Al-Batana bridge in Kassala," he added. Tensions have gripped Port Sudan since the government and rebel groups signed the deal in October 2020, with recurrent anti-government protests taking place. The military has been key to agreeing to peace deals with Sudan's rebel groups. Last year, days after the agreement was signed, members of the Beja people also blocked the seaport for several days. The latest protests come after the government on Tuesday thwarted a coup attempt which it said involved military officials and civilians linked to Bashir. Analyst Magdi el-Gizouli of the Rift Valley Institute told AFP that the developments in the east are the "real crisis in Sudan, not the foiled coup." Search Keywords: Short link: A car bomb exploded at a checkpoint near Somalia's presidential palace Saturday, killing eight people and was claimed by the Al-Shabaab jihadist group, police said A car bomb exploded at a checkpoint near Somalia's presidential palace Saturday, killing eight people and was claimed by the Al-Shabaab jihadist group, police said. "We have confirmed that eight people most of them civilians died and seven others wounded in the car bomb blast", district police chief Mucawiye Ahmed Mudey told reporters. Search Keywords: Short link: According to Far-Maroc, Morocco ordered 13 Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey in April and a first batch of the unmanned aircraft arrived this month Morocco took delivery earlier this month of Turkish combat drones, the Far-Maroc unofficial website dedicated to military news reported. The report, also carried by several local media outlets, comes as tensions have spiked between Morocco and neighbouring Algeria in recent weeks. The two countries are mainly at odds over the disputed Western Sahara territory, and Algeria severed ties with Morocco in August claiming "provocations and hostile" action by its neighbour. Relations took another blow this week when Algeria on Wednesday said it has closed off its airspace to all Moroccan civilian and military traffic. According to Far-Maroc, the North African kingdom ordered 13 Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey in April and a first batch of the unmanned aircraft arrived this month. Rabat, said the report, seeks to "modernise the arsenal of the Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) in order to prepare for any danger and recent hostilities", but did not elaborate on these topics. It did however add that Moroccan military personnel have trained in Turkey in recent weeks to work with the drones. Media reports said Morocco signed a $70 million contract with the private Turkish company Baykar. The firm is run by one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's son-in-laws and has been exporting its Bayraktar TB2 model to Ukraine, Qatar and Azerbaijan for some years. According to the company's website, the Bayraktar TB2 is a "medium altitude long endurance tactical unmanned aerial vehicle capable of conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and armed attack missions" with a range of up to 27 hours. Morocco already uses drones for intelligence and surveillance operations along its borders, according to military experts. The Western Sahara dispute pits Morocco against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front which fought a war of independence with Rabat from 1975 to 1991. Morocco laid claim to the former Spanish colony with rich phosphate resources and offshore fisheries after Spain withdrew in 1975, and controls around 80 percent of it. Rabat has offered autonomy there and maintains the territory is a sovereign part of the kingdom but the Polisario is demanding a referendum on self-determination, in line with the terms of a 1991 UN-backed ceasefire deal. Tensions rose sharply in November when Morocco sent troops into a buffer zone to reopen the only road linking Morocco to Mauritania and the rest of West Africa. The road had been blocked by the separatists. Search Keywords: Short link: More than 300 Iraqis, including tribal leaders, called for a normalisation of ties with Israel at a conference in autonomous Kurdistan organised by a US think-tank, drawing a chorus of condemnation Saturday from Baghdad More than 300 Iraqis, including tribal leaders, called for a normalisation of ties with Israel at a conference in autonomous Kurdistan organised by a US think-tank, drawing a chorus of condemnation Saturday from Baghdad. The first initiative of its kind in Iraq, a historic foe of Israel and where its sworn enemy Iran has a strong influence, the conference was held Friday. The organisers, the New York-based Center for Peace Communications (CPC), advocates for normalising relations between Israel and Arab countries, alongside working to establish ties between civil society organisations. Iraqi Kurdistan maintains cordial contacts with Israel, but the federal government in Baghdad, which has fought in Arab-Israeli wars, does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. Four Arab nations -- the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan -- last year agreed to make peace with Israel in a US-sponsored process dubbed the Abraham Accords. "We demand our integration into the Abraham Accords," said Sahar al-Tai, one of the attendees, reading a closing statement in a conference room at a hotel in the Kurdish regional capital Arbil. "Just as these agreements provide for diplomatic relations between the signatories and Israel, we also want normal relations with Israel," she said. "No force, local or foreign, has the right to prevent this call," added Tai, head of research at the Iraqi federal government's culture ministry. However, Iraq's federal government rejected the conference's call for normalisation in a statement on Saturday and dismissed the gathering as an "illegal meeting". 'Traitors' The conference "was not representative of the population's (opinion) and that of residents in Iraqi cities, in whose name these individuals purported to speak," the statement said. The office of Iraq's President Barham Saleh, himself a Kurd, joined in the condemnation. Powerful Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr urged the government to "arrest all the participants", while Ahmed Assadi, an MP with the ex-paramilitary group Hashed al-Shaabi, branded them "traitors in the eyes of the law". The 300 participants at the conference came from across Iraq, according to CPC founder Joseph Braude, a US citizen of Iraqi Jewish origin. They included Sunni and Shia representatives from "six governorates: Baghdad, Mosul, Salaheddin, Al-Anbar, Diyala and Babylon," extending to tribal chiefs and "intellectuals and writers", he told AFP by phone. Other speakers at the conference included Chemi Peres, the head of an Israeli foundation established by his father, the late president Shimon Peres. "Normalisation with Israel is now a necessity," said Sheikh Rissan al-Halboussi, an attendee from Anbar province, citing the examples of Morocco and the UAE. Kurdish Iraqi leaders have repeatedly visited Israel over the decades and local politicians have openly demanded Iraq normalise ties with Israel, which itself backed a 2017 independence referendum in the autonomous region. Search Keywords: Short link: Pakistani security forces overnight killed six militants of a separatist group in a raid at their hideout in the mountains of southwestern Baluchistan province Pakistani security forces overnight killed six militants of a separatist group in a raid at their hideout in the mountains of southwestern Baluchistan province, the military said Saturday. Counterterrorism police arrested three others from the same group, the Baluchistan Liberation Army, in a separate operation, the military said in a statement. The statement said the Saturday raid was conducted in the district of Kharan based on credible intelligence that terrorists were hiding out in the area. It said a shootout erupted after the militants opened fire on Frontier Corps troops. Six militants, including two commanders, were killed and a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered, the statement said. The Baluchistan Liberation Army, one of the main separatist groups in the province, has waged an insurgency in the mineral and gas rich province for nearly two decades. It confirmed in a statement that the group's six men were killed in the ongoing security forces operation in a mountainous area of Kharan district. The BLA and other groups want to separate from Islamabad. Counterterrorism police in Baluchistan's Turbat area Friday night arrested three members of the BLA who they said were involved in facilitating attacks on security forces and civilians. The police statement said the three men were also involved in last month's suicide attack in the port city of Gwadar that killed four children playing alongside the road. The attack targeted a security forces convoy escorting Chinese nationals and one Chinese was wounded in the attack. Counterterrorism police said the arrested men were also involved in an attack on a luxury hotel in Gwadar in 2019. Counterterrorism police in eastern Punjab province said that during operations across the province they arrested eight members of banned militant and sectarian groups involved in spreading hate and jihadist literature. They were also in possession of arms and ammunition and were collecting funds for banned groups, police said. Search Keywords: Short link: Merkel had planned to keep a low profile in the election battle as she prepares to bow out of politics after 16 years in power Laschet, 60, has been trailing his Social Democrat challenger Olaf Scholz in the race for the chancellery, although final polls put the gap between them within the margin of error, making the vote one of the most unpredictable in recent years. Merkel had planned to keep a low profile in the election battle as she prepares to bow out of politics after 16 years in power. But she has found herself dragged into the frantic campaign schedule of the unpopular chairman of her party, Laschet. In the last week of the campaign, Merkel took Laschet to her constituency by the Baltic coast and on Friday headlined the closing rally gathering the conservatives' bigwigs in Munich. Merkel tugged at the heartstrings of Germany's predominantly older electorate on Friday, calling on them to keep her conservatives in power for the sake of stability -- a trademark of Germany. A day before the vote, she had travelled to Laschet's hometown and constituency Aachen, a spa city near Germany's western border with Belgium and the Netherlands, where he was born and still lives. "It is about your future, the future of your children and the future of your parents," she said at her last rally before the polls, urging strong mobilisation for her conservative alliance. - Climate high on agenda - She underlined that climate protection would be a key challenge of the next government, but that this would not be achieved "simply through rules and regulations. "For that we need new technological developments, new procedures, researchers, interested people who think about how that can be done, and people who participate," she said. Laschet is a "bridge-builder who will get people on board" in shaping Germany to meet those challenges, she said. Hundreds of thousands of people had descended on the streets on Friday urging change and greater climate protection, with a leading activist calling Sunday's election the vote "of a century". On Saturday, Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg told a rally near Germany's Garzweiler mine, one of the biggest in Europe, that the elections "are not going to resolve the crisis, whatever the outcome". "You're going to have to keep mobilising, organising and taking to the streets," she said. With the clock ticking down to the election, Scholz was also staying close to home at the other end of the country to chase down last votes. Taking questions from voters in his constituency of Potsdam -- a city on the outskirts of Berlin famous for its palaces that once housed Prussian kings, -- Scholz said he was fighting for "a major change in this country, a new government" led by him. He also gave a glimpse of the future government he hopes to lead, saying that "perhaps it may be enough to, for instance, form a government between the SPD and the Greens". Scholz, currently finance minister in Merkel's coalition government, has avoided making mistakes on the campaign trail, and largely won backing as he sold himself as the "continuity candidate" after Merkel in place of Laschet. Described as capable but boring, Scholz has consistently beaten Laschet by wide margins when it comes to popularity. - 'Could backfire' - As election day loomed, Laschet's conservatives were closing the gap, with one poll even putting them just one percentage point behind the SPD's 26 percent. Laschet went into the race for the chancellery badly bruised by a tough battle for the conservatives' chancellor candidate nomination. Nevertheless, his party enjoyed a substantial lead ahead of the SPD heading into the summer. But Laschet was seen chuckling behind President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as he paid tribute to victims of deadly floods in July, an image that would drastically turn the mood against him and his party. As polls showed the lead widening for the SPD, the conservatives turned to their greatest asset -- the still widely popular Merkel. Yet roping in the chancellor is not without risks, said political analyst Oskar Niedermayer of Berlin's Free University. "Merkel is still the most well-liked politician. But the joint appearances can become a problem for Laschet because they are then immediately being compared to each other," he said. "And it could therefore backfire because people could then think that Merkel is more suitable than Laschet." Search Keywords: Short link: Salah is absolutely up there with Lewandowski: Liverpool boss Klopp Ahram Online, , Saturday 25 Sep 2021 'Mo Salah is absolutely up there with him,' the Reds boss was quoted as saying by Liverpools official website late on Friday when asked how Salah is compared with Lewandowski Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has hailed his star winger Mohamed Salah, describing him as one of the best ever goal scorers in football, adding that the Egyptian international is at the same level of Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski. Upon recording a video message to congratulate his former player and current Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski on receiving the 2021 European Golden Shoe award, Klopp continued to heap praise on the Pharaohs star. "Mo Salah is absolutely up there with him there's no doubt about that, the Reds boss was quoted as saying by Liverpools official website late on Friday when asked how Salah is compared with Lewandowski. "Mo is a goal machine, definitely. His professionalism is absolutely second to none. He does absolutely everything to be always fit, to stay always on track first in, last out, all these kind of things. So, that's Mo," Klopp said. "On top of that, apart from his technical skill set and all these kind of things, he's desperate to score goals and that's helpful as well. That's exactly the same like it is with Lewi, and that's good, very helpful," he added. The 29-year old Salah is enjoying a great season opening, as he scored four goals in the first five matches of the Premier League, putting him at the top of the scoring table. Klopp also netted his 100th goal in the league recently, becoming the fastest player to ever do so in Liverpool's history. He needs just one league goal to enter the club's top 10 list of all-time scorers. Salah, who joined Liverpool in 2017 from Italy AS Roma, scored 130 goals and provided 49 assists in his 209 matches with the Reds, helping the team win the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup in 2019, as well as clinch the 2019-2020 Premier League title for the first time in just about 30 years. "Whatever you do on the pitch, whatever you create, whatever you initiate, you need somebody who brings the ball over the line or in the back of the net and Mo is absolutely there with the best I ever saw, he knows that. The numbers he has are insane, the Liverpool boss said. "I'm obviously blessed to work with some good players during my career, he added. Salah is currently on 130 goals for Liverpool in all competitions from 209 appearances. "What can I say? Did Mo expect when he arrived here that he can achieve these numbers? Maybe yes!, the coach said about Salahs statistics. "Did I expect it? No, because you can't expect it, because you shouldn't expect it, because it puts kind of pressure on the player. "But he made massive steps since he arrived here. We played some really good football, which helps as well [in] scoring goals. "Obviously the team developed in the right direction and Mo had a massive impact on that obviously. And all the rest, I don't know. "Nobody should expect these kind of numbers because you never know what can happen. We have to stay fit and everything needs to go in the right direction, so that's all true. "I could not be more positive about the things Mo achieved so far already, but obviously we are much more concerned about what can be achieved in the future, and we are in that season. "He's in a good moment, in a good shape, in a good mood, all these kind of things, so that's helpful obviously. "He works hard, adapted to some changes we made in our set-up in the way we play really well, enjoys it. So, that's all good, all positive. Nothing else to say, the coach concluded. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter [email protected]_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) /News/423737.aspx Egypt's pavilion receives over 10,000 visitors in trial opening of Expo 2020 Dubai Ahram Online, , Saturday 25 Sep 2021 Expo 2020 will be officially opened in a ceremony Thursday evening with the participation of 192 countries The Egyptian pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai received more than 10,000 visitors as part of the exhibition's trial opening activities, according to a statement by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Expo 2020 will be officially opened in a ceremony Thursday evening with the participation of 192 countries. Egypt is participating in the six-month international event with a distinguished pavilion that reflects its status at the regional and international levels. The pavilion sheds light on the Egyptian civilization and the most characteristic features of the Egyptian personality throughout history, in addition to focusing on Egypt's future and the most important opportunities available to investors in all sectors. Expo 2020 Dubai was scheduled to be held last year but was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. It is set to be held this year with the same name starting 1 October and lasting through the end of March next year. The Dubai Expo is the latest in the list of world expositions organised since 1851 every five years in different countries under different names. It is held by the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). These expositions gather people of different nations with the aim of finding solutions to pressing challenges through immersive and engaging activities. In an interview with Al-Ahram in February, UAE Minister for State for International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimi said continuous coordination is taking place at the highest levels between Expo 2020 administration and the Egyptian side to provide all means of support. This coordination aims to make the Egyptian participation a success, Al-Hashimi, also managing director of the expo, said. "We are confident that the Egyptian participation will be special due to Egypts exceptional experience acquired through participating in earlier versions of this international event," Al-Hashimi said. /News/423767.aspx No migrants remained Friday at the Texas border encampment where almost 15,000 people most of them Haitians had converged just days earlier seeking asylum, local and federal officials said. It's a dramatic change from last Saturday, when the number peaked as migrants driven by confusion over the Biden administrations policies and misinformation on social media converged at the border crossing connecting Del Rio, Texas, and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. An area where migrants, many from Haiti, were encamped is seen after crews cleared the zone along the Del Rio International Bridge, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Del Rio, Texas. [Photo: AP] At a news conference, Del Rio Mayor Buno Lozano called it phenomenal news. Many face expulsion because they are not covered by protections recently extended by the Biden administration to the more than 100,000 Haitian migrants already in the U.S., citing security concerns and social unrest in the Western Hemispheres poorest country. The devastating 2010 earthquake forced many of them from their homeland. The United States and Mexico appeared eager to end the increasingly politicized humanitarian situation that prompted the resignation of the U.S. special envoy to Haiti and widespread outrage after images emerged of border agents maneuvering their horses to forcibly block and move migrants. On Friday, President Joe Biden said the way the agents used their horses was horrible and that people will pay as a result. The agents have been assigned to administrative duties while the administration investigates. There will be consequences, Biden told reporters. Its an embarrassment, but its beyond an embarrassment its dangerous, its wrong, it sends the wrong message around the world and sends the wrong message at home. Its simply not who we are. Later, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas spoke cautiously about the pending investigation into the use of horses. Asked about the discrepancy, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden was not prejudging an outcome. He was speaking from the heart. She said he is not interfering with any investigation. Mayorkas said about 2,000 Haitians have been rapidly expelled on 17 flights since Sunday and more could be expelled in coming days under pandemic powers that deny people the chance to seek asylum. He said the U.S. has allowed about 12,400 to enter the country, at least temporarily, while they make claims before an immigration judge to stay in the country under the asylum laws or for some other legal reason. They could ultimately be denied and would be subject to removal. Mayorkas said about 5,000 are in DHS custody and being processed to determine whether they will be expelled or allowed to press their claim for legal residency. Some returned to Mexico. A U.S. official with direct knowledge of the situation said six flights were scheduled to Haiti on Friday, with seven planned Saturday and six Sunday, though that was subject to change. The official was not authorized to speak publicly. In Mexico, just over 100 migrants, most of them single men, remained Friday morning in the riverside camp in Ciudad Acuna. Dozens of families who had been there crossed back to Del Rio overnight after Mexican authorities left the area. With the river running higher, some Border Patrol agents helped families who were struggling to cross with children. Some migrants also moved to small hotels or private homes in Ciudad Acuna. Authorities detained six migrants at one on Thursday afternoon. Luxon, a 31-year-old Haitian migrant who withheld his last name out of fear, said he was leaving with his wife and son for Mexicali, about 900 miles west along Mexico's border with California. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has appealed his conviction for the murder of George Floyd, citing 14 complaints about his high-profile trial earlier this year in a case that roiled the United States and laid bare deep racial divisions. In this file frame from May 25, 2020, video provided by Darnella Frazier, a Minneapolis officer kneels on the neck of George Floyd, a handcuffed man who was pleading that he could not breathe. [File photo: Darnella Frazier via AP] The killing of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, in May 2020 went viral after being caught on camera and sparked America's biggest demonstrations for racial justice in decades. Chauvin, who in June was sentenced to more than 22 years in prison for killing Floyd by kneeling on his neck for nearly 10 minutes, appealed the conviction Thursday night with a Minnesota district court, on the last day he was able to do so. He accuses the state of prejudicial misconduct and lists multiple issues with the jury selected for the trial, among other objections. The former police officer accuses the court of "abusing its discretion" by denying requests to postpone or move the trial, and refusing to sequester the jury for its duration. Chauvin, a 45-year-old white man, was filmed kneeling on Floyd's neck, indifferent to the dying man's groans and to the pleas of distraught passers-by. Floyd repeatedly said "I can't breathe" before he died. The scene, filmed and uploaded by a young woman, quickly spread around the world. Hundreds of thousands of people subsequently poured onto streets across the country and overseas to demand an end to racism and police brutality. The ex-cop and three of his colleagues arrested Floyd on suspicion of having passed a fake $20 bill in a store in Minneapolis, a northern city of around 400,000 people. They handcuffed him and pinned him to the ground in the street. In the filed documents, Chauvin said he has no income and no legal representation in the appeals process. A defense fund that paid for his representation during the trial was terminated after his sentencing. - Relief at risk - The sacked police officer, who was present for the full six weeks of his trial, did not testify, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. His lawyer said he had followed police procedures in force at the time and that Floyd's death was due to health problems exacerbated by drug use. But, at the end of the high-profile trial in April, a jury took less than 10 hours to convict Chauvin of Floyd's murder. He was found guilty on all three charges -- second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. The other three police officers are to face state charges next year for their roles in Floyd's death. Chauvin's conviction was greeted with relief across the country. Many had feared an acquittal would lead to worse unrest, while others worried that once again a white police officer would get away with what they saw as murder. The Floyd family's lawyer called the sentencing a "historic" step towards racial reconciliation in the United States. Chauvin had a record of using excessive force before the unarmed Floyd died under his knee. At the end of the trial, Chauvin offered his condolences to the Floyd family and said: "There's going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest and I hope things will give you some peace of mind," without elaborating. One of several police officers seen on video pinning down Daniel Prude, a Black man who died after being detained on a street in upstate New York, could face departmental discipline, the Rochester Police Department said. Officer Mark Vaughn is the only officer to be served with departmental charges Thursday following an internal investigation of the police response to Prude, whose death sparked nightly protests and led to the suspension of seven officers. In this image taken from police body camera video provided by Roth and Roth LLP, a Rochester police officer puts a hood over the head of Daniel Prude, on March 23, 2020, in Rochester, N.Y. [File photo: Rochester Police via Roth and Roth LLP via AP] Vaughn was cited for unnecessary or excessive force and discourteous/unprofessional conduct, the department said Friday. A formal hearing will be held later, followed by a hearing officer's recommendation for potential discipline. Prude, 41, of Chicago, died in March 2020, a week after being held by officers against the pavement until he stopped breathing after he bolted from his brothers home and shed his clothes during an apparent mental health episode. Police body camera video released six months later shows Vaughn assuming a pushup stance while pressing Prudes head to the pavement with his hands as other officers immobilize his legs. A mesh spit hood was placed over the head of Prude, who was naked on a cold night. Lawyers for the police said the officers were strictly following their training in a technique known as segmenting. Following the release of the departmental findings, Mayor Lovely Warren indicated she would seek Vaughn's termination. Our community has suffered greatly from the tragic death of Daniel Prude, Warren said in a statement Friday. The six other officers, who with Vaughn have been on paid suspension during the investigation, will be initially assigned to Professional Development to ensure they are up to date on any policies and procedures, the police department statement said. Also Friday, police released a 23-minute video tracing Prude's movements from his arrival in Rochester the afternoon of March 22 to visit his brother Joe Prude to his fatal encounter with police in the pre-dawn hours March 23. The video, pieced together from surveillance camera footage, cellphone and 911 recordings and police body camera video, shows a disoriented Prude walking and running barefoot for about a mile through dark and largely deserted streets and parking lots during a snowfall. Along the way, he removes the tank top and pajama bottoms he was wearing, leaving him naked by the time the officers, who were called by his concerned brother, catch up with him. Joe Prude told police his brother had smoked marijuana dipped in the drug PCP and underwent a mental health evaluation at a Rochester hospital earlier in the day but had been acting normally just before running out the back door. As he is handcuffed on the ground, Daniel Prude is heard launching into a confused rant, alternately demanding the police officers' guns and praying to Jesus Christ. The video, some of which was previously withheld by investigators, shows the officers held Prude face down to the ground for about two minutes before noticing he had stopped breathing and had no pulse. Prude never regained consciousness and was removed from life support March 30. Warren said she hoped that the work the city had done in creating person-in-crisis teams, changing police procedures, funding a police accountability board and training more officers in deescalation techniques "ensures that, going forward, we always respond to those in need with compassion and humanity. The county medical examiner listed Prudes manner of death as homicide caused by complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint and cited the drug PCP as a contributing factor. A grand jury assembled by state Attorney General Letitia James declined to indict any of the officers. The results of a departmental investigation were released in a brief statement Thursday evening. The Rochester Police Departments (RPD) Conflict Counsel has determined potential grounds for legal recourse in the case of Officer Vaughn, as it relates to the March 23, 2020, incident, the statement from Chief Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan's office said. The department fully supports Officer Vaughns right to due process and to defend himself against the charges, of which no pre-determined outcome has been put in place," the statement said. An attorney for Vaughn did not respond to a telephone message to his office Friday. A spokesperson for the Rochester Police Locust Club, the police union, said the union had no comment. By Bikash Sangraula, KYODO NEWS - Jul 4, 2021 - 17:28 | All, World, Japan Groups representing Bhutanese forcibly evicted from Bhutan have written to the Japanese prime minister asking that Japan withdraw a decoration conferred upon Dago Tshering, a former home minister accused by human rights activists of being a key perpetrator of ethnic cleansing in the Himalayan kingdom three decades ago. In April, the Japanese government said that Tshering, Bhutan's home minister from 1991 to 1998 and ambassador to Japan from 1999 to 2008, would receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, earning him the distinction of being the first Bhutanese to get the honor. "While we acknowledge the desire of your government to strengthen mutual relationship between Bhutan and Japan through the conferral of this award, we regret to state that this very gesture of goodness has unlocked deep-seated injury and trauma that many of us Bhutanese have personally undergone during the Home Minister's tenure," the groups said in a letter to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga dated June 24. The groups represent Bhutanese living in the United States and elsewhere in the world, including nearby Nepal. Japan's Foreign Ministry and the Cabinet Office, both of which deal with state decorations, denied knowledge of the letter. While the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi acknowledged it is aware of the letter's content, it did not say whether Japan officially received it. In 1988, the Bhutan government implemented a national integration policy centered on the traditions embraced by majority Tibetan Buddhists, sparking anti-government movements among Nepali-speaking Bhutanese citizens. On Aug. 17, 1990, then Deputy Home Minister Tshering revoked the citizenship of thousands of Bhutanese citizens. His order, and the ensuing state persecution of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese citizens, forced 130,000 Bhutanese to flee Bhutan and settle in refugee camps in eastern Nepal. They were prevented by Indian security personnel from settling in India or re-entering Bhutan. The refugees lived for two decades in Nepal in makeshift camps, during which countless efforts at repatriation failed. Under a resettlement program launched in 2007, most Bhutanese refugees were resettled in eight countries -- the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Canada, Britain and the Netherlands. A few thousand Bhutanese refugees still live in Nepal, hoping to return to their homeland. Bhutan human rights activist Tek Nath Rizal, who refused resettlement and lives in Nepal awaiting repatriation, says he cannot understand how the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star could be conferred on Tshering. "I cannot fathom how a country like Japan, which has championed for the guarantee of human right and democracy in Bhutan in various forms for years, has now decided to award Dago Tshering, a racist, ruthless and corrupt former home minister," Rizal was quoted as saying in a guest piece published on The Diplomat, an online news magazine, in May. In an online signature campaign seeking broader support for the demand, members of what some human rights activists call the most forgotten refugees in the world have mentioned gross abuses, including arrest, torture, and eviction they faced, and have expressed a belief that Japan will revoke the award. "I am signing this petition because my father was arrested and tortured by the Bhutan Army for months in Bhutan. This was done under the strict order and watch of Dago Tshering. Our property was then snatched from us, and we were driven out of our country. Bhutan and Dago Tshering is responsible for all this," Malty Sharma, one of the signers, wrote. In announcing the conferral of the honor on April 29, the Japanese government said Tshering "contributed to the strengthening of ties between Japan and Bhutan as well as to friendship" between their peoples. ==Kyodo KYODO NEWS - Sep 25, 2021 - 09:08 | All, Japan One of the sisters of a Sri Lankan woman who died in March following mistreatment at a Japanese detention facility has called on the immigration agency to accept responsibility for her sibling's death as she left Japan. The family members of Ratnayake Liyanage Wishma Sandamali, 33, have been demanding that the immigration agency disclose two weeks' worth of a security camera footage of her final days and clarify the cause of death, but their requests have not been granted. "I will return (to my country) temporarily, but not because I have given up. I want the immigration authorities to accept their responsibility and prevent the same thing from happening again to other foreigners," Wishma's younger sister Wayomi, 29, told reporters at Narita airport near Tokyo on Thursday. Wayomi said she decided to leave Japan as she has been "mentally distressed" after seeing half of a two-hour edited version of the footage showing how her sister was treated at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau in central Japan. She also said she was worried about the worsening health of her mother in Sri Lanka. Wishma's other younger sister, Poornima, will remain in Japan and continue to urge the agency to fully disclose the footage. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan had at first refused to disclose the footage to the family, citing security, but allowed the family to watch a shortened version of the footage following public criticism. On Tuesday, Wayomi told a press conference in Tokyo she has been in shock since seeing the footage and recalling every day the suffering of her sister and the bitter attitude of immigration officials. Wayomi and Poornima have also been demanding the immigration agency allow their lawyer to attend while they view the footage of Wishma's final days. Shoichi Ibusuki, the lawyer for the family, who also attended the press conference, said "the dishonest handling by the immigration agency" led Wayomi to leave Japan, as it refuses to accept the requests of Wishma's family. Wayomi said the immigration agency is "evading responsibility" for her sister's death and called on it to make the footage public in order to prevent any recurrence of what happened to her sister. In August, Japan's immigration agency admitted to mistreating Wishma after a probe found the detention center in Nagoya failed to provide appropriate medical care despite her deteriorating health. The probe has also found that she asked for medical treatment and an examination by an outside doctor, but her pleas were never reported to managing staff, violating the facility's own rules. According to the agency's final report on the death of Wishma released in August, one immigration officer allegedly mocked her for not being able to swallow a drink, while others thought her complaints were exaggerated in order to secure approval of her temporary release request. Wishma was taken to the Nagoya facility in August 2020 for overstaying her visa. She had complained of stomach pain and other symptoms from mid-January and applied for provisional release for hospital treatment, but was refused. An online petition launched by Wishma's family and supporters in July to press the government to release the full video footage had garnered over 80,000 signatures as of Friday morning. KYODO NEWS - Sep 25, 2021 - 13:24 | All, Japan, World The following is the gist of agreements reached during Friday's meeting between the leaders of the United States, Japan, Australia and India, a group of countries collectively called the Quad. The Quad: -- recommits to promoting a free, open, rules-based order. -- agrees to hold a meeting of its leaders annually. -- affirms coronavirus vaccine manufacturing efforts are on track. -- will meet challenges to rules-based order in the East, South China seas. -- will begin cooperation in space, including sharing satellite data. -- will bolster supply chain security for semiconductors. -- calls North Korea to engage in dialogue for denuclearization. Related coverage: Quad leaders agree to meet annually in latest pushback against China Japan, U.S. leaders affirm efforts for free, open Indo-Pacific Japan, India leaders oppose China attempt to alter status quo KYODO NEWS - Sep 25, 2021 - 22:46 | All, Japan Four candidates running to become Japan's next prime minister stepped up their campaign on Saturday to broaden support among grassroots members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party ahead of a party presidential election next week. The latest round of the LDP leadership race draws a contrast with previous ones as the coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult for the candidates to visit regional areas to hear the voices of local party members whose votes count. The winner of Wednesday's election is almost certain to succeed incumbent Yoshihide Suga as prime minister, as the ruling LDP controls the House of Representatives, the powerful lower chamber of parliament. The next leader will experience his or her first lower house election this fall as party chief. In an online town hall meeting, all four candidates -- vaccination minister Taro Kono, former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, former internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi and former gender equality minister Seiko Noda -- recognized the importance of tourism and agriculture, issues that are crucial to revitalize regional economies. "We have to be seriously thinking about how we can offer agricultural products and tourism that are high quality and with added value. Both need to look to the world," Kono told the forum involving citizens. Kono said Japan needs to promote inbound tourism that would have a "good influence" on regional economies, and that one challenge for the country is how to draw wealthy visitors. Japan has set a goal of targeting 60 million foreign visitors to Japan in 2030 but the pandemic has depressed inbound tourism due to travel restriction. The number stood at 4.12 million in 2020. Kishida said tourism has "big potential" for regional economies. If elected, he said he will upgrade the government's subsidy program to spur local tourism by making use of vaccine certificates or negative test results for COVID-19. Takaichi and Noda -- aspirants to become Japan's first female prime minister -- both pinned hopes on the power of the country's pop culture forms such as anime and movies in drawing tourists. On agriculture, the four candidates underscored the need for Japan to raise its food self-sufficiency rate. Both Kono and Noda said the country needs to nurture and support people engaged in farming. "We need to make agriculture a profitable business," Kishida said. Takaichi, meanwhile, unveiled an idea to promote exports of gluten-free rice flour to the U.S. and European markets as a government policy. The event was the third of four virtual town hall sessions the LDP has organized so that the candidates can answer questions from citizens on issues ranging from COVID-19, economic policy and diplomacy to constitutional reform, a goal that the party wants to achieve. Related coverage: 3 Japan PM hopefuls urge elderly to stay on job for pension system LDP president candidates vow to double spending on children FOCUS: Women's entry in Japan party leader race may not boost empowerment KYODO NEWS - Sep 25, 2021 - 19:13 | All, Japan, Coronavirus The health ministry has begun reviewing Japan's health care system in preparation for a possible sixth wave of coronavirus infections, following numerous cases of people dying at home during the previous resurgence. In addition to asking existing medical institutions to secure sufficient hospital beds, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also plans to increase the number of temporary medical facilities such as gyms and strengthen coordination of personnel, according to officials. Nationwide daily infections peaked at around 25,800 on Aug. 20 during the last, or the fifth, resurgence. While prefectures had planned for numbers to double that of the third wave, some areas saw more than triple. In communications with local governments on Sept. 14 on establishing a medium- to long-term medical system to treat COVID-19 patients, the ministry stressed the importance of maintaining a balance with treatment for other illnesses. Infections have been increasing even in countries that rolled out their vaccination programs earlier than Japan, so a resurgence should be expected moving forward, it said. The government additionally outlined plans to strengthen monitoring and emergency hospital admission of patients recuperating at home, and requested a system be created in advance to coordinate and train personnel. It also asked local governments to consider utilizing provisions under a revised infectious disease law, which allows the authorities to release the names of hospitals that do not have a valid reason for noncompliance. Related coverage: Japan to lower minimum age to 16 at state-run vaccination sites Japan eyes lifting COVID-19 emergency at end of month as scheduled Japan's elderly to get COVID-19 booster shots in early 2022 KYODO NEWS - Sep 25, 2021 - 17:19 | World, All Two Canadians detained in China on espionage were released from prison on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, hours after the chief financial officer of Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies Co. was allowed to return home. Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor had been detained shortly after Canadian authorities arrested Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei's founder Ren Zhengfei, in Vancouver in December 2018. The detention of the two Canadians had been regarded as China's retaliation for Meng's arrest. She had been detained by Ottawa as requested by Washington on U.S. fraud charges linked to an alleged breach of sanctions on Iran. Meng has already left Vancouver and the two Canadians have also flown out of China, according to media reports. Their detention became one of the sources of tension between Beijing and Washington as well as Canada. Many democratic nations criticized China's action as "hostage politics." The U.S. Justice Department said Friday that Meng admitted to fraud charges in a deal that will permit her to return to China around three years after she was detained in Canada. Making a remote appearance from Canada for proceedings of a federal district court in New York, Meng "entered into a deferred prosecution agreement and was arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bank fraud and wire fraud," the department said in a press release. Meanwhile, Trudeau was quoted by media as saying the two Canadian men "have been through an unbelievably difficult ordeal. For the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance and grace and we are all inspired by that." In June 2020, Chinese authorities said Kovrig and Spavor had been indicted for spying in China to obtain state secrets and intelligence. Related coverage: Huawei executive arrested by Canada set to return to China China sentences Canadian businessman to 11 years in prison for spying China denounces Canada PM's "coercive diplomacy" remarks KYODO NEWS - Sep 25, 2021 - 20:43 | World, All A prominent pro-democracy group in Hong Kong known for its yearly vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown voted Saturday to disband after its leaders were arrested under the national security law, local media reported. Core members of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China voted 41-4 at an emergency general meeting to officially end the group's 32-year-run, according to the media reports. The alliance's standing committee had passed a resolution to disband in August, citing mounting suppression from authorities as Beijing continues its efforts to crack down on dissent in Hong Kong. Earlier this month, the group's vice chairwoman, Tonyee Chow, and two other senior figures were arrested on charges of inciting subversion of state power under the national security law, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The group also deleted its publications on the internet last week after receiving a police order that said it must take down all online content. The alliance is the latest pro-democracy organization to fold amid an intensifying crackdown under the sweeping national security law, which criminalizes acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. On Friday, another pro-democracy group, Student Politicism, announced its disbandment after four members were charged with conspiracy to incite subversion. Related coverage: Pro-Beijing members to fill Hong Kong's Election Committee Hong Kong group forced to delete content about Tiananmen crackdown Hong Kong police arrest organizers of Tiananmen Massacre vigil KYODO NEWS - Sep 24, 2021 - 23:29 | All, Japan All four candidates vying to succeed Japan's outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga welcomed Friday Taiwan's application to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, a move sure to provoke China. In an online town hall meeting for Wednesday's presidential election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, vaccination minister Taro Kono, former internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi and former gender equality minister Seiko Noda said they "support" Taiwan's entry into the 11-member regional trade pact, while former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said he "welcomes" Taipei's bid for membership. "We have to monitor whether (Taiwan) will be able to respond to the high-level rules (required to become a member) of the TPP," formally known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Kishida said. China has voiced strong opposition to Taiwan's bid to join the TPP, as Beijing regards the self-ruled democratic island as a renegade province awaiting reunification by force if necessary. The four prime ministerial hopefuls vowed to coordinate with the United States and other democratic countries in better dealing with China, especially when the country flexes its muscle in the East and South China seas, attempting to press its claims there. The LDP vote effectively decides Japan's next prime minister as the party currently controls the House of Representatives, the powerful lower chamber of parliament. Kono and Takaichi expressed willingness to revise the Japan Coast Guard Law in response to Beijing's repeated intrusions into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands, a group of islets in the East China Sea controlled by Japan but claimed by China. "With a revision to the law in sight, I will promote diplomatic activities, so Tokyo can better curb Beijing's escalating acts," Kono said. Kishida underscored the need to strengthen cooperation between the Japan Coast Guard and the Self-Defense Forces in response to China's moves around the Senkakus, known as Diaoyu in China. Noda called for stepping up ties with countries such as Australia to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The four senior LDP lawmakers, however, were divided over whether, as prime minister, they would visit the war-related Yasukuni shrine, an issue that would strain ties with China and South Korea. Takaichi said she would, but Kono and Noda said they would not. However, Kishida said he would consider a visit after studying the timing and the situation. Beijing and Seoul regard the Shinto shrine, which honors convicted war criminals along with millions of war dead, as a symbol of Japan's past militarism. On the second day of the four-day online town hall meetings, the four answered questions from participating citizens on issues ranging from foreign and security policy to energy and the environment. Related coverage: Japan sees no technical problem with Taiwan joining TPP 3 Japan PM hopefuls urge elderly to stay on job for pension system LDP president candidates vow to double spending on children KYODO NEWS - Sep 13, 2021 - 15:49 | All, Japan Japan's main opposition on Monday vowed to give couples the option of keeping their surnames separate after marriage among other reform proposals ahead of the general election. Yukio Edano, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said the party seeks to realize a society without discrimination as it announced a set of policies the party will implement if it gains power. Other policies include introducing a law to protect the rights of sexual minorities, helping women subjected to domestic violence and a ban on discrimination based on gender, nationality and disability. The party also plans to review the country's immigration system. The announcement of the policies comes as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election on Sept. 29 for picking Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's successor takes center stage. "The LDP is dominated by adamant opposition (to such changes). Whoever becomes its president, it cannot realize them. We must accomplish the change of power," said Edano. Japan is the only country in the world known for having a law forcing married couples to share a surname, according to the Justice Ministry. The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has also recommended that Japan change the system. Last week, the CDPJ released its first set of pledges including working on a supplementary budget totaling 30 trillion yen ($273 billion) for assisting those hit by the novel coronavirus pandemic. In addition, the CDPJ and three other oppositions -- the Japanese Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party and Reiwa Shinsengumi -- agreed on a set of joint pledges, including giving couples the option of keeping separate surnames after marriage, as they try to join forces toward the election. The election will be held in the coming months as the House of Representatives members' terms expire on Oct. 21. The CDPJ's pledges also included lowering the consumption tax rate, achieving a zero-carbon society without nuclear energy, raising the minimum wage and opposing an amendment of the Constitution. Related coverage: Japan likely to have general election in 1st half of November Japan's opposition proposes cash handouts, vaccine priority for teachers Japan vaccine czar Taro Kono declares bid to succeed PM Suga KYODO NEWS - Sep 25, 2021 - 23:38 | World, All Taiwan's main opposition Nationalist Party (KMT) elected a former New Taipei City mayor as its new leader on Saturday, amid struggling by the century-old party in attracting young supporters. Eric Chu, who has called for resuming exchanges and communication channels with China, won a landslide victory in the four-way race, defeating Chang Ya-chung, president of Sun Yat-sen School affiliated with the KMT, Johnny Chiang, the incumbent party chairman, and Cho Po-yuan, a former Changhua County commissioner. The 60-year-old former New Taipei mayor, who ran in the 2016 presidential poll from the KMT but was defeated by Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party, received more than 85,000 ballots or nearly 46 percent of the vote cast in Saturday's election. Chang garnered some 60,000 votes, Chiang about 35,000 and Cho only around 5,000. After being declared the winner, Chu, who has campaigned on strong leadership, called for unity. "Starting today, the KMT will become a party that is united, combative and victorious," he told reporters at the party's headquarters. As four referendums will be held in December, Chu said it is important that two of the referendum items the party initiated, including one keeping a ban on U.S. pork imports containing feed additives, win public support. Chu was elected New Taipei City mayor in 2010 and re-elected in 2018. He was the leader of the KMT between January 2015 and January 2016. Chiang, who conceded defeat, said he would resign immediately and expressed hope Chu will take over the party's helm at the end of this month. The KMT began in 1919 during the waning years of the Qing Dynasty as a youth-driven revolutionary movement. Only 3 percent of the party's members today are under 40, reflecting the decline in support for Taiwan's unification with China, which the party has advocated, as Taiwanese born after the island's democratization starting in the 1980s no longer identify themselves as Chinese. Related coverage: China voices strong opposition to Taiwan's bid to join TPP FOCUS: Taiwan, China jostle for media space Taiwan detects 10 China warplanes within air defense zone New Delhi: In a macabre incident, a couple allegedly murdered an Uber driver, chopped his body into pieces and tried to dump the remains in a Greater Noida drain to run away with his cab. The Delhi Police has arrested the couple from Uttar Pradeshs Amroha. According to an IANS report, the accused have been identified as 34-year-old Farhat Ali and 30-year-old Seema Sharma. The couple had boarded the cab from Madangir in New Delhi. They had told the victim that they wanted to travel to Kapashera. The police began the investigation after victim Ram Govinds wife lodged a missing complaint in the Shakarpur Police Station. "During investigation, we found it was a blind case as there were no witnesses. The last ride of the cab was booked from Madangir to Kapashera border and thereafter the GPS device was found to have stopped working," Deputy Commissioner of Police Vijayanta Arya was quoted as saying. According to the police probe, Ali and Sharma booked the cab on January 29. They told the victim that they will first go to their Ghaziabad home. On the way, the couple hatched the plan to murder Govind and run away with his car. After befriending him, the accused offered him spiked tea. Later they strangled him, cut the body in pieces. Next day, they arranged a cutter and blades in order to cut the body into small pieces and wrapped it three separates bundles. They later threw them in a drain at Greater Noida, the official said. The shocking incident comes days after the cab-hailing company issued a warning to its passengers. Uber said that it will now remove riders who despite repeated warnings misbehave or damage the driver or co-passenger's property, as per the updated community guidelines. The US-based company has also added a 'Driver Safety Toolkit' - designed on the lines of a similar offering for riders - to offer a suite of in-app safety features for its driver-partners in India. "Courtesy matters. Riders are expected to exercise good judgement and behave decently towards other people in the car when riding with Uber... Riders may lose access to Uber if they don't meet the star ratings requirements set out in the community guidelines," Uber Head of Cities (India and South Asia) Prabhjeet Singh had said. For all the Latest Crime News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A woman was arrested by the Delhi police on charges of 'raping' another woman under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. The accused, Shivani, had allegedly tried an artificial male genitalia to her waist through a belt and then forcefully committed anal sex upon the survivor. News18 reported that Shivani was produced before the Karkardooma Court where the police were granted a day to interrogate her and thereafter she was sent for judicial custody in Tihar jail. According to the report, the victim was subject to repeated sexual and physical assaults. It all began in March 2018, when the victim who hails from Northeast India resigned from her job in Gurugram to start her own business. She underwent preliminary training in Punjab's Rajpura and had to give Rs 1.5 lakh as investment money. The victim was taught to approach people at bus stops, railway stations and other places, and explain the scheme to them. During this process she met Rohit, another accused, who lied to her that he worked for HCL and was ready to invest in her business. The man took the victim to an apartment in Dilshad colony where he and another accused identified as Rahul raped her and shot videos to blackmail her. Later, she was sent to serve clients. The victim alleged that Shivani often tried to get close to her and whenever she resisted she used to beat her. The victim Rohit and Rahul pinned her down on all fours on the bed while the accused woman raped her using a sex toy to make her ready for anal sex for her customers". Months later, the victim was rescued by social activist Hemant Sharma. But filing the case wasn't easy. After the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench read down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, carnal same-sex intercourse is no longer an offence. However, the aspect of consent remains a debatable topic. On September 6 last year, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court unanimously decriminalised part of the 158-year-old colonial law under Section 377 of the IPC which criminalises consensual unnatural sex. The bench headed had termed the part of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which crimiminalises unnatural sex as irrational, indefensible and manifestly arbitrary. The bench struck down Section 377 as being violative of right to equality. The top court, in four separate but concurring judgments, set aside its own verdict in the Suresh Kaushal case. Section 377 refers to 'unnatural offences' and says whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to pay a fine. The apex court, however, said other aspects of Section 377 of IPC dealing with unnatural sex with animals and children shall remain in force. For all the Latest Crime News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: At a time when the fate of the electoral tie-up between the BJP and the Shiv Sena is hanging in balance, political strategist and JD (U) leader Prashant Kishor on Tuesday visited Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, and expressed a wish to join hands ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Both the Sena and the JD(U), which is headed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, are members of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Sena, which is part of the Central and Maharashtra governments, has been at loggerheads with the BJP. Kishor is credited with conceptualising and implementing innovative strategies like 'chai pe charcha' with Narendra Modi, who was the BJP's prime ministerial nominee at that time, that are said to have contributed to the BJP's stupendous victory in the 2014 elections. He is currently the vice president of the JD (U). "As part of NDA, we look forward to joining forces with you in Maharashtra to help secure victory in upcoming Lok Sabha elections & beyond. @nitishkumar," Kishor tweeted while tagging JD(U) president Nitish Kumar. Thank you for your warm hospitality Uddhav ji and @AUThackeray. As part of NDA, we look forward to joining forces with you in Maharashtra to help secure victory in upcoming Lok Sabha elections & beyond. @nitishkumar https://t.co/I1F2JFlvAS a Prashant Kishor (@PrashantKishor) February 5, 2019 Kishor re-tweeted Shiv Sena youth wing president Aditya Thackeray's tweet welcoming him at their residence "Matoshree" in suburban Bandra. "Thank you for your warm hospitality Uddhav ji and @AUThackeray," he tweeted. Earlier this afternoon, Aditya tweeted: "Today Uddhav Thackeray ji and I had a special visitor over lunch. Some great talks @PrashantKishor ji". The Thackeray junior also tweeted photos of Kishor meeting his "hosts". A close aide of Uddhav Thackeray said no senior BJP leader had visited the residence of the Sena chief since 2014 except BJP chief Amit Shah, and held talks about the alliance between the two parties. Sena leaders refused to divulge details of the meeting between Uddhav and Kishor. After falling out with PM Modi, Kishor worked with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the 2015 assembly elections campaign. He was reportedly instrumental in bringing Nitish and his arch rival RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav to take on the BJP during the polls. Kishor was later roped in by the Congress for the assembly elections held in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in 2017. While the Congress returned to power in Punjab, it fared badly in Uttar Pradesh. Several Congress leaders like Randeep Surjewala had hailed Kishor for the Punjab outcome. In Maharashtra, future of electoral alliance between the Sena and the BJP is under cloud with the Uddhav Thackeray-led party giving mixed signals about its willingness to contest Lok Sabha polls with the BJP by its side. Both the parties had contested the 2014 general elections in an alliance, but went solo in the assembly elections held in October that year. Sena on January 24 last year announced to contest all the forthcoming elections on its own strength. The party has been criticising the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a range of issues in the party mouthpiece "Saamana". Meanwhile, Sena leadership held meetings with its Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs as well as with MLAs and MLCs Tuesday.A New Delhi: The Board of High School and Intermediate Education Uttar Pradesh (UPMSP) class 10 and class 12 examinations will start from today. The state board examinations will begin on February 7, 2019. While the high school exam is ending on February 28, the last intermediate exams will be conducted on March 2. Earlier, according to the Indian Express report, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, If anybody is found cheating, the DM, DIOS, principal and the examination superintendent concerned would be held responsible. CrPC section 144 is to be invoked in the 100-metre area of all the centres. In all the sensitive districts, the DIOS would construct a patrolling team for the inspection of the centres. The UP Board Exam 2019 will be held across 8354 centers in the state. The candidates who will be appearing for Intermediate of Matric exams need to check the date sheet available at upmsp.edu.in. Along with this, candidates appearing for Class 10 & Class 12 Board exams will have to keep some of the instructions in mind for the exam. The CM also mentioned that CCTV cameras and voice recording devices would be installed at all the 8,354 centres. The cheating mafias will be booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). We will take stringent action against those who run gangs that aid the use of unfair means during board exams, change answer sheets, leak question papers and resort to other mass-copying antics. We will take stringent action against them and not hesitate in imposing the NSA on them, Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma said earlier to the Indian Express. STF Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh told the Indian Express that they are prepared to ensure a free and fair examination. We have to identify the cheating mafias and take strict action against them. During examinations, we will conduct surprise checks. We will also be taking help of the local police, the SSP said. Washington: ISIS has been decimated, US President Donald Trump has said, adding that sometime probably next week, he will formally announce to have 100 per cent of the caliphate. The United States military, its Coalition partners and the Syrian Democratic Forces have liberated virtually all of the territory previously held by ISIS in Syria and Iraq, Trump said on Wednesday. It should be formally announced sometime probably next week that we will have 100 percent of the caliphate. But I want to wait for the official word. I dont want to say it too early, Trump said in his address to the Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. He said the new approach developed by his administration, empowered US commanders in the field, enabled partners on the ground, and directly confronted ISISs wicked ideology. Over the past two years, US and its partners have retaken more than 20,000 square miles of land, he said. We have secured one battlefield. And weve had victory after victory after victory, and retaken both Mosul and Raqqa. We have eliminated more than 60 mile high-value ISIS leaders, he said. Now, they re-form; we know that. But theyre having a hard time re-forming, and I wouldnt say its a great job to have because of us. Its not exactly - hopefully will not be a sought-after occupation, he said. More than a hundred other top ISIS officials have been eliminated, and tens of thousands of ISIS fighters are gone. Theyre gone, he stressed. US and its international partners, he said, have freed more than five million civilians from the grip of these bloodthirsty killers. Thanks to the Global Coalition, including all of you here today, and to our other partners, the ISIS caliphate has been decimated. Nobody thought it was possible to do it this quickly, Trump said. Observing that the struggle against terrorism was a shared fight, Trump said: We do it together. If we dont do it together, it can never be the same. Everyone must do their part and contribute their fair share. We must also recognise that immigration security is national security, and that foreign fighters must not gain access into our nations, he said. Later in a statement, the Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS/DAESH said that the territorial defeat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria will mark a significant milestone in the war against ISIS. But this does not mean the campaign against ISIS is over, it said. Further engagement was needed in Iraq and Syria, where the terrorist group is still resilient, it added. ISISs leadership, affiliates, and its supporters view its territorial losses in Iraq and Syria as a setback, not as defeat, the statement said. In 2019, with the conventional military effort against ISIS in Syria nearing culmination and shifting to a supporting rather than a central role, the Coalition members will open a discussion to plan the next phase of the campaign, it said. This could involve an effort to counter ISISs reversion to insurgency in Syria and Iraq, the statement said. The Coalition is determined to increase the pressure to disrupt ISISs trans-regional network through increased information sharing and complementary efforts in counter-finance, strategic communication, law enforcement, the justice sector, and security for our homelands, the statement said. The meeting was attended by foreign ministers and representatives from more than 70 countries. Afghanistan was the only South Asian country to be present in this international coalition to defeat ISIS. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday led the Congress in Lok Sabha in appreciating Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari for the "wonderful" work he has been doing in improving the country's infrastructure. During the Question Hour, the House took up two questions related to Gadkari's ministry in which he gave detailed description of the works being executed and works being undertaken for expanding the country's network. "I must say here that all MPs, cutting across political affiliations, have been appreciating me for the work being done by my ministry in their respective constituencies," he said. As Gadkari completed the answers amidst thumping of desks by ruling BJP members, saffron party member from Madhya Pradesh Ganesh Singh stood up and told Speaker Sumitra Mahajan that the House should appreciate the "wonderful" works being carried out by the Union Road Transport Minister. At this, Sonia Gandhi, who all through was patiently listening to Gadkari and often seen nodding in response to his replies, smiled and started thumping the desk as a sign of appreciation. Seeing this, Congress MPs, including party leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, too started thumping the desks appreciating Gadakri's work. There were reports in August last year that Sonia Gandhi had written to Gadkari thanking him for his "positive response" to road issues she had raised relating to her constituency Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh. Sonia Gandhi's son and Congress President Rahul Gandhi too recently had complimented Gadkari for his remarks that "one who cannot take care of home, cannot manage the country", saying he has guts and should also comment on the Rafale deal, "farmers distress and destruction of institutions". "Gadkari Ji, compliments. You are the only one in the BJP with some guts. Please also comment on: The Rafale scam and Anil Ambani, farmers' distress and destruction of institutions," he tweeted and tagged with it the report on Gadkari's comments. The Union minister had made the remarks last week while addressing former workers of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the BJP's student wing, in Nagpur. Incidentally, Rahul Gandhi was seen exchanging notes with Gadkari while being seated along with him during the Republic Day parade at Rajpath. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US retail major Walmart, which invested $16 billion in Flipkart, Wednesday said it is committed to the Indian market and is optimistic despite recent changes in the FDI policy for e-commerce firms in the country. The Bentonville-based retailing major's statement came after a recent report by global consultancy firm Morgan Stanley, which had hinted that Walmart may quit Flipkart as the new foreign direct investment (FDI) policy came into effect, which would lower its profitability in the long run. Morgan Stanley, in a report titled 'Assessing Flipkart Risk to Walmart EPS' dated February 4, claimed that "an exit is likely, not completely out of the question, with the Indian e-commerce market becoming more complicated." Walmart's and Flipkart's commitment to India is deep and long term. Despite the recent changes in regulations, we remain optimistic about the country, said Dirk Van den Berghe, Executive Vice President and Regional CEO Walmart Asia and Canada. He further added, "We will continue to focus on serving customers, creating sustained economic growth and bringing sustainable benefits to the country, including employment generation, supporting small businesses and farmers, and growing Indian exports to Walmart's global markets." Tightening norms for e-commerce firms having foreign investment, the government, from February 1, barred online marketplaces like Flipkart and Amazon from selling products of companies where they hold stakes and banned exclusive marketing arrangements that could influence product price. The revised policy on FDI in online retail, issued by the commerce and industry ministry, also said that these firms have to offer equal services or facilities to all its vendors without discrimination. Last year on August 18, Walmart had completed acquisition of 77 per cent stake in Flipkart for about USD 16 billion (Rs 1.05 lakh crore), a deal which gave the US retailer access to the Indian e-commerce market. Meanwhile, smaller e-commerce players like Snapdeal and ShopClues have written to the government opposing any move to extend the deadline for online marketplaces to comply with FDI rules, and urged that pressure for such relaxations need to be "resisted strongly". The position taken by these players is in contrast to that of giants like Amazon and Walmart-backed Flipkart who have sought an extension, stating that they need more time to understand the details of the framework. ShopClues said any attempts being made to portray the clarifications (under Press Note 2) as a new policy, anti-FDI or anti-consumer is "dangerously misleading and wrong". For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is back in news again and not for the right reasons. Barely a week after an HAL-upgraded Mirage 2000 crashed at its airport killing two Indian Air Force pilots, an Indian Army helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in a potato filed near Bengaluru. News Nation was the first to capture the very moment when the chopper landed in the field. The officer flying the helicopter is said to be safe. According to an HT report, Rudra Mk IV armed chopper was also on an acceptance sortie just like Mirage 2000. The report said that the chopper made emergency landing due to ahydraulic failure.a In a statement, the HAL said that the chopper is now being flown back to its facility. The incident has added to the ongoing debate over the PSUas performance issue.A Rudra, the armed choppers, are equipped with air-to-air missiles, 70 mm rockets and 20 mm turret guns, the HT report said. On Tuesday, the chopper made the emergency landing in a field at Talghatpora Police Station Limit in Kanakpora Taluk at around 1:15pm. The initial reports say that the pilot is safe. No damage was reported to the chopper also. A #BREAKING | Indian Army helicopter makes emergency landing in potato field near Bengaluruhttps://t.co/yvHdejYg2Q a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) February 5, 2019 The incident comes a day after Army chief General Bipin Rawat visited Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland to review the military preparedness. Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,080 km border with China, 520 km border with Myanmar and 217-km border with Bhutan. The Army chief started his North East tour with a visit to the Spear Corps headquarters, Rangapahar Military Station, Dimapur in Nagaland on Sunday, they said. Gen Rawat reviewed the operational preparedness of Spear Corps and expressed satisfaction with the preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and lauded its people friendly counter-insurgency operations, officials said. Meanwhile, there are reports that the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force are embroiled in a tussle over who will control the attack choppers. The issue includes the role of the Apache choppers. General Rawat has been quoted as saying that Apaches need to be grouped with the armyas strike formation. According to an Economic Times report, India has spent close to $3 billion for 15 Chinook and 22 Apache helicopters for the Indian Air Force. The army will separately get six Apaches, through an aoption clausea of the earlier deal. The report also quoted General Rawat as saying that there will be aanti-helicoptersa for the Indian Army. The Advanced Light Helicopter-Weapon system integrated will have missiles especially meant for anti-helicopter operations. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, newly appointed Congress General Secretary (UP East), held a meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and party MP Jyotiraditya ScindiaA in New Delhi on TuesdayA to chalk-out the party's Uttar Pradesh strategy. Continuing to hold a low profile, Priyanka made a back-door entry into Rahul Gandhias residence afterA visiting a differently abled boy, Ashish, at Aurangzeb Road cluster housing. Ashish's father Subhash Yadav said: "She comes every in two months, spends time with us and asks us about our well-being. She has been helping us in Ashish's treatment for last three-four years." SheA avoided the media before reaching Rahul's residence. Delhi:Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited a differently-abled boy Ashish at Aurangzeb Road cluster housing,today.Ashish's father Subhash Yadav says,"She comes every 2 months,spends time with us&asks us about our well-being.She has been helping us in Ashish's treatment for last 3-4 yrs" pic.twitter.com/JXUsO2wqAN a ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2019 Priyanka said she will officially attend a meeting called by Rahul Gandhi of partyas all general secretaries on February 7.A Scindia, who was recently appointed the Congress in-charge in UP (West), said he willA officially take charge at 4pm on Wednesday.A Earlier in the day, the Congress headquarters saw a new change that has the potential to make or break the Grand Old Party in upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. The party officials were seen putting Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's nameplate outside her office allotted at the party headquarters located at 24, Akbar Road in New Delhi.A The development comes a day after Priyanka returned to India and met her brother Rahul Gandhi. Sources say that both leaders discussed crucial 'Mission UP' during the key meeting at the Congress president's Tughlaq Road residence. This was the first time that Priyanka met the Congress chief after she was inducted in the Grand Old Party on January 23 and appointed as General Secretary Uttar Pradesh (East). According toA Press Trust of India, the Monday meeting was just a prelude to Priyankaas packed schedule in coming days. On Thursday, she is set to take part in the Congress meeting in which all AICC general secretaries and in-charges of various states will plan the strategy for the Lok Sabha election due by May. For all the Latest Election News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The wait is over! After decades of delay, National War Memorial will be inaugurated on February 25 this month. After missing the Republic Day deadline last month, the memorial will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25. According to a circular by the Kendriya Sainik Board, several ex-servicemen have also been invited for the event. The Prime Minister will address the meeting at around 4 Pm at the National Stadium. The memorial missed the January 26 deadline due to some pending work, a defence ministry official said. The initial plan was to inaugurate the National War Memorial on January 25 and hold the wreath-laying ceremony there instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti on the Republic Day. However, due to some pending work it has been postponed and it is likely to be completed in a month, the official said. Construction of National War Memorial was a promise made by the BJP during the 2014 polls to honour soldiers who laid down their lives in wars and military operations since India's independence. It is being built at the India Gate C-hexagon with four landscaped concentric circle, including Amar Chakra (Circle of Immortality), Veer Chakra (Circle of Bravery), Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice) and Rakshak Chakra (Circle of Protection). The Memorial complex will include a central obelisk, an eternal flame, murals, graphic panels, inscription of names of martyrs, busts of winners of Param Veer Chakra among other features. The memorial has seen servela political and logistical hurdles. Earlier, then Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had opposed the memorial saying that it would affect the ambience of the area and restrict movement of the place, which is a popular hangout zone for residents of Delhi. Dikshit had written to Sushil Kumar Shinde and Kamal Nath demanding an alternative site for the memorial. In 2014, after Narendra Modi came to power, nod was given for the Rs 400-crore memorial. At that time, there were confusion over the site of the memorial. Arun Jaitley, then Defence Minister, agreed to the proposal made by the Army for building a war memorial at the `Chhatri complex` of India Gate after visiting the national war museum site at the Princes` Park locality near India Gate. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has finally ended her 3-day-long dharna on Tuesday over the CBI action against Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar. After completing her dharna, the Trinamool Congress chief said that she will be soon landing in Delhi to discuss the future course of action. "The court gave a positive judgement today. Next week, we will continue to take up the issue in Delhi," she said. "They (Central government) want to control all the agencies including the state agencies also. PM you resign from Delhi and go back to Gujarat. One man government, one party government is there," she added. "This dharna (Save the Constitution) is a victory for the Constitution and democracy, so, let us end it today," Mamata said. While answering the question raised by the News Nation over the success of the dharna, Mamata Banerjee said, "of course dharna was successful and it's because of you all." The Supreme Court's direction that no coercive step, including the arrest of Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar, will take place during the course of an investigation is "our moral victory", she said. The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Kumar to make himself available before the CBI and "faithfully" cooperate with the agency in the investigation of cases arising out of the Saradha chit fund scam probe. The court also said no coercive steps, including the arrest of the Kolkata Police chief, will take place during the course of the investigation. Banerjee is on a sit-in against the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with chit fund scams. Her protest entered the third day on Tuesday. The Supreme Court's order is a victory of the common man, democracy and the Constitution, Banerjee told reporters at the dharna venue in central Kolkata. "There must be some story behind this. Nobody can dare to speak against (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) Modi. Ours is a mass agitation and we are going to fight it unitedly," the chief minister said. Banerjee sat on a "Save India" dharna in front of Metro Cinema in the heart of Kolkata on Sunday night insisting that the latest CBI action was tantamount to stifling the spirit of "Constitution and federalism" in the country. "We always respect the law and feel that things should run as per the law. But, if someone tries to destroy the pillars on which democracy stands, then there would be nothing left of the democratic process that we are so proud of. "We really welcome the [Supreme Court] verdict. It is absolutely correct. Our case is very strong. We never said we will not cooperate. This is a political vendetta," Banerjee said. Several opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, DMK's Kanimozhi, RJD's Tejaswhi Yadav, have supported Banerjee's protest. Mamata Banerjee says police commissioner not on dharna with her West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday described as "blatant lie" the Union Home Ministry charge that Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar participated in her dharna, and said the officer never went up to the dais of her three-day sit-in. Banerjee slammed the Centre for asking West Bengal government to initiate proceedings against Kumar for indiscipline and violation of service rules, and termed the act a "political vendetta". "Why is the central government so scared? Has Rajeev become their nightmare? I do not know what is going on. He never joined the dharna. Absolutely blatant lie," Banerjee told reporters after calling off her demonstration on the third day this evening. Earlier during the day, the Union Home Ministry, which is the cadre controlling authority of the Indian Police Service officers in the country, asked the West Bengal chief secretary to initiate the process against Kumar. The ministry said that as per information received by it, Kumar sat on a dharna along with some police officers with the West Bengal chief minister, which is prima facie in contravention of the extant provisions of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 and All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. Banerjee said it was the job of a police officer to give protection to the prime minister and chief ministers. "And please remember the duty of the police as per protocol is to be with the prime minister, the chief minister or the governor to give security to them. That is the law. Even during election time, the CPs, SPs stay at the spot with VIPs while performing their duty," she said. "I am the chief minister. Can't they talk to me downstairs if any consultation is needed," she said adding that she held a Cabinet meeting with all her ministers inside a police outpost next to the dais Monday. What is this going on," she asked slamming the MHA missive. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: Flooded with phone calls from panic-stricken students, an eminent Indian American attorney on Tuesday alleged that Department of Homeland Security knowingly allowed the "fake university" to be set up and misled students sitting hundreds of miles away in another country. A day after the State Department blamed Indian students for the mass detention and possible deportation from the US for enrolling themselves in a fake university set up by the Department of Homeland Security, California-based immigration attorney Anu Peshawaria said that the undercover operation has devastating consequences for hundred of Indian students. "We are not saying that our students are not at fault. They should have done their due diligence before signing up. If they are perpetrating crime knowingly, they should be punished but if they are trapped or encouraged to commit the crime then we need to help them, Peshawaria said. As per last week's figures provided by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as many as 130 of the 600 students from the fake University of Farmington were detained last week. Of these 129 were Indians. Many of them since then have been released or put under restricted movement. Several of them have left the country. Peshawaria said that some students are worried that they will have arrest on their record for ever and have lost years of education to no avail. "They could be possible blackmail for the rest of their lives. What is surprising is that the university was registered with the education board that authorizes the issuance of I-20s to students, which in turn is approved by the Department of Homeland Security," she said. "Department of Homeland Security knowingly allowed the 'fake university' to be set up and misled students sitting hundreds of miles away in another country,? she said noting that her office has been receiving numerous calls from panic-stricken friends and families of a large number of Indian students which could result in mass deportation. Worse, these students, based on their approved i-20s even got driver licenses from the US Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This only added another stamp of authenticity to the credentials of the university, she asserted. Many students travelled to meet the Dean of the University, which has now been closed, many of them asked for classes curriculum, she said. "Given that authorities knew this was a set-up, they should have stopped the students there and then. If they wanted to catch the perpetrators what right do, they have to defraud innocent lives," Peshawaria said. "In fact, during this time the government also enjoyed taxes that these consultants paid. Now, they cannot suddenly wake up and decide to put all these people behind bars," Peshawaria added. Many students have huge loans to pay, she said based on her interaction with these students. They were saving up to send to their families in a small village in India, she said adding that they are devastated. "It is all easy to say that students knew what they were doing, did we all know all the laws when we moved to United States that they should get such harsh punishment, she asked. "We are all fighting to release the students immediately. The students are calling me that US govt is forcing them to self deport but they want back their degrees and lost time and compensation for pain and anguish," Peshawaria asserted. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A team of 10 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers will interrogateA Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in ShillongA on February 9 in connection with the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam cases, officials said on Thursday. The development came two days afterA the Supreme Court directed Kumar to "faithfully" cooperate into the investigation. Kumar,A a 1989-batch IPS officer, was heading the SIT formed by West Bengal government to probe Saradha and other similar Ponzi scheme cases. The investigation agency has attached 10 officers from its Delhi, Bhopal and Lucknow units to its Kolkata office, which is probing the chit-fund scam cases, till February 20 to provide additional manpower during questioning of high-profile suspects, including the Kolkata police chief. A team led by Superintendent of Police Jagroop S Gusinha from the special unit in New Delhi will camp in Kolkata, according to an official order on Thursday. "Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar has been summoned by CBI for questioning on 9 February," the news agency ANI reported. Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar has been summoned by CBI for questioning on 9 February. pic.twitter.com/qKhG0ChJre a ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2019 The top court on Tuesday directed Kolkata Police Commissioner Kumar to appear before the CBI and "faithfully" cooperate into the investigation of cases related to the Saradha chit-fund scam, but made it clear he will not be arrested. "State police was first to enter the premises of Saradha Group post-collapse and there are allegations that important documents which could have provided important leads were removed to cause the disappearance of evidence," a senior CBI official said on the condition of anonymity. The agency, which wanted to probe the SIT members, was not getting a positive response from the police as many officials, including Kumar, gave excuses to evade questioning, they sad.A (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In his second State of the Union address, US President Donald Trump vociferously advocated for The Wall. Talking about the tension at the countrys southern borders, Trump said that, The proper wall never got built. I will get it built. "My administration has sent to congress a common-sense proposal to end the crisis on the southern border. It includes humanitarian assistance, more law enforcement, drug detection at our ports, closing loopholes that enable child smuggling, and plans for a new physical barrier or wall to secure the vast areas between our ports of entry," Trump said. He called on both the Republicans and the Democrats to join forces to fight against urgent national crisis. Hailing his landmark meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, Trump said that the US would have been at war with North Korea had someone else been at the Oval Office. The annual address also saw a rare moment when the Democratic leaders were seen cheering for Trump. It was when Trump was speaking about women in workforce, the Democratic women, dressed in all-white, stood to cheer Trump's State of the Union address. Even the US president had a surprised look on his face. Trump also made it clear that the US will oppose Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. "We stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedomand we condemn the brutality of the Maduro regime, whose socialist policies have turned that nation from being the wealthiest in South America into a state of abject poverty and despair," Trump said. On January 21, a group of 27 soldiers rose up against Maduro in Caracas. Although that was quickly suppressed, it helped spark a week of protests in which 40 people were killed in clashes with security forces, with hundreds more arrested, according to the United Nations. The US has already recognised Opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuelas interim president on January 23 while seven European nations, including Britain, France, Germany and Spain, have said they will do likewise unless Maduro calls presidential elections. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Reportedly, the fast fashion industry is responsible for generating 10 per cent of the total global carbon emissions. Making the impacts even harsh, more than 1.5 trillions litres of water is estimated to be used by the fashion industry annually. More than 100 billion units of garments are manufactured globally every year. In the world of fashion, where the trends change every day, many garments sooner or later end up in landfills, adding to the textile waste. Considering all these impacts, sustainable fashion, often termed as slow fashion also, is thriving globally. It is slowly and steadily garnering attention in Nepal as well. No doubt, sustainable fashion is on-trend now; so is the sustainable fashion industry in Nepal. Many sustainable fashion brands are making their way into Nepals fashion industry and arena. And, here, we bring the list of some of those clothing brands that have embraced the concept of sustainable fashion in Nepal: 1. HattiHatti Nepal Products of HattiHatti. Photo: HattiHatti Nepal HattiHatti Nepal is an apparel brand registered as a social enterprise that upcycles old, unused, and vintage saris into beautiful everyday products such as kimonos, ties, scrunchies, cushions, and many more. In the process, it also educates and trains women from marginalised communities and makes them socially and economically independent. Started in 2014, this aims at providing the best-working facilities to their tailors and promote sustainability via their products. 2. Kashyapi Nepal Kashyapis T-shirts. Photo: Kashyapi Nepal Kashyapi Nepal is another slow fashion brand started in 2019 that has embraced the principle of sustainability and eco-friendliness. It brings fashionable yet sustainably designed outfits that are made ethically. Following the concept of slow fashion, Kashyapi Nepal claims it produces outfits in less quantity while being more conscious of the quality and longevity of the clothing. Its products have timeless and evergreen features which do not go out of fashion. 3. Vama Photo: Screengrab/Vamas Instagram page Vama is one of the latest clothing brands in the Nepali fashion industry that work on the concept of sustainability and eco-friendliness. Vama uses sustainable fabrics such as pure cotton, khadi, cotton linen to make its outfits. Like Kashyapi Nepal, Vama also launches its collections in small batches, considering the amount of waste generated during production. Also, Vama claims it pays fair wages to its craftspersons and abides by the principle of sustainability in every process of making, designing, and promoting their designs. 4. Kasa Fashion Wears Photo: Screengrab/ Kasas Instagram page Kasa Fashion Wears is another apparel brand for women that also abides by the concept of sustainable fashion. Kasa uses non-violent silk and pashmina (100% biodegradable) fabrics to make their outfits. Kasa Fashion Wears has also organised a sustainable fashion show Mt Everest Fashion Runway at Kala Patthar in the Khumbu region, on January 25, 2021, in order to promote Kasa as a sustainable and biodegradable fashion brand globally. 5. Bora Studio Photo: Screengrab/ Bora Studio Nepals website Another sustainable apparel brand among those in Nepali fashion industry is Bora Studio which uses natural fabrics such as hemp, bamboo, nettle to make its outfits. Not only that, it uses natural ways for tanning clothes such as steaming or boiling with several leaves, avocado skins, eucalyptus trees, pits, and many others. 6. Dinadi Photo: Screengrab from Dinadis website Started in 2016, Dinadi is a sustainable brand that produces timeless knitwear made from 100% natural and biodegradable materials. It also provides fair job opportunities for Nepali women and pays them fairly. It embraces the concept of zero waste making it another sustainable fashion brand from the Nepali fashion industry to look forward to. NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 24, 2021 / Labaton Sucharow, a nationally ranked and award-winning shareholder rights firm, is investigating potential securities violations and breach of fiduciary duty claims against The Boston Beer Company, Inc. ("Boston Beer" or the "Company") (NYSE:SAM). On September 8, 2021, after the market closed, Boston Beer announced that it was withdrawing its 2021 financial guidance issued on July 22, 2021 as a result of a decrease in demand for its hard seltzer products. The Company further disclosed that it expects to incur hard seltzer-related inventory write-offs, shortfall fees payable to 3rd party brewers, and other costs associated with the drop in demand during the remainder of fiscal year 2021. On this news, Boston Beer's share price fell approximately 10% during after-hours trading on September 8, 2021, thereby injuring investors. Investors who purchased the Company's securities between April 22, 2021 and September 8, 2021, inclusive (the ''Class Period''), are encouraged to contact the firm before November 15, 2021. If you currently own stock or options in The Boston Beer Company, Inc. and suffered a loss, click here to participate. If you want to receive additional information and protect your investments free of charge, please contact David J. Schwartz using the toll-free number (800) 321-0476 or via email at david@labaton.com. About the Firm Labaton Sucharow LLP is one of the world's leading complex litigation firms representing clients in securities, antitrust, corporate governance and shareholder rights, and consumer cybersecurity and data privacy litigation. Labaton Sucharow has been recognized for its excellence by the courts and peers, and it is consistently ranked in leading industry publications. Offices are located in New York, NY, Wilmington, DE, and Washington, D.C. More information about Labaton Sucharow is available at labaton.com . Story continues CONTACT: David J. Schwartz (800) 321-0476 david@labaton.com SOURCE: Labaton Sucharow LLP View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/665529/INVESTOR-ALERT--Labaton-Sucharow-is-Investigating-The-Boston-Beer-Company-Inc-NYSESAM-for-Potential-Securities-Violations-and-Breach-of-Fiduciary-Duty President Bidens push for companies with more than 100 employees to either require vaccines or conduct weekly testing may have been met with strong pushback after he announced it on Sept. 9, but many employers are quietly waiting for the new rule to take effect. No question that in regard to the mandate from the government, businesses need clarity, said John Challenger, CEO of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. So if they can go to their employees and say the government is requiring us...it just makes it so much easier. In a recent survey, Challenger, Gray & Christmas noticed that fewer companies were mandating the vaccine in July compared to March. There was also a 32% increase in the number of companies refusing to mandate vaccines during the same time period, as employers perhaps were trying to avoid the larger debate over vaccine mandates. While more prominent companies such as Disney, Walmart, and Microsoft publicly announced vaccine mandates for office workers, many others have preferred to avoid setting a policy. Theyre not taking any kind of stand, says Challenger. When the Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule, estimated to impact roughly two-thirds of the private sector workforce, goes into effect, companies can simply say, were just following the law, so that kind of cover will make it so much easier for companies to move forward and just not get caught up in one side or another here, he added. Jake Lawler, 29, receives his coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine as vaccine eligibility expands to anyone over the age of 16 at the Bradfield Community Center through Health Partners of Western Ohio in Lima, Ohio, U.S., March 29, 2021. REUTERS/Megan Jelinger TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Sixty-four percent of the U.S. population has received at least one dose of a vaccine and 55% are fully vaccinated. With many companies reporting hiring challenges, employers cant afford to run the risk of losing people, says Challenger. Theyre caught in the middle here in a very tight labor market, says Challenger. On both fronts they run the risk if they take stands that would seem to make sense to try to get your workers back to work at least some of the time, back in the office or to get vaccinated, they run the risk of losing people in a market where they can ill afford to lose anybody. Story continues Work experience, special skills... vaccination status While many companies have been waiting for the federal governments cue before mandating vaccines, some job seekers have put their vaccination status on their resumes and on their LinkedIn profiles to make it easier for everyone involved in the hiring process. Not only have hiring managers taken notice, but a third have said they automatically eliminate resumes that dont disclose vaccination status, according to a ResumeBuilder.com survey conducted in August. Sixty-nine percent of hiring managers also said they were more likely to hire job seekers who had been vaccinated. Putting vaccination statuses on resumes certainly might help with employers who dont want to go through the difficulty if you are not vaccinated of dealing with the issues that inevitably come up as they begin to enforce more vaccination on their employees, says Challenger. While Bidens mandate would leave it up to employers to choose between vaccination mandates or weekly testing, Challenger says the latter can become a challenge for employers. The weekly testing is an issue. We dont know whether those tests are going to be available, he says. Theyre going to have to get downloaded or proof of that testing is going to have to be given to the company each week. So again, it makes for more risk to the company that it doesnt get done properly. While many workers express their vaccination status on social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter, Challenger warns against it because of the possibility that hiring managers may see those posts. Its almost like making a political statement sometimes and you dont know when youre looking for work what the person on the opposite side of the desk is thinking, says Challenger. More from Sibile: These 20 cities are remote work hotspots The one question you should ask yourself before quitting for remote work Why Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos saga has cast a long shadow on female-led startups Pizza was really a proof case for climate-friendly food, Planet FWD founder says 'Me, me, me my body': LinkedIn users exchange heated comments over vaccine mandates At least one person was killed and seven others wounded in an explosion in Afghanistans eastern province of Nangarhar that hit a Taliban convoy on September 25, local officials said. The blast occurred in Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar Province, a provincial Taliban spokesman told the dpa news agency, without giving more details. A source in the Nangarhar regional hospital said that one dead Taliban fighter and seven wounded people, including four civilians, had been taken to the hospital. Local media quoted eyewitnesses as saying that the blast was caused by a roadside bomb, which was detonated when a convoy of Taliban fighters passed the area. No one claimed immediate responsibility for the bombing, although the Islamic State extremist group's local branch, Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), has taken responsibility for similar attacks in Jalalabad. Nangarhar is the heartland of IS-K, which is an enemy of Afghanistans new rulers. The two militant groups fought each other even before the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in mid-August as U.S.-led international forces withdrew from the country. Based on reporting by DPA, AP and Ariana News The austere form of Sunni Islam that Afghanistan's Taliban rulers follow is rooted in an Islamic seminary in Deoband, a town in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is an interpretation of Islam that is used by the Taliban to justify their clerical government and their goals for a hard-line Islamic system. The 82-year-old principal of Darul Uloom Deoband, the Islamic school in Deoband, tells RFE/RL he hopes the Taliban will be tolerant, just, and pragmatic. But he says he also supports the Taliban's apparent drive to completely segregate men and women in education. Maulana Syed Arshad Madani says he thinks the Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan was a positive development because the Islamist movement liberated the country from foreign occupation. "We will welcome them so long as they don't differentiate between the majority and the minority and will protect the life, property, and honor of everyone," Madani told RFE/RL's Gandhara this week. "[The Taliban-led government] should not have two different yardsticks for the people who are in the majority or minority as Afghanistan is a multiethnic state with Tajiks and Uzbeks living alongside Pashto speakers," Madani said. Since taking over Kabul on August 15, the Taliban has appointed mostly its senior leaders, predominantly Pashtun clerics, to top positions in the Taliban-led government. The Taliban-led cabinet has only a few members from the Tajik, Uzbek, and Hazara minorities. Notably absent are women, non-Muslim minorities, or representatives of smaller ethnic groups such as Baluch, Nuristanis, and Turkmen. Likewise, members of other Afghan political groups have little representation in what the Taliban had promised would be an "inclusive" government. Historical Ties Madani is adamant that his school has no current connection to the Taliban as none of its leaders was educated in his India-based seminary. But he says the Taliban has some historical ties to the Deoband Movement, whose leaders were staunchly anti-British and established an exiled Indian government in the second decade of the 20th century. Its goal was to liberate their country from the British through an armed struggle in cooperation with the Ottoman Empire, the Durrani Amir, and the Pashtun tribes straddling the border of British India and Afghanistan. After the British discovered the plot in 1916, Madani's father Maulana Syed Hussain Ahmad Madani served a prison sentence in Malta along with his teacher and top Deobandi cleric Maulana Mehmud Hasan. The elder Madani later allied with Mahatma Gandhi and opposed the founding of Pakistan as a homeland for South Asia's Muslims, arguing that nation states could not be founded on the basis of religion alone. "Today, those Afghans who call themselves Deobandis are the children or grandchildren of those people who were associated with that movement and their exiled government there," Madani told RFE/RL, referring to the orthodox Sunni sect in South Asia. Deobandis are a prominent strain among Islamists in modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. But unlike most Deobandis in Pakistan, where political parties established by Deobandi clerics engage in peaceful political processes, Afghanistan's Taliban have seized power twice through military conquest during the past quarter-century. Pakistani Sunni clerics who call themselves Deobandis have little contact with the original Deoband school in northern India. Still, their schools follow Deoband's program of studies. That program focuses on Islamic jurisprudence, interpretations of the Koran, theology, philosophy, and the life and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. The major thrust of these studies is what the strict Sunni sect sees as the purification of current Islamic practices of unorthodox additions. Many, if not all of the Taliban's leaders and foot soldiers, were educated at these madrasahs in Pakistan. Alumni from Haqqania, one of the most prominent Deobandi schools in Pakistan's northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, hold many prominent posts in the current Taliban-led government. Two members of the Haqqanis, a prominent Taliban family, are now Taliban ministers. Some Deobandi madrasahs in Pakistan have received funding from Saudi Arabia since Riyadh became a major donor of the mujaheddin guerillas fighting the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s. However, Madani says he has no issue with the Taliban's clerical government. "There is nothing wrong with a government made up solely of religious people who want to reform their country into a peaceful environment in the contemporary world," Madani told RFE/RL. "If the ulema (Muslim clerics) know Islam's teachings regarding humanity and are able to deal with everyone without discrimination because of their faith, then that is a good thing." Madani says he supports the Taliban's attempts to segregate men and women. "They are requiring people to observe the Islamic requirement of hijab," he said, referring to the Arabic word for veil, which denotes the Islamic concept that members of the opposite sexes should not mix if they are not related. "Allah created women's bodies differently from men," he says. "They must dress in a such a way that does not create fitnah," or temptation. Crescendo Of Criticism Since seizing power, the Taliban has faced a crescendo of international criticism and domestic opposition. That includes protests by Afghan women who oppose the Taliban's restrictions and fear they will be deprived of work, education, mobility, and public life. The Taliban banned women from education and work during their first stint in power during the 1990s, when women were not allowed to even leave their homes without a male relative to accompany them. The concerns of Afghan women were reinforced last week when the Taliban delayed opening secondary schools and universities for girls after they allowed boys and men to return to education. Madani cites the example of India, where scores of universities and thousands or colleges are attended only by women. "If it can happen in our country, what is so wrong with the Afghan government wanting to do the same?" he asked. "If the Afghan government can enforce [segregated education], it will mean the door to education for girls has opened." Madani encourages the Taliban to have peaceful and beneficial contact with the world. "They should adopt all the ways of living in the contemporary world with honor and dignity," he said. "While embracing their religion, the Taliban should establish relations with the world and aim to develop their country." Still, Madani says he is not too keen to host Taliban leaders. He says Deoband's school will welcome Afghan students only if they obtain student visas from the Indian government. He also seems reluctant to visit Afghanistan in order to offer his advice to the Taliban. "I am an 82-year-old," he told RFE/RL. "I cannot even travel to a mosque. How would I get to Afghanistan?" The Taliban hung several dead bodies from cranes in Herat city in western Afghanistan, local media and witnesses reported, in a gruesome display that signaled a return to some of the militant group's methods of the past. The BBC quoted two local reporters as saying the bodies of four people accused of kidnapping had been hung in several parts of Herat. The Afghan Hasht-e Sobh daily reported that the bodies of several men accused of kidnapping had been displayed in several parts of the city. The report said the alleged kidnappers were killed in an exchange of gunfire with the Taliban. Wazir Ahmad Seddiqi, who runs a pharmacy on the side of the main square in Herat, told the Associated Press that four bodies were brought to the square and three bodies were moved to other squares in the city to be displayed. Seddiqi said the Taliban announced in the square that the four were caught taking part in a kidnapping and were killed by police. Taliban provincial Deputy Governor Mawlawi Shir Ahmad Amar said that the men had been killed in direct clashes with Taliban fighters after kidnapping a trader and his son who were later rescued. "Their bodies were hanged in the town squares as an example to other kidnappers," he told the dpa news agency. "They were hanged so that no one should dare to commit such a crime." In a video shared on social media, a man's blood-soaked body can be seen wrapped in chains and hanging from a crane in what appears to be the main square of Herat city. A number of people can also be seen filming the scene on their cellphones. Ziaulhaq Jalali, a Taliban appointed district police chief in Herat, confirmed that Taliban members rescued a father and son who had been abducted by four kidnappers after an exchange of gunfire. He said a Taliban fighter and a civilian were wounded by the kidnappers but "the four [kidnappers] were killed in crossfire." Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, one of the founders of the Taliban and the chief enforcer of its harsh interpretation of Islamic law when they last ruled Afghanistan, told the Associated Press this week that the hard-line movement will once again carry out executions and amputations of hands under its interpretation of Islamic law -- though perhaps without as much public fanfare as in the past. The comments were condemned by the U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price who said the punishments "would constitute clear gross abuses of human rights." "We stand firm with the international community to hold perpetrators of these, of any such abuses, accountable," Price said on September 24. During its brutal rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban was known for punishing crimes with public lashings, publicly stoning people to death and amputating people's limbs. With reporting by AP, Hasht-e Sobh, BBC, and Reuters Widower Bob Glockler, who is a healthy, active 83, is struggling to define what his home should look like now that his wife is gone. Photo by Von Diefenderfer. 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. Elementary, middle and high schools across Colorado reported more than 500 new coronavirus cases this week, reflecting ongoing spread of the disease more than a month into the semester for many students. At the same time, a state funded program that could catch cases early has seen limited interest in El Paso County and across the state. Outbreak data updated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on Wednesday show the number of active COVID-19 cases among students and staff statewide rose to 2,150, up from 1,583 cases the previous week. The number of active school cases this week is more than double the figure reported two weeks ago 886. El Paso County Public Health officials are tracking 459 active cases among local K-12 schools as of Wednesday, they said. State data updated Wednesday show El Paso County has 407 new cases in local schools this week, but the discrepancy comes from a delay in reporting between the county and state, department spokesman Jared Verner said Friday. Still, El Paso County the states second largest by population leads Colorado with the highest numbers of active cases in local elementary, middle and high schools. Last week, the county had 358 total cases in schools, state data show. All counties reporting more than 100 active school cases this week are among Colorados largest, with 100,000 or more residents. Douglas County has 336 total cases among K-12 schools, up from 305 last week. Larimer County has 236 active cases this week; Weld County, 149; Mesa County, 148; and Jefferson County, 101. There are 56 active cases in Pueblo County schools, 45 in Denver County and 11 in Teller County, data show. State and local public health officials in recent weeks have reiterated the effectiveness of masks at preventing infection, encouraging parents to mask their children in school and other public places. State epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said during a news conference Thursday there are fewer coronavirus cases in school districts that had mask mandates in place at the start of the school year. You can see that the lower case rates are associated with districts that are requiring masks in schools, again showing a clear impact that masks are having in decreasing transmission in our school settings, she said. The data included schools that reopened between Aug. 16-19 and excluded schools that changed their masking policies since the beginning of the school year, about 38% of Colorado public school enrollment. El Paso, Larimer, Weld, Mesa and Teller counties have not enacted mask mandates in schools, although some local districts have issued their own, some after the start of the school year. Douglas County commissioners voted unanimously this month to leave the Tri-County Health Department which provides public health services to Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties after a disagreement over the health departments school mask mandate. Jefferson County requires people 3 and older wear masks indoors at all childcare settings and K-12 schools. In Pueblo County, people 2 and older must wear masks indoors at all childcare centers, youth camps and K-12 schools. Per state public health guidelines in traditional classroom settings, quarantines are no longer required if two people who are wearing masks interact with each other and one of them is COVID-positive. Schools can also reduce quarantines if 80% or more of eligible students and staff are vaccinated or if at least 70% of their unvaccinated population receive weekly testing. The state is also funding a free weekly COVID-19 testing program for all K-12 schools that can help them open, but it has seen low enrollment so far. In El Paso County, three schools have enrolled. Douglas, Larimer and Denver counties have had a handful of schools enroll in the program, state data show. Dozens of schools in Weld, Mesa and Jefferson counties are signed up to participate. Weekly testing can quickly detect positive cases, allowing individuals with COVID-19 to isolate and minimize spreading it to others, a spokeswoman with the state health department said in an email to The Gazette. Thats particularly important in areas where vaccination rates are low because disease transmission will be higher and more students will likely be infected. About 4,523 students have submitted parental consent at 207 schools that are actively testing, she said. In all, 479 schools are fully enrolled in the program she said, accounting for about 20% of the states more than 2,000 K-12 schools. The state needs more schools to get off the sidelines and enroll in this program and more parents to consent to having their children tested so that we can keep students, teachers and communities safe, the spokeswoman said. In El Paso County, Widefield School District 3 is not participating in the program because the district lacks the personnel to conduct it, spokeswoman Samantha Briggs said. The districts mask mandate, implemented Sept. 7, has allowed us to achieve our goal of keeping classrooms and schools open for in-person learning because the district is not quarantining healthy staff and students, she said. Colorado Springs Charter Academy has also enrolled in the program but hasn't yet rolled out testing, Head of School Dan Ajamian said. Fountain Valley School of Colorado, a private school, has also signed up for the program, according to state data. Colorado Springs School District 11 is still evaluating the viability of this program, spokeswoman Debra Ashby said, though Academy ACL Charter School within the district has opted to participate. The state hasn't shown it can effectively administer 17,000 tests a day across all D-11 campuses or support the 17,000 families needing to consent to participate, Ashby said. The district has also experienced a substantial decline in COVID-19 cases and quarantines in its schools since the district implemented a mask mandate after Labor Day, she said. D-11 is participating in the states free at-home test kit program for staff, Ashby said. Colorado counties with K-12 schools added to the outbreak list this week include Alamosa, Custer, Garfield, Grand, Huerfano, Las Animas, Saguache and San Miguel. Moffatt County also joined the state outbreak list this week, with 77 new cases among four local schools. Colorado Politics reporter Pat Poblete contributed to this article. The Colorado Springs-based 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office is underfunded, overwhelmed with felony cases and in a state of turmoil, according to seven lawyers who previously worked there. The former employees said they felt overworked in what some called a "toxic" environment that harmed their mental health. The attorneys spoke out after the apparent August suicide of a prominent deputy district attorney rocked what is one of Colorado's busiest prosecutor's offices. The death underscored conditions in the office that are adding too much pressure to an already arduous job, the former staff members said. That job put me in a place mentally that I've never been in in my entire life," said one former deputy district attorney whom District Attorney Michael Allen directly supervised before being elected to the top spot. The former prosecutor was one of two The Gazette spoke with who said the job pushed them to seek therapy. She said the election of Allen "absolutely" caused her to leave. The attorney, now in private practice, asked to speak anonymously because her current job requires her to work with the DA's office on occasion. She was also one of three female attorneys who resigned within the last year who said the office had a climate of discriminating against women, allegations Allen vigorously disputes. As of late last month, at least 54 employees, or about 21% of the office's workforce, departed the office since the beginning of the year, according to a list provided by Howard Black, a 4th Judicial District spokesman. Of the employees who left so far this year, at least 25 were attorneys, according to the list, which is more than a quarter of the office's prosecutorial power. Most of the jobs were filled, but five attorney positions remained open, Black said in an email late last month. Several of the former prosecutors who spoke with the Gazette said they voted for Allen in the 2020 election. One said the office is now "hemorrhaging" deputy district attorneys. One of the departures: Deputy District Attorney Andrew Lower was found dead Aug. 5 in Chaffee County after friends and coworkers feared he was missing Aug. 1. Based on evidence collected at the scene, law enforcement officials closed their investigation and determined no one else was involved. Officials have not publicly stated that Lower committed suicide. But El Paso County Coroner Dr. Leon Kelly, whose office performed Lower's autopsy, said, From our perspective based on the autopsy, thats our feeling, that this is self-inflicted." Before he died, police say Lower sent an email to the entire staff of the District Attorney's Office on Aug. 1. In the email, Lower said he had concerns about conditions in the office and the leadership of District Attorney Allen and former District Attorney Dan May. The email raised questions about the hiring of a controversial deputy DA, the demotion of another longtime prosecutor and the promotion of a prosecutor whose family contributed to Allen's campaign, according to a copy obtained and verified by The Gazette. Former employees said they were less concerned with some of the specific issues raised by Lower. They acknowledged that the pandemic and typical DA's office career progression have driven some of the staffing issues. But many of the employees placed some of the blame for conditions in the office at the feet of Allen, elected last year, and also said the problems extend back to the tenure of his predecessor, Dan May. Lower was an office manager under May. Allen, in an interview with The Gazette, responded to the complaints and the news of Lower's suicide, saying prosecutors have a high stakes, stressful and challenging job that coronavirus has only made more difficult. DAs are asked to vividly recreate grisly scenes in courtrooms and listen repeatedly to traumatic stories from victims of heinous crimes. Lower, a veteran prosecutor, specialized in homicides. "We get secondary trauma from the stuff that we do," Allen said. "You're dealing with people that have either suffered some really tragic events or have been killed. And we go out to scenes and see these sorts of things. We talk to victims who have lived through some really horrific events. And that can weigh on you." May did not respond to requests for comment. 'Trusted member of the team' Two of Lowers friends said they believed workplace concerns contributed to his death. Even though he and his wife, Susan Chadderdon, also a prosecutor, had recently divorced, it was his distress in the office that most significantly drove his apparent depression, said one. In the conversations I have had with him over the last six months He has mentioned concerns about the office every single time almost the entire time I was talking with him, said the friend, also a former office employee. She, like other former employees who spoke with The Gazette, was reluctant to speak out because she works locally as a defense attorney and feared the DA's office would seek retribution. He really cared about his job more than probably anything in his life, she said. Another friend of Lower, former Deputy District Attorney Andrew Hug, said work was likely one factor among others that led to Lower's death. Hug said he had lunch with Lower two days before he went missing. It was a combination of a lot of things. Yes, there was work stuff, he was definitely frustrated with the office," Hug said. "We had that conversation. But I know he had other stuff as well. In his last email, sent to the entire office, Lower acknowledged issues outside of work. "As most of my close friends in the office knew, I have not been happy here since the new administration took over, but also for some personal reasons as well," he wrote. Allen lamented the loss of the longtime prosecutor, and said the days and weeks following Lower's death have been difficult for the office. "It's just really tough to lose somebody that's a trusted member of the team," Allen said. Lower's suicide wasn't the only one suffered by the office. Another deputy district attorney committed suicide in 2018. In the autopsy, the coroner determined the man's death was a "deliberate and self-inflicted act" and said he had a history of depression. A former prosecutor and friend of the man said she believed his mental illness was "absolutely" tied to office-related stress at a "dark and toxic" workplace that featured problematic relationships between co-workers. She requested to speak anonymously to discuss a sensitive issue and said she worried speaking out would harm her reputation. "Mental health issues are rife there," she said. Hug, who also knew the man, said his mental illness was caused by personal issues and was not work-related. Security alert issued The Monday after Lower sent his email, Allen called 4th Judicial District Chief Judge William Bain. Just to let them know if they see him that were looking for him and that he is in a potentially distressed situation, that they should be aware of that," Allen said. "There was never any threats to anybody. That day, Allen sent an email to office staff connecting them with counseling services and informing them "there have been no threats made to any other individuals either in this office or anyone else." But in an email to court officials, Judge Bain said Allen was concerned Lower could be "a significant danger to himself and possibly others." Court Executive Scott Sosebee confirmed that officials believed there was a security threat after Lower went missing. Sosebee said it later turned into "concern for the individual. A Colorado Springs police report said Lower "sent out an email to all employees of the District Attorneys Office. The email did not contain any threats to anyone but was believed to be a suicide note. The email was sent around 2:45 p.m. on Aug. 1, a Sunday. "I wrote this so those people that have expressed the same thought I have had could have a public voice, Lower wrote. The email was primarily addressed to Allen, offering pointed criticism. Lower's friend Hug pushed back. "Most people generally like Mike Allen as a person and want to see him succeed, Hug said, adding that Lower was "on the extreme side of being upset with the office." Allen said it was difficult to respond to the criticism of former employees, but that the demands of the job sometimes prevented him from checking on staff as often as he would like. With many staff members working from home during the pandemic, he said he would drop in on virtual meetings. "What I have always made a point to do is to get out into the office and to talk to people," he said. Gender-based issues While Lower's letter did not specifically raise sex discrimination in the office as a concern, he did lament the demotion of Senior Deputy DA Donna Billek, whom he called the "trial attorney that we called out on the most tough and complex cases." Billek resigned after a demotion that came before the office hired Dave Young, a former DA for Adams and Broomfield counties, to a senior post. Three female former deputy district attorneys who spoke to The Gazette said female attorneys in the office feel they are treated differently, but Allen said his record proves he's not sexist. Raised by a single mother, Allen selected a woman, Martha McKinney, to be assistant district attorney, the second-highest position in the office. "She is as strong of a person as I know, and it has nothing to do with her gender," he said. Other leadership positions in the office were also filled by women, he said. "Over 50% of the leadership in this office is women, he said. The DA's website shows three women listed as executive staff alongside five men. Black, the DA spokesman, said the 50% figure Allen cited referred to the broader leadership structure of the office, which includes more supervisors and managers. "The idea that I would engender an environment that women are not appreciated is complete nonsense, and it's offensive," Allen said. The former female employee who was friends with the prosecutor who committed suicide in 2018 said she was surprised by the allegations of sexism because she did not experience any gender discrimination while at the office. She left the office before Allen took over as DA, but said, "He's such a good guy, and he's so kind." "I did work with Mike on occasion, and I admired him," she said. "I think highly of Michael Allen." Overworked and understaffed The list of departures provided by spokesman Black indicated about 36 of the 54 employees, including attorneys, who departed this year are women. The turnover is pushing less qualified deputies to move up to work in district court, and even on homicides, more quickly than normal, critics contend. As more prosecutors leave the office, the caseload for those who remain on the job increases, creating more stress, the former prosecutors said. Some former employees called on Allen to mitigate the workload, and worried the issue was getting worse. I think that morale has definitely gone down a little bit recently just because a lot of people have left and they cant really fill those positions," former Deputy DA Hug said. "The DAs office is perpetually understaffed, and with the recent people leaving, its become worse. Another former prosecutor, Jimmy Litle, said he left the office largely because he was feeling burned out. One of the biggest reasons that I left was that I had a lot of cases on my plate, he said. Litle, who had worked in the office since 2013 and left this summer, said he didn't have any hard feelings toward the office or Allen, his direct supervisor before becoming elected district attorney. I think the world of Michael, he said. The issues of stress and overwork are not unique to the judicial district, and they did not start when Allen took over as DA, sources said. Online job boards are packed with advertisements for open positions in DA's offices across the state, and former employees say the Colorado Springs office has almost never been fully staffed. The public defender's office is experiencing similar staffing issues, sources said. At the 18th Judicial District, which includes Arapahoe and Douglas counties, 23 attorneys have departed since the start of the year, said DA John Kellner, who assumed the office's top spot in January. He said attorneys have departed his office for other opportunities as prosecutors, to enter private practice and to be closer to their families. I think it is important to recognize if theres turnover after an election, it's not uncommon, Kellner said. A natural turnover hits many DAs offices when younger lawyers leave to pursue private practice and bigger paychecks. "I don't blame them for taking that option," Allen said. "It's part of their career progression and I cheer them on and will support them in that." Prosecutors aren't leaving for other district attorney's offices, according to Allen, which he said was an issue for the office in the past. Allen said the fiscally conservative politics of El Paso County makes coming up with more tax money difficult, compound staffing issues. A Republican and self-proclaimed fiscal conservative, Allen has still sought more money for his office. The district can't match the salaries of highly experienced DAs at other offices, he said, which makes retention of attorneys with five to 10 years of experience an issue. The 4th Judicial District has less money than other large prosecutor's offices in the state, records show. Though the 4th Judicial District in the 2020 fiscal year processed more criminal filings than any judicial district in the state, the DA's office received significantly less funding than the Denver DA's office and the 18th Judicial District. Im doing everything I can possibly to give people salaries to something that I think they deserve, but thats not just my call, Allen said. I dont get to raise taxes. Everything I get as far as budget comes from the county commissioners. Mental health help can be obtained by calling 573-7447, or the Colorado Crisis Service line, 844-493-8255, or text talk to 38255. This comes as the Turkish and mercenary attacks and crimes on Tal Tamr and other Syrian territories are escalating. Mate Hana says that attempts are being made to subvert them as a military force as they are vital to region defence besides Tal Tamr Military Council, standing up to attacks carried out. ''Turkey occupation state has always been encroaches upon the region against all international laws and norms that were agreed upon in lately after occupying areas in North eastern Syria that aimed at ceasefire.'' ''In the latest war adopted Turkish occupation state is propagating a special war against people in NES with the aim of deportation and proceeding the demographic change already taking place to create a ground for terror groups such as ISIS and other mercenary factions'', he said, adding that the aim by the Turkish occupation attacks is to strike at the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria that has become a model for the future of Syria at large, as well to deter Syrian Democratic Forces from standing up to ISIS''. It was noted by Hana that all public services and facilities such as schools, power standards were on the target, not to mention depriving more than a million people of water. '' the Syriac and Tal Tamr Military Councils are always on the frontlines, standing up to attacks and securing people's lives when attacked and posed to danger'', he said. Hana concluded by saying they as a force represents people of the region that are entitled to defend their lives and land pledging to proceed the fight whatever sacrifices needs to be made. l..a ANHA 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 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. Ex-Westminster Pastor Gets 14 Years in Prison for Investment Scam A former pastor of a Westminster church was sentenced today to 14 years in federal prison for an investment scam federal prosecutors say took in $33 million. Kent R. E. Whitney, 39, pleaded guilty in November to mail fraud and failing a false federal income tax return. U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton also ordered him to pay $22,662,668 in restitution. From September 2014 through April 2019 Whitney used his Church of the Healthy Self to solicit investments with promises of a guaranteed an annual rate of return of 12%, a guaranteed return of principal with no risk because it was federally insured, that the worst return over the previous five years was a 1.5% profit in January 2015, the churchs traders had not lost money in 15 years and that the church was audited by an accounting firm, according to prosecutors. ADVERTISEMENT Prosecutors said little of the investments went into any trading accounts. Whitney sent bogus reports to investors, prosecutors said. He admitted in his plea agreement to falsely reporting his total income in 2018 as $17,539 when it was actually at least $452,872, prosecutors said. About $435,333 of Whitneys income was obtained through the scam, prosecutors said. People face cold, hunger and danger when they flee their countries. They risk their lives to escape conditions such as poverty and war. About 4.2 million people around the world were reported as stateless, or not belonging to any country, at the end of 2020. But the United Nations refugee agency estimates that the true number is much higher. Here is a look at some of the struggles people leaving their homelands have faced in 2021 so far. January In January, people in Bosnia took shelter in abandoned buildings near the town of Bihac. Some were fleeing conflict in Afghanistan. They tried to stay warm as they lined up to reach European Union-member Croatia across the border. February In February, police in Spains North African territory of Melilla rescued people hiding in waste containers as they tried to make their way to the mainland of Spain. And, the German ship named Sea-Watch rescued more than 360 people from small boats off the Libyan coast. The central Mediterranean migration path, south of the Sahara Desert, to Italy is considered one of the worlds deadliest. March In March, worsening security and economic conditions in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador led to the biggest rise in the number of migrants at the United States southwestern border in 20 years. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials dealt with 173,281 people from the southwestern border in March. The administration of President Joe Biden also attempted to deal with large numbers of children trying to cross the border alone. May In May, Spain deployed troops to the Spanish territory of Ceuta in northern Africa. The troops guarded the countrys border with Morocco after around 8,000 people crossed by swimming in or climbing over a barrier. Around two-thirds of the people who made it to Ceuta, including children who arrived alone, were expelled by Spanish officials. But many said they would try again to reach Europe. June In June, thousands of Belarusians fled to Poland after a political crackdown by President Alexander Lukashenko. Nearly 10,000 Belarusians registered for humanitarian visas or asylum in the past year. Lukashenko, who has held power since 1994, won another election in 2020. Months of protests followed. Tens of thousands of people have been arrested for expressing their opposition to Lukashenko. July In July, Afghans who walked through Iran for weeks arrived at the Turkish border to face a three-meter-high wall and other barriers. Turkish officials strengthened their efforts to block refugees from entering the country. Turkey detained 1,500 people near the Iranian border in a week, as violence rose in Afghanistan. August In August, Greece completed a 40-kilometer fence, guarded by soldiers, on its border with Turkey. The barrier was built to stop asylum seekers from trying to reach Europe after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. September And, this month, more than 12,000 Haitians and others crossed the Rio Grande River from Mexico where they were living in a camp under a bridge in southern Texas. They were joined by people from Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Hundreds more continued to come to the border, leading to a humanitarian and political crisis for President Biden. U.S. officials began flying the Haitians in Texas, who entered the country without permission, back to their homeland. The operation may be the start of the countys largest expulsion of migrants or refugees in many years. Im Ashley Thompson. The Reuters news agency reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. __________________________________________________ Words in This Story migrant n. a person who goes from one place to another especially to find work crackdown n. a serious attempt to punish people for doing something that is not permitted; an increased effort to enforce a law or rule President Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 response and vaccinations in the State Dining Room of the White House, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Washington. Credit: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky The U.S. launched a campaign to offer boosters of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to millions of Americans on Friday even as federal health officials stressed the real problem remains getting first shots to the unvaccinated. "We will not boost our way out of this pandemic," warned Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventioneven though she took the rare step of overruling the advice of her own expert panel to make more people eligible for the booster. The vast majority of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are among the unvaccinated, Walensky noted. And all three COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. offer strong protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death despite the extra-contagious delta variant that caused cases to soar. But immunity against milder infection appears to wane months after initial vaccination. People anxious for another Pfizer dose lost no time rolling up their sleeves after Walensky ruled late Thursday on who's eligible: Americans 65 and older and others vulnerable because of underlying health problems or where they work and liveonce they're six months past their last dose. Jen Peck, 52, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, qualified because of her job as an education math and science consultant. She was vaccinated back in March but worries about unknowingly picking up and spreading an infection. She travels between rural schools where many students and teachers don't wear masks and the younger children can't yet be vaccinated. "I don't want to be COVID Mary carrying it around to buildings full of unvaccinated kiddos. I could not live with myself if I carried it from one building to another. That haunts me, the thought of that," said Peck, who got the extra shot first thing Friday morning. President Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 response and vaccinations in the State Dining Room of the White House, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Washington. Credit: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky Health officials must clear up confusion over who should get a booster, and why. For now, the booster campaign is what Walensky called "a first step." It only applies to people originally vaccinated with shots made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech. Decisions on boosters for Americans who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines are still to come. President Joe Biden said if you're vaccinated, "You're in good shape and we're doing everything we can to keep it that way, which is where the booster comes in." He urged those now eligible for an extra shot to "go get the booster," saying he'd get his own soonand that everyone should be patient and wait their turn. Exactly who should get a booster was a contentious decision as CDC advisers spent two days poring over the evidence. Walensky endorsed most of their choices: People 65 and older, nursing home residents and those ages 50 to 64 who have chronic health problems such as diabetes should be offered one once they're six months past their last Pfizer dose. Those 18 and older with health problems can decide for themselves if they want a booster. But in an extremely unusual move, Walensky overruled her advisers' objections and decided an additional broad swath of the population also qualifies: People at increased risk of infectionnot serious illnessbecause of their jobs or their living conditions. That includes health care workers, teachers and people in jails or homeless shelters. "This was scientific close call," Walensky said Friday. "In that situation it was my call to make." Experts say it was only the second time since 2000 that a CDC director overruled its advisory panel. President Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 response and vaccinations in the State Dining Room of the White House, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Washington. Credit: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky Health care workers can't come to work if they have even a mild infection and hospitals worried about staffing shortages welcomed that decision. But some of the CDC's advisers worry that offering boosters so broadly could backfire without better evidence that it really will make a difference beyond the most medically vulnerable. "My hope is that all of this confusion or what may feel like confusion doesn't send a message to the public that there is any problem with the vaccine," said Dr. Beth Bell, a University of Washington expert. "I want to make sure people understand these are fantastic vaccines and they work extremely well." Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government's top infectious disease specialist, cautioned against seeking a Pfizer booster before the recommended six-month mark. "You get much more of a bang out of the shot" by letting the immune system mature that long so it's prepared to rev up production of virus-fighting antibodies, he explained. The U.S. had already authorized third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients. Other Americans, healthy or not, have managed to get boosters, in some cases simply by asking. About 182 million Americans are fully vaccinated, or just 55% of the total population. Three-quarters of those 12 and olderthe ages eligible for vaccinationhave had a first dose. Explore further CDC advisers try to work out the details on booster shots 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. In this March 2021 photo provided by Pfizer, a technician works on a line for packaging preparation for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the company's facility in Puurs, Belgium. Billions more in profits are at stake for some vaccine makers as the U.S. moves toward dispensing COVID-19 booster shots to shore up Americans' protection against the virus. Credit: Pfizer via AP Billions more in profits are at stake for some vaccine makers as the U.S. moves toward dispensing COVID-19 booster shots to shore up Americans' protection against the virus. How much the manufacturers stand to gain depends on how big the rollout proves to be. U.S. health officials late on Thursday endorsed booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine for all Americans 65 and olderalong with tens of millions of younger people who are at higher risk from the coronavirus because of health conditions or their jobs. Officials described the move as a first step. Boosters will likely be offered even more broadly in the coming weeks or months, including boosters of vaccines made by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. That, plus continued growth in initial vaccinations, could mean a huge gain in sales and profits for Pfizer and Moderna in particular. "The opportunity quite frankly is reflective of the billions of people around the world who would need a vaccination and a boost," Jefferies analyst Michael Yee said. Wall Street is taking notice. The average forecast among analysts for Moderna's 2022 revenue has jumped 35% since President Joe Biden laid out his booster plan in mid-August. Most of the vaccinations so far in the U.S. have come from Pfizer, which developed its shot with Germany's BioNTech, and Moderna. They have inoculated about 99 million and 68 million people, respectively. Johnson & Johnson is third with about 14 million people. No one knows yet how many people will get the extra shots. But Morningstar analyst Karen Andersen expects boosters alone to bring in about $26 billion in global sales next year for Pfizer and BioNTech and around $14 billion for Moderna if they are endorsed for nearly all Americans. This Sept. 21, 2021 file photo shows vials of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in Jackson, Miss. Billions more in profits are at stake for some vaccine makers as the U.S. moves toward dispensing COVID-19 booster shots to shore up Americans' protection against the virus. Credit: AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis Those companies also may gain business from people who got other vaccines initially. In Britain, which plans to offer boosters to everyone over 50 and other vulnerable people, an expert panel has recommended that Pfizer's shot be the primary choice, with Moderna as the alternative. Andersen expects Moderna, which has no other products on the market, to generate a roughly $13 billion profit next year from all COVID-19 vaccine sales if boosters are broadly authorized. Potential vaccine profits are harder to estimate for Pfizer, but company executives have said they expect their pre-tax adjusted profit margin from the vaccine to be in the "high 20s" as a percentage of revenue. That would translate to a profit of around $7 billion next year just from boosters, based on Andersen's sales prediction. J&J and Europe's AstraZeneca have said they don't intend to profit from their COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. For Pfizer and Moderna, the boosters could be more profitable than the original doses because they won't come with the research and development costs the companies incurred to get the vaccines on the market in the first place. WBB Securities CEO Steve Brozak said the booster shots will represent "almost pure profit" compared with the initial doses. Drugmakers aren't the only businesses that could see a windfall from delivering boosters. Drugstore chains CVS Health and Walgreens could bring in more than $800 million each in revenue, according to Jeff Jonas, a portfolio manager with Gabelli Funds. Jonas noted that the drugstores may not face competition from mass vaccination clinics this time around, and the chains are diligent about collecting customer contact information. That makes it easy to invite people back for boosters. In this May 3, 2021 file photo, a man holds his vaccination reminder card after having received his first shot at a pop-up vaccination site in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami. Billions more in profits are at stake for some vaccine makers as the U.S. moves toward dispensing COVID-19 booster shots to shore up Americans' protection against the virus. Drugstore chains CVS Health and Walgreens could bring in more than $800 million each in revenue, according to Jeff Jonas, a portfolio manager with Gabelli Funds. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee Drugmakers are also developing COVID-19 shots that target certain variants of the virus, and say people might need annual shots like the ones they receive for the flu. All of that could make the vaccines a major recurring source of revenue. The COVID-19 vaccines have already done much better than their predecessors. Pfizer said in July it expects revenue from its COVID-19 vaccine to reach $33.5 billion this year, an estimate that could change depending on the impact of boosters or the possible expansion of shots to elementary school children. That would be more than five times the $5.8 billion racked up last year by the world's most lucrative vaccinePfizer's Prevnar13, which protects against pneumococcal disease. It also would dwarf the $19.8 billion brought in last year by AbbVie's rheumatoid arthritis treatment Humira, widely regarded as the world's top-selling drug. This bodes well for future vaccine development, noted Erik Gordon, a business professor at the University of Michigan. Vaccines normally are nowhere near as profitable as treatments, Gordon said. But the success of the COVID-19 shots could draw more drugmakers and venture capitalists into the field. "The vaccine business is more attractive, which, for those of us who are going to need vaccines, is good," Gordon said. Explore further EU set to decide on COVID boosters next month 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A 14-year-old Israeli receives a booster shot of the coronavirus vaccine at Clalit Health Service's center in the Cinema City complex in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. Israel is pressing ahead with its aggressive campaign of offering coronavirus boosters to almost anyone over 12 and says its approach was further vindicated by a U.S. decision to give the shots to older patients or those at higher risk. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo Israel is pressing ahead with its aggressive campaign of offering coronavirus boosters to almost anyone over 12 and says its approach was further vindicated by a U.S. decision to give the shots to older patients or those at higher risk. Israeli officials credit the booster shot, which has already been delivered to about a third of the population, with helping suppress the country's latest wave of COVID-19 infections. They say the differing approaches are based on the same realization that the booster is the right way to go, and expect the U.S. and other countries to expand their campaigns in the coming months. "The decision reinforced our results that the third dose is safe," said Dr. Nadav Davidovitch, head of the school of public health at Israel's Ben-Gurion University and chairman of the country's association of public health physicians. "The main question now is of prioritization." The World Health Organization has called for a moratorium on boosters until at least the end of the year so that more people in poor countries can get their first two doses, but Israeli officials say the booster shot is just as important in preventing infections. "We know for sure that the current system of vaccine nationalism is hurting all of us, and it's creating variants," said Davidovitch, who is also a member of an Israeli government panel of experts. But he added that the problem is "much broader than Israel." A medical worker prepares a vial of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at Clalit Health Service's center in the Cinema City complex in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. Israel is pressing ahead with its aggressive campaign of offering coronavirus boosters to almost anyone over 12 and says its approach was further vindicated by a U.S. decision to give the shots to older patients or those at higher risk. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo Israel raced out of the gate early this year to vaccinate most of its adult population after striking a deal with Pfizer to trade medical data in exchange for a steady supply of doses. It has also purchased large quantities of the Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines. Most adults had received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine by March, causing infection levels to plummet and allowing the government to lift nearly all coronavirus restrictions. But in June, the highly infectious delta variant began to spread. After studying the matter, experts concluded that the vaccine remained effective against the virus, but that its efficacy waned roughly five months after the second shot. In late July, Israel began distributing booster shoots to at-risk citizens, including those over 60. Within weeks, it expanded the campaign to the general population. In this Aug. 15, 2021, file photo, a medical professional waits for his next patient to administer a booster shot for the coronavirus vaccine, at Clalit Health Services, one of Israel's health maintenance organizations, in Jerusalem. Israel is pressing ahead with its aggressive campaign of offering coronavirus boosters to almost anyone over 12 and says its approach was further vindicated by a U.S. decision to give the shots to older patients or those at higher risk. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File More than 3 million of Israel's 9 million citizens have gotten a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine, according to the Health Ministry. In a study published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine, Israeli experts said that in people who had been vaccinated five months earlier, the booster increased vaccine efficacy tenfold compared with vaccinated patients who didn't receive it. That study tracked about 1 million people 60 and older and found that the booster was "very effective at reducing the rate of both confirmed infection and severe illness," the Health Ministry said. A senior Israeli health official, Dr. Sharon Alroy Preiss, was among the experts testifying before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel last week in favor of the booster shot. But the regulator decided against boosters for the general population, opting only to authorize it for people aged 65 or older and those in high-risk groups. In this Aug. 15, 2021, file photo, Israelis wait their turn for a booster shot of the coronavirus vaccine, at Clalit Health Services, one of Israel's health maintenance organizations, at a cinema complex, in Jerusalem. Israel is pressing ahead with its aggressive campaign of offering coronavirus boosters to almost anyone over 12 and says its approach was further vindicated by a U.S. decision to give the shots to older patients or those at higher risk. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File Experts cited a lack of safety data on extra doses and also raised doubts about the value of mass boosters, rather than ones targeted to specific groups. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made a similar endorsement Thursday. The Israeli Health Ministry said the FDA decision "gave validity to the third vaccine operation" underway in Israel, which "decided to act responsibly and quickly in order to treat growing infections." It said statistics show the booster dose has "restored protection." Recent weeks have seen "a declining rate of new infections among the elderly," the vast majority of whom have received booster shots, and "a continuous increase in the proportion of unvaccinated individuals within the new severe cases," Dr. Ran Balicer, head of the government's expert advisory panel on COVID-19, told The Associated Press. In recent weeks, as the booster campaign has been rolled out, the percentage of unvaccinated among serious COVID-19 cases has climbed, and the overall new cases among people with at least two shots has dropped. In this Aug. 15, 2021, file, photo, a 12-year-old boy braces himself as a medical professional prepares to administer the coronavirus vaccine at Clalit Health Services, one of Israel's health maintenance organizations, in Jerusalem. Israel is pressing ahead with its aggressive campaign of offering coronavirus boosters to almost anyone over 12 and says its approach was further vindicated by a U.S. decision to give the shots to older patients or those at higher risk. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File As of Friday, around 70% of Israel's 703 serious cases of COVID-19 were among the unvaccinated, and about 20% had not received a booster. A month earlier, after Israel vaccinated 1.5 million people with a third dose, those two groups were equally represented among the serious cases. Over 60% of Israelisthe overwhelming majority of the adult populationhave received at least two doses of the coronavirus vaccine. Some experts noted that the U.S. and Europe were several months behind Israel's vaccination campaign and predicted those countries would follow suit in the months ahead. "We are experiencing first a phenomenon that will become apparent likely in many other countries in the coming months and create a similar challenge there," Balicer said. "Few, if any at all, other countries are walking in our shoes right now." A medical worker prepares a vial of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at Clalit Health Service's vaccination center in the Cinema City complex in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. Israel is pressing ahead with its aggressive campaign of offering coronavirus boosters to almost anyone over 12 and says its approach was further vindicated by a U.S. decision to give the shots to older patients or those at higher risk. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo The U.K. already is rolling out a booster campaign, with third doses to be offered to anyone over 50 and other vulnerable groups. The WHO has called on rich countries to refrain from exhausting vaccine stockpiles on boosters while much of the world has yet to receive any. A third shot may be necessary for people with certain health conditions, but "boosters for the general public are not appropriate at this stage of the pandemic," it said. In this Aug. 26, 2021, file, photo, medical professionals treat patients in the coronavirus ward at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, Israel. Israeli health officials say the booster shot, which has already been delivered to about a third of the population, is helping to suppress the country's latest wave of COVID-19 infections. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File "The longer vaccine inequity persists, the more the virus will circulate and change, the longer social and economic disruptions will continue, and the higher the chances that more variants will emerge that render vaccines less effective," it said in a statement Friday. Balicer said that Israel, as a small country, has little effect on global supplies and that its role as the world's laboratory provides "a very important source of knowledge" for other countries. In this Aug. 31, 2021, file, photo, a darkened corridor of empty beds is prepared for patients on the coronavirus ward at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. Israeli health officials say the booster shot, which has already been delivered to about a third of the population, is helping to suppress the country's latest wave of COVID-19 infections. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has exhorted the public to get vaccine boosters as part of his aggressive public relations campaign since taking office in June. "Israel is the only country in the world that is giving its citizens this gift of the possibilityboth legally and in terms of supplyof a booster," he said last week. Balicer said other states should ready national plans for the rollout of booster shots. "Countries that vaccinated more recently should be prepared for the impact of waning vaccine immunity manifesting in midwinter, further intensifying the challenge," he said. Explore further Israel to begin COVID booster shots for over 40s 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Jenny Zuk, neuroscientist and speech pathologist, led a first-of-its-kind study that uncovered how neural networks in infants influence their language learning skills in early childhood. Credit: Kelly Davidson From inside the womb and as soon as they enter the world, babies absorb information from their environment and the adults around them, quickly learning after birth how to start communicating through cries, sounds, giggles, and other kinds of baby talk. But are a child's long-term language skills shaped by how their brain develops during infancy, and how much of their language development is influenced by their environment and upbringing? Following dozens of children over the course of five years, a Boston University researcher has taken the closest look yet at the link between how babies' brains are structured in infancy and their ability to learn a language at a young age, and to what degree their environment plays a role in brain and language development. The new research, described in a paper published in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, finds that the brain's organizational pathways might set a foundation for a child's language learning abilities within the first year of life. These pathways are known as white matter, and they act as the connectors between the billions of neuronscalled gray matterthat comprise the brain tissue. This allows for the exchange of signals and for all of the different tasks and functions we need to perform, as well as all of the biological processes that sustain us. "A helpful metaphor often used is: white matter pathways are the 'highways,' and gray matter areas are the 'destinations'," says BU neuroscientist and licensed speech pathologist Jennifer Zuk, who led the study. Zuk, a College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College assistant professor of speech, language, and hearing sciences, says the more someone does a certain task, like learning a new language, the stronger and more refined the pathways become in the areas of the brain responsible for that task, allowing information to flow more efficiently through the white matter highways. Recent evidence suggests that white matter most rapidly develops within the first two years of life, according to Zuk. In addition to white matter development, scientists have long known that the environment also plays an important role in shaping a person's language abilities, Zuk says. But many uncertainties remain about whether nature or nurture is more dominant in determining the makeup of white matter and how well a baby learns to communicate. In their study, Zuk says, she and her colleagues sought answers to several specific questions: from very early on, to what extent does predisposed brain structure play a role in development? Does the brain develop in tandem with language, and is the environment ultimately driving the progress of both? And to what extent does brain structure in early infancy set children up for success with language? To investigate this, Zuk and Boston Children's Hospital researcher and study senior author Nadine Gaab met with 40 families with babies to take images of the infants' brains using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and gather first-of-its-kind data on white matter development. No small feat, considering the babies needed to be sound asleep to allow for crisp capture of their brain activity and structure using MRI. "It was such a fun process, and also one that calls for a lot of patience and perseverance," says Zuk, who had to master the challenge of getting 4-to-18-month-old babies comfortable enough to snooze through the MRI processthe loud sounds of an MRI could be very disruptive to a sleeping baby. "There are very few researchers in the world using this approach," she says, "because the MRI itself involves a rather noisy backgroundand having infants in a naturally deep sleep is very helpful in accomplishing this pretty crazy feat." It's also the first time that scientists have used MRI to look at the relationship between brain structure and language development in full-term, typically developing children from infancy to school age. One important white matter pathway the researchers looked at using MRI is called the arcuate fasciculus, which connects two regions of the brain responsible for language production and comprehension. Using MRI, the researchers measured the organization of white matter by looking at how easily water diffuses through the tissue, indicating the pathway's density. Five years after first rocking babies to sleep and gently tucking them inside an MRI machine, Zuk and her collaborators met up with the children and their families again to assess each child's emerging language abilities. Their assessments tested each one's vocabulary knowledge, their ability to identify sounds within individual words, and their ability to blend individual sounds together to understand the word it makes. According to their findings, children born with higher indications of white matter organization had better language skills five years later, suggesting that communication skills could be strongly linked to predisposed brain structure. But, Zuk says, this is only the first piece of a very complicated puzzle. "Perhaps the individual differences in white matter we observed in infancy might be shaped by some combination of a child's genetics and their environment," she says. "But it is intriguing to think about what specific factors might set children up with more effective white matter organization early on." Although their findings indicate a foundation for language is established in infancy, "ongoing experience and exposure [to language] then builds upon this foundation to support a child's ultimate outcomes," Zuk says. She says this means that during the first year of a child's life "there's a real opportunity for more environmental exposure [to language] and to set children up for success in the long term." Zuk and her research partners plan to continue investigating the relationship between environmental and genetic components of language learning. Their goal is to help parents and caretakers identify early risk factors in language development in young children and determine strategies for strengthening babies' communicative skills early on in life. Explore further Neuroscientists find brain matter makeup at birth is linked to children's degree of language skills at five years old More information: Jennifer Zuk et al, White matter in infancy is prospectively associated with language outcomes in kindergarten, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (2021). Jennifer Zuk et al, White matter in infancy is prospectively associated with language outcomes in kindergarten,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2021.100973 People gather outside Arizona Government building ahead of the announcement of interim findings from a widely criticized audit of the 2020 election in Phoenix, Arizona on Sept. 24, 2021. Almost three years after she was arrested at a Vancouver airport, Huawei Technologies Co. Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou left Canada on a flight to China on Friday afternoon, according to a person familiar with the matter. Meng, who had reached a deal to end U.S. criminal charges against her, departed on a chartered Air China plane bound for Shenzhen, where Huawei has its headquarters, the person added. Under an agreement with federal prosecutors, Meng, 49, admitted she had misled HSBC Holdings Plc about the telecom companys business with Iran, in violation of U.S. sanctions on that nation. Meng will face no further prosecution and could see the charges against her dismissed by December 2022 if she complies with the terms of the agreement. But a larger racketeering indictment is still pending against Huawei, which grinds on even as a broader rivalry between Washington and Beijing sees relations between the two powers at their lowest point in years. Mengs arrest sparked a diplomatic crisis and retaliatory trade measures by China, which has called her prosecution a politically motivated attack on one of its chief tech champions. With the bank fraud, conspiracy and wire fraud charges against her, Meng, the daughter of Ren Zhengfei, Huaweis founder, faced as many as 30 years in prison if convicted in the U.S. The Justice Department said Mengs admissions confirm the crux of the governments allegations in the prosecution of this financial fraud that Meng and her fellow Huawei employees engaged in a concerted effort to deceive global financial institutions, the U.S. government and the public about Huaweis activities in Iran. The company has pleaded not guilty. Supreme Court of British Columbia Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes discharged Meng after the U.S. said it would withdraw its extradition request. The development clears the way for Meng, who had been under house arrest in Vancouver since December 2018, to return home to China. Pro-Meng supporters gathered outside court in Vancouver on Friday chanting Not guilty! After the hearing, Meng gave big hugs to colleagues as she left the courtroom amid applause. One picked her up off her feet. She thanked her boosters, the Chinese consul and the Canadian people and apologized for the inconvenience. There was at least one detractor, too, as a car came by with the driver shouting out an obscenity against Meng and the Chinese Communist Party, to some cheers. Meng sped off in a black SUV. The U.S. said it would pursue its racketeering case against the company. Our prosecution team continues to prepare for trial against Huawei, and we look forward to proving our case against the company in court, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite said in a statement. David Bitkower and Michael Levy, lawyers for Huawei in the U.S., didnt immediately return voicemail and email messages seeking comment on Mengs accord and the impact it might have on their case. Canada will be looking for clarity on what the decision means for two of its citizens jailed in China after Mengs detention. Given the tensions around the case and the number of other unresolved issues between the U.S. and China, Fridays deal spurred speculation that it was part of some broader agreement or that the U.S. got something in return. If this individual from Huawei is able to go home, I would expect there are other pieces to some type of an arrangement, whether there is a quid pro quo, whatever. China has made this a priority, Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, said on Balance of Power on Bloomberg TV on Friday. The Two Michaels China has frequently linked Mengs case with that of jailed Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig. The two Michaels, as they are known in Canada, were detained in China within days of Mengs arrest. If the deal with Meng is followed by a reciprocal agreement by Beijing to release them, it would represent a political victory for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, just days after a national election in which he faced stiff criticism from the rival Conservatives over his handling of relations with Beijing. The return of Meng would be a win for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is banking on a tough stance with countries including the U.S., Canada and Australia to deliver kudos at home as he heads into a key leadership meeting of the ruling Communist Party next year. Officials at Chinas embassies in Washington and Ottawa didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Spokespeople for Huawei in Canada also didnt respond. Appearing by video in federal court in Brooklyn, earlier on Friday from her lawyers office in downtown Vancouver, Meng pleaded not guilty. U.S. government lawyers said they would defer prosecution in the matter and dismiss the charges by Dec. 1, 2022, if Meng complies with the agreement, which bars her from contradicting a four-page statement of facts that recites the U.S. case against her. In the Brooklyn hearing she admitted she made knowing false statements to a financial institution not identified by the U.S. In earlier court proceedings HSBC has been identified as the institution. Under the terms of this agreement, Ms. Meng will not be prosecuted further in the United States and the extradition proceedings in Canada will be terminated, one of her lawyers, William Taylor, said in a statement. She has not pleaded guilty and we fully expect the indictment will be dismissed with prejudice after fourteen months. Now, she will be free to return home to be with her family. Prosecutors alleged that Huawei and Meng lied to HSBC about Huaweis relationship with a third company that was doing business in Iran, as part of a scheme to violate the trade sanctions. Meng was accused of personally making a false presentation in August 2013 about those ties. U.S. prosecutors raised the stakes last year by adding racketeering conspiracy charges against Huawei, alleging it had won international standing by stealing trade secrets in a 20-year pattern of corporate espionage. While the indictment doesnt name the businesses from which Huawei allegedly stole intellectual property, details of the allegations match descriptions of companies including Cisco Systems Inc., Motorola Inc. and Cnex Labs Inc. China had long argued that the U.S. was using Meng as a bargaining chip to achieve other demands. That suspicion appeared to be affirmed in December 2018, when then-President Donald Trump told Reuters in an interview he would intervene in U.S. efforts to extradite Meng if it would help him reach a trade deal. As Mengs case appeared to languish, pressure on Trudeaus government grew. Last month, a Chinese court jailed Spavor for 11 years on spying charges. But while that decision left the door open for his eventual deportation, it sparked more international criticism. Trudeau condemned the verdict as absolutely unacceptable and unjust while David Meale, the top U.S. diplomat in Beijing, called the proceedings a blatant attempt to use human beings as bargaining leverage. In a separate statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Beijings sentencing and called for the immediate release of all people arbitrarily detained in China. The conviction of Spavor, along with that of Kovrig a Hong Kong-based analyst at the International Crisis Group and former Canadian diplomat fed criticism of the expansion of hostage diplomacy. China has repeatedly linked the cases to Mengs, with a Foreign Ministry spokesman saying last year that halting her extradition could open up space for resolution to the situation of the two Canadians. Trudeaus incumbent Liberals won a third term this week, but the prime minister was unable to regain majority control of the legislature. The continued detention of the two Michaels remains a central foreign policy issue for his government. The case is U.S. v. Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. et al., 18-cr-457, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn). Now read: Huawei CFO charged with conspiracy to defraud banks Local Celebrations Seasonal celebrations, halted by COVID-19 in 2020, set to return to Napa Valley Howard Yune, Register file photo Families posed for snapshots in front of downtown Napa's 29-foot-tall Christmas tree minutes after its illumination Wednesday night at the end of the city's November 2019 ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. Howard Yune, Register file photo U.S. Army Sgt. James Porterfield (Ret.), left, was joined by American Canyon Mayor Leon Garcia (second from left) and the City Council as he saluted the flag during the 2019 Veterans Day observance at the Community Center. Tim Carl Photography Santa Claus waves to spectators atop a Calistoga fire truck. Register file photo Anna Guardino of Hop Valley poured a beer at the Blues, Brews & BBQ festival in downtown Napa in August 2019. Howard Yune/Register Spectators on the opening night Saturday of the Napa Lighted Art Festival flocked to CIA at Copia to pose with "Angels of Freedom," a set of eight seraphic creations by OGE Group of Haifa, Israel. The combinations of illuminated wings and halos are designed for passers-by to pose in front of them and imagine themselves as angels. The spread of the coronavirus closed down more than schools, businesses and theaters. It deprived Napa Valley towns of more than a year of holiday gatherings and celebrations. More than 18 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, however, event organizers are announcing the return of parades, tree lightings and festivals to local downtowns and parks, from Halloween through Thanksgiving and Christmas and into the new year. The renewal of mass gatherings follows Californias economic reopening in June, a comeback for live music performances like the BottleRock festival and the roll-out of three coronavirus vaccines, although local COVID-19 cases have risen again during the summer months. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! In downtown Napa, the annual Christmas tree ceremony and parade are set to return in late November after a two-year hiatus, after a rainstorm washed out the citys holiday season kickoff in 2019 less than four months before Californias first virus-related shutdowns. Calistogas own Christmastime gathering, the Lighted Tractor Parade, has announced a belated 25th-anniversary procession for early December. Veterans Day observances that in 2020 were canceled or converted to drive-through events for safety reasons are expected to again become traditional in-person gatherings in Napa and American Canyon in November. Also scheduled to reappear in early 2022 is Napas Lighted Arts Festival though in a smaller-scale version spread over two months, to limit crowd sizes in the city center. Since lifting most crowd-size restrictions in a June loosening of pandemic-related safety rules, California has created two sets of regulations for large outdoor and indoor gatherings with more lenient rules for open-air events where viral spread is less likely than in enclosed spaces. The state Department of Public Health recommends that organizers of outdoor events require visitors to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, but only when at least 10,000 people are present. On the other hand, anyone attending an indoor gathering of at least 1,000 people must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, or have a verified negative test result. Napa The expected return of Napas Christmas tree lighting Nov. 24 at Veterans Memorial Park, and of the downtown Christmas Parade Nov. 27, would end a three-year absence originally caused by inclement weather and then continued by a historic pandemic. In 2019, late-autumn rains left the park amphitheaters surface too slick and dangerous for dancers to perform the night before Thanksgiving, and also washed out the parade later that weekend. After New Years Day, Napa will host a modified version of the Lighted Art Festival that has adorned prominent buildings with colorful and shapeshifting light shows to turn downtown into a nine-day gallery writ large. For 2022 only, the festival will be limited to seven or eight non-animated exhibits that will be displayed from Jan. 15 to March 13, in a smaller but longer exhibition designed to prevent excessive spectator crowding, according to city recreation manager Katrina Gregory. The idea is that it will be a much smaller budget (about one third the expense of the 2019 edition), but also that its hard to prevent large crowds that can come with having only nine nights, she said Tuesday of the Lighted Arts Festival, which is expected to resume its normal format in January 2023. Light displays are expected to be set up at Veterans Memorial Park, Napas Riverfront promenade and Dwight Murray Plaza, among other locales, with a greater emphasis on Bay Area and California artists, said Gregory. Napa Porchfest concert planned at RiverStage canceled Organizers have backed away from a concert set for Sept. 26 at the Oxbow Commons, in favor of a return to Old Town Napa in 2022. Napa also has received permit applications for two downtown mainstays to take place in October the Blues, Brews & BBQ festival Oct. 2, followed by the Show and Shine vintage car show Oct. 24. (Show and Shines companion Main Street Reunion is scheduled to resume in 2022, according to the Downtown Napa Associations website.) Other returning events being reviewed by the city include a Veterans Day observance to be presented by Napas American Legion Post 113, as well as the Turkey Chase run on Thanksgiving morning at Napa Valley College. Napa will not sponsor a city Halloween celebration like the OxBoo! Fall Festival and coffin races in the Oxbow Commons park, according to Gregory. American Canyon After being replaced last year by a drive-through care package donation drive for service members, a public Veterans Day ceremony is returning to American Canyon Nov. 11, according to city recreation supervisor Alana Behn. The annual observance will be held in the Community Center gymnasium at 100 Benton Way. The city also is pursuing a tree lighting ceremony early in the holiday season, possibly on the evening of Dec. 4 at Shenandoah Park, Behn said Tuesday. Already scheduled for Dec. 4 is the American Canyon Reindeer Run/Walk, which will feature half-marathon, 10-kilometer and 5 km events in the Wetlands. The Reindeer Run also will offer the option of a virtual race a socially distanced substitute for last years main run that can be run between Dec. 4 and Dec. 11. Yountville Returning Oct. 2 after its 2020 cancellation is the 43rd Yountville Days Parade, which will begin at 11 a.m. and run from downtown Washington Street north to Yountville Park. The parades theme this year is Thanking Our Essential Workers, and a group of local workers who have served during the pandemic will be the honorary marshals, according to the town parks department. A festival with live music, childrens activities and food booths will take place at the park after the parade, starting at 11:30 a.m. With COVID-19 outlook hazy, Napa Valley College prepares for open-air theater productions Napa Valley College has begun work on a trio of plays its theater director is confident can safely be enjoyed by live audiences outdoors. After restricting viewing of its 2020 Christmas tree lighting to an internet stream due to the pandemic, Yountville will again open its holiday ceremony to spectators at the Community Center on Washington Street, according to Whitney Diver McEvoy, president of the Yountville Chamber of Commerce. The illumination is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 21. While townspeople can attend the lighting in person, the event will again be livestreamed to encourage a smaller audience size, McEvoy said. Other Yuletide-themed events will be planned as part of the chambers Holidays in Yountville series, to be scheduled from Nov. 21 to Jan. 1. St. Helena Celebration plans for the coming months are coalescing in St. Helena, although tight city staffing during the pandemic limits the range of entertainments the Upvalley city can mount, according to the head of local parks. Were in an interesting situation not only are we able to offer more, but our staffing is down so were challenged to figure out what we can and cant do, said Andre Pichly, St. Helenas parks and recreation director. Amid renewed COVID-19 concerns, many music lovers still embrace BottleRocks return to Napa Music fans in their tens of thousands continued to back the Napa Valley Expo for the festival that was muted in 2020 by the pandemic. Despite such difficulties, St. Helena has announced a revival Oct. 16 of the Hometown Harvest Festival that was canceled in 2020. The autumn celebration will include a pet parade at 9:30 a.m., along with a street fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that will include craft, food and other vendors, live music, a martial arts demonstration and more. (Mask wearing and physical distancing will be encouraged at the festival, according to Pichly.) Another, pandemic-inspired event that debuted last fall also is expected to return the costumed Halloween Bike Parade, a one-mile circuit in west St. Helena that Pichly said may be held Oct. 30 or 31. A tree-lighting ceremony also is envisioned for Dec. 3 at a location to be determined. Calistoga The Calistoga Chamber of Commerce has announced that plans are in the works to hold the Lighted Tractor parade this year on Saturday, Dec. 4. Bruce Kyse, the chambers executive director, added the caveat: Nothing is certain these days, of course. But we're progressing with planning with the goal of holding the parade. Downtown will also be decked out with more Christmas lights this year, along with 50 lighted trees, 30 more than usual. Celebrate!Napa Valley also plans to bring back the Christmas Faire, at a location to be announced. The Lighted Tractor Parade has been a popular holiday tradition since 1995, drawing thousands of spectators who line Lincoln Avenue at dark, five-deep, to watch 60 or more decked-out tractors, police motorcycles, and festive floats built by local organizations. The parade was canceled last year due to social distancing restrictions during the pandemic, in what would have been its 25th year, so this years procession will be celebrated as the silver anniversary of the parade, Kyse said. The live trees will also be donated to families affected by the wildfires of recent years. Weekly Calistogan editor Cynthia Sweeney contributed to this report. Todays action sends a powerful message from the grounds of Capitol Park across California underscoring the states commitment to reckoning with our past and working to advance a California for All built on our values of inclusion and equity, Newsom said in a news release announcing the signing. Last year, Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Sacramento called it the statue's removal an act of vandalism that does little to build the future. He wrote there is no question California's indigenous people suffered during the colonial period but said Serra denounced the system's evils and worked to protect the dignity of native peoples. His holiness as a missionary should not be measured by his own failures to stop the exploitation or even his own personal faults, Soto wrote. The law allows tribal nations to plan, construct and maintain the monument. But it could be awhile before the monument is built. ORANGE, Calif. (AP) Prosecutors filed a hate crime charge against a 26-year-old man Friday in connection with an anti-Asian rant targeted at a Japanese-American Olympic athlete in Southern California earlier this year. The defendant, Michael Orlando Vivona, was previously charged with attacking an elderly Asian couple while they took a walk in the park. Vivona remains in jail on $65,000 bail. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. The attacks in Orange County took place in April and are among a wave of anti-Asian sentiment that has sometimes turned violent nationwide amid the coronavirus pandemic. Vivona was charged Friday with one misdemeanor count of violation of civil rights, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. While prosecutors have not identified the victim, Olympian Sakura Kokumai posted a video of the April 1 encounter in Grijalva Park in the city of Orange. In truth, this bill aims to promote the Internet of Things (IoT) by putting in place the 5G infrastructure needed for autonomous vehicles and smart home appliances, all luxury items only the wealthy can afford. Corporate profits would increase not only from their sale but also from the mining of data these products facilitate, data which would be sold and used against us in advertising campaigns to encourage even more consumerism. Meanwhile, without local regulations, average citizens would suffer the consequences in terms of the negative aesthetic impact, lower property values, and increased health risks if cell antennas are placed in close proximity to their homes, schools, and businesses. This bill is now sitting on Gov. Newsoms desk. Please email him, or sign the online petition, asking him to follow Gov. Brown by vetoing another bad telecom bill. Amy Martenson, Valerie Wolf, Sharon Parham, and Suzanne Baumann Napa Neighborhood Association for Safe Technology The main issue is the provision of a road or a corridor through Meghri city of Armenia, and the question is what it should represent: is it about a road envisioned for cars? Is it a railway? An oil pipeline? A natural gas pipeline? Or another option? And the second important question is who shall oversee those roads. Such an opinion was expressed by political scientist Stepan Danielyan in an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.amand referring to the current regional developments. According to Danielyan, the main discussion on these issues is taking place between Russia and Turkey, and the key issues are the ones in that domain. According to the political scientist, Russia's goal is to oversee that road. "Besides, if new communications are to be created, it will imply new geopolitical changes. Imagine that [natural] gas from Central Asiaincluding the Turkmenis exported through Turkey, whereas that would mean that Iran and Russia could suffer great losses, in which case they would lose the market. As for the fact that Armenia should recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, this is the maximum that Baku seeks. [Azerbaijani President Ilham] Aliyev says that the Nagorno-Karabakh [(Artsakh)] issue no longer exists and that this term should not be used. But the issue is not closed, and Russian troops are actually stationed in the formal territory of Azerbaijan now because there is such an issue; if not, the Russians shall leave from there. [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan also says the sameas if the Kurdish issue does not exist, but the number of Kurds is increasing, and the problem is becoming more serious, which is why the steps towards Syria are needed to neutralize the problem to some extent. I do not believe what Aliyev said is a precondition in this sense," Danielyan said. Aliyev said that there was an opportunity to end the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war on October 7. Why does the President of Azerbaijan now remember and speak out about this? And is it possible that such an opportunity really existed at that stage? According to the political scientist, this is a means of pressure from Aliyev. "If he says that, then there may be something else to be said, too. I believe it is important to understand not so much what they say, but why they say it. The leaders of Armenia and Russia, of course, know those details. I believe the statement is addressed to the internal audience of Azerbaijan, too, because in the Azerbaijani discourse there is an active question as to why they did not go until the end during the war and why they did not finish everything, and why the Russian troops were allowed to end up in their territory. This issue is constantly escalating and may escalate even more in the future. I believe Aliyev was trying to say with this statement that there were agreements, of which Turkey was also aware and agreed to that solution in order to somewhat remove those accusations from it," Danielyan concluded. Launch of Armenian Studies Program announced during Armenia President's visit to Sapienza University Will Turks be able to enter 26 countries of Schengen Area without visas? Dinner served in honor of Armenia President and his wife in Italy Armenian parliamentary standing committee chairman meets with Russia Ambassador Armenia Ombudsman submits to Pope Francis reports on tortures of Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan Customs Attache: There hasn't been and there is no bias against Armenian drivers at Upper Lars checkpoint Greece-France defense agreement will allow them to help each other in case of third country's attack Turkish FM: Turkey's position on supporting Ukraine's "integrity and sovereignty" remains unchanged Russian peacekeeping forces, charitable organizations provide assistance to boarding school in Karabakh Zakharova: Moscow proceeds from priority to ensure geopolitical stability in South Caucasus Armenia President pays tribute at Altar of the Homeland monument at Venice Square in Rome Turkey, Iran to hold political consultations Karabakh FM expresses condolences over death of Vigen Chitechyan Armenia territorial administration and infrastructure minister has new deputy Armenia Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan receives US Ambassador Armenia Security Council Secretary, Netherlands Ambassador attach importance to fight against corruption Digest: Armenian POW returned from Azerbaijan, PACE speaks on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination risks Armenia and Italy are deepening cooperation in justice sector Apprehended ARF-D members are released Armenia high-tech industry minister receives Russia Ambassador Armenia Embassy in Russia hosts delegation led by Armenian parliamentary speaker Decisions to arrest Armenia ex-defense minister, arms supplier are appealed Dollar continues going down in Armenia Artsakh President to Putin: Your role in process of peaceful, final settlement of Karabakh conflict is invaluable Amir-Abdollahian: We consider inadmissible Zionist regime provocative movement in our region from Azerbaijan territory Iran FM announces readiness to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan US ambassador to Armenia attends unveiling of new x-ray machine donated to Ashtarak city hospital (PHOTOS) Putin: Russia attaches great importance to close cooperation with strategic ally Armenia Police disrupt ARF youths protest outside Armenia government building Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople meets with the Pope, in the Vatican UK envoy to Armenia does not comment on Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Karabakh situation Iran Supreme Leaders representative leaves Azerbaijan Armenias Pashinyan to Russias Putin: We are grateful for your efforts to establish peace in South Caucasus Putin, Aliyev confer on situation in South Caucasus Putin, Erdogan discuss regional issues 4 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh PACE new resolution urges to ensure that COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory Zelensky sacks Ukraine ambassador to Armenia PM: Armenia, Armenian people are grateful to Japan Armenia PM: We have made decision regarding local elections Armenia, Italy presidents farewell ceremony held in Rome (PHOTOS) 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 The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport issued a respective message European Heritage Days are being held in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), from September 25 to 27, informed the Artsakh Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport. In this connection, Artsakh Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Lusine Gharakhanyan has issued a message, which reads as follows: In these difficult days of the loss and afflicted dangers to our culture and cultural heritage, the European Heritage Days continue to be celebrated in the Republic of Artsakh to emphasize and sound the alarm for the salvation of the occupied historical-cultural and historical-architectural culture of Artsakh. We will get closer again to our rich centuries-old culture and civilization through various events, not having the opportunity to physically follow the condition and fate of our monuments in the occupied territories. I want to hope that the Days of European Culture will be another occasion for creative Europe to take concrete steps to save the historical and cultural heritage of the occupied territories of Artsakh from imminent danger. We will continue to create, make and validate our cultural identity and history. On September 26, we hold a march-candlelight vigil in memory of our holy martyrs, our heroes. Ishkhan Saghatelyan, the National Assembly deputy speaker from the opposition "Armenia" Faction, told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am. "The march is organized by the Hayastan Bloc, but it is not a political event, it is open for our compatriots. The aim of the march is to honor the memory of our casualties, holy martyrs, and to show that the Armenian people are united, are the masters of their homeland, the masters of their statehood, and the work of the heroes who died for the homeland will be continued. Even political speeches are not planned because the message of that day and the goal set before us are different," he said. Saghatelyan noted that from now on they will hold numerous political actions, as they cannot prevent only through parliamentary activities the danger threatening the state. "Consequently, we will work very actively in both directionsboth inside and outside the parliament. Yes, you will witness various actionsmarches, rallies and events. We plan also to organize meetings in the provinces," he added. To note, at 6:30pm on Sunday, the "Armenia" Bloc will kick off a torchlight procession from Garegin Nzhdeh Square to Yerablur Military Pantheon in Yerevan. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, who is in New York to participate in the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, met on September 24 with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland. During the meeting, the sides expressed satisfaction with the high dynamics of Armenian-American relations, expressing their readiness to further develop and strengthen cooperation in various spheres. The sides highlighted the priorities of interaction between the governments of the two countries in the direction of developing democratic institutions, strengthening the rule of law and fighting corruption. Mirzoyan and Nuland also exchanged views on regional security issues. Touching upon the situation in Artsakh, the Armenian Foreign Minister highly appreciated the US position on the resumption of negotiations on a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. In this context, he added that a long-term and comprehensive settlement of the conflict should take place under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. The parties also noted the importance of efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region. Mirzoyan again expressed gratitude for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by US President Joe Biden, calling it an important step in the struggle for the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, as well as in the prevention of new genocides. President Shrum issues statement on Garrett's selection as Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education chancellor Media Contact: Mack Burke | Editorial Coordinator | 405-744-5540 | mack.burke_iv@okstate.edu "We congratulate the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education on the selection of President Allison Garrett to serve as the next chancellor of our higher education system. President Garretts broad leadership and experience in academia and business will bring new perspectives and ideas on addressing pressing needs, such as meeting the intense demand for college-educated professionals to fill critical positions with companies across the state. We look forward to welcoming and working with President Garrett at Oklahoma State University to support our goal to create a more productive and prosperous state for all consistent with our land grant values and mission to educate, explore and serve." President Kayse Shrum Alliance's end won't stop our actions: Chris Tang Alliance's end won't stop our actions: Chris Tang Security secretary Chris Tang said the possible disbandment of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China will not clear anyone of legal liabilities, nor will it affect the actions authorities are taking against the group. He was speaking ahead of an alliance meeting on Saturday, where members will vote on whether or not to break up. In a reply to the security minister the day before, the alliance, which has been charged with inciting subversion, said it failed to see clear and sufficient grounds from the government that its existence would pose threats to national security. But Tang said detailed evidence has already been given to the group and officials would still mull whether the alliance's company registration should be revoked. "We will look at the explanation give by the alliance. And then it's my responsibility to incorporate their explanation into my submission to the Chief Executive-in-Council to decide whether we are going to request the Company Registry to delete the company from the list," he said. Speaking on the radio show, the minister also warned people against committing secession by celebrating Taiwans "Double Tenth" public holiday. Tang said it is fine for people to spend October 10 marking the anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution, which toppled China's last imperial dynasty. But he said the display of flags may prompt authorities to consider taking enforcement action. "We have to look at individual cases by its own merits. The principle here is very clear: Taiwan is part of China. Anyone [who] tries to make Taiwan depart from China, that may constitute the secession offence under the national security law," Tang said. During the programme, Tang also said the SAR government will draw reference from a document published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which listed out Washington's interference in Hong Kong affairs, and support for anti-China forces. Pakistan, India trade extremism charges at UN Pakistan, India trade extremism charges at UN India and Pakistan clashed on Friday at the United Nations as Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan accused the rival of a "reign of terror" on Muslims, drawing a stern rebuke. Even for Pakistan, which routinely castigates India at the world body, Khan's speech to the annual summit was strikingly loaded as he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a plan to "purge India of Muslims". "The worst and most pervasive form of Islamophobia now rules India," Khan said in an address, delivered by video due to Covid precautions. "The hate-filled Hindutva ideology, propagated by the fascist RSS-BJP regime, has unleashed a reign of fear and violence against India's 200 million-strong Muslim community," he said. Khan was referring to Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and the affiliated Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a century-old Hindu revivalist movement with a paramilitary component. Under Modi, India has rescinded the statehood of Kashmir, its only Muslim-majority region, pushed through a citizenship law that critics call discriminatory and has witnessed repeated flare-ups of religious-based violence. Speaking on the day Modi was visiting the White House, Khan who has yet to speak to President Joe Biden alleged that commercial interests with billion-plus India were allowing it to "get away with human rights abuses with complete impunity". While India often ignores Pakistan's statements at the world body, a young Indian diplomat on the floor exercised the right to respond to Khan. Sneha Dubey, a first secretary at India's UN mission, accused Pakistan of sheltering and glorifying Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden who was killed by US special forces in a 2011 raid in the army city of Abbottabad. "This is the country which is an arsonist disguising itself as a firefight," she said. "Pakistan nurtures terrorists in their backyard in the hope that they will only harm their neighbors." She highlighted violence against minorities in Pakistan as well as its "religious and cultural genocide" in 1971 as Bangladesh won independence. "Unlike Pakistan, India is a pluralistic democracy with a substantial population of minorities who have gone on to hold highest offices in the country," Dubey said. (AFP) Global software major Infosys would speed up digital makeover of enterprises using the HPE's consumption-based IT model, said the tech behemoth on Wednesday. "The partnership with HPE will help enterprises make smart infrastructure investments, paying for what they consume, while benefiting from the security offered by a trusted managed services provider," said the city-based IT firm in a statement. The US-based Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) cloud platform focuses on outcome-based consumption and simplifies IT and freeing up resources. Clients will also benefit with a secure private cloud and the advantage of economics in public cloud. "As enterprises look at optimising their hybrid IT investments and accelerate digital initiatives, our partnership with HPE will provide them value proposition of a consumption-based IT model and the comfort of managed services," said Infosys' Vice-President Narasimha Rao in the statement. As part of the expanded offerings, Infosys will invest in building skills and solutions across the hybrid cloud to drive business outcomes for its clients. "Enterprises are seeking ways to consume the outcomes they want. Our tie-up with Infosys will contribute to the success of their customers' business," said HPE Chief Sales Officer Phil Davis on the occasion. Read more news: Google created most positive buzz in India in 2018: Report I feel responsible: Karan Johar on Pandya, Rahul row Taliban fighters - pictured here in Herat on 10 September - have been patrolling the centre of the city The Taliban say they have shot dead four alleged kidnappers and hung their bodies in public squares in the Afghan city of Herat. The gruesome display came a day after a notorious Taliban official warned that extreme punishments such as executions and amputations would resume. The men were killed in a gun battle after allegedly seizing a businessman and his son, a local official said. Local residents said a body was hung from a crane in the city centre. Wazir Ahmad Seddiqi, a local shopkeeper, told the Associated Press news agency that four bodies were brought to the square, one was hung there and the three other bodies were moved to other squares in the city to be displayed. The deputy governor of Herat, Maulwai Shair, said displaying the bodies was done to deter further abductions. He said the men were killed in a gun battle after the Taliban learnt that they had kidnapped a businessman and his son - who were both freed. The BBC has not independently confirmed the circumstances under which the men were killed. However, graphic images shared on social media appeared to show bloody bodies on the back of a pick-up truck with a crane hoisting one man up. Another video showed a man suspended from a crane with a sign on his chest reading: "Abductors will be punished like this." Since taking power in Afghanistan on 15 August, the Taliban have been promising a milder form of rule than in their previous tenure. But there have already been numerous reports of human rights abuses carried out across the country. The Taliban's notorious former head of religious police Mullah Nooruddin Turabi - now in charge of prisons - said on Thursday that extreme punishments such as executions and amputations would resume in Afghanistan as they were "necessary for security". In an interview with AP, he said these punishments may not be meted out in public, as they were under previous Taliban rule in the 1990s. Public executions were frequently held in Kabul's sports stadium or on the vast grounds of the Eid Gah mosque during the group's five year rule. Story continues But he dismissed outrage over their past public executions: "No-one will tell us what our laws should be." Turabi - who is on a UN sanctions list for his past actions - added that "everyone criticised us for the punishments in the stadium, but we have never said anything about their laws and punishments". In August, Amnesty International said that Taliban fighters were behind the massacre of nine members of the persecuted Hazara minority. Amnesty's Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said at the time that the "cold-blooded brutality" of the killings was "a reminder of the Taliban's past record, and a horrifying indicator of what Taliban rule may bring". Wildlife officials in Anchorage, Alaska, have issued a warning about aggressive otters after three reported attacks on humans and pets. On Friday, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game implored the citys residents to be alert around local lakes and rivers after a spate of incidents that may or may not have involved the same otter group: On Sept. 1, a river otter bit 9-year-old Ayden Fernandez at a duck pond in East Anchorage. Aydens mother, Tiffany, showed the Anchorage Daily News a video in which one otter broke away from a group and chased her two sons and their friends. The children all ran, but the otter caught up to Ayden, biting him on both legs, his foot and his back as he fell to the ground. This week, a woman had to rescue her dog from what the Fish and Game Department described as a similar group of river otters at the citys University Lake, and wound up getting bitten herself. A river otter bit a different dog at University Lake the same day that the woman was bitten. The Fish and Game Departments statement said, It is possible that the same group of river otters were responsible, noting that river otters can travel to different areas over both land and water. River otters. (Photo: GarysFRP via Getty Images) If found, the otters fate is likely grim. The department noted it will have to remove them from the area and that relocation would be problematic due to their demonstrated dangerous behavior. Any otters killed will also be tested for rabies. (Animals must be dead to be tested for rabies because the test requires brain tissue samples.) The department noted, however, that officials will be careful only to remove otters exhibiting unusually aggressive behavior. In November 2019, an otter attacked a dog at Anchorages University Lake, though the dogs owner didnt get a clear enough glimpse to tell if the aquatic aggressor was an otter or a beaver. They made a beeline through the water, Labradoodle owner Carol Stratton told local news station KTUU at the time. I called for [my dog] and bam. They pulled her under at least twice. It was horrifying. Story continues And in October 2019, four otters went after a dog at a different lake in Anchorage, biting and pulling a 50-pound husky mix under the surface, the dogs owner told Alaska Public Media. Ultimately, the owner had to jump into the water to fight off the otters. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. More renegade otters ... The Daily Beast Patrick Pleul/ReutersElon Musk announced during a shareholder meeting on Thursday that Tesla will move its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Texas, weeks after the governor boasted that the billionaire likes the states social policies.Texas last month enacted a restrictive new abortion law that bans the procedure in pregnancies that are more than six weeks and and deputizes private citizens to sue anyone who assists in providing one.In reaction to the law, another billionaire, Salesforces A Republican Senate candidate said that Bernice King has no idea what her father preached Bernice King, the daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, called out a Republican Senate candidate for misusing her fathers words to denounce critical race theory. Rev. Bernice King, daughter of the late civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., speaks at the National Civil Rights Museum, Monday, April 2, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. The museum was formerly the Lorraine Motel, where Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated April 4, 1968. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Ohio candidate Josh Mandel said that liberals who want to advance critical race theory are stomping on the grave of Martin Luther King, during a rally for his run for office on Wednesday. Critical race theory (CRT) has become a point of contention for politicians after former President Donald Trump denounced it and falsely deemed it racist in 2020. Mandel went on to say that MLK had a dream that people would not be judged by the color of their skin and that CRT goes against that. What you have going on in the government schools by these liberals and the media, by the secular left, by the radical left, theyre trying to make everything about skin color, he said. Dear @JoshMandelOhio: I invite you, if you truly desire to advance the cause of humanity toward true peace, to study my fathers teachings in full and in context. He was not a drum major for a colorblind society, but for justice, which requires truth about our past and present. https://t.co/z9cmXv0hqQ Be A King (@BerniceKing) September 23, 2021 King corrected him on Twitter, saying that is he is not well-educated in her fathers principles and he used her late fathers ideologies incorrectly. I invite you, if you truly desire to advance the cause of humanity toward true peace, to study my fathers teachings in full and in context., she said in a post directed at Mandel. Dont use my father or his grave to increase fear regarding CRT. Over the past year, the idea of CRT has been used to incite fears of reverse racism by the GOP. Story continues Originally conceived by legal scholars including Derrick Bell, Jean Stefancic, Kimberle Crenshaw and Richard Delgado, CRT is a theoretical framework that is used to understand power struggles within society as it relates to race and racism. The groundbreaking guide has been used by Black scholars to understand the multilayered crux of their oppression and has made way for more inclusive frameworks like Latin Critical Theories, Patricia Hill Collins ideation of Black Feminist Thought. After Trumps misleading comments about the framework, CRT has been catapulted into the stream of GOP attacks towards liberal ideas. Subsequently, several states, including Oklahoma, Texas and Florida, have banned the teaching of CRT in their schools. Critics argue that laws banning CRT promote the white-washing of American history, is an effort to hide the racist structures of this country, and denies students from getting the critical gaze to analyze the systemic issues of America all of which harms students of color the most. Mandel, who has a history of starting feuds on social media, retorted back to King calling her a race profiteer and stating that he would not take civil rights guidance from her. Dear @BerniceKing, spare me your lectures, he said in response to her tweet. 1, Critical Race Theory teaches kids to be racists. 2, Critical Race Theory stomps on the grave of Martin Luther King. 3, Ill take me civil rights guidance from @AlvedaCKing. Not from race politics profiteers like yourself Dear @BerniceKing, Spare me your lectures. 1. Critical Race Theory teaches kids to be racists. 2. Critical Race Theory stomps on the grave of Martin Luther King. 3. Ill take me civil rights guidance from @AlvedaCKing. Not from race politics profiteers like yourself. https://t.co/FOSyDdDBkd Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) September 23, 2021 King responded to Mandel, telling him that she kindly invited him to study her fathers teachings instead of misquoting him out of context and erroneously, to suppress truth. Martin Luther King III also backed up his sister and father in a series of tweets. I dont see liberals stomping on my fathers grave. I see a GOP effort to whitewash history, he said in a response to Mandel. He added that If we cannot reckon with our countrys past, how are we to heal as a nation? How are we to move forward so that every person is seen as equal and judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin? I don't see liberals stomping on my father's grave. I see a GOP effort to whitewash history.@JoshMandelOhio, CRT doesn't seek to divide. It seeks to teach our nation's founding and history. It provides a window to the past so that we can open a door to a better future for all. https://t.co/QjomZr6oWF Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) September 23, 2021 Mandel responded to King III saying the son of MLK has no idea what he is talking about and that CRT is the real virus facing this nation. Earlier this year, three fundraisers resigned from Mandels senate campaign. 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 Bernice King, MLKs daughter, called race profiteer by GOP senate candidate appeared first on TheGrio. EXCLUSIVE: Advocacy groups are applying greater pressure on Biden officials for accountability and are demanding the halting of deportations of Black migrants. The Biden administration remains the target of intense criticism from Black and Haitian communities amid fallout from the mistreatment of Haitian migrants at the Del Rio, Texas southern border even as President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other administration officials, expressed their abhorrence at what transpired and touted the ongoing internal investigation at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Now, Black immigration advocacy groups are applying greater pressure on the administration, demanding accountability and the halting of deportations of Haitian and African migrants. Activists protest against the treatment of Haitian migrants at the southern border on September 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Haitian Bridge Alliance, The UndocuBlack Network, Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) and African Communities Together on Friday sent a letter of complaint, obtained by TheGrio, addressed to the departments head of Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Katherine Culliton-Gonzalez. Highlighting the graphic images and video of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers on horseback hitting migrants with horse reins used as whips, the complaint accuses the department of several violations and demands that DHS stop the deportation of migrants who were either victimized by CBP or were witnesses to abuses at the border. The organizations request an immediate dialogue with staff of the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties about a variety of serious violations of migrants rights documented by advocates and attorneys on the ground in Del Rio. TheGrio was present at Fridays White House press briefing when Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told the media that the investigation of Border Patrol is not yet complete but assured that it would conclude quickly. Secretary Mayorkas also announced that the migrant camp under the Del Rio International Bridge which at one time reached approximately 15,000 had been completely cleared. Migrants who were not expelled were moved to other Customs and Border Protection processing centers, he said. Story continues Reporters raise their hands with questions during a press briefing with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas at the White House on September 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Mayorkas claimed that migrants were provided with medical needs and basic services like drinking water, food, clothing and portable toilets, and took considerable time explaining the departments operational response. Some migrants were expelled under Title 42 a public health legal code that allows U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs to deny entry of persons who potentially pose as health risks amid the pandemic. Other migrants, Mayorkas said, were allowed to make a claim that they have a basis under law to remain in the United States until a judge hears their case. Some migrants, approximately 8,000, voluntarily opted to travel back to Mexico, Mayorkas said. Another 5,000 are still being processed. But immigration advocates paint a different account of the conditions for Black migrants. UndocuBlack Network Policy and Advocacy Director Breanne J. Palmer tells TheGrio that advocates on the ground attempting to assist migrants were unable to access camps where people were being detained. Whats more, Palmer says that the thousands of migrants who journeyed to the U.S.-Mexico border were not allowed access to legal assistance through attorneys who printed know your rights materials in English, French and Haitian Creole to hand out to migrants nor access to food and water. Migrants from Haiti, Ethiopia and the Congo who were released had next to nothing with no instructions as to where to go, Palmer tells TheGrio. She said those who were processed and released into the U.S. were given documents riddled with errors or dont have a date or time. Haitian migrants gather on the banks of the Rio Grande after they crossed into the United States from Mexico, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Del Rio, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Advocates were able to speak with some migrants who were without shelter and camped out by a nearby gas station. People are having to figure out what to do and how not to run afoul of the law, says Palmer. Theres just a lot of chaos and the advocates on the ground are just trying to make sense of it all and provide aid to folks who are basically left with nothing and without access to assistance. The collective of Black immigration advocacy groups in their complaint to DHS accused the department of denying migrants their statutory and international law rights to apply for asylum; having a lack of interpreters for communication with DHS officials; verbal abuse and physical violence/intimidation; and denying media outlets access to the border area, among other alleged violations. Due to these complaints, the coalition is demanding the stop of all deportations for those migrants whose rights were violated at the Del Rio border. It is the hope of these advocacy groups that migrants can testify to the violations they endured or witnessed. As for those who have already been expelled from the country, Palmer says the DHS should bring back those who were deported before they were able to speak to legal advocates or human rights advocates. Palmer added that if Black immigration advocacy groups do not have their asks met by the administration, they are considering legal recourse. We are exploring our options, she said. TheGrio reached out to the Department of Homeland Security to ask them about the letter of complaint but did not receive comment by the time of publication. Advocates and civil rights leaders have accused the federal government of applying U.S. immigration policy differently toward Black immigrants versus others. Last Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki pushed back against those claims and argued that the Biden administration worked to change unjust policies applied by the Trump administration. Our immigration policy is not about one country or discriminating against one country over another. We want to put an end to that and what we saw over the last four years, Psaki said in response to TheGrios White House Correspondent April Ryan. Palmer says that while on paper the United States may not be applying immigration policy differently for Black migrants, there are hidden variables that allow for discrimination. What are you deporting them back to? A reporter asked Jen Psaki about the reality for Haitian migrants if they were sent back to a nation experiencing political unrest and the aftermath of an earthquake pic.twitter.com/0KDaBOuI9o NowThis (@nowthisnews) September 20, 2021 They are supposed to be applying the same set of legal frameworks and and burdens of proof and legal standards. But we know that anti-Black bias and prejudice lives within people, says Palmer. There are inconsistencies in how people are treated when in ICE custody. We know that there are discrepancies in which people get to actually complete credible fear interviews to express their desire to seek asylum or their fear of returning home. She adds, We also know that the idea of who is an asylum seeker [and] who is a refugee tends not to include Black people fleeing from climate change, fleeing from environmental racism, fleeing from discrimination in their own countries. So its a multifaceted issue. The groups who have issued the complaint to DHS say they are doing the best they can to help as many Black immigrants as possible and as soon as they can. This is a moment to hold DHS accountable for atrocities that have been happening for decades at this point the photos that we are seeing are one example of the horrendous mistreatment that all immigrants face, but especially Black immigrants in custody, says Palmer. She says that she hopes the national attention brought on by the mistreatment of Haitian and Black migrants will lead to a watershed moment and finally result in an overhaul of immigration policy in the United States. Immigration is very much a Black issue, Palmer says. It has always been and will continue to be until many things change in the country. 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 Biden administration hit with complaint from Black immigration groups over Haitian migrants appeared first on TheGrio. President Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 response and vaccinations, at the White House in Washington on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. (Sarahbeth Maney/The New York Times) WASHINGTON As he announced Friday that booster shots would be available to some Americans, President Joe Biden made a prediction: His administration was likely to soon provide third doses of the vaccine across the board to anyone who wanted one. In the near term, were probably going to open this up, he told reporters in remarks from the State Dining Room at the White House. But that assessment a politically popular one in a country where most vaccinated people say they are eager for a booster was the latest example of how Biden and some of his team have been ahead of the nations top public health scientists, who have emphatically said in recent days that there is simply not enough evidence to suggest that boosters are necessary for the entire U.S. population. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times In fact, two panels of scientists one for the Food and Drug Administration and the other for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted in recent days against recommending boosters for everyone after fierce public debates streamed online. The presidents remarks Friday were the second time in two months that he had suggested boosters would be available to everyone. And they were issued on the same day that Dr. Rochelle Walensky, CDC director and one of the presidents political appointees, came under fire for allowing boosters for a broader group of people than her agencys own immunization panel recommended. Taken together, the announcements by Biden and Walensky did not sit well with all of the scientists who advise them, raising questions about the presidents pledge to always follow the science as he fought the pandemic. While some of them credited the CDC director for charting a course through uncertain waters, others warned that politics had intruded on scientific decisions something that Biden had promised to avoid after the blatant pressures seen during the Trump administration. Story continues Everybody uses this statement follow the science very glibly, and I think that the science here did not warrant picking out a group of people and saying that you may be at more risk for acquiring an infection, said Dr. Sarah S. Long, a member of the CDCs advisory committee, referring to the groups of workers who were made eligible for booster shots. Long, who is a professor of pediatrics at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, said that a president telegraphing his opinion before the formal public health process undermined the expert advisers, calling it a violation of the checks and balances built into the system. She also criticized Walensky for expanding the number of people eligible for the boosters. If that pattern of reversals were to extend beyond boosters, she said, that would be the end of the vaccine program as you know it. But a number of other committee members including some who also resisted a broad expansion of the booster program defended Walenskys ruling, adding that federal regulators authorized additional shots less than 24 hours before the CDCs advisers were asked to give guidance. That left them little time to hammer out the language of their recommendations, much less to debate the type of issues that were weighing on Walensky, like staffing needs at hospitals or schools. During a time when we have over 2,000 Americans dying per day, were not in a position to sit on our hands and wait, said Dr. Camille Kotton, clinical director of transplant and immunocompromised host infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital. We need to act as quickly and thoughtfully as we can. Still, the CDCs medical advisers largely said Friday that fresh attempts from the White House to get ahead of parts of the booster campaign undercut the sort of clarity that the public desperately needed. I hope, despite the pandemic being a public health emergency, that we would have the space and the grace to be able to continue to use our process, said Dr. Grace Lee, the immunization committees chair and a professor of pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine. For the president to be subject to that kind of criticism is exactly where he promised he would never be. As a candidate, Biden repeatedly denounced President Donald Trump for pressuring scientists at the CDC and the FDA. In March, after becoming president, Biden repeated what officials have said is his North Star on the pandemic during a visit to the CDCs headquarters in Atlanta. Theres an entire generation coming up that is learning from what youve done, he told employees there that day. I dont just mean learning about how to deal with a virus. Learning about it makes a difference to tell the truth, to follow the science, and just wherever it takes you, and just be honest about it. White House officials insist that the president is doing just that, and they dismiss criticism that his comments about the additional doses amount to undue pressure on the governments public health experts. They say that the discussion about boosters was initiated by the governments top doctors and that he made it clear from the beginning that any decision by the administration would be subject to independent review and approval. And Biden has deferred far more to the public health experts than did Trump, who publicly and privately pushed FDA and CDC officials to act more quickly to approve vaccines and actively promoted unproven treatments for the coronavirus like hydroxychloroquine. The former president also clashed repeatedly with scientists about wearing masks and decisions about when to reopen schools, churches and other activities. But Bidens public embrace of booster shots has rankled many in the public health sector, including those working inside the government, who say it could have the effect of putting undue pressure on scientists to make a recommendation they do not believe is supported by the evidence. Some public health officials and doctors say they fear that Biden who has staked his presidency on successfully managing the pandemic is pushing for boosters because they are politically popular. A Reuters/Ipsos national survey conducted Aug. 27-30 found that 76% of Americans who have received at least one shot of a vaccine want a booster. Only 6% do not, the poll found. In mid-August, the president told the nation that his administration planned to deliver booster shots to everyone starting the week of Sept. 20, pending decisions by the FDA and the CDC. Just remember as a simple rule, eight months after your second shot, get a booster shot, he said during remarks at the White House. That turned out to be premature. Only Pfizer, one vaccine maker, has won authorization to administer additional doses, and for just some of its recipients. On Wednesday, the FDA authorized boosters, but only for older adults, people with underlying health conditions and some front-line workers who are frequently exposed to the virus. The agencys decision stood in direct contrast to Bidens earlier comments. Doctors were also split Friday over the decision by Walensky to overrule her own panel of immunization experts. On Thursday, the panel voted to recommend boosters for older adults and those with underlying health issues. But it advised against allowing front-line workers like teachers and nurses who have already been vaccinated to get a booster shot. In a decision announced early Friday, Walensky rejected that last recommendation and said that the CDC would allow the front-line workers to receive boosters. In a briefing for reporters later Friday, she defended the move, noting that the panel was sharply divided on the issue. Our teachers are facing uncertainty as they walk into the classroom, and I must do what I can to preserve the health across our nation, Walensky said, calling it a first step and saying that we will continue to review new data on effectiveness and experience with the third shot, as it becomes available. Dr. Steven Joffe, a professor of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania, said that with such a close vote at the CDCs meeting, it was reasonable for Walensky to rule a different way. But he suggested that she could have been influenced by the support she and the administration had earlier shown for a broader distribution of the booster. To what extent did she feel like she was bound to follow that line of decision-making? he said. I cant get inside her head and answer that question. The fact that the final decision-makers had already staked out their final positions had put the advisory committees in a very difficult position. Jason L. Schwartz, an associate professor of health policy at the Yale School of Public Health, said that Walenskys intervention reflects just how closely and directly engaged the senior political appointees are in shaping this booster program. He predicted her involvement was going to color the expert committees future work. 2021 The New York Times Company A Nevada first-grader named Mason Peoples went viral after he refused to remove his face mask for a school photo because his mother told him to keep it on at all times. Nicole Peoples, the boy's mother, wrote she was "so proud" of her son for "sticking to his word," but she acknowledged she "should have been more clear" after Mason Peoples denied a request from the school's photographer to remove his face mask for a school picture. "My mom said to keep it on all the time unless I'm eating and far away from everybody," Nicole Peoples recounted her son telling the photographer in a post that's been shared 15,000 times, to which the photographer told the boy, "I'm sure it's OK to take it off for your pictures." FAA SAYS MORE THAN 70% OF UNRULY PASSENGER INCIDENTS ON FLIGHTS IN 2021 SO FAR ARE RELATED TO MASKS "No, my mom seriously told me to make sure to keep it on," the boy responded. After the photographer again asked whether the child would remove his mask for two seconds, Peoples reportedly replied, "No, thank you. I always listen to my mom!" Peoples, who lives in Las Vegas, according to her GoFundMe account, provided an update to her original post and said that she set up a fundraiser after many Facebook users mentioned they wanted to send the family gifts or money for Mason's college fund. "Mason and I are overjoyed and in awe of the outpouring of love that we have received over his picture day school picture," she said. "Thank you for showing him that his honesty and integrity will make a big difference in this world." The fundraiser stood at more than $14,000 as of Saturday afternoon. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Schools throughout the United States have engaged in a monthslong debate regarding returning students to classrooms safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. While some states have implemented strict protocols, requiring masking and implementing vaccine mandates for educators, others have argued these mandates breach constitutional rights, with some Republican governors suing school districts that implement mask mandates. Story continues Nevada has had 416,496 cases of COVID-19, with 7,015 statewide deaths attributed to the disease, according to Johns Hopkins University's coronavirus tracker. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Nevada, Education, Coronavirus Original Author: Jeremy Beaman Original Location: Boy wears mask in school photo: 'Mom seriously told me to make sure to keep it on' By Moira Warburton VANCOUVER (Reuters) - The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on Friday officially apologized for their role in the country's notorious residential school system for the first time, after refusing to do so for years despite public pressure. In a statement issued on Friday, the organization expressed "profound remorse" and apologized unequivocally along with all Catholic entities that were directly involved in the operation of the schools. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is the national assembly of bishops in Canada, formally recognized by the Catholic Church and part of a global network of conferences. Starting in 1831 and as recently as 1996, Canada's residential school system forcibly separated indigenous children from their families, subjecting them to malnourishment and physical and sexual abuse in what the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 called "cultural genocide." Survivors who spoke with Reuters recalled perpetual hunger and haunting loneliness, with schools run under the threat and frequent use of force. "We acknowledge the grave abuses that were committed by some members of our Catholic community; physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and sexual," the statement added. "We also sorrowfully acknowledge the historical and ongoing trauma and the legacy of suffering and challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples that continue to this day." The pope and the Catholic Church itself have refused to apologize for the church's role, unlike the Anglican, Presbyterian and United churches. Global outrage around the lack of apology spread earlier this year, after hundreds of unmarked graves of indigenous children were discovered at the sites of former residential schools across Canada. (Reporting by Moira Warburton in Vancouver; Editing by Sam Holmes) Two Canadian nationals are back in their home country after spending nearly three years in what the United States and its northern neighbor dubbed an "arbitrary detention" by China. Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor landed in Calgary Saturday morning aboard a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft. The "two Michaels" and Canadian Ambassador to China Dominic Barton, who accompanied the men, were met by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau at the airport, according to the CBC. Kovrig and Spavor were released after the Justice Department agreed to enter into a deferred prosecution agreement with Huawei related to the case of Meng Wanzhou, a top executive for the Chinese telecommunications giant. HUAWEI EXECUTIVE HELD IN CANADA TO WALK FREE AFTER DOJ AGREES TO DEFER PROSECUTION The Justice Department said Friday that Meng entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. government and that the administration agreed to withdraw its request to the Ministry of Justice of Canada that Meng be extradited to the United States. Meng was arrested in December 2018 by Canadian authorities at the request of the U.S. She was indicted in federal court in New York in January 2019 and charged with bank fraud and wire fraud, as well as conspiracy, and confined to house arrest. China subsequently arrested Spavor and Kovrig, who were in custody until their release. Spavor led a business in China that helped promote visits to North Korea, while Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, had been working in the country as an adviser for the International Crisis Group on the matter of relations between China and North Korea. The Chinese found Spavor guilty of spying and sentenced him to 11 years in prison and deportation. A trial for Kovrig concluded in March, but he had not received a sentence by the time of his release, the report added. "These two men have gone through an unbelievably difficult ordeal," Trudeau said Friday. "For the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance, resilience, and grace." Story continues Chinese authorities denied allegations of engaging in hostage diplomacy, saying there was no relation between the two cases, but they alleged mistreatment of Meng. "It has long been a fully proven fact that this is an incident of political persecution against a Chinese citizen, an act designed to hobble Chinese high-tech companies," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement Saturday. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER In March, the Federal Communications Commission released an updated list of Chinese communication companies that have been deemed a threat to national security," including Huawei. The Commerce Department also added the company to its entity list last December, saying Huawei and its affiliates engaged in activities that are contrary to U.S. national security or foreign policy interests. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Canada, China, Huawei, Foreign Policy, National Security, Crime, Law, Justice Department Original Author: Jeremy Beaman Original Location: Canadian nationals arrive home after nearly three years in Chinese custody OTTAWA (Reuters) - Two Canadian citizens who were detained by Beijing for more than 1,000 days have left Chinese airspace and will arrive back in Canada early on Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Friday. Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were picked up in December 2018, shortly after Vancouver police arrested Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant. Shortly before Trudeau spoke, Canadian media reported that Meng flew back to China after reaching a deal with U.S. authorities. "Twelve minutes ago Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor left Chinese airspace on their way back home," Trudeau told reporters in brief remarks. "These two men have been through an unbelievably difficult situation, but it is inspiring and it is good news for all of us that they are on their way home to their families." Although Beijing insisted throughout that the two cases were not linked, Trudeau's Liberal government accused China of engaging in hostage diplomacy. Trudeau was not asked whether the two countries had struck a bilateral deal. "I want to thank our allies and partners around the world in the international community who have stood steadfast in solidarity with Canada and with these two Canadians," he said. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Leslie Adler) Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig (CRISIGROUP/AFP via Getty Images) Two Canadians who were detained in China have been freed following the release of Huawei boss Meng Wanzhou in a years-long saga that many countries have labelled hostage politics. Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arrested in China in December 2018, days after Canadian authorities arrested Huaweis chief financial officer in Vancouver, on an American extradition request based on charges that the Chinese tech giant had breached American sanctions in Iran. While Ms Wanzhou was permitted to remain under house arrest living in her multimillion-dollar home in Vancouver as court proceedings played out between China, the US and Canada, for nearly three years, the Canadians were held in a Chinese prison on charges of espionage. Mr Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, had been working for a think-tank when he was detained. Mr Spavor, an entrepreneur, had been living in Dandong when he was arrested, working to facilitate investment and tourism in North Korea. On Friday evening, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau announced that the two Canadians, known as the two Michaels, would be arriving in Canada early Saturday morning. These two men have gone through an unbelievably difficult ordeal, he said. For the past 1,000 days, they have shown great strength, perseverance, resilience and grace. Mr Trudeau did not directly say how their release would impact Canadas strained relationship with China, nor was he specific about how their release came about. There is going to be time for analysis and reflection in the coming days and weeks, but the fact of the matter is, I know Canadians will be incredibly happy to know right now, this Friday night, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are on a plane and theyre coming home. (AP) The Canadians were released after Ms Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, reached a deferred prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in the US, which led the Justice Department to drop their request for extradition from Canada. Story continues Ms Meng had been accused of misleading banks into processing transactions for Huawei that violated conditions of American sanctions against Iran. Appearing in a Brooklyn courtroom on Friday afternoon by video link, the Huawei executive plead not guilty to multiple fraud charges but agreed to accept responsibility for misrepresenting the companys business dealings in Iran. She said that she told HSBC that Skycom, a company operating in Iran in violation of US sanctions, was a local partner of Huawei, rather than a subsidiary of the Chinese firm. In exchange, the Justice Department agreed to drop charges of fraud against Ms Meng in December 2022 four years after she was first arrested as long as she does not contest any of the US governments factual allegations within the case. Following the agreement, Nicole Boeckmann, the acting US attorney for the Eastern District of New York said that the CFOs admissions confirmed that she made multiple material misrepresentations regarding the firms dealings in Iran, in order to preserve the companys baking relationship with HSBC. Mengs admissions confirm the crux of the governments allegations in the prosecution of this financial fraud that Meng and her fellow Huawei employees engaged in a concerted effort to deceive global financial institutions, the US government and the public about Huaweis activities in Iran, she said in a statement. The US Justice Department has said that it will continue to prepare for a trial against Huawei, which remains on a trade blacklist over concerns that the companys products could facilitate Chinese spying. (REUTERS) Following her video link court appearance, Ms Meng attended the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver, where Justice Heather Holmes approved the request to withdraw the extradition order. Outside the court, Ms Meng read a statement. Over the last three years my life has been turned upside down, she said. It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and as a company executive. But I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life. I will never forget all the good wishes I received. Ms Meng also thanked the Canadian government for upholding the rule of law, expressed her gratitude to the Canadian people, and apologised for the inconvenience she caused. Shortly thereafter, she boarded an Air China flight for Shenzhen, China. Since December 2018, China has insisted that the charges against the two Michaels were unrelated to Ms Mengs arrest, but the timing of their release bolsters Canadas suggestion that the Canadians had been arbitrarily detained. Colin Robertson, a former Canadian diplomat, told Canadas public broadcaster the CBC: China up until now, has said that theres been no linkage between the two, but by putting them on the plane tonight, theyve clearly acknowledged that this was hostage-taking. It reminds me of the swaps you used to have of spies in the Cold War, he said. Former diplomat and president of the Canadian International Council, Ben Rowswell, added that the detention of the two Canadians set a terrible precedent. One can only hope, the fact that it didnt get what they wanted Meng Wanzhou was not free for these three years and based on the really large international coalition of countries that came together to condemn China, that they will think hard about practicing such hostage diplomacy a second time. Earlier this year, more than 65 countries came together to support Canadas Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State relations. The last of the MOVE 9 to be freed from prison, Africa succumbed to cancer Charles Sims Africa, a member of the Philadelphia organization MOVE, died on Monday at age 61. Also known as Chuck Africa, he was the last remaining member of MOVE to be freed from prison stemming from a 1978 shootout with police. Africa died after a bout with cancer, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. MOVE is an anarcho-primitivism social group in Philadelphia that advocates for natural living doctrine. In 1978, several members, including Africa, were arrested after an armed shootout with Philadelphia police that resulted in the death of officer James Ramp. Africa was imprisoned for 41 years before being paroled in Feb. 2020. Chuck had a heart and a fighting spirit that was unparalleled, Brad Thomson, Africas lawyer at the time of this parole, tweeted. He loved animals, boxing, and literature-which wed talk about often. RIP Chuck. You will be deeply missed. Chuck had a deep love for people, but had no tolerance for ignorance or injustice. If you were ever on the wrong side, youd better be ready for a fight. Brad Thomson (@BradThomsonNoP) September 23, 2021 Ive never ever seen or met anybody that was just so strong-willed and so determined to just be a fighter. And he fought every step of the way since he came home last February, Africas sister Debbie Africa said during a podcast tribute to her late brother. Charles Sims Africa (Photo: Onamove.com) Debbie Africa was also among those imprisoned in 1978 during the police siege on the MOVE communal home. She was the first to be paroled in 2018, as reported by The Guardian. Mike Africa Jr. tweeted a message saying that his Uncle Chuck Africa battled cancer for four years. I have many uncles but none like Chuck. Thank you to everyone that loved and supported him. RIP Chuck, he said in the post. After 4 years of battle my uncle Chuck Africa lost his fight to cancer. I have many uncles but none like Chuck. Thank you to everyone that loved and supported him. RIP Chuck Click the link in bio for Remembering Chuck A conversation I had with my Mom and Dad on my podcast. Mike Africa Jr (@MikeAfricaJr1) September 23, 2021 Chuck Africa was only 18 years old when he was convicted of murder along with Debbie Africa and seven other MOVE members, according to Workers.org. All of them were sentenced to 30 100 years for Ramps death, and all of them maintained their innocence. Story continues Africa was paroled from Pennsylvanias SCI Fayette on Feb. 7, 2020 at age 59. He had already been diagnosed with cancer by the time he was released. Due to his repeated refusal to admit guilt and renounce his beliefs, Africa was denied parole from imprisonment. Weeks prior to his release, Delbert Africa was paroled, as reported by the Inquirer. Delbert Africa died in June 2020. In addition to the 1978 shootout, MOVE was the target of another police-related attack in 1985. After their neighbors in the Cobbs Creek section of West Philadelphia complained about intrusive noise from bullhorns, mounting confrontations with the group and trash on their property, police served warrants to evict MOVE, according to ABC News. A standoff ensued after members refused to respond to police orders to vacate the house. After Philadelphia police dropped a bomb on the MOVE house from a helicopter, the ensuing fire not only destroyed the MOVE commune but led to the total destruction of 61 adjacent properties in the neighborhood. The blast killed 11 people, including five children. In May 2020, 11 members of the Philadelphia City Council issued an apology over the incident, 35 years later. The statement read, We offer an apology for the decisions that led to this tragic event and announce our intent to introduce a formal resolution to this effect later this year. We call upon the City of Philadelphia to declare May 13th an annual day of reflection, observation, and recommitment to the principle that all people are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. While Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said at the time that his administration has been focused on finishing rebuilding the now-largely abandoned block and neighborhood, he said there were no plans to make a formal apology from his office. Have you subscribed to theGrios new podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now! TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today! The post Charles Sims Africa, last MOVE member freed from prison, dies at 61 appeared first on TheGrio. (Bloomberg) -- The closer investors are to Beijing, the less they fear that China Evergrande Groups debt crisis will cascade into a wider financial meltdown. Most Read from Bloomberg Thats the lesson from Chinas equity markets this week, which held firm in the face of concern about whether the worlds second-biggest economy was headed for a Lehman moment. Thats reinforced by Chinese firms continuing to sell dollar bonds and the yuan riding through this month little changed. Theres never been a precedent of letting a mega corporation go bankrupt in China, said Niu Chunbao, a fund manager at Shanghai Wanji Asset Management Co. The government will not let the situation spiral out of control, he added. That kind of confidence was conspicuously absent on Monday, with mainland China closed for a two-day holiday and equity markets from Hong Kong to New York swooning amid concern that Evergrande would default on its debts. When Chinese traders logged back on Wednesday, they pushed the benchmark CSI 300 Index down a touch before returning to buy-mode for most of the next two days. It ended the week 0.1% lower while a measure of Shanghai-listed real-estate stocks rose more than 3% over the period. Thats not to say that Chinese investors dont see significant fallout coming from Evergrande, just that they expect it to be largely contained to companies with close links to the developer. That includes banks that extended credit, investors in its bonds, suppliers that depend on its projects and some of Evergrandes peers. Regulatory Playbook There is an existing rescue system in place and examples to draw from, Zhongtai Securities Co. analysts including Dai Zhikang wrote in a note this week, citing restructurings like conglomerate HNA Group Co. Story continues If they are right, investors can expect a drawn-out process in which regulators start by nudging the company to save itself through asset disposals and negotiations with creditors and stakeholders. Only after that, would the government help with liquidity and market stabilization measures. And much later would come strategic investors, likely state-backed, to deal with whats left. The restructuring of HNA, which started missing debt payments in 2018, is still going on. Regulators appear to be in the very early stages of any such process with Evergrande. Financial watchdogs encouraged Evergrande to take all measures to avoid a near-term default on dollar bonds, Bloomberg reported this week. The housing regulator has stepped up oversight of Evergrandes bank accounts to ensure funds are used to complete housing projects and not diverted to pay creditors, people familiar with the matter said. Its onshore property unit said Wednesday that it had negotiated a resolution of an interest payment on a yuan bond. The market is still awaiting more details on an $83.5 million interest payment that was due on a dollar note Thursday. It carries a 30-day grace period before any default is called. The first signs of a spillover and authorities will expedite restructuring, nipping contagion in the bud to protecting savers and home buyers, said Jiang Liangqing, managing director at Zhuhai Greenbamboo Private Fund Management Co. Jian Shi Cortesi, investment director for China and Asia growth equities at GAM Investments in Zurich, echoed the views of her peers in China and suggested that global investors may be prone to see events through the prism of the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. Having lived through the chaos in 2008, foreign investors, in my view, are very sensitive when they read about real estate, debt and default, she said. Domestic investors are not very concerned about Evergrande triggering systematic risks, as they have much higher confidence in the governments ability to coordinate an orderly debt restructuring. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Two Canadians imprisoned by the Chinese government for over 1,000 days have been released and are expected to arrive in Canada on Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday. Why it matters: Their release comes hours after Huawei Technologies CFO Meng Wanzhou reached a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice that resolves the criminal charges against her and could pave the way for her to return to China. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. Catch up quick: Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were detained in December 2018 after Meng was arrested in Vancouver for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions on Iran. The two men were charged with espionage. Spavor, a businessman, was sentenced to 11 years in prison while Kovrig, a former diplomat, was expected to wrap up his trial in March, according to CBC News. Eleven other Canadians were also detained in China following Meng's arrest, with some released prior to Friday. What's happening now: Meng's deal with DOJ settles a years-long dispute involving the U.S., China and Canada, where Meng has remained since her arrest. Kovrig and Spavor boarded a plane at roughly 7:30 p.m. ET with the Canadian ambassador to China, and have cleared Chinese air space, Trudeau said. What they're saying: The U.S. Government stands with the international community in welcoming the decision by Peoples Republic of China authorities to release Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig after more than two-and-a-half years of arbitrary detention, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Friday. We are pleased that they are returning home to Canada, he added. Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free. Paul Hogan carrying dead crocodile in a bar in a scene from the film Crocodile Dundee, 1986. (Paramount/Getty Images) Thirty-five years after the U.S. release of Crocodile Dundee an independently produced Australian comedy that became a worldwide sensation, grossing a whopping $328 million Paul Hogan is still being called by his famous characters name when he goes out in public. Oh, God yeah, Hogan told us during a rare, late-2020 interview promoting his recent comedy, The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee, in which he plays a heightened version of himself (Paul Hogan, not Mick "Crocodile" Dundee). Not as much in America but in different countries that I've been in. It happened in Mexico, it happened in Japan, in Singapore. Ill walk into a hotel, 'Oh, Mr. Dundee, welcome.' Ill think, 'Well, I mustve made a convincing character, 'cause hes still famous and Im not.'" The Sydney-born actor was a popular sketch comedy star in his home country, Australia, when a trip to New York City inspired the premise for Crocodile Dundee, and the film is celebrating its 35th anniversary Sept. 26. He co-wrote the story of a tough-as-leather crocodile hunter lured to Gotham by a journalist (Linda Kozlowski) who profiles him Down Under. It was a career-defining role for Hogan, now 81, who followed it up with two sequels (1988s Crocodile Dundee II and 2001s Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles) but also struggled to be thought of as anyone else. Linda Kozlowski and Paul Hogan in London in 2001 to promote Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles. (Gareth Davies/Mission Pictures/Getty Images) That was a fictitious character, he said when asked about the differences between Dundee and Hogan. He had my sense of humor and my attitude towards life, but he's not me. But that was it, I became typecast, which didn't bother me in the least because I never thought of myself as a movie actor for hire, anyway. I was a comedy writer who was lucky enough to do my stuff onscreen. And because of the ridiculous success of Dundee, which is still the most successful independent film ever made, it's sort of like, Oh, whatever I do next will be a flop by comparison. So why bother? Story continues Crocodile Dundee remains a famous movie with one especially famous quotable. That comes in a sequence when Dundee and Sue (Kozlowski) are being mugged by a man who pulls a switchblade on them. Dundee, of course, casually unveils a large bowie knife with the epic comeback, Thats not a knife THATs a knife. Says Hogan now: I wrote it and I thought it was amusing. I didn't know it would go into the language like it did. Its been quoted at me thousands and thousands of times, by all sorts of people, including our Prince Charles and Clint Eastwood, among many. Though Hogan may not have sustained a career as lasting and successful as, say, Eastwood, he has no regrets about the years that followed his 1986 pinnacle. No, no, not in the least, he says. It was my first go at a movie and there was a first-time director and producer [and me as a] writer and lead. The whole thing was, 'Lets have a go, well make a little movie, it should work in Australia.' And then to have it be No. 1 in Lithuania and Sweden and Israel and Lebanon, it was over the top. Ive always said it was like going to the Olympics and rolling up your jeans and saying, 'Can I have a run in the 100?' And then winning the gold medal. It was that unlikely. So mentally I sort of retired after the first one. The Grand Princess cruise ship, which was stranded for days off the coast of California in March 2020 because of a coronavirus outbreak, will set sail Saturday, the first to depart from the Port of Los Angeles since the pandemic halted cruises. (Josh Edelson / AFP via Getty Images) The cruise ship that stranded thousands of passengers for days off the California coast in one of the nation's first cruise ship coronavirus outbreaks returns to sea Saturday for the first time in 18 months. The Grand Princess will depart from the Port of Los Angeles for a five-day cruise to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, part of a phased effort by the nation's cruise companies to relaunch the badly battered $150-billion industry after a historic shutdown. Among the changes enabling its launch: only vaccinated passengers and staff are allowed onboard, masks are mandatory in common areas, and many cabins will have new air-filtering technology. "Given what happened last year, it's very important for [the cruise company] that the passengers and crew are safe," said Lara Handler, who is taking the cruise Saturday with her husband, Blake, to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. Before the pandemic, the couple booked cruises almost once a year. "They are doing what they have to do to make it so," she said. "I feel pretty confident." The 949-foot ship idled off the coast of San Francisco for several days in early March 2020 as public health officials and the cruise company deliberated over how to address an onboard coronavirus outbreak. At least 21 people on the ship tested positive for COVID-19. A week earlier, a 75-year-old passenger from a previous Grand Princess cruise had become California's first COVID-19 fatality, marking a major turning point in the state's battle with the coronavirus. Some cruises have been sailing off Europe and Asia for months, and ships began launching in the U.S. this summer from Texas, Seattle and Florida. The Carnival Panorama, departing on weekly voyages from the Port of Long Beach to Mexico, relaunched Aug. 21 the first cruise to embark from Southern California. The Port of San Diego is scheduled to reopen for cruises Oct. 1. As part of the new health protocols on the Grand Princess, all passengers will be required to show proof of a full COVID-19 vaccination before boarding and proof of a negative viral test, taken within two days of their departure date. The crew will be vaccinated, and the first few cruises will be limited to no more than 75% of the ship's 2,600-person capacity. Story continues The Grand Princess cruise ship sails under the Golden Gate Bridge in March 2020 before docking at the Port of Oakland, where passengers were screened for the coronavirus. (Peter DaSilva / For The Times) Passengers will be required to wear masks in places such as elevators, retail stores, the casino and before being seated in the main dining room and the buffet area. The ship's heating, ventilation and air conditioning system has been upgraded with filters designed to remove fine particles and bacteria, and some units will include ultraviolet light treatment systems to kill viruses in recirculated air, according to Princess Cruises. Most major cruise lines including Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean require passengers and crew on nearly every cruise from U.S. ports to be vaccinated or to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that unvaccinated people avoid cruise travel. "The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters aboard ships, and the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high," the agency says on its website. The extended shutdown of operations nearly capsized the industry. Carnival Corp., the world's largest cruise company and parent company to Princess Cruises, reported losing more than $14 billion since the pandemic started. Royal Caribbean, one of Carnival's largest competitors, lost more than $8 billion during the pandemic shutdown, the company said. A survey by New York University's School of Professional Studies found that only 10% of the more than 2,300 Americans surveyed planned to take a cruise this year, down from 36% in 2019. Still, cruise companies say reservations are on the rise because of pent-up demand by cruise enthusiasts who have been away for more than a year. Carnival reported during its latest earnings report Friday that booking volume slowed last month because of an increase in coronavirus Delta variant cases, but cruise bookings for the second half of 2022 have already surpassed the rates of 2019. "The broader environment for travel, while choppy, has improved dramatically since last summer, and we believe it should improve even further by next summer, if the current trend of vaccine rollouts and advancements in therapies continues," said Carnival's chief executive, Arnold Donald. "We have also opened bookings for further-out cruises in 2023, with unprecedented early demand." Royal Caribbean said in its April-to-June earnings report that the company received about 50% more new bookings compared with the previous three-month period "with trends improving from one month to the next." By June, the company said bookings were up 90% compared with the first quarter of the year. Bookings on Norwegian Cruise Line for 2022 are expected to surpass booking levels for 2019, the company said last month. But the industry's problems aren't over. The Carnival Vista, sailing from Galveston, Texas, reported a COVID-19 outbreak last month of 26 crew members and one passenger. A 77-year-old passenger who complained of COVID-19 symptoms on the ship later died after being evacuated to a hospital. Carnival, Princess and other cruise companies also face a wave of lawsuits filed by the families of passengers who have died on cruises and passengers who were stricken by COVID-19 while on a ship. But such lawsuits are not likely to win huge awards for passengers or their families partly because the cruise companies operate under maritime law, which limits damages from deaths, illness and injuries that take place at sea, said James Walker, a Miami attorney whose firm has filed several lawsuits against cruise ships during the pandemic. "The lawsuit payouts by cruise lines are, in my view, an insignificant cost in their business model," he said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Border Haitian Racism (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Del Rio Port of Entry at the southern US border has reopened for passenger traffic and will reopen for cargo on Monday, Customs and Border Protection announced. The CBP statement on Saturday came just days after the crossing point made international headlines for controversial treatment of thousands of Haitians encamped there. Following efforts this week by U.S. Border Patrol, Office of Field Operations and DHS partners to expedite processing of the migrant flow to manageable levels and with public safety restored, CBP reopened trade and travel operations at Del Rio Port of Entry, the agency said in a release. The makeshift camp of migrants mostly Haitian came under fire as images emerged of squalid conditions and aggressive tactics by border patrol officers on horseback. An estimated 10,000 people hoping to get into the US descended on the area following the spread of false information and authorities struggled to process the throngs either for entry or deportation. Outrage followed images and videos of mounted officers pushing back migrants attempting to ford the Rio Grande, and the use of horses in such situations has since been suspended. To see people treated like they did horses running them over, people being strapped. Its outrageous, President Joe Biden said this week. I promise you, those people will pay. Its an embarrassment ... its dangerous, its wrong. It sends the wrong message around the world; it sends the wrong message at home. On Thursday, US special envoy for Haiti Daniel Foote resigned, saying he will not be associated with the United States inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti. The camp had been mostly cleared a day before Saturdays reopening announcement. This Nov. 29, 2018, file photo, shows the Transient Test Reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory about 50 miles west of Idaho Falls, in eastern Idaho. The U.S. Department of Defense is taking public comments on its plan to build an advanced mobile nuclear microreactor prototype at the Idaho National Laboratory in eastern Idaho. AP Photo/Keith Ridler, File A Defense Science Board recommended the department use small modular reactors to meet its growing energy needs. In early 2022, the Department of Defense will review final prototype designs from two teams. Critics told the Associated Press that adversaries could target the microreactors during transport. See more stories on Insider's business page. The US Department of Defense is taking public comment on a prototype mobile nuclear microreactor that it plans on assembling at the Idaho National Laboratory, the Associated Press reported. The department's colossal energy consumption - 30 terawatt hours of electricity per year and more than 10 million gallons of fuel per day - is projected to increase significantly over the next few years, according to the project's environmental impact statement. A Defense Science Board commissioned by the department recommended it deploy small modular reactors to meet its increasing energy needs, the environmental impact statement said. The Idaho National Laboratory defines micronuclear reactors as small nuclear reactors that produce roughly 1-50 megawatts and can operate independently from electric grids. Two teams, BWXT Advance Technologies from Virginia and X-energy from Maryland, are developing final designs for the prototype, which will be reviewed by the department in early 2022, according to a March press release. Following the completion of the project's environmental analysis, one of the teams may be selected to build and demonstrate a prototype, the release said. "A safe, small, transportable nuclear reactor would address this growing demand with a resilient, carbon-free energy source that does not add to the DOD's fuel needs, while supporting mission-critical operations in remote and austere environments," a March press release from the Department of Defense said. Still, critics expressed fears to the Associated Press that microreactors could be targeted by US adversaries, particularly during their transportation. "In my view, these reactors could cause more logistical problems and risks to troops and property than they would solve problems," Edwin Lyman, director of the nonprofit Nuclear Power Safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, told the Associated Press. "And unless the Army is willing to spend what it would take to make them safe for use, especially in potential combat situations or foreign operating bases, then I think it's probably unwise to deploy nuclear reactors in theaters of war without providing the protection they would need." Read the original article on Business Insider DOVER, Del. (AP) Westin Elliott completed 21 of 23 passes for 336 yards and six touchdowns including three to Pat Conroy in the third quarter as Merrimack scored 47 unanswered points in a 47-10 nonconference romp over Delaware State on Saturday. Jake Bridel's 24-yard first-quarter field goal and Jared Lewis' 4-yard TD toss to Trey Gross had Delaware State out in front 10-0 with 11:52 left in the second quarter. But Elliott capped scoring drives on back-to-back possessions with TD tosses of 7 yards to LJ Robinson and 10 yards to Hayden Fisher to put the Warriors (3-1) in front for good. Elliott broke the game open with TD passes covering 75, 21 and 25 yards to Conroy pushing Merrimack's lead to 34-10 just 6:18 into the third quarter. Elliott's final scoring toss was a 2-yarder to Maurice Nelson 4 seconds into the final quarter. Tyvon Edmonds Jr. capped the scoring with a 2-yard run. Elliott also carried three times for 43 yards for Merrimack. Conroy finished with five catches for 139 yards. Lewis completed just 4 of 12 passes for 44 yards with one interception for Delaware State (1-3). The Hornets managed just 182 yards of offense. ___ More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 School attack plot in Pennsylvania (ASSOCIATED PRESS) A 15-year-old girl and boy have been charged as adults and two other students at their Pennsylvania high school have been charged as juveniles in connection with a massacre they intended to carry out on the 25th anniversary of the Columbine shooting, police said. The Columbine tragedy occurred on 20 April 1999 when students Dylan Harris and Eric Klebold walked into their high school in Littleton, Colorado with trench coats and an arsenal, killing more than a dozen people, including themselves. The Pennsylvania students seemed inspired and obsessed with the Colorado incident, according to local reports. Dunmore High School students Zavier Lewis and Alyssa Kucharski have been charged as adults due to the serious nature of the threats, Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell told local NBC affiliate WBRE. Two others were charged as juveniles for allgedly conspiring to attack the school. Like Harris and Klebold, the conspirators were allegedly planning an assault with firearms and explosives. According to court records obtained by the station, Mr Lewis and Ms Kucharski wanted everything to go down like that referring to Columbine, which marks one of the first and most infamous American school shootings. Investigators searching Ms Kucharskis home found components for bombs, writings about how to make them and handwritten, priced lists of guns, ammunition and tactical gear along with at least one Molotov cocktail, according to a criminal complaint cited by WBRE. Investigators also found text messages in which the students discussed plans to shoot up the school and one called dibs on an intended victim, WBRE reported. The plot was only uncovered after a mother of one of the students charged as a juvenile found text messages on the teens phone in July, the complaint alleges. That student eventually told authorities hed seen Molotov cocktails under Ms Kucharskis porch, according to local reports. She and Mr Lewis were arraigned on 16 September on weapons of mass destruction, terroristic threat, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and possession of explosive material charges. The girl is also charged with risking catastrophe because of the threat the explosive devices posed to family members and neighbors, police said. Story continues Preliminary hearings are scheduled for 4 October. While the investigation is ongoing, I want to assure the parents, students and staff at Dunmore High School that we do not believe there is any active threat at this time, District Attorney Mark Powell said. We are relieved that this plot was uncovered before anyone was hurt and urge anyone who has information about potential threats of school violence to contact police immediately. The targeted school on Friday released a statement assuring that there was no current danger to students or staff. Principal Timothy Hopkins, who was one of the officials targeted, told the Times-Tribune the students were not troublemakers, he was confused as to why hed be on their hit list, and it was a little bit disturbing to find out something like that was being plotted. Yahya Jammeh went into exile in 2017 after 22 years in power In our series of letters from African journalists, Sierra Leonean-Gambian writer Ade Daramy considers the fallout of an unlikely alliance. Short presentational grey line It is an oft-quoted maxim that politics makes strange bedfellows. Can you imagine US President Joe Biden forming an alliance with the Republican Party of Donald Trump? Well, something akin to that has happened in The Gambia where erstwhile enemies have formed a pact ahead of elections in December. The parties of current President Adama Barrow and his predecessor Yahya Jammeh have joined forces. To understand just how incongruous this seems, you need to understand how the last election played out. Many were overjoyed when Yahya Jammeh lost the 2016 election A coalition of parties formed to unseat Mr Jammeh, who had been in power for 22 years. Much of his rule was marked by harsh authoritarianism and, judging by the testimonies at the not-long-completed sittings of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), a litany of human rights abuses. Given this background, it was a shock when Mr Barrow, the coalition candidate, won with 43% of the vote, to Mr Jammeh's 40%. Mr Jammeh initially accepted the result, even going on TV to concede, but he later reneged. The regional bloc, Ecowas, stepped in - sending in troops and forcing Mr Jammeh to go into exile in Equatorial Guinea, where he remains. Mr Jammeh and his APRC party still retain support in some parts of the country There was much rejoicing, but the ruling coalition faced some hiccups, and President Barrow fired his vice-president, Ousainou Darboe, in 2019. Mr Darboe is a veteran politician and leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), under whose ticket Mr Barrow had contested the 2016 election. It was obvious Mr Barrow would no longer be welcome in the UDP, so earlier this year he struck out on his own, launching the National People's Party (NPP). 'Betrayal of public trust' So far, so ordinary. That is until at a packed press conference earlier this month, the NPP extended a formal hand of friendship to Mr Jammeh's old Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party. Story continues It was a political bombshell. Some critics of the deal have since been branded hypocrites given the whispers that they had also been making overtures to the ex-president's party, which still retains support in some parts of the country. But it was the response from The Victims' Center that held resonance. Relatives of victims of the Jammeh era want the former president to face justice The group was launched two months after Mr Jammeh fled to give a voice to the many victims of his regime. It labelled the move as treacherous, shocking and deplorable. "It represents the worst betrayal of public trust," it said, referring to Mr Jammeh as a "tinpot dictator" whose APRC government "orchestrated the crimes of mass killings and raped innocent mothers and daughters, and fathers and sons for 22 years". More about The Gambia's truth commission: It accused Mr Barrow of turning his back on justice. The Victims' Center group is hoping this is something the TRRC will deliver - though it is now in doubt whether its report and recommendations will be published before the election. Nonetheless, the political pact does not seem as unfathomable to some Gambians as it does to outsiders. "Critics of what is termed 'Maslaha syndrome' see it as granting forgiveness at the expense of justice - a way of sweeping things under the carpet"", Source: Ade Daramy, Source description: Journalist, Image: Ade Daramy A colleague told me: "You really wouldn't understand; it's 'the Gambian way'. "Why have the word 'reconciliation' as part of the TRRC's name, if we are not willing to reconcile?" he said. "Don't forget," he added, "We are the country that has truly embraced the concept of 'Maslaha'." This is the principle of "public interest" in Islamic law. Critics of what is termed "Maslaha syndrome" see it as granting forgiveness at the expense of justice - a way of sweeping things under the carpet. Gambians, of course, view it differently and as something uniquely theirs. The word has been adopted in all The Gambia's major languages. They point to years of peaceful coexistence in a small mainly Muslim country as evidence that it works - seemingly forgetting the crimes of the Jammeh era. When Adama Barrow won the 2016 election he was the candidate of a coalition of seven opposition parties For the APRC's interim leader, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, this was the motive behind the deal with the NPP. "The Gambia must put an end to harassing and traumatising our former leaders who have left office," he said. "We should pay no heed to the wishes of the International Criminal Court, which only prosecutes African, not Western leaders, even those that have committed atrocities." Having said that, Mr Jammeh is unlikely to return before the election, fearing arrest for breaching the terms of his exile and inflaming the political scene ahead of what is already shaping up to be a hotly contested election with 18 parties registered so far. But if the NPP-APRC gamble pays off, perhaps he will come home one day and Maslaha will win the day. More Letters from Africa: Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica By Lizbeth Diaz MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) - Many Haitians who are heading for the U.S. border as thousands of their compatriots were cleared out of a frontier camp are giving thought to finding work in Mexico if measures to curb entry to the United States stay tough. On Friday, the United States said a border camp between the cities of Del Rio in Texas and Ciudad Acuna in Mexico had been emptied of thousands of migrants, most of them Haitian. Some were flown out, while others stay in the United States for now. For weeks, Haitians have been fleeing economic, political and social chaos in their Caribbean homeland, with many thousands still on the move in Central America and Mexico, in the hope of a better life in the United States. Thousands have fanned out across northern Mexico in recent weeks, spurring concern among officials that mass crossings such as those seen in Ciudad Acuna could happen elsewhere. In the city of Monterrey a few hundred kilometers to the southeast, about 2,000 Haitians have gathered, tallies by migrant shelters show. Marck Lender, a 30-year-old Haitian who had traveled from Chile, said he would sit tight until he obtained the papers needed to legalize his stay. "I'm afraid of migration authorities, I don't want to be deported," he said. "If I find work in Mexico, I'll be here." The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said nearly 30,000 migrants had been encountered in Del Rio in the past two weeks and none were left in the camp there by Friday. More than 12,000 migrants will have a chance to make their case for asylum before U.S. immigration judges, while an estimated 8,000 voluntarily returned to Mexico, and 2,000 were expelled to Haiti. Others detained wait to learn their fate. Roberson, a 42-year-old Haitian solderer who had traveled from Brazil, said he was fed up with paying money to "guides" and had just submitted an application for asylum in Mexico. "We've been really badly treated on the whole journey, and they've charged us a lot to get here," he said. Story continues Roberson, who said he had a wife and children in Haiti, declined to give his full name. He said he wanted to get a job in Monterrey, or in the border cities of Tijuana or Mexicali. Thousands more Haitians are moving through Central America, with others among an estimated 16,000 awaiting boats into the jungles of the Darien Gap in Panama, an often dangerous bottleneck on the journey north. Underlining the dangers they face, Panamanian authorities said on Friday they had found a skeleton and nine bodies of suspected migrants who drowned or died from heat stroke alongside rivers in Darien's region of Embera-Wounaan. Haiti has been convulsed by natural disasters, gang violence and chronic political turmoil that came to a head in July with the assassination of its president, Jovenel Moise. (Additional reporting by Elida Moreno in Panama City; Editing by Dave Graham and Clarence Fernandez) UNITED NATIONS (AP) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, met Saturday with a top U.N. official amid the world body's biggest gathering of the year. The royals came to U.N. headquarters to speak with Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. All three appeared later Saturday at the Global Citizen Live concert in New York's Central Park. It was a lovely meeting, Meghan said as the couple left the U.N. headquarters. The U.N. said Mohammed commended the couple's efforts to promote vaccine equity worldwide and hailed priorities they and the U.N. share, including climate, women's economic empowerment, youth engagement and mental health. Meghan and Harry pressed for vaccine equity during the star-studded, 24-hour concert. It features performances staged in locations from New York to Paris to Lagos, Nigeria, and Seoul, South Korea. The United Nations is in the midst of the annual General Assembly gathering of world leaders, though the couple didn't participate in the speeches in the assembly hall. The former Meghan Markle has been involved with the U.N. women's agency, becoming an advocate for political participation and leadership several years ago. Harry visited the children's agency UNICEF at in New York in 2010. Earlier this week, Harry and Meghan visited a New York City school, the World Trade Center's centerpiece tower and the Sept. 11 museum, among other stops in New York. SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) - Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, landed in Shenzhen on Saturday evening after more than 1,000 days under house arrest in Canada. Meng, the daugher of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, was released late on Friday after securing a deal with U.S. prosecutors who had charged her with covering up breaches of U.S. sanctions against Iran. (Reporting by David Stanway; editing by Jason Neely) Nearly a month after Hurricane Ida devastated parts of Louisiana and the northeast with severe flooding, the remains of a man who was missing after a suspected alligator attack in the storm's floodwaters were found in the stomach of the animal. Timothy Satterlee Sr., 71, was attacked by an alligator in flooded waters in Slidell, Louisiana, on Aug. 30, a day after Ida hit the state's shores. His wife witnessed the attack, which she reported took off his arm. She said she went to find help but he was missing when she returned. The remains were identified as Satterlee this week using DNA samples, according to St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Charles Preston. The 504-pound gator was captured and killed earlier this month and human remains were found inside its belly. The news comes as effects of Ida are still being felt across the state of Louisiana, with thousands still without power as workers repair downed power lines. Debris from the storm remain scattered around some communities, and garbage hasn't been collected for weeks in parts of New Orleans. Idea recovery: New Orleans garbage hasn't been collected for weeks. So, the residents threw a Trash Parade. Ironton resident Kornell Davis walks through the Ironton cemetery, still covered in nearly a foot a marsh mud Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, three weeks after the wind and storm surge from Hurricane Ida devastated the historic African community in Plaquemines Parish, La. In the town of Ironton, caskets that were swept away from their burial locations in above-ground tombs during the hurricane remain scattered and stuck in the mud throughout the community, CNN reported. People are "shocked by the magnitude of the destruction," Haywood Johnson, the pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Ironton, told the outlet. "(B)ut they're even more so overwhelmed by their loved ones floating and ending up landing in the streets and people's yards and on the side of the levee and out in the field, and it's just, just overwhelming," he said. 'Small but dangerous':Latest storm, Sam, strengthens to major hurricane, expected to continue growing A tent city in the southeastern Louisiana town of Houma remains a month later, housing energy company workers from across the country who are trying to restore downed power lines and repair substations. Some power lines are caught up in swampy areas. Story continues Its nasty. Its chest deep. You cant walk because the growth," Jon Hise, a Sparks Energy foreman working with a crew in Houma to reset power lines. Weve had storms before. But the devastation was nothing of this magnitude, Matthew Peters, operations manager for South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association, told The Associated Press. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ida's effects: Alligator killed missing man, caskets stuck in mud JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will meet ministers from Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, his first meetings with Gulf leaders since taking office in June. The meetings with Bahrain's foreign minister and a UAE minister were announced by Bennett in a statement on Saturday, and will take place on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Bahrain and the UAE normalised relations with Israel last year. Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who visited Dubai in June, is expected to travel to Bahrain soon. (Reporting by Maayan Lubell, Editing by Timothy Heritage) TOKYO (Reuters) - Leaders of Japan, the United States, India and Australia have agreed to cooperate on such fields as COVID-19 vaccines, and clean energy and space, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said after the Quad meeting in Washington on Friday. Suga also told reporters the four leaders agreed to hold a summit meeting every year. (Reporting by Yoshifumi Takemoto, writing by Kiyoshi Takenaka, editing by Chris Reese) TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's Princess Mako is set to forego a one-off million-dollar payment for giving up her royal status to wed a college classmate, media said on Saturday, clearing the way for a marriage delayed for years by controversy over her fiance. The 29-year-old grand-daughter of then-Emperor Akihito and her former college classmate, Kei Komuro, announced their engagement in 2017. But the marriage was put off after reports of a financial dispute between Komuro's mother and her former fiance. The government is set to agree that the princess forego the payment, worth up to 150 million yen ($1.35 million) for royals giving up their status to marry commoners, amid public criticism over her fiance, public broadcaster NHK and others said. NHK said the wedding date may be announced in October. Officials of the Imperial Household Agency were not immediately available to comment. A Japanese broadcaster, anticipating an imminent wedding, recently tracked down Komuro in New York. He was shown sporting a ponytail, a detail that has caused an uproar among some Japanese users of Twitter. Media have said the couple plan to live in the United States. Under Japan's males-only royal succession law, female members of the imperial family lose their status on marrying commoners. (Reporting by Ritsuko Ando; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) A federal judge on Friday said a Northern Kentucky hospital system can require its employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or face the possibility of being fired. Forty employees of St. Elizabeth Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Physicians have filed a lawsuit against their employer in U.S. District Court in Covington, stating concerns about the safety and effectiveness of what they call an experimental vaccine and arguing that the requirement that they take it infringes on their rights. They had asked a judge to issue a temporary restraining order or injunction to prevent St. Elizabeth from requiring them to either get the vaccine or submit a request for a medical or religious exemption by Oct. 1. In his order denying the workers motion, Judge David Bunning wrote that it is lawful for public and private entities to require vaccines and that courts have upheld the idea that employers have a right to dictate conditions for employment. He pointed to a 1905 case, Jacobson v. Massachusetts, in which the Supreme Court agreed that the state of Massachusetts could impose a vaccine mandate without exception, and with a penalty of imprisonment, during the smallpox pandemic. Being substantially less restrictive than the Jacobson mandate, and being enacted by a private actor, Defendants policy is well within the confines of the law, and it appropriately balances the public interests with individual liberties, Bunning wrote. He said St. Elizabeth employees agree to abide by other conditions of employment set by the hospital, such as wearing a certain uniform, arriving and leaving at a certain time and getting a flu shot. If an employee believes his or her individual liberties are more important than legally permissible conditions on his or her employment, that employee can and should choose to exercise another individual liberty, no less significant the right to seek other employment, Bunning said in the order. Attorneys for the workers and for the health system argued the case before Bunning Tuesday. Story continues St. Elizabeth said then that it had received 232 requests for medical exemptions, according to the judges order. Of those, 31 had been fully granted, and 143 deferments had been granted. There were 24 requests still pending, and 34 requests had been denied. The health system said it had received 739 requests for a religious exemption, of which 425 had been granted, 39 were denied and 275 were pending. Bunning said he recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has become unfortunately political and vitriolic, on all sides. He said he made the ruling Friday irrespective of politics, and after he evaluated and analyzed the law and the legal arguments raised by both sides. The lawsuit is still pending. Alan Statman, an attorney representing the employees, told Cincinnati television station WXIX that he is evaluating next steps. St. Elizabeth attorney Mark Guilfoyle told The Cincinnati Enquirer that Fridays ruling will benefit the community by reducing the spread of the virus and helping keep people out of the hospital. St. Elizabeth says on its website that it has more than 10,000 associates and a medical staff of nearly 1,200 physicians and advanced practice providers. The organization has hospitals in Covington, Florence, Fort Thomas, Edgewood and Williamstown, as well as in Lawrenceburg, Ind. It has 169 physicians offices in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Major hospital systems throughout the state, including UK HealthCare, UofL Health, Baptist Health, CHI St. Joseph Health and a number of others have added the COVID-19 vaccine to their list of inoculations required for staff. Some facilities have begun firing employees who choose not to get the vaccine. By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Mali has asked a private Russian military company to help it fight against insurgents, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday at the United Nations. Mali's year-old military junta is close to a deal to recruit the Russian private military contractors the Wagner Group, sources have told Reuters, triggering opposition from France, which has said it was "incompatible" with a continued French presence in the West African state. "They are combating terrorism, incidentally, and they have turned to a private military company from Russia in connection with the fact that, as I understand, France wants to significantly draw down its military component which was present there," Lavrov said of Mali's junta during a news conference. The French defence ministry declined to comment. Paris has started reshaping its 5,000-strong Barkhane mission to include more European partners and earlier this month began redeploying from bases in northern Mali. Mali's military junta has said it will oversee a transition to democracy leading to elections in February 2022. Mali's Prime Minister Choguel Maiga told the U.N. General Assembly on Saturday that his country felt abandoned by the French move and signaled they were seeking other military help "to fill the gap which will certainly result from the withdrawal of Barkhane in the north of the country." "The new situation resulting from the end of Operation Barkhane puts Mali before a fait accompli - abandoning us, mid flight to a certain extent - and it leads us to explore pathways and means to better ensure our security autonomously, or with other partners," he said. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Friday that he told Lavrov and his counterpart from Mali this week in New York that the potential deployment of the Wagner Group would be a "red line" for the European Union, "and it would have immediate consequences on our cooperation." Story continues EU foreign ministers discussed the issue on Monday during a closed-door meeting on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders for the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Lavrov said the Russian government had nothing to do with any deal between the private military company and Mali. (Additional reporting by Polina Devitt and Tangi Salaun; Editing by Jane Merriman and Daniel Wallis) Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced on Friday that her chief of staff, Patrick Parsons, is resigning to help elect "America First conservatives" a reference to former President Donald Trump's agenda. "I want to thank my Chief of Staff, Patrick Parsons, for helping me take the fight to the Socialist Democrats as I've transitioned into Congress," the Republican tweeted. "He's advised me he will be moving back into the political arena to help elect America First conservatives who can fight alongside me." Greene has established herself as a conservative firebrand and vocal Trump supporter since becoming the representative for Georgia's 14th Congressional District in January. In February, House Democrats stripped Greene of her committee assignments over her past incendiary statements and social media interactions. She has also made headlines for introducing multiple impeachment resolutions against President Joe Biden. SCREAMING MATCH ON CAPITOL STEPS: MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE AND DEMOCRATS GET HEATED Parsons, a former gun-rights activist, said working with the first-term congresswoman was the highlight of his career. "She asked me to come to Washington to help organize her office," Parsons said in a statement. "After eight and a half months fighting the Socialist Democrats and RINOs in D.C. it's time to move on." Parsons added he could do more to fight the "communist Biden agenda" working on the outside rather than from inside Congress. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER "Marjorie Taylor Greene is an America's First superstar who has become one of the leading policy-influencers in our party today," Parsons said. "She's shaken up Washington, D.C., stood up to the swamp and her own conference, disrupted business as usual and showed Republicans how to fight back and never back down." Parsons concluded by saying he was looking forward to working with Greene in the future to "Save America" and "stop communism." Story continues It was not immediately clear who would replace Parsons as chief of staff. The Washington Examiner reached out to Greene's office for comment. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Chief of Staff, Congress, Election Original Author: Misty Severi Original Location: Marjorie Taylor Greene's chief of staff resigns Shutterstock.com Private student loans are not included in federal student debt forgiveness conversations. Insider spoke to Karla, a recent grad with $143,000 in student debt - $91,000 of which are private. She's falling behind on her payments and wishes her student-loan company would help. See more stories on Insider's business page. Karla graduated from Sam Houston State University in May 2020, and she keeps pushing off calling her student-loan company, Sallie Mae, because of the anxiety it brings. She has a student-debt load of $143,000, and $91,000 of that is private loans, payments on which weren't paused during the pandemic. She's falling behind. "It's truly my private loans that are killing me slowly," the 26-year-old said, asking that her last name be withheld because she feared legal repercussions. Campus housing was expensive and jobs on campus only allowed part-time work at minimum wage, so Karla turned to Sallie Mae to help her finance her education and additional expenses on top of the federal aid she had already received. But once she took out those private loans, her debt quickly accumulated thanks to high interest rates. Even though she's kept up with her monthly payments, she hasn't even touched the amount she originally asked to borrow. President Joe Biden extended the pandemic pause on student-loan payments through the end of January, but most private student loans were not included, meaning people like Karla had to keep paying off student debt during a time of extreme financial uncertainty. "There have been times when I didn't eat and was super stressed out to afford my payments," Karla said. "Literally, it felt like I was working to pay off loans. I wasn't working to live or to have a life - I was working to pay the loans." 'You have to pull tooth and nail to get some help' Insider has previously reported on the difficulty both federal and private student-loan borrowers have in getting help from the companies that collect their debt, and the situation was no different for Karla. She said that while she was in college she tried to educate herself as best as she could on how to repay her loans, but since she graduated during a pandemic, her financial situation changed and she did not have the money to make the payments Sallie Mae requested. Story continues "They originally asked me to pay $1,000 a month after I graduated," Karla said, which she couldn't afford. "So I called and they said I can pay $900 a month, instead. If I can't pay $1,000, what makes you think I'm going to be able to pay $900?" Given that she had other obligations aside from her loans, like paying for food and gas, Karla has fallen behind on her debt load and said she wishes the private student loan portfolio was getting the same attention as federal student loans, so she would have more options to pay off her debt and seek loan forgiveness. Private loans make up 7.89% of total outstanding student loans. "They're totally fine giving you a credit card, but you have to pull tooth and nail to get some help paying off the loans," Karla said. The Wall Street Journal's Josh Mitchell reported on the origins of Sallie Mae in his book "The Debt Trap," saying that Congress created Sallie Mae in 1973 to help people gain an education, but the company grew to prioritize "enormous profits" off of lending to borrowers, "often leaving borrowers in the lurch." Richard Castellano, a spokesperson for Sallie Mae, told Insider in a statement that "the vast majority of our customers are effectively managing their payments and fewer than 2% of our loans default annually, a stark contrast from the federal program." "If a customer is in financial hardship, we work with them to understand their financial circumstances and identify any available alternative arrangements designed to reduce monthly payment obligations," Castellano said. "Before students and families even consider a private student loan, we offer them free tools and resources to make informed choices about planning and paying for college, helping them maximize scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid. " Even though private student loans are the majority of Karla's debt, she still has $52,000 in federal student loans and said "every amount counts" when it comes to loan forgiveness. Biden campaigned on cancelling $10,000 in student debt per borrower and Democrats are pushing for that amount to be increased to $50,000, and Karla is hopeful that Biden and Congress will see that loan forgiveness is something "that needs to happen." But the president has yet to comment on a timeline for if, or when, this forgiveness will occur. "It's about helping people live their lives better, and if that means forgiving their student loan debt, then do it," Karla said. "I'm hopeful, but I'll believe it when I see it." Read the original article on Business Insider Megan Fox is an actress. Kevin Winter/Getty Images Actress Megan Fox has at least nine tattoos. Some are references to famous figures or literary works. Others are tributes to those close to her. Insider created a comprehensive guide to all of Fox's known tattoos. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. The Chinese symbol for "strength" is drawn on the back of her neck. Fox has a Chinese symbol tattooed on the back of her neck. Vince Bucci/Getty Images The actress has a tattoo of the Chinese symbol for "strength" on the back of her neck in black ink. Fox frequently wears her hair down to events, so the small design isn't often photographed or seen by fans. However, it's visible when she pulls her hair back. She hasn't confirmed exactly when she got the tattoo. She has a tattoo that references the final scene in William Shakespeare's play "King Lear." Megan Fox has a tattoo of a Shakespeare quote on her back. Vince Bucci/Getty Images On the back of her right shoulder, Fox has a tattoo that reads, "We will all laugh at gilded butterflies." The words reference a line in act five, scene 3 of Shakespeare's 1606 play "King Lear," though the tattoo isn't a direct quote from the text. Shakespeare writes: "So we'll live, and pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh at gilded butterflies." On the inside of her wrist, Fox has a tattoo that resembles yin and yang. Fox has a black tattoo on her wrist. Toni Anne Barson Archive/Getty Images The "Rogue" star has a black symbol on the inside of her wrist. Fox hasn't confirmed the meaning behind the art, but it loosely resembles yin and yang. As John Bellaimey, the head of the religion department at Breck School, pointed out in his TED-Ed talk "The Hidden Meanings of Yin and Yang," the symbol of duality is rooted in an ancient Chinese religion and philosophy called Daoism. "The yin is the dark swirl, and the yang is the light one. Each side has a dot of the opposite color," Bellaimey explained, adding, "Everything contains the seed of its opposite." Fox's tattoo has the general shape of the yin and yang symbol, but it's not the same black-and-white pattern. Story continues She has a crescent moon entwined with a star on her ankle. Fox has a tattoo on her ankle. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images The colorful tattoo depicts a moon on top of a blue star. Though Fox hasn't confirmed the ink's significance, she's spoken numerous times about her interest in astrology. "There's something to it, although we don't have all the information, which makes it easy for people to take advantage of each other," she said on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" When Fox first met her boyfriend Machine Gun Kelly (Colson Baker) while they were filming "Midnight in the Switchgrass" in 2020, she said she read his astrological chart. "I asked him to come into my trailer for lunch, and I put him through all of this astrology stuff. I went deep right away. I knew before I even did his chart, I said to him, he has a Pisces moon. I could tell by his energy," she said on "Give Them Lala ... With Randall." Fox has a poem tattooed on her side. Fox has a poem tattooed on her side. Yui Mok - PA Images/Getty images The tattoo reads: "There once was a little girl, who never knew love until a boy broke her heart." Fox hasn't confirmed where the words originally appeared or when she added the design to her collection. A Friedrich Nietzsche quote is drawn on her back. Fox has a tattoo on her side. Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images Fox has the line, "And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music," tattooed on the side of her back. The quote has been attributed to Friedrich Nietzsche, a 19th-century German philosopher and cultural critic. Fox told MTV that she got the tattoo "sort of" in honor of her "Passion Play" costar Mickey Rourke but later clarified that it's "not necessarily a homage to him." "It was not about that. I have a tattoo that is a Nietzsche quote that sort of basically is about marching to the beat of your own drummer and not being afraid to do that. I was saying that it reminds me of Mickey, of course, because he clearly is not marching to anyone else's drummer, drumbeat, and that's all," she said. Fox has her ex-husband Brian Austin Green's first name tattooed on her hip. Fox got a tattoo of Brian Austin Green's name. Kevin Winter/Getty Images While she was still in a relationship with Green, Fox got a tattoo tribute to the "Beverly Hills 90210" actor. His first name, drawn in cursive text, sits on her inner hip. Though Fox and Green are broken up, they were in an on-again, off-again relationship for roughly 16 years. They began dating in 2004 and got married in 2010. The couple briefly separated in 2015 before rekindling their relationship in 2016. Fox and Green have three sons together Noah, 8; Bodhi, 7; and Journey, 5. In early 2020, they separated once again, and the "Jennifer's Body" actress went public with her relationship with Kelly shortly thereafter. Later that year, Fox officially filed for divorce from Green. She removed the Marilyn Monroe tattoo that was once on her forearm. Fox had a tattoo of Marilyn Monroe. Jun Sato/Getty Images; Paul Archuleta/Getty Images Fox had a portrait of late actress Marilyn Monroe drawn on her forearm shortly after wrapping production on "Transformers" (2007). "I've always liked her and, like I said, been intrigued by her because she created a character that she lived behind. So she was always playing a character within a character in all of her movies. I think the psychology behind that is very interesting," she said during a 2009 interview with The New York Times. Fox added, "I didn't want to be literal. I didn't want to put someone on my arm that I wanted to emulate." The same year, she told Us Weekly that she got the tattoo as a "warning" to herself. "I really admire Marilyn Monroe, but I would never try to emulate her. I got the tattoo as a warning. It warns me not to let myself be treated so badly by the film industry so that it breaks me down," she explained. In 2011, Fox announced plans to remove the tattoo after learning about the actress' struggle with mental health disorders in an interview with Amica, an Italian magazine. "It is a negative character, as she suffered from personality disorders and was bipolar. I do not want to attract this kind of negative energy in my life," she explained, according to HuffPost. She also told CinemaBlend that she "went through a phase" of trying to rid herself of "anything" that carried any negativity her Monroe tattoo included. "There's been so much debate about did she commit suicide, was she murdered, there's so much negativity around her. It's not like I needed to have it on my body," Fox said. She continued, "It's not that I don't love her I got it in the first place because everyone loves Marilyn. But she suffered a lot." Her collarbone tattoo appears to be inspired by her boyfriend, Kelly. Fox appeared to have gotten a tattoo tribute to Machine Gun Kelly. Kevin Mazur/AMA2020/Getty Images Fox and Kelly made their red-carpet debut as a couple at the 2020 American Music Awards. As they posed for photographs, fans noticed a small black tattoo on the actress' collarbone. The black ink reads, "el pistolero," which means "the gunman," in Spanish. Social media users speculated that Fox got the ink as a tribute to her beau since his stage name is Machine Gun Kelly. The actress hasn't, however, confirmed the meaning behind the tattoo. Read the original article on Insider Meghan Markle stepped out in New York City in a seemingly pricey outfit on Friday. Markle, 40, wore a burgundy trouser outfit while Prince Harry, 37, wore a casual Henley paired with khakis. The Duchess of Sussex' Loro Piana cashmere coat, which can be found here, costs $5,840. The pair of Loro Piana trousers, which can be found here, that Markle seemingly paired with the coat cost $1,685. Markle accessorized with roughly $387,000 worth of jewelry, according to the Daily Mail. The Duchess was reported to be wearing Princess Diana's Cartier Tank watch. MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY VISIT SCHOOL IN HARLEM, BRINGING STUDENTS TO TEARS Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex visit P.S. 123 in Harlem on September 24, 2021 in New York City. Markle wore a trouser outfit designed by Loro Piana. Photo by Gotham/GC Images via Getty Images Markle wore the outfit to her appearance with Prince Harry at a Harlem elementary school. During their appearance, the Duchess of Sussex read her children's book to a group of about two dozen children. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The duke and duchess offered lots of hugs to students at PS 123, a school that services shelters for students without permanent homes. A couple of the children were seen shedding tears when they met the pair. The entire suit cost roughly $7,500. Markle reportedly accessorized with over $300,000 worth of jewelry. Photo by Gotham/GC Images via Getty Images A group of about 11 second graders had prime spots up front in the playground as Meghan read "The Bench," which she initially wrote as a Father's Day poem to Harry after the birth of their son Archie . The couple, who live in California after stepping aside from royal duties last year, are scheduled to appear on Saturday at a Global Citizen concert aimed at combatting a variety of issues, including climate change, global poverty and vaccine inequity. They made their first appearance in NYC on Thursday at the One World Trade Center Observatory for a scheduled 8 a.m. visit with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio . Fox News' Melissa Roberto and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Don Emmert/Getty A wild fight has erupted within the sprawling finance and propaganda apparatus former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon co-founded with a fugitive Chinese billionaire. The battle involves an organization Bannon inaugurated at the Statue of Liberty last year with Guo Wengui, a Chinese disinformation kingpin, and hostilities broke out even before the SEC this month charged companies linked to Guo with unregistered stock and cryptocurrency sales. But a federal probe into the dealings had been underway for months, and a key contention in a new lawsuit is that money intended to bankroll the duos vision of a vast anti-Beijing network instead went toward paying back irate investors in illicit transactions. Guo has long been a key financier of Trumpworld ventures, including the conservative social media app Gettr. When federal authorities charged Bannon last August with defrauding a nonprofit, they collared him on the deck of Guos massive $28 million yacht. Former President Donald Trump eventually pardoned Bannon for any wrongdoing. Neither Bannon nor Guo is a party in the lawsuit (just as neither was charged in the SEC order). Instead, the plaintiff is a mysterious entity called Mountains of Spices LLC, while the top defendant is Sara Lihong Wei Lafrenz, co-director of a nonprofit Bannon and Guo started in 2018. The amended complaint filed in Arizona federal court on Sept. 16 reveals the inner workings of the web of professed anti-Communist exiles Bannon and Guo aspired to organize against the Chinese regime, and in support of a shadow government under their control. And it suggests the sprawling network is tearing itself apart. Mountains of Spices, its name borrowed from the biblical Song of Solomon, is one of three companies incorporated at a residential address in the upscale New York City suburb of Great Neck, Long Island. All belong to Qidong Xia, who a person familiar with the matter told The Daily Beast is a close associate of Guos. An attorney for Qidong Xia did not answer repeated questions about his client and the lawsuit. Story continues The complaint, and posts to Guos GNews website, describe Mountains of Spices as part of the Himalaya Supervisory Organization, the unregistered nongovernmental organization Bannon kicked off with Guo in New York Harbor in 2020. The proclaimed purpose of that group, and of affiliated farms like Mountains of Spices, is to coordinate and finance anti-Beijing activities across the United States and around the globe, and support the pairs New Federal State of China. Chinese Disinfo King Guo Wenguis Network Claims He Hired MAGAs Fave Mercenary Mountains of Spices and its sister company, MOS Himalaya, are listed as regular posters to GNews and to Guos video platform, GTV, where Bannon formerly served as a director. They also launched a website last October dedicated to another of Guos and Bannons obsessions: conspiracy theories about first son-in-law Hunter Biden. The Mountains of Spices lawsuit alleges that the New York-based company wired funds to Lafrenzs farm in Phoenix, which was in turn supposed to lend money to an unnamed third party to realize a return on that investment to support themselves and their anti-[Chinese Communist Party] efforts. Mountains of Spices reports supplying $4.5 million out of its own funds, as well as persuading six other individuals or companies to send Lafrenz a combined $5,466,846. The lawsuit only names two of these six lenders: one is a Queens-based entity also belonging to Qidong Xia, while the other is a manufacturer of backpacks and handbags based in China and with outlets in New York and New Jersey. Although the suit only seeks to recover the almost $10 million these companies claim to have lent Lafrenz, it posits that her total haul from the Himalaya farm system and its supporters was at least $44 million, and suggests she might have amassed as much as $90 million. But the suit says that by then, Lafrenz had come under scrutiny of federal authorities and complaints from investors over the illegal stock scheme. According to the SEC, Lafrenzs company, Voice of Guo Media, Inc.also named in the lawsuitin 2020 illegally persuaded some 4,500 people to give it a total of $114 million under the auspices of purchasing shares of GTV. In its lawsuit, Mountains of Spices accuses Lafrenz of trying to mollify these discontented creditors by paying them back with the Himalaya farm system funds. Further, it assertswithout citing evidencethat she went into hiding earlier this year to avoid legal action from the lenders. However, it claims that she admitted in electronic communications to diverting the money to deal with her legal woes. She admitted that she was using funds from the loan program to repay individuals she had defrauded in a securities transaction for which she is being investigated and presented images of bank account statements showing funds being paid to individuals rather than the borrower, the complaint reads. Reached by phone, Lafrenz declined to comment for this story. A spokesperson for Bannon said he could not be reached for comment. Calls and emails to a lawyer for Guo received no reply. The financial and legal battle, representing a fissure in the upper echelons of the Guo-Bannon propaganda machine, is just the latest headache facing the duo. Guo, a former Beijing-based real estate developer, has styled himself as a whistleblower and political refugee even as Chinese officials have sought his extradition on money-laundering and sexual-assault charges, which he denies. He also faces legal battles on American soil, both from jilted business partners and from diaspora figures, whom the mogul has accused on his media platforms of being double agents for the totalitarian state. (Critics have also leveled such claims against Guo himself.) Despite his pardon from Trump, Bannon has his own legal problems. The Washington Post reported earlier this year that he is the subject of a joint criminal probe by the Manhattan district attorney and the New York State attorney general. And on Thursday, he was named in a new congressional subpoena in connection with the Jan. 6 riot in the U.S. Capitol. 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. Glatfelter Corporation (NYSE:GLT) stock is about to trade ex-dividend in four days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before a company's record date, which is the date on which the company determines which shareholders are entitled to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is important as the process of settlement involves two full business days. So if you miss that date, you would not show up on the company's books on the record date. Meaning, you will need to purchase Glatfelter's shares before the 30th of September to receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 1st of November. The company's upcoming dividend is US$0.14 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of US$0.56 per share to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Glatfelter has a trailing yield of 3.8% on the current stock price of $14.69. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether Glatfelter's dividend is reliable and sustainable. So we need to investigate whether Glatfelter can afford its dividend, and if the dividend could grow. View our latest analysis for Glatfelter If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Glatfelter paid out 95% of its earnings, which is more than we're comfortable with, unless there are mitigating circumstances. Yet cash flow is typically more important than profit for assessing dividend sustainability, so we should always check if the company generated enough cash to afford its dividend. It distributed 29% of its free cash flow as dividends, a comfortable payout level for most companies. It's good to see that while Glatfelter's dividends were not well covered by profits, at least they are affordable from a cash perspective. Still, if this were to happen repeatedly, we'd be concerned about whether the dividend is sustainable in a downturn. Story continues Click here to see how much of its profit Glatfelter paid out over the last 12 months. Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Companies with falling earnings are riskier for dividend shareholders. If earnings decline and the company is forced to cut its dividend, investors could watch the value of their investment go up in smoke. Readers will understand then, why we're concerned to see Glatfelter's earnings per share have dropped 17% a year over the past five years. When earnings per share fall, the maximum amount of dividends that can be paid also falls. The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. Glatfelter has delivered an average of 4.5% per year annual increase in its dividend, based on the past 10 years of dividend payments. The only way to pay higher dividends when earnings are shrinking is either to pay out a larger percentage of profits, spend cash from the balance sheet, or borrow the money. Glatfelter is already paying out a high percentage of its income, so without earnings growth, we're doubtful of whether this dividend will grow much in the future. To Sum It Up Has Glatfelter got what it takes to maintain its dividend payments? It's never great to see earnings per share declining, especially when a company is paying out 95% of its profit as dividends, which we feel is uncomfortably high. However, the cash payout ratio was much lower - good news from a dividend perspective - which makes us wonder why there is such a mis-match between income and cashflow. It's not an attractive combination from a dividend perspective, and we're inclined to pass on this one for the time being. Having said that, if you're looking at this stock without much concern for the dividend, you should still be familiar of the risks involved with Glatfelter. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Glatfelter you should know about. A common investment mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a list of promising dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. By Tarek Amara TUNIS (Reuters) -More than 100 prominent officials of Tunisia's Islamist Ennahda party, including lawmakers and former ministers, resigned on Saturday in protest at the leadership's performance, the biggest blow yet to the party which is facing a severe split. Ennahda, the largest party in parliament, has been thrown into crisis by its response to President Kais Saied's sacking of the government and suspension of parliament on July 25, an intervention the opposition called a coup. In a statement, 113 senior officials from the party said they had resigned due to wrong choices by Ennahda's leadership, which had led to its isolation and failure to engage in any common front to confront Saied's decisions. Among the resignations are eight lawmakers and several former ministers, including former Minister of Health Abdellatif Mekki. "I feel deeply sad...I feel the pain of separation...but I have no choice after I tried for a long time, especially in recent months...I take responsibility for the decision that I made for my country," Mekki said on Facebook. Since Saied's move two months ago, Ennahda officials have demanded that their leader Rached Ghannouchi, the parliament speaker, resign over the party's response to the crisis and strategic choices he has made since a 2019 election. Ghannouchi last month dismissed the partys executive committee in an effort to calm the protests against him. Ennahda has been the most powerful party in Tunisia since the 2011 revolution that led to the ousting of its long-time president, playing a role in backing successive coalition governments. However, it lost support as the economy stagnated and public services declined. (Reporting By Tarek Amara; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) By Heekyong Yang and Cynthia Kim SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea is willing to consider another summit with South Korea if mutual respect between the neighbours can be assured, state news agency KCNA said on Saturday, citing Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the North's leader Kim Jong Un. South Korea welcomed the prospect on Sunday, with the Unification Ministry saying it expected to swiftly engage in talks with Pyongyang, while urging the need to restore a hotline link between the two. Kim's comment came after the North urged the United States and South Korea last week to abandon what it called their hostile policy and double standards towards it, if formal talks are to be held on ending the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons has complicated the question of a formal end to the war, which halted with an armistice, rather than a peace treaty, leaving U.S.-led U.N. forces technically still at war with the North. "I think that only when impartiality and the attitude of respecting each other are maintained, can there be smooth understanding between the north and the south," said Kim Yo Jong, who is a powerful confidante of her brother. Constructive discussions offer a chance for solutions on issues such as "the re-establishment of the north-south joint liaison office and the north-south summit, to say nothing of the timely declaration of the significant termination of the war", Kim said. Speaking on Tuesday to the U.N. General Assembly, South Korean President Moon Jae-in had repeated a call for a formal end to the war, but later said time was running out for such progress before his term ends in May. North Korea has sought an end to the war for decades, but the United States has been reluctant to agree, unless it gives up nuclear weapons. In Saturday's remarks, Kim said she noted with interest the intense discussion in the South over the renewed prospect of a formal declaration. Story continues "I felt that the atmosphere of the South Korean public desiring to recover the inter-Korean relations from a deadlock and achieve peaceful stability as soon as possible is irresistibly strong," she said. "We, too, have the same desire." On Sunday, responding to the remarks, Seoul's unification ministry said in a statement, "For these discussions, the inter-Korean communication line must first be restored swiftly, as smooth and stable communication is important." The hotline, maintained by South Korea's military to handle relations with Pyongyang, has not operated since August, as North Korea stopped answering calls. Talks with the United States have been stalled since 2019, when expectations had grown for a declaration on ending the war, even if not an actual treaty, ahead of a historic summit of former U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jung Un in Singapore. But that possibility, and the momentum the leaders generated over three meetings, came to nothing. In his own U.N. speech, U.S. President Joe Biden said he wanted "sustained diplomacy" https://www.reuters.com/world/un-biden-will-try-move-past-afghanistan-with-climate-china-focus-2021-09-21 to resolve the crisis over North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes. North Korea has rejected U.S. overtures on dialogue and the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog said this week its nuclear programme was going "full steam ahead". (Reporting by Heekyong Yang and Cynthia Kim; Editing by Jack Kim and Clarence Fernandez) Say bonjour to another round of lavish adventures and tres chic fashion in Paris! After a successful first season launch last fall, Emily in Paris was renewed for a second season in November 2020. Now, it's been confirmed that the Lily Collins-led comedy is officially returning on Dec. 22. The Netflix series' cast announced the premiere date news in a new trailer as part of Saturday's TUDUM event, during which they are shown popping champagne in celebration of season 2. RELATED: Ashley Park on Filming Emily in Paris Season 2 in France During COVID Pandemic: 'It Was A Lot' Netflix also released a short teaser of what's to come when the second season hits the streaming platform at the end of this year, showing off more iconic fashion moments and Collins' Emily enjoying the finer things in life. Lucien Laviscount as Alfie, Lily Collins as Emily in Emily in Paris Season 2 Stephanie Branc/Netflix On Emily in Paris, young midwest woman Emily Cooper (Collins) travels to Paris to help provide a marketing firm with an American perspective to help shake things up. While the series has been nominated for two Golden Globes and two Emmy Awards, its also garnered mixed reactions from many viewers. "As disheartening as it sometimes is to read these things, it's also a gift," Collins, 32, previously told Vogue Arabia of the criticism. "You're being allowed to improve." EMILY IN PARIS LILY COLLINS CAROLE BETHUEL/NETFLIX Lily Collins in Emily in Paris According to series creator Darren Star, the show's sophomore outing will be "more about digging deeper" into Collins' character and her experiences. He also said season 2 "is by far a stronger season" than its predecessor. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "There's a new love interest for [Emily], there's a lot more intrigue at work, in relationships," he told PEOPLE. "I think she also just gets more immersed in learning French and really struggling with the language in a way she didn't get to do first in the first season, because she's really trying this season." Season 2 of Emily in Paris premieres Dec. 22 on Netflix. David Lueras (Fort Worth PD) The charred and dismembered bodies of three people have been discovered on fire inside a dumpster in the Texas city of Fort Worth. Firefighters from the Fort Worth Fire Department made the grisly discovery while extinguishing a blaze in the 3100 block of Bonnie Drive, Fort Worth, at 6:17am on Wednesday. The Fort Worth Homicide unit identified one of the deceased as David Lueras, 42, but are yet to identify the other two bodies, described as a child and a female teenager. The bodies were burned and heavily dismembered and there are body parts unaccounted for, Fort Worth Police said in a statement, adding the condition of the bodies was making identification difficult. According to Google Maps, the area of western Fort Worth where the bodies were discovered is semi-rural, with several industrial buildings nearby. The 3100 block of Bonnie Drive where the Fort Worth Fire Department made the gruesome discovery (Google Maps) Police say Mr Lueras was known to frequent the Dallas area and has ties to the Hurst, Euless and Bedford areas. Fort Worth Police is asking anyone with information about the identities of the victims, or the homicides, to contact them on 817-392-4339 or 817-392-4338, or call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 817-469-8477. Sep. 25T-N-T: Dynamite... T-N-T; and I'll win the fight; T-N-T, I'm a power load; T-N-T, watch me explode... AC/DC, "T-N-T" That chorus is a pretty good description for coach Clint Fuller's Kilgore High School Bulldogs this year and you never, ever know when they're going to go off. A pretty good bet, though, is when Davin Rider has the ball or when Chris McGhee, Chris Ervin or Alex Chavez is chasing whomever does. Kilgore got a spectacular defensive effort and another huge night from Rider, who scored twice on offense, including an 88-yard run, and had a blocked punt return for a score. The result: Kilgore blasted Palestine, 35-6, here at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium in the District 9-4A, Division I opener for both teams. Kilgore (4-1) is open next week, and then visits Mabank on Oct. 8. With Kilgore up 21-0 at the half, Palestine got onto the scoreboard in the third quarter after a horrible pass interference call on Corey Rider, who had his back to the Palestine receiver on the play, and appeared to be pulled down. Two plays later, Shedrick Dudley scored on a 47-yard run. The Bulldogs blocked their second kick of the night, though, leaving the score at 21-6, rather than 21-7. A sequence of events a Kilgore completion to Jermaine Roney, a fumble and a Palestine recovery saw the Wildcats set up with a first down at Kilgore's 36. But second-half Palestine quarterback Jerrod Walker was rushed on third and 23, then fourth and 23, pursued by Jackson Harris and then by Harris and Omarion Smith. Walker completed the fourth-down pass to Ti Crawford, but for nowhere near enough to convert for a first down. Kilgore quarterback Da'Marion Van Zandt hit a wide-open Corey Rider downfield for a 35-yard gain, and Rider scored his third touchdown of the night, an 11-yard run, with 5:17 left in the third quarter. Chris Baldazo hit the point after for a 28-6 Bulldogs' lead. The Ragin' Red appeared to have scored on a 14-yard run by Isaiah Ross, but a holding penalty was called. Kilgore did get the score, though, two plays later on a 16-yard pass from Van Zandt to Corey Rider. The point after made it 35-6, Kilgore, with 1:07 left in the third. Story continues Kilgore effectively ended any threat with 6:40 left, when the Bulldogs' defense bowled over a Palestine running back on fourth down and short, inside Kilgore's 12-yard-line. Jermaine Roney opened the game with an electrifying 47-yard kickoff return, and then got shoved out of bounds for his trouble, a 15-yard penalty on the Wildcats. That gave the ball to KHS quarterback Da'Marion Van Zandt on Palestine's 35, and a steady diet of Davin Rider behind the offensive line of Alex Cervantes, had Kilgore to the goal line in five plays. They scored on the sixth, a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Van Zandt. Chris Baldazo gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with his extra point, with 9:42 left in the opening quarter. Kilgore's defense, helped by a pair of tackles for loss by Chris McGhee and Kendall Dunn, forced a Wildcat punt. Palestine's defense returned the favor, but then lost 6 yards on Kilgore's punt by Jose Jaime, backing the Wildcats up to their own 12-yard-line. That's when the trade-off of Palestine backs coach Lance Angel was shuffling them in and out all night long paid off. The combination of the speedy TaJ'hawn Wilson and Shedrick Dudley, along with Elijah Walker, got Palestine in scoring position or so they thought. Palestine's drive stalled at Kilgore's 8-yard-line, and then the Wildcats committed a false start penalty. They decided to kick a field goal, but the Bulldogs (it appeared to be Jermaine Roney off the corner) blocked it: of all people, Davin Rider got the ball while it was still in the air and raced 80 yards for the touchdown. Baldazo's extra point doubled Kilgore's lead to 14-0, with 10:16 left in the half. Palestine put together a nice drive well into the second quarter, the bulk of it on the ground, but with a 24-yard pass from Hudson Dear to Walker mixed in. On third and 8, at Kilgore's 15, Kilgore wrapped up Dudley, forcing another fourth down, at the Bulldogs' 12. But it appeared the offense rushed the play. Dear faked the handoff, and threw the ball in the direction of Jermny Walker in the end zone. But Walker didn't turn around, and if he had, Kilgore's secondary was there. The ball fell incomplete, and the Bulldogs got the ball on downs. And then wasted no time. Rider, on a handoff on the first play and only play of the drive, went 88 yards for the score. Baldazo hit the point after, and with 2:55 left in the half, KHS led by three scores, 21-0, the eventual halftime score, as well. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continued their appearances around the Big Apple on Friday and ended up digging in to some comfort food in Harlem. Meghan, 40, and Harry, 37, paid a visit to Melba's Restaurant in Harlem where the Duke of Sussex reportedly chowed down on fried chicken and waffles for the first time. The eatery tweeted about the Sussexes appearance on Friday, revealing that the pair also donated $25,000 to its COVID-19 Employee Relief Fund. According to the food establishment's website, the goal of the fund is to raise a minimum of $250,000 to provide financial relief to the dozens of hourly workers impacted at Melba's. "This was truly a dream come true for this girl who was Born, Bred and Buttered in Harlem! I am forever grateful!" the restaurant tweeted along with a video of the couple greeting owner Melba Wilson with hugs. MEGHAN MARKLE STEPS OUT IN NYC WEARING PRICEY OUTFIT: REPORT In a second tweet, Wilson confirmed the Sussexes' donation, writing, "It was such an honor to officially welcome Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Melba's! I am so thankful for their commitment to donate $25k and hope to welcome them back soon. Thank you for dining with us!" The duke and duchess traveled to New York for their scheduled appearance at the Global Citizen Live event taking place on Saturday. The 24-hour event will be broadcast live from the Great Lawn in New York City's Central Park. The event will feature appearances from a bevy of stars to promote equal access to the coronavirus vaccine to world leaders. Specifically, the campaign is calling on G7 countries and the European Union to share at least 1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to those most in need. Prior to their lunch stop on Friday, the parents of two visited a school in Harlem where they brought some students to tears. Meghan read her children's book "The Bench" to the students at PS 123, a school that services shelters for students without permanent homes. Story continues Meghan's luxury outfit also made headlines while the pair made their way around the city on Friday. The Duchess of Sussex reportedly wore a Loro Piana cashmere coat, which can be found here , with a price tag of $5,840. The outerwear matched a pair of Loro Piana trousers, which can be found here , worth $1,685. Meghan and Harry first were photographed in the Big Apple on Thusrday where they made their first appearance at the One World Trade Center Observatory for a scheduled 8 a.m. visit with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio . The couple's upcoming appearance at Global Citizen Live won't be their first event promoting the coronavirus vaccines. In May, Meghan made a statement about the importance of the shots during Global Citizens VAX LIVE Concert . CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The Duchess of Sussex delivered an impassioned speech that urged citizens of the world to get vaccinated and help ensure COVID-19 vaccines are distributed for an "equitable and compassionate tomorrow." Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is seen on September 24, 2021 in New York City. Photo by Gotham/GC Images via Getty Images "As campaign chairs of VAX LIVE, my husband and I believe it's critical that our recovery prioritizes the health, safety and success of everyone, and particularly women who have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic," Meghan said in a pre-recorded video message, which was played during the concerts broadcast. Harry made sure to thank the vaccinated front-line workers who made up the concerts live audience, but he also expressed the importance of global vaccine distribution. "This pandemic will not end unless we act collectively with an unprecedented commitment to our shared humanity," he said at the event. "The vaccine must be distributed to everyone, everywhere. We cannot rest or truly recover until there is fair distribution to every corner of the world." Harry and Meghan's New York City trip comes a little over a year after they settled down in California after stepping down from senior royal family member duties in 2020. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - At a meeting of the Quad group of countries on Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga welcomed the establishment last week of a trilateral partnership to provide Australia with nuclear submarines, a Japanese government official said. Asked whether the new AUKUS partnership between Australia, Britain and the United States was discussed at the meeting of the leaders of Australia, India, Japan and the United States in Washington, Japan's foreign press secretary, Tomoyuki Yoshida, told reporters: "Prime Minister Suga welcomed the initiative of the establishment of the security partnership forged by the three countries ... which is taking an important role for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region." (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Leslie Adler) Reuters A former SS guard, now 100 years old, hobbled into a German courtroom on a walking frame on Thursday to face charges of helping to send more than 3,000 people to their deaths in a Nazi concentration camp during World War Two. Prosecutors say Josef S., a member of the Nazi party's paramilitary SS, contributed to the deaths of 3,518 people at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp by regularly standing guard in the watchtower between 1942 and 1945. Some people interned in Sachsenhausen were murdered with Zyklon-B, the poison gas also used in other extermination camps where millions of Jews were killed in the Holocaust. By Michelle Nichols and Daphne Psaledakis UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that international recognition of the Taliban was not currently under consideration. Lavrov was speaking on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders in New York for the U.N. General Assembly. His comments come after the Taliban nominated a U.N. envoy, setting up a showdown over Afghanistan's seat at the world body. "The question of international recognition of the Taliban at the present juncture is not on the table," Lavrov told a news conference. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Monday nominated the Islamist group's Doha-based spokesman Suhail Shaheen as Afghanistan's U.N. ambassador. The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan last month. Ghulam Isaczai, the current U.N. ambassador who represents the Afghan government ousted by the Taliban, has also asked to renew his U.N. accreditation. Russia is a member of a nine-member U.N credentials committee - along with China and the United States - which will deal with the competing claims on Afghanistan's U.N. seat later this year. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that the Taliban's desire for international recognition is the only leverage other countries have to press for inclusive government and respect for rights, particularly for women, in Afghanistan. When the Taliban last ruled between 1996 and 2001 the ambassador of the Afghan government they toppled remained the U.N. representative after the credentials committee deferred its decision on rival claims to the seat. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Bill Berkrot) MarketWatch It may also be a strategy by some lawyers: spring a prenup at the last minute, acting like its the most natural thing in the world with the intention of reducing the time and momentum for negotiation. During the MarketWatch Mastering Your Money video town hall event last week, I put your question to Irene Angelakis, a divorce attorney and adjunct professor at the Hofstra University School of Law in Hempstead, N.Y., and her answer quite frankly surprised me. Always consult with an attorney; do not sign anything without having an attorney review it, especially a prenuptial agreement, she added. Wrapped in rainbow flags, dozens of South Africans celebrated Pride on Saturday in the historic black township of Soweto, and the end of an especially harsh coronavirus third wave for their community. The pandemic amplified challenges faced by LGBTI people in the country by forcing them to stay at home with families or communities that didn't always accept their identity. "Now we've got more (discrimination) cases, more mental health issues, because now they need to deal with this family that does not necessarily accept them," said one of the event's organisers, Siphokazi Nombande, 42. "People are still being killed. People don't understand that LGBTI people exist and therefore they want to change them because of who they love." Given the additional stress of the pandemic, Nombande said, it was a boost for the LGTBI community to have the city of Johannesburg help sponsor the 17th annual Soweto Pride, a place highly symbolic of struggle in the young democracy. "We still even witness issues of homophobia within our families, you can't even come out to your family. How do you come out to the world out there when you can't even come out to your family," said Tshepiso Leeu, 32, a registered nurse. "So we still have a long way to go before we get to where we can say it is safe to be LGBTI or queer and out, most importantly, in our communities." Fear of discrimination is the reason Kagiso Sebetlela didn't come out as transgender until 2019. "Most of my friends, I am thinking they will reject me for who I am and my sexuality," the 39-year-old said. But Sebetlela said family and friends had been accepting. "I live once, not twice," they said. "Why should I have to hide?" The celebrations were scaled down due to Covid-19 restrictions, but spirits were high. Despite the uncertainty the community faces, Leeu said there was plenty to celebrate. "We matter. Our artists matter, our creativity matters, our talents matter, our work matters. We are also contributors to society so such events really make me feel proud," she said. str/ger/har Highway 49, a narrow, winding road near the Auburn State Recreation Area, has been overwhelmed with traffic in recent years as more people visit the park in fast-growing El Dorado and Placer counties. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times ) The Auburn State Recreation Area occupies 40 miles of steep river canyons and rugged terrain in drought-stricken El Dorado and Placer counties. The counties, which stretch from the Sacramento suburbs into the Sierra, are two of the fastest growing in California, experiencing a population boom that was hastened during the COVID-19 pandemic by urban expats fleeing expensive cities with a newfound ability to work remotely. They are also two of the places in California that burn the most. The wildland-urban interface where human development intermingles with wild places such as forests, grasslands and scrublands is the fastest-growing land-use type in the United States. An estimated 1 in 3 houses in the country is now situated in these wildfire-prone landscapes, and now half the population in the West live there, said Kimiko Barrett, a wildfire policy expert at Headwaters Economics, a nonprofit research group that focuses on land use and development. From 2005 to 2020, nearly 60,000 structures were destroyed by wildfires in California comprising 67% of the 89,210 structures to burn in the entire U.S. during that time, according to Headwaters Economics. We continue to move to these locations, Barrett said. We think, Its not going to happen to me. We forget past wildfires. ... Its a myopic outlook, thinking risk is far off in the future." The risk is here now but there is no suggestion that population booms in these areas are going to stop, even as the climate changes and wildfires become more volatile. In the tiny town of Cool in El Dorado County, residents are worried their community will be threatened by wildfires if more than 100 campsites are built in the adjacent Auburn State Recreation Area. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) California is now considering a controversial plan to accommodate growing use of the Auburn State Recreation Area, 40 miles northeast of Sacramento. Residents in foothill communities and local fire agencies are enraged by a proposal by California State Parks and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that would allow up to 142 new campsites to be built in the crowded park. California State Parks said new campsites are being proposed as an attempt to manage inevitable overcrowding. Story continues "With the projected growth, if no improvements are made within the park unit, risk of wildfire and impacts to evacuation routes would be higher than if improvements from the general plan were implemented," State Parks said in a statement to The Times on Friday. The plan, which would allow the building of up to 135 individual campsites and seven group sites, will be considered by the California State Park and Recreation Commission at its meeting Sept. 30. Often when people are opposed to development, its for issues of convenience: issues of traffic, noise, et cetera, said John Michelini, board president of the Foresthill Fire Protection District, one of several public safety agencies opposed to the plan. This is a matter of life and death and peoples properties. Many residents of the small, vulnerable foothill communities surrounding the state park which are accessed via steep, narrow roads cite the 2018 Camp fire, which killed 85 people and ripped through Paradise, another mountain town with few paths in and out. Thousands of people trying to flee were stuck in traffic as buildings around them burned. Some died in their vehicles as flames roared over them. "All you have to do is think about what happened in Paradise, where limited roads cost a lot of lives for people trying to get out that couldn't," said Tom Judy, a geologist who has lived in Greenwood, near the state park, for two decades. "That's one of our greatest fears here." On Labor Day weekend, a fire broke out in the Auburn State Recreation Area that was the kind of human-caused disaster that many worry about. The Bridge fire which, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, was sparked by an arsonist burned 411 acres. It forced the park's closure, shut down roads that are critical escape routes, and jammed others with fleeing cars and emergency vehicles. Skyler Fulster was steering a boat on Lake Clementine within the park that simmering Sunday when a plume of dark smoke suddenly blotted out the sun. A park ranger, sirens blaring on his boat, sped to each boat, urging people to get off the water. As he waited for hours with other boaters in a campground, Fulster's thoughts turned to the narrow roads nearby. "I was worried about how we would get out of there," he said. Numerous fires have burned in and around El Dorado and Placer counties this summer, including: the River fire, which started in a campground near the Auburn State Recreation Area and destroyed 142 structures; the massive Caldor fire, which decimated the town of Grizzly Flats and threatened South Lake Tahoe; and the Bridge fire, which closed the main escape road for the town of Foresthill. Cal Fire has given much of the Auburn State Recreation Area its most extreme fire danger rating. The park and nearby towns have already felt the strain of overcrowding due to population growth in the Sacramento suburbs and more people seeking outdoor activities during the pandemic. Lorna Dobrovolny has been fighting the proposed new campsites within the Auburn State Recreation Area, which stretches across drought-stricken El Dorado and Placer counties. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Traffic regularly backs up along the two-lane Highway 49, a slow, steep drive with hairpin curves near the American River Confluence and several hiking trails. Cars park illegally along narrow shoulders. Hikers and bikers flit into oncoming traffic. The situation got so bad that the city of Auburn launched a bus service this spring to ferry people between downtown and the river, and the park has restricted parking in other areas where congestion threatened to block emergency vehicles. Lorna Dobrovolny, a former State Parks employee who lives in the town of Cool, said she used to spend every day in the Auburn State Recreation Area, running, hiking and riding her horse. She goes elsewhere now to avoid the crowds. Locals "have been somewhat displaced due to the congestion. I don't feel safe there anymore," said Dobrovolny, 64 Dobrovolny said building more campsites will only invite more people, more campfires and more risk. California State Parks told The Times last year that visitation to the park had increased about 400% since 1992. The 717-page proposed general plan says visitation is predicted to grow 30% by 2040 because of regional population growth. Campsites commonly sell out within minutes of becoming available for reservation. When visitation occurs in an unmanaged fashion away from appropriately designed facilities, visitors are more likely to engage in risky or unauthorized behavior, such as creating illegal campfires or using fireworks, the proposed plan says. There are currently 36 campsites within the park. An earlier version of the plan would have allowed more than 220 new sites, but that number was scaled back amid public outcry. The plan does not authorize immediate construction of new campsites, and each new facility would require site-specific planning and evaluation of whether campfires should be allowed, State Parks told The Times. In surrounding towns, residents say home values have plummeted and insurers have raised rates or canceled some homeowner policies in recent years, citing fire risk and proximity to campsites. Tom Judy said his insurer canceled his longtime homeowners policy, citing fire risk. When he complained, he said, the company gave him this backpack with a flashlight, first aid kit and thin emergency shelter. (Hailey Branson-Potts / Los Angeles Times) Judy, 61, said his longtime insurer canceled his homeowner policy last year. When he complained, he said, the company gave him an emergency kit with a flashlight, first-aid supplies and a thin emergency shelter tent. Fulster, 29, grew up in Cool and now lives in the El Dorado County town of Pollock Pines. He said he was evacuated from the Caldor fire for 17 days and had been allowed back to his home four days before visiting Lake Clementine for a little relaxation in the park. He was flabbergasted as he and his buddies were evacuated from the water because of a siege of flames. "It seemed a little unreal," Fulster said. "It was almost like some dark comedy." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's main opposition party elected former leader Eric Chu as its chairman on Saturday with a pledge to renew stalled talks with China, which has ramped up military and political pressure against the island Beijing claims as its own territory. Chu, 60, a former mayor of New Taipei City, beat Kuomintang (KMT) incumbent Johnny Chiang and two other contenders in the chairmanship election, though he will not take over immediately. The KMT was trounced in presidential and parliamentary elections last year, having failed to cast off the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) accusations a vote for them was no more than a vote for China. Speaking after his victory, Chu said when it came to policy in relation to China his party would not become a "little" version of the DPP, which Beijing refuses to deal with believing they are separatists. "We will re-build cross-Taiwan Strait exchange platforms and communication channels," he said. The KMT ruled China until fleeing to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to the Communists. It traditionally favours close ties with Beijing, which has increasingly set it at odds with many Taiwanese. High-level KMT contact with China's Communist Party stalled during Chiang's 17-month tenure amid increased pressure by China against Taiwan and suspicion in Beijing that the party was not sufficiently committed to accepting the island as part of "one China". Chu met President Xi Jinping in Beijing in 2015, where he acknowledged that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of "one China" but they have different interpretations what this means. The urbane, U.S.-educated Chu previously led the KMT until resigning in 2016 after he was defeated in Taiwan's presidential election by current President Tsai Ing-wen. Deep disagreements remain in the KMT about its direction following its electoral defeat last year, and Chu pledged "unprecedented unity" under his leadership. Taiwan will hold mayoral elections next year which, while mostly focusing on local issues, will be an important measure of support ahead of the 2024 presidential vote. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Mike Harrison) The Taliban suspended the dead body of a person suspected of kidnapping from a crane in the city square of Herat in western Afghanistan as a warning, according to a new report. Local pharmacist Wazir Ahmad Seddiqi said Taliban members brought the bodies of four people to the main square and announced that they were caught in the act of kidnapping and killed by police. Seddiqi said the three bodies were taken elsewhere in the city, which is about 500 miles west of Kabul, for public display, the Associated Press reported. EXECUTIONS AND HAND AMPUTATIONS WILL RETURN TO AFGHANISTAN, TALIBAN OFFICIAL SAYS The district police chief in Herat, Ziaulhaq Jalali, said that Taliban members rescued a man and son who had been abducted. Jalali said the four [kidnappers] were killed in crossfire and that a Taliban fighter and a civilian were wounded. Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, a founder of the Taliban, confirmed Thursday that executions and hand amputations would resume in the country, though he said he was unsure whether the punishments would occur in public. Turabi also dismissed criticism of how the Taliban handled executions in the past, which sometimes took place in front of crowds at a stadium. Everyone criticized us for the punishments in the stadium, but we have never said anything about their laws and their punishments, Turabi said. No one will tell us what our laws should be. We will follow Islam, and we will make our laws on the Quran. The Taliban deposed the Afghan government on Aug. 15 after entering Kabul, sending deposed President Ashraf Ghani fleeing. Whether the group would reprise the harsh methods of punishment they employed when they last ruled Afghanistan has remained subject to public speculation and press inquiries ever since. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER International leaders, including members of the Biden administration, have issued warnings to the Taliban and demanded that they respect the rights of women, who were required to cover themselves with burqas and given conditions as to when they could leave their homes. Women and girls were also limited in their ability to be educated in accordance with the group's interpretation of Islamic law. Story continues Reports have surfaced in recent weeks indicating a return to that mode of life, as girls were barred from returning to school and women were ordered to leave the workforce. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Afghanistan, Taliban, Middle East, Foreign Policy, National Security Original Author: Jeremy Beaman Original Location: Taliban hang body of suspected kidnapper in city square A 50-year-old accountant from Tampa has been arrested after authorities say she tried to arrange a hit on the spouse of her former lover on the dark web, according to federal authorities. DeAnna Marie Stinson created an account June 24 on a website on the dark web that claimed to offer murder-for-hire services, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Tampa said in a news release Friday. The next day, she tried to submit an order to get a hitman assigned for her job, which she described as a quick hit in southern Florida, authorities said, adding that Stinson included the name and address of the person who is married to her former significant other, as well as a photo of the intended target. Over the next several weeks, Stinson tried to arrange the hit four more times, sending more than $12,000 in Bitcoin as payment, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. They say she also sent multiple messages to website administrators and supposed contract killers, urging them to kill the target, and offering a bonus if it could be done by a certain date. On July 31, Stinson asked administrators to reassign the job to someone who has a history of getting jobs done because she need[ed] th[e] job done ASAP, authorities said. Members of law enforcement became aware of the alleged plot, and an undercover agent posing as a hitman contacted Stinson and recorded a phone call in which she again stated her desire to have the target killed, then agreed to send a Bitcoin payment, according to the release. On Sept. 13, she sent a Bitcoin payment of $350 to cover the cost of a revolver to be used in the contract killing, federal officials say. Stinson was subsequently arrested, and she faces charges including murder-for-hire and soliciting a crime of violence, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. She faces up to 10 years in prison. DeAnna Marie Stinson (50, Tampa) has been arrested and charged by federal criminal complaint with soliciting a crime of violence and murder-for-hire. If convicted on all counts, Stinson faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Associated Press With record numbers of military flights near Taiwan over the last week, China has been showing a new intensity and military sophistication as it steps up its harassment of the island it claims as its own and asserts its territorial ambitions in the region. China's People's Liberation Army flew 56 planes off the southwest coast of Taiwan on Monday, setting a new record and capping four days of sustained pressure involving 149 flights. All were in international airspace, but prompted Taiwanese defense forces to scramble in response and raised fears that any misstep could provoke an unintended escalation. The fine imposed on United was the largest of its kind, according to officials. Thomas Pallini/Insider United Airlines has been hit with a $1.9 million penalty for long tarmac delays, per Reuters. A consent order cited 25 incidents that occurred between December 2015 and February of this year. The airline breached federal rules by keeping passengers stuck on planes for too long. See more stories on Insider's business page. United Airlines has been fined $1.9 million by the Department of Transportation (DoT) for keeping thousands of passengers stuck on planes for hours, in violation of federal rules, Reuters reported. It is the largest penalty of its kind, according to the outlet. The department said in a consent order that United failed to adhere to the assurances in its contingency plan for long tarmac delays for 20 domestic flights and five international flights at airports across the US. A total of 3,218 passengers were affected. A tarmac delay occurs when a plane on the ground is either awaiting takeoff or has just landed and passengers do not have the opportunity to get off the plane. In one 2019 incident, a United flight en route to Chicago was diverted to an airport in Wisconsin, due to a winter storm. It was held on the tarmac for more than four hours. In a statement to Reuters on Friday, United said its "committed to fully meeting all DoT rules and will continue identifying and implementing improvements in how we manage difficult operating conditions." United Airlines did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. In July 2021, airlines reported a total of 40 tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights, compared with 11 the month before, per the department. United is not the only airline to have faced sky-high penalties in recent years. In 2019, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines were fined a total of $1.75 million for long tarmac delays at US airports. Delta said at the time that it provided customers with substantial compensation for the delays, including cash reimbursements, SkyMiles, and travel vouchers. Read the original article on Business Insider New Delhi: India slammed Imran Khan in its Right of Reply in response against Pakistan Prime Prime Ministers references to Kashmir in his United Nations General Assembly virtual speech and stated that Islamabad has an established history of actively supporting terrorists. Sneha Dubey First Secretary at UNGA said, Regrettably, this is not the first time the leader of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country, and seeking in vain to divert the worlds attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities, are turned upside down. Member States are aware that Pakistan has an established history and policy of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists. This is a country that has been globally recognized as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of State policy. It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council, added Dubey. Watch here: Indias First Secretary at the UN, Sneha Dubey, articulates Indias reply to Pak PM Imrans stuck record speech. PM @NarendraModi speaks at the #UNGA this evening India time. pic.twitter.com/5vH1wQi5cJ Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) September 25, 2021 She slammed Pakistan for bringing up the internal matter of India. We exercise our Right of Reply to one more attempt by the leader of Pakistan to tarnish the image of this august forum by bringing in matters internal to my country, and going so far as to spew falsehoods on the world stage, she said. Khan had addressed the United Nations General Assembly virtually today where he raked up the Kashmir issue during his address. Asserting that Pakistan desires peace with India, Khan, however, said sustainable peace in South Asia is contingent upon the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The onus remains on India to create a conducive environment for meaningful and result-oriented engagement with Pakistan, Khans statement read. Entire UTs of Jammu&Kashmir & Ladakh were, are & will always be integral & inalienable part of India. This includes areas that are under illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation: First Secretary Sneha Dubey pic.twitter.com/bYPdrdpy1H ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 Indias secretary Dubey talking about the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks said, We marked the solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks a few days back. The world has not forgotten that the mastermind behind that dastardly event, Osama Bin Laden, got shelter in Pakistan. Even today, Pakistan leadership glorify him as a martyr. Dubey further said, Regrettably, even today we heard the leader of Pakistan trying to justify acts of terror. Such defence of terrorism is unacceptable in the modern world. Regarding the Pakistani rhetoric of calling themselves as the victim of terrorism, she said, This is the country which is an arsonist disguising itself as a fire-fighter. Pakistan nurtures terrorists in their backyard in the hope that they will only harm their neighbours. Our region, and in fact the entire world, has suffered because of their policies. On the other hand, they are trying to cover up sectarian violence in their country as acts of terror. She also referred to the 1971 genocide of Bangladesh. She said, This is also the country that still holds the despicable record in our region of having executed a religious and cultural genocide against the people of what is now Bangladesh. As we mark the 50th anniversary this year of that horrid event in history, there is not even an acknowledgement, much less accountability. While such statements deserve our collective contempt & sympathy for the mindset of the person who utters falsehood repeatedly. I'm taking the floor to set the record straight: Sneha Dubey, First Secretary at UNGA ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 She also slammed Pakistan for suppressing its minority communities. Today, the minorities in Pakistan the Sikhs, Hindus, Christians live in constant fear and state-sponsored suppression of their rights. This is a regime where anti-Semitism is normalized by its leadership and even justified, added the First Secretary. Dissenting voices are muzzled daily and enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings are well documented, she added. Drawing a parallel between India and Pakistan, she said that India is a pluralistic democracy with a substantial population of minorities who have gone on to hold the highest offices in the country including as President, Prime Minister, Chief Justices and Chiefs of the Army Staff. She also said that, unlike Pakistan, India is a country with free media and an independent judiciary that keeps a watch and protects our Constitution. Regrettably,this isn't 1st time leader of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false&malicious propaganda against my country&seeking in vain to divert worlds attention from sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy free pass:Sneha Dubey,First Secy pic.twitter.com/3v8tVDFs1D ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 Pluralism is a concept which is very difficult to understand for Pakistan which constitutionally prohibits its minorities from aspiring for high offices of the State. The least they could do is introspect before exposing themselves to ridicule on the world stage, added Dubey. She further reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation, said Dubey. She also said that India desires normal relations with all our neighbours, including Pakistan. However, it is for Pakistan to work sincerely towards creating a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible actions to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross border terrorism against India in any manner, added Dubey. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. These ghosts are family - Maisy Card Augustown - Kei Miller Here comes the Sun - Nicole Dennis-Benn How to love a Jamaican - Alexia Arthurs A brief history of seven killings - Marlon James The book of night women - Marlon James A tall history of sugar - Curdella Forbes Brown girl in the ring - Nalo Hopkinson The confessions of Frannie Langton - Sara Collins Frying plantain - Zalika Reid-Benta Queenie - Candice Carty-Williams Small Island - Andrea Levy Pao - Kerry Young Here are some more lists of Jamaican books: Hi everyone! September is almost here, so time to get ready for our reading challenge! This month we're going to be checking out Jamaican lit. Our goal is to pick a book written by a Jamaican author (yes, diaspora is eligible) or set in Jamaica. As usual, the idea is to prioritize own voices, guys.So let's get straight to the recs:Stanford Solomon has a shocking, thirty-year-old secret. And its about to change the lives of everyone around him. Stanford Solomon is actually Abel Paisley, a man who faked his own death and stole the identity of his best friend.And now, nearing the end of his life, Stanford is about to meet his firstborn daughter, Irene Paisley, a home health aide who has unwittingly shown up for her first day of work to tend to the father she thought was dead.These Ghosts Are Family revolves around the consequences of Abels decision and tells the story of the Paisley family from colonial Jamaica to present day Harlem. There is Vera, whose widowhood forced her into the role of single mother. There are two daughters and a granddaughter who have never known they are related. And there are others, like the house boy who loved Vera, whose lives might have taken different courses if not for Abel Paisleys actions.These Ghosts Are Family explores the ways each character wrestles with their ghosts and struggles to forge independent identities outside of the family and their trauma. The result is an engrossing portrait of a family and individuals caught in the sweep of history, slavery, migration, and the more personal dramas of infidelity, lost love, and regret.Ma Taffy may be blind but she sees everything. So when her great-nephew Kaia comes home from school in tears, what she senses sends a deep fear running through her. While they wait for his mama to come home from work, Ma Taffy recalls the story of the flying preacherman and a great thing that did not happen. A poor suburban sprawl in the Jamaican heartland, Augustown is a place where many things that should happen dont, and plenty of things that shouldnt happen do. For the story of Kaia leads back to another momentous day in Jamaican history, the birth of the Rastafari and the desire for a better life.Capturing the distinct rhythms of Jamaican life and dialect, Nicole Dennis-Benn pens a tender hymn to a world hidden among pristine beaches and the wide expanse of turquoise seas. At an opulent resort in Montego Bay, Margot hustles to send her younger sister, Thandi, to school. Taught as a girl to trade her sexuality for survival, Margot is ruthlessly determined to shield Thandi from the same fate. When plans for a new hotel threaten their village, Margot sees not only an opportunity for her own financial independence but also perhaps a chance to admit a shocking secret: her forbidden love for another woman. As they face the impending destruction of their community, each woman fighting to balance the burdens she shoulders with the freedom she craves must confront long-hidden scars. From a much-heralded new writer, Here Comes the Sun offers a dramatic glimpse into a vibrant, passionate world most outsiders see simply as paradise.Tenderness and cruelty, loyalty and betrayal, ambition and regretAlexia Arthurs navigates these tensions to extraordinary effect in her debut collection about Jamaican immigrants and their families back home. Sweeping from close-knit island communities to the streets of New York City and midwestern university towns, these eleven stories form a portrait of a nation, a people, and a way of life.In Light Skinned Girls and Kelly Rowlands, an NYU student befriends a fellow Jamaican whose privileged West Coast upbringing has blinded her to the hard realities of race. In Mash Up Love, a twins chance sighting of his estranged brotherthe prodigal son of the familystirs up unresolved feelings of resentment. In Bad Behavior, a mother and father leave their wild teenage daughter with her grandmother in Jamaica, hoping the old ways will straighten her out. In Mermaid River, a Jamaican teenage boy is reunited with his mother in New York after eight years apart. In The Ghost of Jia Yi, a recently murdered international student haunts a despairing Jamaican athlete recruited to an Iowa college. And in Shirley from a Small Place, a world-famous pop star retreats to her mothers big new house in Jamaica, which still holds the power to restore something vital.On December 3, 1976, just before the Jamaican general election and two days before Bob Marley was to play the Smile Jamaica Concert, gunmen stormed his house, machine guns blazing. The attack nearly killed the Reggae superstar, his wife, and his manager, and injured several others. Marley would go on to perform at the free concert on December 5, but he left the country the next day, not to return for two years.Deftly spanning decades and continents and peopled with a wide range of charactersassassins, journalists, drug dealers, and even ghostsA Brief History of Seven Killings is the fictional exploration of that dangerous and unstable time and its bloody aftermath, from the streets and slums of Kingston in the 70s, to the crack wars in 80s New York, to a radically altered Jamaica in the 90s. Brilliantly inventive and stunningly ambitious, this novel is a revealing modern epic that will secure Marlon James place among the great literary talents of his generation.The Book of Night Women is a sweeping, startling novel, a true tour de force of both voice and storytelling. It is the story of Lilith, born into slavery on a Jamaican sugar plantation at the end of the eighteenth century. Even at her birth, the slave women around her recognize a dark power that they and she will come to both revere and fear.The Night Women, as they call themselves, have long been plotting a slave revolt, and as Lilith comes of age and reveals the extent of her power, they see her as the key to their plans. But when she begins to understand her own feelings and desires and identity, Lilith starts to push at the edges of what is imaginable for the life of a slave woman in Jamaica, and risks becoming the conspiracy's weak link.Lilith's story overflows with high drama and heartbreak, and life on the plantation is rife with dangerous secrets, unspoken jealousies, inhuman violence, and very human emotion between slave and master, between slave and overseer, and among the slaves themselves. Lilith finds herself at the heart of it all. And all of it told in one of the boldest literary voices to grace the page recently--and the secret of that voice is one of the book's most intriguing mysteries.A Tall History of Sugar tells the story of Moshe Fisher, a man who was born without skin, so that no one is able to tell what race he belongs to; and Arrienne Christie, his quixotic soul mate who makes it her duty in life to protect Moshe from the social and emotional consequences of his strange appearance.The narrative begins with Moshes birth in the late 1950s, four years before Jamaicas independence from colonial rule, and ends in the era of what Forbes calls the fall of empire, the era of Brexit and Donald Trump. The historical trajectory layers but never overwhelms the scintillating love story as the pair fight to establish their own view of loving, against the moral force of the colonial plantation and its legacies that continue to affect their lives and the lives of those around them.Written in lyrical, luminous prose that spans the range of Jamaican Englishes, this remarkable story follows the couples mysterious love affair from childhood to adulthood, from the haunted environs of rural Jamaica to the city of Kingston, and then to Englandanother haunted locale in Forbess rendition.The rich and privileged have fled the city, barricaded it behind roadblocks, and left it to crumble. The inner city has had to rediscover old ways-farming, barter, herb lore. But now the monied need a harvest of bodies, and so they prey upon the helpless of the streets. With nowhere to turn, a young woman must open herself to ancient truths, eternal powers, and the tragic mystery surrounding her mother and grandmother.She must bargain with gods, and give birth to new legends.A servant and former slave is accused of murdering her employer and his wife in this astonishing historical thriller that moves from a Jamaican sugar plantation to the fetid streets of Georgian London--a remarkable literary debut with echoes of Alias Grace, The Underground Railroad, and The Paying Guests.All of London is abuzz with the scandalous case of Frannie Langton, accused of the brutal double murder of her employers, renowned scientist George Benham and his eccentric French wife, Marguerite. Crowds pack the courtroom, eagerly following every twist, while the newspapers print lurid theories about the killings and the mysterious woman being held in the Old Bailey.The testimonies against Frannie are damning. She is a seductress, a witch, a master manipulator, a whore.But Frannie claims she cannot recall what happened that fateful evening, even if remembering could save her life. She doesnt know how she came to be covered in the victims blood. But she does have a tale to tell: a story of her childhood on a Jamaican plantation, her apprenticeship under a debauched scientist who stretched all bounds of ethics, and the events that brought her into the Benhams London homeand into a passionate and forbidden relationship.Though her testimony may seal her conviction, the truth will unmask the perpetrators of crimes far beyond murder and indict the whole of English society itself.Kara Davis is a girl caught in the middle of her Canadian nationality and her desire to be a true Jamaican, of her mother and grandmothers rages and life lessons, of having to avoid being thought of as too faas or too quiet or too bold or too soft. Set in Little Jamaica, Torontos Eglinton West neighbourhood, Kara moves from girlhood to the threshold of adulthood, from elementary school to high school graduation, in these twelve interconnected stories. We see her on a visit to Jamaica, startled by the sight of a severed pigs head in her great aunts freezer; in junior high, the victim of a devastating prank by her closest friends; and as a teenager in and out of her grandmothers house, trying to cope with the ongoing battles between her unyielding grandparents.A rich and unforgettable portrait of growing up between worlds, Frying Plantain shows how, in one charged moment, friendship and love can turn to enmity and hate, well-meaning protection can become control, and teasing play can turn to something much darker. In her brilliantly incisive debut, Zalika Reid-Benta artfully depicts the tensions between mothers and daughters, second-generation Canadians and first-generation cultural expectations, and Black identity and predominately white society.Queenie Jenkins is a 25-year-old Jamaican British woman living in London, straddling two cultures and slotting neatly into neither. She works at a national newspaper, where shes constantly forced to compare herself to her white middle class peers. After a messy break up from her long-term white boyfriend, Queenie seeks comfort in all the wrong placesincluding several hazardous men who do a good job of occupying brain space and a bad job of affirming self-worth.As Queenie careens from one questionable decision to another, she finds herself wondering, What are you doing? Why are you doing it? Who do you want to be?all of the questions todays woman must face in a world trying to answer them for her.Hortense Joseph arrives in London from Jamaica in 1948 with her life in her suitcase, her heart broken, her resolve intact. Her husband, Gilbert Joseph, returns from the war expecting to be received as a hero, but finds his status as a black man in Britain to be second class. His white landlady, Queenie, raised as a farmer's daughter, befriends Gilbert, and later Hortense, with innocence and courage, until the unexpected arrival of her husband, Bernard, who returns from combat with issues of his own to resolve.Told in these four voices, Small Island is a courageous novel of tender emotion and sparkling wit, of crossings taken and passages lost, of shattering compassion and of reckless optimism in the face of insurmountable barriers---in short, an encapsulation of the immigrant's life.As a young boy, Pao comes to Jamaica in the wake of the Chinese Civil War and rises to become the Godfather of Kingston's bustling Chinatown. Pao needs to take care of some dirty business, but he is no Don Corleone. The rackets he runs are small-time, and the protection he provides necessary, given the minority status of the Chinese in Jamaica. Pao, in fact, is a sensitive guy in a wise guy role that doesn't quite fit. Often mystified by all that he must take care of, Pao invariably turns to Sun Tzu's Art of War. The juxtaposition of the weighty, aphoristic words of the ancient Chinese sage, with the tricky criminal and romantic predicaments Pao must negotiate builds the basis of the novel's great charm.A tale of post-colonial Jamaica from a unique and politically potent perspective, Pao moves from the last days of British rule through periods of unrest at social and economic inequality, through tides of change that will bring about Rastafarianism and the Back to Africa Movement. Pao is an utterly beguiling, unforgettable novel of race, class and creed, love and ambition, and a country in the throes of tumultuous change. Barnes and Noble (this is more like Caribbean lit, so please check if the author is in fact Jamaican) Europes energy crunch is continuing, as gas storage volumes have shrunk to 10-year lows. A possible harsh winter could lead to severe energy shortages and possible shutdowns of large parts of the economy. While the main discussion is currently focused on the potential role of Russia in the energy crisis, a new narrative could soon make the headlines. In a surprise move, the Dutch government has indicated that in a severe supply crunch situation, the Groningen gas field, Europes largest onshore gas field, could partially and temporarily be reopened. It seems that the term Dutch Disease could get a new meaning, from being the paradox of a rentier state suffering from plentiful resources to a show of Europes lack of realism when it comes to energy transition risks and current market powers. Dutch Minister Stef Blok has indicated that he is considering the potential reopening of the Groningen field, in particular five wells, especially the one at Slochteren, as indicated by Johan Attema, director of the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM), the operator of the Groningen field. The reopening of the field, even in the case of an emergency or an energy crisis, is politically controversial. Until recently, the plan was that Groningen would be closed completely by 2023, ending the large-scale gas production and export by the Netherlands with a bang. The Dutch media is speculating that minister Blok will be asking for a possible reopening of the Groningen field, a decision that must be made before October 1. If the Minister decides to change the current shutdown plans, the whole Groningen debacle, as some see it, will be prolonged. It is clear, looking at the current deplorable situation of the European energy sector, that Groningen is still needed. The ongoing energy crunch could have grave consequences for the economies and wellbeing of EU member states, changing the narratives in Brussels and the respective European capitals. The lack of supply of natural gas by Russia (or the political will to supply more), the difficulty of ramping up Norwegian gas or other gas imports quickly, is jeopardizing Europes energy situation. At the same time, a possible shutdown of several electricity-intensive industries in Europe, such as fertilizers, chemicals, and steel/aluminum production is on the table. Related: Could Oil Pipelines Solve Americas Water Crisis? Political leaders will have to face the direct implications of higher energy bills or possible energy deficits for consumers and the industry. Both could lead to protests or political landslides during upcoming elections. Threats of an energy crisis are being discussed widely, but no real solutions except lower taxes are available. Due to higher energy costs, a possible record price level of $100 MMBtu or $250 per barrel of crude oil equivalent is very bad news for politicians, especially in the Netherlands, Germany, France, and the UK. It remains unclear, however, whether European politicians are aware of the role that their own policies have played in creating this crisis. Even with the partial restart of the Groningen field, which could relieve some of the pain in Western Europe, there is a larger problem that must be addressed. By opening up the gas market for liberalization, without giving the necessary tools to parties, and pushing for a spot market, instability was introduced into the system. Geopolitical powers are still at play, while utilities and European suppliers have seen little support from their governments. At the same time, when oil price-indexed long-term contracts with Russia were thrown out of the window, many did not understand that this could mean handing over full market powers to NOCs, such as Gazprom. Putin has been celebrating, knowing that he has been handed the key to European markets, with the option of manipulating fundamentals and prices at the same time. In the meantime, Europe has failed to sufficiently diversify supply. European leaders desperately need to reconsider their position towards Russian gas supplies and the future role of NordStream 2, which is still being threatened by US sanctions and Eastern European opposition. It seems that Russias leader Vladimir Putin, however, is holding all the cards when it comes to natural gas in Europe. Without substantially more natural gas supply to Europe, consumers and industry may well be facing a winter of discontent. Europes gas supply diversification strategy has been a failure, not only due to EU tactics and regulations but also because of the ongoing one-sided emphasis on a rapid energy transition, hydrocarbon divestment, and full-scale investments in renewables, without realizing that the backbone of the European economic system is still hydrocarbon fueled. Related: China Oil Consumption Seen Peaking In 5 Years The current situation shows one main fact of life, the success of the energy transition is not based on a one-sided approach. By relying too much on renewables, the market became destabilized, but politicians and others didnt want to admit it. Destabilization could and should be prevented, by acknowledging the fact that for the foreseeable future hydrocarbons, including coal, will be playing a significant role in the European energy market. At the same time, European politicians also should acknowledge that without hydrocarbons, not only does energy supply become threatened, but the hydrocarbon economy suffers. It is not yet fully understood by most, but without hydrocarbons, especially natural gas and oil, food and other primary sectors will be hit hard. The first shutdowns of fertilizer and steel companies have already been reported. Brussels, London, Berlin, and even The Hague, should start to change their approach to energy and the economy of the future. Politicians should start to listen to market analysts that have been warning of a disruption in energy markets. The European long-term energy strategy should acknowledge the position of hydrocarbons as a backbone while investing in renewable options at the same time. Investments in storage, diversified supply, and domestic production are crucial. Without these, supply giants such as Putins Russia are holding all the cards. By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: An investigation by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service has uncovered indirect ties between the chairman of Kazakhstan's monopoly gas trader, KazTransGas, and emergent companies that have benefitted from massive business deals linked to the state -- including a multibillion-dollar, 20-year contract to process so-called associate gas from KazTransGas. Public documents showing KazTransGas Chairman Kairat Sharipbaev and other current or former statutory figures in Kazakh businesses raise the specters of industrial self-dealing or favorable state treatment for past Sharipbaev start-ups and an obscure business partner who figures in some of those same companies. It is unclear whether Sharipbaev directly profited from his discreet personal relationship with the eldest daughter of ex-leader Nursultan Nazarbaev, whose unrivaled influence has barely waned since he retreated from his presidential duties two years ago. But Sharipbaev's appointment to the chairmanship at KazTransGas and his rising business fortunes have coincided with reports of a long-term relationship with Nazarbaev's eldest daughter, Darigha -- possibly including a marriage that has never been publicly confirmed. Decades of accusations of rampant clientelism in Central Asia's wealthiest post-Soviet republic is buttressed by evidence of a tight circle of elites close to Nazarbaev's family enriching themselves through undisclosed personal and business networks. In one of the starkest examples of a little-known entity with indirect ties to Sharipbaev profiting from key services, a firm called GPC Investment was chosen to supervise the construction of a $860 million plant to process associated gas for KazTransGas. GPC Investment is only two years old and has just five registered employees. Seemingly corresponding to that government-assisted deal, GPC Investment's tax payments -- a frequent barometer of profits -- skyrocketed to around 500 million tenges, or about $1.17 million, in the first half of 2021, from a mere 400,000 tenges the previous year. Processing "associated gas" has become increasingly lucrative as natural-gas prices soar, but also as global pressure mounts to minimize environmental damage from fossil fuels and squeeze additional resources out of the byproducts of crude-oil extraction. Kazakhstan has rushed to capitalize, with much of that business so far going either to a firm called Gas Processing Company or to GPC Investment thanks in significant part to KazTransGas. Public documents say Gas Processing Company was founded by an individual named Aset Nurdos, and that GPC Investment is run by Nurdos. The enigmatic 34-year-old Nurdos has turned up atop several of Sharipbaev's former companies -- including one called Astana Group that since February has listed his daughter, Korlan Sharipbaeva, as its founder. Sharipbaev and Nurdos both also appear as statutory members of a company called Intergas Central Asia, where Sharipbaev led marketing and trade efforts in the early 2000s. A company originally founded by Sharipbaev in 2014, Innovation Invest, subsequently listed Nurdos as its founder. RFE/RL's Kazakh Service investigation could not locate any Aset Nurdos, and calls to the telephone numbers listed for Nurdos on commercial documents were out of service. Sharipbaev declined to respond to RFE/RLs questions -- including questions about Nurdos's identity, their business relationship, or activities involving firms founded by Sharipbaev or run by Sharipbaev's daughter. Rise To Power The 58-year-old Sharipbaev has risen from his roots as a soil scientist and greengrocer to become one of the most influential men in Kazakhstan. His two-decade career in the gas industry culminated in November 2020 when he took up the chairman's post at KazTransGas, which delivers natural gas to more than half of Kazakhstan's 18 million residents. The state-owned oil and gas company KazMunayGas spun off KazTransGas in March, when ownership was transferred to the Kazakh state's sovereign wealth fund, known as Samruk-Kazyna. Around the same time, video appeared online showing Sharipbaev and Darigha Nazarbaeva, a former deputy prime minister and current lawmaker, at the center of what appeared to be a wedding celebration. Amid a frolicking group of around 20 other people tossing flower petals and singing a traditional wedding song known as "Jar-Jar," Sharipbaeva hoists Nazarbaeva into his arms in the style of many modern Kazakh weddings. It was unclear when the video was made or by whom. But it has strengthened rumors dating back to at least 2013 that the two had quietly wed. Shortly before his death in London in August 2020, at the age of 29, Darigha's son from a previous marriage, Aisultan Nazarbaev, referred to Sharipbaeva as "my mother's current husband." But while they have occasionally appeared together at public functions, neither has publicly confirmed they are married. Open government sites don't currently list Sharipbaev as owning or controlling any commercial entities outside of his role at KazTransGas. But major deals and activities involving entities linked to Nurdos and KazTransGas or state-controlled companies have continued apace. Gas Processing Company already owns one of the associated-gas processing plants that are cropping up in oil-rich western Kazakhstan, at Kozhasai in the Aqtobe region. In late 2018, then-President Nazarbayev helped mark its opening. It reportedly processes around 300 million cubic meters of associated gas annually before selling about 70 percent of its output abroad. In June, Nurdos's GPC Investment began construction on a new, $860 million associated-gas processing plant at the Kashagan field, in Kazakhstan's Atyrau region. The Kazakh newcomer GPC Investment was selected for the project by the Kazakh government despite initial suggestions that international energy companies like Eni, Total, Shell, Exxon Mobil, China's CNPC, or Japan's Inpex might be in the running. Sharipbaev attended the ground-breaking ceremony at Kashagan on behalf of KazTransGas. Five months earlier, in late December 2020, soon after Sharipbaev's appointment at KazTransGas, the Kazakh government approved a resolution clearing the way for KazTransGas to receive 1 billion cubic meters of associated gas from Kashagan. Two days later, on December 31, a consortium including state-held KazMunayGas signed a deal pledging to give the same amount of associated gas to KazTransGas, which would transfer it to GPC Investment's new plant. In February, GPC Investment struck a deal to "extract and process crude gas" for KazTransGas that is worth "50 or more percent of the total assets of KazTransGas," or upward of $2 billion. Officials from the Kazakh sovereign wealth fund declined to disclose its terms, citing "trade secrets." By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Saudi Aramco has won a tender for the purchase of crude oil from Guyana and will likely enter into a one-year deal for the marketing of the commodity, Reuters reports, citing a Guyanese government official. Aramco vied for the contract with 15 companies when Guyana launched the tender last month, but it was only awarded one loading for now, the natural resource minister of Guyana, Vikram Bharat, told Reuters. Bharat added the Saudi major will probably get a one-year contract, but the process has not yet been completed. Aramco was the lowest bidder in the oil tender, offering a commission of $0.025 per barrel, the minister also said. Guyana is a newcomer on the oil production scene but with great promise, as Exxon and Hess keep making discovery after discovery in the offshore blocks they operate, so far tapping into 9 billion barrels of reserves. For now, they are also the only actual producers of oil in the tiny South American country. The loading awarded to Aramco will be the country's fourth this year. Guyana and neighbor Suriname, with which the country shares the prolific Guyana-Suriname basin, are eager to exploit their newly discovered oil reserves in a race with the energy transition. "We have been called to leave our oil in the ground. We believe that's totally unfair," Guyana vice president Bharrat Jagdeo said last month at the Offshore Technology Conference in Texas. "Being a small country, we will not have the capacity and the framework for an optimum operation of the oil industry right now, but we will continue improving." Upstream Online reported last month that the Guyana-Suriname Basin could see 10 drilling rigs in 2022 as exploration in the area accelerates. Exxon already has six drillships in Guyana waters, and TotalEnergies has deployed two in Suriname waters. The report notes that 15 companies in total hold drilling rights to acreage in the basin. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Papua New Guinea has granted a license to a state-owned company to develop a gas field, preferring to keep control and income from the resources within the government rather than giving a private foreign company the rights to develop the new project. The government of Papua New Guinea has given the rights to state-controlled Kumul Petroleum to develop the Pandora gas field, preferring the government-owned entity to private firm Twinza Oil, which is headquartered in Australia, Reuters reports. Apart from Twinza Oil, other international players in Papua New Guinea include supermajors ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies, as well as Oil Search of Australia, which has just announced a megamerger with Australias gas giant Santos. Oil Search holds a 29-percent stake in the PNG LNG project in Papua New Guinea led by Exxon, as well as a 22.8-percent interest in Papua LNGa brownfield growth opportunity, according to the company. Handing the Pandora gas field license to a state-controlled firm signals that the government of Papua New Guinea is not easing its nationalist policies despite being open to discussing projects with international majors, Reuters notes. The decision to give the development rights to state-held Kumul Petroleum is a new revolutionary approach in the way the State has been conducting its petroleum business, Papua New Guineas Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua said in a statement carried by Reuters. Twinza Oil, which was hoping to tie the Pandora field with its Pasca A gas project, said it was disappointed with the governments decision. Before the license was awarded, Twinza Oils chairman and CEO Ian Munro said last month: Industry is closely watching the Pandora license award to gauge transparency and whether the Government will support a proven offshore operator and stimulate additional exploration and development investments. It is quite a risk with government money to take on exploration and appraisal, when foreign companies like Twinza are looking to take the risk on. The industry is confused by these decisions, Munro told Reuters after the license was awarded to the state firm. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.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. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, has charged the Governing Councils of Technical Universities to position themselves as they encourage more students to focus on hands-on engineering courses for the countrys socio-economic development. He urged the Councils to begin processes to replace the Bachelor of Technology courses with Bachelor of Science in Engineering to eliminate the stereotype associated with the course and make it more competitive. I want to see students apply to the Technical Universities as their first point of call to do engineering and not a situation where the students apply to KNUST to read engineering but because they were denied admission, the students got stuck because they did not see the technical universities as an alternative for them to get engineering education, he said. The Minister said this on Friday during the inauguration of four Governing Councils of Technical Universities in Accra and administered the oaths of Office and Secrecy to the council members with the mandate to manage the affairs of the institutions. The Universities are Kumasi Technical University, Takoradi Technical University, Tamale Technical University and Bolgatanga Technical University. The Minister said there was high demand for engineering students in the country and urged the Council members to help management of the Universities to develop the technical abilities of students to enhance national development. I want to see engineers who are not out there to repair what has been built somewhere else in the world, but want to see engineers who are creating, designing and developing cars or tools that can be used to transform the country, he said. He said the countrys technical education must be focused on innovation and creativity and stressed the need to move away from the old way of training people to fix what the expatriates had created, instead of training people to build new things. The Minister urged the universities to collaborate with companies for students to have hands-on experience on the job to bridge the academia and industry gap. I will not blame the management of universities whose fresh students cannot read and write, but will be surprised if the situation persists after graduation, he said. He charged them not to only be interested in the general education of students but also be concern about the progress of the students by finding out the number of graduates who had gain employment. You need to have a unique selling advantage about the University to attract students to your institution and also collaborate with companies to produce students who meet the needs of industry players, he said. Professor Ben Baffoe-Bonnie, Chairman of Kumasi Technical University, pledged the commitment of the Council to abiding by the mandate of the University and work towards ensuring that the students become more creative in solving problems. The chairmen of the councils of other universities commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the confidence reposed in them to steer the affairs of the universities and pledged to work hard. The councils are made up of representatives of the various stakeholders including the University Teachers Association of Ghana, Alumni, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, Government nominees, Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools, Association of Ghana Industries, Council for Technical and Vocational Education Training, Senior and Junior Staff Association, Ghana Employers Association, and Students Representative Council. 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 A Kenyan police officer who went missing from work and could not be found for nine months because no one knew he'd been admitted to hospital has resurfaced. Reuben Kimutai Lel was declared a deserter and his salary stopped after a futile, months-long search by fellow police officers. Their inquiries from his family, who were also desperately looking for him, were all in vain. Mr Lel was then charged in absentia and an arrest warrant was issued against him. The case was later withdrawn after police failed to find him. It turned out that he had all along been in hospital in a coma he was missing from December last year until last week when he regained consciousness. Although he had not regained his full memory, he was then able to identify himself by name and that he was a police officer and so the search for his relatives began, local media report. The police officer had been a victim of a road accident in the capital Nairobi and was admitted on 21 December as an unknown person at the main referral hospital in the city. He had no identity documents with him. He is reportedly due to be reinstated on the police service's payroll. 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 Government has urged media houses and Journalists in other parts of the country to take advantage of support programmes aimed at building their capacity. The Minister for Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah who made the appeal during an interaction with the Volta Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association said the programs are not only restricted to media houses in the national capital. He said the National Media Commission which is the implementing body tasked by the cabinet will soon embark on regional sensitization engagements on the programs with stakeholders. The two programs, the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme and the Co-ordinated Mechanism for Safety of Journalists are aimed at creating a conducive and safe environment for media practitioners and enhance their capacity to effectively play their role in consolidating the countrys democratic gains. The Information Minister appealed to the media to continue to collaborate with the government on its current efforts to get the economy back on track post COVID through the acquisition of more vaccines, the injection of 100 billion cedis into the economy through the Ghana Care Obantampa program, and focusing on security in Ghana following the recent terrorism threats in the subregion. 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 Police in Takoradi in the Western Region have officially arrested and detained Josephine Panyin Mensah, a 28-year-old woman who allegedly deceived security officers and the entire country with a pregnancy and kidnapping story, that turns out to be false. She has been detained at the Takoradi Central police cells. Josephine was officially arrested on Friday night, September 24, 2021, immediately after the police claimed that she had confessed that her story was a hoax. The suspect, Josephine Panyin Mensah, 28, has confessed to the Police during further investigations and stated that neither was she pregnant nor ever being kidnapped. The public will be updated with further details, police said in a statement. The womans mother, who was also kept in police custody on Thursday, was also released on Friday night. Meanwhile, residents of Takoradi who initially sympathized with Josephine have expressed shock and disappointment at the turn of events. Some of them who spoke to Citi News urged the police to conduct a DNA test on Jospehines first child. The current turn of events is mind-boggling. Now we dont know which story to believe. We all knew that she was pregnant. When we heard that her story was fake, the whole society was shaken to the core. People around the area claimed that she was pregnant, so now it is difficult to comprehend the polices contrary report, a resident said. Another resident qsaid Josephines story is embarrassing. Im convinced that she was not pregnant. Its putting pressure on women in Takoradi, the Western Region and the whole of Ghana. If she actually has a son, the police should conduct a DNA test to confirm if indeed the son belongs to her husband or not. Weve been shaken by this story. When we heard that she had been kidnapped, we were worried. But we cant fathom the new development. I dont trust the story being bandied around. I will only believe this story when I hear from her directly, another resident said. Background Josephine Panyin Mensah, has been in the news since last Thursday after the media reported that she was nine months pregnant and had been kidnapped during a dawn walk. She resurfaced a week later at Axim in the Western Region without her alleged pregnancy or baby. She had claimed that she delivered the same day she went missing and that the kidnappers had stolen her baby. The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah subsequently claimed Josephine was not pregnant as reported, a claim subsequently corroborated by the Ghana Police Service. Police conducted two separate medical tests on Josephine at different hospitals, with both reports proving that she was never pregnant. Josephines relatives and neighbours however disagreed with the report of the Ghana Police Service. Source: citinewsroom 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 Ghana Police Service has instituted urgent additional security measures to arrest a robbery gang attacking people within the Greater Accra region in recent days. A statement signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kwesi Ofori, Acting Director-General, Public Affairs and copied the Ghana News Agency, pleaded with residents to bear with the Police with regards to the scaled-up security measures to deal with the threat. It said Police had placed a financial reward of GHS 50,000.00 for information that would lead to the arrest of the robbers. The statement urged the public and corporate institutions who intended to withdraw and deposit huge sums of money to exercise caution or contact the Police for assistance for such transactions. The Statement said any suspicious behaviour or movement of persons should be reported immediately to the Police on the emergency numbers 18555, 191, 0302773906 or 0302787373. It commended the general public for their continued assistance and gave the assurance that with citizens support, communities would remain safe. We will never, ever allow these thugs to disturb our peace as a people, the statement said. 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 Ashanti Regional Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has taken its sensitization campaign on violent extremism to the palace of the Zongo Chief of Kumasi, Sultan Umar Farouk. The visit by Madam Margaret Konoma and a team of officials from the Commission was to discuss measures to combat violent extremism and ensure a peaceful co-existence in Zongo communities. It formed part of efforts by the NCCE to engage key stakeholders in its campaign to sensitize the citizenry on violent extremism, national cohesion and peaceful co-existence. The NCCE in collaboration with the National Security Ministry has been organizing a series of public fora for relevant stakeholders across the country to foster national cohesion by highlighting the consequences of violent extremism. Madam Konama and her team were, therefore, in the Palace to seek the support of the Chief and his elders in the campaign for peaceful co-existence and national cohesion. The expectation was that his influence as a traditional leader would significantly enhance the acceptance of the message being propagated by the Commission in the Zongo communities. The NCCE Regional Director briefed the Zongo Chief and his elders about efforts being made by the NCCE to promote national cohesion and called for his support in spreading the message in Zongo communities. She said the resurgence of secessionism in some parts of the country was not only a threat to national cohesion but also had serious implications on the sustainability of Ghanas fragile democracy. The Commission, she noted, had been strategically engaging the youth in selected districts in the region where peace and security were occasionally threatened by violence and other disturbances. She underlined the need for Ghanaians to take inspiration from Article 41 of the 1992 Constitution, which enjoins the citizens to foster national unity and live in harmony with others. Peace and stability are essential for development and must be guarded at all times if Ghana wants to make progress, she stated. 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 A team of scientists led by Associate Professor Mishkat Bhattacharya proposed a new method for detecting superfluid motion in an article published in Physical Review Letters. Credit: Rochester Institute of Technology Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology are part of a new study that could help unlock the potential of superfluidsessentially frictionless special substances capable of unstopped motion once initiated. A team of scientists led by Mishkat Bhattacharya, an associate professor at RIT's School of Physics and Astronomy and Future Photon Initiative, proposed a new method for detecting superfluid motion in an article published in Physical Review Letters. Scientists have previously created superfluids in liquids, solids, and gases, and hope harnessing superfluids' properties could help lead to discoveries such as a superconductor that works at room temperature. Bhattacharya said such a discovery could revolutionize the electronics industry, where loss of energy due to resistive heating of wires incurs major costs. However, one of the main problems with studying superfluids is that all available methods of measuring the delicate superfluid rotation bring the motion to a halt. Bhattacharya and his team of RIT postdoctoral researchers teamed up with scientists in Japan, Taiwan, and India to propose a new detection method that is minimally destructive, in situ, and in real-time. Bhattacharya said the techniques used to detect gravitational waves predicted by Einstein inspired the new method. The basic idea is to pass laser light through the rotating superfluid. The light that emerged would then pick up a modulation at the frequency of superfluid rotation. Detecting this frequency in the light beam using existing technology yielded knowledge of the superfluid motion. The challenge was to ensure the laser beam did not disturb the superflow, which the team accomplished by choosing a light wavelength different from any that would be absorbed by the atoms. "Our proposed method is the first to ensure minimally destructive measurement and is a thousand times more sensitive than any available technique," said Bhattacharya. "This is a very exciting development, as the combination of optics with atomic superflow promises entirely new possibilities for sensing and information processing." Bhattacharya and his colleagues also showed that the light beam could actively manipulate supercurrents. In particular, they showed that the light could create quantum entanglement between two currents flowing in the same gas. Such entanglement could be useful for storing and processing quantum information. Explore further New phonon laser could lead to breakthroughs in sensing and information processing More information: Pardeep Kumar et al, Cavity Optomechanical Sensing and Manipulation of an Atomic Persistent Current, Physical Review Letters (2021). Journal information: Physical Review Letters Pardeep Kumar et al, Cavity Optomechanical Sensing and Manipulation of an Atomic Persistent Current,(2021). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.113601 Innovent Announces First Patient Dosed in a Phase 2 Clinical Trial of IBI112 (IL-23 Monoclonal Antibody) in Patients with Moderate-to-severe Plaque Psoriasis Details Category: Antibodies Published on Friday, 24 September 2021 10:24 Hits: 948 SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA and SUZHOU, China I September 23, 2021 I Innovent Biologics, Group. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high quality medicines for the treatment of cancer, metabolic, autoimmune and other major diseases, today announced that the first patient with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis has been successfully dosed in a Phase 2 clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05003531) of recombinant anti-interleukin 23p19 subunit antibody injection (R & D code: IBI112) in China. Study CIBI112A201 is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial, evaluating the efficacy and safety of IBI112 at different doses administered subcutaneously in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous injection of IBI112 at different doses in Chinese subjects with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The safety of drugs and the difference of administration interval between different therapeutic regimens will also be investigated, so as to provide dose information for Phase 3 clinical studies. This is also the first Phase 2 clinical study of domestic innovative drugs targeting IL-23p19, which is a significant milestone. Professor Jianzhong Zhang from Peking University People's Hospital, principal investigator of the study, stated, "The pathogenesis of psoriasis is complex. Psoriasis is difficult to treat, and the patients often suffer for a lifetime. Currently about 2% to 3% of the world's population suffers from psoriasis; about 80% to 90% of patients have plaque psoriasis, and nearly one third of the cases are moderate to severe. There are about 6 million patients with psoriasis in China. According to the literature, IL-23 monoclonal antibody has gained increasing attention in recent years due to its favorable efficacy and safety profiles. IBI112 is a novel IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody independently investigated and developed by Chinese enterprises. The results of Phase 1 clinical trial showed favorable safety and tolerability as well as potential advantages in the route of administration. We hope that IBI112 will be successful in the Phase 2 clinical trial, and provide an alternative treatment option for Chinese patients with psoriasis." Dr. Qian Lei, Executive Director of Medical Sciences and Strategies of Special Diseases of Innovent, stated: "With the introduction of biologics drugs such as adalimumab and IL-17 into the clinic, compared with traditional systemic treatments, they undoubtedly offer alternative treatment options for patients with psoriasis, but there is still room for further improvement in terms of efficacy, safety, as well as maintaining a durable effect. Recently, a new generation of drugs targeting IL-23 has attracted special interests due to its excellent efficacy and favorable safety profile. IL-23 plays a key role in T cell-mediated response and is regarded as a pivotal initiator of immune-mediated diseases. In contrast to IL-17 monoclonal antibody, antibodies against IL23p19 have significant advantages in terms of generating a durable effect. IBI112 plays an anti-inflammatory role by blocking IL-23-mediated signaling pathway and has the potential to treat autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and inflammatory Bowel disease (IBD). Currently, there is no self-developed IL-23p19 inhibitors on the market in China. Results from the first-in-human Phase 1 clinical study of IBI112 has confirmed its favorable safety and tolerability profiles, and has preliminarily demonstrated its potential to serve a more patient-friendly treatment regimen. We are greatly encouraged that it can provide strong foundation for the subsequent clinical development. Based on this, in collaboration with our study sites, we are confident to advance the clinical development of IBI112 in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis as well as other indications to fulfill our mission of providing high-quality innovative biopharmaceuticals that are accessible to the vast majority of patients." About IBI112 IBI112 is a monoclonal antibody independently developed by Innovent, with independent intellectual property rights. This product specifically binds to IL-23p19 subunit, thereby preventing IL-23 from binding to cell surface receptors, resulting in the inhibition of IL-23 receptor-mediated signaling pathway. Preclinical data demonstrated that IBI 112 has a, clear target and well-elucidated mechanism of action, and significant anti-inflammatory effect, suggesting that it may provide a more effective treatment option for patients with psoriasis or other autoimmune diseases. About Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory and systemic disease mediated by both genetic and environmental factors, which can occur in all age groups with no gender preference . The typical clinical presentation includes scaly erythema or plaque with localized or widespread distribution. It is, a lifetime long noninfectious condition, which is very difficult to treat. Psoriasis can be classified into psoriasis vulgaris (including guttate psoriasis and plaque psoriasis), pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis and arthropathic psoriasis. Approximately, 80 ~ 90% of patients have plaque psoriasis, and nearly 30% of the cases are moderate and severe. There are significant differences in the prevalence of psoriasis around the world, with more than 6 million patients in China. At present, in China, the main systemic treatments include methotrexate (MTX), cyclosporine A, retinoic acids and biological agents. Since 2019, psoriasis treatment in China has gradually entered the era of biological agents. About Innovent Inspired by the spirit of "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action," Innovent's mission is to develop, manufacture and commercialize high-quality biopharmaceutical products that are affordable to ordinary people. Established in 2011, Innovent is committed to developing, manufacturing and commercializing high-quality innovative medicines for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune, metabolic and other major diseases. On October 31, 2018, Innovent was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited with the stock code: 01801.HK. Since its inception, Innovent has developed a fully integrated multi-functional platform which includes R&D, CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls), clinical development and commercialization capabilities. Leveraging the platform, the company has built a robust pipeline of 26 valuable assets in the fields of cancer, metabolic, autoimmune disease and other major therapeutic areas, with 5 products TYVYT (sintilimab injection), BYVASDA (bevacizumab biosimilar injection), SULINNO (adalimumab biosimilar injection), HALPRYZA (rituximab biosimilar injection) and Pemazyre (pemigatinib oral inhibitor) officially approved for marketing in China, 1 asset's NDA under NMPA review, sintilimab's Biologics License Application (BLA) acceptance in the U.S., 5 assets in Phase 3 or pivotal clinical trials, and an additional 15 molecules in clinical studies. Innovent has built an international team with advanced talent in high-end biological drug development and commercialization, including many global experts. The company has also entered into strategic collaborations with Eli Lilly and Company, Adimab, Incyte, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Hanmi and other international partners. Innovent strives to work with many collaborators to help advance China's biopharmaceutical industry, improve drug availability and enhance the quality of the patients' lives. For more information, please visit: www.innoventbio.com. and www.linkedin.com/company/innovent-biologics/. SOURCE: Innovent Biologics EDDIE KINGSTON DISCUSSES SHOUTING OUT HIS MOTHER AT RAMPAGE GRAND SLAM, BATTLING MINORU SUZUKI IN NYC, MAINTAINING HIS MENTAL HEALTH AND MUCH MORE In the wake of Wednesday night's AEW Dynamite Grand Slam event and last night's AEW Rampage Grand Slam broadcast, PWInsider.com sat down with Eddie Kingston to reflect of AEW's successful debut in the New York market and more: Stepping in the ring with Minoru Suzuki and main eventing Rampage in NYC: "I know. I am drained, I am drained, I am emotionally, mentally, physically, after Suzuki started beating me up and Lance started beating me up, drained. That's it, that's all I can tell you, drained. [The match] means the world to me. It was like I was in there with four pillars. It was like I was in there with The Three Musketeers in New Japan. It was everything. It was everything to me. I cracked a smile in the middle of going back and forth with Suzuki in the ring. And you know me, Mike, I don't smile when I fight. I'm just trying to get in there and fight. But I just cracked a little smile like, "Yeah, let's go. I was born to this." I actually felt, at the end of the night when I sat in the locker room by myself, after the adrenaline wore off and I had tears in my eyes, running down my face, thinking of this 20-year-career, it will be 20 years in October. Thinking about this 20-year-career and thinking about everybody who was there with me and everybody who has passed away who I knew, who was with me, and everybody who wasn't with me, and all this stuff, I just broke down in tears, I couldn't believe it. I could not believe it. And then in my head I went like this, Mike, you know me. I went, "Okay, on to the next one." Shouting out his mother on the mic after the show went off the air: "Man, I'm a mama's boy and I don't care. I wanted everyone to know that I love my mother and that I'm so thankful for her. And my dad, let's not forget, because my dad busted my balls a little bit. He was like, "Oh, that's cool. Mention your mother, not me." But those guys, they never left me. They never gave up on me. Man, I was a hardheaded kid, Mike. I was hardheaded, I was hardheaded in my 20s, I was hardheaded, but they never gave up on me. No matter how broke I was, no matter how many times I had to go to them to borrow money to pay off rent, they just never gave up. They said, "Keep chasing your dream." Because they'd rather have me chasing my dream than me out in the street or sitting at a bar all day drinking." Whether it's hit him that he's now part of a promotion that will inspire the next generation of talents the way ECW inspired him to get into the business: "No. Short answer, no. But all I can say is if I'm one of those guys that's inspiring the kids, I just hope they learn from me to love what we do, what we're doing, and love the profession of what we're doing, the fight of what we're doing. Because it's an uphill battle, man, it's a uphill battle. And I truly believe, though, that like ECW brought back the violence and the pro wrestling with guys like Dean Malenko and Eddy Guerrero, I hope we're bringing that back to pro wrestling for some kids and that inspires them to be pro-wrestlers or that inspires them to look up Minoru Suzuki and when I talk about All Japan in the '90s, I hope that inspires them to look it up on YouTube because they ain't got to tape trade, lucky sons of bitches. But I hope that inspires them to do that, so they can see why we fell in love with the sport." His Mental Health and whether having "made it" as part of AEW helps ease that battle at all: "My mental health is always a struggle and that's a everyday thing. One minute I'm good and one minute I'm not, the next minute I'm good, and that's me. And I'm always trying to improve myself because I tell people my final form is when I'm in the ground. So this is not the final form to me. So every day is a struggle but I embrace the struggle. And to get a little smart on you, Mike, without struggle there is no progress. So I enjoy that struggle because I know I'm making progress in my life. The other part of that question is, yeah, I'm in AEW and AEW is the top but I'm not the champion so the work is not done. I didn't come to AEW just to be like, "Hey, man, I'm on TV, hooray." I did the "Yeah, I'm happy to be on TV. I'm happy to get a contract. I'm happy to show everybody if you don't quit and you keep trying you make it." But to me I haven't made it fully yet, so the struggle is still there. I'm still trying to be World Champion one day." PWInsider Elite subscribers can listen to the entire unedited audio right now. If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here! Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. FILE PHOTO: A man walks by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Building in New York City (Reuters) - Researchers at the New York Federal Reserve Bank have developed an approach to measuring banks' exposures to climate-related risks, a possible early step toward assessing whether financial institutions have enough capital on hand to withstand them. The publication Friday of a paper describing the new methodology may mark an early step toward an eventual "climate stress test" for U.S. banks. It's an approach already used by other global central banks but that has drawn intense criticism from U.S. Republican lawmakers who say that monitoring for such risk goes beyond the central bank's remit. Fed Chair Jerome Powell for his part has said he believes that making sure banks are resilient to the threat of climate change is squarely within the Fed's mandate. Friday's paper, titled simply "Climate Stress Testing," outlines for the first time exactly how the Fed could go about checking the vulnerability of banks and the financial system broadly to shocks as the nation moves to limit emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide. "Banks that provide financing to fossil fuel firms are expected to suffer when the default risk of their loan portfolios increases, as economies transition into a lower-carbon environment," the researchers said. "If banks systemically suffer substantial losses following an abrupt rise in the physical risks or transition risks, climate change poses a considerable risk to the financial system." The researchers developed a metric for assessing climate risk, and found that for some banks with big fossil fuel exposures it was "economically substantial." Using Citigroup as an example, the researchers said the expected amount of capital that the bank would have needed to raise under the climate stress scenario to restore a prudential capital ratio increased by $73 billion in 2020, at a time when oil prices were falling as the pandemic reduced energy demand. Story continues A Citigroup spokeswoman declined to comment on the paper. Overall, bank risk measures for large banks in the United States, U.K, Japan, Canada and France tended to rise and fall over time but in tandem, they found. The researchers did not consider the direct effects of climate-related weather events, though they said that incorporating such risks could be a next step. U.S. banking regulators, including the Fed, are already moving toward requiring more disclosure of how climate-related risks could affect the value of banks' assets. (Reporting by Ann Saphir; Editing by Andrea Ricci) Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. Submit questions here. (Its anonymous!) Dear Prudence, My Dad passed away 18 months ago very suddenly. We dont know what initially caused him to collapse, but he was lying on a floor for days and he developed rhabdomyolysis and his blood turned toxic by the time he was hospitalized. I had one phone call with him, then he asphyxiated and never regained consciousness. I sat with him until he passed away three days later. Advertisement It would be logical to think Dad lived alone, but he didnt. His wife and her son were in the house with him. They left him on the floor and waited to call 911 for a few days. They said he didnt want the expense of going to the hospital, which sounds like Dad, but I cant help but think if they had called as soon as he collapsed, he might have made it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dads wife, J, didnt go to the hospital until the last day after I made the decision we would turn off the machines based on his Living Will. She couldnt handle it and stayed in the waiting room. My sister and I stayed with him until he passed. She left and I stayed until they cleaned him up, made him comfortable, and they told me I should go. I handled everything with the help of my siblings. Advertisement Fast forward to today, and I am still my stepmothers go-to person. She makes horrible, thoughtless decisions and then cant handle the outcomes. I think she is also suffering from some form of dementia and drug addiction. I stood by her as long as I could, out of respect for my Dad. But now she has started online dating and sending men she has never met money. I dont see anything but heartbreak and ruin ahead for her, but I cant take much more. Last week, I moved her into a 55+ community at my expense. She left behind my Dads ashes but made sure she had every stitch of her clothes. (Dads ashes are with me now.) Last night she got lost and the police had to call me to go pick her up. We have never been close, but now she tells me I am her favorite child, even over her own son (who was still living with her at age 50, was abusive and unemployed). Advertisement Advertisement How do I bow out gracefully? Is it even possible? This is destroying my hard-won sanity. I am angry and hurt and resentful, but I am also a kind person. If she has dementia, some of this is not her fault, plus she was raised so sheltered. (She asked me this week how to use a hammer.) I feel I have honored my Dad by getting her past his death and into a supportive community, but she is consuming my life. What am I supposed to do? Advertisement The Good Stepdaughter Dear Good Stepdaughter, I feel I have honored my Dad by getting her past his death and into a supportive community is exactly right. If you want to do one more thing before you cut ties, you could look into getting her some help with the potential dementia and/or drug problem that seems to be contributing to the situation shes in. This is going to sound harsh, but because of whatever combination of issues she has, she didnt have the capacity to care much about her own husbandshe cant possibly care that much about you. Youve made sure that shes safe and has what she needs, and thats enough. Advertisement Advertisement Dear Prudence, Ive been five months strong in a new relationship. This is the first person whos ever been able to bring something to the table and put food on it under a roof. We decided to cohabitate, and I uprooted eagerly. Im ok with all of the changesjob, workout routine, family and friends, and doctors/psychiatrists/therapists. Ive been needing it for a while, but I wouldnt have done this for anyone else. Ive had partners offer to get to this stage in the past, but those alone were absurdly unstable. I feel like Ive met my soulmate. I only remember loving someone this deeply (it gets deeper each day) who was my first boyfriend. Advertisement Thing is, Ive had a heinous track record with partners. Ive somehow succeeded at meeting abusers and users of all flavors, genders, and orientations. I did meet normal lovers, but I disengaged knowing that they couldnt handle my trauma and baggage. I didnt realize Im so guardedextremely guarded. I have other things to work on as well, like self-esteem and insecurities through my new therapist. Im getting med management underway. Advertisement Advertisement I dont want to fail myself and consequently sabotage a relationship thats prone to all the aches and pains one regularly has. Ive never had a partner compassionately and patiently encourage and support me loving and working on myself. (Theyre in therapy, too.) Im so scared something will happen out of the blue to me. Im scared theres another shoe about to drop. I logically dont have a reason to feel this way but I cant stop thinking about all the awful things exes and vindictive abusers had me suffer through. Advertisement Ive definitely shared my feelings with my partner, and they cant be hearing the same sad BS every night. Theyve communicated that they cant keep entrenched in these constant anxious 20 questions if they still love me that day. Not a fun game, and I totally understand. I wish I had been taught healthy relationships and allowed to experience them. I blame myself for all this crazy. First time I actually meet a real partner, and its me whos more problematic. How can I stop being this insecure, worried, and existentially flabbergasted? How Can I Be Me in a Relationship Without Being Me? Advertisement Advertisement Dear How Can I Be, You have a new therapist. Youre working on medication management. I think youre moving in the right direction, but you need to buy yourself some time to let these things youre doing take effectand take your anxiety down a notch. Ask your partner for patience as you adjust to your new life and give them a reasonable estimatesay, six monthsfor the amount of time it might take you to feel more secure. Let them know that you know you dont have a real reason to doubt their commitment to you, and are working on pushing back the constant worry that your past relationships have created. In the meantime, commit to doing some additional work on your end so that youre not overwhelming them with all your worries every night. Can you set aside a time once a week to check in about the relationship and how youre feeling? On the other days, turn to a few good friends and a journal to pour your emotions out. Advertisement Advertisement Get Dear Prudence in Your Inbox We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Dear Prudence, I have a fear of babies, stemming from a traumatic time in my life involving my emotionally abusive ex, an abortion, and a lot of stress. I am fine with this, I do not want kids and never have, and Im with a wonderful husband who also doesnt want kids. (I had therapy after the abortion which gave me the power to leave my ex.) Problem is, my best friend and his wife had a baby a few days ago. My friend knew before about my fear, but may have forgotten. Im terrified that he may ask me to be a godparent, which would involve holding his baby and the thought absolutely fills me with horror and revulsion. What would I say? Advertisement Please Dont Ask Me to Hold Your Child Dear Please Dont, How do you feel about the parts of being a godparent that dont involve holding a baby? If you think youd like to play this important role in the kids life, there might be room to work around your fear. When and if youre asked (definitely dont say anything until thenthey could very well have a relative or a different friend in mind) remind your friends of your phobia and ask whether theyd be open to you doing all the other parts of godparenting (providing spiritual guidance, sending gifts on holidays, agreeing to raise the kid if something happens to its parents), but skipping the infant-holding part of the job. Plenty of people do this long-distance, so it shouldnt be too big a deal. If you really arent into children overall, politely decline by telling them youre flattered but you dont think you have what it takes to be the godmother their child deserves, and they should make another choice. Advertisement Advertisement Catch up on this weeks Prudie. More Advice From Pay Dirt I come from a large family. I have five siblings and upwards of 15 cousins around my age. Out of everyone, I am the only one who is fully financially independent. When my father died 10 years ago, he left me a large parcel of the family land, located in a Southern state that none of the family actively lives in or wants to live in anymore. During the pandemic I got into family history research and genealogy, and surprise, surprise: Were descended from slaveowners. This made more urgent something Ive been thinking about ever since I inherited the land: I want to donate it, either to a Black farming collective or return it to the Native American tribe to which it rightfully belongs. But what are my obligations to the rest of my family? Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez penned a long, emotional letter in which she explained her decision to vote present on a bill to fund Israels Iron Dome missile defense system. Ocasio-Cortez was seen crying after she switched her vote against the $1 billion bill to present, which essentially amounted to an abstention. The measure easily passed the House of Representatives, 4209. In the letter, Ocasio-Cortez criticized the deeply unjust process to get the bill to the House floor and approved quickly as well as what she sees as the way so many in Washington are willing to go along with unconditional aid to the Israeli government. Advertisement Ocasio-Cortezs three-page letter doesnt ever explicitly lay out her reasons for switching from no to present but she suggested it had to do with what she said was the rush to vote and the consequences. The reckless decision by House leadership to rush this controversial vote within a matter of hours and without true consideration created a tinderbox of vitriol, disingenuous framing, deeply racist accusations and depictions, Ocasio-Cortez wrote in the letter addressed to residents of New Yorks 14th Congressional District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A note to our NY-14 constituents, from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pic.twitter.com/mOmJrgFa4G Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) September 24, 2021 Advertisement She also explained her tears, saying they were related to the way she felt leaders were trying to rush the vote rather than hear substantive objections. Yes, I wept. I wept at the complete lack of care for the human beings that are impacted by these decisions, I wept at an institution choosing a path of maximum volatility and minimum consideration for its own political convenience, she wrote. And I wept at the complete lack of regard I often feel our party has to its most vulnerable and endangered members and communities. Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. What Ocasio-Cortez described as the rushed process to get the bill approved created very real spillover effects; she said it made the prospect of civil debate on such a complicated issue even harder. It created a real sense of panic and horror among those in our community who otherwise engage thoughtfully in these discussions, and fueled the discussion to devolve to a point where it became clear that this vote would risk a severe devolution of the good faith community fabric that allows us to responsibly join in a struggle for human rights and dignity everywhere, she said. Advertisement Advertisement The debate over funding for the Iron Dome system grew bitter and exemplified divisions that exist within the Democratic Party over Israel. The funding for the system had originally been part of a bigger government spending bill, but Democratic leaders ended up making it a stand-alone bill after objections from some progressive lawmakers. During the debate, Rep. Rashida Tlaib called Israel an apartheid state, which led Rep. Ted Deutch to accuse her of antisemitism. In the end, only eight Democrats and one Republican voted against the bill. With her vote, Ocasio-Cortez managed to anger people on both sides of the issue. Supporters of Israel criticized her for not supporting the funding that they say helps save lives, and pro-Palestinian activists blasted her for not opposing the measure. To those I have disappointedI am deeply sorry, she wrote. To those who believe this reasoning is insufficient or cowardiceI understand. The bill now goes to the Senate. As Haitian migrants carrying food, shoes, and other necessities began to wade into the waters of the Rio Grande earlier this month, some were greeted on American soil by Border Patrol agents mounted on horseback. Photographs and videos captured the scene: officers chasing migrants back into the water, grabbing migrants by their shirts or in some cases swinging reins in a way that mimicked makeshift whips.* One video shows an agent telling a group of migrants, This is why your countrys shit. Because you use your women for thisa message that harkens back to a former presidents view of Haiti and other predominantly Black nations. Advertisement Images of the inhumane treatment at the border began to circulate heavily online earlier this week and evoked a plethora of emotion, with some (myself included) drawing parallels to how white men treated Black folks during enslavement and the Jim Crow era, not to mention current day interactions with law enforcement by Black Americans and Black immigrants. (A 2020 report from the Refugee And Immigrant Center details how Haitians were detained more than any other nationality last year and often pay higher bonds.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the days since the photos began to circulate on social media, the Biden administration has suspended horse patrols and launched an investigation into the agents conduct. I promise you, those people will pay. There will be an investigation underway now, and there will be consequences. There will be consequences, said President Joe Biden on Friday. Its an embarrassment, but beyond an embarrassment, it is dangerous. Its wrong, it sends the wrong message around the world, it sends the wrong message at home. Its simply not who we are. Advertisement Bidens comments come a day after his U.S. special envoy to Haiti resigned due to the inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country that is still rebounding from a political assassination and a deadly earthquake. As of Friday, all the migrants who were in the Del Rio encampment are gone. Around 2,000 were expelled, according to the Associated Press, while CNN reported that others were relocated to DHS processing facilities. About 8,000 voluntarily returned to Mexico where some migrants have been subjected to raids by Mexican authorities. Hoping to put this moment in proper historical context, I called Monica Martinez, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin and a historian of racist violence in the U.S. We spoke about her research on 20th century border abuses, the Texas Rangers in particular, and why she believes the conversations around anti-Black racism and immigration need to be merged. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Julia Craven: I hate that our subject matter is what it is, but tell me about the work that you do. Monica Martinez: My research focuses on Texas in the early 20th century during the Jim Crow era, when laws and policies were put in place to restrict the rights of Black, Mexican, Indigenous, and Asian people and women. Its also a time period of brutal violence by mobs, and by law enforcementparticularly law enforcement on the U.S.-Mexico border. This is the history thats been hidden. Ive recovered lynchings, police homicides, and U.S. soldiers shooting children. There have been generations of people calling for justice and trying to have these histories of state sanctioned, racist violence, officially acknowledged. And to have truthful conversations about the past and its relationship to the present. Advertisement Advertisement Whats currently happening with Haitian migrants in Del Rio? Its a show of force against Haitian people who are desperately trying to seek asylum in the United States. Were also seeing that the federal government has been aggressively deporting people back to Haitisome who have not been in that country for years. And it is a familiar scene because theres a long history of deportations and sending people to countries that they dont consider home. Theres also been public attention to the border and whats happening in Del Rio because there are photographs and video of border patrol officers on horseback charging unarmed civilians. Advertisement People who know the history of anti-Mexican and anti-Black violence, especially on the border, were quickly making the connection between the history of the Texas Rangers, which worked as slave catchers and massacred Indigenous and Mexican people in Texas. The photographs for people who know this history recalled an earlier era of violence by law enforcement against people on the U.S.-Mexico border. Advertisement Id like to hear more about the Texas Rangers. To me, it was very reminiscent of slave patrols and overseers. In Texas, and globally, the Rangers are a revered law enforcement agency. They were formed in 1823 when Stephen F. Austin, who was an early Anglo settler in what was then the Northern part of Mexico, organized a group of rangers to protect Anglo settlers and their property. The Texas Rangers [were described] by historians who celebrated them as having an ongoing battle for racial supremacy in Texas. Battling Mexican landowners, indigenous nationsthe Rangers targeted what they referred to as Indian warriors. But throughout the 19th century, they also played the role of slave catchers. Theres actually some Texas Rangers who were celebrated for their excellent tracking skills that were put to use to hunt and capture enslaved people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas Rangers played a key role in using violence as a tool for social control. Some of the other moments of Texas Ranger history that those photographs reminded me of were the photographs from 1915 that were taken in Texas with a group of Texas Rangers on horseback with their lassos, with ropes tied around the corpses of four men who were identified by the photographer only as Mexican bandits. In 1919, the Texas Rangers were investigated by the state legislature for committing abuses like organizing massacres, making prisoners vulnerable to lynch mobs, shooting prisoners, shooting people just for being Mexican, and denying them due process. State Representative Jose T. Canales filed charges about specific cases of abuse and violence and named specific Rangers, but he also filed charges against the adjutant general and tried to hold the leadership accountable. He made the point that reforming the agency had to be more than firing just a few bad apples. Accountability had to start at the top. In the end, a joint committee of the Texas state Senate and House refused to investigate those charges. Advertisement Its really striking to be having a conversation about abuse by law enforcement and border patrol, because it has been ongoing. The failure to hold Texas Rangers accountable 100 years ago meant that some of those Rangers went on to be inaugural members of the Border Patrol in 1924. It is a moment in time where these histories of racist violence that shaped policing practices for centuries in Texas went on to then shape federal policing practices. Advertisement Advertisement Those photographs gave us a glimpse into some of the techniques that are being used that were caught on camera. But it raises important questions about what were not seeing, and what the public doesnt have access to. Advertisement The look on the border patrol officers faceswhich looked like a mix of disgust and rage to megot me thinking about how people in power tend to write the narratives and control the initial understanding of things. How does that play into the way that people have been conditioned to view the border and immigrants? Advertisement People have been taught that the strength of the nation can be measured by how well it can police and control its borders. During World War One, the United States was trying to create its global presence as a protector of democracy but also as a military strength. So between 1910 and 1920, the years of the Mexican revolution, the U.S. government, to prepare U.S. soldiers to fight in World War One, sent troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. There they practiced using the newest military technologies and digging trenches, using barbed wire, using new tanks, and new machine guns. Americans, for a long time, have been taught that military strength should be on display and the border has been used as a backdrop to show that strength. Advertisement The border has been represented as a dangerous place for white people and as a place in need of policing and where the freedom of movement should be restricted. This has cast suspicion on people who live near the border, and people who live in border communities have been cast as dangerous and violentwhether theyre American citizens or not. How does a law enforcement officer appearing to whip a Black person fit into that broader picture of law enforcement officers not respecting the human rights of people of color? The force [against Haitian migrants by Border Patrol] is unsettling to seeand you dont have to be a student of history for it to be familiar. But, I think that most people have not considered the abuses that have taken place on the border by law enforcement when discussing policing reforms. Thats a needed and urgent conversation. I would say, too, that most people dont see it as an issue in which anti-Black racism shapes immigration policy. It really raises important questions about what does humanity look like in the United States? Advertisement Advertisement And who is considered to be human. Absolutely. It comes back to the history of the United States restricting who was considered human and who was considered worthy of being a citizen. Its a series of conversations that weve had since the founding of the nation. We are having that same conversation when it comes to immigration but we dont often think about it in terms of how is it that some people are deemed desirable and others are not. And it gets to this very hard question of the inhumane treatment of people on a person-to-person basis that is deeply troubling. The Taliban rulers in Afghanistan put on public display the bodies of four men who were killed by police after they allegedly took part in a kidnapping. The Taliban hanged one of the dead bodies from a crane parked in a city square in the western city of Herat. The three others were taken to other parts of the city to be displayed publicly. One resident tells Reuters he was out shopping for food when he suddenly heard an announcer over a loudspeaker demanding peoples attention. When I stepped forward, I saw they had brought a body in a pickup truck, then they hung it up on a crane, he said. Footage of the corpse hanging from the crane with a note pinned to his chest saying This is the punishment for kidnapping was shared widely on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four men allegedly kidnapped a local businessman and his son and tried to take them out of the city. The men were seen by police that set up checkpoints around Herat. Gunfire was exchanged and all the kidnappers were killed while a Taliban soldier was injured. Taliban leaders said the action was meant to send a message. The aim of this action is to alert all criminals that they are not safe, a Taliban commander told the Associated Press. The public display of the bodies appears to provide one more piece of evidence that the Taliban is returning to its hardline ways that included public stonings and the amputations of limbs of alleged criminals. In an interview with the Associated Press earlier this week, a senior Taliban leader said the countrys new leaders would once again amputate limbs and carry out executions. That immediately led to international condemnation and warnings from the State Department that these types of actions would constitute clear gross abuses of human rights. U.S. officials have said that a potential international recognition of the new Taliban-led Afghan government would depend on respect for human rights. We are watching very closely, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Friday, and not just listening to the announcements that come out but watching very closely as the Taliban conducts itself. Haiti is in desperate need after a devastating earthquake, a hurricane, a presidential assassination, and not enough vaccines to stop the delta variant. International aid is pouring in, which is all good, but not good enough. It is time to ask about what Haiti is owednot in terms of international benevolence or moral duty, but as a matter of basic legal rights and principles. Many think of Haiti as a debtor nation, but the fact is that former colonial powers might be the ones legally in debt to Haiti. And the basis for that debt is not just a generalized grievance about colonial domination, but something much more tangible: Haiti once had something of great value, and the United States took it. That something is a small, uninhabited, rocky island covered in a million tons of sun-baked bird poop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The island of Navassa is about 30 miles off the coast of Haiti and is covered in centuries worth of accumulated bird droppingsguano. Sometimes referred to as white gold, guano is a potent fertilizer that in the mid-1800s was a scarce resource for which American farmers were desperate. Peru had large amounts of the stuff, but its near monopoly position and special deal with Britain meant that American farmers were priced out. In 1850, guano was $76 a pounda quarter of the price of gold at the time. The situation was so dire that President Millard Fillmore devoted portions of his 1850 State of the Union address to the subject. To solve the problem, the U.S. resorted to a kind of privatized colonialism. The Guano Islands Act of 1856 (which, incredibly, is still on the books) authorized American entrepreneurs to search the world and seize unclaimed islands anywhere that guano could be mined. The key implication was that the might of the U.S. Navy would back up Americans claims. Advertisement Perhaps unsurprisingly, administration of the act waspardona shit show. A State Department analysis in the 1930s concluded that many of the islands seized under the act actually already belonged to other nations, and the U.S. has quietly returned many of them over the years. Advertisement Not so with Navassa. In 1857, Haiti was not yet mining the guano on the island in its backyard, but when American entrepreneurs claimed the island, Haitians protested. The U.S. responded by sending its navy to Port-au-Prince to tell the Haitians to stay away from Navassa. Such behavior is not surprising. In 1857, the U.S. did not even recognize Haiti as a nation, even though it had become independent a half-century earlier (having been forced to literally purchase its freedom from France). The fact that Haiti emerged from a slave revolution was offensive and scary to many American politicians, who feared that recognizing Haiti would encourage enslaved people in the U.S. to think of their own revolution. Advertisement Advertisement Haiti, for its part, has continued to quietly maintain its claim to Navassathe constitution of Haiti even says so. But Haitis near-vassal state relationship with the U.S. over the past century-and-a-half has meant that no Haitian government has been willing to bring formal claims for the unlawful taking of its property. In ordinary life, if someone takes your property and keeps it by threat of force, the law is supposed to provide a remedygenerally the return of the asset and monetary compensation for the opportunity costs of having not had use of the asset. Even if the government takes part of your land for public use, youre constitutionally entitled to just compensation. So why not Haiti? Some might object that historical injustices at a certain point become too attenuated or complex to remedy with moneythat is a common argument against reparations for slavery, or the illegitimate conquest of inhabited territory, or pillaged art. Haiti has plenty of those larger claims as well. Advertisement Advertisement But maybe we can start small, with the taking of that little island covered in bird droppings. Navassa is a tangible, transferable piece of real property that was taken from Haiti at a time when it was covered in one of the worlds most valuable assets. Whether we call it a debt, damages, reparations, or an offer to settle a disputed claim, it is long past time for the U.S. to pay up. And how much is the bill? Some back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest that its pretty substantial. In 1857, it was estimated that there were a million tons of guano on Navassa, piled between one and six feet deep. Using conservative estimates (and assuming no further deposits by seabirds), the million tons would have been worth about $2 billion in todays dollars. And if that money earned a return rate of between 1 and 3 percent per year for 170 years, wed be looking at between $10 billion and $260 billion. That wouldnt solve all of Haitis problems. But it would be a step toward remedying what weve taken. Joseph Blocher and Mitu Gulati are faculty in the law departments of Duke and U. Virginia respectively. Their article, La Navassa: Property, Sovereignty and the Law of the Territories is forthcoming in the Yale Law Journal. On Sept. 9, President Joe Biden announced a new set of pandemic response policies. In the process, he said that 1 in 5,000 vaccinated people become infected by SARS-CoV-2 each day. He was citing David Leonhardts New York Times newsletter. Biden and Leonhardt frame the statistic as encouraging: only 1 in 5,000. But it isnt good news or bad news. Its essentially meaningless. Whats more important is knowing that when community spread of the coronavirus is high, the risk of breakthrough infection needs to be taken seriously, which means combining vaccination with other public health measures. Advertisement Lets take a look at where the 1-in-5,000 figure comes from. Leonhardt was trying to assess whether breakthrough infections are rare or not. He reviewed daily infection reports from a few jurisdictions that track breakthrough infections including Utah, Virginia, and King County in Washington state. He decided the numbers were trustworthy and could be applied nationally. He also identified other locations that reported only 1 in 10,000 daily infections. Interpreting the data, he writes, Heres one way to think about a one-in-10,000 daily chance: It would take more than three months for the combined risk to reach just 1 percent. If his math is correct, one may indeed argue that a 1 percent risk over three months qualifies as rare. Although it unfortunately seems likely the pandemic, and therefore our exposure to the virus, will last far longer than three more months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leonhardt is wrong, however, to take these health department reports at face value. Overall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that less than 25 percent of infections are confirmed through testing. This underreporting problem is likely worse for people who are vaccinatedtheir symptoms tend to be milder and they are less likely to be tested in a health care setting. Another problem is that health departments struggle to confirm whether an infected person has in fact been vaccinated. If someone has been vaccinated in another state or at a Veterans Affairs facility, they would in most cases be mislabeled as unvaccinated. Finally, the few jurisdictions that Leonhardt reviews do not include states like Florida and Louisiana, which have experienced the highest coronavirus spread in recent weeks. Advertisement What is the actual risk that a vaccinated person will experience a breakthrough infection? There is no simple answer. It depends on levels of community spread, whether individuals are exposed at high levels (due to risk levels in their workplaces, schools, and households, for example), and how long the pandemic lasts. We are also still learning about why breakthrough infections occur and whether it involves waning vaccine effectiveness over time. But if we make some realistic assumptions about underdetection, a place that consistently reports a 1-in-5,000 daily breakthrough infection risk could easily translate to 10 percent or more of its vaccinated population becoming infected over three months. Advertisement Maybe breakthrough infections arent rare, but can they be ignored? It is true that most vaccinated people who become infected will be fine, experiencing no worse than a miserable few days in bed. It is also true that large majorities of the people who are hospitalized or die from COVID-19 are not vaccinated. Advertisement But there are three main reasons I think we need to take breakthrough infections seriously. First, vaccinated people can still transmit the virus to people who are unvaccinated, including children who are not yet eligible for the vaccine. Second, there are people whose health conditions put them at high risk of hospitalization and death even if they are vaccinated. This includes people with certain immunocompromised conditions who may not respond as well to vaccines, even with a booster shot. Third, we are still learning about the risks of long COVID among the vaccinated. Even if a small percentage of breakthrough infections lead to persisting symptoms, that adds up to a large number of people when infections are widespread. Advertisement The bottom line here is that vaccination is not an individuals golden ticket out of the pandemic. Despite what CDC Director Rochelle Walensky says, this is not just a pandemic of the unvaccinated. Instead, we are all in this together, because we breathe the same virus-filled air. In recent weeks, about 15 percent of COVID deaths have been among the vaccinated. If this trend holds and we allow another 100,000 people to die of COVID, that will include 15,000 deaths of people who followed the governments advice and got vaccinated. Advertisement Advertisement Back in August of 2020, while the vaccines were still under development, Anthony Fauci believed that the vaccines were likely to offer imperfect protection, and bringing the pandemic under control would therefore require combining vaccination with other public health tools such as universal testing, ventilation improvements, and masking policies. But these public health tools can be costly and require regulation of business, so there has been a reluctance by government to fully pursue them, especially in light of the vaccines initial stellar effectiveness. Instead, the Biden administration pushed for a more perfect vaccine that could prevent breakthrough infections; they initially planned to offer booster shots for the entire U.S. adult population. This plan was quashed, however, by an influential Food and Drug Administration advisory committee, and a CDC advisory group ultimately recommended restricting boosters to those at high risk of severe disease (older Americans and people with certain underlying conditions). In an unprecedented move, the Biden administration announced it would overrule the CDC committee and expand eligibility to people with high occupational exposure to the virus. While I dont know how broadly the government should distribute boosters, I do know that the vaccine-as-silver-bullet approach has not served us well, and that a broader public health approach would prevent many deaths. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. A Mexican science professor who studies efforts to deploy technology to identify the missing reacts to Andrea Chapelas The Wait. If you visit the website of Mexicos National Registry of Disappeared and Missing Persons, you will see a pop-up window that says the information contained there comes from many different sources, which is why it may contain errors or inaccuracies. According to this real-world registry, there are currently more than 90,000 disappeared and missing persons in the country. (Missing is the category used to report people who cant be located, while disappeared means there is evidence that they have been taken by force.) But as the notice clearly indicates, these are tentative numbers. Sources and data are constantly being verified; new cases are registered each week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This registry was created in 2018, and it includes disappearances from all the recent violence associated with the nations drug cartel wars. But it also includes cases that date back to the dirty war of the 1960s, when repressive governments ruthlessly targeted and eliminated revolutionary groups that had taken up arms against the state and anyone else whom they considered political threats, all under the auspices of U.S. anti-communist foreign policy. Regrettably, therefore, the setting of Andrea Chapelas The Waita short story about a woman waiting indefinitely in a governmental office (the National Institute of Citizen Registration and Geolocation) for news about Victor, her missing brotheris painfully familiar to many people in Mexico. And indeed, much like in The Wait, women are mainly the ones who do the inquiring of authorities or actually do the searching, sometimes as members of highly organized search collectives. Advertisement What distinguishes Chapelas setting as fiction is the existence of a full-blown, hypervigilant surveillance state using technology to track all Mexicans in real time. Chapelas Registry is so much more than its real-life retroactively-searching-for-needles-in-a-haystack analogue. A chip subcutaneously inserted into the wrist allows ubiquitous scanners to pin a persons every location and generate a permanent log of their activities. Advertisement When was the last time you saw this person? the Registry clerk asks our protagonist. At this point in the storyas is often the case in interactions with figures of authority in too many countrieswe do not know, and the storys protagonist herself doesnt know, whether the bureaucrat asking the questions is part of the problem or part of the solution. We do not know if the clerk is feigning ignorance, posing probing questions, or acknowledging an information gap in the system. The story then provides a glimpse of the surveillance systems genealogy. In an earlier family discussion about privacy, Victors mother laments that her son has missed the point of the Registry: Advertisement Advertisement He didnt understand what things had been like before, when she was young and had to share her location with her friends, always telling them where she was going, what she was doing, letting everyone know everything because a girl alone couldnt be trusted not to end up as another number in the statistics of forced disappearances. Long before the Registry, people had made their own social tracking system to protect one another. Privacy had been a luxuryand a vulnerabilitythat theyd been willing to sacrifice. Advertisement This passage brings to mind contemporary discussions in the field of science and technology studies surrounding technological appropriation. Technological appropriation is traditionally defined as the process whereby users of a technology adopt and adapt it into their lives, sometimes by recontextualizing and attaching new meanings to these technologies. Chapela describes how, before the Registry, people made their own social tracking system to protect one anotherperhaps by using the share live location feature on WhatsApp that so many of us have leveraged as a personal security system. Its also similar to the common advice that people, especially young women, keep their mobile phones findable in case anything goes wrong. Advertisement But users at the periphery of knowledge and tech production also sometimes reinvent technological products and knowledge systems (like the pin in the story). Often, those doing the appropriating are engaging in a form of social criticism or political resistance. In Chapelas story, Victors mother recalls the 2020s (our current times of rampant disappearance) to explain the activist origin of the chip: The pin came about as a guarantee of protection, born from the desperation of those same people whod tried to look out for one another; the same people eager to share their coordinates and create a trail that could be followed so no one would be left unfound. Advertisement Advertisement In Mexico, such calls for action and accountability are plentiful these days. For instance, civil organizations and citizens have recently called for the government to strengthen the National Registry of Disappeared and Missing Persons and establish other data infrastructure capable of aiding in the search process. These include mobile device geolocation systems and databases containing the DNA of both searching families and unidentified remains. The people who voluntarily provide this personal information rarely raise privacy concerns. The very act of demanding a proper registry of disappearances is an act of resistance. A reader aware of Mexicos humanitarian crisis may be receptive to the idea that the pin was created as a tool so we could find each other ourselves and keep an eye on the government. Advertisement In The Wait, the missing son-slash-brother argues that the government took advantage of societys previous attempts to organize informal tracking systems. The problem, Victor says during a flashback, is that they handed over all that power to the governmentand now everyone walks around thinking theyre protected. Were just making things easier for them. In Chapelas fictional Mexico, the government appropriates civil societys demands for an omnipresent protective surveillance, leaving its users more vulnerable than before. This is hardly far-fetched, as Mexicans are not unfamiliar with political uses of civil claims. The calls made over the past decade for the proper accounting of missing persons and the answerability of the state were met in 2018, in one of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors first political undertakings, with the creation of a new law that includes the existing registry. These are all important developments that take into account peoples cries for accountability, but according to analysts from Data Civica, the tools created are far from optimal, and not necessarily better than the previous ones. Importantly, there is no practical way to relate the current National Registry of Disappeared and Missing Persons with the registries of unidentified bodies, clandestine mass graves, and forensic data. The tools prop up the current administration as for the people and tough on (past) governmental misconduct, but despite the existence of these registries, we may still not know precisely how many disappeared persons there are. All of this makes us question whether information technologies are the silver bullet solution to the crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Victors sister deals with the possibility of his loss, we cannot help but wonder whether he has realized that hacking the system or altering the pin provides only temporary relief from permanent state surveillance. Perhaps Victor has found a way not to exchange his liberty for his safety. Rather than putting his tech savvy in the service of slipping the all-seeing eye of the state (just like when he altered his sisters pin record to keep her out of trouble), Victor might have executed the ultimate hack: the appropriation of disappearance. But with this form of subversion comes a new form of existence: chronic uncertainty for those left behind to deal with governmental office clerks or authorities. This is not much different from the bureaucratically fraught and politically mediated wait that so many families endure today as they move constantly from one registry to another seeking information about their missingall the while feeling that they are forever stuck in the same place. Waiting. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. https://sputniknews.com/20210924/us-navy-air-force-order-16-more-f-35-jets-costing-over-1bln---pentagon-1089386990.html US Navy, Air Force Order 16 More F-35 Jets Costing Over $1Bln - Pentagon US Navy, Air Force Order 16 More F-35 Jets Costing Over $1Bln - Pentagon WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Navy and Air Force have ordered from Lockheed Martin another 16 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets costing more than $1 billion in... 24.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-24T23:15+0000 2021-09-24T23:15+0000 2021-09-24T23:15+0000 us air force f-35 pentagon us navy /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/07/1083332311_0:160:3073:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_6989cb1f1ba8d670be0affd07393d816.jpg "Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company [of] Fort Worth, Texas is awarded a $1,099,631,252 modification contract," the Defense Department said in a press release on Friday. "This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of 16, Lot 15 F-35 Lightning II aircraft: 10 for the Air Force and six for the Marine Corps."The defense Department said work on the contract will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (57%); El Segundo, California (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Cameri, Italy (4%) and other locations and is expected to be completed in May 2026.In July, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown described the F-35 jet as the cornerstone of the US fighter fleet for the foreseeable future. However, critics continue to charge that the Air Force and Lockheed Martin have not addressed the aircraft's more than 860 remaining technical issues.The F-35 development began in 2001 and the weapon system has turned out to be the most expensive one in US history. The F-35 program has been delayed more than eight years and is $165 billion over the original cost expectations, according to the Government Accountability Office. Crookim I can't believe that the US keeps buying an aircraft that is not finished and barely flies..... 5 vot tak Only 5 years to build 16 small aircraft. ;-D with the usual scams, expect that $1 bil price tag for the lot to magically double by the time the last is completed half a decade from now. 4 5 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 us air force, f-35, pentagon, us navy https://sputniknews.com/20210925/absolute-catastrophe-senator-cruz-grills-biden-over-haiti-migrant-surge-1089404857.html 'Absolute Catastrophe': Senator Cruz Grills Biden Over Haiti Migrant Surge 'Absolute Catastrophe': Senator Cruz Grills Biden Over Haiti Migrant Surge The southern border of the United States has recently seen yet another surge of migrants, with thousands of people from Haiti flocking under a bridge in Del... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T17:24+0000 2021-09-25T17:24+0000 2021-09-25T17:24+0000 joe biden us ted cruz haiti dhs migrants /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/19/1089406582_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_30383292c205d6c6024e2b0cae46df31.jpg Texas Senator Ted Cruz has lambasted US President Joe Biden for "cancelling" deportation flights to Haiti as the US border is once again overwhelmed by new migrants.Speaking at the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference in Michigan, Cruz called the situation with the influx of migrants an "absolute catastrophe".However, according to the senator, Biden "cancelled the flights" on the same day that the migrants were to be deported, 8 September, and "900 Haitians dont get on the airplanes", having to reach out to "their friends and families" from cell phones instead.Cruz lamented that within weeks, the numbers of migrants had skyrocketed."I was in Del Rio on September 16th, eight days later", he recalled. "In eight days, the seven hundred illegal immigrants under the bridge had become 10,503. Within a few days later, it had become over 15,000".The Texas Republican warned that the United States is "on a path" to surpass two million encounters with illegal migrants on the US-Mexico border in 2021 alone. According to Cruz, the country is currently experiencing "the worst illegal immigration in 21 years" because of Biden's "deliberate political decisions".Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas estimated during his Friday remarks that "less than a week ago", there were approximately 15,000 migrants gathered in Del Rio, with the great majority of them being Haiti nationals. In response to the migrant crisis, the Biden administration ordered to ramp up so-called deportation flights. Mayorkas said that the DHS had "increased removal flights to Haiti commensurate with Haiti's capacity to receive flights".According to him, US authorities have also provided transportation support to transfer migrants to other border patrol sectors with capacity in an apparent attempt to alleviate the crowds in Del Rio.Cruz, however, is not the only one blasting the border crisis. Earlier in the week, former President Donald Trump also weighed in, saying that due to the migrant influx, the United States "will soon be considered a Third World Nation".After the emergence of the images that purportedly showed US border agents on horseback "whipping" and pushing Haitian migrants, many decried the "inhumane" conditions that the refugees are forced to deal with. On Thursday, US Special Envoy for Haiti Daniel Foote announced his resignation, saying that he "will not be associated with the United States inhumane, counterproductive, decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti". https://sputniknews.com/20210923/us-to-find-ways-to-get-more-help-to-haitian-migrants-after-us-envoy-resigned-state-dept-says-1089340783.html Mr. Avina Mr. Ted Cruz "absolute catastrophe" is actually happening here in Austin. Mr. Biden had nothing to do with the ballooning number of people sleeping in the streets, right after Caucasian settlers with credit money came and started the brutal ever inflation that has sent so many people to live a miserable, uncertain life. He can see this from his office at the Capitol. 2 vot tak I'm all for sending undesirable aliens back to their countries of origin, like ted cruz, for example. Deport this war criminal/treasonous israeli quisling. To canada, where he hatched. He'll find plenty of treasonous israeli quislings there, along with a substantial number of ukronazis, so he should feel right at home. :-D I jest here. Personally I think this cruz pos should be tried for war crimes and treason in the usa. After which I don't care where his hanged remains get sent. 1 2 haiti Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Daria Bedenko Daria Bedenko 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 Daria Bedenko joe biden, us, ted cruz, haiti, dhs, migrants https://sputniknews.com/20210925/agroexpress-to-offer-exporters-online-shipment-applications-1089369801.html 'Agroexpress' to Offer Exporters Online Shipment Applications 'Agroexpress' to Offer Exporters Online Shipment Applications Agroexpress, an accelerated container train service for the swift export of agro-industrial goods to China will be "digitised", enabling exporters to apply... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T05:00+0000 2021-09-25T05:00+0000 2021-09-25T05:00+0000 news world russia economy business /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/0d/1083377552_0:0:3001:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_368a53ac41798a8c73487b96b5d32364.jpg "Next year, Agroexpress, a specialised service for the delivery of Russian agro-industrial products by direct express container trains, which was created by the Russian Export Centre jointly with JSC Russian Railways Logistics, will be digitalised on the My Export digital platform", Vysotenko told representatives of the transport community.According to him, the future digital service will enable Agroexpress clients to apply for an international shipment of goods and have it approved by the operator remotely.Customers will be able to sign transport contracts, invoice and confirm payments, track railway rolling stock and cargo, provide closing documents to confirm transport, and subsequent receipt of state support measures electronically, he added."The service will furthermore provide the interested exporter with information on all Agroexpress routes in operation, the transport equipment used in transportation, and the basic rates for transportation", the director of the REC's Digital Channel Management stressed. 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, world, russia, economy, business https://sputniknews.com/20210925/all-nuclear-powers-will-have-to-join-arms-control-talks-one-day-un-disarmament-chief-says-1089403782.html All Nuclear Powers Will Have to Join Arms Control Talks One Day, UN Disarmament Chief Says All Nuclear Powers Will Have to Join Arms Control Talks One Day, UN Disarmament Chief Says UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - All nuclear powers will at some point have to sit at the negotiating table for arms control talks, UN Under-Secretary-General of... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T15:22+0000 2021-09-25T15:22+0000 2021-09-25T15:22+0000 world nuclear arms united nations /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/0d/1083136583_0:269:2687:1780_1920x0_80_0_0_a09d8068200da7b1e5ae93df8750db3a.jpg When asked whether China, France, the UK should be a part of the new agreement currently negotiated by Russia and the United States, Nakamitsu said: "I don't know."While negotiating the extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Moscow, the previous US administration of President Donald Trump pushed for China to join the arms control talks. Beijing, however, has said it is not interested in trilateral talks on the issue.Russia and the US agreed in February to prolong the New START Treaty for five years, until 5 February 2026, without any modification. The new American administration, however, has not abandoned the idea of bringing China to the negotiating table on nuclear arms, as well as engaging the Asian nation bilaterally. TruePatriot Since the zios like to think they are first in everything, then let them be the first here. Step up and have your arsenal inventoried and accounted for and then join those that have already signed the NPT. 3 Joseph1986 Ok. Remove and destroy all mass destruction weapons from USA and destroy their research virus laboratories. 2 4 united nations 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, nuclear arms, united nations https://sputniknews.com/20210925/biden-admin-trashed-online-as-afghan-evacuees-allegedly-assault-female-us-soldier-at-new-mexico-1089397601.html Biden Admin Trashed Online as Afghan Evacuees Allegedly Assault Female US Soldier at New Mexico Base Biden Admin Trashed Online as Afghan Evacuees Allegedly Assault Female US Soldier at New Mexico Base Earlier this week, the US Department of Justice announced that a 20-year-old Afghan national had been charged with attempting to forcefully engage in a sexual... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T12:04+0000 2021-09-25T12:04+0000 2021-09-25T12:36+0000 afghanistan news world us sexual assault afghanistan war /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/08/17/1083690509_201:0:1815:908_1920x0_80_0_0_99e29ffe3bacd3e93eabbe22283e9e1c.jpg Netizens are now venting their fury toward the Biden administration for its handling of ensuring safety at the US Army's Fort Bliss base in New Mexico. This comes after media platforms suggested that a female solider was sexually assaulted by several male Afghan evacuees last week at the base. Meanwhile, thousands of Afghan refugees are being accommodated at the base following the Taliban* takeover and the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.According to an ABC 7 report, the alleged assault took place on 19 September. At least three men reportedly attacked the soldier near her car after she arrived for work at the Dona Ana Complex at around midnight. Notably, the complex had been accepting refugees airlifted out of Afghanistan. Following the incident, authorities implemented more security measures, including improved lighting and the so-called "buddy system".The woman is believed to have received medical care and counseling. Media outlets suggest she has recovered from her physical injuries.The incident came to light just one day after a Wisconsin federal grand jury indicted two Afghan males on crimes committed during their stay at a US military base after being evacuated. Both men are Afghan nationals who were accommodated at the Fort McCoy base along with several thousand compatriots.Bahrullah Noori was accused of sexual assault against four minors aged under 16. The 20-year-old allegedly used force to engage in a sexual act with one victim and attempted the same crime against another victim. Mohammad Haroon Imaad, 32, was accused of attacking his wife, strangling and suffocating her.*The Taliban is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia and many other countries. https://sputniknews.com/20210920/cdc-recommends-admitting-afghan-refugees-21-days-after-measles-vaccine-reports-say-1089253330.html TruePatriot Is anyone surprised? Perhaps this group of collaborators got confused with the name of the Fort and tried to have one of the soldiers experience it. Perhaps also, the soldierettes should wear burkhas. It seems to work over there, why not in the US, eh? 2 Instigator Sobus Coming to a town near you! 1 5 us 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, world, us, sexual assault, afghanistan war https://sputniknews.com/20210925/bidens-national-security-adviser-may-be-guilty-of-perjury-over-clinton-campaigns-russiagate-plot-1089391059.html Biden's National Security Adviser May Be Guilty of Perjury Over Clinton Campaign's Russiagate Plot Biden's National Security Adviser May Be Guilty of Perjury Over Clinton Campaign's Russiagate Plot Last week, Michael Sussmann, a former attorney in a law firm that represented Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, was indicted for allegedly lying to... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T06:40+0000 2021-09-25T06:40+0000 2021-09-25T06:40+0000 us donald trump jake sullivan hillary clinton trump organization perjury russian collusion /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/08/02/1083512342_0:0:2677:1506_1920x0_80_0_0_354c3d3d10baa9af4fbd0696d7f4c499.jpg Jake Sullivan, national security adviser in the Biden administration, may be guilty of perjury in connection with the 2016 Hillary Clinton campaign's ploy to push the Trump-Russia collusion story to the FBI.Sullivan, who served as Clinton's chief foreign policy adviser during her second failed presidential bid, was identified by his campaign position last week when Michael A. Sussmann, a partner at Perkins Coie, a law firm representing the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC), was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of making false statements to the FBI about a "secret communications channel" between then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and a Russian bank in 2016.It further suggests that Sussmann "coordinated with representatives and agents of the Clinton campaign with regard to the data and written materials that Sussmann gave to the FBI and the media".According to emails obtained by Special Counsel John Durham, who's in charge of the probe into the origins of the FBI's investigation into an alleged conspiracy between Russia and Donald Trump's campaign, Sullivan was one of those campaign agents.It is believed that just days before Sussmann handed over the materials about the purported secret communications channel to the FBI in 2016, Marc Elias, his law partner and fellow Democratic Party operative, "exchanged emails with the Clinton campaign's foreign policy adviser concerning the Russian bank allegations", as well as with other senior campaign staffers.US media outlets cited sources close to the case as confirming that the "foreign policy adviser" in question was Sullivan. He was supposedly briefed on a mission led by research company Fusion GPS to gather intelligence about Trump's alleged ties with Alfa Bank ahead of the 2016 election.The law firm Perkins Coie paid Fusion GPS to cook up a series of reports with the help of a former British intelligence operative, Christopher Steele, detailing alleged connections between Russia and the Trump team. "Marc [Elias] ... would occasionally give us updates on the opposition research they were conducting, but I didn't know what the nature of that effort was inside effort, outside effort, who was funding it, who was doing it, anything like that", Sullivan said at the time.The current White House national security adviser also testified he wasn't aware that Perkins Coie was working for the Hillary Clinton campaign until October 2017, when it was reported in the media. Sullivan claimed that he had no idea that Elias worked for the law firm because "to be honest with you, Marc wears a tremendous number of hats, so I wasn't sure who he was representing"."I sort of thought he was, you know, just talking to us as, you know, a fellow traveller in this in this campaign effort", Sullivan testified.When asked about Alfa Bank during testimony before the House Intelligence Committee in 2017, Sullivan said: "I think there is ample evidence at this point in the public record of collusion, coordination, and conspiracy between the Trump campaign and the Russians".John Durham was appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr in 2019 to probe suspicions that the FBI and US intelligence agencies had committed wrongdoing in their pursuit of the Trump-Russia collusion allegations.In a December 2019 report, DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz said the FBI "concluded by early February 2017 that there were no such links" between Alfa Bank and the Trump Organisation.A bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report from 2020 did not find "covert communications between Alfa Bank and Trump Organisation personnel" either. The Senate stated that "based on the FBI's assessment, the Committee did not find that the Domain Name System activity reflected the existence of substantive or covert communications between Alfa Bank and Trump Organisation personnel".Hillary Clinton has continuously blamed her loss in the 2016 presidential election on Russian interference, and claimed that her Republican rival, Donald Trump, won because he colluded with the Kremlin. In March 2019, FBI Special Counsel Robert Mueller released a long-awaited report on the probe into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin during the 2016 US presidential campaign. The report concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Trump colluded with Russia during the election, and said that Mueller recommended no further indictments. https://sputniknews.com/20200926/from-trump-russia-probe-to-the-clinton-foundation-why-has-durham-widened-his-inquirys-scope-1080580914.html https://sputniknews.com/20210116/declassified-docs-on-russiagate-probe-reveal-problems-with-sources-politicization-from-the-start-1081788799.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Zara Muradyan Zara Muradyan 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 Zara Muradyan us, donald trump, jake sullivan, hillary clinton, trump organization, perjury, russian collusion https://sputniknews.com/20210925/bjp-defends-decision-to-evict-5000-muslims-in-assam-as-pakistan-lodges-formal-protest-with-india-1089399303.html BJP Defends Decision to Evict 5,000 Muslims in Assam as Pakistan Lodges Formal Protest With India BJP Defends Decision to Evict 5,000 Muslims in Assam as Pakistan Lodges Formal Protest With India Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has long accused the political opposition, including the federal opposition Congress... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T12:39+0000 2021-09-25T12:39+0000 2021-09-25T12:39+0000 pakistan narendra modi bharatiya janata party (bjp) state of assam indian national congress india /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1f/1081619766_0:66:1281:786_1920x0_80_0_0_53a14039eca83699978f2d0b530af4dd.jpg The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state government in India's north-eastern Assam state has defended its decision to evict nearly 5,000 Muslims from their homes this week, with state chief Himanta Biswa Sarma claiming that the families had been informed beforehand that they were encroaching upon government land.At least 800 families, described as "illegal immigrants", have been evicted in the states Darrang district, about 60 kilometres from the state capital Guwahati, since the drive began on 20 September.Sarma has accused the people, most of them Muslims, of illegally encroaching upon land which was meant for the construction of a Hindu temple. The state chief also says that he had promised them land elsewhere as compensation.The eviction drive turned violent on 23 September after locals in one of the villages where the process was ongoing showed resistance. The local police claim that they were pelted with stones and even heard gunshots, before they retaliated with force. At least two people were killed and around 20 people, including officers, were injured in the violence, according to the state administration.The opposition Congress party has asked for Darrangs district magistrate and local police superintendent to be sacked over the firing incident. A video of policemen attacking a settler on Thursday has sparked concerns of police brutality in the ongoing eviction push.The Congress party, also the main opposition party in the state legislative assembly, has demanded an independent probe into the whole affair.Sarma, meanwhile, said that he also kept the opposition in the loop in the lead-up to the eviction drive. "[Congress leaders] agreed with me and appreciated the decision, he claimed.The BJP member further alleged that the local residents in the area were incited to violently protest against the state authorities by the Popular Front of India (PFI), an Islamist political outfit. He said that the state authorities were probing links between the PFI and the encroachers.Pakistan Summons Indian Charge dAffaires Over Eviction of MuslimsPakistan has reacted strongly to the evictions in the north-eastern Indian state, as it summoned New Delhis the deputy high commissioner to Islamabad and current charge daffaires (CdA), Suresh Kumar, to lodge a formal protest over the incident on Friday.It was conveyed to the Indian official that the recent incidents of violence are, unfortunately, only a continuation of the relentless anti-Muslim violence which has become a norm in India under state patronage, a statement from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said.Islamabad also accused Indian security forces of being involved in such incidents against Muslims, as it red-flagged the video of police brutality in Assam this week.The CdA was told that the Government of India must investigate the recent anti-Muslim violence in Assam and other such incidents that have happened throughout India and punish the perpetrators of these crimes, said the Pakistani statement. https://sputniknews.com/20210902/bjp-using-hindu-muslim-schism-fuelled-by-taliban-comeback-for-election-strategy-ex-member-says-1083777681.html https://sputniknews.com/20210729/north-eastern-state-clashes-indias-assam-state-chief-links-violence-to-cow-bill-high-alert-1083476346.html https://sputniknews.com/20200616/india-summons-pakistani-diplomat-over-abduction-and-torture-1079632115.html See you in the ice Protect Indians force out the Muslims. 4 1 pakistan state of assam Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Dhairya Maheshwari Dhairya Maheshwari 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 Dhairya Maheshwari pakistan, narendra modi, bharatiya janata party (bjp), state of assam, indian national congress, india https://sputniknews.com/20210925/buyers-remorse-us-officials-allegedly-bewildered-and-appalled-by-biden-admin-diplomatic-failures-1089401422.html Buyer's Remorse? US Officials Allegedly 'Bewildered and Appalled' by Biden Admin Diplomatic Failures Buyer's Remorse? US Officials Allegedly 'Bewildered and Appalled' by Biden Admin Diplomatic Failures Receiving a warm welcome after the tenure of Donald Trump, the Biden administration is now facing harsh bipartisan criticism over its diplomatic misfortunes... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T15:34+0000 2021-09-25T15:34+0000 2021-09-25T15:34+0000 joe biden us foreign policy france national security council afghanistan us state department /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/19/1089402422_0:0:2518:1416_1920x0_80_0_0_f0da851eba6f76fdf9ba38199262bbb2.jpg The diplomatic challenges and crises faced by the new administration appear to have caught even the president himself off guard, which is something that has sparked concerns among various US officials, according to a CNN report.Among other things, the reaction of France amid the recent controversy over the US-led AUKUS initiative came as a surprise for Joe Biden, as Washington was apparently unprepared for such a dramatic backlash from Paris when the French submarine deal fell victim to the new trilateral security pact pledging nuclear-powered submarines for Australia. When Biden had to personally call his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron with a mea culpa, the move was assessed by one US official as "not ideal". Other officials lamented that the Biden administration was unprepared for the fury that came from Paris, despite clearly knowing that the AUKUS deal would deprive France of its submarine agreements with Australia.France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian even told the French media that he would have expected something like this from the Trump administration.The squabble with France, America's oldest ally, has only fuelled the fire of the outrage aimed at the Biden administration that was sparked by the hasty Afghanistan withdrawal and the fatal American drone strike in Kabul that mistakenly killed 10 civilians, including an Afghan NGO worker.When asked about the possible reasons for why things are going in such an unfortunate direction when it comes to the foreign policy of the Biden administration, sources told CNN that it could be connected with the lack of people in charge.Other officials asserted that the slow pace of decision-making is due to an imbalance between the National Security Council and the State Department. The majority of the moves, they say, may be more concentrated within the NSC, with one source from the White House adding that the NSC tends to "micromanage" important national security decisions due to the fact that there are "not enough people in their chairs".Moreover, some voices in the NSC are said to be more powerful than others, with the agency being "hugely imbalanced in terms of personalities", as one official put it. According to CNN's sources, European diplomats are debating whether the US foreign policy missteps should be blamed on the attitude and entitlement of the global superpower versus a lack of personnel.With the recent diplomatic failures seemingly undermining American allies' trust in the United States, some European officials told the network that foreign diplomats, even those who initially gave the Biden administration a warm welcome and had great expectations, are currently second-guessing their hopes in someone who had been touted would bring "America back".Now, in the wake of the AUKUS squabble with France, European officials reportedly have concerns that the United States might steal even more military deals.'Ahead of Science'As Biden's approval ratings continue to plummet, with even his predecessor Donald Trump surpassing him by several percent in a recent Harvard/Harris poll, he is not enjoying major breakthroughs in domestic policy either. Particularly, according to a recent report by The New York Times, the president appeared to "go ahead" of the science instead of "following" it as he had pledged during his presidential campaign. The expression comes as Biden said on Friday that coronavirus vaccine booster shots would be available to some Americans and set the goal of providing them to anyone who wants them, even though public health experts have argued that there was not enough evidence to claim that those shots are actually necessary for the entire population.Health experts also voiced concerns that Biden may be pushing for boosters due to their political popularity, as a Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted in late August showed that the majority of vaccinated Americans expressed a desire to receive a booster shot. https://sputniknews.com/20210924/biden-says-he-takes-responsibility-for-treatment-of-haitian-migrants-at-us-border-1089373476.html TruePatriot The train wreck that is Joe Biden careens further down the track... 4 iamanyam I don't get it. Biden was supposed to be a mere figurehead, wasn't he, with shadowy guys controlling him like puppet? Harris has turned out to be truly a dumb ass. Shortage of good qualified people? How? Trump was better served by better staffers? Ideologues replacing capable officials? Biden seems adrift on his own often. Where are the competent advisers? Left-wingers and Dimcrats know how to steal the election but are unable to administer. Have no ideas of their own but carry over Trump's policies? Is this credible? Everyone could see that Biden's dementia would increasingly incapacitate him, even before his installation as president.No Plan B? Not even Plan F (effing fxxxup)? Never entrust the state affairs to Dimcrats and ideologues. 3 5 france afghanistan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Daria Bedenko Daria Bedenko 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 Daria Bedenko joe biden, us, foreign policy, france, national security council, afghanistan, us state department https://sputniknews.com/20210925/canadas-catholic-church-apologises-to-indigenous-people-for-abuse-in-residential-schools-1089394216.html Canadian Catholic Church Apologises to Indigenous People for Abuse in Residential Schools Canadian Catholic Church Apologises to Indigenous People for Abuse in Residential Schools MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Canadian Catholic Church has apologised to the country's indigenous peoples for the suffering caused to children in residential schools... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T08:09+0000 2021-09-25T08:09+0000 2021-09-25T08:31+0000 catholic church news world canada /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/07/1083089502_0:128:1201:803_1920x0_80_0_0_afe3f9b1ef0e13f13f8f522e1234624f.jpg "We, the Catholic Bishops of Canada, gathered in Plenary this week, take this opportunity to affirm to you, the Indigenous Peoples of this land, that we acknowledge the suffering experienced in Canada's Indian Residential Schools. Many Catholic religious communities and dioceses participated in this system, which led to the suppression of Indigenous languages, culture and spirituality, failing to respect the rich history, traditions and wisdom of Indigenous Peoples", the Catholic Church said Friday in a statement, adding that the bishops felt "profound remorse" and would like to "apologise unequivocally".In its statement, the Catholic Church acknowledged both the "grave abuses that were committed by some members of our Catholic community; physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and sexual" and the effects of those abuses that are felt to this day.As part of the reconciliation process, the Church has since launched a fundraising campaign in every region of Canada to support initiatives agreed upon with representatives of indigenous peoples.The Catholic Bishops of Canada also noted that Pope Francis would meet with a delegation of the survivors of Indian Residential Schools at the Vatican in December 2021 in an effort to renew relations between the parties.According to a 2015 Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission report, roughly 150,000 indigenous children were forcibly assimilated through the residential schools from 1883 to 1998, in a process equated with "cultural genocide". The report discovered that around 3,200 individuals had died in the schools, with the greatest number of deaths taking place before 1940. In November 1993, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, speaking to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, stated that the abuse experienced at residential schools had moved it to a profound examination of conscience as a church. TruePatriot The Catholic Church thinks an apology is sufficient for ethnic cleansing, genocide, wiping out a people's culture, etc? How about they give up all their holdings and leave the country? That'd be a good start. 2 vot tak How about confiscation of catholic properties and handing these over to the communities they oppressed, exploited and abused? How about doing this world wide? 1 2 canada 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 catholic church, news, world, canada https://sputniknews.com/20210925/canadas-trudeau-reveals-two-detained-canadians-have-been-released-after-wanzhou-departure-1089388920.html Trudeau Reveals Two Canadians Imprisoned in China Have Been Released After Wanzhou Departure Trudeau Reveals Two Canadians Imprisoned in China Have Been Released After Wanzhou Departure The two Canadians had been detained by Chinese authorities in 2018, a move that was largely seen as part of a retaliation effort following the arrest of... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T01:09+0000 2021-09-25T01:09+0000 2021-09-25T10:03+0000 canada departure meng wanzhou /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/03/13/1082394770_0:194:2955:1856_1920x0_80_0_0_986b0ea38beb0e60a6674df36fe5ab1b.jpg Two Canadians imprisoned in China for the last three years were released from detention shortly after it was confirmed that Huawei's Meng Wanzhou was aboard a plane headed back to China late Friday.The announcement was made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who indicated that Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were expected to arrive in Canada early Saturday after having left Chinese airspace.Kovrig and Spavor boarded the plane with Dominic Barton, Canada's ambassador to China after having spent over 1,000 days in detention. Korvig had previously served as a diplomat and Spavor was a businessman. The pair were detained shortly after Wanzhou was arrested in 2018 at the Vancouver International Airport on behalf of the US government, which previously accused her of circumventing US sanctions on Iran years earlier.Although both Canadians were convicted in China on espionage charges, only Spavor received a prison sentence. Kovrig had not yet been handed a sentence in the matter.Shortly after Trudeau made the late Friday announcement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement noting that the Biden administration "stands with the international community in welcoming the decision" to release Kovrig and Spavor. vot tak Interesting piece of info, the swap. :-D ..."Wanzhou Departure", she has left that banana republic and is safe now? 8 Crookim This punks should have rot inside a Chinese prison! 8 3 canada Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Gaby Arancibia Gaby Arancibia 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 Gaby Arancibia canada, departure, meng wanzhou https://sputniknews.com/20210925/china-warns-us-will-dump-india-australia-and-japan-as-four-nations-convene-for-quad-summit-1089391336.html China Warns US Will 'Dump' India, Australia, and Japan as Four Nations Convene for Quad Summit China Warns US Will 'Dump' India, Australia, and Japan as Four Nations Convene for Quad Summit Leaders from Australia, India, Japan, and the US held discussions on a range of issues, including maritime security, COVID vaccine cooperation, as well as the... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T07:18+0000 2021-09-25T07:18+0000 2021-09-25T09:59+0000 asia & pacific us japan china australia quadrilateral security dialogue (quad) india /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/19/1089387639_0:0:3053:1717_1920x0_80_0_0_4d6ca7ff36f0cade26cb6c0790fc6fb6.jpg China has warned the Asian democracies of Australia, India, and Japan that the US will "dump" them like "trash", the way it abandoned its allies in Afghanistan, a reference to the widely-criticised troop withdrawal from the region.The warning was sounded in the state-backed Global Times, as the heads of the four-nation "Quad" grouping convened in Washington, DC, for the first-ever in-person summit on 24 September. The White House summit was hosted by US President Joe Biden and was attended by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga, and Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.The column quoted Fudan University Professor Lin Minwang as saying that even after suffering a "great loss" to its interests in Afghanistan in the wake of the takeover of the country by the Taliban*, India had "swallowed the bitter pill" without complaining to the US.In an editorial published on the eve of the Quad summit, the Global Times also warned the Asian democracies that they could incur significant retaliation from Beijing if they followed the US "too far" in confronting Beijing,The Global Times cautioned that Washington would adopt an "Asian versus Asian" strategy and pit certain countries in the region against others while itself standing down from "directly engaging" in regional affairs.The newspaper claimed that the true purpose of the Quad was to "encircle" China, even as it wondered why exactly the US would want to encircle the world's second-biggest economy.The Chinese media further described the Quad as being comprised of "four wards with four different diseases".The Global Times additionally published two sarcastic cartoons in the lead-up to the White House summit, with one of them showing an "unhinged kangaroo", an elephant, and a suited-man being led in a bus driven by "Uncle Sam".In the other cartoon, an American eagle can be seen thinking about a plan to surround China with the help of the said Asian nations, even as it argued that the grouping was "incapable" of inflicting any harm on Beijing.The scathing commentaries on the Quad and the warnings to the Asian nations in the state-backed media are in line with official statements by the Chinese government, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the past labelling the Quad as an "Asian NATO" that could create instability in the region.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said hours before the Quad summit that any "closed" and "exclusive clique" targeting other countries was "doomed to fail".*The Taliban is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries. https://sputniknews.com/20210925/pacific-pacts-galore-quad-leaders-hold-first-in-person-summit-a-week-after-aukus-inaugurated-1089388151.html https://sputniknews.com/20201023/asian-nato-a-figment-australia-in-malabar-drill-not-linked-with-quad-ex-indian-navy-official-says-1080826731.html See you in the ice nothing to dump. They walk in the same direction currently. All against China, either wanting weapons or selling weapons. India, Japan and Australia will all buy a wack of US weaponry. France will be out. China and it's Jinn people can be friends (or perhaps raped slaves) with the Jinn killing Muslims. Oops LOL 8 siljvn9 China has nothing to worry about, all those countries several decade behind China, so there is nothing to worry about. 4 16 us japan china australia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Dhairya Maheshwari Dhairya Maheshwari 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 Dhairya Maheshwari asia & pacific, us, japan, china, australia, quadrilateral security dialogue (quad), india https://sputniknews.com/20210925/cnn-anchor-chris-cuomo-mum-on-sexual-harassment-allegations-against-him-1089391747.html CNN Anchor Chris Cuomo Mum on Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Him CNN Anchor Chris Cuomo Mum on Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Him This is not the first time the journalist has been accused of illegal behaviour. Last September, "Tucker Carlson Tonight" released an audiotape, where Cuomo... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T07:03+0000 2021-09-25T07:03+0000 2021-09-25T07:03+0000 us chris cuomo sexual harassment /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105056/44/1050564448_0:263:4009:2518_1920x0_80_0_0_65dc913f9311c18956b43da0c8c4f2ec.jpg "Let's get after it" has been Chris Cuomo's catchphrase for several years, with the anchor stressing how important it is to tell the truth and discuss issues that matter. It appears Mr Cuomo doesn't believe that allegations of sexual harassment against him are worth discussing as he didn't address the issue on his show hours after his former boss at ABC accused him of groping her buttocks at a party in a bar in 2005.He also didn't comment on the allegations on his social media, where Cuomo frequently posts.Veteran TV producer Shelley Ross made the accusations against Cuomo in an essay in The New York Times (NYT) and even included a screenshot of an email he sent her in order to apologise. The journalist reiterated his apology responding to a request for a comment from the NYT."As Shelley acknowledges, our interaction was not sexual in nature. It happened 16 years ago in a public setting when she was a top executive at ABC. I apologised to her then, and I meant it", Cuomo wrote.Over the years, the journalist has often been accused of being silent on stories that portrayed his brother, former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, in a negative light. The anchor didn't comment on The Wall Street Journal investigation that revealed that Andrew Cuomo's decision to delay the shut down of New York City during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic contributed to the high death toll in the US. Nor did he address a report by the Department of Health, which said that the governor's decision to force nursing homes to admit coronavirus patients had led to thousands of deaths among the elderly.However, he did speak about sexual harassment allegations against his brother made earlier this year, though he did that more than a week after the first woman came forward with accusations against Andrew Cuomo. Back then, Cuomo said that he couldn't report on the issue as this would be a conflict of interest.Yet, it appears he was not totally honest with his viewers as in May the media revealed that he was helping his brother's aides respond to the sexual harassment allegations. The Washington Post reported that it was Chris Cuomo who advised his brother to take a defiant position at the beginning of the scandal and not give in to calls to resign. An independent inquiry conducted by NY Attorney General Letitia James revealed that Andrew Cuomo's aides had tried to discredit one of the governor's accusers.Chris Cuomo apologised for taking part in strategy calls with the governor and his staff and called his actions a "mistake" that won't happen again. At the same time, he stressed that he acted not as adviser, but a brother. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Max Gorbachev Max Gorbachev 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 Max Gorbachev us, chris cuomo, sexual harassment https://sputniknews.com/20210925/environmentalist-greta-thunberg-launches-veiled-attack-on-joe-biden-accuses-potus-of-hypocrisy--1089399837.html Environmentalist Greta Thunberg Launches Veiled Attack on Joe Biden, Accuses POTUS of 'Hypocrisy' Environmentalist Greta Thunberg Launches Veiled Attack on Joe Biden, Accuses POTUS of 'Hypocrisy' The 18-year-old made the statement during the Fridays For Future international strike in Berlin. The event spearheaded by Thunberg is aimed at urging political... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T12:19+0000 2021-09-25T12:19+0000 2021-09-25T12:19+0000 joe biden united nations general assembly society climate change un climate conference greenhouse emissions global warming /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/06/1081377379_0:164:3059:1885_1920x0_80_0_0_af8a5a1444eeaa05f161ed24355cbf6a.jpg Environmentalist Greta Thunberg has apparently launched a veiled attack on US President Joe Biden. Speaking in Berlin on Friday she mentioned the Biden administration's "Build Back Better" agenda under which the US is committed to achieving zero carbon emissions by 2030 as well as investing $7 trillion in clean energy.Earlier this week Joe Biden reiterated his administration's desire to protect the environment, promising to double financial contributions to $11.4 billion to developing nations in order to help them combat and adapt to global warming.POTUS wasn't the only person criticised by the activist. German politicians too got a scolding. Thunberg said no political party in the country is "doing even close [to] enough" to protect the environment before declaring that Germany is "objectively one of the biggest climate villains".Thunberg's statements come a month before world leaders gather in Glasgow for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference. Last week, the UN Framework Convention on Climate warned that the planet is warming faster than previously thought as it urged countries to slash greenhouse gas emissions and thus limit the increase of global temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius. During the conference, which will last from 31 October to 12 November, world leaders are to agree on the following issues: CountTo5Manual Part1-Climate change..During t Flood "the fountains of the great deep broken up"[Genesis7:11] with massive earthquakes splitting supercontinent Eden where on its East "Garden of Eden" once was. "Fountains of great deep" in form of gaseous water sudenly "broke up" from under heavy pressure, exploded to stratosphere, froze there and fell back down in huge chunks together with materials from volcanic eruptions killing all on Earth in hours-"the same day" [Gen7:11] Soon after, rainy heavy snow poured down on earth forty days "the windows of heaven were opened" [Gen7:11] accompanied by darkness,winds,freezing cold. Climate changed. Earth's mantle expanded. As consequence massive cracks in Earth's mantle still rising up to the Earth's crust causing large areas of ocean plateaus soon to collapse in to massive pits all across the globe swallowing all oceanic waters into super deep jars with shocking sound. Great sinkholes across Siberian arctic nowdays are sign of it, also around Death Sea. 1 Thomas Turk courtto-1. What a load of bible thumping baloney. ''..n and later even everlasting life..'' FYI our spirit form is immortal, but not the physical body, as your fake ideas give. Plejarans live to about 1000 years. In the Twin Dal Universe the very highly advanced Sonas got to 2350 years lifespan, but they claim their Spirit Forms must then rest.. as do all of ours, including yours.. till the next incarnation. theyfly dot com for the open and strong minded. 0 5 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Max Gorbachev Max Gorbachev 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 Max Gorbachev joe biden, united nations general assembly, society, climate change, un climate conference, greenhouse emissions, global warming https://sputniknews.com/20210925/european-states-to-remain-us-underlings-without-wake-up-call-after-paris-humiliated-1089393123.html European States to Remain US 'Underlings' Without Wake-Up Call After Paris Humiliated European States to Remain US 'Underlings' Without Wake-Up Call After Paris Humiliated WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - America's European allies will continue to be used and discarded by Washington unless they follow-up on plans to revise the NATO... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T07:19+0000 2021-09-25T07:19+0000 2021-09-25T07:41+0000 aukus joe biden donald trump news world us aukus /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/10/1089119191_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_3a21b8e9e509a18a265d07ec34dfba10.jpg Earlier this week, Paris and Berlin said they had agreed to revise the strategic concept of the NATO alliance in response to France being humiliated when Australia decided to unilaterally terminate a $66 billion submarine deal in favour of a defence pact with the United States and UK. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian described the move as a "stab in the back".Armstrong called the decision to revise the alliance's concept "a step" toward realising their subordinate role to Washington.Meanwhile, some have suggested more dialogue with Washington could alter the situation but others remain sceptical.US political commentator, Professor John Walsh, pointed out that there had never been any real political dialogue within the NATO alliance during its 72 years of existence. From the very beginning, US policymakers had taken for granted that they would issue the commands and the role of all their European allies was simply to obey, Walsh said.The US is now so panicked over China, Walsh added, that it "dispenses with the makeup"."Or, as Victoria Nuland put it nakedly, 'f**k the EU'", Walsh said.AMERICA FIRSTFrench Defence Minister Florence Parly this week said the move to revise the NATO concept is meant to remind Washington that the reason for the alliance's existence is transatlantic security. She said being allies does not mean "being hostage to the interests of another country".California State University Emeritus Professor of Politics Beau Grosscup said the initiative did indeed confirm that US allies were beginning to reassess their long-subservient role to Washington.US administrations, he added, most recently Trump's, have bludgeoned European allies into paying more for the alliance without giving up its decisive role in policymaking."In short, the French-German officials are saying, if the US wants NATO to continue the time has come for Europeans to become equal partners in policymaking - not only on questions of European security but also regarding US security in a new and true definition of 'Transatlantic Security Alliance' - something the US has always and adamantly rejected", Grosscup said. https://sputniknews.com/20210925/pacific-pacts-galore-quad-leaders-hold-first-in-person-summit-a-week-after-aukus-inaugurated-1089388151.html Barros EU has no dignity. 13 NthrnNYker59 Yea, believe it when you actually see it.... which I doubt. 10 12 us 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, donald trump, news, world, us, aukus https://sputniknews.com/20210925/fbi-confirms-probe-into-alleged-attack-on-female-us-service-member-by-afghan-evacuees-at-fort-bliss-1089394340.html FBI Confirms Probe Into Alleged Attack on Female US Service Member by Afghan Evacuees at Fort Bliss FBI Confirms Probe Into Alleged Attack on Female US Service Member by Afghan Evacuees at Fort Bliss On Wednesday, two Afghan evacuees were charged with crimes committed during their stay at the Fort McCoy military base in Wisconsin. The charges came after... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T08:24+0000 2021-09-25T08:24+0000 2021-09-25T14:11+0000 us afghanistan taliban news us troop withdrawal fort bliss evacuees world /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/19/1089394095_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_10deffb4b926f78e2dbffb64e155cc54.jpg The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed they are looking into a recent alleged attack on a female American military service member by several male Afghan evacuees housed at the Fort Bliss army base.This comes after Fort Bliss officials said in a statement that they "can confirm a female service member supporting Operation Allies Welcome reported being assaulted on Sept. 19 by a small group of male evacuees at [the Fort Bliss] Dona Ana Complex in New Mexico".They pledged they would collaborate "fully with the FBI and will continue to ensure the service member reporting this assault is fully supported".Fort McCoy Incident The statement followed the US Department of Justice saying earlier this week that "in unrelated cases", two Afghan evacuees had been charged with federal crimes while at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.Both men are Afghan nationals who were housed at the Fort McCoy base along with several thousand compatriots after their evacuation from Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover of the capital Kabul and the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from the country.One suspect, identified as Bahrullah Noori, was accused of sexual assault against four minors aged under 16. The 20-year-old allegedly used force to engage in a sexual act with one victim and attempted the same crime against another.In a separate case, 32-year-old Mohammad Haroon Imaad was accused of attacking his wife, strangling and suffocating her. Both men are in custody in the Dane County jail in Madison. If convicted, Noori faces life imprisonment, while Imaad could potentially spend up to 10 years behind bars.A group of Republican senators has, meanwhile, sent a letter to the Biden administration, demanding answers on how Afghan evacuees are being vetted.This was preceded by a Biden administration official flatly denying that anyone "of concern" entered the US, arguing that Washington is "working with urgency and with care to enhance the screening and vetting operations to make them more efficient without compromising US national security".*The Taliban is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries. https://sputniknews.com/20210924/pentagon-chief-to-check-us-bases-involved-in-afghan-evacuees-processing---spokesperson-1089386415.html Ahson How sweet. Afghani wahabbi muzlim showing their cultural traits to the hillbilly.....lol 7 Shalom Soros Why all the attention and pity for this ONE case? Had the Yankees not illegally attacked, destroyed and plundered Afghanistan, these refugees would still be living in their home country. Where is the media outcry regarding the thousands of Japanese women, raped by U.S. military members on the island of Okinawa? Remember those pictures from the Pentagon's Abu Ghraib torture prison, where some of the most brutal abusers of male Iraqi inmates were female U.S. soldiers Lynndie England, Megan Ambuhl and Sabrina Harman. As a matter of fact, U.S. military members enjoy a reputation as notorious rapists wherever they go. The Pentagon thugs even rape each other by the thousands every year. Maybe the media should put some investigative effort into these massive cases, too. 5 17 us afghanistan fort bliss world Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg 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 Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg us, afghanistan, taliban, news, us troop withdrawal, fort bliss, evacuees, world https://sputniknews.com/20210925/french-armed-forces-confirm-one-soldier-killed-in-clashes-in-mali-1089396701.html French Armed Forces Confirm One Soldier Killed in Clashes in Mali French Armed Forces Confirm One Soldier Killed in Clashes in Mali MOSCOW (Sputnik) - French Chief of Defense Staff Thierry Burkhard has confirmed media reports that one French soldier was killed in clashes with terrorists in... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T10:04+0000 2021-09-25T10:04+0000 2021-09-25T10:04+0000 france mali news world africa /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/102551/94/1025519450_0:300:5760:3540_1920x0_80_0_0_700105d369a5bc97fe609b03aad7e818.jpg "It is with deep emotion that I announce the death in combat, today, in Mali, of Master Corporal Maxime BLASCO, a hero who had already brilliantly distinguished himself during his previous engagements in the BSS [Sahel/Sahara area], especially during the Operation Aconit ['Aconite'] in June 2019," Burkhard tweeted on Friday.A press release attached to the tweet says that members of an armed terrorist group were detected by a drone in the early hours of Friday morning near the N'Daki forest, and a patrol of two helicopters was quickly sent to neutralize them. A group of fighters backed by the helicopters was deployed for reconnaissance. During that operation, the group was attacked by other members of the armed group, and Blasco was shot. He later succumbed to his wounds.Burkhard sent his condolences to the family and friends of Blasco, who has participated in the Operation Barkhane since 2014. The fallen soldier was 34 years old.France has been conducting Operation Barkhane against terrorist groups in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, since 1 August 2014. Mali has been particularly destabilized since a 2012 military coup, which prompted a Tuareg uprising in the north of the country. The conflict is further complicated by the presence of various Islamic groups that also control areas in the north. https://sputniknews.com/20210924/french-soldier-killed-in-clashes-with-terrorists-in-mali---reports-1089386312.html france mali 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, mali, news, world, africa https://sputniknews.com/20210925/gop-golden-boy-republicans-strongly-back-florida-gov-desantis-for-2024-primary-sans-trump----1089387781.html GOP Golden Boy? Republicans Strongly Back Florida Gov. DeSantis for 2024 Primary Sans Trump GOP Golden Boy? Republicans Strongly Back Florida Gov. DeSantis for 2024 Primary Sans Trump Within the past several months, numerous surveys on the 2024 US presidential election have shown that a significant portion of the Republican Party would back... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T01:56+0000 2021-09-25T01:56+0000 2021-09-25T01:55+0000 donald trump gop mike pence polls republican party mark meadows ron desantis 2024 us presidential elections /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/0f/1083389623_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_1e8e82f19a072b5eeb4761bc012a6034.jpg A new survey conducted by GOP polling firm Echelon Insights found that DeSantis is the most-favored Republican presidential candidate in a theoretical 2024 presidential primary, without former US President Donald Trump as a contender. Pollsters reported a margin of error around 4.9%. Comparatively, an August survey conducted by Echelon Insights only showed the Florida governor with a two-point lead over Pence. It would appear that DeSantis' boost in support is mirroring that of Florida, which is presently rebounding from record surges in COVID-19 infections and deaths. A whopping 21% of respondents said they would be "unsure" about their vote, despite the existence of GOP heavyweights like former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Sen. Mitt Romney - the 2012 GOP presidential nominee. Sen. Ted Cruz and Donald Trump Jr. both garnered support from 9% of respondents. Further breakdowns were provided by the GOP polling firm. DeSantis took time with reporters last month to address rumors of a run to become the GOP nominee in 2024. Prior to DeSantis' public dismissal of the rumors, Trump ally and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told the Washington Examiner that DeSantis would not consider going against Trump for the GOP nomination in 2024. "I think Ron DeSantis is identified across the country now for the courage that he shows for conservative solutions, and he would be the first to say that if President Trump gets in, that he would win the nomination and would clear the field, and so I don't ever see it being a 2016 primary scenario," Meadows contended, noting that DeSantis is focused on winning the 2022 Florida gubernatorial election. It is possible, however, that DeSantis could join the campaign trail in a different capacity. Trump notably remarked earlier this year that he was "100%" considering running for president and would "certainly" consider tapping DeSantis as his running mate over Pence. vot tak It's 2021, who gives a rat's arse? But zio-media. 2 1 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Evan Craighead Evan Craighead 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 Evan Craighead donald trump, gop, mike pence, polls, republican party, mark meadows, ron desantis, 2024 us presidential elections https://sputniknews.com/20210925/i-explained-everything-to-biden-erdogan-reiterates-ankara-will-buy-more-s-400s-from-russia-1089396045.html 'I Explained Everything to Biden': Erdogan Reiterates Ankara Will Buy More S-400s From Russia 'I Explained Everything to Biden': Erdogan Reiterates Ankara Will Buy More S-400s From Russia Ankara's move to buy Russian-made S-400 air defence systems triggered a crisis in Turkish-US relations in 2019, when the first batch, negotiated in 2017, was... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T10:19+0000 2021-09-25T10:19+0000 2021-09-25T10:20+0000 recep tayyip erdogan russia us turkey news s-400 missile defence world sanctions security /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/0f/1081462412_0:158:3077:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_0d4778230345538843647b9ee394cdda.jpg Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed Ankara's readiness to purchase "another round" of Russian-made S-400 Triumf missile defence systems in the face of US warnings it will pose a potential security risk to America.The Turkish president told CBS News that America's refusal to sell Turkey the US-made Patriot systems as an alternative had prodded Ankara to buy the S-400s instead. Washington has repeatedly denied such claims.In October 2020, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar made it clear that Ankara was still open to buying the Patriots despite the purchase of Russia's S-400s. This followed then-Defence Department spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman warning in 2019 that "Turkey is not going to receive a Patriot battery [of missile interceptors] unless it returns the S-400s [to Russia]".The remarks came after the Turkish president told reporters in late August that Ankara has "no doubts about the purchase of a second batch of the S-400s from Russia", adding, "Turkey and Russia are taking a lot of steps, whether it be with the S-400s or other areas in the defence industry".The statement was preceded by Alexander Mikheev, head of the Russian arms export company Rosoboronexport, saying that the second contract for deliveries of Russia's S-400 Triumf air defence systems to Turkey will be signed before the end of this year.Russia and Turkey inked a $2.5 billion contract for the delivery of four S-400 batteries in late 2017, with deliveries beginning in 2019.The S-400 deal irked Ankara's US and NATO allies, sparking a major diplomatic crisis and prompting Washington to cancel the sale of Lockheed Martin's fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, also prodding Washington to slap sanctions on Ankara's defence sector.NATO insisted that the S-400s are incompatible with the alliance's standards, and suggested that the Russian side would purportedly be able to collect sensitive intelligence on the alliance's air defence network through the Turkish S-400 contract. Russian and Turkish officials have consistently dismissed the allegations. https://sputniknews.com/20210614/erdogan-tells-biden-that-turkeys-stance-on-s-400-remains-unchanged-1083149154.html https://sputniknews.com/20210312/turkey-wont-bow-to-us-pressure-and-will-buy-second-regiment-of-s-400s-russian-official-says-1082322876.html vigilante NATO is on its way to the graveyard. Erdogan understood it well. He had used the membership to its maximum to obtain what he wanted in the Caucasus and in Syria. Now he will contribute to the destruction of NATO to turn to Asia. 7 See you in the ice Interesting thinking by that big "da nEgro" (that is what Erdogan spells). Weapons and technology are sold to allies or enemies of enemies. Once Muslim Turkey and da Negro are no longer allies of anyone, non allied gov'ts will interfere with Muslim Turkeys defence purchases. 3 2 russia us turkey world Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg 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 Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg recep tayyip erdogan, russia, us, turkey, news, s-400, missile defence, world, sanctions, security, nato https://sputniknews.com/20210925/indian-startup-owner-raghavendra-prasad-we-want-to-ensure-no-one-is-denied-access-to-healthcare-1089371760.html Indian Startup Founder Raghavendra Prasad: 'We Want to Ensure No One is Denied Access to Healthcare' Indian Startup Founder Raghavendra Prasad: 'We Want to Ensure No One is Denied Access to Healthcare' From raising funds to arranging resources like oxygen-related equipment and plasma donors during the devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T11:09+0000 2021-09-25T11:09+0000 2021-09-27T06:05+0000 delhi healthcare india coronavirus covid-19 startup /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/01/1083049210_0:180:3003:1869_1920x0_80_0_0_cb27d1c93761b77f9a276d5529589265.jpg The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has deeply affected humankind, but it has also opened many doors of opportunity for a health-tech revolution in India. The constant demand during the pandemic has acted as a catalyst for health-tech startups that are ready to deploy their solutions on the ground.One such organisation is Project StepOne, a non-profit initiative that started in Delhi in March last year with 8,000 volunteers to provide ample care and help to COVID-19 infected people in India. Today, it has a volunteer base of 20,000 medics and citizens serving across 20 states and cities, conducting over a million teleconsultations daily in 33 languages.Founded by Raghavendra Prasad, Project StepOne has also been collaborating with over 20 state governments. Sputnik reached out to the founder of Project StepOne, Raghavendra Prasad, to discuss his organisation's mission. Sputnik: How does Project StepOne function? How has it made a difference in people's lives during the pandemic?Raghavendra Prasad: We have multiple interventions. First, public COVID helplines are set up by the government. What we have built is an Uber-like system in which people affected by COVID-19 get connected to doctors and other professionals who can help. We get all the data of the infected patients from the government on a regular basis. So, we individually call these people when they test positive and help them by understanding their symptoms and give them advice. Those who are in home isolation, we call them regularly. We do this in several Indian states. Another option is people calling these helpline numbers. These facilities vary from state to state. We also have a national helpdesk which we set up ourselves. Similarly, we have set up special helpline numbers for mental health issues in some states. All the COVID-related helpline numbers are publicised by the government or other agencies, and when people call these numbers, the calls are transferred to us and our volunteers help them.Sputnik: What inspired you to launch Project StepOne? How has your journey been so far? Raghavendra Prasad: Last year, when other parts of the world started to witness COVID cases and restrictions, we clearly knew India would get badly hit too. India has a massive population and we knew accessibility to proper healthcare would become an issue when cases would increase. Keeping all these factors in mind, we wanted to help. We never knew that we would transform into something so big. When we launched in March last year, thousands of volunteers signed up and we didn't expect this overwhelming response. The journey so far has been really good. When we as a not-for-profit organisation grew, it helped us in helping more people. To do something like this in a non-pandemic scenario generally takes a decade but we managed to achieve all of it within over a year. Sputnik: You have collaborated with India's state governments since the beginning of the pandemic. What have your focal areas been and how did this work out? Raghavendra Prasad: Our collaboration with the governments was mainly focused on helping them in helping the people. We are just volunteers and we don't take any money from the governments. We bring our technology to the table which can be combined with the existing technology and we can help the people. The surge in cases meant that governments would need help and they would be short-staffed. Initially, when we launched, there were not many cases and we noticed a pattern that people were calling these helpline numbers because of COVID panic. During that period, testing kits were also very few. So, we decided that we would get doctors to decide who got tested. We first went to the Karnataka state government. The head of the COVID war room told us they had everything and they didn't need anything. Then we showed them that the existing helpline is not working and even if the call gets through, the helpline executive doesn't properly help the caller. So, they agreed and allowed us to help and asked us to do this across the state. Soon, other state governments also asked us to provide a similar setup in their states. We continuously trained our volunteers for new opportunities like connecting plasma donors with recipients, long COVID-19, and during the second wave, we dealt with a lot of black fungus cases. We didn't limit ourselves. Sputnik: You deal with a lot of patient data. How do you make sure that their private data is protected? Raghavendra Prasad: Yes, it's an extremely important thing. Since we come from the corporate world, we are extremely sensitive about data protection. First and foremost is, we have built a system in a way that no data is stored and our doctors are able to see only the data of the patients they were dealing with at the moment. Even the back-end systems are encrypted and we have made sure it is hack-proof. We have taken utmost care in guarding the data. However, we have a long way to go as a country in prioritising data protection. Sputnik: The ongoing pandemic has highlighted the importance of advancement in the Indian healthcare sector. In your view, do these health-based startups contribute to boosting the country's healthcare sector? Raghavendra Prasad: Absolutely. Now, healthcare facilities can be availed with a few clicks and swipes and this has massively contributed to the increased accessibility rate. The pandemic has led to the accelerated implementation of a lot of legal frameworks, for instance, telemedicine. This led to the adoption of such facilities not just by the government, but also by private entities. The way the pandemic has influenced the growth of digital health has never been seen before and this will continue. Sputnik: The pandemic has also brought to light the wide gap between urban and rural India in in terms of access to basic healthcare. How can startups like Project StepOne help in bridging the gap? Raghavendra Prasad: The reason we kept everything on a simple phone call was that we wanted to be as inclusive as possible. We didn't want to put out an app or something more advanced which would exclude a section of the population that resides in rural India or is not tech-savvy. For us, there was no difference between urban or rural. We exist as a not-for-profit only to serve the underserved. Sputnik: What are the challenges that you and your startup have faced in your journey so far? Raghavendra Prasad: The foremost challenge when we started was "how do we get enough doctors to volunteer with us?" Another was how to keep them motivated and engaged, and in India volunteering is not a popular culture as compared to other countries. So, getting people to stay was a challenge. Another issue that we face is during government collaboration, as we don't get the response the way we want, which affects the volunteers too. For instance, a doctor identified someone who needs certain medicines urgently at home so we flagged the concern in the system. It's hard to know whether it was delivered or not. If we are not able to complete the loop, the doctor will lose hope in us too. The actual impact is the only source of motivation for the volunteers. Although we learned to work around it, this continues to be a challenge. We are present in multiple states, so our on-ground impact varies too. If one state is easier, then another state will be equally difficult. Initially, we were self-funding and clueless about how the money will come, but over the period, a few foundations have come forward to help us. Sputnik: How did Project StepOne act during the deadly second wave of the coronavirus pandemic? Raghavendra Prasad: After the COVID-19 cases went down last year, rumours began that COVID-19 was gone. Eventually, we stopped receiving funds, and later we got payments in February this year. We knew a second wave would come; however, due to the funding delay, we got little without preparation.The caseload went up to over 40,000 per day and we were only able to cater to about 12,000 cases. So, we had to level up ourselves four times more and we roped in medical interns and final year students too. This became large manpower and there were 15,000 of them, and they loved treating patients. We also invited corporate employees to volunteer for us and that worked well too. Frankly, what we witnessed in the second wave was unexpected as the country had run out of resources and infrastructure. In Delhi, we had a hard time as a lot of people used the shortage of resources like medicines, oxygen cylinders, and other necessities in the second wave as an opportunity. In some places, the government did a great job, like Bihar. They made sure that the shortages were taken care of. We had different experiences in different places. Delhi was our hardest. During the peak of the second wave, almost every day our volunteers used to cry or be depressed as their patients were dying. It was like an apocalypse. Sputnik: There are fears and confusion due to an impending third wave. How is your startup preparing for it? Raghavendra Prasad: In order to be all armed whenever the third wave comes, we first analysed the things that didn't work out in the second wave. We have initiated several ongoing projects and one of the strategies to postpone or delay the third wave is vaccination. We are counselling unvaccinated or hesitant people to get vaccinated and this is already happening in four states, and we are expanding in other states. We are training rural healthcare workers and paediatricians as there are speculations that children might be the most vulnerable in the third wave. We have already trained over 400 doctors in the first batch. Sputnik: When the pandemic began, the whole world made COVID-19 eradication their prime focus. However, many non-COVID ailments have been neglected. Is your start-up considering working with other diseases too? What are the future plans for Project StepOne? Raghavendra Prasad: Actually, we have started several projects related to women and child healthcare, but they are at a very nascent stage. Right now, the primary focus is on COVID-19 eradication. But yes, there are a lot of health ailments like diabetes, hypertension, among others that have been neglected. We will work on them soon and make a bigger impact. We have realised that using technology in public health enhances the impact. We want to take accessibility to public healthcare to the next level. We believe that a lot of what we are doing for COVID-19 is also applicable to other diseases. We hope that we will become a force that will take quality healthcare to each corner of the country and this will continue to be our mission. We want to make sure no person is denied access to quality healthcare. https://sputniknews.com/20210616/self-medication-caused-second-wave-of-covid-19-to-turn-dangerous-in-india-says-pulmonary-expert-1083159342.html https://sputniknews.com/20210923/indian-supreme-court-to-set-up-committee-to-investigate-pegasus-spyware-scandal-1089323820.html https://sputniknews.com/20210715/who-covid-19-pandemic-enters-early-stages-of-third-wave-despite-growing-vaccination-rates-1083392641.html delhi india Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sushmita Panda https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926186_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_4474d0d7e27a36878eb8727832be74b4.jpg Sushmita Panda https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926186_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_4474d0d7e27a36878eb8727832be74b4.jpg 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 Sushmita Panda https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926186_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_4474d0d7e27a36878eb8727832be74b4.jpg delhi, healthcare, india, coronavirus, covid-19, startup https://sputniknews.com/20210925/iran-venezuela-reportedly-reach-deal-to-swap-oil-for-condensate-in-circumvention-of-us-sanctions-1089406052.html Iran, Venezuela Reportedly Reach Deal to Swap Oil for Condensate in Circumvention of US Sanctions Iran, Venezuela Reportedly Reach Deal to Swap Oil for Condensate in Circumvention of US Sanctions Iran, Venezuela Reportedly Reach Deal to Swap Oil for Condensate 2021-09-25T17:11+0000 2021-09-25T17:11+0000 2021-09-25T17:11+0000 venezuela us latin america iran oil /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/0f/1080177975_0:161:3070:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_c9a54ac7b7acd850f00395dae763e7f1.jpg Tehran and Caracas have reached an agreement to carry out regular swaps of Venezuelan heavy tar-like oil from the Orinoco Belt for Iranian oil condensate, Reuters reported, citing the accounts of five anonymous sources allegedly close to the deal.The said condensate can be used by Caracas to dilute its heavy oil into lighter blends, which are normally in greater demand on the market. Reuters also suggested that it will allow Venezuela to use a small amount of lighter oil extracted in the country to make petroleum, instead of spending it on diluting heavy oil for export the country's main source of income even under US sanctions, according to reports.The agreement was reportedly signed between state-run Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and the Tehran-operated National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). The sides shook hands on a six-month-long deal, but it could be extended, Reuters said.Neither Iranian nor Venezuelan officials commented on Reuters report. The respective countries' state-owned oil companies also did not reply to the news agency's request for comment.Oil Swap Starts Despite Alleged Threat of US SanctionsThe first swap has already started: very large crude carrier the Felicity, carrying 1.9 million barrels of Venezuelan heavy oil, was sent to Iran earlier this week, according to the news agency. The shipment will serve as partial payment for two million barrels of Iranian condensate, which arrived in Venezuela on 23 September.The exchange did not escape the gaze of the US government, which is already considering sanctions action against the two states, Reuters said, citing an anonymous source "familiar with the matter". According to the source, the White House is concerned that the shipments might help Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stay in power, despite US efforts to pressure him to resign.Both Venezuela and Iran are suffering under US sanctions against their oil trade and, for both of them, crude exports serve as a major source of income. Multiple media reports have suggested that despite the US sanctions succeeding in cutting the countries off from a majority of their clients, both Caracas and Tehran have allegedly found ways to sell some oil on the side. The American sanctions sent the already stagnating Venezuelan economy into a deeper crisis, and resulted in the oil-rich country suffering from gasoline shortages. Washington had hoped that by leaving Maduro out of money, his presidency would end quickly, but that never happened.Caracas has found ways to partially alleviate the negative impact of the US sanctions it introduced cryptocurrency to covertly sell its oil and agreed on shipments of materials from Iran needed to refine domestic heavy oil into gasoline. Iran has also weathered the pressure from the sanctions, even managing to continue the expansive policy of modernising its domestic defence industry. Tehran also plans to negotiate for the removal of sanctions with the new US administration of Joe Biden.The latter has so far refrained from hunting foreign vessels sailing under non-Iranian flags that purportedly carry Iranian export oil a practice employed under President Donald Trump. It is unclear if that approach will persist if Iran and Venezuela start swapping their oil and oil-related products under the reported deal. https://sputniknews.com/20201214/iranian-ship-arrives-in-venezuela-for-more-oil-despite-us-sanctions-media-says-1081450199.html vigilante Excellent... More iranians in south America will help it to get rid of the US tutelage! 7 BUY HUAWEI It was easy to do business with Venezuela. the usa is aware not to damage Iran's ships, otherwise the usa will pay double 6 6 venezuela iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg 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 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg venezuela, us, latin america, iran, oil https://sputniknews.com/20210925/january-6-riot-fbi-informant-affiliated-with-proud-boys-reportedly-entered-capitol-alongside-crowd-1089403480.html January 6 Riot: FBI Informant Affiliated With Proud Boys Reportedly Entered Capitol Alongside Crowd January 6 Riot: FBI Informant Affiliated With Proud Boys Reportedly Entered Capitol Alongside Crowd On Friday, the US House Committee on Homeland Security issued subpoenas to former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, ex-Trump adviser Steve Bannon... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T16:03+0000 2021-09-25T16:03+0000 2021-09-25T16:03+0000 donald trump us fbi /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/10/1089140901_0:161:3067:1886_1920x0_80_0_0_b8a89067a4064dc9ead327a1dc639a17.jpg The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had an informant among those who stormed the US Capitol on 6 January, The New York Times reported Saturday, citing confidential records.The unnamed informant was affiliated with the Midwest chapter of the right-wing group Proud Boys. According to his version of the events, described in the report, the Proud Boys members were largely following the mob "consumed by a herd mentality" rather than carrying out any kind of a pre-planned attack.According to him, the Proud Boys members did not have any plans to engage in violence on the eve of the attack.The reported informant entered the Capitol after debating whether or not to do so, and left shortly after he was told by his handler that someone - Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt, as the report suggests - had been shot. The informant himself did not break anything or injure anyone.The records cited by the NYT do not elaborate on whether the informant was in a good position to know about any plans in regard to the events in January, nor do they reveal his motives for cooperating with the government.Even though, according to the report, law enforcement had a greater presence during the riot than had previously been assumed, the authorities are still struggling to find out whether there was a conspiracy involved in the Capitol riot.Capitol Riot InvestigationIn March, several Proud Boys leaders were charged with conspiracy against the government, with the FBI investigation into the riot still ongoing. Prosecutors accuse right-wing groups of pre-planning the attack, financing it, and providing the rioters with equipment.Recently, the US House Committee on Homeland Security issued subpoenas to several former Trump officials, including ex-Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, over their alleged role in the Capitol riot.According to the subpoenas, the four former officials are required to appear at depositions; Meadows and Scavino on 14 October 2021, and Patel and Bannon on 15 October 2021.The Capitol riot, which former US President Donald Trump was accused of inciting, took place on 6 January 2021, claiming five lives, including that of a Capitol police officer. Trump has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. House Democrats impeached him for a second time during his term, accusing him of inciting insurrection, but the Senate later acquitted him. https://sputniknews.com/20210923/us-house-committee-chairman-issues-subpoenas-to-meadows-and-bannon-over-jan-6-riot-1089352766.html Bilbo397 Nancy must be scared because people will not accept a hunger games type life. 0 1 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Daria Bedenko Daria Bedenko 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 Daria Bedenko donald trump, us, fbi https://sputniknews.com/20210925/north-korea-ready-for-talks-with-south-on-ending-71-year-state-of-war-1089408823.html North Korea Ready for Talks With South on Ending 71-Year State of War North Korea Ready for Talks With South on Ending 71-Year State of War The DPRK is still officially at war with both the ROK and the US since the 1953 armistice ended hostilities in a bloody conflict on the Korean peninsula... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T21:09+0000 2021-09-25T21:09+0000 2021-09-25T21:08+0000 south korea dprk republic of korea-united states combined forces democratic republic of north korea (dprk) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/19/1089408798_0:0:2362:1330_1920x0_80_0_0_4a440199943b0a149f414e03f3006eca.jpg North Korea is ready for a new summit with its southern neighbor to agree on a peace treaty to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War.The sister of Kim Jong Un, the president of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) stated on Saturday that peace talks could proceed if there was respect and impartiality from their southern neighbor, the Republic of Korea (ROK).She added that the people of the partitioned country share the desire for peace.The commander-in-chief's sister sounded more conciliatory than on Friday, when she slammed Seoul's "double-dealing". South Korean President Moon Jae-in was elected in 2017 in part on a promise of improved relations with the North and a return to the "sunshine policy" of economic cooperation, as well as a reopening of the heavily-fortified border. According to reports, Moon has since engaged in sabre-rattling with Pyongyang.A recent peace process begun during the Trump administration stalled, but Trump's successor, US President Joe Biden, told the UN General Assembly this week that he wanted "sustained diplomacy" to achieve Washington's goal of unilateral North Korean nuclear disarmament.Pyongyang reiterated its strategic capabilities last week, conducting a test-launch of a pair of rail-mobile ballistic missiles just hours before Seoul tested its first submarine-launched ballistic missile.The DPRK became the eighth confirmed nuclear power in 2006, when it conducted an underground test of an atomic device. In 2017, the country successfully detonated a thermonuclear weapon with a yield said to be in the region of 200 kilotons of TNT, following test-flights of ballistic missiles said to be capable of striking coastal regions of the western US mainland. https://sputniknews.com/20210924/kim-jong-uns-sister-responds-to-seouls-proposal-to-officially-end-the-korean-war-1089364684.html Kiwi US won't allow this. They only care about ongoing instability so they can continue to sell their overpriced and unneeded weapons. And to keep their troops in South Korea, close to China. 6 See you in the ice North Koreans just seeking to get money or food from the South. Remember it was the Communist North Koreans who attacked and started murdering South Koreans. Allow entry to or provide things to those not like yourself and those people will seek to rob and destroy you. No good deed goes unpunished. 5 15 south korea democratic republic of north korea (dprk) Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png 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 James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png south korea, dprk, republic of korea-united states combined forces, democratic republic of north korea (dprk) https://sputniknews.com/20210925/pacific-pacts-galore-quad-leaders-hold-first-in-person-summit-a-week-after-aukus-inaugurated-1089388151.html Pacific Pacts Galore: Quad Leaders Hold First In-Person Summit a Week After AUKUS Inaugurated Pacific Pacts Galore: Quad Leaders Hold First In-Person Summit a Week After AUKUS Inaugurated The four heads of state of the Quad alliance took advantage of their attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York to hold their first in-person... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T01:06+0000 2021-09-25T01:06+0000 2021-09-25T01:05+0000 joe biden yoshihide suga narendra modi scott morrison summit quadrilateral security dialogue (quad) world /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/19/1089387610_0:0:3129:1760_1920x0_80_0_0_5df9dee86d67e3c3b7471cc9f4aa82b1.jpg Speaking from the White House in Washington, DC, US President Joe Biden said the Quad represented four "democratic partners who share a world view and have a common vision for the future."The language Morrison used follows American terminology used to justify a major strategic shift in US foreign policy over the last five years, which Washington has dubbed great power competition with Russia and China. The US has invited the three powers, as well as other regional nations, to join it in confronting and isolating the Peoples Republic of China military, economically and diplomatically, organizing everything from sanctions to provocative freedom of navigation operations that deliberately flout Chinese claims of sovereignty.According to Reuters, which cited a senior US official, the Quad is expected to soon announce several other new agreements between the members, including improving supply chain security for semiconductors and efforts to fight illegal fishing and boost maritime awareness, as well as cooperation on monitoring climate change and a new 5G high speed internet partnership.The topics are all issues brought up in recent years in relation to China, which builds much of the worlds semiconductor chips, has a wide-ranging civilian maritime fleet, and has been accused of forcing its tech giants to spy on clients for the Chinese government.Beijing has in the past denounced American faux-multilateralism and urged for a more genuine exchange of ideas and cooperation toward common goals to lower international tensions.Biden met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi separately before meeting with Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga later. He announced that their vaccine initiative intended to supply 1 billion vaccine doses across Asia by the end of next year was back on track. It was previously announced in March at the first Quad leaders summit, which was held virtually, but stalled just weeks later when India experienced a catastrophic outbreak of COVID-19 that killed upwards of four million people and saw New Delhi temporarily ban all vaccine exports.Modi said vaccine exports would resume in the coming financial quarter, with the World Health Organizations COVAX program, used to supply shots to the worlds poorest nations on the cheap, getting first priority. The WHO said last week that Indias export ban had left Africa, the worlds least-vaccinated continent, short by some 470 million shots.Suga is also meeting separately with Biden to discuss Chinas proposed entry to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the trade pact that replaced the TPP after then-US President Donald Trump pulled out of negotiations to found the pact in 2017. The US still has not returned to the deal.Last week, Morrison and Biden joined with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to announce the AUKUS security agreement. While it is also widely believed to be aimed at China, the leaders did not explicitly mention the socialist state. However, Washington agreed to supply Canberra with nuclear submarines, which they have long sought to counter Chinas increasing naval power and new fleet of advanced nuclear-powered submarines. world Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg 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 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg joe biden, yoshihide suga, narendra modi, scott morrison, summit, quadrilateral security dialogue (quad), world https://sputniknews.com/20210925/pakistani-prime-minister-calls-for-international-support-for-taliban-led-afghan-government-1089390435.html Pakistani Prime Minister Calls for International Support for Taliban-led Afghan Government Pakistani Prime Minister Calls for International Support for Taliban-led Afghan Government NEW DELHI (Sputnik) Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has called on the international community to support the Taliban-led* government of Afghanistan to... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T04:37+0000 2021-09-25T04:37+0000 2021-09-25T04:37+0000 pakistan asia news world afghanistan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/08/0a/1083568381_0:127:3189:1920_1920x0_80_0_0_afa0d3d0f222732be5eb050af62eda37.jpg "Right now the whole international community should think what is the way ahead. There are two paths that we can take. If we neglect Afghanistan right now, according to the UN, half the people of Afghanistan are already vulnerable, and by next year almost 90% of the people in Afghanistan will go below the poverty line. There is a huge humanitarian crisis looming ahead. And this will have serious repercussions not just for the neighbours of Afghanistan but everywhere", Khan said late on Friday addressing the UN General Assembly, as quoted by the newspaper The Nation.From the prime minister's point of view, further destabilisation of Afghanistan would turn the country into a safe haven for terrorists.Last month, the Taliban entered Kabul and announced the end of the war in Afghanistan. The last province to resist the group, Panjshir, surrendered on 6 September. The Taliban then formed an interim government with Mohammad Hasan Akhund at the top. The latter served as foreign minister during the first Taliban rule.*The Taliban is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia and many other countries. Ahson What a ridiculous request? Why should the international community support regressive, illiterate, primitive tribal wahabbi muzlims? 1 pakistan asia afghanistan 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 pakistan, asia, news, world, afghanistan https://sputniknews.com/20210925/russian-turkish-dry-bulk-ships-collide-in-bosporus-turkish-coast-guard-says-1089398958.html Russian, Turkish Dry Bulk Ships Collide in Bosporus, Turkish Coast Guard Says Russian, Turkish Dry Bulk Ships Collide in Bosporus, Turkish Coast Guard Says ANKARA (Sputnik) - Russian and Turkish dry bulk carriers collided in the Bosporus strait, with three rescue boats and several tugs sent in to help, the Turkish... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T11:26+0000 2021-09-25T11:26+0000 2021-09-25T11:26+0000 news world russia turkey bosporus strait coast guard /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105070/12/1050701251_0:290:5016:3112_1920x0_80_0_0_9a1c9a8eb7fc1f055418059f0398d3ed.jpg "After the collision of the Russian and Turkish dry bulk ships RUSICH 10 and Tahsin Imamoglu in the Bosporus, three rescue boats and 14 tugs were sent to help. Both dry bulk ships were moored and anchored in the port," the coast guard stated.Nobody was injured as a result of the incident, the coast guard noted.At the moment, the reason for the collision appears to have been the failure of the steering system of the Turkish carrier, Volga Shipping, the owner of the Russian ship, told Sputnik. The company also clarified that its vessel carried a crew of 11, all Russian nationals.According to the information portal of the seagoing vessels Fleet Photo, the RUSICH 10 dry bulk ship was built in 2006 by JSC Okskaya Shipyard. In 2007, the dry bulk carrier operated under the flag of Malta, then in 2010 it came under the German flag, and since 2012 it has been sailing under the Russian one. https://sputniknews.com/20151206/turkey-bosporus-strait-russian-ships-consequences-1031326744.html russia turkey bosporus strait 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, world, russia, turkey, bosporus strait, coast guard https://sputniknews.com/20210925/shake-a-leg-unlucky-bank-robber-in-spain-loses-prosthetic-limb-during-fight-with-customers-1089406917.html Shake a Leg! Unlucky Bank Robber in Spain Loses Prosthetic Limb During Fight With Customers Shake a Leg! Unlucky Bank Robber in Spain Loses Prosthetic Limb During Fight With Customers Sometimes perpetrators lose something small at a crime scene that allows investigators to track them down. But sometimes it is not a small piece of evidence... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T18:50+0000 2021-09-25T18:50+0000 2021-09-25T18:50+0000 robbery europe spain bank robbery /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107650/13/1076501322_0:107:2048:1259_1920x0_80_0_0_36139caaa58c0651f303741655ba19df.jpg Spanish police apprehended an unfortunate robber after he lost a prosthetic leg during a failed bank heist, the Daily Mail reported. The incident occurred in the city of Alicante, when two people tried to rob a Banco Sabadell branch at gunpoint. One of the robbers managed to flee without the money after the alarm went off. The second one, however, was grabbed by customers and lost his prosthetic leg during the scuffle.In addition, the police found a gun that was brandished during the robbery, but it turned out to be fake.It is believed that the incident could be linked to similar attacks on banks across Spain. A full investigation is currently underway. spain Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Evgeny Mikhaylov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/07/1080390164_0:0:1440:1440_100x100_80_0_0_46c187f2ab0908f86849a7d09a7def57.jpg Evgeny Mikhaylov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/07/1080390164_0:0:1440:1440_100x100_80_0_0_46c187f2ab0908f86849a7d09a7def57.jpg 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 Evgeny Mikhaylov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/07/1080390164_0:0:1440:1440_100x100_80_0_0_46c187f2ab0908f86849a7d09a7def57.jpg robbery, europe, spain, bank robbery https://sputniknews.com/20210925/texas-democrat-not-ridin-with-biden-on-trump-style-deportations-to-haiti-1089407577.html Texas Democrat Not Ridin' With Biden on 'Trump'-Style Deportations to Haiti Texas Democrat Not Ridin' With Biden on 'Trump'-Style Deportations to Haiti Beto O'Rourke, a former senate and presidential candidate who backed US President Joe Biden's election campaign, claimed that the teeming camp under a Texas... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T20:15+0000 2021-09-25T20:15+0000 2021-09-25T20:14+0000 joe biden haiti donald trump us texas mexico el paso beto orourke haitian rio grande /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/19/1089407215_0:156:2999:1843_1920x0_80_0_0_a340f206d77df8abc54552e3a82f47d8.jpg A former Texas Democrat congressman has slammed US President Joe Biden for his deportations of thousands of Haitian illegal immigrants.Beto O'Rourke laid into his fellow party-member in an opinion piece for El Paso Matters on Friday, accusing the US president of aping the policies of his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.The Biden administration ordered the dismantling of a migrant squatter camp under the international bridge in the Texas border town of Del Rio and ordered its occupants, who had crossed the border from Mexico, to be deported to their homeland of Haiti.The former representative referred to "scores of Haitian immigrants who were living in filth under the citys bridges" when an official estimate asserted that some 15,000 had waded across the Rio Grande in a matter of days."We need our government to dispense with cynical Trump-era policies and follow current US law to ensure due process for asylum seekers," the former candidate added.Title 42 is a section of the 1944 Public Health Service Act, which allows the US government to prevent the entry of people or goods into the country during an epidemic. It was signed into law by Democratic US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.During his 2017-21 presidency, Trump extended the construction of existing border walls and tightened immigration policing along the southern border, as well as cutting a deal with Mexico to host asylum seekers there until their hearings were due in the US.Foote criticised decades of US interference in Haitian politics, which was wracked by a new crisis this summer when Haitian President Jovenel Moise was assassinated by mercenaries from America's close regional ally, Colombia.But he acknowledged that the Haitian refugees had in fact arrived from South American countries, in particular Brazil and Chile, to which they had emigrated to take jobs from 2010 onwards many working on construction projects for the 2016 Rio Olympic games.He also attacked Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans in congress for seeking "photo ops" and being "hungry to pose tough in front of suffering people".But on Friday the photographer who took snaps of the agents who allegedly "whipped" men trying to rush the US bank of the Rio Grande from the Mexican side debunked the claim, pointing out the straps seen were reins used to control the horses, and he did not see them striking the migrants.And in an echo of the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine of US primacy in the Western hemisphere, O'Rourke asserted: "The Americas must be the foreign policy priority of America.""We need America to step up and convene the countries of this hemisphere to solve the interconnected crises of failed states, climate catastrophes and the mass movement of people who through no fault of their own are unable to stay in their home countries," the Democrat said.O'Rourke was the representative for Texas' 16th congressional district from 2013 to 2019. In 2018, he unsuccessfully challenged Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz himself an immigrant. O'Rourke sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2019, but dropped out before the primaries began and endorsed Biden. He has signaled his intention to run for Texas governor against Abbott in 2022. https://sputniknews.com/20210923/us-special-envoy-for-haiti-resigns-to-protest-inhumane-deportation-of-haitians-1089336242.html TruePatriot Beto the inconsequential fool stepping in a pile of horse manure. 1 1 haiti us texas mexico el paso rio grande Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png 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 James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png joe biden, haiti, donald trump, us, texas, mexico, el paso, beto orourke, haitian, rio grande, illegal immigrants, asylum seekers https://sputniknews.com/20210925/totally-spies-users-giggle-nervously-as-canadian-spy-agency-welcomes-two-citizens-home-from-china-1089400130.html 'Totally Spies'? Users Giggle Nervously as Canadian Spy Agency Welcomes Two Citizens Home From China 'Totally Spies'? Users Giggle Nervously as Canadian Spy Agency Welcomes Two Citizens Home From China On Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed the release of "the two Michaels" - Kovrig and Spavor - from China. The two Canadian citizens were... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T12:37+0000 2021-09-25T12:37+0000 2021-09-25T12:37+0000 world us canada china espionage /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/19/1089400089_0:321:3070:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_4f8b5d7c627250a0c3b35006e15bc908.jpg The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) joined many other Canadians in welcoming two fellow citizens, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, back home after they were released from China. The gesture prompted some cackles online due to the irony of a spy agency welcoming people who were accused by Beijing of espionage, especially given that Canada actively denied these accusations.Even though the greeting by CSIS does not automatically make someone a spy, users still laughed about the optics that the tweet could imply.One user even made a reference to a classic animated series about spies. Some people apparently were even more serious than others.The two Michaels were accused of espionage in Beijing, with Chinese authorities detaining them in 2018 shortly after the arrest of Huawei's CFO, Meng Wanzhou. Many saw the move as retaliation for the arrest of Wanzhou, who, for her part, faced fraud charges in 2018 at the request of the United States, with Washington believing that she had been circumventing American sanctions. China, infuriated by the arrest of the Huawei CFO, nevertheless denied that the conviction of the two Michaels - both of whom had spent 1,000 days in detention before their release - was in any way connected with the case.Both Kovrig and Spavor left China on Friday. Wanzhou, in turn, has also left Canada. This follows the US Department of Justice (DOJ) saying it had reached a deferred prosecution agreement, meaning that Washington will refrain from prosecuting her until December 2022. vigilante A drug dealer and a spy welcomed as heroes! Bravo baby Trudeau! 7 Hampar Tokatlian What else could one expect from a lame-brained Prime Minister. Exposing and confirming Canada's spies for cheap political points is what an idiot does. 5 9 us canada china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Daria Bedenko Daria Bedenko 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 Daria Bedenko world, us, canada, china, espionage https://sputniknews.com/20210925/uk-labour-party-in-hot-water-for-inviting-huawei-to-conference--1089391516.html UK Labour Party in Hot Water for Inviting Huawei to Conference UK Labour Party in Hot Water for Inviting Huawei to Conference The discontent comes as the Chinese telecommunications company was previously banned by the UK government over espionage concerns. Huawei, which has repeatedly... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T06:51+0000 2021-09-25T06:51+0000 2021-09-25T06:51+0000 asia news world tech china sanctions huawei 5g business uk labour party /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/03/1f/1082496997_0:144:3071:1871_1920x0_80_0_0_343b9faa7695553490bd21aad7893cf0.jpg The UK Labour Party has been heavily criticised for allowing Chinese tech company Huawei, which has been banned from the country's 5G telecom network over alleged national security concerns, to participate in a conference organised by business group SME4Labour, the Mail Online writes.The event is expected to take place on Saturday at a Brighton hotel within the so-called "secure zone", meaning that Huawei employees were given passes so they could enter the site. Labour MP for Newcastle and shadow digital minister Chi Onwurah will deliver a speech at the event. Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith told the media outlet that he was "astonished" the Chinese company was allowed in the Labour secure zone. The politician also pointed out it was "particularly inept" of the Conservatives to allow Huawei to hold a similar event at the Tory site in Manchester.A Huawei spokesman noted that the firm was looking forward to discussing with delegates how technological development can support the British economy following months of coronavirus-induced restrictions. Earlier this month, local media reported that Huawei had allegedly infiltrated the University of Cambridge's Centre for Chinese Management (CCCM), as most of its academics were found to have links to the company. The accusations came after 20 leading British universities were found to have accepted funds over 40 million pounds ($55.2 million) from Huawei and state-owned Chinese companies in recent years.European governments have been tightening controls on Chinese companies building 5G networks following diplomatic pressure from the United States. Huawei has been banned from 5G networks in Sweden and the UK, while a number of other European countries, including North Macedonia, Slovenia, Slovakia, and several others, have joint security declarations with Washington, which also effectively remove the Chinese tech giant from 5G development there. A number of western countries have cited espionage fears as a reason for the ban, claiming that Chinese companies can be ordered to act at the behest of Beijing under Chinese law. Both the Chinese authorities and Huawei have denied the allegations. https://sputniknews.com/20210924/huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhou-pleads-not-guilty-to-fraud-and-conspiracy-charges--1089382332.html Kiwi We all know the reason for banning Huawei is US would lose its uncontrolled access to spy on everyone. 1 1 asia china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Nikita Folomov Nikita Folomov 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 Nikita Folomov asia, news, world, tech, china, sanctions, huawei, 5g, business, uk labour party, uk https://sputniknews.com/20210925/un-under-secretary-general-on-aukus-differences-should-be-resolved-via-diplomacy-1089403935.html UN Under-Secretary-General on AUKUS: Differences Should Be Resolved Via Diplomacy UN Under-Secretary-General on AUKUS: Differences Should Be Resolved Via Diplomacy UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - UN Under-Secretary-General of Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu told Sputnik on Saturday, regarding the establishment of the... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T15:34+0000 2021-09-25T15:34+0000 2021-09-25T15:34+0000 aukus world united nations aukus /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/101811/50/1018115057_0:224:4664:2848_1920x0_80_0_0_f960fa9ecbb7fb937024bd32d0063b37.jpg When asked whether the AUKUS, announced last week, will contribute to stability in the region or will undermine it, Nakamitsu said, "Its too early to say."Few details are available on the new security alliance, the under-secretary-general said.The new agreement was questioned by Beijing. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the new pact alliance threatened stability in the region and provoked an arms race. At the same time, parties to the alliance said the pact was not aimed against anyone.The establishment of the new deal, among other effects, outraged France, which lost a $66-billion deal on diesel-powered submarines with Australia, as Canberra abruptly terminated it in favour of procuring nuclear-powered submarines within the trilateral agreement.French President Emmanuel Macron and his US counterpart, Joe Biden, discussed on Wednesday the start of consultations to restore trust in bilateral relations, as well as a late October meeting in Europe. Macron also announced that the French ambassador, recalled in the wake of the AUKUS announcement, would return to the US capital next week. Tom Hanks AUKUS is final. Stop crying like babies russia as this is a state owned site. Nobody cares what you think morons. Everyone in AUKUS countires loves reading articles like this seeing you russians cower. That alone makes it all worth it....lol 0 1 united nations 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, united nations, aukus https://sputniknews.com/20210925/weekly-news-roundup-clinton-lawyer-charged-in-russiagate-fraud-1089387135.html Weekly News Roundup; Clinton Lawyer Charged in Russiagate Fraud Weekly News Roundup; Clinton Lawyer Charged in Russiagate Fraud The indictment of attorney Michael Sussman is shining a light on the Clinton campaign's involvement in turning the Russiagate opposition research operation... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T10:27+0000 2021-09-25T10:27+0000 2021-09-25T10:27+0000 julian assange joe biden hunter biden jcpoa the critical hour monroe doctrine aoc radio /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/18/1089387104_18:0:630:344_1920x0_80_0_0_24c2640c66e982605fa276394b59b23d.png Weekly News Roundup; Clinton Lawyer Charged in Russia-gate Fraud The indictment of attorney Michael Sussman is shining a light on the Clinton campaign's involvement in turning the Russia-gate opposition research operation into a criminal investigation. Caleb Maupin, journalist and political analyst, joins us to wrap up the important stories for the week. The US has lost, the Syrian war is over, and the neocons are feebly working to stop the rebuilding process. Also, we discuss President Biden's UN Speech, Pentagon spending, and Iran.Jack Rasmus, professor in economics and politics at St. Mary's College in California, joins us to discuss the economic stories for the week. We discuss the Chinese real estate Evergande and compare it to the relative stability of the US real estate market. Also, we discuss weekly job numbers and the Democrat's 3.5 trillion dollar budget proposal.Dr. Colin Campbell, DC senior news correspondent, joins us to talk about this week's news. Hillary Clinton's lawyer Michael Sussman has been charged with lying to the FBI. Also, some African leaders are calling the West out for vaccine apartheid as their countries are ignored in the international push for universal vaccinations.Netfa Freeman, host of Voices With Vision on WPFW 89.3 FM, pan-Africanist and internationalist organizer, and Margaret Kimberley, editor and senior columnist at Black Agenda Report and author of "Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents," come together to discuss US imperialism including Haiti, Latin American, Africa, and the Caribbean. We talk about the US using AFRICOM for regime change operations in Africa. Also, we discuss the Haitian immigrant crisis, Cuba, and the move to replace the US' regime change machine known as the Organization of American States (OAS).Author and professor of East Asian and global history at New Mexico State University, Kenneth Hammond, and Professor Peter Kuznick, author and historian, join us to discuss this week's issues, including China and President Biden's UN speech. We go in-depth to discuss the Biden United Nations speech. Also, we talk about Iran's presence in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the new Cold War.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg 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 Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg julian assange, joe biden, hunter biden, jcpoa, the critical hour, monroe doctrine, aoc, , radio https://sputniknews.com/20210925/women-in-afghanistan-loved-fashion-until-taliban-took-over-1089393447.html Women in Afghanistan Loved Fashion Until Taliban Took Over Women in Afghanistan Loved Fashion Until Taliban Took Over MOSCOW (Sputnik), Tommy Yang - An Afghan female entrepreneur who designed her own clothing line has shared her experiences with Sputnik about what life was... 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T07:38+0000 2021-09-25T07:38+0000 2021-09-25T08:00+0000 afghanistan asia news world afghanistan fashion /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/19/1089393401_0:593:1535:1456_1920x0_80_0_0_860699d0b3a459447d8f0f7567b9fd1c.jpg Born in Afghanistan two years before the US invasion in 2001, Sofiea, who wished only to be identified by her first name, grew up in a country where young girls enjoyed a lot of freedom and loved to chase the latest fashion as much as their peers in the West.When she had the chance to visit a number of foreign countries, Sofiea saw women there wearing traditional dresses from local cultures. That gave her the idea to start her own business by designing and selling dresses inspired by traditional Afghan culture.She started her own fashion brand named "Sofiea Design" and sold different kinds of traditional Afghan dresses for women which she designed. Her online shop's Facebook page attracted over 3,000 likes and she served customers from all over the country, and even had some overseas clients.Unfortunately, Sofiea's successful business venture lasted for just seven months, when she was forced to leave the country in January, because her husband received death threats over his previous work as a reporter.LOST ACHIEVEMENTSSofiea and her husband first escaped to Turkey before obtaining a visa to relocate to France in April.Speaking without fear for her safety from her apartment in Paris, Sofiea said she was very sad to witness the kind of changes that have taken place in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over the country in August.Despite its claims of respecting women's rights and freedoms, the Taliban began to introduce a series of restrictions on Afghan women shortly after it seized power. The Taliban replaced the Women's Affairs Ministry with a new ministry for the "propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice". And the acting mayor of Kabul just announced over the weekend that almost all municipal jobs held by women would be given to men."They [the Taliban] don't know anything about women's rights. I had a lot of plans for my future. I wanted to make my future better. But it's impossible under the Taliban", Sofiea said.BURQA NOT AFGHAN TRADITIONOne of the signature restrictions the Taliban introduced was the kind of full-length veil which completely covers women's faces, known as the burqa.Sofiea argues that the burqa is contrary to Afghan tradition, and started a social media campaign by posting a picture of herself dressed in a traditional Afghan dress for women next to a picture of a woman fully covered under a burqa.Sofiea and her husband also posted pictures of themselves in traditional Afghan attire and used the hashtag #DoNotTouchMyClothes to raise awareness on this issue. The young couple's efforts received over 6,000 likes and almost 600 retweets on Twitter.From Sofiea's perspective, Afghan culture and women in the country experienced transformative changes during the 20 years after 2001. She argued that face coverings like the burqa or the hijab are no longer an integral part of Afghan culture."During those 20 years, women in Afghanistan were able to show Afghan culture to many other countries in the world. They showed what traditional Afghan clothes looked like. They're not hijab or burqa. Afghan women never wanted to wear them voluntarily. They were mostly being told by others such as the Taliban or their family members to wear such clothing", she said.From Sofiea's point of view, she never believed a burqa was required under Islam.Sofiea noted that women in countries such as Iran or Pakistan have also been protesting and demanding more freedom.As for Sofiea herself, despite the freedom she enjoys in France, she shares grave concerns over the liberties of other Afghan women who must live under the Taliban's rule. She said she would return to Afghanistan only when the country is no longer under the control of the Taliban.*The Taliban is a terrorist organisation banned in Russian and many other countries. Hess This is the biggest BS I ever read about Afghanistan. I am an Afghan and I know before the US and their Saudi stooges arrived, Afghanistan was a free country. The Taliban were an instrument of the Suadi-US terror. vot tak A very obvious piece of israeloamerican psywar. Embarrassing. Thumbs down. BTW, the fashion industry (and all the crap that feeds off it) is one of the most greedy, exploitive and corrupt industries around. It, and those promoting it, are mostly parasitic garbage. 2 asia afghanistan 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 asia, news, world, afghanistan, fashion https://sputniknews.com/20210925/yellow-vests-activists-hold-rally-in-paris--1089400735.html 'Yellow Vests' Activists Hold Rally in Paris 'Yellow Vests' Activists Hold Rally in Paris Last week, the group participated in a series of rallies against mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations and health passes. 25.09.2021, Sputnik International 2021-09-25T12:48+0000 2021-09-25T12:48+0000 2021-09-25T12:48+0000 france news world europe yellow vests /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107932/31/1079323145_0:159:3076:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_331b40d85d19e377bebda21327bceeef.jpg Sputnik is live from Paris, France, as "Yellow Vests" activists are taking to the streets to rally against social and economic injustice. The so-called "Yellow Vests" gained international notoriety in 2018, after demonstrators held a series of rallies against fuel tax hikes. In the following years, the group grew into a large-scale movement. The demonstrations have frequently resulted in violence between activists and police.Follow Sputnik's live feed to find out more! elloboferoz Eventually is going to end with bloodshed. The revolution will not be telivised. 3 LINDADREW do we need to rally forever against covid arsehole forces? wmd created covid 2 2 france 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 'Yellow Vests' protesters rally in Paris 'Yellow Vests' protesters rally in Paris 2021-09-25T12:48+0000 true PT233M33S 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, news, world, europe, yellow vests, Delgado put his name in the Freehold Raceway record books with a track-record performance in the first leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes - Standardbred Development Fund series for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Friday (September 24) at Freehold Raceway. Dan Dube blasted him to the lead from post position seven, and he never gave up control. He covered the mile in 1:57, breaking the record for two-year-old geldings by more than a second. The previous mark for geldings was 1:58.4, set by Steed in the 2015 New Jersey Futurity. Delgado also broke the overall mark for two-year-old male trotters. The record for colts is 1:57.2, set by Chapter Seven in the 2010 NJSS Final. Delgado is owned by Ontario's Robert Young and Russell Pickup, and trained by Ron Coyne Jr. They say that patience is a virtue, and that certainly proved true for Joe Bongiorno and Camden Hills. Thanks to a ground-saving trip right off the leaders, Camden Hills powered on to win the NJSS-SDF final for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters. Leaving from post position one, Camden Hills briefly held the early lead but was swallowed up by Seventier, who was seeking a sweep of the series. That one rushed to the front and grabbed control by the opening quarter point. Rather than re-take, Bongiorno kept his drive in the pocket, while Seventier set the early tempo. As they rounded the far turn, Magical Muscle Man, who had moved first-over, put his head in front of Seventier. Camden Hills was blocked, but salvation was about to come in the form of the passing lane. As soon as he found room, Camden Hills shot through, and got up to win over Seventier and Magical Muscle Man by 1-1/4 lengths. The final time was 1:56. Camden Hills is owned by Robert Weinstein and trained by Jenn Bongiorno. He's now won three times from 15 starts on the year, including a division of the first leg on September 3. His career earnings more than doubled with this win, surpassing the $60,000 mark. The first leg of the NJSS-SDF series for two-year-old trotting fillies went to Gertrude. She took the lead right around the three-eighths point and kept her rivals at bay, winning in 1:57.1. She's owned by Andy Miller Stable Inc, trained by Julie Miller, and driven by Tyler Miller. Live harness racing at Freehold continues on Saturday (September 25), with a 12-race card starting at 12:30 p.m. (Freehold) In her first ever visit to Massachusetts, P L Notsonice set a new track record of 1:53.3 for four-year-old trotting mares at Plainridge Park after she won the $22,500 Winners-Over feature on Friday afternoon (Sept. 24). P L Notsonice (Renaldo Morales III) got away fifth while a torrid first quarter of :26.3 was set by Big Rich (Kevin Switzer Jr.). When the half got backed down to :56.3, Northern Skyway (Shawn Gray) came rolling up the outside with P L Notsonice on his back. Northern Skyway continued to gain ground on the leader and as the race proceeded through the last turn, he took the lead from Big Rich and P L Notsonice came up alongside him waiting for the lane. When they straightened out, P L Notsonice was under a full head of steam and barreled down the stretch to the wire on top by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53.3. The time was a new track, replacing the 1:54.2 clocking by Annie OK in 2017. P L Notsonice ($2.60) bumped her 2021 earnings to $62,862 on the strength of her fourth win for owner Gratitude First and trainer Dale Gilmour. In the $17,500 upper level conditioned trot Northern Sultan (Mike Stevenson), who was overlooked at 40-1, made a first-over bid just past the three-eighths and trotted side by side with the front-running Lexus Markus (Kevin Switzer Jr.) from the five-eighths all the way to the wire where he won by a head in a lifetime best 1:55. Northern Sultan ($88.00) scored his fourth win of the year for owner/trainer Bill Krikorian. When harness racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Sunday (Sept. 26) the $2.24 million (est.) Massachusetts Sire Stakes will kick off its 2021 series featuring three-year-olds of both gaits and sexes who will compete for $480,000 in purses. Post time for the first race is 2:00 p.m. (Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts) Wild Wild Western let Prince Of Tides do the heavy lifting on the front end, then blew by him in the lane to collect his third straight victory in a career-best 1:49.1 in Fridays $16,000 Open Handicap Pace at The Meadows. Wild Wild Western sat comfortably in the pocket while Prince Of Tides threw down a wicked 1:21 three-quarters. When Mike Wilder popped his earplugs into the final turn, the five-year-old son of Western Ideal-Caila Fra had little trouble clearing the well-meant Prince Of Tides, defeating him by 1-1/4 lengths, while Captainfabulous rallied for show. The time was a tick off Unlockeds track record for horses five and older. Norm Parker trains Wild Wild Western, who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $355,657 for Jacobs Creek Racing, Andrew Altobelli and John Deters. The win was one of three for Wilder on the 13-race card. The race marked the return to the wars of millionaire Dorsoduro Hanover, the 2018 Dan Patch Award winner for three-year-old male pacers who hadnt raced since the November 21, 2020 TVG Open. The six-year-old gelding finished fourth and was moving forward late. Tom Mayhem Svrcek and Kombucha led every step but had to fight off a race-long challenge from Floyd The Roper Rhodes and Back Door Man to secure the victory in Fridays $9,000 leg of the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) Trot. Mayhem fired to the lead from post three while The Roper had the more eventful journey, moving three-wide past the quarter before settling in the two-path for the backside chase. The pair drew away late, and though The Roper still had trot, he couldnt lasso Mayhem, who scored by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.2 Bryce Brocklehurst trains Kombucha, a four-year-old daughter of Kadabra-Terrific Dream who has $122,175 in career earnings, for owners Kristen Cron and Svrcek. Stephen Oldford was third with Hititoutofthepark, notable because that driver piloted another horse to a second-place finish in an amateur event Thursday at the Delaware County Fair... which goes to show Youre Never Too Oldford. And a tip of the cap to Donald Dooger MacDougall Jr., who steered 99-1 bomb Mister Gelato to a fourth-place finish. Live racing at The Meadows resumes Tuesday when the 12-race program features a $5,018.83 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 p.m. (With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association) After a week of National Caretaker Appreciation Day (NCAD) events at racetracks across the country, events continue this weekend through Sunday, Sept. 26. Heres a list of the events scheduled for the balance of the week to recognize the hard work and dedication of the caretakers in the industry: Saturday, Sept. 25 Kawartha Downs, Red Shores at Charlottetown Driving Park Sunday, Sept. 26 Flamboro Downs, Hippodrome 3R, Leamington Raceway, Truro Raceway Caretakers, dont forget to send your photos in for the Love of the Horse photo contest. Click here for more information. If you are posting any photos, etc. for Caretaker Appreciation, please use the hashtags #NCAD21 and #thehorsecomesfirst and if you would like to submit / share any photos or video for our Caretaker Appreciation wrap up, you can email [email protected] or [email protected]. Standardbred Canada would like to thank all the caretakers that were willing to be profiled in our Faces of Racing Series. If you have not read some of the features, the links are below: This is the fourth year that Standardbred Canada (SC) has facilitated events across the country. Showing appreciation for the caretakers keeping our horses healthy and safe while training and racing under unusual circumstances and protocols during the pandemic is important, and SC would like to thank the many racetracks, associations, owners, trainers, breeders, drivers, volunteers and stakeholders that are all taking part to make this happen. In this week's Rewind, Robert Smith takes readers on somewhat of a nostalgic trip to recall the lengthy history behind the Wallacetown, Ontario fall fair and fairgrounds. His piece is replete with a number of great old pictures from the past of this quaint spot. He also discusses the important role that fairs in general have played in our country's history and also the past of harness racing. For those who recall the joy of attending a good old fashioned fall fair (including this not-so-young fellow) it is quite natural to wax nostalgic around this time of year as memories are recalled of days gone by. Fairs and fall festivals are deeply embedded in our culture and have been an important part of our way of life for centuries. Countless communities across the land have beautiful histories of their cherished fairs and stories of how they started and progressed through the decades. Many fairs have histories that date back to the mid 1800's. They have seen good and bad times and many have survived thanks to their dedicated board members and volunteer workers. Unfortunately the last couple of years have been extremely hard on many of them due to the devastating effects of COVID which have caused the cancellation of most fairs. They will rise above it and soon return. The inclusion of harness racing at fairs started many years ago and the history books tell us that it was a natural setting for it from the earliest times. With so many people attached to the love of horses it was a natural fit. By 1825 harness racing was becoming popular at fairs especially in the U.S. That trend continued for many years but the old days when fair racing was common at most fairs gradually faded over the years. Today it is a rarity for the most part. Wallacetown Fair Wallacetown, for those not familiar with the geography of Southwestern Ontario, is located in the southern portion of Elgin County not too far from the north shore of Lake Erie on old #3 Highway. Its closest large towns or cities would include London, St. Thomas and Dutton. For those who love to read about the "roots" of things (I am one of those) I enjoyed reading the fair's website. It chronicles the many changes that have occurred over the years including the struggles that most if not all small-town fairs have had to face to achieve survival. The woes of insufficient finances, problems caused by inclement weather and even the attempts by other neighbouring localities to "steal" the Fair are all nicely explained. The Wallacetown Fair was first held in 1860 and actually dates back to a further time when it was first held at the hamlet of New Glasgow. It seems that once people started to attend they came back year after year. In 1932 it was reported that five people attending that year's fair had been at the first fair in 1860! According to the Fair's archives, the first track to be located at the Wallacetown Fairgrounds was a 1/4 mile track built in 1875. In 1937 a series of major upgrades to the facilities and more property brought with it enough room to build a half-mile track. From this point, interest in racing grew. In 1947 the then newly introduced mobile starting gate was used for the first time. By the 1980's the practice of using stone dust as a racing base was introduced, giving the track a much improved racing and training surface. While the track was used annually for Fair racing it has long been a year-round training centre for many horses, some who have gone on to national prominence. Undoubtedly the most famous of all trainers who schooled their horses at the local oval was J. Russell Miller of nearby Dutton who headquartered his well-known stable of horses here for some 40 years. During much of that time his assistant trainer Garnet Crawford and his wife Audrey resided at the track. A number of others including Ed and Mable Holden, The McWilliams Bros., Fred Sollner, Mel, Ken and Cliff Gowan, Chas. Hales, Gerald Aiken, Gerry Lamb, George McKenzie, Jeff Lilley, Bill Hamm, Randy Mazak and many more from days gone by conditioned their horses here. The Miller barn is still in use by veteran Ken Gowan. I am told that he is the lone trainer still stabled there. A couple of old time fairgoers watch the proceedings at the Wallacetown fair from their comfortable perch. In the background is a full grandstand on hand to take in the day's activities. A couple of old time fairgoers watch the proceedings at the Wallacetown fair from their comfortable perch. In the background is a full grandstand on hand to take in the day's activities. I have randomly selected a couple of highlights of racing memories from the venerable Wallacetown Fair and listed them below. 1937 - Race fans were treated to six heats of harness racing on October 1 and the good locally owned mare Betty Grattan took home the lion's share of the $150 purse in the Class 18 Pace & Trot. She was owned by two local brothers, the Frasers, who operated a creamery at Dutton. Her mile times were both identical at 2:13 in the first and second heat. In the third heat Vester Bars, the gelded son of Grattan Bars, owned and piloted by Alex Belore of Mt. Elgin Ont. prevailed after finishing second in the two opening dashes. 1954 - Veteran driver Harry List of Chatham Ont. spent a good portion of his afternoon showing off his winning form to the crowd assembled here for the annual races. In total he won five out of six heats after starting the afternoon finishing dead last. He had double heat wins behind Silver T Lee for Bill Tomlinson of Glencoe and Queenie Volo D owned by Cecil Reid of West Lorne. He had a single win with Douglas Lee from the stable of Dr. Rogers of Essex. Over the years he has thrilled a lot of racing fans with his fearless driving style. Not always the recipient of the best mannered horses available Harry usually gets the most out of his mounts when owners chose him to "tame" an unruly steed. The following photographs and short stories that accompany them help to trace some of the fair's past history. Each photo is accompanied by a short narrative. In 1947 the fair became one of the first locations to employ the "new fangled" mobile starting gate at that year's races. Shown above is Ontario's first gate and it was owned and operated by Tom McDonnell of Hamilton. The owner was most often accompanied by his young son Bill who later became a long time official with the Ontario Racing Commission. A field of horses is shown in the stretch during the 1949 races. With the old judges' stand in the background a field of horses reaches the finish line. Leading the pack is Dividend and driver Joe Hodgins for owner Russell Miller of Dutton. The winner was a horse well-known in the area and was bred and raised by Dr. Meldrum a medical doctor from Norwich, Ont. In the early days many fairs included at least one race of thoroughbred type horses in competition. The scene above shows a field of horses "under saddle" during the 1948 fair. A group of railbirds enjoy the races during the 1948 fair. Racing was a very popular attraction as evidenced by the faces in the crowd. In 1960 the Fair was opened by The Hon. John Diefenbaker (far left) who came to help celebrate their Centennial. A young exhibitor appears here as part of the festivities. Mrs. Diefenbaker also attended the centennial celebrations. A local resident presented her with a box of freshly picked raspberries as a welcoming gift. A quote from the original photo stated: "Mrs. Diefenbaker assured the veteran of two World Wars that she and Mr. Diefenbaker would enjoy eating them on their arrival home that night." Wouldn't it be nice if life was still so simple. Many fine exhibits of horses and other livestock appeared annually at the fair. Mitch Hepburn, one time premier of Ontario (1934-1942) who resided nearby, often showed his prized Clydesdales and his four horse hitch is shown above handled by his farm manager at his Bannockburn Farms. Quote For The Week: "A well told story is a powerful thing." Who Is It? Can you identify this gentleman long associated with many facets of harness racing? Who Else Is It? Can you identify this gentleman in the sulky seat during his participation at a day of racing at a fair? Be sure to stay tuned for the correct answers during the upcoming week. Note - All of the photographs appearing in today's Rewind are courtesy of the Elgin County Archives. Many thanks. Dabarndawgswatchin picked up her second Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series victory in the sole $157,200 three-year-old pacing filly division at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday, Sept. 24 and heads into the post-season on a two-race win streak. Lining up in post four, driver Jody Jamieson sent Dabarndawgswatchin straight down to the rail in fourth as Western Wish led the field of eight to a :27 quarter and a :55.2 half. Heading for the 1:23.1 three-quarters, Jamieson was able to angle Dabarndawgswatchin out behind favourite Voelz Delight and follow that filly deep into the stretch. Once the Guelph, Ont. resident showed Dabarndawgswatchin an open lane, however, the filly kicked into gear and powered by the leaders to a three-quarter-length win in 1:50.4. Voelz Delight settled for second and Western Wish stayed game for third. Last week (September 17) was the second time we raced her off the pace and she won both times, so we thought wed better keep doing it, said trainer Dave Menary. It all worked out and we ended up in the right spot. Cambridge, Ont. resident Menary trains Dabarndawgswatchin for owners/breeders Julie Ferguson of Greely, Ont., and Lloyd Stone of Portland, Ont. She occupies a special place in his barn, not just because of her success, but because of his long relationship with her sire Hes Watching, dam Addison Bay and breeders. I was really excited to see her come to the barn because its the first horse where I ever trained the sire and the dam. I raced Addison Bay for them and she made around half a million ($436,237) and we had a lot of fun racing her, so to get to train one out of her by Hes Watching, its been pretty fun, said Menary. Shes just a monster of a filly. She has a lot more size than him (Hes Watching) or her (Addison Bay), the trainer continued. I think shes going to be a good horse for them. Theyre the nicest people you could train for and I think shes going to be a good filly for them for a long time. Dabarndawgswatchin wraps up the Gold Series regular season with 125 points, good enough for third spot in the standings behind reigning champ Scarlett Hanover, who skipped Fridays Gold event after winning the historic Jugette at the Delaware County Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 22, and Voelz Delight. The top 10 fillies will return to Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, Oct. 16 for their $225,000 Super Final. On Saturday, Sept. 25, part of an action-packed Mohawk Million card, Pepsi North America Cup winner Desperate Man and his three-year-old pacing colt peers return to Ontario Sires Stakes action in a single $155,600 Gold Series division. To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. (With files from OSS) NASA-run Hubble Telescope is one of the most powerful telescopes built by scientists. It keeps capturing images of deep space, which in turn gives us deep insights about the universe. Now, an image captured by the Hubble Telescope way back in December, 2020 has helped astronomers find out the age of Einstein Ring. For those who arent sure, an Einstein Ring is a ring-shaped optical illusion first theorised to exist by Albert Einstein in his general theory of relativity. Einstein Rings cause light shining from far away to be bent and pulled by the gravity of an object between its source and the observer. In this case, the Hubble telescope captured the GAL-CLUS-022058s galaxy that is located in the southern hemisphere constellation of Fornax (The Furnace). The image shows the largest and one of the most complete Einstein rings ever discovered, and was nicknamed the "Molten Ring'' by the Hubble observations Principal Investigator, which alludes to its appearance and host constellation. According to a report by the European Space Agency, a team of European astronomers used a multi-wavelength dataset, which includes inputs from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and this featured image, to study this Einstein ring in detail. The detection of molecular gas, of which new stars are born, allowed us to calculate the precise redshift and thus gives us confidence that we are truly looking at a very distant galaxy," said Nikolaus Sulzenauer, PhD student at the Max Plank Institute for Radio Astronomy in Germany and member of the investigation team. Upon further investigation, the scientists determined that the galaxy in the ring was about 9 billion years old and that it was formed when the universe was only about one-third its present age of 13.8 billion years. We can clearly see the spiral arms and the central bulge of the galaxy in the Hubble images. This will help us to better understand star formation in distant galaxies using planned observations," said a team member Susana Iglesias-Groth of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands in Spain explaining the results of the teams findings. A US bomber B-52 bomber (R) accompanied by an Indonesian F-16 fighter jet (L) during a joint exercise over Sulawesi waters in Indonesia. The US arm of Britain's Rolls Royce won a contract worth up to $2.6 billion Friday to supply engines for the US Air Force's B-52H bomber fleet, the Air Force announced. The company's Indianapolis, Indiana manufacturing unit was awarded a $500.9 million "indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity" contract over six years for replacement engines for the B-52s, the long-range Stratofortress bombers that have been a mark of US strategic power since the 1950s. The contract has a potential total value of $2.6 billion "if all options are exercised," the Air Force said. The Air Force chose Rolls Royce for the contract ahead of GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney. Explore further Rolls-Royce UK staff strike over possible Singapore switch 2021 AFP Yes, the decision belongs on the local level No, no one should be able to dictate whether people wear masks Vote View Results Job Title: Legal Officer (Fresher NGO Jobs) Organisation: International Rescue Committee (IRC) Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda About US: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the worlds worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education and power. The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), refugees and various institutions in the country, notably the government, community-based organizations (CBOs), civil society organizations (CBOs) and the private sector. The current program portfolio in Uganda includes health and nutrition, Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) support to persons with specific needs (PSNs) including case management, legal assistance to refugees, Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE) prevention and response to gender-based violence, and economic recovery and development (ERD). The IRC has a country office in Kampala and field offices in Imvepi, Kyaka II, Lamwo, Moroto, Kiryandongo and Yumbe, as well as an urban office in Nsambya within Kampala. Job Overview: Under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer She/he will identify legal issues and provide legal counselling and case management for individuals in the community and in detention facilities. They will facilitate referrals for legal representation to bona fide legal practices who offer pro bono services. Working with community structures, detention facilities, the Police and other stakeholders in the urban environment will organise legal information sessions in various environments to respond to needs and concerns of refugees in the urban context. She/he will be part of an integrated protection team and work in a consortium with other actors. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Work with Community based-Volunteers, Community leaders, the Police and other stakeholders in the legal sphere to identify issues impacting on urban refugees needing legal interventions. Undertake regular monitoring and visits of detention and prison facilities. Provide legal counseling and case management support to refugees and other vulnerable individuals. Conduct legal information sessions on human rights and key laws relating to protection of refugees and other affected persons. Facilitate referrals for legal representation from pro bono agencies. Closely work with Police to provide necessary assistance to survivors and witnesses. Submit daily and weekly data\reports, including narrative of high risk cases to inform appropriate actions. Participate in legal trainings as directed by the Senior Legal Officer. Conduct legal information sessions on rights and obligations of refugees, key offences and punishments in Uganda, International human rights laws relating to refugees and other persons of concern. Analyze data, highlight trends and legal protection needs of refugees and other persons of concern. Support training of state and non- state actors on national and international legal frameworks to targeted audiences. Undertake other administrative duties as directed by the Senior Protection Officer required for the functioning of programme and implementation that are consistent with the role of Legal Officer. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The applicant must hold a Bachelors Degree of Law from a recognized institution. At least two (2) years of prior professional experience in a similar post, preferably with an international organization Strong understanding of human rights including gender equality. Strong communication skills including ability to gain trust and build relationships with new communities. Good understanding of International Human Rights, Refugee Law, Ugandan national laws and policies relating to refugees. Experience in report writing. Experience in forming community-based child protection structures Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively independently with team members and independently to achieve results. Proficient computer knowledge and experience in Ms Word, Ms Excel, Ms Applications and Outlook. How to Apply: All candidates should apply online at the link below. Click Here Deadline: 8th October 2021 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline ONE of the surprises emerging from the presentation of the 2022 budget on Monday by Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert, was his announcement that the Government proposed to offer for sale 10,869,565 ordinary shares in First Citizens Holdings Ltd. The older residents of Belmont and environs may remember back in the 1980s there used to be I appreciate the position taken by Mr Kevin Baldeosingh on the reasons why he will not get BOGOTA -- Colombian authorities said on Friday they have confiscated a shipment of 3,493 shark fins which were to be illegally trafficked to Hong Kong from Bogota's airport. Environmental authorities in the capital said the quantity of fins meant between 900 and 1,000 sharks between 1 and 5 meters (3 to 16 feet) in length would have to be killed. In some countries shark fins are sold as having health benefits. The shipment - packed in 10 packages and the product of illegal fishing - came from the municipality of Roldanillo, in Colombia's southwest, Bogota's environment secretary said. A ruler for measurement is placed next to a seized shark fins after authorities confiscated a shipment of 3,493 shark fins which were to be illegally trafficked to Hong Kong from Bogota's airport, in Bogota, Colombia September 23, 2021. Picture taken September 23, 2021. Colombian Environment Ministry/Handout via Reuters "The shipping company was who initially alerted environmental authorities and police," Secretary Carolina Urrutia said. "The police are taking samples to know exactly what species they are, but we know that there are more than three species of shark which exist in Colombian waters." The national police will handle the investigation, she added, and have asked the shipping company for all information on the sender and the shipment's final destination. A special plane serving the overseas working trip by State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam is transporting 1.05 million doses of Abdala COVID-19 vaccine produced in Cuba to the Southeast Asian country. Of the shipment, 900,000 doses came from the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) of Cuba, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The center handed over the batch of the vaccine, which they developed and manufactured, to the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba early on Friday (Cuba time). On the same day, the Cuban Defense Ministry presented 150,000 doses of the same vaccine to the Vietnamese defense attache in the country. A special plane serving the overseas working trip by State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam is transporting all of the 1.05 million vaccine doses to Vietnam. State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc made an official friendship visit to Cuba on September 18-20 and then travelled to the U.S. to attend the High-level Debate of the United Nations General Assemblys 76th session (UNGA 76) and participate in a number of bilateral activities from September 21 to Friday. During Phucs visit in Cuba, Vietnams Center for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals (Polyvac) signed an agreement to purchase five million shots of the Abdala vaccine from the CIGB on September 20. The Vietnamese Ministry of Health earlier granted conditional approval to the Abdala, the eighth after seven COVID-19 vaccines that have been given authorization for emergency use in Vietnam, namely the UKs AstraZeneca, Chinas Sinopharm, Russias Sputnik V, the UAEs Hayat-Vax, and three U.S. jabs including Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. As of late Thursday, Vietnam had administered roughly 37 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, with over 7.2 million people having been fully vaccinated. Health authorities aim to immunize at least two-thirds of Vietnam's 98-million population 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 flight from Japan carrying 400,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine donated by the Japanese government arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday morning. The Japanese government had previously donated about 3.18 million COVID-19 vaccine jabs to Vietnam. Saturdays batch has increased Japan's donations to roughly 3.58 million shots in total. Japan affirmed that the country will continue to cooperate with Vietnam to put the COVID-19 pandemic under control soon. On Thursday, Ho Chi Minh City received more than 620,000 Pfizer vaccine doses and 46,000 AstraZeneca shots allocated by the Ministry of Health to provide the second jabs to residents. The southern city is expediting its COVID-19 vaccination campaign to administer first doses to all of people from 18 years old and second doses to those having finished their intervals. Health workers have given over 6.8 million first doses and more than 2.2 million second shots to people in the city, according to the national COVID-19 vaccination portal. Residents from 18 years old that have not received first doses are advised to send a text message to the 8066 switchboard following the formula MUI1 Fullname YearofBirth District to register for the inoculation. On Saturday morning, the city still had about 60,000 doses of AstraZeneca, 650,000 shots of Pfizer, and about 637,000 jabs of Vero Cell in its storage, according to the municipal Department of Health. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Check out the news you should not miss today: Society -- The Ministry of Health registered 8,537 COVID-19 cases in Vietnam on Friday, along with 12,371 discharged patients and 203 deaths. -- More than one million doses of Abdala COVID-19 vaccine developed by Cuba's Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology are being delivered to Vietnam on the special plane serving the overseas working trip by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam, according to Vietnam News Agency on Friday. -- A court in northern Thanh Hoa Province sentenced three men to death and life in prison on Friday for shooting dead a police officer in January. -- The administration of Da Nang City in central Vietnam on Friday has decided to allow people to leave the city and provide travel passes for those in needs. -- The Thanh Hoa People's Committee on Friday announced a list of service establishments allowed to resume operations, including barbershops and hair salons, travel agencies, and language centers, as the COVID-19 epidemic has been brought under control. -- Three children died as they were buried by sand and soil in a landslide in Vietnam's Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on Friday while playing tunnel digging game in a rockslide-prone area. -- A Hanoi man was discovered dead in his house on Thursday night, with his COVID-19 test result returning positive the following day, according to authorities in the capital city. World News -- Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou has reached an agreement with U.S. prosecutors to end the bank fraud case against her, a move that allows her to leave Canada, Reuters reported on Friday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Authorities of many big cities and provinces in Vietnam have apparently ignored a call by medical experts to stop mass COVID-19 testing, since the strategy is expensive and almost helpless in the current developments of the disease. The administration of Ho Chi Minh City has completed three campaigns of citywide COVID-19 testing since a new wave of infections hit Vietnam on April 27 and is going on with a fourth testing phase through September 30. So far, the citys health workers, divided into 1,533 teams, have collected a total of two million real-time RT-PCR samples and over 9.5 million others using the rapid antigen testing method. In the fourth stage, residents of areas at very high and high risk in the southern city are tested every two days in one week, while people living in the remaining areas are subject to testing every four days during an eight-day period, from September 20. To facilitate the testing drive, the city has sought reinforcements of 1,000 medical workers from the Ministry of Health and 4,000 officers and soldiers from the Ministry of National Defense, besides the health ministrys additional allocation of ten million rapid antigen test kits. In south-central Khanh Hoa Province, the provincial Peoples Committee has required businesses and building contractors to test their workers frequently, every three, five, or ten days, including fully vaccinated people, starting Thursday. However, health experts in Ho Chi Minh City previously sent a petition to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control proposing that mass testing for contact tracing should be stopped. The coronavirus has spread widely in the city, so it is impossible to isolate all infected people from the community through mass testing within a certain period, they explained. In addition to Ho Chi Minh City, mass testing also proved inefficient in Hanoi. Functional forces detected only 21 infections after taking over 2.96 million real-time RT-PCR samples and nearly 1.29 million others through rapid antigen method in the capital city between September 8 and 16. Notably, all of the 21 infections were discovered in areas at risk. The city could have saved huge costs if functional forces had focused on tracing infections only in those high risk areas. A medical worker instructs a resident to take a COVID-19 test sample by herself in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, September 24, 2021. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre Meanwhile, mass COVID-19 testing is quite costly. Currently, the national health insurance fund is covering VND740,000 (US$32.5) for each real-time RT-PCR test conducted. A conglomerate that has given Ho Chi Minh City a million rapid antigen test kits in support and assisted with testing two million samples revealed that the donations cost VND200 billion ($8.77 million) in total. The Ho Chi Minh City experts, instead, advised local authorities to focus on testing symptomatic people and those at risk like coronavirus patients direct contacts who are elderly and have underlying diseases, workers in essential fields such as medical staff, delivery workers, airport staff, and employees at industrial parks and export processing zones. They also suggested accepting rapid antigen test results without conducting further real-time RT-PCR tests to avoid waste. Funds and resources for COVID-19 testing should be saved for vaccination and treatment to reduce death rates. On September 19, the Ministry of Health issued a new set of instructions requesting authorities in cities and provinces to test people in very high- and high-risk areas every three days in one week, and in the remaining areas every five to seven days. The ministrys recommended frequency slightly decreased from before. However, an expert from Ho Chi Minh City still suggested further reducing the frequency of testing in low-risk areas to cut costs and avoid troubles and time waste for residents. Vietnam has registered 736,972 patients, including 505,859 recoveries and 18,220 deaths, since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit it early last year. The country has been grappling with its gravest bout, with 732,492 community transmissions in 62 out of its 63 provinces and cities since April 27. Ho Chi Minh City is most affected with 362,493 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 193,235, Dong Nai Province with 43,925, Long An Province with 31,425, Tien Giang Province with 13,643, Dong Thap Province with 8,195, Khanh Hoa Province with 7,620, Da Nang with 4,891, Hanoi with 4,195, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province with 4,112. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A Vietnam court has given capital punishment to a man who fatally shot an anti-drug police officer in the northern province of Thanh Hoa in February. The provincial Peoples Court on Friday sentenced 40-year-old Sung A Chia to death on charges of murder while giving life imprisonment to his three accomplices, Sung A Tong, Thao A Minh and Phang A Pao, aged 21 to 30, for the same offense. All the four men resided in the provinces Muong Lat District. On February 6, the district police unit assigned five officers, including Major Vi Van Luan, to conduct patrols to detect people engaged in storage, transport and trade of drugs. When the team came to Muong Ly Commune, they spotted Chia and Tong standing on a road, with guns in their hands. The team, with Luan taking the lead, approached the two suspicious men and asked them to show their personal papers in suspecting that they were drug traffickers. Chia suddenly fired a bullet at Luans chest while Tong also opened fire on the police team. At that time, Minh and Pao, who were on a nearby mountain, began shooting down to support Chia and Tong to escape the scene. Luan was taken immediately to a hospital but he died on the way. Two days later, local police arrested Tong and they subsequently detained Chia and Minh. On May 18, Pao turned himself to police. In addition to the sentences given to the defendants, the court ordered Chia and his accomplices to pay damages to Luans family and give supports to the two children of the victim. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Full Frontal With Samantha Bee has been renewed for a seventh season in the USA. Im beyond excited to be returning to TBS for a seventh season, said Bee. Now we have enough seasons for you to binge one every day of the week. I warned you I was tenacious. TBS, TNT and TruTV general manager Brett Weitz said, Shining a spotlight on important issues and people, Sam provides needed commentary and asks questions of authority and ourselves that need to be asked. But most of all, Sam is just funny and makes me laugh out loud each week. Im thrilled she will continue to call TBS home. The show is averaging 2.9 million US viewers per episode across all platforms. But the show has recently vanished from Australian screens. In May an SBS spokesperson told TV Tonight, Like other broadcasters and channels, we constantly assess our programming mix to ensure SBS is providing a distinctive offer and new content to all Australians. We love Samantha Bee, and are proud that SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand could provide a home for fans over five seasons, during which time the show provided an important satirical take on the Trump presidency from one of the all too few women in late night. Source: Hollywood Reporter Veteran actor Al Harrington, best known for Hawaii Five-0 has died, aged 85. The Samoan-American actor died after suffering a stroke. Al was truly a gift from God. A noble, compassionate, patient and gentle man with a witty sense of humor and a larger-than-life laugh that will echo in my heart until we are reunited, his wife Rosa wrote in a statement. In 1972, he debuted as Detective Ben Kokua on Hawaii Five-0, having appeared in several episodes as other characters. He remained on the show for three years and decades later joined the Hawaii Five-0 reboot in a recurring role as Mamo Kahike. Harrington also made appearances on other television shows including Magnum, P.I., Scrubs and The Byrds of Paradise. Source: People. Vietnamese white-hat hackers' discovery of vulnerabilities of large systems has contributed to affirming the global capacity of the domestic cybersecurity team. Tran Van Khang, Head of Malware Analysis Team, VinCSS Cybersecurity Services Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of Vingroup, has been recognized for detecting six publicly disclosed computer security flaws (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures CVE) in Adobe and Microsoft software. This brings the total number of zeroday security vulnerabilities discovered by VinCSS to 80 CVEs. Network security expert Tran Van Khang. CVE is a list of publicly disclosed computer security flaws. When someone refers to a CVE, they mean a security flaw that's been assigned a CVE ID number. CVEs help IT professionals coordinate their efforts to prioritize and address these vulnerabilities to make computer systems more secure. CVE is overseen by the MITRE corporation with funding from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. On September 14, Adobe released patches for the security vulnerabilities of the Windows-based Adobe Framemaker application. Specifically, three vulnerabilities were detected by Vietnamese expert Khang. These vulnerabilities are recorded at a serious level, affecting users in many countries because of the popularity of the application. Shortly after, on September 15, Khang was recognized by Microsoft for the detection of three serious security vulnerabilities that exist in the applications of the Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise product. These vulnerabilities allow hackers to hijack the victims devices, gain access to an organization's network, and perform dangerous cybersecurity breaches that can cause great damage to businesses. Adobe records the discovery of 3 security vulnerabilities of white hat hacker Tran Van Khang. During nearly three years working at VinCSS, Khang has detected 27 CVE. Most of them were found in products of major technology companies in the world such as Microsoft, Adobe and popular anti-virus software of Trend Micro, McAfee, Bitdefender, ESET. These findings have helped technology companies promptly fix and remove the threat to billions of users globally. In April 2019, Khang became the first Vietnamese to obtain a GREM (GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware) certificate issued by the SANS Institute (USA). The certificate shows his ability to work at the international level. In the field of network security, finding Zero Day vulnerabilities is considered very influential because these vulnerabilities are often not known by product developers. Therefore, proactive activities to detect Zero Day vulnerabilities play an important role in helping organizations promptly update new versions, and improve product security to protect users around the world against cyber risks. Security vulnerabilities are recognized around the world and are posted on the National Vulnerability Database (nvd.nist.gov) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA). The outstanding achievements of Khang and other Vietnamese security experts in detecting the weaknesses of large systems such as Oracle, D-Link, VMware, and Microsoft have contributed to affirming the global capacity of the Vietnamese cybersecurity team. Trong Dat Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority board has approved a $1 million expense for designing a project to deliver up to 3 million gallons of water a day to Intel. The water will support the tech companys $3.5 billion upgrade of its computer chip manufacturing plant in Rio Rancho. Two wells that will serve Intel contain water that is high in arsenic, and they have never been used by the utility for drinking water. Mark Sanchez, ABCWUAs executive director, said the company will treat and return about 2.4 million gallons a day into the utilitys wastewater system to offset the increased groundwater pumping. At that point, its no longer arsenic water or has any other contaminants, Sanchez said. We (also) have a pre-treatment system that we capture and treat the water before it goes back into the river. Intel will reimburse the $1 million and pay for the infrastructure. The project may include building a well collector line and improving the wells. Intels water use from the utility will be 600,000 gallons a day. Sanchez said that amount will not strain water deliveries on the west side of the Rio Grande. Intels on-site system will treat water for use in manufacturing and cooling towers. The company has a goal of restoring more freshwater than it consumes by 2030. Intel funded an Audubon water lease to boost river flows and bird habitat in the Isleta Reach of the Rio Grande, and a Trout Unlimited restoration project on Comanche Creek in northern New Mexico. Organizations small and large must come together and implement innovative ways to conserve water, one of our most precious resources, Suzanne Fallender, Intels director of corporate responsibility, said in a statement. Individual action to tackle the worlds biggest challenges, like climate change, isnt enough. Intel is an existing customer of the water utility authority, which inherited a city of Albuquerque agreement to accept the companys wastewater discharge. Historically, what Intel has been forced to do is acquire water rights from irrigators and farmers to authorize their pumping, Sanchez said. So I think theres clearly an advantage for the water authority to provide this service and not force Intel to go into the market and acquire additional water rights. Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal. A motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Central Avenue on Friday evening. The Albuquerque Police Department said just before 7:30 p.m. that it was investigating the vehicle-versus-motorcycle crash that happened on Central at Wisconsin, just west of Wyoming. The motorcyclist was fatally injured, APD said, adding that Central in the area of the crash was shut during the investigation. No other information was provided by APD. Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Susan Schripsema began every class with a temperature check a procedure pitched to teachers as a way to gauge the well-being of students and their readiness to learn. Through a writing prompt, she would ask the students to respond to questions designed to capture their energy level and mood, often discovering one-third of the class felt overwhelmed. But then what? Schripsema still had a class to teach. It seemed like the pressure on our time kept increasing, she said in a recent interview, but the number of minutes in the day doesnt ever change. Schripsema retired in July after 29 years of teaching part of a 40% spike in the retirement of education employees this year. She cited a variety of factors in her decision to leave the profession, a year after she was first eligible. But she didnt feel like she had the training or support staff to adequately address students social and emotional health. Whatever the reason, hundreds of other education employees made the same decision. The Educational Retirement Board which oversees the pension system for New Mexicos public schools, colleges and some state agencies reports that it handled 1,269 applications for July 1 retirement this year, up from just 906 the year before. It was the largest number in seven years. Albuquerque Public Schools reported a similar retirement wave among its Schedule A employees, a group that includes teachers, librarians, nurses and counselors. July 1 is the start of the state fiscal year and often coincides with teacher contracts. The exit of so many veteran educators comes as school districts across New Mexico face a sharp increase in the number of teacher vacancies this semester. Superintendents are highly concerned about this issue, said Stan Rounds, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders. The state had more than 1,000 teacher vacancies this fall, up from 570 the year before, according to a preliminary analysis by the Southwest Outreach Academic Research Evaluation and Policy Center at New Mexico State University. A formal report finalizing the numbers is expected within weeks. Untangling why so many educators opted for retirement isnt easy. It could be a blip, bringing the number of retirements back in line with the numbers seen in 2014 and 2015. The Educational Retirement Board handled 1,280 retirements in 2014, then the number fell for six consecutive years, before shooting up in 2021. Rounds, a former Las Cruces superintendent, said the COVID-19 pandemic might be a factor. Older people are most at risk for complications from the disease, and the pandemic has now stretched across parts of three school years. Since March 2020, students and teachers have endured some combination of remote learning, hybrid classes, coronavirus testing and mask wearing. But other factors may be at play. Exit surveys at APS show many reasons for retiring, including health reasons, feeling overworked, leaving New Mexico, and not liking remote teaching, district spokeswoman Johanna King said. Rep. G. Andres Romero, an Albuquerque Democrat and chairman of the House Education Committee, said he and other policymakers will delve into the data to try to determine why so many teachers are leaving and how to improve retention. It is really deeply concerning and alarming thats happened, Romero said of the retirement spike. Veteran teachers are an important part of any school community, he said, serving as informal leaders and mentors for younger employees. Romero himself is a social studies teacher at Atrisco Heritage Academy High School in southwestern Albuquerque. He has taught for seven years and isnt close to retirement. The rising cost of health insurance, he said, has been a topic of conversation among teachers, in addition to challenges caused by the pandemic. Sen. Gay Kernan, a Hobbs Republican and retired teacher, said changes to retiree health care benefits might be factors in the July retirement surge. Regardless, she said, legislators will have to evaluate how to attract more people to the classroom. The state already offers generous pension benefits teachers can retire at 70.5% of their salary after 30 years but something else may be needed to entice younger workers. Were going to have to figure out how to incentivize our young people, or people at any age, to consider education as a profession, Kernan said. Salary could be a part of it. Its certainly a rewarding profession. About 60,000 employees are active members of the Educational Retirement Board, serving as teachers, professors, administrators and school employees. The system supports about 51,000 retirees. The average annual pension benefit is $23,052. Ellen Bernstein, president of the Albuquerque Teachers Federation, a union, said the education workforce including teachers and nurses is aging as fewer people enter the profession. Factors in whether teachers stay, she said, include the physical condition of classrooms, such as the availability of air conditioning; a supportive principal and colleagues; and the capacity to make their own choices at work. We havent made the profession attractive both monetarily and professionally, Bernstein said. Schripsema retired July 1 after teaching English and journalism at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque. She had also spent parts of her career at Hoover and Madison middle schools. She was eligible to retire in spring 2020 but said didnt want her teaching career to end with the pandemic lockdown. Schripsema, whos in her 50s, said she wanted to return and help students during what she knew would be another tough year on campus. But the increased demands on teachers and other factors contributed to her decision to retire before this school year, Schripsema said. She wished she had more training, she said, to address the social and emotional health of students, or at least another staffer with expertise she could refer students to. Teachers were encouraged to start classes with a temperature check to see how students were doing and ease their transition to a new environment, Schripsema said, but it wasnt necessarily clear how to respond when so many of the teenagers reported feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. The long days, starting at 6:30 a.m., also took a toll. I feel like there is an age, Schripsema said, where a person gets a gut feeling that its time to give this classroom to someone whos younger. Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE New Mexicos $18 billion state worker pension fund is struggling for stability. The executive director, chief investment officer and general counsel for the Public Employees Retirement Association have all stepped down this year and the search for a new director was recently relaunched by PERA board members who had expressed unease about a previous search process that yielded three finalists. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, an ex officio PERA board member who is heading up a new search panel for a director, said many board members have been frustrated and suggested an outside firm could be hired to help with the search. We were all having some heartburn about how the process has gone, she said in a recent interview. Toulouse Oliver also said despite the relaunched search, theres a sense of urgency to hire a new director for the agency. We dont want to unnecessarily prolong things, she said. However, eight months have already passed since the resignation of former PERA executive director Wayne Propst was announced. The pension funds chief investment officer Dominic Garcia then stepped down from his post in June and general counsel Susan Pittard resigned in August. While temporary replacements have been named for all three positions, the situation has caught the attention of some state lawmakers. They need to hire a director this is a critical time when the markets are in good shape, said Sen. George Munoz, a Gallup Democrat who chairs the Senate Finance Committee. Why that has taken almost a year is amazing to me. Munoz also said some potential applicants might have been scared off due to what he described as turmoil on the PERA board, which has seen frequent infighting in recent years. John Melia, an Albuquerque firefighter and PERA board member, said the board strife which has included lawsuits, ethics allegations and even debate over snacks during board meetings has been bad for the pension fund and its members. Its no secret that our board is a disaster, said Melia, who plans to step down after six years on the board when his term expires in December. He also said the PERA board has not elected a new board chairperson due to internal divisions. The boards vice chairman Francis Page is currently serving as acting chairman. New Mexicos pension fund that covers state workers, police officers and judges had more than 47,000 active members and paid retirement benefits to roughly 42,700 retirees during the budget year that ended in June, said acting PERA executive director Greg Trujillo. Trujillo said its likely the chief investment officer and general counsel posts, which are both appointed positions, would be filled quickly once a new executive director is hired. An update on the executive director search is expected to be given during a board meeting scheduled for next week, but some board members say a resolution cant come quickly enough. Im much more concerned that we dont have the three positions filled than I am about finding the absolute perfect director, Melia told the Journal. There have also been legislative proposals in recent years to overhaul the 12-member PERA board, though such bills have ultimately fallen short of approval. With the start of a new 30-day session set for January, Munoz said hell push for legislation to consolidate investment oversight of the Public Employees Retirement Association and the states teacher pension fund, the Educational Retirement Board, with a requirement that members of the newly-created board have at least some investment experience. I think it needs to happen sooner and not later, he said. Meanwhile, the teacher pension fund has also been operating without a permanent leader since former ERB executive director Jan Goodwin left in March to run a New Hampshire retirement system. Both New Mexico pension funds have faced long-term solvency concerns over the last decade that have prompted legislative action. But, like most pension funds nationwide, both the PERA and ERB posted strong investment gains during the 2021 fiscal year, with the teacher funds 28.8% return being especially high compared to other similar-sized funds. Combined, the two retirement systems saw their fund values increase by nearly $6 billion from $27.6 billion to $33.4 billion, according to Legislative Finance Committee data. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham visited southern New Mexico on Friday to talk with fellow elected Democratic leaders and business groups about economic development, and to tour a military base near the U.S.-Mexico border where Afghan refugees are being housed. The Democrats visit was not made public until late afternoon. Her office said she walked through the processing area at Fort Bliss Army base, spoke with volunteers about the need for winter coats and other items for those at the facility, and saw how refugees were screened for COVID-19. Whenever the federal government tells us they need our help, New Mexico is ready to help these families, Lujan Grisham said in a statement after the tour. There was no indication that Lujan Grisham visited the U.S.-Mexico border while in the area. She has faced criticism in recent months for not doing more to address the concerns of residents along the border amid the latest influx of immigrants. Republicans in New Mexico were disappointed earlier this week that she wasnt among the more than two dozen governors who signed a letter to President Joe Biden seeking a meeting about problems border states are facing. Lujan Grisham, chair of the Democratic Governors Association and a vocal critic of former President Donald Trumps immigration policies, has said that those with concerns should direct them to the federal agencies working on the issue. Republican state Sen. Crystal Diamond said she and others had been asking for months that the governor visit with ranchers and others in the region. She said those pleas were ignored. Shes not out there hearing the needs of constituents, Diamond said. So, right now, we dont need candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham on the border, we need Gov. Grisham on the border who will act in her capacity as governor to provide us help. Diamond noted that lawmakers held their legislative session earlier this year in a closed Capitol with a fence around the building, while the border remained open and immigrants arrived in the U.S. amid the pandemic. She said the health and safety of New Mexicans should be front and center. Border security isnt a partisan issue, but she has continued to make it so, Diamond said of the governor. The governors visit to southern New Mexico was billed by her office as a strategy session with business leaders and elected officials to talk about their concerns, and how her administration can meet community needs. Meetings were held in the border community of Santa Teresa and nearby Las Cruces. Lujan Grishams administration has built on the work of former Republican Gov. Susana Martinez to grow cross-border trade and attract more businesses to the area. According to the state, several Taiwanese businesses have announced plans in the past two years to develop manufacturing space in Santa Teresa and create a North American footprint. Since 2019, the state has directed more than $10 million in local economic development funds to Dona Ana County businesses, resulting in over 1,000 jobs. About $11 million in state job training funds has supported more than 2,500 jobs. Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal Albuquerque police have identified the SWAT team officer who shot and killed a domestic violence suspect during a standoff in Moriarty earlier this month as Justin Jones. Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque Police Department spokesman, said Jones has been with the department since 2007 and has been involved in three other shootings. He has been temporarily assigned to an investigative assignment, Gallegos wrote in an email. I think that was already in the works, but Im not 100% certain. Joness prior shootings were also during SWAT standoffs. In August 2018, Jones and a New Mexico State Police officer fatally shot a man suspected of killing his girlfriends ex-husband after a standoff at the suspects West Side home. In October 2018, he and another APD officer shot and injured a man who police say was holed up in a busy Chinese food restaurant for 45 minutes, waving a gun. And, in October 2019, he and another APD officer fatally shot a man suspected of holding his girlfriend hostage and then pointing a gun at officers as they entered their apartment. In the most recent shooting, on Sept. 7, Jones and other members of APDs SWAT team were called out to Moriarty to assist State Police and the Torrance County Sheriffs Office. Law enforcement had been negotiating with Cimmeron Christy, 46, after he was suspected of domestic violence against his wife. The wife was able to get out of the house, but Christy refused to exit, according to a news release from State Police. As negotiators continued their attempts to negotiate a peaceful surrender, Christy, who was still armed with the firearm, ignored all attempts, the news release states. Christy made threatening statements to shoot at his neighbors. At this time, a SWAT officer from the Albuquerque Police Department fired his department-issued firearm toward Christy. Christy was struck by gunfire and suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator. Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal Starting Monday, students from Las Cruces to Taos will trade in their desks and whiteboards for class at nature preserves and farms as part of New Mexicos first Outdoor Learning Week. Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill, a Silver City Democrat and school psychologist, sponsored the Senate memorial that asked state agencies to promote outdoor classrooms in schools. I consistently have found that students prefer to be outside, Correa Hemphill said. Theyre calmer and happier when theyre outside, and more at peace. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared Sept. 27 to Oct. 1 Outdoor Learning Week. Correa Hemphill said the upcoming week is an opportunity for school districts to craft concrete plans for outdoor classrooms and curricula. Investing in those outdoor learning spaces will really help students academically, physically and mentally as we continue to deal with the pandemic, she said. It opens up all kinds of hands-on learning. Environmental Education of New Mexico will host a week of virtual events encouraging teachers and students to head outside. Stephanie Haan-Amato, EENMs communications and development director, said the group will also showcase local and state resources for educators, parents and students. So many wonderful aha moments happen when kids learn outside, Haan-Amato said. They learn about nature and want to preserve it. They also get academic benefits like more motivation and increased enthusiasm. EENM will broadcast tours on Instagram Live of outdoor classrooms at Bel-Air Elementary School in Albuquerque and La Semilla Food Center in Anthony. The state Public Education Department recommends outdoor learning to engage students in a setting that reduces the risk of (virus) transmission as students have returned to school following pandemic closures. EENM wants the state to use about $12 million in federal pandemic relief funds, or about 1% of the money allocated for New Mexico education, to create outdoor classrooms at every public school and hire outdoor learning coordinators. With the community momentum and federal funding we have in place, we think New Mexico is incredibly well poised to realize this for every school, Haan-Amato said. Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal. See schedule of activities Visit eenm.org/week for a schedule of Outdoor Learning Week events. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. A U.S. Air Force airman on trial on charges of kidnapping a Mennonite woman in New Mexico, fatally shooting her and dumping her body in northern Arizona, had tried unsuccessfully to cover his tracks after the January 2020 killing, a prosecutor told jurors Friday in opening statements. Prosecutor Ammon Barker said Mark Gooch had his car professionally detailed, asked someone to hold on to his rifle and, two days after the killing, returned to the forest clearing outside Flagstaff, Arizona, where the body of 27-year-old Sasha Krause had been dumped and would be discovered several weeks later. Though Goochs cellphone data showed he drove from metro Phoenix to a Mennonite community in Farmington, New Mexico, and then to the Flagstaff area, the prosecutor said Gooch initially deleted his location history from a different digital account a Google account during the time of the killing. In that sense, the defendant didnt cover his tracks he highlighted them, Barker said, adding that Gooch later deleted all location history information from his Google account. Goochs attorney Bruce Griffen told jurors that his client had no connection to Krause, had cooperated with investigators and wasnt trying to hide anything. The state has really no motive whatsoever to try to suggest that a peaceful, nonviolent person who didnt know this individual would have had any reason whatsoever to abduct, let alone harm, her, Griffen said. Gooch, 22, was stationed at Luke Air Force Base in metropolitan Phoenix at the time. He told investigators he was near Farmington about a seven-hour drive when Krause went missing because he had been seeking out Mennonite churches for the fellowship. Gooch grew up in the Mennonite faith in Wisconsin, but never officially joined the church, he told investigators. Gooch maintains that he did not kidnap or kill Krause, and has pleaded not guilty to murder, kidnapping and theft charges. Krause disappeared while going to get reading materials to prepare for an upcoming Sunday school course. Authorities say her body was found with head injuries and in the same clothing she was wearing when she disappeared. On the day Krause went missing, Griffen said Gooch went to Flagstaff to ski at a resort, but it was closed because of the pandemic. He then decided to drive to Farmington, realized there wasnt going to be a church service that day and headed back to the Phoenix area, Griffen said. Griffen emphasized to jurors that there were no witnesses to the crimes. Authorities said a state crime lab report showed a bullet taken from Krauses skull was fired from a .22-caliber rifle Gooch owned. Griffen told jurors that ballistics evidence gathered in the case cant be linked conclusively to his clients rifle. Goochs cellphone was the only one communicating with the same cell towers as Krauses phone before hers dropped off west of Farmington, authorities said. Prosecutors arent sure why he targeted Krause. Other evidence from prosecutors will include text message exchanges between Gooch and his brothers where he talked about surveilling Mennonite churches in metropolitan Phoenix and praising one for ticketing a Mennonite during a traffic stop. Police are investigating an overnight shooting in Northwest Albuquerque that left one person in critical condition. Officer Chase Jewell, a spokesman with the Albuquerque Police Department, said officers were dispatched to a shots fired call near Ventana Road and Calle de Vida early Saturday morning. Callers reported several shots being fired in the area and subjects physically and verbally fighting, Jewell said. He said officers found one shooting victim, who was transported to a hospital and is in critical condition. Officers and detectives are still working to investigate the incident, Jewell said. Currently no offenders are known or in custody, and only one individual has been reported as injured. Albuquerque police say narcotics appear to be a factor in a Friday night crash on Central Avenue that left a motorcyclist dead. The crash occurred at the intersection of Central and Wisconsin, just west of Wyoming. Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque Police Department spokesman, said it involved two trucks and two motorcycles. One motorcycle rider was deceased on-scene, the second motorcycle rider and three other people who were occupants of the trucks were all transported to (University of New Mexico Hospital) for medical treatment, Gallegos said in an email. He said Motor Unit officers determined that both motorcycles were traveling westbound on Central in the middle lane when a white Toyota Tacoma traveling eastbound on Central turned north, entered the westbound lanes and crashed into both motorcycles. That crash forced the motorcycles into a Chevy Silverado, Gallegos added. The juvenile driver of the Toyota was found to possibly be under the influence of intoxicating drugs, he added. Police obtained a search warrant for the drivers blood and are waiting for the toxicology report. CHICAGO Austin Moody wanted to apply his cybersecurity skills in his home state of Michigan, teaming up with investigators for the State Police to analyze evidence and track down criminals. But the recent graduate set the idea aside after learning an unpaid internship was his only way into the Michigan agency. I dont know many people that can afford to take an unpaid internship, especially when its in such high demand in the private sector, Moody said of fellow cybersecurity job seekers. Unpaid internships in cyber arent really a thing beyond the public sector. Hiring and keeping staff capable of helping fend off a constant stream of cyberattacks and less severe online threats tops the list of concerns for state technology leaders. Theres a severe shortage of those professionals and not enough financial firepower to compete with federal counterparts, global brands and specialized cybersecurity firms. People who are still in school are being told, Theres a really good opportunity in cybersecurity, really good opportunities for high pay,' said Drew Schmitt, a principal threat intelligence analyst with the cybersecurity firm GuidePoint Security. And ultimately these state and local governments just cant keep up from a salary perspective with a lot of private organizations. State governments are regular targets for cybercriminals, drawn by the troves of personal data within agencies and computer networks that are essential to patrolling highways, maintaining election systems and other key state services. Notable hits since 2019 include the Washington state auditor, Illinois attorney general, Georgias Department of Public Safety and computer servers supporting much of Louisianas state agencies. Cities, too, come under attack, and they have even fewer resources than states to stand up cyber defenses. Aided by industry groups, the federal government and individual states have created training programs, competitions and scholarships in hopes of producing more cybersecurity pros nationwide. Those strategies could take years to pay off, however. States have turned to outside contractors, civilian volunteers and National Guard units for help when their systems are taken down by ransomware and other hacks. States needed to fill nearly 9,000 cybersecurity jobs as of this summer, according to CyberSeek a joint project of the Computing Technology Industry Association and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The total is probably higher because the project doesnt count job listings that states posted only to their own employment portal. State leaders are reluctant to detail the number of vacancies, worrying that could further entice potential attackers. States top security officials have ranked inadequate cybersecurity staffing among their top concerns every year since the National Association of State Chief Information Officers and Deloitte began surveying the group in 2014. The problem isnt limited to state governments. U.S. officials make no secret of their own struggles to hire cybersecurity pros or retain them. The Department of Homeland Security alone has 2,000 cybersecurity job vacancies, and the Biden administration promoted 300 new hires this summer. The $95,412 average salary of a local or state government cyber employee lagged by $25,000 or more in 2020 compared with the pay in the federal government, the financial services industry and IT services, according to a survey conducted by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, a trade association. Information security analysts earned a median salary of $103,590 in May 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cyberseek puts starting salaries close to $90,000 across all employers. Homeland Security officials in 2014 recognized that lower pay was keeping their agency at a disadvantage, but it took until this year to publish a rule allowing higher salaries for cybersecurity roles capped at $255,800, the maximum salary allowed for the vice president. The Department desperately needs a more flexible hiring process with incentives to secure talent in todays highly competitive cyber skills market, a portion of the rule due to take effect later this fall reads. Leaders in the field often bemoan the expensive and time-consuming certification requirements and background checks that employers insist on for cybersecurity roles, saying that keeps jobs vacant and discourages women and people of color from working in cybersecurity. Nicole Beebe, chair of the department of information security and cyber security at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said states struggles are more fundamental. Private companies and the federal government aggressively recruit students during college, sending representatives to classes and career fairs. State agencies are rarely there, said Beebe, who counsels students weighing multiple job offers long before graduation. When its a hypercompetitive field, you cant just submit a job posting and think it will get the same traction, Beebe said. Lower pay at government jobs can be a turnoff, but many students prefer a position that lets them leave work at home, which is not always the case with private companies. A state or local government role doesnt compare to the meat grinder of constantly responding to new attacks or vulnerabilities on a cybersecurity team for Microsoft or Amazon, said Michael Hamilton, founder of the PISCES Project. The organization connects cybersecurity students to local governments that dont have employees focused on that work. State agencies can be taking on interns, grooming them, showing them that state government is a promising place to work, he said. But what I see them doing is just getting into the fistfight with all the others that want to hire these people and losing. Sienna Jackson, a 2020 graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio, accepted a job as an engineer at the defense company Northrop Grumman after interviewing with the company at a conference. She began college as an accounting major but discovered cybersecurity through a classmate. After an internship with Dell during college, she hoped to find a similarly sized company with a strong training program and other benefits. Salary and help with moving or housing also mattered for Jackson, who worked several jobs while earning her degree and has to pay back her student loans. She didnt rule out state government jobs but didnt see agencies at career fairs on campus or at conferences. Once I graduated and was interviewing, I realized I have a lot of options, she said. I get to choose where I go and my standards and not just accept whatever job comes my way. Moody, the Michigan native, got a scholarship from the Department of Defense that required working for the agency at least a year after graduating. Moody said he understands that state governments dont have the kind of money that federal agencies or private companies spend on recruiting and generous salaries. But sending cybersecurity staff to talk to students about their work and its importance to thousands of state residents can make a big impact without costing much, he said. A lot of people want to be in a public service role and are open to starting there, Moody said. WASHINGTON The Talibans takeover of Kabul has deepened the mutual distrust between the U.S. and Pakistan, putative allies who have tangled over Afghanistan. But both sides still need each other. As the Biden administration looks for new ways to stop terrorist threats in Afghanistan, it probably will look again to Pakistan, which remains critical to U.S. intelligence and national security because of its proximity to Afghanistan and connections to the Taliban leaders now in charge. Over two decades of war, American officials accused Pakistan of playing a double game by promising to fight terrorism and cooperate with Washington while cultivating the Taliban and other extremist groups that attacked U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Islamabad pointed to what it saw as failed promises of a supportive government in Kabul after the U.S. drove the Taliban from power after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as extremist groups took refuge in eastern Afghanistan and launched deadly attacks throughout Pakistan. But the U.S. wants Pakistani cooperation in counterterrorism efforts and could seek permission to fly surveillance flights into Afghanistan or other intelligence cooperation. Pakistan wants U.S. military aid and good relations with Washington, even as its leaders openly celebrate the Talibans rise to power. Over the last 20 years, Pakistan has been vital for various logistics purposes for the U.S. military. Whats really been troubling is that, unfortunately, there hasnt been a lot of trust, said U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat who is on the House Intelligence Committee. I think the question is whether we can get over that history to arrive at a new understanding. Pakistans prime minister, in remarks Friday to the U.N. General Assembly, made clear there is a long way to go. Imran Khan tried to portray his country as the victim of American ungratefulness for its assistance in Afghanistan over the years. Instead of a mere word of appreciation, Pakistan has received blame, Khan said. Former diplomats and intelligence officers from both countries say the possibilities for cooperation are severely limited by the events of the past two decades and Pakistans enduring competition with India. The previous Afghan government, which was strongly backed by India, routinely accused Pakistan of harboring the Taliban. The new Taliban government includes officials that American officials have long believed are linked to Pakistans spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence. Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, said he understood the temptation of officials in both countries to try and take advantage of the situation and find common ground. But Haqqani said he expected Pakistan to give all possible cooperation to the Taliban. This has been a moment Pakistan has been waiting for 20 years, said Haqqani, now at the Hudson Institute think tank. They now feel that they have a satellite state. U.S. officials are trying to quickly build what President Joe Biden calls an over the horizon capacity to monitor and stop terrorist threats. Without a partner country bordering Afghanistan, the U.S. has to fly surveillance drones long distances, limiting the time they can be used to watch over targets. The U.S. also lost most of its network of informants and intelligence partners in the now-deposed Afghan government, making it critical to find common ground with other governments that have more resources in the country. Pakistan could be helpful in that effort by allowing overflight rights for American spy planes from the Persian Gulf or permitting the U.S. to base surveillance or counterterrorism teams along its border with Afghanistan. There are few other options among Afghanistans neighbors. Iran is a U.S. adversary and Central Asian countries north of Afghanistan all face varying degrees of Russian influence. There are no known agreements so far. CIA Director William Burns visited Islamabad this month to meet with Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistans army chief, and Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, who leads the ISI, according to a Pakistani government statement. Burns and Hameed have separately visited Kabul in recent weeks to meet with Taliban leaders. The CIA declined to comment on the visits. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi noted this past week that Islamabad had cooperated with U.S. requests to facilitate peace talks before the Taliban takeover and that it had agreed to U.S. military requests throughout the war. We have often been criticized for not doing enough, Qureshi told The Associated Press on Wednesday. But weve not been appreciated enough for having done what was done. Qureshi would not directly answer whether Pakistan would allow the basing of surveillance equipment or overflight of drones. They dont have to be physically there to share intelligence, he said of the U.S. There are smarter ways of doing it. The CIA and ISI have a long history in Afghanistan, dating to their shared goal of arming bands of mujahedeen freedom fighters against the Soviet Unions occupation in the 1980s. The CIA sent weapons and money into Afghanistan through Pakistan. Those fighters included Osama bin Laden. Others would become leaders of the Taliban, which emerged victorious from a civil war in 1996 and gained control of most of the country. The Taliban gave refuge to bin Laden and other leaders of al-Qaida, which launched deadly attacks on Americans abroad in 1998 and then struck the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001. After 9/11, the U.S. immediately sought Pakistans cooperation in its fight against al-Qaida and other terrorist groups. Declassified cables published by George Washington Universitys National Security Archive show officials in President George W. Bushs administration made several demands of Pakistan, from intercepting arms shipments heading to al-Qaida to providing the U.S. with intelligence and permission to fly military and intelligence planes over its territory. The CIA would carry out hundreds of drone strikes launched from Pakistan targeting al-Qaida leaders and others alleged to have ties to terrorist groups. Hundreds of civilians died in the strikes, according to figures kept by outside observers, leading to widespread protests and public anger in Pakistan. Pakistan continued to be accused of harboring the Taliban after the U.S.-backed coalition drove the group from power in Kabul. And bin Laden was killed in 2011 by U.S. special forces in a secret raid on a compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad, home to the countrys military academy. The bin Laden operation led many in the U.S. to question whether Pakistan had harbored bin Laden and angered Pakistanis who felt the raid violated their sovereignty. For years, CIA officials tried to confront their Pakistani counterparts after collecting more proof of Pakistani intelligence officers helping the Taliban move money and fighters into a then-growing insurgency in neighboring Afghanistan, said Douglas London, who oversaw the CIAs counterterrorism operations in South Asia until 2018. They would say, You just come to my office, tell me where the location is,' he said. They would just usually pay lip service to us and say they couldnt confirm the intel. London, author of the forthcoming book The Recruiter, said he expected American intelligence would consider limited partnerships with Pakistan on mutual enemies such as al-Qaeda or Islamic State-Khorasan, which took responsibility for the deadly suicide attack outside the Kabul airport last month during the final days of the U.S. evacuation. The risk, London said, is at times your partner is as much of a threat to you as the enemy who youre pursuing. ___ Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. MONTERREY, Mexico Violene Marseille, her husband and two children were on a bus heading north through central Mexico when they received messages warning them their destination on the U.S.-Mexico border was no longer a safe place to cross. Other Haitians already in Ciudad Acuna and Del Rio, Texas were telling them the U.S. was flying people back to Haiti. That Sunday, more than 320 people were sent Port-au-Prince on three flights. Stepping off their bus in the bustling station of the northern industrial and transportation hub of Monterrey, Marseille spotted Mexican immigration agents and hurried to the Casa INDI migrant shelter. A trip they had started more than two months earlier in Santiago, Chile was over for now, less than 140 miles (225 kilometers) from the U.S. border. As U.S. authorities moved out the last of the more than 14,000 migrants gathered beside a border bridge in Del Rio, thousands of other Haitians who were en route to the border from South America were realizing their time window to make it to the United States had closed. So now, as they have done before, they are looking to legalize their status in the countries they find themselves in, get work and wait until the next opportunity to once again head north. We spent $4,000, our entire savings, to make it to the United States, but now with what is happening in the United States, its better we stay here in Monterrey in Mexico, Marseille said. We want to work. Marseille arrived in Santiago, Chile in 2016 looking for better opportunities than she found in Haiti. Haiti has experienced a massive outward migration for more than a decade, set off initially by the devastating 2010 earthquake and followed by successive natural disasters, political turmoil and economic stagnation. Marseille legalized her status in Chile she still has legal residency and found a job with a cleaning company that worked in hospitals. She had been a hair stylist in Haiti and her husband John Telisma is a mason. In Chile, they settled in to work, save and raise their family, but eventually making it to the United States was the goal. A conservative government in Chile made them feel less secure and Marseille saw policy changes she thought could negatively impact them down the road even with their legal status. So in July, she decided it was time to resume the journey to the U.S. They set out on a voyage by plane, bus and foot that took them through 10 countries, following instructions shared by others via WhatsApp and Facebook. Like tens of thousands of other migrants this year, they hiked through the treacherous Darien Gap, a dense, lawless jungle that divides Colombia and Panama. On the trip they stole my wedding ring, Marseille said. I saw how they assaulted girls and women, it was horrible. The family Marseille, Telisma, a 3-year-old son born in Chile and an 8-year-old daughter born in Haiti was already well into Mexico, headed north from the capital, when the news from Del Rio forced a change of plans. We dont want to return to Haiti, theres no government there, Telisma said. He fills his days volunteering at the shelter, helping to unload food and other donations. We want papers, documents to be able to get a place to live here. Those papers could be long in coming. Mexicos refugee agency has been overwhelmed and is backlogged. So far this year, about 19,000 Haitian migrants have requested asylum in Mexico. The agencys director, Andres Ramirez said this week via Twitter that the number of Haitian applications through August this year was 56% above all those received from 2013 to 2020. He said hundreds had arrived this week to all of the agencys offices across Mexico. Mexico has been sending migrants from Ciudad Acuna to the southern city of Tapachula near the Guatemala border this week. The government has maintained what is a essentially a containment policy that seeks to keep asylum seekers in southern Mexico and away from the U.S. border. But it is Mexicos poorest region, there is little work and migrants have grown tired of waiting there. There were long lines of mostly Haitian migrants outside the refugee agencys offices in Mexico City this week. Marseilles family was among some 1,500 Haitians who have arrived at the shelter since Sunday. They have been told officials from the refugee agency will come to the shelter Monday to photograph applicants. Ana Estache, 43, who was travelling with her husband and two children, said she had even considered returning to Chile. I could go back if they dont give us papers here, my son is Chilean, she said. Still she said she had not let go of the dream of getting to the U.S. for a chance at a better life. Selomourd Menrrivil, 43, of Cap-Haitien, has continued receiving daily updates all week from other Haitians in Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna. He too arrived Sunday with his wife and two teen daughters. The bottom line: dont come now. So he too wants to legalize his status in Mexico. After living and working in Chile he managed to save $10,000, but he has spent it all to make it to Monterrey. Now we dont have hardly anything, we sold everything to make it here, Menrrivil said. The greatest wish I have to be able to be legally in a country with my family, find a job to survive. SALT LAKE CITY In the three months since 62-year-old Navajo rug weaver Ella Mae Begay vanished, the haunting unanswered questions sometimes threaten to overwhelm her niece. Seraphine Warren has organized searches of the vast Navajo Nation landscape near her aunts home in Arizona but is running out of money to pay for gas and food for the volunteers. Why is it taking so long? Why arent our prayers being answered? she asks. Begay is one of thousands of Indigenous women who have disappeared throughout the U.S. Some receive no public attention at all, a disparity that extends to many other people of color. The disappearance of Gabby Petito, a white 22-year-old woman who went missing in Wyoming last month during a cross-country trip with her boyfriend, has drawn a frenzy of coverage on traditional and social media, bringing new attention to a phenomenon known as missing white woman syndrome. Many families and advocates for missing people of color are glad the attention paid to Petitos disappearance has helped unearth clues that likely led to the tragic discovery of her body and they mourn with her family. But some also question why the public spotlight so important to finding missing people has left other cases shrouded in uncertainty. I would have liked that swift rush, push to find my aunt faster. Thats all I wish for, said Warren, who lives in Utah, one of several states Petito and boyfriend Brian Laundrie passed through. In Wyoming, where Petito was found, just 18% of cases of missing Indigenous women over the past decade had any media coverage, according to a state report released in January. Someone goes missing just about every day from a tribal community, said Lynnette Grey Bull, who is Hunkpapa Lakota and Northern Arapaho and director of the organization Not Our Native Daughters. More than 700 Indigenous people disappeared in Wyoming between 2011 and 2020, and about 20% of those cases were still unsolved after a month. Thats about double the rate in the white population, the report found. One factor that helped people connect with Petitos case was her Instagram profile, where she lived her dream of traveling the country. Other social-media users contributed their own clues, including a traveling couple who said they spotted the couples white van in their own YouTube footage. While authorities havent confirmed the video led to the discovery, the vast open spaces of the American West can bedevil search parties for years and anything that narrows the search grid is welcome. Public pressure can also ensure authorities prioritize a case. The opportunity to create a well-curated social-media profile, though, isnt available to everyone, said Leah Salgado, deputy director of IllumiNative, a Native women-led social justice organization. So much of who we care about and what we care about is curated in ways that disadvantage people of color and Black and Indigenous people in particular, she said. The causes are layered, but implicit bias in favor of both whiteness and conventional beauty standards play in, along with a lack of newsroom diversity and police choices in which cases to pursue, said Carol Liebler, a communications professor at Syracuse Universitys Newhouse School. Whats communicated is that white lives matter more than people of color, she said. One sample of 247 missing teens in New York and California found 34% of white teens cases were covered by the media, compared to only 7% of Black teens and 14% of Latino kids, she said. Friends of Jennifer Caridad, a 24-year-old day care worker of Mexican descent, have taken to social media to draw attention to her case out of Sunnyside, Washington, after it received little notice in August. Just as in Petitos case, Caridad was last believed to have been with her boyfriend. He was arrested on carjacking and attempted murder charges after shooting at police during a pursuit following her disappearance. So far, authorities have no answers for Caridads parents. Twice a week, Enrique Caridad heads to the police station for any updates on his daughter. They tell me they will not rest until she is found, he said. I tell them to please let me know her last whereabouts so I can also help find her. But they tell me not to get involved, not to hurt the case. Detectives took parental DNA samples and said there were blood stains in her SUV, but they have yet to say whether it was Caridads blood. At the beginning, her parents struggled to understand English-speaking detectives, but after the case was transferred to a smaller police department, they can speak Spanish to one of the investigators. Not knowing is what kills us not knowing if she is alive or if she was hurt by that man, Caridad said. David Robinson moved from South Carolina to Arizona temporarily to search for his son, Daniel, who disappeared in June. The 24-year-old Black geologist was last seen at a work site in Buckeye, outside Phoenix. A rancher found his car in a ravine a month later a few miles away. His keys, cellphone, wallet and clothes were also recovered. But no sign of him. The Petito saga unexpectedly elevated his sons case as people used the #findgabypetito hashtag on Twitter to draw more attention to cases of missing people of color. I was working hard previously trying to get it out nationally for three months straight, said Robinson, whos communicated with other families about the coverage disparity. This is bigger than I thought. It isnt just about my son Daniel. Its a national problem. Another family whose case was highlighted by that hashtag Lauren El Cho, a missing 30-year-old Korean American from California said in a Facebook statement they understand the frustrations but cautioned that differences between cases run deeper than what meets the public eye. Asians and Asian Americans definitely face the same issue of news visibility, said Kent Ono, a University of Utah communications professor. The model minority myth, that Asians are successful and dont get into trouble, also contributes to the problem. That then makes it very hard for readers and viewers to imagine that Asian and Asian American people have any problems at all, that they cant take care of by themselves, he said. Public attention is vital in all missing-persons cases, especially in the first day or two after a disappearance, said Natalie Wilson, who co-founded the Black and Missing Foundation to help bring more attention to underreported cases. Dispelling racism and stereotypes linking missing people with poverty or crime is key. Oftentimes, the families dont feel as though their lives are valued, she said. We need to change the narrative around our missing to show they are our sisters, brothers, grandparents. They are our neighbors. They are part of our community. __ Tang reported from Phoenix. Gomez Licon reported from Miami. The speeches may be scripted, but the U.N. General Assembly can sometimes be the only direct window into the regional challenges that command global concern. On Saturday, world leaders were speaking on behalf of some of the most unstable and unsettling current conflicts. That includes Indias fight over the Kashmir region with bitter rival Pakistan, Haitis domestic crises spilling into a migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and questions about the Ethiopian governments role in reported starvation deaths in the Tigray region. Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry didnt shy away from addressing his countrys turmoil following a major earthquake and the assassination of its president, Jovenel Moise, in recent months alluding to but not directly addressing reports that may implicate Henry himself in the murder. I want to reaffirm here, at this platform, my determination to do everything to find the collaborators, accomplices and sponsors of this odious crime. Nothing, absolutely nothing, no political maneuver, no media campaign, no distraction, could deter me from this objective: rendering justice for President Moise, Henry said in a prerecorded speech. It is a debt to his memory, his family and the Haitian people, Henry said. The judicial inquest is going difficultly. Its a transnational crime. And for that, we formally solicit mutual legal assistance. It is a priority of my government for the entire nation. Because this crime cannot rest unpunished et those culpable, all those culpable must be punished. The statement comes days after Henry fired his chief prosecutor, who had asked a judge to charge Henry in the slaying of Moise that has shocked the world and to bar the prime minister from leaving the country. Haitis troubles have moved beyond its borders, with thousands of migrants fleeing to the United States. This week, the Biden administrations special envoy to Haiti, Daniel Foote, resigned in protest of inhumane large-scale U.S. expulsions of Haitian migrants. Foote was appointed to the position only in July, following the assassination. Henry pointedly said that inequalities and conflict drive migration. But he stopped short of directly criticizing Washington, whose treatment of Haitian asylum-seekers has prompted an outcry. Human beings, fathers and mothers who have children, are always going to flee poverty and conflict, Henry said. Migration will continue as long as the planet has both wealthy areas, whilst most of the worlds population lives in poverty, even extreme poverty, without any prospects of a better life. It was a flat-out denial for Ethiopia Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen, who rejected humanitarian concerns over Tigray as part of a twisted propaganda campaign in the embattled corner of northern Ethiopia. The criminal enterprise and its enablers created and advertised horrific imagery of faked incidents. As if the real misery of our people is not enough, storylines are created to match not the facts but preconceived stereotypical attitudes, Mekonnen said. Ethiopia has faced the pressure of global concern since the U.N. warned of famine in the conflict, calling it the worlds worst hunger crisis in a decade. Starvation deaths have been reported since the government in June imposed what the U.N. calls a de facto humanitarian aid blockade. In his speech Saturday, Mekonnen urged the international community to steer clear of sanctions, avoid meddling and take a constructive approach to its war forces from the region. Prescriptions and punitive measures never helped improve situations or relations, he said, less than 10 days after the U.S. threatened to impose sanctions against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other leaders. Meanwhile, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi largely sidestepped his nations regional conflict, making only what appeared to be a passing reference to Kashmir, channeling his comments through the lens of the Afghanistan crisis. Modi, who spent part of the week meeting with U.S. officials to strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific, was measured in his pushback as compared to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans scathing albeit predictable rhetoric that had landed hours earlier. Modi called upon the international community to help the women, children and minorities of Afghanistan and said that it was imperative the country not be used as a base from which to spread terror. We also need to be alert and ensure that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation there, and use it as a tool for its own selfish interests, he said in an apparent reference to Pakistan, wedged in between Afghanistan and India. On Friday, Khan had, once again, labeled Modis Hindu nationalist government fascist and railed against Indias crackdown on Kashmir, the disputed region divided between each country but claimed by both. The Indian government has raised concerns that the chaos left in the wake of the U.S.s military withdrawal from Afghanistan will benefit Pakistan and feed the long-simmering insurgency in Kashmir, where militants already have a foothold. ____ Follow Sally Ho on Twitter at http://twitter.com/_sallyho ANKARA, Turkey Fatima Alzahra Shon thinks neighbors attacked her and her son in their Istanbul apartment building because she is Syrian. The 32-year-old refugee from Aleppo was confronted on Sept. 1 by a Turkish woman who asked her what she was doing in our country. Shon replied, Who are you to say that to me? The situation quickly escalated. A man came out of the Turkish womans apartment half-dressed, threatening to cut Shon and her family into pieces, she recalled. Another neighbor, a woman, joined in, shouting and hitting Shon. The group then pushed her down a flight of stairs. Shon said that when her 10-year-old son, Amr, tried to intervene, he was beaten as well. Shon said she has no doubt about the motivation for the aggression: Racism. Refugees fleeing the long conflict in Syria once were welcomed in neighboring Turkey with open arms, sympathy and compassion for fellow Muslims. But attitudes gradually hardened as the number of newcomers swelled over the past decade. Anti-immigrant sentiment is now nearing a boiling point, fueled by Turkeys economic woes. With unemployment high and the prices of food and housing skyrocketing, many Turks have turned their frustration toward the countrys roughly 5 million foreign residents, particularly the 3.7 million who fled the civil war in Syria. In August, violence erupted in Ankara, the Turkish capital, as an angry mob vandalized Syrian businesses and homes in response to a the deadly stabbing of a Turkish teenager. Turkey hosts the worlds largest refugee population, and many experts say that has come at a cost. Selim Sazak, a visiting international security researcher at Bilkent University in Ankara and an advisor to officials from the opposition IYI Party, compared the arrival of so many refugees to absorbing a foreign state thats ethnically, culturally, linguistically dissimilar. Everyone thought that it would be temporary, Sazak said. I think its only recently that the Turkish population understood that these people are not going back. They are only recently understanding that they have to become neighbors, economic competitors, colleagues with this foreign population. On a recent visit to Turkey, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi acknowledged that the high number of refugees had created social tensions, especially in the countrys big cities. He urged donor countries and international organizations to do more to help Turkey. The prospect of a new influx of refugees following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has reinforced the unreceptive public mood. Videos purporting to show young Afghan men being smuggled into Turkey from Iran caused public outrage and led to calls for the government to safeguard the countrys borders. The government says there are about 300,000 Afghans in Turkey, some of whom hope to continue their journeys to reach Europe. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who long defended an open-door policy toward refugees, recently recognized the publics unease and vowed not to allow the country to become a warehouse for refugees. Erdogans government sent soldiers to Turkeys eastern frontier with Iran to stem the expected flow of Afghans and is speeding up the construction of a border wall. Immigration is expected to become a top campaign topic even though Turkeys next general election is two years away. Both Turkeys main opposition party, the Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, and the nationalist IYI Party have promised to work on creating conditions that would allow the Syrian refugees return. Following the anti-Syrian violence in the Altindag district of Ankara last month, Umit Ozdag, a right-wing politician who recently formed his own anti-immigrant party, visited the area wheeling an empty suitcase and saying the time has come for the refugees to start packing. The riots broke out on Aug. 11, a day after a Turkish teenager was stabbed to death in a fight with a group of young Syrians. Hundreds of people chanting anti-immigrant slogans took to the streets, vandalized Syrian-run shops and hurled rocks at refugees homes. A 30-year-old Syrian woman with four children who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals said her family locked themselves in their bathroom as an attacker climbed onto their balcony and tried to force the door open. The woman said the episode traumatized her 5-year-old daughter and the girl has trouble sleeping at night. Some shops in the area remain closed, with traces of the disturbance still visible on their dented, metal shutters. Police have deployed multiple vehicles and a water cannon on the streets to prevent a repeat of the turmoil. Syrians are often accused of failing to assimilate in Turkey, a country that has a complex relationship with the Arab world dating back to the Ottoman Empire. While majority Muslim like neighboring Arab countries, Turks trace their origins to nomadic warriors from central Asia and Turkish belongs to a different language group than Arabic. Kerem Pasaoglu, a pastry shop owner in Istanbul, said he wants Syrians to go back to their country and is bothered that some shops a street over have signs written in Arabic instead of Turkish. Just when we said we are getting used to Syrians or they will leave, now the Afghans coming is unfortunately very difficult for us, he said. Turkeys foreign minister this month said Turkey is working with the United Nations refugee agency to safely return Syrians to their home country. While the security situation has stabilized in many parts of Syria after a decade of war, forced conscription, indiscriminate detentions and forced disappearances continue to be reported. Earlier this month, Amnesty International said some Syrian refugees who returned home were subjected to detention, disappearance and torture at the hands of Syrian security forces, proving that going back to any part of the country is unsafe. Shon said police in Istanbul showed little sympathy when she reported the attack by her neighbors. She said officers kept her at the station for hours, while the male neighbor who threatened and beat her was able to leave after giving a brief statement. Shon fled Aleppo in 2012, when the city became a battleground between Syrian government forces and rebel fighters. She said the father of her children drowned while trying to make it to Europe. Now, she wonders whether Turkey is the right place for her and her children. I think of my childrens future. I try to support them in any way I can, but they have a lot of psychological issues now and I dont know how to help them overcome it, she said. I dont have the power anymore. Im very tired. ___ Wieting reported from Istanbul. Mehmet Guzel in Istanbul and Zeynep Bilginsoy in Bodrum, Turkey, contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration HARRISBURG, Pa. The most closely watched attempt by Republicans to examine the 2020 presidential election in a battleground state lost by former President Donald Trump is coming to an embarrassing end in Arizona, but their efforts are cranking up elsewhere. The most recent is in Republican-controlled Texas, where the secretary of states office announced Thursday it would conduct a full and comprehensive forensic audit of the 2020 election in four heavily populated counties. These reviews go by various names: audits or investigations, sometimes with the word forensic attached. But their scope is not always well-defined or understood, even by those pushing them, and critics say they really have one goal: to validate Trumps baseless claims that widespread fraud cost him the election, regardless of what the reviews might find. None of the reviews can change the fact that Joe Biden won the presidency. His victory was certified by officials in each of the swing states he won and by Congress on Jan. 6 after Trumps supporters, fueled by the same false charges that generated the audits, stormed the Capitol to try to prevent the electoral certification. Heres a closer look at the Republican election reviews: WHERE IS THE GOP PURSUING THESE ELECTION REVIEWS AND WHY? Republicans have sought the reviews in Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin all battlegrounds lost by Trump. The latest is Texas, where Trump had a 5.5 percentage point margin of victory. Auditing efforts have occasionally played out on a smaller scale, such as in Fulton County, Georgia, which includes Atlanta, individual counties in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and in a state legislative race in New Hampshire. In practically every case, the reviews were launched under pressure from Trump and his allies to carry out an Arizona-style investigation into ballots, voting machines and voter rolls for evidence of fraud to legitimize claims that have universally been debunked. In Wisconsin, one review is being conducted by the highly respected, nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau. The other, ordered by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, is being led by a retired Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, a conservative who told Trump supporters in November the election had been stolen. In Pennsylvania, Republicans are retrenching after counties in July rebuffed a sweeping demand for voting machines, ballots, computer logs and more. A Republican-controlled Senate committee last week sent a subpoena for a wide array of election-related records to state election officials. Democrats are suing to block it. The latest, in Texas, was abruptly announced just a few hours after Trump released a statement telling Republican Gov. Greg Abbott that Texans demand a real audit to completely address their concerns. The secretary of states office where a top deputy has previously said the 2020 elections were smooth and secure said it would audit four of the states most populous counties: three voted for Biden and the other is where Republicans are quickly losing ground in the booming Dallas suburbs. ___ WHY DO DEMOCRATS AND OTHER CRITICS SAY THE REVIEWS ARE BOGUS? For starters, Trumps false claims of an election stolen by widespread fraud have been debunked by both Republican and Democratic judges, his own Justice Department and numerous recounts and audits. The quests to unearth election fraud have not, so far, even remotely resembled the kind of audits that are widely recognized as legitimate by the professional auditing community. In Arizona, election experts have cited numerous flaws with the review, from biased and inexperienced contractors to conspiracy-chasing funders and bizarre, unreliable methods. Nearly every allegation made by the review team so far has crumbled under scrutiny. Democrats say Republicans are simply perpetuating Trumps big lie of baseless claims about election fraud. They say those claims have eroded confidence in elections and that Republicans are on a mission to seize power by taking away voting rights and undermining both democracy and elections. ___ SHOULD THEY EVEN BE CALLED AUDITS? Experienced auditors say no. Thats because actual election audits follow standard procedures and are conducted by experienced professionals. In Arizona, the lead contractor, Cyber Ninjas, had no prior election auditing experience. Proponents like to use the term forensic in conjunction with audit or investigation. But the term forensic describes techniques used to investigate a crime. Theres no evidence to support any of the claims made by Trump and his allies, let alone evidence of a crime. Audits also must be viewed as independent. But in these cases, they are being pushed by one political party and, in Arizona, the effort was funded almost entirely by donations from Trump supporters who have promoted conspiracy theories surrounding the election. There also are security concerns about granting access to election equipment. Voting systems that pass anti-tampering tests are certified by states, which have chain-of-custody laws that dictate voting machine security and access. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission accredits labs to test voting machines and provides guidance to states on how to maintain a chain of custody over voting systems. ___ WHAT HAVE THE COMPLETED ONES SAID? The audit in Arizonas Maricopa County, pushed by Republicans in the state Senate, ended Friday with a whimper. The six-month process concluded with a report that presented no evidence to support Trumps claim of a stolen election and ended up validating Bidens win in the states most populous county. The review had been widely criticized even by some Republicans as being riddled with bias and incompetence. In New Hampshire, where auditors investigated discrepancies in a state legislative race at the behest of lawmakers from both parties, the audit found no evidence of fraud or bias. It concluded that miscounts in a legislative race were primarily caused by the way absentee ballots were folded. Nevertheless, it drew the attention of Trump and his allies who were grasping for ways to support their false claims about the 2020 election. In Michigan, Republican legislative leaders resisted calls for an Arizona-style audit. They instead empaneled a GOP-led Senate committee that held hearings on allegations, reviewed thousands of pages of subpoenaed documents and produced a report that found no evidence of widespread or systematic fraud. Our clear finding is that citizens should be confident the results represent the true results of the ballots cast by the people of Michigan, the report concluded. The Committee strongly recommends citizens use a critical eye and ear toward those who have pushed demonstrably false theories for their own personal gain. It didnt mollify Trump. The former president continues to pressure lawmakers for another review. ___ HOW MUCH IS IT COSTING TAXPAYERS? In Arizona, the Republican-controlled Senate which commissioned the audit and hired the lead contractor kicked in $150,000 in taxpayer money. But that was dwarfed by the $5.7 million disclosed in July that prominent supporters of Trump had raised to fund the effort. Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, will spend $3 million to replace its vote-counting machines after determining they had been compromised by the Republican audit. In Wisconsin, the budget for the audit commissioned by the Republican Assembly speaker is $680,000 in taxpayer money. New Hampshires audit cost more than $123,000, though the law authorizing it didnt include any money to pay for it. Officials in Pennsylvania and Texas have not said how much it will cost or who will conduct the audits. ___ Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Madison, Wis., Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta, David Eggert in Lansing, Mich., Holly Ramer in Concord, N.H., and Paul J. Weber in Austin, Texas contributed to this report. Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal An Albuquerque woman was flown to a burn center in Texas and her roommate is behind bars after allegedly dousing her with gasoline and lighting her on fire at their home off West Central on Friday afternoon. Lawrence Sedillo, 39, is charged with aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm. He was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center early Saturday. It was unclear whether he had an attorney. Court records show the 42-year-old woman who had severe burns over her face, arms, chest and back was flown to the burn center at University Medical Center in Lubbock. Prosecutors have filed a motion to detain Sedillo until trial, saying his actions were inherently dangerous and potentially fatal. The serious nature of what transpired gives the state extreme concern that this individual has no regard for human life, the motion says. According to the criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court: Officers responded around 9 a.m. to the 100 block of 47th NW, just north of Central, after a neighbor called 911 and said a badly burnt woman came to her door. Police found a woman who had burns across a significant portion of her body, and she told them her roommate, Sedillo, had tried to kill her by setting her on fire. The woman was taken to University of New Mexico Hospital before being airlifted to the Texas burn center. The neighbor told police they heard screaming and went outside to see Sedillo chasing the woman and yelling, Dont (expletive) lie to me. The neighbor said Sedillo went back to his house, and the woman told police he had poured gasoline on her and lit it. The neighbor told police the woman asked to take a shower because her skin was hot and her skin was peeling off and they gave her a towel to place on her burns until help arrived. Another neighbor gave police surveillance video that showed Sedillo chasing the woman and carrying a red gas can. Officers searched the home where Sedillo and the woman live and noticed a strong smell of gasoline and burned clothing inside. Sedillo was not found at the home but arrested later at a home a mile away. Sedillos criminal history dates back to 2005, according to court records, with two DWI arrests, traffic violations and one charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. - On Friday, Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett announced she will charge Alexandra Souverneva with felony arson for the Fawn Fire, Souverneva faces up to nine years in prison if convicted. Police arrested Souvernva near where the fire started -- with a lighter. Prosecutors say she was not under the influence and is not considered mentally unstable. The Fawn Fire is the 14th arson within CAL FIREs Shasta/Trinity Unit this year. Souverneva is currently in custody. Several civilians reported that she was in the area where the fire began and that she was acting strangely. Bridgett also said there is a high possibility that Souverneva is responsible for a separate vegetation fire that was started in Shasta Lake City the evening before the Fawn Fire started. The other vegetation fire occurred on Sept. 21 at approximately 9 p.m. near the intersection of Cascade Blvd. and Shasta Dam Blvd. The Shasta Lake City Fire Protection District determined the cause of the fire to be arson. According to a Comscore report based on August figures, ABP Anandas digital platform had the highest number of unique visitors among all Bangla digital news media The digital platform of ABP Ananda is the top Bengali language news website, according to the latest data from measurement and analytics company Comscore. The ranking is based on the number of unique visitors (UV) the site received in the month of August. At 10,920 million, ABP Ananda Digital had the highest number of UVs among all Bangla digital news media in August. Readers and viewers found bengali.abplive.com to be the most up-to-date website when it comes to news. For National or West Bengal politics news, or to know about the grievances of people from the remote areas of rural Bengal, readers, and viewers have all preferred to visit the ABP Ananda site first to keep themselves posted. Comscore came out with the report after assessing a total of 4,67,915 million digital population or digital media users. Speaking on the achievement, Mr. Avinash Pandey, CEO, ABP Network said, "It is a matter of great pleasure that ABP Ananda is once again at the top in the Comscore rating. Bengali viewers have helped us hold first place in the world of Bengali news. This achievement proves once again that ABP Ananda is a pioneer in the digital news space in terms of credibility. Taapsee Pannu starrer ZEE5 Original Rashmi Rocket has already sparked a lot of excitement among the audience post its trailer launch. Not just the fans but even the Bollywood industry is in awe of the trailer which shows Taapsee as a sprinter who hails from a small village and makes her way to represent India as a runner. However, her life takes a turn when she's called in for a gender verification test, leaving her shattered. Accused of being a fraud and banned from the national team, she files a human rights violation case and thus begins her fight to regain her respect and a personal battle to uphold her identity and get back to the race of life. The trailer, which is gripping, hard-hitting, and promising, has the fans and B-Town cheering and applauding. From Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar, and Anubhav Sinha to Anurag Kashyap, Milap Zaveri, and Prajakta Koli, everyone has come out in support of Rashmi Rocket and the issue it tackles. This is the first time that a feature film is made on gender testing and Taapsee in her role as Rashmi Rocket is all guns blazing as she challenges conventional femininity and gender testing in sports. While Vicky Kaushal took to his social media to share the inspiring trailer and praise the entire team by mentioning, Rocket hi yeh ladki. Looks damn exciting. All the best team!!! @taapsee @nowitsabhi @priyanshupainyuli @akvarious @rsvpmovies, Bhumi wrote, wah wah wah!!! Well done @taapsee. Filmmakers Anubhav Sinha and Anurag Kashyap who have worked with Taapsee on Thappad and Manmarziyaan, respectively, took to social media to congratulate Taapsee on the smashing trailer. Even filmmaker Milap Zaveri commented, Once again Taapsee flies high with #RashmiRocket. The trailer has heart and determination! Congrats to her and the team!. Furthermore, Taapsee posted a tweet and mentioned how athletes give their all to the country and still get to hear a lot of things pertaining to their bodies. In her own words, the actor said Heartfelt thank you From yours Truly. But there are many women who actually hear this daily for no fault of theirs. An ode to all the athletes who give their sweat and blood to the sport and their nation and still get to hear this. #RashmiRocket #AbUdneKaTimeAaGayaHai Heartfelt thank you From yours Truly. But there are many women who actually hear this daily for no fault of theirs. An ode to all the athletes who give their sweat and blood to the sport and their nation and still get to hear this. #RashmiRocket #AbUdneKaTimeAaGayaHai pic.twitter.com/ASTJ2UdkZc taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 24, 2021 Produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Neha Anand and Pranjal Khandhdiya, written by Nanda Periyasamy, Aniruddha Guha and Kanika Dhillon and directed by Akarsh Khurana, RASHMI ROCKET also stars Supriya Pathak, Abhishek Banerjee, Priyanshu Painyuli and Supriya Pilgaonkar. The movie is set to premiere on ZEE5 on 15th October. The International Advertising Associations (IAA) India Chapter announced the winners for the eighth edition of the coveted Leadership Awards at Taj Lands End Hotel, Mumbai. ZEE was the presenting partner, Good News Today (GNT) powered by partner & Viacom18 the associate partner for the event. Our Chief Guest His Excellency the Governor of Maharashtra Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari graced the stage with his presence. Addressing the august audience, he said I think all of you are so prevalent which is why I will speak only one name, anant. I think all of you are anant. There is no end to any of you. So I will say only one word anant and the other word avinash. Aap me se kisika vinash nahi hona hai. IAA President, Megha Tata said It is so rewarding to see the best in the business taking the time to be here and accepting these awards tonight. While we were planning the awards for 2021 we wanted to highlight leaders that have established new age businesses. We wanted them to share the stage and form a balance between those that have run the country and the world. For one thing this year has taught us is to be agile. In the year 2020 we have used and misused the terms unprecedented times quite a few times. We use the term to showcase the problem, the troubles, the challenges but it also led to unprecedented growth, unprecedented opportunity and unprecedented victories. We have seen time and again that change or unexpected situations often lead to some brands or organizations and people succeeding while some may collapse. The difference between the two begins right at the top with the leader. And while I can describe our leaders tonight in many ways, I would just like to say that these unprecedented times call for unprecedented leadership and our leaders today definitely delivered on that. Nandini Dias, Co- Chair- IAA Leadership Awards said ' We often talk about the glass half empty or half full, about optimism and pessimism, about positivity and negativity. But the truth is it doesn't matter if the glass is half empty or half full. What only matters is how thirsty you are. Which brings us to the definition of leadership. True leadership is often about perspective, inner perspective. And for men and women with vision it is not always about different things, but sometimes it's about the same things differently. Thats when one understands what leadership is actually made of. Leadership is not a talent, art form or science. It is simply about taking the first step in spaces where there are no written rules. So you make your rules because you make your own limits. Dr R S Sodhi, Managing Director, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (Amul) was honoured as the IAA Business Leader of the Year. Dr Sodhi said I am honoured to receive the Business Leader of the Year Award 2021 by International Advertising Association said This is the most prestigious award in India for marketing and advertising. So I feel very privileged and honoured. I have learned a lot from people right from my retailer to the people sitting here because we interact with the best in the advertising and marketing industry. I would like to tell you one thing that in todays time the advertising and marketing field has garnered a lot of importance. There are so many retailers coming into the market. The pressure is growing. In order to prove yourself, you have to be creative, and when you bring that creativity in the local language, you will be closer to earth and you will be relevant in the industry. IAA India inducted Raj Nayak into the IAA Hall of Fame for investing a lifetime in the marcom industry & for his sterling role in directing the India Chapter of IAA towards its ongoing role in being the voice of sustainability. Other prominent recipients were: Bobby Pawar (Creative Agency Leader of the Year), Nandini Dias (Media Agency Leader of the Year), N P Singh (Media Person of the Year), Raj Kamal Jha (Editor of the Year), Palki Sharma Upadhyay (TV Anchor of the Year) Veteran Actor & Film Producer Anil Kapoor received the IAA Brand Endorser of the Year Is there anything better than the feeling of your heartstrings vibrating and your eyes glistening during the final chorus of a love song? Universal, true and essential, Kanika Kapoors first love song titled Jhanjhar is an ancient craft and an elusive skill. The Punjabi song has been written, composed and sung by Kanika Kapoor. The authentic, specific and inspired song has her collaborating with Deep Money on the music and Nitin Gupta on the lyrics. The song is presented by Zee Music Company. The enchanting video is shot in a fortified manor house in the countryside of the UK. An ethereal Kanika is seen reminiscing about the token of love received from her lover. On the release, Kanika shares, You cant outsmart the heart. Romantic love isnt a general state of being, it is pulled out of us by a special, unforgettable person. I wanted to share my sincerity and authenticity about this specific love. On an intuitive level, people will always feel it if it is real. I am romantic by nature. I know this, the rest the song speaks for itself. In March 2021, &TV launched Mauka-E- Vardaat, a riveting weekday crime series that challenged viewers imagination and left them speechless. The show now raises the thrill quotient several notches up with fantasy crimes and supervillains, in first of its kind series, Mauka-E-Vardaat Operation Vijay starting September 27th. The show will now feature chilling stories of fantasy supervillains with supernatural powers committing mind-boggling crimes against humankind. Operation Vijay is a special task force comprising the sharpest, bravest, and jaanbaaz police officers who will combat these ferocious criminals and their incredibly shocking, unearthly powers. The show will offer viewers high-voltage drama, suspense and blood-curdling criminals. The special task force of cops will feature well-known and incredibly talented actors, comprising Aman Verma, Chetan Hansraj, Tanya Abrol, Piyush Sahdev, Sonali Nikam, Ankit Arora, Aishwarya Raj Bakhuni, Dawood Khan, Ansha Sayed, among others. And thats not all! The show will also have a special expert and enlightened genius, aptly called Newton Chattopadhyay, played by Narendra Gupta, to unravel the mind of these supervillains, their superpowers, traits, and technique. Speaking about &TVs Mauka-E-Vardaat Operation Vijay, Narendra Gupta, who is essaying Newton Chattopadhyay s character, comments, This series will offer viewers a whole new world of superpowers, fantasy, crime, and criminals. In this series, Aalokik Shaktiyo Se Takraenge Humare Janbaaz Cops especially convened to combat these vicious out-of-this-world criminals. About his character, he adds, Newtons role is critical to Operation Vijay. He will be the expert in unravelling these crimes, giving viewers a preview into the criminals minds and their superpowers. He is an enlightened genius who has lived on earth but away from humans. However, he is about 235 years old but looks much younger. He is an amalgamation of modern science and yogic science. His awareness levels are beyond the comprehension of ordinary humans. He comes across as arrogant and impulsive but is far from this. His experience of living hundreds of years on planet earth and witnessing so many deaths, births, emotions, adventurous moments, darkness, joyful events and moments has uplifted his emotions to the dimension of deity Gods. It is impossible to gauge his mood from his facial expressions. He never talks about the problems, and he always comes up with solutions. He can stop all the villains himself, but he never interferes directly in the course of the future. Watch Mauka-E-Vardaat Operation Vijay starting September 27th, at 7:00 pm, every Monday to Friday only on &TV! The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has informed the Delhi High Court that Twitter has appointed Resident Grievance Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Nodal Contact Person in accordance with the New IT Rules 2021. The Ministry informed the HC in an affidavit that the microblogging website has recognised these positions as its own employees; this means that they dont fall outside the gambit of contingent workers. The Ministry informed the Court that Twitter has furnished the names of the appointed personnel and their respective positions also. The said affidavit (of Twitter) mentions their employment start date as August 4, 2021. Twitter has further enclosed their employment contracts along with the said affidavit as proof of such appointments. On August 10, the High Court had directed the Government to file a short affidavit in reaction to the affidavit by filed by Twitter. I submit that Twitter has appointed the personnel in compliance to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 hereinafter referred as IT Rules, 2021, the MEITY informed the Court. The petition in this regard was filed by lawyer Amit Acharya, who accused the microblogging of not complying with the IT Rules when he attempted to complain about a few tweets. Justice Rekha Palli has posted the matter to October 5. The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 have been enacted for the regulation of a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for social media, OTT platforms and digital news websites. Promising an action-packed Sunday, Sony MAX announces the World Television Premiere of the recently released film, Mumbai Saga. The heavy-duty action saga has John Abraham and Emraan Hashmi, taking on eachother while one takes on the role of avenging his brothers death, while the other maintains law and order as a police officer. Mumbai Saga, which is based on true events, showcases the dramatic rise in lawlessness, betrayal and bloody gang wars in the nineties. Also starring special apperances by stellar actors like Mahesh Manjrekar and Suniel Shetty, the film is set for a World Television Premiere on 26th September at 12 PM only on Sony MAX. Mumbai Saga depicts the birth of Amartya Rao (John Abraham), into the world of gang wars and bloodshed. After the goons make an attempt to murder his brother, Amartya gains influential support and becomes an underworld don. However, this position of superiority and importance, requires him to deal with bloodthirsty policemen and several other gangsters in the vicinity. Directed by Sanjay Gupta, the movie is a Bollywood gangster drama set in the 1980s and 1990s based on true events, with gangwars ravaging the streets of the city and the underworld dons having the highest influential power. While John Abraham has effortlessly carried the weight of the movie on his shoulders, Emraan Hashmi has been immaculate in playing the role of Vijay Savarkar, an encounter specialist. The supporting cast comprising of Babbar, Rohit Roy and Samir Soni accentuate the film with their roles and leave behind an impact. What are you waiting for? Save the date and dont miss out on Mumbai Saga on 26th September at 12 PM only on Sony MAX The US Securities and Exchange Commission has announced that London-based WPP plc, the worlds largest advertising group, has agreed to pay more than $19 million to resolve charges that it violated the anti-bribery, books and records, and internal accounting controls provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). According to the SECs order, WPP implemented an aggressive business growth strategy that included acquiring majority interests in many localised advertising agencies in high-risk markets. The order finds that WPP failed to ensure that these subsidiaries implemented WPPs internal accounting controls and compliance policies, instead allowing the founders and CEOs of the acquired entities to exercise wide autonomy and outsized influence. The order also finds that, because of structural deficiencies, WPP failed to promptly or adequately respond to repeated warning signs of corruption or control failures at certain subsidiaries. For example, according to the order, a subsidiary in India continued to bribe Indian government officials in return for advertising contracts even though WPP had received seven anonymous complaints touching on the conduct. The order also documents other schemes and internal accounting control deficiencies related to WPPs subsidiaries in China, Brazil, and Peru. SCREENXX Awards 2021 - Digital Video Content and OTT Platform, Last Date for nomination extended - Thursday, September 23, 2021 - ENTRIES OPEN A company cannot allow a focus on profitability or market share to come at the expense of appropriate controls, said Charles Cain, the SECs FCPA Unit Chief. Further, it is essential for companies to identify the root cause of problems when red flags emerge to prevent a pattern of corrupt behaviour from taking hold. Without admitting or denying the SECs findings, WPP agreed to cease and desist from committing violations of the anti-bribery, books and records, and internal accounting controls provisions of the FCPA and to pay $10.1 million in disgorgement, $1.1 million in prejudgment interest, and an $8 million penalty. The SECs investigation was conducted by Samantha Martin and Laura Bennett. The investigation was supervised by David Reece and Charles Cain. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Securities and Exchange Board of India and Brazil's Comissao de Valores Mobilarios. Cheryl K. Chumley is no stranger to controversy. The Washington Times online opinion editors two prior books, Police State USA: How Orwell's Nightmare is Becoming our Reality (2014), and The Devil in DC: Winning Back the Country from the Beast in Washington (2016), minced no words in indicting the church for its impotence. In Police State USA, Chumley argued that free speech, the right to bear arms, private property, and freedom of religion all are under attack, and the Constitution has been tossed on the same trash pile as the Bible. In Devil, Chumley reminded us that, while prayer has been banned from public schools for nearly 60 years, today even restaurants are harassed for encouraging pray-ers. Her new book, Socialists Dont Sleep. Christians Must Rise or America Will Fall continues the theme that the sleeping church has allowed the takeover of the nation by the radical Left, whom Mark Levin calls American Marxists and others recognize as the Woke. The subtitle -- Christians must rise, or America will fall -- warns that without repentance, unceasing prayer, and calling on Jesus, Americas darkest days are not the riots of 2020, or even the surrender to terrorists in 2021, but lie ahead. Just weeks ago, new media entrepreneur Scott McKay called on Americans to move Toward an American Revivalism. McKays thesis was that so-called conservatives have not conserved our founding principles: Theyve lost on the culture, the economy, civil liberties, limited government, ethics, the rule of law. But McKay believes Americans can reclaim their society for the Judeo-Christian faith which created it. To stop this nouveau pagan heresy which is destroying it is simply a matter of will. We need revivalists who will fight tooth and nail for the country, who will talk big and act bigger. Revivalists know that America isnt dead, and revivalists will never, ever give up the fight for the principles that made us a nation. Chumleys Socialists Dont Sleep identifies ways that the church and those who revere Americas founding principles have allowed society wreckers to pervert those ideals, impose mandates that deny our common humanity, and even plot our demise. This book should be read at least figuratively on our knees with a deep repentance for opening the doors to national shame. In twelve chapters, Chumley shows how Christians have allowed nearly every American institution to be corrupted by and slowly taken over by a godless socialism. As the Lord told Samuel (I Samuel 8), obeisance to human power means the people have rejected ME as their king. Christians still practice godly charity; in 2018 individuals (mostly Christians) gave $292 billion to various charities. Yet Christians also allowed the federal government to allocate well over $1 trillion just through the Department of Health and Human Services. Government mandates fly in the face of Christian teaching and further empower what has already become an anti-Christian government. Socialist Senator Bernie Sanders, whose policies are widely championed, argues that private charity should not exist, because it usurps governmental authority. Many Christians have also ceded parental authority to a secular, socialist state and heavily socialist teacher unions. Long before born-again Baptist President Jimmy Carter signed off on a federal department of education in 1979, Christians had been warned (via Supreme Court cases in the early 1960s) that God was no longer welcome in government schools. Why Christians would sacrifice their own children to Moloch (schools that pressure children to change genders, promote abortion, and a Pandoras boxful of evils) is beyond Chumleys comprehension. It is as if the entire church was Snow White, awaiting the kiss of the returning Jesus to save their families. Even Lot finally agreed to leave Sodom. Some churches today teach that Jesus himself was a socialist, ignoring Jesus response to Pontius Pilates mocking challenge: My kingdom is not of this world. The Bible teaches individual responsibility, a personal relationship with God, and daily guidance of the Holy Spirit. Socialism, the antithesis of Christianity, demands an end to individual discretion, obedience to the government even against conscience, and the abolition of personal and intellectual property. Compare that with the parable of the talents, in which the Lord rewards those who manage their affairs well and govern fairly by giving them additional authority. Merit matters. Charitable institutions that do not follow Christian teaching, including quite a few that began as Christian institutions, instead rely on government funding and the strings and abominations it brings. This is the antithesis of charity, which is voluntary giving. The Lord destroyed the tower of Babel, a temple celebrating mans independence from God and the narcissism that accompanies apostasy. Yet too many Christians long for a world secular government that has the power and might to determine the course of human life apart from God. The church, Chumley sadly admits, has fallen so far from living by faith. Today, those who dare stand up for Christian values are belittled, demonized, even threatened with loss of life and limb by radical socialists. Much subtler is the deceit in schemes to organize society around vague campaigns like rescue of the environment, climate change, or trans rights that encourage worship of the state -- not God. Yet, like Scott McKay, Chumley does not despair. Instead, she issues a clarion call to combat the fearful scenario she has painted. Theres a saving grace -- the one that brought the amazing grace and greatness of America in the first place: Judeo-Christian teachings. For Americas Christians to right this nation, they must return to the biblically-based ideals that founded this country. If Christians repent and call upon the Lord, God is powerful to stop the march toward antichrist and scatter those who defile His temple. Chumleys final words bring the dove and olive branch of hope: Once we reestablish whos really in charge, the seeds of socialism will naturally wither and die. Its our only hope. Duggan Flanakin is Director of Policy Research at the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow. A Contributing Writer for the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, he is a former editor of Progressive Vision, the newspaper of Judeo-Christian Restoration Ministries. He holds a Masters in Public Policy from Regent University. Image: Humanix Books To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Milton Friedman, the economist, was such a libertarian that he supported open borders. However, there was a caveat to this support: Its just obvious you can't have free immigration and a welfare state. Its obvious, of course, because having both spells imminent national bankruptcy. But thats exactly what leftists are selling to America and theyre using false historic narratives to create in native-born Americans a sense of guilt so profound that theyre willingly opening the borders to those who will irrevocably drain the nations wealth. In a recent article, Guilt: The Source of Sorrow in Americas Classrooms, I said that, as long as the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution grants full due process and equal protection rights to anyone who touches the soil of a state, America cannot keep creating massive welfare rights at unthinkable costs without bankrupting the nation. I used the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 1990, amended in 2004, as an example of rights that must be granted to illegal alien children, even if theyre not claiming refugee or asylum status, if they are physically within the jurisdiction of a state and are deemed children with a disability. States have a legal duty to identify such children and make sure that they receive an Individualized Education Plan, including the often expensive related services. To the average American, this makes no sense. How is it that efforts to assist Americans in their personal development (children and/or adults), that American taxpayers fund, are mandated to extend to anyone who simply rams his or her way into the country illegally? The answer lies, in part, in the serious mental disconnect now popularized in our society between what we see with our own eyes (reality); what we have experienced in our lives (the empirical); what common sense tells us (a type of truth); and what is said that we are seeing, experiencing, and knowing. We are being told that all of this is rightfulan expression of our values. It is no such thing. There is a body of American thinkers and leaders who view the actual as merely a construct of language. For these persons, 12,000 people under a bridge in Texas sheltered from the sun by sticks and rags do not really exist. The Secretary of Homeland Security stands right there, at the site, in front of a microphone, and says, The border is closed. Do not come to America; you will be deported. The White House Press Secretary says, at a White House briefing, that these people have no intention of staying, so do not need COVID-19 tests or vaccinations. Many commentators are calling these statements lies as they are patently falsebut these are not lies to those making the statements. Some human beings are actually capable of constructing a reality by simply saying that the reality exists. At one time, the community assessment would be that a person or persons with this condition might be delusional or laughable. Imagine if the White House Press corps simply started laughing at the notion that 1.5 million people who have illegally entered the United States are just visiting. Many in the Executive Branch of the federal government have been gripped by this out-of-mind condition that translates what they want to see into what they do see. Weve heard variations of all these statements: The withdrawal from Afghanistan was very well donea huge success. The Taliban are our Afghan partners. They have assured us of an inclusive government. We will leave no American behind. Our predecessor made us do it. The answer lies, also, in the 14th Amendments wording, which cannot be changed except through the constitutional amendment process in Article V. All persons born in the United States are citizens of the United States and the state where they reside. This 1868 Amendment meant to attach citizenship to both free blacks and former slaves. It was meant to overturn the 1857 Dred Scott v. Sanford decision that denied citizenship to black Americans. Just to make that point, rights were extended to persons in each state, not just citizens. ([N]or shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property ... nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law.) This language was a deliberate creation of Senator Lyman Trumball of Illinois and ratified by 3/4 of the states still in the Union. The import of the Amendments language today is that the enormous welfare state we have created at the federal level, with trillions more proposed, automatically grants non-citizens (persons) these same rights. The nation cannot avoid bankruptcy. In addition to the powerful in government deliberately constructing their own reality, we have an immigration law on the books (the 1965 Hart-Celler Act) that deliberately allows mass immigration by people raised in cultures that make it hard to assimilate to our Rule of Law, even while it bans immigration for those who comfortably assimilate. The effect of Hart-Celler is that the white majority has been reduced to 60% of the population and will be at 48% by 2055. Its not about skin color, though. Its about common values. Instead of a melting pot culture based on careful assimilation, we are deliberately creating a tribal pot of diverse and warring identity groups. And to get the majority to go along with such a scheme, those constructing their own reality just invent history out of whole clothand teach it to the non-thinkingthat creates guilt trips in the majority. This begins in preschool so that, by the end of the day, the self-loathing is so elevated that the white majority is thankful they have been replaced. On a practical level, because it is so hard to amend the 14th Amendment, Congress must replace Hart-Celler with a statute that includes a breathing period of several years to assess the damage Hart-Celler has created in our society. Just stop immigration for a period of time. If Hart-Celler is allowed to go on, then Congress must end large federal welfare legislation, because our immigration system has collapsed and those pouring into the country will be entitled to the largesse of the taxpayers of America. That largesse will run out. Guilt is the source of sorrow. It is the fiend with whips and slings that follows behind us. The true reality for Americans and all Western Civilization is that we are founded on a truth, not an idea or ideas that can swing wildly over time. That truth is that God exists, God is essential, and that His rules for a rightful society are not open to construction by the delusional. To begin to fix this collapse of our society we need to turn to Him now. M. E. Boyds Apples of Gold Voices from the Past that Speak to Us Now is available at amazon.com using the title and subtitle. Image: Haitian illegal aliens massed in Texas. YouTube screen grab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. The science surrounding COVID has been hijacked for political purposes. People who recovered from the disease are pushed to get vaccinated, even though they have a natural immunity that is stronger than vaccine immunity. People are required to wear masks even though masks are essentially useless for preventing infection. People that die are reported as dying of COVID even though they died of something else. The government demands that children be vaccinated even though they are naturally resistant to the disease and suffer disturbing side effects from the vaccine. Schools are closed for no good reason. The science of climate change is also BS. That should be easier to accept after seeing what the government did to COVID science. Why do politicians want to hype a nonexistent climate crisis? In a word: power. By claiming that there is an urgent climate crisis the politicians can spend billions to fight the imaginary foe. Those billions create political allies and reward friends. H.L. Mencken put it nicely in 1918: The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. The parade of imaginary environmental catastrophes during the last 70 years is very long. Here are some books predicting this or that environmental disaster: Our Plundered Planet (1948), Road to Survival (1948), Silent Spring (1962), Famine 1975! (1967), The Population Bomb (1968), The Limits to Growth (1972), An Inconvenient Truth (2006), This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. Climate (2014), The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming (2019). Richard Lindzen, one of the most accomplished climate scientists in the world by virtue of his discoveries, does not have to kowtow to the global warming mob. In an essay, he pointed out that scientific data that challenge the global warming hypothesis are simply changed. He cites examples of how environmental extremists have infiltrated scientific organizations. Tony Heller, an engineer and geologist, operates a long-running website, Real Climate Science. He specializes in exposing the changed data mentioned by Richard Lindzen. The promoters of climate change cherry-pick data when they are not changing it. Heller exposes the lie in the National Climate Assessment that heatwaves are becoming more common. He exposes adjustments to the U.S. temperature record to bring it into line with climate change predictions. In her book The Delinquent Teenager Who Was Mistaken for the Worlds Top Climate Expert, Donna Laframboise exposes the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a UN organization that pretends to produce very careful and serious reports on the Earths climate. Most climate hysteria traces back to the IPCCs reports. The IPCC does not follow its own procedures and is populated by environmental activists with limited scientific credentials. Its reports are masterful examples of wordy expositions that circle around scientific problems rather than presenting solid ideas backed by facts. The IPCC is a political organization, not a scientific one. Amusingly, the longtime head of the IPCC, Rajendra Pachauri, an Indian railroad engineer, is also the author of a porn novel: Return to Almora. The 75-year-old bureaucrat was forced out of an Indian environmental organization for making persistent and improper advances to young women that worked for him. But, of course, that is irrelevant to his accomplishments as head of the IPCC. The predictions of climate doom are based on complex computer models of the Earths atmosphere. Kevin E. Trenberth, an accomplished climate scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research said this about these models: None of the models used by IPCC are initialized to the observed state and none of the climate states in the models correspond even remotely to the current observed climate. In particular, the state of the oceans, sea ice, and soil moisture has no relationship to the observed state at any recent time in any of the IPCC models. The method of the IPCC is to average together the results from dozens of computer models to make their predictions. They dont actually say "predictions," they say "projections," but the rest of the world sees predictions. The model developers try to make their models fit climate history on the assumption that if they fit the past, the models might have predictive value for the future. There are a few problems. The models are so complex and have so many adjustable parameters, that fitting the past becomes an exercise in curve fitting. Further, the modelers are each permitted to have their own climate history. Parts of climate history that are poorly known, such as aerosols, can be fiddled to make a particular model fit better. This method, applied to the stock market, would be to make a model and adjust it so that it explains past gyrations of the market. Then wahoo the modeler can make billions. It doesnt work, as the scarcity of mathematicians that are billionaires testifies. I spent 10 years going to the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union. I spoke with many climate scientists including many who freely admitted in private that global warming is a very dubious enterprise. I remember a Danish guy who visited beaches in northern Greenland by dog sled. He discovered 6,000-year-old driftwood on a beach always blocked by ice, year-round. That was clear evidence that the Arctic Ocean was summer ice-free during a time called the Holocene Optimum. Present-day global warmers claim that our coming climate disaster will again make the Arctic Ocean summer ice-free, something that happened 6,000 years ago with no help from SUVs or belching cows. Of course, the guy was afraid to make too much of his discovery because it challenges the climate doom theory. There is no such thing as an early career climate scientist that is skeptical concerning global warming. I actually tried to find one and did a poster at a scientific meeting on the subject. The reason is simple. It is not because the science is so clear that only an idiot would question it. It is because our early-career climate scientist would soon be looking for a new job. Interfering with the flow of money from Washington is grounds for dismissal. I still believe in science and I feel sorry for all the closeted climate scientists. Like the Soviet geneticists forced to cheer for Lysenkoism, these academics must cheer the global warming racket. They have wives, children, and mortgages. Norman Rogers writes often on climate. He is the author of the book Dumb Energy about wind and solar energy. Image: Robert A. Rohde To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Bob Woodward's new book, Peril, reportedly makes allegations about the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Milley, which if true, make Milley a traitor to our country. The book indicates that Milley went outside the chain of command and called his counterpart in the Chinese military, Gen. Li Zuocheng, after the 2020 elections. He gave assurances that then-president Trump would not attack China and that if an attack was ordered by the president, Milley he would warn him so it wouldn't be a surprise. This is extremely problematic on a number of levels. First, the United States has a civilian-military command. That is why the president, an elected official is the commander in chief. He can be voted in or voted out. The role of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is to advise the secretary of defense. It is not to make military decisions on his own. The Joint Chiefs of Staff is not in the line of command; therefore, its chairman has no authority to issue orders or to command anyone in the military based on his own opinion. Going outside the chain of command is a violation of both federal law delineating the chairman's scope of authority, as well as the limits on that authority (see U.S. Code Section 163). It is also a violation of the Constitution itself. Such conduct is, in effect, giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Despite Biden's cozy relationship with China and his depiction of China as nothing more than a "competitor," the fact is that China is an enemy of the United States. Of course, Biden can't say this because his family is profiting from its relationship with China. Sun Tzu, the great military strategist, explained that the element of surprise is critical in achieving one's mission in war. Had President Trump decided to order an attack on China, Milley's warning to our enemy would have given China the opportunity to strike us first, undoubtedly resulting in numerous American deaths. In essence, General Milley vowed to intentionally undermine the element of surprise had a wartime situation arisen with China. Woodward's book further asserts that Milley demanded each person in the military chain of command to pledge an oath to him personally and promise to consult with him first before carrying out any orders from the president. This demand comes dangerously close to taking over the military by a coup...or at least an attempted coup. It was not the "Trump-supporters" who committed an "insurrection" by taking over government control, as they didn't have the means to do that, even if they had wanted to. Rather, Milley's taking over the military and requiring personal loyalty in opposition to a sitting president's potential orders constitutes a coup attempt. Initially, many politicians on both sides of the aisle were alarmed upon learning about Milley's phone call. Early on, it was anticipated that he would be asked to step down. But it didn't take long before the left was twisting things around, making this turncoat into a hero, with some in the media saying he "saved the country" from a rogue president. In reality, it was the other way around: a rogue chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, endangering democracy and national security simply because he was more of a political hack for the Democrats than he was a military general. Less mentioned is the alleged role that Nancy Pelosi played in this. Purportedly, she called Milley, frantically pleading with him to do something to ensure that Trump would not launch nukes against China in the aftermath of the election. Considering Pelosi's role, no wonder all the Democrats want to rationalize, minimize, and justify Milley's shameful actions. Also, keep in mind that Milley believed that Biden was soon to be president, and he wanted to keep his job in the new administration. Luckily for the lying Democrats, they have the media to do their bidding. America just endured impeachment proceedings with Trump's legitimate phone call to the president of Ukraine, yet now Jen Psaki refuses to "get into the details" of the phone conversation with General Milley. Biden should release the phone transcripts, as Trump did. Despite Milley's stepping out of bounds and putting our country at risk, Biden had the temerity to proclaim he is proud of Milley and has every confidence in him. Milley insists that he heard from U.S. intelligence that the Chinese were nervous about an attack. If this was true and Milley leaked U.S. intelligence, this would tip China off that there's a weak link in the intelligence apparatus and that the people involved there can't keep a secret. However, it is more likely that Milley's claim is concocted out of whole cloth. There is simply no evidence for this. Trump believes that the whole thing is made up. He argued that the Intelligence Community never thought Trump would start a nuclear war against China and that Milley fabricated the story to deflect from his role in the Afghanistan debacle. Ric Grenell, former director of National Intelligence under Trump, asserted that Trump had a decent relationship with China, never threatened the Chinese and that China knows this. He too believes that Milley's claims are a deflection from the mess that is Afghanistan. In the meantime, the speaker of the House made a call to Milley that appears from the transcript to be hysterical, making things up in her head about Trump launching a coup, pushing the nuclear red button, and refusing the leave the White House...all 100 percent without evidence. Regardless of whether Milley got his cue from the Intelligence Community or not, assuming that Woodward has the facts straight regarding the call from Miley and its content, Milley is a traitor to this country and arguably guilty of treason. This accusation is not made lightly. It is no small matter to be guilty of treason, and certainly not something to be proud of or rationalize. What he is accused of, if true, is outrageous, yet his silence is deafening. Surely a denial would be in order to defend his honor if innocent. And yet, none seems to be forthcoming. Some think Milley should be fired for treason. Others believe he should be fired for his incompetence regarding his role in Afghanistan, which resulted in untold numbers of deaths, rape, and tyrannical oppression. Either way, Milley must go. Image: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. It's become clear since the January 6 protest that there's not a scintilla of truth to the leftist narrative that an insurrection occurred. Nevertheless, the Democrats have used this hoax narrative to criminalize conservative protests. In Biden's America, conservatives will always be too paranoid and rightly so to exercise their First Amendment rights because they know that the crowd will be infiltrated by FBI agents acting as agents provocateurs. They know that if they're illegally entrapped this way, they will become Public Enemy No. 1 and end up as political prisoners. And Julie Kelly has a heartbreaking article to prove that. We know that the January 6 "insurrection" narrative is another Democrat hoax. It was clear immediately after the event that very few people were violent or physically broke into Congress. Instead, most people entered through doors that Capitol Police Officers opened for them and then wandered around. No one was armed. The only person who died from violence was an unarmed woman whom a Capitol Police officer shot, although he admittedly had no idea whether she was an actual threat. Notably, the other police who dealt with the crowds never drew a gun. We might have known more in the past few months if the DOJ had released the 14,000 hours of footage from the event. The DOJ insisted, though, that doing so would be a major security breach because people might learn the ins and outs of a building that...people routinely visit with tickets from their congresscritters. However, the other day, a federal judge an Obama judge! finally said enough and ordered prosecutors to start producing footage. I like Tucker Carlson's rundown of that footage: Tucker: What really happened on Jan 6 | https://t.co/YF0apD8OTk Bookwormroom (@Bookwormroom) September 25, 2021 If there was an insurrection, it was the Deep State against ordinary Americans. And that's where we get to Julie Kelly's heartbreaking article about the horrifying experience one Navy vet (with 20 years of service) had with our government because he dared to communicate with the Oath Keepers about potentially providing security (a plan that fell through). Notably, he never entered the Capitol, nor did he commit any serious crime. It began with a nighttime raid fit for a drug kingpin surrounded by Dobermans and armed guards: Thomas Caldwell's wife awakened him in a panic at 5:30 a.m. on January 19. "The FBI is at the door and I'm not kidding," Sharon Caldwell told her husband. Caldwell, 66, clad only in his underwear, went to see what was happening outside his Virginia farm. "There was a full SWAT team, armored vehicles with a battering ram, and people screaming at me," Caldwell told me during a lengthy phone interview on September 21. "People who looked like stormtroopers were pointing M4 weapons at me, covering me with red [laser] dots." Caldwell was dragged to the hood of a car, thrown upon it, and cuffed. His wife, 61, trying to put on her socks before being forced into the freezing cold, had the red dot on her the whole time. Like many other January 6ers, Caldwell foolishly agreed to answer FBI questions without a lawyer because "I didn't have anything to hide." He'd done nothing wrong. They took every piece of electronics from his home, including stealing his family photos. The Feds then charged Caldwell with six federal crimes, claiming he had plotted an attack on the Capitol. So, into jail he went: Caldwell spent 53 days in jail, 49 of them in solitary confinement. He could not access his medication to relieve excruciating back pain caused by spinal injuries Caldwell suffered while serving in the Navy. When prison guards asked why he was incarcerated, he said, "I'm a political prisoner because of January 6." In prison, Caldwell said he suffered "sadistic brutality by some correctional officers and there was warmth and compassion, the latter by other employees and every single inmate." His faith, he said, and the love of his wife sustained him. "I thought I would die in jail." Just as the First Amendment is gone in Biden's America, so is the Sixth. Caldwell was lucky enough to get a good, new attorney. He's now under detention at home while still being accused as a central figure in a nothing of a case. And Kelly notes, as others have, that the FBI doesn't seem to be charging people who were very active in making things happen, leading to the reasonable conclusion that those people are informants and agents. For those wondering why so many still languish in prison, it's because they don't have the money or the contacts to get a good criminal defense attorney. They're getting either whomever the government gives them or the recent grad from "Do It by Mail School of Law." Welcome to Biden's America: call it Oceania in 1984 or the Soviet Union in 1965. It doesn't matter. The one thing it isn't anymore is America 1776. Image: Granny selfies in the Capitol. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Joe Biden's disastrous retreat from Afghanistan involved bringing to America thousands of random, entirely unvetted Afghan men, instead of vetted men who helped American troops, although with their families. I knew then that we were in trouble. I saw what happened in Europe when Angela Merkel took in unvetted Muslim refugees, mostly young, unattached men. These fears have been realized now that a female soldier at Fort Bliss has allegedly been assaulted by several Afghan refugees. In 2017, Cheryl Benard, who spent a career working with refugees, wrote a fact-filled article about the fact that of all the Muslim refugees flooding Europe, the Afghan men were the most dangerous. They assaulted women and children without even attempting to cover their crimes. Benard described these sex assaults: But there was one development that had not been expected, and was not tolerable: the large and growing incidence of sexual assaults committed by refugees against local women. These were not of the cultural-misunderstanding-date-rape sort, but were vicious, no-preamble attacks on random girls and women, often committed by gangs or packs of young men. [snip] Most of the assaults were being committed by refugees of one particular nationality: by Afghans. [snip] Europeans were predisposed to be positive towards Afghan refugees. But it quickly became obvious that something was wrong, very wrong, with these young Afghan men: they were committing sex crimes to a much greater extent than other refugees, even those from countries that were equally or more backward, just as Islamic and conservative, and arguably just as misogynist. [snip] The tipping point [in Tulln, Austria, which banned refugees], after a series of disturbing incidents all emanating from Afghans, was the brutal gang rape of a fifteen-year-old girl, snatched from the street on her way home, dragged away and serially abused by Afghan refugees. [snip] A while before, in Vienna, a young female Turkish exchange student had been pursued into a public restroom by three Afghan refugees. They jammed the door shut and proceeded to savagely attack her. Grabbing her by the neck, they struck her head repeatedly against a porcelain toilet bowl to knock her out. When that failed to break her desperate resistance, they took turns holding her down and raping her. There's more; much more. It's sickening, considering what Biden has brought to America, especially because the Afghans can freely walk off military bases and vanish into America. But why wait to vanish into America to assault women? Instead, a group allegedly attacked a female soldier on the base at Fort Bliss: The FBI is investigating the assault of a female Fort Bliss soldier by several male Afghan refugees at the Army's Dona Ana Complex camp where thousands are currently being housed, officials told ABC-7 on Friday. "We can confirm a female service member supporting Operation Allies Welcome reported being assaulted on Sept. 19 by a small group of male evacuees at the Dona Ana Complex in New Mexico," said Lt. Col. Allie Payne, director of Public Affairs for Fort Bliss and the 1st Armored Division. Ted Cruz is already demanding answers: Joe Biden made a decision to shove tens of thousands people on planes to make it look like his botched evacuation was going well. The truth is he had no idea who he brought to the US. That's why I led a letter today demanding accountability and answers. https://t.co/sTVqysGFla Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 24, 2021 And leave it to Kayleigh McEnany to highlight another of Jen Psaki's lies: PART 2: Remember when Jen Psaki told us "I can absolutely assure you that no one is coming into the United States of America who has not been through a thorough screening and background check process."? Well, about that... https://t.co/eYY1xDAFPA Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) September 24, 2021 Many people are calling Biden's policies failures. That would be true only if these weren't the outcomes he wanted. However, this is exactly what Biden wants: the end of the rule of law, which makes tyranny easier, and a non-American population that doesn't remember a world without tyranny. My advice to all women, young or old, is to remember the Second Amendment. Image: Afghan men who wanted to come to America. YouTube screen grab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Looking at the "Border Patrol agents with whips" hoax, it's clear what's happening. We have gone down the rabbit hole and ended up in Lewis Carroll's Wonderland, a place in which there is no logic, all of the characters are crazy, and the ones with the most power are the most cruel. For Alice, it was a bad dream, but for all Americans, especially the scapegoated Border Patrol agents, Biden, et al. are trying hard to ensure that this is a nightmare from which we'll never awaken. To refresh your recollection, in Alice in Wonderland, Alice attends a trial at which the demented, tyrannical Queen of Hearts is present. After the evidence phase, the King tells the jurors to consider their verdict. "'No, no!' said the Queen. 'Sentence first verdict afterwards.'" Alice rightly calls this "stuff and nonsense," explaining, "The idea of having the sentence first." Alice is correct. Demanding punishment before finding guilt is indeed stuff and nonsense, but Biden and everyone in his administration are doing exactly that regarding the Border Patrol agents accused of "whipping" Haitian men. And so, despite conclusive evidence that the Border Patrol did nothing wrong, Biden has threatened, "Those people will pay." From the moment Sawyer Hackett tweeted out that Border Patrol agents were whipping Haitian migrants, the Biden administration latched on to the story as a lifeline to distract Americans from the fact that Biden plans to let tens of thousands of Haitians who are already settled in Latin America walk into the United States. On the sane side of the universe, people who know about horses instantly debunked the story, showing that the Border Patrol agents were using split reins to control their horses, not to whip Haitians. These facts were irrelevant to the Democrats. They had their narrative and, if you'll pardon the pun, were intent on flogging it to death. In the days since then, two important pieces of anti-whip information have emerged, and the Democrats, from Biden on down, have ignored them completely, doubling down on scapegoating Border Patrol agents who were only doing their job. The first important piece of evidence came in the form of a Facebook post from the National Border Patrol Council. The post explains how split reins work. The "split" part is to keep them from tangling when the horse rides through the brush so that the bit doesn't then tear up the horse's mouth. As for the agent spinning the reins, as can be seen in videos of the event, "It's to create distance between the horse and the person on the ground." This is because, when you get uncontrolled contact between a 1,200-pound horse and a human, the horse wins every time. Adults get badly hurt; children can get killed. The rangers also spin the reins to keep people from grabbing at them in an effort to control the horse, which is extremely dangerous because the horse can take fright, killing the rider, which is why grabbing the reins is considered assault with a deadly weapon. Next, an even more pertinent bit of information came out: the photographer who took the photo that sparked the frenzy made clear that he didn't see anybody whipping Haitians: "Some of the Haitian men started running, trying to go around the horses," photographer Paul Ratje told local station KTSM, explaining the situation. "I've never seen them whip anyone," he said. "He was swinging it, but it can be misconstrued when you're looking at the picture." That should end this, but it hasn't. Instead, Biden has viciously gone to war against entirely innocent Border Patrol agents, accusing them of "strapp[ing]" people and insisting that "those people will pay." Biden on the lie that border patrol were using whips on illegal immigrants at the border: "To see people treated like they did? Horses running them over? People being strapped? It's outrageous. I promise you, those people will pay." pic.twitter.com/Jx79KoYTy9 Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 24, 2021 The whole administration is singing the same sadistic song about ordinary working stiffs doing their job of guarding the border against an invading army of illegal aliens welcomed by the man who is now the biggest criminal of all in America, Joe Biden. There's Kamala Harris, who has taken from Biden the title of "most stupid vice president ever": Harris smears Border Patrol agents and their horses: I was outraged by it, it was horrible, and deeply troubling...[T]here needs to be consequences...Human beings should not be treated that way and it also invoked images of some of the worst moments of our history like slavery pic.twitter.com/PxqjI8hks8 Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) September 24, 2021 The prize, though, goes to DHS secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who simultaneously accused the Border Patrol of "systematic racism" and claimed, "I will not prejudge the fact." Too late; you already did. MAYORKAS: "The images horrified us in terms of what they suggest and what they conjure up. In terms of not only our nations history, but unfortunately the fact that that page of history has not been turned entirely...But I will not prejudge the facts." pic.twitter.com/vCLunOi60s Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 24, 2021 Alice was able to escape from the sadistic vagaries of Wonderland because she woke up from what was, in fact, a bad dream. Sadly, as we find ourselves under the control of Wonderland's insane, cruel characters, there's no waking up. This isn't Wonderland; it's Bidens America. Image: Biden, Queen of Hearts, by Andrea Widburg. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. As the disastrous policies, both domestic and international, of President Joseph R. Biden (D) and his amateur and incompetent ideological crew continue to wreak havoc on America, the glories of President Donald J. Trump's talented and creative work, such as the Abraham Accords, continue. Just yesterday, during the Jewish holiday of Succoth, a group of over 300 prominent Iraqis, both of Sunni and Shiite outlooks, publicly announced their "call for full peace with Israel." Hundreds of Iraqi leaders and activists gathered in the country's Kurdistan region on Friday to publicly call for full normalization with Israel. The group, which includes Sunni and Shiites, youth activists and tribal leaders, said the next step after the dramatic announcement would be to seek "face-to-face talks" with Israelis. The 312 Iraqi men and women issued their statements from a hotel in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region. The conference was organized by the New York-based Center for Peace Communications, which works to advance engagement between Arabs and Israelis, and to protect activists supporting normalization. (snip) One of the speakers explained that the group believes in peace with Israel "so that we might live in a stable region that brings conflicts to an end. We believe in it because we want our region to be a peaceful one, in which Israel is an inseparable part of the panoramic whole, and in which all peoples have the right to live in security." (snip) "We demand that Iraq join the Abraham Accords internationally," wrote Wisam al-Hardan, leader of the Sons of Iraq Awakening movement, in The Wall Street Journal on Friday. "We call for full diplomatic relations with Israel and a new policy of mutual development and prosperity." (snip) Calling the expulsion of Iraq's Jews "the most infamous act" in the country's decline, Hardan said Iraq "must reconnect with the whole of our diaspora, including these Jews." "We reject the hypocrisy in some quarters of Iraq that speaks kindly of Iraqi Jews while denigrating their Israeli citizenship, and the Jewish state, which granted them asylum." Hardan also said that Iraq's laws criminalizing contacts with Israelis are "morally repugnant." (snip) "We have a choice: tyranny and chaos, or legality, decency, peace and progress," he wrote. "The answer is clear." Jews have an over 2,500-year history of residing in Iraq, biblically known as Babylonia, with numerous ups and downs over the eras. Many of the Jews left for the modern Jewish state of Israel in 1948; many others were brutally expelled with literally only the clothes on their backs after 1948. An estimated four Jews remain in the country where once 500,000 lived. It is not news when millions of Israeli Jews of all backgrounds, prominent or regular law-abiding citizens, including many of Iraqi background, publicly ask their counterparts in Iraq to work for peace as they have over the decades. And, as the Israelis sincerely want real peace, it is not dangerous to ask for it. But, as some Muslims see the benefits of the Abraham Accords' peace, hopefully others will join the Iraqis, demanding that their so-called leaders join them. And hopefully, Biden and his minions will overcome their intense...disdain for Trump and his accomplishments and once again position the U.S. as a force for peace for all of humanity. Image via Libreshot. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. While the Biden-Harris administration continues to demonize those who do not wish to be human guinea pigs in a massive experiment with gene therapies and encourages mask mandates and other symbolic but largely ineffective measures to control a virus, a few foreign countries are recognizing that viral illnesses follow a predictable course as they mutate. Reuters reports on Norway: Norway will reopen society on Saturday, the government said, ending its coronavirus-curbing restrictions, which have limited social interaction and hobbled many businesses. The Nordic nation joins a small but growing number of countries, including Denmark and Britain, which have removed all domestic restrictions limiting the spread of the coronavirus. "It is 561 days since we introduced the toughest measures in Norway in peacetime ... Now the time has come to return to a normal daily life," Prime Minister Erna Solberg told a news conference. (snip) "In short, we can now live as normal," Solberg said. Norway has a high level of vaccination 76% of Norwegians have had at least one shot, and 67% have had two and the government encourages its populace to get fully vaxxed. But in Croatia, President Zoran Milanovic doesn't buy into the vax frenzy, as Citizen Free Press reports: Croatians have been "vaccinated enough" and should be allowed to accept the risks of becoming infected with COVID on their own terms, according to President Zoran Milanovic. President Milanovic broke with the majority of his contemporaries in expressing frustration over medical authoritarianism and COVID hysteria pushed by the mainstream media and globalists. "Croatia is 'not sufficiently vaccinated,' unlike the E.U. average. We are only at 50 percent," Milanovic said in recent statements to the press. "I don't care. We're vaccinated enough and everyone knows it." "We need to know what the goal of this frenzy is. If the goal is to completely eradicate the virus, then we have the goal. I have not heard that this is the goal. If someone tells me it's a goal, I will tell him he's out of his mind." "I start every day with CNN and those few channels and I wonder if I am normal or are they crazy," he said. "They spread panic. They do it from the beginning." I have little doubt that great pressure will be brought on Croatia to conform to the vaccination regime. We shall see how this plays out. But parts of India are almost COVID-free through the mass use of ivermectin and other therapies that, if applied early in the onset, have drastically reduced hospitalization and death. Photo credit: YouTube screen grab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. When I was in junior high school, the "edgy" novel was Judy Blume's Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret, about a girl entering puberty and talking with her friends about periods and bras. How things have changed. Now high schools have graphic novels with text and illustrations favorably detailing all aspects of homosexual sex, including pedophilia. When a mother in Fairfax, Virginia, brought that to the board's attention, the board shut her down. It's time that parents use lawfare and shut these board members down. It's time that parents across America do that. I'll include Asra Q. Nomani's Twitter thread about the hearing at the end of this post. For now, I'll just summarize the main point, which is that Stacy Langton, a brave mother, showed the board that there is graphic pornography in the libraries at two high schools. These materials are available to kids as young as 12 and 13. Langton read excerpts of the books, which are written as graphic novels and they put the "graphic" in graphic. Endless pictures, along with explicit text, show men and boys engaged in fellatio. The books apparently describe anal penetration in great detail as well. Ironically, the school board shut her down literally turning off the mic because, said one of the board members, there were children in the room (although, apparently, there were not). That is, those board members fully understood that the books in their library are pornographic and unfit for children. The parents in the poorly attended meeting cried "shame" at those board members. Eventually, the board members, after lecturing the parents for behaving inappropriately and after negative press, grudgingly agreed to withdraw the books and reconsider them. That's not good enough. That still leaves these people in charge of the schools. There's more parents must do. After her mic was cut, Langton shouted out an important point: by making those books available to minors, the schools are committing a criminal act. In Virginia, as is true across America, producing, possessing, and distributing child pornography are all criminal acts. Moreover, according to FindLaw, the sentences under Virginia's penal code "are some of the harshest in the country and can result in jail, fines, a criminal record, and sex offender registration." Here's how FindLaw defines what is prohibited: Production: Solicit or entices a minor to be the subject of child porn, produces, prepares to produce, or attempts to make child pornography, knowingly takes part in or participates in the production of child pornography, financing child pornography or attempting to finance child pornography Possession: Knowingly possessing an item depicting sexual exploitation or abuse of a child; Distribution: Knowingly distributing an item of child pornography Distribution means reproducing, copying, selling, giving away, and electronically transmitting, etc. child pornography. The Virginia Code also prohibits grooming young children by showing them pornographic material. There are federal laws against child pornography as well. (And given the books' extraordinarily graphic nature and their encouraging gay pedophilia, good luck saying they're "educational.") The problem with conservatives is that they rely on what they think will be public shaming and the threat of losing re-election. Thus, Langton said board members should be charged, obviously intending to shame them, but stopped there. They feel no shame, and, even though people hate their policies, surprisingly, they keep getting votes. Go figure... What needs to be done is what the mayor of one Ohio town did when he discovered that the schools were using college-level writing prompts that amounted to nothing more than pedophile-style grooming. Here is his utterly masterful statement to the board members on whose watch this happened: BREAKING: Hudson mayor demands all school board members resign or face possible criminal charges over high school course material that he said a judge called "child pornography." I'm going to give you a simple choice: You either choose to resign or you will be charged." pic.twitter.com/guhp0zc0ns Jenny Beth Martin (@jennybethm) September 14, 2021 That's how you do it. Otherwise, leftists never pay a price when they engage in illegal, immoral, or unethical behavior. They're cheered by their peers, and all that conservatives do is fulminate. In the case of the Fairfax school board, parents need to issue exactly the ultimatum that the mayor did: this happened on your watch, you didn't do anything about it, and now you have a choice: resign immediately, or I will report you to the police for violating state and federal child pornography laws. (Although, sad to say, judging by this story about the Fairfax County prosecutor, that threat might not work there.) Indeed, I strongly urge parents across America to scour their school libraries for this openly pornographic material and to use its presence on the shelves as a giant cudgel to clean the leftist rot out of American schools, whether it's the rot on the library shelves, in the school administrators' offices, or on the school boards. As that Ohio mayor showed, this problem of grooming children is everywhere. In Richfield, Minnesota, high schoolers are asked to role-play being homosexual and get to learn about anal sodomy. And in Austin, Texas, the Leander Independent School District offers kids access to the same books that Stacy Langton discovered in the library at her children's school. And now those tweets I promised and that I urge you to read (and, when it comes to the videos, to watch). Be warned that they are pornographic. I pondered whether to censor the images that Stacy Langton presented. I didn't. The Fairfax County School Board saw these images from books that 12 year olds can check out at the school library and THEY RAN AWAY. The public must know their cowardice. https://t.co/OFh8gRtbD5 Asra Q. Nomani (@AsraNomani) September 24, 2021 These are the images in Fairfax County Public Schools libraries for even 12 year olds. Mom Stacy Langton showed them to the @fcpsnews school board before @stella_pekarsky and @LJ4fcps rudely interrupted the moms 2 minutes. And ran away. pic.twitter.com/LmUoaVRzWG Asra Q. Nomani (@AsraNomani) September 24, 2021 School board members returned from their recess to climb onto their high horses. Here is @MelanieForEdu apologizing to children who WERE NOT PRESENT in the room -- ignoring again parents, this time angry that these books are in public school libraries. https://t.co/DkiLKlXz5f Asra Q. Nomani (@AsraNomani) September 24, 2021 Here is @KarlFrisch @KarlFrischFCPS doubling down as the victim. We knew he would lecture parents from his high horse. Play the victim. He has absolutely NOTHING to say about legitimate parent concerns about porn in schools. He IGNORES parents.#Fairfaxxxhttps://t.co/6G7gniUD3e Asra Q. Nomani (@AsraNomani) September 24, 2021 Here is @fcpsnews PR machine's statement 1/4: "During public comment at the September 23 Fairfax County School Board meeting, two speakers raised concerns about two books available in some high school libraries." It was more than "two speakers." It was a roomful of angry parents. Asra Q. Nomani (@AsraNomani) September 24, 2021 Here is @FCPS PR statement: 3/4 "FCPS has a process that involves submitting a Fairfax County Public Schools Request for Reconsideration of Library or Instructional Material form for texts, as outlined in Regulation 3009." Again. The bureaucrats in the PR office win. #Fairfaxxx Asra Q. Nomani (@AsraNomani) September 24, 2021 Here is @FCPS PR statement: 4/4 "This request is then submitted to the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services." #Fairfaxxx Asra Q. Nomani (@AsraNomani) September 24, 2021 Image: Stacy Langton, hero. Twitter screen grab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. A frightening incident took place Wednesday on a JetBlue flight from Boston to San Juan in which a passenger assaulted a flight attendant, broke free of wrist ties once restrained, and attempted to storm the cockpit, with the door open because a crew member had used the toilet. Although the passenger shouted the name "Allah," nearly all the media reports that I have been able to find (here, here, and here, for instance) omit that point and merely state that he was angry about a failed phone call and imply that mental illness was the root cause of the attack. The Daily Beast's jihad-sanitized account of the incident at least conveys the overpowering fury of the passenger: The passenger, a man named Khalil El Dahr, had attempted to make a phone call near the end of the flight and "became angry about the call's unsuccess." Roughly 45 minutes before landing, he pulled himself out of his seat and rushed towards the cockpit, yelling in Spanish and Arabic that someone should shoot and kill him. El Dahr grappled with the flight attendant who attempted to intercept him, punching and kicking him in the chest, and strangling him with the attendant's tie. It took "six or seven" crew members to restrain the passenger with plastic zip-tie handcuffs, but El Dahr somehow managed to break out of them. Another pair was used, in addition to at least four seat belt extenders (and, according to testimony, the flight attendant's tie)[.] The Beast does link to an FBI affidavit that mentions the word the media are desperate to avoid: "The second Jet Blue FA stated that at one point during the incident, they [sic] were able to understand EL DAHR say Allah in a raised tone." In the wake of Joe Biden's surrender to the Taliban jihadists, who have resumed lopping off hands and killing women wearing "immodest" attire, we wouldn't want Americans to start thinking jihad is a threat to their own safety. The only honest and complete account that I have been able to find comes from the Boston Herald: At "one point during the incident, they were able to understand El Dahr said 'Allah' in a raised tone," the agent reports[.] Hat tip: Pamela Geller. File photo of JetBlue plane by Eric Salard, CC BY-SA 2.0 license. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Joe Biden didn't have much time for U.S. troops as he repeatedly checked his watch during a "dignified transfer" of thirteen service members' remains after they were killed in a terror attack during his Afghanistan pullout fiasco. Now he's gone himself one better he didn't even show up. When President Moon Jae-in of South Korea took the trouble to fly all the way to Hawaii for another dignified transfer of troop remains dating from the Korean War, Biden had better things to do. He didn't even send a flunky. RedState's Andrew Malcolm has a superb report: The president of South Korea, Moon Jae-in, and his wife, Kim Jung-sook, flew to Hawaii this week to personally return the recovered remains of six U.S. soldiers from the Korean War in a solemn ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The story was first reported by our sister site, HotAir.com. Almost 40,000 Americans died in that three-year conflict with North Korea and China. Another 100,000 were wounded and a stunning 7,500 still remain unaccounted for. Bringing home the remains of the fallen is always an emotional issue for Americans, many of whom still fly black POW-MIA flags from the Vietnam War. Accessing remains even delayed peace talks after the Vietnam fighting. And the Leave No One Behind mantra raised its emotional head after Biden's Afghan retreat did leave Americans behind. So, when the president of a long-time democratic ally and an economic powerhouse, especially one from Asia where signs of respect are so revered and expected, personally gets involved in the return of soldiers' remains, it's a pretty big deal. Or should be. The U.S. still has about 30,000 troops stationed in South Korea as a tripwire to deter another North Korean invasion. The Biden administration, however, sent no one to the ceremony, which also involved repatriating remains of now-identified Korean soldiers to their homeland. Malcolm has many more disgusting details, particularly with regard to Biden's long record of disrespect for U.S. service members, so be sure to read here. Moon? That sounds familiar. Isn't President Moon the important ally of the U.S. who got degradingly insulted last May by idiot Kamala Harris, who literally wiped her hand immediately after greeting this leader? According to Fox News: Harris was caught on camera Friday immediately wiping her right hand on her jacket after shaking hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House. Apparently, she thought he was filthy, had a disease, or might give her cooties or something. And as Malcolm notes, Asian nations hold great regard for deportment and "face," more so than, say, carefree Australia. A blunder of manners in Australia would likely be overlooked. In Asia, it would be noticed. Why would anyone do that, and for the cameras, no less? Imagine former President Trump, who's famously a germophobe, doing something like that! He most certainly never did, because even as a germophobe, he has something called "class." He thinks of the other guy first instead of himself. He knows how to be a cordial host and make his guests comfortable. Not so with roundheels Kamala. Oh, that wasn't the only insult to South Korea, either. South Korea's top newspaper, the Chosun Ilbo, reported that Biden gave South Korea's president the back of his hand at the United Nations, too, ignoring his calls to officially end the war with North Korea and apparently refusing to meet him: U.S. President Joe Biden ignored Moon's plea in his own keynote address and did not meet him in New York. Biden merely said, "We seek serious and sustained diplomacy to pursue the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." After his speech, the U.S. president sat down for summits with the heads of Australia and the U.K. to discuss their scandal-ridden Aukus pact against China. On Friday he meets with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshide Suga. Moon instead met the leaders of the U.K., Vietnam and Slovenia during his stay in New York. That didn't go over well in South Korea. The South Korean president himself delicately said he believes he had been misunderstood (given that Biden wasn't paying attention). For those of us counting, that's three insults. What leaps out at me is the incredible incompetence shown here by Biden on the Asia front not just the Afghanistan front, not just on the Latin American border, not just on the France and Europe front, but now on Biden's vaunted "pivot to Asia." Wasn't Biden supposed to be "Mr. Foreign Policy"? First, start with South Korea itself: How is South Korea supposed to look at this series of insults? Very likely, Biden may be viewed as simply disengaged and out of it, and the Koreans will adjust their stance accordingly. Will they, like Singapore, "make calculations and take positions, and they have to make recalculations and adjust their positions from time to time," as Singapore's prime minister chillingly told Harris on her August junket, effectively warning her that they don't consider the U.S., under Biden administration leadership, an entirely reliable ally? That's a warning sign that our Asian allies aren't too sure about Joe Biden as China emerges. South Korea is likely to be another one of them based on this unforced lousy treatment. Yet Joe Biden repeatedly promoted his foreign policy chops when he ran for president. He was supposedly the experienced foreign policy hand, unlike his rivals, given that he made a lot of congressional junkets, many exaggerated. And that's despite the damning summary of his foreign policy prowess by former CIA director Robert Gates: "wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades." Oh, but he learns, wrote Jackson Diehl (whom I like on many of his stances but who is wrong on this one) at the Washington Post: Gates's verdict raises an awkward question: Would Biden not be better? Could he, in his own way, make it all worse? The short answer is easy: Biden could and would quickly undo the distinctive evils of Trumpism. It wouldn't be hard for him to call the leaders of Germany and South Korea on Day One and say we're going back to being your reliable ally. Well, turns out the opposite happened. The South Korean press is quite negative about it. And it's not just Diehl. Here's Foreign Policy with another now embarrassing analysis: That Biden is not Trump and will replace chaos in Washington with competence has sent strong messages of reassurance to most Asian allies. Biden's long foreign-policy experience and the team of familiar figures from the Obama and Clinton administrations have generated much comfort in Asian capitals. Really? Now let's look at how this series of insults impacts the broader Biden plan to "pivot to Asia." As China runs rampant and begins threatening Taiwan and South China Sea countries, it's also menacing the northern part of the Pacific Rim, where the big economies of Japan and South Korea lie. The purpose of the "pivot to Asia" (which several U.S. presidents have pursued, actually; Joe is never original) is to keep sea trade routes clear, something China is trying to put a stop to in order to achieve hegemony. All of the Asian states are critical players and need to be on board, particularly South Korea, which has the additional role of helping check North Korea's nuclear ambitions and general aggressive tendencies, which is a separate menace. Biden's repeated pitching of South Korea overboard based on his ineptitude, bad judgment, and general senility has plenty of potential for going haywire somewhere along the line. It's a critical relationship and should be handled with the utmost respect. But Biden can't even be bothered to attend a dignified transfer of U.S. troop remains, which the South Korean president was good enough to do himself. What does this say about Biden, other than that he's utterly unfit? Image: Public Domain Pictures, CC0 Public Domain. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. On Friday, both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris doubled down on the hoax that mounted Border Patrol agents "whipped" border violators in Del Rio, Texas, a lie that has been conclusively debunked, as Andrea Widburg explains on these pages today. Harris, who has been all but invisible lately, was put back into the spotlight because of her melanin in order to evoke the specter of slavery from more than a century and a half ago. Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas promises a prompt investigation. So, what will happen when the investigation hears evidence that the fraud is a fraud? My friend Mike Nadler emails me with a scary and plausible answer: My guess is that even if the investigation finds the agents operated fully in accordance with their training, in order to save face for the president, etc., the investigators will conclude that it is inhumane to use horses as a tool to control people, and their use should be confined to herding cattle, etc. As a result, police departments in NYC and elsewhere will be forced to discontinue this important tool for crowd control and other law enforcement activities. Will the next step be eliminating police dogs? What makes this prediction all the more frightening is that it fits in with the broader campaign to degrade the capability of local police forces to contain street-level political violence. Antifa and Black Lives Matter both use street violence as a political tactic. The George Floyd riots have already scared many institutions, public and private, into making changes desired by the hard left. Meanwhile, many police forces have been denuded of skilled, veteran police officers and are well below minimum staffing requirements, resulting in surging crime rates. Mounted police used for crowd control in Times Square (YouTube screen grab). While policing is a local matter, Democrats are experts at tying federal funds to certain policies they want to force on local bodies. Using federal bureaucrats, they can rewrite regulations without even getting a vote through Congress. Depriving police forces of the very powerful crowd control tool of mounted horse patrols would empower rioters even more. Mob rule, in other words, would be given a big boost. Only one political party seeks the political changes that the mobs of today demand. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Jeremy Corbyn has said Britain should stay out of a defence pact that he fears could see the country drawn into a new cold war with China. Earlier this month, Boris Johnson announced that the UK would join a new pact with the United States and Australia dubbed Aukus where the three allies agreed to co-operate on the development for the first time of a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian navy. The move, widely interpreted as an attempt to check Chinas growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, was swiftly condemned by Beijing as a geopolitical gaming tool. The Prime Minister insisted it was not intended as an adversarial move against China but was questioned in the Commons what the implications were if China should attempt to invade Taiwan. He said the UK remains determined to defend international law. Speaking at an event at The World Transformed conference, which is running alongside the Labour Party conference in Brighton, Mr Corbyn said the idea of the pact was crazy beyond belief and could only lead to rearmament. The former leader said: When Biden said that he wasnt very keen on nation-building any more around the world, a succession of Tory MPs and not a few Labour MPs as well got up and said, well, if Biden wont play the global role, we will weve already got an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, and if Taiwan is under threat from China, were gonna get stuck in. Hang on a minute, theyre actually saying that this country 65 million people, north-west coast of Europe, tiny proportion of the worlds population should have a global arms presence and involve ourselves in an alliance that can only lead to rearmament of the West and of China, and of Russia at the same time. This is crazy beyond belief, surely Covid has taught us something that real inequality is health inequality, is poverty, and the refugees are the ultimate victims of that. I want to live in a peaceful world. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (Aaron Chown/PA) And if weve got differences with people, as we have on human rights, then challenge, then take it up, then support those in those societies that are demanding their rights, work with them. But the idea were going to sort of bomb our way into these things is simply not very sensible. Lets learn the lessons of Afghanistan and Iraq, of Libya, of Syria, and talk to the 70 million people who are refugees around the world, many of whom are victims of war. We can do things differently. More than 400 jobs are at risk after a chilled food delivery business collapsed into administration partly driven by the driver shortage. EVCL Chill, based in Alfreton, Derbyshire, has struggled following the loss of a number of key customers over the past year and severe driver shortages, administrators PwC said. The business has 1,092 full-time employees, PwC said, of whom 658 have been transferred to customers along with a number of services. It leaves 434 jobs at risk across its warehouses and depots in Daventry and Crick in Northamptonshire, Alfreton in Derbyshire, Rochdale in Greater Manchester, Bristol, and Penrith in Cumbria. PwC said EVCL Chill had a turnover of 167 million in the 12 months to December 2020 and was profitable, but had been hit hard by a loss of customers and the current driver shortages. Eddie Williams, joint administrator, said: This has been a very difficult situation and involved intense discussions with key stakeholders on an accelerated basis to get to this position. As businesses move from survival mode to recovery, the financial climate is still very volatile. PwC said employees whose jobs have not been transferred to other firms would hear more about their futures next week. It said EVCL Chill going into administration does not affect the wider EV Cargo Group, which continues to trade as before. The news of EVCL Chills collapse comes ahead of an expected announcement by the Government that visa rules will be relaxed for foreign HGV drivers to get supply chains moving. On Saturday, Tony Danker, the director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), called for a temporary and managed system to bring in foreign labour. He told BBC Breakfast: You need to be able to, on a temporary basis, on a fixed and managed basis, bring in skills we need now. Mr Danker said the CBI welcomed the Governments ambition to recruit and train British workers, but said: You cant turn baggage handlers into butchers overnight or shopkeepers into chefs you can do it over three to five years maybe, but you cant do it overnight. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spoken about vaccine equity with a United Nations official before they join a concert in New York set up to promote the topic. Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Amina Mohammed said she has been speaking to Harry and Meghan about the issue among other fields they care about deeply including climate action and mental health. This comes ahead of their attendance at Global Citizen Live, which is being staged in New Yorks Central Park and around the world, and calls on leaders to adopt a vaccine equity policy. The couple were pictured in front of the UN logo alongside Ms Mohammed on Saturday, with Meghan wearing a beige blouse and trousers with an auburn jacket, and Harry wearing a black suit and blue tie. Ms Mohammed, the former environment minister for Nigeria, shared the picture in a tweet, saying: In conversation with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Sharing how to engage on issues we care about deeply: climate action, womens economic empowerment, mental well-being, youth engagement and vaccine equity. In conversation with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sharing how to engage on issues we care about deeply: climate action, womens economic empowerment, mental well-being, youth engagement and vaccine equity. pic.twitter.com/CoTFoU5ZHJ Amina J Mohammed (@AminaJMohammed) September 25, 2021 The UN is hosting the 76th General Assembly, which has been attended by global leaders including Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Global Citizen Live is one of several shows being held in cities from London to Lagos by the organisation Global Citizen, with artists including Ed Sheeran, Sir Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Metallica and Coldplay scheduled to perform. Harry and Meghans visit is their first public appearance together since the birth of their daughter Lilibet in June, and their first major public trip post-Megxit. Police are investigating four deaths at the flagship Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QUEH) in Glasgow, it has emerged. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) which has a duty to investigate all sudden, unexpected and unexplained deaths has instructed officers from Police Scotland to act. While the investigation is understood to be at an early stage, it could potentially lead to a fatal accident inquiry or criminal charges. The deaths being looked at include that of a 73-year-old woman at the hospital campus as well as the deaths of three children. One of those is Milly Main, who died in 2017 after contracting an infection found in water while being treated at the Royal Hospital for Children part of the same campus as the QEUH. Her mother Kimberly Darroch this week told an inquiry looking into issues with the construction of the Glasgow hospital campus and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh that she believes what happened to my daughter is murder. Ms Darroch told the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry: My view is that the hospital should be closed. I dont think its safe. She added: I feel like the health board need to be punished for all of this. A COPFS spokesman said: The Procurator Fiscal has received reports in connection with the deaths of three children and a 73-year-old woman at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus, Glasgow. The investigation into the deaths is ongoing and the families will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments. The spokesman added: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is committed to supporting the work of the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry and contributing positively and constructively to that work. The argument that natural immunity against COVID-19 is an alternative to vaccination is emerging as a potential legal challenge to federally mandated vaccination policies. Vaccination is already required for certain workers and some college students. The federal government, despite steeper legal hurdles to imposing vaccination, has also invoked the U.S. Department of Labor to mandate inoculation for health care workers and is expected to roll out a larger policy effectively mandating vaccination for a majority of U.S. workers. The stated goal behind mandatory vaccination policies is to protect against the spread of disease, meaning that the crux of any policy is immunity. The notion that a previous COVID-19 infection provides natural immunity that can be at least as good as vaccination in some people is something a judge would likely need to consider in a challenge to a mandatory policy, especially against a government actor. I think that a judge might reject a rule that's been issued by a body, like the U.S. Department of Labor or by a state, that has not been sufficiently thought through as it relates to the science, Erik Eisenmann, a labor and employment attorney with Husch Blackwell, told Yahoo Finance. US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Covid-19 response and the vaccination program at the White House on August 23, 2021 in Washington,DC. (Photo by JIM WATSON / AFP) Some recent research, which looks at hundreds of thousands of cases in Israel and has yet to undergo peer review, indicates that natural immunity might be at least as effective as vaccination in certain people. Other peer-reviewed research cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which looks at dozens of cases in the U.S., indicated that certain people who suffered from a COVID-19 infection did not create antibodies (ie, natural immunity) at all. In August, the CDC published a study of 246 Kentucky residents, concluding that vaccination offers higher protection than a previous COVID infection. The CDC said the study went through a rigorous multi-level clearance process before submission, though analysis was conducted before the Delta variant became prevalent in the U.S. The CDC says the Kentucky data indicates that vaccines offer better protection than natural immunity alone, and medical professionals widely recommend vaccination for everyone who is eligible including those who have experienced a prior COVID-19 infection. 'We're concerned about immunity, not how you get there' Legally challenging COVID-19 vaccine mandates involves both science and law. The scientific arguments are based on certain studies over the past year, including the Israel study, and studies out of Cleveland Clinic and Washington University. A June study that tracked 52,238 Cleveland Clinic employees found that within 1,359 previously infected and unvaccinated people, none contracted a subsequent COVID-19 infection over the five-month study. The findings led authors to conclude that prior infection makes a person unlikely to benefit from COVID-19 vaccination. Nevertheless, Cleveland Clinic stated afterwards that it continued to recommend vaccination for people previously infected, stressing that the research was conducted in late 2020 and early 2021 before the emergence of the Delta variant. The 673,676-person Israeli study found that people who recovered from prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and remained unvaccinated were 27 times less likely to experience symptomatic reinfection from the Delta variant when compared to those who had not been infected and received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The study also found that previously infected people who received a single dose of the vaccine received additional protection against the Delta variant. In a smaller study conducted by Washington University School of Medicine and published in Nature, senior author Ali Ellebedy, PhD, an associate professor of medicine and of molecular microbiology, found antibody-producing cells in the bone marrow of 15 of 19 study subjects 11 months after their first COVID-19 symptoms. "These cells will live and produce antibodies for the rest of peoples lives. Thats strong evidence for long-lasting immunity, Ellebedy said. In terms of legal arguments, George Mason University Foundation law professor and Cato Institute senior fellow Todd Zywicki legally challenged the universitys vaccine mandate and later reached an arrangement that led to dropping the suit. Zywicki told Yahoo Finance that while government entities have a right to take reasonable precautions against the spread of communicable diseases, that power has its limits. Those limits, according to Zywicki, are grounded in the 1905 Supreme Court decision Jacobson v. Massachusetts that upheld a state smallpox vaccine mandate, though the precedent may be challenged given legal and scientific evolution. That was a different medical era, Zywicki said. There was no way to confirm whether you had a prior infection and recovery, which is obviously the case now." A Michigan State University employee recently cited natural immunity as part of an attempt to obtain a temporary restraining order against the school's vaccination mandate. The federal judge in the case denied the request, ruling the employee "has not demonstrated a strong likelihood of success on the merits of her claim. Following a Sept. 22 hearing, the judge is now determining whether to issue a preliminary injunction to allow for an exception to the schools vaccination mandate. Zywicki said a modern legal analysis should also consider the Supreme Courts 1927 ruling in Buck v. Bell, which solidified individual rights to bodily autonomy. In Buck, the court authorized a Virginia state statute forcing sterilization on men and women deemed mentally deficient. Later cases, Zywicki said, following that jurisprudence, held that even prisoners cannot be subjected against their will to state-mandated drug injection, especially if the mandate is for the states convenience. Understandably, we are repulsed by that sort of attitude: that the government can do anything to you just because they think its a convenient way of dealing with some social problem, he said. Zywicki further argued that somestatelaws that govern immunization for students and others who must be protected against measles, mumps, rubella, dont offer states sweeping authority to require vaccination. Instead, he said, they require proof of immunity. No proof of immunity option is offered in some states for diseases such as tetanus and polio. Were concerned about immunity, not how you get there, Zywicki said. 'Science is going to have to move pretty fast' Theres little room to challenge a private-sector employers independent vaccination mandate because private employers, with certain exceptions for medical and religious reasons, have a right to adopt their own policies aside from any government mandate. Challenges to vaccine mandates, therefore, are much more likely to be seen against the Department of Labors vaccination rules or other government-run entities (like in the case of Michigan State University). At the same time, some private companies are incorporating natural immunity into company vaccination rules. On September 9, Spectrum Health, a Michigan-based health care provider, became one of the first major employers in the country to offer its workers proof of natural immunity as a temporary alternative to vaccination. According to Detroit News, the company will accept a positive antibody test within the past three months coupled with either a positive PCR test or antigen test for COVID-19 as proof of immunity. In the case of federal mandates, the scientific and legal arguments for natural immunity could face an uphill battle. David Baffa, an employment litigation attorney and leader of Seyfarth Shaws workplace counseling and solutions group, said that he doesnt anticipate that the federal mandates will include a path for permitting natural immunity in lieu of vaccination unless theres a dramatic swing in science cited by the government. I think science is going to have to move pretty fast, and by that I mean the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and recognition of [natural immunity] as a viable alternative, Baffa told Yahoo Finance. Zywicki, for his part, expects that courts facing decisions concerning COVID-19 vaccination mandates will eventually reconcile the competing precedents. Clearly here, there's no compelling interest he argued with respect to a government's interest in treating vaccinated individuals different from those who prove immunity acquired through prior infection. And we've got all kinds of ways of verifying [immunity]. What the government should be doing is coming up with creative ways of recognizing this. Eisenmann, the labor and employment attorney, said some plaintiffs may be able to make a legitimate legal argument if natural immunity is authoritatively shown to be at least as good as vaccination. Right now I think its been easy for employers and the medical community to say the vaccine is always better," he said. "But the science evolves and there are new strains." This story was updated to reflect that the decision in Buck v. Bell upheld Virginia's state statute. Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed. Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. Find live stock market quotes and the latest business and finance news For tutorials and information on investing and trading stocks, check out Cashay The Department of Homeland Security is warning of a possible influx of Haitian migrants headed to the United States by boat, according to an intelligence alert obtained by Yahoo News. The alert, which was unclassified and marked for official use only, was issued on Thursday by U.S. Customs and Border Protections Office of Intelligence. It states that Border Patrol apprehensions of Haitian migrants in Miami and Puerto Rico have been on the rise since May, with September likely to be the highest month in fiscal year (FY) 2021. Migrants aboard a 35-foot sailing vessel are interdicted by a U.S. Coast Guard crew approximately 12 miles east of Biscayne Bay off Florida on Sept. 16. (U.S. Coast Guard/Handout via Reuters) According to the bulletin, the influx in maritime migration is probably being fueled by an evolving perception amongst the Haitian community that Haitian migrants detained by United States law enforcement agencies will automatically be sent to Miami for further release into Florida. Additionally, the report explains that Haitian migrants encountered in the maritime environment have identified their desire to migrate to the United States because of economic opportunities, the elevated levels of violence in Haiti, and a perception that they will be allowed to stay in the United States. CBP and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment. A U.S. Border Patrol agent on Thursday passes Haitian immigrant families who have crossed the Rio Grande to Del Rio, Texas, from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. (John Moore/Getty Images) The intelligence alert comes amid intense scrutiny over the Biden administrations response to a recent surge in Haitian migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Over the past few days, immigration authorities have moved to clear thousands of mostly Haitian migrants from a makeshift encampment that sprang up suddenly under a bridge along the Rio Grande in Del Rio, Texas. As of Thursday, Homeland Security officials told reporters that more than 1,400 people had been returned to Haiti so far, with deportation flights expected to continue in the coming days. Yahoo News reported Thursday that the Biden administration failed to anticipate the latest influx of Haitians at the U.S. border with Mexico, despite tracking Haitian migration for months. Several internal government documents obtained by Yahoo News show that multiple intelligence agencies within the Department of Homeland Security had repeatedly downplayed the potential for mass Haitian migration to the U.S. since as early as March 1. Among those documents was a situational report issued by the Coast Guards Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center in mid-July, about a week after the assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moise. The Coast Guard report noted that maritime encounters with Haitian migrants had increased 7 percent during the month of June, but predicted that Haitian migration to the U.S. would decrease in the aftermath of the presidents assassination, concluding that Haitian maritime mass migration is very unlikely in the near-term. Despite this assessment, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas sought to discourage a possible wave of migrants taking to the sea, warning at the time that anyone seeking to flee Haiti by boat, including those with a credible fear of persecution, would not be eligible for asylum in the United States. Protesters at a USCIS immigration services building in Miami on Wednesday denounce the expulsion of Haitian refugees from Del Rio, Texas. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) According to the intelligence alert issued Thursday, many of the Haitians who have been detained by U.S. authorities in Puerto Rico probably did not set sail from Haiti but rather from the Dominican Republic, where Haitians are paying boat captains between $5000-$7000 USD cash up front per person for a seat aboard a Puerto Rican-bound yola, a small vessel typically used for smuggling. The DHS alert notes that in previous years, border officials have encountered an average of 350 Haitians headed to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic, but that the number has tripled this calendar year to more than 900 so far. ____ Read more from Yahoo News: NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Stephane Visconti of France, Andrew Schofer of the United States of America, and Igor Khovaev of the Russian Federation) made the following statement: On the sidelines of the General Debate of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, the Minsk Group Co-Chairs met separately in New York with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. The Co-Chairs also hosted both Foreign Ministers at a joint meeting. The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (PRCiO) Andrzej Kasprzyk participated in the meetings. The Co-Chairs and Foreign Ministers discussed a wide range of outstanding unresolved issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Co-Chairs proposed specific focused measures to deescalate the situation and possible next steps. The Co-Chairs stressed their continuing strong support for the full range of indispensable activities and operations undertaken by the PRCiO and his team. On 24 September the Co-Chairs and PRCiO met with UN Under Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and OSCE Chairperson in Office Foreign Minister Ann Linde to brief them on their efforts over the past year, including the most recent developments in the process. The Co-Chairs welcome this first meeting of the two ministers of foreign affairs since November 2020 as a sign of the resolve of the two countries to reengage in the peace process through direct dialogue aimed at contributing to security, stability, and prosperity in the region. The Co-Chairs reaffirm their commitment to continue working with the sides to find comprehensive solutions to all remaining issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with their mandate. YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. A Yerevan man is arrested on suspicion of having plotted to disrupt the September 21 Independence Day concert at Republic Square, which was attended by President Armen Sarkissian, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and numerous other top government officials and many citizens. The Investigative Committee revealed that the 30-year-old suspect was taken into custody by police officers while on his way to the venue. According to the authorities the suspect had acquired 6 Artikul N SP1007 Pyro-Battery Communication F4 detonators weighing 3,5 grams, as well as a slingshot and its projectiles and was plotting to disrupt the event, cause fear and panic among citizens. Authorities said the suspect was taken into custody by police officers while heading to the Yerevan central plaza. The authorities pressed charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated hooliganism. Investigators asked a court to place the suspect into pre trial detention. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee Sasun Khachatryan filed a defamation lawsuit against the Zhoghovurd newspaper, court documents showed. The newspaper had claimed in an article that Khachatryan owns an apartment in Moscow, as well as numerous other apartments, cars and properties. Khachatryan was serving as the chief of the Special Investigations Committee when the article was written. He denied the report and demanded the newspaper to retract it, otherwise he said he would file a lawsuit. Court documents showed that Khachatryans defamation lawsuit was lodged at the Yerevan First Circuit Court of General Jurisdiction on September 24. The top anti-corruption official is demanding a retraction (public refutation) and a 2,000,000 dram compensation for damages. Sources close to Khachatryan told ARMENPRESS that hes planning to donate the sum of compensation to the rehabilitation center treating war veterans with disabilities in the event of winning the lawsuit. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The need for guaranteeing traffic via the Kapan-Goris road and efforts for regulating transport shipments as a result of agreements on new demarcations in Syunik province have become of double importance for both Iran and Armenia, the Iranian embassy in Armenia said in response to an inquiry of ARMENPRESS, referring to the obstacles facing Iranian cargo truck drivers on the Kapan-Goris road caused by the Azerbaijani authorities in areas under their control, such as checkpoints and charging of duties. The Iranian embassy added that clarifications made by Armenian government officials give great hopes around the swift development of the alternative bypass through Tatev, and that Iran is hopeful that in the nearest future they will witness the opening of a road with safe infrastructure. At the same time, the Iranian side expects that before the opening of the alternative road, traffic via the current road will resume normally. ARMENPRESS According to the official press release, on September 22 during a meeting with the Secretary of Security Council Armen Grigoryan, the Iranian Ambassador to Armenia H.E. Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri addressed the obstacles caused by Azerbaijan in the Kapan-Goris section of the interstate road, expressing concern over the problems around the use of infrastructures linking Iran with Armenia. What information can you convey over the course of actions in direction of resolving these problems and around the discussions over this issue with the Armenian and especially Azerbaijani sides? Does the Azerbaijani side continue to cause obstacles for Iranian motorists on the Kapan-Goris road? Iranian Embassy In the recent months, while communicating with relevant authorities of Armenia, the [Iranian] embassy tried to evaluate the unique condition of the Goris-Kapan road, the prospects of its exploitation and various sides related to the transit of goods and passengers from this and other possible roads. Undoubtedly, until the present phase of this road it was the main route of trade continuation and movement of citizens of the two countries. Nevertheless, as a result of the latest agreements on new demarcations in the Syunik province, the need to guarantee traffic and efforts for settling transport shipments have become of double importance for both the Islamic Republic of Iran and Armenia. We believe that the security of Armenias land road, in addition to the positive effect it will have on the current communication, can present the stable picture of the region to the businessmen and investors of the two countries and the region and guide them to plan their economic activity and raise the level of mutual interactions. The security of this two-way road, in addition, can show Armenias reliable position for advancing major infrastructure projects in the region. Undoubtedly, what was being proposed in the recent months as a goal to unblock regional transportation communications, is again in this format, which is becoming actual. ARMENPRESS In your opinion, how can in principle the problem of the road linking Iran with Armenia be solved? Do you have any offered formula in this regard? Iranian Embassy During the latest meeting of the Iranian Ambassador and Mr. Armen Grigoryan the unique condition of the Goris-Kapan road and the unusual move implemented in direction of charging only Iranian cargo trucks with duties, and current programs and initiatives were discussed. The clarifications coming from Armenian government officials inspire great hopes around the swift development of the alternative route through Tatev, and we are hopeful that soon we will witness the opening of a road with safe infrastructure. Certainly, the Islamic Republic of Iran expects that before the opening of the alternative road, the traffic via the current road will continue normally. These concerns have been communicated to Armenian government officials on various occasions. At the same time, this issue, besides proper attention and consultation of the Armenian government with its colleagues, requires also the efforts of other sides. Therefore, parallel to expressing Irans expectations to Armenian authorities, separate contacts are underway with other sides, including with Azerbaijani government officials. ARMENPRESS Do you see political subtexts in Azerbaijans actions given the recent Azerbaijani media reports saying that Iranians are conducting cargo shipments to Artsakh Republic? Iranian Embassy In the bilateral dimension, with the purpose of further advancing cooperation projects, an agreement was reached to hold a joint forum of economic cooperation between the two countries, which we are hopeful will be implemented soon. Fortunately, as part of the Dushanbe summit constructive negotiations of the two presidents took place, and there is a comprehensive program of joint cooperation. Aram Sargsyan Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. A nationwide moment of silence will be observed in Armenia at 11:00, September 27 in honor of the victims of the 2020 war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, the governments press service said. According to an interview on CBS published on September 24, 2021, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that Turkey plans to purchase more Russian-made S-400 air defense missile systems. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link Transporter Erector Launcher unit of Russian-made S-400 air defense missile system. Picture source Army Recognition) The S-400, NATO reporting name SA-21 Growler, is one of the most popular air defense systems in the world, which is in service with Algeria, China, Russia, and Turkey. Other countries have also shown interest to acquire the S-400, including Belarus, India, and Saudi Arabia. The S-400 Air Defense system is able to autonomously detect, track, engage and destroy targets that may be manned or unmanned and it is also able to effectively target ballistic targets as well. The S-400 has been deployed in Syria to protect Russian military bases. The S-400 Triumph is designed to engage, ECM, radar-picket, director area, reconnaissance, strategic and tactical aircraft, tactical and theatre ballistic missiles, medium-range ballistic missiles and other current and future air attack assets at a maximum range of 400 km, and an altitude of up to 30 km. The S-400 Triumph can also destroy Tomahawk cruise missiles and other types of missiles, including precision-guided ones, as well as AWACS aircraft, at ranges of up to 400 km. Russia and Turkey officially confirmed the signing of a contract for delivery of S-400 Triumph SAM (surface-to-air missile) systems in 2017. Unlike the first foreign customer China, the Turkish side is to receive two S-400 regiment sets instead of one. In May 2019, 100 Turkish soldiers started to study learning of S-400 Triumph SAM systems in Russia. Deliveries of Russias S-400 missile systems to Turkey began on July 12, 2019. According to the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, three military transport aircraft delivered several prime movers and launcher units for S-400 to Murted Air Base. Delhi Police spokesperson Chinmoy Biswal said both the assailants were dead along with undertrial prisoner Gogi, one of Delhi's most wanted Jitender Maan alias Gogi, who carried a reward of Rs 6.5 lakh on his head, was arrested along with his three accomplices from Gurgaon by a team of Special Cell last year in March, according to police. (Representational Image - ANI) New Delhi: Jailed gangster Jitendra Gogi was shot dead Friday inside Delhi's Rohini court by two assailants dressed as lawyers who were also killed in a swift police counter-fire, officials said. In video footage of the shootout involving the two attackers, who were from the rival gang, gunshots could be heard and policemen and lawyers seen in a scramble, but the officials said there were no further injuries or deaths. Delhi Police spokesperson Chinmoy Biswal said both the assailants were dead along with undertrial prisoner Gogi, one of Delhi's most wanted. "Swift action by police team in launching a counter-fire on the two assailants who were in lawyers' attire and attacked Gogi. Both the assailants are dead along with Gogi," he said. Later, the Delhi Police said in a tweet, "Two gangsters killed in immediate counterfire by Police as they opened fire in lawyers' attire at a gangster UTP (under trial prisoner) in Rohini court premises this afternoon. All 3 gangsters dead. No other injury or death occurred." It also said the joint commissioner of police (northern range) will enquire into the incident and submit report. Rajiv Agnihotri, an advocate, said, "I was stepping outside the court when the incident happened. I heard firing and later more rounds were fired. One person identified as Gogi was shot dead, following which the Delhi Police retaliated and they shot dead the two assailants. This (incident of firing) has happened for the fourth or fifth time at Rohini. So the situation has not improved so far." Jitender Maan alias Gogi, who carried a reward of Rs 6.5 lakh on his head, was arrested along with his three accomplices from Gurgaon by a team of Special Cell last year in March, according to police. He was arrested along with Kuldeep Naan alias Fajja, Kapil alias Gaurav and Rohit alias Koi. The Special Cell was on the lookout for Gogi, Fajja and Gaurav for a long time before tracing them to their hideout in Gurgaon in March last year. Why did the United States after investing humungous amounts of blood and treasure in Afghanistan cut and run in this manner? September 11, 2021, marked the twentieth anniversary of 9/11. This ominous hour struck 26 days after the ignominious exit of the US from Kabul on August 15. Why did the United States after investing humungous amounts of blood and treasure in Afghanistan cut and run in this manner? Before answering that question it may be worth cataloguing the cost of the alleged war on terror that ultimately ended up in putting back in the saddle the same Taliban that the US and its allies set out to destroy in 2001. The total cost of war over the span of 20 years has been 2.3 trillion US dollars. A substantive part of the money spent in Afghanistan was on counter-insurgency operations, servicing the requirements of armed forces personnel, be it nutrition, apparel, curative care and other extraordinary perquisites. Over 50 per cent of the monies $131.3 billion was expended on raising the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Unfortunately, when the push came to a shove, they melted like butter on sizzling stove. The Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani, was the only one to beat them to the finish line. He fled Kabul before to their final capitulation. He allegedly vamoosed with 167 million USD packed in four cars. A claim that he subsequently strongly repudiated from his residence in exile in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Additionally, the United Kingdom and Germany with the largest force numbers in Afghanistan after the US spent a staggering $30bn and $19bn individually over the course of their tryst with Afghanistan. In a report to the US Congress in October 2020, the ombudsman accountable for the oversight of reconstruction activities in Afghanistan stated that close to $19 billion had been both misappropriated and siphoned off in the decade between 2009 and 2019. It lined the pockets of both the US contractors and the Afghan elite. The human cost of war was also devastating. While coalition forces lost 3,500 men and women in uniform, the US alone accounted 2,300 of these dead. The United Kingdom lost 450 armed forces personnel. A total of 20,660 US soldiers were wounded in action. President Ashraf Ghani claimed in 2019 that over 45,000 members of the Afghan security forces had been killed since 2014. A US university research paper in 2019 concluded that ANSF casualties were in the range of 64,100 dead since 2001. However, the worst sufferers were the people of Afghanistan. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) estimated that since 2009 over 1,11,000 civilians were killed since it commenced cataloguing casualties. Coming back to the original question, why did it all end in this manner? The major reason is the United States rather obtuse attempt to reorder the frozen geography of the Middle East and the larger Maghreb region. Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, Saddam Hussein in Iraq, Muammar Al-Qadhdhafi in Libya, Hafez Al Assad and his son Bashar-al-Assad were not paragons of virtue. However, they kept the peace in the realm. Most of these states were committed to Baathism a Pan-Arab nationalist ideology. In fact, they were far more progressive than the obscurantist Gulf monarchies that are the USs traditional client states in the Gulf and the Middle East. The Gulf monarchies were always petrified of the seductive appeal of the Baathist credo. The US-protected Israel, of course, had a mutually antagonistic relationship with all the Islamic states sans the nature of the regime. The Gulf monarchies and other US allies in the region egged the United States to fundamentally reorder the Middle East. The intellectual construct for that rearrangement was provided by a neo-conservative thinktank called the Project for a New American Century founded in 1997 by a bunch of former Republican officials who were sitting out the Bill Clinton presidency. The leaders of this clique were Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Paul Wolfowitz. In a series of open missives in 1998 to President Clinton and the Republican leadership in both houses of the US Congress, this cabal advocated the removal of Saddam Husseins regime from power. They argued for transiting towards a more muscular US policy qua the Middle East, involving the use of force to topple Saddam Hussein. Of the 18 people who signed these memos, 10 of them subsequently served in the administration of President Bush. They, inter alia, included the then defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, his deputy Paul Wolfowitz, and deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage. Other eminences were John Bolton, undersecretary of state for disarmament who later served as Donald Trumps national security advisor, and Zalmay Khalilzad, then White House liaison to the Iraqi Opposition and later the US pointsperson for negotiations with the Taliban. In a report published on the cusp of the 2000 US presidential elections that narrowly propelled Mr Bush to power, this influential assemblage prophesied that the shift in US foreign policy would come about slowly, unless there were some catastrophic and catalyzing event, like a new Pearl Harbour. Then 9/11 happened. The very next morning before it could even be conclusively established who was responsible for that atrocity Donald Rumsfeld averred at a Cabinet meeting that Saddam Hussein and Iraq should be a principal target of the first round of terrorism. What commenced as a philosophy in 1997 became authoritative US foreign policy post September 11, 2001. Afghanistan was always a sideshow. It was always about realignment of the post Ottoman Empire geography in the greater Middle East. However, what the US did not realise was that their foolish quest through overt military action, covert support to insurgent groups and social media warfare unleashed such tectonic and Frankenstein forces beginning with Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen and the rest that its inadvertent beneficiary became its sworn rival, the Islamic Republic of Iran. A nation it has been trying to bring to its knees since 1979. It led to emergence of myriad militias and terrorist outfits in the Middle East. Most portentously it saw the rise of the Shia Crescent encompassing Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, Yemen, and western Afghanistan. An enemy more dangerous than even the Taliban. A war-weary, bankrupt United States with no stomach for a protracted century long war fell back upon the default option play the Sunni against the Shia and watch from the sidelines. Hence the Doha Accords and surrender of Afghanistan to the Taliban. However, when you sow the wind you reap the whirlwind. The reopening of schools for in-person classes, mostly for Class 9 to Class 12 only, is one such action An estimated 115 million school-age children in India get mid-day meals when they attend classes, and the school closures in India continue to impact both learning and nutrition of children, which to an extent is in violation of the right to nutrition and life. (Representational Photo: Twitter) In all areas that require comprehensive and timely measures, especially in the social sector, the Union and state governments in India often resort to half-hearted measures and symbolic actions. The reopening of schools for in-person classes, mostly for Class 9 to Class 12 only, is one such action. The move for school reopening in India continues to be delayed by the majority of the state governments in India, despite the evidence which says that in the pandemic period, whenever Covid-19 related restrictions are removed, schools should be the first to open and the last to close. The schools should be opened for in-person classes, as science and epidemiology tells us that (a) children, among all age groups, are at the least and lowest risk of the Covid-19 moderate to severe disease; (b) schools do not increase the risk of SARS CoV-2 transmission in the community; (c) Covid-19 vaccination is not a requirement to reopen the schools; and (d) the primary school should be the first to open before schools for other age groups. The leading researchers have reported that school closures have widened inequities in learning and a leading professional association in India, comprising 6,000 medical doctors and professionally trained epidemiologists, has categorically recommended that it is safe to open all the schools, including pre-schools, with the required safety measures. The state governments in India have done exactly the opposite of what science and epidemiology tells us: the schools were the first to close and the last (and for many classes yet) to open. This is in spite of the fact that health and education experts and policymakers all agree that the online classes are not an alternative for in-person schooling and learning. Thus, the question arises, what are the governments waiting for to open the schools? Are the governments, knowingly or unknowingly, failing to fulfil their constitutional obligations to the children? The Constitution of India mandates the right to free and compulsory education for children aged six to 14 years (Article 21A) and the states have been assigned the responsibility for the care and education of all children below six years of age (Article 45). The Covid-19 pandemic-related closure of the schools and some of the disruption in the education sector was unavoidable; however, with evolving science and epidemiological evidence, the world is wiser and most countries have resumed in-person schooling for all age groups. Most have the children in primary classes back in the schools, except for India and a few other countries. Learning is not the only loss. An estimated 115 million school-age children in India get mid-day meals when they attend classes, and the school closures in India continue to impact both learning and nutrition of children, which to an extent is in violation of the right to nutrition and life (Articles 47 and 21). Furthermore, with limited or no access to the right devices and assured Internet connectivity for children in the lower socio-economic strata -- both in rural and urban India -- the learning gap has widened between affluent and poor children, which violates the right to equality, that is enshrined in Articles 14. Eighteen months into the pandemic, scientific and epidemiological evidence indicates that the risk of Covid-19 for children is low and the benefits of in-person learning are far greater. In many recent surveys and discussions, a majority of up to 90 per cent -- of poor parents, especially those whose children study in government schools, wanted physical classes to resume. Only a small proportion of parents with access to all the resources, including personalised tutoring for their children, are opposed to school opening. These parents are in leadership positions in the parents associations and are apparently more vocal than the majority, of mostly poorer parents, for whose children the reopening of schools is the only chance to ensure a proper education. While scientific evidence supports school reopening, much of the opposition to the reopening of schools is based on emotional arguments and devoid of scientific and rational thinking. Article 51A (h) of the Constitution of India requires citizens to develop a scientific and rational temper. The schools should reopen urgently. The only discussion should be on what each stakeholder can and should do to facilitate and accelerate the process. Article 51A(k) of the Indian Constitution says that parents are also responsible for the education of children. To fulfilling this responsibility, it is time parents actively demand from the governments to open the schools and take necessary steps to make schools safe for children. The school opening has to be a decentralised and locally owned process. Under Article 243, there is a provision for panchayati raj institutions (PRI) and decentralised governance and through the 73rd and 74th Amendments in the Constitution, PRI and urban local bodies have been empowered to take decisions. Under these provisions, local self-government should consider facilitating the school reopening. The continuous closure of schools has deprived millions of children in India of their constitutional right to education, learning, equality, and nutrition. During the pandemic, the Supreme Court of India has taken regular suo moto cognizance of many Covid-19 related matters. However, responding to a PIL -- a few days ago -- the court refused to intervene with a state governments decisions to reopen (or not) schools. Considering the critical role of in-person learning and the linked rights of children, the question arises: what avenues are left for the children to get redressal against the slow and arguably unscientific decision-making by those who are involved in policymaking? Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, a physician-epidemiologist, is a public policy and health systems specialist. Virag Gupta is a practising advocate in the Supreme Court of India. SUV The Japanese company has just taken the wraps off its 2022 Tundra after some intensive teasing. Its marketing echoes will continue, though. The carmaker wants to keep the pickup truck fresh in our minds ahead of sending it across the nationwide network of dealerships later this year. And while Toyota speaks of how its trucks have helped intrepid explorers truly go places for over 70 years, it could be said that Tundras need to keep an eye on the near future more than anything else.Sure, heritage is equally important. But the Tundra doesnt have much to speak for itself, considering that we are only getting its third iteration after the nameplate was introduced at the turn of the millennium. Granted, it can easily piggyback on the legendary Land Cruiser moniker whenever it sees fit. After all, it shares a few interesting traits even with the equally all-new 300 series.For starters, both have lost their fabled V8 powertrains in favor of much leaner, sustainable twin-turbo V6 options. And the base V35A-FTS twin-turbo V6 unit is shared by the Tundra and the Land Cruiser J300, albeit with different power settings: 389 horsepower for the pickup and 409 horsepower for the. But the Tundra probably wont be an alternative for the LC300 crowd in North America, and we are better off waiting for the Lexus incarnation.Instead, the 2022 Tundra will probably focus on fighting the latest arrivals in its segment. And its going to be a raging war since Ford has already started selling the hybrid F-150 PowerBoost and the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado just gained a feisty ZR2 configuration. Sure, the purists will say that Toyota has envisioned their 2022 Tundra on its path, not something that will be pitted against the F-150 PowerBoost or the off-road-prone Silverado ZR2.But we have a feeling that many reviews will be eager to point out the differences between the new Japanese truck even against the likes of Blue Ovals F-150 Raptor and the mighty Ram 1500 TRX. And while sometimes it will feel like comparing apples and oranges, other moments might show that it wasnt such a crazy idea after all. The flagship 437-horsepower (with ten-speed auto) powertrain or the TRD Pro grade with 2.5-inch diameter FOX internal bypass shocks already hint that.For now, all we have are the numbers, as incomplete as they may be in the case of the 2022 Tundra. By the way, believe it or not, but Toyota has ditched the traditional leaf spring approach to the rear suspension, instead debuting a new multi-link coil springs rear setup. And it still managed to increase the maximum towing capacity by 17.6% compared to the previous iteration, to 12k lbs. (5,443 kg). Meanwhile, the maximum payload has also jumped 11% to 1,940 lbs., which is around 880 kg.The newly electrified i-Force Max hybrid flagship twin-turbo V6 engine has no less than 437 hp and 538 lb-ft (729 Nm) of twist. This is clearly enough to have future customers thinking about besting the 2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost with its 430-horsepower electrified powertrain in terms of efficiency. Or, if they want to lead an off-road life, the TRD Pro versions will probably square off with the 2022 Silverado ZR2 (traditional 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft/623 Nm) at any remote camping site.Some might even consider going after the third-generation 2022 F-150 Raptor if Toyota sticks to the plan of making everything in the range a GR (Gazoo Racing) representative. Theres just one pickup truck out there that looks untouchable right now. It's the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX , but the 702-horsepower 6.2-liter Hemi V8 monster is just a limited model that wont be produced past the current model year... Some carmakers went belly up because of mismanagement, while others underestimated supply chain costs. Many luxury automakers had to close doors during the Great Depression, while the smaller businesses that survived were too weak to compete with Ford, GM, and Chrysler. Poor marketing and misjudgment of the public taste are also among the reasons why some companies had to call it quits.But it wasn't just small ventures. "The Big Three" also made mistakes. And I'm not talking about Pontiac, Oldsmobile , or Mercury. At some point, America's leading automakers introduced car brands that failed with a bang and left the industry out the back door. Here are five of them.Walter Chrysler founded DeSoto in 1928 as a brand that would compete with Pontiac, Studebaker, and Hudson. It was slotted below the newly-purchased Dodge and above the entry-level Plymouth division. Even though it survived on the market for more than 30 years, DeSoto wasn't Chrysler's most successful venture in the automobile market.As Dodge moved upmarket in the 1950s and Plymouth became more popular following World War II, DeSoto quickly turned into the corporation's slowest-selling brand. Chrysler's decision to allow its marques to go against one another on the market and a poor representation of DeSoto in dealerships across the U.S. were the final nails in the division's coffin. As a result, DeSoto was shut down in 1961, leaving behind nameplates like the Fireflite and the Adventurer.It's been more than 60 years since Ford discontinued the Edsel brand, and it's still used as a textbook example of marketing failure. That says a lot about the short-lived company. Founded in 1956, the division named after Henry Ford's son was created to compete with the likes of Buick, Oldsmobile, Dodge, and DeSoto.But while it was slotted above Ford and below Mercury, it shared a price range with the latter. Ford spent a great deal of cash on the Edsel pre-introduction publicity campaign, which promised anHowever, the final product shared underpinnings and body parts with other Ford models while sporting a rather strange front-end design.The Mercury-like sticker and the quirky looks kept customers out of dealerships, and Ford was forced to discontinue Edsel after only three years. The stunt cost the automaker a whopping $250 million Much like Edsel, Saturn marketed itself as a "But that's because it originally operated somewhat independently from General Motors. It had an independent dealer network and rolled out unique models. Founded in 1985, Saturn was GM's first true attempt to compete with Japanese imports on the U.S. market.Following a series of concept cars and prototypes, Saturn introduced its first production car for the 1991 model year. While the company's cars proved popular with buyers, sales were lower than projected, and almost 50% of buyers already owned a GM-built vehicle.Saturn expanded its lineup with new nameplates starting in 2000, but sales remained slow. On top of that, its separation from GM stirred discontent within the giant's other divisions. As a result, the company decided to get rid of Saturn by either closing or selling it. Following an unsuccessful attempt to sell the division to Penske, GM closed off Saturn in 2010.The second Chrysler-owned brand on this list, Eagle, was established in 1988, following the purchase of American Motors Corporation (AMC). Named after AMC's four-wheel-drive Eagle model, it was Chrysler's way of retaining some of the nameplates it inherited through the purchase without folding them in an existing structure.As a result, Eagle continued selling cars developed during the AMC era. However, Chrysler also used the division to sell a handful of nameplates based on Mitsubishi platforms. But Eagle suffered from a lack of product recognition within Chrysler. And with most dealers opting to focus on the more popular Jeep brand, Eagle became a nuisance and was phased out in 1999, after only 11 years on the market. It also tried to sell re-badged Renault vehicles (the Medallion and the Premier), whch only worsened the brand's situation.Yet another ill-fated brand from the 1980s, Merkur was established by Ford to sell captive imports produced by its German division. Drawing its name from the German word for Mercury (a rather confusing choice for customers), Merkur sold only two models in the U.S. The brand debuted with the XR4Ti, a slightly revised Sierra, in 1985 and introduced the Scorpio midsize sedan for the 1988 model year.To comply with U.S. emission regulations, the XR4Ti had the Sierra's 2.8-liter V6 replaced with the 2.3-liter turbo-four from the Mustang. The Scorpio was largely similar to its European counterpart and came with a 2.9-liter V6 under the hood. While the XR4Ti was somewhat successful in its first two years on the market, sales dropped dramatically in 1987.Paired with an unfavorable exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Deutsche mark and changes to safety regulations that required expensive redesigns for both cars, Ford decided to drop the Merkur brand in 1989, only six years since it was created. A flop almost as big as the Edsel division. Full-size pickups equipped with diesel engines totaled a little more than 140,000 sales in 2020 over in the United States of America. Last year came to a close with new-light vehicle sales of 14.46 million units according to the National Automobile Dealers Association, which goes to show that compression ignition is a very small player in this part of the world.As far as the biggest of the Big Three in Detroit is concerned, General Motors currently offers three diesels in the United States. These are the LWN four-cylinder Duramax, LM2 six-cylinder Duramax, and L5P eight-cylinder Duramax. As for the LH7 four-cylinder lump in the Chevrolet Cruze, Equinox, and GMC Terrain, that one had to be discontinued over abysmal sales attributed to the price difference over the gasoline-fed alternatives.Chevrolet Low Cab Forward workhorses dont count either because theyre based on the Isuzu Elf, also known as the N Series. To whom it may concern, these commercial vehicles can be had with a four-cylinder turbo diesel that flexes 520 pound-feet (705 Nm) from a displacement of 5.2 liters.The smallest Duramax available today is the 2.8-liter LWN . General Motors introduced this lump in 2015 for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickups, and be warned that it wasnt developed by the Detroit-based automaker. Believe it or not, its a VM Motori design that was previously used by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in the Jeep Cherokee, Wrangler, Chrysler Grand Voyager, and badge-engineered Lancia Voyager.SAE-certified at 181 horsepower at 3,400 revolutions per minute and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm) of torque, the Baby Duramax uses a variable-geometry turbocharger for greater efficiency across the RPM band as well as a balance shaft for improved smoothness. The block is made from iron, the cylinder head is aluminum, forged steel is utilized for the crankshaft and connecting rods, and ceramic glow plus reduce heat-up times. Compatible with B20 fuel, which is a blend of 20-percent biodiesel and 80-percent mineral diesel, this engine is rated at 23 miles per gallon (make that 10.2 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined cycle for the 2021 model year.The Silverado and Sierra rely on the 3.0-liter Duramax , which is a clean-sheet powerplant developed in collaboration with Opel, the German automaker that General Motors owned until 2017. As a brief refresher, Opel and Vauxhall were both purchased by Groupe PSA, the French automaker that now goes by the name of Stellantis due to the 2021 merger with Fiat Chrysler.A straight-six engine rather than a V6 like the Power Stroke in the Ford F-150, the LM2 boasts 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet (624 Nm) from 1,500 through 3,000 revolutions per minute. Indeed, its just as torquey as the 6.2-liter small block and it needs fewer RPMs to crank out peak torque. Only available with a 10-speed automatic transmission that features a centrifugal pendulum absorber torque converter for reduced vibrations, this fellow is gifted with a durable cast aluminum alloy for the block and head.Ceramic glow plugs eliminate the need for a block heater until -22 degrees Fahrenheit (-30 degrees Celsius), and customers are further treated to an exhaust brake available in tow-haul mode. An electronically variable intake manifold, no balancing shafts, nodular iron main bearing caps, and a deep-skirt block design also need to be mentioned, along with hypereutectic aluminum pistons, thick piston crowns, and a flywheel-side camshaft drive.Very smooth and understandably efficient, the first-ever I6 turbo diesel offered in General Motors half-ton pickups is available on every 2021 model year Silverado except for the 2WD Regular Cab Long Bed Work Truck. In the case of the Double Cab Standard Bed LT, the Duramax carries a $2,370 premium over the 2.7-liter turbocharged mill known as the L3B. L5P is how the handle of the most Duramax of all Duramax engines. The 6.6-liter powerplant available on heavy- and medium-duty trucks is produced in Ohio by DMAX Ltd., a joint venture between the Big G and Isuzu. The latest and the greatest Duramax of them all traces its roots back to the LB7 introduced 20 years ago in the Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick.Starting with a strong foundation, the L5P became available in the 2017 model year Silverado HD and Sierra HD with 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet (1,234 Nm) on deck. These ratings apply to 2021 models as well, and be warned that GM isnt sincere about the six-speed automatic tranny.Heres a quote from a five-year-old press release: The proven Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission is matched with the new Duramax 6.6L. If you dig a little deeper into the 2500 HD and 3500 HD, youll find no information whatsoever about the Indianapolis-based engineering firm's involvement except for the name. In other words, its a General Motors gearbox badged as an Allison for marketing purposes. Peeps who cant do without a true Allison can get the 4500, 5500, and 6500 trucks, which are available with a power take-off option that enables the user to run a winch, water pump, hydraulic tools, garbage compactor, buckets, and so forth.When properly equipped for the job, the force-fed V8 diesel enables a maximum tow rating of 36,000 pounds (16,329 kilograms) as long as you get a Regular Cab 2WD with dual real wheels and a gooseneck hitch. The payload tops 6,523 pounds (2,959 kilograms), which is a little short of the 7,442 pounds (3,376 kilograms) offered by the L8T pushrod gasoline V8. FWD ABS In doing so, Ive arrived in Germany and staring at a company known only as Knaus. If the name sounds familiar, it should, as weve featured some of their RVs, mobile homes, and caravans on autoevolution before.Around 1960, Knaus has had the sort of history that matches companies like Winnebago and even Airstream. Once you get to know and see what this team can do with a motorhome, you just may fly over to Europe to get yourself a Knaus RV.The RV well be exploring today is known as the Van TI, a Class C motorhome with enough amenities to accommodate three guests with absolutely everything at their fingertips. Like most other RV manufacturers, Knaus, too, offers an array of floorplans to meet specific needs and wants. In the case of the TI, three floorplans can be chosen from, the largest being the 650 MEG. But, to make things easier to understand, Ill focus on features and specs available to all models.Now, for a base vehicle, youll find a Fiat Ducato with a 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) weight limit. This sort of load also needs a powerhouse to move things along. To do that, a 2.2-liter, 120 hp, Multijet engine withis what Knaus feels is enough to get the job done. One floorplan, the 640 MEG, uses a MAN TGE base vehicle with a 2.0-liter diesel engine with 140 hp and a manual gearbox. If you want any other motor, Knaus also offers a few other options to choose from, all for an extra buck of course.Features like hill hold,, electronic immobilizer, trailer stability control system, and even crosswind assist are just some of Knaus's safety and assistance features. Cruise control and post-collision braking are a couple more.As for systems aimed at offering owners an off-grid life, the TI is one of those motorhomes that is not missing anything. To kick things off, the RV includes 95-liter (25.1-gallon) freshwater and wastewater tanks, optional solar panels, up to 300 watts, and a very solid electrical and waterworks system.Honestly, if I was to try going through all the available features for each system, each one would require its own article. Heck, for an average dealership price of 63,000 ($73,836 at current exchange rates) and up, depending on the model, you can expect the Van TI to be ready for any road-worthy adventure. Although, a category of the TI called Vansation starts off at 52,638 ($61,691 at current exchange rates). Not sure if this includes taxes and handling fees.Inside the TI, the living habitat is filled with everything you could want, including a pretty nifty bathroom. Things like a two-burner stove, stainless-steel sink, and a fridge can be used in the galley, while bathrooms take the shape of wet baths and feature a toilet, shower, and sink with faucet.At the very rear of each mobile home , the bedroom is found in either a full or twin bed configuration. However, with the twin bedding, the space between beds can be filled with pads, in the process creating a much larger sleeping area.I mentioned earlier that Knaus includes a very large list of features and even options. While thats true, the team also offers some packages aimed at fulfilling certain lifestyle needs and/or wants. Some packages bring Trauma heating and cooling, while others, garage doors, and GPS tracking systems. Honestly, your creativity is the only limit in creating the Van TI for your lifestyle If what Ive mentioned above, and the images in the gallery grabbed your attention, then check out the manufacturers website to take this story even further. But be warned, if youve got money on your credit card and are looking for a mobile home, you just may need to look no further. ICE EV WLTP That is easy to demonstrate by comparing the companys electric vehicles prices to those of equivalent Mercedes-Benzcars in Germany. The EQS will be the first fully electric vehicle from the German brand for sale in the U.S, and that is also on purpose.The EQA is a GLA with batteries. While the GLA starts at 37,812 ($43,579 at the current exchange rate) in Germany (including taxes), the lowest price for the EQA is 47,540 ($55,719). The story repeats itself with the EQC (66,068, or $77,434) against the GLC (48,141, or $56,424). Prices for the EQB have not been released so far. However, they should follow the same logic: the electric version is (still) more expensive.It is not just a matter of battery packs being costly components. Mercedes-Benz also does not have the same production scale for them, which would help drive prices down. Until it does, it may probably lose money in eachit sells, although that can be compensated by bringing down carbon emissions in Europe for the brand. That prevents it from paying hefty fines to the European Union. It is a matter of deciding where the company will lose less money.If that is the current standard, the EQS should be no different. It sure is the first electric car Mercedes-Benz builds meant to run on batteries, not just an adapted ICE platform, as the other EQ vehicles so far. However, the advantages the dedicated electric platform EVA2 future MB.EA architecture could bring to cost depend on scale and time to emerge.While they dont, the EQS should be more expensive than the S-Class. It wont be because luxury car buyers tend to be very conservative. S-Class owners buy them for ages and even order future generations of the car without even seeing them.The S-Class is regarded as the epitome of luxury on wheels the top of the automotive food chain. Hyundai used to have an S-Class in front of its development center. It was the benchmark for the best car in the world. Mercedes-Benz acknowledges that by pricing the EQS as a more affordable vehicle and invites its usual customers to give it a try. Ola Kallenius said the EQS would make a profit from day one, but he did not say where.It may sound weird that a car for rich people tries to seduce them with a discount, but the truth is that everybody loves a bargain. Besides, wealthy folks that got there on their own did so by striking good deals. Make no mistake: the ones that just spend money as if there was no tomorrow are just temporarily on the black.For the German carmaker, convincing these customers to try the EQS is a must: the company pledged to kill combustion engines until 2030. What will Mercedes-Benz sell to its loyal S-Class customers when it cannot put a V12 or a turbocharged V8 under the hood of its most praised product?In a way, Mercedes-Benz would probably be better off if it was starting with a clean sheet, like Tesla did and Rivian and Lucid will soon follow suit. Rivian is not fighting for the same customers as the German brand. Tesla was only regarded as a luxury brand because of the prices it charged for the Model S. However, Lucid eyes precisely the customers that would buy an S-Class.Yes, the EQS is the most aerodynamic vehicle in the world, but its design was not well received by everyone. It also has a massive screen and other gadgets that will appeal to younger clients, but Lucid followed a more elegant approach. Most reviews said the interior of the Air is spotless.Offering its adapted EVs in the U.S. first would probably give customers a bad impression. They are used to Teslas, will soon be able to buy a Lucid Air , and know what an electric car conceived as such can offer. If Mercedes-Benz is to attract attention from American customers, it has to be with a superior product, and the company knows the EQS is the first one about which customers in the U.S. would say so.Others may follow later, such as the EQB will in 2022, but the EQS will have already ensured a good first impression. Still, it will be tough. Although the EQS had an impressive range of 478 miles (770 kilometers) under thecycle, Lucid scored 520 mi (837 km) under EPA with the Air.In other words, Mercedes-Benz is not competing solely with its traditional opponents and apparently competent newcomers: it also has to overcome its own legacy. The good news for the company is that it has more control over this, but that does not mean it will be an easier challenge. Offering a discount may help it do the trick. The yacht before you is the work of an Italian manufacturer named Riva. If youve never heard of this crew, know that their history began in 1842 when Pietro Riva began repairing damaged boats and ships after a terrible storm that devastated the town of Sarnico, Italy. With a knack for keeping everyone happy , the Riva brand was born. Years later, in 2000, this manufacturer's ability to produce high-quality craft designed for utmost luxury caught the attention of Ferretti Group, and the two have been walking hand in hand since then.Since tastes, technology, and bank accounts tend to shift as time goes on, Riva made an effort to keep up with trends and market wants, in the process, giving life to the 88' Florida , a yacht meant to redefine an entire class of boating.The styling and design is the work of one Mauro Micheli, a designer with an eye for fresh and capable designs. For example, take the convertible top that's placed over the helm station. As per the manufacturer's website, this feature is borrowed right out of the automotive industry. The hull also includes a wonderful play of glass that really shines through once you're inside the ship's living quarters.As most other designs aimed at delivering a stylish and fast boat, the Florida features a long and low hull design to help keep the vessel stable at high speeds. Seeing as how this sucker can be equipped with an optional twin MTU 16 V 200 M96L that can pump out 2,638 hp each, you bet youre going to need all the stability you can get. A max speed of 40.5 knots (46.6 mph) is also part of the story.Exterior styling also gives way to the beach deck seen aft, with its step platform and what looks to be a gear and toy garage. Taking the lateral stairs up to the main deck, youll find large lounges lining the lateral walls of the space and a cocktail table. If things get too hot, just push a button, and the hardtop is there for shade. An aft sunbed allows guests to relax with a view of the world they've left behind.One neat thing to point about the convertible top is that when it isnt desired for shading the helm, this hardtop covers a forward lounge that is only made accessible when the top is lifted and covering the main deck. However, this doesnt mean that guests wont be able to ride shotgun on the Florida as there is another lounge bed at the very tip of the ship.Down below, the interior habitat of this yacht unfolds with carpeted flooring and wooden cabinetry. VIP staterooms offer five-star living with those lateral hull windows allowing as much natural light into the space as possible. Semiprecious metals also help balance the heavy use of wood.Bathrooms follow a similar styling to the rest of the living spaces but also see extenisve use of white due to countertops, sinks, toilets, and showers. If you have this luxury, a galley where the crew can cook meals for guests is also found below and is equipped with a sink, fridge/freezer, and cooktop.As for the question thats brewing in the back of your mind, this yachts price, some dealerships are offering the 88-foot (26.8-meter) Florida for rates around $7 million (5.98 million at current exchange rates), depending on what sort of features are found aboard and the level of customization that the vessel has received. What do you say, is it worth it? The B-52 Stratofortress is a massive jet-powered strategic bomber designed to perform strategic attacks, air interdiction, close air support, and maritime mining. The aircraft weighs around 185,000 pounds (over 83 metric tons) empty. And if you think that's pretty impressive, the behemoth can actually reach 265,000 pounds (120 metric tons) when loaded with bombs.The bomber can reach altitudes of up to 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) and is capable of deploying nuclear weapons with precise navigation capabilities, having a combat range of more than 8,800 miles (14,080 km).Made by Boeing, the B-52s have been in service with the USAF since the 1950s, with more than 700 of them being fielded since their production began. In 1996, Rolls-Royce and Boeing proposed equipping each bomber with four leased Rolls-Royce RB211-535 engines in order to cut down costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance aircraft range and endurance. However, due to funding issues, the re-engining was delayed.It took years for the program to finally progress. The Air Force announced the B-52H CERP in early 2018, and in April 2020, it released a request for proposals for 608 commercial engines to upgrade its 76-aircraft B-52 fleet. The program has seen competitors such as General Electric propose its CF34-10 and Passport turbofans, Pratt and Whitney offer its PW800, and Rolls Royce, the modern F130.Now, the program has reached another significant milestone, as the USAF selected Rolls-Royce to replace the old engines on its bomber fleet with the new F130. This decision is not surprising given Rolls-Royce's long and proven record of supplying the power to protect the U.S. military, having provided hundreds of engines to the USAF over the past decades.A model of the Rolls-Royce engine used to power the iconic B-52 is already in service with the USAF, powering both the C-37 and E-11 BACN aircraft. So far, the new F130 and its commercial family of engines have accumulated more than 27 million engine flight hours.It's a reliable engine with high mission readiness and low maintenance requirements. Once deployed, the F130 is capable of staying on the wing for the duration of the B-52's intended lifespan. Furthermore, it will offer increased fuel efficiency, extended range, and minimized tanker aircraft requirements. Rolls-Royce plans to produce and test the F130 engines at its plant in Indianapolis, Indiana. This follows the recent completion of a $600 million investment to breathe life into the advanced manufacturing campus, providing some of the most technologically advanced manufacturing facilities.The F130 will replace the old Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-103 turbofan, which has powered the B-52 since the 1960s and is expected to be no longer functional by 2030. Boeing, the B-52's original equipment manufacturer, will be in charge of integrating the engines into the aircraft.Although the CERP is mainly focusing on engine replacement, the program is also looking to update the flight deck area, struts, and nacelles of the bomber fleet. With these modifications, the Air Force expects its B-52s to continue supporting its missions into the 2050s.By the end of 2025, the first two completely upgraded B-52s are expected to perform ground and flight testing. The USAF expects the first lot of operational B-52s outfitted with the new engines to be delivered by the end of 2028, with the whole fleet upgraded by 2035. FILE - This Nov. 29, 2018, file photo, shows the Transient Test Reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory about 50 miles west of Idaho Falls, in eastern Idaho. The U.S. Department of Defense is taking public comments on its plan to build an advanced mobile nuclear microreactor prototype at the Idaho National Laboratory in eastern Idaho. The department on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, began the 45-day comment period by releasing a draft environmental impact study evaluating alternatives for building and operating the microreactor that could produce one to five megawatts of power. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler, File) The special envoy for Haiti on Wednesday resigned from his position, writing in his resignation letter obtained by PBS that he "will not be associated with the United States inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees." Why it matters: Ambassador Daniel Foote's resignation comes amid heightened anger over the treatment of Haitian migrants and asylum-seekers living in a temporary encampment in Del Rio, Texas especially after images surfaced of Border Patrol agents whipping at the migrants from horseback. The U.S. is now deporting thousands of Haitians from the border. Driving the news: Foote in his resignation letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote, "our policy approach to Haiti remains deeply flawed, and my recommendations have been ignored and dismissed." "Ambassador Daniel Foote, who had been serving as Special Envoy for Haiti since July 22, 2021, submitted his resignation to Secretary Blinken yesterday," a State Department spokesperson said. "We thank Ambassador Foote for his service in this role." Foote's resignation is effective immediately, per his letter. What he's saying: "The people of Haiti, mired in poverty, hostage to the terror, kidnappings, robberies and massacres of armed gangs and sufferings under a corrupt government with gang alliances, simply cannot support the forced infusion of thousands of returned migrants lacking food, shelter, and money without additional, avoidable human tragedy," Foote wrote. "I do not believe that Haiti can enjoy stability until her citizens have the dignity of truly choosing their own leaders fairly and acceptably." The State Department spokesperson said: "Over the long-term, the U.S. government is committed to working with the Haitian government and stakeholders across Haiti to strengthen democratic governance and the rule of law, increase inclusive economic growth, and improve security and the protection of human rights in Haiti." White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said during a press briefing Thursday that "Special Envoy Foote had ample opportunity to raise concerns about migration during his tenure, he never once did so." "That wasn't his purview, his purview was of course being the special envoy on the ground. His decisions and his views were put forward, they were valued, they were heard, different policy decisions were made in some circumstances." The big picture: Foote, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, was named special envoy for Haiti in July. Haiti is experiencing increasing political instability following the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise and an earthquake that killed more than 2,200 people and left another 12,000 people injured. Go deeper: U.S. appoints special envoy to Haiti amid political turmoil A government bill passed by lawmakers will turn 441 existing communities into 38 administrative units that will resemble districts. Armenia will have a total of 79 communities, including the capital Yerevan, as a result. Most of the current communities already consist of multiple villages and/or small towns consolidated by the former Armenian government. The current government has opted for a further community consolidation, saying that it will make local self-government and budgetary spending on communities more efficient. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosian defended the measure during a parliament debate. He said government experts have concluded that good governance and socioeconomic development is highly problematic in rural communities with fewer than 3,000 residents. Sanosian assured their residents that every small Armenian village will retain its administration subordinate to the wider community leadership. No settlement in Armenia will be liquidated or renamed, he said. Many elected community heads are strongly opposed to the consolidation. The countrys two main opposition groups have also denounced it as arbitrary and unfounded. Lawmakers representing them walked out of the parliament at the start of Fridays debate in protest against what they called an unconstitutional bill. Hayk Mamijanian of the opposition Pativ Unem bloc claimed that the government is pushing through the bill to get rid of elected local officials affiliated with or sympathetic to opposition parties. Government officials have denied any political reasons for the community enlargement. It was the first face-to-face meeting of the top diplomats of the two warring states since a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement that stopped the Armenian-Azerbaijani war in Nagorno-Karabakh last November. The three mediators described it as a sign of the resolve of the two countries to reengage in the peace process through direct dialogue. They also held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov on the sidelines of a session of the UN General Assembly. The Co-Chairs and Foreign Ministers discussed a wide range of outstanding unresolved issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan, they said in a joint statement. The Co-Chairs proposed specific focused measures to deescalate the situation and possible next steps. The Co-Chairs reaffirm their commitment to continue working with the sides to find comprehensive solutions to all remaining issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with their mandate, added the statement. It did not report any concrete understandings reached by Mirzoyan and Bayramov or say whether the co-chairs plan to visit the Karabakh conflict zone soon. According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Mirzoyan reaffirmed Armenias readiness to resume the Karabakh settlement process that has long been mediated by the United States, Russia and France. The talks came the day after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs again claimed, in an address to the UN General Assembly, that Azerbaijan ended the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with its victory in the six-week war. A senior Armenia official insisted afterwards that the conflict remains unresolved because there is still no agreement on Karabakhs status, the main bone of contention. The U.S. ambassador to Armenia, Lynne Tracy, has repeatedly made similar statements in recent weeks. While in New York, both Mirzoyan and Bayramov held talks with Victoria Nuland, the U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs. Nuland tweeted on Friday that shed discussed with the Armenian foreign minister the goal of peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 59F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 59F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Some Oregon Coast RV Sites Will Get More Expensive for Non-Residents Published 09/23/21 at 5:26 AM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Tillamook, Oregon) Oregon officials have been toying with the idea for years and now a new surcharge for out-of-state tourists using RV sites at state campgrounds will go into effect sometime in 2022. Non-residents will pay an extra 25% for camping fees at Oregon coast state-run campgrounds, as well as the rest of the state. (Above: South Beach State Park, Newport) The extra fees do not apply to city, federal and county RV campsites only those run by Oregon State Parks. They also do not apply to tents, yurts and other non-RV sites. These sites provide some combination of sewer, power and water hookups in the state park system's 56 campgrounds. Currently, the cost for RV sites is $24 to $40 per night, a fee that remains the same for residents. The surcharge to out-of-staters will bring the bill up to $30 to $50. Senate Bill 794 was passed early this summer, hiking the surcharges, not long after Oregon experimented with a surcharge on all out-of-state campers in 2020 to discourage outside visitors during the heights of COVID-19. While that extra fee disappeared, this bill came about partially because of an extra load on the state park's camping system, especially for recreational vehicles and their campsites on the Oregon coast. Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) said recently that Oregonians already pay extra registration fees for recreational vehicles, about half of which goes into the state parks system. This adds some fairness to the price structure that non-residents would be paying more into it. The extra revenue that will be generated is estimated to be over one million dollars the first two years and over two million dollars the second two-year period. With the OPRD operating budget about $260 million annually, this is still a fairly small amount. Fees for state parks do not make much of a dent in running them, state officials say. Most state park funding comes from other sources, including Oregon Lottery. However, these minor increases in revenue will help, especially with the parks' aging infrastructure, which makes small repairs costlier each year. Numerous other states around the nation already have similar fee structures for out-of-state campers, with Oregon finally catching up to the standard. However, one challenge that lies ahead is determining which camper is from where. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW Cape Lookout State Park Moolack Beach, Newport Bullards Beach State Park, Bandon (courtesy OPRD) More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted BERLIN (AP) Tens of thousands of environmental activists staged a rally outside Germany's parliament Friday, two days before the country holds a national election, to demand that politicians take stronger action to curb climate change. The protest outside the Reichstag in Berlin was part of a string of rallies around the world, from Japan, Indian and Nigeria to Greece, Italy and Britain amid dire warnings that the planet faces dangerous temperature rises unless greenhouse gas emissions are cut sharply in coming years. Across Germany alone, hundreds of thousands of marchers joined similar protests in several cities and towns. The idea for a global "climate strike" was inspired by teenage Swedish activist Greta Thunberg's solo protest in Stockholm three years ago. It snowballed into a mass movement until the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to large gatherings. Activists have only recently started staging smaller protests again. Thunberg, 18, addressed the Berlin rally from a stage, telling the crowd that voting is important but must be coupled with protests that put politicians under constant pressure. We can still turn this around, she said, to cheers. We demand change, and we are the change. Thunberg and prominent German climate activist Luisa Neubauer accused politicians of falling short, saying the programs of the main parties weren't far-reaching enough to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) the more ambitious limit in the 2015 Paris climate accord. Neubauer has referred to Sunday's election as the vote of the century," arguing that the decisions taken by the next government will influence the country's efforts to tackle climate change for decades to come. The issue has been a major topic during the election campaign. Friday's rally was a multi-generational event, drawing school-age participants as well as adults. Rene Bohrenfeldt, an IT expert at the Berlin rally, said he hoped older Germans would consider the issue when casting their votes on Sunday. The majority of voters are older than 50 and determine the outcome of the election, Bohrenfeldt, 36, said. I appeal to all grandmothers to make the right decision for the climate and for their grandchildren. Civics teacher Anne Kokott, cradling her infant son, Enzo, said she hoped Friday's large turnout would signal the urgency of dealing with the climate crisis and perhaps have an impact on undecided or older voters. Today is important because of the election, Kokott, 36, said. Christiane Koetter-Lietz, who attended with her children and grandchildren, said she would be voting for Germany's Green party, which has campaigned for tougher measures to cut the country's greenhouse gas emissions. We have water catastrophes, fire catastrophes, the world is burning. This is the very last warning," said the 69-year-old from the western town of Unna. Across the street from the protest, two young climate activists pressed on with a hunger strike meant to draw politicians into making public commitments on climate policy. Henning Jeschke, 21, started his fast on Aug. 30, initially as part of a group of seven, with the others having since dropped out, most this week. In their place, another hunger striker joined Jeschke. Both have said they would escalate and begin refusing liquids. Organizers initially said Jeschke and Lea Bonasera would stop taking liquids Thursday evening, but Jeschke's father, Eckart, said the more severe protest is to begin Saturday morning. The hunger strikers are demanding that Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats, seen as a front-runner for becoming Germany's next chancellor, acknowledges publicly that the country faces a climate emergency. A German government official said pressure from young climate activists already had resulted in concrete policies in recent years, from higher carbon prices to billions of euros (dollars) being invested in greener technologies. We also have a new mood across society, where politicians don't have to explain why they're doing something to protect the climate anymore. They have to explain why they're not protecting the climate, German Environment Ministry spokesman Nikolai Fichtner said. In Prague, the Czech Republics capital, hundreds of students and environment activists shouted Now or never, and displayed banners with slogans and statements such as Climate justice, and We want a healthy planet for our children. Small groups of young climate protesters held demonstrations in multiple Indian cities on Friday, calling on politicians and big businesses to ramp up their ambitions for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and to commit to a raft of climate pledges. Just because there is a pandemic doesnt mean you stop working around the climate crisis, said Srijani Datta, a youth climate activist in New Delhi. Global warming also has been a top election issue in Iceland, where voters head to the polls for a general election on Saturday. All parties running for seats in the North Atlantic island nations parliament acknowledge global warming as a force of change in a sub-Arctic landscape but disagree on how to respond to it. While many of the protests worldwide were restrained family affairs, activists in Britain blocked the countrys busiest ferry port Friday to highlight the climate crisis, as well as fuel poverty in the U.K. ___ Karel Janicek in Prague and Rishabh R. Jain in New Delhi, India, contributed to this report. ___ Follow AP's climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/Climate LAS VEGAS (AP) As Chad Taylor looked toward the Callville Bay Marina Lounge from a houseboat on Lake Mead, he reflected on a much different time. In the mid-1990s, the building was right at the waters edge. Today, its nearly a quarter-mile (half-kilometer) from the shoreline. Taylor, whose father was then general manager of the marina, works as marketing director for Lake Mead Mohave Adventures, a boat rental and recreation company that sets customers up for getaways on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. Lake Mead, which is fed by the Colorado River, is at its lowest water level since Hoover Dam was completed and the reservoir filled in the 1930s. The water level now is 1,067 feet (325.2 meters) above sea level, about 35% of capacity, according to the federal Bureau of Reclamation. A pronounced bathtub ring of mineral deposits shows the decrease since the lake level peaked at 1,225 feet (373.4 meters) in 1983. At Callville Bay, the receding water recently revealed a small boat that once sank below the surface of the lake and has now reemerged. Who knows what history is in this boat, Taylor said. With the water levels going down, theres new things and places to explore. After inspecting the boat, Taylor climbed onto a dock, which was being taken apart, piece by piece like a Lego set, so it can be moved farther into the lake. Its a continuous process for a crew of several dock workers, some of whom were contracted by Lake Mead Mohave Adventures for the sole purpose of playing dock dominoes. Part of the process involves lifting dock anchors with a crane on a boat. The anchors weigh thousands of pounds. Every one of the screws in these pieces of dock were put in by hand, Taylor said. I used to do that as a kid, all day, every day for months. Moving docks can get expensive for the company, but sales have increased since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, Taylor said. When COVID hit, people decided they wanted to get outside more. Groups started coming and they havent really stopped coming, he said. Our summer season last year, we ran that all the way into November because of demand. This year has been different because many families returned their children to traditional in-person schools, Taylor said. That has meant less time for outdoor adventures. From a business standpoint, were doing fantastic, Taylor said. Were just having to work tirelessly to ensure access on a daily basis. What the water levels are doing, thats a daily thought for us. Well work for the next six or eight months, a full-time crew of people, to move this dock. Lake Mead Mohave Adventures is not the only business that has had to adjust to lower water levels at Lake Mead and on the Colorado River. In Laughlin, Bre Chiodini, owner of Laughlin River Tours and another business that rents out personal watercraft, said shes had to reduce some operations because of river levels, which are controlled by the Bureau of Reclamation. If the water stops flowing, everything stops moving down here, Chiodini said. Were completely dependent on the Colorado River. Most of our businesses, hotels, resorts, casinos, other businesses, they hinge on the river. Its scary when you move, like we are now, from drought contingency plans to drought restriction plans. Chiodini runs her businesses with her husband, Trevor Chiodini. Theyre keeping an eye on river levels, which can change daily, but are also investing in their businesses. They recently paid more than $2 million for a new tour boat to replace their 112-passenger dinner cruise craft named Celebration. But their success depends on a thriving Colorado. It could get to the point where we cant run our businesses, Bre Chiodini said. Its scary to think about the future of the river. Were supposed to take delivery of our new boat next year. Next year, the Bureau of Reclamation will reduce water deliveries to Nevada, Arizona and Mexico. Thats largely because a good chunk of the Western U.S. is in a 20-plus-year drought. The topic of who gets water and how much is both heated and complicated, and thats not expected to change anytime soon. The Colorado River Basin, an area covering close to 250,000 square miles (647,500 square kilometers), provides drinking water and irrigation for millions of people in seven Western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. According to bureau figures, the farmed acres fed by the Colorados waters are responsible for about 60% of the nations supply of vegetables and about 25% of the countrys fresh fruit and nut crops. But the restrictions enacted in an effort to sustain the river will clamp down on how much water can be used. The reduced deliveries next year are expected to add about 3 feet of water to Lake Mead, said Patti Aaron, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Reclamation. The snowpack in the Rocky Mountains serves as the primary source, 90% or more, of water for the Colorado River. Every drop of rain we get is great, but that does not make a big difference. With the unpredictable nature of how the continued effects of climate change will affect the Colorado Rivers water sources, its a waiting game to see if the bureau enacts more restrictions. Were now in our 22nd year of drought, and we dont know when thats going to end, Aaron said. Certainly, we hope that comes to an end. We hope to have a wetter period soon. At Desert Adventures, a Boulder City-based company that offers outdoor recreation packages like kayak tours on Lake Mead, Dominique Ianni said business had been steady, although some out-of-town groups have canceled in recent months because of worries about COVID-19. Weve gotten a lot of people who wouldnt normally be on the water, Ianni said. At times during the pandemic, its been very busy. Business has been up and down. The water level on the lake has been very noticeable, though. Its very noticeable from even just a few months ago. Back at Callville Bay, Taylor, a self-described optimist, said he believes Mother Nature would allow Lake Mead to refill at some point. If the lake keeps receding, though, Taylor said, Lake Mead Mohave Adventures will simply keep moving those pieces of dock. There are people making plans now at many different levels, Taylor said. Everybody is on the case now. We just dont know what tomorrow will bring at this point. If you go out to the middle of that lake, theres still a lot of water out there. Were renting boats every day. As fast as they come back, they go right back out. SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) A former Orange County sheriff's deputy stole credit cards from a dead woman's Southern California home and used them to make purchases from QVC and an automotive parts store, prosecutors said Friday. The charges come after ex-deputy Steve Hortz was previously indicted on multiple felonies in connection with breaking into the home of a dead man to steal more than $27,000 in guns and other items in July 2020. He has pleaded not guilty, and that case remains ongoing. The Orange County District Attorney's Office announced Hortz's second case in a news release on Friday. His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 26. "This individual was called to assist grieving families in a time of need and instead he betrayed their trust, District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in the release. Hortz's attorney, Shaheen Manshoory, said prosecutors have not turned over much information to them in the case. "At this time, we will let the process play out in court," Manshoory said in an email Friday. Authorities arrested Hortz last year in that case, alleging that the 12-year veteran had responded to the man's home in Yorba Linda for a welfare check on July 20, 2020, and found the homeowner dead of natural causes. Hortz allegedly returned to the home several times including once on duty wearing his deputy uniform to steal the man's belongings. The burglaries were captured on home surveillance video, and a probate attorney reported the thefts to the sheriff's department. Hortz was arrested on Sept. 10, 2020, and resigned 20 days later instead of being fired. He was indicted on three felony counts of second-degree burglary and two felony counts of grand theft of a firearm. Authorities have since discovered that in August 2020 before Hortz was identified as a suspect in the deceased man's case he was called to the home of a dead woman in Yorba Linda, where he allegedly stole three credit cards. Prosecutors allege that he tried to make thousands of dollars worth of unauthorized online purchases the majority of which were declined and have some of them sent to his home. Hortz was charged Friday with one felony count of identity theft, one felony count of grand theft embezzlement, and four felony counts of attempted grand theft. He faces four years and four months in state prison if convicted in the credit card case. Like many members of the public, I am extremely disappointed by the inexcusable actions of Mr. Hortz and his failure to uphold his responsibilities while employed as a peace officer," Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said in a statement Friday. "Mr. Hortz has been separated from the Department, and will be held accountable for violating the publics trust through the criminal justice process. MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) The president of Northern Michigan University was fired Friday with nearly two years left on his contract. NMU's governing board voted 8-0 to dismiss Fritz Erickson, who had led the Upper Peninsula school since July 2014. There are good things that have happened, but we can and must do more, said trustee Steve Young. Trustees briefly met by video conference solely to fire Erickson, who attended but did not speak. Board chairwoman Tami Seavoy later said trustees acted after negotiations with Erickson about a resignation didn't lead to a deal. Young praised him for some outstanding work, especially navigating the campus through COVID-19, but he suggested that Erickson wasn't communicating enough with the board. You dont have to be sick to get better, Young said. I believe we need more leadership and forward thinking in the area of strategic planning, more thought and action as to what we want this university to look like, not tomorrow or the next 48 hours but in the next six years, 10 years and out into the future. NMU needs bold action to attract more students and more attention on fundraising, said Young, a retired Lansing lobbyist who was appointed to the board in 2019. Erickson, 64, said none of the trustees were on the board when he was hired more than seven years ago. When I took this job, my one hope was that I would leave the university, whenever that happened, in a little bit better place than we were, he told WLUC-TV. And Im really proud that we did that, whether thats programs or facilities or innovation. Erickson was a vice president at Ferris State University before moving to NMU. He also worked at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Eastern Washington University and Michigan Tech University. NMU has more than 7,000 students in Marquette, 165 miles northwest of the Mackinac Bridge. National civil rights activists and attorneys wheeled a Beaumont man to the Jefferson County Courthouse on Friday afternoon as they demanded justice for his alleged treatment by a member of the Beaumont Police Department. North Carolina-based Lynch Law LLC. Managing Attorney, Chance Lynch, and his co-council Harry Daniels from the Atlanta-based Law Offices of Harry M. Daniels, LLC stood at the mans side during the news conference with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition an international human and civil rights organization founded by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson. Beaumont police has established a pattern and practice of profiling and brutality unchecked, Candice Matthews, who represented the Rainbow PUSH Coalition on Friday, said. We join the organizations calling for both state and federal investigations of this police department. We fought for Sandra Bland. We fought for Breonna Taylor. We fought for George Floyd. We fight for Chris Shaw. Attorneys for 41-year-old Beaumont native Christopher Shaw say he was critically injured on June 12 after being arrested and taken to jail by BPD for public intoxication. He also has been indicted for allegedly assaulting a police officer. Shaw, who didnt speak at the conference, was a cook at a local hotel and now can barely get out of bed, his attorneys said. In addition to calling for justice, the group also asked members of the public to join them Saturday for a march and rally sponsored by the NAACP and the 100 Black Men of Beaumont The march will kick off at 10 a.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 1050 College St. less than a mile from the Beaumont Police Department. NAACP believes in transparency, LaDonna Sherwood with the NAACP said. We do not want to make any premature accusations, but we do recommend that transparency is key and leads the way towards every procedure that is concerning Christopher Shaw. The Beaumont Police Department confirmed on Friday that it has investigated the incident and that there is a pending case against Shaw for allegedly assaulting the police officer. Although the department could not provide further comment on the incident due to the pending case, the officials told The Enterprise the incident is unfortunate and the department never wishes to see anybody get hurt. Lynch said Shaw was handcuffed behind his back while in Beaumont police custody. When he arrived at the Jefferson County jail, three correctional officers assisted the Beaumont officer to bring Shaw into the facility. While detained and restrained, Shaw had an officer on each side of him and one in front, said Lynch, who said he reviewed video footage of the incident. The Beaumont police officer, who was the charging officer, reached beyond the reach of the other officers who had him detained, grabbed Mr. Shaw and flipped him over in the air - causing him to land on his head, breaking areas of his spinal cord and neck, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. Speaking from his own experience in law enforcement, Daniels called the incident a problem and said Shaw could have been written a citation or taken to a place to calm down and released with a later court date. I dealt people coming into the jails and such and public intoxication, Daniels said. What I have never dealt with is hurting a man, slamming him on his neck with handcuffs behind his back, and he becoming paralyzed as a result of being publicly intoxicated. While Daniels said this is an issue across the nation and not a black or white thing, he noted that these types of incidents happen more often to people of color than people who do not look like Shaw, who is Black. Shaws attorneys said Shaw has undergone multiple surgeries and his condition has improved since the incident. But he still cannot walk. Now they are asking for the public to march for him as justice will be had, regardless of which courtroom it is in. Will you walk for Chris? Because if you dont walk for Chris, you could be the person sitting in this chair, Daniels said. A lot of folk dont have nothing to say until it comes knocking on their door. Since his arrest, civil rights activists have urged officials to footage of Shaws arrest. His attorneys said Sheriff Zena Stephens allowed them to see and inspect the footage. Lynch said the video, which shows two men at odds, has been requested since the incident but has not yet been released. He said the only correspondence received from the police chief is that the footage has been turned over to his attorney. Matthews, who also is the statewide accountability chair for the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, noted that under no circumstances should a person have to fight for their life under the people who protect them. The circumstances that led to Mr. Chris Shaw being paralyzed after being in the custody of the Beaumont police must be investigated with the highest level of transparency and openness within our Black community, Matthews said. meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/megzmagpie CHICAGO (AP) Austin Moody wanted to apply his cybersecurity skills in his home state of Michigan, teaming up with investigators for the State Police to analyze evidence and track down criminals. But the recent graduate set the idea aside after learning an unpaid internship was his only way into the Michigan agency. I dont know many people that can afford to take an unpaid internship, especially when its in such high demand in the private sector, Moody said of fellow cybersecurity job seekers. Unpaid internships in cyber arent really a thing beyond the public sector. Hiring and keeping staff capable of helping fend off a constant stream of cyberattacks and less severe online threats tops the list of concerns for state technology leaders. There's a severe shortage of those professionals and not enough financial firepower to compete with federal counterparts, global brands and specialized cybersecurity firms. People who are still in school are being told, Theres a really good opportunity in cybersecurity, really good opportunities for high pay, said Drew Schmitt, a principal threat intelligence analyst with the cybersecurity firm GuidePoint Security. And ultimately these state and local governments just cant keep up from a salary perspective with a lot of private organizations. State governments are regular targets for cybercriminals, drawn by the troves of personal data within agencies and computer networks that are essential to patrolling highways, maintaining election systems and other key state services. Notable hits since 2019 include the Washington state auditor, Illinois' attorney general, Georgia's Department of Public Safety and computer servers supporting much of Louisiana's state agencies. Cities, too, come under attack, and they have even fewer resources than states to stand up cyber defenses. Aided by industry groups, the federal government and individual states have created training programs, competitions and scholarships in hopes of producing more cybersecurity pros nationwide. Those strategies could take years to pay off, however. States have turned to outside contractors, civilian volunteers and National Guard units for help when their systems are taken down by ransomware and other hacks. States needed to fill nearly 9,000 cybersecurity jobs as of this summer, according to CyberSeek a joint project of the Computing Technology Industry Association and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The total is probably higher because the project doesnt count job listings that states posted only to their own employment portal. State leaders are reluctant to detail the number of vacancies, worrying that could further entice potential attackers. States' top security officials have ranked inadequate cybersecurity staffing among their top concerns every year since the National Association of State Chief Information Officers and Deloitte began surveying the group in 2014. The problem isn't limited to state governments. U.S. officials make no secret of their own struggles to hire cybersecurity pros or retain them. The Department of Homeland Security alone has 2,000 cybersecurity job vacancies, and the Biden administration promoted 300 new hires this summer. The $95,412 average salary of a local or state government cyber employee lagged by $25,000 or more in 2020 compared with the pay in the federal government, the financial services industry and IT services, according to a survey conducted by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, a trade association. Information security analysts earned a median salary of $103,590 in May 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cyberseek puts starting salaries close to $90,000 across all employers. Homeland Security officials in 2014 recognized that lower pay was keeping their agency at a disadvantage, but it took until this year to publish a rule allowing higher salaries for cybersecurity roles capped at $255,800, the maximum salary allowed for the vice president. The Department desperately needs a more flexible hiring process with incentives to secure talent in todays highly competitive cyber skills market, a portion of the rule due to take effect later this fall reads. Leaders in the field often bemoan the expensive and time-consuming certification requirements and background checks that employers insist on for cybersecurity roles, saying that keeps jobs vacant and discourages women and people of color from working in cybersecurity. Nicole Beebe, chair of the department of information security and cyber security at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said states' struggles are more fundamental. Private companies and the federal government aggressively recruit students during college, sending representatives to classes and career fairs. State agencies are rarely there, said Beebe, who counsels students weighing multiple job offers long before graduation. When it's a hypercompetitive field, you can't just submit a job posting and think it will get the same traction, Beebe said. Lower pay at government jobs can be a turnoff, but many students prefer a position that lets them leave work at home, which is not always the case with private companies. A state or local government role doesn't compare to the meat grinder of constantly responding to new attacks or vulnerabilities on a cybersecurity team for Microsoft or Amazon, said Michael Hamilton, founder of the PISCES Project. The organization connects cybersecurity students to local governments that don't have employees focused on that work. State agencies can be taking on interns, grooming them, showing them that state government is a promising place to work, he said. But what I see them doing is just getting into the fistfight with all the others that want to hire these people and losing. Sienna Jackson, a 2020 graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio, accepted a job as an engineer at the defense company Northrop Grumman after interviewing with the company at a conference. She began college as an accounting major but discovered cybersecurity through a classmate. After an internship with Dell during college, she hoped to find a similarly sized company with a strong training program and other benefits. Salary and help with moving or housing also mattered for Jackson, who worked several jobs while earning her degree and has to pay back her student loans. She didnt rule out state government jobs but didnt see agencies at career fairs on campus or at conferences. Once I graduated and was interviewing, I realized I have a lot of options, she said. I get to choose where I go and my standards and not just accept whatever job comes my way. Moody, the Michigan native, got a scholarship from the Department of Defense that required working for the agency at least a year after graduating. Moody said he understands that state governments don't have the kind of money that federal agencies or private companies spend on recruiting and generous salaries. But sending cybersecurity staff to talk to students about their work and its importance to thousands of state residents can make a big impact without costing much, he said. A lot of people want to be in a public service role and are open to starting there," Moody said. After it was announced that the federal government would start an investigation over the Texas Education Agencys approach to mask mandates, the Texas State Teachers Association responded and Driscoll Childrens Hospital launched a PSA regarding pediatric vaccinations. The investigation over the ban will revolve around how the ban may affect disabled students. In a statement, TSTA President Ovidia Molina said the organization was in support of the investigation as a ban on mask mandates poses risks for students with disabilities, adding they are particularly vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. All of our students, school employees and their communities are at risk. Barely a month into the new school year, the number of COVID cases reported in Texas schools has almost exceeded the number for all of last year, she said. Once again, we call on the governor to drop his ban on mask mandates in schools so that individual school districts can require masks to protect all their students, employees and local communities while the pandemic remains dangerous. Regardless of the ban, both LISD and UISD went ahead with a mask mandate to mitigate the risk of infections among students, staff, faculty and families. Laredo Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino said previously that 1,175 pediatric cases were reported locally in July and 1,067 in August. Throughout the entire country before schools returned to campuses, 8,400 pediatric cases were reported in June. In contrast to the early part of the pandemic in 2020, the majority of active cases in Laredo since schools returned have been from individuals below the age of 30. Of the 452 active cases, 146 are younger than 17 and 99 are between 18-30. Trevino has been a persistent advocate for mask wearing in schools as he believes campuses are a hot zone for potential infection with students and staff potentially finding themselves in crowded areas. In these situations, a mask could help mitigate infections throughout the grade levels. As previously reported, Laredo relies on transferring severe pediatric COVID-19 cases to external hospitals as the city does not have a pediatric ICU. Until the vaccine for younger children is approved by the FDA, their main lines of defense against the delta variant are masks and for their surrounding loved ones to get vaccinated. Health experts strongly recommend masks as an important means of protection in our schools, Molina said. Educators and parents want to keep students safe. But the governor cares less about the health and safety of children than he does about his political base. That is not leadership. That is pandering. It is time for the governor to get out of the way and let local school officials follow the guidance of health experts. To help quell the spread of COVID, medical health professionals from Driscoll Children's Hospital issued a PSA to families to encourage people to get vaccinated. The majority of COVID-19 patients in hospitals are unvaccinated, Dr. Karl Maher, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Medical Director said. As the childrens hospital is a transfer point for counties and cities unable to care for pediatric cases, the medical professionals outlined that the vaccine is safe and can help prevent severe symptoms and the spread to nearby family members. cocampo@lmtonline.com The Gulf Coast Ike Dike is a large, often controversial topic throughout Texas. But given the longstanding confusion around the project, its plans, timeline and funding, many no longer understand everything it entails. In broad terms, the "Ike Dike" refers to a longstanding proposal to shore up dunes on Galveston and High islands, raise the seawall and construct a large, moveable gate at the mouth of Galveston Bay to protect the Texas coastline from the worst swells and storms. Proponents of the project say it's a vitally important piece of infrastructure for Texas, one that could curb the billions of dollars in damage and lost wages anticipated when the next catastrophic hurricane forms in the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Here's a breakdown of what you need to know: Why it's called the "Ike Dike" One favored "Ike Dike" concept was developed by Bill Merrell, a marine sciences expert at Texas A&M University at Galveston. Merrell began crafting his plans for the protective barrier in 2008 after Hurricane Ike slammed into the East Texas coast, narrowly sparing the Houston Ship Channel and greater region from widespread disaster. Popular grassroots support for Merrell's Ike Dike grew in the following years, making him a important voice for the project. Melissa Phillip/Staff But will it work? That depends on what you mean by "work." While Merrell's Ike Dike plan is merely conceptual, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is pushing its own detailed plan for the barrier through official channels in Washington, D.C. Dubbed the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study (or Texas Coastal Study for short), the fruits of this survey will form the concept most likely to be implemented if Congress offers approval. The Texas Coastal Study's dike design, however, could fall short of total protection of the coastline. As the plans stands, the gate between Galveston and Bolivar is only designed to withstand 22 feet of storm surge. Army Corps project manager Kelly Burks-Cope told the Houston Chronicle's Emily Foxhall earlier this month that this level of defense could still lead to "over-topping" and "spillage" into Galveston Bay in extreme instances. Not exactly words you want to hear associated with a levee. Johnny Hanson/Chronicle "We have to assess and trade off the return on investment for building bigger and bigger and bigger," Burks-Copes said. Merrell echoed beliefs that the Corps' plans need be improved in a letter written in the Galveston Daily News, in which he advocated for a gate with specifications large enough to hold back waves higher than 22 feet, as well as another equally impenetrable barrier at San Luis Pass. Foxhall's story outlines several other officials skeptical of how well the Corps' plan will work. What's next? The Texas Coastal Study is currently under Congressional review. It could receive approval and funding any time between now and 2023, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. Projected costs put the price tag of the Galveston barrier around $23 billion, according to Foxhall, of which 65 percent would be footed by the federal government. For the rest, the state of Texas has commissioned a board under the moniker "Gulf Coast Protection District" to levy local taxes dedicated to its construction, according to reporters Savannah Kuchar and Jake Magee at Community Impact. Once funding for the Ike Dike is secured, it will take up to five years to design and another 15 years to build, according to the Corps. Now is as good of time as ever to shore up the coast and protect Houston and its port from destruction. Let's just hope there isn't a major hurricane in the next two decades. What are your thoughts on the project? Do plans go too far, or not far enough? Let me know on Twitter: @jayrjordan Two young Bangladeshis look at their mobile phones near Dhaka University, Aug. 30, 2021. The ruling Awami League in Bangladesh has started training tens of thousands of cadres to wage a propaganda war on social media in preparation for the next general election, which is more than two years away, ruling party officials said. The party was working to create a platform of 100,000 online activists to prevent rumors and propaganda on social media sites ahead of the polls, said Md. Abdus Sabur, secretary of the Awami Leagues science and technology affairs subcommittee, who is heading the effort. We started the move in January this year. One and a half more years are needed to fulfill our target. We are working under the instructions of our party chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Sajeeb Wazed, her information and technology advisor, Sabur told BenarNews. Wazed is Hasinas only son. The 12th parliamentary election is likely to be held at the end of 2023 or in early 2024. Sabur said the Awami League (AL) had already trained around 30,000 online activists across the country, who have begun work. Opposition activists use social media platforms to embarrass the government and confuse the common people, especially as the election is nearing, Sabur said, adding that was why AL decided to take action. They are using this tactic because they do not have people to engage in street movements. ALs explanation seemed a little bit fishy, said M. Hafizuddin Khan, a former bureaucrat who runs a campaign for good governance. What is propaganda for the Awami League might be the truth for the BNP. So how will it be identified? Khan told BenarNews. I think it will be a reason for chaos on social media sites. Awami League already has a strong grip on every organ of the state. A 2020 report by Freedom House, a Washington NGO that conducts research and advocacy on political freedom and human rights, corroborated Khans observations. The ruling Awami League (AL) party has consolidated political power through sustained harassment of the opposition and those perceived to be allied with it, as well as of critical media and voices in civil society, the Freedom on the Net 2020 report by the NGO said. Facebook account disappears Some of the chaos Khan spoke about may have already begun. Last month, Robin Ahsan, a Bangladeshi publisher and public protest organizer, found that his Facebook account had disappeared overnight. He said he suspected his social media profile had been targeted because of his activism. He said his account vanished after he had conducted a live event on Facebook demanding the release of an actress who had accused a politically-connected businessman of attempting to rape and murder her. I am not sure how or why my Facebook ID disappeared. I have organized several protests on various issues, but my Facebook ID vanished for the first time in August, Ahsan told BenarNews. He said he got his account back after communicating with Facebook authorities directly. Often, a Facebook account is suspended when several other users complain about content on the account they say is distasteful to them. One AL party worker, a master trainer, described how he and his colleagues use that Facebook feature and other methods. When we see any rumor on Facebook or Twitter, we follow three steps, AL worker Shariful Islam Sharif told BenarNews. The steps include writing posts countering the alleged rumor, reporting the specific Facebook account or page to the social media company via dozens of different accounts, and sending the profile information of the account to law enforcement agencies. All of this requires a lot of manpower and coordination, because Bangladesh has one of the worlds fastest growing number of social media users annually. The South Asian nation saw 25 percent year-on-year growth in social media users, said a February report by Hootsuite, a social media platform. With more than 45 million social media users, 27 percent of Bangladeshs total population is active online, said Hootsuite, and research agency We Are Social. Internet penetration in the country is more than 72 percent, according to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. Members of the ruling partys student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, hold a victory rally after the previous parliamentary elections at Dhaka University, Dec 20, 2019. [BenarNews] Opposition criticizes Awami League plan Meanwhile, a leader from the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said ALs move to create online activists was not well intentioned. We think that the Awami League is preparing a skilled team of online activists, not to counter rumors and propaganda on social media but to fight against the truth, and against those who are unmasking the failure of the government, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNPs senior joint secretary general, told BenarNews. The Awami League government is detached from the people because it came to power through highly controversial elections in 2014 and 2018. As a result, people will have something to say, at least on social media, if they get a chance. It is important for the ruling party to prevent such truths from coming out. Hasina, though, calls it propaganda and conspiracy against the government, ALs general secretary Obaidul Quader said, quoting the PM from a Sept. 9 meeting. As the election gets closer, the level of propaganda is on the rise. We have to respond to this propaganda and must get united against these plots, Quader said at a press conference. Former bureaucrat Khan said that a non-party interim government during the election process would be fair to both the ruling dispensation and the opposition. The BNPs secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that is party's demand as well. He told reporters on Saturday that the BNP would foil any effort to hold the election without such a government and a fair Election Commission. The Awami League has won three consecutive parliamentary elections, in 2008, 2014 and 2018. The last two of those were criticized at home and abroad for alleged fraud and other irregularities. Police investigators inspect the wreckage of a car bomb following an explosion outside the Southern Border Provinces Administration Center in Yala province, Thailand, March 17, 2020. The cabinet of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha agreed to extend a state of emergency in Thailands insurgency-wracked Deep South provinces for another three months on Tuesday, the 65th extension of a decree that gives security forces detention powers. NGOs, right groups and lawyers criticized the extension, saying the military has for many years exploited the emergencys powers by allegedly committing human rights abuses. The cabinet agreed to extend the decree in the Deep South for another three months from Sept. 20 to Dec. 19, 2021, Deputy Spokeswoman at the Prime Ministers Officer Ratchada Tanadirek said. Seven districts in the Malay-speaking Muslim-dominant southern border provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani are covered under the Internal Security Act and are not included in the emergency decree. The first emergency decree was imposed in July 2005. Officials had said back then it was aimed at ensuring peace in the Deep South, which had suffered from insurgency-related violence beginning a little over a year earlier. Since 2005, the emergency has been continuously extended, three months at a time. Deep South Watch, a Pattani-based think-tank, reported that more than 7,000 people have been killed in the region in violence related to the separatist insurgency over the last 17 years. A lawyer with the Muslim Attorney Center Foundation that assists suspected insurgents said the emergency was good for the authorities while people paid a price. These security laws in the region yield satisfactory enforcement such as swift control of a situation and ease of work in rough circumstances, but on the other hand they affect the lives and freedom of people, Abdulqahhar Aweaputeh, the chief of the Muslim Attorney Center Foundation based in Yala, told BenarNews on Tuesday. He said suspected insurgents have been detained without charges being filed against them for several days or weeks, often without a lawyers assistance and proper relative visits. COVID-19 effects Pornpen Kongkachonkiet, director of the Cross-Cultural Foundation, said there was no need to extend the emergency decree because the COVID-19 pandemic had led to a slowdown in violence. The situation is like what happened in Bangkoks Din Daeng area where the government used the decree to muffle the protesters who voiced their dissent, she said, referring to protests against Prayuth. Meanwhile, an official in the Deep South said that although the situation was relatively calm, the decree was needed to allow ISOC-4, the militarys regional command, to keep peace. We need to have the special laws to control this contested area. It has not returned to normalcy yet, there are insurgents in Deep South, the official said on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. Face-to-face peace talks between Thailand and Barisan Revolusi Nasional (the National Revolutionary Front, or BRN), which is the largest of the armed insurgent groups in the Deep South, have been stalled since March 2020 because of the pandemic. But both sides said they continued to meet online through technical-level panels, with Malaysia serving as facilitator. The last virtual meeting occurred in February, Abdul Rahim Noor, the Malaysian broker of the southern Thai peace talks, confirmed to BenarNews at the time. Wilawan Watcharasakwet and Nontarat Phaicharoen in Bangkok contributed to this report. 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. Town and state safety officials are expected to visit the former Green Mountain Race Track grandstand site on Oct. 4. The town wants the ownership group to deal with the unsecured building, which burned last fall and now is considered a safety hazard. Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass. Business writer Tony Dobrowolski's main focus is on business reporting. He came to The Eagle in 1992 after previously working for newspapers in Connecticut and Montreal. He can be reached at tdobrowolski@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6224. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week endorsed booster shots for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans, including people 65 and older, nursing home residents and people age 50 to 64 who have underlying health problems that put them at risk for severe COVID-19. Community News Editor / Librarian Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989. Reporter Heather Bellow, a member of the investigations team, joined The Eagle in 2017. She is based in the South Berkshire County bureau in Great Barrington. Her work has appeared in newspapers across the U.S. Gag writer Don Horrigan got a nod from cartoonist Hank Ketcham in the Feb. 24, 1968, Dennis the Menace daily comic strip. Muhammad Ali poses for a 1970 photograph in Chicago. A recently released documentary about Ali jabbed at memories of a chance meeting the author had with the iconic boxer in 1972. A U.S. Navy medical surgeon with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) talks to an interpreter as he provides medical assistance to a family during an Aug 21 evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. DEARY - At approximately 1:30 a.m. Saturday, emergency crews responded to a single vehicle crash on Forks Road, approximately .4 miles from Highway 8, east of Deary. Idaho State Police say a 2014 Polaris Ranger was occupied by 2 adult males as it was traveling southbound on Forks Road. The vehicle left the road, then was over-corrected, and then overturned. Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle. The driver was transported by ground ambulance to Gritman Medical Center in Moscow. The passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police say neither occupant was wearing a helmet or a seatbelt and alcohol was a factor. Neither the driver of passenger were identified in the Idaho State Police release on the incident. Police say the investigation is ongoing. The images men on horseback with long reins, corralling Haitian asylum seekers trying to cross into the U.S. from Mexico provoked an outcry. But to many Haitians and Black Americans, they're merely confirmation of a deeply held belief: U.S. immigration policies, they say, are and have long been anti-Black. The Border Patrol's treatment of Haitian migrants, they say, is just the latest in a long history of discriminatory U.S. policies and of indignities faced by Black people, sparking new anger among Haitian Americans, Black immigrant advocates and civil rights leaders. They point to immigration data that indicate Haitians and other Black migrants routinely face structural barriers to legally entering or living in the U.S. and often endure disproportionate contact with the American criminal legal system that can jeopardize their residency or hasten their deportation. Haitians, in particular, are granted asylum at the lowest rate of any nationality with consistently high numbers of asylum seekers, according to an analysis of data by The Associated Press. Black immigrants live at the intersection of race and immigration and, for too long, have fallen through the cracks of red tape and legal loopholes, said Yoliswa Cele, director of narrative and media at the UndocuBlack Network, a national advocacy organization for currently and formerly undocumented Black people. Now through the videos capturing the abuses on Haitians at the border, the world has now seen for itself that all migrants seeking a better tomorrow arent treated equal when skin color is involved. Between 2018 and 2021, only 4.62% of Haitian asylum seekers were granted asylum by the U.S. the lowest rate among 84 groups for whom data is available. Asylum seekers from the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, have a similarly low rate of 5.11%. By comparison, four of the five top U.S. asylum applicants are from Latin American countries El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras. Their acceptance rates range from 6.21% to 14.12%. Nicole Phillips, legal director for the Haitian Bridge Alliance, said racism has long driven the American governments treatment of Haitian immigrants. Phillips, whose organization is on the ground helping Haitians in Texas, says this dates back to the early 1800s, when Haitian slaves revolted and gained independence from France, and has continued through decades of U.S. intervention and occupation in the small island nation. She said the U.S., threatened by the possibility of its own slaves revolting, both assisted the French and didnt recognize Haitian independence for nearly six decades. The U.S. also loaned money to Haiti so that it could, in essence, buy its independence, collecting interest payments while plunging the country into poverty for decades. This mentality and stigma against Haitians stems all the way back to that period, Phillips said. The U.S. violently occupied Haiti from 1915 to 1934 and backed former Haiti dictator Francois Duvalier, whose oppressive regime resulted in 30,000 deaths and drove thousands to flee. While the U.S. long treated Cubans with compassion largely because of opposition to the Communist regime the administrations of George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton took a hard line on Haitians. And the Trump administration ended Temporary Protected Status for several nationalities, including Haitians and Central Americans. Over and over, the U.S. has passed immigration legislation that excluded Black immigrants and Haitians, and promoted policies that unfairly jeopardized their legal status in the country, advocates said. When they manage to enter the U.S., Black immigrants say they contend with systemic racism in the American criminal legal system and brutality of U.S. policing that has been endemic for people from across the African diaspora. The Black Alliance for Just Immigration, a national racial justice and immigrant rights group, largely defines Black immigrants as people from nations in Africa and the Caribbean. By that definition, AP's analysis of 2019 Department of Homeland Security data found 66% of Black immigrants deported from the U.S were removed based on criminal grounds, as opposed to 43% of all immigrants. Nana Gyamfi, BAJI's executive director, said crimes of moral turpitude, including petty theft or turnstile jumping, have been used as partial justification for denying Black immigrants legal status. We have people getting deported because of train fare, she said. Leaders within the Movement for Black Lives, a national coalition of Black-led racial justice and civil rights organizations, have pointed to the treatment of Haitians at the border as justification for their broader demands for defunding law enforcement agencies in the U.S. Last year, following the police killing of George Floyd, the coalition proposed sweeping federal legislation known as the BREATHE Act, which includes calls to end immigration detention, stop deportations due to contact with the criminal legal system, and ensure due process within the immigration court system. A lot of times in the immigration debate, Black people are erased and Black immigrants are erased from the conversation, said Amara Enyia, a policy researcher for the Movement for Black Lives. Ahead of a Thursday tour of the migrant encampment in Texas, civil rights leaders called for an investigation into the treatment of Black migrants at the border and for an immediate end to the deportation of Black asylum seekers. The camp is a catastrophic and human disgrace, the Rev. Al Sharpton said after an hourlong tour with several Black American leaders in Del Rio. We will keep coming back, as long as is necessary. At the border and in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where hundreds had already been sent on flights from the U.S., Haitians said there was no doubt that race played a major part in their mistreatment. They are grabbing people, they bother us, especially Haitians because they identify us by skin, said Jean Claudio Charles who, with his wife and year-old son, had been staying in an encampment on the Mexico side near Texas out of fear of arrest and deportation to Haiti. Claude Magnolie, a Haitian citizen removed from the U.S. this week, said he didnt see Border Patrol agents treating migrants of other nationalities the way he and others were treated: This is discrimination, that is how I call it, they are treating us very badly." And in Miami, immigrant rights advocate Francesca Menes couldnt believe her eyes as she watched images of the asylum seekers being corralled by men on horseback. My family is under that bridge, Menes said, referring to a cousin, his wife and their newborn who recently met up in a small border town in Texas. It took Menes cousin two months to make the trek from Chile, where he had been living with his brothers for three years to escape Haitis political tumult, violence and devastation. It made me sick, Menes said. This didnt happen with unaccompanied minors. You didnt see people riding on horseback, basically herding people like they were cattle, like they were animals. Menes outrage has only grown, as have her fears for her family. When she overheard her mother on the phone with family members this week, Menes said she wanted nothing more than to tell them to return to Chile. Weve actually tried to discourage our families, she said. People are looking for a better life. And we try to kind of ground our families: Do you know what it means to be Black in America? ____ AP staffers Maria Verza in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, Pierre Luxama in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed. Lo reported from Chicago. Morrison reported from New York City. Galvan reported from Phoenix. Morrison and Galvan are members of the APs Race and Ethnicity team. Follow Galvan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/astridgalvan. Follow Morrison on Twitter: https://twitter.com/aaronlmorrison. The minister appreciates the role of chemical industry in the fight against COVID pandemic Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya presented the ICC (Indian Chemical Council) Annual Awards for the year 2020 in a virtual ceremony. He also launched the latest Edition of the Members Directory. The edition of the directory contains detailed information of all the members of the council. He appreciated the role of chemical industry in the fight against COVID pandemic. It immensely helps the pharma sector and forms the bedrock of current vaccination drive, he added. Emphasising the need for more R&D in this sector, he said that chemical industry is a knowledge intensive sector; hence industry and academic institutions should collaborate for further research. He said that there is huge potential of investment in India and chemical industry needs to follow a cluster approach. Samir Biswas, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, Dr Martin Brudermuller President, ICCA &Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, Ravi Goenka, President, ICC, and other senior officers of the ministry were also present. Dr Santrupt Misra, Ajay Shriram and Dr Aniruddha B Pandit received the Lifetime Achievement Award. ICC Acharya PC Ray Award for development of indigenous technology went to Galaxy Surfactants. Jubilant Pharmova received the ICC Award For Excellence In Process Design & Engineering. ICC Award For Excellence In Management Of Health & Safety: Category I was awarded to Lanxess India, Jhagadia. ICC Certificate Of Merit For Excellence In Management Of Health & Safety: Category I was received by Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers, Thal unit and Reliance Industries, Jamnagar. ICC Certificate Of Merit For Excellence In Management Of Health & Safety: Category II went to Clariant Chemicals India, Cuddalore and ICC Award For Excellence In Management Of Health & Safety: Category II was bagged by Indian Oil-Tanking, Chhattisgarh. Smallpox, or the speckled monster, was the most feared disease of the 18th century. According to what we are told, the people of Europe at the time were helpless against smallpox until a young doctor named Edward Jenner observed that dairy maids who had previously contracted cowpox were immune from the disease. This led Jenner to develop a vaccine that was credited with ending the epidemic and eventually eradicating smallpox altogether. The romanticized tale of Jenner, the dairy maid, and the discovery of vaccination has gone down in the history books as one of the great triumphs of modern medicine. Today, the mainstream medical establishment uses the example of smallpox as a means of promoting the safety and efficacy of vaccination against other infectious diseases. However, the truth is that the smallpox story is far more complex than the above fairy tale that is taught in schools. The true history of Jenners vaccine is not one of scientific genius or medical triumph, rather, it is the story of how the archaic practice of introducing toxic substances into the bloodstream as a means of curing disease was adopted into mainstream medical tradition. SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT The Smallpox story leads many people to believe that it was Edward Jenner who discovered the concept of immunity and went on to invent vaccination. In actual fact, the concept of achieving immunity to a disease after exposure to it was first formulated by the ancient Greeks when Thucydides observed that people who survived the plague of Athens were protected from reinfection[1]. This early observation of immunity developed into the idea that a person could be exposed to a mild form of a disease in order to gain protection against a more severe form. This resulted in the practice of inoculation, the precursor to vaccination, which was employed in many parts of the world, decades before Jenner began formulating his ideas regarding smallpox. Furthermore, although Jenners work is regarded as the foundation of immunology, he was not the first to suggest that infection with cowpox produced immunity against smallpox, nor was he the first to carry out cowpox inoculation for this purpose[2]. Evidence suggests that inoculation was practiced in parts of Africa, India and China long before the 18th century. In the 1670s, inoculation was introduced to the Turkish empire by Circassian traders and some 40-50 years later the practice came to Europe by way of travelers arriving from Istanbul, almost a century before Jenners smallpox vaccine[3]. Inoculation was a barbaric practice that involved taking matter (often pus) from the sores of a person suffering from the disease and introducing it into the bloodstream of a healthy person via cuts in the skin. At this time, medicine was in its infancy and most cures were based on local traditions or superstitions. In fact, according to William White in his 1885 book The Story of the Great Delusion, A great part of medicine was a combination of absurdity with nastiness[4]. The principle underlying inoculation is strikingly similar to the homeopathic principle of isopathy (curing a disease with the products of said disease), a concept also embodied in the signa naturae of Paracelsus, the great philosopher and chemist of the German renaissance who lived during the 15th and 16th centuries. And according to some sources, even he got his ideas from much earlier esoteric teachings stemming from the druids and seers of ancient Britain and Germany[5]. The rest of this article is an exploration into the true history surrounding Edward Jenner, vaccination and the disease known as smallpox. And as we shall find out, it is a rather different tale than the one we have been told. WHO WAS EDWARD JENNER? Edward Jenner was a British physician born in 1749 in a village called Berkeley in Gloucestershire. He attended grammar school in Cirencester and at the age of 16, he apprenticed to Mr. Ludlow, a surgeon operating near Bristol[6]. Interestingly, though referred to as a physician, Jenner did not pass the necessary medical examinations to earn such a title. In fact, he bought his medical degree, though this was not uncommon at the time. And though he was a fellow at the Royal Society, this was not due to his work in the medical field, but rather his study of the Cuckoo bird[7]. Most people are unaware that Jenners research into smallpox was wrought with contradictory evidence and unsubstantiated claims. For example, early on in his investigations, he cited cases in which smallpox sometimes gave immunity against cowpox and other cases in which persons were repeatedly infected with cowpox. He then promised to provide a great number of cases showing the protective effect of cowpox, but could only produce 16, most of which he failed to describe in any meaningful detail[8]. Jenner originally claimed that the origin of cowpox resided in the damaged heels of horses. He thought that milkers, having previously dressed the sores of afflicted horses, carried the disease to cows. Jenner held this belief for over 10 years and eventually published a paper detailing his horsegrease theory. However, when it was poorly received, he returned to his cowpox theory[9]. Disturbingly, during this early period in Jenners research, he experimented on his invalid son by inoculating him with swinepox, though he never pursued this line of investigation[10]. It is well documented that Jenner conducted various experiments, not only on his son but on other neighborhood children who had no understanding of the risks involved. Today, Jenners experiments are regarded as a gross violation of medical ethics. On May 14th, 1796, Jenner inoculated an eight-year boy named James Phipps with matter taken from a sore on the hand of Sarah Nelmes, a dairy maid who was believed to be infected with cowpox. The disease matter was inserted into the arm by means of two superficial incisions, barely penetrating the cutis, each about half an inch long[11]. According to some sources, and in contrast to the mainstream narrative, young Phipps later succumbed to an attack of smallpox in the confluent form[12]. During another of Jenners disturbing experiments, one of the boys contracted a terrible fever and was rendered unfit for further inoculations[13]. Who knows how many other unsuspecting children were poisoned or even died as a result of these horrendous experiments. In 1798, Jenner published the first edition of his Inquiry detailing the results of his cowpox experiments along with his speculations regarding different aspects of vaccination and smallpox. However, Jenners work lacked any evidence to suggest that his vaccine could protect against smallpox, a fact highlighted by George Dock in his 1902 book, The Works of Edward Jenner and Their Value in the Modern Study of Smallpox: On the whole, the Inquiry does not seem like a work destined to cause a therapeutic revolution. Reading it in our present light, one must be struck by the incompleteness of many parts of the evidence.[14] Indeed, as Herbert Shelton confirms in his book Natural Hygiene: Mans Pristine Way of Life, Neither Jenner, nor any of his successors even re-presented the claims for this vaccine, together with proofs, to the Royal Society[15] Although Jenners vaccine lacked any evidence of safety or efficacy, it was feverishly promoted to the masses. The Royal Jennerian Society for the Extirpation of Small-pox even prepared a notice to be given by clergymen at the baptism of a child. The notice read, As you value the life of your infant and the safety of your neighborhood, you will immediately avail yourself of the advantages offered [in vaccination][16]. The rollout of Jenners vaccine was referred to by mainstream scholars as a widespread experiment, which it undoubtedly was. Nonetheless, Jenner continued to promote his invention and in 1801, he published a pamphlet on the Origin of Vaccine Inoculation in which he made reference to experiments he had carried out after his publishing of the Inquiry in 1798. However, the experiments mentioned are nowhere to be found, indicating that Jenner either made them up or purposely chose not to publish them in full[17]. Not only did Jenner lie about the safety of his vaccine, but he insisted that it produced lifetime immunity to smallpox, another claim for which he had no evidence. As is explained in The Works of Edward Jenner, A favorite phrase with Jenner and his disciples regarding the question of permanence, was that doubt was refuted by volumes of evidence and a cloud of witnesses. As a matter of fact, there were no such volumes, and the witnesses were incompetent because their period of observation was too short.[18] Furthermore, Jenners observations of cowpox may have been grossly misinterpreted, as physicians, later on, discovered that cowpox pustules were only found on the udders of cows milked by filthy human hands and that cows roaming free in pastures were not affected by the disease. This observation alone renders Jenners thesis completely null and void. It is both ironic and tragic that the father of modern preventative medicine made assertions based on research that failed to live up to proper scientific standards. An interesting characterization of Edward Jenner and his work is offered by the royal physician, Lord Horder, who credited Jenner with setting the foundation for the introduction of eugenics, a pseudoscientific movement founded 50 years later by Sir Francis Galton, another Englishmen[20]. The second most pervasive myth regarding smallpox is that the disease was totally eradicated due to vaccination. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth. EXAMINING THE EVIDENCE Important facts are often left out of the mainstream narrative regarding smallpox and one of them is the massive resistance to Jenners vaccine in the UK and abroad. As time went on, it became apparent that Jenners vaccine was not responsible for the decline in smallpox cases. In fact, despite widespread vaccination in England after Jenners first publication, smallpox reappeared in 1825. As Doch recounts in The Works of Edward Jenner, In 1825 smallpox was nearly as prevalent in London as in any of the three great epidemics of the eighteenth century, and in very many parts of Europe it was equally serious. Later in 1853, vaccination was made compulsory in the United Kingdom, an Act that was enforced more stringently in 1867 and then again in 1871. However, after 1853 each epidemic of smallpox was worse than the one preceding it. During the first epidemic in England and Wales, between 1857 and 1859, 14,244 people died; during the second epidemic from 1863 to 1865, 20,059 people died and during the third epidemic from 1870-1872, 44,840 people died[22]. More startling is that a large majority of those who contracted smallpox were already vaccinated. According to the 1887 annual report compiled by the Metropolitan Asylums Board, out of 53,000 people who contracted Smallpox, 41,000 were admitted to have occurred in those previously vaccinated. Furthermore, in Sheffield, a town that achieved almost 100% vaccination coverage, 5,851 cases of smallpox out of a total of 7,001 occurred in vaccinated persons[23]. Similar trends were also recorded in other countries in Europe. For example, during the years from 1863-1865 smallpox attacked Upper Bavaria in Germany causing 1,346 cases of the disease, despite the area having 90% vaccination coverage[24]. And on and on the historical accounts go, showing clearly that vaccination did not protect against smallpox and therefore could not have been responsible for its eradication. Not only was the vaccine ineffective at preventing smallpox infection, but it was highly toxic. In William Youngs book, Killed by Vaccination, printed in London in 1886, he documents many cases in which people died as a direct result of Jenners vaccine. Government annual death reports from the time show that between 1881 and 1883 the number of children who died as a direct result of the injection was close to 200. Young, however, claims that this number was much higher and estimates that for every 1 killed there were 100 indirectly killed and up to 1,000 seriously injured[25]. Incredibly, even at that time, there was trickery and deception involved in the reporting of vaccine-related deaths. According to Young, doctors were instructed to falsify death certificates in order to obscure the true danger of the vaccine and all independent inquiries into vaccine safety were carefully suppressed[26]. We can be certain, then, that nothing has changed between then and now regarding the denial and suppression of vaccine danger. Perhaps the most powerful passage of Youngs thesis appears at the beginning where he correctly states that: No rational theory ever has been or can be advanced to support the ridiculous assumption that Vaccination protects from small-pox. One thing only is certain; thousands of children are killed annually by Vaccination, or its after results, and these victims of medical ignorance and folly are the only persons of whom it can be asserted with truth that vaccination protected them from small-pox.[27] Youngs book includes a number of similar testimonies. One of them is written by a Reverend Bird from Leeds who, as a man of the clergy, would have been pressured into promoting the vaccine and likely did until observing its effects. In 1885, he admitted that, after witnessing so many cases of painful suffering caused by Jenners injection, no power on earth would compel him to vaccinate his own children[28]. During the American civil war between 1861 and 1865, thousands of soldiers were vaccinated against smallpox. The adverse effects of the vaccine were so terrible and the adverse events so numerous that a special investigation was launched involving several medical officers. This caused a growing distrust in vaccination amongst soldiers and citizens alike[29]. Alexander Wilder, MD, backs up this observation in his 1899 book, The Fallacy of Vaccination, in which he states that, It will be found by careful observation that whenever a vaccinator or corps of vaccinators set out upon a vaccinating crusade, there follows very generally a number of deaths from erysipelas and other maladies which have been induced by the operation, and companied by suffering of the most heartrending character.[30] As time went on, opposition to the smallpox vaccine grew. This led to the creation of an anti-vaccination movement in Britain in 1866 which garnered support from influential doctors and scientists including Dr Edgar Crookshank, professor of pathology and bacteriology at Kings College. Other prominent supporters of the movement included the British scientist Alfred Russell Wallace and the famous Irish playwright and political activist, George Bernard Shaw. In an article for the Irish Times in 1944, Shaw wrote the following: There is nothing eccentric in my objection to the dangerous and grossly unscientific operation called vaccination. Within my long life-time, its ruthless enforcement throughout Europe ended in two of the worst epidemics of smallpox on record, our formerly more dreaded cholera and typhus epidemics having meanwhile been ended by sanitation [] At present, intelligent and instructed people do not have their children vaccinated, nor does the law now compel them to. The result is not as the Jennerians prophesied, the extermination of the human race by smallpox: on the contrary, more people are now killed by vaccination than by smallpox.[31] Note that Shaw highlights the importance of sanitation in ending the cholera and typhus epidemics, a factor that was instrumental in combating smallpox as well. What people often fail to consider is that, at the time of the smallpox epidemics in Europe, sanitary arrangements were absent in many large cities and drainage systems were extremely poor. This was especially true in London where smallpox abounded. Nonetheless, the incidence rate of smallpox in London was extrapolated to the rest of England under the assumption that it was the same everywhere[32]. A combination of medical misdirection and a poor understanding of health led to most medical practitioners failing to recognize that it was the dreadful living conditions of the time that had the most significant effect on the health of the population. Interestingly, it was only the anti-vaccinationists who could see this painfully obvious truth, leading them to conclude that it was the improved hygienic conditions and better nutrition that led to the reduction in smallpox cases[33]. Indeed, many modern scholars have noted the relationship between smallpox and famines, believing that widespread malnutrition was a key factor in the onset of the epidemic[34]. Although the authorities attempted to credit vaccination for the declining number of smallpox deaths, again, it was the anti-vaccinationists who pointed out that such a connection could not be proved due to a lack of statistical evidence, a fact that authorities and ardent supporters of vaccination could not deny[35]. The trained German statistician, George Friedrich Kolb, was one such expert who pointed this out in his 1887 statement, Zur Impffrage. Unzulanglichkeit der bisherigen Ermittlungen und Verlangen nachAufjebung des Impfzwange (On Vaccination: The Inadequacy of Previous Investigations and a Call to Lift Mandatory Vaccination)[36]. In fact, not only did people question the lack of statistical evidence connecting vaccination with the decline in smallpox deaths, but they also pointed out the complete lack of statistical investigations into the utility of Jenners concoction. This wasnt the anti-vaccinationists merely moving the scientific goal posts away to suit their own agenda, this was a fact that neither the public officials nor the proponents of vaccination could ignore[37]. In light of the previously cited quotes and statistics, an obvious question arises why was such a demonstrably ineffective and dangerous vaccine so widely disseminated and promoted by governments and physicians of the time? As it turns out, the answer to this question is multi-faceted. First of all, we have to consider that no cure existed for smallpox at the time and as such, any promise of a successful treatment immediately piqued the interest of governments and health authorities. However, unsurprisingly, their decision to endorse Jenners vaccine was not made because they genuinely cared for the health of the people, instead, it was a move aimed at increasing the military and economic power of the state. As Heurkamp (1985) explains: The fact that most governments encouraged the vaccine should be seen in the light of their policies on population and the interests that lay behind them. By this time, in Germany as well as in other European countries, an absolutist regime existed which aimed to strengthen central authority at the expense of the old powers of the estates, and to maximize all available resources in order to increase its military and financial power.[38] Another group whose vested interests played an important role in the rollout of Jenners vaccine were the physicians and medical practitioners. At the time, university trained physicians were few in number and wholly dependent upon the upper classes of society whom they served. And because those in the medical profession were not recognized by public authorities as experts in all medical matters, doctors were required to bend over backward to keep their few upper-class clients happy. Furthermore, the medical knowledge possessed by doctors at the time was limited and did not exceed that which could be acquired by the layman. Because of this, the market for professional medical services was small and a physicians income was often dependent on only a handful of patients. When Jenners vaccine came out, it presented an opportunity for medical practitioners to increase their prestige and influence in matters of public health and attract new patients. Not only that but vaccination fees provided physicians with a simple means of increasing their income[39]. SMALLPOX AND MODERN SCIENCE Now it is worth discussing certain aspects of the smallpox narrative within the context of more recent scientific research. First is the notion that smallpox was a highly contagious and extremely deadly disease. Despite many sources claiming this to be the case, current wisdom holds that smallpox was not a highly infectious disease[40][41]. Second is the notion that smallpox was eradicated, a claim that is widely promoted by health authorities. For example, on the CDC website, they state that: In 1980, the World Health Assembly declared smallpox eradicated (eliminated), and no cases of naturally occurring smallpox have happened since.[42] In contrast to this assertion, the medical literature indicates that vaccinia virus infection affects a growing number of people each year. For example, in a paper titled Outbreak of severe zoonotic vaccinia virus infection, Southeastern Brazil, researchers note that (emphasis added): In 2010, a vaccinia virus isolate caused an atypically severe outbreak that affected humans and cattle in Brazil. Of 26 rural workers affected, 12 were hospitalized. Our data raise questions about the risk factors related to the increasing number and severity of vaccinia virus infections.[43] So what is the difference between vaccinia infection and smallpox? According to authorities, smallpox is caused by the variola virus, while vaccinia refers to a related virus used in the smallpox vaccine. It is said that both viruses are members of the Poxviridae family, which also includes other zoonotic variants such as monkeypox and buffalopox. According to experts, The widely used VACV [vaccinia virus] escaped into the wild and variants of VACV are now globally endemic and are known as buffalopox virus (BPXV)[44]. Indeed, scientists acknowledge that buffalopox remains a threat to humans, especially in India[45]. As for monkeypox, the fact page on the CDC website states that: The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox. Since then monkeypox has been reported in humans in other central and western African countries.[46] Incredibly, cases of monkeypox continue to arise in parts of Africa and more recently, the USA. Other research papers make mention of the fact that cowpox, too, frequently infects people in Europe[47]. Worth noting is that all of these poxviruses cause symptoms virtually identical to smallpox. A document compiled by the Australian government states that Monkeypox infection is rare but may clinically resemble smallpox.[48] Furthermore, infections are often diagnosed based on symptoms and/or PCR testing, which the WHO admits is usually inconclusive[49]. Keeping this in mind, let us not forget that coming up with a new name for the same condition is a classic trick used by the medical profession to mask the prevalence of a certain disease, which they then claim to be eradicated or greatly reduced. Similar sleight of hand has been used with polio, where authorities now refer to cases of the disease as acute flaccid paralysis or acute flaccid myelitis[50]. It is clear, then, that despite the assertion that the disease was eradicated in 1980, cases that resemble smallpox still occur rather frequently around the world. Significant is that these cases occur predominantly in poor areas known for their high rates of malnutrition and unsanitary living conditions, lending credence to the theory that the environment plays a key role in the etiology of the disease. In further support of this conclusion are numerous documented cases of people failing to catch the disease despite being in close proximity to an infected individual. There are also cases in which individuals, or groups of people, have become ill with smallpox despite no identifiable source of contagion. A few such cases are outlined below. The first case is recounted by the American naturopath, Henry Lindlahr, in his book Philosophy of Natural Therapeutics: A few years ago Dr. Rodermund, a physician in the state of Wisconsin, created a sensation by smearing his body with the exudate of smallpox sores in order to demonstrate to his medical colleagues that a healthy body could not be infected with the disease. He was arrested and quarantined in jail, but not before he had come in contact with many people. Not a single case of smallpox developed through this exposure.[51] A second case is recounted by Lindlahr, this time concerning his own son who contracted smallpox: My wife, her sister and myself by turns slept in the same room with the child without the least fear of infection, and although we had not been vaccinated since childhood we remained unaffected by the contagious disease [] As far as I could learn, there was not another case of smallpox in Chicago or its vicinity at the time of the boys illness. If the contagion theory be true, from whom did he catch the disease, and why did not one of the many persons living in the same house become infected?[52] Below is a third anomalous case recounted by Alexander Wilder, MD, in his book The Fallacy of Vaccination. Mr. Wolfe, in his treatise on Zymotic Diseases, mentions an instance in India where small-pox broke out in a region many miles distant from any possible source of contagion. He attributed it to the action of decaying animal matter, and remarks that the same poisonous air will sometimes give one zymotic disease to one member of a family, and another to another, according to the bodily constitution. Here is a final quote from Small-pox and Vaccination by Alexander M. Ross, M.D.: During a small-pox epidemic the vaccinated, as well as the unvaccinated, are equally susceptible to the contagion if surrounded by unsanitary conditions.[54] Naturopathic physicians have offered an explanation for these apparent anomalies by suggesting that smallpox, far from a disease caused by a malignant germ, represents an acute eliminative process deliberately carried out by the body in order to rid the system of toxins and other morbid matter. Considering the evidence presented above, this explanation is more than plausible[55]. In fact, there is a further line of evidence that corroborates the naturopathic interpretation of smallpox and it has to do with the contents of Jenners vaccine. But first, its worth reminding ourselves of the logic behind Jenners smallpox vaccine: Jenner bought into a belief held by dairy maids that an attack of cowpox would provide immunity from smallpox. Cowpox was the ulceration of a cows udder, thought to be caused by a virus related to smallpox. Thus Jenner created a vaccine that contained the cowpox virus. Administering this vaccine caused the body to produce antibodies that were protective against smallpox, preventing future infection. However, heres where the mainstream narrative completely breaks down because in 1939, a researcher at the University of Liverpool named Allan Watt Downie compared the contents of a smallpox vaccine to a sample of cowpox isolated directly from an infected cow and found that they were different. In fact, the samples were so different, scientists had to conclude that the virus present in Jenners vaccine could not have come from cowpox. This raises the inevitable question asked by reporter Katherine Wu in an article for the Smithsonian Magazine, What on earth had they been injecting into the arms of millions of people for the past 150 years?[56] What on earth indeed. In other words, by 1939, scientists had already discovered that Jenners vaccine was a farce and did not contain what it was supposed to contain, essentially disproving his entire theory regarding cowpox, smallpox and immunity. Yet, despite this important revelation, 80 years later the mainstream fairy tale (because that is what it is) has not changed and medical students are still taught the cowpox story. More recent research into Jenners mystery vaccine has concluded that it contained a form of horsepox, though researchers admit that they have no idea where it came from[57]. Meanwhile, CDC researchers have come up with yet another conclusion, stating that a swarm of viruses was used in various vaccines.[58] So in other words, it wasnt cowpox that people were being inoculated with, it was a swarm of different viruses contained within diseased matter taken from a range of sickly animals. From this we can only draw one conclusion: Jenners vaccine, far from a medical marvel, was a witches brew of unknown origin that could not possibly have offered any therapeutic benefit. Indeed, the reason that the US stopped vaccinating against smallpox in 1972 was not due to the eradication of the disease as stated by authorities, but because the risks were judged to outweigh the benefits[59]. Scientists have even gone so far as to call Jenners concoction the most dangerous vaccine known to man[60]. This article has shown that, far from a medical triumph, the smallpox vaccine was a widespread experiment that was opposed by citizens, doctors and scholars of the time. Not only did the vaccine cause many cases of injury and death, but there was no statistical evidence to suggest it had any utility as a preventative against smallpox. And though the decrease in smallpox cases was attributed to the vaccine alone, it is clear that improvement in living conditions and better nutrition were the most important factors involved in alleviating the disease. It seems pertinent to end this investigation by quoting the American naturopath, Henry Lindlahr: Smallpox eruptions are a sign of rapid elimination of hereditary and acquired disease taints. A good dose of smallpox may rid the system of more scrofulous, tuberculous and syphilitic poisons than could otherwise have been got rid of in a lifetime. Therefore smallpox is certainly to be preferred to vaccination. The one means the elimination of chronic disease, the other the making of it.[61] REFERENCES [1] Retief, F., Cilliers, L. 1998. The epidemic of Athens, 430-426 BC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9539938/. [2] Gross, C., Sepkowitz, K. 1998. The Myth of the Medical Breakthrough: Smallpox, Vaccination, and Jenner Reconsidered. https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(98)90096-0/pdf. [3] Riedal, S. 2005. Edward Jenner and the history of smallpox and vaccination. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1200696/. [4] White, W. 1885. The Story of the Great Delusion. Chapter 4. http://whale.to/vaccines/white_b.html. [5] Lindlahr, H. 1975. Philosophy of Natural Therapeutics. Pp.96. [6] Browne, B (sir). Life of Edward Jenner (1749-1823). Pp3. [7] Lester, D., Parker, D. 2019. What Really Makes You Ill: Why Everything You Thought You Knew About Disease Is Wrong. Pp47 [Kindle version]. [8] Dock, G. 1902. The Works of Edward Jenner and Their Value in the Modern Study of Smallpox. Pp8. [9] Ibid. Pp5. [10] Ibid. [11] Ibid. Pp8. [12] Wilder, A. 1899. The Fallacy of Vaccination. Pp6. [13] Dock, G. 1902. The Works of Edward Jenner and Their Value in the Modern Study of Smallpox. Pp9. [14] Ibid. Pp11. [15] Shelton, H. Natural Hygiene: Mans Pristine Way of Life. Pp399. Accessed here: http://booksarsenal.weebly.com/uploads/1/8/7/2/18725370/9781406500196text.pdf. [16] Dock, G. 1902. The Works of Edward Jenner and Their Value in the Modern Study of Smallpox. Pp19. [17] Ibid. Pp27. [18] Ibid. Pp33. [19] Lindlahr, H. 1975. Philosophy of Natural Therapeutics. Pp98. [20] Lord Horder. An Address on Eugenics and the Doctor. 1933. Accessed here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2369780/pdf/brmedj07364-0001.pdf. [21] Dock, G. 1902. The Works of Edward Jenner and Their Value in the Modern Study of Smallpox. Pp34. [22] Arnold, W. Et al. 1889. Notes on Vaccination (Dedicated to the Board of Guardians for the Union of West Bromwich). Included as part of a publication titled Brief Extracts From High Authorities Exposing the Evils of Vaccination: The Great Medical Delusion of the Nineteenth Century, Now Exciting popular Indignation from the US national library of medicine. [23] Ibid. [24] Wilder, A. 1899. The Fallacy of Vaccination. Pp10. [25] Young, W. 1886. Killed by Vaccination. Pp4. [26] Ibid. Pp5. [27] Ibid pp4. [28] Ibid pp8. [29] Jones, J. 1867. Spurious Vaccination, or the Abnormal Phenomena Accompanying and following Vaccination in the Confederate Army During the Recent American Civil War, 18611865. Pp4. [30] Wilder, A. 1899. The Fallacy of Vaccination. Pp7. [31] Bernard S., G. 1944. Not Without Honour. Irish Times (Wednesday 9 August, 1944). [32] Lester, D., Parker, D. 2019. What Really Makes You Ill: Why Everything You Thought You Knew About Disease Is Wrong. Pp49 [Kindle version]. [33] Huerkamp, C. 1985. The History of Smallpox Vaccination in Germany. https://sci-hub.hkvisa.net/10.2307/260400. [34] Dawson, M. 1979. Smallpox in Kenya 1880-1920. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/016079877990022X. [35] Ibid. [36] Kolb, F, G. 1877. Zur Impffrage: Unzulanglichketi der bisherigen Ermittelungen und Verlangen nach Aufhebung des Impfzwanges. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=YtKVUI5qOjoC. [37] Huerkamp, C. 1985. The History of Smallpox Vaccination in Germany. https://sci-hub.hkvisa.net/10.2307/260400. Pp628. [38] Ibid. Pp620. [39] Ibid. Pp621. [40] Lane, J. M., Goldstein, L. 2003. Evaluation of 21st-century risks of smallpox vaccination and policy options. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12639083/. [41] Weiss, M. M., et al. 2004. Rethinking Smallpox. https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/39/11/1668/465225. [42] CDC. Smallpox. https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/index.html. [43] Abrahao, S, J, et al. 2015. Outbreak of Severe Zoonotic Vaccinia Virus Infection, Southeastern Brazil. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378504/. [44] Gelderblom, H., Madeley, D. 2018. Rapid Viral Diagnosis of Orthopoxviruses by Electron Microscopy: Optional or a Must?. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5923436/#B17-viruses-10-00142. [45] Moussatche, N., Damaso, C., McFadden, G. 2008. When good vaccines go wild: Feral Orthopoxvirus in developing countries and beyond. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19738346/. [46] CDC. Monkeypox. https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html. [47] Moussatche, N., Damaso, C., McFadden, G. 2008. When good vaccines go wild: Feral Orthopoxvirus in developing countries and beyond. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19738346/. [48] Australian Government Department of Defense. 2012. Critical Factors for Parameterisation of Disease Diagnosis Modelling for Anthrax, Plague and Smallpox. https://ia802804.us.archive.org/17/items/DTIC_ADA575284/DTIC_ADA575284.pdf. [49] WHO. 2019. Monkeypox Fact Sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox. [50] CDC. 2001. Public Health Dispatch: Acute Flaccid Paralysis Associated with Circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Philippines, 2001. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5040a3.htm. [51] Lindlahr, H. 1975. Philosophy of Natural Therapeutics. Pp39. [52] Ibid. Pp108. [53] Wilder, A. 1899. The Fallacy of Vaccination. Pp17. [54] Ross, A. Small-pox and Vaccination. Included as part of a publication titled Brief Extracts From High Authorities Exposing the Evils of Vaccination: The Great Medical Delusion of the Nineteenth Century, Now Exciting popular Indignation from the US national library of medicine. [55] Lindlahr, H. 1975. Philosophy of Natural Therapeutics. Pp69. [56] Wu, K. 2018. The Mysterious Origins of the Smallpox Vaccine. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/mysterious-origins-smallpox-vaccine-180970069/. [57] Schrick, L., et al. 2017. An Early American Smallpox Vaccine Based on Horsepox. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc1707600. [58] Wu, K. 2018. The Mysterious Origins of the Smallpox Vaccine. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/mysterious-origins-smallpox-vaccine-180970069/. [59] Lane, M., J., Goldstein, J. 2003. Evaluation of 21st-century risks of smallpox vaccination and policy options. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12639083/. [60] Kohn, D. 2002. The Most Dangerous Vaccine. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-most-dangerous-vaccine/. [61] Lindlahr, H. 1975. Philosophy of Natural Therapeutics. Pp108. Around 3,000 New York City teachers have asked for medical and religious exemptions from the citys COVID-19 vaccination mandate, according to the citys teachers union. The city requires all school staff to be vaccinated or exempted by midnight on Sept. 27. The union, United Federation of Teachers (UFT) said on Sept. 24 that 90-95 percent of teachers have received the vaccine. That would leave about 4,000-8,000 unvaccinated, including those who have asked for the exemption. The exemptions are largely medical, UFT President Michael Mulgrew told reporters during a Sept. 24 teleconference. He didnt specify how many have been granted. Those rejected have an option to appeal, but Mulgrew said he didnt know how many have done so. With a pending appeal, a teacher cant participate in instruction, but gets exempted from the mandate, which requires those unvaccinated after the deadline to either leave their jobs with a severance package or take unpaid leave. Given the citys total of some 78,000 teachers, about 4 percent have asked for exemptions. Both Mulgrew and Mark Cannizzaro, president of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, warned that the mandate deadline could cause staffing shortages, despite the citys assurances that there will be enough substitutes. Principals and superintendents have been reaching out consistently to tell us that they are concerned about not having enough staff come Tuesday morning, Cannizzaro said during the teleconference. The blamed the city administration for a lack of advanced planning and suggested the city should allow unvaccinated staffers to still come to work for as long as its needed to resolve staffing issues at their individual schools. Until theres a plan to make sure schools are safe, we need to reevaluate what were doing going forward, Cannizzaro said. They also criticized the city for putting the deadline on Monday, leaving schools in a position where they may learn on Monday night, they need a substitute for somebody the following morning. Whos the genius who decided to do it on a Monday by midnight? Mulgrew said. Cannizzaro suggested a better way would have been to place the deadline before the start of the school year, before a holiday, or before a long weekend. Perhaps we would have had enough time to make contingency plans to be ready to welcome students, he said. The municipal workers union has been fighting the mandate in court and initially managed to get it put on hold. But the court lifted the restraining order on Sept. 23. This case has already led to progress in protecting the rights of our members, since the cityin the wake of the courts initial issuance of the restraining orderadmitted that there can be exceptions to the vaccine mandate, Municipal Labor Committee Chair Harry Nespoli said in a Sept. 22 statement. The courtwhile lifting the restraining orderhas not made a final decision, and we are preparing additional material to support our case. The city explained the mandate as a way to reduce risk posed by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19, as well as to prevent school closures due to outbreaks. It imposed a slew of other restrictions including mandatory masks for both students and staff, 3-foot distancing between students when possible, and biweekly random testing (among students whose parents consented). The testing frequency was increased to weekly upon UFTs request. Based on the rules, one student testing positive could lead to the whole class being relegated to remote learning for 7-10 days, regardless of whether the others test positive of not. Schools have also nixed supposedly riskier activities such as indoor eating and extracurriculars like choir, band, and sports. Many have opposed the rules, questioning why children, who are at low risk of getting serious symptoms from COVID-19, are being forced to wear masks all day while celebrities and politicians have been seen attending numerous events maskless. The COVID-19 outbreak at Brandons Christian Heritage School came into sharper focus Friday, with the province now identifying seven people who have been affected. Advertisement Advertise With Us The COVID-19 outbreak at Brandons Christian Heritage School came into sharper focus Friday, with the province now identifying seven people who have been affected. According to the governments outbreak dashboard, one staff member and six "non-staff" members have recently contracted the coronavirus at Christian Heritage. This information contradicts the provinces COVID tracker map for K-12 schools, which, as of Friday afternoon, only associates two cases with the school for the two weeks prior to Sept. 22. Public-health officials first revealed this outbreak in Thursdays COVID news bulletin, where they mentioned that this specific spread of coronavirus is linked to the delta variant. As a result, the notice went on to state that at least one Christian Heritage class has moved from in-person instruction to remote learning until Oct. 1, although no specific grade was identified. Christian Heritage principal Bryan Schroeder declined to disclose any more details about the outbreak during a Friday morning conversation with the Sun. Instead, Schroeder fell back on the official statement that he emailed the Sun Thursday: "Christian Heritage School is continuing to follow public health protocols and is working closely with public health to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the school community." Christian Heritage is the sixth local school to be impacted by COVID cases since the 2021-22 academic year began on Sept. 7. Throughout this time, individuals from Vincent Massey High School (Grade 12 class), Riverheights School (Grade 1 class), Betty Gibson School (Grade 1/2 class) Ecole New Era School (Grade 5/6 class) and Ecole OKelly School (three separate grades) have all contracted the virus. However, this marks the first time the province has declared an outbreak for a Brandon-based school this fall and the first time a local K-12 institution has shifted to remote learning. Elsewhere in the province, a Grade 1 class in Steinbachs Woodlawn School also moved to remote learning earlier this month after a student or staff member tested positive for the virus. Overall, the province has registered 70 total COVID-19 cases in Manitoba K-12 schools since the beginning of fall semester, according to its online dashboard Friday afternoon. Of the 70 cases, 60 are students and the remaining 10 are school staff. Christian Heritage School is not managed by the Brandon School Division but falls under the jurisdiction of Christian Schools International. The school first opened its doors in 1975 and currently supports a student population of around 150 pupils, according to the provinces COVID tracker map. kdarbyson@brandonsun.com Twitter: @KyleDarbyson Honouring residential school survivors and the multi-generational damage of the institutions, Brandon will be celebrating its inaugural Truth and Reconciliation Week starting Monday. Advertisement Advertise With Us Honouring residential school survivors and the multi-generational damage of the institutions, Brandon will be celebrating its inaugural Truth and Reconciliation Week starting Monday. "Theres going to be a lot of opportunity for learning experiences, which will bring understanding for those who really havent been immersed in conversations like this," said Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples Council chair Leah LaPlante. CHELSEA KEMP/THE BRANDON SUN The Hees family stands by the Tipi Legacy project installation at Green Acres School Friday. "Its giving people the opportunity from the Indigenous side to talk about it, to talk about how it impacted them for generations and for others to learn and understand. Were trying to do it with knowledge, laughter and talking together." The events begin Monday at 7 a.m. at the Riverbank Discovery Centre east picnic shelter with the lighting of a ceremonial fire. At the same time Knowledge Keeper Frank Tacan will lead an Opening Sunrise Ceremony. The orange flag, a symbol for the oppression caused by the Indian Residential School system in Canada, is scheduled to be raised at 9 a.m. at Brandon City Hall. It will be a challenging week of hard conversations and powerful educational activities designed to bring the community together, LaPlante said. She hopes those who participate in the activities will be inspired to learn more and continue discussions about Truth and Reconciliation moving forward. The Riverbank Discovery Centre will be the hub for events taking place during Truth and Reconciliation Week, starting with the Tipi Challenge, which takes place Monday at 1:30 p.m. Teams from local organizations will come together to erect the teepees. LaPlante said the activity serves as a learning opportunity to explore how the structure comes together paired with Indigenous stories and history. "Any time a group of people can get together and challenge each other, thats when you have a little bit of fun, and youre learning all the way through it," LaPlante said. Assiniboine Community College and Brandon University will be hosting four Zoom sessions starting at 11:30 a.m. Monday with Allen Sutherland, Waabishki Mazinazoot Mishtaatim (White Spotted Horse). Different Zoom sessions will be available throughout the week. On Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. Dakota Knowledge Keeper Eugene Ross will be speaking during the Food and Wellbeing the Traditional Way. Tuesday at 6 p.m. Ken Norquay, who works as an Indian Residential School cultural support provider for the Brandon office of West Region Treaty 2 & 4 Health Services will be hosting Indigenous Healing and Wellness at the east wetland viewing platform. On Wednesday at 1 p.m. Elder Lorraine Pompana and a circle of Elders will share their Indian Residential School experiences. A sharing circle with Canupawakpa Dakota First Nation member Noella Eagle is planned to break down "What Does Truth and Reconciliation Mean?" Wednesday at the All Nations Sharing Circle at 6 p.m. LaPlante encouraged people to participate in these events and talks with residential school survivors to truly understand the impact of the institutions. A Kairos Blanket Exercise takes place at 10 a.m. at the Fusion Credit Union Stage Thursday. Another exercise will be held at 10 a.m. Friday. The Kairos Blanket Ceremony is a great tool to better understand the Indigenous experience in Canada. LaPlante said it provides a "snapshot" of Canadian history, the land and the impact of colonization. "Visually seeing it happen in front of your eye, it really brings it home," LaPlante said. "It shows the stark reality in a very short presentation. I would highlight recommend it." An Orange Shirt Day Walk is planned at the Riverbank Discovery Centre at 1 p.m. Thursday to honour Indigenous children who were taken from their homes and kept in residential schools. The walk begins at the Riverbank Discovery Centre, goes to the site of the former Brandon Indian Residential School, and back to the Riverbank. Healing by the River will take place after the walk at 5 p.m. at the Fusion Credit Union stage. It will feature a full slate of Indigenous performers who will share their cultural traditions. On Friday, Jason Gobeil will be providing Reading from Returning to Harmony by Richard Wagamese at the All Nations Sharing Circle at 1 p.m. The events honouring Truth and Reconciliation officially come to an end Friday at 2 p.m. at the Riverbank Discovery Centre with a closing ceremony. "Its a wonderful opportunity for Brandonites to learn, share and start to understand things that they had never had an opportunity to hear people sharing," LaPlante said. "Canada across the country is looking at the residential school system with a different lens." Rena and Chris Hees, and their two daughters Natalie, nine, and Shannon, 12, have worked on multiple Indigenous-led projects in Brandon, including the recent installation of the Tipi Tour Legacy Project teepee at Green Acres School. Orange Shirt Day has always been significant in their family, Chris said, and it is encouraging to see the conversations about residential schools and truth and reconciliation take on new importance this year across the country. Renas mother, Isabelle, is a residential school survivor hailing from the Pukatawagan First Nation, located south of Lynn Lake. She attended Guy Hill Residential School near The Pas. Her mother now lives in British Columbia. Rena said for years she did not know her mother had been sent to residential school, and her mother rarely spoke of the experience. "She did explain some things, but a lot she didnt. Who wants to keep reliving that trauma? She didnt say much, but from what she did say it was not a great experience," Rena said. "Weve been talking about how unlucky she [Isabelle] was to attend a residential school and letting them [our daughters] know a lot of kids didnt come home and thats terrible." The family continues to live through the effects of the intergenerational trauma created by the institution, Chris said. "Were missing a brother-in-law. He passed by suicide and its hard to not acknowledge that some of that isnt tied back to what happened before." The impact of unmarked graves has left a mark in the country, Chris said, and the family appreciates how fortunate they are to be together because Isabelle survived her time at residential school. "My mother-in-laws classmates didnt all come home from school," Chris said. "Its hard to get it out of your head when you know what happened." These experiences make it essential to ensure Indigenous culture is seen, acknowledged and celebrated as part of healing and truth and reconciliation. These actions are critical, Chris added, because it shows his daughters their Indigenous heritage and family is valued and respected in the community. The family is passionate about the activities taking place during Truth and Reconciliation Week and plan to attend the sharing circle, the walk at the Riverbank Discovery Centre and the closing ceremonies. Chris said they will treat the week as a time of reflection and explore how to support residential school survivors and help in the healing process. "It will be a lot of reflection and reaching out to those we love," Chris said. "We have to walk this path forward together. In Canada, this is the most pressing issue in front of us. Lets move this relationship forward and lets get it working the way its meant to be." For more information on Truth and Reconciliation Week activities visit events.brandon.ca/MasterCalendar.aspx. ckemp@brandonsun.com Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp Jia Zhang has moved into four hotels and five rooms since last Friday when a small fire forced her and her daughter from their Valley View Condominium at 1400 Pacific Ave. Advertisement Advertise With Us TIM SMITH/THE BRANDON SUN Fourth-year Brandon University School of Music student Jia Zhang from Beijing, China, is currently staying at the Clarion Hotel and Suites after losing her home and belongings in the apartment fire on Pacific Avenue in downtown Brandon earlier this week. Jia Zhang has moved into four hotels and five rooms since last Friday when a small fire forced her and her daughter from their Valley View Condominium at 1400 Pacific Ave. "Its been so hard," she told the Sun from a banquet room at a hotel she is staying at. Zhangs condo sustained serious water damage in the second fire on Tuesday. She made a claim to her insurance company at that point. Some of her belongings could be repaired, but the entire apartment suffered water damage and she was forced to move to a hotel with her two-year-old daughter. "Some things could be repaired. The TV. The piano." She had an appointment on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with the insurance company who was supposed to help her pack anything salvageable and place them in storage. "But the second fire happened on Tuesday," she said. "I cant imagine if I have no insurance," she said. "Its incredible." This time, she lost everything. It destroyed baby photos and her beloved piano that brings her to tears. Zhang is majoring in piano performance at the School of Music at Brandon University. The black lacquered Yamaha piano was a gift from her husband for their daughters birthday. "He understands how deeply I love music." A full-time mother, theres only her to look after her child. Her husband lives in Beijing. "When I play my piano, I feel so relaxed. Im happy. Thats the reason I insisted on my studies every day. I didnt quit." A week after she gave birth to her daughter, Mila, she was back in school. "I dont want to miss any classes. I love it." Three months after quitting her job as a lawyer in China, she was in Brandon. Zhang studied and played the piano since childhood in China. Zhangs first degree was in law, but she is an artist at heart. The night of the fire, Zhang heard about it through social media. "I cried." And then she was contacted by a member of the City of Brandons Emergency Support Services less than an hour after the fire started. "All the babys things. All the photos. My piano. Gone," she said. Her burgundy sweatshirt, yellow pants, flip flops and corduroy ball cap are the only clothes she has. She was able to grab some baby clothes for her two-year-old daughter the first time around. "I have some clothes for her. I dont have enough for myself." The insurance company will help her rent another home, but they havent said when that will happen. "I need to wait," Zhang said. She understands because there are so many people affected by the fire. "I dont have time to think about the next day. Thats how my life is right now." "I really want to thank the dean (of music), my professor, Alexander Tselyakov and Maria at the Brandon University Learning Centre Daycare," she said. "Maria said to me, do we need to give you clothes, books, toys for your daughter, some comfort things to comfort her heart. And I think about her heart." "My professor phoned me within an hour after the fire. Hes so nice. His wife told me she can help me care for my baby. And the dean saw me, and said, dont worry. Well help you." "I feel like Im not alone here. I really want to say thank you to those three people." Zhang is deeply humbled from the outpouring of support shes received. "Im only an international student. Im not Canadian. And they helped me." It is not lost on her that there are so many others who were affected by Tuesdays fire. In the meantime, Zhang is using the piano at Brandon University to practise. "Practice is our job," she laughs. Zhangs insurance company hasnt given her a timeline as to when she will be able to search for another home. "Many people need help. I really understand." Brandon University and the Canadian Red Cross are assisting Zhang with her needs, for now. But, shes overwhelmed with the events of the last week and is just taking it one day at a time, and focusing on her daughters welfare. Zhang knows another music student from the School of Music at Brandon University who was impacted by Tuesdays fire. As Eric Zhao entered the banquet room for his interview with the Sun, he apologized for the way he looked. He was in the same clothes hes been in since Tuesday night and explained to the Suns photographer he didnt want his picture taken. Like Zhang and so many others that night, he lost everything in the fire, too. Unfortunately, he didnt have insurance. The sting of the fire was felt even more as Zhao explained his beloved B-Flat clarinet was destroyed. He estimated its replacement cost at roughly $3,000. Zhao is staying with friends and is relying on the university for help with the school of music assisting him with the use of the class instruments. He explained its not the same as the clarinet he purchased in China that has been with him for the last five years. But, its better than nothing and it still allows him to practise. Brandon Universitys dean of music, Greg Gatien, said there are seven students impacted by Tuesdays fire the School of Music is helping. "We were helping a business student too, so I think six music students for sure and a roommate of one of our music students, who is a business major," Gatien said. "Were doing anything we can to help them." The emerging issue for those displaced students is making sure that they have a safe place to sleep because they lost bank cards and credit cards and in some cases passports, their vaccine cards and their student IDs that they need to get into the building, he said. "Were card access only right now because of the pandemic." Gatien said the school is collecting both an inventory from the students as to what it is that theyve lost in terms of electronics and instruments and textbooks. An outpouring of support from faculty, staff and students who are taking an inventory so those impacted students can be matched up with people who are trying to help them is underway. The emotional impact of losing an instrument has been, "heartbreaking," Gatien said. "Weve seen them cry in our offices. There was the recognition that this instrument, which theyve saved for years, theyve carefully selected it. "Its heartbreaking for us to see and its heartbreaking for the students because its a very personal item. "So its been a rough week for them. "Young people are amazing. Three of (the students) from Winnipeg, their parents came up to help them and bring them home, to help replace clothes and toiletries and pots and pans. "But many are international students, and they were in class the next day. Its really remarkable. "Well figure out how to get them through this semester and support them however we can." This has been the biggest disruption Brandon University has seen, according to Grant Hamilton, director of marketing and communications. "This is certainly the biggest (displacement) that I can remember," Hamilton said. In total, 16 BU students were displaced from Tuesdays fire. Support from the BU community has been heartwarming. By Friday afternoon, $6,000 had been raised to assist those impacted students. "Thats one of the benefits of Brandon University being such a small, tight-knit community. International students, especially, are a really tight-knit group," Hamilton said. "It does remind you of the benefits of being a compassionate, close-knit campus and the fact that people come together so quickly to support were seeing this in Brandon just in general." Brandon University has provided housing for some students. Some displaced students have moved into residence. Assistance with textbooks and a small Emergency Funds grants are being provided to those students. "Bags and bags of clothes have been dropped off at the dean of students office. Pretty quickly, things like winter coats and mitts and toques are going to be essential. All those were lost," he said. A synopsis of the supports BU offers is can be viewed at brandonu.ca/news/2021/09/22/supports-available-for-those-affected-by-fire. Those wishing to assist in replenishing the Student Emergency Fund can do so at BrandonU.ca/Give or by calling 204-727-7374. Emails can be sent to Brandon University Foundation or by mail to 27018th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9. kkielley@brandonsun.com, with files from Kyle Darbyson WHAT IS SINO-EUROPEAN LAB In collaboration with Mallorca Film Commission, the Sino-European producers association Bridging the Dragon will hold the new edition of its yearly Lab in Mallorca in late November 2021. The event is an immersive residential workshop focusing on the collaboration between Europe and China. The Lab has been proven to be a breeding ground for valuable content and an inspiring think-tank providing bonding opportunities and in-depth learning experience for film professionals who have concrete interest in China. By attending the Lab, participants will have the chance to get to know more about the latest trends in the Chinese film industry, develop their understanding of content suitable for Sino-European collaboration, as well as expanding their networks in this specific area. Compared to previous editions, the selected projects will serve more as case studies. More space will be given to analysis, presentation of successful Chinese movies, keynotes by veteran experts and informal networking among the participants. Sino-European collaboration is a long march but we are delighted to start seeing the outcome of our previous editions. Some of the projects under our umbrella have been successfully realized or are in the process of completion. The results of the Lab also go beyond pure co-productions. We support film professionals in a variety of other areas: from servicing as line producers for Chinese films to be shot in Europe, to selling contents to China, promoting talents or offering services. One thing we know for certain is that here in Australia, we have a head start. There is no question that having come through the pandemic comparatively untarnished, we have an incredible opportunity. An opportunity to build back better, as the politicians tell us. Looking backwards should be for the purpose of imagining better, not reminiscing about a past through rose-coloured glasses. Our lens should be squarely on the economic policy and social settings that enable a future worth inhabiting. To build an Australia that is ready for the multitude of challenges that lie ahead. An inclusive Australia that provides opportunities for every citizen, not just the privileged few. It is time for our period of liminality to come to an end. It is time to rebuild. At the forefront of that process must be the equality of women. Women went into the pandemic already faced with a hugely unequal set of circumstances, and the pandemic has made that inequality even more acute. Globally, womens jobs were 1.8 times more vulnerable in the pandemic than mens jobs. Women make up just under 40 per cent of the worlds paid workforce but suffered 59 per cent of the job losses. Looking backwards should be for the purpose of imagining better, not reminiscing about a past through rose-coloured glasses. Our lens should be squarely on the economic policy and social settings that enable a future worth inhabiting. In Australia, women were the first workers to be laid off and the first to be rehired, often at a lower pay rate than before. Recruiters reported a change in priorities among women who returned to the labour market after lockdowns. Instead of picking up where they left off, in terms of both position and pay, more women took lower-paid roles for the sake of security and flexibility. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, almost one in 10 women experienced violence from their intimate partner between March and May 2020. For a third of those women, it was the first time this had happened. Women continued to shoulder the overwhelming burden of unpaid care work despite men being at home in greater numbers than ever before. Provisional results of a survey by the University of Melbourne suggest that in households with children, parents are putting in an extra six hours a day of care and supervision, with women taking on more than two-thirds of the extra time. Australian Bureau of Statistics survey data reveals that women were more likely than men to feel restless, nervous, lonely and like nothing could cheer them up during the lockdowns. A whopping 37 per cent of young women aged between 18 and 24 reported experiencing suicidal thoughts as 2020 exposed and deepened existing inequalities, revealing the frightening precariousness of Australian womens security and happiness. Women are more likely to be socio-economically disadvantaged and to live in poor housing conditions with decreased sanitation or overcrowding, which increases the likelihood they will contract and spread COVID-19. Women also make up 75 per cent of the health workforce and are more likely to work in roles that require direct physical contact with patients also placing them at greater risk of contracting the virus. In short, if the day-to-day impacts of gender inequality werent already apparent to an individual woman, they certainly made themselves known throughout 2020. Loading Perhaps thats why in March 2021, nearly 100,000 people marched on the streets of Australias cities and towns, demanding justice for women. These rallies followed extraordinary allegations of sexual misconduct and assault in the nations parliament. They proceeded further with revelations of harassment, sexism and abuses of power, revealing a culture of patriarchy, sleaze and recklessness in the corridors of power. That such events had allegedly taken place in Parliament House and then been covered up sparked fury in the minds of women who had never set foot inside that building. Whether at home, at work or in the community, women regularly report not feeling safe. There is behaviour that comes as second nature to us, which makes men scratch their heads in confusion. Behaviour, when pointed out to them, prompts anger, defensiveness, and cries of not all men. We carry our keys between our fingers while walking back to the car at night. We change train carriages because a guy is looking at us in a way that feels threatening. We smile politely and decline the advances of a colleague because it will be awkward to say what were really thinking. We shrug off the comments of a great-uncle who is excused from the consequences of his blatantly sexist remarks because of his age. We grit our teeth when the boss calls us sweetie or darling or babe, or when a colleague describes us as ambitious in such a way that makes clear it isnt a compliment. Across the country, we gathered together in force to say that it happened to us. Our presence stole nightly news bulletins, dinner party conversations and Newspoll results for weeks at a time. But was there something else going on, too? Womens lives remain the subject of stereotype and expectation, judgment and lack of opportunity. The pandemic has laid these realities bare in a way that is hard to ignore. It may be too early to use words like movement or reckoning. Terms as considerable as these can perhaps only be justly applied in retrospect. But there is something in the air, and as youre about to learn we stand on the precipice of genuine reform that could benefit women for generations to come. There is a decades-long whisper among the women I speak with that the work of feminism is not done yet. That while things seem fair on the surface, evil lurks beneath the waters. Womens lives remain the subject of stereotype and expectation, judgment and lack of opportunity. The pandemic has laid these realities bare in a way that is hard to ignore. Loading The world is hurting as a whole, but womens wounds cut deep, and the blood runs thick. There is pain steeped in politics, a lack of acknowledgement and empathy, a frustration that is giving way to fury that must be channelled calmly, seriously and judiciously towards a better deal for all women. Not just for the privileged the wealthy, the white, the abled, the straight, the cis-gendered but for women whose stories have too long been forgotten. Coronavirus may have brought the world to its knees. But it is women who will stand strong in its wake. Edited extract from Work. Love. Body: Future Women (Hachette), edited by Helen McCabe and Jamila Rizvi, out now. This article appears in Sunday Life magazine within the Sun-Herald and the Sunday Age on sale September 26. To read more from Sunday Life, visit The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Digital COVID-19 vaccine exemption certificates will be available for those with a legitimate medical reason from next month, the federal government has revealed. But the national body for GPs has flagged concerns about patients demanding vaccine exemptions when they dont qualify, amid ever expanding vaccine mandates for workplaces and flagged no vax, no entry policies. Digital COVID-19 vaccine certificates will be incorporated into the NSW and Victorian check-in apps. Credit:Joe Armao Legitimate exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines can only be assessed and lodged to the Australian Immunisation Register by GPs, paediatricians and infectious disease physicians on behalf of a patient. Patients cant access the register themselves. The federal Department of Health said digital exemption certificates would be available through Services Australia next month as vaccine certificates are already. NSW has recorded 1007 new local COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths. A total of 108,105 tests were reported in the state in 24 hours, with 84.7 per cent of those over 16 receiving their first dose of a vaccine and 57.8 per cent of eligible people fully vaccinated. About 9.4 million doses of vaccine have been administered in the state. Dr Jeremy McAnulty from NSW Health said 1187 people with COVID-19 are in hospital. Of these, 229 are in intensive care and 118 people require ventilation. Queensland reported no new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, as the health minister warned those thinking about travelling interstate about the risks of border restrictions. The state had 17 active cases of the virus on Sunday, with 8022 tests conducted in the past 24 hours. On Saturday, the state recorded one new case, which was locally acquired and linked to the Sunnybank cluster a close family contact of a previous case. The same day, Queensland Health Minister Yvette DAth defended her governments messaging on when the state would reopen saying Queensland authorities were still following the national plan after comments by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young were again criticised by their national counterparts this week. Theyve held back for half a year, risking death from coronavirus because of a misplaced fear of the very thing that could save them. But doctors say a notable number of older Victorians are now overcoming their AstraZeneca vaccine hesitancy. The strong growth in first doses across all age groups has been partly driven by a string of announcements making it clear that unvaccinated Victorians will be excluded from many freedoms under the road map for easing restrictions, and in some cases their jobs, if they dont roll up their sleeves. John and Jim Manolakakis got their vaccine in March, but many older Australians have held off despite being eligible for vaccination for six months. Credit:Eddie Jim General practitioners have reported a jump in demand following the Victorian governments decision last week to mandate coronavirus vaccines for construction workers, a move that shook some of the young and apathetic into action but also angered others who got the jab under duress. In the past week, there has been a 6.6 per cent jump in first-dose coverage in Victoria, with a turn-out of more than 100,000 Victorians getting their first jab on some days. 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 In early September, Harmeet Bedi received a notification from the Department of Health. Her five-year-old daughter, Baneet, had been exposed to COVID-19 at a Craigieburn childcare centre, and the family were told they would need to go into quarantine. As more staff, children and parents linked to the childcare centre became infected with coronavirus, their 14-day quarantine was extended. Its now been almost three weeks since the Craigieburn family have stepped outside their home. The virus is all around us, Ms Bedi says. You feel targeted by it. We feel like we have been left to fend for ourselves out here. You feel like sitting ducks. Harmeet Bedi, Sarabjeet Singh and five-year-old Baneet say they feel like sitting ducks. Credit:Justin McManus So far, they have tested negative. But they are among tens of thousands of families in the City of Hume the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak who were exposed to the virus, and forced into isolation, either as positive cases or close contacts. We have no idea when we will be allowed to leave our home, Ms Bedi says. But even when we are allowed to leave, there is a sense of just nervously waiting until you get told youve been at another exposure site. Will it be at the supermarket or the chemist? Many people around here are very scared. Advertisement On Friday morning, general practitioner Umber Rind took to social media, revealing dozens of the 46 Victorians on ventilators in intensive care with coronavirus were from the tightknit Arabic-speaking community in the northern suburbs. Dr Rind likened the scenes confronting doctors in the intensive care unit to a horror movie. Young and old in induced comas, strapped to breathing machines, their organs failing. This is not is not an exaggeration. It is a catastrophe, Dr Rind said. They are our people. Not one of them is vaccinated. The numbers are stacked up against us unless we act together. COVID is real. Roughly 60 per cent of the Austin Hospitals intensive card ward is occupied by Arabic-speaking patients a situation doctors in Australia have never seen before. It is heartbreaking, these are people in the community that we know, Dr Rind says. I feel sad because this was all so predictable. It makes me so upset that our area in the north was not targeted for vaccines earlier. FEAR, FRUSTRATION AND FATIGUE COVID-19 has exploited vulnerabilities globally, and has pelted the City of Hume for the past 18 months. While the stark contrast of haves and have-nots has always existed in the melting pot of Melbourne, the pandemic has widened that gap. Advertisement A once-bustling shopping strip in Dallas, 20 kilometres north of Melbournes CBD, is deserted as the virus rapidly spreads through the municipality. Non-essential shopfronts are shuttered, and grocery stores are barely surviving as a few masked locals meander through. Outdoor tables, usually occupied by elderly men smoking cigarettes and playing backgammon, stand empty. The community hub, once a popular meeting ground for locals, is dormant as Hume residents with coronavirus. A small number of locals meander through the once-bustling Dallas shopping strip. Credit:Luis Ascui Traders told The Age their businesses were desperately clinging for life as shops around them became exposure sites, visitors were locked in 14-day quarantine, and other potential patrons were scared off. Businesses are hurting, not just because customers have dried up, but because of delivery delays due to the outbreak. None of the traders wanted to be identified when The Age visited this week, afraid of even sharing their observations and potentially identifying their businesses in a story about the pandemic. Were so worried, everyone is scared, may God protect us, one said. Fear is gripping the region, according to Hume mayor Joseph Haweil, with people acutely aware an essential trip to the grocery shop could send them into quarantine, or, even worse, expose them to the virus. The people around here are very fatigued, very tired, very frustrated, and this added element of COVID being so prevalent in the community has put many people on the edge, Cr Haweil says. Advertisement For a long time people were concerned about the economic element, worried about their businesses no longer being allowed to operate, or theyve lost their jobs. More recently, people are saying theyre worried for their own safety, health and wellbeing. Victoria has recorded 10,000 cases since mid-July, when the state entered its fifth lockdown. Health authorities believe the virus was either a new incursion or quietly seeding through existing transmission chains. Either way, Melbournes north bore the brunt of the outbreak, and frustration now runs deep within that community. Loading Since the states first Delta case in mid-July, about one third of the total cases were detected in Hume. Of almost 5000 cases reported in the municipality since the pandemic began, two-thirds were detected in recent weeks. So, why has the virus spread like wildfire in the region? Its not simply because of egregious rule-breakers. COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar on Saturday said about 55 per cent of transmission has occurred within the home, and the remaining through social interactions between households someone helping their mother do chores or another popping in to see their cousin. The virus has exploited Humes weaknesses, accentuated societys fault lines and exacerbated the citys divide. In comparison to many other areas, the region has low vaccination rates, and fewer GPs per head of population. Until recently, it did not have a state-run vaccination hub. Its workforce is largely young and mobile, and it has a high number of large, multi-generational families, many of them new arrivals. These factors have helped create a perfect storm for transmission. Advertisement Hume is densely populated. Its home to 240,000 people, about 4.5 per cent of Greater Melbournes population, with an average household size of 3.1 people, compared with Greater Melbournes 2.7, according to SGS Economics and Planning. When the fast-moving Delta variant infects one member of a family, it can rapidly spread through a home. In Hume, where large families are common, that effect is more pronounced. While the municipality has about 3.9 per cent of all households in Melbournes metropolitan region, it has 8.5 per cent of the households with more than six residents, and 10 per cent of households that have more than eight people. Fifty-four per cent of Humes workforce are essential workers who might need to travel for their job, making it the sixth-most mobile local government area in metropolitan Melbourne. Comparatively, about 35 per cent of workers in the affluent Stonnington, Yarra and Port Phillip regions potentially need to travel. Blue-collar regions, like Hume, were, in effect, disproportionately exposed to the virus through work so the rest of the state could safely lock down, suppress the spread of COVID-19 and protect the healthcare system. I think it does highlight that Hume and a few of these outer areas have higher risk factors, which would mean theres potential for residents in that area to contract COVID more easily, and spread it within their larger households, said Julian Szafraniec, SGS Economics and Plannings principal and partner. Advertisement Footage from Rukshan Fernandos live stream shows police moving in on protesters at the Shrine of Remembrance. Meanwhile, on his social media Telegram channel, followed by 13,000 people, he preaches about Premier Daniel Andrews super-spreading misinformation and writes the world is watching Australia in disbelief as our leaders strip our rights, freedoms and dignity. Police have twice attended his house in Melbournes south-east to warn him not to attend protests warnings he has ignored. Academics and sociologists believe Fernando is amplifying a movement that is misguided, especially in a pandemic, and has deeply unsavoury elements. But he is also documenting the actions of an increasingly militarised police force, whose at times aggressive behaviour would unnerve most Melburnians. Videographer Real Rukshan, aka Rukshan Fernando, filming in Melbournes CBD this week. Credit:Simone Fox Koob Fernando said he was supportive of Andrews when the first pandemic lockdown began in March 2020. When I had to close my business I 100 per cent supported the Andrews government and the decisions ... I was going around telling people to support the Andrews government Down the track I was disillusioned with some of the decisions he was making, particularly on businesses and the lack of transparency, the quarantine issue. He began live-streaming the protests earlier this year but says he does not necessarily endorse the views of participants, which he concedes may include a fringe Nazi element. Fernando was interviewed in August 2020 on a videocast by Tim Wilms, a vlogger notable for interviewing leaders of the Proud Boys, the United Patriots Front and Nazis, but rejects the idea the protests are organised by extremist elements, or are used as a recruiting tool for them as has been suggested by union chief Sally McManus and former federal opposition leader Bill Shorten, who described the protesters as man-baby Nazis. I dont think its representative of the majority of the protests or the intent of the protesters [though] I dont deny that they are there. Loading I dont buy into this narrative that its led by these people or that theyre the main proponent or setting these things up. They are very fringe. A lot of it is people from different walks of life theyre against lockdown or mandatory vaccination or theyre protesting against Dan Andrews. Fernando rejects criticism of protesters occupying the West Gate Bridge and the Shrine of Remembrance, and suggests the police are the ones putting people in danger, in particular when they have surrounded protesters. He has been pepper-sprayed while filming, as has Age photographer Luis Ascui. A Channel Nine security guard has been taken to the ground and arrested and the treatment of many protesters has appeared heavy handed. Meanwhile, at least 10 police have been injured some seriously when charged at, punched and trampled by protesters. Police cars have been attacked by mobs, the Shrine urinated on, drivers on the West Gate Bridge terrorised and spat on, and suburban streets overrun by mobs of largely angry young men. Fernando said he condemned those attacking police and the media, and said he believed his work is important because it both documented a movement and captured serious incidents from all sides, though he has at times turned the camera elsewhere when protesters are instigating violence. Loading I think its very bad that police are put in that situation. No one wants to go to work and get injured. Any deliberate attempts to attack police, hurt them, is not called for. [But] a lot of the injuries are in situations that could be avoided, he says. His initial online notoriety stemmed from his creation of memes last year mocking Premier Dan Andrews. One of the most successful was a video edited to show Andrews on a Dr Phil segment with the title Help me Dr Phil, I cant stop lying, another a video comparing conflicting statements from Brett Sutton on mask wearing. The creation of similar memes helped seed and promote the Trump movement in the US. It is noteworthy that his Twitter image banner depicts the US Capitol building, which Trump supporters invaded in January, injuring police and threatening the lives of senators. When you look at humour you can attract people who are not on the political perspective maybe deep down it will make them question something else, he said during a 2020 interview on The Discernable videocast. This week he was interviewed by Laura Ingraham on US cable channel Fox News, agreeing with her that Victoria was becoming like Communist China. Rukshan Fernando was interviewed on US cable channel Fox News this week. In other videos on his social media he consistently feeds a narrative that seeks to sow doubt in mainstream institutions and legacy journalists, which he describes as puppets. However, Fernando insists he is not pushing an agenda; he says he is there to document a movement of ordinary people. If [a journalist] goes and embeds themselves with the Taliban it doesnt mean they necessarily share those views, he says. Deakin University political sociologist Dr Josh Roose, who studies far-right movements, does not believe Fernandos role is passive. [His videos have] grown him exponentially in the last week. Its an interesting tactic and style. Hell attend these protests, film the violence, yet deny responsibility, Roose says. His filming of the protest is actually part of the problem. He films the spectacular ... and seeks to bring in sympathy for protesters in the middle of a pandemic that not only are a health risk but have a record of being violent towards the police in that sense hes building their narrative. Andrew Jakubowicz, Professor of Sociology at the University of Technology Sydney, believes Fernando is driving a message and cannot be viewed as a traditional reporter. Hes highly skilled hes very good at what he does. Is there much difference between him than Sky After Dark? Yes, hes better at that than they are. Is there much difference in the ideology? I dont think so. He has a much more intimate relationship with the movement on the streets. [His camera] lens is not an autonomous being that operates independently of his mind. Hes choosing all the time. Hes choosing stuff which feeds that narrative of taking control of the streets. Dr Francesco Bailo, lecturer in digital and social media at the University of Technology Sydney said protest movements strive to create their own media so they control the message. When the level of distrust towards the media is high the movement says we can create the media ourself. Theyre protesters and part of the movement but they assume an institutional role. But he doesnt believe the narrative that the movement is driven by the far right. I never believe in general the simple explanation, saying that the far right blows some whistle then you have hundreds of people in the streets. The roots of this, the discontent causing this is real people are not being paid, the vaccine mandate. You have an opportunity for many different movements and groups to try to steer this. Loading While some other independent media attending the protests make income through their videos and posts, through advertising and go-fund-me type websites, Fernando says he makes no money from his work. Theres a perception people in independent media are trying to take advantage of the situation to try to monetise it. Thats not been my approach. I want to avoid that. Ive told people not to put up fundraisers. I dont want to be tied to any particular group of people. I dont want be owned by these people or anyone. CFMEU Victorian secretary John Setka, centre, photographed in 2018 before the unions had to grapple with coronavirus jab mandates. Credit:Justin McManus The numbers tell the story. Setkas branch of the CFMEU declared 28,031 members across Victoria and Tasmania in its last report to the union regulator. The larger Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union, of which the CFMEU representing building workers is a part, counts 148,006 members. The nurses, teachers, public service and shopworkers unions are all larger, collectively making up about half the countrys unionised workforce of 1.5 million. Each has caveats on mandatory jabs: there should be consultation, sufficient supply, education, paid leave and appropriate exemptions but ultimately, if governments mandate it on medical orders, those unions support it. None agree with jabs required by individual employers. With the exception of the retail union, they represent a higher percentage of their industries than the CFMEU does in construction, where its membership comes primarily from large-scale building projects such as apartments, rather than home renovations or civil infrastructure projects. Emergency services unions too have largely agreed to jab mandates once key conditions such as exemptions are worked out. The police associations in Queensland, NSW and Victoria have all supported vaccine mandates for the force, which is a proposal in Victoria but already a rule to the north. The majority of our members have called for the prioritisation of vaccine to police, a spokesman for the Victorian Police Association said. Should Victoria Police require the vaccination of our members, we would support that decision. Tony King, president of the NSW Police Association, said he had no debate with the police forces vaccination order, but noted there is a provision for exemptions to the requirement. That includes both medical exemptions and other valid reasons that the police say will be assessed on a case by case basis. In Queensland, which has also mandated vaccines for police, officers who are not vaccinated or have an exemption will have to wear masks when they cannot socially distance. It is a far cry from Qantas boss Alan Joyces declaration that unvaccinated staff at his airline will find aviation is not the industry for them, and suggests some of the thorniest issues and potential unfair dismissal claims are less likely to arise in the police. No union has yet publicly filed an unfair unfair dismissal case for a member sacked for refusing a vaccine mandate and too much depends on factors such as how the mandate was implemented and the nature of the members medical conditions, to predict if they will. The Fair Work Ombudsman makes clear that even where an employee is determined not to be vaccinated, that does not mean they can be sacked on the spot. It advises employers to consider finding alternative work arrangements, such as working from home, for staff who have a legitimate reason not to be vaccinated. Staff could also be stood down. There have been some legal challenges run by others that suggest sackings based on jab mandates will be hard to challenge. Three cases where workers challenged flu vaccination mandates introduced at the start of the pandemic failed. In each case, the Fair Work Commission upheld the sackings. A NSW police officer, Belinda Hocroft also filed a case this year challenging the police mandate. Hocroft withdrew her application from court due to the impact that the proceedings would have on her career as a police officer, her lawyer, Charly Tannous said. He dismissed reports circulating on social media, some of which suggest it had been settled in her favour and would set a precedent, saying they were fake and circulated by other lawyers hoping to drum up business. Police were forced to guard the CFMEU office in Melbourne after the protests. They are also among the next groups who will have vaccination mandated. Credit:Eddie Jim Nonetheless, any cases the unions do take on will be a key test for the movement, marking out the unions view of what goes too far. Melissa Donnelly, national secretary of the 125,000-member Community and Public Sector Union, says members of her union, such as meat inspectors, have had to get vaccinated for their health and safety for years. Where there are clear public health requirements, the CPSU supports mandatory vaccination, she says. Correna Haythorpe of the 193,915-member Australian Education Union, declined an interview, but in a statement, she says: We have consistently advised our members and the broader community to follow the public health advice, recognising it is the best way to keep the community as safe as possible. This remains our position on any vaccination policies or requirements. In NSW and Victoria, where vaccination mandates for teachers have been introduced, the unions priority has been about getting jabs to its members rather than fighting against the rules. Annie Butler, a registered nurse who heads the countrys largest union, was wary of the federal governments aged care vaccine mandate, seeing it as a potentially politicised way of distracting from supply issues. But her view, as federal secretary of the 284,699-member Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation is straightforward on the general issue. When the health advice is clear, Butler says, we adhere to the advice. Her Victorian branch secretary, Lisa Fitzpatrick, was the most forthright union leader in criticising not just the violence of the protests, but their goal. Stop fighting for the right to overwhelm our health system, she said in an angry statement on Tuesday. Annie Butler, federal secretary of the nurses and midwives union, said she found the protests very difficult to watch. Credit:Janie Barrett Gerard Dwyers union, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA), is second in size only to the nurses at 217,475 members. The national secretary and treasurer argues the whole issue wouldnt have come up with such ferocity had the government made jabs available sooner, to avoid anti-vaccination sentiment having time to ferment. But now that it has, Dwyer says: The SDA supports mandated vaccination where it is introduced by government based on the advice of health authorities and after timely consultation with the union. That is broadly in line with the International Labour Organisation, which notes that vaccination is a matter of domestic policy, but emphasises the value of collaboration to bring workers along. Anthony Forsyth, a labour law professor from RMIT University, says the unions memberships, industries and tactics have all played into the difference between most labour organisations and the more militant building unions on vaccines. Some of the unions that are more in favour of vaccinations, such as the nurses, have a membership base that skews female and sees the consequences of severe coronavirus cases daily. Another relevant factor is general resistance of the CFMEU to regulation, and pushing the boundaries of industrial relations laws, Forsyth says. The nurses union does not sell shirts bearing the phrase if provoked, will strike above a king cobra showing its fangs. Loading That approach has been successful for the CFMEU in some ways: its members generally earn high wages that have increased about 5 per cent annually in recent years. But its aggressive tactics on building sites have also earned the ire of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, an industrial regulator focussed solely on that sector that has extensive coercive powers and has won millions of dollars in fines against the CFMEU. That, Forsyth suggests, may have further played into the unions culture. The culture of resistance may have led some members to feel COVID rules, including vaccine requirements and community expectations, dont apply to them, says Forsyth. Politicians should be banned from bombarding people with mobile phone messages and automated phone calls, most Australians say, after millions of voters received texts from the United Australia Party backed by mining magnate Clive Palmer. A strong majority of the electorate wants an end to special rules that allow the campaign tactics, with 78 per cent saying political parties should not send out automated text messages and 80 per cent saying parties should not call people with robocalls that play recorded voice messages. The United Australia Partys Craig Kelly. Credit: The findings are part of an exclusive survey for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that also shows that 83 per cent believe political parties should not be able to contact people who list their numbers on the federal register meant to stop unwanted marketing calls. The survey, conducted by research company Resolve Strategic, asked 1606 voters their opinions from September 15 to 19 to produce findings with a margin of error of 2.5 per cent. We were all questioning, why? the member said. There are plenty of other talented people who have been here for 20 years. People are really angry, a third member said. People in Fowler are saying: why are people in Fowler not good enough? Labor MP Chris Hayes, announcing his retirement from politics in the Labor party room at Parliament House in March. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The member argued moves by Mr Hayes to heavily promote one person had damaged the prospects of other worthy local candidates who were also from culturally diverse backgrounds. I would not open my mouth if she was someone in the branch for years, but shes not; shes also a parachuter. Earlier this year Mr Hayes described Ms Le as someone who has grown up in our local area and has demonstrated now for a long period of time her ongoing commitment to advancing the interests of our area. Loading Amid the fallout from Labors head office intervention, Ms Le took to Facebook this week to acknowledge the interest in her background, writing she was not a person to broadcast her life or achievements on social media. She said a lot of the information published about her was not entirely true or was downright false. I have never made any of these claims, she wrote on Monday. They may have been inaccurately deduced from the limited information there is about me. When the Herald approached Ms Le to clarify details of her background and candidacy, she issued a statement stressing she had never claimed she worked in Fowler or grew up there. She said she moved into Canley Vale which falls within the Fowler electorate last year when she got engaged. This was before I even knew Chris was retiring and before I put my hand up, Ms Le said. Ms Le said she had previously lived in the south-western Sydney suburbs of Belmore, Bankstown and Birrong, which are located in the nearby electorates of Watson and Blaxland. She said she had been a member of the ALPs Sefton branch in Blaxland since university but joined the Cabramatta branch in Fowler last year. I can understand how some people may have perceived Chris support of my candidacy as also being a case of parachuting, she said. Many people have asked me about this and I tell them all the same thing everyone has the right to put their hand up for preselection. Ms Le said all she wanted was a fair opportunity to stand for preselection, which she had been denied by the national executives decision to install Senator Keneally as candidate instead of allowing a vote by the rank and file. The decision is expected to be rubber-stamped by Monday. I would have welcomed a competitive preselection process, with other candidates throwing their hat in the ring, she said. It would have given me an opportunity to prove myself, rather than be perceived as another blow-in. I am pretty confident that if it was a rank-and-file vote, I would have won. Her account was rejected by one of the ALP members. Theres no support for her because shes new. Tu appeared at her first branch meeting in Fowler earlier this year, the member said. No one knows her. Mr Hayes objected to the characterisation that Ms Le had been parachuted in, saying he had indicated on several occasions he was not discouraging other candidates and normal preselection processes would be followed. Preselection for Fowler opened last week, three months after Mr Hayes held a campaign fundraising lunch featuring Ms Le alongside Labor leader Anthony Albanese. Ms Le said she personally invited attendees to the fundraiser, which was for Labors Fowler campaign generally, rather than for her personally. I feel really terrible now that many people had attended the fundraiser and donated to support me personally, even if they understood that the amount raised was for the Fowler campaign, she said. Ms Le is working across the Marrickville Legal Centre and Western Sydney Community Legal Centre in Parramatta. The 30-year-old is qualified as a solicitor under supervision and her work focuses on migrant workers rights and reducing domestic violence in culturally diverse communities. Berlin: Tens of thousands of environmental activists staged a rally outside Germanys parliament, led by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, two days before the country holds a national election, to demand that politicians take stronger action to curb climate change. The protest outside the Reichstag in Berlin was part of a string of rallies around the world, from Japan, Indian and Nigeria to Greece, Italy and Britain amid dire warnings that the planet faces dangerous temperature rises unless greenhouse gas emissions are cut sharply in coming years. Across Germany alone, hundreds of thousands of marchers joined similar protests in several cities and towns. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg stands onstage during a Fridays for Future global climate strike in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Credit:AP Photo/Markus Schreiber The idea for a global climate strike was inspired by Thunbergs solo protest in Stockholm three years ago. It snowballed into a mass movement until the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to large gatherings. Activists have only recently started staging smaller protests again. Thunberg, 18, addressed the Berlin rally from a stage, telling the crowd that voting is important but must be coupled with protests that put politicians under constant pressure. The battle between e-commerce firms to tap the festive season is intensifying further as Walmart-owned is preponing the launch date of its biggest flagship event, The Big Billion Days (TBBD) to October 3. This is a day before rival company is launching its festive event, The Great Indian Festival (GIF) 2021 which will start from October 4, 2021 for a month. Earlier had said it will kick off the TBBD, a 6-day event, from October 7 to 12, 2021. In an email addressed to the employees, Kalyan Krishnamurthy, chief executive officer, Group said the company has the potential to make a deep positive impact on the lives of everyone who engages with it. Keeping this in mind, he said the firm is standing true to Flipkarts values, being audacious, biased to action, and customer-centricity and have decided to make this Big Billion Day Bigger for all stakeholders. To enable this we are going to make some changes to our plans for Big Billion Days 2021, said Krishnamurthy, in an email to the employees and which has been seen by Business Standard. We are now kick-starting this event on October 3 and making it an eight-day event, ending on October 10. The customers would be updated through the app and website. The event will see millions of consumers, sellers, small businesses, artisans, Kiranas, brands and e-commerce ecosystem partners come together for the upcoming festive season. This year, The Big Billion Days will bring forth several new opportunities for homegrown brands and sellers to celebrate with consumers across the country, from metros to Tier 2 cities and beyond. Krishnamurthy said, over the last few years, BBD has become synonymous with the festive season in India, focused on meeting consumer aspirations, providing sellers, MSMEs and artisans a platform to drive growth while creating lakhs of jobs. This is not just our festive event, an event that encompasses the larger ecosystem that Flipkart and our partners have helped in building, said Krishnamurthy. This ecosystem is one of a kind and provides an impetus for different businesses, brands and partners to come together and offer new exciting value propositions for consumers. Flipkart continues to strengthen its seller base and is on track to have 4.2 Lakh sellers on its platform by December 2021. Currently, the Flipkart Marketplace supports digital commerce for 3.75 Lakh sellers. Flipkart has already onboarded 75,000 new sellers on its platform over the last few months as MSMEs, and small business entrepreneurs continue to be enthused by the potential of e-commerce ahead of the festive season. The new sellers and MSME base predominantly come from Tier 2 and 3 markets such as Agra, Indore, Jaipur, Panipat, Rajkot and Surat. Based on consumer behaviours weve been observing, we know consumers today are focused on value and quality and we are committed to delivering on this front, said Krishnamurthy. The Big Billion Days is our commitment to meet this requirement in a safe and efficient way. Flipkart Wholesale, the digital B2B marketplace of the e-commerce firm through its partnerships with lending partners and fintech institutions aims to provide multiple credit offerings to more than 1.5 million Kiranas and SMEs (small and medium enterprises) to help them manage their working capital requirements and grow their business. Krishnamurthy said there are millions of sellers who have joined the firm on this journey this year, and for many of them, the Big Billion Days is critical as they continue to strive to revitalise their businesses that have been adversely affected by this unprecedented pandemic. Lets also not forget the scale of employment that this event drives through an extensive supply chain that will help make the festivities a reality for numerous households, said Krishnamurthy. He thanked the employees for their commitment and continued effort that will make BBD possible, enabling the firm to make a positive difference. All of you have worked relentlessly over the past few months, and l know each Flipsters (employees) dream is to deliver experiences and opportunities for the entire ecosystem we work with and help realise a billion ambitions, said Krishnamurthy. E-commerce firms Amazon, Flipkart, and others are expected to witness blockbuster festive season sales of about $9 billion this year surpassing the pre-pandemic sales of $5 billion witnessed during the festive month in 2019, according to research firm RedSeer. The London Court of International has given the final award in the matter related to the spat between IndiGo promoters, Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal, and no directions have been issued to InterGlobe Aviation. InterGlobe Aviation is the parent of the country's largest airline IndiGo. In a regulatory filing, InterGlobe Aviation said it is in receipt of the final arbitral award, dated September 23, issued in the proceedings wherein the company was also named as a respondent. The proceedings were initiated by InterGlobe Enterprises Ltd (IGE) and Bhatia against Gangwal, the Chinkerpoo Family Trust and Shobha Gangwal (RG Group). On October 1, 2019, the IGE Group had submitted the request for arbitration to the London Court of International Arbitration. "Pursuant to the award, no directions have been issued to the company. The award has issued directions to each of the AG Group and IGE Group in relation to the relief sought by them against each other," InterGlobe Aviation said in the filing on Friday. The award also directs the reimbursement of the costs incurred by the company in relation to the arbitration by the IGE Group, it added. Specific details about the award could not be ascertained. In the arbitration proceedings, the company was named as a respondent but no monetary claims, including any compensation, were sought from the company by the IGE Group or the RG Group. The IGE Group had sought certain reliefs against the RG Group, including in relation to compliance with the shareholders agreement and the company's Articles of Association (AoA) as well as damages, as per the filing. "The AG Group also sought certain reliefs against the IGE Group, including to carry out all requisite steps and actions, provide consents and assistance to remove certain transfer restriction provisions from the company's articles," it added. The differences between the promoters came into the public in July 2019 after Gangwal wrote to markets regulator Sebi seeking its intervention to address corporate governance issues at the company. Bhatia's IGE Group had rejected the allegations. (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.) Indias Oil & Natural Gas Corp. is exploring a purchase of a significant minority stake in the $4 billion-plus Sangomar oil project off the coast of Senegal from Woodside Petroleum Ltd., according to people familiar with the matter. State-owned is discussing acquiring an interest of 20% to 40% in the field, the people said, asking not to be identified as the matter is private. Australia-based Woodside is working with Jefferies Financial Group Inc. on the sale, which could also attract other suitors, the people said. Deliberations are ongoing and theres no certainty theyll result in a deal, according to the people. Representatives for Jefferies and Woodside declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Videsh Ltd., ONGCs overseas investment arm, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Woodside has built its position in the Sangomar field through a series of stake purchases. Earlier this year, it bought FAR Ltd.s participating interest after exercising its right to match an offer made by That took its stake in the project to 82%, with the remainder held by the Senegalese government. Woodside acquired Cairn Energy Plcs stake in Sangomar last year. Senegal has been attracting oil and gas on the hunt for new resources. Cairn drilled the first deepwater wells in Sangomar in 2014, making one of the largest oil finds globally that year. Dallas-based Kosmos Energy Ltd. then made a series of major offshore gas discoveries starting in 2016. Pakistan, where terrorists enjoy free pass, is an "arsonist" disguising itself as a "fire-fighter", and the entire world has suffered as it nurtures dreaded terrorists like Osama bin Laden in its backyard, India has said in a blistering retort after Prime Minister Imran Khan raked up the issue of Kashmir in his address to the UN General Assembly. "We exercise our Right of Reply to one more attempt by the leader of to tarnish the image of this august Forum by bringing in matters internal to my country, and going so far as to spew falsehoods on the world stage, First Secretary Sneha Dubey said in the UN General Assembly on Friday. "While such statements deserve our collective contempt and sympathy for the mindset of the person who utters falsehood repeatedly, I am taking the floor to set the record straight, the young Indian diplomat said, slamming the Pakistani leader for raking up the Kashmir issue in his video address to the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. "We keep hearing that is a 'victim of terrorism'. This is the country which is an arsonist disguising itself as a fire-fighter. nurtures terrorists in their backyard in the hope that they will only harm their neighbours. Our region, and in fact the entire world, has suffered because of their policies. On the other hand, they are trying to cover up sectarian violence in their country as acts of terror," Dubey said. Khan, in his nearly 25-minute address, had spoken about the August 5, 2019 decision of the Indian government on the abrogation of Article 370 as well as the death of pro-Pakistan separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. In the Right of Reply, Dubey strongly reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh "were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation. Khan and other Pakistani leaders and diplomats have consistently raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and other internal matters of India in their addresses to the UN General Assembly and other forums of the world organisation. Pakistan's attempts to internationalise the Kashmir issue have gained no traction from the international community and the Member States, who maintain that Kashmir is a bilateral matter between the two countries. Dubey said it is regrettable that this is not the first time the leader of Pakistan has "misused" platforms provided by the UN to "propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country, and seeking in vain to divert the world's attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities, are turned upside down." With the international community marking this month the solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of the dastardly 9/11 terror attacks, Dubey said the world has not forgotten that the "mastermind behind that dastardly event, Osama bin Laden, got shelter in Pakistan. Even today, Pakistan leadership glorify him as a 'martyr'." "Regrettably, even today we heard the leader of Pakistan trying to justify acts of terror. Such defence of terrorism is unacceptable in the modern world," the Indian diplomat said. Categorically emphasising India's position, Dubey said New Delhi desires normal relations "with all our neighbours, including Pakistan." However, it is for Islamabad to work sincerely towards creating a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible actions to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross border terrorism against India in any manner. Asserting that Member States are aware that Pakistan has an established history and policy of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists, Dubey said the country has been globally recognised as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of State policy. "It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council." "This is also the country that still holds the despicable record in our region of having executed a religious and cultural genocide against the people of what is now Bangladesh. As we mark the 50th anniversary this year of that horrid event in history, there is not even an acknowledgment, much less accountability, she said. Highlighting that minorities in Pakistan - the Sikhs, Hindus, Christians - live in constant fear and state sponsored suppression of their rights, he said, "this is a regime where anti-Semitism is normalised by its leadership and even justified. "Dissenting voices are muzzled daily, and enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings are well documented," Dubey said. Dubey said that unlike Pakistan, India is a pluralistic democracy with a substantial population of minorities who have gone on to hold highest offices in the country including as President, Prime Minister, Chief Justices and Chiefs of Army Staff. India is also a country with a free media and an independent judiciary that keeps a watch and protects our Constitution. "Pluralism is a concept which is very difficult to understand for Pakistan which constitutionally prohibits its minorities from aspiring for high offices of the State. The least they could do is introspect before exposing themselves to ridicule on the world stage," the Indian diplomat said. In his address, Khan said sustainable peace in South Asia is contingent upon resolution of the Kashmir issue. He said Pakistan desires "peace" with India, as with all its neighbours. "But sustainable peace in South Asia is contingent upon resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir" issue, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, he said. He also called on the UN General Assembly to "demand" Geelani's proper burial and rites. On Afghanistan, Khan said, "for some reason, Pakistan has been blamed for the turn of events, by politicians in the United States and some politicians in Europe. "From this platform, I want them all to know, the country that suffered the most, apart from Afghanistan, was Pakistan, when we joined the US War on Terror after 9/11." "At least there should have been a word of appreciation. But rather than appreciation, imagine how we feel when we are blamed for the turn of events in Afghanistan, he said. Khan called upon the international community to strengthen and stabilise the Taliban government in Afghanistan, saying if the world community incentivises them, it will be a win-win situation for everyone. He said there is a huge humanitarian crisis looming ahead and warned that a destabilised, chaotic Afghanistan will again become a safe haven for international terrorists. (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.) US President has reiterated America's support for india's permanent membership on a reformed United Nations Security Council and its entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group during his first in-person bilateral meeting with Prime Minister at the White House. President Biden, in his talks with Prime Minister Modi, applauded India's strong leadership during its UN Security Council Presidency in August 2021, according to the US-India Joint Leaders' Statement issued after their meeting in the White House on Friday. In this context, President Biden also reiterated US support for India's permanent membership on a reformed UN Security Council and for other countries who are important champions of multilateral cooperation and aspire to permanent seats on the UN Security Council, it said. President Biden's support provides a big boost to New Delhi's push for the reform of the powerful UN organ as India has been at the forefront of efforts at the United Nations to push for an urgent long-pending reform of the Security Council, emphasising that it rightly deserves a place at the UN high table as a permanent member. India in June asserted that the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) on UN Security Council reforms can no longer be used as a smokescreen, as the General Assembly decided to roll over the IGN work to the next UNGA session and agreed to include an amendment proposed by the G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, India and Japan. At present, the UNSC comprises five permanent members and 10 non-permanent member countries which are elected for a two-year term by the General Assembly of the United Nations. The five permanent members are Russia, the UK, China, France and the United States and these countries can veto any substantive resolution. There has been growing demand to increase the number of permanent members to reflect the contemporary global reality. During his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, President Biden also reaffirmed US support for India's entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the joint statement said. The NSG is a 48-member grouping which regulates global nuclear commerce. Ever since India applied for the membership of the NSG in May 2016, China has been insisting that only those countries which have signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) should be allowed to enter the organisation. India and Pakistan are not signatories of the NPT. After India's application, Pakistan too has applied for the NSG membership in 2016. China maintains that there would be no discussion on India's entry into the NSG before reaching a specific plan on non-NPT members' participation in the elite grouping, as it declined to give a timeline to reach a consensus among member states on this issue. President Biden's support to India's permanent seat in the UNSC assumes significance as last month, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference that the US values "working with India at the United Nations, including in the context this month of the Security Council." Responding to a question on whether the Biden administration thinks that India should be a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Price said that the US supports building a consensus for a "modest" expansion of the Council for both permanent and non-permanent members, provided it does not diminish its effectiveness or its efficacy and does not alter or expand the veto. "We believe that a reformed Security Council that is representative, that is effective, and that is relevant is in the best interest of the United States and all of the UN member states," Price had said. In their talks on Friday, Prime Minister Modi and President Biden also welcomed the extension of the Statement of Guiding Principles on Triangular Cooperation for Global Development to leverage the combined capacities of India and the US to address global development challenges around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Africa, the statement said. They renewed their close relationship and charted a new course to advance the partnership between the world's largest democracies They also affirmed a clear vision that will guide the US-India relationship forward, the statement 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.) The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has passed a final order against three companies for indulging in the cartelisation of sale and supply of in various States and Union Territories in India, including through the platform of All India Brewers' Association (AIBA), informed the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on Friday. The three companies include the United Breweries Limited (UBL), SABMiller India Limited (now renamed as Anheuser Busch InBev India Ltd. after being acquired by Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV) (AB InBev) and Carlsberg India Private Limited (CIPL). "Giving the benefit of reduction in penalty under the provisions of Section 46 of the Act of 100 per cent to AB InBev and its individuals, 40 per cent to UBL and its individuals and 20 per cent to CIPL and its individuals. The directed UBL and CIPL to pay penalties of approx. Rs 750 crore and Rs 120 crore respectively, besides passing a cease-and-desist order," reads the release by the ministry. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court on Saturday granted anticipatory bail to Lok Janshakti Party MP Prince Raj who had sought protection from arrest in a rape case. Special judge Vikas Dhull granted the relief to the politician on a bond of Rs 1 lakh and one surety of like amount. Raj, nephew of the late Ram Vilas Paswan and cousin of Chirag Paswan, is a Member of Parliament from Samastipur in Bihar. In the application, Raj's advocate Nitesh Rana had claimed that the alleged victim and her male friend were extorting money and blackmailing his client since 2020. The Delhi Police had filed an FIR on September 9 against Prince Raj on the directions of a court here. The woman, who claims that she was an worker, has accused Raj of raping her while she was unconscious. (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 countries - United States, India, Japan and Australia - have pledged to donate more than 1.2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses globally, in addition to the vaccines financed through COVAX. In a joint statement, released by the White House on Friday (local time) the countries said that 79 million vaccine doses have already been collectively delivered to the Indo-Pacific region. "In addition to doses financed through COVAX, Australia, India, Japan, and the United States have pledged to donate more than 1.2 billion doses globally of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines," the joint statement said. "We launched the Vaccine Experts Group, comprised of top experts from our respective governments, charged with building strong ties and better aligning our plans to support Indo-Pacific health security and COVID-19 response," they said further adding that the partnership on COVID-19 response and relief marks an historic new focus for the Quad. Further, the leaders said that they are committed to better preparations for the next pandemic. "Quad leaders commit to better preparations for the next pandemic. We will continue to build coordination for health-security efforts in the Indo-Pacific, and we will jointly conduct at least one pandemic preparedness tabletop or exercise in 2022," they said. Quad will ensure expanded vaccine manufacturing India is exported for the Indo-Pacific and the world, the summit statement said. Japan said that will continue to help regional countries to procure safe, effective, and quality-assured vaccines through 3.3 billion dollars in the COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan program. Australia will deliver 212 million dollars in grant aid to purchase vaccines for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. In addition, Australia will allocate 219 million dollars to support last-mile vaccine rollouts and lead in coordinating Quad's last-mile delivery efforts in those regions. A first-ever in-person Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) Leaders' Summit hosted by US President Joe Biden in Washington witnessed the participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India on Saturday reported a net increase of 1,280 in active cases to take its count to 301,442. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 1.62 per cent (one in 60). The country is eighth among the most affected countries by active cases. On Friday, it added 29,616 cases to take its total caseload to 33,624,419 from 33,594,803 an increase of 0.1%. And, with 290 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 446,658, or 1.33 per cent of total confirmed infections. With 7,104,051 more Covid-19 vaccine doses being administered on Friday, Indias total count of vaccine shots so far reached 848,929,160. The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 32,876,319 or 97.78 per cent of total caseload with 28,046 new cured cases being reported on Saturday. Now the eighth-most-affected country by active cases, third by deaths, second by total cases, and first by recoveries, India has added 207,029 cases in the past 7 days. India now accounts for 1.62% of all active cases globally (one in every 60 active cases), and 9.42% of all deaths (one in every 10 deaths). India has so far administered 848,929,160 vaccine doses. That is 2524.74 per cent of its total caseload, and 60.84 per cent of its population. Among Indian states, the top 5 in terms of number of vaccine shots administered are Uttar Pradesh (104459160), Maharashtra (82130962), Madhya Pradesh (62865890), Gujarat (62468212), and Rajasthan (59188452). Among states with more than 10 million population, the top 5 in number of vaccine shots per one million population are Kerala (1049351), Gujarat (978016), Uttarakhand (962536), Delhi (960569), and Karnataka (843098). Backwards from here, the last 1 million cases for India have come in 29 days. The count of active cases across India on Saturday saw a net addition of 1,280, compared to net reduction of 1,478 on Friday. With 28,046 new daily recoveries, Indias recovery rate stands at 97.78%, while fatality rate remained unchanged at 1.33%. The Indian states and UTs with the worst case fatality rates at present are Punjab (2.74%), Uttarakhand (2.15%), and Maharashtra (2.13%). The rate in as many as 16 is higher than the national average. Indias new daily closed cases stand at 28,336 280 deaths and 28,046 recoveries. The share of deaths in total closed cases stands at 0.98%. Indias 5-day moving average of daily rate of addition to total cases stands at 0.1%. Indias doubling time for total cases stands at 786.6 days, and for deaths at 1067.2 days. Overall, five states with the biggest 24-hour jump in total cases are Kerala (17983), Maharashtra (3286), Tamil Nadu (1733), Mizoram (1322), and Andhra Pradesh (1246). Among states with more than 100,000 cases, the five with worst recovery rates at present are Kerala (95.92%). India on Thursday conducted 1,592,421 to take the total count of tests conducted so far in the country to 561,661,383. The test positivity rate recorded was 1.9%. The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (6537843), Kerala (4597266), Karnataka (2971833), Tamil Nadu (2653848), and Andhra Pradesh (2044490). Maharashtra, the most affected state overall, has reported 3286 new cases to take its tally to 6537843. Kerala, the second-most-affected state by total tally, has added 17983 cases to take its tally to 4597266. Karnataka, the third-most-affected state, has reported 789 cases to take its tally to 2971833. Tamil Nadu has added 1733 cases to take its tally to 2653848. Andhra Pradesh has seen its tally going up by 1246 to 2044490. Uttar Pradesh has added 28 cases to take its tally to 1709747. Delhi has added 24 cases to take its tally to 1438658. In view of gangster Jitendra Mann Gogi's shootout at Rohini Court on Friday, there is a possibility of 'Gangwar', therefore, all jails including Tihar Jail, Mandoli Jail and Rohini Jail have been put on high alert, informed the Jail Officials. "As Gogi was lodged in Tihar and his rival Tillu is in Mandoli jail, these jails have been put on special alert," stated the officials. "Many miscreants and shop shooters of both the gangs are also lodged in Rohini Jail," stated the officials further. Gangster Jitender Mann 'Gogi' was shot dead in Delhi's Rohini court premises on Friday by two assailants impersonating as lawyers. "The attackers have been identified as Rahul Tyagi and Jagdeep and both of them have been shot dead by the police in retaliation," said Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana. The police also informed that no civilian or court staff was injured during the shootout. (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.) At the first in-person summit of the leaders of the United States, Japan, India and Australia, a wide array of topics were discussed. President and the leaders of Australia, India, and Japan made a show of unity against China on Friday, meeting together at the White House in a first-ever summit to discuss initiatives to counter Beijings influence across the Pacific. The group is coming together to take on key challenges of our age, from Covid to climate to emerging technologies, Biden said Friday at the White House. None of the leaders mentioned China by name in remarks to reporters. But the point of the gathering was clear. We stand here together, in the Indo-Pacific region, a region that we wish to be always free from coercion, where the sovereign rights of all nations are respected, and where disputes are settled peacefully and accordance with international law, said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Here are the other issues discussed by Biden, Narendra Modi, Scott Morrison and Yoshihide Suga. Quad to deploy secure, open, transparent 5G networks Amid growing security concern over misuse of 5G technologies by Chinese companies, leaders of the United States, Japan, Australia and India on Friday agreed to advance the deployment of "secure, open and transparent" 5G telecommunications networks and work to bolster supply chain security for semiconductors. Discussion at the first in-person summit of the leaders of the four democracies, which are known as the Quad reflected the concerns of the member countries about the concentration of the world's semiconductor manufacturing capacity largely in China and also the hold of the Asian country on 5G networks. "We have established cooperation on critical and emerging technologies, to ensure the way in which technology is designed, developed, governed, and used is shaped by our shared values and respect for universal human rights," said the joint statement of Quad leaders put out by the White House after the summit. "In partnership with industry, we are advancing the deployment of secure, open, and transparent 5G and beyond-5G networks, and working with a range of partners to foster innovation and promote trustworthy vendors and approaches such as Open-RAN," the statement added. Quad nations to join forces to tackle climate crisis The leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the US in their first in-person Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) Summit on Friday (local time) announced that they are combining their forces to "tackle the climate crisis." "We have joined forces to tackle the climate crisis, which must be addressed with the urgency it demands. Quad countries will work together to keep the Paris-aligned temperature limits within reach and will pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels," read a joint statement issued by the White House at the end of the meeting of leaders of the Quad. To this end, Quad, as the grouping of the four democracies is called said it intends to update or communicate ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by COP26 and welcomed those who have already done so. Friday's first in-person summit of Quad comes a month ahead of the global climate summit, COP26 in Glasgow, UK. Quad countries will also coordinate their diplomacy to raise global ambition, including reaching out to key stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region. Quad to coordinate diplomatic, human-rights policies towards Afghanistan After the first-ever in-person Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) Summit, leaders of the Quad nations in a joint statement said they will closely coordinate diplomatic, economic, and human-rights policies towards Afghanistan. The grouping in its statement said, "In South Asia, we will closely coordinate our diplomatic, economic, and human-rights policies towards Afghanistan and will deepen our counter-terrorism and humanitarian cooperation in the months ahead in accordance with UNSCR 2593." UN Security Council resolution 2593, passed under the presidency of India, demands Afghan soil shouldn't be used in any way for terrorism and seeks an inclusive and negotiated settlement to the crisis in the war-torn country. "We reaffirm that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts, and reiterate the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan," the Quad joint statement said. The Quad leaders also denounced the use of terrorist proxies and emphasized the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks, including cross-border attacks. "We stand together in support of Afghan nationals, and call on the Taliban to provide safe passage to any person wishing to leave Afghanistan, and to ensure that the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and minorities are respected," read the joint statement. Quad countries pledge to donate 1.2 bn Covid vaccine doses globally The Quad countries have pledged to donate more than 1.2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses globally, in addition to the vaccines financed through COVAX. In a joint statement, released by the White House on Friday (local time) the countries said that 790 million coronavirus vaccine doses have already been collectively delivered to the Indo-Pacific region. "In addition to doses financed through COVAX, Australia, India, Japan, and the United States have pledged to donate more than 1.2 billion doses globally of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines," the Quad joint statement said. "We launched the Quad Vaccine Experts Group, comprised of top experts from our respective governments, charged with building strong ties and better aligning our plans to support Indo-Pacific health security and COVID-19 response," they said further adding that the partnership on COVID-19 response and relief marks an historic new focus for the Quad. India will export 8 mn Covid vaccine doses under Quad partnership India will make 8 million doses of Johnson & Johnsons Covid-19 vaccine available by the end of October under the Quad partnership, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said. Prime Minister informed fellow leaders of the Quad grouping at their summit in Washington, Shringla said. The Quad countries will pay for the vaccine and India will bear a certain share of the cost, he said. This would be ready by the end of October. It would be compatible with our decision to resume vaccine export, Shringla told reporters. This will be an immediate delivery from the Quad in the Indo-Pacific region. India will make available 8 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine by the end of October under the Quad vaccine partnership, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Friday informed. Shringla said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement in the regard at the Summit. The Foreign Secretary added that the Quad nations, including India, will pay for the vaccines. The leaders of the US, India, Australia and Japan held the first in-person Quad leaders meeting in Washington. During the meeting, they reaffirmed their commitment to work together to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. "They took stock of the factors that would address the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, the vaccine partnership this is considered the most important of the deliverables the Quad is looking at the most immediate and most imminent in view of the concerns with COVID-19," he said. "In that context, Prime Minister [Modi] announced not only the resumption of vaccines export but at the request of Quad, Prime Minister said that India would make available 8 million doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine which is Jensen vaccine which is manufactured in India by the Biological E. This would be ready by the end of October compatible with our decision to resume vaccine export. Quad will pay for the vaccine and India will bear a certain share of those. This is an immediate delivery from the Quad into the Indo Pacific region," he added. In his opening remarks at the Quad summit, Prime Minister Modi said that that the Quad vaccine initiative will help Indo-Pacific nations as the world is battling with COVID-19. Prime Minister said that the world is battling with COVID-19 and the Quad members again came together in the interest of humanity. In March, the India-US-Japan-Australia Quadrilateral initiative, or Quad decided to build a first-of-its-kind joint vaccine supply chain to address the current and any future pandemic situations in the Indo-Pacific region. Vaccines will be developed in the US, manufactured in India, financed by Japan and the US, and supported by Australia through logistics for the Indo-Pacific including island states. "Our Quad vaccine initiative will help Indo-Pacific nations. Quad decided to go ahead with a positive approach on basis of our shared democratic values. I would be happy to discuss with my friends-be it supply chain, global security, climate action, COVID response or tech cooperation," PM Modi said at Quad Leaders' Summit. "I express my gratitude to President Joe Biden for the first in-person Quad meeting. Four countries, for the first time, came together to help the Indo-Pacific region after the 2004 Tsunami. Today when the world is battling with COVID-19, we being the Quad members are again came together in the interest of humanity," he added. Recently, the Indian government announced that the country will resume exports of COVID-19 vaccines in the October quarter, prioritising the global vaccine-sharing platform COVAX and keeping the neighbouring countries first as supplies rise. (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.) Stepping up their joint fight againt terrorism, India and the US have said that they will take concerted action against all terror groups, including those proscribed by the United Nations, condemned cross-border terrorism and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to be brought to justice. A Joint Statement issued after the first bilateral meeting between Prime Minister and US President at the White House on Friday said that the United States and India stand together in a shared fight against global terrorism. The two leaders reaffirmed that the United States and India "will take concerted action against all terrorist groups, including groups proscribed by the UNSCR 1267 Sanctions Committee." They "condemned cross-border terrorism, and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to be brought to justice. They denounced any use of terrorist proxies and emphasised the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks," the joint statement said. Pakistan-based radical cleric Hafiz Saeed's Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) is the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Taiba which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans. Saeed, a UN designated terrorist whom the US has placed a USD 10 million bounty on, is currently lodged at Lahore's high-security Kot Lakhpat jail. Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed as well as Afghanistan-based Haqqani Network are proscribed terror entities under UNSC resolution 1267 concerning ISIL (Da'esh), al-Qaeda, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities. Saeed and JeM founder Masood Azhar are also listed as global terrorists under the 1267 Sanctions regime. India has repeatedly called upon Pakistan to take credible, verifiable and irreversible action against terrorist networks and to bring the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks to justice. Under India's Presidency last month, the UN Security Council adopted a strong resolution reiterating the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, including those individuals and entities designated pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), and notes the Taliban's relevant commitments. At the time, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had said that the resolution underlines terrorist individuals and entities designated by UN Security Council (resolution) 1267. This is of direct importance to India." Shringla had said JeM and LeT are UN Security Council proscribed entities that need to be called out and condemned in the strongest possible terms. "Needless to say the adoption of the resolution is a strong signal from the Security Council and the international community on its expectations in respect of Afghanistan," he had said. The resolution was put forward by the US, the UK and France. It was adopted after 13 Council members voted in favour, while permanent members Russia and China abstained from the voting. The joint statement said that Modi and Biden noted that the upcoming US-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group, Designations Dialogue, and renewed US-India Homeland Security Dialogue will further strengthen counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries, including in the areas of intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and the US are the world's largest democracies and the two countries are committed to taking on the toughest challenges together, President said after his first-ever in-person meeting with Prime Minister at the White House. The meeting of the two leaders in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday lasted for more than 90 minutes, instead of the scheduled 60 minutes. This morning, I hosted Prime Minister Modi at the White House as we launch a new chapter in the history of US-India ties. Our two nations are the largest democracies in the world, and we're committed to taking on the toughest challenges we face together, Biden said in a tweet along with a picture of shaking hands with Modi. Prime Minister Modi said he had an "outstanding" meeting with US President Biden. His leadership on critical global issues is commendable. We discussed how India and the USA will further scale-up cooperation in different spheres and work together to overcome key challenges like COVID-19 and climate change, he said. Later while briefing the media, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that the two leaders acknowledge that the comprehensive global strategic partnerships between two countries are strongly anchored in a shared commitment to democratic values and common strategic interests. It was a meeting which is characterized by warmth and cordiality. It was both productive and timely, he said. Noting that the discussions were wide-ranging, he said that both leaders emphasised on combating the CoVID-19 crisis and briefed each other on their experiences in dealing with the pandemic. Shringla said the prime minister expressed thanks for the solidarity shown by the US government and people in the United States when India had a second wave of the crisis, and the support India received for that time. President Biden appreciated India's role as a country that extended assistance to countries across the world, including through pharmaceuticals and vaccines, he said. Biden was also very impressed with the government's approach and the steps taken by the Government of India to deal with the second wave and the level of recovery, Shringla said. The swiftness of recovery was something that was commented on very favorably by President Biden, he said. President Biden, during the discussion on vaccines, appreciated the decision of the Government of India to resume exporting the vaccines in October. He said that the US itself had announced significant increases in their own distribution of vaccines. This also came up during the Quad summit, he said. Essentially, there was the sense that Indian vaccines, which have quality, are affordable, which will also be scaled up significantly, would make a difference in terms of the availability of vaccines and dealing with vaccine inequity in the developing world, in particular, Shringla said. Later in a fact sheet, the White House said the United States and India are committed to values of freedom, pluralism, openness, and respect for human rights. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], September 25 (ANI): In its ongoing investigation against the outlawed Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) group in a terror funding case, the Investigation Agency (NIA) has been planning another series of raids against its cadres in Jammu and Kashmir next week. These raids would be in continuation to the 61 search operations conducted by the anti-terror agency's sleuths on August 8 and August 9 in Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar and Rajouri districts in Jammu and Kashmir. Highly placed sources in the told ANI that the fresh set of searches would be conducted on the premises of JeI cadres and their supporters across Jammu and Kashmir any time next week. The official, requesting anonymity, said, "These searches are being planned as the investigator has found "some more leads" in connection with the case." "We (NIA) have got new leads during questioning of over a dozen JeI cadres and suspects linked to the banned organisation," said the official. Another official, privy to the ongoing investigation in the case, told ANI that 10 JeI cadres and suspects were examined for over a week at the agency headquarters here and more than five suspects are still being questioned. Those JeI suspects examined by the NIA sleuths here in the last few days belong to Ganderbal, Srinagar, Kupwara, Bandipora, Rajouri and Doda districts, said the official. "We are looking for some more people linked to the JeI case and they will be summoned very soon as the examination is an ongoing process," said the official. The NIA is now engaged in "building up" the case as the suspects being questioned are among those JeI cadres whose residential premises were raided by the NIA sleuths during its August 8 and August 9 raids at the 61 locations in 14 districts in Jammu and Kashmir in the terror funding case. The suspects are being questioned regarding the documents seized from their premises during the raids, said the official. The official further said that the ongoing questioning with four-five JeI cadres would be continued for at least one more week. "As we (NIA) are done with searches, the suspects are currently being examined with the documents recovered from their houses...This is just a preliminary examination in the case. We are trying to build up the case," said the official. The NIA along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had conducted searches at 56 locations on August 8 at 14 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. In continuation of the searches, the NIA sleuths further conducted searches at five more locations on August 9. The searches included the premises of office bearers of the JeI, its members and also offices of trusts purportedly run by the proscribed organisation. Various incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized from the premises of the suspects. JeI is an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned the organisation on February 28, 2019. The case was registered against by NIA on February 5 this year in pursuance of to order from MHA relating to separatist and secessionist activities of JeI even after its proscription. NIA investigation has so far revealed that the members of JeI have been collecting funds domestically and abroad through donations particularly in the form of Zakat, Mowda and Bait-ul-Mal purportedly to further charity and other welfare activities but these funds are instead being used for violent and secessionist activities. The funds raised by JeI are also being channelised to proscribed terrorist organisations such as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and others through well-organised networks of JeI cadres. JeI has also been motivating the impressionable youth of Kashmir and recruiting new members (Rukuns) in Jammu and Kashmir to participate in disruptive secessionist activities. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government on Saturday put seven districts on high alert as the predicted the formation of a cyclonic storm over Bay of Bengal, which may then move towards the southern part of the state and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, a top official said. The government has rushed rescue teams to the vulnerable areas and asked officials to evacuate people from low-lying areas, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena stated. As many as 42 teams of Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and 24 squads of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with fire brigade personnel, have been dispatched to the seven districts -- Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal. Ganjam is expected to get severely affected by the cyclonic storm, and 15 rescue teams have been deployed in that area alone, Jena said. Besides, 11 fire service units, six teams of the ODRAF and eight of the NDRF are in reserve for emergency purposes, he maintained. The district administrations of Gajapati and Koraput have cancelled holidays and leaves on September 25 and 26. Collectors have directed government officials and employees to be on their toes at respective headquarters to meet any exigency. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a deep depression that lay over north and adjoining central Bay of Bengal has moved westwards at a speed of 14 kmph. At 8.30 am on Saturday, it was centred around 470 km east-southeast of Gopalpur in and 540 km east-northeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. "It (the weather system) is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and move nearly westwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts between Vishakhapatnam and Gopalpur, around Kalingapatnam, by evening of September 26," the agency noted. Director General (DG) Dr Mrutunjay Mohapatra said the wind speed of the weather system will vary between 75 kmph to 85 kmph, gusting up to 95 kmph. "Many low-lying areas will be inundated in the identified districts. Flash flood is feared in the hilly areas of Odisha's southern region. Urban pockets in Ganjam and Puri could experience waterlogging due to heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall in parts," Mohapatra warned. The state government has cautioned against possible flooding in rivers, landslides in certain areas, along with large-scale inundation, he added. Jena, on his part, said that the intensity of the that is likely to approach Odisha and Andhra Pradesh will be akin to Titli', the storm that battered the state in 2018. "During the landfall of the cyclone, the wind speed could hover between 90 kmph and 100 kmph. Barring that period, the wind speed all along Sunday is expected to be limited to 70 kmph. Four-five districts will receive heavy rainfall. "Southern Odisha rivers such as Rushikulya, Nagabali and Vansadhara could swell due to extremely heavy rainfall," the SRC pointed out. The weather office stated that light to moderate showers at most places with heavy rainfall at isolated places are expected in Odisha and coastal Andhra Pradesh on Saturday. There is also a likelihood of light to moderate showers at most places of the state on Sunday with heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few areas and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in south Odisha and north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Parts of north interior Odisha, Telangana and Chhattisgarh may also experience heavy rainfall on Sunday. Similarly, for September 27, the forecast light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy showers at isolated places in Odisha and Telangana and torrential rainfall at isolated places in coastal West Bengal. Over the next three days, the sea condition will be rough to very rough and fishermen in Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh have been told not to venture into east-central and adjoining northeast Bay of Bengal for safety reasons. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India slammed in its Right of Reply in response against Prime Prime Minister's references to Kashmir in his United Nations General Assembly virtual speech and stated that Islamabad has an established history of actively supporting Sneha Dubey First Secretary at UNGA said, "Regrettably, this is not the first time the leader of has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country, and seeking in vain to divert the world's attention from the sad state of his country where enjoy free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities, are turned upside down." "Member States are aware that has an established history and policy of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting This is a country that has been globally recognized as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of State policy. It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council," added Dubey. She slammed Pakistan for bringing up the internal matter of India. "We exercise our Right of Reply to one more attempt by the leader of Pakistan to tarnish the image of this august forum by bringing in matters internal to my country, and going so far as to spew falsehoods on the world stage," she said. Khan had addressed the United Nations General Assembly virtually today where he raked up the Kashmir issue during his address. Asserting that Pakistan desires peace with India, Khan, however, said sustainable peace in South Asia is contingent upon the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. "The onus remains on India to create a conducive environment for meaningful and result-oriented engagement with Pakistan," Khan's statement read. India's secretary Dubey talking about the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks said, "We marked the solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks a few days back. The world has not forgotten that the mastermind behind that dastardly event, Osama Bin Laden, got shelter in Pakistan. Even today, Pakistan leadership glorify him as a martyr." Dubey further said, "Regrettably, even today we heard the leader of Pakistan trying to justify acts of terror. Such defence of terrorism is unacceptable in the modern world." Regarding the Pakistani rhetoric of calling themselves as the "victim of terrorism", she said, "This is the country which is an arsonist disguising itself as a fire-fighter. Pakistan nurtures terrorists in their backyard in the hope that they will only harm their neighbours. Our region, and in fact the entire world, has suffered because of their policies. On the other hand, they are trying to cover up sectarian violence in their country as acts of terror." She also referred to the 1971 genocide of Bangladesh. She said, "This is also the country that still holds the despicable record in our region of having executed a religious and cultural genocide against the people of what is now Bangladesh. As we mark the 50th anniversary this year of that horrid event in history, there is not even an acknowledgement, much less accountability." She also slammed Pakistan for suppressing its minority communities. "Today, the minorities in Pakistan - the Sikhs, Hindus, Christians - live in constant fear and state-sponsored suppression of their rights. This is a regime where anti-Semitism is normalized by its leadership and even justified," added the First Secretary. "Dissenting voices are muzzled daily and enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings are well documented," she added. Drawing a parallel between India and Pakistan, she said that India is a pluralistic democracy with a substantial population of minorities who have gone on to hold the highest offices in the country including as President, Prime Minister, Chief Justices and Chiefs of the Army Staff. She also said that, unlike Pakistan, India is a country with free media and an independent judiciary that keeps a watch and protects our Constitution. "Pluralism is a concept which is very difficult to understand for Pakistan which constitutionally prohibits its minorities from aspiring for high offices of the State. The least they could do is introspect before exposing themselves to ridicule on the world stage," added Dubey. She further reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. "This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation," said Dubey. She also said that India desires normal relations with all our neighbours, including Pakistan. "However, it is for Pakistan to work sincerely towards creating a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible actions to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross border terrorism against India in any manner," added Dubey. (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.) Prime Minister on Saturday reached New York where he is scheduled to address the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which had gone virtual last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Modi flew to New York from Washington after holding his first bilateral meeting with US President in the Oval Office of the White House and attended his first in-person Quad summit on Friday. The prime minister and his counterparts - Scott Morrison of Australia and Japan's Yoshihide Suga - attended the meeting of Quad leaders hosted by US President Biden in the US capital. "Landed in New York City. Will be addressing the at 6:30 PM (IST) on the 25th," the prime minister said in a tweet. Modi will address the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday. 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'. As per the second provisional list of speakers for the General Assembly, about 109 heads of state and government will address the General Debate in person and nearly 60 will deliver speeches through pre-recorded video statements. Modi had last addressed the UN General Assembly session in 2019. Last year, world leaders had submitted pre-recorded video statements for the United Nations General Assembly session in September, as heads of state and government could not physically attend the annual gathering due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was the first time in the UN's 75-year history that the high-level session had gone virtual. This year too, the option has been kept open for the world leaders to send in pre-recorded statements since the pandemic continues to rage across several nations around the world. (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.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day visit to the United States has been very successful and comprehensive, Foreign Secretary said on Saturday. "Prime Minister address to the General Assembly marks the culmination of a very successful and very comprehensive tour of the United States," Shringla told the media after PM Modi's address at the UNGA. PM Modi, who arrived in Washington on Wednesday for his first visit beyond the neighbourhood since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. PM Modi also met with his Australian and Japanese counterparts-- Scott Morrison and Yoshihide Suga. (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 power ministry on Saturday said that as many as 2.82 crore families got connection under the flagship Till March 31 this year, as many as 2.82 crore households have been electrified since the launch of Saubhagya, a power ministry statement said on the completion of four years of the scheme. "As of March 2019, 2.63 crore willing un-electrified households in rural and urban areas of the country were provided connections in a record time of 18 months," it said. Subsequently, seven states Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Manipur, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh reported that around 18.85 lakh un-electrified households, identified before March 31, 2019, which were unwilling earlier, but later expressed their willingness to get connections, were also covered under the scheme. Saubhagya is one of the largest household electrification drives in the world. This scheme was announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 25, 2017. The objective of the scheme was achieving 'Universal Household Electrification' in the country, through last-mile connectivity and providing access to electricity to all un-electrified households in rural areas and poor households in urban areas. While launching the scheme, the Prime Minister pledged to provide access to electricity and work towards equity, efficiency and sustainability in the "new age India". The total financial implications of the project were Rs 16,320 crore while the Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) was Rs 12,320 crore. The outlay for the rural households was Rs 14,025 crore while the GBS was Rs 10,587.50 crore. For the urban households, the outlay stood at Rs 2,295 crore while GBS was Rs 1,732.50 crore. The Government of India largely provided funds for the scheme to all states/UTs. The journey started with 'Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY)' which envisaged the creation of basic electricity infrastructure in villages. The focus of the scheme was on strengthening and augmentation of the existing infrastructure and metering of existing feeders/distribution transformers to improve the quality and reliability of power supply in rural areas. Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana - Saubhagya envisioned providing energy access to all by last mile connectivity and electricity connections to all remaining un-electrified households in rural as well as urban areas to achieve universal household electrification in the country. The electricity connection to households included the release of electricity connections by drawing a service cable from the nearest pole to the household premise, installation of an energy meter, wiring for a single light point with LED bulb, and a mobile charging point. While the set objectives of the scheme have been achieved, team SAUBHAGYA has continued its work of providing 24x7 quality power supply to all. All states have been requested to launch special campaigns in their respective states to identify any left out un-electrified household and subsequently provide electricity connections to them. A dedicated toll-free helpline has also been launched for that purpose, 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.) A day after a dramatic shootout in Rohini court left three people dead, the heightened its security arrangements on Saturday, with officials saying only vehicles with allotted stickers will be allowed to enter the court premises and lawyers and litigants will be thoroughly checked. A senior police official said adequate personnel have been deployed inside and outside the court to ensure no untoward incident takes place in the future. He said concerns have also been raised about functioning of metal detectors in the court premises and the matter has been taken up with the court administration. Jailed gangster Jitender Mann alias Gogi and two assailants were killed inside the courtroom in a dramatic shootout on Friday. Video footage of the incident, which exposed security lapses in the system, showed policemen and lawyers rushing out in panic as gunshots rang out inside courtroom number 207. Although metal detectors were at the gates of the court, it was not known whether they were working or not, and how the armed men could get past, raising questions about security arrangements. "When it comes to checking and frisking, it has been observed that lawyers do not want to be frisked and that was a major problem faced. It is not limited to Rohini court alone as this has been observed in other lower courts as well. But we are in touch with the Bar Association of Rohini court and they are also cooperating," the police official said. A turf war broke out inside Rohini courtroom onFriday between two rival gangs in which Maan and his two assailants posing as lawyers were killed in the dramatic shootout that also saw police fire bullets in retaliation. The two gunmen dressed as lawyers were suspected to be members of rival Tillu gang, an official had said, adding that over 30 shots were fired. Following the incident, Bar Council of Delhi Chairman Rakesh Sherawat, along with other officials, had also met Commissioner Rakesh Asthana on Friday to discuss the security situation. "An elaborate review of the existing security arrangements is being done and accordingly, a new set of security measures will be put in place very soon. Emphasis will be laid on improving CCTV surveillance, frisking and deployment of armed police personnel on each floor of the court building is also being considered, another police official said. The joint commissioner of police (northern range) has been asked to probe the incident and submit a report. Meanwhile, a case has been registered and is being handled by the Crime Branch of Lawyers' bodies in Delhi have demanded a probe into the shootout and called for abstaining from work on Saturday demanding enhanced security norms inside all the seven district courts premises in the national capital. The 'Coordination Committee of all District Courts Bar Associations in Delhi' called for suspension of work on Saturday and said it will decide the further course of action in a meeting that has been called on Monday. (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.) PM reaches New York to address 76th UNGA session Prime Minister on Saturday reached New York where he is scheduled to address the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which had gone virtual last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Modi flew to New York from Washington after holding his first bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House and attended his first in-person Quad summit on Friday. Read more is working on a three-legged clinical trial for its intranasal vaccine BBV154, which is in phase two. The Hyderabad-based firm is testing the efficacy of a combination in three modes two intranasal shots, first a Covaxin shot followed by the nasal vaccine, and Covaxin following a nasal shot. The idea is to see which combination induces better and long-lasting immune response. Read more Bumper shipments of 13 for festive season In anticipation of bumper sales during the forthcoming festive season, Apple is shipping in a record 600,000 iPhone 13 models. The new flagship phone that is going live in India today has attracted higher pre-orders than last years iPhone 12, prompting the company to increase its initial shipments by a good amount. According to industry sources, steady pre-booking orders and the growth momentum that Apple is enjoying in the local market of late, were the reasons for the decision. Read more Daikin to set up Rs 1,000-crore AC manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh Japanese air conditioning major Daikin has become the first company to acquire land for a new factory under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods. The India unit of the multinational, Daikin India, on Friday finished the purchase agreement for a 75-acre plant at Sri City (Andhra Pradesh) to set up a large air-conditioner (AC) manufacturing plant, which will come up in phases. Read more Finance Ministry withdraws spending curbs on ministries, departments The Centre has withdrawn spending curbs on ministries and departments and allowed them to spend in accordance with their Budget estimates for the remaining part of the fiscal year. The move is likely to help spur the economy which is struggling to come back to the pre-covid levels. Read more In total 28,000 samples will be collected for the seventh Covid serosurvey, making it the largest exercise in the national capital that seeks to determine the prevalence of antibodies among the populace, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Saturday. The survey got underway on September 24. According to sources, vaccination history will be collected from the participants of the survey. A large segment of the city population has already received anti- vaccine doses. The previous survey was conducted a few months ago when Delhi was reeling under the brutal second wave of the pandemic. Jain on Saturday told reporters that a total of 28,000 samples will be collected as part of the seventh round of the serological survey. "Delhi has 272 municipal wards, plus eight under the Delhi Cantonment Board. From each of these wards, 100 samples will be collected. So, it will be by far the largest such exercise," he said. The samples will be collected in a week. It will take another week to prepare the report, Jain added. Delhi has a population of over 2 crore spread across 11 districts. According to Delhi's vaccination bulletin issued on Friday, over 1.67 crore doses have been administered to date and it includes over 1.1 crore first doses and over 51 lakh second doses. The fifth serosurvey had found that the prevalence of antibodies was over 50 per cent. According to experts, herd immunity is said to have been developed in a population segment if 50-60 per cent are found to have anti-bodies in a serosurvey. The first sero-prevalence survey conducted last year from June 27-July 10 by the Delhi government in association with the National Centre for Disease Control, had used 21,387 samples and found that around 23 per cent of the people surveyed had exposure to the novel The exercise in August 2020 showed 29.1 per cent of people had coronavirus antibodies. In the surveys of September and October last year the figures stood at 25.1 per cent and 25.5 per cent respectively. The exercises have been undertaken for a comprehensive assessment of the COVID-19 situation in Delhi and to formulate strategies based on its findings. (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.) Aukus, a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, isnt bad news for India but it essentially means the US will be minding its business in the Atlantic rather than looking to the Indo-Pacific. What is the geographical thrust of Aukus? Aukus is possibly pivoted more towards the Atlantic than the Indo-Pacific. Sure, the first port of call for the alliance of USA, UK and Australia is to secure the first nuclear-propelled submarines for Australia to fend against the massive Chinese navy. But even with such a sub, Australia, India and ... The country needs at least 600 medical colleges, 50 AIIMS-like institutions and 200 super-specialty hospitals, Union minister said on Saturday as he called for the need to replicate the infrastructure development sector's public-private partnership model in the health care and sectors. The Road Transport and Highways Minister was speaking at the felicitation of COVID-19 warriors in Karad city of Maharashtra's Satara district. He said the cooperative sector should also come forward to set up medical facilities. "Once during a discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I told him about the scarcity of ventilators. He asked me how many ventilators were there in the country, to which I replied there must be around 2.5 lakh. But he told me that there were only 13,000 ventilators when the coronavirus pandemic broke out in the country," Gadkari said. There was lack of oxygen, beds, and other medical facilities at that time. But doctors, paramedical, nurses helped a lot in those times, he said, adding, "I appreciate their work." Apart from the government-run hospitals, the contribution of medical facilities set up by the cooperative and private sectors was commendable, the minister said. "The public-private investment model in the road and infrastructure development sector can be replicated in health care and sectors. The country needs a minimum of 600 medical colleges, 50 AIIMS-like institutions and 200 super-specialty hospitals. The government is also thinking of providing help to those social organisations that work in medical and sectors," Gadkari said. He also stressed the need to have at least one veterinary hospital in every tehsil. (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.) Chinese state media welcomed telecoms giant Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, back to the "motherland" on Saturday, after more than 1,000 days under house arrest in Canada, on what they called unfounded charges of bank fraud. But they have kept silent about Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, the two Canadians released from Chinese custody in an apparent act of reciprocation by Beijing. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV carried a statement by the executive, written as her plane flew over the North Pole, avoiding U.S. airspace. Her eyes were "blurring with tears" as she approached "the embrace of the great motherland", Meng said. "Without a strong motherland, I wouldn't have the freedom I have today." Meng was arrested in December 2018 in Vancouver after a New York court issued an arrest warrant, saying she tried to cover up attempts by Huawei-linked to sell equipment to Iran in breach of U.S. sanctions. After more than two years of legal wrangling, she was finally allowed to leave and fly back to on Friday, after securing a deal with U.S. prosecutors. Huawei, founded by Meng's father Ren Zhengfei, said in a statement that it "looked forward to seeing Ms. Meng returning home safely to be reunited with her family." It said it would continue to defend itself against U.S. charges. Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, detained by Chinese authorities just days after Meng's arrest, were released a few hours later, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said. State news agency Xinhua formally acknowledged the end of Meng's house arrest on Saturday, attributing her release to the "unremitting efforts of the Chinese government". Hu Xijin, editor in chief of the Global Times tabloid backed by the ruling Communist Party, wrote on Twitter that " relations have fallen into chaos" as a result of Meng's "painful three years". He added, "No arbitrary detention of Chinese people is allowed." However, neither Hu nor other media have mentioned the release of Spavor and Kovrig, and reactions on China's Twitter-like Weibo social media platform have been few and far between. The foreign ministry has not commented publicly. has previously denied engaging in "hostage diplomacy", insisting that the arrest and detention of the two Canadians was not tied in any way to the extradition proceedings against Meng. Spavor was accused of supplying photographs of military equipment to Kovrig and sentenced to 11 years in jail in August. Kovrig had still been awaiting sentencing. (Reporting by David Stanway in Shanghai; Additional reporting by David Kirton in Shenzhen; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and 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.) By Karen Freifeld, Kenneth Li, Moira Warburton and David Ljunggren (Reuters) - Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou flew home to China on Friday after reaching an agreement with U.S. prosecutors to end the bank fraud case against her, relieving a point of tension between China and the United States. Within hours of the news of the deal, two Canadians who were arrested shortly after Meng was taken into custody in December 2018 were released from Chinese jails and were on their way back to Canada. Beijing had denied that their arrests were linked. The years-long extradition drama has been a central source of discord in increasingly rocky ties between Beijing and Washington, with Chinese officials signaling that the case needed to be dropped to help end a diplomatic stalemate between the world's top two powers. The deal also opens U.S. President Joe Biden up to criticism from China hawks in Washington who argue his administration is capitulating to China and one of its top at the center of a global technology rivalry between the two countries. Meng was arrested https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-huawei/top-huawei-executive-arrested-on-u-s-request-clouding-china-trade-truce-idUSKBN1O42S1 at Vancouver Airport on a U.S. warrant, and indicted on bank and wire fraud charges for allegedly misleading HSBC in 2013 about the telecommunications equipment giant's business dealings in Iran. In an exclusive https://www.reuters.com/technology/huawei-cfo-meng-appear-brooklyn-federal-court-2021-09-24 on Friday, Reuters reported that the United States had reached a deferred prosecution agreement with Meng. Nicole Boeckmann, the acting U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, said that in entering into the agreement, "Meng has taken responsibility for her principal role in perpetrating a scheme to defraud a global financial institution." The agreement pertains only to Meng, and the U.S. Justice Department said it is preparing for trial against and looks forward to proving its case in court. A spokeswoman for declined to comment. A person familiar with the matter said Meng - the daughter of Huawei founder, Ren Zhengfei https://www.reuters.com/business/huawei-heir-apparent-prepares-life-after-three-years-canada-court-battle-2021-09-24 - had left Canada on a flight to Shenzhen. The two Canadians, businessman Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig, had been held in China for more than 1,000 days. In August, a Chinese court sentenced https://www.reuters.com/article/china-canada-spavor-idCNL1N2PI07Y Spavor to 11 years in prison for espionage. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in brief remarks late on Friday the two men had left Chinese airspace just minutes before. He was not asked whether the two countries had struck a bilateral deal. "I want to thank our allies and partners around the world in the community who have stood steadfast in solidarity with Canada and with these two Canadians," he said. At a hearing in Brooklyn federal court on Friday, which Meng attended virtually from Canada, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kessler said the government would move to dismiss the charges against her if she complies with all of her obligations under the agreement, which ends in December 2022. He added that Meng will be released on a personal recognizance bond, and that the United States plans to withdraw its request to Canada for her extradition. Meng pleaded not guilty to the charges in the hearing. When U.S. District Court Judge Ann Donnelly later accepted the deferred prosecution agreement, Meng sighed audibly. A Canadian judge later signed Meng's order of discharge, vacating her bail conditions and allowing her to go free after nearly three years of house arrest. She was emotional after the judge's order, hugging and thanking her lawyers. Speaking to supporters and reporters on the steps of the court afterward, Meng thanked the judge for her "fairness" and talked of how the case had turned her life "upside down". Meng was confined to her expensive Vancouver home at night and monitored 24/7 by private security that she paid for as part of her bail agreement. Referred to by Chinese state media as the "Princess of Huawei," she was required to wear an electronic ankle bracelet to monitor her movements, which became fodder for the tabloids when it hung above her designer shoes. 'HUAWEI CONFIDENTIAL' Articles published by Reuters in 2012 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-huawei-hp/exclusive-huawei-partner-offered-embargoed-hp-gear-to-iran-idUSBRE8BT0BF20121230 and 2013 https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-huawei-skycom/exclusive-huawei-cfo-linked-to-firm-that-offered-hp-gear-to-iran-idUKBRE90U0CA20130131 about Huawei, Hong Kong-registered company Skycom and Meng figured prominently in the U.S. criminal case against her. Reuters reported that Skycom had offered to sell at least 1.3 million euros worth of embargoed Hewlett-Packard computer equipment to Iran's largest mobile-phone operator in 2010. Reuters also reported numerous financial and personnel links between Huawei and Skycom, including that Meng had served on Skycom's board of directors between February 2008 and April 2009. The stories prompted HSBC to question Meng about Reuters findings. Huawei was placed on a U.S. trade blacklist in 2019 that restricts sales to the company for activities contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. The restrictions have hobbled the company, which suffered its biggest revenue drop in the first half of 2021, after the U.S. supply restrictions drove it to sell a chunk of its once-dominant handset business before new growth areas have matured. The criminal case against Meng and Huawei is cited in the blacklisting. Huawei is charged with operating as a criminal enterprise, stealing trade secrets and defrauding financial institutions. It has pleaded not guilty. A Canadian government official said Ottawa would not comment until the U.S. court proceedings were over. CHINA VS USA Huawei has become a dirty word in Washington, with China hawks in Congress quick to react to any news that could be construed as the United States being soft, despite Huawei's struggles under the trade restrictions. Then-President Donald Trump politicized the case when he told Reuters soon after Meng's arrest that he would intervene if it would serve national security or help secure a trade deal. Meng's lawyers have said she was a pawn in the political battle between the two super powers. Republican China hardliners in Congress called Friday's deal a "capitulation." "Instead of standing firm against China's hostage-taking and blackmail, President Biden folded," Republican Senator Tom Cotton said in a statement. Senior U.S. officials have said that Meng's case was being handled solely by the Justice Department and the case had no bearing on the U.S. approach to strained ties with China. During U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman's July trip to China, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng insisted that the United States drop its extradition case against Meng. U.S. officials have acknowledged that Beijing had linked Meng's case to the case of the two detained Canadians, but insisted that Washington would not be drawn into viewing them as bargaining chips. (Reporting by Karen Freifeld, Kenneth Li, Jonathan Stempel, David Shepardson, Michael Martina and Sarah Berman; Writing by Sonya Hepinstall; Editing by Chris Sanders, Edward Tobin and Daniel Wallis) (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.) IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva criticized as "false and spurious" the findings of an independent probe into allegations that as World Bank head she pressured staff to manipulate data to make China's business climate appear more favorable. In a statement she plans to present to the executive board of the Monetary Fund, Georgieva also accused the office of the World Bank's past president, Jim Kong Kim, of manipulation. She said she intervened to block a proposal from a member of Kim's staff to include Hong Kong data in China's ranking in the World Bank's Doing Business 2018 report, which would have significantly improved its standing. Kim has not responded to requests for comment. The World Bank last week released a report on the investigation by law firm WilmerHale. It found that senior bank leaders including Georgieva unduly pressured staff to alter data to improve China's ranking in the Doing Business report while the bank was seeking China's support for a capital increase. Georgieva, then World Bank chief executive, has excoriated the probe publicly and to her staff, but she went into greater detail in the statement to the IMF's executive board, a copy of which was seen by Reuters on Friday. She said the probe's findings contained "the false and spurious insinuation ... that my colleagues and I at the World Bank would inflate a country's Doing Business ranking in exchange for capital commitments." "To be clear: no such thing happened and no such thing would ever happen under my leadership," she said. Georgieva said her effort to prevent Hong Kong data from being added to China's Doing Business ranking demonstrated her concern for preserving the integrity of World Bank data. The Bulgarian economist, the first person from a developing country to head the World Bank, has faced calls for her resignation over the matter, though former colleagues have spoken out in support of her. The IMF board met on Tuesday to hear an initial report from its ethics committee and agreed to meet again soon. The chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee, Maxine Waters, on Friday said the findings detailing "undue influence by China" at the World Bank and Georgieva's role in "manipulating 'Doing Business' data at the behest of the Chinese government is very troubling." "This has undermined the reputation of the World Bank, and it has also called into question the current leadership at the IMF, where the integrity of data is critical to its mission, and where undue influence by any self-interested power could put the stability of the global financial system at risk," Waters said. The World Bank's current president, David Malpass, has said the findings of the WilmerHale investigation speak for themselves, but has not commented in greater detail. Georgieva said the WilmerHale probe wrongly inferred that she asked bank officials to manage China's expectations about its ranking in the Doing Business report because she was worried that China could withhold support for the capital increase. Georgieva said she did regret that colleagues at the bank "did not believe that they could speak out to raise with me issues about data integrity," and was committed to fostering better communication. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Leslie Adler and Cynthia Osterman) (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.) Addressing the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister on Saturday said India is known as the mother of democracy, adding that "our diversity is the identity of our strong democracy". "I represent the country, which is known as the mother of democracy. India enters 75 years of its independence this year. Our diversity is the identity of our strong democracy," said PM Modi. "In a country that has dozens of languages, hundreds of dialects, different lifestyles and cuisines. This is the best example of vibrant democracy," he added. In an apprent dig at Pakistan, Modi said that it is absolutely essential to ensure that Afghanistan territory is not used to spread terrorism and for terrorist activities. "Today, the danger of regressive thinking and extremism is increasing in the world. In these circumstances, the whole world has to make science-based, rational and progressive thinking the basis of development," PM Modi said while addressing the "It is absolutely essential to ensure that Afghanistan territory is not used to spread terrorism and for terrorist activities," he added. The Prime Minister said there is a need to ensure that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation in Afghanistan and use it for its own selfish interests. He also said that people of Afghanistan, women and children, minorities need help that should be provided to them. "We also need to ensure that no country tries to take advantage of delicate situation in Afghanistan and use it for its own selfish interests. At this time, people of Afghanistan, women and children, minorities need help. We must fulfill our duties by providing them with help," he said. #WATCH | PM Modi says at UNGA,"...Countries with regressive thinking that are using terrorism as a political tool need to understand that terrorism is an equally big threat for them. It has to be ensured that Afghanistan isn't used to spread terrorism or launch terror attacks..." pic.twitter.com/YCr85QGMby ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 Modi headlined India's scalable and "cost-effective" tech solutions within minutes of beginning his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday. "When India grows, the world grows. When India reforms, the world transforms. The science and technology based innovations taking place in India can make a big contribution to the world. The scalability of our tech solutions, and their cost effectiveness are both unparalleled," Modi said. "Over 3.5 billion transactions are taking place every month in India through the unified payment interface (UPI)," he said. Earlier, Modi began his speech on a deeply personal note, rewinding to his roots as a "poor boy" who sold tea in a small town and rose to the country's highest political office. "Democracy can deliver. Democracy has delivered," he said in the first of Saturday's addresses at the Modi invited the global manufacturers of vaccines to come and make vaccines in India, stressing that the country's "faith is to serve people". "Understanding its responsibility towards humanity, India started giving vaccines to the needy in the world. I, here, invite the global manufacturers of vaccines to come and make the vaccine in India," PM Modi said. He also announced that India has developed the first DNA vaccine, which can be given to people older than 12 years. PM Modi stressed that despite having limited resources, "India is working aggressively towards vaccine development and manufacturing". 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 segment of the 76th began in New York on Tuesday. The UNGA meeting this year is in a hybrid format but a large number of leaders have arrived in New York. PM Modi had arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day visit to the country. This was his first visit beyond neighbourhood since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris here. He also met his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison and Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga. PM Modi also participated in the first in-person Quad Summit in Washington after COVID-19. He also held meetings with five global CEOs for potential investment in India on Thursday. India and the US have called on the to adhere to its commitments and respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children and minority groups, and asked the new rulers in Kabul to make sure that the war-torn country's territory is never again used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists. In a US-India Joint Leaders' Statement issued after the first in-person bilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Friday, the two leaders underscored the importance of combating terrorism in The two leaders resolved that the must abide by UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021) which demands that Afghan territory must never again be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or finance terrorist attacks, and underscored the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, according to the joint statement. The UN Security Council resolution 2593 on Afghanistan, adopted under India's Presidency of the 15-nation Council in August, had demanded that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts, and reiterated the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, including those individuals and entities designated pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), and noted the Taliban's relevant commitments. President Biden and Prime Minister Modi called on the to adhere to these and all other commitments, including regarding the safe, secure, and orderly departure from of Afghans and all foreign nationals and to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and members of minority groups, the statement said. The Taliban, which took control of Kabul on August 15, have put in place a hardline interim 33-member Cabinet that has no women and includes UN-designated terrorists. The Taliban last ruled from 1996 to 2001. The two leaders also emphasised on the importance of efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and called on the Taliban to allow full, safe, direct and unhindered access for the UN, its specialised agencies and implementing partners, and all humanitarian actors engaged in humanitarian relief activity, including with respect to internally displaced persons, it said. Reflecting their long-term commitment to promoting development and economic opportunity for the Afghan people, they determined to continue to closely coordinate and to work jointly with partners toward an inclusive and peaceful future for all Afghans, the statement added. The UNSC resolution had condemned in the strongest terms the deplorable attacks of August 26 near Hamid Karzai Airport in Kabul, which were claimed by the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, an entity affiliated with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da'esh). The resolution took note of the Taliban's condemnation of this attack. On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the G20 nations that the Taliban's commitment not to allow the use of Afghanistan's soil for terrorism in any manner should be implemented and the world expects a broad-based, inclusive process that involves representation from all sections of the Afghan society. Jaishankar, in his address at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Afghanistan which was held on the sidelines of the high-level 76th session of the UN General Assembly, had said that the community must come together in response to humanitarian needs. Assistance providers must be accorded unimpeded, unrestricted and direct access. The Taliban swept across Afghanistan last month, seizing control of almost all key towns and cities in the backdrop of withdrawal of the US forces that began on May 1. On August 15, the capital city of Kabul fell to the insurgents. The Taliban claimed victory over opposition forces in the last holdout province of Panjshir on September 6, completing their takeover of Afghanistan three weeks after capturing Kabul. Earlier this month, Afghanistan's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Ghulam Isaczai said that the government announced by the Taliban in Afghanistan is anything but inclusive and the Afghan people will not accept a governing structure that excludes women and minorities. He also called on the world organisation to reject the reinstatement of the Islamic Emirate. (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.) Prime Minister in his first-ever in-person meeting with US President raised a number of issues involving the Indian community in the US, including access for Indian professionals in the country and spoke about the H-1B visas, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said. "He (PM Modi) spoke of the issue of getting access for Indian professionals to the United States. In that context he mentioned H-1B visa," Shringla said while addressing reporters on Friday (local time). "He (PM Modi) also spoke of the fact that many Indian professionals who work here (in the US) contribute to Social Security. The return of those contributions in the United States is something that affects the number of Indian workers," Shringla said. Prime Minister described as "outstanding" his first bilateral meeting in the Oval Office with US President The Prime Minister and his counterparts -- Scott Morrison of Australia and Japan's Yoshihide Suga -- also attended the meeting of Quad leaders hosted by US President Biden in the US capital on Friday (local time). US federal judge had earlier turned down Trump-era changes to rules that were to deter US companies from replacing American workers with cheaper foreign labour. The rules were applied to tech industry workers as well as doctors, accountants, professors, scientists and architects. (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.) Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, the said he spoke like a statesman and his speech has made the country proud. president J P Nadda said in a statement that Modi had hoisted India's ideological flag in the world and claimed that the attention that the community pays to him shows that India has established itself as a major power under his leadership. Modi has only one goal, which is to make India "vishwa guru" again, he said. Nadda said that the prime minister voiced India's views on a variety of issues strongly and drew the world's attention towards global issues. Noting that Modi spoke on issues ranging from COVID-19 and vaccination to terrorism and maritime boundaries, Nadda lauded him for working to bring the community together. Modi has shown the world with his action as to how India has traversed the distance between "democracy can deliver" and "democracy has delivered", he said. He also noted that Modi also mentioned ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay, whose birth anniversary fell on Saturday, and his principles at the global stage. The prime minister also gave a stern message to the countries using terrorism as a political tool, Nadda said, adding that Modi again underscored India's commitment to helping the people of Afghanistan. Modi said on Saturday that countries with "regressive thinking" that are using terrorism as a "political tool" must understand that it is an "equally big threat" for them also, in a veiled attack on Pakistan which is accused by its neighbours of providing safe havens to terrorists. Addressing the 76th UN General Assembly session here, Prime Minister Modi also called for ensuring that no country "tries to take advantage of the delicate situation in Afghanistan and use it for its own selfish interests." Mourning the loss of lives lost due to the global coronavirus pandemic, he also reiterated India's commitment to start giving vaccines to needy persons in other countries, even as he gave a clarion call to manufacturers to "Come, Make Vaccine in India". (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) leaders on Friday called for an end to violence in Myanmar, the complete denuclearization of in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions as well as the immediate resolution of the issue of Japanese abductees in a joint statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga were participating in the first-ever in-person Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) Leaders' Summit hosted by US President Joe Biden in Washington, has been in turmoil since the coup on February 1, when the military led by Senior General Ming Aung Hlaing overthrew the civilian government and declared a year-long state of emergency. The coup triggered mass protests and was met by deadly violence. "We continue to call for the end to violence in Myanmar, the release of all political detainees, including foreigners, engagement in constructive dialogue, and for the early restoration of democracy," the joint statement said. The leaders also called for the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus. The ASEAN five-point consensus states that there shall be an immediate cessation of violence in and all parties shall exercise utmost restraint; constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people. The leaders also urged to abide by its UN obligations, refrain from provocations and called on Pyongyang to engage in substantive dialogue. North and South Korea conducted ballistic missile tests within hours of each other in September earlier, displays of military power that raised tensions on the Korean Peninsula amid stalled talks over Pyongyang's nuclear program. UN resolutions ban North Korea, a self-declared nuclear power, from any tests of ballistic missiles, which can carry nuclear warheads depending on their design. The leaders also discussed the abduction of Japanese citizens by During the 1970s and 1980s, a string of incidents occurred involving the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea. The Government of Japan has so far identified 17 Japanese citizens as victims of abduction. "We are committed to building democratic resilience in the Indo-Pacific and beyond," said the joint statement. "We will deepen our cooperation in multilateral institutions, including at the United Nations, where reinforcing our shared priorities enhances the resilience of the multilateral system itself. Individually and together, we will respond to the challenges of our time, ensuring that the region remains inclusive, open, and governed by universal rules and norms," it further said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The informal Quad grouping of four democratic countries of Australia, India, Japan and the US is there to make the region stronger, more prosperous, and more stable, Australian Prime Minister has said. Terming it a positive initiative, Morrison said it was designed to lift the wellbeing of the people of the strategically-vital Indo-Pacific region. The Quad is a partner. The Quad is a partner whether it be for China or any other country that is in the Indo Pacific region. We're there to make the region stronger, more prosperous, more stable. It's a positive initiative designed to lift the wellbeing of the people of the Indo-Pacific, Morrison told reporters at the White House after the conclusion of the first-ever in-person Quad Summit here on Friday. Hosted by US President Joe Biden, the Quad summit was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese and Australian counterparts Yoshihide Suga and Morrison. Thanking Biden for bringing leaders together, the Australian prime minister said he had the opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Suga. He thanked Suga for being a tremendous leader of his country. He said Suga joked with him about the Olympics, saying Japan won a lot of gold judo medals during the Olympics but didn't do too bad either. On COVID-19, Morrison said it was not just about getting the vaccines, but about getting them in arms. And the programs we're running together are helping those vaccines that have been distributed, being administered the training, the planning, the support that's needed to get particularly in developing countries, these vaccines in arms, he said. Our discussions around security began with Afghanistan, and particularly focusing on how we can continue to help people who wish to leave Afghanistan, and become part of our humanitarian programmes and holding the Taliban to account to ensure that they can leave safely...and ensuring that we keep the pressure on the Taliban in Afghanistan, to live up to the commitments that they've made, Morrison said. More broadly, when it comes to climate, there was a real sense of resolve, and not just about the if' question, said the Australian prime minister. Of course, is the answer to that question, but the how and how we can support the particularly developing countries within the Indo-Pacific to get access to the clean energy technology that enables them to transition their economies, just like is seeking to transition our economy, he said. An important initiative for a clean energy supply chain summit to be held next year in to put together a roadmap over the next 12 months that could see how we can combine the best scientific knowledge, industry knowledge and academics coming together to ensure we can transfer our energy technology, clean energy technology, supply chains that support it to transform the economies of our region, Morrison said. Earlier, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, told reporters that Quad was not a security meeting or security apparatus. The focus of this group is on COVID, climate, emerging technology, and infrastructure. All areas where it's incredibly important to coordinate with key partners who are in the global community, including in that region, she said. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is the informal strategic dialogue between India, USA, Japan and Australia with a shared objective to ensure and support a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. In November 2017, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending "Quad" Coalition to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence (especially China). (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking a firm stand against the coup in Myanmar, the US and India have called for a swift return to democracy in the country, an end to the use of violence and release of all political detainees. In a Joint Statement issued following the first face-to-face bilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Friday, the two leaders also called for the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five Point consensus on The Leaders called for an end to the use of violence, for release of all political detainees, and for a swift return to democracy in They further called for the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus, the statement said. Myanmar's military seized power on February 1 after overthrowing the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and declared a state of emergency. Suu Kyi is among an estimated 3,400 people still being held by the junta. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last month came up with a five-point consensus stating that there shall be an immediate cessation of violence in and all parties shall exercise utmost restraint; constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people. It said a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair shall facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the secretary-general of ASEAN; ASEAN shall provide humanitarian assistance through the AHA Centre (ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management); and the special envoy and delegation shall visit Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned. The ASEAN is an economic union comprising 10 member states in Southeast Asia. Its members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. India has previously condemned the violence in Myanmar and condoled the loss of life, as it urged maximum restraint and called for the release of detained leaders. India has also emphasised the situation in Myanmar to be resolved peacefully and underlined its steadfast commitment to democratic transition. According to a recent UN Development Programme report, the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar will further compound the socioeconomic impact of the Covid pandemic, reducing incomes. In the worst-case scenario, nearly half of the population of Myanmar (48.2 per cent) will live in poverty (compared to the 24.8 per cent in 2017), reversing gains made since 2005, the report said, adding that if the situation on the ground persists, the poverty rate could double by the beginning of 2022. (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 (ED) on Saturday said it has frozen shares worth Rs 700 crore after raids against Karvy Stock Broking Limited (KSBL) CMD C Parthasarathy and others as part of a money laundering investigation against them. He is currently lodged in the Chanchalguda jail of Hyderabad after being arrested by the Telangana Police last month. The ED searches were carried out on September 22 at six locations in Hyderabad and on various premises of Karvy group of companies, connected entities and the residential premises of C Parthasarathy, the agency said in a statement. "Several incriminating evidences in the form of property documents, personal diaries, electronic devices, email dumps, etc have been seized and are being analysed," it said. "It is reliably learnt that C Parthasarathy is trying to off-load his shares in the group companies through private deals and thus, in order to preserve the proceeds of crime till further investigation, ED has issued a freezing order on September 24 and the estimated value of these shares has been arrived at Rs 700 crore as per the valuation for the year 2019-20," it said. These shares of the Karvy group are being held "directly and indirectly" by CMD Comandur Parthasarathy, his sons Rajat Parthasarathy and Adhiraj Parthasarathy, and their entities. The ED case, filed under the criminal provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), is based on a Telangana Police FIR alleging KSBL had "illegally pledged the securities of its clients and taken a loan of Rs 329 crore and diverted the same." "Another FIR has been registered by central crime station of Hyderabad Police for defrauding IndusInd Bank to the tune of Rs 137 crore and one more FIR has been registered by Cyberabad Police authorities for defrauding ICICI Bank to the tune of Rs 562.5 crore," it said. The ED has clubbed all these FIRs as part of its probe and has also recorded the statement of C Parthasarathy in jail. KSBL under the leadership of C Parthasarathy had committed "gross irregularities" and all the illegally taken loans have become NPA, the agency said. It is learnt that more FIRs are being registered by other banks and also individual shareholders/ investors, the ED said. The total loan proceeds taken from multiple banks using the same modus operandi is around Rs 2,873 crore, it said, adding that the NSE and SEBI are also investigating the affairs of KSBL. The agency said its probe found that KSBL "did not report" the depository participatory or DP account no. 11458979, named KARVY STOCK BROKING LTD (BSE), in the filings made from January-August, 2019 with regulators/exchanges. "KSBL fraudulently transferred shares belonging to its clients to its own demat account (which is not disclosed to the exchanges) and pledged the shares held in these accounts with the lenders/banks (HDFC bank, ICICI bank, IndusInd bank, Axis Bank, etc.)." "The securities lying in the aforesaid DP account of KSBL, actually belonged to the clients who were/are the legitimate owners of the pledged securities," the agency said. It said KSBL did not have any legal right to create a pledge on these securities and generate funds. "The quantum of such loans taken by KSBL from illegal pledge of shares is to the tune of Rs 2,873 crore. KSBL credited the funds raised by pledging of client securities to 6 of its own bank accounts (stock broker-own account) instead of the "Stock Broker-Client Account" and further has not reported these 6 own bank accounts (stock broker-own account) held with various private banks to the Sebi," it alleged. Prima facie, the ED said, a net amount of Rs 1,096 crore was transferred by KSBL to its group company--Karvy Realty (India) Ltd-- between April 1, 2016 to October 19, 2019. It accused KSBL of conducting "large-scale trading activities in the names of 9 companies that included Karvy Consultants Limited (KCL), which is a group company of Karvy, and 8 other shell companies, in the guise of doing insurance business." "Several crore of rupees were diverted for acquiring immovable properties through the group company, KRIL, and to other group companies as well." It also came to light that recently deletion of files and emails from the computer servers by using anti-forensic tools had been done, under the instructions of C Parthasarathy," it claimed. The bank statement analysis of these companies revealed that there is "large value rotation of funds" between the Karvy group companies and the bank accounts of certain shell companies. (ED) conducted a search operation at 6 locations of Karvy Stock Broking Limited under PMLA in connection with a bank fraud case. Shares worth Rs 700 crores, held directly & indirectly by company chairman C Parthasarathy and his family, have been seized pic.twitter.com/Z1hIdoDNTY ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 (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.) Mourning the loss of lives lost due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister on Saturday reiterated India's commitment to start giving vaccines to needy persons in other countries, even as he gave a clarion call to manufacturers to "Come, Make Vaccine in India". "For the last one-and-a-half years, the whole world is facing the biggest pandemic in 100 years. I pay homage to all those who lost their lives in such a terrible pandemic and extend my condolences to the families," Modi said, addressing the high-level 76th United Nations General Assembly session here. India's vaccine delivery platform - COWIN, is providing digital support for hundreds of millions of vaccine doses in a single day, he said. India had stopped the export of COVID-19 vaccines after the second wave of the pandemic hit the country hard in April this year. On Monday, India said it will resume export of surplus COVID-19 vaccines in the fourth quarter of 2021 under the ''Vaccine Maitri'' programme and to meet its commitment to the COVAX global pool. "India, which lives on Sewa Paramo Dharma (service is the main duty), is engaged in vaccination development and manufacturing despite limited resources. I want to inform that India has developed the world's first DNA vaccine, which can be administered to all people above the age of 12 years," Modi said at the "Another mRNA vaccine is in its late stages of development. Scientists in India are also engaged in the development of a nasal vaccine for Corona. Realising its responsibility towards humanity, India has once again started giving vaccines to the needy of the world. I also invite vaccine manufacturers from all over the world today to- Come, Make Vaccine in India," the prime minister said. According to Johns Hopkins university data, the deadly virus has so far infected 231,154,501 people and killed 4,737,927 globally. 'Mother of democracy' Modi also said he represents a country which is proud to be known as the mother of democracy and cited his own rise from a tea seller at a railway station to that as prime minister to underscore the strength of India's democracy. "We have had a great tradition of democracy that goes back to thousands of years," Modi said. "I represent a country that is proud to be known as the mother of democracy. On 15th of August this year, India entered into the 75th year of its independence". India has dozens of languages, hundreds of dialects, different lifestyles and cuisines. This is the best example of a vibrant democracy, Modi said. "I will soon have spent 20 years serving my countrymen as head of government. First, as the longest serving Chief Minister of Gujarat and then as the Prime Minister for the last seven years", Modi said, adding that democracy has delivered. Prime Minister on Saturday said that when Indians make progress, it also gives an impetus to the development of the world as its growth is linked with the globe. Addressing the 76th UN General Assembly session here, Prime Minister Modi said that today, every sixth person in the world is an Indian. When Indians make progress, it also gives an impetus to the development of the world, he said while speaking in Hindi. When India grows, the world grows. When India reforms. The world transforms, Modi said. He said that the science and technology-based innovations taking place in India can make a big contribution to the world. The scalability of tech solutions and cost effectiveness are both unparalleled. Over 3.5 billion transactions are taking place every month in India through the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), the Prime Minister said. India's vaccine delivery platform CoWIN offers digital support to register the administration of millions of vaccine doses in a single day, Modi said, adding that India puts into practice the principle of Seva Parmo Dharm (Service is the highest religion). He said that India today is moving forward on the path of integrated equitable development. Our priority is that development should be all inclusive, all pervasive, universal and one that nurtures all. During the last seven years, India has brought over 430 million people who were previously unbound into the banking system. Today, over 360 million people who earlier could not even imagine this was possible now have insurance coverage as security, the Prime Minister said. By giving over 500 million people the facility of free treatment in hospitals, India has given them access to quality health services, he said, adding that by building 30 million proper homes, India has made homeless families homeowners. Speaking about potable water, he said polluted water is a very big problem not just for India but for the entire world, and in particular for poor and developing countries. In order to address this challenge, we in India are carrying out a very big campaign to ensure that piped clean water reaches over 170 million homes, which reputed institutions of the world have said is important for the development of any country, he said. People must have property rights to their homes and land with an ownership record are a must in the most developed countries. There are a large number of people who do not have property rights to the land and homes, he said. Today, we are using drones in India to map over 600,000 villages. And by doing so we are giving people their digital records of their homes and land. These digital records not only reduce property disputes but also provide people an increased access to credit and bank loans, Modi added. Biocon on Saturday announced that the USFDA has issued six observations after the inspection of the manufacturing facility of its Malaysian subsidiary Biocon Sdn Bhd. The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) conducted an on-site pre-approval inspection of the company's Malaysian subsidiary Biocon Sdn Bhd's manufacturing facility for Insulin Aspart between 13 September and 24 September, Biocon said in a statement. A Biocon spokesperson said the company is confident of addressing these observations through procedural enhancements and an appropriate Corrective and Preventive Action Plan (CAPA), which will be submitted to the USFDA in the stipulated time. He further added that the company does not expect the outcome of the inspection to impact commercialization plans for insulin Aspart in the US. Biocon Biologics remains committed to global standards of Quality and Compliance. Biocon is an innovation-led global biopharmaceuticals company committed to enhance affordable access to complex therapies for chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer and autoimmune. The company's consolidated net profit declined 43.5% to Rs 84.4 crore in Q1 FY22 from Rs 149 crore in Q1 FY21. Revenue from operations increased by 4% YoY to Rs 1,761 crore in Q1 FY22 from Rs 1693.8 crore in Q1 FY21 Shares of Biocon ended 2.07% lower at Rs 360.20 on Friday. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Refunds aggregating to Rs 75,111 crore have been issued in the current fiscal. The direct tax collections for the financial year 2021-22, as on 22 September 2021 show that net collections are at Rs 5,70,568 crore, a year-on-year increase of 74.4%. In the last financial year, the net collection was Rs 3,27,174 crore, a Finance Ministry release stated on 24 September 2021. The net direct tax collection of Rs 5,70,568 crore, includes corporation tax of Rs 3,02,975 crore (net of refund) and personal income tax including security transaction tax (STT) of Rs 2,67,593 crore (net of refund). The advance tax collection in the second quarter (1 July 2021 to 22 September 2021) of FY 2021-22 is Rs 1,72,071 crore, a growth of 51.50% over Rs 1,13,571 crore in the corresponding period in FY 2020-21. Refunds amounting to Rs 75,111 crore have been issued in the FY 2021-22 so far. The gross collection of direct taxes (before adjusting for refunds) for the FY 2021-22 stands at Rs 6,45,679 crore compared to Rs 4,39,242 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding financial year, registering a growth of 47% over collections of FY 2020-21. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The board of NHPC on Friday, 24 September 2021 approved the proposal regarding the formation of a wholly-owned subsidiary which will act as an investment vehicle and commission hydropower projects to facilitate the monetization of investment made. The board has also accorded its investment approval to contribute initial equity of Rs 5 crore by NHPC in the proposed subsidiary company. Meanwhile, the board has also considered and approved the proposal regarding formation of a wholly-owned subsidiary company for the development of renewable energy, small hydro and green hydrogen projects, subject to approval of Government of India (GoI). The board of NHPC has accorded its investment approval to contribute initial equity of Rs 20 crore by NHPC in the proposed subsidiary company. On the same day, NHPC considered and approved the proposal to initiate the process of merger of Jalpower Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NHPC, with NHPC as per applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 subject to approval of GoI. On a consolidated basis, the company's net profit jumped 14.9% to Rs 982.86 crore on 13% decline in net sales to Rs 2,417.12 crore in Q1 June 2021 over Q1 June 2020. NHPC is the largest organization for hydropower development in India. It has also diversified in the field of solar & wind power. As of 30 June 2021, the Government of India held 70.95% stake in the company. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The private sector lender announced that its board will consider the quarter and half year ended 30 September 2021 results on 26 October 2021. Axis Bank reported a 94.2% jump in standalone net profit to Rs 2,160 crore on a 2.4% rise in total income to Rs 19,591 crore in Q1 FY22 over Q1 FY21. The bank's net interest income (NII) grew 11% year on year (YoY) to Rs 7,760 crore from Rs 6,985 crore in Q1FY21. Net interest margin (NIM) for Q1 FY22 stood at 3.46%. On the asset quality front, as on 30 June 2021, the bank's reported Gross NPA and Net NPA levels were at 3.85% and 1.20% respectively as against 3.70% and 1.05% as on 31 March 2021. Gross slippages during the quarter were at Rs 6,518 crores, compared to Rs 5,285 crores during Q4FY21 and Rs 2,218 crores in Q1FY21. Axis Bank offers the entire spectrum of financial services to customer segments covering large and mid-corporates, MSME, agriculture and retail businesses. As on 30 June 2021, the bank had a network of 4,600 domestic branches and extension counters situated in 2,628 centres. Shares of Axis Bank closed 1.74% lower at Rs 798.20 on Friday. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The headline of this weeks National Interest will likely draw some sharp responses. It could be, of course India does matter, you nutcase, and you ask this when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the US, meeting President Joe Biden for the first time, his other fellow Quad leaders, and addressing the UN General Assembly. Or, it could simply be, hello, you are being deliberately provocative with a click-bait. Of course, India does matter, and I would be nuts only if I answered my own headline question in the negative. On the second charge, I will be guilty as charged. ... CPI leader and former JNU students' union president and Gujarat Dalit leader are likely to join the Congress next week, party sources said. Kumar had joined the Communist Party of India (CPI) ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election and had unsuccessfully contested from Begusarai in Bihar against Giriraj Singh of the BJP. Sources close to Kumar said that he is likely to join the Congress on September 28 in New Delhi. Mevani is likely to join the Congress along with him on the same day, sources said. Mevani, who is currently a legislator in Gujarat and represents the Vadgam constituency, is the convener of the Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch (RDAM). He is a lawyer-activist and a former journalist. Mevani's entry into the Congress comes at a time when it is wooing the scheduled castes community after making one amongst them the chief minister of Punjab. Charanjit Singh Channi succeeded Amarinder Singh as chief minister of Punjab, a step considered bold by the party in wooing back the scheduled castes, traditionally considered the vote bank of the Congress. (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.) Under fire for his controversial comments on Kashmir, Malvinder Singh Mali on Friday quit as adviser to Punjab Congress chief However, Mali did not term it as a "resignation". In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Mali said, "I humbly submit that I withdraw my consent given for tendering suggestions to Navjot Singh Sidhu". Mali, in another Facebook post, claimed that the question of his resignation does not arise as he never accepted the post. Neither accepted any post, nor resigned from any post, Mali said in a post in Punjabi. Amid a power tussle in Punjab, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had asked Sidhu on Sunday to "rein in" his advisers after two of them made "atrocious" comments recently on sensitive issues like Kashmir and Pakistan. AICC general secretary Harish Rawat, who is in charge of Punjab affairs, had also said that the two advisers need to go. Sidhu on August 11 had appointed Mali, a former government teacher and political analyst, and Pyare Lal Garg, a former registrar of Baba Farid University of Health and Sciences, as his advisers to seek their wise counsel. In a recent social media post, Mali had waded into the issue of revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. He had reportedly said if Kashmir was a part of India, then what was the need to have Articles 370 and 35A. He had also said, Kashmir is a country of Kashmiri people. Garg, another adviser of Sidhu, had reportedly questioned the chief minister's criticism of Pakistan. The chief minister had warned against such "atrocious and ill-conceived comments that were potentially dangerous to the peace and stability of the state and 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.) After the Congress' Punjab saga ended with Charanjit Singh Channi replacing Amarinder Singh as Chief Minister, winds of change seem to have started blowing in Rajasthan with former Deputy Chief Minister meeting ex-Congress chief twice in a week's time, the latest on Friday evening. The meetings gain significance ahead of a possible cabinet reshuffle in the desert state. Pilot had met in the national capital over the last weekend, while he called on him again on Friday evening, this time in the presence of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi. The meetings have given momentum to the speculation that some serious political considerations are going on behind the scenes, though there is no official word on it from either side yet. The meetings have reportedly created uneasiness in Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's camp in Jaipur, sources said, as the Congress high command is believed to be upset with Gehlot's delaying tactics with regard to the cabinet reshuffle. So there may be a Punjab-like operation in Rajasthan as well if things do not change. has also discussed the issue with Rajasthan Speaker C.P. Joshi, whom he met last week before leaving for Shimla. There is a strong buzz in the Congress that Pilot will return as the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief, or may be even as the Chief Minister ahead of Assembly elections scheduled in 2023. Gehlot may be appointed as the Congress General Secretary, Organisation, or the party's Gujarat in-charge, a responsibility he had held in the past. He may also be appointed as the Working President to curb all the simmering dissent in the party, given that another senior leader Kamal Nath seems reluctant to leave Madhya Pradesh. The party is likely to push for a reshuffle in the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to put its house in order in different states. This has raised hopes in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, where two CM aspirants -- T.S. Singh Deo and Pilot -- are waiting for their turn. In the 2018 Assembly polls in Rajasthan, the Congress had won 99 out of 200 seats. Gehlot was then made the Chief Minister even though he was not the CM face during poll campaign. The Lok Sabha polls were held five months after the Assembly elections, in which the Congress drew a blank in Rajasthan, losing in all the 25 seats. The next Assembly polls are scheduled in 2023, and the party is reportedly contemplating a new CM face so that the 2019 Lok Sabha results are not repeated in the 2024 general elections. Some major changes are expected in Rajasthan in the coming few days. In fact, the party's Rajasthan in-charge Ajay Maken had said last week that the roadmap is ready for cabinet expansion and organisational rejig in the desert state. --IANS miz/arm/vd (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.) Seven new faces are likely to be inducted in the Charanjit Singh Channi-led Punjab cabinet while five ministers who were part of the Amarinder Singh-led government are expected to be dropped, sources said Saturday With the list of ministers for the new cabinet finalised, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi Saturday met Governor Banwarilal Purohit at Raj Bhavan here around 12:30 pm. After meeting the governor, Channi told reporters the oath-taking ceremony for the new ministers will take place at 4:30 pm on Sunday. His meeting with the governor came barely hours after he returned from Delhi having held a final round of discussion with the party high command on the cabinet formation. Pargat Singh, Raj Kumar Verka, Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Sangat Singh Gilzian, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Kuljit Nagra and Rana Gurjit Singh are likely to be included in the cabinet, according to the sources. The party is also learnt to have decided to retain Vijay Inder Singla, Manpreet Singh Badal, Brahm Mohindra, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Arunu Chaudhary, Razia Sultana and Bharat Bhushan Ashu from the Amarinder Singh government. However, five legislators -- Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Balbir Singh Sidhu, Gurpreet Singh Kangar and Sunder Sham Arora -- who were ministers in the Amarinder Singh-led cabinet are likely to be dropped, the sources said. A consensus on the names for the Channi-led cabinet was reached during his meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other senior party members in the capital. Channi was summoned to Delhi by the Congress high command on Friday to discuss the cabinet formation. The visit came within hours of him returning from the capital. A total of 18 MLAs can be included in the cabinet, including Chief Minister Channi and two his deputies Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and OP Soni. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], September 25 (ANI/PNN): The Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh, released pioneer Indian author Amit Ahuja's book "The Secret Of Earning" recently. The book "The Secret of Earning" shares success stories of the past, present, and future generations of entrepreneurs and secrets that would inspire someone in the field of business. The book will act as a powerful tool in attaining global entrepreneurship success despite the odds. From entrepreneurship basics like "Who is an Entrepreneur?" to "Secrets of Retaining Success After Achieving", all the chapters in the book aim to guide new-gen entrepreneurs towards the path of inevitable success. For developing a better and more practical understanding amongst today's generation of entrepreneurs, the book also covers entrepreneurial differences from generation to generation. Along with a long list of real-life successful businesses, entrepreneurs starting from Inventors of business in India like Dhirubhai Ambani, Jamsetji Tata, to the Exponential Entrepreneur like Gautam Adani, Radhakrishna Damani till the future Entrepreneurs like Byju Raveendran, Ramdev Baba and many more influential business tycoons. "The Secret Of Earning" discloses trusted secrets of success that people in the business field can take inspiration from. "If these secrets are followed in the industry, at any age, success will be your destination", says Amit Ahuja. From secrets on how to start a business to secret habits of rich mindset people to secrets of earning, the book gives well-versed insights to their readers. The book shares several successful entrepreneurship journeys and secrets that make the essence of business entrepreneurship. The informative and personal book makes the one-stop destination to understand practical aspects of any successful business entrepreneur. To make its readers value every opportunity to learn, grow, and excel as an entrepreneur themselves. The book will be an engaging read for every entrepreneur. It will give them the needed inspiration to fuel their business ideas and futuristic ventures. The life story highlights, secrets to success, and behavioural habits of India's biggest entrepreneurial figures like Laxmi Mittal, Azim Premji and Narayana Murthy have been covered in this book. "I have seen people achieving success. I have seen people become successful overnight. But I have also seen people losing their way and becoming entangled in failure. This is what motivated me to write my book in the first place", shares the rational author, Amit Ahuja. He also shares some of the Secrets of Earning which can inspire someone who has very less capital to startup anything in life. He hopes his book "The Secret Of Success" will inspire the 21st century to be entrepreneurs to believe it is possible to become successful entrepreneurship through the shared secrets to success. Amit Ahuja is engaged in multiple avenues of business as he has learned from his father how diversified business is helpful to achieve success. He aspired to be a civil engineer from RKNEC Nagpur but was unable to complete the degree due to the early demise of his father and being overburdened with family responsibilities joined the business when he was just 17. He got married to his wife Pooja in 2009 and has two beautiful daughters, Saisha and Aarna. His extraordinary business sense with curiosity to learn has aided him in becoming the ultimate opportunist. He considers his Mother Mrs Sadhna Ahuja as the pillar of strength. His book "The Secret Of Earning" got released recently in September. It has been published by the Adhyaan Books Publishers, New Delhi. The author has dedicated the book to his father, Late Shri Prahlad Rai Ahuja, who was a well-known businessman in Raipur himself. Check out the book at: (https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09G75DVX8/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apan_glt_VN879TWV9T11P5SGTS2K) This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gurugram (Haryana) [India], September 25 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), today announced one-of-its kind CSR initiative 'Art for Hope'. Art for Hope is India's first dedicated CSR program to encourage artists across various domains like Digital Arts, Crafts, Multidisciplinary Arts, Performance Arts and Visual Arts. 25 artists, with community art project concept around the theme of Hope Solidarity and Gratitude will receive a grant of 1 Lakh each. The project is scheduled to commence from October this year. 'Art for Hope' is conceptualized to promote art as art inspires change to positivity for happiness and composure of humanity. Shortlisted artists will get an opportunity to exchange ideas, execute an art project and be mentored by industry stalwarts. The projects will also be displayed for community viewing across India, including Hyundai Motor India Ltd.'s new Corporate Headquarters in Gurugram. Commenting on the unique 'Art for Hope' CSR initiative, SS Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said "Hyundai has responded to the pandemic with various meaningful social initiatives and Art for Hope is yet another step to encourage India's Best Artists from diverse genres. It is a unique initiative that thrives to elevate socio-economic status quo of our Indian artisans who were affected during the pandemic. Hyundai's global vision, 'Progress for Humanity' believes that Hope, Gratitude and Solidarity are three core pillars that can unveil new possibilities and become a beacon of optimism for the artist community in India. We hope that our humble endeavor will bring recognition to artists and integrate them into the mainstream for a happy life." 'Art for Hope' grant program consists of advisory members from different domains of art such as: Dr. Rathi Jafer, Director of Inko Centre (Chennai), Riyas Komu, a critically acclaimed multimedia artist and curator and the co-founder of the Kochi Muziris Biennale in India along with Priya Pall, a popular museum and arts consultant, former Curatorial Director of Bikaner House, Delhi and a consultant to various popular museums. The proposals are invited from artists and groups across India through email with a project proposal in any Indian language in 800-1000 words along with CV, artist statement and a recommendation letter. A panel of jury including above mentioned advisory members and internal members will be evaluating the proposals based on innovation, community impact along with the economic situation of the applicant. Projects can be located anywhere in India and completed in between 6-10 weeks of grant announcement. The grant shall be used to execute an art project available for public viewing. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 25 (ANI/Hunk Golden and Media): As the country starts to settle into a renewed sense of pre-pandemic normalcy, schools across India are planning to open their gates to full corridors and happy faces of students' basis government directives. At Podar International Schools across the country, the preparations for re-opening of schools in a safe and smooth manner are underway in full swing and highest standards of safety protocols have been implemented. Out of 139 Podar International School, 62 schools have partially reopened from grade V onwards in locations across Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. Podar International School, a pioneer in the field of international education and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 10 international day schools in India. Harsh Podar, Director, Podar Education Network said, "We welcome the decision of re-opening schools in Maharashtra in a phased manner. For the first time in our 94 year history, all our schools had to remain closed for students. These have been challenging times for all of us. While the teachers at Podar International Schools have received generous appreciation for ensuring that a holistic educational experience continues by conducting virtual lessons, the management at the Podar Education Network has been working tirelessly to ensure that as and when the students return to the classrooms they will be welcomed into a safe and nurturing environment. The network has put into place a very detailed and well-planned safety protocols that will be followed by all the branches of the school. While there is great enthusiasm about the reopening of schools among students and parents alike, the unfortunate events of the last few months have left parents feeling anxious about the safety of their children when sending them back to school. The transition from online school to offline classes demands a great degree of meticulous planning from the schools. The protocol includes strategies such as a complete redesigning of the seating plans in the classrooms to ensure students are able to maintain social distancing once school resumes. The management is also striving to ensure a safe commute for students to and from school by making their school buses completely safe. This way, parents can rest assured about the safety of their children from the moment they leave for school." Some of the safety protocols implemented are: The windows across the school will be kept constantly open, while school areas will be disinfected on a regular basis. The housekeeping staff at the schools are being provided with intensive training to implement a three-step protocol that begins with fumigation of the entire school, followed by deep cleaning with bleach wash and finally, the staff will regularly disinfect and wipe furniture fixtures, doors, railings, and other common touch points. The students too will be encouraged to wash their hands with soap on a regular basis besides sanitising and masking. Similarly, at the forefront of the fight will be the school's security team. This team will ensure anybody entering the school including teachers have a mask on and their temperature is scanned with an IR thermometer. The security team will also ensure the sanitisation of the hands and shoes of anyone entering the school. As all members of the staff await the reopening of the schools, the teams are continuously working on sensitising students and parents on new safety protocols at Podar International School. For the school, the safety of the students is their main priority and they promise to do all they can to ensure that the students are safe and happy at school. Podar International School is all set to welcome the children back into their classrooms. This story is provided by Hunk Golden and Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Hunk Golden and Media) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], September 25 (ANI/PNN): Indian Chess Grandmaster and Padma Vibhushan Mr Vishwanathan Anand said the reaction to failure and perception of success was crucial to everyone's lives. On Thursday, he spoke at the online conclave as the chief guest of the Jaipur Engineering College and Research Centre (JECRC) University Orientation Programme 2021. The orientation session is conducted to acclimatise the new batch of students to university life for their next academic year. "Failure is not what happened to you but how you felt after it happened. Only when you fail do you have a memory of it, and it is the same memory that will stop you from repeating the mistake in future. Everyone experiences failure in one way or the other, but recognising how you feel or behave during a failure is important," he said, adding, "One should enjoy success but never take it for granted because things tend to get wrong when you least expect it. Success doesn't mean you did everything right." Anand also said while everyone should follow their passion, they should not turn their backs on everything else. "Do what you really enjoy doing and where your passion really lies, but do not ignore things that are of no interest to you. It may come in handy in future. A university is the best place to learn this as it is your network for the future," he said. He also said that the learning never stops and that the novel COVID-19 pandemic was a whole new learning experience. The virtual conclave's this year's theme was, 'Learn to Lead'. Around 3,500 students, along with their parents, had virtually attended the session. Commenting on the JECRC Orient '21, Arpit Agarwal, Director, Vice-President, JECRC Foundation, said, "This is an outstanding opportunity for students to get used to the university campus along with champions and masters of the country. I thank Mr Vishwanathan Anand for sparing his valuable time to inspire the learning and career development of the students. Such first-hand experience gives valuable inputs to students' perceptions and outlook. We, at JECRC, do not just teach students, but we groom them to be the future leaders in their respective fields." The new batch of students discovered the ecosystem of innovation, coding, entrepreneurship, international internships, and social work through the programme. The freshers also got an opportunity to interact with the university's alumni, expert faculty members and experts across industries. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 25 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Skechers, The Comfort Technology Company and global lifestyle and performance footwear brand, today launched the Street Ready Collection. The trendy line offers streetwear sneakers for the fashion conscious youth in India. To popularize the collection, Skechers has partnered with Siddhant Chaturvedi who will be the face of the campaign to illustrate how these styles are perfect for the modern man. The high decibel campaign includes a digital film highlighting the youthful exuberance associated with the new collection as well as the audience it targets. The film portrays Siddhant Chaturvedi as the lead protagonist and is seen jumping through his day to the tunes of the hip jingle of the Street Ready Collection. The core message of the campaign, 'My style is my pehchaan' is a callout to the growing affinity towards India's street culture. Commenting on the launch of the Street Ready Collection, Rahul Vira, CEO of Skechers South Asia said, "This collection is sure to enthuse the youth with its fashionable designs and exciting range. Siddhant Chaturvedi's vibrant and youthful personality perfectly exemplifies the boldness and energy of this collection. Our primary focus as a company has always been to create footwear that helps consumers express themselves and our footwear has the best-in-class comfort and style." Also commenting on the launch of the sneakers, Siddhant Chaturvedi said, "I have been a sneaker aficionado for as long as I can remember, and I am stoked to be a part of this launch. Street Ready to me is the embodiment of a young and energetic India looking to break away from the old stereotypes associated with men and establishes an ideal representation of who the modern day man actually is. I truly believe this collection will have something for everyone on any occasion." The new collection will be available at Skechers retail outlets nationwide and online at (https://www.skechers.in). Skechers India launched in 2012 and the Company offers a wide range of its 3,000 footwear styles to men, women and children across the country, along with introducing apparel and accessories in nearly every category. Campaign Link: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9b3cBg0aY4) This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In France, weed dealers can be found anywhere, but are never heard from. The trade is as ubiquitous as it is fiercely prosecuted: France is one of Europes biggest consumers of the drug, yet possession and sale can be punished by ten years in prison and a 7.5 (USD$8.8) million fine. For dealers, discreetness is key. Cannabiz sets out to explore this black market, with all its risks and hypocrisies. The animated documentary series, which is in development, is built around rare interviews with small-scale dealers in the country, who explain how they came to sell cannabis and how they go about it. Following the projects presentation at this weeks Cartoon Forum, we are exclusively premiering the pilot. It focuses on Nina, who sells to affluent communities on the Mediterranean coast: Whats the big deal with real-time rendering? Sure, you can shorten production time by cutting out long waits for rendering, but theres a whole lot more to it than that. The caliber of rendering from game engines has evolved in recent years, their quality now rivaling standalone renderers. But more importantly, real-time technology can take the animation pipeline from linear to parallel. The entire team can review look development as each scene is developed, and iterate on lighting, camera angles, and post effects in real time. Team members can suggest different approaches Lets try this! and the concept can come together in minutes rather than hours or days. In short, teams can try different ways to tell the story and see what works best, all in real time. No more seeing the end result and wishing you could add or change a scene, only to realize there isnt enough time to try it out. A faster, more iterative pipeline also means that styles teams shied away from in the past might now be within reach. When you can so quickly try new styles for characters, environments, and lighting, the skys the limit. Another benefit of a real-time workflow is transmedia assets: print media, trailers, and social media, all using the same assets as the production itself. In Epic Games latest episode of video series The Pulse, Real-time Animation: Unlocking Story and Style, which will be broadcast on September 29, real-time innovators in animation will join Dan Sarto of AWN to talk about this new paradigm for animation pipelines. Joining Dan are David Prescott, SVP of DNEG Animation; Jason Chen, EVP of BRON Digital; Kevin Dart, Founder and Creative Director of Chromosphere; and Karen Dufilho of Epic Games. Game engines for animation Real-time workflow for animation has its roots in game development. As real-time engines like Unreal Engine have evolved to produce visual quality worthy of final pixels, film and tv production teams are turning to real-time technology for look development, previs, virtual production, trailers, and postvis. Real-time rendering for animation is a natural extension of this use of the technology. The quality of the real-time rendering in the animated short Rebirth is what inspired Engine House, a team-of-three animation studio in Cornwall, U.K., to start using Unreal Engine. The team recently completed their own animation project, Wylder, a short film based on the childrens book of the same name. The film is rendered entirely as final pixels in Unreal Engine. Matching the distinct style of the printed book was of the utmost importance, and Engine House found that Unreal Engine provided an excellent platform for continued look development. Not only did a real-time workflow make the team more efficient, explains Natasha Price of Engine House, but they were able to engage in more hands-on creativity. Story is king No matter the pipeline, one fact remains the same: story is king. You can have a great environment and voice actors, but unless your audience engages with your characters and story, its all for naught. One place where real-time pipelines really shine is in story development. While storyboards are still important, sometimes you cant see the best way to tell a story until the shots are staged. With a more traditional approach to animation production, each artist is siloed with his or her particular job. By the time a problem is noticed the environment needs more rocks and trees, for example, or the post effects arent working with the rendered images days or weeks may have passed, and a director may be faced with a hard decision about whether theres time to send notes back to the artists. With a real-time pipeline, there are no such compromises. Artists can review shots right along with the director and make any suggested changes while the meeting is still in session. The team can try different lighting placements, color schemes, and camera angles in real time. If more tweaks are needed, the director can say so right then and there. Special effects can be added immediately to see how they work with the scene. Changes that might have taken weeks with a traditional pipeline can take place in minutes or hours. Story meetings can go from difficult decision-making ordeals to creative brainstorming sessions where ideas can be explored in real time. This is the advantage most often cited by producers and directors of animation: that a real-time pipeline leaves more time for the creativity of storytelling. To learn more about how a real-time workflow has helped producers tell better stories, tune into The Pulse on September 29. Be sure to register so you can participate in the live Q&A afterward. You can also keep up to date on the latest developments in real-time animation via Epic Games animation hub. Netflix has acquired the anime series Blue Period. The news is good for fans of the original manga, but also significant for anime fans and Netflix users in general. Exceptionally, Netflix will release episodes weekly, rather than all at once. The show will debut on Netflix in Japan tomorrow, then air on Japanese tv from October 1. Episodes will start rolling out globally on Netflix on October 9. We believe this will be the first time Netflix does weekly releases for an anime series in the U.S. (In 2018 it took this approach for Violet Evergarden in some territories, but not the U.S.) The week-long lag means Blue Period wont exactly be simulcast a term that refers to the near-simultaneous airing of a series in Japan and abroad. But its not far off. Anime fans used to simulcasts on platforms like Crunchyroll and Funimation have bemoaned Netflixs tendency to release series in their entirety. This generally means shows come out months after Japanese audiences have seen them. Photo: The Canadian Press Meat is shown in a grocery store in Toronto on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Canadian meat packers are lobbying the federal government to let them bring in more temporary foreign workers in light of a labour shortage crisis they say has reached an "all-time high." The Canadian Meat Council which represents Canada's federally registered meat packers and processing plants said Friday there are more than 4,000 empty butcher stations at meat production facilities countrywide, working out to an average job vacancy rate of more than 10 per cent. In Quebec, the situation is even more severe, with job vacancy rates approaching 40 per cent, said Canadian Meat Council spokeswoman Marie-France Mackinnon. Alberta plants are also struggling, with vacancy rates hovering near 20 per cent, she said. "Without a workforce, you can't operate," Mackinnon said, adding several Canadian packing plants were forced to temporarily shut down production lines over the summer due to a shortage of workers. 'It really limits our ability to have made-in-Canada protein. It means more meat is being processed in the U.S. and other countries, and more meat imports for Canadians, she said. Mackinnon said the industry is asking the federal government to relax the rules governing how many temporary foreign workers meat processing employers can employ at any one time from a current cap of 10 to 20 per cent, depending on the facility, to 30 per cent, which was what was allowed under Canada's temporary foreign worker program before it was overhauled by former prime minister Stephen Harper's government in 2014. "We need a reset to the cap," Mackinnon said. "One of our members is reporting losses of $700,000 per week due to lack of manpower, so nearly $3 million per month." Labour force shortages have long been an issue for Canada's meat-packing sector, which for years has said it struggles to find Canadians who want to become butchers. Though the jobs offer unionized wage rates and benefit packages, they are also physically demanding, rurally located, and many find them unappealing. But COVID-19 has worsened an existing problem. Richard Vigneault, spokesperson for Quebec-based pork and poultry processor Olymel, said some workers may have chosen to stay home and rely on government support programs rather than work in the industry during a pandemic. "It's tough for any manufacturer to find employees right now," Vigneault said. "The competition on the market now is really tight. But we're working very hard to cope with the labour shortage across Canada and we're working on all fronts to be able to operate as normally as possible." At Cargill Foods, which operates beef processing plants in Guelph, Ont., and High River, Alta., the company is offering signing bonuses and increased base pay in an effort to attract talent, as well as exploring benefits like child care, on-site medical services, and housing support, said company spokesman Daniel Sullivan. "Of course, we are also looking at what the workplace of the future looks like which will absolutely include more digitalization and automation," Sullivan said in an email. Cameron Bruett, spokesman for JBS Foods which operates a major beef packing plant near Brooks, Alta., said the facility is currently operating "as normal" though he acknowledged that labour is a challenge at this time. He said the company is doing a number of things to attract and retain employees, including offering paid community college tuition to workers and their dependants. In the early days of the pandemic, the Cargill plant at High River became the site of Canada's then-largest outbreak of cases at a single facility, with more than 900 employees getting sick and two worker deaths. An outbreak last spring at the JBS facility near Brooks sickened more than 600 workers and resulted in one death. Olymel has also dealt with significant outbreaks, at locations in both Quebec and Alberta. However, mass on-site vaccination clinics at the country's largest meat-packing facilities earlier this year have significantly reduced the toll of the virus on the industry's workforce in the last half of 2021. Photo: pixabay A Cranbrook, B.C., man convicted of the murder of his wife and two children 25 years ago will have a chance at overturning that conviction after an appeal court judge ruled he could access RCMP-held material for DNA testing. Dean Christopher Roberts wants that material to request a ministerial review of his convictions. Such review applications are allowed on the grounds of miscarriage of justice by someone convicted of an whose rights of judicial review or appeal have been exhausted. While that process may occasionally result in costly and ineffectual review of well grounded convictions, it is established with the intention of giving effect to the fundamental precept that the innocent must not be convicted, Justice Peter Willcock wrote in the unanimous decision of three judges. Roberts was convicted in BC Supreme Court 1995 on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder in the deaths of his wife and two infant sons. Roberts, then 26, was sentenced to life in prison without parole eligibility for 25 years. Police investigated Roberts using a so-called Mr. Big operation in which officers posed as members of a criminal organization. Roberts conducted tasks for the fictitious organization in return for the promise of significant compensation. During that operation, a 2018 appeal court ruling said, Roberts told an undercover officer he strangled wife Susan and son Josiah with rope, started a fire in a bedroom, and he left sons David and Jonathan in the home to succumb to smoke inhalation. He also described how he put Josiahs body in a bag and disposed of it in a bush. The B.C. attorney generals lawyer denied the suggestion the conviction was based primarily on the Mr. Big confession. The court was told there was a motive, a desire to start a new life, manifested in Roberts conduct and a $200,000 insurance policy he had taken out on his wifes life about four weeks before she was murdered, as well as the means and opportunity to commit the murders. In the 2018 dismissed appeal case, Roberts sought an order compelling the British Columbia Prosecution Service to produce physical evidence in the possession of the RCMP for DNA testing. However, Roberts then moved to seeking a ministerial review of his case, which moves it from the criminal to the administrative realm. The evidence sought is not new, the decision said. Mr. Roberts hopes testing the physical evidence (hair and fingernail samples, a rope used to strangle his wife, a rope used to strangle one of his sons, a bag in which that sons body was found, a cigarette butt and plastic bags found near the bodys resting place on a trail, and a burnt scarf found near the Roberts home) with state-of-the-art methods will reveal the DNA of another person, perhaps the same person on each article, perhaps one whose DNA is in the National DNA Data Bank, the court said. Photo: The Canadian Press Michael Spavor, left, and Michael Kovrig Two Canadians detained in China on spying charges have been released from prison and flown out of the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday, hours after a top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies resolved criminal charges against her in a deal with the U.S. Justice Department. Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arrested in China in December 2018, shortly after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, Huaweis chief financial officer and the daughter of the companys founder, on a U.S. extradition request. Many countries labeled China's action hostage politics. The deal with Meng calls for the Justice Department to dismiss fraud charges late next year in exchange for Meng accepting responsibility for misrepresenting her companys business dealings in Iran. Trudeau called a news conference Friday night about an hour after Mengs plane left Canada for China. The arrangement with Meng, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, resolves a yearslong legal and geopolitical tussle that involved not only the U.S. and China but also Canada, where Meng has remained since she was arrested at Vancouver's airport in December 2018. The deal was reached as President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have sought to tamp down signs of public tension even as the worlds two dominant economies are at odds on issues as diverse as cybersecurity, climate change, human rights and trade and tariffs. Biden said in an address before the U.N. General Assembly earlier this week that he had no intention of starting a new Cold War, while Xi told world leaders that disputes among countries need to be handled through dialogue and cooperation. Thomas A. LaVeist, Ph.D. Thomas A. LaVeist, Ph.D. was appointed dean of the Tulane University, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in July 2018. Previous to that he served as chairman of the Department of Health Policy and Management at the George Washington University (GWU), Milken Institute School of Public Health. He joined GWU after 25 years on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health where he was the William & Nancy Richardson Professor in Health Policy and Founding Director of the Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions. He received his bachelors degree from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, his doctorate degree from the University of Michigan and completed postdoctoral studies in gerontology and Health Management & Policy at the Michigan School of Public Health. Dr. LaVeists research focuses on health equity. He has conducted major studies of cultural competency in healthcare, social determinants of health, and health policy analysis. In addition to his extensive record of publication in scientific journals, he has written for NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE, BALTIMORE SUN, and other mass media outlets. He has authored or edited six books, and is executive producer, and narrator for THE SKIN YOURE IN, a documentary series about racial inequalities in health that is currently in production. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Defense, Commonwealth Fund, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Sage Foundation and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. He is the recipient of the Innovation Award from the National Institutes of Health, and the Knowledge Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health. In 2013 he was elected to membership in the National Academy of Medicine. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Dr. Rebecca Ashford, president, Chattanooga State Community College and Dr. Harley Knowles, president, Tennessee Wesleyan University have signed an articulation agreement between the two institutions. This agreement will allow a smooth transfer into a bachelor of science degree at TWU for graduates with an associate of applied science degree in either Chattanooga State Management or Entrepreneurship concentrations. The TWU degree offers a BS in Management through a program called Management Excellence, explained Jake Stanford, department head and associate professor of Business at Chattanooga State. Our 36-hour Management Excellence Program can be completed in approximately four semesters and all courses are accelerated, stated Dr. Martha Maddox, professor, and associate dean, TWU Goodfriend School of Business. We also offer the following areas of emphases: accounting, human resource management, healthcare management, and industrial management to complete the degree. Each emphasis has either 18 or 21 hours. Entrance into the TWU program requires students be at least 23 years of age, have three years of work experience, and have completed at least 60 semester hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA or an associate degree from Chattanooga State. The program is offered in-person, online or through a hybrid approach. "Chattanooga State is proud to add Tennessee Wesleyan University as its newest academic educational partner, officials said. This gives our students the opportunity to learn without limits, stated Dr. Ashford. For more information call Chattanooga States Business Division at 423-697-4441 or email Jacob.stanford@chattanoogastate.edu. A Pikeville man has pleaded guilty to stealing timber from Bledsoe State Forest. Agricultural Crime Unit Special Agents with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture in June charged John T. Simmons with timber theft after Simmons was seen loading logs onto a trailer along a forest road. After a grand jury indictment, he pleaded guilty to all charges, including theft of property, criminal trespass, and vandalism. Simmons will serve one year probation and must pay back the value of the logs and the costs of retrieving the stolen timber. The ACU and the Division of Forestry worked with Bledsoe Countys law enforcement and district attorney on the case. The stolen logs were part of a salvage sale from timber that was blown down in the area. Whether the timber theft is intentional or accidental, on public or private land, it can lead to fines and possible jail time, ACU Captain Greg Whitehead said. The estimated value of the 24 stolen logs, in addition to the employee and equipment costs associated with this case, were part of the penalties assessed. Stolen timber can be hard to track, and we were fortunate that Simmons was observed stealing the logs. ACU will follow every lead and use every tool at our disposal to find and prosecute timber thieves. ACU is a specialized unit dedicated to investigating and enforcing state laws and regulations related to agriculture, forestry, animal health, and agribusinesses. Visit the ACUs webpage to learn more, www.tn.gov/agriculture/consumers/ag-crime-unit. Barbara Beck Lord passed away on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, after a two-year battle with cancer. She went peacefully in her sleep, at her Chattanooga home that she loved. Barbara was born on Dec. 5, 1937, in Troy, Alabama. She graduated from, and later taught at, Auburn University where she met and married Carlisle Towery. The couple moved to New York City in 1961, then to Germany for two years of military service, where her two children were born. Returning to New York in 1963, she began a successful career in graphic design, serving as principal designer for Regional Plan Associations several prominent publications, including RPAs Second Regional Plan. In 1977 she moved to Boston with second husband Perry Lord. She and Perry moved to Chattanooga in 1986 to develop the Freight Depot and Perrys Restaurant. They eventually retired at her parents home in Fort Walton Beach, Fl., and then moved back to Chattanooga in 2017 to be closer to her children. Barbara was an exceptionally talented artist and had a long, successful professional career as a graphic designer, including several years as partner/founder of Lord and Welanetz marketing company, and Lord Communications in Boston. She was a lover of the arts and regularly attended the opera, symphony, ballet and was a museum enthusiast. She enjoyed listening to music, taking ballet classes and was a talented visual and graphic artist. Her philanthropic endeavors also reached a variety of arts organizations, especially those invested in training future artists. Barbara and Perry Lord were well-known leaders in the Fort Walton Beach, Florida community. Barbara became involved with the Northwest Florida Ballet serving as a volunteer, president of the board, and finally executive director of the organization. Her leadership proved integral in helping the company achieve its goal to build a state of the art facility in the downtown area and also played a major role in the companys groundbreaking educational efforts providing free academic and art education through the NFB Academie. Barbara was a founding member of Okaloosa Public Arts in Fort Walton Beach. She was truly invested in arts education and enjoyed hearing about the accomplishments of the young artists she supported. She was a founder of that areas Impact 100 group, funding non-profits in need. In Chattanooga she served on the board of directors of the Chattanooga Ballet, and was affiliated with the Performing Arts League. She is survived by her sister, Charlotte Beck Jones, (husband Tom Jones), and her two children, Michael Beck Towery and Leslie (Lee) Carlisle Towery. A celebration of Barbaras life may follow in the future when gatherings are safer. Donations in her honor can be made to McKamey Animal Center, 4500 North Access Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral & Cremation Center at the foot of historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo, 423 821-7551. Share your memories, stories and photos at wannfuneralhome.com. Quick work by Red Bank firefighters on Friday extinguished a house fire at 424 Glenhill Dr.. At 5:11 p.m., Red Bank firefighters responded and arrived on the scene reporting heavy smoke pouring out of the eaves. Firefighters entered the house quickly and found fire in a bedroom and contained it to the one room. No injuries were reported, but Hamilton County EMS was on the scene for potential injuries to the firefighters. Damages are unknown and the cause of fire is under investigation. Red Bank FD requested a mutual aid response for additional manpower. Chattanooga FD and Signal Mountain FD responded to the scene. Dallas Bay VFD stood by at Red Bank station 1 for any additional emergency calls in their district. American Red Cross will be be assisting the family of five with their immediate needs. The Nashville jurors in the Janet Hinds case deliberated 13 hours on Friday before stopping for the night. The panel was to resume talks at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Jurors reported making good progress an hour before they were dismissed for the night by Judge Don Poole. But they returned an hour later still without a verdict. Ms. Hinds is charged in the February 2019 traffic death of rookie Chattanooga Police officer Nicholas Galinger who was killed by a hit and run driver as he inspected an overflowing manhole cover on Hamill Road. Prosecutors say Ms. Hinds was intoxicated after having five drinks. The defense said there were a number of other factors that led to the death of the officer including the fact there was not a flashing warning at the manhole. Down in the valley, the next season of P-Valley is coming together. The series launched on Starz in July 2020 and follows those working at The Pynk, the sole strip club in the fictional Chucalissa, Mississippi. The show features Elarica Johnson, Brandee Evans, Nicco Annan, Shannon Thornton, Tyler Lepley, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Parker Sawyers, and Isaiah Washington, but there are also some new faces joining the cast next season. A scene from the show P-Valley | Starz What to expect in the next season of the show P-Valley will continue to explore the stories of its characters. The show left off with the death of Montavius, who was killed in a scuffle in the Paradise Room. Hailey (Elarica Johnson) then used his money to save the club from being sold to Mayor Ruffin (Isaiah Washington), which means she and Uncle Clifford (Nicco Annan) are now business partners. When they got back to work, Uncle Clifford told Mercedes (Brandee Evans) he had handled Montavius, suggesting she was the one who fatally injured him. Hailey was happy to hear the news and started preparing to open the club back up to the public. Show creator Katori Hall told Thrillist that the next season will focus on the characters after what happened with Montavius, which will forever change them. If they didnt have a strong bond before, they have an even stronger bond now because theres this secret that exists between all three of them, she shared. As we develop these characters even more, I think time will reveal what truly happened in the Paradise Room, but theres so many levels to what happened and what the cover-up is, and who has been a part of the cover-up. Im just really excited to see how people react. In addition to that, fans can also expect to see more of the drama between Mercedes and her mother, the relationship between Uncle Clifford and Lil Murda (J. Alphonse Nicholson), and the rise of Lil Murda and Miss Mississippi (Shannon Thornton). RELATED: P-Valley Star Shares Season 2 Details: It Is a Rollercoaster Ride Whos in the cast of P-Valley Season 2? The main characters will all be back for the second season of P-Valley. It looks like the show will also expand to include a few new faces. Rolando Boyce (The Chi) told Celebrity Myxer that hes allegedly been cast as a Chucalissa native named Julian. Love B Scott reports that dancer Miracle Watts will play a woman romantically involved with Tyler Lepleys Diamond. And the other alleged cast addition is Growing Up Hip Hop star Jhonni Blaze, who told The Breakfast Club in August that she was working on the show. When does P-Valley come back on? Filming on P-Valley Season 2 started in the summer of 2021 and remains in progress. The show released a teaser trailer in August that confirmed it would return in 2022, but an exact date is not yet known. Be sure to check back with Showbiz Cheat Sheet for future updates on P-Valley. Season one was just the tip, chile. Heres a lil taste of what were working on for season two #PynkPosse . #PValley pic.twitter.com/23jLe0j63R P-Valley (@PValleySTARZ) August 20, 2021 RELATED: P-Valley: 7 Shows to Watch If You Like the Series Article Highlights: Is Erika Jayne from RHOBH in the same position Tammy Faye Bakker found herself with Jim Bakker? How is Erika Jayne and Tom Girardi similar to the Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker case? Why is the RHOBH reunion now extended to four episodes? Erika Jayne from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has at least one supporter in RuPauls Drag Race world as Alaska from multiple seasons of the series thinks Jayne is innocent. She pointed to the Tammy Faye Bakker controversy. Bakker became entangled in her husbands shady dealings but was never indicted. Erika Jaynes case is similiar to Tammy Faye Bakker, Alaska compares Alaska believes in the innocent until proven guilty stance. I dont know any of the, like, things that have come out in newspapers or whatever, she said on the Behind the Velvet Rope with David Yontef podcast. Erika Jayne and Dorit Kemsley from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills chat at a party | Nicole Weingart/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank I just know what Im seeing on the show, which I know they filmed a year ago, Alaska continued. And so I dont know the facts, but for me personally, I think Erika Jayne is innocent. I think that her husband did some sh*t and she had nothing to do with it and didnt know and got entangled in it as the fall guy. Thats what I think I have no facts to back that up. Alaska added, I dont know if shes in jail right now. Like, I dont know, but I take the womans side and its also sort of the same with like the Tammy Faye movie is coming out. And I feel that way with Tammy Faye is like, her husband was doing some shady bullsh*t. And she got kinda caught up and wrapped up in it and it, and it wasnt her fault. How is the Tammy Faye Bakker and Erika Jayne case similiar? Tammy Faye Bakkers husband Reverend Jim Bakker was a televangelist who was exposed for using ministry donations to fund their extremely lavish lifestyle. Wild accusations of rape, drug dependency, and eventually embezzlement brought the empire to its knees. Tammy Faye Bakker was fully entrenched in the business. But she never went to prison. Jim Bakker did. RELATED: RHOBH: Bravo Wont Pay for a Huge Erika Jayne Housewives Expense Tammy Faye was not indicted, TV anchor Suzanne Stevens, shared, ABC News reports. But that was the big talk: How could she have not known? She was wearing fur coats, she was wearing rings. The Bakkers divorced once Jim Bakker was in prison. Tammy Faye Bakker died in 2020. Like the Bakker case, Jaynes husband Tom Girardi is accused of embezzling millions from plane crash victims families. Also, like the Bakkers, Girardi and Jayne led over-the-top lifestyles. They are also the center of wild emerging scandals and events, which played out on RHOBH. Does Erika Jayne know why the RHOBH reunion is going to be supersized? RHOBH executive producer and reunion host Andy Cohen revealed that the reunion will be aired over four episodes. This makes RHOBH one of the longest Housewives reunions ever. He shared the news on The Tonight Show and Jayne tweeted why the reunion will be supersized. Now what would make it 4 parts?? Me. But the more Jayne reveals and does on camera, the harder it could possibly make her life. Attorney Lisa Bloom said Jaynes spending on the show could be subpoenaed. This also includes unaired footage. RELATED: RHOBH: Erika Jayne Is Disappointed That Kyle Richards Turned on Her Bloom also believes that Girardi should be able to testify in his own defense. I mean, look, doctors will testify about whether he has Alzheimers even at the early stages of Alzheimers most people have lucid moments and then moments where theyre less clear, she said on the Behind the Velvet Rope with David Yontef podcast. So he still should be able to testify to some extent I would think. I mean, of course, I dont know. And yes, the divorce, that does seem a little fishy. Are they separating assets? I think everybodys going to be looking at her assets too. Because they were married at the time that the money was allegedly stolen. Behind all the movies and a hit television show that we all loved, was a man who was leading a complicated life. Ted Danson, best known for the television show Cheers and movies such as Three Men and a Baby and Made in America, has a lot of stories to tell. You would think with all the success, life would have been simple, but the truth is, he was a complete mess when he met his now-wife Mary Steenburgen. It wasnt easy being Made in America Ted Danson | Zach Pagano/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank Danson, from the outside looking in, seemed to have it all. However, there were secrets in his life that would eventually come out in a very nasty way. He was married first to Randy Danson, an actress most recently seen in The Temptation of Christ. The two were married in 1970 and then divorced in 1975. They ended mostly because both were going in different directions. Their careers had taken off, and they simply drifted apart. Two years later, in 1977, Danson had a new love. He married producer Cassandra Casey Coates. Two years after that, they welcomed a daughter. However, complications during the delivery caused Coates to become paralyzed on one side. The two stayed together and eventually adopted another daughter but caring for his wife caused a strain on the marriage. This rift between him and Coates opened the window for trouble and soon Danson formed a relationship with Whoopi Goldberg when making the movie Made in America. Coates filed for divorce and walked away with a whopping $30 million, a sum that is still considered one of the costliest celebrity divorces of that time. It may have been worth it since Danson and Goldberg considered marriage, but his family objected, so the two ultimately ended. Ted Dansons light at the end of the tunnel The good stuff for Danson came in 1995 when he married his third wife, Steenburgen. They had actually met in 1993 while on the set of Pontiac Moon, in which they played a married couple. Danson, personally, was a mess-and-a-half. Cheers was ending after 11 seasons, his second divorce had just taken place, as had his relationship with Goldberg after just 18 months. Steenburgen was also going through a few things. Her father was not well and had experienced several heart attacks. It was a fact that she had grown up with and felt it overshadowed her life as an adult. When going through tough times, before actually meeting Danson, she would watch Cheers and admits that it always made her feel better. Their respective personal life issues made it possible for the two of them to bond while supporting one another emotionally. It also helped that Steenburgen thought Danson was brilliant. Even years after marriage, he reportedly said, Thank God I have the opportunity to be married to a woman whom I love so much., when talking about how Danson found his balance, according to AARP. Celebrating 25 years of joy Recently Danson and Steenburgen celebrated their 25th anniversary. Looking back, they were married at Dansons home in Marthas Vineyard, with approximately 150 people in attendance. There are rumors that some big names were there to witness the marriage including Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, and Bill Clinton, who was president at the time. The president and Steenburgens family were all from Arkansas and had known one another for years. Not only has their relationship and love flourished over the years, but so has their respective careers. Steenburgen has appeared in movies that include titles like The Proposal and Step Brothers. Most recently, she was also in Zoeys Extraordinary Playlist. Danson has appeared in movies like Saving Private Ryan, Ted, and several television shows including Becker and most recently The Good Place. Through it all, the two remain closer than ever according to them individually and the people who know them best. RELATED: Why Whoopi Goldberg Wasnt Offended by Ted Dansons Blackface Routine in the Slightest The Conjuring universe has released some of the most frightening mainstream horror movies around. They utilize scary imagery, jump scares, and play off the fear of the paranormal. Ed and Lorraine Warrens cases have been famous for years, but The Conjuring is an entire franchise following their claimed adventures. The real-life home that inspired the first installment is now up for sale on the market in Rhode Island. James Wan terrified audiences with The Conjuring Director James Wan has now created some of the most popular horror franchises in modern times. It all started with Saw, which expanded into a successful property for Lionsgate. Afterward, he went on to make The Conjuring and Insidious. Finally, Wan released Malignant, which made a lot of noise on social media for its shocking final act. 2013s The Conjuring follows the Warrens (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) who seek to help a family in dire need in the year 1971. A horrifying entity is terrorizing an innocent family in a Rhode Island farmhouse, as strange paranormal occurrences escalate into something much worse. The Warrens entering the premises only makes the entity angrier, but they must fight back if they hope to save the familys souls. The real haunted house is now on the market Owners Jennifer and Cory Heinzen and paranormal investigators | Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images The real-life location that inspired The Conjuring is now officially up for sale on Realtor. The property is located at 1677 Round Top Rd in Burrillville, Rhode Island. Its a three-bedroom house with one-and-a-half bathrooms. The home has 3,109 square feet on an eight-and-a-half acre lot. It was built in the year 1836. The list price is currently at $1.2 million. Cory and Jennifer Heinzen previously purchased the property in 2019 for $439,000. They claimed that there was a significant amount of paranormal activity that took place at the home, but have decided to part with the property. The listing states: Rumored to be haunted by the presence of Bathsheba Sherman, who in the 1800s lived in the house, 1677 Round Top Road is one of the most well-known haunted houses in the United States. The property details conclude with referencing the paranormal happenings. The current caretakers have reported countless happenings in the house, and have turned overnight guest bookings and group events on the property into a steady successful business, Realtor explains. For those who are curious, you have the option of taking a 3D virtual tour of the house or booking an in-person property tour for those in the Rhode Island area. The Conjuring continues to frighten moviegoers The Conjuring universe is still running. There have been two sequels and five spinoffs. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is the franchises most recent installment. The horror movie was released day-and-date in theaters and on HBO Max. There has been more chatter regarding more spinoffs and sequels to the previous spinoffs. The paranormal horror sub-genre has always been popular. The genre continues to reference The Amityville Horror and other influential paranormal flicks. Additionally, the Paranormal Activity franchise exceeded all financial expectations. The series is getting another installment that will reintroduce the world to its horrors. Stay tuned for more information on The Conjuring universe. RELATED: The Conjuring Creator James Wan Gives 2 Reasons for the Horror Movie Franchises Success Outreach Smart Texting that Increases Engagement Reach more people and increase engagement with Thryve. 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Church Facilities Screenflex Portable Dividers Instantly set up Sunday School Classrooms, or easily create any semi private area in your church with the help of Screenflex Portable Room Dividers! Please call us at 800-553-0110 to get a list of happy Screenflex customers in your area. Learn why we earned our 4.9* Google Review rating! Church Room Dividers | Sunday School Classrooms Learn more at screenflex.com. Feed my sheep: Denzel Washington reveals what God's been telling him to do Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington recently revealed what the Lord has been telling him to do when he prays in this season. Washington was among the featured speakers at "The Better Man Event" hosted by First Baptist Orlando in Florida on Saturday, where he revealed to his spiritual mentor, Pastor A.R. Bernard, the senior pastor of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York, the message he's consistently been hearing from God. At 66, getting ready to be 67, having just buried my mother, I made a promise to her and to God, not just to do good the right way, but to honor my mother and my father by the way I live my life, the rest of my days on this Earth. I'm here to serve, to help, to provide, Washington shared at the Christian mens conference. During the nearly 30-minute sit-down discussion, Washington told Bernard what God has been telling him every time he prays. "In every prayer, all I hear is: 'Feed my sheep.' That's what God wants me to do, the Fences actor shared. Washington admitted that often his response is, What's that mean? But, he added, "What I found out in the last couple of years is there are all kinds of sheep. So that's why I talk to experienced shepherds to help guide me. The world has changed. What is our role as a man? The John Wayne formula is not quite a fit right now. But strength, leadership, power, authority, guidance, patience are God's gift to us as men. We have to cherish that, not abuse it, the actor advised. During the discussion, Washington wanted the audience to know that despite his redemptive characters on screen, hes endured his own battles in choosing to live for God. "What I played in the movies is not who I am, it's what I played," he stressed. "I'm not going to sit or stand on any pedestal and tell you about what I had in mind for you or your soul. Because the fact of the matter is, in the whole 40-year process, I was struggling for my own soul. "It [the Bible] says in the last days we'll become lovers of ourselves. The number one photograph now is a selfie. So we all want to lead. We're willing to do anything ladies and young men to be influential. ... Fame is a monster and we all have these ladders and battles, roads we have to walk in our given lives. Be you famous or whoever's out there listening, we all have our individual challenges. It's cliche [but] money, don't make it better. It doesn't. Fame just magnifies the problems and the opportunities, Washington continued. The New York native went on to share guidance for men who are looking for success. "Stay on your knees. Watch me, but listen to God, he added. I hope that the words in my mouth and the meditation of my heart are pleasing in God's sight, but I'm human. I'm just like you. What I have will not keep me on this Earth for one more day. Share what you know, inspire who you can, seek advice. If you want to talk to one someone, talk to the one that can do something about it. Constantly develop those habits. Throughout his discussion, Washington frequently quoted things he learned about God from Bernard. "Fear is nothing but contaminated faith, Washington said, echoing an earlier comment by Bernard. He then added: My chest is sagging right now because I haven't been lifting weights. I'm losing weight first. So you got to lift them faith weights. You got to do your curls and your squats daily. You may get injured; you may want to throw them down, you may want to give up, you may never be big ... you have to refill your bucket every night. You have to refill your bucket every morning. Washington concluded his faith-filled talk by noting that although he has money and stardom, what hes discovered is that one always needs to leave room to learn. In an interview with The Christian Post back in 2017, Washington shared part of his Christian testimony, saying that when he was 20 years old, "it was prophesied that I would travel the world and preach to millions of people. I thought it was through my work and it has been." "My mother said to me, when I was 59, she said, 'Denzel, you do a lot of good. You have to do good the right way and you know what I'm talking about,'" Washington continued. "I don't drink anymore; I don't do any of those things. I'm all about the message, to the degree that I know it, and I'm unashamed and unafraid to share it! "So you have to be unafraid and unashamed to share it in the way your millennial generation knows how," he told this CP reporter at the time. The Oscar winner now regularly uses his platform to inspire others. Christian leaders meet with White House in push for child tax credit, voting rights, family support Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A theologically diverse group of Christian leaders met with White House officials on Wednesday to advocate for the expanded child tax credit and other economic proposals as part of a discussion on anti-poverty initiatives. The faith-based coalition Circle of Protection had a meeting with Biden administration officials advocating for recent expansions to the child tax credit to be made permanent and passage of economic bills and voting rights legislation being considered by Congress this fall. The meeting included representatives for Catholic Charities, the National Association of Evangelicals, The Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, National African American Clergy Network and the National Association of Latino Evangelicals. They met with White House Office of Public Engagement Director Cedric Richmond, White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Director Melissa Rogers and Deputy Director of the Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Josh Dickson, who served as the head of faith engagement for the 2020 Biden campaign. Jim Wallis, the former president of the progressive evangelical social justice organization Sojourners and head of Georgetown University's Center on Faith and Justice, was present for the meeting. In an interview with The Christian Post, Wallis, a longtime evangelical justice advocate, said that he believed the meeting "went very well" with "everyone around the table" speaking "to why they were there." "We're there to bring what we said was 'the faith factor,'" explained Wallis. "Religious voices, which are trans-partisan. We don't serve one party or the other." "We're there because of who is going to be served by these bills, particularly lower-income families and children these things are good news to poor people." In addition to the White House meeting, the Circle of Protection also sent a letter to President Joe Biden and members of Congress advocating for the anti-poverty elements to be included in infrastructure and budget legislation, as well as voting rights legislation. As Congress negotiates a $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package shaped by Biden's domestic agenda, the Circle of Protection is urging Congress not to "cut its anti-poverty provisions" and "tax high-income people and corporations to pay for them." "The Bible is clear in its opposition to the concentration of wealth amid neglected human need," the letter states. "Those who have benefited the most should contribute to the common good of society and invest in the most vulnerable." The letter argues that while the leaders "don't all agree on every aspect of these multifaceted pieces of legislation or on the legislative processes," many of the provisions in the bill will "protect human dignity, support families, and serve the common good of society." "We are all pro-family, and that entails support for economic policies that help families escape poverty and flourish," the letter assures. "And when it comes to voting rights, democracy and the moral character of the nation are at stake." The letter "fervently" endorses the "extension of recent improvements in the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax." "Making the full value of the Child Tax Credit available to the poorest households has substantially reduced child poverty, and we are all of one mind that this provision should be made permanent," the letter reads. "The improvements in the EITC are benefiting those low-income working adults who often see little or no other assistance. In view of America's affordable housing crisis, we also support a generous expansion of housing vouchers, because a place to live for families draws us all together." Wallis told CP that he believes that "there's no doubt that" the current administration is receptive to a more diverse range of faith-based advocacy than the previous administration. During the Trump years, the White House often invited conservative evangelical and Pentecostal leaders to high-profile events and policy briefings. "The last administration seemed to be listening to only a very small group of leaders. Even moderate evangelical leaders weren't listened to," Wallis contends. He said the Biden administration is "listening to us" and "paying attention." Christians living in fear as Taliban carries out executions, amputations as punishments Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Afghan Christians are living in fear as the Taliban has declared they will carry out executions and other brutal punishments, including amputations, under Islamic Sharia law as part of their rule in Afghanistan. Cutting off of hands is very necessary for security, Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, a member of the Talibans interim government and chief enforcer of the groups strict interpretation of Sharia law, told The Associated Press. Everyone criticized us for the punishments in the stadium, but we have never said anything about their laws and their punishments, he continued. No one will tell us what our laws should be. We will follow Islam and we will make our laws on the Quran. Turabi, who is under U.N. sanctions, also said the new government may consider carrying out such punishments in public. Turabis announcement has many Afghan Christians bracing for persecution, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern reported, explaining that the Talibans strict interpretation of Sharia is a threat to Afghan Christians due to their conversions from Islam to Christianity. As apostates, Afghan Christians will be subject to Sharias deadliest consequences, including execution, ICC said. 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. 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, William Stark, ICCs regional manager for South Asia, told The Christian Post earlier this month. 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. As persecution continues to increase, Afghan Christians need help from the outside to escape their circumstances, he said. Its 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. The Taliban have banned all demonstrations and have violently cracked down on protests, including beating women, and killed demonstrators. We call on the Taliban to immediately cease the use of force towards, and the arbitrary detention of, those exercising their right to peaceful assembly and the journalists covering the protests, a spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights previously said in a press statement. The Taliban are arresting, and in some instances executing, people they perceive as their enemies, Christian missionary David Eubank, a former U.S. Army Special Forces and Ranger officer, said in a recent interview with CBN News. Eubank also said recent photos and video suggest theyre killing as many as 30 to 40 at a time, 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. Five of the Taliban-appointed leaders in the interim government were in detention in Guantanamo and later exchanged for Bowe Bergdahl in 2014, according to Long War Journal. Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, the current Emir of the Faithful or top leader of the Taliban, issued religious decrees justifying the Talibans operations, including suicide attacks, from 1996 to 2001, the Journal said. Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the acting head of state, refused to turn over Osama bin Laden after the al Qaeda terror group bombed the U.S. Embassy in August 1998. Akhundzada and Akhund are among more than a dozen new leaders who were sanctioned by the U.N. Security Council in early 2001. Pennsylvania university threatens disciplinary action against students who 'misuse' pronouns Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Point Park University in Pennsylvania sent an email to its students threatening that they will face disciplinary action if they don't use their classmates preferred gender pronouns. The Office of Equity and Inclusion would like to welcome in the 2021-2022 academic year with information on current policies that exist through our office and information regarding the Preferred Name Policy, instances of misgendering, pronoun misuse, and deadnaming (the use of a persons legal dead name instead of using the persons chosen or preferred name), as well as resources on microaggressions and additional training, the email reads, according to Campus Reform. The policy states that any individual who has been informed of another persons gender identity, pronouns, or chosen name is expected to respect that individual. The universitys Pronouns and Inclusive Language Guide says using gender inclusive language is needed to avoid causing trans and gender non-conforming folks to feel isolated. While the University recognizes the aspect of intent versus impact, we must recognize that regardless of the intent, if an individual is impacted in a harmful way, action could be taken if a complaint is filed, the email adds. Logan Dubil, a Campus Reform correspondent and a student at the university, told Fox News the policies go against many students belief systems, especially conservative students. Personally, I believe in the science. There are two sexes and two genders: male and female, Dubil said. The policies in question force me to go against my beliefs. The fact that I can be disciplined by failing to follow policies that violate my conscience is concerning. PPUs Student Government President Dennis McDermott was quoted as saying, I, of course, respect the beliefs of others and their right to express those beliefs, but those beliefs, no matter what they are, cannot impede or harm the rights of others, in this case the right of a student to be respected in their use of their preferred name and pronouns. However, Cherise Trump, executive director of Speech First, told Fox News, The university has prioritized students feelings over their rights and has turned some students into second-class citizens as a result. Caitlin Wiscombe, a student, told Campus Reform: I understand what the university is trying to do, to be more inclusive and make those people feel more involved and maybe less separated and more respected, but by asking me to do this instead of just allowing students to do it themselves is making me feel uncomfortable and making me feel like my choice isnt being respected. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In the wake of multiple international crises of his own making, President Biden arrived on the scenes at the United Nations General Assembly this week to deliver his first address as president. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on "Washington Watch" described Biden's speech as "walking into the United Nations and slapping a giant kick me sign on Uncle Sam's back." That's not exactly the image that the leader of the free world wants to convey. Perhaps most glaringly, Biden neglected to robustly address the recent disaster he unleashed in Afghanistan a debacle that affects many of our allies, including NATO members. He did, however, talk about a U.N. Security Council resolution "laying out the expectations to which we will hold the Taliban when it comes to respecting universal human rights." Unfortunately, U.N. statements don't mean much to the Afghan girls now prevented from going to school or the Christians in hiding for their lives. Instead of Afghanistan a global crisis for which he bears responsibility Biden opted instead to focus on global climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, he failed to even say the word "China" while promising that America is "not seeking a new Cold War." America might not be seeking a cold war, but Cotton points out that we may not have a choice. "Xi Jinping and communist leaders in Beijing are laughing at Joe Biden and America now because they have in fact been waging a Cold War on America and America's interest and principles for years," Cotton said. Neglecting to mention China is no small omission. China is not just an economic competitor; its leaders are also hostile to democracy and many of the values that Americans hold dear. The Chinese Communist Party's successful squelching of democracy in Hong Kong and growing threats against Taiwan prove this. Though Biden says he cares about democratic values, these threats to democracy were ignored throughout his speech. Cotton said Biden is returning America to the "days when America's leaders stuck their heads in the sands. They didn't confront China and didn't stand up for America's interest." This is not only unfortunate for America, but for the entire free world. Though Biden made several mentions of human rights, he made no mention of religious freedom, even as this basic right is under increasing attack all around the world. One need look no further than Biden's State Department's annual report to see that. Furthermore, no concrete policies or initiatives to advance human rights were laid out. Biden's focus on climate change is especially interesting given that the world's top polluter is not the United States, but China. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo noted that President Biden wants to "subordinate many of America's most pressing challenges to climate change, putting American security at risk and threatening to devastate our economy while imposing no costs on our adversaries, in particular China, whose leaders care little about the climate pandering of internationalist elites." During his presidential campaign, Biden positioned himself as having extensive foreign policy experience, as someone our European allies would prefer to work with. But the French certainly don't seem to be enjoying Biden's handling of international relations. In an unprecedented move last week, France recalled its ambassador to the United States. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the United States' deal to build submarines for Australia undermined an already existing deal that Australia had with the French government and was "unacceptable behavior between allies and partners." It's a shocking step for America's oldest ally. One that occurred because "the Biden administration didn't undertake the most basic aspect of diplomatic outreach when we struck a new deal with the Australians to provide them nuclear powered submarines," according to Cotton. Less than one year into Biden's presidency, his list of foreign policy failures is growing quickly. What American leaders say on the world stage matters. What American leaders fail to say matters too. Biden's speech before the United Nations this week projected a lack of seriousness given the significance of our international challenges. This will have consequences. Originally published at the Family Research Council. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The visit of Indias Prime Minister Modi with President Biden this week is well-timed. Given the turbulence the United States unleashed in Asia with the fall of Afghanistan and the rise of China, there is now no country in the world more important for US interests than the worlds largest democracy: India. Biden and Modi must recognize their opportunity to fortify a firewall of security, peace, and freedom in Asia. Though, this time, it mustnt be an act of political theater. Its time for both leaders to take seriously the prospect of establishing a great Indian and American century. For every alliance formed between tyrannical and extremist regimes like those in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Peoples Republic of China other alliances must be shored up between America and the worlds free nations. India and the United States have already been brought together by tragedy in Afghanistan as reports revealed this week that the suicide bomber who killed thirteen American armed forces members, and hundreds of Afghans, had previously been in a CIA controlled jail for plotting a terrorist attack in India (he was freed by the Taliban). It is a time for choosing, once again. The U.S. and India, for instance, may sometimes struggle separately to address some aspects of Chinese influence but together, they certainly can. India, for instance, recognizes an alliance between China and Afghanistan. This is coupled with their aggression on Indias northeastern and northwestern borders as well as Chinas extortionist commercial activities in Sri Lanka which represent an existential threat to the country from the outside. Then, of course, there are insider threats from Chinas aggressive technological and economic warfare. The United States must also come to acknowledge that Washington was played like a fiddle by Beijings less-than-subtle enabling of the Talibans march on Kabul, which represented the latest (and maybe most effective yet) front in a live-fire information war targeting U.S. credibility in the world. Its convenient for China to white-wash its Uyghur Muslim genocide by the endorsement of its preferred (Taliban) Muslims in Kabul (and Pakistan). Meanwhile, the Taliban quick to express their solidarity with Muslims in Kashmir will be totally silent on Chinas treatment of its Uyghurs just across the Afghan border in Xinjiang. But has a senior U.S. or Indian official yet pointed out this incongruence? Not that we have seen. Thats because the United States and India are still playing too nice with Xis remake of Chinese Communism, which is a relapse to Maos Cultural Revolution. It is Xis systemic deconstruction of the prosperous policies of Chinas great reformer of the last generation Deng Xiaoping. The United States has been too interested in making collective statements with its far less diverse, majority white, European allies than its brilliantly diverse and immensely powerful, loyal friend in India. Indias friends are Americas friends beginning with the State of Israel. Israel is a country that understands more than any other the threat of Islamist extremism. Israel understands when its staunch ally India says that Pakistans decades-long bleeding of India through its insurgency into Kashmir will merit a boost of morale and weapons for Kashmir terrorists, emboldened by the Talibans victory in Afghanistan. Americas chaotic exit from Afghanistan was a shot in the arm for all Islamist terror groups. Along with their Taliban ally, ISIS is as confident and motivated as ever, and will surely take advantage of any nations weakness in the days ahead. The terrorist attack in New Zealand recently was no coincidence, coming just days after the exit of the US from Kabul. Though less noticed, there have been multiple other terrorist attacks across democratic states in Africa (also allies of Israel and the United States). And the great terror march on Kabul would not have been possible without some sort of support, if only the promise of legitimacy, by Beijing. The Taliban have even lauded Beijing as their most important economic ally. A weakened democratic West led by the U.S. would fit well with Chinas long-term imperial ambitions. Those ambitions have long been recognized for what they are by India: Xis Party is a neo-colonial movement that threatens the autonomy of countless free nations and therefore the prosperity and security of the entire world. In other words, Washington could learn much from Delhi as the two countries work with Japan and Australia other members of the so-called QUAD to build an impenetrable Great Wall of Democratic Values in Asia. That wall too must be fortified by Modis assurance and actions for his countrys Muslims and Christians to guarantee their religious liberties will be as indispensable to Indias future as they have been during Indias long history. In the United States, similar efforts must be undertaken to ensure that Americas vibrant public square doesnt degrade into a grand exercise in politics-for-the-sake-of-politics. But now is the time for Indias Modi and Americas Biden to embrace a century-long vision that will ensure peace and security for future generations. Weaknesses exposed in both nations in recent years will be evaluated but its time to look ahead and move forward in the right direction. Together, India and America can do something they may struggle to do alone: guarantee an Axis of Democratic Values in Asia as the prevailing story of the 21st century. 2 Afghan refugees face federal charges after trying to rape child, strangle woman in Wisconsin: DOJ Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Two Afghan men staying at the Fort McCoy U.S. Army base in Wisconsin after being evacuated from their country have been indicted by a federal grand jury on separate charges of forcibly engaging in a sexual act with children and assaulting spouse by strangling and suffocating her. Bahrullah Noori, 20, is charged with attempting to engage in a sexual act with a minor using force against that person, and with three counts of engaging in a sexual act with a minor, with one count alleging the use of force, the Department of Justice said in a statement released Wednesday. The indictment alleges that the victims had not attained the age of 16 years and were at least four years younger than the defendant, the statement continued. The other Afghan refugee, identified as 32-year-old Mohammad Haroon Imaad, is charged with assaulting his spouse by strangling and suffocating her, it added. The victim told investigators that Imaad threatened to send her back to Afghanistan where the Taliban could deal with her, the criminal complaint says, according to news station WISN. The two men, who were brought to the U.S. after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, were charged after investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort McCoy Police Department, are being held at Dane County Jail. If convicted, Noori faces a minimum of 30 years in prison and a maximum of life in federal prison, and Imaad faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. The State Department had earlier sought urgent guidance from other U.S. government agencies after child brides were brought to Fort McCoy and other Afghan girls at a transit site in Abu Dhabi said they had been raped by older men they were forced to marry, The Associated Press reported at the time, citing officials and an internal document. A situation report sent late last month to all U.S. embassies and consulates and to military command centers in Florida said some older Afghan men who were transported to Fort McCoy also claimed to have more than one wife. Titled Afghanistan Task Force SitRep No. 63, the document stated: Intake staff at Fort McCoy reported multiple cases of minor females who presented as married to adult Afghan men, as well as polygamous families. Department of State has requested urgent guidance. According to a diplomatic cable sent by U.S. officials in the U.A.E to Washington, many girls at the Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi claimed they had been sexually assaulted by their husbands. Among the thousands of Afghans whove arrived in the U.S., some 10,000 were flagged for additional security screening, and of those 100 were flagged for possible ties to the Taliban or terror groups, sources with knowledge of the evacuation process told NBC News. New Civil War author warns medical experts haven't assessed risks of COVID-19 vaccines for kids Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Bruce Abramson, a well-known risk analysis expert whos also the father of two young children, has raised concerns about the lack of interest in the medical community about the effects of coronavirus vaccines on children younger than 12. Abramson, a lawyer and economist who also has a Ph.D. in computer science and wrote the book, The New Civil War: Exposing Elites, Fighting Utopian Leftism, and Restoring America, penned an open letter to the medical community asking for more information about the risks and benefits of giving COVID-19 vaccines to children. In a piece titled, An Open Letter to the Medical Community published Sept. 15 on Substack, he asked a series of questions addressed to the medical community, including: What risks does COVID-19 pose to an otherwise healthy 5- to 11-year-old? and What risks does an unvaccinated 5- to 11-year-old impose upon others? Abramson also asked medical experts to quantify the risks he listed, explain what risks the vaccines would reduce, quantify the risks that a vaccine would pose to a 5- to 11-year-old and answer similar questions about the longterm effects of both the coronavirus and vaccines. He also presented an overarching question: What makes you believe that the risk profile of a vaccinated 5- to 11-year-old is superior to the risk profile of an otherwise identical unvaccinated 5- to 11-year-old? In an interview with The Christian Post, Abramson elaborated on his concerns about administering the coronavirus vaccine to young children and the lack of precise data presented on the subject. He told CP that nearly a week after he posed the questions to the medical community, he hasn't received any direct responses to any of my questions. In his op-ed, Abramson gave medical professionals the option to anonymize their responses to his questions because of what he characterized as the risk profile inherent in putting forward an informed professional opinion running counter to a politically desired narrative. He told CP that people within the medical community were getting censored because of their opinions on what the problem is with coronavirus and how to deal with it. Abramson contends that if a poll was sent to medical professionals asking whether they preferred choice A: signing onto the medical consensus, signing onto the official narrative or B: getting fired, being discredited and being unable to work in the healthcare profession ever again, most people would choose A. As the father of two children between the ages of 5 and 11, Abramson was motivated to write his open letter to the medical community as the approval of a coronavirus vaccine for young children looks increasingly likely. His interview with CP came as Pfizer made an announcement declaring their vaccine safe for children in that age group and [the companys] plans to seek emergency use authority. Abramson said Pfizer plans to seek emergency use authority for the vaccine with the goal of receiving a response before the end of October. Ive got my kids in a private school in New York City that has a policy that says within 14 days of a child becoming eligible for vaccines, theyre required to get them, he said. I dont think that this policy is unique. Im sure there are plenty of other private schools and school districts around the country planning on putting it forward. And in all of this time, I have never once, not once, heard somebody explain what risks they think these children are incurring and how a vaccine might help them. Abramson suggested that the questions he posed in his op-ed have not received satisfactory answers thus far because theyre irrelevant to the people in charge. For whatever reason, they want everybody vaccinated," he added. "They want everybody vaccinated where it makes medical sense. They want everybody vaccinated where it doesnt make medical sense. I dont think that these vaccines are good or bad and I dont think that theyre something that everybody should get or everybody should avoid. He specifically mentioned the case of his mother, an otherwise healthy 81 year old, adding: I encouraged her to get the vaccines as soon as she was eligible for them and I urged her to get a booster as soon as she was eligible for it because I believe that she has a risk profile that should be helped with these vaccines. The short-term risks from COVID-19 are much lower for children, he maintained, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which found that, in the United States, there have been 145 deaths of children between the ages of 5 and 14 with COVID. Thumbnail sketch: There are about 40 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 in the United States. That 145 includes everybody whos COVID-positive when they died, he added. Over half of those children suffered from a serious problem that preceded COVID, such as asthma or obesity, Abrams explained. He surmised that 145 deaths comes down to around 2.5 deaths per million per year. That is a very, very low risk. Abramson is not the only person raising questions about the risks of administering coronavirus vaccines to children. Dr. Robert Malone, who helped develop mRNA vaccine technology used in the vaccines, shared Abramsons concern about the lack of information about the risks and benefits of giving the coronavirus vaccine to children. He articulated those concerns on an episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight back in June. I know that there are risks. But we dont have access to the data and the data hasnt been captured rigorously enough so that we can accurately assess those risks. And therefore we dont have the information that we need to make a reasonable decision, he said. Malone attributed the lack of a risk-benefit analysis to the fact that the coronavirus vaccines were experimental vaccines administered under emergency use authorization that the Food and Drug Administration had yet to fully approve at the time: Normally at this stage, the CDC would have performed those risk-benefit analyses, they would be data-based and science-based. They are not right now. Its kind of a little bit of the seat of the pants, and that I really object to. Abramson connected the management of the coronavirus pandemic to his book, The New Civil War: What you are looking at here is an extreme form of what I outline in the book. It is an elite that has decided what the official story is, that will not accept any questions, any challenges, any suggestion that what theyre doing is wrong, or what theyve done is wrong. Where we are right now in the United States with all of our experts, not just our healthcare experts, is a very scary position. You cannot presume that what theyre telling you is true but you also cant presume that what theyre telling you is false. Abramson alleged that the experts sold the coronavirus vaccine fraudulently. He recalled that when they came out, the idea was if youre vaccinated, youre not going to get infected and youre not going to be contagious. It turned out that that was wrong. Abramson had previously served as a professor of computer science and written articles about decision and risk making. He explained that his interest in politics dates back decades, when he asked questions in his capacity as a computer scientist such as What can we do with that information that is available? and How does access to better information help individuals craft better decisions ... help organizations devise better strategies [and] help governments devise better policies? Describing politics as a passionate interest, Abramson remarked that it took me many decades to break into the literature but over the past five, six, seven years Ive had several hundred columns out writing about a variety of political and policy issues. He contended that because I am financially obligated to nobody, I get to write about things from something of a rationalist perspective. Widow of unvaccinated pastor says his death from COVID-19 was will of the Lord Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The wife of an unvaccinated North Carolina pastor who died from COVID-19 Friday after spending 41 days in treatment at the WakeMed Hospital in Cary said his death was "the will of the Lord." Miracle King Wilson, whose late husband, Pastor Kermit Wilson Jr., led New Life Ministries of Greensboro, announced his death in a YouTube broadcast Wednesday. He was 43. "It has been the will of the Lord that our shepherd, my husband Pastor Kermit Wilson Jr., has transitioned to be with the Lord. He passed away on Friday due to COVID-19. We, his family, myself, his children, his church, his immediate family, his friends, his coworkers, his neighbors have been devastated," she said. "We are in a place of stillness and waiting at this point in time as we prepare to place [him] in his final resting place." An online obituary for the pastor said his widow, oldest sister and brother-in-law were "at his side praying him into Glory until his last heartbeat." Pastor Wilson, who was originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is the youngest child and only son of Tressie Osborne, who leads Messiah's Ministries in Hollywood, Florida, according to New Life Ministries' website. He leaves behind his wife, whom he married in December 2018, their three young children EJ, Eden Melody, Kindle Spirit and several other family members. "As we walk moment by moment, the same question keeps coming up. What happens next? What are you going to do next in every regard? I can say we had plans," his widow said. She said her husband left "huge shoes to fill in the natural and in the spirit." "At this point in time, what I feel is a stillness. I continue to feel the spirit say just to stand. To simply stand," she said. A memorial service for the late pastor is scheduled at New Life Ministries Church on Saturday at noon. It will also be broadcast online. "Due to COVID safety precautions to protect Kermit's family, the in-person celebration will be limited to ceremony participants," the church said in a statement. "Guests are welcome to WALK-THROUGH the sanctuary from 11-12 to view our beloved, however, seating for the 12pm celebration will be limited to invites. Masks and hand sanitizer will be handed out upon entering the vestibule." Average daily deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. climbed above 2,000 for the first time in six months, data compiled by Johns Hopkins University showed Tuesday. While new infections from the virus have remained flat, the recent data on the seven-day average of deaths was 2,031 an increase of 13% over a week ago and a 43% jump since the start of September. A daily death toll above 2,000 has not been recorded since March 1, CNBC reported. COVID-19 officially became the deadliest pandemic in American history on Monday when it surpassed estimated U.S. fatalities from the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. Nearly 685,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. as of Friday. Doctor who violated Texas abortion law is sued by disbarred lawyers Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Alan Braid, a Texas abortionist who admitted that he violated the states new law banning most abortions after six weeks gestation, was sued Monday by two disbarred pro-choice attorneys from Illinois and Arkansas who are both seeking to test the validity of the law many legal experts have called unconstitutional. "I know what the proponents of this law are doing," disbarred Arkansas attorney Oscar Stilley, 58, told The Daily Beast about his decision to sue Braid. "They're trying to inject uncertainty so that the doctors are going to say, 'Oh, my goodness, this could bankrupt me.'" Braid, who began his career as an obstetrician and gynecologist before the U.S. Supreme Court made abortion legal nationwide in Roe v. Wade in 1973, announced Saturday that he violated Texas new abortion law known as Senate Bill 8 just days after it became effective on Sept. 1. Along with prohibiting abortions once a baby's heartbeat can be detected, SB 8 also allows individuals to take civil action against anyone who performs and induces an abortion or knowingly engages in conduct that aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion, including paying for or reimbursing the costs of abortion through insurance or otherwise. In an op-ed for The Washington Post, Braid said he violated the controversial abortion law because he had a duty of care to his patient who has a fundamental right to receive this care." I fully understood that there could be legal consequences but I wanted to make sure that Texas didnt get away with its bid to prevent this blatantly unconstitutional law from being tested, Braid wrote. In his complaint against Braid, Stilley is suing for the sum of $100,000, but in no case less than the statutory minimum of $10,000; for an injunction prohibiting Defendant from performing any more abortions contrary to the terms of Senate Bill 8. He also suggests that Braid believes God wouldnt object to all abortions. On information and belief, Defendant is thoroughly convinced that his acts, which form the basis for this lawsuit, contribute mightily to human happiness and the advancement of human society. On information and belief, Defendant believes that his Elohim (mighty ones, AKA God is entirely capable of giving a new body to replace a defective fetus, in the here and now, and not only when you die bye and bye, he wrote. On information and belief, Defendant believes that his Elohim (mighty ones, AKA God is not offended because he aborts a defective fetus, at the request of the pregnant woman. Bexar County court records obtained by KSAT 12 in Illinois noted that Braid was also sued on Monday by Felipe N. Gomez, whose license to practice law in Illinois was suspended indefinitely on April 8 after he was accused of sending threatening and harassing emails to other attorneys. He is not seeking monetary relief from the court but has asked the court to declare the Texas abortion law unconstitutional and a violation of Roe v. Wade. The Justice Department, which sued Texas over the law, argued in an emergency motion last week that the state adopted the measure to prevent women from exercising their constitutional rights. It is settled constitutional law that a state may not prohibit any woman from making the ultimate decision to terminate her pregnancy before viability, but Texas has done just that, the department said in their lawsuit. COVID-19 death statistics may be inflated by states adding murders, auto accident fatalities to list: report Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A new report is raising questions about the accuracy of coronavirus death statistics, suggesting that the number of deaths from COVID-19 reported in the United States might be inflated. Investigative journalist Sharyl Attkisson spoke with Brenda Bock, the coroner of Grand County, Colorado, in the most recent episode of her syndicated newsmagazine program Full Measure, which aired Sunday. In the program, coroners explained that the state was listing fatalities caused by gunshot wounds and vehicle crashes as deaths from the coronavirus. Attkisson opened the segment by noting that on Thanksgiving Day last year, a man named Lucias Reilly shot and his wife, Kristin, in the head before turning his gun on himself. Both of their deaths were listed as being caused by the coronavirus, not a fatal shooting. While Bock had ruled the Reillys causes of death as a homicide and suicide, she told Attkisson that the very next day it showed up on the state website as COVID deaths. I questioned that immediately because I had not even signed off the death certificates yet and the state was already reporting them as COVID deaths, she said. Bock alleged that someone ran the Reillys names through a database, which showed that they had tested positive for coronavirus within 28 days of their death. Coronavirus was recorded as their cause of death even though Bock had concluded otherwise. Attkisson asked Bock, If we look at the death certificates for the murder-suicide case, what will it say about COVID? Bock responded by saying, Nothing, absolutely nothing. I paid a forensic pathologist to do the autopsies on those two cases. And nowhere is COVID mentioned on those death certificates. Within a week of the murder-suicide, Bock discovered that according to the states coronavirus database, Grand County had recorded two additional coronavirus deaths. Upon further investigation, she realized that two of them were actually still alive, and yet they were counting them. Bock recalled that when she called them on it, state officials described the error as a typo and stressed that they just got put in there by accident. Attkisson also talked to Dr. James Caruso, the chief medical examiner and coroner for Colorados capital and largest city, Denver. Caruso suggested that while people signing the death certificates probably were doing it accurately, at some level maybe the state level, maybe the federal level theres a possibility that they were cross-referencing COVID tests. And that people who tested positive for COVID were listed as a COVID-related death, regardless of their true cause of death. The coroner also shared his concerns with the Colorado Department of Public Health early in the pandemic. In responses to the allegations raised by Caruso that the state was counting those who died with COVID as having died of COVID, the state began classifying deaths caused by COVID and deaths of people with COVID into separate subcategories. In a statement, the office of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis explained that the state website highlights that some numbers combine deaths that were a direct result of COVID and deaths that occurred when the individual had COVID-19. The governors office added that Polis was outraged that the murder-suicide was classified as a COVID-related death. According to Attkisson, separating deaths of COVID and with COVID has a significant impact on the coronavirus death tally: During our visit to Colorado, the states total COVID-related death tally was 13,845. Separating out the deaths not directly caused by COVID cuts that number by about half, with the rest dying among or with COVID not because of it. The obvious implications are huge, she noted. If such a significant number of Colorados COVID deaths werent directly caused by COVID or even related at all in some cases, and if that bears out in other states, it means the national totals weve heard since the start of the pandemic could be largely misleading. The coronavirus death statistics have been used by government officials at the local, state and national levels to implement public policy measures, including mask mandates, lockdowns, worship restrictions and most recently, vaccine mandates. As of Saturday afternoon, the latest coronavirus death tally from the Centers for Disease Control stands at 684,884. A report released by the CDC last year revealed that 94% of those who died from coronavirus had underlying health conditions and contributing causes while the remaining 6% consisted of otherwise healthy people who died from the coronavirus. Examples of underlying health conditions and contributing causes, include influenza, pneumonia, cardiac arrest, heart failure, diabetes, obesity and renal failure. Attkisson listed some other examples of deaths attributed to coronavirus that have nothing to do with coronavirus, including fatalities after traffic accidents and three Colorado nursing home deaths. Similarly, a Tennessee woman whose husband died of cancer saw coronavirus listed as the cause of death on his death certificate. After she complained about the mistake, the Tennessee Department of Health removed coronavirus as the cause of death, thereby fixing what they labeled a clerical error. Texas gov. signs new law tightening restrictions on use of abortion drugs Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Just weeks into Texas' ban on most abortions once a heartbeat can be detected in a pregnancy, the state's Republican Gov. Greg Abbott further tightened the screws on the practice last Friday by signing into law another bill restricting access to abortion-inducing drugs. The new law, Texas Senate Bill 4, prohibits a person "from providing an abortioninducing drug to a pregnant woman without satisfying the applicable informed consent requirements for abortions." The law introduces certain reporting requirements for doctors prescribing the abortion pill, such as ensuring that her preborn baby is no older than seven weeks gestation. Violation of the law is a state jail felony. The abortion drug Mifeprex, also known as mifepristone, blocks a hormone called progesterone that is needed for a pregnancy to continue, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. When used with another pill called misoprostol, the FDA says it can be used to end a pregnancy up until 70 days after the first day of a woman's last menstrual period. A Texas Senate Research Center analysis of the bill noted, however, that the use of these abortion drugs can cause "significant medical complications." "The use of Mifeprex or mifepristone presents significant medical complications including, but not limited to, uterine hemorrhage, viral infections, abdominal pain, cramping, vomiting, headache, fatigue, and pelvic inflammatory disease; and the failure rate and risk of complications increases with advancing gestational age," the analysis detailed. "These drugs are in the United States Food and Drug Administration's special program Risk Evaluation Mitigation Strategies due to their potential harmful impact. If this classification were to change, Texas would not be able to maintain these safety standards until the legislature convenes." Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, said in a statement that the organization "strongly" supports "the chemical abortion safety protocols in S.B. 4." "Texas needs this bill to assure that chemical abortions are performed under the supervision of a physician and with adequate safety protocols," Pojman stated. Jonathan Saenz, an attorney and president of Texas Values, told The Daily Citizen that Chemical abortions "are dangerous" and "must be regulated to protect the health and safety of women." "The 'No Mail Order Abortions' bill, S.B. 4, does just that by restricting chemical abortions, banning chemical abortions by mail, requiring an in-person examination of a woman considering a chemical abortion, and requiring informed consent and reporting, and prescribing criminal offenses for violations," Saenz stated. Abortion rights activists groups have voiced their displeasure with S.B. 4. NARAL Pro-Choice America Acting President Adrienne Kimmell said in a statement that the new law is the continuation of Texas' "attacks on abortion access from every angle imaginable." "This law blatantly tramples on Texans' fundamental freedoms and pushes access to care further out of reach," Kimmell contends. In 2016, the FDA approved an extension for the use of Mifeprex up to 70 days of pregnancy from a previous limit of 49 days despite the possible health risks, including death. While that move was applauded by the abortion industry, Randall K. O'Bannon, director of education and research at the National Right to Life lobbying organization, said in a statement that the changes approved by the FDA only benefit the drug company. O'Bannon charged at the time that at least 14 deaths were caused by the use of Mifeprex. "Despite a record of at least 14 known deaths, and thousands of women suffering significant adverse events, the FDA relaxed safety standards and modified the protocol for mifepristone/misoprostol chemical abortions that had been in place since September of 2000," O'Bannon said. "The documentation demonstrating the impact on women's safety has not been made publicly available. Certainly, none of the modifications is of any benefit to the unborn child," he added. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment There has recently been a largely-overlooked religious controversy in California that is no laughing matter. We have seen in recent decades the massive attempt to rewrite American history and to erase God from it. Whole books have been written on this subject, like Dr. James S. Robbins Erasing America or Jarrett Stepmans War on History. We have seen how heroes in Americas past, like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and even Abraham Lincoln, have been turned into virtual villains by the forces of political correctness. And now the anti-Christian elites in California are engaging in a quiet war to dishonor the memory of a humble, Catholic priest who, for all practical purposes, founded California. Much of early California was carved out in the second half of the 1700s by Father Junipero Serra (died 1784). He has been dubbed the Apostle of California. Father Junipero Serra created a series of 21 Catholic missions, each of which would be accessible to the next by a one-day horseback ride. Beginning with San Diego, these missions stretch northward to Sonoma, the final mission in the series. Sonoma was the mission just north of San Francisco, named after St. Francis of Assisi. The best known of these missions is Los Angeles, i.e., the angels technically its full name is The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of the River Porciuncula. Its worth noting that Americas second largest city is named after the mother (Our Lady) of Jesus. These missions include San Juan Capistrano, San Jose (named after Marys husband, Joseph, the step-father of Jesus), San Gabriel, San Carlos, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, and Santa Barbara. To this day, Father Serras missions are, in effect, the backbone of the state of California. They also include the Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo best-known as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Its in that particular missions church where Father Serra is buried. I have visited his grave. It was in one of these missions that, for the first time ever, California wine was produced. The purpose of that was to celebrate Holy Communion. Even Californias state capital harkens back to the influence of Father Serra and company, Sacramento; as in the sacrament of Holy Communion. But today, the politically correct folks who are bent on stripping America of any of its godly heritage have aimed their sites against Father Junipero Serra, whose statue graces Statuary Hall in the U.S Capitol. As I recall, his is the only image of someone holding up a cross. Now Junipero Serra High School in San Diego seems poised to disown its namesake, but critics charge that the decision to change the name was made surreptitiously. In fact, the Thomas More Society is suing over this name change because they maintain it was done illegally. The Society, a legal group which fights for religious liberty, writes: The principal of Junipero Serra High School and the San Diego Unified School District Board of Trustees violated citizens rights when they voted to rename the school without giving the public sufficient notice of their intent to do so. Why the potential change? In effect, Father Serra is being blamed for abuses against the indigenous people that followed in the wake of his missionary work. This reminds me of people blaming the Pilgrims who were peace-loving people who had a great relationship with the Indians, for abuses committed later by other European settlers. Paul Jonna is a special counsel for the Thomas More Society in this case. He told me: Its not up to debate what kind of man this was. This man would wash the natives feet, yet hes now been likened to conquistadors, who did bad things to the native population. Jonna says of the principal and her minions that they have pandered to a false and historically inaccurate narrative and have demonstrated an unconstitutional animus towards this Catholic saint. Dr. William Donohue of the Catholic League, who calls Serra the greatest missionary in U.S. history, wants Gov. Newsom to veto a bill that would tear down a statue of Serra in Sacramento. Donohue writes: The bill is not only based on bad history, it is a slanderous attack on the one man who actually did stand up for the rights of Indians at the time. It seems like the ongoing effort of historical revisionism to tarnish American history and its heroes in service of political correctness continues unabated. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Francis of Assisi is apparently the worlds most popular saint, but much of this popularity is for the legendary Francis; an amiable, uncontroversial spiritual figure who loved animals, proclaimed peace and endorsed the simple lifestyle. Behind this largely imaginary individual lies the real Francis, a man who is not just authentic but also much more challenging. Francis was born in the Italian town of Assisi in 1181 to a prosperous family and grew up to become a young man who lived for pleasure. Slowly, after imprisonment during a local war and having had a vision of God, he converted to Christianity. Francis publicly repented of his disobedient life and attitudes, and as he wandered alone through the countryside, he had a second vision in which Christ told him: repair my house. Taking a vow of poverty, Francis began preaching, restoring church buildings and caring for lepers. Francis soon began to attract followers. He imposed simple but strict commands on them: to follow Jesus teaching, to wear simple clothing, to preach repentance, love and peace, and to perform acts of kindness. In creating his religious community, Francis who was never a priest was operating without the authority of the church, a risky process at a time where heresies were brutally treated. In 1209 he went to Rome to see the Pope who reluctantly gave him authorization. Back in Assisi, Francis created rules for what became known as the Franciscan Order. Soon thereafter he had to form two other orders: one for women and another for those who could not join him full-time. Although a man of great prayer, Francis had evangelistic zeal, preached regularly in streets and markets, and sent his followers out as evangelists across Europe. Feeling personally called to witness to Muslims, Francis made several attempts to reach the Arab world. Finally, in 1219 he sailed to Egypt in the middle of the 5th Crusade with the goal of seeing the Sultan of Egypt converted. Crossing over to the Muslim lines during a ceasefire, he was captured and brought before the Sultan to whom he spoke about Jesus for several days. Although the Sultan was never (at least openly) a convert, he was impressed enough to allow Francis safe passage back to Italy, where he mobilized his multiplying followers into organizational structures that would outlast him. That done, Francis, who disliked management, handed over leadership of the three orders. Having struggled with poor health since his visit to Egypt, Francis now became seriously ill. He died in 1226 at the age of 44. Within a few years Francis was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church, a title that, with his humility and simplicity, he would have no doubt rejected. In thinking about Francis, let me mention what he didnt do. The authentic Francis never said, Preach the Gospel at all times and use words if necessary. In fact, as an evangelist who proclaimed the Gospel everywhere to everyone, Francis would have strongly rejected the phrase. As do I. Neither did he write the so-called Prayer of St Francis (Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring love). That was probably made in the 20th century as it talks too much about I and me and too little about Jesus to be authentic. Finally, Francis probably didnt persuade a wolf to stop eating people, and he almost certainly didnt preach to the birds, although he did love them. Whats truly important about Francis is what he did do. With its simplicity and enthusiasm, his ministry was a wake-up call to the Church, and the three Franciscan orders he founded have continued to the present day. The authentic Francis did love the natural world, but we need to note that he cherished nature because he saw Gods handiwork in it. Although not a prolific writer he was too busy praying and preaching Francis left some fascinating instructions, prayers, and poems. One of these, which has given us the hymn All Creatures of Our God and King, is the Canticle of the Sun in which Francis thanks God for the sun, moon, wind, water, fire, and earth, who are his brothers and sisters and through whom God is praised. The real problem with the legendary Francis is that it allows the creation of a universal figure that suits everyone (whatever their beliefs may be) and softens the impact of a remarkable and challenging man. The real Francis raises questions for all Christians. First, how seriously are we committed to our spiritual life? Francis sought to walk as close to God as he could, seeking a holy simplicity of life in order that nothing would get in the way of encountering and knowing God. Here, Francis is a reminder of the simple but vital truth that Christians must put God first. Second, how seriously are we committed to those who are suffering? Francis made the care of the poor and downtrodden a priority in his ministry. I think that is a correct and biblical emphasis. Yet supporting the needy is costly in every way and its easy to let it slide into the margins of our faith. Here, Francis reminds us that if our faith is to be genuine, we must not neglect those who are struggling in whatever way. Third, how seriously are we committed to sharing the Good News? Francis was a man who risked everything to share Jesus with those who seemed to be Christianitys bitterest enemies. Here he is a reminder that it is our duty and our privilege to share the Gospel. Francis challenged the church and Christians of his time, and he continues to do so today. BOSTON (AP) City Councilor and mayoral candidate Michelle Wu has won the endorsement of her former political rival and current office holder, Acting Mayor Kim Janey. Janey made the endorsement Saturday, the Boston Globe reported. In a statement, Janey said Wu has the record and values to protect and build upon the city's progress in becoming more equitable, just and resilient. PANAMA CITY (AP) Nine bodies of suspected migrants have been found near a remote community in the Panamanian jungle close to the border with Colombia, local prosecutors said Friday. The bodies, including one child, were found near the Tuqueza and Canaan Membrillo rivers in the Embera Wounaan indigenous region, according to the Darien province prosecutor's office. TORONTO (AP) China, the U.S. and Canada completed a high-stakes prisoner swap with joyous homecomings for two Canadians held by China and for an executive of Chinese global communications giant Huawei Technologies charged with fraud, potentially bringing closure to a 3-year feud that embroiled the three countries. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hugged diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor on the tarmac after they landed in Calgary, Alberta early Saturday. The men were detained in China in Dec. 2018, shortly after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, Huawei Technologies' chief financial officer and the daughter of the company's founder, on a U.S. extradition request. Many countries labeled Chinas action hostage politics, while China has described the charges against Huawei and Meng as a politically motivated attempt to holdback Chinas economic and technological development. Its fantastic to be back home in Canada and I am immensely grateful to everybody who worked hard to bring both of us back home, a noticeably thinner Kovrig said after a Canadian government plane landed in Toronto and he was greeted by his wife and sister. Meng's return to China later Saturday was carried live on state TV, underscoring the degree to which Beijing has linked her case with Chinese nationalism and its rise as a global economic and political power. Wearing a red dress matching the color of Chinas flag, Meng thanked the ruling Communist Party and its leader Xi Jinping for supporting her through more than 1,000 days in house arrest in Vancouver, where she owns two multimillion dollar mansions. I have finally returned to the warm embrace of the motherland, Meng said. As an ordinary Chinese citizen going through this difficult time, I always felt the warmth and concern of the party, the nation and the people. The chain of events involving the global powers brought an abrupt end to legal and geopolitical wrangling that has roiled relations between Washington, Beijing and Ottawa. The three-way deal enabled China and Canada to each bring home their own detained citizens while the U.S. wrapped up a criminal case against Meng that for months had been mired in an extradition fight. These two men have been through an unbelievably difficult ordeal. For the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance and grace and we are all inspired by that, Trudeau said of the two Canadians. Mengs been out on bail living in a multimillion-dollar mansion in Vancouver since her arrest while the two Canadians were held in Chinese prison cells for over 1,000 days where the lights were kept on 24 hours a day. The first activity came Friday afternoon when Meng, 49, reached an agreement with federal prosecutors that called for fraud charges against her to be dismissed next year and allowed for her to return to China immediately. As part of the deal, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, she accepted responsibility for misrepresenting the companys business dealings in Iran. The deal was reached as President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have sought to tamp down signs of public tension even as the worlds two dominant economies are at odds on issues as diverse as cybersecurity, climate change, human rights and trade and tariffs. Biden said in an address before the U.N. General Assembly earlier this week that he had no intention of starting a new Cold War, while Xi told world leaders that disputes among countries need to be handled through dialogue and cooperation. The U.S. Government stands with the international community in welcoming the decision by Peoples Republic of China authorities to release Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig after more than two-and-a-half years of arbitrary detention. We are pleased that they are returning home to Canada, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. As part of the deal with Meng, the Justice Department agreed to dismiss the fraud charges against her in December 2022 exactly four years after her arrest provided that she complies with certain conditions, including not contesting any of the governments factual allegations. The Justice Department also agreed to drop its request that Meng be extradited to the U.S., which she had vigorously challenged. After appearing via videoconference for her New York hearing, Meng made a brief court appearance in Vancouver. Outside the courtroom, Meng thanked the Canadian government for upholding the rule of law, expressed gratitude to the Canadian people and apologized for the inconvenience I caused. Over the last three years my life has been turned upside down, she said. It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and as a company executive. But I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life. I will never forget all the good wishes I received. Shortly afterward, Meng left on an Air China flight for Shenzhen, China, the location of Huaweis headquarters. Huawei is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone and internet companies. It has been a symbol of Chinas progress in becoming a technological world power and a subject of U.S. security and law enforcement concerns. Some analysts say Chinese companies have flouted international rules and norms and stolen technology. The case against Meng stems from a January 2019 indictment from the Trump administration Justice Department that accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets and using a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The indictment also charged Meng herself with committing fraud by misleading the HSBC bank about the companys business dealings in Iran. The indictment came amid a broader Trump administration crackdown against Huawei over U.S. government concerns that the companys products could facilitate Chinese spying. The administration cut off Huaweis access to U.S. components and technology, including Googles music and other smartphone services, and later barred vendors worldwide from using U.S. technology to produce components for Huawei. The Biden White House, meanwhile, has kept up a hard line on Huawei and other Chinese corporations whose technology is thought to pose national security risks. Huawei has repeatedly denied the U.S. governments allegations and security concerns about its products. Former Canadian ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques, Kovrigs former boss, said he was elated the two Canadians are home. Clearly, the Chinese were so eager to get Meng back that they jettisoned all pretensions that the two Michaels had been arrested for good reasons. They must acknowledge that their reputation has been severely tarnished, Saint-Jacques said. There is grumbling in the Communist party of China, people saying, In which direction are we going, Xi Jinping? We are creating too many enemies. Why are we enemies with countries like Canada and Australia? Saint-Jacques said he thinks China will think twice before using hostage diplomacy again. ____ Eric Tucker in Washington, Jim Mustian in New York and Jim Morris in Vancouver, Canada, contributed to this report. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) An internal investigation is currently underway after a deputy police in the Hartford Police Department unintentionally fired her weapon in her office in the city's public safety complex. Deputy Chief of Administrative Services Sonia Watson discharged the gun as she was securing the weapon and preparing to leave work on Wednesday evening, the Hartford Courant reported. POTSDAM, Germany - The Green party candidate seeking to succeed Germany's Angela Merkel as chancellor looked out on a rally seeking more sweeping action to combat climate change. The crowd liked her message. Many are just too young to vote. And here rests the Greens' short-term problems - but potential long-game strengths. The Green party is the most popular among German voters 18 to 29 years old, with perhaps even stronger support among those still too young to cast ballots - sometimes dubbed the "Merkel generation" because they have never known a different leader. Now that Merkel is stepping down after 16 years in power, many Greens supporters fear that a rare opportunity for change was slipping away. Older voters appear to be sticking with Germany's traditional parties or throwing support behind the far right in Sunday's election. "Millions of children and young people live in our country and can't vote," the Greens candidate Annalena Baerbock told the crowd in Potsdam's historic market square on Thursday, urging voters to keep them in mind as they head to the voting booths. "If we keep heading the same way, our children won't be able to have the same good life." Briefly this summer, it looked like Baerbock's appeals to step up the climate change fight could be a winning strategy. In surveys, voters said climate change and the environment were their top concerns, especially after devastating floods in July in Germany. But the Greens have since seen their overall approval in decline, leaving many young voters who had hoped for a fundamental shift in German politics exasperated. Many agree with Baerbock, who has pitched Sunday's vote as a decision "about the last government that can actively influence the climate crisis" before it's too late. The Greens still seem poised to make historic gains. A recent INSA poll showed the party at 15%, giving the Greens a shot at becoming part of the next government by joining a coalition. But, according to the same poll, the party trails the conservatives and the center-left Social Democratic Party by seven and 10 percentage points, respectively. "The disappointment is big," said 22-year-old protester Elisabeth Schroeder, joining a rally in Berlin on Friday as part of global events calling for more political attention to climate change. Not all climate activists in Germany are fully aligned with the Green party, but the vast majority would prefer the party over its two main competitors. In front of the Reichstag in Berlin, a balloon depicted Armin Laschet - the candidate from Merkel's Christian Democratic Union - with a slogan mocking his party's climate policies: "Nothing more than hot air!" Schoolchildren chanted "Laschet, are you still asleep?" "Many older people are afraid of change. But things will change no matter what," said Clara Scheich, 18, who is in her final school year. There is also skepticism of the Social Democratic party's candidate, Olaf Scholz, who has topped the polls in recent weeks. He has said he would broadly support decisive action on climate change, but critics note the SPD has been part of the government for 12 out of Merkel's 16 years in power. "Every time they said, 'During the next term, we'll do something about [climate change],' " said protester Marcus Schmidt, 30. "But they didn't do anything." The Green party's initial surge in the polls ended when Baerbock faced a series of questions, including accusations that she embellished her resume and plagiarized parts of a book. Baerbock herself said in a recent interview that she would grade her performance at the start of the campaign with a "3 minus" - not a total failure, but not a great success, either. Delivering one of her final campaign speeches in her home constituency of Potsdam, she appeared to be back in her element. She compared the efforts needed to tackle climate change to the challenges of German reunification about three decades ago. She stood on a vast square in Potsdam's historic center that was destroyed in World War II and only rebuilt after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. On the other side of the square, pedestrians sipped beer as they listened to her warnings about a world suffering from drought and floods. Many climate researchers note that Baerbock is not overdramatizing the time politicians have left to act. "The time window is dramatic," said Klaus Jacob, the research director of the academic Environmental Policy Research Center in Berlin. Germany has, at times, been perceived as a leader on environmental action, but it relies more heavily on coal energy than many of its European neighbors. The 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, which prompted Germany to phase out all nuclear power plants, has further complicated the government's ambitions to switch to more climate-friendly energy sources. The Green party has faced criticism from climate activists for being too willing to compromise with the parties they blame for those policies. But the Green party leadership has defended that approach as the only possible option in a political system that prizes coalition-building and consensus and has rarely seen a political party gain full control of the Bundestag, the German parliament. Even if the Greens only come in as the third-biggest party on Sunday, they could shape government policy disproportionately, said Jacob. History provides numerous examples of smaller German coalition partners being able to leave an outsize mark. "Something similar is certainly possible now," said Jacob. In front of the chancellor's office in Berlin, activists have for weeks been living in tents, seeking a conversation with the three top candidates. Some have been on hunger strikes. Lea Bonasera, 24, said she joined the group on Monday out of frustration with the climate policies of established parties, including the Green party. "The climate crisis isn't being discussed honestly," she said. On the main stage nearby on Friday, 18-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg echoed a similar message. "No one party is even close to even proposing a pathway that would be consistent with the Paris agreement," she said. "Yes, voting is essential - but alone it is not enough," said Thunberg, calling for more protests. CHICAGO (AP) All Hosea Knox wanted was to own his own business. For over 33 years, Knox was the proprietor of Elmos Tombstone Service, which he bought from his employer Robert Williams in 1987, on the South Side of Chicago. The catchphrase coined by Williams for the Black-owned shop was, Be 4 You Go See Elmo. Knox, who continued making tombstones using his old-school methods during the pandemic, died Sept. 5 from complications of an intestinal infection, his family said. He was 82. We thank you Father God for this mans business, for he helped so many in the Black community in their moment of need, the Rev. Moses Williams said as he delivered the invocation at Knoxs Sept. 13 funeral. Friends and family paid tribute to him as he was laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery next to his wife, Bobby, who died in 2012 of cancer and whose tombstone was started by Knox. Leon Brown, Knoxs assistant of 12 years, remembered that day. He (Knox) started it, but I had to finish it. He was overwhelmed, Brown recalled as he worked on his boss and friends tombstone the day after the funeral. Knoxs daughter Tara Knox Stockdale, who now co-owns the business with her sister, Tawane Knox, watched Brown as he crafted the blue pearl granite tombstone that read, IN GODS CARE HUSBAND FATHER ELMOS HOSEA L. KNOX APR 12 1939, SEPT 5 2021 GRANDFATHER. With the inscription, her fathers death becomes real again, Stockdale said through tears as she glided her hands over the rough and smooth sections of the finished tombstone. Tawane Knox, the youngest of the two daughters and an elementary school principal in Chicago, recalled growing up and what her father taught them by living his life. He was a kind and generous person, a hard worker and he never complained. He always tried to help others along without judgment. Knox said Friday. Just because he had polio when he was a kid, he didnt let it limit him in life. Hosea Knox did ponder making his own stone, telling The Associated Press last year that hed have to eventually do it. I might put a little thing that says, Elmos Tombstone Service on the bottom, he said. As Brown was nearing the end of his creation, he had to pause and clean a tool. If Mr. Knox was here, you know what he would say? Brown asked with a smile. Why didnt you clean that earlier? SEOUL, South Korea (AP) The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday that her country will take steps to repair ties with South Korea, and may even discuss another summit between their leaders, if the South drops what she described as hostility and double standards. The comments by Kim Yo Jong followed a similar statement she issued Friday that the North was willing to resume talks with the South if certain conditions were met. Analysts say North Korea is using South Korean President Moon Jae-ins desire for inter-Korean engagement to pressure Seoul to persuade the Biden administration to ease crippling U.S.-led sanctions over the Norths nuclear weapons program or suspend combined U.S.-South Korean military exercises. In her latest statement, Kim, a senior official who handles inter-Korean affairs, criticized Seoul for describing the Norths recent weapons tests as provocations when its trying to expand its own military capabilities. North Korea has often accused the South of hypocrisy for introducing modern weapons while calling for talks on easing tensions on the divided peninsula. Kim urged the South to abandon its unfair double-dealing standards, hostile policies (toward North Korea), various prejudices and hostile comments destroying trust, if it wants the North to respond to its calls to improve ties. If the Koreas are able to build mutual trust, Kim said North Korea could possibly respond to the Souths calls for a declaration to formally end the Korean War, restore an inter-Korean liaison office the North destroyed in 2020, and discuss another summit. There is no need for the (North) and the (South) to waste time faulting each other and engaging in a war of words at present, said Kim, adding that the future of bilateral relations depends on the choices the South makes. I wont predict here what will come a balmy breeze or a storm," she said. Ties between the rivals flourished in 2018, when Moon helped set up Kim Jong Uns first summit with former President Donald Trump. The Korean leaders met three times that year and vowed to resume inter-Korean economic cooperation when possible, expressing optimism that the sanctions would end and allow such projects. But North Korea later cut off ties with South Korea following the collapse of the second summit between Kim and Trump in 2019, when the Americans rejected North Koreas demand for major sanctions relief in exchange for dismantling an aging nuclear facility. That would have amounted to only a partial surrender of the Norths nuclear capabilities. Kim Yo Jongs statements came in response to Moons speech at the U.N. General assembly this week, where he called for a declaration between the leaders of the Koreas, the United States and China to end the 1950-53 Korean War, which stopped with an armistice, not a peace treaty. Kim and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Ri Thae Song issued separate statements on Friday rebuffing Moons proposal, saying the North has no interest in such a declaration while the United States maintains its hostile policies. But Kim struck a softer note, saying North Korea was willing to hold constructive talks if the South stops provoking it. AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine's attorney general is seeking proposals from law firms willing to assist with potential legal claims over chemical contamination in the state. The state is considering legal claims over so-called PCBs and a separate class known as PFAS. Both chemicals have been used in industrial applications over the years. PCBs are a known carcinogen while PFAS are a possible carcinogen, officials said. ORANGE, Calif. (AP) Prosecutors filed a hate crime charge against a 26-year-old man Friday in connection with an anti-Asian rant targeted at a Japanese-American Olympic athlete in Southern California earlier this year. The defendant, Michael Orlando Vivona, was previously charged with attacking an elderly Asian couple while they took a walk in the park. Vivona remains in jail on $65,000 bail. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. The attacks in Orange County took place in April and are among a wave of anti-Asian sentiment that has sometimes turned violent nationwide amid the coronavirus pandemic. Vivona was charged Friday with one misdemeanor count of violation of civil rights, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. While prosecutors have not identified the victim, Olympian Sakura Kokumai posted a video of the April 1 encounter in Grijalva Park in the city of Orange. Kokumai, a karate champion who competed in the Tokyo Olympics, was wearing headphones and talking on the phone in the park when Vivona began aggressively yelling at her, prosecutors say. He threatened her and spit in her direction. I was trying to process what was happening, but at the same time, I realized he was far bigger than me, Kokumai told the Los Angeles Times. As much as I know that I practice karate and I am an athlete and Im quick on my feet you still dont know what can happen. Less than three weeks later, Vivona allegedly ran up to an elderly Korean couple walking in Grijalva Park and punching the man in the face. He then punched the man's wife in the head, causing her to fall, prosecutors said. Bystanders intervened and police arrested Vivona, who later allegedly made disparaging statements about Asians to police. He was charged in that case with two felony counts of elder abuse, two felony counts of battery hate crime causing injury, and two felony hate crime enhancements. Muscogee Nation voters have approved press protections for their tribe's news enterprise. Citizens voted 1,914 to 596 last week to amend the tribes constitution to include press protections and mandate funding for Mvskoke Media, Indian Country Today reported. While freedom of the press is guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, many tribal nations lack such language in their own constitutions. The Muscogee amendment allows the tribe's news enterprise which includes print, broadcast and digital operations to operate free from political interest or undue influence, harassment, censorship, control or restrictions from any department" of the tribe's government. The effort traces to 2015, when the tribe passed the Free Press Act establishing independent media. Its governing body later repealed the law during an emergency meeting. Last year, tribal leaders unanimously restored the press freedoms by passing the Independent Muscogee (Creek) Press Act, which was viewed as a positive step. Citizens' Sept. 18 vote goes further by codifying the protections and funding in the constitution. In addition, any attempt to overturn or challenge the amendment must go before voters, Indian Country Today reported. Mvskoke Media director Angel Ellis described the amendment's approval as wildly empowering. We saw that our people, our citizens of our tribe, come to the rescue in a big, big way, Ellis told the outlet. They kind of liberated that fourth pillar of their democracy because they see that value that it brought to their government and to the tribe and to their daily lives really, and so its just been a huge, a huge and an incredible journey for press freedom in Indian Country. Native American Journalists Association Executive Director Rebecca Landsberry-Baker, a fellow Muscogee citizen, also lauded the vote. Were thrilled about the news as citizens and as NAJA staff who have been pushing for this protection since it was repealed in 2018, she said. CABOT, Ark. (AP) She's toured the state in an RV emblazoned with her name, launched a TV ad that's airing during Arkansas Razorbacks football games and spoken to packed rooms at restaurants. Former White House press secretary Sarah Sanders' introduction as a candidate for governor hasn't strayed from most campaigns here. Except for the crowds, which are far beyond what people have seen in this mostly rural place. And the campaign talk, which often isn't about the state. As I travel around the state, I keep hearing this criticism, Oh, there's that Sarah Sanders, nationalizing the race,'" Sanders told hundreds of people packed at a Colton's Steak House in Cabot, a half-hour drive from the state capital of Little Rock. And my answer to those people is, You bet I am. Because if you're not paying attention to what is happening in this country, you're missing what is going on." Sanders' celebrity as former President Donald Trump's spokesperson granted her immediate front-runner status in one of the nation's most Trump-friendly states. It's also transforming politics in a place where voters in state races are used to hearing overwhelmingly about Arkansas taxes, Arkansas roads and Arkansas schools. This is hardly the only state where local politics isn't local anymore. Republican candidates for governor elsewhere also are focused more on President Joe Biden than their own opponents and on federal, rather than state, issues. And many Democrats would rather talk about Trump than about their rivals. Her approach suggests she understands the contemporary electorate in Arkansas and everywhere," said Janine Parry, a political science professor at the University of Arkansas. Politics, Parry said, is in a period of profound nationalization." It's a sharp contrast with past races for governor in Arkansas, where Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson campaigned on requiring computer science education in schools. His predecessor, Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe, ran on phasing out the sales tax on groceries. Sanders, 39, announced her bid in January with a promise to fight the radical left," something that's awfully hard to find in solidly red Arkansas. On Twitter and elsewhere, she rails against Biden on his coronavirus pandemic response, immigration and the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Sarah Sanders is not running for governor of Arkansas. She is running on a national stage," said Michael John Gray, a former chair of the state Democratic Party, who's now heading an independent committee focused primarily on defeating Sanders' bid. Sanders' approach reflects just how polarized the country has become in recent years. Invoking unpopular national Democratic figures is seen as the best voter-motivating tactic, even in local races. In Iowa, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is expected to run for reelection, is criticizing Biden on numerous issues including federal spending. In Oklahoma, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who faces reelection next year, has had little to say about his states battle with COVID-19 which hit the grim milestone of 10,000 deaths this week but issued a slick video on Biden's Afghanistan performance. Some Democrats are also leaning national. California Gov. Gavin Newsom defeated a recall attempt earlier this month with a campaign that railed against Trumpism." New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is campaigning on abortion rights and gun control, and at a recent rally, he criticized states like Florida and Texas for their right-wing policies. When Sanders does talk about Arkansas, she does so only in broad strokes. She says she's tired of the state being at the bottom of many rankings. She said she wants to eliminate the state's income tax, though she offers no hints on how. She also mentions doing something on education and workforce training, which she said hasn't changed substantially since her father, Mike Huckabee, was governor from 1996 to 2007. We have to stop just trying to push kids through the system and actually focus on how are we preparing them to go into the workforce," she told The Associated Press. Though best known for her White House briefings, during which she sparred with reporters and faced questions about her truthfulness, Sanders is no stranger to the state's politics. She appeared in TV ads for her dad's campaigns in the 1990s and early 2000s and chaired Arkansas Sen. John Boozman's campaign. She's mostly steered clear of referring to the current governor, Hutchinson, whom Trump has branded as a RINO, or Republican in Name Only, after he vetoed an anti-transgender bill. Hutchinson is barred by the state's term limits from running for governor again. Her first TV ad features footage of her dad and former President Bill Clinton as they marked the 40th anniversary of Little Rock Central High School's desegregation. It quickly pivots to a favorite target, claiming that the radical left wants to teach our kids America is a racist and evil country." Sanders embarked on a statewide tour this month that included a rally with country singer John Rich that drew 1,000 people and a parade on Lake Ouachita that her campaign said included more than 1,500 boats. At her stop in Cabot a city of about 25,000 Sanders got the loudest applause when she talked about Trump. I'm proud of the fact I worked with a president who did exactly what he said he was going to do," she said. Sanders' only rival in the Republican primary, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, has lagged far behind in fundraising. Sanders in July reported raising $9 million since she announced her candidacy, with the majority of the money coming from out of state. Rutledge says there's little accomplishment behind Sanders' rhetoric. While my opponent talks about the liberal left in Washington, D.C., she has done nothing to effectively combat them in the last several years," Rutledge told the AP. Democrats, who face an uphill climb, are trying to highlight Sanders' White House stint as a sign she can't bring people together. But in Arkansas, where Trump won with more than 62% of the vote, her hyperpartisan past is an asset to many. In Cabot, some in the mostly unmasked audience donned red Trump hats and shirts depicting the former president. Everything she stands for is just maintaining the American way, the conservative way of life, keeping our rights alive, said Kristen Harrington, who works at a honey company in Cabot and who wore a shirt that read Mean Tweets 2024." Harold Glenn Earnest, a 96-year-old veteran from tiny Romance, about 30 miles north of Cabot, whom Sanders talked with at the eatery, said he's already thinking beyond the governor's mansion for Sanders. She'll be the governor. There's no question about that," Earnest said. I want to see her run for president." __ Associated Press writers Kathleen Ronayne, David Pitt, Marc Levy, Michael Catalini and Sean Murphy contributed to this report. OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Billionaire Walter Scott, the past top executive of Peter Kiewit Sons Inc. construction firm who helped oversee Warren Buffetts conglomerate and donated to various causes, particularly construction projects around Omaha, has died. He was 90. The Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation that Scott founded said Scott died Saturday. The foundation did not mention a cause of death. Scott served as a board member of Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate from 1988 until his death, and even invested alongside Berkshire in the company's utility and energy unit. Scott held about 8% of Berkshire Hathaway Energy's stock and 105 Class A Berkshire shares with Buffett's Berkshire holding nearly all the rest. Scott, who grew up during the Great Depression after being born in Omaha in 1931, spent his entire career working for the Peter Kiewit Sons Inc. the Omaha-based construction company, which builds major projects all over the world. He worked his way up from overseeing construction projects in California and New York to become the companys executive vice president in 1965. You cannot find a better model for a citizen than Walter Scott, Buffett, a longtime friend, told the Omaha World-Herald on Saturday. He was basically a builder, whether he was building Kiewit and physical things or building his vision of Omaha or Nebraska. He was nonstop. When Peter Kiewit died in 1979, Scott succeeded him as Chairman and CEO and led the company until 1998. He also went on to serve as chairman of a Kiewit spin-off, Level 3 Communications until that firm was bought in 2014. The wealth Scott accumulated allowed him to become a philanthropist. Scott and his late wife Suzanne gave large sums to the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Colorado State University. One of the main buildings at UNMCs new Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is called the Suzanne and Walter Scott Cancer Research Tower because of their donations. Sections of the Joslyn Art Museum and Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha are also named in honor of the Scotts giving. Scott was also a longtime supporter of the renowned Omaha zoo, where the large aquarium is named in honor of him and his wife. Scott had told the Omaha World-Herald that he intended for nearly all of his personal assets to be donated to his personal foundation, which supports projects in Omaha. My children were taken care of long ago what they make of their lives is now their own responsibility, Scott said to the World-Herald. Ultimately, nearly everything will go to the foundation, with the hopes it will benefit my hometown for many generations to come. Walter has been a director of numerous charitable and educational organizations and served as chairman of the boards of the Omaha Zoological Society, Omaha Zoo Foundation, Joslyn Art Museum, Horatio Alger Association, Heritage Services and the Board of Policy Advisors for the Peter Kiewit Institute. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) The commission to redraw political districts in Rhode Island has scheduled its first round of meetings across the state. The Special Legislative Commission on Reapportionment is charged with drafting and reporting to the General Assembly on how the legislative and congressional districts should be reapportioned. It released its meeting schedule Friday and a website with information and data for the process. SALEM, Ore. (AP) Republicans in the Oregon House failed to show up for a floor session on Saturday, thwarting majority Democrats attempts to pass new political maps before a looming deadline. The absence of GOP lawmakers denied the House a quorum, meaning there weren't enough members present to formally begin work. As the day drew to a close, Democratic House Speaker Tina Kotek announced that the House would adjourn until 9 a.m. Monday. If enough Republican's haven't shown up by 9:30 a.m., Kotek said, the session will end. The Legislature has until the end of the day on Monday to participate in the once-a-decade job of redrawing the state's congressional and legislative districts in accordance with new U.S. Census numbers. This year, the redistricting includes a new, sixth U.S. House seat for Oregon, which gained political clout in the latest census. If they miss the deadline, the job of redrawing congressional maps will fall to a panel of five retired judges appointed by the Oregon Supreme Court, and Democratic Secretary of State Shemia Fagan will be tasked with redrawing the state's legislative districts. Republicans are upset that Democratic House Speaker Tina Kotek earlier this week rescinded a deal she made with them to split power in the redistricting debate, even though Democrats have large majorities in the Senate and House. Saturdays planned session followed a three-day pause due to a COVID-19 case in the Capitol in Salem. Saturday morning, Kotek unveiled a new proposed congressional map that some hoped would bring House Republicans back to the bargaining table. That proposal put the newest congressional district south of Portland and mostly east of Interstate 5, same as in a previous plan. But it makes several changes to the proposed borders of the other congressional districts, including keeping Portland and Bend in separate districts instead of combining them. But it wasnt enough for the House to reach the 40-member quorum required to vote on the matter. Currently the Democrats have a four to one advantage among the states U.S. House members. The new proposal made one congressional district slightly more of a toss-up, but some in the GOP feared it would still most likely give Democrats a five to one advantage in the U.S. House. Though Democrats hold the majority in the state House, they dont have enough seats to convene without a few Republicans present. Quorum rules say there must be two-thirds of lawmakers 40 representatives on the House floor for votes to take place. Oregon is one of the few states that require two-thirds of lawmakers to be present for any work to be done, instead of a simple majority. Both parties have used walkouts a tool made available by the Oregon Constitution in the past, with Republicans relying on it in recent years. Most notably in 2019, when Republicans used it to stop a cap-and-trade bill designed. QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) Pakistani security forces overnight killed six militants of a separatist group in a raid at their hideout in the mountains of southwestern Baluchistan province, the military said Saturday. Counterterrorism police arrested three others from the same group, the Baluchistan Liberation Army, in a separate operation, the military said in a statement. The statement said the Saturday raid was conducted in the district of Kharan based on credible intelligence that terrorists were hiding out in the area. It said a shootout erupted after the militants opened fire on Frontier Corps troops. Six militants, including two commanders, were killed and a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered, the statement said. The Baluchistan Liberation Army, one of the main separatist groups in the province, has waged an insurgency in the mineral and gas rich province for nearly two decades. It confirmed in a statement that the groups six men were killed in the ongoing security forces operation in a mountainous area of Kharan district. The BLA and other groups want to separate from Islamabad. Counterterrorism police in Baluchistans Turbat area Friday night arrested three members of the BLA who they said were involved in facilitating attacks on security forces and civilians. The police statement said the three men were also involved in last month's suicide attack in the port city of Gwadar that killed four children playing alongside the road. The attack targeted a security forces convoy escorting Chinese nationals and one Chinese was wounded in the attack. Counterterrorism police said the arrested men were also involved in an attack on a luxury hotel in Gwadar in 2019. Counterterrorism police in eastern Punjab province said that during operations across the province they arrested eight members of banned militant and sectarian groups involved in spreading hate and jihadist literature. They were also in possession of arms and ammunition and were collecting funds for banned groups, police said. REDDING, Calif. (AP) Damage assessment teams went out Saturday to determine how many buildings have burned in a forest fire that has displaced thousands of residents in Northern California. Firefighters working in steep, drought-stricken terrain hope calmer weather over the next few days will help as they battle the Fawn Fire north of the city of Redding. Weve gotten fortunate in the last day or so, fire spokesman Scott Ross said. The winds have kind of lessened, and were able to get in there and get a lot of work done. Temperatures also were dropping, with rain expected to start Monday, officials said. Initial assessments found that at least 100 homes and other buildings had burned, officials said. But that number was likely to change as teams go street by street surveying the destruction in the Mountain Gate area. It wasnt immediately known when the damage assessment would be completed. At least 9,000 structures still were threatened, Ross said. Authorities have arrested a 30-year-old woman on suspicion of starting the blaze that erupted Wednesday and grew explosively in hot and gusty weather in the region about 200 miles (322 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco. Alexandra Souverneva was charged Friday with felony arson to wildland with an enhancement because of a declared state of emergency in California, Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett said. The Palo Alto woman also is being investigated to see if she's started other fires in Shasta County and throughout the state, Bridgett said. It wasnt immediately known if she has an attorney who could speak on her behalf. The Fawn Fire has charred nearly 12 square miles (31 square kilometers) of heavy timber and was 10% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Nearly 2,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders and an additional 7,400 were warned to be ready to leave if necessary, the California Highway Patrol said. It's the latest destructive blaze to send Californians fleeing this year. Fires have burned more than 3,600 square miles (9,324 square kilometers) so far in 2021, destroying more than 3,200 homes, commercial properties and other structures. Those fires include a pair of big forest blazes that have been burning for more than two weeks in the heart of giant sequoia country on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. More than 1,700 firefighters battled the KNP Complex Fires, which covered nearly 66 square miles (171 square kilometers) by Saturday. Nearby, the Windy Fire grew significantly Friday, prompting new evacuations for rural communities. The blaze ignited by lightning on Sept. 9 has scorched 111 square miles (287 square kilometers) of trees and brush on the Tule River Indian Reservation and in Sequoia National Forest. It was just 5% contained Saturday. A historic drought in the American West 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. UNITED NATIONS (AP) Many leaders saying many things about many topics that matter to them, to their regions, to the world: That's what the U.N. General Assembly invariably produces each year. And each year, certain voices dominate. Here, The Associated Press takes the opposite approach and spotlights some thoughts delivered in prerecorded speeches or from the rostrum at the United Nations after a yearlong pandemic break from leaders who might have not captured the headlines and airtime on Friday, the fourth day of the 2021 debate. LAS VEGAS (AP) Top Nevada health administrators say they expect COVID-19 booster shots will become widely available by the end of next week for residents who received Pfizer vaccines, following guidance from federal health officials and state officials. Dr. Fermin Leguen, the Southern Nevada Health District's chief, stressed Friday during a video conference call with reporters that getting first shots into arms remained a priority, even while people who received Pfizer vaccines last spring get free booster shots at about 50 pharmacy, grocery store and clinic sites in and around Las Vegas. I just want to emphasize that our primary target today is still people who have not received any dose of the vaccine ... unvaccinated people, Leguen said. The booster doses that well be offering very soon, hopefully starting next week, are very important as well. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday endorsed extra doses for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans who received two Pfizer shots last spring. Boosters have not been approved for people who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The CDC directed its guidance to Pfizer recipients 65 and older; nursing home and assisted living residents; those ages 50 to 64 with health problems including cancer, diabetes, asthma, HIV infection and heart disease; and those 18 to 64 with underlying health conditions. Officials have said millions of people qualify nationally. In the Las Vegas area, Leguen said he didnt immediately know how many people are eligible for boosters. But Sarah Lugo, district community health nurse supervisor, said there is plentiful supply. The health district posted a summary of its recommendations about boosters. In addition to the pharmacies and the grocery stores and the Targets and the other stores that have it, or the doctors offices that have it, we have 12 static sites that already have an untapped capacity, Lugo told reporters. Right now, we have about 20% of the capacity being filled ... so we have room for more people to come. State health officials report that 65% of eligible people in Las Vegas and Clark County have gotten at least one dose of vaccine and 54% are fully vaccinated. The first-dose percentage is below 40% in some rural parts of the state. In Washoe County, it's nearly 64%. Statewide, Nevada passed 7,000 deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, while disease measurements in the Las Vegas area continued improving. Test positivity, a measure of the number of people tested who are positive for COVID-19, was 8.8% in Clark County. Statewide, the figure was 10.9%. It was 17.6% in Washoe County. The trend of COVID in Clark County is really decreasing since probably about four or five weeks ago, Leguen said. In the Reno-Sparks area, where hospital staffing has raised concern, Dick said this week he didnt foresee trouble meeting demand for Pfizer shots. We are working on staffing plans and believe will be able to accommodate boosters, Dick told reporters Wednesday. Dick said the National Guard was continuing to assist at the countys main hub at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, where more than 700 boosters have been administered to people who qualified as especially vulnerable because of health conditions. In other developments, Reno City Manager Doug Thornley told city employees Friday they will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as the Moderna vaccine is fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Reno also now requires new hires to be vaccinated as a condition of employment. Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve announced Thursday night she will work from home for 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19. Schieve said on Twitter that she had been vaccinated but got tested because she wasnt feeling well. She noted she is immunocompromised and said her symptoms were mild. Schieve had kidney failure and received a donated kidney from her sister in the 1990s. DEL RIO, Texas (AP) The Texas border crossing where thousands of Haitian migrants converged in recent weeks will be partially reopened late Saturday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. Federal and local officials said no migrants remained at the makeshift encampment as of Friday, after some of the nearly 15,000 people were expelled from the country and many others were allowed to remain in the U.S., at least temporarily, as they try to seek asylum. In a statement, officials said trade and travel operations would resume at the Del Rio Port of Entry for passenger traffic at 4 p.m. Saturday. It will be reopened for cargo traffic on Monday morning. CBP temporarily closed the border crossing between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, on Sept. 17 after the migrants suddenly crossed into Del Rio and made camp around the U.S. side of the border bridge. CBP agents on Saturday searched the brush along the Rio Grande to ensure that no one was hiding near the site. Bruno Lozano, the mayor of Del Rio, said officials also wanted to be sure no other large groups of migrants were making their way to the Del Rio area to try to set up a similar camp. The Department of Homeland Security planned to continue flights to Haiti throughout the weekend, ignoring criticism from Democratic lawmakers and human rights groups who say Haitian migrants are being sent back to a troubled country that some left more than a decade ago. The number of people at the Del Rio encampment peaked last Saturday as migrants driven by confusion over the Biden administrations policies and misinformation on social media converged at the border crossing. The U.S. and Mexico worked swiftly, appearing eager to end the humanitarian situation that prompted the resignation of the U.S. special envoy to Haiti and widespread outrage after images emerged of border agents maneuvering their horses to forcibly block and move migrants. Many migrants face expulsion because they are not covered by protections recently extended by the Biden administration to the more than 100,000 Haitian migrants already in the U.S., citing security concerns and social unrest in the Western Hemispheres poorest country. A devastating 2010 earthquake forced many from their homeland. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Friday about 2,000 Haitians had been rapidly expelled on 17 flights since Sunday and more could be expelled in coming days under pandemic powers that deny people the chance to seek asylum. The Trump administration enacted the policy, called Title 42, in March 2020 to justify restrictive immigration policies in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Biden administration has used it to justify the deportation of Haitian migrants. A federal judge late last week ruled that the rule was improper and gave the government two weeks to halt it, but the Biden administration appealed. Officials said the U.S. State Department is in talks with Brazil and Chile to allow some Haitians who previously resided in those countries to return, but its complicated because some of them no longer have legal status there. Mayorkas said the U.S. has allowed about 12,400 migrants to enter the country, at least temporarily, while they make claims before an immigration judge to stay in the country under the asylum laws or for some other legal reason. They could ultimately be denied and would be subject to removal. Mayorkas said about 5,000 are in DHS custody and being processed to determine whether they will be expelled or allowed to press their claim for legal residency. Some returned to Mexico. A U.S. official with direct knowledge of the situation said seven flights were scheduled to Haiti on Saturday and six on Sunday, though that was subject to change. The official was not authorized to speak publicly. No migrants were left Saturday morning in the camp on the Mexico side of the border. Local authorities had moved the last migrants to a walled, roof-less facility in downtown Ciudad Acuna where the Mexican immigration agency put some tents. That shelter had 240 people as of Saturday morning, according to Felipe Basulto, the secretary of the municipality. The Mexican government has been moving migrants by land and air to the south of the country and was planning to begin flying some to Haiti in the coming days. The Mexico office of the U.N.s International Organization for Migration released a statement late Friday saying it is looking for countries where some Haitians have residency or where their children have citizenship as an alternative to allowing them to be deported to Haiti. Luxon, a 31-year-old Haitian migrant who withheld his last name out of fear, said he was leaving with his wife and son for Mexicali, about 900 miles (1,450 kilometers) west along Mexicos border with California. The option was to go to a place where there arent a lot of people and there request documents to be legal in Mexico, he said. At the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition in Del Rio, migrants stepped off a white Border Patrol van on Friday, many smiling and looking relieved to have been released into the U.S. Some carried sleeping babies. A toddler walked behind her mother wrapped in a silver heat blanket. A man who drove nearly 1,300 miles (2,092 kilometers) from Toledo, Ohio, hoping to pick up a friend and her family, scanned the line of Haitian migrants but didnt see them. In this weeks air travel developments, United Airlines introduces new flexibility and transparency for customers holding travel credits; the Biden administration will reopen the country to vaccinated international travelers in November, with new entry rules that also affect U.S. citizens; United says its ready to check vaccine certificates if a mandate is extended to domestic flights; the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reports that 10,000 of its workers have tested positive for COVID; the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defends its efforts to curb unruly behavior from passengers, as Congress holds a hearing on the issue; American Airlines and JetBlue say theyll fight a new Justice Department lawsuit aimed at blocking their Northeast Alliance; low-cost Avelo Airlines adds another Northern California route; international route news from United and Turkish Airlines; and San Francisco International Airport will require all airport workers to be vaccinated. Are you holding travel credits on United Airlines for flights you paid for, but didnt take during the COVID pandemic? The airline said this week that it is changing its rules and procedures to make those credits easier to use. Most significantly, United said that when customers booking new flights get to the checkout process, they will automatically see their travel credits displayed as a payment option. This functionality will be available for MileagePlus members first, and the airline is working to roll it out to all customers in the near future, the company said. United is also making the travel credits more flexible, allowing customers to use them for flights on partner airlines, and to apply the value of the credits toward extra-legroom seats and prepaid checked baggage. Credits can also be combined for future bookings. Customers can now combine multiple Future Flight Credits (FFCs) or Electronic Travel Certificates (ETCs) and will soon be able to combine ETCs and FFCs together, United said. In addition, the carrier is allowing customers to share credits issued before Aug. 31 of this year with friends and family. For more information on how to use travel credits, visit the airline's site. The federal governments decision this week to end its 18-month ban on visitors from Europe, the U.K. and other nations like India, Brazil and China will also include some new requirements for U.S. citizens returning from travels abroad. The reopening expected to begin in November after federal agencies and airlines have had time to prepare will require international visitors to show proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination before boarding a flight to this country. The U.S. will continue to require both international visitors and returning vaccinated Americans to show a negative result from a COVID test taken within three days of departure from foreign airports. But under the new rules, they will also have to undergo a rapid or PCR test within a few days after arrival. Unvaccinated Americans returning to the U.S. will have to get a negative result on a test taken one day before departure, instead of three days, from a foreign airport, and prove that they have purchased a viral test to take after they return home as well. In addition, airlines will have to collect contact-tracing information from all inbound passengers. Jeffrey Zients, the White Houses point person on COVID policy announced the general outlines of the new policy this week, with specific details to be released in the coming days. The announcement removes a major point of contention between the U.S. and its transatlantic partners, especially since those countries reopened to American tourists earlier this year. With the U.S. reopening, demand is likely to surge, so U.S. and European airlines are expected to add more flights on existing routes this fall and resume service in markets that were suspended due to the pandemic. For example, Lufthansa said this week that its bookings jumped by 40% this week after the U.S. announced lifting its travel ban. The carrier currently operates 200 weekly flights to 17 U.S. cities, and it plans to add more. From November, travelers will have a full range of flights at their disposal that can easily be expanded as the situation demands, Lufthansa said. British Airways plans to resume service to London Heathrow from Austin and San Diego on Oct. 13. The U.K.-based airline data analyst OAG commented: In every major market that has reopened, we have seen very strong immediate demand and the transatlantic will be no different to that for all airlines. The new U.S. policy is in line with other nations entry rule revisions weve seen in recent weeks; changes that generally make it easier for vaccinated individuals to travel internationally, but more difficult if not impossible for the unvaccinated. With the Biden Administration now planning to require vaccinations for international arrivals, there is continuing pressure from some quarters to do the same for domestic flyers. A former Biden health advisor and an immunologist noted in their Washington Post op-ed this week that after domestic air travel increased during 2020s year-end holidays, infections did as well. The outcome was huge surges in infections, reaching 3,500 deaths per day by January, they wrote. To prevent a similar surge among the 80 million unvaccinated Americans in the months ahead, they recommended that the Biden administration announce a travel (vaccination) mandate now so that more Americans are protected by Thanksgiving. If individuals face a choice between getting the shots or staying home over the holidays, they reason, a large number would probably choose the former. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby suggested last weekend in a CBS News interview that his company will be ready if a domestic mandate does come down. Theyve got great data and science, he said of the Biden administration, and if they tell us that they want us to check everyone (for a vaccination certificate), were prepared to do that as well. Elaine Thompson/Associated Press TSA screeners would probably welcome a vaccination requirement for domestic travelers. The agency revealed last week that since the pandemic started in early 2020, more than 10,000 of its employees have tested positive for the disease mostly airport security screeners. That number includes 571 currently active cases. The agency said 26 of its employees have died of COVID. About 72% of TSA workers are reportedly vaccinated against COVID a number that is sure to increase with the Biden administrations plan to make such vaccinations mandatory for all federal workers. On the eve of a House subcommittee hearing this week on unruly airline passengers, the Federal Aviation Administration defended its efforts on the issue, while admitting that more needs to be done. In January, the FAA initiated its zero tolerance campaign against misbehaving travelers, and the agency said it is now having an impact. Last week, the FAA noted, the rate of unruly passenger incidents was six per every 10,000 flights. Thats an approximately 50 percent drop from early 2021, but its more than twice as high as the end of 2020. Since the FAA launched its public awareness campaign with memes and two public service announcements, the rate has fallen approximately 30 percent, the agency said. The FAA has also created a web page at www.faa.gov/unruly, with details on the programs. The House subcommittee hearing on Thursday included graphic testimony from flight attendants on passenger abuse, and committee members debated ways the federal government could help solve the problem through new legislation or increased enforcement. FAA officials also met with airline industry groups this week, asking them to commit to take more action against disruptive passengers, according to a Reuters report; it also plans to hold similar meetings with representatives of airports and labor groups. The FAA said that additional action by the airlines and all aviation stakeholders is necessary to stop the unsafe behavior. Both the FAA and the Justice Department this week received a letter from Senators Maria Cantwell (D.-Wash.) and Dick Durbin (D.-Ill.) chairs of the Senates Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and Judiciary Committee, respectively urging the agencies to work together more closely on the unruly passenger problem. The senators said that civil penalties like FAA fines are failing to deter criminal activity by airline passengers, and noted that only the Justice Department has the authority to launch criminal prosecutions of violators. It is critical that DOJ direct federal law enforcement agents and prosecutors to use these authorities to fully investigate reported incidents on aircraft, they wrote, and, when supported by the evidence, prosecute those who are criminally responsible. United Airlines United CEO Scott Kirby said in a CNN interview that incidents of passengers refusing to wear masks have declined by 50% since the beginning of the year; the airline has banned almost 1,000 customers from flying United because of those refusals. Kirby said United flight attendants are supplied with warning cards to give uncooperative passengers, telling them that theyll be banned from future United flights. That usually keeps the attendants out of danger from angry flyers, he said. Meanwhile, American Airlines has changed its contract of carriage which details the rights and responsibilities of the airline and its passengers adding language that says any customer who displays abusive or harassing behavior towards any AA employee could be temporarily, or permanently, banned from the airline. And Delta said in a memo this week to flight attendants that it has asked all major carriers to share their internal no-fly lists with other airlines. A list of banned customers doesnt work that well if that customer can fly with another airline, the memo said. Delta has banned more than 1,600 individuals since the FAAs mask mandate took effect. American Airlines and JetBlue are vowing to fight a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Dept. of Justice and several state attorneys general that seeks to block the two airlines Northeast Alliance (NEA) on the grounds that it will hurt competition and thus injure consumers. The alliance, announced last year, created a broad program of code-sharing and coordinated route planning centered at Boston and the three New York-area airports: JFK, LaGuardia and Newark. In announcing the DOJ lawsuit, Attorney General Merrick Garland called the American/JetBlue alliance an unprecedented maneuver to further consolidate the industry. It would result in higher fares, fewer choices, and lower quality of service if allowed to continue. And DOJ antitrust attorney Richard Powers said the sweeping partnership between the two carriers is unprecedented among domestic airlines and amounts to a de facto merger between American and JetBlue in Boston and New York City. The impact on consumers extends far beyond Massachusetts and New York, as evidenced by the participation and our ongoing cooperation with Attorneys General from across the country, including Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia, in this lawsuit. He said that if the alliance is allowed to proceed, JetBlue and American are less likely to compete vigorously against each other in other parts of the country. JetBlue In response, American said the alliance has already brought increased opportunities for consumers since it has led to 58 new routes, more flights on existing routes, and code-sharing on 175 routes. According to AA CEO Doug Parker, Before the alliance, Delta and United dominated the New York City market. The NEA has created a third, full-scale competitor in New York and is empowering more growth in Boston. Ironically, the Department of Justices lawsuit seeks to take away consumer choice and inhibit competition, not encourage it. This is not a merger: American and JetBlue are and will remain independent airlines. JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said the alliance is helping his carrier grow in markets where it has been denied access previously. In New Yorks airports, there has been quite literally no room for us to add flights. There are no slots available at LGA and JFK, and it remains extremely difficult to grow in Newark given gate and space constraints, Hayes said. Delta and United with large international networks, ample financial resources, and significant airport gate and slot holdings have a lock on the market and make it impossible for an airline like JetBlue to grow and introduce sorely needed low-fare competition. Ironically, the Justice Department lawsuit seeking to untraveled the partnership was filed shortly after the two airlines launched a new post-security bus service for connecting passengers, linking their two terminals at New York's JFK airport. Low-cost start-up carrier Avelo Airlines, based at Hollywood Burbank Airport, is adding another new Northern California route. Earlier this month, Avelo started flying between Santa Rosas Charles M. Schulz Airport and Las Vegas. Now it plans to add twice-weekly flights to Las Vegas from Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport serving Eureka and Arcata beginning Nov. 18. In international route news, Uniteds plan to begin the first non-stop service between Washington Dulles and Lagos, Nigeria on Nov. 29 will be followed on Dec. 1 with the airlines resumption of flights between Newark and Cape Town, South Africa. Meanwhile, the Points Guy reports that United will be bringing back three new 2021 transatlantic routes again in 2022, including Newark-Dubrovnik service starting May 27, Washington Dulles-Athens launching June 3, and Chicago-Reykjavik beginning May 26. Representatives of San Francisco International and the Vietnamese carrier Bamboo Airways just signed a memorandum of understanding for SFO to be the first U.S. airport served by Bamboo with regular scheduled service. Although no start-up date was mentioned, Bamboo said it plans to begin operating four non-stop flights a week between SFO and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) using a 787-900 Dreamliner, increasing to daily service based on market demand. The size of the U.S.-Vietnam market is estimated at 800,000 passengers annually. There are currently no direct flights between the U.S. and Vietnam. When Bamboo starts service, The nonstop flights connecting Vietnam and the U.S. will help reduce the travel time from about 20 hours to 15-16 hours compared to transit flights, officials said. Bamboo is also working to establish a second U.S. route to Los Angeles International. Turkish Airlines has filed for U.S. permission to expand its seven-year-old code-sharing agreement with JetBlue, which thus far has been limited to putting the Turkish carriers code on JetBlue domestic flights. Now the airlines want to make that reciprocal by putting JetBlues code on Turkish Airlines flights from the U.S. to Istanbul, and on connecting flights beyond the Turkish airport. That would permit 43 JetBlue-coded international routes like New York to Bangkok and Boston to Bahrain. San Francisco International became the nations first major airport to require COVID vaccinations for all its workers this week. Effective immediately, SFO said, all tenants and contractors at the airport must require on-site employees to be fully vaccinated, with free shots readily available at the airports medical clinic. Employers can grant exemptions for medical or religious reasons, but any employee that is exempted must undergo weekly testing. Tenants and contractors will also be required to submit reports on the status of their respective workforce until all on-site personnel are fully vaccinated. Failure to comply could result in fines under the Airports Rule and Regulations, SFO said. Its fall! So if youre fleeing a wildfire this weekend, please take a sweater. This weeks Real Time With Bill Maher began with a monologue abounding with both distress over the state of the world and exploration of the strange dissonances that accompany it. (This included onetime National Security Advisor Michael Flynns citation of a bizarre conspiracy theory about vaccines and salad dressing.) That we live in a world where a company called Cyber Ninjas recently completed an audit of the Arizona election results is both fertile ground for comedy and terrifying for most rational people. Mahers remit, as always, is finding some balance between the two. Or, as Maher went on to phrase it: A fake company hired to do a partisan recount couldnt come up with a bullshit result. The punchline, though, went beyond that: turns out Texass recount is up next. Tristan Harris, of the Center for Humane Technology and the podcast Your Undivided Attention, was the first guest of the night. Maher described Harris, a returning guest, as the guy who keeps it real for us on Big Tech. In this case, he brought up the Wall Street Journals recent series of investigative reports on Facebook. And soon, theyd veered in on one aspect of that reporting: the effect that Facebooks algorithm has had on political parties. Harris described the findings as a case of Facebooks algorithm rewarding political parties for being more negative. Negative posts were rewarded; substantive and policy-driven ones were not. It selects for whoever says the most divisive thing, and then that shoots up to the top, Harris explained. Maher brought up Facebook shutting down posts about the lab origin theory for COVID-19, which is a subject hes brought up a few times this season. Neither he nor Harris felt that Facebook should have done this with Harris pointing out the conflict between the importance of free expression and not wanting more outrageous or harmful statements to circulate. Harris went on to point out how the pandemic a time when most people have fewer stimuli than normal makes people especially vulnerable to outrage [and] limbic hijacks. Which explains a lot about the current state of both social media and responses to social media. Will there be an impact from these reports? Harris described them as a Cambridge Analytica-sized moment, but wasnt sure what the full effect might be. For the evenings panel, Maher was joined by Jennifer Rubin, author of Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy from Donald Trump, and Richard Ojeda of the organization No Dem Left Behind. After a discussion of the aftermath of the Capitol breach that found Maher wondering why more high-level names havent been prosecuted, the trio weighed in on the infrastructure bill currently being debated in Congress and the messaging surrounding it. Things got meta, in other words. Rubin argued that advocates for the bill havent spent enough time emphasizing whats actually in it, while Maher observed that focusing on the total cost as opposed to its timeframe could lead to incorrect impressions of it. And Ojeda and Maher got into an interesting back-and-forth where Ojeda convinced Maher of the importance of universal Pre-K. Despite the relative differences in Ojeda, Rubin and Mahers politics, the three of them were in agreement on many of the topics up for debate. The current standoff in Congress over the debt limit and the state of the labor force led all three to make concurrent observations, with Rubin making a passionate argument against inherited wealth over a certain point. Finally, the discussion turned to the Biden administrations foreign policy, which Fareed Zakaria has argued is far closer to that of Donald Trump than many anticipated. Zakaria cited Bidens policies towards Iran and Cuba, and Maher brought up the administrations handling of Haitian migrants as well. Rubin disagreed on some points, but did criticize protectionist rhetoric from both Republicans and Democrats. New Rules closed out the nights episode. Here, Maher alluded to CBSs overzealous penchant for FBI-related shows and that headlines like Intuit Nears Deal to Buy Mailchimp have left him utterly baffled. (Also, it turns out Maher is not a fan of Christo and Jeanne-Claudes wrapping of the Arc de Triomphe.) The bulk of the segment followed up Mahers comments from a few weeks ago about the NFL adding Lift Every Voice and Sing to league games this season. Mahers argument was, essentially, that the league should play either it or The Star-Spangled Banner, but not both. And the first part of the segment found him reiterating this and summarizing the issue to date. Mahers objection to multiple national anthems? Citing his old-school liberal beliefs, Maher laid out his argument: Purposefully fragmenting things by race reinforces a terrible message: that we are two nations, hopelessly drifting apart from each other. For Maher, having multiple national anthems was a case of separate but equal which then led him into a digression about the current state of college campuses. It was a lot. And, like many a New Rules segment this year, it ended feeling more inconclusive than anything else. There are many people out there who could make the case for playing multiple national anthems before, say, an NFL game; watching this particular segment left me wishing Maher had opted for a conversation on the subject, rather than a monologue. Thanks for reading InsideHook. Sign up for our daily newsletter and be in the know. The post Bill Maher Weighs In on National Anthems and Social Media appeared first on InsideHook. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 24) The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee ordered Friday night the transfer of Pharmally director Linconn Ong who has been detained in the Senate - to the Pasay City Jail for allegedly lying during its probe into allegedly overpriced COVID-19 supplies. This was announced by committee chairman Richard Gordon, who noted that the motion was made by Senators Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, Francis Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, and approved by Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III. "You lie and you steal from our people, you're gonna pay," Gordon said. He also instructed committee secretariat director-general Rodolfo Quimbo to send a letter to the Singaporean Minister for Finance through the country's ambassador to the Philippines on the matter, to be signed by all senators present. The letter shall state how "we're having a hard time in this country because some Singaporeans...crafted to make sure that money was produced from somewhere and they were able to get a lot of resources of the Philippines that should otherwise go to the Filipino people," Gordon said. Prior the senator's order, committee members have been slamming the Pharmally executive for being "evasive" when answering questions during hearings. Ong is among the individuals covered by a recent immigration lookout bulletin order issued by the Justice department. He is among those being questioned by senators, who are looking into the handling of COVID-19 response funds - including the purchase of what the lawmakers deemed overpriced face masks and face shields. RELATED: Senators flag millions earned by Pharmally, TigerPhil from mask procurement deal with govt Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) - A political analyst said she does not buy the reason of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for not extending the voter registration period for next year's polls. Clarita Carlos, former University of the Philippines political science professor, pointed out that the poll body had sufficient time - even before the pandemic struck - to prepare for the 2022 elections. "Comelec already knew, six years before, that there would be an election on May 9, 2022. If they have the brains in the right places, they would have provided and prepared for this," Carlos told CNN Philippines' Newsroom Weekend on Saturday. Poll officials previously said extending the voter registration period beyond Sept. 30 will affect their preparations for the 2022 elections. Carlos also wondered why Comelec did not push for a law that will implement electronic voting - emphasizing this proposal won't compromise personal data, since she said the only legal requirement most needed is the voter must be 18 years old on election day. "How many times have we filed that e-voting as a bill? No one wants to champion it," Carlos said. She also suggested a "continuous" voter registration period, where a citizen can register up to the day before the elections. "Theoretically, a day before the elections, if all the logistics are in place, anyone can establish that he or she is 18 years old and can push a button to indicate a vote," Carlos said in response to complaints of long waiting hours and cutoff dates in the registration procedures in Comelec district offices across the country. On Friday, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the voter registration period can be carried out until January 2022 - citing Republic Act 8189 or the Voter's Registration Act of 1996, which states the activity can push through up to 120 days before election day. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives are working on bills to extend the registration deadline to October 31. Comelec earlier said if the law is passed, they would have no choice but comply. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez has announced top-level poll officials will meet next week to discuss if a longer registration period is doable and by how long, to be recommended to the en banc. Some 63.8 million Filipinos are eligible to vote next year as of Sept. 21, with more lining up daily hoping to cast their ballots on May 9. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) - A "united" opposition for the 2022 elections is far-fetched, according to a political analyst. "Obviously, it's in your dreams. No one is going to withdraw, slide down, or whatever. Let's stop using that word because it is already inutile and irrelevant," former University of the Philippines political science professor Clarita Carlos told CNN Philippines' Newsroom Weekend on Saturday. 1Sambayan - a broad coalition of pro-democracy groups - was launched last March by staunch Duterte critics: retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario. Their aim is to field a single slate of candidates that would challenge administration bets. The group is eyeing Vice President Leni Robredo to be its standard bearer, but she has yet to decide on whether she will gun for the presidency next year. The "united" opposition pitched by 1Sambayan appears to have been derailed after its prospects declined to join the coalition. Some of the names the group considered already announced their presidential bids, including Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. Meanwhile, Carlos said she is eyeing a "younger" candidate that could make a difference in the current list of presidential and vice presidential aspirants. "As an elderly, I like to see young people more likely to have open minds and open to constitutional reforms," Carlos said. Most Coloradans agree with government leaders who are imposing vaccine mandates and mask mandates to curb the spread of COVID-19 and its Delta variant, according to a survey commissioned by Colorado Politics, the Denver Gazette and 9News. The SurveyUSA assessment indicated 55% support the public health orders such as those imposed by Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and other local governments across the state. Forty percent disagreed, including 78% of those who said they were unvaccinated. The most commonly cited reason (24%) for being unvaccinated was concern over the safety of the vaccine, while 16% thought the virus was a hoax. Fifteen percent saw it as a government intrusion into their life, and 11% doubted the scientists. Those who identified as Democrats overwhelmingly supported mask requirements at 81%, compared to 48% of unaffiliated voters and 26% of Republicans. The poll suggested 72% of vaccinated Coloradans are concerned their health will be affected by those who are unvaccinated, including 35% who said they were "very concerned." Those polled this month also shared broad approval of vaccine requirements for health care workers and teachers. Seventy percent of survey participants said doctors, nurses and other hospital employees should be vaccinated, the same margin who said mandates should apply to those working in nursing homes, while just 22% said vaccinations should not be required in health care settings. As for private businesses, 50% of those surveyed said employees should be required to be vaccinated, compared to 39% who disagreed. As for masks in schools, 57% said K-12 teachers should be required to wear masks, while 33% disagreed. Similarly, Coloradans supported a requirement for K-12 students to wear masks, 55% to 37%. Respondents were split on whether businesses should have the legal right to deny service to those who are unvaccinated 45% said they should and 44% said they should not. On Aug. 2, Hancock set a Sept. 30 deadline for all city employees and private-sector workers in high-risk settings to be fully vaccinated. The mandate applies to more than 10,000 municipal employees, including police officers, firefighters, and sheriffs deputies. The order also extends to public and private schools, higher education campuses, nursing homes, homeless shelters, hospitals and correctional facilities. The same week, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced that state employees who cannot show proof of vaccination will have to get tested twice a week and wear masks at work. Last Friday, Polis went a step farther, backing President Joe Bidens vaccine-or-testing mandate for large businesses, similar to what he imposed on state workers. Some hospitals are reaching very close to their capacity limits and that wouldn't be happening if people were vaccinated, Polis said. You have 25% of the population that is 80% of the hospitalizations, and they have worse outcomes, higher death rates, longer hospitals stays. I'm strongly encouraging you, if you haven't yet, get vaccinated. Boulder County reinstated its indoor mask mandate on Sept. 3, and last Saturday the town of Erie joined an increasing list of municipalities. Only second to vaccination, adoption of a universal mask order is an extremely effective tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and minimize disruptive cycles of reactionary orders, and is particularly important for seeing a rapid shift, Camille Rodriguez, executive director of Boulder County Pubic Health, said in a statement. Businesses and public venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Colorado Convention Center require proof of vaccination to enter, following guidance from the state and city health departments. Republicans see vaccine mandates as an energizing issue for the GOP base heading into next year's mid-terms, when Polis is on the ballot for reelection. The Colorado survey is in step with the national mood. A poll last month for the Associated Press and NORC at the University of Chicago.indicated 55% of adults support requiring face masks around other people outside their homes, while just 26% opposed it. Survey USA contacted a representative sample of 500 Coloradans between Sept. 9 and Sept 13. The margin of error is plus or minus 5.4%. Read the full survey by clicking here. The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form A Federal appeals court in Boston yesterday (Friday, September 24) upheld the life sentences of New England Cosa Nostra boss Francis (Cadillac Frank) Salemme and mob associate Paul Weadick for the 1993 murder of Steven DiSarro, a Federal witness whose remains were found in an unmarked grave in Rhode Island in 2016. 1993 surveillance photo, from left: Salemme, Flemmi with back to camera, Frank Jr. The Fed's star witness at Salemme and Weadick's 2018 trial was Stephen (The Rifleman) Flemmi, the longtime partner of According to Federal prosecutors, Salemme, 88, held a secret interest in a South Boston nightclub called The Channel, which DiSarro purchased. Salemme had DiSarro killed after he began to believe that the nightclub owner was talking to the FBI and was about to implicate him in criminal activity.The Fed's star witness at Salemme and Weadick's 2018 trial was Stephen (The Rifleman) Flemmi, the longtime partner of Winter Hill boss Whitey Bulger . Flemmi, 84, who is serving a life sentence for 10 murders, testified that he had walked in on the Salemmes, father and son, and Weadick, 66, who were in the process of murdering DiSarro. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston affirmed the jurys 2018 verdict finding Salemme and Weadick guilty of killing DiSarro. Fueling the appeal was "the admission at trial of a large amount of evidence concerning the prior criminal activities of Salemme and several witnesses," according to the appeals court ruling. "Weadick complains, among other things, that by trying him jointly with Salemme and then introducing evidence covering three decades of crimes by Salemme, the government deprived him of a fair trial. Salemme, in turn, argues that much of that evidence about his past was inadmissible hearsay or propensity evidence." U.S. Circuit Judge William Kayata, writing for the three-judge panel, rejected the appeal claims and noted that the evidence met the standard that it needed to meet. He also rejected Weadicks claims about being deprived of a fair trial because he had been tried alongside Salemme. To access the appeal, click here for PDF. Mark Shea, Weadicks lawyer, promised a further appeal, saying his client was wrongfully convicted. Salemmes lawyer did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters. As for the background of the murder charge, according to a court filing from the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts, in 1992, DiSarro bought a shuttered nightclub in Boston with funds that Frank Jr. gave him. This was because at the time, DiSarro was under investigation, and the papers listed DiSarro's stepbrother as the owner. Frank Jr. was kept on the books as a part-time manager, which allowed him to avoid a full curfew as a condition of pre-trial release following his arrest on labor racketeering charges. Weadick, a close friend of Frank Jr., was hired as a night manager. Weadick and Frank Jr. had a history of ripping off drug dealers together, knowing that the specter of the New England La Cosa Nostra (NELCN) would deter any retaliation. In March of 1993, a federal agent approached DiSarro, telling him that he was under investigation and asking him to cooperate. Upon hearing this news, Salemme voiced concern that DiSarro would implicate Frank Jr. and eventually Salemme himself. Weadick expressed similar concerns to Frank Jr. Around the same time, Frank Jr. and Salemme also told others that they suspected DiSarro of stealing from the nightclub. Having trouble getting a meeting with DiSarro, Weadick and Frank Jr. discussed inviting him to Salemme's house to make him feel safe. Soon thereafter, DiSarro was approached by another federal agent, who told him he had been indicted, and, for the second time, asked him to cooperate with the government. DiSarro reported this contact to both his stepbrother, who nominally owned the club, and his wife. The next morning, DiSarro's wife watched him get into a car she didn't recognize, but her description of the vehicle matched a car Frank Jr. sometimes used. She never saw her husband again. Over 20 years later, a Rhode Island excavator, who had been charged with committing various offenses, led law enforcement officials to a location in Rhode Island where they unearthed DiSarro's remains. Forensic examination revealed that DiSarro had been strangled. The excavator's information also led to Robert DeLuca, a captain in the NE LCN , who confessed that he had received DiSarro's body from Salemme with orders to dispose of it. DeLuca reported that he had heard from Salemme that Weadick had driven DiSarro to Salemme's house, where Frank Jr. strangled DiSarro as Weadick held his legs, all in Salemme's presence. DeLuca's information provided the breakthrough law enforcement had been looking for in investigating DiSarro's disappearance. Eventually, the government initiated this case by indicting Salemme and Weadick for murdering DiSarro with the intent, at least in part, to prevent him from talking to federal authorities. Frank Jr. had died by the time charges were filed. At trial, Flemmi testified that he walked in on DiSarro's murder at Salemme's house as it was happening, just as DeLuca described it. At trial, Flemmi testified that he walked in on DiSarro's murder at Salemme's house as it was happening, just as DeLuca described it. Weadick's girlfriend at the time of the murder testified that she had overheard Weadick and Frank Jr. expressing concerns that DiSarro "had a big mouth" right before the murder. She also reported that Weadick left their apartment shortly thereafter and was in an agitated state when he returned. He gave her a man's bracelet and told her that she would not need to worry about seeing DiSarro again. Later, as they were driving south of Boston, Weadick told her that a location they had passed would be a good place to bury a body. After 23 days of trial, the jury found both defendants guilty. After 23 days of trial, the jury found both defendants guilty. Close (Photo : Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography Unsplash) Stress is a state of mind and emotion where there is strain and tension from extreme circumstances. Having prolonged stress can lead to health issues mentally and physically. Working in the healthcare field can be very strenuous and intense. It's hard to separate work from your personal life, especially when you're so invested in your patients. It's easy for work to become all-encompassing, but it's important to take time for yourself when you're not working. Finances can be a stressor as well. Most healthcare professionals make enough to live off, but many things are vying for their money and attention, like bills, and other family expenses. Car insurance for healthcare workers can also be a stressor. Let's look at six ways that healthcare workers can save some money and six ways they can de-stress from work. 6 Ways to Save Money Saving money is a vital skill to have. Below, we will look at ways that you can get rid of some of the expenses in your life to help save money and simplify your life. #1 - Reduce Your Monthly Grocery Budget A rule of thumb for grocery shopping is never to shop when you're hungry. You'll end up buying up too much. It's a good idea to make a list and stick to the list while you shop. Only getting what you need will save you money and keep you from feeling shame from eating junk food. #2 - Automate Savings Banks like Citibank enable you to schedule putting money into your savings account. This is perfect for saving money. You don't have to think about keeping money in your account because the system will do it for you. Just remember not to pull money from your savings into your checking account. Keep that money separate unless you have an emergency. #3 - Cancel Cable Services Cable is becoming more obsolete as time goes on. There are so many different options to choose from to be able to watch your favorite shows. Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu are perfect substitutes for cable and cheaper as well. Consider purchasing a Roku or a FireStick and save hundreds of dollars a year. #4 - End Memberships and Subscriptions You Don't Use Do you ever find yourself paying for something that you're not even using? That can happen with memberships and subscriptions. Take stock of what you don't use and make a plan to end them. #5 - Lower Insurance Rates Lowering insurance rates can be done in three easy steps: Bundle insurance, apply for discounts, and have a good credit score. When you do these things, your rates will significantly drop. You can also compare insurance providers and see which one will offer you the cheapest rate. #6 - Bring Your Food to Work Bringing your food to work is a simple and effective way to save money. Always buying out can add up. By taking your food to work, you can save up to $4,000 a year. There are many more ways to save than what's listed above. Just go online and search for ways to save, and you'll find hundreds of options to choose from. 6 Ways to De-Stress From Work Stress is a killer. Did you know that job-related stress can reduce your life by years? That's pretty scary, but you needn't worry. As long as you take time to care for yourself, you can live a long and happy life. #1 - Exercise Exercise releases dopamine, which helps reduce stress. There are many activities you can do to help alleviate stress. Dancing, yoga, and swimming are just a few ways to de-stress and enjoy working out. Getting a personal trainer wouldn't be a bad idea either if it doesn't add additional stress. That way, you have some accountability while you exercise. It's easier to work out when you have someone to help you. #2 - Take a Bubble Bath There's nothing better than taking a nice bubble bath. Baths have been known to be the perfect remedy for a long and stressful day. Baths benefit your body and mind by helping you breathe more easily, improve heart health, and balance your hormones. Commit to taking a bath once a week, and you'll find that you are much happier and healthier. #3 - Listen to Soothing Music Listening to music helps your blood flow, elevates mood, and eases stress. Take some time to sit quietly and listen to soothing music. Music helps with remembering and easing pain too. It's a powerful tool if used correctly. Try to avoid music that is jarring or aggressive. That kind of music will not soothe your mind and body. #4 - Talk to a Loved One or Friend About Your Day It feels so good to talk to someone and decompress with them after a long day. Especially as a healthcare professional, it can be beneficial to have someone listen to you. Go to someone you consider safe, like a loved one or a dear friend, and talk through your day. You don't have to be detailed, but it keeps you from bottling and repressing your emotions. #5 - Unplug From Technology Living in the 21st century, we are so attached to our phones and technology. Take some time to unplug and listen to the sounds of the world around you. This would be a perfect time to go to someplace with nature. Practice mindfulness and meditation while you unplug. Practicing deep breathing helps with blood flow and is good for your mind. #6 - Take a Much-Needed Nap If all else fails, take a much-needed nap. After a stressful day, rest might be just what you need. Turn all the lights off and curl up in bed. These six ways to de-stress should help you feel happier and more relaxed. You can even try to do a combination of them. Listen to music and take a bath or unplug from technology and do some exercises. Do whatever works for you. Healthcare Workers Need to Destress As a healthcare worker, you have a lot on your plate. You deserve to rest and take care of yourself. What better way to do that than to do some of the activities listed above? You are a pillar at your job, at home, and in society. As a country, we need more people like you. For your sake and the sake of your patients, take time to decompress from work and do your best not to take work home with you. About The Author: Peyton Leonard writes and researches for the car insurance comparison site, CompareCarInsurance.com. Peyton deeply appreciates healthcare workers and wants to help them de-stress from their jobs. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare It is no secret the locus for a great deal of the worlds cybercriminal activity lays within the boundaries of The Russian Federation. The onslaught of ransomware attacks directed at non-Russian entities is evidence of that. Last week, Recorded Futures Insikt Group published a report shedding more light on the connection between the Russian state and criminal actors, a connection that Insikt Group posits is well established yet highly diffused. The key judgments from the Insikt Groups analysis are: It is highly likely that Russian intelligence services and law enforcement have a longstanding, tacit understanding with criminal threat actors. This association will continue, though efforts to put space between the government and criminal entities may increase to provide greater plausible deniability to the government US President Joe Bidens assertion that Russian cybercriminals are protected by the Russian government has placed Russian President Vladimir Putin on the defensive. Russian cybercriminals are reforming their operations and targeting vectors implying that the Biden administrations actions have been modestly successful. Is this much of a surprise to those who invest their professional life watching things Russia? Not really, says Monique Camarra, co-host of the Kremlin File who explains, We know the KGB was present in all aspects of Soviet life, so its no surprise that they would have relations and dealings with criminal groups. Important hubs were controlled by the KGB in cooperation with criminal elements. She continued how, for example, the Tambov crime group, during privatization of state assets, regained control of the port, fuel and energy business. The fact that the new cadre of criminals, the cybercriminals, are attached at the hip to the Russian security apparatus should surprise no one. US sanctions have consequences As a result of a flurry of ransomware attacks that impacted the United States infrastructure, the United States hit Russia in April 2021 with both sanctions and the expulsion of diplomatic/intelligence personnel from the United States, tying the diplomatic actions to the criminal actions in a clear and unambiguous signal: the tolerance of the United States was approaching its end point. In June, at the summit referenced in Insikt Groups analysis and then again in July 2021 when Biden held a telephone conference call with Putin, a similar message was delivered, unambiguously, by Biden. Biden commented to reporters, "I made it very clear to him that the United States expects, when a ransomware operation is coming from his soil even though it's not sponsored by the state, we expect them to act if we give them enough information to act on who that is." It isnt as if Russia cant control their internet gateways across which these cyber crimes are being committed. To wit: On September 2, 2021, with the Russian election fast approaching and the efforts of Putin to silence dissent in overdrive, Roskomnadzor blocked six providers of virtual private networks to the Russian market (Hola! VPN, ExpressVPN, KeepSolid VPN Unlimited, Nord VPN, Speedify VPN, IPVanish VPN); the organization had previously excluded two others, VyprVPN and OperaVPN. Roskomnadzor claims they blocked the VPN services due to illegal activities, including those related to the distribution of drugs, child pornography, extremism and suicidal tendencies. Dmitry Dokuchaeva key individual Interestingly, the Insikt analysis draws on actions that occurred over the last decade to create their mosaic of interconnectivity between the Russian government and cybercriminals. The analysis hangs its hat on Dmitry Dokuchaev, among others, a major in the Russian interior ministry (FSB), who is a unique individual in that he was simultaneously under indictment by the United States for cybercrimes and by Russia for treason associated with cybercrimes while an officer of the FSB in 2016. He pleaded guilty in Russia and went to prison. The circumstances of Dokuchaevs arrest further cement the connection between the Russian government and the criminal cyber world and illustrate what Russia is capable of doing to cybercriminals if it is in their interests. The FSB cyber operations group, Information Security Center, of which Dokuchaev was a member, imploded in December 2016 through January 2017, with the arrests of multiple leadership personnel. The initial arrests included Colonel Sergey Mikhailov, deputy director of the center, and Ruslan Stoyanov, a manager at Kaspersky Labs. They are alleged to have feathered their nest by sharing with the West (the FBI and others) data that had been harvested from Russian companies which they engaged to investigate wait for it cybercrimes. The arrest of Mikhailov was full of drama and seemed straight out of a 1950s Russian crime film: He reportedly was present at an FSB staff meeting when he was dragged unceremoniously out the of the building with a bag over his head. The next arrests included Dokuchaev, who served as Mikhailovs deputy within the center, and the director of the center, Andrei Gerasimov. In 2019, Mikhailov was sentenced to 22 years in prison by the Russian courts. Much to the chagrin of the FSB, their dirty laundry was being aired for all to see, as the internal catfight between the FSBs Information Security Center, which just had its leadership arrested for cybercrimes, and the FSBs Special Communications Group (previously known to western intelligence as FAPSI, the group in charge of Russian cryptographic standards, security of Russian elections, signals intelligence, and a multitude of other activities) culminated in the Special Communications Group assimilating the Information Security Center. Russias action to take The FSB saga is evidence that Russia is fully capable of arresting and prosecuting cyber criminals operating within their geographic and virtual internet footprint. The bar is high for instances of cybercrime that will cause the Russian government to take action. But clearly, two officers facilitating the Wests investigation into Russian cybercriminals off the record and allegedly for millions of dollars, met that bar. The choice of words is always important and therefore one reading between the lines will note the subtlety of Bidens messaging to Putin: It is in the Russian Federations interest to act because, regardless of whether entities operate with or without the tacit acknowledgement of the Russian government, the United States had provided fair warning that lack of action by Russia will result in the United States acting in its own interest. Time will tell if the relationship between Russian cybercriminals and the Russian Federation cyber entities will evolve in a manner that quiets the former and their criminal activities. If not, the potential for action by U.S. government entities should be expected. Trust is empowerment and making the modern day identity for the internet journey as secure as possible is paramount to enterprise success. IT leaders know every person has the right to safely manage and navigate technology. Okta provides the secure front door strategies that bring simple and reliable access to people and organizations everywhere. Okta European Forum 21 Event Opening Keynote AddressStrategies to Create Trust, a Discussion with Philipp Kristian, Author of RESET and The Trust Economy Trust is at the center of productivity and human collaboration. Businesses that implement trust within their workforce can improve productivity, team-work, and overall performance. Organizations need to build a trusted and trustworthy future with technology. This on-demand webcast discusses why trust should be a top business priority and why identity is central to modernizing digital experiences. Watch the webcast launch here. For more information regarding Philipp Kristian, visit here. New Security CultureThe Future of Digital Trust with Derek Gordon, PwC Director, Identity & Access Management UK The workspace environment is evolving, and hybrid workspace must consider where people work that incorporates well-being, comfort, and technology. More organizations are reevaluating how they work to ensure they remain productive, secure, resilient, and agile. And as an increasing number of digital services are being used, it makes digital trust more important than ever before. This on-demand webcast discusses the future of digital trust and how organizations can provide enhanced experiences and services. Watch the webcast here. The Future CIO: Creators of Resilience, Orchestrators of Innovation, Custodians of Trust with Duncan Brown, Vice President, Enterprise Research Europe The pandemic hit hard for many IT leaders and their organizations, but those who were able to remain resilient believe it was due to good luck rather than forward planning. The number one challenge for CIOs globally is to plan for future resilience. Digital resilience is the ability to rapidly adapt to business disruptions by leveraging digital capabilities to restore business capabilities and capitalize on the changed conditions. This on-demand webcast discusses how CIOs can lead their organization from crisis response to a digitally resilient business. Watch the webcast here. Meeting the Demands of the Modern Workforce: New Working Practices A Discussion with Angela Salmeron, Future of Work Practice Lead at IDC Companies need to become digitally fit to thrive in this new era of enterprise. However, companies wont succeed in the future unless they place people first. Throughout your digital journey, employee-first digital strategies will help to create innovation, resiliency, and continuity. No matter how much you invest in technology, employees have to come first and foremost in that journey. This on-demand webcast discusses designing a culture of trust: are you a manager or a leader? Watch the webcast here. Ian Lowe, Oktas Head of Industry Solutions, EMEA Explores Meeting the Demands of the Modern Workforce: How do You Establish Trust @ Work? Establishing and building trust is a slow process, one that can be undone overnight by a data breach. Identity and trust are intimately connected and yet they are incredibly fragile in the digital world. Identity sits at the center of establishing trust, and trust is at the heart of delivering great experiences. Trust is all about enabling workforces and allowing them the freedom to work from wherever. This on-demand webcast discusses why the future of work will be from anywhere and how businesses can establish trust at work. Watch the webcast here. The New Security Culture with Oktas Ben King, Chief Security Officer, EMEA There are three key trends enterprises should be conscious of; the world is becoming increasingly digital, infosec as a discipline is hard, and the threat landscape is moving fast. Each of these trends have been accelerating in velocity and complexity in the past 18 months, largely due to the pandemic and changing behaviors. In order to navigate these trends, businesses should better understand the changing risk posture and how to secure the user. This on-demand webcast discusses how organizations can get to a more sustainable and more acceptable risk posture. Watch the webcast here. Security as a Support Not a Barrier: A Discussion with Liz Cocker, Identity Service Manager, ITV In todays business climate, security controls put in place must support people and not become a barrier to organizational productivity or efficiency. Security has become a lot more prevalent in everyones thought process, not just IT leaders. Its the collective responsibility to think about how organizations keep control and secure all sectors across the boardand automation is key to this development. This on-demand webcast discusses ITVs output as a production company and its ever-focused eye to securing their global dissemination effort in the broadcast environment. Watch the webcast here. Future Ready Hybrid IT: A Discuss with Joshua Kroeze, Senior Director, Solutions Engineering, Okta In 2020, COVID-19 accelerated IT digital transformation whether you were ready for it or not. This is both an exciting and challenging time for IT leaders. Fact: the world is now hybrid; organizations have systems on-premises and in the cloudand this is likely to stay for years to come. This on-demand webcast takes a closer look at how industry has become more digitally complex and how identity has evolved as a key player. Watch the webcast here. Okta European Forum 21 Closing Sessions The Croix Rouge (French Red Cross) Approach to IT Security with Yves Couturier, Director of Information Services Information technology is something a business cannot work without. It is not possible to achieve accelerated efficiency or long-term mission success without ITs help. Croix Rouge, the French Red Cross, works with a large number of volunteers, making it critically important to effectively oversee use management, user lifecycle, and security. This on-demand webcast discusses the role of identity and trust in Croix Rouges approach to security and how Okta helped them enable trust through technology Watch the webcast here. DEL RIO, Texas (AP) As Haitian migrants stepped off a white U.S. Border Patrol van in the Texas border city of Del Rio after learning they'd be allowed to stay in the country for now, a man in a neon yellow vest stood nearby and quietly surveyed them. Some carried sleeping babies, and one toddler walked behind her mother wrapped in a silver heat blanket. As they passed by to be processed by a local nonprofit that provides migrants with basic essentials and helps them reach family in the U.S., many smiled happy to be starting a new leg of their journey after a chaotic spell in a crowded camp near a border bridge that links Del Rio with Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. Dave, who didnt want to share his last name because he feared a backlash for trying to help people who entered the U.S. illegally, didnt see his friend Ruth in this group. But he wore the bright safety vest so she would be able to spot him in the crowd when she arrived with her husband and 3-year-old daughter. I feel like my friend is worth my time to come down and help, he told The Associated Press on Friday. On Tuesday, Dave set out from his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, and made the nearly 1,300-mile (2,092-kilometer) drive to Del Rio, where up to 15,000 migrants suddenly crossed in from Mexico this month, most of them Haitian and many seeking asylum. The 64-year-old met Ruth over a decade ago during a Christian mission to Haiti. Over the years, Dave would send Ruth money for a little girl he met in an orphanage whom he'd promised himself he'd support. Ruth always made sure the girl had what she needed. Last month, Ruth and her family left South America, where they briefly lived after leaving their impoverished Caribbean homeland, to try to make it to the United States. Dave told her hed be there when they arrived to drive them to her sisters house in Ohio. I just see it as an opportunity to serve somebody, he said. We have so much. The nonprofit, the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition, has received dozens of drop-offs from U.S. Border Patrol agents since the sudden influx of migrants to Del Rio became the country's most pressing immigration challenge. Its operations director, Tiffany Burrow, said the group processed more than 1,600 Haitian migrants from Monday through when the camp was completely cleared Friday, assisting them with travel and resettlement necessities. This is nothing new for Burrow, who has watched Haitian migrants cross into Del Rio in smaller numbers since January. But this recent wave overwhelmed her small group. Its a different volume. And the eyes of the world are on us this time," Burrow told the AP. As Dave waited Friday for the next bus to arrive, he shimmied a child seat into place in the back seat of his vehicle. It was for Ruth's toddler and was the first thing he spotted when he stopped at a thrift store on his way out of Toledo. He viewed it as a little sign he was doing the right thing. Ruth and her family had spent the past week at the bridge camp and Dave had been communicating with her through WhatsApp. But all communication stopped Thursday around noon, and he said Ruth's sister in Ohio also hadn't heard from her. Still, Dave waited, scrolling through a list of what ifs." He wondered aloud if her phone died or if she was in a Border Patrol facility with strict rules about electronic devices. Im putting a lot of faith in my phone, he said, laughing. Like Dave, Dr. Pierre Moreau made the trip to Del Rio from Miami to help. A Haitian immigrant himself and U.S. Navy veteran, he saw the images unfolding from the camp and booked a flight. That was devastating. My heart was crying," Moreau said. "And I told my wife Im coming. And she said go. Moreau didn't have a plan just a rental car full of toiletries and supplies he hoped to pass out to any migrants he came across. Im concerned about my brothers and sisters. And I was concerned with the way they were treated, he said. Dave said he hates how politicized the border issue has become. He considers himself a supporter of former President Donald Trump but said hes more complicated than a single label. As he waited in his car, Dave gushed over how hard Ruth had worked as a nurse to get to the United States a dream shes held for over a decade. He said he knows she'll do the same in the U.S. and that all hes doing is giving her and her small family a leg up. I help them with their first step, Dave said. And like a little child, next time you see them, theyll be running. Every time a Border Patrol bus or van pulled up to the coalition, Dave and his yellow vest would cross the street. He waited as each migrant climbed out, hoping to see Ruth, and he even darted over to one woman thinking it was her. That sounded just like Ruth's voice, he said. As news broke Friday that the camp had been cleared, Dave still held out hope that she'd arrive. But 10 hours after he pulled up, the coalition announced it had received its last busload and that no more migrants would be arriving from the camp. This wave, at least for now, was over for Del Rio. But Burrow said there will likely be others. Right now, were in a cycle," she said. "We're learning to work with it. Dave stood up from his folding chair and started walking back to his car. He still hadn't heard anything from Ruth and he again speculated as to where she and her family might be, including that they could have been sent on a deportation flight back to Haiti. He looked defeated but said he didn't plan to drive back to Ohio until he heard from Ruth not until he knew his friend was OK. I cringe when I hear the beep that its going to be the wrong message, Dave said. "But I try to keep hoping. I dont know what else I can do. ___ Follow Morgan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StorytellerSBM NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) Kelli Normoyle was nervous as she arrived at the Coast Guard Academy campus in Connecticut in 2008. She had come out as a lesbian to a few friends near the end of high school, but she faced a military environment where dont ask, dont tell was still the policy prohibiting gay people from serving openly. She kept quiet about her sexuality for her freshman year, fearing expulsion and the ruin of her not-yet-begun career. She started testing the waters her second year. OK, maybe this is somebody that I can trust, maybe this is somebody that identifies the way I do, said Normoyle, now a lieutenant on the cutter Sanibel, based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. But then you always have that moment that was that kind of leap of faith. Marking the 10th anniversary this week of the end of don't ask, don't tell, a new generation of military academy students say that their campuses are now tolerant, welcoming and inclusive for the most part but that more work needs to be done. Homophobic or ignorant comments still arise occasionally. Many transgender students still do not feel comfortable coming out. And advocates say the military needs to do more to include people with HIV, as well as nonbinary and intersex people. Normoyle, 32, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and fellow cadet Chip Hall led the formation of the Coast Guard Academys Spectrum Diversity Council, the first advocacy group for LGBTQ students at a U.S. military academy, a few months after don't ask, don't tell ended on Sept. 20, 2011. Similar groups later formed at the other four service academies. Gays and lesbians were banned in the military until the 1993 approval of dont ask, dont tell, which allowed them to serve only if they did not openly acknowledge their sexual orientation. Rather than helping, advocates say, the policy actually created more problems. In its entire history, the military dismissed more than 100,000 service members based on their sexual or gender identities 14,000 of them during dont ask, dont tell. Repeal of the law was approved by Congress and President Barack Obama in late 2010 and took effect nine months later, allowing lesbian, gay and bisexual people to serve openly. At the Air Force Academy in Colorado, second-year cadet Marissa Howard, who came out as a lesbian a few years ago, said she admires LGBTQ service members who struggled under the former policy. I commend them, said Howard, of San Antonio, a member of the academys Spectrum group. I feel very included in the environment, and its just a good place to feel like my identity is seen and I dont have to hide who I am here. Some fellow cadets, however, dont support their LGBTQ classmates, she said. Once, during an online class, someone called her weird for being gay, perhaps thinking they were muted, she said. The Coast Guard Academy in New London was the only U.S. military academy to hold a public event Monday to mark the 10th anniversary. About 100 people attended a dinner that included a viewing of a documentary on don't ask, don't tell, followed by a discussion. For many cadets, it is difficult to imagine what it was like because their generation has been more accepting, said K.C. Commins, a bisexual Coast Guard Academy senior from Altoona, Iowa, and current Spectrum Diversity Council president. There are so many of us now. Its hard to ignore that were here and ... it is the new normal, said Commins. Rear Adm. William G. Kelly, the Coast Guard Academys superintendent, told the crowd Monday that officials have worked hard on LGBTQ inclusion and are developing a campus policy for transgender students. Transgender people were allowed to serve openly in the military beginning in 2016, but the Trump administration largely banned them in 2019. Although President Joe Biden overturned the ban earlier this year, formal policies are still being drafted at some locations. At the U.S. Naval Academy, sexual orientation is mostly a nonissue, said Andre Rascoe, a senior midshipman who is gay. In my experience, you always have the one or two people who kind of feel uncomfortable either rooming with or being on, like, a sports team with someone whos in the queer community, but they are anomalies, he said. After students graduate, they will face a military environment where sexual assault and harassment continue to be pervasive and where lesbian, gay and bisexual service members are disproportionately victimized, according to an independent review commissions report submitted to Biden in June. In its latest annual report on sexual assaults and harassment at West Point and the Air Force and Naval academies, the Defense Department said 129 sexual assaults were reported during the 2019-20 school year, down from 149 the year before. Twelve complaints of sexual harassment were received, down from 17 the previous year. Obviously theres a lot more room to grow, said Jennifer Dane, chief executive and director of the Modern Military Association of America, an LGBTQ advocacy group. Dane, who served in the Air Force from 2010 to 2016, said the Air Force began investigating her sexuality during her first year but dropped the probe after don't ask, don't tell was repealed. When it was repealed ... I was finally able to be my authentic self, and it was very empowering, she said. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) A U.S. Air Force airman on trial on charges of kidnapping a Mennonite woman in New Mexico, fatally shooting her and dumping her body in northern Arizona, had tried unsuccessfully to cover his tracks after the January 2020 killing, a prosecutor told jurors Friday in opening statements. Prosecutor Ammon Barker said Mark Gooch got his car professionally detailed, asked someone to hold onto his rifle and, two days after the killing, returned to the forest clearing outside Flagstaff, Arizona, where the body of 27-year-old Sasha Krause had been dumped and would be discovered several weeks later. Though Goochs cell data showed he drove from metro Phoenix to a Mennonite community in Farmington, New Mexico, and then to the Flagstaff area, the prosecutor said Gooch initially deleted his location history from a different digital account a Google account during the time of the killing. In that sense, the defendant didnt cover his tracks he highlighted them, Barker said, adding that Gooch later deleted all location history information from his Google account. Goochs attorney Bruce Griffen told jurors that his client had no connection to Krause, had cooperated with investigators and wasnt trying to hide anything. The state has really no motive whatsoever to try to suggest that a peaceful, nonviolent person who didnt know this individual would had have any reason whatsoever to abduct, let along harm, Griffen said. Gooch, 22, was stationed at Luke Air Force Base in metropolitan Phoenix at the time. He told investigators he was near Farmington about a seven-hour drive when Krause went missing because he had been seeking out Mennonite churches for the fellowship. Gooch grew up in the Mennonite faith in Wisconsin but never officially joined the church, he told investigators. Gooch maintains that he did not kidnap or kill Krause and has pleaded not guilty to murder, kidnapping and theft charges. Krause disappeared while going to get reading materials to prepare for an upcoming Sunday school course. Authorities say her body was found with head injuries and in the same clothing she was wearing when she disappeared. On the day Krause went missing, Griffen said Gooch went to Flagstaff to ski at a resort, but it was closed because of the pandemic. He then decided to drive to Farmington, realized there wasnt going to be a church service that day and headed back to to the Phoenix area, Griffen said. Griffen emphasized to jurors that there were no witnesses to the crimes. Authorities said a state crime lab report showed a bullet taken from Krauses skull was fired from a .22-caliber rifle Gooch owned. Griffen told jurors that ballistics evidence gathered in the case cant be conclusively linked to his clients rifle. Goochs cellphone was the only one communicating with the same cell towers as Krauses phone before hers dropped off west of Farmington, authorities said. Prosecutors arent sure why he targeted Krause. Other evidence from prosecutors will include text message exchanges between Gooch and his brothers where he talked about surveilling Mennonite churches in metropolitan Phoenix and praising one for ticketing a Mennonite during a traffic stop. FAIRFIELD Police are investigating a rash of burglaries that involved attempted thefts from ATMs on Post Road early Thursday. Police were tipped off by an alarm company around 3:34 a.m. for a reported loud pounding noise coming from the Citgo gas station on 1096 Post Road. The alarm company said it could see people trying to steal the ATM machine from the gas station, according to police. Just a minute later, a security company reported a forced entry into the Shell gas station on 1139 Post Road. Suspects attempted to open the ATM and cash register, police said. While officers were checking the area for the previous alarms around 3:40 a.m. on Thursday, they found the front door of convenience store Cumberland Farms on 1101 Post Road ajar and heard the alarm going off. Police said suspects tampered with the stores ATM and took the drawers from the cash register. The three incidents are still under investigation. Anyone with information into these burglaries can call the Fairfield Police Department at 203-254-4808. liz.hardaway@hearst.com NEW YORK -- New York City schools have been temporarily blocked from enforcing a vaccine mandate for its teachers and other workers by a federal appeals judge days before it was to take effect. The mandate for the the nations largest school system was set to go into effect Monday. But late Friday, a judge for the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a temporary injunction and referred the case to a three-judge panel an an expedited basis. Department of Education spokesperson Danielle Filson said officials are seeking a speedy resolution by the circuit court next week. ___ MORE ON THE PANDEMIC: Israel says US booster plan supports its own aggressive push South Africas vaccine train delivers doses and doctors to poor areas CDC: Studies show masks lessen school outbreaks EXPLAINER: Whos eligible for Pfizer booster shots in US? ___ See all of AP's pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: PHOENIX Arizona on Saturday reported 2,916 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and 69 more deaths as the pace of virus deaths nearly doubled over the past two weeks. The additional cases and deaths increased the states pandemic totals to 1,081,790 cases and 19,806 deaths, according to the states coronavirus dashboard. The dashboard also reported that 1,834 COVID-19 patients occupied inpatient hospital beds as of Friday, a level below the current surges peak of 2,103 on Sept. 12. The states seven-day rolling average of daily deaths rose from 26.9 on Sept. 9 to 51.1 on Thursday, while the rolling average of daily new cases dropped from 2,649.3 to 2,467.1 during the same period, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Deaths are considered a trailing metric in the pandemic, with increases in the number of deaths usually trailing those of cases and hospitalizations. ___ ELKO, Nev. A hospital in rural northeastern Nevada is pleading with residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to take other precautions to help slow the spread of the coronavirus to keep our healthcare system from being overrun. The Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital in Elko said Friday the virus was running rampant in the region and that the hospitals intensive care and medical-surgical units were near capacity and that it had postponed elective surgeries and added beds. As a hospital staff, we are pleading with you to practice the precautions we know are effective in stopping COVID-19, the hospital said in a statement posted on social media. Avoid large gatherings, wear a mask when around people from outside your household, observe physical distancing, and practice good hand hygiene. Most importantly, please get vaccinated against COVID-19. ___ SWARTKOPS, South Africa South Africa has sent a train carrying COVID-19 vaccines and doctors and nurses to administer them into one of the country's poorest provinces. The vaccine train, named Transvaco, is on a three-month tour through Eastern Cape province and stop at seven stations for two weeks at a time to vaccinate people. The initiative was launched by the state-owned rail company Transnet. It aims to meet head-on two of the biggest challenges in South Africas vaccine rollout: Getting doses out to areas beyond the big cities and convincing people in those areas who might be hesitant to get jabs. The train can hold up to 108,000 vaccine doses in ultra-cold refrigerators. It has nine coaches, including accommodation coaches and a kitchen and dining area for the staff, a vaccination area and consulting rooms. Dr. Paballo Mokwana, the train programs manager, said medical personnel had vaccinated just under 1,000 people so far during a stop in the town of Swartkops. Theyve given jabs on the train but have also sent a vaccination team into nearby factories and businesses to administer shots to people at work. ___ EDE, Netherlands The caretaker Dutch government has fired its state secretary for economic affairs after she criticized the use of COVID passes on the day the country started requiring them to enter bars and restaurants. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a statement on Saturday that Mona Keijzers criticism of the passes was not compatible with the governments coronavirus policies. Keijzer said in an interview with Dutch daily newspaper De Telegraaf that it is becoming increasingly difficult to explain why the pass is necessary in one place and not in another. She added: Are we going to keep going down this road or are we going to organize it differently? Keizer is a member of the Christian Democrats, one of the four parties that make up Ruttes coalition government. The government is in caretaker mode amid drawn-out negotiations to form a new ruling coalition following a March general election. ___ JERUSALEM Israel is pressing ahead with its aggressive campaign of offering coronavirus boosters to almost anyone over 12, saying its approach was further vindicated by a U.S. decision to give the shots to older patients or those at higher risk. Israeli officials credit the booster shot, which has already been delivered to about a third of the population, with helping suppress the countrys latest wave of COVID-19 infections. They say they expect the U.S. and other countries to expand their booster campaigns in the coming months. The decision reinforced our results that the third dose is safe, said Dr. Nadav Davidovitch, head of the school of public health at Israels Ben-Gurion University and chairman of the countrys association of public health physicians. The main question now is of prioritization. The World Health Organization has called for a moratorium on boosters until at least the end of the year so that more people in poor countries can get their first two doses, but Israeli officials say the booster shot is just as important in preventing infections. Israel raced out of the gate early this year to vaccinate most of its adult population after striking a deal with Pfizer to trade medical data in exchange for a steady supply of doses. It has also purchased large quantities of the Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines. ___ SANTA FE, N.M. -- Recriminations about face-mask mandates are creating new tension between Democratic candidates in the election campaign for mayor in Santa Fe. In a flier distributed by mail Friday, incumbent Mayor Alan Webber highlighted a dissenting vote by mayoral candidate and City Councilor Councilor JoAnne Vigil Coppler last year in the creation of a city ordinance requiring face masks. The ordinance reinforced a statewide mask mandate from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in the early months of the pandemic, before vaccines were available. Vigil Coppler says she considered the ordinance impractical but never opposed state mask requirements and called the ad a distortion. ___ SEOUL, South Korea South Koreas daily increase in coronavirus infections exceeded 3,000 for the first time since the start of the pandemic as the country comes off its biggest holiday of the year. The 3,273 new cases reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Saturday marked the 81st consecutive day of over 1,000 and were about 840 cases more than the previous one-day record of 2,434 set a day earlier. More than 2,500 of the new cases were from capital Seoul and nearby metropolitan areas, where transmissions have accelerated despite officials enforcing the countrys toughest social distancing rules short of a lockdown since July, banning private social gatherings of three or more people after 6 p.m. unless participants are fully vaccinated. Officials believe the virus spread further beyond the capital region during the Chuseok holidays, the Korean version of Thanksgiving which began on the weekend and continued through Wednesday, a period during which millions usually travel across the country to meet relatives. Officials say the country may see even bigger daily jumps next week as more people get tested. Less than 45% of a population of more than 51 million were fully vaccinated as of Saturday morning. ___ JUNEAU, Alaska -- Alaska reported more than 1,700 resident COVID-19 cases Friday. But state health officials says that includes reports from earlier this month as they work to clear a backlog that has built up during the latest case surge. Health officials encourage looking at cases by their symptom onset date versus the date they were submitted to the state health department. The state epidemiologist says Alaska is in the biggest surge that it has experienced during the pandemic. A weekly report from the department says the state had more people hospitalized with COVID-19 than it did at the peak of a prior surge late last year. ____ KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii The Ironman World Championship will be held outside Hawaii for the first time in four decades. That is due to uncertainty over whether the Big Island will be able to host the triathlon as scheduled in February because of the coronavirus pandemic. West Hawaii Today reports triathletes will instead head to St. George, Utah, to compete on May 7. Organizers plan to bring the contest back to the islands in October 2022. Ironman participants swim, ride bikes and run a marathon. The first race was held in Honolulu in the 1970s. It moved to Kailua-Kona on the Big Island in 1981. ___ LOS ANGELES Los Angeles County began making booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine available to eligible population groups Friday following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsement of a third shot for those who got their second shot at least six months ago. Starting today, eligible Los Angeles County residents can begin receiving their booster dose at any of the hundreds of sites offering the Pfizer vaccine, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement. County residents seeking the booster shot must bring proof they received two previous Pfizer doses. Eligible groups include people who are 65 years or older, residents of long-term care facilities, people 18 to 64 years old with underlying medical conditions and those 18 to 64 years with high institutional or occupational risk. ___ NASHVILLE, Tenn. A federal judge handed down a second blow to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lees order allowing parents to opt out of school mask requirements. U.S. District Judge J. Ronnie Greer on Friday ruled Knox County Schools must implement a mask mandate to help protect children with health problems amid the coronavirus pandemic. He also blocked Lees order from being implemented while the legal battle continues to move its way through court. This is the second time in a week that Lees order has been placed on pause as families and advocates across the state have filed a handful of lawsuits amid spiking coronavirus case numbers in schools. In Shelby County, while the school district had implemented a strict mask mandate, a federal judge indefinitely banned Lees order after families argued the governors executive order endangered their children. ___ ROME Italian government workers will be heading back to offices to do their jobs after more than 18 months of remote work as part of coronavirus measures. Premier Mario Draghis office says he signed a decree establishing Oct. 15 to resume in-person work. Thats the same date that all Italian workers either in public or private employment will need a COVID-19 Green Pass to access their workplaces. Many public employees who serve citizens have already been working in offices. Receiving at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, having recovered from the illness in the last six months or presenting a recent negative test will secure the Green Pass. The premiers office says public offices will assure that in-person return will happen in safe conditions. ___ COPENHAGEN, Denmark Norways Prime Minister Erna Solberg says most of the national coronavirus restrictions in the Scandinavian country will be eased. The restrictions lifted include the requirement for serving patrons in restaurants and the 1-meter (3.3-feet) social distance rule. Eateries, bars and nightclubs will be allowed to remain open after midnight, schools and kindergartens can return to normal and handshakes will again be allowed, a smiling Health Minister Bent Hoeie said. He stressed Norway will have an increased preparedness and local restriction will be imposed if there was a flareup. Norway is the second Scandinavian country to end the restrictions after Denmark did so on Sept. 10. More than 76% of Norways population of 5.3 million have gotten one vaccine, and nearly 70% have gotten both shots, according to official figures. TRUMBULL Heidi Hanson saw the plight of Afghan families resettled into the United States after escaping their country from Taliban rule and said she knew she needed to act. But the Trumbull resident didnt know where to start, until she saw a Facebook posting requesting donations and supplies by fellow resident, Tara Figueroa. I said, sure, I can absolutely help you with this, Hanson said. The two joined forces with residents from other nearby cities and towns, including Westport, Monroe, Fairfield and Stamford, along with various advocacy organizations to raise $447, plus $800 in grocery gift cards and 35 backpacks filled with supplies and additional items. The effort to raise money and supplies comes in response to requests for help from the New Haven-based group, Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS). The state is expected to receive up to 300 families within the next few months and the organization put out a call for donations in late August after the Afghan government collapsed, causing hundreds of thousands to flee. Surely theres something that we can also do. And I put out an ask among my social network, seeing who would want to volunteer for a donation drive, Figueroa said. Founded in 1982, IRIS has worked with immigrants and refugees in the state, assisting with resettlement and providing them with housing aid, job placement and education. The organization in recent weeks has become swamped with families seeking access to housing, according to Ann OBrien, the director of community engagement. OBrien said the efforts by individuals was a huge help, and it also helped donors feel like they were taking personal action. Theyve seen the pictures on the news, they see the pain in these parents faces, and theyre parents or kids themselves, she said. While they can give money, it doesnt feel the same for some people. OBrien said she believes the outreach all over the state has been extraordinary. I do think this level of outpouring of support is larger than weve ever seen before, she said. The situation was personal for Jacqueline Levin, a Fairfield resident who who emigrated from her native Peru 24 years ago. She said she is intimately familiar with the isolation moving to a new country can entail. I know what its like, to come here to a new country without even knowing the language, Levin said. Rather than looking at the donations as charity, she calls it solidarity. In addition to housing and food, the newly arriving families also will need coats, and other support. OBrien said its likely that donations for Afghan families could last into next year. Figueroa already is planning with others on their next drive and looking into ways to involve young people. She said the response to the donation drive had revealed a basic truth about the local communities. The biggest part that I feel proud of is the connectivity across communities, to be able to come together and make a difference in families lives. Thats really what it boils down to me, she said. That impact, those gestures of kindness for me, are just so fulfilling. And I feel like Im contributing to the best version of our community. Hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents qualify for a COVID-19 booster shot since eligibility expanded Wednesday. Hundreds of thousands of residents are eligible either because of their age, underlying health conditions or jobs in high-risk environments. There are about 270,000 state residents who are 65 and older. Eligibility for booster shots expanded Wednesday after a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee recommended booster shots for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients. Extra doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine started being administered Friday. The state started providing third doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to immunocompromised patients around mid-August. Since then, about 24,000 people in Connecticut have already received a third shot. Gov. Ned Lamont even received his own booster shot Saturday at the Durham Fair, the governor announced through Twitter. Getting your booster is so easy, he said. Same with your first shot. Heres what you need to know about these booster shots: Who is eligible? Only people who initially received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can get a booster shot, but there is an exception: Those who are immunocompromised and got a Moderna vaccine can get a third Moderna booster shot. Officials have not granted approval for expanded eligibility for those who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnsons vaccines. Anyone considering getting a booster shot should also speak to their health care provider beforehand. According to the CDC, eligible populations include: People 65 years or older Residents in long-term care settings People 18 years or older who are at increased risk for coronavirus exposure or transmission due to their job or where they reside, such as health care, schools, correctional facilities and homeless shelters. People 18 years or older who have underlying medical conditions, which includes but isnt limited to cancer; chronic kidney disease; chronic lung diseases like COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension; dementia or other neurological conditions; diabetes; Down Syndrome; heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension; HIV infection; liver disease; overweight or obesity; pregnancy; sickle cell disease or thalassemia; current or former smokers; solid organ or blood stem cell transplant; stroke or cerebrovascular disease and substance use disorders. People who are immunocompromised, including people who have been taking medicine to suppress the immune system, receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood, received an organ transplant, received a stem cell transplant within the last two years, have moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency, have an advanced or untreated HIV infection or have active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress an immune response. When can I get a booster shot? If youre eligible, you can get a booster shot six months after your second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems can get a third shot at least 28 days after a second dose of either Pfizer or Modernas vaccine. Where can I get a booster shot? There are about 800 vaccine providers in the state ready to give booster shots, according to the states Department of Public Health. Vaccine providers can be found by going to CT.gov/COVIDVaccine. Why should I get a booster shot if Im eligible? Even after getting fully vaccinated, protection against the virus could decrease over time, according to the CDC. Some immunocompromised people dont build the same level of immunity after vaccinations as non-immunocompromised people, according to the CDC. The additional dose could help boost the immune systems ability to recognize the virus and fight back. Small studies have shown that fully vaccinated immunocompromised people account for a large portion of hospitalized breakthrough cases and are more likely to transmit the virus, the CDC said. liz.hardaway@hearst.com Reuters September 24, 2021 MOSCOW, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Russia declared two organisations linked to the Church of Scientology "undesirable" on Friday, paving the way for the group to be formally banned. The Prosecutor General's Office said the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises International and the Church of Spiritual Technology, which are both based in California, were "a threat to the security of the Russian Federation". Russia has banned more than a dozen foreign groups under legislation against undesirable organisations, adopted in 2015. Under the law, groups are typically first labelled undesirable and then formally banned by the Justice Ministry. Russian authorities have moved against the Church of Scientology in the past. In 2016, the Supreme Court ordered the closure of the group's Moscow branch. The Justice Ministry has also declared some of the group's literature extremist. Scientology was founded in 1954 by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, and describes itself as a religion. The group's critics say it is a cult and have accused Scientologists of harassing people who seek to quit. The church denies such allegations. Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Gareth Jones The Labour Party conference has been in full swing this weekend, with every brand of Left-wing visionary, crank and dreamer setting out their stall and seeking support. But one Left-winger has not attended due to fears for her own safety. Even more extraordinary is that shes a Labour MP. Sir Keir Starmer is doing his best to pour oil on troubled waters. But his problem is simple and fundamental: Labour is a coalition of interests that no longer works. The latest flashpoint for the partys collapsing coalition is trans rights. Not long ago it was accepted common-sense that some spaces should be single-sex, in the interests of safety or privacy. But Labour has been racked by bitter arguments over whether or not male-bodied people who identify as women should be treated as women in all circumstances including single-sex spaces. Sir Keir Starmer is doing his best to pour oil on troubled waters. But his problem is simple and fundamental: Labour is a coalition of interests that no longer works. The latest flashpoint for the partys collapsing coalition is trans rights Activists within the party, led by the Labour LGBT+ group, say trans women should always be treated as women. Not only this but the law should be changed so self-identifying your gender is a simple matter of paperwork, with no need for medical assessment or any medical changes. Others, such as Rosie Duffield, the MP who refuses to attend this weekends party conference, take a more moderate approach, arguing that there are still some settings where biology matters more than identity. Early this month, Duffield made clear her support for trans people being treated with justice and dignity but said this didnt mean a free pass for males to self-identify as women for all purposes. Self-identifying as a woman, she argued, should not be a passport for male-bodied biological men to enter protected spaces for biological women such as domestic violence refuges, womens prisons, single-sex wards and school toilets. Opinion polls show this moderate view to be mainstream among the British public. But for voicing it, Labour activists branded Duffield transphobic and an incredibly hateful person, who one angry activist on Twitter claimed is campaigning to make trans peoples lives worse. Others, such as Rosie Duffield, the MP who refuses to attend this weekends party conference, take a more moderate approach, arguing that there are still some settings where biology matters more than identity Following a months-long barrage of threats and abuse, Duffield decided to stay away from her own party conference. And this isnt the first time in recent years that Labours radical wing has threatened and abused those they see as their enemies. First, they came for the Tories. In 2015, even then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was forced to condemn the rabble outside the Tory Party conference who harangued and spat at those attending the event. In 2017, controversy erupted again when effigies of Conservatives were hung from a bridge during their conference in Manchester. Next, the targets were liberal-Left women with political views deemed problematic. They included the BBCs political editor Laura Kuenssberg. Though hardly a byword for reactionary conservatism, she was given a bodyguard to ensure her physical safety at Labours conference in 2017. Then, the following year, at the peak of Corbyns antisemitism crisis, Jewish Labour MPs Luciana Berger and Ruth Smeeth brought bodyguards to protect them at the Labour conference. The Labour Party conference has been in full swing this weekend, with every brand of Left-wing visionary, crank and dreamer setting out their stall and seeking support (pictured, leader Sir Keir and deputy leader Angela Rayner at the conference today in Brighton) Being on the right side of history, it seems, makes activists feel they are entitled to behave in ways most of us would consider well beyond the pale. Commendably, Starmer has stamped down on the ugly antisemitism that menaced these women. After being elected leader, he suspended the worst offenders from the party, and has prompted howls of activist outrage by refusing to return the whip to Corbyn. But the aggressive brand of self-righteousness that forced Smeeth and Berger to hire bodyguards hasnt disappeared. Instead, its hopped from anti-zionism to a new pet cause: trans rights. And, so far, Starmer has been noticeably lacking in backbone when it comes to tackling the new face of Labours revolutionary vanguard. After figures as diverse as the Archbishop of Canterbury, London mayor Sadiq Khan and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle condemned the harassment of Duffield, a Labour spokesman managed only a disingenuous and feeble: We believe debate should always be held in an atmosphere of respect for all points of view. Meanwhile, the partys messages on self-declaration for trans people are still muddled, with it insisting its committed both to making it easier to self-identify gender but also insisting its committed to the Equality Act. Critics point out that Labour cant really have it both ways. The Equality Act allows for single-sex spaces, meaning transgender people may be excluded if its a proportional means to a legitimate end. But theres little guidance on how this conflict should be managed in practice. As a result, this vagueness means that under activist pressure the single-sex provisions in the Equality Act are often not worth the paper theyre written on. Commendably, Starmer has stamped down on the ugly antisemitism that menaced these women. After being elected leader, he suspended the worst offenders from the party, and has prompted howls of activist outrage by refusing to return the whip to Corbyn Meanwhile, a Bristol University feminist group called Women Talk Back was sanctioned by their own student union for excluding transgender women from some events, despite invoking their right to do so under the Equality Act. The group is now taking legal action. If this all seems arcane, think of it as just the latest fissure between the two halves of the increasingly fractious pantomime horse that the Labour Party and the Left in general has become. The back half of that strange beast is the still-large, although dwindling, part of the electorate that still sees Labour as the party of ordinary people. And the bit in front is a revolutionary vanguard that will stop at nothing not even reality in pursuit of its own vision of utopia. And the different parts want contradictory things. The back part wants decent jobs, affordable housing, law and order and a social safety net. The front part hates the West and the nation state (especially Israel), wants to abolish borders and the police, applauds statue-smashing and thinks normal families are an oppressive bourgeois construct. And theyre really, really passionate about all of it: so passionate theyll spit at Tories and harass even their own MPs. So that leaves Starmer not so much spineless as stymied. Because his most enthusiastic activists belong to the front part of the pantomime horse. And he cant really do without their energy and commitment. But that enthusiasm comes part and parcel with their opinions opinions that horrify even ordinary Labour voters, let alone the rest of the country. Ever since Starmer became Labour leader, his facial expression has made me think of a man with terrible gas: terrified to move a muscle lest he make a humiliating noise Ever since Starmer became Labour leader, his facial expression has made me think of a man with terrible gas: terrified to move a muscle lest he make a humiliating noise. His latest attempt to smooth over the roiling digestive issues in his own party was a 12,216-word treatise already widely-mocked for containing absolutely no new ideas. But no new ideas is surely the point. Starmers soothing centrist babble is designed to drown any alarming gurgles (or worse) from below. He might have saved his breath, because its not working. The moderates find it devoid of inspiration, while his partys radicals have not left off accusing him of being a power-crazed closet Tory. How much longer can Starmer hold together a coalition that isnt even on speaking terms with itself? No wonder the poor man looks so uncomfortable. A doctor has wowed TikTok users with a series of simple body hacks that he claims really work - from 'supercharging' your brain to getting rid of a tickle in your throat. Dr. Anthony Youn, 48, from Detroit, revealed how to deal with the everyday issues in a viral video posted online. The board-certified plastic surgeon - known as 'America's Holistic Plastic Surgeon' - has made a series of videos called 'Body hacks that really work' for his 5.1million followers. Here, FEMAIL reveals the top tips he gave to 'transform your life'... Dr. Anthony Youn, a board-certified plastic surgeon, has more than five million TikTok followers. He shares a variety of medical videos, including his series on health hacks READ YOUR NOTES BEFORE BED TO REMEMBER THEM BETTER The first hack he revealed included reading over notes for a test 'before you go to sleep'. 'Here's a way to supercharge your brain,' he said in the video. 'Go over your notes right before you go to sleep and your brain's going to help you remember it the next morning. Doctor reveals how to solve common issues with simple health tips Read your notes before bed According to Dr. Youn, if you're studying for a test and can't remember all the information you need to know, simply go over your notes right before you go to sleep. This should help you remember them in the morning. Scratch your ear to get rid of a tickle in your throat Dr. Youn says there is a simple solution to getting rid of a tickle in your throat - simply scratch your ear. However, it's important to note that if you have chronic throat itchiness, it could be a sign of a medical condition. Scratch your arm to distract from the pain of an injection Getting an injection in your arm is never pleasant, but according to the Detroit doctor, there is a way to make it less painful - scratch the area next to the injection site. He explains that doing this confuses the nerves, which should reduce the pain. Rub antiperspirant on a bite to reduce itchiness Constant itching from a mosquito bite is enough to annoy anyone, but the medic says you can quell the sensation using a simple household item: antiperspirant. This is reportedly down to the aluminum salts in the antiperspirant, which can help your body reabsorb fluid in the mosquito bite. This helps take down swelling as well as itchiness. Advertisement According to Lifehacker, research previously showed that a good night's sleep shortly after your studies can significantly improve your ability to retain information. In one reported study, participants memorized related word pairs (circus and clown, for example) and unrelated word pairs (cactus and brick, for instance). Some of those participating learned the words at 9am and some at 9pm, shortly before going to sleep. The results showed that when the participants needed to recall the unrelated words, those in the 9pm group did much better. However, sleep made no difference when those involved in the study were told to remember the related words. SCRATCH YOUR EAR TO GET RID OF A TICKLE IN YOUR THROAT Next he answered one of the most frustrating medical mysteries: how to banish an annoying tickle in your throat. He explained: 'Scratch at your ear and that's going to help make the tickle in your throat go away.' Scott Schaffer, M.D., president of an ear, nose, and throat specialty centre in Gibbsboro, New Jersey, added that this works because the ear scratch results in a muscle spasm in the throat. He told Men's Health: 'When the nerves in the ear are stimulated, it creates a reflex in the throat that can cause a muscle spasm. 'This spasm relieves the tickle,' he explained. SCRATCH YOUR ARM TO DISTRACT FROM THE PAIN OF AN INJECTION His third hack was a timely one; how to help with the pain of getting an injection in your arm. It's simple, according to Dr. Youn, who explained: 'When you're getting the shot, scratch the area right next to it - that's going to confuse your nerves and make it not hurt.' RUB ANTIPERSPIRANT ON A BITE TO REDUCE ITCHINESS Finally, he offered helpful advice to those suffering from mosquito bites. 'Take a little antiperspirant and rub it against the mosquito bite,' he said. 'That's going to prevent it from itching.' This is reportedly down to the aluminium salts in the antiperspirant, which can help your body reabsorb fluid in the mosquito bite. This helps take down swelling as well as itchiness. Dr. Youn also shared the video with his 820,000 Instagram followers, many of whom were especially excited about the memory hack. One commentator wrote: 'I actually do the sleep after going through notes trick and it's really helpful.' Another added: 'Number one really works, used it for many years.' Celebrities share the stories behind their favourite photographs. This week its Bond Girl Maryam dAbo, 60. Celebrities share the stories behind their favourite photographs. This week its Bond Girl Maryam dAbo, 60. 1963 I was scared of bangs and loud noises as a child, and even as an adult I found the explosions on the set of my Bond film, The Living Daylights, stressful. I didnt have an easy childhood. My father contracted meningitis when my mum was pregnant with me he spent his next 35 years disabled. In 2007 I had a brain haemorrhage but was misdiagnosed with meningitis, so I was scared of ending up like him. 1967 My mums job for UNICEF took us from London to Paris, then Geneva. I was in awe of Peter Ustinov when I met him at this charity event in Paris [Maryam is far right]. He had a booming voice, but he was amazing with the kids. After stints at art school and drama school in London I was spotted by a model agency while having lunch in Notting Hill. 1986 I was shocked when I was chosen to play Czech cellist Kara Milovy in The Living Daylights at just 5ft 6 and a half, I was not your typical Bond girl. Tim Dalton was wonderful at making me feel at ease and this was a very happy day in Morocco when Id just done a stunt jumping off a wall. I was taught how to ride, and a favourite memory is of galloping into the desert one afternoon with Tim and all the stunt men I was on a gorgeous white Arabian horse and was the only girl. I felt like Lawrence of Arabia 1987 Bond producer Cubby Broccoli [with Maryam, Timothy and actress Caroline Bliss] took care of his cast and crew. When the crew were fed up with the food while filming in Morocco he flew in pasta to lift their spirits and his daughter Barbara cooked it for everyone in the hotel. I remain in touch with them and Barbara still sends me champagne every New Years Eve. They were like a surrogate family. I think Bond wouldnt continue if it wasnt a family business 1987 While promoting the Bond film at Cannes, I was seated next to Prince Charles after a charity premiere of Lindsay Andersons new film. It looks like a tete-a-tete, but it was a banquet with 20 of us on a stage in front of 400 people. Charles was very charming and we talked about opera and theatre. Seated to the other side of me was the legendary Sir Alec Guinness. He was very shy, and said I was so lucky to be in a Bond film. I think he would have loved to play a villain, and hed have been brilliant. 2002 Theres a real camaraderie among us Bond girls, you feel part of an exclusive club. We are invited to the premieres, and this was the year that the great actress Rosamund Pike [far right] joined the club for her part in the film Die Another Day. Ursula Andress [centre, with Maud Adams, left, and Serena Gordon, right], whos so much fun, was there too. She was in Dr No, of course, with Sean Connery. She never thought the film would be a success but suddenly her image was everywhere. 2002 Theres a real camaraderie among us Bond girls, you feel part of an exclusive club. We are invited to the premieres, and this was the year that the great actress Rosamund Pike [far right] joined the club for her part in the film Die Another Day. Ursula Andress [centre, with Maud Adams, left, and Serena Gordon, right], whos so much fun, was there too. She was in Dr No, of course, with Sean Connery. She never thought the film would be a success but suddenly her image was everywhere. 2016 When I made a documentary about Bond girls I had to end with Judi Dench, who played M. I asked if she preferred being called a Bond girl or Bond woman, and she said she loved being a Bond girl. She recalled the time a little boy asked if she was in the Bond movie. When she said yes he was in utter shock. It was a great effect to have on a man, she told me, even though he was ten years old. As told to Andrew Preston. Maryam supports The Silverlining Brain Injury Charity, thesilverlining.org.uk A man was forced to defend himself after he was branded a 'stalker' for saying he was 'in love' with a woman he saw on a dating app despite never having spoken to her. Writing on UK-based forum Mumsnet, the man explained that personal reasons stopped him from contacting the woman when he initially saw her on a dating app, but he has since found her on social media in the hopes of confessing his feelings. He said the woman is no longer using the dating app and is in a relationship, however he's convinced that he should still make his admiration known because she isn't married. Many comments accused the man of being a 'stalker' as they criticised him for finding the woman on social media, while others encouraged him to make his desire known to the woman. A man, who lives in the UK, sparked a debate about finding people on social media after seeing their profile on a dating app (file image) Posting on Mumsnet, the man explained he was able to find the woman on social media but is torn about confessing his feelings because she is now in a relationship In subsequent posts he revealed he had decided against contacting the woman and admitted he didn't appreciate she might feel threatened by his behaviour. The initial post read: 'I saw this profile of a girl I really liked on a dating app, but I couldn't ask her out at the time (due to certain personal reasons) and really wanted for quite some time, I found her on social media out of curiosity. 'However, she stopped being active on the dating app, and I saw that she's in a relationship now on her social media. She doesn't know about me at all. 'I know I should let her go in my mind, but I can't help my feelings coming from my heart and I feel like I'll regret not telling her and she not had known I even existed. 'Should I message her on social media and tell her how I feel? Of course, I'm not going to message her and tell her to drop her current relationship and go with me. Some Mumsnet users advised the man to contact the woman respectfully, if it hasn't been long since she deleted her dating profile 'I was more thinking of telling how I felt about her and a possibility to meet in person and have a chat, and if she becomes available again that I can ask her out. Or do people think I'm violating some unspoken rule of relationships? 'As I feel like I'd be letting go of a girl I love, and the fact that she's not married, I thought she can still make a decision to change her mind? Of course, I understand she might not even like me, but I'm prepared for that answer(at least I'll know).' A few responses to the post encouraged the man to contact the woman on social media, with one writing: 'How long ago was she on the app? Like two weeks ago or two years ago? If only two weeks she may just be taking a break... if much longer leave her be.' Another said: 'I would day go for it but be careful with your wording, something along the lines of 'Hi, I hope you don't mind me getting in touch. I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to contact you while you were on (the app) but I would like to meet up as I think we would be a really great match', who knows, she may respond out of curiosity?' However, others argued the man shouldn't contact the woman and accused him of making assumptions about her based on photographs. One person wrote: 'You have created a fantasy of who this person is. You don't know her. You don't know anything about who she really is. You don't know if she's a good person or a 'not so good' person. A flood of responses to the post accused the man of 'stalking' the woman and argued he can't 'love' her without having had any conversations 'You are saying you 'love' this fantasy person you have created. You cannot truly love someone you don't know. You have made up a fantasy of 'how it will be' when you tell her your 'feelings'. Can you not see how unhealthy all this is? I think you need to seek counselling.' Another said: 'You're stalking her and idolising a version of her you've invented, based on an app and her social media. She'd be wise to run fast in the opposite direction - I have a friend who inspires his reaction in others (she is gorgeous and just a shiny magnetic human that others want to be near). 'Without fail, every partner she's had who started out behaving as you have has physically abused her when she deviated from their imaginary idea of her. She's now happily married to someone who was a childhood friend and loves who she actually is. 'For yourself, I'd take a good, compassionate look at what's causing you to hanker after an unobtainable ideal and get yourself some support with the root cause, which is likely to hurt you and quite possibly others if you don't deal with it.' A third added: 'Even if she would have been interested on the app, you are going to put her off with the borderline stalker behaviour... actually sorry borderline is too generous, this is legitmate stalker behaviour. 'It's not okay to do this. You haven't even spoken to this person, you don't love her, you don't know her. You might even want to consider therapy.' A man is facing backlash from his father's side of the family over his mother's 'petty' decision to have 'adulterer' carved onto her cheating husband's headstone. Reddit user u/One-Poetry9190 opened up about the alleged family drama on the popular 'Am I the A**hole' subreddit this week, claiming his dad died of a heart attack while having sex with his pregnant mistress. The son, who seemed to find some humor in the situation, asked in the title of his post if he was in the wrong for not having his dad's 'gravely insulting gravestone' changed. Family drama: A man revealed on Reddit that his mother had 'adulterer' carved onto his cheating father's gravestone after he died while having sex with his pregnant mistress Yikes: He explained that his father's family and mistress are pressuring him to pay to have the tombstone changed. In a comment, he noted his mother had inherited her husband's estate 'My father and mother had a very bitter marriage towards the end of his life; he had a long-running affair with another married co-worker and got her pregnant before he passed,' he explained. According to the Reddit user, his father was planning on leaving his mother as well as the country to start a new life with his mistress in Canada, where they had a house picked out. 'He had moved out and was living with his co-worker when he suddenly died of a heart attack while having sex,' he said. 'Divorce papers were never filed, no legal separation. They were in the process of moving all things legal. But on paper, they were still happily married.' He noted that he and his siblings are all moved out of their family home, saying the youngest is 19 and in college. While he works for a tech company, he is now back in his hometown helping his mother manage his father's estate, hence his involvement in the situation. 'My mom was hurt and petty and marked his gravestone as "In loving memory of John Doe, son, husband, father, and adulterer,"' he explained. 'My dad's family and his pregnant partner are mad and want me to fix it. 'We all applaud her': The majority of the commenters agreed that this wasn't his problem to deal with, and there were also a number of fans who praised his mom 'I personally think it's fine, that's who he was,' he added. 'He was all of those things. And since it's my mom's plot, I can't do anything.' The man later noted in the comments that his father's pregnant mistress is 'about to pop any day,' but his mother doesn't plan on giving her any money. 'My mom has lawyered up and since my dad died intestate, according to our state laws everything goes to mom,' he said. 'Mom won't leave anything for side piece. She is going to leave it for us once she passes.' The majority of the commenters agreed that this wasn't his problem to deal with, and there were also a number of fans who praised his mom for calling out her unfaithful husband for all of eternity. 'I would DIE (no pun intended) if I was walking through a cemetery and saw that! Your mom is an icon,' one person wrote. 'NTA. I hope she burns his old shirts or something.' 'Yeah NTA, but your mom is a stone cold legend and my new hero. This is a level of hilarious pettiness to which I can only aspire,' someone else agreed. 'And since it seems most of this thread agrees, please let her know we all applaud her.' Someone else suggested: 'If they're so offended by the accurate description, then perhaps they should go buy a park bench at a park and dedicate it to him how they want to dedicate it to him and go there to "visit" him...this is so not your problem at all.' Meghan Markle appeared to have forgotten to check the weather forecast before her trip to New York as she today stepped out in a fourth unseasonably warm coat in 73F (25C) heat in New York. The Duchess of Sussex, 40, today joined her husband Prince Harry at the United Nations to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as they kicked off the last day of their New York City tour, which will culminate in their appearance at Global Citizen Live. She sported a 3080 ($4,214) tobacco-coloured cashmere Max Mara coat for the occasion which she paired with wide-legged pants and stiletto court shoes. The royal kept her hair swept back into a smooth bun, while Harry sported a classic black suit apparently immune to the New York humidity. Meghan Markle appeared to have forgotten to check the weather forecast before her trip to New York as she today stepped out in a fourth unseasonably warm coat in 73F (23C) heat in New York. The Duchess of Sussex, 40, today joined her husband Prince Harry at the United Nations to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as they kicked off the last day of their New York City tour, which will culminate in their appearance at Global Citizen Live It's been an expensive trip Meghan, who yesterday sported a 4274.03 ($5,840) Loro Piana cashmere coat, matching 1231 ($1,685) wide-leg trousers, and red Manolo Blahnik pointed-toe pumps while visiting Harlem's PS 123 Mahalia Jackson school, where 94 per cent of the pupil's have free school meals. On Thursday, she left The Carlyle hotel and headed to 50 United Nations Plaza dressed in another Max Mara coat, which she wore open but layered over a long-sleeve black turtleneck top. She added a 2447 ($3,350) Valextra bag to match. It was a small outfit change from her trip with Prince Harry to One World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial in the morning morning, where she wore the same long-sleeve top with a heavy black coat on top. The Duchess of Sussex who is living in her $14 million mansion in California, with Prince Harry and their two children Archie and Lilibet, appears to have forgotten how to dress for fall on the East Coast and stepped out in a heavy outfit better suited to winter. Social media users were left baffled by Meghan's wardrobe, with one writing: 'Does she never learn how to wear clothes that suit the occasion and weather? 'It's a hot and humid day in New York and she is wearing a high collar and coat.' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex began their whirlwind New York City weekend on a somber note on Thursday - again in a very warm coat Meghan Markle visited the UN today in an unseasonably warm-looking camel-colored coat yesterday The Sussexes left the luxury Carlyle Hotel in their cavalcade of gas-guzzling motor vehicles shortly before 11am New York Time on Saturday morning and headed to the UN building in Manhattan. Their visit comes the same week as the 193-member world body's annual gathering of leaders. Now, this afternoon the Sussexes are expected to preach equity to a crowd that has paid between $240 to $268 for standard admission to Central Parks Grand Lawn. Of the tickets remaining Saturday morning Global VIP tickets start at $594 per ticket while Premium VIP tickets are $1174. Meghan Markle, has worn four coats despite temperatures of 70-80F in New York this week The Sussexes will join the star-studded set of artists, celebrities and world leaders for the concert which aims to raise awareness and money for a number of issues, including vaccine inequity, poverty and climate change. Among the headline performers are Jennifer Lopez, Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello and Lizzo. Doors open for the concert at 2pm with the concert kicking off at 4pm through 10pm in Central Park. It is one of seven coordinated concerts across the world in Lagos, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, and Sydney as part of a 24-hour broadcast event. All attendees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination to enter the outdoor event. * For more on the mystery illness, listen to the MoS's Medical Minefield Podcast * We put Sarah's blow-by-blow account of illness, and that of others, to the experts Her revelation triggered a deluge of letters from people suffering in same way Mother-of-two, who had PCR test and rapid lateral flows, described it as 'spooky' A nasty dry cough, sniffles and a thumping headache. Burning muscle pain. And, if you didnt feel miserable enough, everything you eat tastes like dust. Its a list of symptoms the British public have become all too familiar with over the past 18 months classic Covid. Or is it? A fortnight ago, Mail on Sunday columnist Sarah Vine wrote about how she had been battling exactly this combination of ailments, but multiple tests both the gold-standard PCR and rapid lateral flows had come back negative. Speaking on our Medical Minefield podcast, the 54-year-old mother-of-two described the phenomenon as spooky. Its so very weird, she said. I dont really get ill, and when I do it doesnt tend to stop me doing things. But this really stopped me in my tracks. And it seems Sarah isnt alone. Her original revelation triggered a deluge of letters from readers suffering in the same way and equally desperate for answers about their mystery illness. FOR MORE ON THE COVID-NOT-COVID MYSTERY ILLNESS, LISTEN TO OUR MEDICAL MINEFIELD PODCAST In an effort to get to the bottom of it all, Sarah Vine (pictured above) has given us a blow-by-blow account of her illness and we put it, and the accounts of our readers, to the experts Some, like 23-year-old Mollie Whittaker, have been suffering, like Sarah, with lingering symptoms. It started with a continuous cough, loss of taste and smell and a slight temperature, said the dental nurse from Southampton. Ive done multiple Covid tests, PCR and lateral flow all negative. I am now, three weeks later, on a course of antibiotics but they are not helping. Im only 23, supposedly fit and healthy, yet I am really struggling and not well at all. Another reader, Marie Morgan, 77, from Hove, wrote: Ive never felt so ill in my life. For three weeks I experienced high temperatures, prolonged bouts of deep cold and shivering, but at night the sweats were so bad I was completely soaked two or three times. My breathing was so bad I couldnt speak or walk. My first Covid PCR test was negative but my second, two weeks later, was inconclusive the line on the kit was neither positive or negative. In an effort to get to the bottom of it all, Sarah Vine has given us a blow-by-blow account of her illness and we put it, and the accounts of our readers, to the experts. It began, Sarah says, about a month ago, with an awful kind of summer cold. It sort of went away. But then I started feeling really, really bad and that was it. It was a runny nose, terrible headaches and that feeling youve just been wrung out, everything aches. At the start of her illness, she didnt have any of the official Covid symptoms a cough, fever, or loss of sense of taste and smell but she took a DIY lateral flow test, to be safe. The result was negative. Naomi Carpenter, a 20-year-old sports rehab student at Hull University, takes a swab for a lateral flow Covid-19 test at the campus sports facilities on January 4 She says: I thought, Im just feeling tired, worn down or whatever. Another couple of days passed and the official Covid symptoms kicked in. She adds: I suddenly lost my sense of smell and taste, which is really weird. Ive never had that before. Its not like when you have a cold, you cant taste things, and then if you blow your nose you can momentarily taste things. This was the absolute absence of smell and taste. I've had every Covid symptom going... but still test negative Mystified: Mollie Whittaker, who was left unable to move from her sofa by a Covid-like illness Mollie Whittaker, a dental nurse from Southampton, has suffered every Covid symptom going on and off since the end of August. It began as a severe lethargy, and days later, transformed into the Covid-type illness we all recognise. Within a day or so of feeling exhausted I took a rapid test because I was supposed to be going to a festival that weekend, says the 23-year-old. Id gone out for dinner at a local restaurant a couple of days before, so I assumed Id caught it off someone there. But the test came back negative, so I figured everything was fine. By the end of the festival, Mollie, who has been fully vaccinated since January due to her job in healthcare, had acquired a non-stop dry cough, a temperature and a loss of taste and smell. Two days after she got home, Mollie ordered a PCR test from the Government website, which took a day and a half to arrive. She took it, sent it off, and two days later the results arrived: negative. But her symptoms gradually worsened, leaving her unable to move from her sofa and feeling as though shed been thrown out of a building. Shes been unable to work since the end of last month. After lateral flow tests came back negative, Mollie booked a telephone appointment with her GP, who said she couldnt possibly have Covid if shed tested negative. She was given a prescription for antibiotics to treat a chest infection, which have yet to work. Im sure it was Covid I know what a bad chest infection is like and this is definitely not that, she says. The worst thing is, I worry my boss thinks the tests must be right, so I must be pulling a fast one. But all I want is for this illness to end so I can go back to work. As far as Im concerned, Ive had Covid. The tests must be wrong. Advertisement And this I knew was very specific to Covid. She tried, as an experiment, a glass of her favourite tipple, vodka and tonic, in the hope of reawakening her taste buds. Nothing. It tasted like water, she says. Then my chest started to feel sore, and I developed a very nasty cough. It was then that Sarah, who had her two doses of the AstraZeneca jab at the beginning of this year, visited the Government website and ordered a gold-standard PCR test. It arrived a day later, and the result a day after that: negative. I took rapid lateral flow tests too, and have continued to do so regularly, she says. Negative, negative, negative, negative. So I dont know, maybe the viral load is just not enough to show up. But as far as Sarah knew, she hadnt been in contact with an infected person. The only people it could have been are my children, but they didnt come down with anything. My daughter has been double vaccinated and my son has just had his first jab, because he is 16. And I think they both had Covid about a year ago. I guess I probably picked it up whatever it is at a supermarket or somewhere like that. Now, a month after the ordeal began, Sarah says the symptoms come and go. Its very random. Some days I feel absolutely fine. Then sometimes I wake up and feel terrible. Her senses are yet to return: Im still tasting things slightly differently. Before, I was really one of those people who could smell cigarettes at 200 paces. I cant smell things like that any more at all. Food is like dust in my mouth, so Ive been eating a lot less. Salt comes through a little bit, but not completely. Now I like eating things that have textures, so Ive become really obsessed with popcorn and toast. Toast has become very popular. Sarahs conundrum comes as experts warn of unusually high levels of other respiratory infections spreading rapidly across communities, due to the sudden return to social mixing. So is there a new, Covid-like virus striking us down? According to the scientists, this is unlikely. Dr Peter English, a public health expert, was not surprised by all the bizarre Covid, but not Covid cases. I wouldnt worry too much if you have negative tests they are likely to be a false negative, he says. Even the most gold-standard test is known to be less than 100 per cent reliable at detecting true cases of Covid-19. If you take ten people who genuinely have Covid, the PCR tests will only pick out about seven of them as positive, says Dr English. Lateral flow tests are also not foolproof. Theres a five per cent false negative rate in symptomatic people. In asymptomatic people, that figure is said to be roughly 40 per cent, according to an analysis in the British Medical Journal. And the timing of the test is also key. Last year, University College London scientists analysed the reliability of PCR tests in 32 studies, and found the accuracy dropped from 89 per cent to 54 per cent when patients waited longer than four days after the onset of symptoms to get tested. Experts say this is because, in most people, the viral load the amount of virus a person carries in their nose and mouth is easier to detect at high levels, which is typically at the very beginning of the infection. Fully vaccinated people are even more likely to clear the virus rapidly, says Dr English. Because the immune system has been primed, either by prior exposure to the vaccine or the disease, it can very quickly start producing antibodies and attack the virus, he says. All of this rings true in Sarah Vines case: she took a PCR test over a week after she began feeling under the weather. I wouldnt worry too much if you have negative tests they are likely to be a false negative, says Dr Peter English, a public health expert (file photo of a positive and negative test result) COVID FACTS More than a million Covid tests are carried out every day in the UK, according to the latest Government data. Advertisement But how could the tests continue to be negative, when her symptoms have long continued? Those who get more sick with Covid tend to clear the virus much quicker than those who dont have persistent symptoms, says Dr Julian Tang, Professor of Respiratory Sciences at Leicester University. The severe symptoms arent caused by the virus itself, but the immune systems extreme reaction to it. While this means the virus is cleared rapidly from the respiratory tract, the symptoms caused by the bodys fighter cells attempting to eliminate an intruder will linger. Another layer of complication is the unique nature of the Delta variant, which has been the UKs most dominant strain for the past four months. According to the UKs biggest symptom-tracking study, which collects experiences of Covid from more than four million Britons who use the Zoe app, the Delta variant is more like a cold than the previous version. The lead researcher, Professor Tim Spector, says the data suggested that Delta felt more like a bad cold, with most people reporting muscle aches, runny noses and sore throats. Cough, fever and loss of taste of smell and taste are also becoming less common, says Prof Spector. We know there are different common symptoms that arise with the Delta variant, confirms Dr English. Yet the Government only tell you to get tested and isolate if you have a cough, fever or loss of sense of smell and taste. While levels of flu remain very low at the moment, rhinovirus the bug that causes the common cold rose from 5.9 per cent of the 100,000 samples that were tested, to 12.7 per cent between September 2 and 16 (file photo) I think this is a deliberate attempt to reduce the number of people who self-isolate when they should its harder to get a PCR test if you dont have the classic symptoms. The other possibility, however, is that this infection is something entirely different to Covid. In recent months, doctors have been warning of a surge in other serious respiratory viruses, particularly in young children and elderly adults. Research by the Royal College of GPs, published in July, showed a dramatic increase in cases of bronchitis, the common cold and the severe infection that affects young children, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. COVID FACTS One in 20 people with Covid suffer symptoms for three months long after theyve stopped being infectious. Advertisement At a time of year where cases of RSV would usually be close to zero, and stable, Public Health England found positive samples had quadrupled in the five weeks to the end of July. Last month, cases of RSV were at the highest August levels than theyve been for 12 years. Experts have blamed the surge on the increase in social mixing, along with little opportunities to develop an immunity to common viruses, due to social isolation. Dr English says: We would usually see the number of children exposed to RSV spread out over time. But most of them have not been exposed, so now there is no mitigation in schools, no requirement to wear masks, inadequate ventilation, all the things that we know spread diseases, theyre all catching it at the same time. So what were seeing is a big spike. Instead of infections spread out over a long period of time, theyre all happening at once. And it would appear, from the limited data available, that the common cold is on the rise too. Each week the Government produces a flu surveillance report, based on thousands of randomly selected samples from patients with cold-like symptoms in GP surgeries and hospital departments across the country. While levels of flu remain very low at the moment, rhinovirus the bug that causes the common cold rose from 5.9 per cent of the 100,000 samples that were tested, to 12.7 per cent between September 2 and 16. And what of the dreaded scenario a new Covid mutation that tests are failing to pick up? Even the most gold-standard test is known to be less than 100 per cent reliable at detecting true cases of Covid-19. Pictured: an NHS testing centre in Bolton Its not impossible, but it is very, very unlikely, explains Dr Tang. The tests work by looking for several target proteins within the virus and, even if one isnt present, youll always spot another. It is very unusual for more than one of these targets to mutate at the same time. So what should someone do if they find themselves with Covid symptoms but without Covid? The Government only advises a period of self-isolation if you test positive for Covid-19 on a PCR test, or if you are told to by NHS Test and Trace. But Dr English recommends those who test negative to continue to take precautions. If you are in a household with somebody who is vulnerable and may not have responded as well to the vaccine, I would definitely avoid contact with them until ten days after the onset of symptoms, he says. And the same can be said for someone who is vulnerable that you might go and visit. Dr Tang says there are detailed tests that can determine exactly which virus a person is carrying, known as a full respiratory panel. However, for this to be effective a patient would need to be seen in hospital while infectious, which, logistically wouldnt be easy. These tests are reserved for children and elderly people who are admitted to hospital with severe flu-like illness. Otherwise, act as you would with any catchy illness, he adds: Its just common decency, when you have any type of cold or virus, to stay away from others so you dont pass it on. So work from home, dont go to social events and keep your distance. Its just about being considerate. In the weeks before D-Day June 6, 1944 when more than 150,000 Allied troops stormed Normandys beaches, the War Cabinet had been locked in talks over a terrifying new threat. The fear unfounded, as it turned out was that the Nazis were preparing to unleash biological bombs containing powdered botulinum toxin on the invading armies. This micro-fine dust, once it enters the body through the eyes, nose or throat, travels deep into the nerves and muscles. The paralysis it causes starts at the head and moves down the body, affecting the limbs and, eventually, the lungs. Victims at first suffer fatigue and vertigo. Grotesque drooping of the face and slurred speech follow. The eyes may roll uncontrollably. Finally, breathing becomes laboured and, without mechanical ventilation, suffocation is inevitable. It is a horrible way to die and an offshore wind could have carried it out to the thousands of landing craft, causing devastation well beyond the 4,400 confirmed dead that day. Today, as hard as it might be to believe, that biological weapon of war is engaged in a very different battle the one being fought against ageing. For botulinum toxin is, incongruously, the main ingredient in Botox injections, now a multi-billion-pound international industry which aims to terminate armies of frown lines and wrinkles. And I should know. Although Id never say it myself, Ive been called the High Priestess of Plastic Surgery after 25 years of reporting on the industry for Conde Nasts flagship beauty magazine, Allure. But more than that, I have Botox myself and I dont fear it. Its a very safe drug. Devotee: Joan Kron (pictured above), who started Botox at 66. She has been called the High Priestess of Plastic Surgery after 25 years of reporting on the industry for Conde Nasts flagship beauty magazine, Allure I started having the jabs when I was 66 27 years ago. Then, in 1994, it was new and still unapproved for cosmetic uses. It would be almost ten years before this would happen, but Id heard about it and what it could do everyone in the industry had. So when my dermatologist suggested I try it, off-label, I considered it part of my job. Botox softened a crease in my forehead that had troubled me despite having had a lower face lift, and improved my eye crinkles. I was hooked. I still have tune-ups twice a year and, at 93, I think its working for me. And Im far from alone. In 2019 there were 6.2 million Botox appointments carried out across the world, around 100,000 of them in the UK. And thats just for beauty. The drugs ability to relax muscles means it can also be used medically, treating everything from migraines to spasticity, excess sweating and female incontinence. Studies are looking at its effectiveness in prostate cancer, atrial fibrillation, depression, back pain, erectile dysfunction and other conditions. Yet few people, even the doctors who dispense it, know anything about the origins of Botox, or the fact that the drug is intrinsically tied to the secretive history of biological warfare research. Indeed, when President Nixon banned the offensive use of biological weapons in 1969, much of the information related to botulinum toxin was shredded. Now the story is set to be told in my forthcoming documentary, Weapon Of Beauty. In the early 90s, Dr Arnold Klein the late dermatologist to the stars, most notably Michael Jackson had suggested I delve into the history of US military site Camp Detrick. It was set up as a counterpart to the Manhattan Project, which was developing the atom bomb to study all kinds of biological and chemical warfare. They never wanted to use these weapons, but to defend against them they had to understand them. Among these weapons was anthrax, codename N, and botulinum toxin, dubbed agent X, the active ingredient in Botox. I was fascinated and more so when an information officer at Detrick insisted the site had no link to botulinum production. Deadly: Edward Schantz and his former assistant Eric Johnson in 1994 with a vial of undiluted botulinum toxin enough for tens of thousands of lethal doses In the course of making my film, in 2018 I also travelled Europe to visit three cosmetic toxin factories and ended the trip at Porton Down, the British military research site near Salisbury. A civilian team at Porton Down, which was also involved in Second World War botulinum toxin research, created their own version of Botox, called Dysport. But to truly understand how this got from the secret labs of intelligence services into the syringes of cosmetic doctors, its important to start at the beginning. Clostridium botulinum is a harmless bacteria found in soil and sand. But in certain atmospheric conditions warm, moist, low acidity and no oxygen, such as inside a sealed tin of vegetables or soup which has not been sterilised properly it produces a potent poison, botulinum toxin. BOTOX FACT Injecting Botox into armpits or hands reduces excessive sweating by blocking the nerves responsible for activating their sweat glands. Advertisement In Germany in the early 1800s, an inquisitive doctor, Justinus Kerner, wondered what was killing and paralysing hundreds of his countrymen. Half of those who fell ill with symptoms which included nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dilated pupils, double vision, muscle stiffness and difficulty swallowing ended up dead. He discovered the culprit: undercooked blood sausages, and specifically a bacteria which was subsequently named clostridium botulinum (from the Latin botulus, meaning sausage). The poison it produced caused a paralytic condition that was named botulism. It took them 100 years, but eventually scientists began looking at ways to use it for nefarious purposes. Its been hypothesised that botulinum toxin was used in the assassination of Holocaust-architect Reinhard Heydrich by Czech under-ground operatives in Prague in May 1942. A grenade allegedly custom made at Porton Down and containing powdered botulinum toxin missed the Nazis open-topped car, but he was wounded by splinters from the explosion. He died within a week, officially of sepsis, but with the distinctive symptoms of botulism, including paralysis and respiratory failure. Fears that the Nazis planned to unleash botulinum toxin bombs came to nothing the rumours were part of a misinformation campaign by German intelligence services, seeded in the British press. But inoculating troops against the toxin prior to D Day was discussed at the highest levels, before those plans were abandoned. It was even claimed by The New Yorkers investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, that British, American and Canadian troops were given self-injector syringes filled with an anti-toxin to use on the Normandy beaches. And all of this was key in spurring the Allied forces in establishing a biowarfare defence programme. Back then, Porton Down lacked the capacity to produce large quantities of the powdered botulinum toxin needed to fill bombs. But more importantly, it risked being bombed and due to its location close to Salisbury, the fallout could kill civilians. So the British turned to Camp Detrick, formerly an abandoned airfield in Maryland, to produce and manufacture the poison as one of its first projects. In 2019 there were 6.2 million Botox appointments carried out across the world, around 100,000 of them in the UK. And thats just for beauty (file photo) The work at Detrick was highly classified, carried out in a special containment lab disguised as an innocuous shack. It was nicknamed, by the scientists working there, the Black Maria, after the British police vans. Then the toxin was shipped to Britain to fill the bombs, which were never used and eventually destroyed. But that wasnt the end of it. The toxin was studied for years at Detrick, and working on the project was a young bacteriologist from Wisconsin named Edward Schantz. He was perfecting a method of purifying botulinum toxin to understand its capabilities, and therefore be better able to defend against it. His research, however, led to something unexpected when injected in a very diluted form, botulinum toxin could relax muscles in a small area of the body without proving lethal or permanent. It works by temporarily blocking signals between the nerves and muscles. The chemical remains locally, and doesnt enter the circulation, and the effect wears off in a matter on months. In the late 60s, San Francisco ophthalmologist Alan Scott was looking for a non-surgical way to treat strabismus, a muscle condition that causes crossed eyes and had heard through the scientific grapevine that someone at Detrick was working on an injectable compound that might do it. He contacted Schantz, who gave him some botulinum toxin, advising him to use a tiny amount. It worked in monkeys, and when Scott eventually got permission to trial it in humans there was an added bonus. Trial participants used to joke they were there to get the wrinkles out, Scott admitted in an email to me, almost ten years ago. But he didnt consider it important. His company, Oculinum, got approval from US regulators to use botulinum toxin to treat strabismus in December 1989. But the cost of producing the purified drug was more than Scott had expected. In 1991 he sold Oculinum, and 100mg of Schantzs purified toxin, batch 79-11, for 6.5 million to a small California-based eyecare company, Allergan. They named it Botox. What Scott had failed to recognise, that the toxin also had significant cosmetic effects, was by then becoming clear to his colleagues. When Botox was approved for cosmetic use in 2002, it was a hit and a single spoonful of Schantzs toxin, highly diluted, was enough to fill the first ten years of Allergans therapeutic and aesthetic orders (file photo) One of them was Jean Carruthers, an eye specialist in Vancouver. In 1987 she was writing up the results of a study using botulinum toxin for blepharospasm uncontrollable blinking when a participant returned, asking for another shot. The toxin had solved the blinking issue, but it had also flattened a frown line in her forehead. The effect was wearing off and she wanted more. Jeans receptionist, Cathy, had a deep vertical frown line between her eyebrows and she offered her a shot of the toxin the first one ever administered specifically for this purpose. The line vanished. Intrigued, Jeans dermatologist husband Alastair Carruthers suggested a cosmetic trial. Allergan had struck gold. When Botox was approved for cosmetic use in 2002, it was a hit and a single spoonful of Schantzs toxin, highly diluted, was enough to fill the first ten years of Allergans therapeutic and aesthetic orders. It is so potent that ingesting one millionth of a gram of Botox is enough to cause lung paralysis and death. But dilute it sufficiently, and one billionth of a gram injected into muscle can safely smooth out wrinkles. Plastic surgeons fretted that Botox shots would cut into their facelift business and film directors were certain it was destroying actors ability to show emotion. But Botox ultimately prompted frenzy among those determined to preserve the relaxed visage of youth and, for dermatologists, it was the pay day they had been waiting for. Botox, the most popular cosmetic surgical treatment in the world, has made many of them wealthy. Today jabs are available at beauty spas and hairdressers. No one certainly not President Roosevelt, who first green-lighted botulinum research could have foreseen that. What I hope, and the reason for making the film, is that it can be taken seriously. Ive made it my career to give legitimacy to subjects often treated as fluffy. After all, the war against ageing is one well be waging for a very long time to come. Weapon of Beauty is being produced by Joan Krons Parvenu Ventures in partnership with The Documentary Group. Manhunt The Night Stalker ITV, Monday-Thursday Rating: Endeavour ITV, Sunday Rating: If there is any TV series that does a better job of re-enacting true crime than ITVs Manhunt I do not know it, and would wish you to tell me of it. But I think we all know it doesnt exist. This is the second series written by Ed Whitmore as based on the memoirs of DCI Colin Sutton. The first, shown in 2019, dramatised the investigation that led to the capture of serial killer Levi Bellfield. Here, its the hunt for the serial burglar and rapist who targeted elderly women in South East London, had been active since 1992, and now its 2009. Call for Sutton! Actually, this is exactly what the high-ups do, as the current investigation is getting nowhere and a fresh eye might be whats required. Colin Sutton is played by Martin Clunes (above), brilliantly. Truly, a career best. Sutton is watchful and determined and occasionally drily funny Sutton does not arrive with any dazzling superpowers. He does not bristle with genius like Holmes or Poirot, say. He does not wear a cape. He is, instead, a good, solid, stubbornly dogged copper who arrives with just an A4 hardbound notebook and the backpack that, from appearances, looks as if it could have been borrowed from Unforgottens Sunny. (Has anyone seen Sunny lately and did he have his backpack with him?) This opened as it did not mean to go on distressingly, with one of the first victims whimpering in her bedroom cupboard after an attack, as discovered by her daughter. We later heard testimonies from women who had been raped (a hard watch; one was 89) but the opening was as explicit as this ever got, so it never felt exploitative, which is always the danger. We also learned the modus operandi of the perpetrator: remove window pane, cut telephone wire, unscrew lightbulbs and leave in kitchen sink, line up the victims ornaments outside. Who has been doing this for 17 years? Who? Right from the off the story-telling is so gripping you will desperately want to find out and you will itch to Google the outcome but dont. (I didnt. However, my self-discipline was sorely tested.) Sutton is played by Martin Clunes, brilliantly. Truly, a career best. Sutton is watchful and determined and occasionally drily funny, yet you wouldnt say he was charismatic but somehow, in Cluness hands, he is. And if Sutton has a talent its in knowing what the police shouldnt be focusing on, like all that DNA swabbing. A few scenes showed him at home with his lovely wife (Claudie Blakley) but this is overwhelmingly a police procedural. Its about the grunt work, the mounds of boring paperwork and the budget constraints. There are moments of melodrama: a car chase, a chase on foot, a woman waking up to a noise downstairs. But mostly this is patient, unflashy, yet paced so skilfully its exciting. The ATM. The carton of orange juice. The silver Zafira. That major surveillance operation, night after night (youll understand if you watched). It was also an affecting meditation on ageing, with Suttons retirement drawing near and, as the family liaison officer put it at the end: would the perpetrator have been caught sooner if the victims had been younger? It was completely satisfying. But if you know of a TV series that does a better job no, you dont. The Morse prequel, Endeavour, is now set in the 1970s and while its beloved by many I wish theyd spend less time on the mise-en-scene flares, Chopper bikes and more on the plot. Young Morse is, of course, played by Shaun Evans (above), who is also starring in Vigil over on BBC1. Have I got this right? Vigil has been infiltrated by Russian assets This week there were three murders connected to blue films Blimey! as DCI Thursday (Roger Allam) put it and it was partly set in a nudist colony, for no good reason whatsoever. Perhaps the writer, Russell Lewis, wanted to challenge ITVs props department with all those judiciously placed beach balls, fruit bowls and books. He is certainly a cheeky writer. There are little in-jokes in every episode. The name of this episodes window cleaner, Lee Timothy, is that of the main character from Confessions Of A Window Cleaner, more or less. (Timothy Lea). One client of the taxi company is a Mr Benn of 52 Festive Avenue so its that Mr Benn, the one from our childhoods. There is some fun in this but otherwise Endeavour is laboured and plodding, plus Morse needs to cheer up. He and Joan Thursday need their heads knocking together as do James and Helen in All Creatures Great And Small and this business of discovering that the killer is a character weve been asked to pay scant attention to for almost the full two hours feels like such a swizz. Young Morse is, of course, played by Shaun Evans, who is also starring in Vigil over on BBC1. Have I got this right? Vigil has been infiltrated by Russian assets and Britains nuclear defence is under threat but still the investigation is primarily being led by DS Kirsten Longacre? Has anyone thought to tell counter-terrorism in London yet? Did I get that right? Possibly not. It is spectacularly complicated after all. (Also, DS Longacre, with Britains security under threat, should you be taking the morning off to deliver a birthday present? I think not.) Blithe Spirit Harold Pinter Theatre, London Until November 6, 2hrs 30mins Rating: The Dresser Theatre Royal Bath Touring until February 19, 2hrs 25mins Rating: East Is East Birmingham Repertory Theatre 2hrs 20mins Rating: The role of potty spiritualist medium Madame Arcati in Noel Cowards sublime supernatural farce is theatrical catnip for a comic actress, so much so that this 1941 play rarely seems far from the stage. Here, Jennifer Saunders reprises her role in Richard Eyres 2019 production, making a Covid-delayed West End transfer. What a welcome return it is. Saunders earns every absolutely fabulous accolade the part won her. She blends dead-straight delivery with absurd swooping, squeaking vocal acrobatics and daffy physical ones, ending up legs akimbo on the floor. Here, Jennifer Saunders (above, with Geoffrey Streatfeild) reprises her role in Richard Eyres 2019 production, making a Covid-delayed West End transfer Cowards plot Charles conjures the ghost of his glamorous but morally untidy first wife Elvira in a seance, to the ire of jealous second wife Ruth goes by like magic in this fluffy, frothy production. Both Geoffrey Streatfeild as Charles and Lisa Dillon as Ruth offer amusingly escalating exasperation. While Madeleine Mantock couldnt be more mischievously seductive as Elvira ravishingly costumed and lit in shimmering silver and blue she never quite fleshes out a character who could be more than just a beautiful spectre. But the evening really belongs to Saunders. What a pleasure it is to see her find the perfect, well, medium for her huge comic talents. There are more plum roles on offer in another revival: Ronald Harwoods 1980 play The Dresser, about a grand old actor and his dresser, has become a bankable modern classic. Terry Johnsons new production has the sort of casting that makes you go oh, of course: Matthew Kelly hamming it up as the colossally pompous Sir, about to play Lear for the 227th time, and Julian Clary cutting him down to size as his camp-as-Christmas dresser, Norman. Still, it initially feels a little uncertain, Clary rushing some moments and hesitant in others. Once Kelly arrives, they find firmer ground. Clary is a wistful, sibilantly soft-spoken Norman, revealing a tender undertow of melancholy. It reminds you that, although The Dresser is enduringly funny both parts get plenty of waspy, witty asides its also a mournful thing. Sir arrives in a tempest of unstoppable tears, in a Lear-worthy breakdown of his own. Kelly really does look on his last legs: red-faced and gurning, fingers splayed and trembling, child-like in his hopelessness. The Dressers 1942 wartime setting, where the production of King Lear almost doesnt open thanks to an air-raid, lands with particular potency a certain the show must go on spirit tugging on the heart-strings after the past year. Its 25 years since Ayub Khan Dins play East Is East, later made into a hit film, opened at Birmingham Rep. But Iqbal Khans anniversary production, playing at the National Theatre from October 7, feels like its yet to find the right tone. Its 25 years since Ayub Khan Dins play East Is East, later made into a hit film, opened at Birmingham Rep (Noah Manzoor, above) Broad, almost sitcom style humour abounds in a portrait of a British-Pakistani family in Salford in the 1970s. It is warm but wincingly unsentimental some might say un-PC in its look at multiculturalism. But even when the second half lurches into darker territory, with the tyrannical patriarch beating his family although Tony Jayawardenas performance remains purely comic that of a loveable old rogue, not damaging abuser. The Quiet Zone Stephen Kurczy Dey Street Books 20 Rating: Imagine a world where your life wasnt disrupted by a constant ping of emails, you spoke to your partner rather than WhatsApping them, and your kids werent glued to TikTok. Thats the promise of the town of Green Bank, deep in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States. Its a place where Wi-Fi and mobile phones are banned, and even microwaves and automatic flushing toilets are confined to restricted areas. Green Bank, in West Virginia, is home to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, where scientists search for the secrets of the universe. For a tenmile radius, all devices that emanate radio frequencies are banned in order not to disrupt the observatorys telescopes. Green Bank, in West Virginia, is home to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (above), where scientists search for the secrets of the universe This means that many who are sick of digital connectivity or believe they are sick because of digital connectivity flock there. The American journalist Stephen Kurczy, who had resisted having a mobile phone for ten years, was drawn to a place that seemed to offer freedom from our hyper-connected lives. It did not occur to me, he wrote, that a community bathed in quiet could be anything but idyllic. But in the four years that he spent visiting there, he discovered that the Quiet Zone was far from quiet. In fact, nearly everyone in the town has Wi-Fi even the man whose job it is to roam around town searching for infractions of the ban and Green Bankers thought he was the odd one out not having a mobile. What Kurczy stumbled on instead was a place where people have things they want to keep quiet: international eavesdropping by the National Security Agency, a neo-Nazi headquarters, sex cults and unsolved murders, as well as Hunter Patch Adams the clown doctor made famous by the Robin Williams film. As one resident put it succinctly, the place is a magnet for weirdos. The book unfolds gradually and at times can feel slow-moving and overresearched rather like the town itself which is frequently deluged with journalists. The most gripping parts are the vivid descriptions of the electrosensitives who are convinced they feel ill when exposed to iPhones or smart meters and Kurczys dogged pursuit of those involved in the National Alliance, a crumbling white supremacist organisation which made its headquarters there. But Kurczy did not want his book to be a gawp at moonshiners and hillbillies: his aim was to see whether its possible for us to have a healthier relationship with technology if you restrict access to it. There are no easy answers. If you want evidence that switching off completely from technology is desirable or even possible, you wont find it in this book although Kurczy supplies touching accounts of how a close-knit community can function offline. He concludes that what we should find most worrying is not whether radio waves can damage our health, but the fact that extremists like the white supremacists he met no longer need a physical place like Green Bank to spread their messages of hate, now they have the internet. That, he concludes, is the real invisible pollution we should fear. Index, A History Of The Dennis Duncan Allen Lane 20 Rating: Few readers of books ever give much thought to the index and who might have compiled it. Its a place to dip into, to get your bearings and to remind yourself where youre going and where youve been. Yet the index has its own fascinating history. And Dennis Duncan is just the man to write it. Duncan likes indexes so much he admits to being brought close to tears of rapture upon examining for himself a priceless early example (the most intense experience that I have had of the archival sublime he waxes). In Roman times, the word index referred merely to a label displaying author and title affixed to the edge of a scroll so that someone could tell what it was without having to unroll the blessed thing (the same sort of label was known to the ancient Greeks as a sillybos giving us the word syllabus). Yet by the 19th Century the index had not only become an essential component of books and periodicals, but had also acquired its own potency (a mock index written in a satirical work about Richard Bentley, the Kings librarian, by a hated rival itemises thus; Bentley; His egregious dulness p.74, His Pedantry from p. 93 to 99, and His familiar acquaintance with Books that he never saw, p 76.) By 1877 such was the craze for the humble index that a society was formed to promulgate its objectives (though ironically the societys first publication lacked an index). From the Roman Empire to the age of the search engine and hashtag, Duncans enthusiasm for his subject leavens what could be a subject as dusty as the shelves of any reference library; yet this remains a serious book for serious bibliophiles. As for the multitude of anonymous compilers who toil away at this neglected literary form, Duncan hopes his own work may serve as a wreath laid at the tomb of these unknown readers. Michael Simkins Downfall of Mr McPoison: How Gordon Brown's king of the dirty tricks was sent spinning out of No10 Out: Spinner McBride fell on his sword after becoming 'the story' When Gordon Brown swept into Downing Street promising to govern without spin, all those who knew his ruthless right-hand man Damian McBride allowed themselves a wry smile. It was not for nothing that Cambridge-educated McBride was known to friends and enemies alike as Mad Dog. Others called him McPoison. He was hard-drinking, hard-working and obsessed with advancing the cause of his boss; Mr Brown had come to depend utterly on his young adviser's mastery of the dark arts of media manipulation. Though McBride and Alastair Campbell disdained each other, McBride had many similarities to Tony Blair's former spin doctor, who subjugated the civil service with scant regard for its long-cherished impartiality. McBride was given a virtually free hand in both the Treasury and Downing Street to bully journalists seen to have stepped out of line, plant stories with those in favour and - most crucially - destroy Mr Brown's enemies. Those who displeased him could expect abusive text messages and phone calls at any hour of the day or night. 'I just wish for once you'd try to get past your cynical, Tory, halfwit Harold Lloyd schtick to try and be a genuine journalist,' read a typical text to the chief political correspondent of The Times, Anthony Browne, who had the temerity to question Mr Brown's record on pensions shortly before leaving to run Policy Exchange. 'It's presumably cos of your inability to do so that you're off to earn a crust at some Tory think-tank instead. Pathetic.' McBride became a Treasury civil servant after graduating from Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he is remembered as academically brilliant but already politically obsessive. Nick Perry, a Cambridge contemporary who is now contesting the Parliamentary seat of Hastings for the LibDems, remembers beating McBride's candidate in an election for the Junior Common Room in the mid-1990s. 'Afterwards I got two pages of abuse from him written in red ink - two sheets of tiny, spidery writing,' Perry said. 'It was quite shocking. Peterhouse is a small college and quite close knit, and lots of people in my year wouldn't give him the time of day after that. It was sad.' McBride came to Mr Brown's notice when, in 2000, he masterminded the Treasury's response to the fuel protests. Friends: Draper, his wife Kate Garraway and McBride His performance was impressive and he went on to become head of communications at the Treasury and then Mr Brown's special adviser. In Downing Street, he was rewarded with the plum position of the Prime Minister's press and political spokesman - one of the most powerful positions in No 10. Despite his taxpayer-funded status as a civil servant, McBride - like all those in Mr Brown's obsessively close-knit inner circle - demanded absolute loyalty to the Brownite 'cause'. 'You were either with them or you were against them,' said one senior Labour figure. 'There were no shades of grey. Once you'd stepped out of line, you were out for ever, and they'd stop at nothing to destroy you.' McBride and other members of Mr Brown's coterie came to be blamed by ministers for picking off perceived rivals to the Labour crown one by one. Friends of David Miliband, for example, had little doubt who orchestrated attacks on the 'disloyal' Foreign Secretary when he stepped out of line last summer. 'Anybody who was potentially a rival to Gordon would suddenly find lots of negative stories about them in the press,' said one insider. 'Whether it was David Blunkett, Alan Milburn or John Reid, and then David Miliband, a lot of people would say those stories have come from Damian.' According to lobby journalists, McBride would also boast privately of 'destroying' the careers of civil servants or special advisers working for ministers who displeased Mr Brown. Embarrassing details would find their way into the pages of friendly newspapers until the offending party had little choice but to look for a new job. 'He used to speak about "doing people in" and how it was most effective when they didn't even realise what was happening to them,' said another figure familiar with McBride's tactics. 'The tragedy was he was much better at attacking people on our own side than he ever was at getting a handle on Cameron and Osborne, as this puerile stuff that has now emerged demonstrates.' For the dwindling rump of Blairites, McBride became public enemy number one. They never forgave him for masterminding the war with Tony Blair that was designed to force him from No 10 in favour of Mr Brown. Friends of Mr Blair complained bitterly that McBride and Mr Brown's other henchmen would stop at nothing in their campaign to undermine the then Prime Minister. One contentious example came when, at the height of controversy over Mr Blair's stubborn refusal to say if his son Leo had had the MMR jab on the grounds of medical privacy, Treasury sources provocatively let it be known that Mr Brown had had his child vaccinated. Journalists who were seen as having been too close to Mr Blair were also left in little doubt that they would not prosper under a Brown regime. Despite his high-profile role in Downing Street, McBride, whose girlfriend is also a Whitehall press officer, proved reluctant to abandon the shadowy techniques he had perfected at the Treasury. Contacts were invited to long lunches or big-screen viewings of his beloved Arsenal in Westminster hostelries, where they were drip-fed information the Brown machine wanted disseminated. Before this weekend's furore, he was seen by many as a brilliant operator, able to defuse controversy by deploying alternative stories to shift the attention of the media. Labour insiders believe Mr Brown's public image would be much worse without McBride's advice; the magazine PR Week put him in the top ten of Britain's spin doctors, alongside Matthew Freud and Max Clifford. So trusted was he by the Prime Minister that he was asked to deal with personal PR of his wife, Sarah Brown, and had been responsible for a campaign to raise her profile to try to boost Mr Brown's flagging popularity. The beginning of the end came last autumn at Labour's party conference in Manchester, when speculation about a Cabinet rebellion against Mr Brown's leadership was at its pitch. With rumours whirling about the intentions of Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, McBride chose to pre-announce her resignation to bleary-eyed-hacks at 3.15am in a hotel bar. It was seen as a 'controlled explosion' by many Labour insiders, an attempt to flush out a minister who might otherwise have been persuaded to quit as part of a coordinated attempt to force Mr Brown from office. The late-night briefing was the last straw for several ministers, who demanded McBride's head. By that stage, he had become a lightning conductor for frustrations with the Prime Minister and was attracting blame for briefings which did not originate from him at all, but from other Brown partisans. Reluctantly, Mr Brown removed him from the front-line. But rather than dismissing him, he quietly shunted him into a prized backroom role in charge of strategy and planning. It was in that job that, with taxpayers footing the bill for his six-figure salary, he embarked on the catastrophically ill-judged smear campaign against the Tories that was to cost him his job and leave Downing Street in crisis. Insiders fear the exposure of dirty tricks and 'black ops' at the heart of Mr Brown's inner circle will fatally undermine the Prime Minister's attempts to claim the moral high ground over the Tories in his handling of the financial crisis. It has also shone a spotlight on the smear tactics of Mr Brown's most trusted confidants - and voters are unlikely to like what they see. Yorkshire Ripper journalist Ian Smith dies aged 62 Ian Smith, Daily Mail journalist, had several big scoops in his career, including composing a letter to the Moors murderers with Winnie Johnson, mother of one of the victims Former Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and The Times journalist Ian Smith has died aged 62 after a long battle with MS and, recently, cancer. He joined the Daily Mail's northern office in Manchester in the late 60's and quickly established himself as one of the paper's top reporters in the country. His determined news gathering style and easy manner with people won him some of the best exclusives of the era. Later, when he joined The Mail on Sunday, securing the memoirs of former Yorkshire Ripper squad leader Ron Gregory was hailed by then editor Stewart Steven as a journalistic coup which made a major contribution to the fledgling newspaper's rising circulation growth. Another massive hit came about through his friendship with Winnie Johnson, mother of one of the Moors Murders victims. The letters he composed for Mrs Johnson which went to Ian Brady and Myra Hindley pleading with them to reveal their secret burial sites went on to prompt the police to revisit the moors above Manchester and led to Supt Peter Topping's search party recovering the body of victim Pauline Reade some 22 years ago. Winnie Johnson (centre), the mother of one of Myra Hindley's victims, 12-year-old Keith Bennett. Ian Smith gained her confidence and helped her appeal to Ian Brady and Myra Hindley to reveal where Keith was buried Known as 'Smithy' to his friends, he was a feared adversary in the cut and thrust of the press pack but a loyal colleague and friend and always generous with advice and encouragement for young journalists. He is survived by wife Liz, two daughters Katy and Anna, and stepsons Tim and Steven. The funeral will take place on Tuesday April 21st at 1-30pm at Altrincham Crematorium in Cheshire. Afterwards, there will be a service of thanksgiving at Holy Angels Church, Hale Barns, Cheshire, at 2-30pm. Liz asks that instead of flowers, donations might be made in Ian's memory to The UK Multiple Sclerosis Tissue Bank: The UK Multiple Sclerosis Tissue Bank, Division of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN. website www.ukmstissuebank.imperial.ac.uk Lenders remain tough on loan to value deals First-time buyers and homeowners with only a small amount of equity in their property who want to move or remortgage should have greater choice after the launch of new loan deals. But the cost of mortgages is still high for those without a large deposit. Saffron Building Society last week launched a two-year fixed rate at 5.89 per cent that is available to borrowers with at least a ten per cent deposit. Cheltenham & Gloucester, part of Lloyds TSB Group, also introduced a two-year tracker loan and a two-year fix for borrowers with a ten per cent deposit or more. But the rates are high at 6.99 per cent to fix and a starting pay rate of 5.99 per cent on the tracker. The deals are not available for those who want to remortgage their homes. Only two lenders offered Craig Ashton a mortgage on a low deposit There are other new deals that are aimed at borrowers with little equity in their homes who need to remortgage. Abbey, owned by Spanish bank Santander, has said it will offer lower rates to Abbey and Alliance & Leicester current account customers who have held an account for more than six months. The deals go up to 90 per cent loan to value (LTV) for those taking fixed rates. Nationwide, which last week reported a sharp plunge in half-year profits, has also said it will lend up to 90 per cent LTV on fixed and tracker deals to those borrowers who have its FlexAccount current account. Coventry Building Society has also said it will help existing mortgage customers who have to move house, for example because of a job change to another area. They will be able to borrow up to a maximum of 125 per cent LTV. However-the deal has many restrictions and borrowers must have an excellent credit history. David Black, mortgage expert at financial data analyst Defaqto, says that moves by lenders to improve deals at higher LTVs are a positive sign. But he warns that the market remains tough. 'Hopefully, there will now be a domino effect, with other lenders launching more competitive rates for those with only a small deposit at their disposal,' he says. 'Lending volumes remain low, so things are still tough out there for borrowers. And rates are much higher for those with little equity.' Melanie Bien, director at mortgage broker Savills Private Finance, says tactics such as offering special mortgage deals to existing bank customers, such as those introduced by Abbey and Nationwide, make good business sense for the lender because they tie the borrower in. They could also help many struggling homeowners. 'Borrowers who opt for one of these deals may face some hassle in moving their current account, but if it means you can get a mortgage when you would not otherwise be able to, it may be worth doing,' she says. David Hollingworth, mortgage expert at broker London & Country Mortgages in Bath, Somerset, says the difference in mortgage rates at 60 per cent LTV and 90 per cent, for example, has never been wider (see report, above). He says: 'There is still a price gulf between deals depending on a borrower's level of equity. 'It is not surprising that more borrowers have stuck with a lender's standard variable rate after finishing a fixed-rate deal because high LTV rates are simply not attractive.' Craig Ashton, 34, a project managerfor a credit card company, bought his first home with his wife, Jane, 30, in May. The couple say they were frustrated by the lack of mortgage choice available to them because they had only a 15 per cent deposit, but they managed to secure a fixed rate at less than six per cent. 'There were just two lenders willing to offer us a mortgage,' says Craig, whose new home is in Grassendale, Liverpool. 'We wanted to fix for peace of mind, but we paid a premium because our deposit was small.' Craig and Jane decided on a twoyear fixed rate at 5.89 per cent with Cheltenham & Gloucester, part of Lloyds TSB, and paid a 1,094 fee for the loan. C&G's rates at 85 per cent LTV are now higher. Victory in Bulgaria for ski flat Britons: Inventors win back keys to their property Journey: Paul Hassell, pictured with his wife Sharon, will be delighted the battle to reclaim his property is over A group of Britons who faced arrest and threats of violence during a two-year dispute over the ownership of flats they had bought in a Bulgarian ski resort have finally won their case. The 70 investors have gained access to the apartment block in the former Communist state as well as securing the title deeds to their flats, which they had purchased for 6 million. The resolution of the dispute is considered so significant that Britains most senior diplomat in the country will attend a party next weekend at the All-Seasons leisure complex in the town of Bansko, 120 miles south of the capital Sofia. The owners were denied entry after an influential local businessman took over the entire development and refused to hand over the keys. The Britons staged a mass break-in to seize possession of the block but in a series of court cases their pleas for justice were ignored. Financial adviser Paul Hassall, from Horsham, West Sussex, who was arrested twice by Bulgarian police during the campaign to get the flats back, said: The British Consul says this is the first time a group of British victims of property crime in Bulgaria have united and won their case. Tens of thousands of people are having companies set up in their name by fraudsters who then use the details to take out loans or swindle consumers. Victims forever live in fear of debt collectors and the police linking them to dodgy companies and loans. This growing type of fraud, part of a wider criminal epidemic sweeping the country, is being met with no resistance from Companies House, the country's official register of more than four million limited companies. Despite promises by the Government to beef up its powers, Companies House is powerless to check the veracity of information supplied by anyone forming a new company. Increase: Tens of thousands of people are having companies set up in their name by fraudsters who then use the details to take out loans or swindle consumers The result, one expert told The Mail on Sunday, is a fraudster's paradise. Fraud is now reaching shocking levels in the UK. The amount stolen through such scams surged by 30 per cent in the first half of this year to 754million. For months, the MoS has campaigned for urgent action to 'Nail the Scammers', including co-ordinated action by the police, Government and banks to tackle the crimewave head on. Identity fraud the type being perpetrated by those setting up companies in the name of innocent consumers has surged. Recorded cases are up a quarter in the first half of this year. Experts believe this is in part due to fraudsters finding ways to get their hands on financial assistance offered to legitimate struggling businesses during the pandemic. One victim is Michael Waller, 77, a director of a specialist print company in Kent. 'I was shocked to receive a letter from Companies House in May congratulating me on becoming the director of newly-formed business Capital Financing Ltd,' he says. 'It said that as director, I was legally responsible for running it.' Michael had never heard of Capital Financing, does not know what it does (if anything), or who is behind it, and now faces a battle to get his details removed. So far, Michael is not aware of any loans taken out in his name. But he fears it is only a matter of time. How can this happen? Facilitating this increase in identity fraud is the ease with which anyone can set up a company in the UK. Someone is able to register a business at Companies House in minutes for just 12 without having to provide proof of identification. There is also little to stop fraudsters inputting any information they like for example, details about the alleged directors of the business and their addresses. The register is littered with false and fraudulent information. A quick search reveals that registered company directors include Adolf Tooth Fairy Hitler and Stalin Stalin. Companies House simply registers whatever information is provided it has no legal power to check or question it. In fact, Martin Swain, director of strategy, policy and external communications at Companies House, recently admitted: 'Even though, sometimes, we know that the information is incorrect or potentially fraudulent, the registrar is legally required to register it.' After Michael Waller was fraudulently registered as a company director, he decided to set up a company himself to see how easy it was to do. He was not asked for identification and with help from his computer-savvy grandson, the firm, called Fraud Prevent Limited, was registered in 29 minutes. Tony Hetherington, The Mail on Sunday's consumer champion, says: 'The flaw with Companies House is that it is no more than a library. It relies on everyone being honest, which is not the case.' Informing Companies House that information about a registered company is incorrect is a waste of time, he says. Once information is accepted by Companies House, it gains an air of legitimacy. Banks, for example, will often use it to help them verify details about a company, its accounts and directors. Helena Wood is an associate fellow at the Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies at the Royal United Services Institute in London. She says: 'The Companies House register is not fit for purpose and we need action to fix it. 'There has been a lot of heel-dragging from the Government which has left victims exposed to identity fraud. It has compromised the UK's reputation as a place to do business.' There is a plan to beef up the powers of Companies House. Wood says details must be included in the Queen's Speech next year. She adds: 'Either the Government doesn't understand that poor Companies House oversight is fuelling a fraud issue, or it does understand, but is willing to prioritise the ease of doing business in the UK.' Wood believes more people will discover they have companies fraudulently registered in their name in the coming months. 'It is likely companies were set up in other people's names to fraudulently claim billions of pounds of bounce back loans and other financial support during the pandemic,' she says. 'It would not have been as easy to abuse the system if Companies House could have carried out proper checks.' Lenders do not normally rely on Companies House data to award a loan. But during the pandemic, when it was vital to provide a cash lifeline to struggling businesses, standards dropped. Loan fraud will cost taxpayers tens of billions of pounds, the Public Accounts Committee of MPs has warned. How fraudsters operate their scams Once a fraudster has set up a company in someone else's name, a wealth of opportunity for criminal activity suddenly opens up. They may use the new company to apply for loans or bursaries they have no intention of repaying. The fraudsters remain anonymous, so they will not be on the hook for the loans. Thankfully, victims will not be asked to pay the loans back once they show that their information was fraudulently used without their knowledge. But if someone appears to be associated with a bogus company, it can compromise the reputation of any genuine business of which they are a director. WE NEED ACTION TO STOP SCAMS NOW If Companies House verified the information it received from those wishing to set up a business, it would go a long way to cracking down on fraud. Readers' Champion Tony Hetherington believes that anyone who registers a company should be required to provide their National Insurance number. Companies House could then use this to check with Revenue & Customs that they are who they say they are. 'It would also stop fraudsters registering company directors who are dead or emigrated years ago, as happens today,' he says. James Jones, at credit reference agency Experian, says anyone worried that their personal information may have been used to commit a fraud can contact fraud prevention service Cifas to ask for a warning flag to be added to their credit file held by the main credit reference agencies. He adds: 'A warning flag can delay a genuine application for credit, but it may be worthwhile if it prevents someone fraudulently taking out a loan in your name.' Companies House offers a free service, PROOF, that allows directors to protect their firm from unauthorised changes to its records. Victims also face a struggle to have fraudulent details removed from the register. In some instances, Companies House will delete information, although it takes weeks. Some fraudulent information can only be removed with a court order. Amber Burridge is head of financial intelligence at fraud prevention service Cifas. She warns there is a second sinister reason why fraudsters may set up companies in someone else's name. She says: 'Criminals may use the listing of a company at Companies House to add an air of legitimacy to a fraud campaign they are running. 'Many consumers trust organisations which are listed. So, by registering a business, criminals can often defraud more individuals.' At most risk are genuine company directors, of whom Michael Waller is one. They are targeted because they often have good credit records so a loan applied for in their name has a high chance of approval. Company directors also have their personal details full name, address, month and year of their birth listed at Companies House. These are freely available for anyone to see and use. Almost one in five victims of impersonation fraud are company directors, according to research by fraud prevention service Cifas. Helen Shorthouse, 59, from London, is a director of several legitimate property companies. She recently discovered she had been fraudulently named the director of a new company, Helen ST Ltd. She's now very worried that a loan will be taken out in her name or that the police will knock on her door because she is the director of a fraudulent company. 'It has been upsetting,' she says. 'I contacted Companies House, but it would not take responsibility. It directed me to Action Fraud, but it was uninterested because no crime had yet been committed.' After a week when the nation has been unhappily exposed to Britain's appalling energy security, events 7,000 miles away in China may appear remote from ordinary lives. As we learned from Covid, what begins in China should never be ignored. The potential implosion of the Evergrande property empire is not life-threatening. But there is a risk that, similarly to the collapse of Long-Term Capital Management in the 1990s and Lehman Brothers in 2008, it could develop into a financial shock. A sign of the times: As we learned from Covid, what begins in China should never be ignored China's remarkable emergence as the world's second-largest economic power unleashed a Wild West-style capitalism as far from Marxism as one could imagine. The current supreme leader Xi Jinping is clear that he thinks rampant capitalism has gone too far. In the last ten days President Xi has sought to crush the money-leaking casino culture of Macau and tackled the exuberance of bitcoin and crypto-currency. So far he has shown minimal inclination to regard a collapse of Evergrande as a case of too big to fail. What those of us in the West will recognise is that most financial crises have roots in property. There is a propensity among bankers and speculators to think that the only route for the price of real estate is northwards. Evergrande casts a light upon how very little we know about China's byzantine financial system. It shows why Western institutions need to be super-cautious about becoming too entangled. Banking assets in China are estimated at $50trillion (36trillion) and that's before the enormous and unregulated shadow finance system is considered. Credit provided to households and consumers rocketed from 178 per cent of total output a decade ago to 287 per cent today. Evergrande is at the vortex of this credit tornado. It owes $305billion (223billion) to lenders, and investors fear a collapse could send shockwaves through Chinese markets and beyond. The origins of the current precariousness is a debt ratio cap imposed on the Chinese property sector last year. The restrictions forced Evergrande and others into a sale of land in a falling market as they sought to meet new rules. The clampdown is having a destabilising impact in China and Hong Kong not dissimilar to the US sub-prime mortgage meltdown which was at the core of the 2008 financial crisis. Local governments in China are estimated to account for 89 per cent of government spending. They derive 40 per cent of their revenues from land sales. A hit to underlying asset values and loans made to real estate projects could cascade through the whole economy, potentially triggering a series of collapses. The only encouraging aspect of this is that Evergrande's debt, unlike the repackaged and securitised mortgages of 2008, does not appear to have been scattered across global banking system like cluster bombs ready to detonate at the same time. A relatively modest $20billion (14.6billion) of the debt is reckoned to be with offshore banks. A default would mean some very damaging write-offs for regional lenders but should be containable. It is the impact on global confidence which is most worrying and at times in the last week, as payments have been missed or made, markets have been roiled. China's central bank has sought to limit disruption by following the classic remedy of injecting cash into the money markets. Evergrande has missed a critical bond interest payment and stands on the brink of default. The rickety foundations of Chinese finance haunt us all. Georgieva's error China could cost the managing director of the International Monetary Fund her job. In her previous role as chief executive at the World Bank, Kristalina Georgieva is accused of pressurising staff in 2017 into boosting the country's position in the 'doing business' rankings an effort to court Beijing as the Bank sought new capital. Even innocent observers could not but notice how successive leaders of both institutions have curried favour by obsessively calling on state-controlled Chinese media at press briefings on the global economy. Georgieva disputes the findings of an independent report by a law firm. But integrity of research and data lies at the core of what the Bretton Woods institutions do. We have to create a more robust economy. In the past few days, we have had more small energy companies go bust, a huge surge in gas prices, warnings of a rise in food prices at Christmas from Tesco, BP petrol stations running out of fuel and warnings of food shortages. We have also had fears there won't be enough fireworks for bonfire night or enough Christmas trees and, to cap it all, two crumpet factories having to shut down because of the shortage of CO2. This is ridiculous. It is all very well to talk of our electricity industry being hit by several problems at the same time: the rise in global gas prices, a fire that has put one of the connecting cables with France out of action, too little wind, nuclear plants undergoing maintenance and so on. Rethink: If the shelves really are empty over Christmas, Government will get the blame However, that begs a string of questions, such as why have we not built more gas storage? Is it really a good idea to import so much power from France? Why are delivery drivers not paid more? And, so on. Besides, we all know that the wind sometimes does not blow. It was all very well to try to introduce more competition into the gas and electricity industries but the way it has been done is to allow lots of tiny enterprises, often with inadequate financial backing, to offer cut-price deals to gullible customers, only to go under when things turn tough. And it is all very well to blame the shortage of HGV drivers on supply problems, but this is a longstanding problem as not enough young people have been taking up licences. Maybe they should be paid more. This is not just a matter for Britain. All around the world there are supply-chain issues. German car plants have had to cut production because of shortages of computer chips. Bank of America has just warned about the problems in the US, saying that 'Christmas for retail will very much be about empty shelves'. One of the reasons why Russia is restricting its gas exports to Europe is that it has to rebuild domestic stocks first, as they have been run right down. So what's to be done? Companies all over the world have spent 30 years and more focusing on squeezing down costs rather than building security of supply. So small local plants have been shut in favour of some giant factory on the far side of the world. Warehouses have switched to just-in-time operations, and stocks have been minimised. The UK has been particularly hard hit, with the relentless rundown of manufacturing for a generation, but we did not realise how fragile things were until the pandemic struck. Now the mood has changed. There are three main ways in which companies are trying to reorganise themselves. One is to buy locally. Of course, there are some products we will always have to import. You can grow pineapples in a heated greenhouse in UK, but it makes more sense to import them from somewhere warmer. But there are lots of products that are made here and one of the side-effects of Brexit disruption has been to encourage local suppliers. A second way of tackling one aspect of the problem, labour shortages, is to invest in more automation, something made easier by 5G telecom networks. A third is for companies with any spare logistical capacity to sell that to other enterprises, making the whole distribution system more efficient. All this will take time and cost money. Greening the economy is admirable, but that takes time and costs money too. A whole generation of managers who have spent their careers trying to screw down costs have to learn the new trick of creating a more robust, and more local, network of suppliers. There will be winners, including firms that manage their logistics skilfully, and specialist suppliers of top-end products. And there will be losers, companies that can't cope. It won't just be the third-rate energy companies that go under. The really big message here for businesses is that globalisation, the dominant force driving the world economy, is changing direction. Things had started to go more local before the pandemic struck, but now the shift has massively speeded up. The big message for governments is that they need to think about the consequences of every bit of legislation they bring in: does this make our economy more robust or less so? If the shelves really are empty over Christmas, they will get the blame too. 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. M. M. writes: You reported in January on the mystery of where investors' money had gone after it was put into bonds issued by Global Water Group. On paper, the firm looked safe and promising, but it went into liquidation and the liquidators have not been able to trace its assets. Have there been any developments? Convincing: Ross Perry ran Global Water, which lured investors in with carefully prepared adverts Tony Hetherington replies: Global Water Group, based in Cambridge, has graduated from a mystery to a scam. Questions that were unanswered in January have gradually produced answers that show the whole business was based on lies and false claims. It did indeed look good on paper, describing itself as a powerful network that included governments, academic institutions and pension funds. It is now clear there never was any such network. And it marketed interest-bearing bonds with the promise that investors' funds would be used to develop water technology. Instead, the money disappeared. The company only ever had two bosses. The first was Michael Livesey from Basildon in Essex. In October 2019 he handed over to Ross Perry, also from Basildon. And in May last year, Perry put the company into liquidation. There was no surprise in seeing a company linked to Perry going bust. He was a director of a scam carbon credit investment firm called London Green Financial, which collapsed in 2013. Before that, he was linked to Elite Asset Exchange, which marketed storage units as investments. It went bust in 2015. However, Global Water Group did get as far as filing accounts at Companies House. These showed the firm had paid 500,000 for an option to purchase land. There was nothing to say who had been paid this, or where the land was located, and it is now clear that the accounts signed by Livesey were false. The land deal was fictitious, designed to make the company look solid when in fact it was paper thin. The fake balance sheet and the false promises were simply bait to attract investors, who poured hundreds of thousands of pounds into the business. According to liquidator Carter Clark, the company has debts of 888,000, but only 85,621 was found in its bank accounts. It has instructed solicitors to see if they can recover any more money. So where did investors' cash end up? At least part of the answer is that 350,000 went to Perry who gambled with it and lost allegedly though I know that some investors suspect a large slice of their money has been salted away somewhere. The liquidator has handed its findings to Essex Police and assured me that they will co-operate with enquiries. It added: 'The issue of criminal proceedings is now one entirely for the police and a matter which is outside the control of the liquidator.' Officers at Essex Police themselves confirmed: 'We are investigating a suspected fraud and money laundering allegation in relation to the conduct of a business trading as Global Water Group Limited.' Anyone with information or evidence can contact me at The Mail on Sunday and I will pass it on to the investigation team. The police are not alone in taking a close look at this. The Insolvency Service has just slapped a ban on Michael Livesey from acting as the director of any company. The ban began on Tuesday and is in place for the next 11 years. Investigators found that while Livesey was in charge, investors pumped 640,275 into his business, of which 444,648 was withdrawn with no proper explanation. Perry and Livesey were both invited to comment, but said nothing and offered no answers. Short-changed: A. T. accepted Travelodge's suggestion of a credit voucher instead of a cash refund. Travelodge won't take vouchers it refunded A. T. writes: When cancelling a booking with Travelodge at Helensburgh, I accepted its suggestion of a credit voucher instead of a cash refund. But when I made a new booking, and then a further one, I was told the credit voucher could only be used once, and anything not spent on my first new booking was forfeited. Tony Hetherington replies: Lockdowns and travel restrictions have brought a surge in complaints from customers whose plans had to be put on hold. Your Helensburgh booking cost 234, which you could have reclaimed in cash, but Travelodge offered a voucher for 293, which you accepted. You told me that what Travelodge did not point out was that its terms and conditions say the voucher has to be spent all at once. You found this out the hard way, when you booked a trip to Harrogate costing 129, and were then told that even though you had originally paid 234 to Travelodge, the Harrogate visit was all you would get. Travelodge insists that its voucher terms are clear, but it has told me that as a gesture of goodwill it has refunded 105, the difference between the 234 you paid for the cancelled Helensburgh trip and the 129 you actually spent on the later Harrogate booking. 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. Sandy Chadha did not do well at school. Subjected to bullying and stymied by dyslexia, he left with no qualifications and joined his father's firm, Supreme, selling radios and watches in Manchester. That was just over 30 years ago and the business was struggling. Today, Supreme turns over more than 120million a year, it is valued at 220million and Chadha is determined to turn it into a 1billion business, following a listing on the London Stock Exchange's junior AIM market in February. The shares are 1.87 and should increase substantially in price as Chadha strives to achieve his ambition. Spending a fortune: Supreme's latest, and perhaps most ambitious, venture is a foray into the world of vitamins and wellness Chadha's big break came in the early 1990s when he started selling batteries. Whereas watches and radios were only stocked by certain retailers, batteries could be found in shops large and small, from corner stores to major DIY groups. Chadha sold his wares to as many as he could and Supreme prospered. The group then moved into licensing, signing contracts with the likes of Philips and JCB so batteries could be sold under these well-known firms' names. The deals, which persist to this day, give consumers the comfort of buying branded goods at a cut-price rate. The idea worked so well that Chadha moved into lightbulb licensing, with firms such as Eveready and Energizer. Today, Supreme sells more than 1,000 products under licence to thousands of stores, including discounters such as B&M and Home Bargains, as well as supermarkets such as Tesco, Morrisons and Asda. Some business owners would have been happy to stop there. But Chadha is a born entrepreneur and, in 2014, he came upon vaping, at that time still in its infancy. Calculating that this was another area where he could make a mark, Chadha decided to create Supreme's own brand, 88vape. The group is now a leader in the field, with 30 per cent of the market and growth of more than 10 per cent per year. From its headquarters in Trafford Park, Manchester, Supreme churns out about 300,000 bottles of vaping liquid a day, helping millions of smokers quit the habit. Supreme even counts the Prison and Probation Service as one of its leading customers. After a ban on smoking in jail sparked riots among nicotine-addicted convicts, the service agreed to allow e-cigarettes. Star supporter: Davina McCall promotes Supreme's vitamins With almost 100,000 inmates across the UK, at least 80 per cent of whom would count themselves as smokers, demand for vaping products is huge and prisoners' brand of choice is 88vape. Supreme's latest, and perhaps most ambitious, venture is a foray into the world of vitamins and wellness. British consumers were spending a fortune on vitamins and supplements even before the pandemic. Now they are buying even more, with sales of almost 1billion expected this year. Most of these pills and potions are vastly overpriced, so Chadha felt that the market was ripe for revolution. Having set up an online business for 88vape, he has done the same with vitamins, offering a year's supply of popular vitamins in plastic-free pouches for just 5. The company has created its own wellness brand, Sealions, and sales are growing at more than 30 per cent a year. Protein shakes and bars are on the agenda too and Chadha confidently expects to create a thriving online health shop in the next couple of years. At the same time, the company is launching a vitamin range for its retail customers. Known as Millions & Millions and fronted by TV personality Davina McCall, the brand is already on offer at discount stores and should be rolled out more widely later this year. To some observers, Supreme may seem to be moving too fast and in too many directions. But the group's results are strong and brokers are optimistic about the future. Turnover in the year to the end of March 2021 rose 33 per cent to 122million and the group is forecast to generate sales of 128million in this financial year, rising to 137million in 2022-3. Pre-tax profit fell slightly year on year to 13million, largely on the back of costs related to the listing on AIM in February, but the figures are expected to bounce back strongly. Supreme also intends to pay a dividend in this financial year and brokers have pencilled in 6.6p, rising to 7.6p the year after. Midas verdict: Supreme has grown steadily for three decades, never making a loss and borrowing almost nothing from the bank. But the best is yet to come. Chadha, who is in his early 50s, is a man of formidable energy and drive, his team is well chosen and the listing on AIM gives the business further impetus. At 1.87, the shares are a buy. Traded on: AIM Ticker: SUP Contact: supreme.co.uk or 0161 872 5151 Cash grab: The hike in dividend taxes will eat into the income of many households who rely upon divis to supplement their finances Shareholder dividends from UK listed companies are in bounce-back mode after the ending of lockdown restrictions and a recovery in the economy. But the prospect of an improved income from shares in the coming months and years has been dampened somewhat by the Government's latest tax assault on dividend income. Announced this month as part of measures to boost the National Health Service, the hike in dividend taxes will eat into the income of many households who rely upon regular divis to supplement their finances. It comes into force at the start of the new tax year in April. Moira O'Neill, head of personal finance at wealth manager Interactive Investor, describes the Government grab as 'a tax on the time poor and on the bereaved widow left with a pile of share certificates to sort through'. She says it will be the over55s the biggest holders of dividend-friendly companies such as AstraZeneca, BP and GlaxoSmith -Kline who will take the biggest hit. Analysis of the impact of these changes has been conducted for Wealth by wealth manager AJ Bell. Not only has it looked at the negative impact of the higher tax rates that kick in from April 6 next year, but it has also quantified the cumulative cost of tax changes to dividends and a reduction in the annual tax-free dividend allowance since the tax year starting April 2016. It does not make for pleasant reading. Once the latest changes kick in from April next year, the tax plundered from dividend income will have increased in some cases by more than 80 per cent, with basic rate taxpayers taking the biggest hit. For the tax year starting April 2016, investors enjoyed an annual dividend tax free allowance of 5,000. This meant that all dividend payments below this amount were protected from further tax and even then sums above it could still be tax-free if an investor had any remaining personal allowance available (the amount of income a person is allowed to receive without paying tax on it). On dividends above 5,000 and assuming no available personal allowance the tax rate varied according to whether an investor was a basic, higher or additional rate taxpayer. The rates were 7.5 per cent, 32.5 per cent and 38.1 per cent respectively. In April 2019, the tax rates stayed the same, but the annual dividend allowance was squeezed to 2,000. From April next year, the allowance stays the same, but the tax rates jump to 8.75 per cent, 33.75 per cent and 39.35 per cent respectively. AJ Bell has calculated (see table) that a basic rate taxpayer with 10,000 annual dividend income will have had to pay 375 of tax on this sum in the tax year starting April 2016, jumping to 600 in April 2019. In the next tax year, the tax bill will rise again to 700 an increase since the 2016 tax year of 87 per cent. For higher and additional rate taxpayers, the respective increases are 66 and 65 per cent. Laura Suter, AJ Bell's head of personal finance, says many investors are now facing a 'double tax squeeze' on their dividend income. It's a tax hit that Tom O'Brien, financial planner at wealth manager Brewin Dolphin, says investors should not underestimate. 'Commonly, the change has been announced as a 1.25 per cent increase, but in reality it is a tax increase of 16.67 per cent.' Jason Hollands, of wealth manager Tilney Smith & Williamson, is 'disappointed' to see taxes on dividends rising. 'We need to encourage long-term investing in the UK if we want a dynamic economy to flourish,' he says. Yet, he says many investors can avoid these higher taxes by transfering shares or funds into wrappers such as Isas and pensions where dividend taxes do not apply. This process is called 'bed and Isa' or 'bed and pension', but there are costs involved and capital gains tax may be payable. Married couples and civil partners can also switch shares and funds between each other so as to take advantage of two sets of dividend allowances. These are called 'interspousal transfers' and can be easily arranged by a wealth manager or broker. Shares in crisis-hit Chinese property firm Evergrande tumbled again yesterday after a key debt payment deadline was missed, reigniting fears that it could collapse. They fell nearly 12 per cent in Hong Kong after it failed to pay 61m in interest on some of its bonds, meaning that it now has 30 days to make the payment before being in default. The stock was boosted on Thursday after a deal over a separate 26m payment, but once again investors are on edge. Evergrande is the world's most indebted property developer, owing around 220billion. On the brink: Evergrande is the world's most indebted property developer, owing around 220billion It claims to have built homes for more than 12m people since being founded in 1996. But the firm has come under mounting pressure in recent months from falling sales, disputes with contractors and suspension of work at some sites. Its share price has plummeted since it warned in August that it may have trouble servicing its debt repayments, putting investors and millions of Chinese home buyers in limbo. Protesters have besieged Evergrande's Shenzhen headquarters to demand payment for homes and investments. There are fears that if the firm fails, and is not bailed out by the Chinese government, it will set off a domino effect across China's massive property market. Worries of 'contagion' have begun to hit other major Chinese property groups, with shares in Sunac China, based in Tianjin, near Beijing, dropping nearly 7 per cent yesterday after one of its offices warned of a 'radical change' in the real estate industry. Some analysts expect the crisis to deepen, with Danske Bank in Denmark saying the turmoil will 'get worse before it gets better'. However, analysts also expected the Chinese government to step in as the alternative could be 'a financial crisis with very severe effects on the economy and people'. Andrew Left, of Citron Research, said: 'The Evergrande situation was a long time coming and China needed to rid this from their system.' Pharma giant Astrazeneca was a top riser on the FTSE 100 yesterday after a strong week that saw it reporting positive clinical data for two cancer drugs. Data released yesterday from a clinical trial for its lynparza tablets showed a 'statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement' in the survival of men suffering from prostate cancer, it said. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with around one in eight in the UK diagnosed with it during their lifetime. It claims over 11,500 lives a year. Taking the lead: Since taking over in 2012 chief executive Pascal Soriot (pictured) has focused on launching blockbuster oncology drugs, boosting the share price 'Today, men with prostate cancer have limited options and sadly often the disease progresses after initial treatment with current standards of care,' said Susan Galbraith, Astra's vice-president of oncology research and development. 'These exciting results demonstrate the potential for lynparza... to become a new first-line option for patients... and reach a broad population of patients living with this aggressive disease. We look forward to discussing the results with global health authorities as soon as possible.' Lynparza is already approved in multiple countries including the US and Japan to treat breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancers. The clinical trial success could be highly lucrative, according to analysts at Jefferies, who said that the 30,000 to 50,000 patients suffering from the cancer in the US alone presented a 'significant commercial opportunity' of 2.2billion to 3.7billion in sales. Globally, the drug could be worth up to 7.3billion, they said. Analysts at Shore Capital said: 'This 'pipeline in a pill' model has been implemented successfully for numerous oncology assets in Astrazeneca's portfolio and we see the potential for other assets in development to achieve equally impressive results.' Since taking over in 2012 chief executive Pascal Soriot has focused on launching blockbuster oncology drugs, boosting the share price, which rose 2 per cent, or 177p, to 8845p yesterday. It is the second win in a week for Soriot and the drugs giant. On Monday, results from a phase III trial showed its cancer drug enhertu which is a collaboration between Astra and Daiichi Sankyo reduced the risk of disease progression and death by 72 per cent in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), also known as stage IV breast cancer, when the disease spreads to another part of the body. Galbraith said the enhertu results represented a 'potential paradigm shift in the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and illustrate the potential to transform more patient lives in earlier treatment settings'. It means that the drug is better at keeping patients alive without their tumours worsening than a drug developed by Roche, Astra's Swiss rival. MBC has a low survival rate, averaging at around three years. WPP has agreed to pay 14m to resolve a bribery case with regulators in the US. The world's largest advertising agency was accused of paying bribes to officials in India and taking part in other 'illicit schemes' in Peru, China and Brazil. WPP paid the sum to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the settlement means the case has been closed without it admitting or denying the organisation's findings. The bribes were said to have taken place in 2017, when WPP's founder Sir Martin Sorrell was still in charge. Paying a price: The world's largest advertising agency was accused of paying bribes to officials in India and taking part in other 'illicit schemes' in Peru, China and Brazil The SEC found that in some instances WPP bought majority stakes in companies without ensuring that they then followed compliance controls. One subsidiary in India kept bribing government officials in return for advertising contracts, even though WPP had received seven anonymous tip-offs about the company. Other claims included that in 2013 a Peruvian subsidiary funnelled funds through other WPP entities to disguise the source of funding for a political campaign in Peru. Charles Cain, head of the regulator's enforcement unit, which handles violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, said: 'A company cannot allow a focus on profitability or market share to come at the expense of appropriate controls.' Sorrell left WPP abruptly in 2018 following an alleged scandal involving a prostitute, which he denies. He founded the company in 1971 and built it into one of the world's biggest advertising agencies. After his departure from WPP he set up a new group focused on digital advertising called S4 Capital, which is also following an aggressive acquisitions strategy. WPP employs more than 100,000 people worldwide and has a rampant takeover strategy. A WPP spokesman said: 'WPP's new leadership has put in place robust new compliance measures and controls, fundamentally changed its approach to acquisitions, cooperated fully with the commission and terminated those involved in misconduct.' Peel Hunt is looking to cash in on the London stock market bonanza in a listing that values the broker at 280m. It has raised 112m ahead of a float that it will use to expand into Europe and invest in new technology. Peel Hunt's shares will begin trading on AIM on Wednesday at 228p. Its bumper listing is set to turn many of its 250 staff into paper millionaires, while chief executive Steven Fine could make 20m from his 7 per cent stake. Fine said he was 'delighted with the positive reception to our IPO, with strong support from institutional investors as well as retail investors'. Boost: Peel Hunt has raised 112m ahead of a float that it will use to expand into Europe and invest in new technology He added: 'I'm also extremely pleased that even more of our dedicated and talented staff are now shareholders following their participation in the employee share offer and would like to thank them for their commitment in making the business the success it is.' The decision to go public comes after its earnings have soared amid a frenzy of fundraisings and floats since the pandemic struck. Many companies rushed to raise cash during the start of the Covid crisis last year, while more recently there has been a surge in flotations and merger and acquisition activity as worries have eased. All of this has proved lucrative for brokers such as Peel Hunt that earn fees for advising their clients on deals and fundraisings. At the same time its platforms are behind a big portion of retail trades placed by small investors. Revenues at Peel Hunt rocketed to 197m in the 12 months to the end of March, up from 96m the year before. The group provides financial services such as broking, distributing research and advising on share sales for small and medium-sized listed companies. It is the second time the group will have been listed on the junior market. The company was briefly on AIM in 2000 before it was taken over by Belgian firm KBC Bank less than a year later. Peel Hunt was set up in 1989 by Charles Peel, a descendent of the founder of the Metropolitan Police, and Christopher Holdsworth Hunt. In 2010 bosses led a 74m management buyout that saw the company's top executives, staff and investors, including the insurance supremo Neil Utley, take over the business. Yesterday, Mexican fast food chain Tortilla also announced that it too plans to join AIM. The company, which has 62 sites in the UK and the Middle East, plans to open another 45 sites over the next five years. This will include several delivery-only kitchens. As well as London, it has branches in other UK cities such as Edinburgh and Exeter. Tortilla said it could benefit from an increasing number of empty shops that now have more affordable rents. China's state-owned energy firm is set to be booted out of Britain's 20billion Sizewell C nuclear power project 'within weeks', insiders say. Senior industry sources told The Mail on Sunday that Ministers are poised to formally bar any further Chinese involvement in the plant in Suffolk over security concerns. Losing the investment pledged by China's General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) would create a multi-billion pound funding hole for Sizewell C, which is 80 per cent owned by France's EDF. Change of plan: Losing the investment pledged by China's General Nuclear Power Group would create a multi-billion pound funding hole for Sizewell C It is understood the Treasury is examining plans for pension funds to plug the gap. The attraction for asset managers would be steady long-term returns once Sizewell C starts producing electricity. The decision comes with Britain in an energy crisis caused by soaring gas prices. Energy experts say the chaos has been caused, in part, by unusually light winds and underlines why the UK must build nuclear plants to provide a reliable source of clean energy. The future of China's involvement in the Sizewell C plant has been in doubt for some time. This month's Aukus security pact between Australia, the UK and US aimed at countering China is understood to have inflamed tensions further. Relations between Britain and China have soured since 2015, when Beijing committed to funding Sizewell and a proposed plant at Bradwell-on-Sea in Essex. Security concerns led to a ban on Chinese telecoms firm Huawei, which was followed by the approval of the National Infrastructure and Investment Bill, which aims to scrutinise foreign investment in the UK, notably from China. Officials are understood to be keen to publish a decision on the future of Sizewell C ahead of next month's Spending Review and the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November. Ministers are believed to have become concerned about China's CGN running its own designed reactor in the UK. A senior industry source said: 'The Chinese will not be involved at Sizewell. This is part of a long journey and is politically much bigger than just one plant. Sizewell could prove to be the straw that broke the camel's back in a trade war which started with Huawei. 'There is also a question whether China actually want to be involved in this project any more. 'No one in the CGN management team that was there at the time of the deal being struck is still there and many believe the UK market is not attractive for the Chinese.' It is understood that ratings agency Moody's claimed that pulling out of the UK could be 'positive' for CGN's credit rating. Exactly how CGN will be frozen out of Sizewell is unclear. CGN has a 20 per cent stake in development of the project and an option to remain once it is built. CGN is also involved in Bradwell where progress is understood to have stalled. CGN's involvement in the EDF-led Hinkley Point has complicated the Government's decision with over half CGN's likely 8billion total spend on the 22billion project already invested. It is due to be completed in 2026. Sizewell C could generate 3.2 gigawatts of electricity, and provide 7 per cent of the UK's needs. It is designed to be a copy of Hinkley Point C, reducing design costs. Treasury officials have studied several options to replace China's funds in Sizewell C. Sources said the favoured option is a regulated asset base (RAB) model, which has been used in other big infrastructure projects such as the Thames Tideway and requires legislation. RAB guarantees backers an early return through milestone payments before a plant is operational, reducing the risk. But critics claim the risks of rising costs and delays are moved to the taxpayer. City sources said pension funds and sovereign wealth funds are keen to invest in nuclear to hit environmental, social and governance (ESG) quotas, but debate is raging over whether the energy source will be classed as green. Nuclear's detractors say it creates hazardous waste and carries safety concerns. Mike Clancy, leader of the Prospect union, which has 12,000 members in the industry, said: 'If any investor is going to be ruled out for geopolitical concerns, it's even more important the RAB is delivered so investors have a clear basis on which they can invest.' Last week, it emerged that Ministers are in talks with the US nuclear reactor manufacturer Westinghouse over a proposal to build a new plant in Anglesey, North Wales. Separate proposals have been mooted for a series of small modular reactors (SMRs) to complement larger plants, including a programme led by Rolls-Royce. The Government has committed to making a final investment decision on at least one large nuclear project during this parliament. A spokeswoman said: 'CGN is currently a shareholder in Sizewell C up until the point of the Government's final investment decision. Negotiations are ongoing and no final decision has been taken.' The US corporation behind fertiliser giant CF Industries handed shareholders almost 50million just weeks before it accepted a British taxpayer-funded subsidy worth 'tens of millions' of pounds, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. UK Ministers stepped in after the firm stopped making industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) following a sudden rise in the price of natural gas. The firm produces around 60 per cent of UK's industrial CO2as a byproduct of fertiliser manufacture. The gas is used primarily by the food sector, where it is injected into the packaging of perishable foods, such as meat and salad, to inhibit bacterial growth. Bailout: UK Ministers stepped in after CF Industries stopped making industrial carbon dioxide following a sudden rise in the price of natural gas The Government said on Tuesday that the agreement would 'ensure the continued supply of CO2', which it described as 'an essential component of the national economy'. The deal, details of which have been kept secret, was hailed as an 'exceptional, short-term agreement' with the US firm to cover a three-week period that would see taxpayers' cash used to provide 'limited financial support'. George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, admitted the cost was likely to rise to many millions and 'possibly tens of millions'. However, documents seen by The Mail on Sunday show that just a month before the deal was brokered, CF Industries said it would make a $65million (47.4million) payment to its investors who include chief executive Tony Will, who owns 488,789 shares. A further payment is due to be made to shareholders in the next two months. The company, which is listed in the US and is worth $12billion, was approached by phone and by email on the matter. But it did not respond to questions on whether it thought accepting UK taxpayer money was appropriate in light of the shareholder handouts or whether the UK contribution would be paid back. It closed production at its Cheshire and Teesside plants after a rise in gas prices made fertiliser production uneconomical. The crunch in CO2 production prompted fears that products from food suppliers already facing shortages may disappear from shelves altogether. The firm which employs 20 per cent of its staff in the UK will restart production at its Billingham complex in Teesside, where it has a dedicated CO2 plant, until alternative supplies can be found. A food industry commentator said last week that it 'can't be right that a company whose products are so critical to the food and drink supply chain can be allowed to close without adequate warning'. But Will told the Financial Times he had been 'completely unaware' how critical the firm's CO2 production was to the UK food industry. Gatwick is set to become the centre of a fierce battle between airlines as British Airways axes short-haul flights from the airport. BA had planned to launch a new short-haul airline based at Gatwick from next summer to allow it to compete with easyJet and Wizz Air in the European holiday market. But BA pulled the plug on the proposed airline days after The Mail on Sunday last weekend revealed a stand-off with trade unions over pilots' pay. The surprise move coming just weeks after BA announced its plans leaves bosses at Gatwick facing a drop in passenger numbers and revenues just as the airport fights to cut costs to save jobs. Battle: Wizz Air, easyJet and Jet2 have all said they are keen to take over BA slots at Gatwick Last night, Gatwick said it would lobby Ministers to scrap a waiver introduced during the pandemic that allows airlines to keep their lucrative take-off and landing slots even if they go unused. It is understood that Gatwick has had a number of approaches in recent months from airlines keen to take over slots. Wizz Air, easyJet and Jet2 have all said they are keen to expand at Gatwick. Data from ACL, which controls UK airports' slot allocations, shows that it received slot requests from 17 airlines this summer, including Air China, airBaltic and Icelandair. Gatwick wants pre-pandemic rules when airlines had to use their slots for 80 per cent of each flying season or return them to the 'pool' to be redistributed to other carriers to be reintroduced for the 2022 summer flying season starting in April next year. The Department for Transport is expected to start consulting on next summer's slot rules in November. Jonathan Pollard, chief commercial officer at Gatwick, said: 'To ensure a swift conclusion on the use of slots, we call on the Government to remove any form of slot waiver as we move into next year. 'Europe has already removed its waiver and is growing back twice as fast, while the UK lags behind. 'While the waiver remains, we will continue to see passenger choice significantly restricted, despite the strong interest expressed by numerous airlines who are keen to operate at Gatwick using the slots not being operated by others.' BA is the second-largest airline at Gatwick after easyJet, operating about 16 per cent of flights. BA has not disclosed how many slots it has, but industry sources said it had about 116 short-haul slots a day in peak summer 2019. BA could try to lease its slots before April to other airlines, potentially raising millions of pounds, or allocate them to sister airlines in BA's parent IAG, such as Vueling. Wizz Air, the aggressive Hungarian carrier, has made no bones about its ambitions to expand rapidly at Gatwick, and is understood to remain keen to snap up any slots that become available. It is thought that Wizz Air would prefer to take over slots free of charge through a reallocation process should BA forfeit them. The nofrills airline, led by Jozsef Varadi, has been a vocal campaigner for scrapping the waiver on slot rules to allow it to do this. Industry insiders said easyJet, with 40 per cent of Gatwick's slots, would also be 'front of the queue' if BA slots become available. In a coded statement of intent for its slots, easyJet said this month that part of the funds raised through its 1.2billion rights issue will fund expansion as 'legacy airlines restructure short-haul operations'. Aviation consultant John Strickland said Gatwick had always been a 'hot and cold' base for BA, which has struggled to make money from the holiday-focused airport. It expanded in recent years by buying slots after Monarch and Thomas Cook went bust. Strickland said BA's short-haul presence at Gatwick is important strategically to compete in the large, but pricesensitive leisure market, led by easyJet and a likely significant expansion by Wizz Air, and warned there were likely to be job losses among BA's staff based at Gatwick if it cuts back to a long-haul operation. BA operated 47 short-haul routes before the pandemic and has so far restarted just a handful of longhaul routes. Strickland said: 'I am sure that BA management have their eyes on Wizz's likely expansion. 'It has one of the lowest cost bases in Europe, allowing it to compete very effectively by offering very low prices.' Sean Doyle, BA's chief executive, said this month that BA could sell its short-haul slots at Gatwick if its plans to launch its new BA-branded airline at Gatwick failed to get off the ground. On Friday, BA confirmed it would ditch the plans after tensions with the pilots' union Balpa escalated. The two sides had reached agreement on a proposal, which was put to the vote among more than 3,000 BA pilots. Sources said the deal had been 'finely balanced', but Balpa ended the talks after its pilots refused to vote for changes to pay and conditions. Industry insiders suggested the two sides could yet reach agreement, meaning BA's short-haul airline at Gatwick could still take off. 'I wouldn't assume it's the end of the story,' one source said. But it is understood BA has told Balpa that it will not come back to the negotiating table. Balpa said it 'remains open to future negotiations'. Pollard said: 'A wide range of other airlines, including easyJet and Wizz Air, are well positioned to take up the spare short haul capacity as demand picks up over coming months.' BA said: 'After many years of losing money on European flights from the airport, we were clear that coming out of the pandemic, we needed a plan to make Gatwick profitable and competitive. 'With regret, we will now suspend our short-haul operations at Gatwick, with the exception of a small number of domestic services connecting to our long-haul operation, and will pursue alternative uses for the London Gatwick short-haul slots.' Barclays-backed green consultancy SaveMoneyCutCarbon is set to raise 'tens of millions' for growth after rising demand for its services. The firm, which has seen 'significant' investment via Barclays' Sustainable Impact Capital initiative, expects to appoint corporate finance advisers in coming weeks. Chief executive Mark Sait said it had delivered on more than 1,000 consultancy projects across the UK, advising businesses such as Manchester Airport and hotels, as well as schools and hospitals on saving energy and water. Going green: The fundraising coincides with the UN Climate Change Conference, known as Cop26, in Glasgow in November The fundraising coincides with the UN Climate Change Conference, known as Cop26, in Glasgow in November. Sait said two-thirds of the business is generated from projects each contributing 50,000 to 1million in turnover. The business has been growing by up to 70 per cent annually, although growth slowed during lockdown, when it was impossible to access sectors such as hospitality. Sait said: 'We look to educate businesses and staff to change behaviour. We look at quick wins changing lightbulbs, taps, water flow rates then bigger things, whether electric vehicles or solar. It depends on your appetite. We show you all the things you can do and what gives the fastest payback.' It has also started a website for smaller firms, a shop and a club advising households. Former Tesco boss Sir Dave Lewis is the new chairman of a firm that plans to lay thousands of miles of undersea cable to supply the UK with renewable energy from Africa. The project aims to supply seven million homes in the UK with 'near constant, low-cost clean energy' via the 3,800km of undersea cable. Lewis said the audacious plan will link to newly built solar and wind power generators in Morocco and help drive Britain towards its ambitions of 'a reliable, net zero electricity system by 2035'. New challenge: Sir Dave Lewis Lewis is credited with turning round Tesco after he arrived in 2014 to find a 263m black hole in its accounts Lewis is credited with turning round Tesco after he arrived in 2014 to find a 263million black hole in its accounts. Since he left last year there has been constant speculation about his next major role. His new firm, Xlinks, was set up in 2018 by entrepreneur and the firm's chief executive Simon Morrish. It will manufacture the HVDC (highvoltage direct current) cable for the project in Britain, creating around 1,350 jobs. It will generate 3.6gigawatts of energy in Morocco spanning 1,500km. It says the reliability of the Moroccan sun and desert winds will help deliver a smoother supply for the UK, where power from wind and solar can be highly variable. Lewis said: 'We're heading into an era of unprecedented growth in offshore wind farms around the world. 'Investing in a British-owned and valuable, high growth export industry serving decarbonising economies across the world will create thousands of regional manufacturing jobs and stimulate demand for British made steel and aluminium for decades.' The announcement of the reopening of flights to the US last week encouraged investors to climb back aboard airline stocks after the latest bout of Covid turbulence for the sector. Short-haul operator easyJet was among the beneficiaries and hopes of a takeover have also boosted sentiment. An offer from Hungarian low cost carrier Wizz Air has already been snubbed. Turbulence: A 1.2billion rights issue to raise cash to pay down debt and make investments, potentially in more aircraft, has shaken some confidence However, a 1.2billion rights issue to raise cash to pay down debt and make investments, potentially in more aircraft, has shaken some confidence. It also appears to have tempted in a clutch of hedge funds hoping to profit from a fall in the share price. Short sellers, including AQR Capital, LMR Partners and Gibraltar-based Guevoura, have upped their bets against the airline in recent days. The company is now the fourth most shorted FTSE stock with 6.2 per cent of the shares out on loan according to ShortTracker. Brace, brace. Holidaymakers shunning breakfast booze The taste of a 6am pint in an airport Wetherspoons may be synonymous with holidays for some, but analysts warn not enough are back on the breakfast booze. Broker Peel Hunt says airline passenger volumes are still at 65 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, weighing on the pub chain's earnings. This week's results should give an idea whether the dent, and rising costs, are likely to hit profit expectations. McCabe faces rough ride at AO World AGM AO World's Shaun McCabe could face a rough run through the spin cycle at the washing machine seller's annual meeting this week. Shareholder adviser Glass Lewis has urged investors to vote against the reappointment of McCabe to his role as a non-executive director. McCabe is also on the board of Boohoo whose governance has been in the spotlight over allegations of slave labour and is chief finance officer at Trainline, which saw shares punctured by a rail review this year. Glass Lewis argues McCabe is overstretched and should retain 'some spare capacity in case of a crisis'. With AO shares down 45 per cent this year after last year's Covid rally, perhaps that time is imminent. Lord Wolfson set to present Next results Expect Lord Wolfson to provide a typically grounded view amid the chaos when he presents first-half results for Next this week. The Tory peer has developed a reputation for calm prognosis, which could prove handy amid freight woes, labour shortages and environmental concerns in the retail trade. Strong online trading has pushed the fashion flogger's shares to near all-time highs, and investors will be keen to assess the outlook for the dividend. The City favourite has just paid out 140million to shareholders and a 100million payout is due in January, provided Christmas goes to plan. Annual profits are expected to hit 750million, so the payouts should keep rolling off the shelves. A single mum has opened up about the subtle signs that lead to her daughter's terminal brain tumour diagnosis. Sydney mum Huyen Tran noticed her daughter Zoe was walking abnormally at the end of April last year. The one-year-old had only been walking for six-months when her mum spotted her right foot would turn inwards as she tried to take a step. 'I asked my mum's friends if they could see anything weird so I started videoing her when she walks,' Ms Tran told Daily Mail Australia. Sydney mum Huyen Tran noticed her daughter Zoe begin to walk strangely in April last year (pictured) The unusual gait lasted for a few months until Zoe's walk became more unstable, causing her to fall over at daycare and become extremely fatigued. Immediately Ms Tran had a gut instinct something was wrong. In June she took her daughter to the GP who suggested she would grow out of it, then to an orthopaedic doctor who said there was nothing wrong with her physically. Ms Tran then took her daughter to a paediatrician who suspected it was something neurological, suggesting an MRI but was hesitant due to Zoe's young age. Ms Tran took Zoe to see a GP and orthopaedic doctor who couldn't find anything physically wrong with her (pictured) While waiting to see a neurologist for a second opinion, Zoe's condition worsened. 'She deteriorated badly, she couldn't walk without falling much she was exhausted, her speech started to slur too,' she said. 'The symptoms they would come and go...It was so subtle.' Ms Tran described the wait between appointments as 'haunting', eventually taking her daughter to the emergency room to receive a CT scan. Zoe (pictured) would stumble and suffer from extreme exhaustion on and off leaving Ms Tran to suspect something was wrong The next day doctor's informed Ms Tran that Zoe had a DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma) - a terminal brain tumour. 'I could never ever think it could be a brain tumour,' Ms Tran said. 'No way on earth.' DIPG is an aggressive type of childhood cancer that occurs in an area of the brain stem, most children only have two years to live from diagnosis. 'There was no time to process all of that her mutation was the worst its classified as grade 4,' she said. With her tumour inoperable Zoe's only option was to undergo 25 sessions of palliative radiation therapy across five weeks that would give her 12-months to live. Ms Tran says after the treatment her daughter was able to regain all of her functions and live life as a normal three-year-old. Ms Tran was waiting to see a Neurologist but took Zoe to the emergency room when she noticed her condition deteriorate She also treats her daughter with natural therapies including Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. In July an MRI scan detected the tumour had grown by one centimetre indicating the cancer is progressing. 'My heart just broke again and again,' Ms Tran said. Doctors revealed Zoe had DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma) - a terminal brain tumour 'It's really hard as a single parent for a sick child, I would not be able to do it with out support from friends, I can't work or rely on anybody.' Ms Tran says since Covid she hasn't seen her parents, who live in Vietnam, in almost three years after she planned to return there in May. Her daughter is also missing out on going to her favourite places like the aquarium and the zoo. DIPG is an aggressive type of childhood cancer that occurs in an area of the brainstem, most children only have two years to live from diagnosis But Ms Tran says she is grateful for her support from Westmead's Bear Cottage who host the pair and other family's going through DIPTG for 4 weeks a year, providing 24/7 care from nurses and doctors. 'I just focus one moment at a time I need to be happy for her, I have to carry all of that and do that by myself,' she said. The three-year-old is now taking part in a clinical drug trial, taking ten capsules of the trial medicine a day with Ms Tran quitting her job to care for Zoe full-time. Ms Tran is hopeful it will improve Zoe's outcome and extend their time together. 'She's good she's active living the life of a normal toddler,' she said. Ms Tran is adamant she doesn't want to take any of the time the pair have left for granted while documenting Zoe's journey on the Facebook page My Brave Zoe. After a long road to diagnosis and treatment Ms Tran says she doesn't believe earlier detection would have changed the outcome but urges parents not to ignore the signs. 'Always trust your gut instinct, it's worth it to go with what you feel so you don't regret it earlier.' It was one of the most notorious crocodile attacks in Australian history - and now incredible video and photos of the gruesome incident can be revealed for the first time. It was 4am one morning in October 2004 when Andrew Kerr, 34, was dragged from his tent at a remote Cape York camp site by a 4.2m crocodile. But then the mauled and badly injured man was dramatically rescued by 61-year-old grandmother, Alicia Sorohan, who burst out of the next tent and jumped on the creature's head to save him. Ms Sorohan was in turn saved by her son Jason who killed the enormous beast with four shots to the head. Daily Mail Australia can now exclusively show home video of the aftermath of the terrifying attack in Queensland's far north and hear first-hand accounts of just how the morning unfolded. Pictured: the 4.2-metre crocodile that savaged 34-year-old Andrew Kerr and 61-year old Alicia Sorohan after it was shot in the head four times Ben Jones (pictured being tackled by Manly Sea Eagles players at Brookvale Oval in 2006) came upon a horror scene in Bathurst Bay in far north Queensland Ben Jones, who would later play in the NRL with the Canberra Raiders, shot the amazing footage. Mr Jones, his dad Bob and his friend Justin Robertson had travelled to Bathurst Bay, in the Cape York Peninsula, for the first time. On the morning they were due to head home from their camp to Brisbane, Mr Jones got up very early. 'I went down the beach to clean my teeth and saw their light flashing in the distance,' he said. 'It didn't really make much sense to me why the light was flashing. I just thought they were hunting really early. (I didn't realise) it was to get our attention for some help.' Saying goodbye to people camped nearby, Mr Jones heard there had been a crocodile attack. 'They'd already set off an EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon). 'We thought maybe a crocodile had into the camp and scared them and then gone back into the water. We just didn't know at that stage what had gone on.' After driving seven kilometres along a dirt track, they went to see if the people needed any help. 'Little did we know what we were about to walk into.' It was a scene of horror. Andrew Kerr was dragged out of his tent at 4am by a 4.2 metre crocodile The dead crocodile lay on the beach, just one metre away from one of its victims Four-months-old Kelly Kerr was in the tent when his dad Andrew was dragged out of it by a massive crocodile A first aid officer from a Quarantine team arrived by helicopter and helped Andrew Kerr The 4.2m crocodile lay right beside Andrew Kerr, who it had just mauled. The severely injured Ms Sorohan had already been taken away to meet a Royal Flying Doctors helicopter that would take her to Cairns Hospital. A Quarantine helicopter - responding to the EPIRB - had arrived with a crew of three; the pilot, a shooter and - luckily for the victims of the attack - a first aid officer. The Sorohans had been camping there for the last six or seven years. But Mr Kerr, his wife Di and their four-months-old baby boy, Kelly, were on their first trip. 'They were 30 to 40 metres set back off the beach, where the beach hits the bush,' said Mr Jones. 'So you would think it would be quite a safe place, but this was just a freak occurrence and something I don't think could have been prevented. 'There was a main tent and a few other bits of camp. Andrew and Di were in the small tent the crocodile went into. There was also Alicia and her husband Bill, an older couple who were the grandparents of two little kids, and there were three others there as well.' Those left on the beach tending to Mr Kerr filled Mr Jones in on what happened. How crocodile snuck into tent and snatched man as he lay with his wife and four-month-old son 'The crocodile had walked his way up the beach, come across their main camp and went around one of the cars... and it's come around there to the front of the tent. 'At that time of year it's boiling hot up there, it's quite tropical. Andrew and Di had the tent closed, the tent flaps were open, but the fly screen was down. 'It's four o'clock in the morning, there's a little bit of moon, but basically it's pitch black. 'Di heard a rustle outside and thought it might have been a pig, a dingo, even maybe a wild bull. 'She put her head up to look outside and she could see the silhouette of the crocodile. 'She woke Andrew and as he opened his eyes and sat up, this crocodile has come flying through the fly screen of the tent, split it into pieces and grabbed him by the hip and started to drag him out. 'All his main concern was his four-month old son who was behind him. He's yelling out "Di, grab the baby, grab the baby." Examining the 4.2 metre crocodile after it had been shot four times in the head The huge crocodile came close to killing a 34-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman 'He's trying to beat this crocodile off, punching, kicking, fighting his way to stay alive. 'This crocodile starts to drag him down the beach, and you know one thing about crocodiles, they want to take you underwater so they can finish you off. 'He's screaming and yelling and that's woken up the rest of the camp. 'The eldest of all of them, Alicia (61 at the time) was the first one to see what was happening. It's dark, there's obviously a lot of panic, everyone's running around trying to see what's going on. 'It's unbelievable what Alicia did next. She's ran over to the crocodile as everyone else ran out trying to gather what was going on. Her husband Bill ran to the side of the tent trying to find an axe. Her sons had weapons as they were there hunting pigs. 'But Alicia was the first to see the crocodile and she's jumped on its head. It's reacted and spun around and broke her nose with its head and then grabbed onto her arm and absolutely mangled her arm, lacerated it. 'It's somehow let go of her and this crocodile is quite angry. Her son Jason, who was lucky enough to have a gun at that stage, has put his knee on its head, its neck area, and put four good shots straight into the back of the head of the crocodile and killed it right there and then. Ben Jones playing for the Canberra Raiders against the Saint George Illawarra Dragons on May 25, 2007. Three years earlier, he filmed the aftermath of a crocodile attack in Queensland 'Just unbelievable heroics from both Alicia and Jason to do what they did. 'Poor old Andrew, he was sitting there, he had a broken right leg and broken left arm, puncture wounds all up his arm. It was quite a confronting thing to walk into. 'The poor fella had to sit there with the dead crocodile right in front of him, a metre away. 'With Alicia, she was bleeding quite heavily. Bill, her husband, and one of the other guys, decided to put her into the Land Cruiser and drive her to the nearest place that the Royal Flying Doctors could pick her up from, a runway at Kalpowar Crossing, about seven hours drive away. The crocodile had attacked and seriously injured two people, but met its fate with four bullets into the head 'They didn't know if she'd make it or not, so the decision was made to leave Andrew where he was because he was stable and wasn't bleeding heavily. Although he had a lot of blood missing, it was stable. 'But Alicia was bleeding very heavily and needed attention as quick as possible, so the decision was made to take her out where the Royal Flying Doctor picked her up and took her to Cairns Hospital. 'We helped the Quarantine guys with the first aid with Andrew and to get him into the chopper and off to hospital.' Mr Jones called in to see Ms Sorohan two days later on their way home. 'She was in good spirits. 'She'd had a lot of antibiotics to try to stop infections, which is a major concern after any crocodile bite because of the amount of germs on their teeth.' Alicia Sorohan died in May 2020, but recalled that fateful day in a documentary by Journeyman Pictures. 'I'm no hero, I still say I'm no hero,' she said. 'I did what I had to do, he needed help and I was there, I was the first one there - so I just jumped on the croc and that was it.' Mr Kerr had feared the worse. 'Once it had my leg, I thought I was going to die - I thought this is it. Just that split second (of Ms Sorohan jumping on the crocodile) saved my life. 'Once Alicia jumped on the crocodile, it let me go, that just bought me enough time to get away.' One of the tents at the scene of a shocking crocodile attack in Bathurst Bay, in the remote far north of Queensland's Cape York Peninsula 'When I jumped on him - it was terrible - he threw his head back at me and knocked my face, and broke my nose and busted my teeth - then I fell down beside him and he grabbed my arm, and I thought - it's not good here I couldn't get away,' said Ms Sorohan. 'I knew I was in strife, I thought I was gone.' But then her son Jason intervened. 'I jumped over and put my hands down on top of him - at that stage, someone had a light coming from the back and I put the handgun into the back of his head and fired two shots.' But the crocodile was still wriggling around. 'I fired two more shots and he just stopped like the batteries were dead.' Ben Jones now works as a financial planner - a much more sedate life than either playing in the NRL or being on the scene of a horrific crocodile attack. 'Something that I'd been thinking about actually happened. Thank God it didn't happen to us. And thank God that Alicia and Andrew and their families were all safe. 'They really did show us what mateship is all about and what courage is all about that day.' A rural farm where a teenager is accused of murdering her 10-year-old cousin in a gruesome case that shocked Australia has sold for more than $6 million. The schoolgirl was 14-years-old when she is alleged to have stabbed her relative while she was staying on the property in rural northern NSW, on July 8 last year. The older girl's mother discovered the younger cousin with injuries so gruesome they cannot be published. Her alleged killer was found on a neighbouring property, dazed and confused with the murder weapon allegedly still in her hands. Six months later, her family put the 291-hectare farm up for sale. A 10-year-old girl (pictured) was allegedly killed by her cousin on a farm in NSW last year A rural farm - including a six-bedroom house - where a teenager is accused of murdering her 10-year-old cousin, has been sold for $6million Six months after the alleged murder, the extensive 291-hectare farm was put up for sale Records show the property, which includes a six-bedroom home, recently sold for $6.3 million. The teenager accused of the killing is listed to go on trial for murder in November. Her request to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter was rejected. The older girl's mother discovered the younger cousin after returning from doing chores on the farm. The alleged killer was later found on a neighbouring property, dazed and confused, having walked 3km across a wheat field with the alleged murder weapon allegedly still in her hand. Her defence barrister will argue the teenager was mentally impaired at the time of the alleged attack. Records show the property recently sold for $6.3 million. Pictured is the home's living room Police and SES volunteers search a paddock after the young girl was allegedly killed by her cousin A social media post by the alleged victim's father last year displayed a tattoo of a cherry blossom on his upper arm as a tribute to a drawing made by his daughter, who was a talented artist. 'Cherry blossom tattoos are a metaphor for the transience of life because they do not live for very long,' the father wrote in his post. 'They are considered to be omens of good things to come. The blossoms serve as emblems for affection and love.' 'Fly high, my angel.' Advertisement The situation is becoming 'dire' at the U.S. Air Base in Ramstein, Germany, which is currently housing 10,000 Afghan evacuees - including 2,000 pregnant women - as nighttime temperatures drop to freezing point and what was meant to be a 10-day humanitarian mission has already extended to more than a month. The air base has already been hit with cases of the measels among evacuees, and now it needs to care for 2,000 pregnant woman - with 22 babies already being born in the 10 weeks that they have been waiting for evacuation flights to the US, sources told CNN. One of CNN's sources referred to the evacuees at Ramstein as 'the forgotten 10.' The U.S Air Base in south west Germany was transformed into a 'temporary humanitarian city' during the evacuation of Afghanistan after the Taliban seized control of the country. It set up for screenings and processing of evacuees, but a case of the measles among Afghan evacuees in the U.S. complicated an already-convoluted situation by pausing flights until at least October 9. Around that date, the U.S. will announce if they'll restart flights or extend the temporary pause. A member of the U.S. military pulls a cart among children and adults whiling away time at a tent city of temporary accommodation built by the United States Air Force for evacuees from Afghanistan at Ramstein Air Base on September 20 About 350 tents were set up on the runway of the Ramstein Air Base in Germany as a 'temporary humanitarian city' Small children are among the 10,000 Afghan evacuees that a source told CNN are part of the 'forgotten 10' Slide me This is the before and after look at one of the runways was turned into a temporary city To accommodate the large influx of people, Ramstein airplane hangars were quickly cleared and more than 350 tents were set up on the base's ramps with more than 10,000 cots and sleeping bags. But only are two-thirds of those tents are heated, as officials work to secure heaters and generators, a source told CNN. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Ramstein Air Base about two weeks ago. The images out of Ramstein during his visit showed a number of refugees sitting on the floor as they wait to be processed. When the military base first became a temporary city, conditions were basic. The encampment contained tents for prayer and medical services, showers, Porta Johns and small spaces for recreation. The base also procured a contract with local vendors to provide 30,000 meals per day. Dozens of pallets of water bottles were trucked in daily. The base and the evacuees have relied on these outside vendors for food and water, but the German embassy in the US downplayed any concern over the longer-than-expected stay. 'It remains our mutual understanding that Ramstein airbase can be used as a transit point for evacuees from Afghanistan on their way to the U.S. for a limited amount of time. We are confident that the air operations will restart soon,' a spokesman for the embassy told CNN. But simple necessities - like baby bottles - have became a scarce commodity. Erin Gonzalez, a volunteer and military spouse, told Stars and Stripes that they've given out thousands of baby bottles to mothers who need them because malnourishment and stress are making it difficult to produce breast milk. Moldy bottles were being thrown out because there was no way to clean and sanitize them. With so many expecting mothers, the situation is only going to get worse. Ramstein command approved a volunteer effort that turned a bar with a dishwasher and space for storing, sorting and drying into a bottle sanitation area, Stars and Stripes reported. Airman first class Luis Miranda of the United States Air Force greets children among evacuees from Afghanistan living in temporary accommodation at Ramstein Air Base on September 20 at the Ramstein Air Base The makeshift city on the runway in the US air base in Germany has already been in use nearly two months longer than originally scheduled Groups of six to eight volunteers sanitize hundreds of bottles daily, working two four-hour shifts, which often go longer, the outlet reported. It takes about an hour to clean 200 bottles, and an air compressor speeds up drying. On the busiest day, about 900 bottles are sanitized. Ramstein was the main stopping point during the evacuation of Afghanistan. About a fifth of all people airlifted by the U.S. from Kabul were brought to Ramstein - about 100 miles south west of Frankfurt. Many left family members behind or were split up during the chaotic push to escape the violence in Afghanistan. A six-year-old girl died after being ejected from her seat on a ride at a Colorado amusement part when the operators missed alarms. Wongel Estifanos, of Colorado Springs, was riding the Haunted Mine Drop at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado with her family when both operators missed her seatbelt that it was improperly buckled on September 5. The ride, which drops passengers 120 feet, is equipped with a two belt seatbelt system - a neuro bar and a standard seatbelt - to keep riders safe. It is not equipped with a shoulder harness. The Garfield County Coroner's Office said the little girl died from multiple blunt force injuries after being ejected from the ride because operators failed to notice that she was sitting on her seatbelts. Wongel Estifanos, six, of Colorado Springs (pictured), was riding the Haunted Mine Drop at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado when both operators missed her seatbelt being improperly buckled on September 5 The Haunted Mine Drop drops riders 120 feet from the top of the mine shaft. It is equipped with a two-seatbelt safety system to hold riders into place. The main restraint is a neuro bar, which a rod that locks into a bar of blocks in between seats. The secondary restraint is a standard seatbelt. There are no shoulder harnesses on the ride Estifanos was sitting on her seatbelts, the report found, and only had the tail end of the belt across her lap. A safety alarm went off and Operator 1 re-buckled everyone's belt and Operator 2 double-checked. Neither operator - who had only been improperly trained a few weeks earlier - noticed the girl's seatbelt was underneath her The main restraint on the ride is the neuro bar, a ridged pole shape rod that locks into a block of bars connected to the seat and lays the belt across passengers' laps. It is monitored by a Human Machine Interface (HMI) screen, dispatch button, and manual controls in the control room. As a secondary precaution, the ride is also equipped with a standard seatbelt that clinches around the hips. According to the report, the ride will not operate unless both seatbelts have been locked into place each ride and will give operators an error message if the rod is not properly intact. All the belts are supposed to be unbuckled at the end of the ride, regardless if someone had sat in it during the previous trip. Another woman experienced a similar situation in 2019 when she road the Mine Drop (pictured) after the operator buckled her in before she had a chance to get up and remove the seatbelt from underneath her. She insisted she be re-buckled. She emailed the park, but did not hear back from them Esifanos apparently had sat on top of the seatbelts, which had not been unbuckled by the operator after no one sat there previously. An alarm sounded, according to the report, indicating Esifanos belt had not been unbuckled since the last ride. When operators checked the neuro bars, located in between seats, they concluded that all were properly attached. Esifanos allegedly had placed the tail end of the seatbelt across her lap, but neither operator noticed the main parts of the belts were not positioned across her lap. The report stated that Operator 1, who had been hired July 9 and trained on August 5, had checked to make sure all the rods were in place, and found them to be its proper place. Operator 2, who had been hired on August 21 and trained on August 22, removed all the rods and put them back into place, the report said. This reset the system, as all the belts had been unbuckled and re-buckled by doing so. The error message in the control room disappeared and the operators started the ride. 'In checking seatbelts, Operator 2 checked Ms. Estifanos's seatbelts by repeating the same actions as Operator 1 did in the first check,' the report stated. 'Ms. Estifanos had placed the tail of a seatbelt back across her lap; Operator 2 also did not notice that neither of the seatbelts were positioned across her lap.' The ride begins by pulling passengers up to the top of the old mine shaft before the floor dropped beneath them and they plunge 120 feet in complete darkness. Estifanos became separated from her seat and fell to the bottom of the mine shaft due to not being restrained into her seat. An operator reported when the passengers resurfaced, they were 'frantic' and told them someone was still in the mine shaft. The Mine Drop has been temporarily shut down since Estifanos's death (Wongel pictured). A reopen date has not been decided Surveillance footage found of the operators 'inconsistently used the process of unbuckling and moving all the seatbelts to clear the seats,' the report found. Investigators also reported the ride violated Colorado's Amusement Rides and Devices Regulations code and that enforcement would be pursued, according to Fox 13. In a statement released by the amusement park stated the business was 'heart-broken by the tragic accident that occurred here.' 'There is no way we can imagine the pain of loss that the Estifanos family and their friends are experiencing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them,' the statement read. 'We want the Estifanos family to know how deeply sorry we are for their loss and how committed we are to making sure it never happens again.' The Estifanos family lawyer released a statement calling for other who had similar experiences to step forward. 'Wongels parents are determined to do everything in their power to make sure that no one ever dies this way again,' the statement read. The Estifanos family lawyer released a statement calling for other who had similar experiences to step forward and are 'determined to do everything in their power to make sure that no one ever dies this way again' The Haunted Mine Drop is currently shut down and the reopening date for the ride is unknown. In 2019, a woman contacted the State of Colorado after she said she was almost ejected from the Haunted Mine Drop after her seatbelt was also improperly buckled. The email, forwarded to the Division of Oil and Public Safety, stated 'the operator buckled the belt and was not fastened around [the woman].' The woman, who had brought her experience to the park's attention in 2019, said the operator buckled her in before she had a chance to get up and slips behind the belt. She, too, was sitting on top of the seatbelt. 'I called [the operator's] attention to this (I was sitting on the belt and [the operator] didn't even give me a chance to get up and put the belt around me) and said I'm not buckled in, [the operator] disputed this and said no I've buckled it in,' she wrote. She insisted the belt was underneath her and not around her waist, afterward the operator re-buckled her in. 'During the whole ride all I could think of was what if I didn't insist on [the operator] checking again? I had no idea what the ride was, I didn't know that the floor was doing to drop. This could have ended in tragedy for everyone.' The park never responded to her email. DailMail.com has reached out to Garfield County Sheriff's Department for comment. Advertisement Ultra-rich Manhattanites who paid as much as $88 million to live in a 102-story skyscraper in 'Billionaire's Row' are suing developers for shoddy construction which has led to water leaks, elevator failures and at least one electrical explosion that threw a contractor 'several feet through the air.' The super-thin commercial and residential building at 432 Park Avenue, completed in 2015, was the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere for a while. Members of the condo and commercial board are now demanding $250 million dollars from developers and calling the building one of 'the worst examples of sponsor malfeasance in the development of a luxury condominium in the history of New York City,' according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in New York Supreme Court. Residents had to be rescued after becoming trapped in elevators for hours because they were programmed to slow down when high winds hit the 1,400 ft building, according to the lawsuit. They also allege 'severe flooding and widespread water damage.' Recently, a contractor who was trying a 'band-aid' fix for water filtration issues drilled through the building's concrete foundation. Residents say the developers didn't provide the contractor with proper drawings to identify where it was safe to drill. 'This resulted in an arc flash explosion, which threw the contractor backward, several feet through the air,' the lawsuit states. 'Incredibly, this was the second arc-flash explosion to occur at the Building in the past three years under the Sponsor's watch.' On top of $250 million, the boards are also asking for attorney's fees and punitive damages. Residents of 432 Park Avenue in New York City, once the tallest residential skyscraper in the world, have complained of faulty maintenance issues that have caused leaks, flooding, and noise They're now suing the building's sponsor, which includes its developer CIM, for $250 million in New York Supreme Court Developers CIM Group and Macklowe Properties refused to pay the $1.5 million in 'urgent' repairs needed after the incident an electrical explosion. The building's 'sponsor,' 56th and Park (NY) Owner, LLC., includes both developers Developers CIM Group and Macklowe Properties refused to pay the $1.5 million in 'urgent' repairs needed after the incident, residents say. The building's 'sponsor,' 56th and Park (NY) Owner, LLC., includes both developers. In a statement provided to DailyMail.com on Thursday, the sponsor said: 'Virtually all new construction has maintenance and close-out items during the building's initial period of occupancy. Sponsor has been and remains committed to working collaboratively with the HOA to resolve these matters.' 'Each and every commitment and term contained in the 432 Park Offering Plan and Declaration has been honored by Sponsor. However, the HOA has restricted access to the property for the performance of remediation, which has delayed completion of certain work. 'In addition, the HOA and certain vocal residents misunderstand Sponsor's obligations. This includes demanding modifications to the building and its operations that, while preferred by the HOA, are clearly not the responsibility of Sponsor.' The building was designed by star architect Rafael Vinoly's firm. Located on Billionaires' Row, a cluster of residential skyscrapers mostly on 57th Street that overlook Central Park, the tower attracted buyers like Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, among others. It has taken cutting-edge technology and engineering breakthroughs to allow the construction of 1000-ft tall super-skyscrapers that are now beginning to shoot up in Manhattan. But one of the key selling points of the new building - its height - also appears to be causing problems. Strong wind gusts at higher altitude are causing the structure to sway, affecting elevators and cables, while the free flow of air into garbage chutes, doorways, and hallways creates an orchestra of loud, spooky noises that reportedly dampen quality of life. The sway of the building is also wreaking havoc on piping and plumbing as residents continue to complain of leaks and floods, The New York Times reported back in February. 'Unit Owners were sold a building plagued by breakdowns and failures that have endangered and inconvenienced residents, guests, and workers, and repeatedly been the subject of highly critical accounts in the press and social media,' according to Thursday's lawsuit. Residents took over control of the building's condo board last year. They allege the developers have 'withheld material information' from residents and 'siphoned off' payments to distribute them to investors as 'profits' while the building decays. One potential buyer, billionaire tequila mogul Juan Beckmann Vidal, was in contract for a $46.25million apartment on the 86th floor in 2016 when a 'catastrophic water flood' caused major damage to units on the 83rd, 84th, 85th, and 86th floors. Eduard Slinin, a resident who was elected to the condo board last year, told his neighbors that insurance costs rose by some 300 percent in two years. Slinin wrote a letter to neighbors citing two 'water related incidents' from 2018 that cost the building $9.7million to fix. Slinin is seen right with his wife, Gala Slinin, in New York City in this undated file photo In 2016, Juan Beckmann Vidal (left), the billionaire chairman of the company behind Jose Cuervo tequila, was in contract for a $46.25million on the 86th floor in 2016 when a 'catastrophic water flood' caused major damage to units on the 83rd, 84th, 85th, and 86th floors. When Vidal tried to back out of the deal, he demanded his $11.56million deposit back. Harry Macklowe (right), the real estate developer who helped build 432 Park Avenue, refused, prompting Vidal to file suit. The lawsuit was settled quietly a year later 432 Park Avenue is among several residential skyscrapers located on Billionaires' Row - a cluster of high-end multi-billion dollar development projects on or near West 57th Street and which overlook Central Park When Vidal, who owns the Jose Cuervo tequila brand, tried to back out of the deal, he demanded his $11.56 million deposit back. Harry Macklowe, the real estate developer who helped build 432 Park Avenue, refused, prompting Vidal to file suit, according to Curbed. The lawsuit was settled quietly a year later. Among those who bought units at 432 Park Ave are Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, above in New York in 2018 On Thursday, residents also complained of 'creaking, banging and clicking noises' that have caused residents to have to move out of their expensive units, sometimes for as long as 19 months. The building's trash chute sounds 'like a bomb' when it's used, and 'intolerable' vibrations have annoyed even Richard Ressler, a founder of developer CIM Group who has a unit in the building. In early 2019, residents commissioned and paid for an independent engineering report that returned 1,500 construction and design flaws. Residents also point to 'highly visible cracks in the drywall of many ceilings, highly visible cracks above doorways, highly visible cracks where walls meet ceilings, air and water leaks at windows, baseboard pulling and misaligned joints, malfunctioning sliding doors, grout joint openings and cracking at walls or floors in ceramic and/or stone tiling, excessive fog and window condensation,' and other failures. The building has an energy efficiency rating of D - the lowest possible score for buildings that submit the necessary data, according to the suit. The 125-unit building is nearly sold out, but reports of defects at the building have slowed down sales, real estate agent Donna Olshan told The New York Times. Only one sale has closed since January. There are currently 11 units for sale, ranging from a $7 million low-floor two-bedroom to a $169 million penthouse. A-Rod and JLo bought a 4,000 square foot unit in 2018 for $15.3million - only to sell about a year later for $17.5million. They decided to sell the property because they reportedly wanted something bigger for their four children. According to Page Six, the couple did not have any complaints about the building. In 2016, the penthouse on the 96th floor was bought by Saudi billionaire Fawaz Alhokair for almost $88 million. Despite the glamorous image, however, residents and developers behind the skyscraper that cost $1.5 billion to build are blaming each other for shoddy maintenance issues that are not uncommon in more run-down, older apartments, according to the Times. One tenant, Sarina Abramovich, told the Times that she and her husband, Mikhail, paid almost $17 million for a 3,500 sq ft apartment on one of the high floors in the building in 2016. When she arrived at her new residence on the first day, she was shocked to see that both her new apartment and other parts of the building were still under construction. According to Page Six, A-Rod and JLo decided to unload the property because 'they need something bigger for the family' The image above shows a room inside JLo's and ARod's three bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom condo that they eventually sold in 2019 The image above shows a bathroom at the 86B residence in 432 Park Avenue in New York City in January 2017 'They put me in a freight elevator surrounded by steel plates and plywood, with a hard-hat operator,' she said. 'That's how I went up to my hoity-toity apartment before closing.' Things just kept getting worse from there, according to Abramovich. The building has suffered from several leaks and floods, two of which were reported in November 2018, according to the Times. On November 22, 2018, a flange, which is a ribbed collar that connects piping, burst around a high-pressure water feed on the 60th floor, causing a flood. Abramovich said that water seeped into her apartment several floors below the leak, causing some $500,000 in damage. Just four days later, the building general manager reported a 'water line failure' in which water leaked into the elevator shafts. The damage forced two of the four residential elevators to be out of service for weeks. DailyMail.com has reached out to the other developer, Macklowe Properties, for comment. Other residents have also said that their properties suffered severe, costly damage as a result of maintenance issues. According to engineers, the problems affecting 432 Park Avenue have become commonplace at other residential skyscrapers where severe wind gusts at higher altitudes cause the buildings to sway. In October 2019, management at 432 Park told tenants that one of their fellow residents was 'entrapped' for nearly 90 minutes after 'high-wind condition' forced the elevator to get stuck. One engineer told the Times that wind-induced sway leads to cables in the elevator shaft shifting around, which can cause slowdowns or shutdowns. The engineer said that other supertall buildings have reported similar problems. The strong wind gusts also cause spooky noises as air flows between doorway and elevator shafts and metal partitions between the walls sway from side to side, residents report. The condo on the 36th floor boasts oak floors, 12.6-foot ceilings, large windows, and views of Central Park There is even a large gym for the famously in-shape couple. The complex includes free weights, treadmills, benches, and other exercise equipment During an owners' meeting that took place in 2019, residents reported that garbage tossed about in a trash shut 'sounds like a bomb' and that they could frequently hear creaking and banging noises from their apartments. Residents say that the maintenance issues were compounded by the increasing common charges, which rose some 40 per cent in 2019 due to what management said was rising insurance premiums and repairs. Eduard Slinin, a resident who was elected to the condo board last year, told his neighbors that insurance costs rose by some 300 per cent in two years. Slinin wrote a letter to neighbors citing two 'water related incidents' from 2018 that cost the building $9.7million to fix. Slinin declined comment when reached by DailyMail.com. Residents were also unhappy that they were forced to pay more money to use the in-house private restaurant run by star chef Shaun Hergatt. When the building opened, residents had to spend $1,200 per year for the privilege of eating there - though all meals had to be paid for separately with the exception of breakfast, which was free. This year, however, residents must pay $15,000, even though the restaurant has cut back its operating hours due to the pandemic. To make matters worse, breakfast is no longer free. Abramovich told the Times that she has refused to cover the recent increase in common charges. As a result, she has incurred $82,000 in late fees and interest. She said her decision to speak out was motivated by principle and that she wasn't concerned that the value of her property might suffer as a result. 'Everything here was camouflage,' she said. 'If I knew then what I know now, I would have never bought.' The building is seen above during its construction phase in December 2013. At the time its construction was completed, it was the tallest residential skyscraper in the world A view of New York city to east from the 75th floor of 432 Park Avenue is seen above on October 15, 2014 The image above shows a view to the north and Central Park from the 75th floor at 432 Park Avenue in October 2014 Some residents have started to point fingers at each other as others have threatened to sue the developers. One group of residents commissioned an engineering firm, SBI Consultants, to study mechanical and structural flaws. According to the Times, SBI's initial findings showed that 73 per cent of the building's mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components did not conform with the developers' drawings. Nearly a quarter of the issues observed even 'presented actual life safety issues,' according to Slinin. Though SBI declined to comment to the Times, Slinin later downplayed the initial findings, telling the Times that the mechanical issues 'were minor things.' Abramovich added: 'I was convinced it would be the best building in New York. 'They're still billing it as God's gift to the world, and it's not.' A violent altercation has broken out between police and a group of men linked to a notorious underworld gang at a service station over an alleged mask breach. Five men linked to the Alameddine network were charged with allegedly threatening and assaulting officers outside a Coles petrol station in Western Sydney on Friday. NSW Police Raptor squad initially approached two men at a service station on Guildford road on Friday after reports the pair were seen not wearing face masks. Five men linked to the Alameddine network were arrested at a petrol station in Sydney's west after an alleged struggle broke out between police (pictured) The men allegedly became aggressive, with one member of the group allegedly punching an officer before a struggle broke out. Both men were arrested by police before three other associates arrived in a ute and allegedly began making threats towards the officers. Footage of the violent confrontation shows more than a dozen police arrive for backup to arrest the three men. Dozens of officers were called for backup after the associates allegedly became aggressive towards police At one point an officer appears to throw a punch into the body of one of the men amid the struggle. Police also located a knife during a search of the vehicle. Three men aged 21, 19 and 22 were charged with assault, resisting arrest, harassment and failure to comply with carrying a face covering. Police approached the two men at a petrol station on Guildford Road after reports the men were allegedly not wearing masks They were refused bail and are due to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Saturday. A 20-year-old man was also charged with hindering police and failing to comply with Covid-19 directions. The man was granted bail and will appear in Burwood Local Court on Thursday. An additional 20-year-old man is now under police guard in Westmead Hospital where he is expected to be charged after his release. NSW residents are still under tough Covid-19 restrictions as the state recorded 1,007 new infections and 11 deaths on Saturday. Sydneysiders living in local government areas where stay-at-home orders apply are required to wear and carry a mask with them whenever they leave home. Penalties for not wearing a face mask can result in an on-the-spot fine of $500. Raptor Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein made no apologies for police efforts in response to the violent confrontation and said the men can expect to be held accountable. 'I make no apology for the actions of the police who acted within the bounds of the law,' he said. 'If you associate, facilitate or participate in a criminal group you should expect police to be watching you ensuring every move you make in the public domain is acceptable and consistent with everyone else in the community.' The Alameddines have quickly become a prominent name in the city's west, with some of the crew waging war against police and disrupting law-abiding society. Six male members of the Alameddine crew are already in jail or before the courts, facing charges related to guns, drugs, violence and organised crime. They and their crew have established a stronghold around Merrylands - an area criminals have fought for control for years. Over recent years Strike Force Raptor squad has launched investigations and high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts against bikies and the middle-eastern crime squads. Police arrested two people after finding 21 kilograms of the highly-toxic drug carfentanil enough to kill 50 million people inside a Southern California home. The synthetic opioid, which is 100-times more potent than fentanyl, is typically used to sedate elephants and other large mammals. Andres Jesus Morales, 30, and 27-year-old Christine Ponce were charged with four felonies for possession for sales of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin. Both pleaded guilty during an arraignment yesterday and were held without bail. They're due to appear in court again November 9. Carfentanil is so powerful that it's fatal at a nanogram level; veterinarians wear protective gear while handling it to avoid exposure. The amount seized would be enough to kill 50 million people if it was mixed with other drugs, police said. Cops in Riverside County, California said they made the discovery while executing a search warrant at a Perris home. They also seized 4kg of cocaine and 1kg of heroin. Christine Ponce (left) and Andres Jesus Morales (right) were charged after police in Riverside County, California, discovered 21 kilograms of carfentanil - enough to kill 50 million people This illustration shows the fatal doses of heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil. Police in Canada created the visual to demonstrate the miniscule amount of carfentanil needed to kill a person It is believed to be the largest carfentanil seizure in Riverside County history. They arrested two people during a September 14 raid of a second Perris home, where another 16kg of cocaine was stashed. Riverside County Officer Ryan J. Railsback said dealers sometimes lace drugs such as heroin or cocaine with synthetic opioids to give users a stronger buzz. When the dealers get the measurements just right, he said, they're likely to have a satisfied - and repeat - customer. 'It would be bad business if they're trying to kill off all your clients, but they aren't trying to kill off all their clients, they're trying to bring them back,' Railsback told Dailymail.com. Riverside County police discovered the stash inside a Glimmer Way home in Perris, California A police spokesman says officers saved lives by pulling this stash of carfentanil off the streets But it can be a delicate measuring act, and a miscalculation can cost users their life. Those using illegal drugs are going beyond playing with fire, he added. 'The amount of fentanyl you need to kill you is so small that they are literally playing the surface of the sun when it comes to the amount,' Railsback said. He said the officers that made the bust likely saved lives in doing so. 'They're keeping people from dying,' he said. 'Our detectives do feel like they're making a dent, especially when you're dealing with fentanyl or a derivative of fentanyl, every little bit you get off the street, that is one less overdose. 'That is one less death really,' he said. 'There are so many people that are overdosing and eventually dying over there use of fentanyl. It's unreal.' A Chinese state news outlet published two bizarre cartoons mocking Australia on the eve of a summit of democracies in Washington, claiming the country will become 'cannon fodder'. Scott Morrison met with Joe Biden and the leaders of Japan and India on Saturday to discuss regional security, Covid and exports at The Quad Summit. The meeting angered China, which warned Australia, India and Japan that the US would eventually dump it 'like trash'. The Global Times, a Chinese government mouthpiece, published two cartoons ahead of the meeting depicting Australia as an unhinged kangaroo and the other as a pawn of the United States. The news outlet lashed the four nations as 'four ward mates with four different diseases'. A bizarre cartoon from The Global Times depicted The Quad attendees as all attempting to drive a bus as the outlet mocked the attendees as 'four ward mates with four different diseases' Scott Morrison met with Joe Biden as part of The Quad summit in Washington, a meeting whihc saw China claim Australia could become 'cannon fodder' Mr Morrison, India's Narendra Modi, Biden and Australia's 'dear friend' Japan's Yoshihide Suga gathered for Quad talks at the White House It also boasted the alliance was 'incapable of inflicting substantial harm to China'. The outlet quoted 'analysts' claims that typical American behaviour was to divide Asian nations and 'abandon its allies like dumping trash in front of its interests'. 'If Japan, India and Australia went too far in following the US strategy of containing China, they will become cannon fodder as China will resolutely safeguard its interests, Chinese analysts warned,' the Global Times predicted. The outlet also produced two cartoons, one showing the three regional allies - with Australia represented by an unhinged-looking kangaroo - all trying to drive a bus, with Uncle Sam in the front. The other showed an American eagle imagining a plan in which the United States, Japan, India and Australia surround China. Following a long period of escalating Chinese militarisation, bullying towards neighbours, influence in the region and its trade war with Australia, Mr Morrison signed another alliance with the US this month. China has taunted Australia about the possibility of missile strikes on Australian soil A second cartoon in the Global Times showed an American eagle imagining a plan in which the United States, Japan, India and Australia surround China - though it also claimed the alliance was 'incapable of inflicting harm' to China The AUKUS alliance, with the US and UK, includes a deal which will see Australia build nuclear-powered submarines. Mr Morrison has expressed the reality of a possible conflict with China and Beijing has taunted Canberra about possible missile strikes on Australian soil. Last year the Global Times editor, Hu Xijin, tweeted: 'Preparing for war? Then build an antimissile system!' The Washington gathering was the second time The Quad partners had met, following their virtual meeting in March. The four leaders discussed security in the Indo-Pacific region, the Covid response - and especially plans to help vaccinate neighbours in the Asia-Pacific region - climate change and the worrying issue of Chinese dominance of essential rare mineral exports. The latter issue is significant because rare minerals are needed to manufacture crucial technology components such as semi-conductors, which there is a global shortage of. There are fears China could block access to minerals such as palladium and lithium, which are essential for popular consumer goods, such as smartphones, but also in defence manufacturing. Semiconductors are essential components in everything from car computers to ATMs to personal computers, smartphones and refrigerators. The summit will discuss supply of the materials which could be good news for Australian mining as Australia has untapped reserves of the rare earth minerals. Speaking after the summit on the White House lawn Mr Morrison was typically keen to talk up the mateship between the four leaders, and joked at length about his friendship with Japanese PM Suga. He said Mr Suga had ribbed him about winning more judo medals at the recent Olympic Games. But Mr Morrison was equally serious about the role of the The Quad. 'The Quad is a great partnership making a very positive contribution, a very practical contribution to the region that we call home, the Indo-Pacific,' he said. 'The Indo-Pacific is a region that we wish to be always free from coercion, where the sovereign rights of all nations are respected and where disputes are settled peacefully and accordance with international law.' Mr Modi (left), Mr Biden (second left), Mr Morrison (centre right) and Mr Suge (front right) met at the White House to discuss regional security, Covid vaccines, climate change and rare minerals Scott Morrison spoke with The Quad leaders at the White House and is also due to speak at the United Nations on Saturday Mr Morrison said the group wanted to 'demonstrate how democracies get things done in the region'. He was keen to point our how The Quad partners were making and distributing 1.2 vaccines to people in 'developing countries' in the region, including in Fiji. 'The quad delivering those vaccines has really turned that country around and they'll be opening up soon and I'm sure welcoming visitors.' There have been deep concerns about Chinese influence in the Asia-Pacific region, where the fear is investment from Beijing could give the Communist dictatorship too much influence. Mr Morrison is also set to speak at the United Nations on Saturday, where he will emphasize Australia's leading role in the region. 'The global strategic environment has rapidly changed, indeed deteriorated in many respects particularly in the Indo-Pacific region where we live here in Australia,' Morrison will say, Nine newspapers reported. 'The changes we face are many, whether it's tensions over territorial claims, rapid military modernisation, foreign interference, cyber threats, disinformation and indeed economic coercion. 'We must reinforce a sustainable rules-based order, while ensuring it is also adaptable to the great-power politics of our time. Our voice is clear, it's respectful, it's constructive.' A celebrity agent who represented music stars including Coldplay, Eminem and Queens of the Stone Age has died at the age of 53. Steve Strange, founding partner of X-Ray Touring, was hailed as a 'legendary figure' following his death after a short illness. The agent signed and developed some of the best artists across the globe during his career, which began as a drummer, performing with several Irish bands. Steve Strange, founding partner of X-Ray Touring, was hailed as a 'legendary figure' following his death after a short illness Among the artists he worked with during his career is British rock band Coldplay (pictured) Mr Stamp has also worked with and represented American rapper Eminem (pictured) A tribute published by CelebrityAccess read: 'We have lost a legendary figure in our personal and professional lives that we will all deeply miss. 'Steve was a unique individual within our industry, his overwhelming love of music lead to a 30 year plus career guiding the touring of an eclectic mix of artists from all genres of music that he adored. 'A universally known, hugely respected and loved character if you hadn't already seen him at a gig or festival, you'd most certainly hear his infectious and infamous laugh.' After playing in the band No Hot Ashes, Mr Strange began to enter the world of artist management and booking agencies in the 1990s. As well as going on to work with Coldplay, Eminem and Queens of the Stone Age, he also boasted clients such as Chance the Rapper, Snow Patrol, Jimmy Eat World, Kodaline, and Bright Eyes. In 2019, he became the second Northern Irishman to receive the 'Outstanding Contribution to Music' award, the Belfast Telegraph reports. He was presented with the gong at a ceremony in Belfast where he was praised for championing emerging acts and giving homegrown bands a platform. The home of missing Brian Laundrie was suddenly surrounded by cops tonight as officers probed reports of gunshots and quizzed his mother over a possible disturbance. Amid tense scenes a dozen police vehicles swamped the family residence in North Port Florida at 6:45pm on Friday night and ordered onlookers to stand back. An officer was seen racing into a neighbors' yard and peering over the fence into the home where parents Christopher, 62, and Roberta, 55, have been holed up since reporting their fugitive son missing in the wake of Gabby Petito's homicide. Moments later Roberta opened the front door and spoke anxiously to an officer who was overheard asking her about a 'disturbance'. He left several minutes later. Police colleagues meanwhile knocked on the adjacent homes and asked similar questions, asking one if they had heard a 'loud bang' coming from a wooded area behind the Laundries' yard. Police later confirmed that the 911 call was being investigated as a possible prank. The home of missing Brian Laundrie was suddenly surrounded by cops tonight as officers probed reports of gunshots and quizzed his mother over a possible disturbance Moments later Roberta opened the front door and spoke anxiously to an officer who was overheard asking her about a 'disturbance'. He left several minutes later Police colleagues meanwhile knocked on the adjacent homes and asked similar questions, asking one if they had heard a 'loud bang' coming from a wooded area behind the Laundries' yard Gabby Petitio's body was found in the Spread Creek campsite in Wyoming on Sunday and the next day her death was ruled a homicide 'They asked me whether we heard a disturbance or anything like that,' said next-door neighbor Keith Graves, 52. 'I figured it was a prank or something like that' Another neighbor, who declined to be named added: 'Somebody reported a loud bang and police came running into the back yard. 'We didn't hear anything. They were looking into the woods behind. I think it may be connected to the land behind the house.' The incident was soon determined to be a false alarm and the dozens of cops who lined the street were stood down. A spokesman for the North Port Police Department said: 'At 6:45pm NPPD received a report of gunshots in the area of Brian Landries' home from unknown. 'No injuries are reported. Right now, no evidence any shots were actually fired in the area. No reports from the large contingency of media who were standing outside the home, either.' The incident was soon determined to be a false alarm and the dozens of cops who lined the street were stood down. A spokesman for the North Port Police Department said: 'At 6:45pm NPPD received a report of gunshots in the area of Brian Landries' home from unknown Police later confirmed that the 911 call was being investigated as a possible prank FBI and North Port police wrapped up their sixth day of searching for Laundrie, 23, in in alligator-infested Florida swampland that has so far cost an estimated $1.2million and with no trace of him, a search and rescue expert has exclusively told DailyMail.com. Mike Hadsell who knows the 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve search area intimately - added that Laundrie's parents could face the bill if it's proven they deceived police by wrongly telling them it's where he said he was heading last time they saw him. More than 50 searchers from the FBI plus cops in Laundrie's home town of North Port and several other law enforcement agencies are on their sixth day hunting for him in the highly dangerous and dense swampland. On Friday night, North Port Police said they will continue the search for him throught the weekend. They added: 'The question about costs have come up a lot today. We do not have that tallied up. We are not paying other agencies, it's mutual aid. From our personnel standpoint, I would say we are working this case instead of other things. That has an impact of course. There will be some overtime mixed in there. Cost of fuel and vehicle maintenance too. Almost every meal we've had at the PD has been made by family or donated. Every meal for those working out in the field has been donated by generous citizens and businesses. We have a special community.' The FBI has now issued a federal arrest warrant for Laundrie, 23, in connection with the death of van-life girlfriend Gabby Petito, 22, whose body was found in a remote area of Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming on Sunday after she was reported missing. Brian Laundrie, 23, who was reported missing last week, remains a person of interest in the disappearance and death of fiancee Gabby Petito. The manhunt for Laundrie has cost about $1.2million as it enters its sixth day, DailyMail.com can reveal Laundrie is considered a person of interest in her disappearance and death, which has been ruled a homicide. Gabby last spoke to her family on August 25 from Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. She had been traveling with Laundrie in the couple's camper van since July and the two were meant to return home in October. Laundrie, however, traveled back to his family's North Port, Florida home on September 1 without Gabby, and refused to speak to authorities about her disappearance. On Wednesday, neighbors revealed that they had seen Laundrie and his parents packing an 'attached camper' used for their long-weekend camping trips after he returned to the home. Charlene and William Guthrie claim they saw the Laundries hook up the camper to the back of their pickup truck for a weekend trip away on September 11 - the same day Gabby was reported missing. The family would have returned about two days later as DailyMail.com photos show the camper back in the driveway on September 13. When police contacted the Guthries, William told them about the family's trip, noting that it was unusual for Christopher and Roberta to go off in such a small camper with their 23-year-old son. 'I saw them doing some work. And then when they prepared for their trip, I saw them loading the camper,' William told Fox News. The Gunthries added that living next to the Laundries has become a nightmare since Gabby and later Laundrie went missing, with police and reporters roaming the neighborhood for nearly a month investigating the case. The Laundrie family were initially reluctant to cooperate with the investigation until Brian went missing last week. Police divers joined the search for Laundrie as more than 50 law enforcement officers from eight agencies continued to comb the 25,000-acre alligator and snake-infested swampland of Carlton Reserve, near the Laundrie home. Laundrie was believed to be hiding out in his parents' Florida home until September 14, when he purportedly set off on a hike at the local nature reserve. His family said they last saw him that day wearing a hiking bag, but did not report him missing until three days later, on September 17. His silver Ford Mustang was also found abandoned near the Carlton Reserve with a note requesting it be towed away. Search teams from multiple law enforcement agencies gathered Wednesday for a briefing before heading out into the 25,000-acre swampland Police divers joined the search for Brian Laundrie just before noon Wednesday with an airboat and dinghy North Port Police Commander Joe Fussell, who is helping coordinate the teams, countered criticism of the search. 'We are not wasting our time out here,' he said. 'We are doing our due diligence to find Brian in an area that intelligence had led to us that he could possibly be in. 'So it is upon us to make sure we search this area as best as we can, massive as it is, we the resources that we have to try to find Brian.' Speaking inside the Carlton Reserve on a police video update of the hunt, he explained the pressures searchers are under. 'The staff that are out there searching, the get home and they're exhausted,' he said. 'They're out here working as hard as they can. I tell you the only break they have during the day is when they come back to get a bite to eat. And then they go back into the wilderness and they hit it hard again. 'When they get home, they shower, wash off the dirt from the day and that is probably about the amount of energy that they have before they have to wake up and come back out the next day. 'This is wearing on everyone. Everyone has a level of stress, everybody has the drive. And that's really what's carrying us through. It's the drive to try to find Brian and try to bring closure to this investigation.' 'We're looking through wooded areas, we're looking through bodies of water, we're looking through swampy areas. We have air units, we have drones, we have the swamp buggies, air boats, multiple law enforcement agencies, we have ATVs, UTVs and we have officers on foot as well. 'We are deploying every resource to get through any terrain we encounter in our search areas.' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 31, has explained that she wept on the House Floor after the $1 billion Iron Dome bill was passed with an overwhelming majority because she felt there was a 'complete lack of regard for the party's most vulnerable members' In a letter she released on Friday, she slammed the 420 to 9 vote in the House which will send Israel $1 billion for its Iron Dome defense system. 'Yes, I wept,' she wrote. 'I wept for the complete lack of care for the human beings that are impacted by these decisions, I wept at an institution choose a path of maximum volatility and minimum consideration for its own political convenience. And I wept at the complete lack of regard I often feel our party has to its most vulnerable and endangered members and communities...' She continued with an apology to those she had disappointed with her 'present' vote, but cited this 'wasn't the first time people's wellbeing was tossed for political convenience.' AOC, who originally said she would vote 'no' for the bill, changed her vote to 'present' on Thursday. A visibly distraught Ocasio-Cortez can be seen being comforted by Representative Barbara Lee. She claimed she cried because the bill, which passed 420 to 0, was a 'complete lack of care for the human beings that are impacted' 'Yes, I wept': New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez released at letter to her district explained why she wept on the House floor after the 'unjust' Iron Dome bill was passed on Thursday This came after the Congresswoman requested House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to postpone the bill 24 hours so they could 'do the work necessary' and 'explain our positions.' Hoyer denied her request. In her letter, she condemned Congress's military spending, citing that in addition to the $1billion the bill provided, the government had already issued another $3billion to Israel that was authorized earlier this year. She clarified that her vote did not mean she didn't approve funding for the Dome, but that 'opposing it would not defund U.S. financing of the system in any way, shape, or form.' 'I believe strongly that Congress should take greater scrutiny with all military funding across the world. I also believe that, for far too long, the U.S. has handed unconditional aid to the Israeli government while doing nothing to address or raise the persistent human rights abuses against the Palestinian people, and that this imbalance of power must be centered in any honest conversation about Israel and Palestine - in addition to the many other government we militarily fund with a pattern of human rights abuses...' she wrote. A wider shot shows a group of lawmakers including Representative Debbie Dingell comforting AOC The Congresswoman requested House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to postpone the bill 24 hours so they could 'do the work necessary' and 'explain our positions.' Hoyer denied her request She cited Saudi Arabia and Colombia in her letter before continuing with how 'deeply unjust' the Iron Dome supplemental bill was brought to the House floor. She claimed the bill was 'quietly slip[ped]' in without the proper channels of committee debate. She called the House's decision 'reckless' and that it threatened to 'tear our community apart.' Among the 'no' votes were Tlaib and her fellow Squad members Representatives Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts During the debate before the vote, Foreign Affairs Chair Representative Ted Deutch of Florida, who opposed the $1billion in funds' initial removal from an earlier bill, condemned Tlaib when it was his turn to speak during the debate. 'I cannot - cannot allow one of my colleagues to stand on the floor of the House of Representatives and label the Jewish Democratic state of Israel an apartheid state,' Deutch said Thursday. 'I reject it.' 'If you believe in human rights, if you believe in saving lives - Israeli and Palestinian lives - I say to my colleague who just besmirched our ally, then you will support this legislation,' the moderate Democrat directed at Tlaib. He was cut off for time but given an additional 30 seconds - during which his barrage against Tlaib's criticisms of Israel continued. 'When there is no place on the map for one Jewish state - that's anti-Semitism, and I reject that,' Deutch said. Representative Rashida Tlaib urged her colleagues to vote against funding for Israel's 'apartheid regime' on Thursday, prompting a stunning rebuke from fellow Democrat Representative Ted Deutch The end of his speech was met with applause in the chamber. A few minutes earlier Tlaib asserted that Israel committed war crimes, invoking Human Rights Watch's previous condemnation of the country's actions in the Gaza Strip. 'I will not support an effort to enable war crimes, human rights abuses and war crimes,' Tlaib told lawmakers in the House chamber. 'We cannot be talking only about Israelis' need for safety under a time when Palestinians are living under a violent apartheid system.' 'We should also be talking about Palestinian need for security from Israeli attacks. We must be consistent in our commitment to human life.' She went on to lambast her colleagues for allocating taxpayer money to fund what she said Human Rights Watch called 'war crimes' like bombs launched at religious centers. 'The Israeli government is an apartheid regime - not my words, the words of Human Rights Watch,' Tlaib continued despite being told her allocated time was up. Republican Representative Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee also attacked Tlaib over her comments. Speaking directly after the Michigan lawmaker, Fleischmann gestured broadly as he delivered a furious condemnation of her remarks. Representative Chuck Fleischmann also reacted forcefully to Tlaib's comments, urging her fellow Democrats to condemn her Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid praised the House vote on Twitter 'They have a vocal minority in the majority party that is anti-Israel, that is anti-Semitic, and as Americans, we can never stand for that,' the GOP representative declared. 'As Americans, I beseech you, I reach out to the majority and I say condemn what we just heard on the House floor. Condemn terrorism. 'You just saw something on this floor I thought I would never see. Not only as a member of this House, but as an American - let's stand with Israel and condemn anti-Semitism.' Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid posted on Twitter celebrating the House vote. 'I am grateful for the overwhelming bipartisan support for Israel and the solid commitment to our security demonstrated today by the vote on the replenishment of the Iron Dome missile defense system,' Lapid said. It's not clear yet when the bill will get a vote in the Senate. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested it wasn't a matter of if it'll pass, but when. 'Iron Dome is very important and itll get done. Thats all Im going to say,' Schumer told Defense News on Thursday before the House vote. On Twitter earlier today, Tlaib said she will not be voting for Democratic leadership's bill allocating $1billion toward Israel, accusing the US ally of 'war crimes.' The bill was introduced by House Appropriations Chair Representative Rosa DeLauro on Wednesday after House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer first announced it Tuesday night, backed by Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Schumer and President Biden. Israel's Iron Dome is partially supported by US funds and has been operational since 2011 Funding for the Iron Dome was originally part of Democrats' continuing resolution aimed at suspending the debt ceiling and averting an October government shutdown. It was removed after progressive Democrats, including Tlaib and fellow Squad members Representatives Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts threatened to tank the crucial measure otherwise. But the morning of the vote, Tlaib attacked the measure on Twitter. 'I will not support a standalone supplemental bill of $1 billion to replenish the bombs Israel used to commit war crimes in Gaza,' she wrote. The progressive lawmaker was referring to a provision in the text of the bill adding that the funds are being used 'to address emergent requirements in support of Operation Guardian of the Walls.' It refers to the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) rocket campaign in May that killed more than 200 Palestinians in the Gaza strip and destroyed apartments, health clinics and a building that contained an Associated Press office. The IDF said it was targeting Hamas. The terror group also launched thousands of rockets into Israel, killing at least 10 Israelis in what they called Sword of Jerusalem. Iron Dome missiles intercepted 90 percent of rockets fired into Israel during the bloody conflict, Israeli officials claimed. Tlaib took issue with a provision in the bill's text that promotes Israel's rocket campaign against Gaza in May, dubbed Operation Guardian of the Walls Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, announced her intention to vote against the measure on Wednesday night The text in House Democrats' bill promoting Operation Guardian of the Walls is relatively vague. It could be interpreted a number of ways, including the US leaving the door open for more strikes on Gaza. However, intercepting Hamas rockets likely depleted a significant portion of Israel's Iron Dome missile supply, so the mention could refer to the $1 billion going toward replenishing the stocks. But on Thursday during debate ahead of the bill, DeLauro said the funds could not be used for the procurement of offensive weapons. Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, first announced her intention to vote against the funds on Wednesday night. 'I plan on casting a no vote,' the Michigan lawmaker said. 'We must stop enabling Israel's human rights abuses and apartheid government.' During the conflict in May, Tlaib made an impassioned speech on the House floor, lambasting Israel's 'inhumane' tactics and accused the US government of failing to recognize 'Palestinian humanity.' Israel's Iron Dome aerial defense system is activated to intercept a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip on May 12 A Palestinian man inspects the damage following reported Israeli airstrikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on September 12 'To read the statements from President Biden and Secretary Blinken, General Austin and leaders of both parties, youd hardly know Palestinians existed at all,' Tlaib said in May. In August, she was accused of anti-Semitism when she told an audience at the Democratic Socialists of America's national convention that people 'behind the curtain' are making money off of racist and 'broken' policies. 'They do it from Gaza to Detroit. And its a way to control people, to oppress people,' she said, earning accusations of using anti-Semitic tropes of Jewish people secretly controlling the world and exploiting others for financial gain. Yesterday, her fellow Squad member Representative Ilhan Omar expressed outrage on after House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced he'd bring the standalone bill allocating $1billion toward Israel's Iron Dome to the House floor. 'We sold $175 billion in weapons last yearmore than anyone in the worldto some of the worst human right abusers in the world,' Omar wrote on Twitter. 'Heres an idea: dont sell arms to anyone who violates human rights.' Omar issued a scathing statement after the House moved to bring $1 billion toward Israel's Iron Dome defense system to a vote Hoyer spoke on the House floor Tuesday evening, two hours after crisis talks with Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid. 'Iron Dome saved lives and property, and held Israel secure,' Hoyer told the House chamber. He said the legislation already has the support of top Democrats in government - including President Joe Biden. 'The president wants this bill passed, Mr. Schumer wants this bill passed, the speaker wants this bill passed,' Hoyer said. 'Scores of others on both sides of the aisle want to make sure that Israel is secure.' Lapid said the Maryland Democrat told him the measure was pulled on Tuesday because of a 'technical postponement' resulting from the debate in Congress over the US budget deficit. 'I thanked Majority Leader Hoyer for his commitment and emphasized to him the need to approve the request as soon as possible to ensure Israel's security needs,' Lapid wrote in Hebrew on Twitter. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer spoke with Israel's foreign minister before announcing the House would vote on a standalone bill to fund the Iron Dome Republican Representative Byron Donalds of Florida told DailyMail.com he would vote for the measure if it went through traditional House channels but expressed hesitance at voting for an expedited bill. 'The Congressman joins the Republican Conference and moderate Democrats in condemning the removal of these funds at the behest of anti-Israel leftists like AOC and Omar. While it doesnt make sense for the House to take up this funding in a standalone bill, Representative Donalds will likely support a clean bill that appropriates this vital funding to our longstanding ally, Israel,' Donalds' communications director Harrison Fields told DailyMail.com. He blasted its removal from the debt ceiling bill as 'reprehensible and completely unnecessary. GOP Representative Michael Guest of Mississippi told DailyMail.com he would support the measure. Representative Jody Hice of Georgia also told DailyMail.com he'd vote yes. Israel's Iron Dome has been operational since 2011 and is one of the most sophisticated defense systems in the world. It was created by Israeli military firms with additional support from the US. The all-weather system uses radar technology to detect incoming airborne threats and destroy them before they can cause damage. The radar then activates a control center that calculates a rocket's flight path. If it's found to be dangerous, interceptor missiles are launched to detonate the incoming weapon. Each Iron Dome 'battery' comprised of radar, control center and missiles costs roughly $100million. Missiles fired from the Iron Dome cost between $50,000 and $80,000, according to estimates from the Jerusalem Post. Israel uses Iron Dome systems to defend on land as well as at sea, where it can be fixed to Navy ships to guard offshore property. Former Hawthorn star Brad Sewell has won a messy legal battle over unpaid rent after leasing his multi-million dollar mansion to a property developer. The two-time premiership AFL player leased his Brighton property, in Melbourne, to Fridcorp founder Paul Fridman and his partner Kestie Lane. The couple signed a lease agreeing to pay $12,167 a month in rent. Sewell claimed the pair fell behind in their payments and owed him $48,472 before he took the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Former Hawthorn star Brad Sewell has won a messy legal battle over unpaid rent after leasing his multi-million dollar mansion to a property developer The two-time premiership AFL player leased his Brighton property, in Melbourne, to Fridcorp founder Paul Fridman and his partner Kestie Lane Mr Fridman claimed he was was forced to leave the property after the pool began to leak. He said it made the house 'uninhabitable', Herald Sun reported. He called himself a 'humble battler' and 'poor old tenant'. 'As a poor old tenant, just a battler in life, I just expect to have the normal luxuries of lockable doors and gates that lock and close,' he said. His comment comes despite the fact his massive property portfolio is worth millions of dollars. His company Fridcorp acquired The Intercontinental Hotel Double Bay, in eastern Sydney, for $180 million in May. The property was known as the Ritz Carlton in the 1990s, hosted Princess Diana in 1996 before INXS frontman Michael Hutchence was found dead in room 524 the following year. The hotel was purchased in a joint venture with Piety Group. Marshall White property manager Jennifer O'Connell labelled the legal process as 'unnecessary'. She said Mr Fridman and his partner had 'ample financial means to fulfil their rental obligations'. VCAT ordered the couple to pay the outstanding $48,472. Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr Fridman for comment. About five per cent of Australians have also invested in cryptocurrency Australians are shifting money out of savings accounts and into other investments. A national survey conducted by comparison site Finder has found 29 per cent of people with a nest egg in the bank have moved at least a portion of it due to the historically low rates they're earning. One in 10 of the 1015 respondants interviewed in July, or the equivalent of 2.1 million Australians, transferred some of their savings to what they described as an investment account. Australians are shifting money out of savings accounts and into other investments (astock image pictured) Some have opted to diversify with shares, with seven per cent shifting money into micro-investing apps like Raiz and seven per cent using some of their savings to top up super. A further five per cent have moved some of their savings into cryptocurrency. Reserve Bank data shows one-year term deposit rates dropped to just 0.25 per cent in May, their lowest since 1982. Three-year term deposits fell to 0.3 per cent, their lowest in nearly 40 years. Record low rates have made it tough for people to earn interest on money sitting in traditional accounts, according to investing expert Kylie Purcell. 'Instead, moving a portion of savings into shares gives people the opportunity to earn a higher return,'she said. 'Certain shares and funds also pay out dividends, which can give you an extra boost of cash.' One in 10 of the 1015 respondants interviewed in July, or the equivalent of 2.1 million Australians, transferred some of their savings to what they described as an investment account The research shows Australians, on average, have a touch under $23,400 invested in shares, an amount equivalent to 50 per cent of their savings. On average men invest more heavily in shares than women ($36,004 to $9,884 respectively). They also have a higher ratio of shares to savings than women at 74 per cent compared to 29 per cent. Ms Purcell says anyone keen to start investing needs to do their research before diving in. 'Investing is a smart way to increase your net wealth but it's essential to do your due diligence first,' she said. 'Putting all your eggs in one basket is never a smart move - diversifying your investments between different funds and different asset classes helps to reduce risk.' For those unsure where to start, ETFs or exchange traded funds are often recomended because they're considered safer than buying individual stocks. The average Australian has about $900 in cryptocurrency and $260 in micro-investing apps or about three per cent and one per cent of what they have in savings. Superannuation is Australia's biggest investment, with the average person having around $119,000 in super or approximately 236 per cent of what they have in savings. Despite the trend away from parking money in the bank, 56 per cent of Finder's survey respondants said they hadn't or hadn't yet moved any money from their savings account. Eleven per cent said they had placed money into an investment account, 12 per cent said they had shifted funds from their regular account into cash savings and 15 per cent revealed they did not have any savings. The 'heavily dismembered' bodies of a child and two adults were found in a burning dumpster outside of a storage business in Texas on Wednesday morning. The Fort Worth Fire Department found the bodies after they extinguished the fire in the 3100 block of Bonnie Drive at 6.17am. Officials said they had 'tentatively' identified one of the adults as 42-year-old David Lueras. The other two bodies are an unknown teenage or young adult female, and an unknown child whose gender is not yet confirmed. It is not clear how the victims are connected to each other. David Lueras, 42, is presumed to be one of the three people found dismembered Wednesday The other two victims have not been identified. Police said they are an unknown teenage or young adult female, and an unknown child whose gender is not yet confirmed Photos from the scene show the grassy area scorched and charred black where the fire was The bodies were burned and heavily dismembered and there are body parts that are unaccounted for 'The bodies were burned and heavily dismembered and there are body parts that are unaccounted for,' Fort Worth Police Department said in a press release Friday afternoon. 'The dismembered condition of the bodies is making the identification process difficult,' police said. They didn't say what business the dumpster belonged to, but station KXAS said it was behind a storage business. The address of the incident coincides with the location of Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage. Photos from the scene, from WFAA, show the grassy area scorched and charred black where the fire was. No arrests have been made as of Friday night, and the Fort Worth Police Department is requesting the public's help in the investigation. The bodies were found inside of a burning trash dumpster in Fort Worth, Texas The Fort Worth Police Department is requesting the public's help in the investigation Lueras is known to frequent the Dallas area and also has ties to Hurst, Euless, and Bedford areas, authorities said. A Facebook page for Lueras reveals he is from Perris, California, and now lives in Dallas. Lueras had previously pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine and theft over $1,500 in neighboring Dallas County, according to court records. He was also charged with home burglary and fraudulent use of identifying information. 'Identifying the perpetrators and suspects of this triple murder is the primary goal of this investigation,' police said. 'Any information related to a missing person or persons fitting the description of the victims is appreciated.' DailyMail.com has reached out to the Fort Worth Police Department for further information. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective M. Barron at 817-392-4339 or Detective T. OBrien at 817-392-4338. Callers can also contact the homicide unit at 817-392-4330 or call CrimeStoppers anonymously at 817-469-8477. The FBI has opened an investigation into the assault of a female solider by several male Afghan refugees at the US Army's Fort Bliss base, in New Mexico. The alleged assault took place on Sunday, at around midnight, when at least three men allegedly attacked the soldier near her car after she arrived for work at the Dona Ana Complex, which had been accepting refugees airlifted out of Afghanistan are housed, ABC 7 reports. 'We can confirm a female service member supporting Operation Allies Welcome reported being assaulted on September 19 by a small group of male evacuees ,' said Lt. Col. Allie Payne, director of Public Affairs for Fort Bliss and the 1st Armored Division. 'We take the allegation seriously and appropriately referred the matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.' The female soldier has not been identified. The assault took place at the Army's Dona Ana Complex at the Fort Bliss Base in New Mexico. Pictured, Afghan refugees being processed at the camp on September 10 The base began setting up tents and taking in refugees from Afghanistan in August Refugees stood in line to find housing in the Dona Ana village complex A man walks with a child inside the complex. Servicemembers are posted at the camp to help the refugees who were airlifted out of Afghanistan The solider has received medical care and counseling following the assault. She was reported to have recovered from her physical injuries. Payne added that more security measures, including improved lighting and enforcing 'buddy system,' were being added at the camp. There are nearly 10,000 refugees being housed at the base, USA Today reported. Special Agent Jeanette Harper, of the FBI's El Paso division, confirmed that the agency was investigating the matter. US Rep. Yvette Herrell, who represents the area, called the news a vetting failure, Fox reports. 'My prayers are with the courageous soldier and her family. This is yet another tragic failure in the vetting process for Afghan nationals,' Herrell tweeted. 'The American people deserve answers.' Families were given quarters at the camp after being screened and vetted The Army said it was stepping up security measures at the camp following the assault The assault comes days after two Afghan refugees at the US Airforce base camp in Wisconsin were arrested. On Wednesday, the Department of Justice announced that Bahrullah Noori, 20, was being charged with attempting to engage in a sexual act with a minor, using force against that person, along with three other counts of engaging in sex with a minor. Meanwhile, Mohammed Haroon Imaad, 32, is facing domestic assault charges after allegedly choking and suffocating his wife on September 17. Both acts reportedly happened while the two were staying at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin - where they were taken to following their evacuation from Afghanistan. They were both taken off of the base and are now being held at Dane County Jail. They were scheduled to be arraigned at a federal court in Madison on Thursday. Bahrullah Noori, left, is being charged with attempting to engage in a sexual act with a minor at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. Mohammed Haroon Imaad, right, is facing domestic assault charges after allegedly choking his wife If convicted, Noori faces a minimum of 30 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison for the use of force charge alone, with a maximum of 15 years on the other charges. Imaad's alleged victim told investigators he choked her, and 'threatened to send her back to Afghanistan where the Taliban could deal with her,' according to a criminal complaint obtained by WISN. Imaad faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison Hospitals are having to ration chemotherapy to cancer patients with the best chance of survival. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH), one of England's largest, said staff shortages meant it had to deny treatment to some patients with advanced diagnoses. It postponed treatment for 49 on Thursday as it had 30 per cent fewer specialist nurses than needed for a full service. Oncologist Dr Lucy Gossage wrote in a blog post: 'Right now, we don't have the staffing capacity to deliver chemotherapy to all our patients and so, for the first time, the prioritisation list has come into force. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) are having to ration chemotherapy to cancer patients with the best chance of survival due to staff shortages (stock image) 'We are unable to offer chemotherapy that aims to prolong life or palliate symptoms for people with advanced cancer. We hope that this is very temporary, but it's indicative of a system on its last legs. 'As oncologists, we're not used to apologising for a broken system and that is what we're doing every day. This is not ok. Our patients are not ok. We are not ok.' Last night, NUH said it was urgently trying to fill vacant posts and hoped to offer chemotherapy to all who needed it next month. A spokesman told The Daily Telegraph it would expect to 'restart chemotherapy for all patients who require it in October'. The spokesman said vacancies and long-term staff sickness were contributing to the crisis, and that recruitment was ongoing. Oncologist Dr Lucy Gossage wrote they were unable to offer chemotherapy that aims to prolong life or palliate symptoms (stock image) 'We continue to provide chemotherapy to patients who benefit most from the treatment and the small number of patients affected have been contacted directly by their specialist cancer team and offered support,' he said. The warning follows a report predicting that even if oncology departments boost the number of patients they see by 5 per cent, the backlog will take more than a decade to clear. Experts believe 19,500 people are living with undiagnosed cancer because of the pandemic. Scott Morrison has promised more flights home for Australians stranded overseas once the country hits its vaccination target. During the Quad meeting at Washington DC, the Prime Minister said stranded expats would be able to return home once 80 per cent of Australians are double jabbed. The target is expected to be reached by December but Mr Morrison could not guarantee that the 45,000 stranded Aussies would be back in time for Christmas. Speaking from Washington DC on Saturday, Scott Morrison (pictured) has said Australians will be able to return home once the country's vaccination rate hits 80 per cent He said arrival caps, which were introduced to help manage hotel quarantine figures, would be lifted allowing for more Australians to return home. 'We have been running more commercial flights and if we need to, we will (run more), but once we hit 80 per cent vaccinations, then that means Australians will be able to travel in those states that are opening up,' he told reporters on Saturday. 'They will be able to get on planes and go overseas and come home, and that means Australians who are overseas and who are vaccinated with the vaccines that are recognised in Australia will be able to get on planes and come to Australia.' At 80 per cent vaccination international borders will be set to reopen with caps on arrivals to be lifted as part of the country's national roadmap to reopening. But he could not confirm that all 45,000 Aussies stranded overseas would make it home in time for Christmas Current projections indicate Australia's vaccination target is expected to be reached by December. Earlier in the week Scott Morrison confirmed he would forge ahead with relaxing tough border measures in line with the national reopening plan. 'That's certainly what we intend to facilitate - for vaccinated people to travel,' he told reporters in Washington DC on Thursday. Mr Morrison said he was looking forward to welcoming back students and skilled migrants when borders ease. 'Those vaccination numbers will continue to rise,' he said. 'As they rise, the opportunities to get back to life as normal as it can be, and living with the virus, will just be coming closer each and every day.' Once Australia's population hits 80 per cent double jabbed international borders are expected to open with flight caps lifted for arrivals Australia is in talks to set up quarantine-free travel bubbles with the UK, US, South Korea, Singapore and Pacific islands such as Fiji for the fully vaccinated. Over 26,130,313 doses of the vaccine have been administered to Australians across the country. Of that number 10,340,279 are fully jabbed. On Friday Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the state would start a four-week trial of home quarantine for returning Australians as NSW edges closer to 80 per cent vaccination. Qantas is preparing to restart international flights on December 18 with NSW residents expected to fly to London and New York. Queensland and WA are set to keep borders shut until 90 per cent vaccination is achieved as part of its Covid elimination strategy. An innocent police post about safely rescuing a chicken from a street has gone viral for a very unexpected reason. Police were called to Wilson Street in Sydney's inner-west suburb of Newtown at 3pm on Sunday after a lone chicken was found crossing the road. After a lot of trial and error by officers and members of the public, police said they were able to safely secure the timid bird and transport it to Sydney University Vet Hospital, where it is under care. Police were called to Wilson Street in Sydney's inner-west suburb of Newtown on Sunday September 19 at 3pm after a lone chicken was found crossing the road NSW Police shared the news on Facebook and wrote: 'Look what Inner West Police Area Command found eggs-ploring the streets of Newtown!' The post was accompanied by a photo of a male police officer wearing a mask and gloves in a vehicle, with the rescued chook held up in his hands. The image has since gone viral after many users of the social media platform started to swoon over the police officer. NSW Police shared the news on Facebook and the post has since gone viral for a very unexpected reason One user wrote: 'Omg this police officer is gorgeous! Hello.' Another said: 'How old is the handsome policeman? Asking for a friend.' 'I do not see a hot chook, all I see is a hot policeman,' wrote a third. The image of the male officer holding the chook caused many Facebook users to swoon over the attractiveness of the officer Others were quick to comment on how they wish they had been in the position of the chicken in this instance. 'Lucky old chook to be picked up by that cutie,' a user said. 'I think any good CHICK would cross the road to be held by this officer,' wrote another. While social media remains in a frenzy over the male officer, police are continuing investigations. Anyone with information about the chicken or its owner is asked to contact University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney. Advertisement The View co-host Ana Navarro says she has tested negative for COVID-19 twice after she was whisked off the stage with co-host Sonny Hostin earlier today before they were scheduled to greet Vice President Kamala Harris. Co-hosts Ana Navarro and Sunny Hostin were booted from Friday morning's live broadcast after returning the positive results at the eleventh hour. The bombshell news caused chaos on the show's set and forced Harris to delay her interview, which was eventually conducted via video link from another room at ABC's New York studios. Navarro, who only co-hosts the show a few times a week, told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Friday night that she is 'tested weekly' and has since tested negative for the virus twice. 'All of sudden it turned into an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm,' she told Cooper. She told Cooper she and Hostin were taken to their dressing rooms where they received an antigen and a PCR test and had to wait there until they got their results. Navarro declined to reveal Hostin's results, but revealed her original test was a 'false positive.' "The View" guest host Ana Navarro breaks down the awkward moment she and her co-host learned they had tested positive for Covid-19 while on-air. She has since tested negative. "This is in the middle of live TV," says Navarro. "As you know, Anderson, the show must go on." pic.twitter.com/mlpp9hEO6L Anderson Cooper 360 (@AC360) September 25, 2021 The View co-host Ana Navarro told CNN's Anderson Cooper she has since tested negative for COVID-19 twice since being whisked off stage earlier today during the live broadcast of the show and that she is 'tested weekly' Curb Your Enthusiasm: The co-hosts looked stunned as they received the news ahead of the highly-anticipated interview The pair were dramatically ordered off set seconds before Harris walked out in front of a live audience, leaving producers scrambling Navarro and Hostin were sitting on stage alongside co-hosts Joy Behar and Sara Haines shortly after 10am Friday as they prepared to welcome Harris to their table. But the introduction was dramatically interrupted by showrunner Teta, who yelled for Hostin and Navarro to leave the room. 'I had just been told in our ears that we are,' she said when Cooper rolled the tape showing the stunned reactions of the two women, 'We're like: "What did you just say? Did I just hear you right?" And this was in the middle of live TV.' As the women were finding our about the rapid test results came back positive, co-host Joy Behar could be heard on the show, which aired live earlier today, saying: 'There seems to be something happening here that I'm not 100 per cent aware of. Can someone please reprise me on the situation?' As Navarro and Hostin made their exit, Behar tried to keep the showing moving forward with the Harris interview, but it was ultimately delayed and the Vice President later appeared via video call. 'As you know, Anderson, the show must go on,' Navarro told Cooper on his show. Earlier today, an ABC insider accused The View of 'monumental failure' after the two co-hosts were pulled from their chairs, claiming it was a 'security risk.' 'This is a monumental failure on the part of the showrunner Brian Teta, ABC News' Kim Goodwin and Disney's Peter Rice,' the anonymous insider exclusively told DailyMail.com. 'This is a national security risk. Had Sunny and Ana actually met Kamala, she would've been at risk. What an utter waste of her time. I doubt we'll be able to book her again.' Behar and Haines were left on stage, scrambling to fill air time. The pair spent several minutes taking viewer questions in scenes described by one columnist as 'an absolute train wreck.' Harris was eventually set up in a back room, and conducted a shortened interview with Behar and Haines remotely. The ABC insider says Friday morning's broadcast blunder was indicative of the chaos that occurs behind the scenes at the daytime show. 'It shows how poorly mismanaged the show is... Kim Goodwin and Peter Rice need to step in and take control of this show, as it truly is a s**t show that they both have no control over.' The ABC insider told DailyMail.com that Behar - who is 78 years old - has been particularly concerned about contracting COVID, and that lax testing had put the veteran star at risk. 'Joy is an elderly woman pushing 80, regardless of her vaccination status, she needs to be protected and they have failed in their duty of care,' the source fumed. 'Over the summer, Joy had been very vocal to ABC management about her concerns returning to the studio, they could've exposed her to great danger. 'Remember Joy was one of the first hosts to work from home when the pandemic began. This is just simply unacceptable to do this to her. The source said The View's original co-creator, Barbara Walters, once had tight control over the production. However, they claimed the show has spiraled out of control since Teta joined six seasons ago. 'Brian has no control at all. Had Barbara Walters still been there none of this would've been allowed to happen. 'Barbara used to run this place with an iron fist, Brian just rolls over and lets chaos ensue. The hosts have too much power, they literally answer to no one. 'His a** should be on the line for this.' The source said The View's original co-creator, Barbara Walters, once had tight control over the production. However, they claimed the show has spiraled out of control since Brian Teta (pictured) joined six seasons ago. 'Barbara used to run this place with an iron fist': The source said The View's original co-creator, Barbara Walters, once had tight control over the production. She is pictured on her final day on The View in 2014 Harris' introduction was dramatically interrupted by showrunner Teta, who yelled for Hostin and Navarro to leave the room Harris did not come out to the stage, instead conducting her interview with Behar and Haines via video link from a room elsewhere at the ABC studios After Hostin and Navarro were taken off set, Behar was left to explain to the audience what had happened. 'Sunny and Ana both apparently tested positive for COVID. No matter how hard we try, these things happen,' she stated. 'They probably have a breakthrough case and they will both be okay, I'm sure, because they are both vaccinated'. A spokesperson from the Vice President's Office told DailyMail.com: 'The Vice President did not have contact with the hosts before the show. Her schedule today will continue as planned.' The VP flew back to Washington DC this afternoon, where she is expected to meet with the Prime Ministers of Australia, India and Japan. It is unclear when she will next see President Joe Biden face-to-face. The View hosts Sunny Hostin (second right) and Ana Navarro (far right) were dramatically ordered off set after testing positive for COVID ahead of an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday Media critics and viewers were left aghast at the drama which unfolded live on air. 'Vice President Harris apparently is waiting backstage. Behar now taking questions from the audience. An absolute train wreck,' The Hill columnist Joe Concha tweeted. 'Two hosts (vaccinated) on @TheView were rushed off stage during the show after testing positive for COVID-19, following their self-righteous condemnation of the unvaccinated. You can't make it up,' Madison Gesiotto Gilbert wrote. Tomi Lahren chimed in: 'Wait wait WHAT?! These women on @TheView just get done preaching about COVID and health and safety and how bad the unvaccinated are and no sh*t in the commercial break 2 of them have to leave because they havewait for itCOVID!' She added: 'Well apparently the super health cautious ladies of @TheView may be the super spreaders they lecture you about!' It's unclear why ABC's COVID-19 testing results were received at the eleventh hour. It is also unclear if everyday hosts are tested daily or weekly. Navarro, who only hosts a few days a week, reported she is usually 'tested before I come into the building.' The interview with VP Harris had long been in the works and had been vigorously promoted by the network in recent days. DailyMail.com has reached out to the network for comment. Joy Behar and Sara Haines were left scrambling after the news was announced. Harris' interview was delayed News of The View's COVID-19 chaos comes on the same day that President Biden told frontline workers and those over the age of 65 who got the Pfizer vaccine to get booster shots. His order came after CDC director Rochelle Walensky overruled her own agency's advisory panel in a rare move late Thursday night and added a recommendation for COVID-19 vaccine boosters for people at risk because of their jobs. 'You're over 65 years of age, go get a booster. Or if you have a medical condition like diabetes, or you're a frontline worker like a health care worker or a teacher, you can get a free booster now,' Biden said in remarks at the White House Friday. The CDC committee voted against recommending use for those are at risk due to an 'occupational or institutional settings,' claiming there wasn't enough data to make such a recommendation. The decision only applies to those who have received the Pfizer vaccine. The FDA has yet to weigh Moderna Inc's application for boosters and Johnson & Johnson Inc. has not yet filed an application. President Joe Biden urged 60 million Americans who got the Pfizer vaccine, primarily those over 65, to get booster shots A TikToker has defended Year 12 students as they prepare to sit for their HSC after their final examinations were delayed and students were told to stop 'whinging'. The social media star, who goes by the name of Uncle Nathan, said he sympathised with students after their end-of-year exams were pushed back because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The HSC is normally held in October but students have been forced to sit them in November. To add more pressure, they have spent most of the school year learning from home. 'Year 12 students have basically been studying for over 10 weeks now for exams that might not even happen,' Uncle Nathan said in a TikTok video. The social media star, who goes by the name of Uncle Nathan, said he sympathised with students after their end-of-year exams were pushed back because of the Covid-19 pandemic The HSC is normally held in October but students have been forced to sit them in November. To add more pressure, they have spent most of the school year learning from home (stock image) 'It is significant. It is scary. Imagine having the most important thing in your life so far be just a few weeks only to be told, ''Oh wait, we're just going to push it back a little bit''.' 'And then you start preparing for that date, and they push it back again.' Disruptions to classroom learning has been experienced by final year students across the entire country. Though some have been allowed to return to campus sooner than others. Students living in regional Victoria have been allowed to return to the classroom. Those living in Greater Melbourne must continue with online learning as stay-at-home orders remain in place. In NSW, Year 12 students living outside of the 12 local government areas of concern have been able to access their school campus. Meanwhile, their peers in western Sydney have been banned from returning to the classroom. Full-access to school resources will finally be given to all students on October 29. They will then have to sit their exams less than two weeks later on November 9. The constant changes to the exam dates and limited access to resources has only added more pressure on students. Year 12 student Tara Linker admitted the year had been challenging and that students held massive concerns for their future. Uncle Nathan's TikTok video has drawn praise from high school students who have thanked the social media star for throwing his support behind them during this difficult time 'We have had to face weeks of uncertainty about our trials, had to sit our trials online and have missed our last term of school - no final assembly, no graduation ceremony, no last recess or lunch with our friends,' she told Sydney Morning Herald. 'Now we have been told that our HSC is to be delayed by another month. I think I am most angry about the lack of consultation.' In his video, Uncle Nathan said it was time for residents to stop giving Year 12s a hard time and to take their unprecedented situation seriously. 'All of us adults have to quit giving the Year 12s such a hard time and understand that this s*** is hard for them,' Uncle Nathan said. 'Instead of looking at all the Year 12 students like little babies having a cry let's start helping them. Let's make the HSC easier for them. Let's give them these certainties.' 'I'm so sick of everyone having a go at each other. The HSC is the hardest thing you've ever done up until that point.' In NSW, Year 12 students living outside of the 12 local government areas of concern have been able to access their school campus 'For you and I, it's easy to sit here and say why are you complaining, the HSC doesn't even matter. 'But to all the students who are doing the HSC right now, it does matter.' His TikTok video has drawn praise from high school students who have thanked the social media star for throwing his support behind them during this difficult time. 'Thank you so much - from a struggling Year 12 student,' one person wrote. Another person added: 'Me watching this as I am sitting on my Zoom "graduation".' Other residents have remained unsympathetic and told Year 12 students to stop complaining. 'Buckle up buttercup life is yet to kick you in the nuts,' one person wrote. Another person added: 'Need to toughen up'. Advertisement Gabby Petito's hometown in Long Island paid a somber tribute to the 22-year-old 'van life' girl whose remains were discovered at a camp site near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming weeks after she was last seen alive. The 'Light the Night for Gabby Petito' event took place in Blue Point and West Islip as neighbors lit candles throughout the towns in memory of Petito, whose missing persons case captured the nation as police continue the search for her fiance, Brian Laundrie in the vast Carlton Reserve in Florida. Hundreds of candles had been given out throughout Blue Point as organizers also collected $20 donations to deliver to Petito's family, ABC 7 reports. The community also decorated thousands of trees with blue ribbons to honor the 2017 Bayport-Blue Point High School graduate. The somber vigil came ahead of Petito's cremation Saturday. There will also be a public memorial for her on Sunday ahead of her funeral on Monday. Petito, who embarked on a cross-country road trip with her fiance Brian Laundrie, was last seen alive on August 25. Laundrie returned home to Florida on September 1, and she was reported missing by her parents 11 days later. After an extensive search at Grand Teton National Park's Spread Creek campground, Petito's remains were discovered on September 19. A coroner ruled that she died as a result of a homicide, but her manner of death has not yet been revealed. Laundrie's parents said he left their home on September 14 - but only reported him missing three days later. FBI and local police are still searching for him in an alligator-infested reserve five miles from his home. Resident in Blue Point, New York, set up a candlelight vigil on Friday for their neighbor Gabby Petito, the missing 'van-life' girl whose case captured the nation and whose body was finally found on Sunday Resident put together a number of vigils throughout the town of Blue Point Members of the media recorded one of the makeshift memorial sites for the late travel blogger Makeshift memorial, like the one pictured, were set up throughout the Blue Point in memory of Petito Candles were placed along the streets of Blue Point in solidarity of the late Gabby Petito Many of the notes left in the memorial sites read, 'Rest in Peace Gabby,' ahead of her funeral scheduled for Monday Residents in Blue Point, pictured, and West Islip gathered to mourn the loss of Gabby Petito Dorothy Johnson, of Blue Point, told News 12, 'For me it's important just to acknowledge Gabby, to support the family throughout the whole community, not only our community but throughout Long Island. Many people are lighting a candle.' Jennifer Horton, of Blue Point, also put candles outside her driveway to honor Petito. 'When the community loses one, we all do," says Horton. "So just remember the great life she had. Losing her so young and just to really celebrate her life.' Joseph Petito, Gabby's father, confirmed that he funeral will take place at the Moloney Funeral Home, in Holbrook, on September 26. The funeral home told The Sun that a memorial service was being held on Sunday for Petito's cremation. The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Future Gabby Petito Foundation through the Johnny Mac Foundation. The vigils were held on Friday, ahead of Petito's funeral and cremation services on Monday Residents put up a heart-shaped memorial. Candles were handed out and $20 donations were collected for Petito's family Posters and tributes were set up across town. A 'Fly High Gabby' poster was put up on a tree One resident set up a candle outside outside her driveway to show solidarity for their late neighbor Another Blue Point neighbor helped adjust candles at one of the vigil sites Residents also put together cards and notes to display in tribute of their late neighbor Other residents set put up flowers to display at one of the sites besides a display that read 'Wings of An Angel Gabby' The memorial sites showed off candles, cards, posters, stuffed animals and flowers dedicated to the late Peitio The site stands by a large display that reads, 'Gabby Petito, Forever in our hearts' 'Shine a light for Gabby' event took place in her hometown of Blue Point, pictured, and in West Islip Petito's stepfather, James Schmidt, had visited the exact spot where her body was found in Wyoming, and created a memorial to the 22-year-old New Yorker. Schmidt, who is married to Petito's mother Nichole, traveled from New York to Wyoming last week to help with the search for the missing 'van life' traveler. She had been reported missing on September 11, and he set out on September 14. Her body was found on September 19. On Wednesday Schmidt made a stone cross at the site where Petito was discovered, Fox News confirmed. He left yellow and white flowers on the site, beneath the trees. Gabby Petito's stepfather James Schmidt has visited the exact spot where she was killed, and created a stone cross. He laid a floral tribute James Schmidt, Gabby Petito's stepfather, traveled to Wyoming on September 14 to help the search for the 22-year-old. Four days later her body was found A memorial of stones arranged in a cross pattern was spotted Monday evening at the Spread Creek Dispersed Campsite east of the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. On Wednesday Petito's stepfather made a similar tribute at the exact spot where her body was found A similar memorial had been made on Monday, on an open patch of muddy land on the banks of a river near the campsite. Gary Rider, a friend of Schmidt, said the pair had visited the site on Wednesday and that they had left some flowers next to the other cross. 'We did go the small cross with flowers was made by Jim and myself,' he told The Independent. 'That larger cross was not done by anyone connected with the search or recovery of Gabby.' Gabby's body was found in the area on Sunday and the next day her death was ruled a homicide. The manhunt for her fiance Brian Laundrie enters its sixth day as he's been declared a person of interest. Gabby Petito, 22, is pictured with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie, 23, in a YouTube video made to document their 'van life' road trip. Petito's body was found on Sunday and Laundrie has disappeared Petito and Laundrie are seen on July 4 in Utah. They had set out two days previously on a road trip, planning to document their journey on social media 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 Laundrie was believed to be hiding out in his parents' Florida home until September 14, when he purportedly set off on a hike at the local nature reserve. His family said they last saw him that day wearing a hiking bag, but did not report him missing until three days later, on September 17. His silver Ford Mustang was also found abandoned near the Carlton Reserve with a note requesting it be towed away. 'These guys, our law enforcement partners are motivated and they are hungry to find Brian Laundrie,' North Port Police commander Joe Fussell, who is helping to coordinate the search, said Wednesday. 'It's rough out there, it's hot, it's wet. We are trying to cover every acre in this reserve.' On Wednesday there was a flurry of activity as divers were brought to the site, but it later emerged that there was no connection to the case. The team, made up of about 10 divers, was requested by North Port Police on Wednesday morning, said Sarasota County Sheriff's office spokesperson Kaitlyn Perez. 'These divers are specifically trained and very talented in low visibility bodies of water,' Perez said. 'They dive down where you and I can't see anything at all. They utilize technology and other special equipment to help them get down deep into really deep bodies of water, so they're out there right now to recover whatever it is that they might find.' The search has cost $1.2million so far as it enters its sixth day. Search teams are pictured on Wednesday heading into the Carlton Reserve in Florida The Carlton Reserve has been the focus of a search for Laundrie since his car was found at the site on Sunday Laundrie was apparently an avid reader, with some pointing to a video on the couple's YouTube page showing him reading a book about a missing woman. He is seen here camping on the Appalachian trail with Petito in March for her birthday On Thursday, the FBI issued a warrant for Laundrie's arrest after he fraudulently used a Capitol One Bank debit card that was not his. The FBI said Laundrie is wanted for 'use of unauthorized access device' related to his activities between August 30 and September 1, following Petito's death, and that he used the card to obtain items totaling $1,000 or more. The statement by the Bureau's Denver desk says: 'While this warrant allows law enforcement to arrest Mr Laundrie, the FBI and our partners across the country continue to investigate the facts and circumstances of Ms. Petito's homicide. 'We urge individuals with knowledge of Mr Laundrie's role in this matter or his current whereabouts to contact the FBI.' Authorities are continuing to search for Laundrie, 23, who was last seen by his parents and his attorney last week. Steve Bertolino, Laundrie's attorney, issued a statement Thursday evening after the FBI's arrest warrant for his fugitive client was made public, emphasizing that the warrant was not for Petito's death but for related activities that took place after her demise. 'It is my understanding that the arrest warrant for Brian Laundrie is related to activities occurring after the death of Gabby Petito and not related to her actual demise,' Bertolino told Dailymail.com Laundrie and Petito were reported to have been in heated arguments prior to her disappearance and death. Nina Celie Angelo of New Orleans said she and her boyfriend were at the Merry Piglets restaurant in Jackson Hole on August 27 and saw the tragic Long Island woman try to calm down the hot-headed Laundrie. 'He was just very visibly angry. She was really upset. She was crying. He immediately went to the hostess stand and was going in on the hostess and the waitress and eventually the manager,' Angelo told GMA. 'It was almost like he was screaming. She was like "I'm sorry, come on just let's just go." But she was physically upset, she was crying. You could feel his temper. He was angry.' Nina Celie Angelo (left) of New Orleans recalled the August 27 incident in Jackson Hole, Wyoming involving Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie (right) Angelo, a photographer, was with her boyfriend, financial adviser Matthew England, when they stopped to have lunch at Merry Piglets sometime between 1 and 2pm. The couple was in Wyoming in late August to attend a wedding. While dining at the restaurant, they overheard a loud conversation in which another customer, Laundrie, was heard screaming at wait staff in what appeared to be an argument over the check The sighting at the Jackson Hole restaurant places Petito 300 miles north of Salt Lake City and just 45 miles from the Wyoming campground in the Grand Tetons where her remains were found. Moab City Police Department announced that they will launch an independent investigation into their officers' handling of another domestic dispute between Laundrie and Petito that took place on August 12. Police found Laundrie with scratches to his face, with Petito claiming she'd hit him with a phone while battling her OCD. Officers deemed her to be the 'primary aggressor' and separated the couple for the night to try and defuse the tension between them, but neither were arrested. That has subsequently triggered allegations that investigating the incident more deeply might have saved Petito's life, although other's have countered by hailing the cops' calm handling of the couple. The recorded encounter began after a chilling 911 audio captured a caller in Utah reporting a domestic abuse incident involving Petito and Laundrie that claimed Laundrie slapped her. In the audio, obtained by DailyMail.com, the male caller tells a Grant County sheriff that a 'gentleman' in a white van with a Florida license plate had slapped a girl in the vehicle before driving away. Moab City Police Department and the City of Moab an investigation into officers' handling of a domestic dispute between Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito a month before she was found dead in Wyoming 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' The man also mentions the incident had happened 'by Moonflower' - likely referring to the Moonflower Community Cooperative in Moab, where Laundrie and Petito stayed the night of August 11 and where they reportedly were seen having an explosive fight. 'I'm right in the corner of Main Street by Moonflower and we are driving and I'd like to report a domestic dispute. Florida with a white van - Florida license plate, white van,' the man says before being interrupted by the officer, who asks him what he saw exactly. 'They just drove off. They're going towards Main Street. They made a right onto Main Street from Moonflower. We drove by him, a gentleman was slapping the girl,' the man continues. 'He was slapping her?' the sheriff asks. 'Yes. And then we stopped. They ran down an up the sidewalk. He proceeded to hit her, hopped in the car and they drove off,' the man says as the audio ends. Shortly after the call at 4:30 pm, Petito and Laundrie were filmed in police bodycam footage when they were stopped by Moab Police. The bodycam footage shows an officer reporting that the driver of a vehicle ahead is showing 'obscure driving', driving 45mph in a 15mph road, and is 'possibly intoxicated.' He says the vehicle has bumped a curb and puts the sirens on. Petito later told officers that the couple didn't drink. Moab police officers separated the couple for the night after responding to the 911 call. The City of Moab said they are 'unaware of any breach of Police Department policy' in their handling of Petito and Laundrie's domestic dispute Police bodycam footage revealed the moment Utah cops asked missing 'van-life' woman Gabby Petito why she slapped her boyfriend Brian Laundrie in a dramatic incident 13 days before she disappeared on their cross-country trip The officer then gets out the vehicle and approaches the couple's white camper van, which they have pulled over. The officer asks Petito to step out of the vehicle and takes her down the road, separating the couple to ask her what happened. In the video, an emotional Petito tells officers with tears streaming down her face that she 'was trying to get him [Laundrie] to stop telling [her] to calm down' and admitting the couple had 'been fighting all morning.' In the bodycam footage from Moab officers, 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. The officer tells Petito she is 'not in any trouble' and escorts her to the back of the cop car so she can 'take a breath' and have 'a few minutes.' 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'. He later said she was angry with him because of his dirty feet. 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. 'I am separating you two tonight, okay?' the officer is heard telling Petito. The 22-year-old nods through tears in response and mouths 'okay.' Moab city officials released a statement on Thursday which said they were 'unaware of any breach of Police Department policy.' They noted that 'individuals can view the same situation in very different ways' and 'recognize how the death of Ms. Petito more than two weeks later in Wyoming might lead to speculation, in hindsight, about actions taken during the incident in Moab.' President Joe Biden said the Indian press 'is much better behaved' than the American press during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Friday visit to the Oval Office. This comes just days after refusing to take questions from American journalists during Tuesday's meeting with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. 'I think what we're going to do is bring in the press,' Biden said Friday as he and Modi sat down for their meeting. 'The Indian press is much better behaved than the American press,' Biden said. 'I think, with your permission,' the president said to Modi, 'you could not answer questions because they won't ask any questions on point.' RNC Research, a right-wing Twitter page, and dozens of other shared the clip of the comments, which weren't included in the official White House transcript. RNC Research was retweeted over 740 times by Friday night and liked nearly 1,400 times. Katie Rogers, a White House reporter for The New York Times, retweeted the clip and said on Twitter, 'I thought Modi had said this when I heard about it, but nope that's the American president.' Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined President Joe Biden in the Oval Office on Friday 'I think, with your permission,' Biden said to Modi, 'you could not answer questions because they won't ask any questions on point' Another White House correspondent Christian Datoc, a reporter for the DC Examiner, tweeted, 'Pretty Trumpian.' Chuck Ross, an investigative reporter at The Washington Free Beacon, also retweeted RNC Research's video clip and said, 'India ranks 142nd in the world in press freedom, according to Reporters Without Borders. Russia is 150th (U.S. is 44).' Biden's snarky comment on Friday was the latest spat with the White House Press Corp and reporters. Just a couple days ago, Biden was criticized for not taking questions during Tuesday's meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson; something Johnson did. On Wednesday, the Washington Post's White House bureau chief Ashley Parker blasted the Biden administration for shutting down questions from American reporters. Katie Rogers, a White House reporter for The New York Times Christian Datoc, a reporter for the DC Examiner Chuck Ross, an investigative reporter at The Washington Free Beacon 'Worth noting that Biden ran for office promising to restore democracy after 4 years of Trump. But today it was the British leader, NOT the American one, who spotlighted a key tenet of a flourishing democracy - respect for a free press - by taking questions from his press corps,' Parker tweeted Tuesday night. Biden did not recognize any American reporters for questions during Tuesday's Oval Office meeting with Johnson - and his aides cleared out journalists as they tried to query the president. Reporters shouted questions to Biden about topics like the southern border crisis and why border patrol agents on horseback used whips to round up Haitian migrants, but Biden left while giving inaudible, unclear answer. Over the summer, Biden snapped at NBC News reporter Kelly O'Donnell for asking about the Department of Veterans' Affairs vaccine mandate during a July meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at the White House As White House staff began ushering reporters out of the room, O'Donnell shouted a question about Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough's department-wide COVID vaccine mandate for its health care workers. 'You are such a pain in the neck, but I'm going to answer your question because we've known each other so long,' the president shot back. The Washington Post's White House bureau chief Ashley Parker was critical of Biden in a Tuesday night tweet President Joe Biden holds a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the Oval Office at the White House About a month earlier, Biden was clearly agitated when CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins asked him, 'Why are you so confident [Putin] will change his behavior, Mr. President?' following the president's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden started to walk away but stopped and whirled around when he heard Collins' question and began a tense back and forth with the veteran reporter. 'What the hell? When did I say I was confident?' Biden said during the exchange. Biden later apologized for being 'a wise guy.' Prime Minister Scott Morrison has doubled down on calls for an independent review into the origins of Covid-19 despite China inflicting months of economic pain on Australia. More than 70 per cent of Australia's adult population have received one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while more than half have had two doses, Mr Morrison told the United Nations General Assembly in a pre-recorded address on Friday. But he said preventing future pandemics remained a priority and pushed for 'accelerated efforts' to identify how Covid-19 first emerged. 'Australia called for an independent review, and sees understanding the cause of this pandemic not as a political issue, but as being essential, simply, to prevent the next one,' Mr Morrison said. 'We need to know so we can prevent this death and this calamity being visited upon the world again. 'That can be our only motivation.' Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison meets with US Vice President Kamala Harris and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in Washington DC In what appeared to be a reaction to April 2020's original call for an independent review, China has targeted Australia's agricultural and resources sector, with measures affecting export products including wine, seafood, barley and coal, treasurer Josh Frydenberg said earlier this month. Those trade actions have seen total exports to China fall by around $5.4 billion over the year to the June quarter, Mr Frydenberg said, although most of these goods were successfully redirected elsewhere. The Prime Minister also said Australia supported calls for a stronger and more independent World Health Organization, with enhanced surveillance and pandemic-response powers. And he stood by the recent decision to develop nuclear-powered submarines as part of a new security pact with the United States and the United Kingdom, which has drawn pushback from France and China. The deal resulted in Australia tearing up a $90 billion contract with France for diesel submarines, and will instead see the US and the UK share sensitive technology to allow the development of Australia's first nuclear-powered submarines. The Chinese government said the 'extremely irresponsible' deal would seriously undermine regional peace and stability, while the nationalistic Global Times tabloid carried an editorial warning Australia not to act provocatively or China would 'certainly punish it with no mercy'. Meanwhile, France recalled its ambassadors to the US and Australia for consultations sparked by the 'exceptional seriousness' of Canberra's surprise decision. Mr Morrison wants further investigations into the origins of Covid-19 and China's role in the pandemic But Mr Morrison said AUKUS was designed to 'further the cause of peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region'. 'It is essential that countries pursue these interests in ways that are mutually respectful and support stability and security,' he said. 'Because we want to maintain an open, rules-based international system that supports peace, prosperity, human dignity and the aspirations of all sovereign nations.' 'A global order where sovereign nations can flourish, free from coercion, because of collaborative and purposeful action.' Mr Morrison also declared Australia has a 'proven track record' in meeting its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Australia, he said, had the world's highest uptake of rooftop solar and was 'well on the way' to exceeding its 2030 Paris commitment of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels. Advertisement Up to 19,000 mostly migrants, mostly from Haiti, are congregating in northern Colombia as they wait to cross the Gulf of Uraba by boat to Acandi where they will take a dangerous route on their way to the United States border. Nine migrants have been found dead, including one child, in the Darien Gap after heavy rainfall swept them away, adding to a total of 41 bodies found in the dangerous jungle. Yet, some migrants have been stranded for weeks waiting on a boat in Necocli, Colombia still waiting to catch a boat to the country. Boats can only accommodate 250 ticketed passengers a day, according to France 24. Colombia's human rights ombudsman Carlos Camargo reported 19,000 undocumented immigrants in the town of 45,000. A reported 11,500 people have managed to buy a boat ticket to leave Colombia by October 13 and are currently camping out in rented homes and rooms, as well as camping out on the beach. Camargo reported that the remaining 7,500 who were unable to obtain a ticket are now resorting to 'illegal' forms of crossings. Migrants boarding a boat to Acandi in hopes of getting to the Panama border. Only 11,500 migrants were able to obtain boat tickets and some have been stranded in Colombia for weeks waiting to board by October 13 Stranded Haitian and Venezuelan migrants play on the beach in Necocli, Colombia. The 7,500 who are unable to get a boat ticket have begun to take 'illegal' forms of crossings into Panama Many have left their home countries to escape violence and poverty and are heading toward Del Rio, Texas The 19,000 mostly Haitian migrants are currently camped out in northern Colombia waiting for a boat to take to Acandi in hopes of crossing through the Darien jungle on the way to the US, despite 41 people dying in the jungle this year For those who cross in Acandi and enter Panama, they face a dangerous trek through the Darien jungle. Migrants will face battle snakes, steep ravines, swollen rivers, tropical downpours, and criminals often linked to drug trafficking, according to France 24. Assaults and rapes are commonplace among the trek as drug traffickers prey on vulnerable migrants. Only 650 migrants are allowed to trek the Darien jungle per day, according to the agreement made between Colombia and Panama, a key crossing for migrants. Man walks with his daughter through the streets of Necocli, Colombia, where thousands wait for boats Once the migrants have entered the Panama border, they are held for processing and deportation, according to Doctors Without Borders. Some will be held there for months if they have waiting for a refugee application or are providing testimony against human traffickers. Those held also face inadequate food and shelter, as well as, lack of showers and clean water, in addition to no family communications. 'The centers are a source of complaints, as those who are held there face inadequate food and shelter, a lack of clean water and showers, and no means to communicate with their families," Doctors Without Borders told France 24. Oftentimes migrants crossing between Colombia and Panama are escaping poverty and violence in their home countries and are hoping to start a new life in the US. More than 80,000 migrants have crossed the Colombia-Panama border illegally this year. The treacherous journey can take months to complete. For Mackenson, who asked The New York Times to keep his last name private, it took two months on foot and bus and years of planning to arrive to Del Rio, Texas, from Tapachula, Mexico, near Guatemala. Like many migrants, he and his family decided on Del Rio based on rumors. A mother stands in the hot sun with her child as they wait to board a boat Only 250 passengers can be taken to Acandi per day and only 650 migrants are allowed to cross into the Darien jungle a day. Once they cross into Panama, many will follow rumors of where the best place to enter the US is. More than 50,000 migrants have already made the journey to the Panama border this year 'A friend of mine told me to cross here. I heard it was easier,' Mackenson, 25, told The New York Times. Guerline Jozef, the executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, confirmed this to the Times, stating: 'The movement is often based on rumors. 'Last week, if youd asked me, Id say they were in Reynosa and Matamoros. This week its Del Rio. These people are extremely desperate. And they know that there is nothing to go back to in Haiti.' The US also resumed deportation flights under Title 42, which states the government has the right to seal off the border due to the pandemic, deporting around 90 Haitians. Many immigrant and refugee advocates rebuke the action, saying it is 'cruel and wrong' to send people back to Haiti right now. On Friday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas revealed that nearly 30,000 Haitian migrants have been encountered on the US-Mexico border as they try to enter the country. Additionally he noted that the camp under the International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas, which serves the length of the border, has been emptied. 'Nearly 30,000 migrants have been encountered at Del Rio since September 9 with the highest number one time reaching approximately 15,000,' he said at the daily White House press briefing. But, Mayorkas noted, 'Today, we have no migrants remaining in the camp.' He revealed that 2,000 have been expelled on 17 flights, 8,000 have returned to Haiti voluntarily, 12,4000 are having their cases heard and 5,000 being processed. That leaves 2,600 missing. Officials have said some have returned to Mexico. It comes after President Joe Biden on Friday vowed the border agents on horseback who tried to stop migrants crossing the into the US will 'pay' and face the consequences of their actions. The president called the photos of agents on horseback intercepting migrants 'horrible to see.' However the photographer who took the controversial images said the border agents did not whip the Haitian migrants after it was wrongly and widely reported that they did. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas revealed on Friday that nearly 30,000 Haitian migrants have been encountered on the US-Mexico border Biden, who failed to address how to solve the border crisis in his remarks, said: It was horrible what to see, as you saw, to see people treat like they did - horses running them over, people being strapped. It's outrageous. I promise you those people will pay. There will be investigation underway now and there will be consequences. There will be consequences. It's an embarrassment. 'But beyond an embarrassment [it] is dangerous, it's wrong, it sends the wrong message around the world, and sends the wrong message at home. It's simply not who we are.' He was slammed by Meghan McCain in her DailyMail.com column who blamed him for encouraging the 15,000 Haitian migrants to come to the US. But if Biden started actively sending migrants home, he would offend The Squad and their progressive constituencies whose wrath seems to terrify him, she said. Photographer Paul Ratje, who took the images, said he didn't see anyone being whipped. 'I've never seen them whip anyone,' Ratje told KTSM-TV. The still images actually depict the mounted agents swinging the long reins of their horses, not holding whips. 'He was swinging it, but it can be misconstrued when you're looking at the picture,' said Ratje, who shot the photos from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande river. It came as Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday compared the images to the brutality of slavery. Harris went beyond earlier comments labeling the treatment 'horrible,' during an appearance on ABC's The View. 'Human beings should not be treated that way and as we all know it also evoked images of some of the worst moments of our history, where that kind of behavior has been used against the indigenous people of our country. Has been used against African Americans during times of slavery, and so I'm glad to know that [Alejandro] Mayorkas the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security is taking it very seriously,' she said. Slide me The photo on the left shows the makeshift migrant camp under the Del Rio bridge in Texas teeming with people on Tuesday. On the right, workers clear debris from the site on Friday A Texas judge who has been keeping tabs on the number of migrants in the camp said only 'stragglers' remained of up to 15,000 people who camped on the banks of the Rio Grande Workers remove barricades from the Port of Entry after the migrant camp was cleared along International Bridge in Del Rio. Picture taken with a drone Heavy machinery was brought in on Friday to level the site of the camp and remove piles of debris after the removal of the migrants Migrants walk through a makeshift border camp along the International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas Val Verde County Judge Lewis Owens, who has been keeping tabs on the number of people in the encampment, said only 'stragglers' remained of up to 15,000 people who camped on the banks of the Rio Grande bordering Mexico a week ago. The last body was removed from the camp at 11.41am, Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez told DailyMail.com. Throughout the morning the last of those who had taken up residence in the squalid camp by the Del Rio International Bridge were bused to the offices of the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition in Del Rio. There they were processed before being placed on charter buses bound for Houston or San Antonio. They have ten days to report to authorities in those cities and given a court date. Some sat outside the Coalitions single story building for hours, others were placed on a bus within minutes of arriving. One couple the one dreadlocked woman clearly in some distress got a seat almost immediately. A Reuters witness said the shanty town-like jumble of makeshift shelters and tents had all but disappeared by Friday afternoon, with workers clearing the last debris, as seen in newly released photos from the scene. It's a dramatic change from last Saturday, when the number peaked as migrants driven by confusion over the Biden administration's policies and misinformation on social media converged at the border crossing connecting Del Rio, Texas, and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. At a news conference, Del Rio Mayor Buno Lozano called it 'phenomenal news.' Many of the migrants face expulsion because they are not covered by protections recently extended by the Biden administration to the more than 100,000 Haitian migrants already in the US, citing security concerns and social unrest in the Western Hemispheres poorest country. A man carries a child as he waits in line with other migrants seeking asylum in the US to board a bus to Houston from Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition after being released from US Customs and Border Protection on Friday Several hundred Haitian have been released from detention in Texas on Friday Images of a US border guard on horseback unfurling a whip-like cord against Haitian migrants crossing the Rio Grande sparked widespread outrage As well as the Biden administration's contentious use of expulsion flights that have carried at least 1,400 back to instability in Haiti, Mexico has also sought to bus and fly Haitians to its southern states, far from the US border. Thousands more are in US detention centers and several hundred have been released in Texas. On Friday, Reuters reported that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) had formally asked Brazil to receive some of the Haitians from the camp, according to two sources with knowledge of the request. Many of the Haitians arriving at the US border had previously lived in Brazil and Chile, while others have transited through the South American countries. President Joe Biden has faced widespread criticism in recent days over the expulsions to Haiti, including in a sternly worded resignation letter from the US Special Envoy to Haiti, Daniel Foote, who said the Caribbean nation was a collapsed state. The US government in May extended temporary protection from deportation to Haitians in the United States, citing a political crisis, rights abuses, crime, and lack of access to food, water, and healthcare in the Western hemisphere's poorest country. Since then, Haiti's president has been assassinated and it suffered a destructive earthquake. Foote's resignation followed widespread outrage stirred up by images of a US border guard on horseback unfurling a whip-like cord against Haitian migrants. At least five more flights taking Haitians from the border camp were scheduled on Friday, flight tracking website Flightaware showed. 'Those people will pay': Biden warns Border Protection agents will face 'consequences' for debunked claim they 'strapped' migrants, despite photographer saying he saw no such thing - as Kamala compares it to SLAVERY President Joe Biden on Friday vowed the border agents on horseback who tried to stop migrants crossing the into the US will 'pay' and face the consequences of their actions. The president called the photos of agents on horseback intercepting migrants 'horrible to see.' However the photographer who took the controversial images said the border agents did not whip the Haitian migrants after it was wrongly and widely reported that they did. Biden, who failed to address how to solve the border crisis in his remarks, said: It was horrible what to see, as you saw, to see people treat like they did - horses running them over, people being strapped. It's outrageous. I promise you those people will pay. There will be investigation underway now and there will be consequences. There will be consequences. It's an embarrassment. 'But beyond an embarrassment is dangerous, it's wrong, it sends the wrong message around the world, and sends the wrong message at home. It's simply not who we are. He was slammed by Meghan McCain in her DailyMail.com column who blamed him for encouraging the 15,000 Haitian migrants to come to the US. But if Biden started actively sending migrants home, he would offend The Squad and their progressive constituencies whose wrath seems to terrify him, she said. Photographer Paul Ratje, who took the images, said he didn't see anyone being whipped. 'I've never seen them whip anyone,' Ratje told KTSM-TV. The still images actually depict the mounted agents swinging the long reins of their horses, not holding whips. 'He was swinging it, but it can be misconstrued when you're looking at the picture,' said Ratje, who shot the photos from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande river. It came as Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday compared the images to the brutality of slavery. Harris went beyond earlier comments labeling the treatment 'horrible,' during an appearance on ABC's 'The View,' after the agents who were photographed seeking to corral Haitian immigrants were pulled back to the office amid an investigation. 'Well, first of all, I've been very clear about the images that you and I both saw of those law enforcement officials on horses I was outraged by it. It was horrible and and deeply troubling. There's been now an investigation that has been conducted, which I fully support and there needs to be consequences and accountability.' 'Human beings should not be treated that way and as we all know it also evoked images of some of the worst moments of our history, where that kind of behavior has been used against the indigenous people of our country. Has been used against African Americans during times of slavery, and so I'm glad to know that that [Alejandro] Mayorkas the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security is taking it very seriously,' she said. Progressive Democrats and members of the Congressional Black Caucus were particularly outraged by the images, also comparing them to slavery. White House officials have publicly condemned the photos and officials met with black lawmakers to reassure them they were taking the matter seriously. But Friday marked Biden's first public comments on the situation. Images emerged earlier this week of U.S. Custom and Border patrol agents on horseback using their reins to chase after migrants, the majority of who were Haitians. Critics compared the photos - there was no video footage - to images of slavery, accusing agents of whipping people. Agents insist they were not using whips against the migrants, 15,000 of whom set up a makeshift camp underneath and around the Del Rio International Bridge over the last few weeks. They argued they were only using the reins to ward off immigrants. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the agents will not use horses at the border while the incident is investigated. And he revealed on Friday that there were no longer any migrants in the camp underneath the Del Rio International Bridge. 'Nearly 30,000 Migrants have been encountered at Del Rio, since September 9 with the highest number one time reaching approximately 15,000. Today, we have no migrants remaining in the camp,' he said during an appearance in the White House daily press briefing. He comment came amid confusion about where the Haitians are going. Some have been puts on flights back to their country. Others have been released in the United States while their asylum cases are reviewed. But it remains unanswered about where a few thousand of them are located. DHS said on Thursday that of the 15,000 under the bridge: 1,401 were sent back to Haiti on 12 flights, 3,206 remain in custody, and 5,000 are camped out beneath the International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas. This left 5,000 unaccounted for. Mayorkas has now indicated that 2,000 have been released, but mystery still surrounds the whereabouts of the further 3,000. Mayorkas was asked repeatedly about how many Haitians have been released into the US pending the outcome of their immigration proceedings and repeatedly declined to provide a specific numerical figure. 'We believe it is a very small percentage of the total that assembled in Del Rio Texas, and that will be removed,' Mayorkas responded, on a day when the US special envoy for Haiti resigned in protest of US policy on deportations. The squalid border camp which held up to 15,000 at one point last weekend has now shrunk to under 3,000, as immigration officials rushed to release thousands of migrants into the US, but another camp is growing across the Rio Grande in Mexico. The camp had swelled to some 15,000 migrants at one point, with thousands seen wading across the Rio Grande River daily. Many are Haitians who were previously granted asylum in Chile, with some Cubans, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans also present. Mexican forces have surrounded a second camp that is growing on the Mexican side of the border, where some migrants are gathering to assess their chances of successfully entering the US illegally. Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) is starting to return migrants to the southern Mexican city of Tapachula so they can file asylum applications there. 'We're not taking them out of the country,' INM chief Francisco Garduno told Reuters. 'We're bringing them away from the border so there are no hygiene and overcrowding problems.' Telling migrants eyeing the U.S. side of the border that it would be better to process claims before the media disappeared from Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna, INM agents swept through the camp on Thursday beseeching them to go back to Tapachula. 'We're giving you this option,' INM official Montserrat Saldana told a cluster of migrants circled around her. 'All of you who cross the river are going straight to Haiti.' Meanwhile, US special envoy for Haiti Daniel Foote resigned on Wednesday because he didn't want to be involved with the 'inhumane' deportation of Haitian migrants. 'I will not be associated with the United States [sic] inhumane, counterproductive, decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs in control of daily life,' Ambassador Foote wrote in his resignation letter. In the letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Foote said another reason for his resignation is that his recommendations to help Haiti have been 'ignored and dismissed'. 'Our policy approach to Haiti remains deeply flawed,' Foote continued, 'and my recommendations have been ignored and dismissed, when not edited to project a narrative different from my own.' A State Department spokesperson accused Foote of 'mischaracterizing the circumstances of his resignation' and said some of his ideas were deemed 'harmful.' '[A]ll proposals, including those led by Special Envoy Foote, were fully considered in a rigorous and transparent policy process,' a statement from the spokesperson reads. 'Some of those proposals were determined to be harmful to our commitment to the promotion of democracy in Haiti and were rejected during the policy process.' 'For him to to say that his proposals were ignored is simply false,' the person added. The statement claims: 'It is unfortunate that, instead of participating in a solutions-oriented policy process, Special Envoy Foote has both resigned and mischaracterized the circumstances of his resignation.' Psaki reiterated the sentiments from the statement during her Thursday briefing, saying: 'I'm not going to detail that further.' Foote blamed Biden for making things worse in Haiti by backing the 'unelected' leader after the coup, claiming that 'picking the winner' will produce 'catastrophic results'. 'Last week, the U.S. and other embassies in Port-au-Prince issued another public statement of support for the unelected, de facto Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry as interim leader of Haiti, and have continued to tout his 'political agreement' over another broader, earlier accord shepherded by civil society,' he wrote. Foote added: 'The hubris that makes us believe we should pick the winner again is impressive.' 'This cycle of international political interventions in Haiti has consistently produced catastrophic results,' he said. 'The negative impact to Haiti will have calamitous consequences not only in Haiti, but in the U.S. and our neighbors in the hemisphere.' This year alone, around 1.3 million migrants were apprehended by Customs and Border Protection. Kamala compares the border crisis to SLAVERY: VP says images of Border Protection agents trying to push back Haitian immigrants evoked images of the worst moments of our history Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday compared images of US Border Patrol Agents seeking to push back Haitian immigrants gathered in Del Rio Texas to the brutality of slavery. Harris went beyond earlier comments labeling the treatment 'horrible,' during an appearance on ABC's 'The View,' after agents photographed seeking to corral Haitian immigrants pulled back to the office amid an investigation. 'Well, first of all, I've been very clear about the images that you and I both saw of those law enforcement officials on horses I was outraged by it. It was horrible and and deeply troubling. There's been now an investigation that has been conducted, which I fully support and there needs to be consequences and accountability.' Harris, the nation's first black vice president, continued: 'Human beings should not be treated that way and as we all know it also evoked images of some of the worst moments of our history, where that kind of behavior has been used against the indigenous people of our country. Has been used against African Americans during times of slavery, and so I'm glad to know that that [Alejandro] Mayorkas the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security is taking it very seriously,' she said. But the photographer who took the controversial pictures at the Texas border says that the images have been dramatically misinterpreted. 'I've never seen them whip anyone,' Paul Ratje told KTSM-TV. The still images actually depict the mounted agents swinging the long reins of their horses, not holding whips. 'He was swinging it, but it can be misconstrued when you're looking at the picture,' said Ratje, who shot the photos from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande river. Meanwhile, President Biden promised on Friday the border agents in question would 'pay.' 'It was horrible what to see, as you saw, to see people treat like they did - horses running them over, people being strapped. It's outrageous. I promise you those people will pay. There will be investigation underway now and there will be consequences. There will be consequences. It's an embarrassment. But beyond an embarrassment is dangerous, it's wrong, it sends the wrong message around the world, and sends the wrong message at home. It's simply not who we are,' he said. 'Human beings should not be treated that way and as we all know it also evoked images of some of the worst moments of our history,' VP Kamala Harris said on ABC's 'The View' when asked about border agents using horses to push back Haitian immigrants Harris appeared to be picking up a line of argument from senior Congressional Black Caucus member Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who made the same analogy earlier this week. She met with CBC members this week amid outrage from lawmakers about US policies sending Haitians back to their country following storms, an earthquake, and political turmoil. Waters called the actions by border agents 'worse than slavery days' while Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) called it 'white supremacist behavior.' 'We're saying to the president and everybody else: You've got to stop this madness,' Waters said during a press conference. 'And I want to know, in the first place, who's paying these cowboys to do this work?' she continued. 'They've got to be gotten rid of. They've gotten to be stopped. It cannot go on.' Harris compared the conduct of border agents to that 'used against African Americans during times of slavery' She called images of what she saw 'horrible.' A border agents' union said the riders were using split reins, rather than whips By Thursday, the White House announced that agents would no longer use horses at Del Rio. A border agent union said the agents were using split reins, not whips, as a method of controlling their horses. Harris kept her comments to the images, and avoided precise words about the conduct being probed. Still photographic images of the events show agents chasing down Haitian migrants, with reins in motion. Videos also show agents using horses to chase down migrants. Harris, who spoke remotely from New York after two cohosts on 'The View' tested positive for the coronavirus, also blasted the conduct she saw in comments earlier this week. 'What I saw depicted, those individuals on horseback treating human beings the way they were was horrible,' she said. On Friday, President Joe Biden made his own first comments on the matter saying people were being 'strapped.' President Joe Biden called the images of agents pushing back Haitians 'horrible to see' Slave Cabin, Barbour County near Eufaula, Alabama, USA, from Federal Writer's Project, 'Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives', United States Work Projects Administration, 1936 He called the images 'horrible to see' but didn't address the greater situation at the border, where thousands of migrants are camped out under a bridge as they wait to see if they can get into the United States. 'It was horrible what to see, as you saw, to see people treat like they did - horses running them over, people being strapped. It's outrageous. I promise you those people will pay. There will be investigation underway now and there will be consequences. There will be consequences. It's an embarrassment. But beyond an embarrassment is dangerous, it's wrong, it sends the wrong message around the world, and sends the wrong message at home. It's simply not who we are,' he said. Asked about providing greater opportunities for Haitians to get asylum, Harris was noncommittal. 'I feel very strongly, the president feels very strongly, we've got to do more,' she said. 'We have to do more in terms of supporting the Haitians who are returning to the island and returning to Haiti,' as well as doing more 'to support Haiti.' A Sydney cafe owner has pledged to operate as takeaway only until dining is available to both vaccinated and unvaccinated patrons. Anthony Milotic who owns Bare Wholefoods in Mona Vale and St Leonards, penned an open letter last week saying the business 'won't stand for segregation'. He wrote the business will continue to operate as takeaway only despite Gladys Berejiklian announcing new found freedoms for fully vaccinated residents in the coming weeks. The Premier announced earlier this month cafes, restaurants and pubs will be able to open to the double jabbed once NSW hits the 70 per cent vaccination target. Anthony Milotic (pictured) who owns Bare Wholefoods in Mona Vale and St Leonards said the business will operate as takeaway only after NSW hits 70 per cent vaccination Mr Milotic penned the open letter to the community last week claiming his business 'won't stand for segregation' But it is unclear when or if venues will reopen to unvaccinated diners. 'Right now the path out is unknown, but we do know one thing. We won't stand for segregation. We are one, we are family,' wrote Mr Milotic. 'Choosing love, accepting differences and a community in unity is what we need right now. 'So we have chosen to continue to operate as takeaway only until everyone is free to dine in. 'I want everyone to feel welcome at all times and I will never put profit before people.' A majority of customers supported the move with one person thanking the business for 'standing for unity'. The Premier announced earlier this month cafes, restaurants and pubs will be able to open to the double jabbed once NSW hits the 70 per cent vaccination target But one criticised the decision by pointing out: 'I like herd immunity to protect the vulnerable in our community, thats real community spirit'. Daily Mail reached out to Mr Milotic for comment. Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned on Wednesday that unvaccinated NSW residents will miss out on new freedoms even after the state hits 80 per cent double dose. 'At 80 per cent additional freedoms will be for those who are fully vaccinated,' she said during a state Covid briefing. The premier added it would be a 'period of time' before those who haven't got the jab can enjoy the same freedoms and when that is will be based off health advice. This means that while some can enjoy a drink at the pub, holiday around the state and attend gatherings, others may have to stay at home for much longer. 'It will be an absolute fact that once we start opening up we will see a rise in case numbers. At 80 per cent when vaccinated people have more freedoms, it won't mean unvaccinated people will participate,' the premier said. 'There will be another date after that by which the unvaccinated people will be able to participate in events or activities.' NSW remains on track to hit its 70 per cent double jab target in the first week of October despite the state recording 1,007 new infection and 11 deaths on Saturday. Over 59.2 per cent of eligible residents are now fully vaccinated as Sydneysiders edge closer freedom. By mid-October health authorities are hoping the state will have reached the 80 per cent target with more details to be revealed on those eased restrictions. Police have swarmed on protesters gathering in Melbourne as anti-lockdown rallies reached its seventh day. Hundreds of officers arrested a dozen demonstrators at the St Kilda foreshore on Saturday in a rally that peaked up to 200 people. Protesters gathered in the inner beachside suburb chanting slogans like 'together, united, we'll never be divided' and 'we are not afraid'. Other participants in the crowd were heard shouting 'f*** Dan Andrews' from megaphones. Police arrested dozens of anti-lockdown protesters who gathered at St Kilda in Melbourne on Saturday A heavy police presence was seen as busloads of officers arrived to the inner beachside suburb Participants in the crowd were heard shouting 'f*** Dan Andrews' from megaphones The group spilled out onto Beach Road as a police helicopter hovered above the rally and a roadblock set-up outside Luna Park. More than 20 public response order units lined the outbound lanes as officers formed a giant wall around demonstrators along the beach. A group of officers placed several protesters in handcuffs before they were lead away from the area. Victoria police handcuffed several men as roadblocks were setup outside Melbourne's Luna Park A police helicopter hovered above the rally that attracted up to 200 demonstrators Busloads of officers had arrived to the foreshore just before midday on Saturday after organisers summoned protesters for the 'Millions March for Freedom' rally. But defiant anti-lockdown participants later conceded defeat due to the heavy police presence after days of chaos in the CBD. Participants were heard protesting against lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations The rally attracted over 200 participants as it spilled out on the Beach Road at St Kilda Secret Telegram messages seen by Daily Mail Australia from a group run by key organisers of the demonstrations thank those involved but admit the week ended in a loss. 'We want you to know we are so proud of everyone in our community, new and old, for their bravery to stand up for their rights in the face of such adversity,' the message read. 'Don't ever forget that we made history that day. Telegram messages seen by Daily Mail Australia from the Freedom Melbourne Rally group run by key organisers of the demonstrations thank those involved but admit the week ended in a loss 'You don't have to win every battle to win the war. Truth always wins in the end. 'We give our sincerest thanks to everyone who showed up over the last week in defence of freedom. 'In the long way to reclaim our rights, we will inevitably suffer losses. Today was one of those days where we were outnumbered and unsuccessful in coming together.' The violent scenes in Melbourne kicked off on Monday when construction workers angry about vaccination mandates mobbed the headquarters of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) in the CBD. Hours later Premier Dan Andrews announced he was shutting down Victoria's $22billion construction industry for two weeks from September 21. The closure across Metropolitan Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast, Ballarat and Mitchell Shire further angered workers, who marched through the city and clashed with police. On Tuesday, seething anti-vaxxer protesters chased police and pelted squad cars with cans as rallies on the streets descended into chaos yet again. Footage showed tradesmen in hi-vis clothing kicking police cars in the CBD as thousands of demonstrators gathered outside Victoria's Parliament House. A Channel 7 TV reporter covering the march was assaulted by a protester and also had bags filled with urine thrown at him. Chaotic scenes continue at St Kilda in Melbourne after protests kicked off on Monday when construction workers stormed the CFMEU building angry about vaccination mandates By the end of the working week, the protests were smaller in numbers in Melbourne - but arrests still followed (pictured, a man is lead away in handcuffs at St Kilda) Tensions have been high all week in Melbourne's CBD, with residents protesting mandatory vaccinations for building sector workers (pictured, a heavy police presence is seen at St Kilda beach on Saturday) More than 20 public response order units lined the outbound lanes on Beach Road in St Kilda (pictured, police speak with a protester on Saturday) Thousands of construction workers and anti-vaxxers took to the streets - many of them distraught after tradesman Stipe Lijovic took his own life at a construction site earlier in the day. Demonstrators then marched to block the West Gate Bridge - a major freeway into Melbourne's CBD - which brought traffic to a standstill during peak hour. Wednesday saw yet another protest, with one man later hospitalised with Covid symptoms after attending the rally. By the end of the working week, protest numbers had reduced - but Covid case numbers in Victoria are surging. The state recorded 733 new cases and one death, a woman in her 80s, from Melbourne's northern suburbs. Friday also saw more than 200 people arrested following unlawful protest activity in Melbourne's CBD and inner north. Riot police were deployed at Northcote Plaza and All Nations Park in Northcote on Friday (pictured) during a major police operation to disrupt another lockdown protest The $6million, Republican-backed review of the 2020 presidential election in Arizona's largest county officially ended Friday and found no proof that the Arizona election was stolen from Donald Trump. The hand count shows Trump received 45,469 fewer votes than Biden. The county results showed he lost by 45,109. Maricopa County Board Chairman Jack Sellers, a Republican, called Friday's hearing 'irresponsible and dangerous.' Despite Trump's Thursday promise of 'huge findings' and vindication, the six-month search for evidence of fraud found Biden won by 360 more votes than the official results that were certified last year. Cyber Ninjas, the Senates lead contractor who compiled the forensic report, said in its 100-plus page report that there were 'no substantial differences' between the groups hand count of ballots and the official count. The report also made a series of other disputed claims the auditors say should cast doubt on the accuracy and warrant more investigation. The Republican-backed review of the 2020 presidential election Arizona's largest county officially ended Friday and found no proof that the Arizona election was stolen from Donald Trump Cyber Ninjas CEO Doug Logan, center, is flanked by Ben Cotton, left, founder of digital security firm CyFIR, and Randy Pullen, right, the former Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, prior to the Arizona Senate Republicans hearing review of the 2020 presidential election results in Maricopa County at the Arizona Capitol on Friday The results tally announced during the Arizona Senate Republicans hearing by Cyber Ninjas findings of the Arizona 2020 election review at the Arizona Capitol, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Phoenix 'The Cyber Ninjas opinions come from a misuse and misunderstanding of the data provided by the county and are twisted to fit the narrative that something went wrong,' Sellers said in a statement. 'Once again, these "auditors" threw out wild, damaging, false claims in the middle of their audit and Senate leadership provided them the platform to present their opinions, suspicions, and faulty conclusions unquestioned and unchallenged. 'Today these "auditors" falsely and recklessly accused Maricopa County of potential crimes and Senate leadership amplified those lies.' The Maricopa County Twitter account live-tweeted the Friday press conference on the results of the Arizona audit and fact-checked Cyber Ninjas' claims. A few of Maricopa County's tweets from Friday's press conference on the results of the Arizona audit and fact-checking some of Cyber Ninjas' claims The finding was an embarrassing end to a widely criticized, and at times bizarre, quest to prove allegations that election officials and courts have rejected. It has no bearing on the final, certified results. The report shuts down Trump's unsubstantiated fraud claims after he claimed tabulating machines had miscounted paper ballots across several states or had been hacked. Trump initially lost Arizona by about 10,000 votes. He and his allies alleged that fraud cost him the state. Arizona Senate Republicans used their subpoena power to access ballots, counting machines and electronic data in Maricopa County, home to about 60 percent of Arizonas voters, for an audit. However, the recount was criticized as chaotic: auditors searching for watermarks were told by state election officials the ballots were not watermarked; reports suggested they were also looking for traces of bamboo as evidence the papers were smuggled in from Asia. Arizona's ballot review began in April over the Republican-led county leadership's objections. Republican State Senate President Karen Fann led the campaign and publicly stated that the goal was not to revisit Biden's win, but to look for ways to improve the state's election laws. Lawmakers subpoenaed a copy of Maricopa County's ballots and voting machines, which were handed over to private contractors, according to the Washington Post. In May, all seven of Maricopa's elected officials, including five Republicans, called the review a 'con' and demanded the Senate end the review. Maricopa Countys official vote count was conducted in front of bipartisan observers, as were legally required audits meant to ensure voting machines work properly. A partial hand-count spot check found a perfect match. Maricopa County Board Chairman Jack Sellers called Friday's hearing 'irresponsible and dangerous.' This is Sellers' full statement Two extra post-election reviews by federally certified election experts also found no evidence that voting machines switched votes or were connected to the internet. The county Board of Supervisors commissioned the extraordinary reviews in an effort to prove to Trump backers that there were no problems. Doug Logan, the CEO of Cyber Ninjas, oversaw the audit despite the company having no experience working elections. Forbes revealed that Logan has spread outrageous conspiracy theories that a company tied to Hugo Chavez, the long-dead Venezuelan dictator, rigged voting machines against Trump Election experts are advising Arizona's recount serve as a warning sign to other Republican legislators who have agreed to recount their ballots, the Washington Post reported. Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Texas have all agreed to review their own 2020 election after responding to pressure from Trump. 'Every time Trump and his supporters have been given a forum to make their case, they have swung and missed, said Ben Ginsberg, a Republican election lawyer who has criticized Trump's fraud claims. Angela Merkel has made a last-ditch effort to boost support for her would-be successor's beleaguered campaign, urging voters to 'keep Germany stable' by choosing Armin Laschet. The chancellor spoke in Laschet's hometown of Aachen on Saturday, just 24 hours before the polls will open in an election deemed too close to call. Laschet, 60, has been trailing his Social Democrat challenger Olaf Scholz in the race for the chancellery, although final polls put the gap between them within the margin of error, making the vote one of the most unpredictable in recent years. Merkel had planned to keep a low profile in the election battle as she prepares to bow out of politics after 16 years in power. But she has found herself dragged into the frantic campaign schedule of the unpopular chairman of her party, Laschet. In the last week of the campaign, Merkel took Laschet to her constituency by the Baltic coast and on Friday headlined the closing rally gathering the conservatives' bigwigs in Munich. Angela Merkel (left) has made a last-ditch effort to boost support for her would-be successor's beleaguered campaign, urging voters to 'keep Germany stable' by choosing Armin Laschet (right) The chancellor spoke in Laschet's hometown of Aachen on Saturday, just 24 hours before the polls will open in an election deemed too closr to call Laschet, 60, has been trailing his Social Democrat challenger Olaf Scholz in the race for the chancellery, although final polls put the gap between them within the margin of error, making the vote one of the most unpredictable in recent years Merkel had planned to keep a low profile in the election battle as she prepares to bow out of politics after 16 years in power. But she has found herself dragged into the frantic campaign schedule of the unpopular chairman of her party, Laschet Merkel tugged at the heartstrings of Germany's predominantly older electorate on Friday, calling on them to keep her conservatives in power for the sake of stability - a trademark of Germany. 'To keep Germany stable, Armin Laschet must become chancellor, and the CDU and CSU must be the strongest force,' she said. A day before the vote, she travelled to Laschet's hometown and constituency Aachen, a spa city near Germany's western border with Belgium and the Netherlands, where he was born and still lives. 'It is about your future, the future of your children and the future of your parents,' she said, urging strong mobilisation for her conservative alliance. She underlined that climate protection will be a key challenge of the next government, but said this would not be achieved 'simply through rules and regulations'. 'For that we need new technological developments, new procedures, researchers, interested people who think about how that can be done, and people who participate,' she said. Laschet is a 'bridge-builder who will get people on board' in shaping Germany to meet those challenges, she said. Hundreds of thousands of people had descended on the streets on Friday urging change and greater climate protection, with a leading activist calling Sunday's election the vote 'of a century'. The CDU is hoping the popular Merkel will be able to appeal to Germany's elderly electorate. Pictured: CDU supporters in Aachen on Saturday A poster depicting Laschet as a Pinocchio-type character is seen in Aachen on Saturday With the clock ticking down to the election, Scholz was also staying close to home at the other end of the country to chase down last votes. Scholz will be holding 'dialogues on the future' with voters in his constituency of Potsdam - a city on the outskirts of Berlin famous for its palaces that once housed Prussian kings. Scholz, currently finance minister in Merkel's coalition government, has avoided making mistakes on the campaign trail, and largely won backing as he sold himself as the 'continuity candidate' after Merkel in place of Laschet. Also on the campaign trail on Friday, Scholz demanded a 'fresh start for Germany' and 'a change of government' after 16 years under Merkel. Described as capable but boring, Scholz has consistently beaten Laschet by wide margins when it comes to popularity. As election day loomed, Laschet's conservatives were closing the gap, with one poll even putting them just one percentage point behind the SPD's 26 percent. The race for the runner-up is just as tight and could be key to determining future policy, with a coalition considered all but inevitable. Laschet went into the race for the chancellery badly bruised by a tough battle for the conservatives' chancellor candidate nomination. Nevertheless, his party enjoyed a substantial lead ahead of the SPD heading into the summer. Social Democrat challenger Olaf Scholz (centre) is described as capable but boring, and has consistently beat Laschet by wide margins when it comes to popularity But Laschet was seen chuckling behind President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as he paid tribute to victims of deadly floods in July, an image that would drastically turn the mood against him and his party. As polls showed the lead widening for the SPD, the conservatives turned to their greatest asset - the still widely popular Merkel. Yet roping in the chancellor is not without risks, said political analyst Oskar Niedermayer of Berlin's Free University. 'Merkel is still the most well-liked politician. But the joint appearances can become a problem for Laschet because they are then immediately being compared to each other,' he said. 'And it could therefore backfire because people could then think that Merkel is more suitable than Laschet.' The election is expected to end in a coalition government that could include a three-way alliance for the first time on a national level. Weeks, and possibly months, of negotiations over the make-up of a new government are expected once the final results are in. Residents stranded interstate 'knew the rules and risks' before they travelled and must now wait their turn to come home, Queensland's health minister has said. Yvette D'Ath says she understands stranded Queenslanders are frustrated, but it would irresponsible to open up home quarantine arrangements to thousands of people without understanding what threat that might pose. 'We have been saying since mid-June, if you travel interstate there is a risk that there will be lockdowns, that there will be restrictions, and that if you do come back you have to fly and that you have to go into hotel quarantine,' she told reporters. 'I appreciate people are eager to come back but many of these people have actually gone interstate knowing what the rules are... they're just going to have to be patient. 'We can't have thousands of people all just coming home and all going into home quarantine without looking at the risk.' Queensland's health minister Yvette D'Ath (pictured) says many residents stranded interstate 'knew the rules and risks' before they travelled and must now wait their turn to come home The health minister also stressed the need to be patient (pictured, passengers from New Zealand arriving in Brisbane) New Queensland Health data obtained by AAP shows there has been a flood of requests by people seeking permission to quarantine at home rather than in a hotel, with 1995 applications lodged between August 1 and September 23. There are currently 3607 people in home quarantine but the vast majority are close contacts of locally acquired Covid-19 cases; only 421 have come from virus hotspots interstate. Federal Trade Minister Dan Tehan on Saturday urged the states to rethink their position on home-based quarantine as Christmas nears. 'The more states and territories that we can get on board... the better, because in the end that's going to be the best way we can - in particular for all those Australians who want to return for Christmas - bring them home,' he said. The state government faced a barrage of questions this week about what it would take to open up and allow long-awaited family reunions at the end of the year. Ms D'Ath has told reporters Queensland is not trying to go it alone by aiming for vaccination rates beyond those in the national plan to reopen the economy. Current targets, based on Doherty Institute modelling, involve the winding back of some restrictions once the 70 per cent threshold is reached, and longer-term changes from the 80 per cent mark. Ms D'Ath said the premier and the chief health officer had 'mentioned the 90 per cent' because they wanted as many Queenslanders as possible to be protected. 'That doesn't mean it has to be directly linked to restrictions... of course we should keep going beyond 80 per cent,' she said. Health Minister Yvette D'Ath says she understands stranded Queenslanders are frustrated, but it would irresponsible to open up home quarantine arrangements without understanding what threat that might pose (pictured, travellers looking to return home from Bali) Recent data has revealed almost 2000 applications were lodged in Queensland between August 1 and September 23 for returning residents to quarantine at home (pictured, passengers at Brisbane Airport) 'There's a huge difference between opening up when everyone else has it under control, and opening it up to say we're happy for the NSW cluster to come across our border and risk infecting 20 per cent of our population that are unvaccinated.' In Queensland, 62 per cent of people have had their first vaccination dose and 43 per cent their second jab, according to Ms D'Ath. There was one new locally acquired case of Covid-19 on Saturday, a child linked to the Sunnybank cluster who tested positive on day 14 of home quarantine. It means that entire family will have to begin another fortnight of isolation. Advertisement Thousands of university students flooded the streets of Birmingham last night ahead of Freshers' Week coming to a close on Sunday. Broad Street was packed with freshers and other revellers as they formed huge tightly packed lines to get into some of the party strip's most popular venues, including Rosie's Laundrette and Pryzm. Balmy temperatures of around 18 degrees celsius saw scores of skimpy outfits, with many girls opting for short skirts and crop tops. One reveller was pictured sporting an inflatable pink flamingo around his waist while another girl had brought her chihuahua in a clear backed rucksack. Several young university hopefuls stopped to pose for a picture as they their way from club to club. Balmy temperatures of around 18 degrees celsius saw scores of skimpy outfits along Birmingham's Broad Street last night, with many girls opting for short skirts and crop tops Lads left their jackets at home while girls donned short skirts as they took advantage of the warmer temperatures on the last weekend of Freshers' week Friends embrace while tucking into chicken nuggets and chips following a night out on Birmingham's Broad Street Several young university hopefuls stopped to pose for a picture as they their way from club to club Two pals tuck into a takeaway while sitting on the kerb after a night of partying in the centre of Birmingham However some partygoers found themselves being taken care of by others as one young lady vomited in the street and a man fell backwards, hitting his head on the floor as bystanders rushed over to help. Towards the end of the night many headed to get a takeaway and were pictured tucking into chicken nuggets and chips as they made their way home. Freshers' Week kicked off for the majority of universities across the UK last Sunday and will end tomorrow on September 26. Last year, festivities were cancelled due to the pandemic, but the party week has been busier than ever this year. On Monday night, hundreds of students were pictured queuing to get inside Birmingham's Coyote Ugly Saloon while the bars surrounding the canal basin and Brindley Place were packed with revellers. Birmingham was brimming with young university hopefuls on Friday night - including one who accessorised with a pink flamingo inflatable One girl was pictured with her pet chihuahua inside a clear backed rucksack and she strolled down Broad Street with her friends and posed for a selfie Revellers formed huge tightly packed lines to get into some of the party strip's most popular venues, including Rosie's Laundrette and Pryzm Police officers were on hand to look after or assist revellers who needed help Some partygoers found themselves being taken care of by others as one young lady vomited in the street and a man fell backwards, hitting his head on the floor as bystanders rushed over to help One student, Samantha, 18, said: 'My mum and dad have both had the vaccine, as had my nan. I've just had my vaccine before I got to uni so as far as I'm concerned Covid is over for us. 'It's basically like flu or a heavy cold. We all need to crack on with life. We can't run scared anymore. Life's too damn short!' Despite warnings of an expected spike in Covid cases following the influx of students starting university, many freshers expressed little concern. A first year student studying English, who gave his name as Andy, earlier said: 'It's been carnage tonight but who can blame us? 'The pandemic has taken it's toll on everyone but students have been cooped up, unable to meet up or have any fun. 'As soon as the bars were open everyone went mad. It's been a hell of night but it'll be worth the hangover.' Campaigners have called for a fresh autopsy of historic IRA leader Michael Collins almost 100 years after his assassination. Mystery has long surrounded his killing on August 22, 1922, when he was shot in the head near Beal na Blath in County Cork, during Ireland's Civil War. But new evidence about a suspect has led historians and forensic scientists to re-examine the case, with some calling for his body to be exhumed. An upcoming documentary - Cold Case Collins - by state broadcaster RTE, will see detectives and experts, including retired state pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy, examine the evidence. 'We should exhume the body and find out the nature of the wounds, otherwise we'll be talking about this for another century,' Paddy Cullivan, an academic turned film-maker, told the Guardian. Mystery has long surrounded the killing of Michael Collins (pictured) on August 22, 1922, when he was shot in the head near Beal na Blath in County Cork, during Ireland's Civil War Collins led the original Irish Republican Army (IRA) as it took on British forces during Ireland's war of independence between 1919 and 1921. He managed to bring the Brits to a stalemate, forcing them into negotiations which ended with a treaty that freed 26 of Ireland's 32 counties. Collins was appointed Chairman and Minister of Finance of the provisional government which was responsible for the establishment of the Irish Free State. He played a decisive role in devising a constitution, creating security forces and appointing a civil service. However some IRA members refused to accept the deal with the Brits, leading to a civil war. Collins was murdered aged 31 while on an inspection tour of Munster and searching for a basis for peace with IRA leaders opposed to the Treaty. His convoy was ambushed and he was killed by a bullet to the head when he got out of his car to return fire. But the lack of an inquiry or death certificate - and a lost autopsy report - has shrouded the death in mystery for almost a century. Most agree that someone from the ambushing group fired the fatal bullet, however there are a range of theories as to the identity of the shooter. Some posit the killing was the work of a skilled sniper given the shot was fired at dusk with poor visibility and from more than 150 metres away. Others say it was a lucky shot or a ricochet. The finger has also been pointed at anti-treaty leader Eamon de Valera, who was in the area at the time of the ambush. But the jury is still out on whether the future taoiseach and president knew of the murder plot. Others believe one of Collins' comrades in the convoy - who had been drinking - shot him by mistake, or carried out the hit as part of a conspiracy by rivals. Collins was murdered aged 31 while on an inspection tour of Munster and searching for a basis for peace with IRA leaders opposed to the Treaty (Pictured: Collins with his convoy just hours before being ambushed) Or was it the work of MI6, who wanted to prevent Collins from freeing the rest of the Irish counties, which today make up Northern Ireland? Rumours have long suggested Denis 'Sonny' O'Neill, a marksman who served in the British Army during World War One, was behind the hit. Mr O'Neill was part of the anit-treaty IRA and may have had motive - but Mr Cullivan recently unearthed evidence that he had returned from war with a 40% disability to his right arm, undermining his marksmanship. Mr Cullivan's own documentary, The Murder of Michael Collins, was unable to offer a prime suspect. 'It's incredible that the most important man in Ireland at that time doesn't get an inquest or a death certificate,' he said, 'The whole thing is beyond strange.' Diarmaid Ferriter, a leading historian who has published a book on the civil war, Between Two Hells, added that Collins' death was surrounded by myth. His last words are often said to have been: 'Forgive them', which Mr Ferriter said was unlikely. He added: 'Classic propaganda. You want to depict your fallen leader as beyond pure, generous even in death. 'We forget the ordinariness of what happened. He was foolhardy to stop and return fire. There was drink taken. Mistakes made that seem obvious in retrospect.' Teachers at the primary school where Sabina Nessa work are said to be 'consumed with grief' but are putting on a brave face to support the pupils that were taught by the teacher. Ms Nessa, 28, originally from Bedfordshire, disappeared on September 17 as she left home to meet a man for a first date at a local pub. Police understand she was attacked in a park at around 8.30pm, with her body being discovered by a member of the public almost 24 hours later near the OneSpace community centre hidden under a pile of leaves. Detectives are urgently appealing for information about a mystery man who was captured on CCTV in Pegler Square, south east London, on the night Sabina, 28, was attacked. Amid fears that the prime suspect in the alleged murder is still at large, the Victims' Commissioner urged the police to do more to make streets safe for women, after the Met Police insisted that the area is still 'safe for women'. Meanwhile, more than 500 well-wishers, including Ms Nessa's sister Jebina, gathered in Pegler Square for a vigil on Friday, organised by campaign group Reclaim the Streets, which said it is 'angry and heartbroken' about her death. And teachers at Rushey Green Primary School in Catford, where Ms Nessa worked, said they are 'consumed by grief' following their colleagues death, but said they are putting on a 'brave face' for their students. One teacher at the school, who did not wish to be named, said it was awful to think that the 'kind and dedicated' teacher had 'suffered in the most violent way' and said the staff are all rallying around to support each other. They told South London Press: 'No one and nothing can prepare you for this - the first anyone knew was when we arrived at school on Monday morning. Sabina Nessa, 28, originally from Bedfordshire, disappeared on September 17 as she left home to meet a man for a first date at a local pub and her body was found the following afternoon Teachers at Rushey Green Primary School in Catford, where Ms Nessa (pictured) worked, said they are 'consumed by grief' following their colleagues death 'It is awful enough when someone dies. This is so much worse. It is impossible to even comprehend - that she suffered in the most violent way. We were sitting beside her on Friday - then this. 'The Year Two pupils, who she had last year in Year One, will be the most upset - and their parents. 'Everyone is supporting each other. But it is hard for teachers to reassure children who are nervous about being at school for the first time - while they are themselves putting on a brave face while consumed with grief themselves.' Ms Nessa had just taken on a new Year One class for the start of term at the school, which has 600 pupils and around 70 staff. Lisa Williams, headteacher of the school, has spoken to classes individually with educational psychologists also offering help. Speaking of her 'devastation' after Ms Nessa's death, she told Sky News: 'She was a brilliant teacher; she was kind, caring and absolutely dedicated to her pupils. 'She had so much life ahead of her and so much more to give and her loss is desperately sad. 'As a school we are supporting each other through this very difficult time.' Ms Nessa was a member of the National Education Union's Lewisham branch, which held a minute's silence at a meeting on Wednesday night and has written to the school. Branch secretary Duncan Morrison told the South London Press: 'Staff would be given the opportunity to reflect and spend time thinking about Sabina. We would always try to listen - the last thing people in shock or grief want is to be told what to do. Meanwhile, a vigil took place in Peglar Square, near to where Sabina's body was found, at 7pm on Friday. Pictured: Jebina Nessa pays tribute to her sister during the vigil Sister Jebina Nessa broke down in tears as she paid tribute to her sister Sabina, a 28-year-old primary school teacher who was murdered yards from her south east London home People look at floral tributes for murdered 28-year-old teacher Sabina Nessa in Kidbrooke in south-east London ahead of a vigil tonight 'It is hard even for an adult to comprehend what seems to be the senseless murder of a young woman. Her pupils are so young, which makes it all the more difficult. It is hard even to explain to the oldest children at a primary school. 'She was only just starting to build relationships with the new Year One children. The class which will experience it most will be those she taught last year. She had a strong relationship with them. 'The crucial thing is to give them space to feel what they are feeling. But at that age, they have limited language to express it. We would say it is OK to cry and share your feelings - but if they do not want to, that's fine too. It is a terrible thing to deal with.' Meanwhile, the Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales has urged police to do more to make the streets safer for women. Furious campaigners and a handful of MPs have demanded that public spaces be made safer for women in the wake of a string of high-profile murders this year. Parallels are being drawn to the horrific murder of 33-year-old marketing executive Sarah Everard in March, amid fresh fury that women could not walk through Britain's streets alone without fearing for their lives. Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry insisted the area remains 'safe for women' despite mounting pressure from women's safety campaigners who are urging officers to do more to protect them on Britain's streets. But Dame Vera Baird, who attended a vigil to the murdered 28-year-old in Wood Green, north London, on Friday, argued there needs to be more onus on police to protect the public than on women to take precautions. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Apparently the police have been giving out rape alarms to women and giving leaflets out saying how to stay safe in a public place. 'It is less, isn't it, about giving women leaflets on keeping themselves safe in dangerous places and more about the police making the streets safe for women?' When it was put to her that there needed to be societal change along with police intervention, Dame Vera replied: 'It certainly isn't just a job for the police but, look, the police do have a very key role here.' She added: 'Three-quarters of women over 16 have been harassed in a public place and don't feel safe. Detectives are urgently to appeal for information about a mystery man who was captured on CCTV in Pegler Square, south east London, on the night Sabina, 28, was attacked 'They need to know that the police understand that and will use all the powers they have got to keep the streets safe.' Hundreds of mourners, including Ms Nessa's sister Jebina Yasmin Islam, attended an emotional candlelit vigil in Pegler Square, Kidbrooke, south-east London, where she had been heading to the pub on the evening she was killed. Jebina broke down in tears as she paid tribute to her sister and addressed crowds at the vigil, saying her world had been completely 'shattered' following the loss of Sabina. A separate rally earlier in the evening at East London Mosque heard powerful testimony from other members of Ms Nessa's family. It comes as police are understood to believe the prime suspect in the Sabina Nessa murder is still at large after releasing two men they had arrested for the teacher's killing. Detectives are appealing for information about a man who was captured on CCTV in Pegler Square, south east London, on the night Sabina, 28, was attacked. Two men who were arrested in connection with the alleged murder have been released under investigation, the Metropolitan Police confirmed. Sabina left her home on Astell Road after arranging to meet a friend at The Depot bar in Pegler Square, Kidbrooke Village, south-east London, last Friday night but never made it. Police believe she was attacked in the busy Cator Park at around 8.30pm with her body being found by a member of the public almost 24 hours later near the OneSpace community centre. No one reported Sabina missing after she failed to make the rendez-vous, said police, but her housemate has now spoken out on the horrifying ordeal and shared her unease. She told the Guardian: 'I never thought something like this could happen to her. I had been texting her and it's not like her to not reply to my messages. 'I don't feel safe living here now.' Scotland Yard appealed for information on the man shown, and a silver vehicle that was seen in the area, and asked the public to come forward with information Her sister Jebina (pictured) told the massive crowds: 'We have lost an amazing, caring, beautiful sister, who left this world far too early People light candles during a vigil in memory of Sabina Nessa, a teacher who was murdered in south east London last Friday Well-wishers laid flowers and lit candles around a placard calling to 'end male violence' at a vigil in memory of killed primary school teacher Sabina Nessa Earlier, detectives had speculated whether the attack had been carried out by a stranger and were 'keeping an open mind' on the killer's motive. On the same day Sabina was found, a man in his 40s and known to her was the first to be arrested on suspicion of her murder. He was later released under investigation. A 38-year-old man who was arrested on Thursday at an address in Lewisham in connection with the murder of has also been released under investigation. The man in the CCTV footage, who is dressed in casual clothing and appears to be clutching an object in his right hand, was in the area where Nessa was found dead on the night she was attacked, according to police. A 12-second clip shows a bearded and balding man wearing a black hooded coat and grey jeans looking over his shoulder and pulling at his hood as he walks down Pegler Square in Kidbrooke, south-east London. Detectives have also released an image, captured in the same area, of a silver car they believe the man has access to and appealed for anyone who recognised either to contact the force immediately. Detective chief inspector Neil John, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said 'an extensive trawl' of CCTV in the area continued and said information on the man's identity and whereabouts could be 'vital' to the investigation. DCI John added: 'We want to thank those who have shared our image appeal over the last 24 hours it has gained a huge amount of coverage and we are extremely grateful for the public's help. 'We are now a week on from Sabina's murder and while we have made good progress with our investigation we must keep this appeal for information going and encourage anyone who has any information to come forward.' Anyone with information on the man's identity is urged to call the incident room on 0208 721 4266 or Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111. Together the crowd said her name, Sabina Nessa, as they vowed she would not be forgotten and her murder would not go unchallenged Women hold candles at a vigil for killed primary school teacher Sabina Nessa in Pegler Square, Kidbrooke, in south east London Campaigners against violence to women stood together to remember Sabina Nessa who was killed just yards from her south London home as police continued to comb the site for clues Well-wishers and campaigners shed tears as they gathered for a vigil in memory of killed 28-year-old primary school teacher Sabina Nessa People light candles during a vigil in memory of Sabina Nessa, a teacher who was murdered in south east London last Friday CCTV believed to be showing the attack, first reported by the Daily Telegraph, sees an assailant apparently striking Sabina on the head with an object moments after she left her house. Detectives have declined to comment on these reports. Earlier, detectives had speculated whether the attack had been carried out by a stranger and were 'keeping an open mind' on the killer's motive. More than 500 campaigners and well-wishers gathered in Pegler Square for a vigil on Friday with supporters arriving on foot, by bicycle and on the train to attend the memorial at the heart at the south London housing estate. Many had brought their young children, others had brought their dogs. The vigil came as Kate Middleton said she was 'saddened by the loss of another innocent young woman on our streets'. Dozens lit candles and placed bunches of flowers as they stood around a makeshift stage to honour Sabina. And Downing Street also joined the vigil, placing a lantern on the front step of the Prime Minister's residence in memory of the killed primary school teacher. Supporters clapped their hands in a show of solidarity while her friends thanked the hundreds who come together to remember the dynamic young teacher who was allegedly attacked and killed. Her sister Jebina Yasmin Islam told the crowd: 'We have lost an amazing, caring, beautiful sister, who left this world far too early. Hundreds of mourners and well-wishers gathered in Pegler Square tonight in memory of Sabina Nessa, a 28-year-old primary school teacher killed last week Supporters clapped their hands in a show of solidarity and held burning candles while her friends thanked the hundreds who come together to remember the dynamic young teacher Dozens of supporters flocked to Kidbrooke Village to honour the of the 28-year-old Primary school teacher who was murder a week ago today Well-wishers laid flowers and lit candles around a placard calling to 'end male violence' at a vigil in memory of killed primary school teacher Sabina Nessa Flowers left at the edge of the park where police have sealed off an area of meadow 'Words cannot describe how we are feeling, this feels like we are stuck in a bad dream and can't get out of it. Our world is shattered, we are simply lost for words.' Scotland Yard wanted to avoid a repeat of the disastrous scene earlier this year during a vigil for murder victim Sarah Everard. Met chiefs were accused of being heavy-handed with female demonstrators at the height of Covid-19 restrictions, when large public gatherings were banned. Kidbrooke Village residents Roxana Chelaru and husband Ionut told how they no longer feel safe in their home. Roxana told MailOnline: 'We live two minutes from where this poor young woman was murdered. We walk our dog in the park where she was killed. Sometimes I walk him there at night when it is dark. 'We thought this was a nice place to live with other families. But now I don't feel safe. 'But tonight we want to show solidarity with this poor woman. This should not happen.' Husband Ionut added: 'It's very sad. Now I am worried about my wife. Often she must walk back from the station alone. After what has happened we don't want to live here anymore.' Michael Stacey and wife Seychelle brought their six year old daughter Olivia to the vigil because Sabina Nessa was her teacher. Mr Stacey, 42, a printer told MailOnline: 'I don't know what to say. It's a terrible thing to happen. She was a lovely woman and a great teacher. Olivia loved her. So we're here to pay our respects. It's the least we can do.' Dozens lit candles and placed bunches of flowers as they stood around a makeshift stage to honour Sabina A woman holds her hands together in prayer as well-wishers gather in Pegler Square for a vigil in memory of killed primary school teacher Sabina Nessa Supporters laid tributes to Sabina Nessa while her friends thanked the hundreds who come together to remember the dynamic young teacher who was attacked and killed Hundreds of campaigners against violence gathered in Pegler Square with supporters arriving on foot, by bicycle and on the train to attend the memorial at the heart at the south London housing estate Dozens lit candles and placed bunches of flowers as they stood around a makeshift stage to honour Sabina. Supporters clapped their hands in a show of solidarity while her friends thanked the hundreds who come together to remember the dynamic young teacher Supporters clapped their hands in a show of solidarity while her friends thanked the hundreds who come together to remember the teacher who was allegedly attacked and killed Ms Nessa had planned to start a new life teaching young children in the Middle East before she was allegedly attacked and murdered during a five-minute walk through an east London park. The teacher, who had gone through a break up with her partner, had hoped to move to Dubai, according to LBC. A close friend told the radio station: 'She just wanted to live life. 'She wanted to go to Dubai or the UAE and teach children there.' Speaking of the vigil, Jamie Klingler, co-founder of the Reclaim The Streets pressure group, said Londoners had to come together to defend women against violence. She told MailOnline: 'This has been a terrible tragedy and everyone has been affected by this latest act of violence. 'But the community has come together to stand up against violence to women.' Eltham MP Clive Efford told Ms Nessa's family: 'With everything that you are going through, these people are here for you.' He told the crowd that the police 'officers here are also parents and they are just as determined to see justice to Sabina's family as anyone else, I have witnessed that this week.' He also told those gathered that they will need to go back into their communities to make a difference in the way that women are treated, and the levels of respect given to everyone. Meanwhile, police declined to comment on reports in the Daily Telegraph that Sabina was hit on the head yards from her home by an assailant wielding a weapon, then slung over his shoulder and dumped in a park in an attack caught on CCTV. Footage showed Sabina being struck on the head by an assailant wielding a weapon just moments after she left her flat, before she was slung over his shoulder and dumped in a local park, it is claimed. Sabina's family released a new statement reiterating their shock over her horrifying murder after the further details of the case were reported. Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry by the floral tributes at Cator Park in Kidbrooke, south London, near to the scene where the body of Ms Nessa was found The Depot bar in Pegler Square, where Ms Nessa was due to go on a first date last Friday, according to her friend A forensic officer combs the area around Pegler Square as part of a murder probe into the death of 28-year-old primary school teacher Sabina Nessa Sabina's sister Jebina Yasmin Islam said: 'We as a family are shocked of the murder of our sister, daughter and aunty to my girls. 'There are no words to describe how we are feeling as a family at the moment. We did not expect that something like this would ever happen to us. 'I urge everyone to walk on busy streets when walking home from work, school or a friend's homes. Please keep safe. 'I ask you to pray for our sister and make dua (supplication) for her. May Allah grant her paradise.' Assistant Commissioner Rolfe said the Metropolitan Police is not asking women to change their behaviour when going out at night in light of the murder of Sabina Nessa. Sabina was taking a five-minute walk to meet a friend at The Depot bar in Pegler Square near her home in Kidbrooke, south-east London, on September 17 at around 8.30pm when she was attacked. It is believed that she was walking through Cator Park towards The Depot bar on Pegler Square, Kidbrooke Village, where she planned to meet a man for a first date. Sabina never arrived at the pub and was allegedly murdered as she walked through the park, according to police. But reports have claimed that Sabina was just minutes from her home when she was attacked near the OneSpace Community Centre in Cator Park at around 8.30pm on Friday, September 17. A member of the public found her body close to the OneSpace community centre in Cator Park on Saturday at around 5.30pm. A post-mortem examination was inconclusive and further tests will now be carried out to establish a cause of death. Anyone with information should call the incident room on 0208 721 4266 or Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111. The death of Milly Main on a childrens cancer ward is to be investigated by police. It was last night reported that there would be a criminal probe into the case of the ten-year-old, who was undergoing treatment for leukaemia. Her death is one of four that is being investigated at the hospital. Milly, from Lanark, died in August 2017 at the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgows Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH). Kimberly Darroch, right, pictured with her daughter Milly Main, left, is angry with the ten-year-old's treatment she received in Glasgow after the youngster contracted a fatal infection while undergoing a bone marrow stem cell transplant Milly's condition deteriorated after receiving treatment at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, pictured Milli Main, 10, died in the hospital in 2017 after catching an infection following stem cell treatment which left her leukaemia in remission The youngster had received a bone marrow stem cell transplant, but she became seriously unwell with an infection and her condition deteriorated. Her mother, Kimberly Darroch, believes NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde should be punished after she claimed staff tried to cover up the true nature of her young daughters death leaving her to find out two years later in the media. Evidence from Miss Darroch was read out this week at an inquiry in Edinburgh which is examining problems at both the QEUH and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh. In her statement, Miss Darroch said: My view is that the hospital should be closed. I dont think its safe. I feel like the health board need to be punished for all of this. In my eyes, what happened to my daughter is murder. The Daily Record also reported that police will investigate the deaths of two other children and that of a woman aged 73. The news came as a father whose son was also treated for cancer at the RHC said doctors secretly prescribed a cocktail of drugs to stop him catching a fungal infection. Labour MSP Anas Sarwar, pictured with Milly's parents Neil Main, left, and Kimberly Darroch, right, is leading calls for an investigation into the youngster's death David Campbells six-year-old son started treatment for an eye tumour in 2018. Mr Campbell told the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry he was not told about one drug posaconazole being part of his sons medical plan. He said: All we got was a generic handout put under the door to say that it was a medication that the children were going to be put on as protocol, it was better to be safe than sorry. Posaconazole can stop fungal infections in people whose immune systems are compromised. Mr Campbell said his child should have been in a sterile and safe environment. He said: It doesnt make it right, giving them an anti-venom and letting the snake keep biting away at them. The inquiry heard Mr Campbell wrote to Jonathan Best, chief operating officer at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, on January 6 last year about his concerns. According to a statement from Mr Campbell, Mr Best replied that the health board was first aware of issues in the wards in 2018. Mr Campbell told the inquiry: I cant fathom it at all especially after whistleblower evidence in 2017 from senior clinicians and people in respectable positions in the healthcare environment. He added: There is a massive cover-up going on here. The inquiry in Edinburgh, chaired by Lord Brodie, continues. A Police Scotland spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has asked Police Scotland to investigate a number of deaths at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus, Glasgow. Our investigation is at a very early stage, it would be inappropriate to comment further.' A COPFS spokesman said: 'The Procurator Fiscal has received reports in connection with the deaths of three children and a 73-year-old woman at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus, Glasgow. "The investigation into the deaths is ongoing and the families will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments.' The spokesman added: 'The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is committed to supporting the work of the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry and contributing positively and constructively to that work.' A spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow said: 'We are aware of early inquiries by Police Scotland into these cases but it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.' Footage of an Royal Australian Air Force C-17 cargo jet weaving between skyscrapers in the Brisbane CBD has left viewers startled. The Boeing C-17A Globemaster III strategic airlift aircraft was filmed on Thursday during a practice run as the jet flew through Brisbane at low altitude. The plane was rehearsing for the annual Sunsuper Riverfire event, which was held in the Queendland capital on Saturday night. No, no, no, just no. Royal Australian Air Force jet weaves through the skyscrapers of downtown Brisbane, on purpose. It was a rehearsal for an air show, causing immediate flashbacks to 9/11. pic.twitter.com/oR8NwIW5Yp Mike Sington (@MikeSington) September 24, 2021 A RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III strategic airlift aircraft was filmed flying through Brisbane's CBD skyline on Thursday (pictured) NBC senior executive Mike Sington posted a video to Twitter (pictured), using colourful language to express his disbelief at what he was seeing Viewers commented on the awe of the spectacle of the jet flying at such a low altitude Brisbane locals remarked on social media that the event occurs every year and the practice flights are just part of the event The 6.45pm event marked the end of the three-week 2021 Brisbane Festival. Brisbane residents were warned about the rehearsal flights in advance but others were still startled by the sight, with one US viewer on Twitter saying it gave him flashbacks to the 9/11 terror attacks. 'No, no, no, just no,' NBC senior executive Mike Sington wrote on Twitter alongside a video of the jet. 'A Royal Australian Air Force jet weaves through the skyscrapers of downtown Brisbane, on purpose. It was a rehearsal for an air show, causing immediate flashbacks to 9/11.' The jet was doing a practice run for the Sunsuper Riverfire event, which marks the end of the 2021 Brisbane Festival Pictured: The cargo jet weaves between skyscrapers at a low height. Viewers were startled at the footage, with US commenters online saying they had flashbacks to 9/11 Brisbane residents were warned about the practice flight but others watching online were shocked He explained approvals can be sought out for special flyover events, but the jets are not allowed to fly below the tops of buildings Brisbane locals pointed out the stunt is not nearly as dangerous as it appear, with the plane actually flying above the Brisbane river that runs through the city, not through skyscrapers as it appears in the video. 'It's not immediately discernible in the angle in this video, but that plane is flying above a river that runs through the city. Not weaving in between buildings. Also it was widely publicized before it occurred so people weren't caught off guard,' Australian reporter Chad Ryan explained. Hi Brisbane here. It flies along the river. Its nowhere near buildings. This happens every year for Riverfire. There are also helicopters and jets that practice. Were all aware of it. Its not frightening. Its the only chance most of us get to see them. Its all good. Iron Mark (@markthomson) September 24, 2021 Other viewers from the US questioned the safety of the Brisbane event, describing it as 'terrifying.' A pilot of a C-17 jet in the US Air Force who wished to remain anonymous told Task & Purpose the stunt would never be allowed to be performed in the States, calling the videos 'insane.' 'If the crew's timing is off or if they are slow to react, the jet would collide with a building. Very risky,' the pilot said. An anonymous US Air Force pilot stated the flights of the jets was 'insane' and would never be allowed to be performed in the US He explained that special approvals can be sought out for flyover events, but the jet is not allowed to fly below the tops of buildings in the US. The RAAF released a statement informing locals of the rehearsal flight, explaining the flight paths of the jet. 'Safety, noise management and the environment are vital considerations in the planning and conduct of Defence flying activities, and participating squadrons will operate with a view to minimising the impact on local communities,' the statement read. 'The health and safety of all personnel participating in this event is paramount. All Australian Defence Force personnel are required to adhere to state and territory government travel restrictions and health advice. There are a range of COVID-19 risk mitigation measures in place for this exercise.' Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has met Love Island's Amy Hart at a Labour Party conference fringe event. Sir Keir, 59, was pictured laughing with Ms Hart, 28, a former air hostess who previously campaigned in favour of trade unions. It comes as the party's deputy leader Angela Rayner claimed Sir Keir's bid to end the one-member-one vote election system won't be voted on at party conference. This is despite Labour apparently confirming the party leader would be putting his reforms for electing future leaders to the party's National Executive Committee (NEC). Ms Hart, a contestant on the 2019 series of popular dating show Love Island, listened intently to the Labour leader at a question and answer session with an audience of young people at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on Saturday. In a column for Vice Ms Hart previously wrote about her views on social media influencers creating their own trade union. Sir Keir Starmer, 59, was pictured laughing with Amy Hart, 28, a former air hostess who previously campaigned for trade unions for social media stars It comes as the party's deputy leader Angela Rayner claimed Sir Keir's bid to end the one-member-one vote election system won't be voted on at party conference. Pictured, Sir Keir and Ms Hart ran a question and answer panel for young people She said: 'I do think there needs to be a creators' union, because a lot of us make a living off of social media. People are very snobby about influencing, but then in the next breath they're tagging where their outfits are from in the hopes of getting reposted on their accounts.' She also revealed that she was sent a handwritten note from Sir Keir and once went out for lunch with Anneliese Dodds, shadow secretary of state for women and equalities. Elsewhere at this weekend's conference, Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), said it would be a 'bit rushed' for the Labour leader to bring his party reforms to the autumn conference. Ms Rayner told the BBC's Today Programme there would be no vote this weekend, but it was likely to be discussed. Ms Hart, a contestant on the 2019 series of popular dating show Love Island, listened intently to the Labour leader at a question and answer session with an audience of young people at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on Saturday Ms Hart previously revealed she was sent a handwritten note from Sir Keir and once went out for lunch with Anneliese Dodds, shadow secretary of state for women and equalities Ms Hart and Sir Keir took a selfie while running a panel at a fringe event for the Labour Party conference on Saturday Meanwhile, left-wing campaign group Momentum said proposals to bring back Labour's electoral college are 'dead'. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is said to be 'pleased' with the reforms he will be putting to the NEC, according to a spokesman. It comes as it appeared Sir Keir had abandoned plans to shake up how future leaders are elected by moving back to an electoral college system. A spokesman said: 'Keir said on Tuesday it wasn't a take it or leave it deal. That's how we've approached it and we're pleased with where we've ended up.' It is understood there will be 'significant changes' to the leadership rules - including raising the threshold of MP nominations to 25 per cent for leadership elections and abandoning registered supporter involvement. Sir Keir Starmer's (pictured) reforms to the way party leaders are elected are not going to be voted on at the Labour party's conference this weekend Ms Rayner said: 'Conference is a time when we discuss rules. These are things conference does every year.' But at a meeting planned for today Ms Rayner said the proposed changes were not on the order paper. She added: 'My understanding is the electoral college is not coming to the NEC. What you will hear is a hell of a lot about how we will fix this country.' When pressed on whether she supported Sir Keir's plan she added: 'There isnt a proposal coming forward so I can't say whether I support it or not.' Mr Wrack, a trade union leader who was part of a Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation (Tulo) meeting this week to discuss the proposals with Sir Keir, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme conference wasn't the place for discussions around the election of party leader. He said: 'I think the first thing to say is what do people want out of Labour conference? We've got a jobs crisis coming up, a living standards crisis coming, energy crisis and so on. 'If Labour is going to win power and take on the Tories, I think people need to see Labour standing up for working people and that's what we want, and I'm sure that's what Labour voters want to hear - not a debate around how we elect a leader or select Labour MPs, and obviously how that will engage people wondering who to vote for. Labour Party deputy leader Angela Rayner (pictured) told the BBC's Today Programme there would be no vote this weekend, but it was likely to be discussed Sir Keir and Ms Rayner arrive at engineering firm Ricardo in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, ahead of the Labour Party conference 'The conference starts today, so it seems a bit rushed to try and bring major proposals about the constitution of the Labour Party in a morning.' Mish Rahman, a member of Labour's NEC and Momentum's national co-ordinating group, said: 'The central measure of Keir Starmer's attack on democracy has comprehensively failed. The electoral college is dead. 'Now to make sure all the other regressive rule changes concocted by the leadership share the same fate. 'From trigger ballot changes to increases in the MP nomination threshold ahead, they all need to go in the bin. Starmer won't stop trying to rig democracy, so we can't stop defending it.' Ms Rayner said she had been told proposals to bring back an electoral college are not on the agenda for the NEC meeting on Saturday. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she said: 'We've got an NEC meeting later today. 'I'm told that the electoral college is not on the order paper for the NEC - I haven't seen it because I got up at 5am this morning to speak to all of you in the media. 'But, you know what, that is not uncommon.' Asked whether leader Sir Keir Starmer's proposals were likely to be voted on at conference, Ms Rayner added: 'Some will, some won't because that's the natural rhythm of how conference works.' Mr Starmer's first proper conference as Labour leader this weekend risks being overshadowed by his unpopular attempt to rewrite internal rules as his deputy Ms Rayner (pictured together) also opposes it On whether the reforms for how a future leader is elected will be voted on, she said: 'I've told you my understanding is that the electoral college is not coming to the NEC, so therefore that wouldn't.' Elsewhere at the conference, the party will try to show how it would improve the lives of millions of people, announcing fair pay agreements to guarantee minimum wages and conditions for workers in key sectors, starting with social care. But on the eve of the first in-person annual conference since before the pandemic, Sir Keir was still in talks with union barons over his bid to reduce the power of ordinary members to elect future leaders. Under the original proposal, the one member, one vote (OMOV) system would have been replaced with a return to the electoral college made up of the unions and affiliate organisations, MPs and party members. Sir Keir was understood to favour the three parts of the electoral college having an equal share of the vote, meaning Labour's 400,000 members would have the same weighting of the vote as the party's 199 MPs. Instead, it is understood those plans have been diluted, although party sources insisted there would still be 'significant changes' put forward. Sir Keir was hit by a backlash from major union bosses and Left-wing MPs on Wednesday. Insiders said his first attempt to secure agreement on his plan had been a car crash and a mauling. And he suffered another blow after it emerged that his ambitious deputy Ms Rayner also opposed the return of the electoral college. This system would scrap the one-member-one-vote rules that led to a landslide win for Jeremy Corbyn, instead giving greater weight to MPs and unions. According to The Guardian, Mrs Rayner has questioned the timing of the move as well as the principle behind it. Her private concerns emerged after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: I dont think it should be our focus. Even if Sir Keir secures the backing of union leaders, rank-and-file members could still scupper his plans. Labour members of Britains biggest union Unison said it was unthinkable that the leaders would change party rules to disenfranchise members. Sir Keir also faced dire warnings from his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn (pictured), who is still suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party over anti-Semitism Sir Keir also faced dire warnings from his predecessor. Mr Corbyn, who is still suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party over anti-Semitism, said: We meet at a time of great change and crisis, perhaps larger than any other time in my 50-plus years of party membership. The signs are that the party leadership wants to try to shut down debate, sideline the members and trade unions with the end result that Labour props up rather than challenges our broken political and economic system. Mr Corbyns ally Diane Abbott also made an outspoken attack on Sir Keir. She wrote online: When will it occur to Keir Starmer that the ludicrously undemocratic electoral college that he is trying to force through will not just make it easier to block Left-wing Labour leaders, it will make it easier for the Right to dump him when the time comes? Diane Abbott (pictured) also launched an outspoken attack saying the electoral college voting system 'will make it easier for the Right to dump him when the time comes' She also took aim at the Labour leaders 35-page essay on his vision for the country, tweeting: When Keir Starmer was campaigning for the Labour leadership he promised common ownership of rail, mail, energy and water, and a crackdown on corporate tax avoidance. Not a mention of these things in his new pamphlet. Sir Keir himself yesterday appealed to his party to focus on the future, not the past and offer a credible alternative to the Conservative Government, in the wake of the catastrophic general election defeat under Mr Corbyn. He told Londons Evening Standard: We need to show the country that we are a government in waiting with the hunger to win. The Labour leader will address the conference on Wednesday. Other shadow frontbenchers will also have the opportunity to set out their priorities. A temporary visa scheme, expected to be announced by the Government this weekend, will not solve supply issues, a haulage company boss has warned. Toby Ovens, managing director of Broughton Transport Solutions, said he is not convinced a temporary visa scheme will solve the current shortage of HGV drivers. He argued the shortage of HGV drivers is mainly down to driver wages rather than problems from Brexit, which he said he did not believe was a factor in the sector's problems. The shortage of HGV drivers threatens to wreak havoc this winter, and it has been exacerbated by a huge backlog in HGV tests due to Covid, as well as foreign drivers returning home amid the pandemic and Brexit. The Prime Minister is expected to grant visas for thousands of foreign drivers in a bid to tackle the shortages, while soldiers will also be drafted in to help at HGV testing sites to clear a backlog of drivers trying to get licences. But Britain is said to be short of more than 90,000 drivers and there are concerns an additional 5,000 may be too little, too late to halt the chaos. Driver shortages are hitting every part of the economy, creating gaps on supermarket shelves, jeopardising the supply of key chemicals to water firms and increasing fears that fuel shortages could bring the economy to its knees. When asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme whether such a scheme could help alleviate the shortage, Mr Ovens said: 'I personally don't think so. Toby Ovens, managing director of Broughton Transport Solutions, said he is not convinced a temporary visa scheme will solve the current shortage of HGV drivers (file image) Drivers queued throughout the night to fill their cars with petrol amid HGV driver shortage. Pictured, queues at Sainsbury's Alperton petrol station at 5:45am as the issue continued Frenzied buying has caused flare ups at gridlocked filling stations today (pictured in Tonbridge) as motorists ignored Government pleas for calm The chaotic scenes (pictured in Southport) came as Boris Johnson prepared U-turn on demands to change visa rules to offer visas to 5,000 foreign lorry drivers Driver shortages are hitting every part of the economy, increasing fears fuel shortages could bring the economy to its knees (Pictured: People queue for petrol in Newmarket, Suffolk) 'No, I think a lot of what we're seeing at the minute is down to essentially the driver wages. 'Margins in haulage are very tight and the reality is the money isn't there to pay the increased wages without substantial price increases to customers.' Transport Secretary Grant Shapps stressed that transport firms were offering huge salaries in a bid to entice drivers who have left the industry to come back - with one 'top milk firm' apparently offering as much as '78,000-a-year'. And Mr Ovens confirmed he has given his drivers a pay rise once already this year in a bid to lure more people into the industry and said he is looking at providing another pay rise already. He added: 'That's obviously going to involve another price increase for customers but, unfortunately, that is necessary at the present time.' Mr Ovens said he did not believe Brexit had been a factor in the sector's problems, with the improvement in living standards in eastern European countries - where lorry drivers have tended to hail from in recent years - mean people are choosing to stay with their families rather than come to the UK for work. Meanwhile, Tony Danker, the director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said the expected announcement that visa rules will be relaxed for foreign workers is 'a huge relief'. Motorists ignored Government pleas for calm as they jammed roads to panic buy petrol into the night on Friday amid fears that fuel shortages could bring the economy to its knees A BP at Hampton Court says 'Sorry we're out of diesel' after frenzied buying saw stations swamped by panicked customers Driver shortages are hitting every part of the economy, creating gaps on supermarket shelves, leaving pubs and restaurants short of key produce and jeopardising the supply of key chemicals to water firms (pictured, people queueing for fuel in Rochdale) The problems were triggered after BP and Esso admitted on Thursday that a lack of tanker drivers was hitting deliveries (pictured, gridlock at a petrol station in Tonbridge) Tony Danker told BBC Breakfast: 'Hopefully it is going to happen and it is a huge relief.' He continued: 'We've been calling for it for three months we could see this problem coming and more problems coming, and so it's a shame the Government needed queues at the pumps to move, but move I hope they have and it will help.' Mr Danker warned that as well as lorry driver shortages, there were also labour shortages, supply chain and energy problems facing the UK this winter. 'I think what we need is the Government to grip these things with us in business and get ahead of them rather than behind them,' he said. Mr Danker added: 'It's taken a bit of a crisis to force their hand, but I really hope the Government follows through on what we're hearing because that would provide some relief and get us started again.' The head of the CBI said current labour shortages are 'a little bit of a Brexit hangover' as the Government considers relaxing visa rules. He continued: 'We had several drivers go home that we wouldn't have wanted to go home and I think there is this bigger question of the immigration system, and it's a complicated one.' He added: 'Essentially the Government said 'look, post-Brexit, let's have an immigration system that only lets in the skills we need, not the skills we don't'. 'Well, I think what we're realising is there are some skills we need in the short run, we need to bring them in (but) not forever.' Mr Danker said he hoped plans to relax visa rules was an indication of the Government taking a more practical approach to immigration. Ministers have been accused of dooming Britain to a Winter of Incompetence as panic buying of fuel escalated amid talks on giving temporary visas to foreign HGV drivers. Motorists ignored Government pleas for calm as they jammed roads and police had to be called in to marshal drivers amid fears that fuel shortages could bring the economy to its knees. A major shortage of HGV drivers threatens to wreak havoc this winter, and the shortage has been exacerbated by a huge backlog in HGV tests due to Covid Job market data from September 13 to September 19 shows firms in the UK need, in total, more than 36,000 chefs, around 32,000 sales assistants and 6,500 bar staff Photographs show desperate motorists queuing for petrol at 5.45am this morning at Sainsbury's Alperton station as the hunt for fuel continued overnight. Parents on the school run on Friday could not get to the pumps, while the elderly and traders were among the many thousands of motorists caught up in the frenzy. Meanwhile, around 400 stations owned by the EG Group is limited customers to 30 worth of petrol to give everyone a 'fair chance to refuel'. In a statement, a spokesperson said: 'Due to the current unprecedented customer demand for fuel and associated supply challenges we have taken the decision to introduce a limit of 30 per customer on all of our grades of fuel. 'This excludes HGV drivers and emergency services due to their vital role at this time. This is a company decision to ensure all our customers have a fair chance to refuel and to enable our sites to carry on running smoothly. 'We kindly ask everyone visiting our sites to treat our colleagues, supply chain partners and customers with respect during these very challenging times.' The Government has been lambasted for failing to see the problems coming as huge queues developed at petrol stations, with fears rationing might even be needed. Despite desperate assurances from the Transport Secretary that there is no shortage of fuel in the country and people should 'carry on as normal', queues of cars built up at garages across the country. Jane Smithson, 62, a retired carer who was stocking up on fuel in Eltham, south-east London, said: 'I'm gobsmacked, the world's gone mad, I just cannot believe it.' In the face of the chaos, ministers seem to be on the verge of agreeing to shore up the numbers of HGV drivers by granting temporary visas to EU nationals - something retailers and industry have been demanding for months but they previously resisted. Environment Secretary George Eustice is thought to have been pushing for the move along with Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay. Boris Johnson has also been put under pressure to deploy soldiers to drive petrol trucks as a major shortage of HGV drivers threatens to wreak havoc this winter. MPs have said the Army could be used as a short term fix amid increasingly dire warnings over the damage the driver shortage could do in the coming weeks unless urgent action is taken. Vehicles bumper-to-bumper in Harpenden as they try to get into a BP garage today Desperate motorists wind their way into a choc-a-bloc petrol station at a supermarket today The news led to a race to the petrol pumps (pictured in Cardiff, Wales) with the result that hundreds ran out of some fuel types and dozens closed altogether Parents on the school run could not get to the pumps, (pictured in Hampshire) while the elderly and traders were among the many thousands of motorists caught up in the frenzy When questioned about the foreign visas on BBC Breakfast, Mr Shapps said: 'If it can actually help, we will bring them in.' The Government has set up a taskforce run by the former Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay to address supply chain issues. Howard Cox, founder of the FairFuelUK Campaign, blamed the Department for Transport for not tackling the driver shortage. He added: 'Pump prices will rise in direct relation to the 'don't panic' scaremongering messages from this clueless Government.' A Downing Street spokesman said last night: 'We have ample fuel stocks in this country and the public should be reassured there are no shortages.' Ministers held crunch talks yesterday afternoon to thrash out a solution to the shortage. It came as retailers on Friday warned ministers they have just 10 days to save Christmas from 'significant disruption' due to the lack of drivers. The British Retail Consortium said that disruption over the festive period will be 'inevitable' unless the shortfall of an estimated 90,000 drivers is addressed. Ministers have reportedly discussed contingency plans for the Army to be brought in to drive petrol tankers to station forecourts but it is thought they would only be enacted as a last resort. Tory MP Marcus Fysh said that bringing in the Army would 'not be an unreasonable way to think about dealing with an issue'. He said: 'If there is a problem that needs to be fixed in the near term then that might be a way of fixing it.' But critics question why it has taken so long to address the problems, as companies have been raising alarm for months about the brewing crisis. Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds conceded that other countries were also experiencing shortages of HGV drivers. The Prime Minister is expected to buckle and grant visas for thousands of foreign drivers in a bid to tackle the shortage, while soldiers will also be drafted in to help at HGV testing sites to clear a backlog of drivers trying to get licences Many forecourts in London and other cities were closed or running low on both unleaded and diesel (pictured, handwritten signs warning there was no fuel available at a station in Manchester) SIDCUP, KENT: Queues of cars spill out on the road from a Kent forecourt today after fuel bosses warned of rationing and petrol station closures The scenes of queues outside petrol stations (pictured in Brockey, London) come amid fears of a 1978-style 'winter of discontent' for the UK, with rising energy prices and fuel rationing 'I have to say, however, that there have been big failures in planning for this situation and the additional red tape that has been created, which was not inevitable, it was not an inevitable result of Brexit in many cases, but that hasn't been tackled by Government,' she said. 'I talk to advanced manufacturers in my patch for example, and they tell me that now they have got to fill in dozens of pages of paperwork and that is quite a tall order for a HGV driver if they have got to be dealing with all of that, as well as getting goods from one place to another. 'So undoubtedly the Government's method of implementing Brexit has had an impact overall on the system, but there are other factors that are in play here. 'And I think their failure to consider whether they need to ask that Migration Advisory Committee about a different approach to shortage occupations I really do think they should be engaging with business on this and listening to them.' BP said it will restrict deliveries of fuel because of a lack of HGV drivers, which has also impacted supermarkets and raised fears of food and even toy shortages over the Christmas period. The oil giant is understood to have informed the Government that its ability to transport petrol and diesel from its refineries is being heavily impacted by the supply chain crisis. BP's Head of UK Retail, Hanna Hofer, told the Cabinet Office on Thursday last week that it was important that the Government understood the 'urgency of the situation' which she branded 'bad, very bad'. Ms Hofer warned that the company had 'two thirds of normal forecourt stock levels required for smooth operations' and that levels were 'declining rapidly'. The restricting of deliveries is expected to begin 'very soon'. The scenes of queues outside petrol stations - which for some will stir up memories of the 1973 Opec Oil Crisis and the 2000 fuel shortage - come amid fears of a 1978-style 'winter of discontent' for the UK, with skyrocketing energy prices, food shortages and fuel rationing. The Petrol Retailers Association has added to the rising sense of carnage by urging motorists to 'keep a quarter of a tank' of fuel in their vehicles in preparation for potential closures of local petrol stations. The Taliban has hanged the dead bodies of alleged kidnappers in four squares across the Afghan city of Herat after killing them during a shootout, eyewitnesses have claimed. Wazir Ahmad Seddiqi, who runs a pharmacy beside the main square in Herat, said four dead bodies were brought to the square and were hanged from a crane. He said three bodies were moved to other squares in the city in western Afghanistan to be displayed, in a gruesome move that signalled a return to some of the Taliban's past methods. The Taliban claimed that the four were caught taking part in a kidnapping of a businessman and his son on Saturday and were then killed by police in a shootout. Herat province's deputy governor Mawlawi Shir Ahmad Muhajir said the men's corpses were displayed in various public areas on the same day as the killings to teach a 'lesson' that kidnapping will not be tolerated. Horrifying pictures shared to social media show an accused kidnapper's dead body hanged from a crane, with a sign attached to him, while hoards of people watched on from below and nearby buildings. The sign on his chest read: 'Abductors will be punished like this.' Horrifying photographs show an accused kidnapper's dead body hanging from a crane above the main square in the Afghan city of Herat People look up at a dead body hanged by the Taliban from a crane in the main square of Herat city in western Afghanistan Wazir Ahmad Seddiqi, who runs a pharmacy beside the main square in Herat, said four dead bodies were brought to the square in Herat (above) and were hanged from a crane There was no immediate comment from the Taliban regarding the incident in Herat, which is Afghanistan's third biggest city. The display is the most high-profile public punishment since the Taliban swept to power last month, and is a sign the Islamist hardliners will adopt fearsome measures silimiar to their previous rule from 1996 to 2001. Muhajir said security forces were informed a businessman and his son had been abducted in the city on Saturday morning. Police shut down the roads out of the city and the Taliban stopped the men at a checkpoint, where 'an exchange of fire happened', he said. 'As a result of a few minutes of fighting, one of our Mujahideen was wounded and all four kidnappers were killed,' Muhajir said in a recorded statement sent to AFP. 'We are the Islamic Emirate. No one should harm our nation. No one should kidnap,' he said in the video clip. Muhajir added that that before Saturday's incident there had been other kidnappings in the city, and the Taliban rescued a boy. One kidnapper was killed and three others were arrested, he said, although in another case the Taliban 'failed and the abductors were able to make money'. 'It saddened us a lot because while we are in Herat, our people are being abducted,' Muhajir said. 'In order to be a lesson for other kidnappers not to kidnap or harass anyone, we hung them in the squares of the city and made this clear to everyone that anyone who steals or abducts or does any action against our people will be punished.' Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, one of the founders of the Taliban and the chief enforcer of its harsh interpretation of Islamic law when they last ruled Afghanistan, said the regime will bring back executions and amputations for thieves - though they may not be held in public. He dismissed outrage over the Taliban's executions in the past, which sometimes took place in front of crowds at a stadium, and warned the world against interfering. There was no immediate comment from the Taliban regarding the hangings in Herat. Pictured: Taliban fighter holds a rocket-propelled grenade in Herat on August 13 Eyewitness Wazir Ahmad Seddiqi said four bodies were brought to the main square in Herat to be hanged. Pictured: Taliban fighters stand on a vehicle in Herat on August 13 He told The Associated Press in Kabul: 'Everyone criticised us for the punishments in the stadium, but we have never said anything about their laws and their punishments. 'No one will tell us what our laws should be. We will follow Islam and we will make our laws on the Quran.' Since the Taliban seized control of the country in August, Afghans have been watching to see whether they will recreate their harsh rule of the late 1990s. In his early 60s, he was justice minister and head of the so-called Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice - effectively, the religious police - during the Taliban's previous rule. Mr Turabi's comments suggest the group's leaders remain entrenched in a deeply conservative, hard-line worldview, even as they embrace video and mobile phones. Executions of convicted murderers were usually by a single shot to the head, carried out by the victim's family, who had the option of accepting 'blood money' and allowing the culprit to live. For convicted thieves, the punishment was amputation of a hand. For those convicted of highway robbery, a hand and a foot were amputated. Trials and convictions were rarely public and the judiciary was weighted in favour of Islamic clerics. Mr Turabi said that this time, judges - including women - would adjudicate cases, but the same punishments would be revived. 'Cutting off of hands is very necessary for security,' he said. Taliban fighters have revived a punishment they commonly used in the past - public shaming of men accused of small-time theft. On at least two occasions in the past week, Kabul men have been packed into the back of a pickup truck, their hands tied, and been paraded around to humiliate them. In one case, their faces were painted to identify them as thieves. In the other, stale bread was hung from their necks or stuffed in their mouth. It wasn't clear what their crimes were. Wearing a white turban and a bushy, unkempt white beard, Mr Turabi limped slightly on his artificial leg. He lost a leg and one eye fighting Soviet troops in the 1980s. Under the new Taliban government, he is in charge of prisons. He is among a number of Taliban leaders, including members of the all-male interim Cabinet, who are on a United Nations sanctions list. During the previous Taliban rule, he was one of the group's most ferocious and uncompromising enforcers. When the Taliban took power in 1996, one of his first acts was to scream at a woman journalist. In this week's interview with the AP, Turabi spoke to a woman journalist. 'We are changed from the past,' he said. The founder of the Taliban Mullah Nooruddin Turabi (pictured) warned the regime will bring back executions and amputations for thieves - though they may not be held in public He said the Taliban would allow television, mobile phones, photos and video 'because this is the necessity of the people, and we are serious about it'. Mr Turabi dismissed criticism over the previous Taliban rule, arguing that it had succeeded in bringing stability. Even as Kabul residents express fear over their new Taliban rulers, some acknowledge grudgingly that the capital has already become safer. Before the Taliban takeover, bands of thieves roamed the streets, and crime had driven most people off the streets after dark. Amaan, a storeowner in the centre of Kabul, said: 'It's not a good thing to see these people being shamed in public, but it stops the criminals because when people see it, they think 'I don't want that to be me'.' Another shopkeeper said it was a violation of human rights but that he was also happy he can open his store after dark. The Taliban had been at pains to present a reformed image since sweeping to power on August 15, pledging a more moderate brand of rule. But videos and footage from inside Afghanistan have showed militants beating and whipping people on the streets as reports emerged of targeted killings and fighters going door-to-door searching for blue US passports. Earlier this month, Taliban fighters beheaded an Afghan soldier before singing as they held the severed head of the victim aloft by his hair. It is believed the man on the ground was an Afghan solider due to the colour of his dark green uniform - similar to that given to the national army by the US. The depraved footage emerged as a Taliban spokesman claimed they were not violent, insisted women would have 'basic rights' and claimed the new government was 'building a welfare state'. 'We are the people of Afghanistan,' Shaheen said. 'Many of us were doing the jihad, the resistance, against then Soviet union and now the 20 year occupation by the US and allies. 'Now, we are focusing on lifting the lives of our people, the construction of Afghanistan, creating jobs for our people, building a welfare state,' he continued. 'If I compare it to the past, we had a domestic war, fighting. But now we are focusing more on our economic activities, on creating jobs, expanding education, other needs of the people.' The beheading footage emerged just days after Taliban militants executed the brother of one of the Afghan resistance fighters' leaders. The man was the brother of Amrullah Saleh, the former Afghan vice president who became one of the leaders of anti-Taliban opposition forces in the Panjshir valley. The news that Saleh's brother Rohullah Azizi was killed came days after Taliban forces took control of the provincial centre of Panjshir, the last province holding out against them after the took control of the rest of Afghanistan last month. Turabi dismissed outrage over the Taliban's executions in the past, which sometimes took place in front of crowds at a stadium, and warned the world against interfering Taliban fighters pose for a photo as they patrol inside the city of Ghazni, southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan on August 12 'They executed my uncle,' Ebadullah Saleh told Reuters in a text. 'They killed him yesterday and would not let us bury him. They kept saying his body should rot.' And an unarmed man was shot dead in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley earlier this month - allegedly a civilian executed by Taliban fighters in a revenge killing. It was not clear why the man was targeted. Footage showed men who appear to be Taliban fighters marching another man to the side of a road before multiple gunshots ring out and he slumps to the floor. It is thought that at least 20 people have been killed in a similar fashion in the valley since it was captured by the Taliban earlier this month. The Panjshir Valley was the sole region of Afghanistan not captured by the Taliban as they conquered the rest of the country in a lightning-fast offensive earlier this year. The valley had never been captured by Islamists before - having successfully held out against them in the 1990s and against the Soviets before that. But last week the Taliban announced they had captured it and claimed resistance leaders including famed commander Ahmad Massoud had fled to Turkey, but some pockets of anti-Taliban resistance still exist within Afghanistan. The Islamist militia captured Kabul and brought a chaotic and deadly end to 20 years of war last month, with the Taliban now back in control of the country as they were from 1996 to 2001. British and US forces officially withdrew from the country on August 31 and the terror group's regaining of control was described as the 'greatest jihadist victory since the Soviets quit in 1989'. The group's leaders remain entrenched in a deeply conservative, hard-line worldview, even if they are embracing technological changes, like video and mobile phones. An unelected leadership council is how the Taliban ran their first government which brutally enforced a radical form of Sharia law from 1996 until its ouster by US-led forces in 2001. A three-year-old boy died when he was hit by his father's pick-up truck while playing with his sister on their family farm in Wales, an inquest has heard. Emergency services rushed to the scene in Pembrokeshire in August after little Ianto Jenkins was hit by the truck and trailer belonging to his father Guto Sior Jenkins, 31. An inquest heard the youngster - described by his mother as a 'kind little boy who was always smiling and laughing' - suffered 'significant injuries' and was pronounced dead at the farm, situated in Efailwen, near Clynderwen. Coroner's officer Hayley Rogers said: 'At 7pm on August 3 police received an emergency call reporting that a child had been involved in a collision with a piece of farming machinery. 'Inquiries at the scene established that Ianto was playing with his sister and cousin when a pick-up style vehicle and trailer collided with him.' The heartbroken family were 'devastated' after three-year-old Ianto Jenkins was killed while riding his bike on the family farm. Pictured: Little Ianto Jenkins with his father Guto Sior Jenkins The inquest in Llanelli, South Wales, heard a police investigation is ongoing along with inquiries by the Health and Safety Executive. Acting senior coroner Paul Bennett adjourned the inquest until four months' time. Following his death, the boy's grandmother Meinir, 61, said: 'No one is to blame. Ianto was playing in his new bike in the back yard and my son just didn't know he was there. 'He didn't see him. He heard the sound of his pick-up hitting something and when he stopped and got out to look, Ianto was lying on the ground motionless. 'It is just heartbreaking. Poor Guto, I don't know how he's going to live with this. He is completely devastated.' Ianto's mother Chloe Picton paid tribute to her 'smiling' little boy. The inquest in Llanelli, South Wales, heard a police investigation is ongoing along with inquiries by the Health and Safety Executive The community rallied around the family of Ianto Jenkins after he was killed by the vehicle She said: 'Ianto was my blue-eyed boy, he was inspiration to life, he was a kind little boy who was always smiling and laughing. 'His best friend was his older sister Seren, who were always joined at the hip. 'Ianto loved going to nursery and was excited to start his first day at school in Ysgol Beca in Efailwen in September. 'He loved being out on the farm and going on the tractor with his daddy. Ianto and I had a very strong bond. 'He was "Mummy's little boy" and was always by my side everywhere we went - now that's been taken from me. 'No parent should lose a child and I would like people to respect our wishes, giving us space at this very difficult, heartbreaking time.' Tribues poured in from friends and family online when the tragic news broke. Tributes poured in for three-year-old Ianto Jenkins after he died on the farm in August One friend said: 'Deepest sympathy to you and the family. I can't imagine such an nightmare, but I can ensure that all your family, your friends, the people of Efailwen and the whole of Wales are thinking about you and the family at this dark hour in your life. 'Take comfort from the sweet memories you have and try to keep strong.' Another wrote: 'Thinking of you and your family. I can't even imagine what your going through. Keep strong.' While one said: 'Absolutely heartbroken, taken way too soon. You will be missed Ianto, RIP'. It comes after the grieving father was sent a cruel hate messages from an animal rights fanatic. The online troll wrote: 'If you hadn't had such an evil industry perhaps your son would still be here! 'You run a dairy farm! One of the cruelest industries out there! 'Millions of cows dying not just for their meat but for their milk too (which we don't need).' A 12-year-old boy (pictured) has been missing since QLD coastal town of Hervey Bay since Wednesday A desperate search is underway for a 12-year-old boy who vanished days ago from a coastal town. Police said the boy disappeared from the Hervey Bay suburb of Urraween in Queensland's south-east on Wednesday. He was last seen about 11.30am that day near Heather Way. The boy is described as being Caucasian, approximately 165cm tall with blue eyes and light brown/blonde hair. At the time of his disappearance he was wearing light-coloured shorts, a black t-shirt with black shoes. He was riding a black and green scooter. The boy may have also been wearing a white jumper with a hood with black shorts, black/white shoes and a backpack. Police are concerned about his welfare due to his age. Anyone with information is urged to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers rather than approach him directly. A bungling bank robber has been caught after his false leg fell off in a struggle with customers. Staff and customers helped police apprehend the 45-year-old Italian man who had held up a bank branch in Spain at gunpoint with another man. The incident happened at the Sabadell branch in Alicante on Friday. Police were informed that two men had burst into the bank, one of whom brandished a gun and demanded staff handover cash from the tills. But after the alarm was raised, customers, staff and passers-by grabbed one of the men and grappled him to the ground. In the tussle, the man's false leg fell off, leaving him unable to run away, police confirmed. Scroll down for video Staff and customers helped police apprehend a 45-year-old Italian man (centre) who had held up a bank branch in Spain at gunpoint with another man before his false leg came off, leaving him unable to escape The gun (pictured) brandished during the robbery was left at the scene and later found to be false The suspect, who has not been named, was bundled into a police car and taken to a police station in the southern Spanish city. A search is ongoing for the second man, who police said managed to escape, though neither of the men made off with any money. The gun brandished during the robbery was left at the scene and later found to be false. It is believed the attempted robbery could be linked to similar hits on banks in Spain. A full investigation is now underway. A police spokesman confirmed: 'At 2pm, a call was received reporting that a robbery was taking place in a bank branch of Sabadell located in Plaza America in Alicante.' 'The emergency protocol was activated and a device established that frustrated the robbery and culminated in the arrest of one of the perpetrators who was armed with a pistol that was finally determined to be simulated.' 'At least one perpetrator fled from the place, more identification and location management is being carried out by the robbery squad of the Alicante Judicial Police Brigade.' 'The detainee is of Italian nationality, 45 years old and with a previous record.' Vice President Kamala Harris has expanded her team with new senior advisors, including the brother-in-law of White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, as she faces public relations challenges over the border crisis. Harris in recent months hired Lorraine Voles and Adam Frankel, both of whom worked with her transition team, to assist with 'organizational development, strategic communications and long-term planning,' a White House official told the Washington Post. Frankel, who worked as a speechwriter for former President Barack Obama, is married to Psaki's sister Stephanie Psaki, a senior adviser at the Department of Health and Human Services. The new public relations hires come as Harris, who is viewed as likely to seek the Democratic presidential nomination, faces falling approval ratings and criticism over her handling of the border. Vice President Kamala Harris has expanded her team with new senior advisors, including the brother-in-law of White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Harris in recent months hired Lorraine Voles (left) and Adam Frankel (right) to assist with 'organizational development, strategic communications and long-term planning,' President Joe Biden has handed Harris a number of complex and politically charged projects, including addressing the root causes of a surge in illegal border crossings, and spearheading a fight over US election laws. These assignments have reportedly frustrated members of Harris' inner circle, who see them as political hot-potatoes with no easy wins, potentially damaging the vice president's further political ambitions. Many Democrats view Harris as the leading contender for the party's presidential nomination either in 2024, if 78-year-old Biden does not seek a second term, or in 2028, if he chooses to run again. Harris' approval ratings turned negative soon after her controversial trip to Mexico and Guatemala on June 8, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis of polling data. The trip to address the so-called 'root causes' of migration came as illegal crossings at the southern US border approached a 20-year high, and Harris bristled at the time when questioned on why she had not yet visited the border itself. Biden's approval ratings also began to sink around the same time, and have slipped further since, so it's unclear whether Harris suffered from a general decline in satisfaction with the administration. A Haitian girl stands at a migrant camp at the U.S.-Mexico border on Tuesday in Del Rio, Texas. The large camp thrust border issues back into the spotlight this week Meanwhile 19,000 mostly Haitian migrants are currently camped out in northern Colombia waiting for a boat to take to Acandi in hopes of crossing through the Darien jungle on the way to the US, despite 41 people dying in the jungle this year Migrants boarding a boat to Acandi in hopes of getting to the Panama border on Thursday. Only 11,500 migrants were able to obtain boat tickets and some have been stranded in Colombia for weeks waiting to board by October 13 In the past week, border issues have been thrust back into the limelight, as a squalid camp of Haitian migrants in Del Rio, Texas swelled to 15,000 last weekend. On Friday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas revealed that nearly 30,000 Haitian migrants have been encountered trying to enter the country illegally since September 9. He revealed that 2,000 have been expelled on 17 flights, 8,000 have returned to Haiti voluntarily, 12,400 have been released into the US and 5,000 are being processed. That leaves 2,600 missing. Officials have said some have crossed back into Mexico, where they may attempt to enter the US again. The camp in Del Rio has now been cleared, but new reports indicate that 19,000 migrants, who are mostly Haitian, are congregating in northern Colombia with plans to journey to the Texas crossing. Harris chimed in on the latest border crisis on Friday, compared images of US Border Patrol Agents seeking to push back Haitian migrants to the brutality of slavery. She told The View that images of mounted Border Patrol agents confronting migrants, which were widely and falsely described as depicting them whipping the migrants, 'evoked images of some of the worst moments of our history' including tactics 'used against African Americans during times of slavery'. 'Human beings should not be treated that way and as we all know it also evoked images of some of the worst moments of our history,' VP Kamala Harris said on ABC's 'The View' when asked about border agents using horses to push back Haitian immigrants She called images of what she saw 'horrible.' A border agents' union said the riders were using split reins, rather than whips, and the photographer said he did not see whipping Photographer Paul Ratje, who took the controversial images, came forward on Friday to say that he did not see officers whipping migrants. Rather, the long reins of their mounts were swinging in the air as they tried to contain the crowd. Harris' new hires will bolster her staff in terms of public relations and speechwriting capabilities. Frankel worked on Barack Obamas 2008 presidential campaign and then joined the White House as a speech writer until 2011. He went on to work at speechwriting firm Fenway Strategies, Laurene Powell Jobs' organization Emerson Collective, and PepsiCo, where he was a vice president. Voles previously worked as director of communications for former Vice President Al Gore and advised Hillary Clintons 2008 presidential bid. She went on to serve as senior vice president for communications and marketing at Fannie Mae and vice president of external relations at George Washington University. Beto O'Rourke has slammed Joe Biden for his handling of the migrant crisis, comparing the current President to Donald Trump in his decision to deport thousands of Haitian asylum seekers from the southern border. O'Rourke - who once described Biden as 'kind, caring, and the antithesis of Trump' - made the comparison in a scathing op-ed published in El Paso Matters on Friday, claiming the Commander-in-chief's new border policies were 'antithetical to our values and our common humanity'. Earlier this month, tens of thousands of Haitian migrants arrived at the southern border after Biden cancelled deportation flights to the country. The influx caused chaos in the border town of Del Rio, Texas, and prompted the President to backflip and resume the repatriation flights. The move was intended to show Biden taking a more hardline approach on immigration, but has sparked fierce backlash among left-wing politicians and pundits, including O'Rourke. 'Stung by the outcry and caught without a plan, the Biden administration used a cynical Trump-era policy (known as Title 42) to immediately, and without due process, repatriate Haitians back to the country,' he explained. 'We need to hold accountable those who would treat immigrants as less than human whether they were separated from their families and placed in cages under Trump or corralled like cattle as they brought food to their families under Biden'. Beto O'Rourke has slammed Joe Biden for his handling of the migrant crisis, comparing the current President to Donald Trump in his decision to deport thousands of Haitian asylum seekers from the southern border This month, tens of thousands of Haitian migrants arrived at the southern border after Biden cancelled deportation flights to the country. The influx caused chaos in the border town of Del Rio, Texas O'Rourke criticized the Biden Administration for failing to adequately anticipate and prepare for an influx of migrants at the border O'Rourke also addressed recent images which were initially believed to show mounted Border Patrol agents 'whipping' Haitian migrants with their horse reins. That account has already been debunked with even the photographer saying his image showed no such thing. But the photos only added to the outrage, with some claiming Biden's border policies are no more humane than Trump's. O'Rourke wrote that the images of the migrants 'corralled and charged by mounted Patrolmen like they were animals' 'shocked the world' and placed the blame squarely at Biden's feet. 'Once the Haitians arrived, why was our government so slow to respond, leaving the people of Del Rio and the Border Patrol to their own devices? The disregard for border communities, and the over reliance on already stressed federal law enforcement, produced conditions that ultimately led to the unforgettable and unforgivable scene of mounted officers charging into the mass of unarmed immigrants,' he blasted. The op-ed marked a dramatic shift in O'Rourke's attitudes towards Biden. The Texan last year publicly cooed over Biden and pleaded with his constituents to vote for him on the campaign trail. It's unclear how Biden will react to O'Rourke's scathing piece of writing, given that he similarly gushed over the young politician. He last year tapped O'Rourke to take charged of the gun control issue in the US. O'Rourke wrote that the image of the migrants 'corralled and charged by mounted Patrolmen like they were animals' 'shocked the world' and placed the blame squarely at Biden's feet From friend to foe? O'Rourke once described Biden as the 'antithesis of Donald Trump', but in his harsh new op-ed he directly compares the two Presidents Meanwhile on Friday, Biden attempted to grovel after the images were released, vowing that the Border Patrol agents in the photos would be punished. 'It's outrageous, I promise you, those people will pay,' he said Friday. Biden added: 'Of course, I take responsibility. I'm president but it was horrible to see what you saw... There will be consequences. It's an embarrassment, beyond an embarrassment. It's dangerous. It's wrong, it sends the wrong message around the world, sends the wrong message at home. It's simply not who we are'., However, his comments came on the same day that the photographer who took controversial photos claimed that they have been dramatically misinterpreted. 'I've never seen them whip anyone,' photographer Paul Ratje told KTSM-TV of the Border Patrol agents. The still images actually depict the mounted agents swinging the long reins of their horses, not holding whips. 'He was swinging it, but it can be misconstrued when you're looking at the picture,' said Ratje, who shot the photos from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande river. The photos drew condemnation from Biden and around the world, but the photographer now says that they do not depict whipping as some have claimed Also on Friday, Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admitted close to 30,000 Haitians have arrived in the US in recent weeks. He revealed that 2,000 have been expelled on 17 flights, 8,000 have returned to Haiti voluntarily, 12,4000 are having their cases heard and 5,000 being processed That leaves 2,600 missing. Officials have said some have returned to Mexico. Meanwhile, the BBC reported nearly 19,000 mostly Haitian migrants are heading towards the US. They are in Colombia waiting to cross the border to Panama, Colombian officials say. The border crisis in one of several issues Biden is battling. His poll numbers have also plummeted amid the ongoing Covid pandemic, rising inflation and America's botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. O'Rourke isn't the only prominent liberal to hit out at Biden in recent days. The BBC reported nearly 19,000 mostly Haitian migrants are heading towards the US. They are in Colombia waiting to cross the border to Panama, Colombian officials say The New Yorker published a piece Friday describing the Biden presidency as a 'haze of uncertainty' and a 'jumble of aspirations' that are far from what is politically possible to achieve. 'The Biden Presidency, on both the foreign and domestic fronts, remains a jumble of aspirationsand retains a haze of uncertainty about how to achieve them,' Susan Glasser writes. 'Much of his political problem, it seems to me, is a vast gap between his articulated goals and what is politically possible.' The New York Times published two pieces on Wednesday comparing Biden to former President Donald Trump despite the former building his administration on the promise he would be different than his controversial Republican predecessor. The pieces cite Biden's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and the ongoing border crisis, pointing out his falling back on policies and decisions even he himself maligned while Trump was in office. An article titled 'Biden Pushes Deterrent Border Policy After Promising 'Humane' Approach,' begins by reflecting on scenes that have surfaced this week of border agents on horseback forcefully rounding up and charging at migrants trying to cross the chest-deep waters of the Rio Grande. 'The images could have come straight from former President Donald J. Trump's immigration playbook,' the news story notes. It comes a day after the Washington Post's White House bureau chief slammed the president for shutting down questions from American reporters during the president's meeting Tuesday with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The Times's border story published on Wednesday points out that the Biden administration promised a more 'humane' approach to tackle immigration, but is ramping up its use of a Trump-era COVID rule to expel asylum-seeking migrants on the spot - specifically, to clear some 15,000 mostly Haitian migrants out from an encampment under the Del Rio bridge in Texas. 'The deportations are a stark example of how Mr. Biden... is deploying some of the most aggressive approaches to immigration put in place by Mr. Trump over the past four years,' the story claims. It quotes Latino civil rights leader Marisa Franco, 'The question that's being asked now is: How are you actually different than Trump?' Advertisement Caskets containing human remains are still scattered around a Louisiana town, nearly four weeks after being washed out of their burial vaults by floods caused by Hurricane Ida. Pastor Haywood Johnson, of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Ironton, 25 miles southeast of New Orleans, told CNN how caskets have still not been returned to their burial plots as the community desperately tries to rebuild. Burial plots in the area around New Orleans are typically very shallow because the ground water level is so high, and coffins are often laid to rest in above-ground vaults and tombs. But as flood waters from Hurricane Ida swept through the region at the end of August, many caskets were washed out of the vaults, and are still scattered around town. Johnson pointed out a pair of caskets, belonging to a father and daughter, which had ended up beside each other in someone's front yard. Another casket could be seen upside down against a nearby levee, while a funeral vault weighing thousands of pounds was washed nearly three thousand feet before ending up right in front of the church. Johnson said he is still looking for the caskets of his own mother, uncle and sister. Caskets filled with human remains are still scattered around a Louisiana town weeks after Hurricane Ida ripped through the region as it made it's way inland A casket could be seen upside down against a nearby levee The search for the caskets, which are bound in above-ground tombs and made of cement and other heavy materials, has been further complicated by mud, high grass and snakes Haywood Johnson, the town's church pastor, says caskets he buried have been carried away from cemetery grounds and spread throughout the community 'It caused people to be in disarray,' Johnson told CNN. 'They're shocked by the magnitude of the destruction, but they're even more so overwhelmed by their loved ones floating and ending up landing in the streets and people's yards and on the side of the levee and out in the field, and it's just, just overwhelming.' 'One of the things that bothered me is that I was the one that buried most of those people, most of the deceased, and it was like pulling the scab off of a wound,' Johnson added. The search for the missing caskets has been further complicated by mud, high grass and snakes, Johnson told CNN. It is estimated that 30 to 50 caskets were displaced during the flooding, according to Ryan Seidemann, chairman of Louisiana's Cemetery Response Taskforce. After Hurricane Katrina displaced nearly a thousand caskets back in 2005, Louisiana now requires all of them to have some form of identification, like a plaque, so they can be returned if they are washed away, according to NPR. Many of the caskets are weighed down with cement and other heavy materials, but that does not always help in the raging floods caused by a hurricane. FEMA offers families up to $8,000 to help properly rebury their loved ones. Mud and debris surround damaged homes in Ironton, Louisiana, on September 19 Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Pastor Haywood Johnson - pictured at his flood-damaged church - said he is still looking for the caskets of his own mother, uncle and sister A funeral vault weighing thousands of pounds (pictured) moved nearly three thousand feet away before ending up right in front of the church The predominately-black community of Ironton has a population of 175 and sits on the west bank of the Mississippi River in lower Plaquemines Parish. Residents have called upon the federal government to assist the beleaguered area with the rebuilding process after Ida's destructive path, WDSU reports. 'We just want to know what is happening. When will these projects get started? So residents can try to come in and salvage some of their property,' Major Tracy Riley said. While the Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans Division said the town's levees worked as they were designed to, the high elevation of the land surrounding Ironton made for the perfect conditions for flooding. 'With the Plaquemines area, the entire West Bank were building what we call the New Orleans to Venice project,' said Ricky Boyett, spokesperson for the Army Corps of Engineers. The Venice project has been going on for years, however the contract for the New Orleans to Venice levee project is currently out for bid. Boyett told Fox 8 Live that it should bring the levee systems in lower Plaquemines up to federal standards. Ironton resident Kornell Davis (pictured) walks through the Ironton cemetery, still covered in nearly a foot a marsh mud Sunday, Sept. 19 On Tuesday, Members of the Louisiana Cemetery Response Task Force were in Ironton to survey the devastation and determine what equipment and tools will be needed to recover the missing caskets. A staging area was also being created for bodies to be properly identified before they are returned to their final resting places. 'It's not something you can do without heavy equipment,' said task force chairman Ryan Seidemann, while adding that some of the caskets and their vaults weighed tons. 'When I was out in this community cemetery, I was up to my knees in muck, so finding the purchase for a crane or some other kind of [machinery] to get a hold and be able to lift these these heavy weights is going to be a challenge,' he said. The row over a four-foot-high fence outside a house next to a chip shop took a sinister twist yesterday as a man was arrested for shooting at the couple who had erected it. Then the drama took another turn as council workmen arrived to take the controversial structure down. But it is unlikely to be the last word on the matter. Last night, furious house owner Christine Williams, 50, said her husband Stephen, 57, would be putting it right back up today as she insisted they were within their rights according to the deeds of their home. Christine and Stephen Williams, pictured, erected a wooden fence outside their home in Alnwick, Northumbria to prevent people queuing up for the chip shop next door from peering into their living room The 4ft-high fence is pictured before the council workmen moved in to take it down The couple erected the fence, pictured, to control crowds from standing outside their home. Mr Williams erected the fence although the local council sent around some workers to take down the barrier - pictured on Google Street View before work took place Some locals have complained that the fence has blocked access to the pavement and could be a danger to the safety of children walking to school The dispute had been brewing ever since 2019 when Mr and Mrs Williams decided to change careers and close the sweet shop they had run next to the chippy in Alnwick, Northumberland. Instead of living in an annex to the side of the store, they converted the shop, which sits flush to the pavement, into their living room. But neighbourly relations deteriorated during the Covid crisis when the chip shop owner marked out spaces for customers to wait outside which took them past the Williams front window. Mrs Williams said: My husband went outside and washed off the marks. There was no need for it. They could easily have queued the other way which leads directly to the chip shops large car park. The fence is simply there to mark our boundary which extends from the front of the shop onto the pavement. The couple say their property deeds prove the land belongs to them and say this was acknowledged by Northumberland County Council in 2017. As part of the row, a man fired an air pistol towards the Williams' home on Thursday. A 34-year-old man was arrested and is helping police with their enquiries Back then the Williams had successfully stopped a broadband company from digging up the pavement in front of their property and in a letter dated October 19 their Infrastructure Records Manager had stated: I can confirm that the Council will accept no future responsibility or liability for the condition of the paved area immediately to the front of your property which is in your ownership. Mrs Williams, who now works in care, said: I am disgusted by how this has been handled. We have been emailing the Council for six months now explaining what we were going to do but they did not respond. They had no right to take the fence down and my husband will put it back up again because we are entitled to mark our boundary. Its not about people eating chips sitting on our windowsill. That never happened as we dont have one but we dont want people queueing outside our window every evening. The couple claims that people waiting for the chip shop could queue up on the opposite site to their house The whole thing has left me traumatised. On Thursday, after wed both got back from work my husband went outside to work on the fence and I was sitting in a chair at the front keeping him company along with our dog. Suddenly I saw a man on the other side of the road with a gun pointing directly at me. I screamed at Stephen who moved me away as the shot was fired. Then we heard cheers coming from the chip shop. It was terrifying. I am really shaken up by the whole thing. We had forensics round here until the early hours of the morning. Now Im told that the man they arrested has been released on bail. It is very frightening when he lives only a couple of streets away. The couples decision to erect the fence which blocks a section of the pavement as well as part of a lay-by had been criticised by a local councillor. Cllr Gordon Castle, Alnwick ward member for Northumberland County Council, said: 'I've raised this with officers at County Hall to the highest level. 'He [Mr Williams] claims to have deeds showing ownership of where his fence now sits. 'I can hardly believe he has gone ahead with this before any resolution with county highways, especially given the impact on pedestrians and children walking to school. 'There are meetings scheduled to find the legal way forward and I'm sorry I can't do more, but I've sent photos and explained to officers that I'm receiving many messages of complaint. A spokesman for the Victoria House Fish and Chip Shop confirmed that the fence had been dismantled but refused to comment further. A spokesperson for Northumberland Police said: Shortly before 6.50pm yesterday police received a report of concern for safety following a disturbance on Victoria Crescent in Alnwick. It was reported that two parties had been involved in a dispute, during which an air weapon had been discharged at a wall. No one was injured but as a precaution, officers from the Forces Firearms Support Unit (FSU) attended the scene. A man, aged 34, was arrested and remains in custody at this time, helping with enquiries. There is no threat to the wider public at this time and it is believed all those involved are known to each other. Officers remain in the area today carrying out patrols so anyone with concerns should make themselves known. A writer has revealed how she discovered her close friend Monica Lewinsky was having an affair with her husband, the year before the White House intern's tryst with President Clinton became a national scandal. Kate Nason has told of her now-ex-husband Andy Bleiler's affair with their family friend in her new memoir 'Everything Is Perfect'. And she told how the couple were in therapy trying to rescue their marriage when Lewinsky's affair with President Bill Clinton threw them into the national media spotlight. Nason says Bleiler was friends with Lewinsky after they met while he was a high-school drama teacher. Unbeknownst to Nason their affair began in 1993 when Lewinsky was 19-years-old and moved to Portland, Oregon. Lewinsky was a close friend who babysat the couple's children and called daily from DC, the New York Post reports. Kate Nason (pictured) recounted her husband's affair with family friend Monica Lewinsky in her new memoir 'Everything Is Perfect' A photograph showing former White House intern Monica Lewinsky meeting President Bill Clinton at a White House Bleiler (right) and Nason (left) held a press conference in 1998 where the drama teacher admitted that he had had an affair with Monica Lewinsky Nason writes that she was most taken with Lewinsky's bawdy humor, saying: 'She always made me laugh, and always made me blush.' But in 1997, Nason said she began having suspicions that her husband was having an affair with a co-worker. 'I confronted him about it and he was gaslighting me,' she told the New York Post. But the co-worker later showed up to their home and confirmed her suspicions, and dropped an additional bombshell - Bleiler was also in a relationship with then-23-year-old Lewinsky. 'I found out about both of them that day,' Nason told the Post. Lewinsky (pictured this year) was 19 when her affair with Bleiler began. Lewinsky was a close friend who babysat the couple's children and called daily from DC Nason and Bleiler were in couples therapy trying to repair their marriage in January of 1998, when the news broke of Lewinsky's affair with President Clinton. Soon after, the press found out about Bleiler's and Lewinsky's affair. 'I was reeling from that discovery when January of 1998 happened,' Nason said. 'I got a call from my mother telling me she read a blurb about the [Bleiler and Lewinsky's] affair in the LA Times Before the end of the day, my voicemail was filled to capacity. The press showed up to our doorstep within hours.' Nasar says the press was camped outside her Portland home and she was forced to hide out in Los Angeles with her children for a week but the reporters hadn't left so she was forced to address the situation. 'I came back and things were getting worse so we were advised to do a press conference to make them go away,' Nason said. The couple did a press conference with their lawyer where Bleiler came clean about his affair and Nason stood by silently. Nason says after the press conference addressing the affair the press continued to hound her even at the grocery store and for months she had to live in hiding 'I didn't say anything. I stood there looking like a deer in headlights,' she said. 'My ex said a few words and then the lawyer took over. It seemed to last an eternity.' During the press conference, the couple's attorney told the press Lewinsky told the couple: 'I'm going to the White House to get my presidential knee pads.' Nason says after the press conference the press continued to hound her even at the grocery store and for months she had to live in hiding. 'It was horrifying. Anytime there was a ripple in the case, people would show up at my doorstep,' she recalled. 'We lived six to eight months with our curtains closed. To be going through something so private and so heartbreaking and to have it so publicly aired. 'I feel for anyone who has gone through this.' The couple would divorce in 1999. Nason says Lewinsky sent her a note ten years after the scandal apologizing, which she still has 'tucked away in a box' the Post reported. Nason says her new memoir is not meant to be a 'lurid tell-all' but instead a 'deep dive and self-reckoning' to come to terms with the events and noted that she even changed the names of Monica and Andrew to Mallory and Charlie as a method of 'self preservation.' 'The book is really about my 30s, and the ridiculous mistakes I made along the way by ignoring my intuition,' Nason wrote in a blog for Audible. 'I was keenly aware that my big story had a big problem. How to tell my story when another woman's story is tangled up in mine? In particular, a woman whose story has been told by herself and others,' she wrote. 'A woman who maintains a public presence and has worked to grapple with her own ghosts just as I have. And then, of course, there was an American president and a first lady,' she added. 'At first, I tried to write this story without them in it. In the end, the magnitude of these events in my life was so pivotal that to write them out was impossible.' Four teenagers have been charged with a plot to attack a Pennsylvania high school in 2024, on the 25th anniversary of the massacre at Colorado's Columbine High School, authorities said. A 15-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy are charged as adults and two other teenagers face juvenile charges in the plan to attack Dunmore High School, outside Scranton, on April 20, 2024, authorities said. Investigators said the girl's mother told police that her daughter was 'obsessed with Columbine,' The Times-Tribune reported Friday. The teenagers have not been identified. 'While the investigation is ongoing, I want to assure the parents, students and staff at Dunmore High School that we do not believe there is any active threat at this time,' District Attorney Mark Powell said in a statement. 'We are relieved that this plot was uncovered before anyone was hurt and urge anyone who has information about potential threats of school violence to contact police immediately.' A Molotov cocktail, components for bombs, writings on how to make bombs, and handwritten lists of guns, ammunition and tactical gear complete with prices were found at the girl's home, investigators said in a criminal complaint. In 1999, Dylan Klebold and fellow senior student Eric Harris killed 12 students and one teacher at the Columbine High School before taking their own lives. Dylan Klebol's large-scale attack also involved a fire bomb used to distract firefighters. A 15-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy are charged as adults and two other teenagers face juvenile charges in the plan to attack Dunmore High School, outside Scranton, on April 20, 2024, authorities said. Investigators said the girl's mother told police that her daughter was 'obsessed with Columbine The Times-Tribune reported that the girl's mother and defense attorney Corey Eagen declined to comment, while the other teen charged as an adult had no lawyer during Friday's arraignment. Powell declined to comment on the juvenile charges. The mother of one of the teens charged as a juvenile discovered text messages on her child's cellphone July 6 in which a group discussed plans to 'shoot up the school,' investigators said in the complaint. The teen told investigators that he thought it was bluster until he saw 20 to 30 Molotov cocktails under the girl's porch. Dunmore schools Superintendent John Marichak told the newspaper he was appalled but relieved by the arrests. A statement on the district's website said authorities had assured officials that there was 'no current danger to students or staff.' In 1999, Dylan Klebold and fellow senior student Eric Harris killed 12 students and one teacher at the Columbine High School before taking their own lives. Dylan Klebol's large-scale attack also involved a fire bomb used to distract firefighters Students run from Columbine High School to run under cover after two teenagers stormed the school, killing 12 Principal Timothy Hopkins, who was one of the officials targeted, said he knows the two teens charged as adults and described them as quiet children who werent troublemakers. He said he had no idea why they would seek to harm him, other than his position as principal. 'It's a little bit disturbing to find out something like that was being plotted,' he told the Times-Tribune. The two teens charged as adults were taken to the Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center following their Sept. 16 arraignment on weapons of mass destruction, terroristic threat, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and possession of explosive material charges. The girl is also charged with risking catastrophe because of the threat the explosive devices posed to family members and neighbors, police said. Preliminary hearings are scheduled Oct. 4. Millions of Americans currently ineligible for a COVID-19 booster shot will be able to game the system in order to receive the jab, officials have admitted. On Friday, President Joe Biden gave the greenlight for 20 million Americans to immediately receive their Pfizer booster shots. At present, he has limited the boosters to Americans over 65, Americans over 50 with chronic health issues, and frontline workers. However, CDC Director Rachelle Wolensky says there is no way to stop other ineligible groups from lying in order to get the jab, given that the rollout relies on an honor system Those eager to have the third vaccine can easily pretend to be a frontline worker, and will not have their credentials thoroughly checked. It's unclear how many residents across the country currently want the booster shot. The CDC says the booster should be administered six months after a person received their second COVID shot. CDC Director Rachelle Wolensky say there is no way to stop other ineligible groups from lying in order to get the jab, given that the rollout relies on an honor system Friday's rollout began after CDC Director Rochelle Walensky overruled her own agency's advisory panel in a rare move late Thursday night White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients told reporters on Friday: 'As of today, up to 20 million Americans can get their booster shots. We have been preparing and we are hitting the ground running to get booster shots in arms.' 'There are people who will be getting booster shots as early as this afternoon. Friday's rollout began after CDC Director Rochelle Walensky overruled her own agency's advisory panel in a rare move late Thursday night. She added a recommendation for COVID-19 vaccine boosters for frontline workers. That change added millions of additional Americans to the guidance. President Joe Biden urged 60 million Americans who got the Pfizer vaccine, primarily those over 65, to get booster shots The CDC committee voted against recommending use for those are at risk due to an 'occupational or institutional settings,' claiming there wasn't enough data to make such a recommendation. The decision only applies to those who have received the Pfizer vaccine. The FDA has yet to weigh Moderna Inc's application for boosters and Johnson & Johnson Inc. has not yet filed an application. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) said third doses should only be for Americans aged 65 and older and those with underlying conditions after six months. Walensky disagreed and put that recommendation back in, noting that such a move aligns with a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) booster authorization decision earlier this week. The panel recommended the third dose only for those 65 and over and with certain medical conditions. The category she included covers people who live in institutional settings that increase their risk of exposure, such as prisons or homeless shelters, as well as healthcare workers, teachers and grocery store employees. 'As CDC Director, it is my job to recognize where our actions can have the greatest impact,' Walensky wrote in a statement. Biden also pledged to get his own shot as soon as possible. 'll be getting my booster shot,' he said, then made a joke about his own age. 'Hard to acknowledge I'm over 65. But I'll be getting my booster shot. It's a bear isn't it? I'll tell you. But all kidding aside from getting my booster shot. I'm not sure exactly when I'm going to do it. As soon as I can get it,' said Biden, 78. 'Like your first and second shot. The booster shot is free and easily accessible,' Biden said at the White House. Biden got his second Pfizer-BioNTech dose in January before taking office. Pfizer said data suggested efficacy of two doses declines from 96.2% to 83.7% after six months but that a third dose boosts antibody levels (above) Advertisement Dramatic photos showed red hot lava into the air on La Palma after a new emmision vent opened, causing chaos at the airport as hundreds try to flee. The Cumbre Vieja volcano, which began erupting last Sunday, is entering a new explosive phase. According to the Canary Islands Volcanology Institute, the new emission vent opened to the west of the main vent. Accord to images captured by drones from the national Geographical and Mining Institute the volcano's cone had broken. Morcuende said the evacuations currently in place would be maintained for another 24 hours as a precaution The volcano has spewed out thousands of tons of lava, destroyed hundreds of houses and forced the evacuation of nearly 6,000 people since it began erupting last Sunday Morcuende said the evacuations currently in place would be maintained for another 24 hours as a precaution There were long queues at La Palma's main port as people, some whose flights had been cancelled, tried to get ferries off the island Director of volcano response committee Pevolca, Miguel Angel Morcuende, told a news conference on Saturday: 'It is not unusual in this type of eruption that the cone of the volcano fractures. A crater is formed that does not support its own weight and ... the cone breaks. 'This partial rupture happened overnight.' Morcuende said the evacuations currently in place would be maintained for another 24 hours as a precaution. The volcano has spewed out thousands of tons of lava, destroyed hundreds of houses and forced the evacuation of nearly 6,000 people since it began erupting last Sunday. According to the Canary Islands Volcanology Institute, the new emission vent opened to the west of the main vent Authorities on the Spanish island of La Palma ordered the evacuation of the towns of Tajuya, Tacande de Abajo and the part of Tacande de Arriba that had not already been evacuated due to a volcanic eruption, emergency services said on Friday La Palma, with a population of over 83,000, is one of an archipelago making up the Canary Islands in the Atlantic. Spanish airport operator Aena said the island's airport had closed. 'La Palma airport is inoperative due to ash accumulation. Cleaning tasks have started, but the situation may change at any time,' it tweeted. Workers swept volcanic ash off the runway, electronic boards showed cancelled flights and the departures hall was quiet as some people arriving at the airport discovered they would not be able to fly out. There were long queues at La Palma's main port as people, some whose flights had been cancelled, tried to get ferries off the island. 'I am going to Barcelona. But because we can't fly we are taking the ferry to Los Cristianos (on Tenerife island) and from there we will go to the airport and fly to Barcelona,' said Carlos Garcia, 47. People evacuated from three more towns on Friday will not be able to return to their homes to retrieve their belongings because of the 'evolution of the volcanic emergency,' local authorities said. Passangers wait at the closed La Palma Airport, as flights are suspended due to the accumulation of ash, on the Canary Island of La Palma Tourists wait for the ferry to leave the island after La Palma Airport was closed, as flights are suspended due to the accumulation of ash following the volcano eruption, on the Canary Island of La Palma On Friday, authorities evacuated the towns of Tajuya, Tacande de Abajo and the part of Tacande de Arriba that had not already been evacuated after the new vent opened up in the flank of the volcano The fiery explosions can be seen lighting up the sky behind hundreds of buildings in Los Llanos de Aridane on the island early this morning Authorities initially ordered residents of those towns to stay indoors but moved to an evacuation due to intensifying volcanic activity (pictured, Cumbre Vieja continues to erupt overnight) 'Volcanic surveillance measurements carried out since the beginning of the eruption recorded the highest-energy activity so far during Friday afternoon,' emergency services said. At the quiet port of Tazacorte, fishermen described the devastating effect the eruption has had on their livelihoods. 'We haven't been out fishing in a week, the area is closed,' said Jose Nicolas San Luis Perez, 49, who lost his house in the eruption. 'About half the people I know have lost their homes. I run into friends on the street and we start crying.' On Friday, authorities evacuated the towns of Tajuya, Tacande de Abajo and the part of Tacande de Arriba that had not already been evacuated after the new vent opened up in the flank of the volcano. No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported in the volcano's eruption, but about 15 per cent of the island's economically crucial banana crop could be at risk, jeopardising thousands of jobs. The son of supermodel Helena Christensen and 'The Walking Dead' star Norman Reedus has been charged with misdemeanor assault over an alleged attack on a stranger. Mingus Reedus, 21, was taken into custody in New York City Friday night after purportedly punching a 24-year-old woman in the face while attending Manhattan's San Gennaro street festival. Mingus - who has followed in his famous mom's footsteps and become a runway model - has since been released by authorities. The alleged victim was rushed to hospital and treated for facial injuries. Sources told The New York Daily News that Mingus did not know the woman, and he attacked her after they became embroiled in an argument. The incident comes just one week after Mingus made his Vogue cover debut. He is featured on the cover of the Vogue Hommes Paris' fall-winter 2021-2022 issue alongside Parker Van Noord, son of the late male model Andre Van Noord. Mingus Reedus, 21, was taken into custody in New York City Friday night after purportedly punching a 24-year-old woman in the face while attending Manhattan's San Gennaro street festival. He is pictured on the catwalk in 2017 Mingus, 21, is the son of 'The Walking Dead' star Norm Reedus and supermodel Helena Christensen Mingus is pictured with Helena Christensen. He has followed in his famous mom's footsteps and is now working as a runway model The incident comes just one week after Mingus made his Vogue cover debut. He is featured on the cover of the Vogue Hommes Paris' fall-winter 2021-2022 issue (right) alongside Parker Van Noord (left) Reedus and his alleged victim were both in attendance at the San Gennaro Street festival Neither Mingus nor his famous parents have yet made a public statement about the incident. ' Christensen and Reedus -who is best known for his role in The Walking Dead- began dating in 1998. Mingus was born the following year. The high-profile couple split in 2003, before Reedus went on to date Diane Kruger. Reedus and Kruger welcomed their own child together, a daughter, in 2018. Mingus is Christensen's only child. Christensen and Reedus -who is best known for his role in The Walking Dead- began dating in 1998. Mingus was born the following year. The family is pictured in the early 2000s Norman Reedus and Mingus attend a Brooklyn Nets game at Madison Square Garden in 2014 Christensen frequently shares snaps on social media showing the close bond she has with her son, who has been modelling since 2017 The Danish supermodel frequently shares snaps on social media showing the close bond she has with her son, who has been modelling since 2017. Mingus has walked the runway for both Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. He also appeared alongside Naomi Campbell at London Fashion Week last year. Back in April, he starred alongside his mom in a Victoria's Secret Mother's Day campaign. In an accompanying video, Christen says of motherhood: 'What a crazy, beautiful journey it's been... It's the best thing ever [You] think about life from a completely different perspective. ' Rudy Giuliani has blasted Fox News for putting him on 'probation' after reports that the network had banned him from appearing because of his false claims over the outcome of the 2020 election. The former New York City mayor appeared on Steve Bannons 'War Room' podcast on Friday, and the pair discussed his discredited claims that former president Trump did not lose the election to Joe Biden Citing a Politico story, Bannon said Giuliani is under 'double secret probation' at Fox News. Bannon said: 'Fox did not allow Rudy Giuliani to appear on Fox and Friends on the morning of September 11 - now they tell you you've been on some secret probation over there that nobody knew about?' Giuliani replied: 'Its really strange that Im on probation at a time in which just about everything I said is being corroborated.' 'And they actually are reporting all the things they claim I misled them about.' WATCH: Rudy Giuliani went on Steve Bannon's show to discuss Fox News's decision to ban him from the network pic.twitter.com/ckxEO3t9TM The Beat with Ari Melber on MSNBC (@TheBeatWithAri) September 24, 2021 On Friday, Giuliani discussed his probation at Fox News over misinformation he spread over the 2020 presidential election during a podcast with Steve Bannon Giuliani expressed his frustrations on being banned for what he feels was legitimately corroborated information on the former president's election loss to Joe Biden Politico reported Friday that the 77-year-old had been banned from the network for the last three months, but said he only learned of the probation when his spot to appear on September 11 was cancelled. Giuliani was initially scheduled to join the network's 'Fox & Friends' to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, but was told his services were not needed the night prior by host Pete Hegseth. A FOX News spokesperson denied that Rudy Giuliani was scheduled to appear on September 11. The ban also reportedly extends to his son Andrew, who has announced his intention to run for governor of New York in May. A spokesperson for FOX denied the claim. Giuliani said: 'There'd be no reason to include Andrew. And gee, they do a good separation of Hunter Biden and Joe Biden. It's outrageous.' FOX declined to comment on whether Giuliani is barred from appearing on the network. Both Fox News and Rudy Giuliani are currently being sued by Dominion Voting Systems over their statements that the company's voting machines somehow tallied votes for Joe Biden that were intended for Donald Trump. Fox News is facing a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit and Giuliani being sued for $1.3 billion, according to the Huffington Post. Fox has since filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The voting company had become a target of Trump and his supporters in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, with claims of rampant voter fraud having since been widely invalidated. Earlier in the day on Friday, Politico reported that the 77-year-old had been banned from Fox News (headquarters pictured above) for three months A man carries a flag that reads 'TRUMP WON' before a rally featuring former President Donald Trump on September 25, 2021 in Perry, Georgia Giuliani attempted to explain the faulty reasoning behind his apparent Fox News ban by claiming the information he stated has since been supported by fact, however nothing he has said about the former presidents election loss has been corroborated. The former NYC Mayor insisted that his claims have now been corroborated regarding the Arizona election being stolen from the former president. That is despite the fact that an election audit requested by the Republican state Senate verified Biden won the state in a report issued Friday. During his appearance on Bannon's podcast on Friday, Giuliani attempted to double down on his claims of voter fraud. 'Like this Arizona thing corroborates one of the things they would have said a week ago that I was misleading them about.' Rudy Giuliani, personal lawyer to then-President Donald Trump, applauds during a 'Save America Rally' near the White House in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021 Donald Trump and his supporters targeted Dominion Voting Systems in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, with claims of rampant voter fraud having since been invalidated 'The Arizona thing was obviously fraudulent. There's no question it was fraudulent.' 'The numbers just in Maricopa County would have changed the result of the election.' Giuliani added that the network's reporting on the election in fact comes from him, by way of the New York Post. 'Now, every time (Fox News) reports something by the New York Post, they're reporting ME! I gave it to the New York Post, you know that,' he told Bannon. 'The New York Post didn't have anything, I gave them the hard drive and every fact they have comes from me.' A Japanese emperor's rebel niece who is set to turn down a $1.3million marriage payout 'will announce her wedding date next month' after being delayed for years. Princess Mako of Japan, 29, the niece of the Emperor Naruhito, who is engaged to her former classmate and US law student fiance, is expected to confirm a date for their low-key wedding in October. She will give up her royal title to marry commoner Kei Komuro, also 29, who she met when they were both students at Tokyos International Christian University. Japan's imperial law requires a princess to leave the royal family after marrying a commoner but they are given a substantial wedding sum of 150 million (1million) 'to preserve the dignity of a person who was once a member of the imperial family'. Princess Mako of Japan, 29, who is engaged to former classmate and US law student fiance, Kei Komuro, 29, is expected to confirm a date for their wedding in October (pictured in 2017) However, in an unprecedented break from country's tradition Princess Mako is set to turn down the one-off million-dollar payment, clearing the way for a marriage delayed for years by financial controversy surrounding her fiance. The government is set to agree that the princess forego the payment amid public criticism over her fiance, Japanese public broadcaster NHK and others said. NHK also said the wedding date may be announced in October. Officials of the Imperial Household Agency were not immediately available to comment. A Japanese broadcaster, anticipating an imminent wedding, recently tracked down Komuro in New York. He was shown sporting a ponytail, a detail that has caused an uproar among some Japanese users of Twitter. After the wedding, the newlyweds will move to the US where Mr Komoru intends to take up a job offer with a New York law firm and was recently spotted in New York sporting a ponytail (pictured), causing an uproar among some Japanese users of Twitter Princess Mako's decision to forego the payment is likely due to the controversy around her fiance, Komuro, that arose shortly after announcing their engagement in 2017. Komuro proposed over dinner in December 2013, and the pair kept their their long-distance relationship under wraps while Mako studied for her master's degree in Museum Studies at the University of Leicester in the UK. The pair were expected to wed in November 2018 but the wedding was later postponed until 2020, with an official statement saying the couple needed more time to plan. However, reports emerged suggesting Mr Komuro's mother was involved in a financial dispute of which his in-laws disapproved and forced them to suspend the wedding. Princess Mako will turn down a 150 million (1m) handout from the Japanese government, traditionally paid to princesses who lose their imperial status when they marry. Pictured: In traditional dress during her uncle Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony in 2019 According to reports, Mr Komuro's mother had borrowed 4 million, or about 27,300, from an ex-boyfriend and then failed to repay it. According to Komuro, the money was paid over the duration of the mans engagement to his mother, from 2010 to 2012. When news of this emerged, the Imperial Household Agency reported the pair would postpone their wedding by two years, from November 2018 until 2020. In a statement issued in January 2019, Mr Komuro explained his mother had offered to repay the sum, however her ex had 'clearly stated that he did not expect the money to be repaid'. However, the man then reportedly sent a letter to his mother in 2013 asking to be reimbursed. After consulting with an expert, Mr Komuro's mother then met her ex and rejected his request. Since that meeting, Mr Komuro said there had been no more developments on the issue until the story emerged in the media, reports Japan Times. The decision to forego the payment is likely due to financial controversy around her fiance that arose shortly after the couple announced their engagement in 2017. Pictured: The royal in 2011 In the statement, Mr Komoru expressed his gratitude to his mother's former fiance for providing financial assistance over the years and added that he hoped the pair could come to a mutual understanding. In November 2020, Princess Mako told how, while the couple are 'irreplaceable to each other', there are still no 'concrete plans' of when they will eventually tie the knot, and that it's difficult to tell 'anything about the future' at the moment. 'For us, a marriage is a necessary choice to live and honour our hearts,' said Mako in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency. 'We are irreplaceable to each other, and we can lean on each other in happy times and in unhappy times. 'It is difficult to tell anything concrete regarding our future plans and others at the moment.' Mr Komuro (pictured) proposed over dinner in December 2013 and the pair were expected to wed in November 2018 but the wedding was postponed twice and now a low-key wedding is expected to be held by the end of 2021 Now, Princess Mako and Mr Komoru are thought to be planning an imminent low-key wedding, expected to be held by the end of 2021. According to reports in the Japanese media, the couple will also skip two formal Shinto betrothal ceremonies: the Nosai-no-Gi betrothal ceremony and the Choken-no-Gi, in which the bride offers a thank you and a farewell to Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. After her wedding, Mako will move to the United States where Mr Komoru is waiting for the results of his US law exams and where he intends to take up a job offer with a New York law firm. Mr Komuro was working as a paralegal at a law firm in Tokyo prior to starting his studies at Fordham University in New York in August 2018. Princess Mako's aunt, Princess Sayako, became the last royal to be stripped of her status when she wed a Tokyo city official in 2005. Detectives believe primary school teacher Sabina Nessa may have been bludgeoned to death with a red can of fizzy drink, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. CCTV footage which has not yet been released by police reportedly shows her attacker strike her over the head with an object before carrying her over his shoulder towards the park where her body was later discovered. A police source said officers believed the red item was an object like a drinks can. Detectives are also urging people who were driving in the area on Friday night to check their dashcam footage for possible glimpses of the suspect in the car headlights. The 28-year-olds killer remained at large last night but a police source said a man caught on security cameras carrying a red reflective item is their prime suspect. Murder detectives believe they have identified the man in the footage and were urgently trying to find him. Police yesterday reissued footage of the man, who was seen on CCTV in Pegler Square in Kidbrooke, South East London. The force said the images were captured shortly before Sabinas murder. In the grainy film, the man is seen carrying something red in his hands. The new information came as Home Secretary Priti Patel admitted women survivors of violence were being 'let down' by police. Ms Patel said cases of violence against women were still 'far too common' and that she was 'carefully considering' moves to tackle the problem, the Times reported. The Home Secretary's remarks came hours after the Metropolitan Police insisted the area where Ms Nessa was killed was still 'safe for women'. Sabina Nessa, 28, originally from Bedfordshire, disappeared on September 17 as she left home to meet a man for a first date at a local pub and her body was found the following afternoon Detectives are urgently to appeal for information about a mystery man who was captured on CCTV in Pegler Square, south east London, on the night Sabina, 28, was attacked Police comb the area around Pegler Square in Kidbrooke, south London, searching for evidence in the alleged murder of 28-year-old Sabina Nessa Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, from the Mets Specialist Crime Command, said: People in the Kidbrooke area last Friday may recall seeing this man carrying a red reflective object, and possibly trying to conceal it. Please share the CCTV footage on social media and show the image to family members and friends who may not have seen it. He must be traced. Forensic officers scoured an area of Pegler Square on Friday evening. Its understood that they were looking for the potential murder weapon. Ms Patel has said is considering recommendations to help tackle violence against women because these things 'should have no place' in our society. She singled out crimes such as 'rape, female genital mutilation, stalking and harassment' which are taking place every day. 'These crimes are still far too common and there are too many instances of victims and survivors being let down.' The tragic cases of Sarah Everard, Julia James, Bibaa Henry, Nicole Smallman and Sabina Nessa demonstrate this. The Victims' Commissioner has urged the police to do more to make streets safe for women in the wake of the killing. It also emerged yesterday that parents at Sabinas Rushey Green Primary School had received a warning letter several months ago about a string of attempted abductions by strangers. Lewisham police issued the alert in May following the reports that four children had been approached by unknown men in neighbouring Bromley. Ms Nessa had been working at the school in Catford, which has 600 pupils and around 70 staff, for just over a year after she qualified last year. A teacher at the school said: The Year Two pupils, who Sabina taught last year in Year One will be the most upset, and their parents. It is hard for teachers to reassure children who are nervous about being at school for the first time, while they are putting on a brave face while consumed with grief themselves. Sabina left her flat in Kidbrooke to meet a man for a first date at the nearby Depot bar at around 8.30pm on Friday, September 17. She never arrived there. Her body, which had been covered with leaves, was found the following evening by a dog walker near the OpenSpace community centre in Cator Park, less than 500 yards from the victims front door. Meanwhile, more than 500 well-wishers, including Ms Nessa's sister Jebina, gathered in Pegler Square for a vigil on Friday, organised by campaign group Reclaim the Streets, which said it is 'angry and heartbroken' about her death. And teachers at Rushey Green Primary School in Catford, where Ms Nessa worked, said they are 'consumed by grief' following their colleagues death, but said they are putting on a 'brave face' for their students. Teachers at Rushey Green Primary School in Catford, where Ms Nessa (pictured) worked, said they are 'consumed by grief' following their colleagues death Police stand guard near Pegler Square in south London the night after a vigil for killed primary school teacher Sabina Nessa Primary school teacher Ms Nessa, 28, originally from Bedfordshire, disappeared on September 17 as she left home to meet a man for a first date at a local pub, The Depot More than 500 well-wishers, including Ms Nessa's sister Jebina, gathered in Pegler Square for a vigil on Friday, organised by campaign group Reclaim the Streets, which said it is 'angry and heartbroken' about her death One teacher at Ms Nessa's, who did not wish to be named, said it was awful to think that the 'kind and dedicated' teacher had 'suffered in the most violent way' and said the staff are all rallying around to support each other. They told South London Press: 'No one and nothing can prepare you for this - the first anyone knew was when we arrived at school on Monday morning. 'It is awful enough when someone dies. This is so much worse. It is impossible to even comprehend - that she suffered in the most violent way. We were sitting beside her on Friday - then this. 'The Year Two pupils, who she had last year in Year One, will be the most upset - and their parents. 'Everyone is supporting each other. But it is hard for teachers to reassure children who are nervous about being at school for the first time - while they are themselves putting on a brave face while consumed with grief themselves.' Ms Nessa had just taken on a new Year One class for the start of term at the school, which has 600 pupils and around 70 staff. Lisa Williams, headteacher of the school, has spoken to classes individually with educational psychologists also offering help. Speaking of her 'devastation' after Ms Nessa's death, she told Sky News: 'She was a brilliant teacher; she was kind, caring and absolutely dedicated to her pupils. 'She had so much life ahead of her and so much more to give and her loss is desperately sad. 'As a school we are supporting each other through this very difficult time.' Ms Nessa was a member of the National Education Union's Lewisham branch, which held a minute's silence at a meeting on Wednesday night and has written to the school. Branch secretary Duncan Morrison told the South London Press: 'Staff would be given the opportunity to reflect and spend time thinking about Sabina. We would always try to listen - the last thing people in shock or grief want is to be told what to do. Meanwhile, a vigil took place in Peglar Square, near to where Sabina's body was found, at 7pm on Friday. Pictured: Jebina Nessa pays tribute to her sister during the vigil Sister Jebina Nessa broke down in tears as she paid tribute to her sister Sabina, a 28-year-old primary school teacher who was murdered yards from her south east London home People look at floral tributes for murdered 28-year-old teacher Sabina Nessa in Kidbrooke in south-east London ahead of a vigil tonight 'It is hard even for an adult to comprehend what seems to be the senseless murder of a young woman. Her pupils are so young, which makes it all the more difficult. It is hard even to explain to the oldest children at a primary school. 'She was only just starting to build relationships with the new Year One children. The class which will experience it most will be those she taught last year. She had a strong relationship with them. 'The crucial thing is to give them space to feel what they are feeling. But at that age, they have limited language to express it. We would say it is OK to cry and share your feelings - but if they do not want to, that's fine too. It is a terrible thing to deal with.' Meanwhile, the Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales has urged police to do more to make the streets safer for women. Furious campaigners and a handful of MPs have demanded that public spaces be made safer for women in the wake of a string of high-profile murders this year. Parallels are being drawn to the horrific murder of 33-year-old marketing executive Sarah Everard in March, amid fresh fury that women could not walk through Britain's streets alone without fearing for their lives. Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry insisted the area remains 'safe for women' despite mounting pressure from women's safety campaigners who are urging officers to do more to protect them on Britain's streets. But Dame Vera Baird, who attended a vigil to the murdered 28-year-old in Wood Green, north London, on Friday, argued there needs to be more onus on police to protect the public than on women to take precautions. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Apparently the police have been giving out rape alarms to women and giving leaflets out saying how to stay safe in a public place. 'It is less, isn't it, about giving women leaflets on keeping themselves safe in dangerous places and more about the police making the streets safe for women?' When it was put to her that there needed to be societal change along with police intervention, Dame Vera replied: 'It certainly isn't just a job for the police but, look, the police do have a very key role here.' She added: 'Three-quarters of women over 16 have been harassed in a public place and don't feel safe. 'They need to know that the police understand that and will use all the powers they have got to keep the streets safe.' Hundreds of mourners, including Ms Nessa's sister Jebina Yasmin Islam, attended an emotional candlelit vigil in Pegler Square, Kidbrooke, south-east London, where she had been heading to the pub on the evening she was killed. Jebina broke down in tears as she paid tribute to her sister and addressed crowds at the vigil, saying her world had been completely 'shattered' following the loss of Sabina. A separate rally earlier in the evening at East London Mosque heard powerful testimony from other members of Ms Nessa's family. It comes as police are understood to believe the prime suspect in the Sabina Nessa murder is still at large after releasing two men they had arrested for the teacher's killing. Detectives are appealing for information about a man who was captured on CCTV in Pegler Square, south east London, on the night Sabina, 28, was attacked. Two men who were arrested in connection with the alleged murder have been released under investigation, the Metropolitan Police confirmed. Sabina left her home on Astell Road after arranging to meet a friend at The Depot bar in Pegler Square, Kidbrooke Village, south-east London, last Friday night but never made it. Police believe she was attacked in the busy Cator Park at around 8.30pm with her body being found by a member of the public almost 24 hours later near the OneSpace community centre. No one reported Sabina missing after she failed to make the rendez-vous, said police, but her housemate has now spoken out on the horrifying ordeal and shared her unease. She told the Guardian: 'I never thought something like this could happen to her. I had been texting her and it's not like her to not reply to my messages. 'I don't feel safe living here now.' Scotland Yard appealed for information on the man shown, and a silver vehicle that was seen in the area, and asked the public to come forward with information Her sister Jebina (pictured) told the massive crowds: 'We have lost an amazing, caring, beautiful sister, who left this world far too early People light candles during a vigil in memory of Sabina Nessa, a teacher who was murdered in south east London last Friday Well-wishers laid flowers and lit candles around a placard calling to 'end male violence' at a vigil in memory of killed primary school teacher Sabina Nessa Earlier, detectives had speculated whether the attack had been carried out by a stranger and were 'keeping an open mind' on the killer's motive. On the same day Sabina was found, a man in his 40s and known to her was the first to be arrested on suspicion of her murder. He was later released under investigation. A 38-year-old man who was arrested on Thursday at an address in Lewisham in connection with the murder of has also been released under investigation. The man in the CCTV footage, who is dressed in casual clothing and appears to be clutching an object in his right hand, was in the area where Nessa was found dead on the night she was attacked, according to police. A 12-second clip shows a bearded and balding man wearing a black hooded coat and grey jeans looking over his shoulder and pulling at his hood as he walks down Pegler Square in Kidbrooke, south-east London. Detectives have also released an image, captured in the same area, of a silver car they believe the man has access to and appealed for anyone who recognised either to contact the force immediately. Detective chief inspector Neil John, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said 'an extensive trawl' of CCTV in the area continued and said information on the man's identity and whereabouts could be 'vital' to the investigation. DCI John added: 'We want to thank those who have shared our image appeal over the last 24 hours it has gained a huge amount of coverage and we are extremely grateful for the public's help. 'We are now a week on from Sabina's murder and while we have made good progress with our investigation we must keep this appeal for information going and encourage anyone who has any information to come forward.' Anyone with information on the man's identity is urged to call the incident room on 0208 721 4266 or Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111. Together the crowd said her name, Sabina Nessa, as they vowed she would not be forgotten and her murder would not go unchallenged Women hold candles at a vigil for killed primary school teacher Sabina Nessa in Pegler Square, Kidbrooke, in south east London Campaigners against violence to women stood together to remember Sabina Nessa who was killed just yards from her south London home as police continued to comb the site for clues Well-wishers and campaigners shed tears as they gathered for a vigil in memory of killed 28-year-old primary school teacher Sabina Nessa People light candles during a vigil in memory of Sabina Nessa, a teacher who was murdered in south east London last Friday CCTV believed to be showing the attack, first reported by the Daily Telegraph, sees an assailant apparently striking Sabina on the head with an object moments after she left her house. Detectives have declined to comment on these reports. Earlier, detectives had speculated whether the attack had been carried out by a stranger and were 'keeping an open mind' on the killer's motive. More than 500 campaigners and well-wishers gathered in Pegler Square for a vigil on Friday with supporters arriving on foot, by bicycle and on the train to attend the memorial at the heart at the south London housing estate. Many had brought their young children, others had brought their dogs. The vigil came as Kate Middleton said she was 'saddened by the loss of another innocent young woman on our streets'. Dozens lit candles and placed bunches of flowers as they stood around a makeshift stage to honour Sabina. And Downing Street also joined the vigil, placing a lantern on the front step of the Prime Minister's residence in memory of the killed primary school teacher. Supporters clapped their hands in a show of solidarity while her friends thanked the hundreds who come together to remember the dynamic young teacher who was allegedly attacked and killed. Her sister Jebina Yasmin Islam told the crowd: 'We have lost an amazing, caring, beautiful sister, who left this world far too early. Hundreds of mourners and well-wishers gathered in Pegler Square tonight in memory of Sabina Nessa, a 28-year-old primary school teacher killed last week Supporters clapped their hands in a show of solidarity and held burning candles while her friends thanked the hundreds who come together to remember the dynamic young teacher Dozens of supporters flocked to Kidbrooke Village to honour the of the 28-year-old Primary school teacher who was murder a week ago today Well-wishers laid flowers and lit candles around a placard calling to 'end male violence' at a vigil in memory of killed primary school teacher Sabina Nessa Flowers left at the edge of the park where police have sealed off an area of meadow 'Words cannot describe how we are feeling, this feels like we are stuck in a bad dream and can't get out of it. Our world is shattered, we are simply lost for words.' Scotland Yard wanted to avoid a repeat of the disastrous scene earlier this year during a vigil for murder victim Sarah Everard. Met chiefs were accused of being heavy-handed with female demonstrators at the height of Covid-19 restrictions, when large public gatherings were banned. Kidbrooke Village residents Roxana Chelaru and husband Ionut told how they no longer feel safe in their home. Roxana told MailOnline: 'We live two minutes from where this poor young woman was murdered. We walk our dog in the park where she was killed. Sometimes I walk him there at night when it is dark. 'We thought this was a nice place to live with other families. But now I don't feel safe. 'But tonight we want to show solidarity with this poor woman. This should not happen.' Husband Ionut added: 'It's very sad. Now I am worried about my wife. Often she must walk back from the station alone. After what has happened we don't want to live here anymore.' Michael Stacey and wife Seychelle brought their six year old daughter Olivia to the vigil because Sabina Nessa was her teacher. Mr Stacey, 42, a printer told MailOnline: 'I don't know what to say. It's a terrible thing to happen. She was a lovely woman and a great teacher. Olivia loved her. So we're here to pay our respects. It's the least we can do.' Dozens lit candles and placed bunches of flowers as they stood around a makeshift stage to honour Sabina A woman holds her hands together in prayer as well-wishers gather in Pegler Square for a vigil in memory of killed primary school teacher Sabina Nessa Supporters laid tributes to Sabina Nessa while her friends thanked the hundreds who come together to remember the dynamic young teacher who was attacked and killed Hundreds of campaigners against violence gathered in Pegler Square with supporters arriving on foot, by bicycle and on the train to attend the memorial at the heart at the south London housing estate Dozens lit candles and placed bunches of flowers as they stood around a makeshift stage to honour Sabina. Supporters clapped their hands in a show of solidarity while her friends thanked the hundreds who come together to remember the dynamic young teacher Supporters clapped their hands in a show of solidarity while her friends thanked the hundreds who come together to remember the teacher who was allegedly attacked and killed Ms Nessa had planned to start a new life teaching young children in the Middle East before she was allegedly attacked and murdered during a five-minute walk through an east London park. The teacher, who had gone through a break up with her partner, had hoped to move to Dubai, according to LBC. A close friend told the radio station: 'She just wanted to live life. 'She wanted to go to Dubai or the UAE and teach children there.' Speaking of the vigil, Jamie Klingler, co-founder of the Reclaim The Streets pressure group, said Londoners had to come together to defend women against violence. She told MailOnline: 'This has been a terrible tragedy and everyone has been affected by this latest act of violence. 'But the community has come together to stand up against violence to women.' Eltham MP Clive Efford told Ms Nessa's family: 'With everything that you are going through, these people are here for you.' He told the crowd that the police 'officers here are also parents and they are just as determined to see justice to Sabina's family as anyone else, I have witnessed that this week.' He also told those gathered that they will need to go back into their communities to make a difference in the way that women are treated, and the levels of respect given to everyone. Meanwhile, police declined to comment on reports in the Daily Telegraph that Sabina was hit on the head yards from her home by an assailant wielding a weapon, then slung over his shoulder and dumped in a park in an attack caught on CCTV. Footage showed Sabina being struck on the head by an assailant wielding a weapon just moments after she left her flat, before she was slung over his shoulder and dumped in a local park, it is claimed. Sabina's family released a new statement reiterating their shock over her horrifying murder after the further details of the case were reported. Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry by the floral tributes at Cator Park in Kidbrooke, south London, near to the scene where the body of Ms Nessa was found The Depot bar in Pegler Square, where Ms Nessa was due to go on a first date last Friday, according to her friend A forensic officer combs the area around Pegler Square as part of a murder probe into the death of 28-year-old primary school teacher Sabina Nessa Sabina's sister Jebina Yasmin Islam said: 'We as a family are shocked of the murder of our sister, daughter and aunty to my girls. 'There are no words to describe how we are feeling as a family at the moment. We did not expect that something like this would ever happen to us. 'I urge everyone to walk on busy streets when walking home from work, school or a friend's homes. Please keep safe. 'I ask you to pray for our sister and make dua (supplication) for her. May Allah grant her paradise.' Assistant Commissioner Rolfe said the Metropolitan Police is not asking women to change their behaviour when going out at night in light of the murder of Sabina Nessa. Sabina was taking a five-minute walk to meet a friend at The Depot bar in Pegler Square near her home in Kidbrooke, south-east London, on September 17 at around 8.30pm when she was attacked. It is believed that she was walking through Cator Park towards The Depot bar on Pegler Square, Kidbrooke Village, where she planned to meet a man for a first date. Sabina never arrived at the pub and was allegedly murdered as she walked through the park, according to police. But reports have claimed that Sabina was just minutes from her home when she was attacked near the OneSpace Community Centre in Cator Park at around 8.30pm on Friday, September 17. A member of the public found her body close to the OneSpace community centre in Cator Park on Saturday at around 5.30pm. A post-mortem examination was inconclusive and further tests will now be carried out to establish a cause of death. Anyone with information should call the incident room on 0208 721 4266 or Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111. A new report into the UK's draughty homes calls on the government to scrap its energy ratings system - branding it a pointless 'green herring.' Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings are under the microscope like never before as climate activists bring rush-hour chaos to the road network demanding the Government improve the insulation of 29 million homes - most of which are currently rated D or lower. But in a white paper entitled 'The race to Net Zero Carbon', housing economist Bob Pannell insists people are 'deluded' if they think an A or B rated home represents a better deal for the environment. Mr Pannell - former Chief Economist at the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) - argues: 'The Government's EPC targets seem too narrow, as they fail to take into account the full carbon impact of designing, building and operating a property. 'In some instances, they may amount to so-called 'greenwashing' with consumers effectively being deluded into thinking their 'energy efficient' home represents a better outcome for the environment.' Economist Bob Pannell insists homeowners are 'deluded' if they think Energy Performance Certificate ratings represent a fair evaluation of a house's environmental impact EPCs measure the efficiency of a property based on how well it is insulated and glazed. The rating system goes from A to G, with A being the greenest and G being the worst. It provides tenants and homeowners with a guide to how much the bills could be on a property. But EPCs make no attempt to measure the carbon impact made during the home's construction, leading the report's author to question their relevance. The findings come as the Government prepares to publish its long-awaited Heat & Buildings Strategy, which will set out the role homeowners must play in Britain's road to net zero carbon emissions. It comes as Insulate Britain climate anarchists brought rush-hour chaos to the road network demanding the Government improve the insulation of 29 million homes - most of which are currently rated D or lower Joshua Smith bragged about being arrested four times for 'mourning for life on Earth' (left on September 22 and right on September 20) The Strategy is expected to contain a series of efficiency targets for new homes based around the Government's measure of choice, the EPCs. But today's report urges Boris Johnson to place greater focus on the construction process itself. 'Progress towards net zero is currently being hampered by the absence of a national standard for the construction industry in calculating and mitigating carbon emissions,' the report finds. 'The UK must either replace or implement far-reaching reforms to the current EPC system if it is to effectively eliminate carbon emissions from our homes and meet its legal commitment to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2050. 'In the absence of a system which incorporates measures of both embodied and operational carbon, the current system of EPCs amounts to something of a 'green herring' with well-meaning buyers of new-build homes being bamboozled by a measure that's of only limited value when it comes to representing a home's green credentials.' Leading development lender Atelier, who commissioned Mr Pannell's report, today called for an urgent rethink. Atelier Founder Chris Gardner said: 'Too many young families have bought A or B-rated new build homes thinking they were doing their bit for the environment. 'Sadly, few realise how irrelevant this EPC metric has become. If the Government's Heat & Buildings Strategy is to have any credibility it will need to put these EPCs under the microscope and determine if they are still fit for purpose in their current form. 'My own view is that there is now an urgent need for us to dig deeper and introduce a system that tracks a wider variety of metrics, helping both the property industry and homebuyers to make more informed choices and understand better how homes impact climate change.' Development lender Atelier's founder Chris Gardner called for an 'urgent rethink' Meanwhile motorists are bracing themselves for more misery in the weeks ahead. Activists from Insulate Britain, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, are promising more rush-hour chaos, saying protests will continue until the Government makes a 'commitment to insulate all of Britain's 29 million leaky homes by 2030.' So far police have made more than 200 arrests. On Wednesday, the High Court granted an injunction that makes taking part in similar protests a criminal offence, but despite the threat of jail many protesters have vowed to fight on. Anti-government protesters in Thailand have launched rockets full of paint at police as their stand against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's administration continues. In remarkable pictures taken from one Bangkok's busiest roads, the Nang Loeng Intersection, thousands of people of all ages can be seen armed with placards, signs and, in some cases, home-made paint rockets. The site has been regularly used as a front-line battleground between riot police and protesters - who harbour fury over the Government's Covid response, vaccine rollout and deepening economic woes. On Saturday, several pro-democracy activists were pictured with crudely constructed contraptions including paint projectiles that were made with plastic bottles. The group fired water rockets with red liquid and launched firecrackers towards riot police equipped with huge shields - who responded in turn by turning water cannons on the protesters. Thailand's capital has been the bedrock of grass-roots activism over the past 12 months due to growing unrest at the 67-year-old Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, and his administration. Thousands have called for the controversial premier's resignation, as he comfortably survived a vote of no confidence three weeks ago. In remarkable pictures taken from one Bangkok's busiest roads, the Nang Loeng Intersection, thousands of people of all ages can be seen armed with placards, signs and, in some cases, home-made paint rockets Anti-government protesters in Thailand's capital continued their stand against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's administration on Saturday Police responded in turn by firing water cannons at protesters who had gathered Masked activists also shot firecrackers (pictured above) as they set up barbed wire barricades Anti-government protesters shoot firecrackers at Thai police during a rally on Saturday, September 25 Riot police break up a violent anti-government protest at the Nang Loeng Intersection on Saturday, September 25 Youth-led anti-government groups have sought PM Prayuth's removal since last year and have returned with renewed support after lockdown, record Covid-19 deaths and a haphazard vaccine rollout. Demonstrators have threatened nationwide protests as concern mounts over the future of country. Staunch royalist Prayuth took power in a 2014 military coup and remained prime minister after a 2019 election, making him the longest-serving Thai leader since the end of the Cold War. The protests against him, which are outlawed under coronavirus restrictions, have gathered steam in recent weeks, despite frequent, at times violent clashes with police who have responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon. In the country's capital, Bangkok, pro-democracy demonstrators regularly show the three-finger salute - popularised in The Hunger Games trilogy - as a unifying sign of resistance and solidarity. Masked protesters were pictured on Saturday pitching up alongside barbed wire encampments as their stand against police began. Demonstrators threw firecrackers and launched projectiles filled with water at riot police, who quickly tried to counter by flushing them out with water cannons. Earlier this month, more than 1,000 people peacefully gathered at central Bangkoks busy Asoke intersection. Revolting Thai factions, including 'car mobs' who stage protests in their vehicles, 'red shirt' supporters of ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra and pupils calling themselves 'bad students' have urged for reforms. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's administration has come under fire for its Covid response Aftermath: The streets of Bangkok run red with coloured water as riot police, armed with shields, close in on protesters Activists' fury stems from their claim that the Government's botched coronavirus response has led to excess deaths and a flailing economy. Above: Water cannons are fired at a lone protester A sign that reads 'no police equals no violence' is displayed during an anti-government rally in Bangkok pro-democracy demonstrators regularly show the three-finger salute - popularised in The Hunger Games trilogy - as a unifying sign of resistance and solidarity Their fury stems from their claim that the Government's botched coronavirus response has led to excess deaths and a flailing economy. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has received most of the flak, but another five cabinet ministers survived a vote of no confidence held in Parliament on September 4. Thailand has recorded over 1.2 million infections and 12,103 deaths since the Covid-19 pandemic began, with most of the cases and deaths occurring since April. The chairman of a COVID-19 origins task force affiliated with the Lancet scientific journals has disbanded the commission over its ties to controversial researcher Peter Daszak and his EcoHealth Alliance. Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs told the Wall Street Journal on Saturday that he was concerned with the links to Daszak, who led the task force until recusing himself from that role in June. Daszak, who lives in New York, devoted his career to championing so-called 'gain of function' research to engineer coronavirus to be more deadly to humans, arguing that it was the best chance to detect and prevent a global pandemic. Shocking documents released this week revealed his 2018 proposal to help the Wuhan Institute of Virology engineer bat coronaviruses to be more deadly, by inserting genetic features that are similar to those found in SARS-CoV-2. Peter Daszak is seen in China participating in the WHO investigation into the origins of COVID-19. The Lancet origins panel has been disbanded over its ties to Daszak New documents show Daszak's 'Project DEFUSE' funding request to DARPA, seeking $14.2 million to fund gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses with the Wuhan lab There is still no conclusive proof as to whether COVID-19, a coronavirus linked to bats, first jumped to humans from a wild animal or in a lab setting. But from the early days of the pandemic, Daszak has made every effort to paint the lab origin hypothesis as a 'conspiracy theory,' including masterminding a letter in the Lancet that established a veneer of scientific consensus that natural origin was the only possibility. If the virus did emerge from a lab performing the experiments he championed, it would be a crushing blow to Daszak's research. Natural origin, on the other hand, would vindicate his life's work seeking to prevent the next pandemic. Several members of the disbanded Lancet task force have collaborated with Daszak or EcoHealth Alliance on projects in the past. 'I just didn't want a task force that was so clearly involved with one of the main issues of this whole search for the origins, which was EcoHealth Alliance,' Dr. Sachs told the Journal. Sachs said a new Lancet Covid-19 Commission would continue studying the origins for a report to be published in mid-2022, but broaden its scope to include input from other experts on biosafety concerns, including risky laboratory research. It comes just days after the release of bombshell documents showing Daszak's 2018 funding request to the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeking $14.2 million to fund gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan lab. Peter Daszak, right, and other members of the World Health Organization team investigating the origins of COVID-19 arrive at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in February A worker is seen inside the P4 laboratory in Wuhan in a file photo. A shocking grant proposal reveals Daszak's plans to help the Wuhan lab engineer bat coronaviruses to be more deadly The proposal, titled Project DEFUSE, was leaked to independent researchers with the DRASTIC research team. In it Daszak requests funding for an elaborate project to genetically enhance coronaviruses and inoculate bats in Yunnan, China in the hopes of stopping new viruses jumping from bats to humans. The funding request was denied by DARPA, but the proposal reveals a shocking line of research that could have conceivably been carried out independently by Chinese members of Daszak's team, who included the infamous 'bat woman' Shi Zhengli. A thorough investigation by The Atlantic was unable to to cast doubt on the authenticity of the documents. 'This is the proposal that was not funded,' a spokesperson for US Geological Survey, which oversaw part of the proposal, told the magazine. The most alarming aspect of the research plan revealed in the documents is a plan to search viral genetic databases for new types of 'furin cleavage sites' which help a virus attack a host. According to the proposal, 'high-risk' versions of these sites, once identified, would then be grafted onto SARS-like bat coronaviruses via genetic engineering. This revelation is alarming because SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, has just such a furin cleavage site, which increases its power and deadliness, but a similar feature has never been observed in other SARS-like coronaviruses in nature. Supporters of the lab leak theory have long pointed to this fact as evidence of lab origin, and even genetic engineering. Lab leak deniers say that there may well be a SARS-like coronavirus in nature with the furin site, but that it just hasn't been discovered yet. Daszak was the principal investigator for Project DEFUSE. The team also included Wuhan researchers, including the infamous 'bat woman' Shi Zhengli Daszak believed that his work would prevent a global coronavirus pandemic, but the leaked proposal (above) reveals an alarming line of proposed research Daszak's 2018 proposal calls for testing different strains of the engineered viruses on 'humanized mice' to see which would be deadliest to humans. The Wuhan lab is known to use just such mice, with humanized lungs, to carry out research. Once the deadliest viral strains had been identified, Daszak proposed attempting to inoculate bats against them in Yunnan Province, which is around 1,240 miles south west of Wuhan. Daszak believed that his work would prevent a global coronavirus pandemic, such as the one that is underway, by decreasing the likelihood of natural spillover of dangerous SARS-like coronaviruses from bats to humans. 'Our goal is to defuse the potential for spillover of novel bat-origin high-zoonotic risk SARS-related coronaviruses in Asia,' his proposal states. Daszak was the lead investigator for the proposal, which also listed Wuhan's Shi Zhengli and Ralph Baric of UNC Chapel Hill, an American virologist known for doing coronavirus gain-of-function studies in his lab. In rejecting the proposal for Project DEFUSE, administrators at DARPA noted that the plan 'does not mention or assess potential risks of Gain of Function (GoF) research.' 'The proposal hardly addresses or discusses ethical, legal, and social issues,' noted DARPA. Though the US funding was not granted, the proposal reveals for the first time that the top gain-of-function researchers around the world, including in Wuhan, were looking at furin cleavage sites, and raises questions about whether China funded similar research. China has repeatedly insisted the virus spilled naturally into humans from bats, denying that a leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology is a possibility. The global death toll of the COVID-19 pandemic now stands at 4.55 million. In the US, the virus has killed 688,000 since last March. Daszak did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com on Saturday. More than 70 young girls suspected of being the victims of sexual abuse are referred to social services every day, official figures reveal. Almost 27,000 girls aged under 18 in England were either the victims of sexual abuse or at risk of being exploited in 2019-20, according to statistics released by the Department for Education. Analysis by The Mail on Sunday shows the highest rate was in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, where one in every 736 residents was referred. Four members of the child sex grooming gang from Rochdale in which one of Britain's worst child sex scandals took place Rotherham, in South Yorkshire, where one of Britains worst child sex abuse scandals saw an estimated 1,400 children exploited between 1997 and 2013, has a rate of one in every 757 residents. Stoke has a rate of one in 778. Plymouth, Blackburn and Blackpool also have high levels. The shocking figures, revealed in answer to a parliamentary question from Labour MP Anna McMorrin, show that areas with higher levels of deprivation have the most acute problems with child sex abuse. Maggie Oliver, a former police officer who exposed the child abuse scandal in Rochdale in 2012 that was the subject of the acclaimed BBC drama Three Girls, said: If anything, the problems got worse. 'Rape has almost been decriminalised. Just 1.6 per cent of all reported rapes lead to a charge, so 98 in every 100 girls or women who reported doesnt go to a charge. Ms Oliver, who now runs an organisation that supports child sex abuse victims, added: Sixty per cent of the survivors who have come to us in the last three months have been let down by the police, and 16 per cent were threatened with arrest themselves. 'Its easier to criminalise a child than to investigate a sophisticated gang of paedophiles. Maggie Oliver, a former police officer who exposed the child abuse scandal in Rochdale in 2012 that was the subject of the acclaimed BBC drama Three Girls, said: If anything, the problems got worse' The number of serious safeguarding referrals of girls aged under 18 rose from 214,420 in 2018 to 227,910 last year. The cost of child social services across 151 local authorities in England was 7.9 billion in 2017-18. Anntoinette Bramble, chairwoman of the Local Government Associations Children and Young People Board, called on the Government to increase funding. Child sexual abuse, including child sexual exploitation, is a terrible crime, she said. To make sure children and young people get the support and protection they need, it is vital that services are properly funded. Last night, a DfE spokesman said: Every child should feel safe and protected, which is why we are investing in the frontline charities directly supporting vulnerable children and providing billions more to councils to help them respond to changing pressures, including for childrens services. Figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales show 7.5 per cent of adults aged 18 to 74 suffered sexual abuse before 16, with the majority not telling anyone about their ordeal. Shamed BBC journalist Martin Bashirs agent is 99 per cent sure that the Corporation did not contact him during its search for clothes worn by a murdered schoolgirl that had been lost by the reporter. The assertion by veteran showbusiness agent John Miles appears to undermine evidence about the Babes in the Wood scandal given to MPs last week by the BBCs director general Tim Davie. Mr Davie was quizzed about the findings of an investigation by The Mail on Sunday that exposed how the BBC failed to carry out basic checks including speaking directly to Bashir when the family of Karen Hadaway asked for bloodied clothing that they had given to the journalist to be returned. Mr Davie told the Commons Culture Select Committee that it was incorrect that BBC investigators did not make contact with the individuals who might have known where the clothing was. He said the Corporations records showed Bashir was contacted via an agent. But Mr Miles, who was Bashirs agent at the time of the BBC investigation in 2004, told the MoS: As far as I am concerned and obviously it was a long time ago they never made a call to me. 'Can't remember': Former BBC reporter Martin Bashir pictured in June. His agent is 99 per cent sure that the Corporation did not contact him during its search for clothes worn by murdered schoolgirl Karen Hadaway And if it was a call to me it would only be that they wanted to speak to Martin Bashir. I am absolutely 99 per cent sure they never ever made any call to me. I certainly cant remember the BBC contacting me, so Im pretty sure they didnt. Karen and Nicola Fellows, both aged nine, were murdered in Brighton in 1986 in what became known as the Babes in the Wood killings. It wasnt until 2018 that roofer Russell Bishop was found guilty. In 1991, Bashir who was then working for the BBC programme Public Eye persuaded Karens grieving mother Michelle to hand over the clothes after promising to subject them to DNA tests in the hope of discovering new forensic clues about the childrens killer. The family asked for them to be returned in 2004 so they could be given to Sussex Police, who were reviewing the case, only to be told they were missing. They have never been returned. At the time, the BBC said extensive inquiries had been made to find them, but the MoS was told by key journalists who worked alongside Bashir, including his editor Nigel Chapman and assistant producer Charlie Beckett, that they were never contacted. Mr Davie last week told MPs that the Corporation have records that show Nigel Chapman and an individual that can be identified as a producer, which is Charlie Beckett, were contacted during the 2004 investigation. Victim: Nine-year-old Karen Hadaway, above, was murdered in 1986 with Nicola Fellow in Brighton in what became known as the Babes in the Wood killings Its grim reading for the BBC says Andrew Marr of the BBC The MoS front page shown during Andrew Marr's Saturday morning show The potential reputational damage to the BBC posed by this newspapers revelations about Martin Bashir and the Babes in the Wood scandal was laid bare last weekend by one of the Corporations biggest names. Showing our front page during his Sunday morning current affairs show, Andrew Marr said: The BBC has a really grim bit of reading in The Mail on Sunday. This is another Martin Bashir related story and its tough stuff for BBC people to read. Advertisement Last night, a friend of Bashir claimed Karens clothing was lost after the reporter took it to a BBC production office. Public Eye was based at the Corporations offices in White City, West London. He took it back to the BBC and gave it to the production office, the source said. Now, he didnt tell me who he gave it to he says I cant remember but then afterwards, apparently, it went missing. Martin said, I certainly didnt lose these clothes. He is genuinely devastated that it happened. Earlier this year, Bashir conceded that he may have lost the clothes, but added: I dont remember. The programme Bashir was working on was never broadcast and it doesnt appear as if the clothes were ever tested. The pressure on the BBC over the case is unlikely to abate. This newspaper understands that Earl Spencer, who exposed Bashirs deception to land his notorious Panorama interview with his sister Princess Diana, has invited Ms Hadaway to a meeting at Althorp, the Spencer family home in Northamptonshire, this week. The Corporation is also facing criticism over its failure to respond to a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request from this newspaper to provide any document related to the BBCs 2004 investigation. Under the Act, the BBC had 20 working days to reply, but has not done so. Ms Hadaway said: Why not release them? You only do things like this if you have got something to hide. It is appalling. If they are now saying that they did have an investigation back then, then why did they not bother to let me know? Nigel Heffron, an uncle of Nicola Fellows, said: I think its outrageous. They should hand them over. Its in the public interest. What are they hiding? The BBCs stalling has echoes of the 13-year delay in publishing documents related to an internal inquiry held in 1996 into how Bashir landed the Diana interview. The assertion by veteran showbusiness agent John Miles appears to undermine evidence about the Babes in the Wood scandal given to MPs last week by the BBCs director general Tim Davie (pictured above) Channel 4 journalist Andy Webb first requested the documents in 2007 but was told by the Corporation that they did not exist. In 2020 after another request, the BBC admitted that its earlier response had been inaccurate and that notes and meeting minutes did in fact exist. Last night, a BBC spokeswoman said: Everything we have previously stated is correct. As we said last week, our records clearly show that Martin Bashirs agent was contacted in 2004. And as we said at the Select Committee, we have recently discussed the clothing directly with Martin. Martin has consistently said that he doesnt recall what happened to the clothes. On the FOI request, she said: The BBC responds to around 95 per cent of requests on time. We are committed to transparency and publish more data and information on ourselves than any other broadcaster. A teacher at an Ohio day care center has been charged with assault after he was caught on camera shoving a four-year-old student to the ground. James Ciolino, an educator at the Wilde Kingdom Early Learning Center in Fairfield, Ohio, aggressively pushed the little girl during a class conducted on June 21. Video of the incident was published by LOCAL 12 earlier this week in light of the assault charge being filed. The disturbing clip, captured by a classroom surveillance camera, shows the unnamed girl being brought into Ciolino's classroom by another employee, identified as Jennifer Miller. ames Ciolino, an educator at the Wilde Kingdom Early Learning Center in Fairfield, Ohio, aggressively pushed the little girl during a class conducted on June 21 Ciolino, who is reportedly 6-feet tall and about 315 pounds, then suddenly shoves the victim, immediately sending her to the floor. 'Get out of here,' Ciolino is heard telling her before he goes back to an activity with other students in his class. Miller is seen watching the incident before closing the door and leaving the scene. Both Ciolino and Miller were fired by the center's director, Lisa McMillion, when she later discovered the footage. She also contacted police, leading Ciolino's assault charge. Miller has been slapped with a child endangerment charge. 'The video itself has all the truth it needs in it. So as soon as you watch that or as soon as you see that, you know immediately what has to be done,' McMillion told LOCAL 12. 'You just know something is not right with that cry. As a mom, you know when something is not right. And as a director, I know all of those children and I know how they cry.' Both Ciolino and Miller were fired by the center's director, Lisa McMillion, when she later discovered the footage The girl's name is being withheld for privacy reasons, but her mother, Ernestine Pumah, spoke with LOCAL 12. 'The guy just pushed her away like an animal,' the heartbroken mom stated. 'A little baby who knows nothing, who all she knows in life is to play, eat and sleep. You push her down on her chest and she's lying down crying, and you are still doing what you were doing? What a heartless man.' Ciolino and Miller have both pleaded not guilty and are set to go to trial in December. The girl's mother, Ernestine Pumah, spoke with LOCAL 12. The 25-year-old nanny claimed she jumped out of her bedroom window to escape the terrifying confrontation A live-in nanny has sued her boss for allegedly secretly filming her 'hundreds' of times in various stages of undress with a camera hidden in a smoke detector in her room. Father of four Michael Esposito was arrested on March 24 after Colombian-born Kelly Andrade says she found the camera at the home in New York's Staten Island. She claims that her boss rushed home and tried to break her door down when he realized she had discovered the hidden camera. The 25-year-old nanny claimed she jumped out of her bedroom window to escape the terrifying confrontation, believing Esposito might be armed with a gun. Esposito, who owns three LaRosa Grill franchises, was hit with a felony charge of unlawful surveillance, the New York Post reports. Andrade says in her lawsuit that she spent hundreds of hours training upon being hired by Cultural Care Au Pair, who sent her to work in the United States. She was placed with Esposito and his wife Danielle to look after his four children in the family's $800,000 waterfront Tottenville home, according to the Post. Through a translator, Andrade told the Post that she was initially thrilled for the chance to learn English and work in the US, and the Espositos gave her a private bedroom of her own while she watched their young children. But she says she became suspicious after finding Esposito frequently adjusting the smoke detector in her bedroom. Three weeks into the job she inspected the device and discovered the camera. A live-in nanny has sued her Staten Island boss for secretly filming her 'hundreds' of times in various stages of undress She says her boss arrived home 'within minutes' and 'seemed very worried when he arrived to the house'. The au pair claims that she tried to pretend to be asleep but that Esposito banged repeatedly on the locked door, and she jumped from a window out of fear. She then ran down the street and fled to a nearby police station, where she gave them the memory card she had found in the camera. The lawsuit claims it contained 'hundreds of recordings' showing her nude or partially dressed. She told the Post: 'On top of what had just happened, now I dont have a place to stay, Im in a completely unknown country.' 'Im alone. I dont have any money, I dont know what Im going to eat, I dont know what Im going to do tomorrow,' she said, before adding the entire ordeal has left her 'suicidal.' After Esposito's arrest, his lawyer denied the allegations. Attorney Joseph Sorrentino told SILive.com: 'Any cameras that were installed were installed in his own home for security purposes. 'This was not the kind of situation where its her home or her room or her bedroom or in a dressing room.' 'This is the defendants own home where he lives with his family and there are multiple security cameras.' But images released by Andrade's lawyers appear to show the au pair asleep and sat on her bed. Andrade is suing the Espositos and Cultural Care for unspecified damages over her claims of a hostile work environment and workplace discrimination, according to the Post. 'Were alleging that Cultural Care had a responsibility for her safety,' Andrades lawyer Zachary Holzberg said. Esposito faces unlawful surveillance charges and has been released on his own recognizance. r McKenzie, who ran BBC Radio 1s Newsbeat before joining the Road Haulage Association, denied the claim Advertisement A former BBC boss opposed to Brexit has been accused of triggering the petrol pump crisis. Ministers say Rod McKenzie sparked the nationwide panic-buying frenzy by selectively leaking remarks made by a BP executive at a private Government meeting. Senior sources suggested he weaponised the comments to deflect blame for the UKs supply chaos. Mr McKenzie, who ran BBC Radio 1s Newsbeat for more than two decades before joining the Road Haulage Association, last night denied the claim. As managing director of policy for the RHA, he has blamed post-Brexit immigration restrictions for the crisis in the industry and has been leading calls for the Government to lift visa restrictions to allow more foreign drivers into the country. The fuel crisis began to snowball last week after comments made by Hanna Hofer, head of BPs retail business, at a Cabinet Office meeting were leaked. On September 16, Ms Hofer told civil servants, hauliers and other industry figures that the company had two-thirds of normal forecourt stock levels. Ministers say Rod McKenzie (pictured above) sparked the nationwide panic-buying frenzy by selectively leaking remarks made by a BP executive at a private Government meeting A motorist lays out a half dozen fuel containers on the floor of the forecourt in Upminster to fill her boot with fuel while desperate drivers queue for hours behind According to a senior Government source, however, she also said the situation had been going on for weeks and that very few forecourts had had to close. Crucially, those additional comments which Government insiders believe would have prevented or at least reduced the panic-buying of fuel were not made public. Mr McKenzie said he did not take part in the meeting and firmly denied that there was any direct evidence that he or anyone at the RHA leaked the selective remarks. But a senior Government source said: McKenzie will have been aware of Ms Hofers comments and had every incentive to weaponise them. The RHA leak every meeting they have with us. They have a rap sheet as long as their arm. McKenzie is just a moaning Remainer and he and the RHA are entirely responsible for this panic and chaos. We will deal with them when this is over. BP denied that any of its staff were behind the leak, with a spokeswoman saying it would have been completely counter-productive. BP, Esso, Texaco and Shell last night introduced a 30 limit on fuel purchases after motorists were seen on forecourts filling multiple jerry cans. Meanwhile, the Government announced up to 4,000 people will be trained as HGV drivers. Ministry of Defence examiners will be drafted in to increase capacity for those wanting to sit HGV tests, and almost a million letters will be sent to people who currently hold an HGV licence encouraging them to return to the industry. The Department for Education is also investing up to 10 million to create new boot camps to train 3,000 more HGV drivers at short, intensive and free courses. An ambulance exits a Shell garage, which doesn't have any unleaded petrol, after filling up on fuel on Saturday in London Motorists queue to fill their cars at a Sainsbury's fuel station in Ashford, Kent, on Saturday evening An aerial view showing motorists queueing in Kent on Saturday. BP, Esso, Texaco and Shell last night introduced a 30 limit on fuel purchases after motorists were seen on forecourts filling multiple jerry cans In a fresh headache for the Government, however, Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port was last night locked in urgent talks to stave off financial collapse which could place further pressure on forecourts. The company, which supplies about a sixth of Britains road fuel but has struggled during the pandemic, wants to strike a deal with HMRC to delay 223 million in tax payments. Ministers are said to have rejected a bailout but are watching the situation closely, according to the Sunday Times. The refinerys owner, Essar Oil UK, described talks with HMRC as positive. The RHA claims around 20,000 European drivers have left the UK and blames the uncertainty of Brexit and future rights to live and work in the UK for the situation. They say the shortage of drivers could lead to empty shelves at supermarkets and spread to other industries including waste collection and over-the-counter medicine. Customers queuing in their cars to access an Asda petrol station in east London on Saturday A Shell garage employee holds a sign on the side of the road informing traffic that they do not have unleaded petrol Queues at the BP petrol station in Soham, Cambridgeshire, at 8am on Saturday morning as the panic buying continued But in an article today for The Mail on Sunday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps describes Brexit as a relatively minor contributor to a problem in the UK that is replicated in Germany and even worse in Poland. He argues that leaving the EU has enabled me to change the law to allow more HGV testing to take place. He also urges the public to get driving for Britain, writing: Driver shortages are a pan-European problem so the situation here in the UK cannot be solved by relying for evermore on foreign labour. Much of the world is witnessing post-pandemic turbulence in supply chains caused by driver shortages. In the UK in recent months this manifested itself by the occasional pump missing a particular grade of fuel say super-unleaded for half a day. However, what we have seen over the past couple of days is panic-buying that we must ensure doesnt turn a very limited problem into a far bigger one. Despite fewer than 100 of the UKs 8,350 filling stations running out of fuel, there were sporadic scenes of violence yesterday as motorists continued to ignore pleas for them not to panic-buy. Footage from an Esso petrol forecourt near Chichester, West Sussex, showed punches and kicks being exchanged in a brawl. AA president Edmund King, said the problem would pass in a matter of days if drivers only filled up when they needed to, because there was plenty of fuel at source. But the Petrol Retailers Association warned the situation could get worse before it improves. Asked about the crisis yesterday, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: HGV drivers keep this country running. We are taking action to tackle the shortage of drivers by removing barriers to help more people launch new well-paid careers in the industry, supporting thousands to get the training they need to be road-ready. Environment Secretary George Eustice added: We have listened to concerns from the sector and we are acting to alleviate what is a very tight labour market. How Britain spent its Saturday queuing for petrol... even though there's no shortage By Jonathan Bucks for the Mail on Sunday Chaos reigned at garage forecourts again yesterday as motorists continued to panic-buy petrol despite assurances that there is no shortage of fuel. Desperate drivers ignored Government pleas for calm as they queued at stations, causing tailbacks up and down the country. In response to the escalating crisis, BP, Esso, Texaco and Shell last night limited drivers to 30 of fuel. The move came after shocking photographs showed one woman filling six jerry cans and police having to marshal a filling station in Northwood, North-West London. Tempers also boiled over on the forecourt of an Esso station near Chichester, West Sussex, where four men brawled on Friday night. Queues of cars form behind a petrol tanker as it refuels the BP garage in Waltham Abbey, Essex on Saturday afternoon Closed pumps at a Shell garage in Clapham, London. Amid the chaos, industry figures sought to reassure motorists that there was no fuel shortage So how smug is this Tesla driver feeling? An electric car sails past a jam of vehicles queuing for petrol in Peterborough Many drivers seemed to be flouting the guidelines on how much petrol you can transport in a car, with police able to step in if they deem it hazardous. Amid the chaos, industry figures sought to reassure motorists that there was no fuel shortage and said fewer than 100 of the 8,350 filling stations about 1 per cent had been forced to close. AA president Edmund King said there was plenty of fuel at the source and no need to stock up. But his pleas failed to dissuade thousands of drivers from queuing bumper-to-bumper outside stations. Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association, warned that panic-buying would mean a lot of people are going to go without fuel. A man carrying containers at a Tesco Petrol Station in Bracknell, Berkshire, on Saturday. Many drivers seemed to be flouting the guidelines on how much petrol you can transport in a car, with police able to step in if they deem it hazardous Fill her up: A Daimler chauffeur en route to a wedding in Waresley, Worcestershire, on Saturday. AA president Edmund King said there was plenty of fuel at the source and no need to stock up. But his pleas failed to dissuade thousands of drivers from queuing bumper-to-bumper outside stations He added: This could be emergency services, it could be deliveries to supermarkets, it could be NHS workers, doctors, firemen, people who have really serious jobs that need 24-hour requirements for fuel. The desperation was summed up by London-based paramedic Shelley Lancey, who wrote on Facebook: For the people who have fuelled up their cars just in case, there will be patients who wont be attended to as paramedics will not be able to get to work, ambulance tanks will be empty and nurses and doctors wont be able to get to hospitals. My colleague waited in a petrol queue for over an hour in a first response vehicle last night to refuel the ambulance car. The net result: he was unavailable to attend very ill patients. Former social worker Jackie Cohen said her 75-year-old husband Raymond missed his emergency A&E appointment after they were trapped in traffic queuing outside an Esso garage in Barnet, North London. The nationwide rush to fill up was triggered when BP and Esso said a shortage of tanker drivers was affecting deliveries. Prince Harry snuck away from the royal family for a secret meeting with Oprah Winfrey and a producer in a London hotel room back in 2018, it has been revealed. Jon Kamen, chairman and CEO of media company RadicalMedia and the exec who joined the famous duo that day, told the Wall Street Journal how the prince met with the talk show host in secrecy to plan his Apple TV series on mental health. Kamen said he watched as Harry opened up to Oprah about his struggles with mental health and decided that this should be the format for the series which launched this May. Prince Harry snuck away from the royal family for a secret meeting with Oprah Winfrey and a producer in a London hotel room back in 2018, it has been revealed. Pictured: The pair speak on stage at the Global Citizen Live festive in New York City on Saturday Prince Harry met Oprah Winfrey and a producer in London hotel room in 2018. Pictured, the Duke and Duchess were interviewed by Oprah in March 2021 Harry in a six-episode series on mental health for Apple TV+ called The Me You Can't See 'Guys,' Kamen told his producing partners, 'the format of this showwe witnessed it in that hotel room.' A six-episode series on mental health, The Me You Can't See, was released by Apple in May. Each episode was anchored by a conversation between Prince Harry and Winfrey. 'I always wanted to be normal, as opposed to Prince Harry,' he says in the documentary. It is not clear if the meeting took place before or after Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in May 2018, where Oprah earned herself a guest spot among the royal family. A six-episode series on mental health, The Me You Can't See, was released by Apple in May with each episode anchored by a conversation between Prince Harry and Winfrey The meeting reveals how Harry and Meghan were already carving out commercial ventures and building up their Hollywood contacts over a year before the couple sent shockwaves through the royal family and across the globe when they announced they were quitting life as working royals and starting a new life in Hollywood. Kensington Palace announced in April 2019 that Harry was producing a mental health series with Oprah. Prince Harry took part in Zoom meetings with Winfrey throughout the process, initially in England, then Canada and latterly in California. The prince shared his elite contacts with first producers, suggested the setting up of an advisory board to help navigate the sensitive topics they were exploring. Since leaving the UK in 2020 and moving to California, the couple have secured tens of millions of dollars in deals with media companies like including Apple, Spotify and Netflix Harry also vetted subjects, looked to interview people from outside the West, took an active interest in the early editing of the shoe making notes on the production faster than Winfrey. Since leaving the UK in 2020 and moving to California, Prince Harry and Meghan, have managed to secure tens of millions of dollars in deals with media companies like including Apple, Spotify and Netflix. The Netflix deal alone is said to be worth in the region of $100 million. The deals have been several years in the making with a great deal of hustling behind-the-scene in order to lay the groundwork. The couple has been working to carve out careers in Hollywood since quitting their roles as senior working members of the royal family last January. The couple founded production company Archewell Productions and struck a five-year deal with Netflix in the fall. In December, they announced an exclusive deal - worth an estimated $25 million -with Spotify for their Archewell Audio podcast, which they said would include podcasts and programming 'that uplifts and entertains audiences around the world.' Spotify said a full series would launch in 2021 but, as of September, the couple have only released one holiday special in December which featured their son Archie and Elton John. Harry appeared to be sporting a secret mic during his visit with Meghan Markle to an iconic Harlem soul food joint Friday, in a sign the couple may have been recording the NYC tour A tell-tale wire was spotted poking out from underneath the prince's shirt and trailing into his chino pocket as he leaned forward to hug Melba restaurant owner Melba Wilson It is not clear if the couple are recording their New York City trip as part of their contract with Netflix or Spotify - or as another commercial venture. The couple has not publicly announced plans to televise their trip to the Big Apple. However, much of their visit has largely been kept under wraps with the purpose and contents of their closed-door meetings with lawmakers and officials being closely guarded. On Saturday, the couple visited the United Nations building to meet with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, ahead of Global Citizen Live - which is expected to be their final stop on the tour on Saturday evening. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited the United Nations building to meet with Un Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed Saturday The couple has already been accused of tone-deaf virtue signaling during their Big Apple tour, where Meghan donned a $7,500 designer pant suit to visit children at a Harlem school where 94 percent are eligible for free school meals. The couple have been staying at the luxury Carlyle Hotel - a favorite haunt of Princess Diana's where the Royal Suite costs $8,800 a night. The Sussexes left the luxury Carlyle Hotel in their cavalcade of gas-guzzling motor vehicles shortly before 11am Saturday morning and headed to the UN building in Manhattan. They were spotted leaving the building around 90 minutes after arriving, clutching documents featuring their Archewell Foundation branding and business folders. Meghan and Harry are seen leaving the Carlyle Hotel by the front door to head to the Global Citizen Live festival Meghan said 'it was a lovely meeting' as they left the HQ and clambered into their waiting SUVs. Their UN visit comes the same week as the 193-member world body's annual gathering of leaders. Their appearance at Saturday's concert is just one stop along the couple's tour of New York City. On Friday, the couple paid a visit to PS 123 Mahalia Jackson school in Harlem where Meghan read to students from her children's book The Bench. The duchess sported a $7,500 designer pant suit and around $387,000 worth of jewelry for the visit to the school where 94 percent of children are eligible for free meals and 95 percent face economic hardship. Dressed in a $5,840 Loro Piana cashmere coat, matching $1,680 pants and shoes thought to be $665 Manolo Blahnik red suede pointed toe pumps, Meghan read aloud to the children who sat cross-legged on cushions on the ground. She accessorized her look with around $387,000 worth of jewelry including her $350,000 engagement ring, a $4,500 diamond ring from her first public engagement with Harry as his fiancee, Princess Diana's $23,000 Cartier Tank watch, a $6,900 Cartier Love bracelet, and a $3,000 Jennifer Meyer tennis bracelet. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry wrapped up their first day in the Big Apple Thursday by hosting a meeting on vaccine equity with Chelsea Clinton and other health experts (above) On Friday, the couple paid a visit to PS 123 Mahalia Jackson school in Harlem where Meghan read to students from her children's book The Bench Harry chats to a student in the playground as they gather to sit and listen to Meghan reading out her children's book Meghan and Harry donated copies of her book to the school, two garden boxes filled with vegetables and herbs, and stocked the school's pantry with personal health and hygiene supplies. They plan to donate a washer and dryer to the school as well so more children can have clean uniforms. The couple appeared to have worked up an appetite during the visit as they then headed on to local soul food joint Melba's for a bite to eat. They dined without any other members of their entourage as they enjoyed Southern fried chicken and eggnog waffles, catfish with chipotle mayo, spring rolls with rice, black-eyed peas and collard greens. Melba's owner Melba Wilson later thanked the couple on the restaurant's social media pages for a promised $25,000 donation towards the business's COVID-19 Employee Relief Fund to help workers impacted by the pandemic. Friday's outing was a more relaxed occasion to the day before, where they rubbed shoulders with New York lawmakers and UN and WHO officials and paid their respects to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks at Ground Zero. On Thursday morning, they first visited the One World Trade Center observatory where they met with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and de Blasio's family. While atop the One World Trade Center, Meghan said 'it's wonderful to be back' in New York - following her last visit in September 2019 when she cheered on close friend and tennis star Serena Williams at the US Open. The couple then parted ways with the officials and took a tour of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, joined by National September 11 Memorial & Museum President Alice Greenwald and Patricia Harris, CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropy. The Sussexes visited both pools on the sites where the North Tower and South Tower once stood, reading the names of the victims inscribed on the memorials and taking a moment of silence by a wreath. They spent around 30 minutes inside the museum before being whisked back to their hotel for a quick pit stop and outfit change. Around midday, they traveled to 50 UN Plaza for a meeting with US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield on COVID-19, racial justice and mental health. The ambassador described the meeting as 'wonderful' as she shared snaps of the trio chatting on sofas in a lounge area and then posing in front of UN branding. Meghan and Harry then paid a visit to the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters at 885 Second Avenue, for their meeting with the global health experts. That night, Harry was spotted in Bemelmans Bar in the Carlyle Hotel chatting animatedly with the people at his table - with no sign of Meghan in sight. Their tour of the Big Apple marks their first major public appearance since they shocked the world by announcing they were stepping down as senior working members of the royal family back in January 2020. Meghan and Harry visited Harlem restaurant Melba's where the couple spoke with owner Melba Wilson who told them of the restaurant's struggle during the coronavirus pandemic The couple took a tour of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, joined by National September 11 Memorial & Museum President Alice Greenwald and Patricia Harris, CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropy Thursday The chief architect of Melbourne's week of destructive anti-vaccine protests has been charged with incitement. Harrison Mclean, 24, was arrested at his home on Saturday morning while his followers clashed with police on a seventh day of violence. The Monash University graduate runs the 'Melbourne Freedom Rally' group on encrypted messaging app Telegram used to mobilise anti-vax protesters. Harrison Mclean, 24, the chief architect of Melbourne 's week of destructive anti-vaccine protests, has been charged with incitement. He is seen here at Tuesday's rally Mclean, a Monash University graduate and former cheerleader, runs the 'Melbourne Freedom Rally' Telegram channel used to mobilise riots that turned the city into a battleground Mclean, who also posts as 'Dominic D', used the channel, boasting more than 13,000 members, to promote and organise rallies against lockdowns and Covid vaccine mandates. 'I have accepted bail conditions for release, which include following chief health officer directions, and refraining from promoting Freedom Events that contravene CHO directions,' he wrote on Telegram early on Sunday. 'After advocating for the freedom of all Victorians, incitement charges have been laid against me in relation to the events that took place at the World Wide Rally for Freedom 4.0 in Melbourne on September 18. 'My legal battle now begins to continue the fight for freedom in Victoria, against the Andrews Regime.' There is no record of Mclean encouraging violence of any kind in his promotion of the protests, but the rallies didn't take long to spiral out of control. Rallies earlier in the week were very successful with thousands flooding the streets, many dressed in high-vis though only a small fraction were actual construction workers By Saturday, just 200 protesters showed up on St Kilda Beach (pictured), by which point Mclean was already under arrest McLean was charged over the first rally on September 18 where 10 cops were injured and there were ugly scenes of alleged police brutality. That anti-lockdown protest was planned for at least four months and heavily promoted on his network of Telegram channels. Mclean and his followers seized on a vaccine mandate for the construction industry to spawn another protest outside the CFMEU office on Monday. Follow-up rallies, all promoted and organised on Mclean's Telegram groups, continued every day until Saturday. Thousands marched around the Melbourne CBD in the early protests but ran out of steam due to poor communication and increased police presence by Thursday, with just 200 showing up to St Kilda Beach on Saturday. Mclean later on Sunday defended accepting the bail conditions that severely curtail his protest activities against followers who called him a 'sellout'. 'The bail conditions were reasonable for the circumstances, and there is nothing to be gained from sending time in jail,' he told one. 'There is a lot that can be done while outside that is not directly rally related.' Another asked Mclean if he was worried about the CFMEU coming after him for hijacking the vaccine mandate issue to organise protests. 'Well I guess that's what occurs when I do what [Victorian CFMEU boss] John Setka refused to do and actually march the membership on parliament,' he replied. Mclean was replying under his real-name Telegram handle as opposed to his Dominic D alias, which he admitted was now blown. 'Now that the genie is out of the bottle, my personal name can be more present,' he said. Photos on social media paint a picture of an outgoing student active in Monash's social scene and the campus Science Society Mr Mclean headed on an overseas trip through Europe and the US with his blonde-haired girlfriend at the beginning of his final year of university Mclean admitted defeat through the Telegram channel after Friday's dismal turnout, but still hailed the week of riots as a success. 'In the long way to reclaim our rights, we will inevitably suffer losses. Today was one of those days where we were outnumbered and unsuccessful in coming together,' he wrote. 'Don't lose hope and don't forget the victories of this week where thousands upon thousands of everyday Victorians spilled into the streets and highways to the endless sound of car horns and trucks cheering us on. 'Don't ever forget that we made history that day... You don't have to win every battle to win the war. Truth always wins in the end.' Mclean used a separate page to post official updates and share flyers for the protests, which were shared across social media. In another group he maintained, 13,000 hardcore supporters schemed, posted photos and videos, and cheered on the violence. After the 2020 lockdown ended he became a key organiser and drove a shift in rhetoric to general themes of 'freedom' that attracted legions of new followers The protests claimed to be predominantly tradies and construction workers outraged at being forced to get a Covid jab to work, but the vast majority were mobilised by the Telegram group and wore suspiciously new high-vis. Instead they appeared to be a mix of disgruntled tradies and union members, Melburnians sick of lockdown, conspiracy theorists of all flavours, ultra-libertarian 'freedom' activists, and far-right rabble-rousers. At a glance, the pale IT expert seems like the last person you'd expect to be pulling the strings of this rag-tag horde of hi-vis wearing demonstrators. Mclean graduated from the $9,000-a-year St Joseph's College in Melbourne before studying computer science at Monash University from 2015-19. Photos on social media paint a picture of an outgoing student active in Monash's social social scene Science Society. Typical undergraduate activities like fancy dress parties, formal dinners, and relaxed campus life feature in his Facebook tags. Mclean was also a competitive cheerleader, winning a tournament in June 2017 and posing with a teammate with their trophy for a celebratory photo. Later he headed on an overseas trip through Europe and the US with his blonde-haired girlfriend at the beginning of his final year. Thousands of construction workers are pictured protesting on the West Gate Bridge on Tuesday afternoon as the demonstration moved out of Melbourne's central business district Before graduating, he co-founded social media platform WeYouMe, which uses blockchain technology to encrypt data. 'Harrison has a passion for designing voluntary systems of interaction to empower humankind, accelerate technological improvement, and protect the intrinsic rights of life, liberty and security of property,' the company's website reads. Mr Mclean first started attending anti-lockdown rallies last July at the height of Melbourne's deadly second wave of Covid. After the lockdown ended he became a key organiser and drove a shift in rhetoric to general themes of 'freedom' that attracted legions of new followers. He was filmed speaking at so-called 'freedom' rallies in December and January and on Australia Day, wearing an untucked shirt and sunglasses. By March his movement had more than 2,000 members and has added 7,000 more by the time the CFMEU was attacked, as Victoria was thrown back into lockdown. Another 4,000 joined the group as the week progressed, reaching a high of 13,000 by Sunday morning after Mclean had abandoned further rallies. Hundreds gather at St Kilda for the 'Millions March for Freedom' rally as protests in Melbourne reach its sixth day Tensions have been high all week in Melbourne's CBD, with residents protesting mandatory vaccinations for building sector workers (pictured) At a rally in March he proclaimed his movement was 'done with the cabal which runs this country' and claimed the Covid pandemic didn't exist. 'We are going to purge this country of every single incumbent politician who does not support freedom,' he bellowed. Protests were organised at least once a month and promoted with the same template of the rally details over a washed-out photo of the venue. In May, he was part of a group of activists caught dining at Moda Kitchen and Bar in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Seddon during lockdown. He was one of 15 diners, including protest leaders Monica Smit and Morgan Jonas sitting at a table enjoying glasses of wine. 'We were just finishing lunch when the business got a call the police were on the way. People who dob on business is such a low act in my mind. Let's all continue to support these types of businesses,' one of them posted on Telegram. Mr Mclean then began to expand the movement across the country, creating Telegram pages and discussion groups in major cities along with a national 'Australia Freedom Rally'. Mr Mclean was also found to be part of a chat used by far-right group Proud Boys to vet new members Flyers for each demanded 'no more' lockdowns, mask mandates, vaccine mandates and passports, business closures, or 'medical apartheid'. He also build a slick website for each city with identical branding and a page on every social media platform imaginable. One of Mr Mclean's top allies and fellow group admin with the Telegram handle 'Kotik' celebrated the turnout during Tuesday's rally 'As someone who was here when this group was just a few randos and 20 people would come to a protest, I can verify that the movement is rapidly gaining momentum,' he wrote. 'This is the start of something big, without a doubt.' During an interview with the Guardian in March, Mr Mclean claimed he was seeking to unite people on the basis of 'peaceful protests' and 'idea of freedom'. '[The aim] is to empower people so that if they're not necessarily politically active before, then a political protest might be some way for them to sort of begin their process of engaging in this space, but I'm absolutely not trying to radicalise anybody,' he said. Riot police are seen outside the Victoria's Parliament House during Tuesday's protest The news outlet claimed Mr Mclean was part of a chat group used by far-right group Proud Boys to vet new members, although he declined to confirm whether he was a member of the organisation. However, he did reveal some members were involved in his freedom movement and he had run into leaders of the Australian branch at some of his events. The final protest on Saturday, which Mclean did not organise, saw hundreds of officers arrest a dozen demonstrators at the St Kilda foreshore in a rally that peaked up to 200 people. Protesters gathered in the inner beachside suburb chanting slogans like 'together, united, we'll never be divided' and 'we are not afraid'. Other participants in the crowd were heard shouting 'f**k Dan Andrews' from megaphones. Nearly a million children have received a Covid jab, the latest official figures show. It is being given to 12 to 15-year-olds after the UK's four chief medical officers said everyone in the age group should be offered the Pfizer vaccine. So far, 912,446 under-18s have received the vaccine, according to the Government. It comes after England's Chief Medical Officer said about half of children have already had Covid and 'virtually all' will get the virus without the jab rollout. Professor Chris Whitty added that the high proportion of children who have had Covid was no reason to hold off jabs because immunity would wane. He added that jabs were the key to keeping schools open and reducing disruption to lessons. But last night, Conservative MP Robert Halfon, chairman of the education select committee, said he has been told of schools sending children home when someone tested positive for Covid, despite the rollout. 15 year old Quinn Foakes receiving a Covid-19 vaccination at Belfairs Academy in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex Ministers had been pushing for all children aged 12 to 15 to be included in the rollout, having already given the go-ahead to those with underlying health conditions. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation had initially advised against extending the rollout to all children in the age group and said Ministers should seek advice from the chief medical officers. After giving the green light, Prof Whitty told MPs that his decision was 'completely medical'. Data published yesterday revealed that 48,699,874 first doses of the vaccine have been administered in total in the UK, up 26,964 on Friday, with 44,692,956 people getting second doses. Another 31,348 people tested positive for the virus and a further 122 died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid. MPs have also raised concerns about parental consent as part of the jabs rollout to children. Schools will send forms seeking permission. However, pupils will also have a say and in some cases can override their parents, though the Government has insisted this would apply 'very rarely'. Last night, Sir Iain Duncan Smith warned that schools might 'put pressure on the children to have the jab' and that parents should be given the final say. The former Tory leader also said the Government should publish separate figures for the numbers of children being jabbed, instead of adding them to the total daily number of everyone vaccinated. He said: 'Anyone below 18 should be treated as a separate category.' By publishing figures for all ages together, the UK had fallen down the league tables of the proportion of eligible people who had been double vaccinated. He said: 'We have widened the number of people who are eligible for the jab. It doesn't look great to have been at the top and now to fall down the league tables.' Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Oxford University colleges have asked students to disclose whether they are fully vaccinated against Covid. Emails seen by Cherwell, the student newspaper, showed the St Edmund Hall and Lincoln College asking the students about their vaccination status. The colleges said they wanted to know what proportion of students were vaccinated to keep track of who needed to self-isolate. CGN is also involved at Bradwell, where progress is understood to have stalled Exactly how the Chinese will be frozen out of Sizewell on Suffolk coast is unclear The current crisis has been caused, in part, by unusually light winds, experts say Nuclear power is key to plans to future-proof the countrys energy supplies Chinese investment in Britains next generation of nuclear power stations is set to be banned on security grounds, leaving a multi-billion pound funding hole in the plans. Nuclear power is key to Government plans to future-proof the countrys energy supplies and avoid further price shocks, and is part of a drive towards a so-called Green industrial revolution. But The Mail on Sunday understands that Ministers are going to formally bar any further involvement by Chinas General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) in the 20 billion Sizewell C nuclear power project in a move likely to set a precedent for future collaborations. It is understood the Treasury is examining plans to use pension funds to plug the funding gap for Sizewell C, which is 80 per cent owned by Frances EDF. 'Future proofing': A computerised view of the proposed nuclear power plant at Sizewell in Suffolk, where it is understood that Ministers are going to formally bar any further involvement by Chinas General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) Energy experts say the current crisis has been caused, in part, by unusually light winds which has reduced the output from wind farms and underlines why the UK must build nuclear plants to provide a reliable source of clean energy. The Government has committed to making a final investment decision on at least one large nuclear project during this parliament. Officials are understood to be keen to publish a decision on the future of Sizewell C ahead of next months spending review and the UN climate change conference in Glasgow in November. A senior industry source said: The Chinese will not be involved at Sizewell. This is part of a long journey and is politically much bigger than just one plant. Exactly how the Chinese will be frozen out of Sizewell, on the Suffolk coast, is unclear. They have a 20 per cent stake in development of the project and an option to remain once it is built. CGN is also involved at Bradwell in Essex, where progress is understood to have stalled, and in the EDF-led Hinkley Point in Somerset, due to be completed in 2026. Treasury officials have studied several options to replace Chinas funds at the plant. Sources said the favoured option is a regulated asset base (RAB) model, which has been used in other big infrastructure projects such as the Thames Tideway and requires legislation. CGN is also involved at Bradwell in Essex (computerised image seen above), where progress is understood to have stalled It is also involved in the EDF-led Hinkley Point in Somerset (workers pictured at the site above, in 2016), due to be completed in 2026 Last week, it emerged that Ministers are in talks with the US nuclear reactor manufacturer Westinghouse over a proposal to build a new plant in Anglesey, North Wales. Separate proposals have been mooted for a series of small modular reactors (SMRs) to complement larger plants, including a programme led by Rolls-Royce. A Government spokeswoman said: CGN is currently a shareholder in Sizewell C up until the point of the Governments final investment decision. Negotiations are ongoing and no final decision has been taken. Theresa May's chances of landing a plum job have been torpedoed by a row over submarines. The former Prime Minister was cited as Britains likely candidate to be the next Nato Secretary-General, but seething French MPs say she has no hope following the AUKUS defence pact signed by Britain, the US and Australia. The deal resulted in Australia tearing up a multi-billion-pound French submarine contract in the process. Boris Johnson last week told France to get a grip and donnez-moi un break over the issue, but Frances foreign minister said the pact was a rupture of trust in alliances and Paris recalled its ambassadors from the US and Australia. The former Prime Minister was cited as Britains likely candidate to be the next Nato Secretary-General, Insiders say a bid by Mrs May will be futile because France holds one of the four deciding Nato votes, alongside the United States, the UK and Germany. A source familiar with the process said there was no way France would endorse a British candidate after the countrys role in the spat with French President Emmanuel Macron. Last night MPs from all groupings in Frances National Assembly agreed that Mrs Mays candidacy was doomed. Anybody from Britain would have trouble winning French support right now, but especially someone so closely aligned to the Boris Johnson administration, said a senior member of Macrons LREM party. Madame May did not make much of an impact here when she was in power, so why would anybody support her now? The deal resulted in Australia tearing up a multi-billion-pound French submarine contract in the process A senior Conservative MP said France would block Britains Nato candidate, adding: The French will do their very best to kick us. They are very p***ed off. The current Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, is due to stand down next year, and it is understood Mrs May has privately said she is keen on the role. A French Socialist Party MP told The Mail on Sunday: Everybody can see that Britain just wants to carry on being Americas poodle. There are much better candidates from other countries, including ones that respect their allies. Mrs May declined to comment. The BBC came under fire last night for ignoring the fact that the HGV driver shortage has affected countries throughout the world. Around 400,000 drivers are needed across mainland Europe, including shortfalls of 40,000 in Germany. In America, there is a shortfall of around 63,000 while China needs about four million extra drivers, according to the International Road Transport Union. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who trained as an HGV driver, accused the BBC of selective reporting. A man carrying containers at a Tesco Petrol Station in Bracknell, Berkshire mid the HGV driver shortage He said: 'The BBC insists on making this about Brexit and pretending that this is a problem confined to the UK. 'This is a Covid issue affecting not just the whole of Europe but the world. I don't understand why they are doing this but it is deeply misleading and the kind of reporting that leads to panic buying, as we have seen.' France has faced a shortage of around 43,000 drivers since 2019, when the shortfall in Italy was estimated to be around 15,000, according to analysts Transport Intelligence. Earlier this month, Jose Gomez-Urquiza, of US immigration agency Visa Solutions, said: 'We [in America] are living through the worst driver shortage that we've seen in recent history, by far.' Advertisement Boris Johnson insists on a pay rise for truckers and will send a million of them morale-booster letters Boris Johnson has called on HGV bosses to give drivers a pay rise as the Prime Minister prepares to send them one million morale-boosting letters in the run-up to Christmas. Ministers are said to be urging up to 40,000 retired hauliers to return to action in a last-gasp bid to save Christmas, as retailers warned the Government it has less than two weeks to prepare for the festive season. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson is to personally sign off on a million morale-boosting letters urging drivers who turned away from the industry to get back on Britain's roads. The move comes amid a nationwide panic-buying spree at petrol stations and growing fear inside Downing Street that supermarket shelves could remain barren until December 25. Advertisement More than 10,000 temporary foreign visas will be fast-tracked by the Government as ministers rush to solve the supply chain crisis that's threatening Christmas. 5,000 HGV drivers and 5,500 poultry workers will be given extraordinary three-month visas allowing them to work in the UK until Christmas Eve. The move comes amid a nationwide panic-buying spree at petrol stations and growing fear inside Downing Street that supermarket shelves could remain barren until Christmas. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the changes, with the visas available from next month, would 'ensure preparations remain on track' for the festive season. But the Road Haulage Association warned the announcement 'barely scratches the surface', while the British Chambers of Commerce said the measures were the equivalent of 'throwing a thimble of water on a bonfire'. Retailers had warned the Government that it had just 10 days to save Christmas from 'significant disruption' due to a shortfall of about 90,000 drivers in the freight sector. It comes as thousands of desperate drivers ignored Government pleas for calm as they jammed roads - with fears mounting over the impact of lasting fuel shortages on the economy. Furious motorists were seen fighting on Saturday as the nationwide rush for fuel continued amid calls for calm from the Government because less than 100 petrol stations were empty. Shocking footage showed panic buyers punch and kick at each other during a violent brawl at an Esso petrol forecourt in Sidlesham, Chicester, as roads were left gridlocked and police had to be called in to marshal drivers. Two men were seen grappling before throwing punches at one another, while another enraged motorist launched a flying kick at another man as the scramble for fuel turned violent in the sleepy West Sussex village. 5,000 HGV drivers and 5,500 poultry workers will be given extraordinary three-month visas allowing them to work in the UK until Christmas Eve Transport Secretary Grant Shapps (above) said the changes, with the visas available from next month, would 'ensure preparations remain on track' for the festive season The shortage of HGV drivers has long threatened to wreak havoc this winter, and it has been exacerbated by a huge backlog in HGV tests due to Covid, as well as foreign drivers returning home amid the pandemic and Brexit. Are you a company boss telling staff to work from home on Monday due to employees not being able to get fuel? Or has your boss told you to work from home due to you not being able to get hold of fuel? Email: james.robinson@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement Industry groups the Food and Drink Federation and Logistics UK both welcomed the visa changes, with federation chief Ian Wright calling the measures 'pragmatic'. But British Chamber of Commerce president Baroness McGregor-Smith said the changes were the 'equivalent of throwing a thimble of water on a bonfire', and that the 5,000 new visas may be too little, too late to halt the chaos. Meanwhile, Marc Fels, director of the HGV Recruitment Centre, told BBC Breakfast the move was 'too little, too late'. He said: 'Every additional driver that is coming into the sector at the moment is going to be of benefit. 'But I feel this is too little, because the numbers coming in, 5,000, is not going to make a very large dent on the 90,000-100,000 that we are perceived to be short. 'And too late because we have been understanding these problems have been coming as early as April this year, so we are moving into October and only now are the Government coming up with these solutions when this has been an issue since April.' The announcement about immigration rules being relaxed to ease supply pressures comes amid scenes of lengthy queues at petrol stations after a shortage of specialised tanker drivers forced some fuel retailers to shut their pumps and ration sales. As well as the short-term measure of opening up to foreign workers, the Ministry of Defence is also stepping in to provide examiners to help clear a backlog of drivers desperately trying to get their licences. A Shell garage employee holds a sign on the side of the road informing traffic that they do not have unleaded petrol Some had multiple jerry cans in the boot of their cars and spent time filling each up while others queued for hours to reach the pump. Pictured: Customers queuing in their cars to access an Asda petrol station in east London on Saturday HGV boss is accused of triggering petrol pump crisis A former BBC boss opposed to Brexit has been accused of triggering the petrol pump crisis. Ministers say Rod McKenzie sparked the nationwide panic-buying frenzy by selectively leaking remarks made by a BP executive at a private Government meeting. Senior sources suggested he 'weaponised' the comments to deflect blame for the UK's supply chaos. Mr McKenzie, who ran BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat for more than two decades before joining the Road Haulage Association, last night denied the claim. As managing director of policy for the RHA, he has blamed post-Brexit immigration restrictions for the crisis in the industry and has been leading calls for the Government to lift visa restrictions to allow more foreign drivers into the country. The fuel crisis began to snowball last week after comments made by Hanna Hofer, head of BP's retail business, at a Cabinet Office meeting were leaked. On September 16, Ms Hofer told civil servants, hauliers and other industry figures that the company had 'two-thirds of normal forecourt stock levels'. According to a senior Government source, however, she also said the situation had been 'going on for weeks' and that very few forecourts had had to close. Crucially, those additional comments which Government insiders believe would have prevented or at least reduced the panic-buying of fuel were not made public. BP denied that any of its staff were behind the leak, with a spokeswoman saying it 'would have been completely counter-productive'. Advertisement Officials said the loan of MoD examiners to work alongside Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) employees would help put on 'thousands of extra tests' over the next 12 weeks. Meanwhile, nearly one million letters will be landing in the coming days on the doormats of people with HGV licences to encourage those who have left the industry to return. The letter will set out the steps the haulage sector is taking to improve industry conditions, including increased wages, flexible working and fixed hours, according to the Department for Transport. Mr Shapps said: 'This package of measures builds on the important work we have already done to ease this global crisis in the UK, and this Government continues to do everything we can to help the haulage and food industries contend with the HGV driver shortage. 'We are acting now but the industries must also play their part, with working conditions continuing to improve and the deserved salary increases continuing to be maintained in order for companies to retain new drivers. 'After a very difficult 18 months, I know how important this Christmas is for all of us and that's why we're taking these steps at the earliest opportunity to ensure preparations remain on track.' The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated a global shortage of lorry drivers, although there have been long-term issues in the UK with labour numbers amid an ageing workforce, low wages and poor truck stop conditions. The DfT said it recognised that importing foreign labour 'will not be the long term solution' to the problem and that it wanted to see investment poured into establishing a robust domestic workforce. Officials said the Government continued to support solving the high vacancy rate through improved testing and hiring, with better pay, working conditions and diversity. Another long-term measure to turn the situation around will see the Department for Education plough up to 10 million into creating new 'skills bootcamps' to train up to 3,000 more people to become HGV drivers. The free, intensive courses will train drivers to undertake an entry level HGV licence (Category C) or a more advanced course to operate heavier and longer lorries (Category C&E). A motorist lays out a half dozen fuel containers on the floor of the forecourt in Upminster to fill her boot with fuel while desperate drivers queue for hours behind The problems were triggered after BP and Esso admitted on Thursday that a lack of tanker drivers was hitting deliveries (pictured, gridlock at a petrol station in Tonbridge) A BP at Hampton Court says 'Sorry we're out of diesel' after frenzied buying saw stations swamped by panicked customers A major shortage of HGV drivers threatens to wreak havoc this winter, and the shortage has been exacerbated by a huge backlog in HGV tests due to Covid BBC comes under fire for 'pretending driver crisis is all about Brexit' The BBC came under fire last night for ignoring the fact that the HGV driver shortage has affected countries throughout the world. Around 400,000 drivers are needed across mainland Europe, including shortfalls of 40,000 in Germany. In America, there is a shortfall of around 63,000 while China needs about four million extra drivers, according to the International Road Transport Union. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who trained as an HGV driver, accused the BBC of selective reporting. He said: 'The BBC insists on making this about Brexit and pretending that this is a problem confined to the UK. 'This is a Covid issue affecting not just the whole of Europe but the world. I don't understand why they are doing this but it is deeply misleading and the kind of reporting that leads to panic buying, as we have seen.' France has faced a shortage of around 43,000 drivers since 2019, when the shortfall in Italy was estimated to be around 15,000, according to analysts Transport Intelligence. Advertisement Another 1,000 people are expected to be trained through courses accessed locally and funded by the Government's adult education budget. Those accessing medical and HGV licences through the adult budget in the 2021/22 academic year will have their qualifications paid for by the state, with the funding backdated to anyone who started one of these qualifications on or after August 1. More DVSA examiners will also be freed up to conduct lorry driver tests via a law change to allow driving examiners at the three emergency services and the MoD to be able to conduct driving tests for one another. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: 'HGV drivers keep this country running. 'We are taking action to tackle the shortage of drivers by removing barriers to help more people to launch new well-paid careers in the industry, supporting thousands to get the training they need to be road ready.' Environment Secretary George Eustice said: 'We have listened to concerns from the sector and we are acting to alleviate what is a very tight labour market.' The Government said it had already streamlined the process for new HGV drivers while increasing the number of driving tests available to allow for an extra 50,000 tests to take place per year. Meanwhile, Grant Shapps, writing in the Mail on Sunday today, said some firms were offering more than 70,000 to encourage people to get into the HGV industry. He wrote: 'First, there are nearly one million people with HGV licences across the country. So we are launching a call through the media to re-recruit inactive lorry drivers all over the UK. 'These are people who have left the industry but still hold a licence. In the next few days, letters will hit doormats throughout the land, reminding them that they can support the country during this crucial time while earning a salary never before available for expertly driving a lorry. Supply problems are expected to cause a noticeable drop in choice, casting Britain back to an era 50 years ago when most shoppers were offered just basic ingredients. Pictured: A shopper looks at a meat fridge at a Lidl supermarket in Walthamstow, West London Another said the 'systemic' problem has already spread to products like crisps and fizzy drinks thanks also in part to a shortage of CO2. Pictured: Bottles of water and crisps at a Pret a Manger store in London Forecourt fury turns violent as drivers queuing to fill up exchange blows, while elsewhere motorists fill jerry cans and BP, Esso, Shell and Texaco limit drivers to 30 each Furious motorists were seen fighting as the nationwide rush for fuel continued yesterday, amid calls for calm from the Government because less than 100 petrol stations are empty. Shocking footage showed panic buyers punching and kicking at each other during a violent brawl at an Esso petrol forecourt in Sidlesham, Chicester, as roads were left gridlocked and police had to be called in to marshal drivers. Two men were seen grappling before throwing punches at one another, while another enraged motorist launched a flying kick at another man as the scramble for fuel turned violent in the sleepy West Sussex village. Thousands of desperate drivers ignored Government pleas for calm as they jammed roads - with fears mounting over the impact of lasting fuel shortages on the economy. Photographs yesterday online showing drivers stocking up on fuel. Just one per cent of Britain's petrol stations are empty, according to fuel bosses. Some had multiple jerry cans in the boot of their cars and spent time filling each up while others queued for hours to reach the pump. Meanwhile, around 400 stations owned by the EG Group are limiting customers to 30 worth of petrol to give everyone a 'fair chance to refuel'. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson revealed a visa U-turn for 5,000 foreign truck drivers to try to stem the shortage. There are currently about 8,350 filling stations in the UK and less than 100 of them have been forced to close due to shortages. However, the Petrol Retailer's Association has warned the situation could get worse before it improves. BP said around 20 of its 1,200 petrol forecourts were closed due to a lack of available fuel, with between 50 and 100 sites affected by the loss of at least one grade of fuel. A 'small number' of Tesco refilling stations have also been impacted, said Esso owner ExxonMobil, which runs the sites. President of the AA Edmund King reiterated on Saturday there there 'is plenty of fuel at the source' and no need to stock up. Advertisement 'Next, up to 4,000 new recruits will be able to take advantage of Government funding to train as road-ready HGV drivers. The Department for Education is investing up to 10 million to create new Skills Bootcamps, offering a free, intensive course for 3,000 people, while another 1,000 will be trained through local courses funded by our Adult Education Budget. 'This is a fantastic opportunity to start a career in a fast-growing sector offering rising salaries. 'The industry is rapidly improving pay and conditions, with some companies offering over 70,000 to drivers. As the sector continues to improve, now is the time for anyone who left the industry to return and anyone looking for a fruitful career to join.' It comes as supermarkets are preparing for months of shortages that will leave gaps on shelves for everything from crisps and meat to toilet paper and flour. Supply problems are expected to cause a noticeable drop in choice, casting Britain back to an era 50 years ago when most shoppers were offered just basic ingredients and a wider choice of food and household products was limited. Sources said the impact the result of a host of problems including a shortage of HGV drivers and a spike in demand for shipping containers worldwide as the global economy restarts after the pandemic would be most fiercely felt on inexpensive but bulky goods such as toilet paper, pre-packed bread and chilled goods. 'Whether it's attracting people to work in factories, fields, food processing plants or to drive lorries it feels like the whole food and supermarket industry is grinding to a halt,' said one senior food industry source. Another said the 'systemic' problem has already spread to products like crisps and fizzy drinks thanks also in part to a shortage of CO2. 'We're already anticipating there'll be two or three types of beef joint instead of six or seven, or a much smaller range of tomatoes. ;Toilet paper is a good example because it requires a lot of space to transport from one place to another and space in lorries is at a premium right now. 'The aim will be to get products on to shelves but not anything like a full range of pack sizes and options so don't expect to match your toilet paper colour to your downstairs toilet wallpaper,' the source said. Supermarkets and convenience stores have been trying to hide gaps for weeks often placing cans of alcohol or other less perishable goods in refrigerated cabinets which had previously held salads and ready-meals. One supermarket director said: 'This isn't going away and it's difficult to say right now what the solution is because there are so many factors. It's a complete nightmare. 'Suppliers don't have drivers, their Eastern European workforces in processing factories went home during the pandemic or, more recently, for their summer holidays and simply haven't come back. We are hearing these stories everywhere we go.' Another director said firms are having to make tough decisions about where to direct lorries because of driver shortages. Remote areas are more likely to suffer shortages as vehicles are diverted to high-demand sites where stock was likely to run out much more quickly. Let's get trucking for Britain, you can earn 70,000! Transport Secretary GRANT SHAPPS launches call to attract inactive lorry drivers and announces Government funding to train 4,000 new recruits By Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, for Mail on Sunday Britain's HGV drivers are the lifeblood of the nation. Some 90 per cent of domestic freight is carried by road, and that includes virtually all our food and agricultural produce. In the depths of the Covid pandemic, hundreds of thousands of drivers kept going, delivering the protective gear and medicines that sustained the fight against this most mortal of threats. Logistics is a core industry, vital to our economy. But let's be honest: our haulage drivers are undervalued. This is a tough job, involving long hours alone at the wheel, often in the middle of the night as the rest of us sleep. Constant attention is required to control vehicles weighing up to 44 tons and travelling at 56mph. You must train hard to become a HGV driver it is a real skill requiring extensive and expensive training. Yet wages and conditions in the industry have for years failed to reflect the inherent importance of the job. GRANT SHAPPS: There are nearly one million people with HGV licences across the country. So we are launching a call through the media to re-recruit inactive lorry drivers all over the UK A structural reliance on the use of drivers from Europe has over the years depressed wage levels and driven away British candidates, resulting in an ageing average age 50-plus and almost exclusively male workforce. Truck stops are often grim places, lacking adequate facilities, not reflecting the esteem in which hauliers should be held. This has to change. This long-term structural problem has been exacerbated by the pandemic. HGV driving tests had to be halted due to the risk from strangers mixing in lorry cabs, creating a bottleneck that is still working through the system. By contrast, Brexit was a relatively minor contributor to a problem in the UK that is replicated in Germany and even worse in Poland. Indeed, our newfound flexibility has enabled me to change the law to allow more HGV testing to take place. Driver shortages are a pan-European problem so the situation here in the UK cannot be solved by relying for evermore on foreign labour. Currently, much of the world is witnessing post-pandemic turbulence in supply chains caused by driver shortages. In the UK in recent months, this manifested itself by, for example, the occasional pump missing a particular grade of fuel say super unleaded for half a day. However, what we have seen over the past couple of days is panic-buying that we must ensure doesn't turn a very limited problem into a far bigger one. So let's not fall into the 'toilet roll' trap of the early pandemic and by our own behaviour create the problem we fear. Cars can take only a certain amount of fuel, refineries are running properly and deliveries are being made. So if we stick to our normal petrol-buying habits, this will allow the supply chain to catch up and stability to be restored. Over the summer, the Government already acted to remove bottlenecks in HGV-driver testing. As a result, we are already on our way to being able to test twice as many candidates to drive lorries as before the pandemic. Today we're announcing a package to go even further to attract people into the industry and tackle the driver shortfall on a permanent basis. Currently, much of the world is witnessing post-pandemic turbulence in supply chains caused by driver shortages. In the UK in recent months, this manifested itself by, for example, the occasional pump missing a particular grade of fuel First, there are nearly one million people with HGV licences across the country. So we are launching a call through the media to re-recruit inactive lorry drivers all over the UK. These are people who have left the industry but still hold a licence. In the next few days, letters will hit doormats throughout the land, reminding them that they can support the country during this crucial time while earning a salary never before available for expertly driving a lorry. Next, up to 4,000 new recruits will be able to take advantage of Government funding to train as road-ready HGV drivers. The Department for Education is investing up to 10 million to create new Skills Bootcamps, offering a free, intensive course for 3,000 people, while another 1,000 will be trained through local courses funded by our Adult Education Budget. This is a fantastic opportunity to start a career in a fast-growing sector offering rising salaries. The industry is rapidly improving pay and conditions, with some companies offering over 70,000 to drivers. As the sector continues to improve, now is the time for anyone who left the industry to return and anyone looking for a fruitful career to join. The industry is rapidly improving pay and conditions, with some companies offering over 70,000 to drivers and up to 4,000 new recruits will be able to take advantage of Government funding to train as road-ready HGV drivers Market correction better wages and conditions combined with an expansion in HGV testing will provide the long-term cure. But we acknowledge that shorter-term measures are required to ease the situation in the approach to Christmas. To surge the country's driver- testing capacity, we are also deploying Ministry of Defence examiners to work alongside the testing agency DVSA. This expert team will help provide thousands of additional tests over the next 12 weeks, meaning new highly qualified HGV drivers will soon be on our streets. It's going to make a real difference, and I'm hugely grateful for their help. Tests will be available for participants as close as possible to the time they complete training and streamlined arrangements will mean that drivers can pass their tests much faster. And to ease these short-term pressures on hauliers ahead of Christmas, we are also issuing 5,000 one-off, temporary visas allowing HGV drivers from abroad to come and work in the UK in the food and fuel industries. Looking ahead, we will conduct a full review of entry regulations for new and returning HGV drivers, looking at removing any barriers to recruitment. And the Government is working closely with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and employers to boost apprenticeships on offer for large-goods vehicle drivers and increasing choice. It is vital, too, that we broaden the appeal of HGV driving to a much more diverse section of society. Deservedly, salaries have started to rise, but employers must do more to improve pay and working conditions, offering flexible shifts and fixed hours, and mak-ing the job more attractive to women, people from ethnic minorities and younger people. The haulage industry must play its part and accept that the days of cheap foreign labour are not going to return. It must pay the going rate. The whole country owes the haulage industry a debt of thanks for the way it rose to the challenge of Covid, saving thousands of lives in the process. Today's announcements will ensure that the industry can meet its next big challenge recruiting the next generation of drivers. Let's get driving for Britain. UK needs nearly TWO MILLION workers: Active job posts reveal bosses are crying out for 55,019 care staff, 36, 471 chefs, 32,615 sales assistants - amid urgent calls to relax immigration rules to ease crisis UK job advert numbers have reached the highest figure in at least a year, with almost two million positions currently being offered, newly released figures have revealed. Job market data from September 13 to September 19 shows more than 220,000 new job adverts were posted, bringing the total number of active job adverts to 1.9million. According to the figures, there were 36,000 new adverts for chefs, around 32,000 for sales assistants and 6,500 for bar staff in that period. The figures for hospitality jobs are likely to reflect the country opening back up in the wake of Covid-19 rules being lifted. But the job advert figures also show more than 7,500 job adverts have been posted for HGV drivers in the UK in the last week. Some offer salaries upward of 50,000-a-year. The flurry of job adverts comes amid a shortage of lorry drivers across the UK. The Road Haulage Association estimate the UK to be short of 100,000 HGV drivers. Brexit and Covid are among the major reasons put forward by transport groups and ministers for the shortage, which has sparked chaos for the UK's transport industry. Job market data from September 13 to September 19 shows firms in the UK need, in total, more than 36,000 chefs, around 32,000 sales assistants and 6,500 bar staff UK job advert numbers have reached the highest figure in at least a year, with almost two million positions currently being offered, newly released figures have revealed. Pictured: A graph showing the number of job adverts being offered in the UK A breakdown of the figures by each area, with the most number of active job postings currently in the south east A breakdown of the figures by different job types, including cleaners, care workers and chefs More than 500,000 over-50s have withdrawn from UK labour market since Covid, says employment expert More than 500,000 over-50s have withdrawn from the UK labour market since the start of the Covid pandemic, according to an employment expert. The sudden withdrawal of hundreds of thousands of staff, plus a drop in the number of migrant workers and an increase in the number of students has led to record numbers of job vaccancies, according to Tony Wilson, director of the Institute for Employment Studies. He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'It's right (that there are fewer workers around). The labour market is much smaller than it was before the pandemic began. 'We estimate that there is about a million fewer people in the labour market now than there were before the crisis began and probably about a quarter of that is explained by lower migration and that's mainly lower immigration since the pandemic rather than higher emigration. 'About 500,000 of that is explained by more people over 50 who have withdrawn from the labour market. That's compared with what we would have expected to happen, because over 50s employment and labour market participation has been growing for decades, but that growth has now reversed. 'So it's about half a million is explained by over 50s, while 300,000 is explained by young people in full time education so more young people more in education.' 'And there is a little bit which is furlough, which is ending next week, but it looks like that may only be between 200,000-300,000 workers, so it could be around one million workers.' Asked what the sudden spike in over-50s dropping from the labour market, he said: 'It's a combination of factors. A lot will be the pandemic. It will be people who will have been furloughed, who have taken time away from the labour market and simply aren't returning. 'Some of it will be people who feel they can't go back to work, they may have been shielding for example and may come back in the future.' Advertisement According to the figures, from the 13-19 September, there were 1.9 million active job adverts currently active in the UK. The figures are from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC)'s latest Job Recovery Tracker - which tracks the number of job adverts and there different sectors they are in. The 1.9million figure is a new record high for the tracker, which started collecting data in January 2020. According to the tracker, there were 223,000 new job adverts posted in the week of 13-19 September. The biggest surge in new jobs was in the care sector, where more than 55,000 new job adverts were posted during that period. There were also more than 30,000 adverts for chefs, sales assistants and primary school teachers. More than 28,000 new job adverts also appeared for cleaners and 22,000 for metal workers. Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC, said the figures were 'good news'. But he warned that a shortage in labour could slow the UK's recovery from Covid. He said: 'Job postings are rising in every area of the UK. That's good news, and we are seeing more employees starting new positions than ever but demand from employers is even higher still. 'There is a real chance now that shortages of available workers will slow the recovery. 'A recent REC survey of recruiters found that three in five have over 30% more vacancies than usual, and 97% said it's taking longer to fill them. 'Labour shortages and the related recruitment difficulties put constraints on the economy, restricting output growth and innovation, so it's vital we solve them quickly.' Mr Carberry urged Government departments and industry experts to come together to solve the shortage. It comes as employment expert claimed more than 500,000 over-50s have withdrawn from the UK labour market since the start of the Covid pandemic. The sudden withdrawal of hundreds of thousands of staff, plus a drop in the number of migrant workers and an increase in the number of students has led to record numbers of job vaccancies, according to Tony Wilson, director of the Institute for Employment Studies. He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'It's right (that there are fewer workers around). The labour market is much smaller than it was before the pandemic began. 'We estimate that there is about a million fewer people in the labour market now than there were before the crisis began and probably about a quarter of that is explained by lower migration and that's mainly lower immigration since the pandemic rather than higher emigration. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps suggested adding HGV drivers to the skilled worker list for immigration purposes would not solve the problem, although he insisted he nothing had been ruled out Agricutlure Secretary George Eustice has indicated that the government is preparing to extend the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) this year to help tackle the UK's HGV crisis 'About 500,000 of that is explained by more people over 50 who have withdrawn from the labour market. That's compared with what we would have expected to happen, because over 50s employment and labour market participation has been growing for decades, but that growth has now reversed. 'So it's about half a million is explained by over 50s, while 300,000 is explained by young people in full time education so more young people more in education. 'And there is a little bit which is furlough, which is ending next week, but it looks like that may only be between 200,000-300,000 workers, so it could be around one million workers.' Asked what the sudden spike in over-50s dropping from the labour market, he said: 'It's a combination of factors. A lot will be the pandemic. It will be people who will have been furloughed, who have taken time away from the labour market and simply aren't returning. 'Some of it will be people who feel they can't go back to work, they may have been shielding for example and may come back in the future.' Secretary of State Antony Blinken faced ridicule on Tuesday after once again condemning Yemen's Houthi fighters for launching a rocket attack and urging them to call a ceasefire, part of a familiar cycle since lifting the 'terrorist' designation on the Islamist movement. Critics of the approach said he risked emboldening America's enemies as the Biden administration tries to use diplomatic approaches to groups intent on violence. Victoria Coates, senior director at the National Security Council for the Middle East and North Africa under President Trump, said: 'If I had not been clearly told by my betters that this is not the case I might start to think these Houthis just might be terrorists.' Blinken was one of a number of administration figures criticized for demanding the Taliban to show restraint and respect human rights as their fighters advanced rapidly across Afghanistan in July and August. His latest intervention came after Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it had intercepted a ballistic missile and armed drones fired at its oil region on Saturday by Houthis. Two children were wounded by shrapnel, according to the country's ministry of defense. The Houthi movement, which has been fighting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen for six years, claimed responsibility for the attack. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pictured during a visit to the Qatari capital Doha. Before leaving, he condemned Yemeni Houthi fighters for launching an attack on Saudi Arabia - the latest in a series of calls for the Islamist movements to call a ceasefire Houthi supporters shout slogans and hold up guns during a rally against the Saudi-led war and blockade imposed on Yemen, in Sana'a, Yemen, last month Critics pointed out that Blinken would have more weapons than just words with which to tackle the Houthis if he hadn't removed the 'terrorist' label from the Yemeni Islamist movement In response, Blinken called on the Houthis to pursue a diplomatic solution rather than use force. 'This is completely unacceptable. These attacks threaten the lives of the Kingdoms residents, including more than 70,000 U.S. citizens,' he said. 'We once again urge the Houthis to agree to a comprehensive ceasefire immediately and to stop these cross-border attacks and attacks inside of Yemen particularly their offensive on Marib, which is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and prolonging the conflict.' But critics have pointed out that an early act of his State Department was to remove Yemen's Houthi rebels from the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations. 'We have listened to warnings from the United Nations, humanitarian groups, and bipartisan members of Congress, among others, that the designations could have a devastating impact on Yemenis' access to basic commodities like food and fuel,' said Blinken at the time. The move reversed an eleventh-hour designation made by the Trump administration. Jason M. Brodsky, senior Middle East analyst at Iran International TV, said the U.S., European Union, and the E3 of France, Germany and Italy, were frequently guilty of a similar error. 'Too often we see the Biden administration, the European Union, and the E3 relying on statements urging calm, calling on parties to negotiate, and condemning escalatory behavior,' he said. 'This applies to the situation in Yemen, but also extends more broadly to Iran and Afghanistan. 'Stiff demarches and statements, while necessary, are certainly insufficient. Solely relying on these tools risk emboldening the very behavior against which they are protesting. A pro-Houthi Shiite Muslim holds a picture of the Shiite Houthi movement's leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi during an Ashura Day procession in Sana'a, Yemen Conflict-disabled Houthi fighters take part in a rally as the prolonged fighting escalates between the warring factions in Yemen, in Sana'a, Yemen, 02 September 2021. The Houthis continue to escalate their ground offensives against the Saudi-backed government-held regions in Yemen and explosives-laden drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia a few days before new UN envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg takes office The cycle of attack and condemnation in Yemen has lasted months. In late August, Houthi drones hit an airport in Abha in Saudi Arabia. The attack wounded eight civilians and damaged an airliner. Blinken used it to renew his call for a diplomatic solution. 'We strongly condemn yesterday's attack by the Houthi against Saudi Arabia,' he said. 'The Houthis struck the civilian airport in Abha, wounding eight civilians and damaging a commercial airliner. 'We again call on the Houthis to uphold a ceasefire and engage in negotiations with [Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen].' The State Department and the U.S. embassy issued a string of statements demanding that the Taliban respected the rights of Afghans - even as American troops left the country In Afghanistan, it meant a series of statements warning the Taliban it would face consequences if they conquered the country by force. With Biden intent on withdrawing U.S. troops by the end of August, Taliban commanders were happy to call Washington's bluff and take Kabul by the middle of the month. By then the U.S. embassy in Kabul had begun issuing strongly worded statements calling on the Taliban to release captured Afghan government officials and police officers. 'Additionally, we call on the Taliban to fully and earnestly engage in negotiations and end the suffering of the Afghan people and pave the way for an inclusive political settlement that benefits all Afghans,' it said. On Tuesday, the Taliban cemented its grip on the country by announcing its interim government, which included two senior leaders of the U.S.-sanctioned Haqqani network. Authorities in Ecuador worked with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take down a migrant smuggling ring that helped individuals reach the United States. The migrants paid smugglers between $10,000 to $16,000 to be smuggled over the United States-Mexico border, the Ministry of Interior revealed Tuesday. ICE's Homeland Securities Investigations agents provided support in seven raids in the provinces of Azuay, Canar, and Pichincha that led to the capture of nine alleged members of the smuggling organization. Authorities seized $58,000, 14 cellphones, five computers, and ammunition. Ecuador security forces review documents during one of the seven raids Tuesday that led to the arrest of nine alleged migrant smugglers in the provinces of Azuay, Canar, and Pichincha. The network was charging migrants between $10,000 to $16,000 to be moved from Ecuador to El Salvador and Panama before they landed in Mexico and were turned over to smugglers there who moved them into the United States Pictured is some of the $58,000 that Ecuador cops seized from nine members of a migrant smuggling network who were arrested Tuesday An alleged member of a migrant smuggling organization that for two years operated out of Ecuador was arrested during a series a raids. U.S. Customs and Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations aided Ecuador agents in the operation The Attorney General's Office charged each of the nine Ecuadorian and foreign nationals with one count of organized crime in connection to the illegal trafficking of migrants. Its petition to keep the smugglers in pre-trial detention was rejected by Criminal Judicial Unit of Gualaceo Judge Edwin Regalado, who released them and instructed them to wear an ankle monitor. They were ordered to appear before the court every 90 days and have been barred from leaving the country. Investigators said the smuggling ring was operating for two years and provided its services to residents from the Ecuador cities of Gualaceo, Canar; La Troncal, Azuay; and Quito, Pichincha. Individuals looking to migrate to the United States had to book a short stay at a hostel in Quito and purchased tourism packages, including airfare, that saw them connect in Panama and El Salvador before reaching Mexico. Once there, they were met by 'coyotes,' or smugglers, who provided them passage over the 1,954-mile long border with the United States. The government of Ecuador has noticed an increase in Ecuadorian nationals abandoning the country for the United States due to a sluggish economy that has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of residents were left without employment, and officials said 70 per cent of businesses closed at least temporarily. Pictured are some of the documents that Ecuador's police and U.S. federal agents seized during seven raids on Tuesday in the provinces of Azuay, Canar, and Pichincha Pictured are six of the nine alleged migrant smugglers arrested Tuesday in Ecuador. Criminal Judicial Unit of Gualaceo Judge Edwin Regalado released them and instructed them to wear an ankle monitor. They were ordered to appear before the court every 90 days and have been barred from leaving the country Mexico's government announced in 2018 that Ecuadorians could visit without a visa. That gave those with a passport and a plane ticket a huge leap toward the U.S. border once pandemic travel restrictions were lifted. More than 88,000 Ecuadorians left their homeland for Mexico in the first half of 2021, and more than 54,000 of them haven't returned, according to Ecuadorian government data. More than 22,000 of those trips occurred in July alone. Ecuadorians surpassed Salvadorans as the fourth-largest nationality encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the United States-Mexico border, behind Mexicans, Guatemalans and Hondurans. U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped Ecuadorians 17,314 times in July, compared with 3,598 times in January. El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez provides snacks to the two girls from Ecuador who were abandoned by human smugglers and dropped over a 14-foot high border wall in New Mexico on March 30. The girls were reunited with their parents in New York in April Monica Muquinche, whose husband disappeared in 2020 while trying to reach the United States, recently made it to New York after leaving Ecuador with her 10-year-old son Sebastian Two Ecuadorian minors made international headlines March 30 when smugglers dumped them over a border wall in New Mexico. Three-year-old Yareli and five-year-old Yasmina were reunited with their New York-based parents in late April. Monica Muquinche, whose husband disappeared in 2020 while trying to reach the United States, recently made it to New York after leaving Ecuador's Andean highlands with her 10-year-old son Sebastian. She flew to Mexico City, took a bus to the U.S. border, boated across and was detained by the Border Patrol. Muquinche and her son spent one night in custody and then continued on to New York. 'I think God protected us,' said the 35-year-old woman said. While Ecuadorians no longer needed smugglers for the journey north, they were turning in greater number to smugglers who could get them across the U.S. border itself. 'Since 2018, we have seen a big increase in Ecuadorians taking the Mexican route rather than trying the more complicated and dangerous path through Central America, said William Murillo, co-founder of the law firm 1800migrante.com that handles immigration cases. Murillo said smugglers 'lie, trick people. We predicted we would have many deaths and disappeared migrants.' The Foreign Ministry said this month that 54 Ecuadorians have been reported missing since the start of 2019 while trying to cross the U.S. border. Nineteen have disappeared so far this year. The sudden leap in migration led Mexico to end the visa-free option. As of Saturday, Ecuadorians will once again need a visa. Mexican officials said the requirement is 'a provisional measure that will help ensure that Ecuadorians do not fall prey to human trafficking networks.' Pep Guardiola's side are now above Chelsea in the table after Manchester United's loss to Aston Villa Advertisement It had begun to feel as though Pep Guardiola was falling out of fashion. The smart money has been flocking to Chelsea in the Premier League stakes these past few weeks and their boss, Thomas Tuchel, has become everyones new darling. Top of the table going into this game, Tuchel and his team were already being anointed champions in some quarters. Tuchel, after all, had outsmarted Guardiola in the Champions League Final in Porto last May when the City boss was said, once again, to have over-complicated things. It was the third time in succession Tuchels Chelsea had beaten Guardiolas City. When Tuchel was asked last week whether he was a better coach that his rival, he was coy in his response. Gabriel Jesus' second-half winner was enough for Man City to beat Chelsea 1-0 in a title-race six-pointer in west London The Brazilian striker's second-half strike deflected off Jorginho and past Edouard Mendy to seal the three points for City But at Stamford Bridge, Guardiola got his mojo back. And got his own back. At the start of a run of away games that will continue with them playing in Paris against PSG this week and at Anfield against Liverpool next weekend, City were outstanding in their demolition of Chelsea. They were relentless, they were hungry, they were brilliant and they were beautiful. And so it was fitting that the end of a match which ought to re-establish City as the favourites to retain their title, Guardiola was showered with accolades. Primary amongst them was that the win made him the most successful manager in Citys long and celebrated history, taking him above legendary City boss Les McDowall with his 221st victory at the club McDowall was City manager for 592 games between 1950 and 1963 and this was only Guardiolas 303rd game in charge. He has already, of course, won more trophies than any other manager in the clubs history and the manner of Citys victory in west London held out the hope that there will be many more to come. And soon. The result earned Pep Guardiola (left) a revenge victory over Thomas Tuchel after the Blues' Champions League final victory SPORTSMAIL'S MATCH FACTS AND RATINGS By Jack Gaughan for the Mail On Sunday Chelsea (3-5-2): Mendy 7; Azpilicueta 6, Christensen 6, Rudiger 6; James 6 (Silva 29, 6), Jorginho 6 (Loftus-Cheek 76), Kante 6.5 (Havertz 60, 6), Kovacic 6, Alonso 6; Werner 5, Lukaku 5.5 Subs not used: Kepa, Chalobah, Niguez, Hudson-Odoi, Chilwell, Ziyech Man City (4-3-3): Ederson 7; Walker 7, Dias 8, Laporte 7.5, Cancelo 7.5; Silva 9, Rodri 8, De Bruyne 6 (Mahrez 81); Jesus 7.5, Foden 7.5 (Fernandinho 87), Grealish 6.5 (Sterling 87) Subs not used: Steffen, Stones, Ake, Torres, Palmer, Lavia Referee: Michael Oliver Advertisement This was a dominating, smothering, brave, skilful performance by City, who had been confronted at the start of the game by a dark blue wall of NGolo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic in the Chelsea midfield that seemed designed to stop even a team as creative as City from penetrating it. Tuchels ploy simply didnt work. City were too good. Way too good. If Chelseas selection had been designed to thwart City going forward, it was City who refused to give their opponents a chance to play. Romelu Lukaku was rarely in the game, starved of service. Chelsea sorely lacked creativity of their own. Their defeat was a reality check in their hopes of stealing Citys crown away from them this season. A quarter of an hour had gone before Chelsea finally broke free of Citys shackles for the first time. They hoofed the ball out of defence but it fell kindly to Lukaku near the half way line and he laid it off to Marcos Alonso. Alonso picked out the run of Timo Werner down the left and when he crossed the ball, Lukaku swivelled and tried to shoot but the ball squirmed away from him. City dominated possession. Chelsea were patient and brave trying to beat their opponents press but they rarely achieved it. When they did, they broke with intent and purpose and Werner looked particularly sharp and filled with new confidence but those moments were few and far between and City were equal to them. And so we were left with half chances and fleeting moments of possibility and flashes of excitement. A few of them came in a flurry just before half time. A Rodri shot glanced off the top of Antonio Rudigers head and flew over the bar. A chipped cross from Phil Foden was chested down by Gabriel Jesus ten yards out but he blazed his shot wildly over the bar. Edouard Mendy rushed a punch to clear a corner but it fell harmlessly wide. A long shot from Kevin de Bruyne sped high and handsome into the Matthew Harding Stand. Some of the best entertainment came on the touchline, where both Tuchel and Guardiola went through agonies of frustration. Guardiola thumped his right fist into the palm of his left hand and sank into his seat in resignation when Jesus lifted that left foot shot over. The visitors dominated the first-half at Stamford Bridge with Kevin de Bruyne (right) at the heart of City's best moments Tuchel was even more animated. He behaved as if he were undergoing some devilish psychological torture, imploring his players to do his bidding, sinking into the depths of despair when they did not, turning to his assistants on the bench and gesticulating at them, as if he could not believe what was unfolding in front of him. Grealish, whose influence had been limited by some excellent defending by Cesar Azpilicueta, in particular, curled a shot wide just after the break. And as City resumed their first half domination, so the Chelsea faithful roared their players on whenever there was even the merest glimpse of an attack. But their encouragement was in vain. Seven minutes after the interval, City worked a short corner from the left and when it reached Rodri 25 yards out, he slammed a shot goalwards. It went into a group of players massed in the area and Jesus controlled it and turned beautifully. His right foot shot hit the bottom of Jorginhos outstretched boot and bounced into the ground. The deflection rooted Mendy to the spot and the ball found the bottom corner of the net. City nearly went further ahead five minutes later. Grealish, who was growing in confidence, finally found some space in the area and jinked round Azpilicueta. His slide-rule shot was destined for the bottom corner until Mendy reached out and made a brilliant diving finger-tip save with his left hand that diverted it round the post. Jesus' effort rooted returning Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (front) to the spot has his 53rd-minute winner was enough Tuchel brought Kai Havertz (right) off the bench who showed some glimpses of a fightback but it was not enough The game had sprung to life. Tuchel brought Kai Havertz on for Kante and it opened up even more. Grealish was at the centre of everything now. His cross from the left was pushed out by Mendy but it fell to Jesus and his shot was heading for goal until it was hacked off the line by Thiago Silva, a first half substitute for Reece James. Lukaku had a goal disallowed for offside but that was a rare break in Citys relentlessness. Chelsea seemed to missing the under-appreciated guile and energy that the injured Mason Mount brings them and in particular, his ability to slip between the lines. It was Mount, dont forget, who had provided the defence splitting pass for Chelseas winner in Porto. City nearly wrapped things up 12 minutes from time when De Bruyne curled a flat free kick deep into the Chelsea area. Aymeric Laporte made a late run and stretched to meet it at the back post but it was just too far in front of him for him to be able to direct his effort properly and it flew wide. City are now above Chelsea in the Premier League after Manchester United's loss to Aston Villa in the same kick-off time City had another golden chance to put the game out of reach a few minutes later. Chelsea lost the ball deep in their own half and Phil Foden was on it in a flash. He played a perfect through ball to Grealish but when the 100m man tried to flick it past Mendy with the outside of his right foot, Mendy blocked it with his body and the danger was cleared. City, though, saw out the remaining minutes with relative easy. Guardiola's record was safe. He was the main man once again. Sportsmail's SAM BLITZ was on the live blog for for coverage of Chelsea vs Manchester City and Manchester United vs Aston Villa Advertisement The Isle of Man its name derives from the sea god Manannan nestles in a mild micro-climate in the middle of the choppy Irish Sea. There have been visitors to the island since Vikings landed back in the 8th Century, though tourists these days tend to sightsee rather than settle. Ive been fortunate enough to have been one of them for the past 40-odd years, except in 2020 when the Manx government closed the borders. Fully vaccinated 21st Century visitors were welcomed back from June 28. I come back to see my family, but you can find masses to do in all seasons (for all ages) and the landscape is staggeringly beautiful and diverse. Port Erin is a sleepy village set around a sweeping curve of sand that stretches from the pier to Bradda Head The island is only 33 miles long and 13 miles wide, but there is a great deal packed into such a small space. The main town is Douglas, on the east coast. Built around a crescent moon of a bay, it has a large and sturdy harbour protecting ships from sea storms. Enjoy the shopping on Strand Street which runs parallel to the prom, or the restaurants and bars around the quayside that buzz with customers enjoying the view of the bobbing boats and tide as it comes and goes. Snuggled between the quay and the sea is the Wine Down restaurant, which serves Manx scallops and crab, as well as Manx steak. Milners Tower named after a Victorian benefactor has magnificent views stretching down the island Its worth noting that the Isle of Mans farms are family run and its clean waters are mainly fished for king and queen scallops, crabs and lobsters plus langoustines. Manx kippers are still produced without the use of artificial dyes while a single creamery produces milk, cream, buttermilk and award-winning cheeses. Head south from Douglas and cross the Fairy Bridge a small stone bridge over a brook, which is said to be the home of the little people to peaceful and pretty Castletown. There youll find the stunning and intact 13th Century Castle Rushen, originally built for a Viking king. Port Erin is further south, a sleepy village set around a sweeping curve of sand which stretches from the pier to Bradda Head, a clifftop reached via a reasonably gentle walk up the gorse and heather-covered hillside. Milners Tower named after a Victorian benefactor is at the top, with magnificent views stretching down the island. There are masses of stunning routes for more dedicated hikers. Still steaming: The islands 1870s steam train chuffs and toots from Douglas to Port Erin Stop off in Cregneash, high up in the southern hills, where a huddle of whitewashed cottages are the backdrop to a living museum of a 19th Century farming community, complete with the famous tail-free Manx cats and the islands four-horned Loaghtan sheep. The brave might take a stroll to the Chasms great, deep fissures cutting down the cliffs to the crashing sea. Only attempt if you have a head for heights (and no small children), and watch your step. The Sound is the furthest southern point, a stretch of water that separates the little island called the Calf of Man from the mainland. This 600-acre nature reserve is packed with sea birds and wildlife and there are dolphins and basking sharks in the waters. To get there, book a return trip with one of the small boat operators in Port St Mary and Port Erin. Alternatively, just enjoy the panoramic views from the shelter of the Sound cafe, along with one of its excellent scones. Some people travel to the Isle of Man purely for the transport. Why? Its actually one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery. The Loaghtan is a rare breed sheep native to the Isle of Man. It has four impressive horns and a dark brown fleece The Manx Electric Railway has been running trains up the east side of the island since 1893. Change at Laxey to get the Snaefell Mountain Railway to the top of the highest peak on the island. Its said that you can see six kingdoms from the top: the Isle of Man, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Heaven. The steam railway chuffs and toots from Douglas to Port Erin, and still uses original red, black and gold carriages from the 1870s. The vast red Laxey Wheel is the largest working water wheel in the world, and after climbing to the top, have a coffee or fresh juice and cake at The Shed beach cafe. Beaches on the island are many and astonishingly varied. Laxey Beach is stony until the tide goes out and exposes its sand. In the south the white sands of Fenella Beach connect St Patricks Isle which hosts Viking-built Peel Castle to the mainland. Or theres the secluded and rocky Niarbyl Bay, which is harder to reach but worth the effort. Pictured is the vast red Laxey Wheel, the largest working water wheel in the world For Laxey Woollen Mills, which sells Manx tweed and tartan and wool, head to Tynwald, which is also the seat of the Manx governmen and the location of the Tynwald Mills shopping centre. Although there are wonderful hotels such as the Claremont in Douglas, and there are luxury suites at the Sefton on the seafront, many prefer to explore the quirkier self-catering or B&B options. Albany House B&B in Peel has very pretty bedrooms and Ellan Vannin is a superbly refurbished self-catering cottage in Castletown, with rooftop terrace views of the castle and old harbour. Mel Greig made headlines and faced plenty of scrutiny for her part in the tragic 2012 royal prank scandal. And in the years since, she has rebuilt her life and moved forward after resigning from 2DayFM in 2013. The 38-year-old now works for PR agency BrandiT, based on Queensland's Gold Coast, as a PR and Media manager and shared news of career change back in July. Inside Mel Greig's new life nine years following the tragic royal prank scandal: Former Hot30 Countdown host now works a 9 to 5 job for a PR company after quitting radio and moving to the Gold Coast. Mel is pictured On Instagram, she posted a photo of herself with exciting job title and wrote in the caption that she was 'pumped' for the 'three-day a week' gig. She told followers her areas of expertise included digital marketing, branding, business strategy as well as Public Relations and Media. While Mel she is still working on 'other side projects' and 'media appearances coming up', her new role with the company would be her 'big focus'. New gig: The 38-year-old now works for PR agency BrandiT as a PR and Media manager and shared news of career change back in July. She told followers her areas of expertise included digital marketing, branding, business strategy as well as Public Relations and Media Media queen: While Mel she is still working on 'other side projects' and 'media appearances coming up', her new role with the company would be her 'big focus' 'I couldn't be happier and luckier with the team I get to work with,' she added. More recently on Friday, the former radio star shared smiled for a selfie along with her boss, Michelle Fragar, each posing with a bottle of G. H. Mumm champagne. Mel showed her followers that she was very happy with the role and wrote in the caption: 'Find a job where they appreciate you. 'Find a job where they appreciate you': More recently on Friday, the former radio star shared smiled for a selfie along with her boss, Michelle Fragar, each posing with a bottle of G. H. Mumm champagne. Mel showed her followers that she was very happy with the role Devastated: In 2012, Mel and 2Day FM co-host Michael Christian (left) posed as the Queen and Prince Charles to gain information about the Duchess of Cambridge during a hospital stay. Pictured right is Mel with her former co-host Michael Christian 'I've never been more grateful and happy to be working with such an incredible agency,' she said before going on to praise her boss and clients. 'It's on ice ready for the weekend,' she graciously added of the champagne. In December 2012, Mel and 2Day FM co-host Michael Christian posed as the Queen and Prince Charles to gain information about the Duchess of Cambridge during a hospital stay. Tragic end: Jacintha Saldana (pictured) was the nurse who took the call at King Edward Hospital in London. She took her own life two days later and mentioned the prank in the note she left behind Fallout: Mel said the fallout from the stunt left her 'in the most fragile mental state' and that at its height she was receiving over 1,000 threatening messages a day. She is pictured here in a 2012 interview about the incident Jacintha Saldana was the nurse who took the call at King Edward Hospital in London. She took her own life two days later and mentioned the prank in the note she left behind. Mel said the fallout left her 'in the most fragile mental state' and that at its height she was receiving over 1,000 threatening messages a day. She resigned from the job with 2DayFM in 2013 and took time away from radio, and did a short stint on season four of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2015. Career: She resigned from the job with 2DayFM in 2013 and took time away from radio, and did a short stint on season four of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2015. She returned to radio in 2016 with Illawarra's Wave FM 96.5, but resigned two years later Single life: In 2014, Mel married her partner Steven Pollock however they split up 2016 and finalised their divorce in 2017 In 2014, Mel married her partner Steven Pollock however they split up 2016 and finalised their divorce in 2017. She returned to radio in 2016 with Illawarra's Wave FM 96.5, but resigned two years later. Back in February, Mel revealed she was in the process throwing out her old 'skinny clothes' as she prepared to Queensland, where she is originally from, to be based on the Gold Coast. A starry cast has been lined up for spy thriller Assassin Club - which has been shooting in Turin, Italy over the summer. Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding joins Prometheus actress Noomi Rapace and Suicide Squad standout starlet Daniela Melchior for the film, which will also feature Jurassic Park legend Sam Neill. The movie is set to follow a Bond-like plot, featuring spies, assassins and espionage, with a twist. Starry cast: Spy thriller Assassin Club - which has been shooting in Turin, Italy over the summer - is set to star Suicide Squad breakout Daniela Melchior Golding plays hitman Morgan Gaines, recruited to take out six individuals at various global locations. Yet the assassin soon learns things aren't what they seem - and that those he has been hired to kill are also hitmen and hitwomen. What's more - they've all been hired to assassinate each other. Rapace will portray Falk, another elite assassin, while Neill plays Morgan's mentor. Melchoir - who played Cleo Cazo in Suicide Squad - plays Morgan's girlfriend Sophie, who is put at risk by the deadly mission. In good company: [L-R] Sam Neill will play the mentor of a hitman, played by Henry Golding Leading lady: Noomi Rapace will portray Falk, another elite assassin Camille Delamarre, responsible for the likes of Transporter: Refueled, is helming the project, which has been penned by Thomas C. Dunn. Ellen Wander, CEO of Film Bridge International, told Deadline: 'Assassin Club delivers the cinematic experience audiences love. Our director Camille Delamarre came to this project with an inspired vision, and we look forward to his remarkable talents in the editing room. 'When the film is completed, it will be a thrilling ride for audiences throughout the world.' Wander produced the film along with FBIs Jordan Dykstra, Motus Studios Emanuele Moretti, and 828 Media Capitals Todd Lundbohm. Pictured: Director Camille Delamarre, Noomi Rapace, Henry Golding, Sam Neill and Amar Singh enjoy a dinner on a filming break in Italy Sinister: Rapace, meanwhile, stars in Lamb - a supernatural horror released in the US next month, about a Swedish couple on a remote farm whose relationship is destroyed when they adopt a baby sheep The movie is also executive produced by Indian royal activist Amar Singh who told Vanity Fair earlier this year he would finance films with women and minorities in lead roles. Singh, founder of Amar Singh Gallery, also inked a $50 million deal this year with billion dollar NFT platform Veve to sell digital artworks championing women & minorities and this month Veve founder David Yu doubled Singhs deal to $100 million over 6 years. Producer Jordan Dykstra said: 'Assassin Club is a fast paced mix of pulse-pounding action and espionage all set within the beautiful backdrop of Italy. We can't wait to share it with the world.' While Golding is fresh from fellow action features Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins and Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen, Neill will also be seen in Jurassic World: Dominion next year. Blockbuster: Neill will also be seen in Jurassic World: Dominion next year [pictured in Jurassic Park, 1993] Break out: Melchoir played Cleo Cazo in Suicide Squad and will play Morgan's girlfriend Sophie, who is put at risk by the deadly mission His return to the Jurassic Park franchise will see him reprise his role from the original movie and Jurassic Park III - Dr Alan Grant. He stars alongside original Jurassic Park actors Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, joining Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard for the sequel - the sixth in the dinosaur blockbuster series. Rapace, meanwhile, stars in Lamb - a supernatural horror released in the US next month, about a Swedish couple on a remote farm whose relationship is destroyed when they adopt a baby sheep. Hugh Jackman posted a special tribute to his friend Blake Lively on Instagram on Thursday. In a short clip, the Aussie actor talked about his love for Betty Buzz, Blake's brand new sparkling mixer line, before taking a moment to praise the Gossip Girl star, 34. The 52-year-old Wolverine star then took a cheeky dig at her husband and his good mate Ryan Reynolds, 44, amid their long-running and fake 'feud'. What a shoutout! Hugh Jackman shared a sweet tribute to pal Blake Lively this week as he celebrated her new sparkling mixer line - before taking a cheeky dig at her husband Ryan Reynolds amid their 'feud' 'This is not an ad, I'm not a paid spokesperson. I wasn't even asked to do this video,' Hugh said to assure his followers watching the video. 'But Deb and I love Betty Buzz. We love every flavour. Some of us even like it with a little nip added,' the X-Men star continued. He added: 'But more importantly we love the woman who created it, Blake Lively.' The Wolverine actor shared some of Blake's positive qualities after stating that she was 'one of a kind'. 'But Deb and I love Betty Buzz. We love every flavour. Some of us even like it with a little nip added,' Hugh said in the clip. He added: 'But more importantly we love the woman who created it, Blake Lively' Refreshing: The Aussie actor talked about his love for Betty Buzz - Blake's brand new sparkling mixer line 'You are fun, you are creative, you are sunshine seven days a week': The Wolverine actor shared some of Blake's positive qualities after stating that she was 'one of a kind' 'You are fun, you are creative, you are sunshine seven days a week,' Hugh said before making a cheeky dig at Blake's husband Ryan Reynolds. 'You are a saint for marrying that man. Sorry, not sorry,' he jokingly quipped. It didn't take long for the Deadpool star to chime in and respond to Hugh's remark, writing, 'This wasn't part of the deal when I bought this video on Cameo.' Cameo is a website where people can purchase video messages from celebrities. Banter: 'You are a saint for marrying that man. Sorry, not sorry,' he jokingly quipped about Ryan Hugh and Ryan have amused their fans for years with their long-running 'feud'. Hugh previously said things 'escalated' after Ryan took on the role of Deadpool, proving to be a rival to his portrayal of Wolverine. He jokingly claimed Ryan had used social media to 'manipulate' him in recent years, with the two men regularly poking fun at each other on Instagram. The three brothers that make up three-fourths of the rock band Kings Of Leon are in mourning following the death of their beloved mother, Betty Ann Murphy. Her passing comes just one day after Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill took to the group's official website to reveal that their mother's health had taken 'a turn for the worse' and that Thursday's and Friday's shows in California had been canceled. Bu then on Friday, Nathan, 42, the oldest of the brothers, took to his Instagram page and announced the sad news of their mother's passing, along with a throwback photo of himself as a child with his mom, and another of her name tattooed on his body. Tragic news: The rock band Kings Of Leon are n mourning following the death of their beloved mother Betty Ann Murphy; the band are picture left to right, Caleb Followill, Nathan Followill, cousin Matthew Followill and Jared Followill 'My heart is broken. My beautiful mother and biggest fan has passed on from this life and into the next,' the drummer wrote. 'I will cherish the memories I made with her and her legacy will live on through me, my brothers and our beautiful families,' the drummer wrote. 'I'm sure grief will hit me hardest when I least expect it but I have an amazing support system around me. Thank you for all of the kind words and prayers. Hug your mothers extra tight tonight. I love you forever mama. Rest easy. Your Nathan.' Family tragedy: The oldest of the three Followill brothers Nathan, 42, shared how his 'heart if broken' following the passing of his mother Paying homage: Nathan also shared a photo of his mother's name that's tattooed on his body Tribute: Jared, 34, shared a series of photos of his mother taken over the years Major support: Jared revealed how his mother was a huge supporter of the band His youngest brother Jared, 34, would also share a sentimental message on Instagram along with a series of photos of his mother taken over the years. 'My mom was always so proud of us. She let everybody know it. Would always post pictures of us. She used to send me pictures of us together and tell me I could post them if I "wanted to". For Mother's Day, her birthday, etc.. I always thought it was cheesy. Not cool. I was embarrassed. Well, I'm not embarrassed anymore.' the bassist, 34, shared. 'You were the strongest, sweetest, most beautiful woman in the world to me. You were a better mama and grandmother than any of us deserved. I'm SO proud you are my mom. Always have been and always will be. love you so much. I will miss you every single day until I'm with you again.' One day earlier, the band shared a message about how their mother had been 'dealing with a medical crisis for the last several weeks.' Upon learning the news they decided to go through with their show at The Forum, which they described as 'a hard show to get through', and then immediately after flew home to be by her side 'until the time comes to say goodbye.' 'Lovely: You were the strongest, sweetest, most beautiful woman in the world to me,' Jared wrote in his tribute to his mother following her death Honored: 'You were a better mama and grandmother than any of us deserved,' Jared wrote Paying it forward: 'I will cherish the memories I made with her and her legacy will live on through me, my brothers and our beautiful families,' Nathan shared Heartbreaking: 'I'm sure grief will hit me hardest when I least expect it but I have an amazing support system around me,' Nathan confessed Supportive: The band got it's start with the help of their mother when they were youngsters They went on to reveal that Thursday's gig in Mountain View, California and Friday's at the Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California would be canceled. They ended by thanking their fans and Eddie Vedder and the entire Pearl Jam family for supporting us at this time. Pearl Jam then retweeted their message on Twitter, and extended support for the band and their family amid this devastating time. Along with the Followill brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared, King of Leon also includes their cousin Matthew Followill, who plays guitar and keyboards. The band, which got its start out of Nashville, Tennessee, have released eight studio albums since its debut in 2003. They have been on tour in support of their latest, When You See Yourself, which dropped in January 2021. Emotional sentiment: 'I will miss you every single day until I'm with you again' Advertisement Iris Law looked nothing short of sensational as she stepped out for the Bulgari Spring / Summer 2022 Accessories Collection Event during Milan Fashion Week on Friday night. The 20-year-old model, wowed in a pair of daring see-through trousers and a cut-out blue checked bandage top, which flashed a glimpse of her toned abs. She was joined at the glittering event by Sara Sampaio in a glamorous lemon A-symmetrical gown and Tina Kunakey who oozed elegance in a ruffle-hemmed cocktail dress. Stepping out: Iris Law looked nothing short of sensational as she joined Sara Sampaio and Tina Kunakey at the Bulgari Spring / Summer 2022 Accessories Collection Event during Milan Fashion Week on Friday night Iris looked stunning in the risque barely-there ensemble that criss-crossed across her torso in a diagonal pattern. She flaunted her lithe legs in the sheer black flares that draped along the floor and accentuated her model pins in a pair of towering stilettos. The model wore her peroxide tresses in their new signature buzzcut and showcased her edgy sense of style by decorating her piercing blue eyes with a sweep of pink eyeliner. Iris looked effortlessly cool as she draped a black blazer over her skimpy ensemble and completed the look with a chunky diamond necklace and matching stud earrings. Wow: Iris looked stunning in the risque barely-there ensemble that criss-crossed across her torso in a diagonal pattern Walking tall: She showcased her lithe legs in the sheer black flares that draped along the floor and accentuated her model pins in a pair of towering stilettos Details: The model wore her peroxide tresses in their new signature buzzcut and showcased her edgy sense of style by decorating her piercing blue eyes with a sweep of pink eyeliner Chic: Iris looked effortlessly cool as she draped a black blazer over her skimpy ensemble and completed the look with a chunky diamond necklace and matching stud earrings Tina Kunakey smouldered as she stepped out in her little black dress and a dazzling diamond necklace. She fixed cameras with a serious stare as she posed with her glossy raven tresses perfectly curled and swept to one side. The model looked sensationally glamorous in the figure-hugging ruched midi dress that featured chiffon bows at her cleavage. She paired the timeless number with a pair of strappy black stilettos and added a slick of nude lipgloss and bronzed eyeshadow to her features to complete the look. Flawless: Tina Kunakey smouldered as she stepped out in her little black dress and a dazzling diamond necklace Beautiful: The model looked sensationally glamorous in the figure-hugging ruched midi dress that featured chiffon bows at her cleavage Pout: She fixed cameras with a serious stare as she posed with her glossy raven tresses perfectly curled and swept to one side Sara Sampaio didn't fail to turn heads in her A-symmetric yellow ball gown that featured a series of steamy slit details across her cleavage, waist and hips. She flashed a hint of skin in the thigh-split floor-length dress that was held together by a jaguar-shaped clasp as the silk fabric clung to her flawless figure. The brunette beauty wore her tresses in a sleek straight style as she adorned her ears with a pair of chic drop earrings and clutched a golden draw-string bag. Sara put on a confident display in the bright cut-out number as she posed with her hands on her hip and gazed into the camera with her green eyes accentuated by a smokey eye makeup look. Commanding attention: Sara Sampaio didn't fail to turn heads in her A-symmetric yellow ball gown that featured a series of steamy slit details across her cleavage, waist and hips Setting pulses racing: She flashed a hint of skin in the thigh-split floor-length dress that was held together by a jaguar-shaped clasp as the silk fabric clung to her flawless figure Finishing touches: The brunette beauty wore her tresses in a sleek straight style as she adorned her ears with a pair of chic drop earrings and clutched a golden draw-string bag Beauty: Sara put on a confident display in the bright cut-out number as she posed with her hands on her hip and gazed into the camera with her green eyes accentuated by a smokey eye makeup look Striking: Sara didn't fail to stand out as she posed alongside Karen Wazen and Barbara Palvin, who both sported little black dresses, before they were served dinner Iris posed alongside Bulgari's accessories director Mireia Lopez Montoya who looked chic in a black midi dress. And she was joined by plenty of other A-listers at the party, including Barbara Palvin who smouldered in a metallic bardot style mini dress. Barbara didn't fail to bring the glamour in the thigh-skimming ensemble and looked effortlessly cool with her brunette tresses in a side swept wet look. Xenia Adonts looked timelessly chic in a strapless little black dress as she posed on arrival, while Anna Cleveland wowed in an electric blue velvet long-sleeved number. Host: Iris posed alongside Bulgari's accessories director Mireia Lopez Montoya who looked chic in a black midi dress Shining: Barbara Palvin smouldered in a metallic bardot style mini dress while Xenia Adonts looked timelessly chic in a strapless little black dress and Anna Cleveland wowed in an electric blue velvet long-sleeved number Beauty regime: Anna opted for a winged eye liner look as she arrived in her crushed velvet ensemble Understated: Barbara didn't fail to bring the glamour in the thigh-skimming ensemble and looked effortlessly cool with her brunette tresses in a side swept wet look Understated: Barbara didn't fail to bring the glamour in the thigh-skimming ensemble and looked effortlessly cool with her brunette tresses in a side swept wet look Edgy: Barbara oozed rockstar glamour as she posed with her endless legs on full display in the mini dress while Russian beauty Xenia stepped out in a pair of towering white platforms Pop of colour: Xenia looked gorgeous as she toted a silver mini bag and completed her look with a slick of bright red lipstick And Nieves Alvarez turned heads as she arrived in a midnight blue mini dress that was covered in 3D golden spiders. The Spanish beauty showed off her phenominal figure in the thigh-skimming dress that was adorned with the large bugs that appeared to be climbing towards her cleavage. And model James Turlington cut a dapper figure in a black suit and open collared shirt while actress Tina Leung stepped out in a coral co-ord and black ankle boots for the party. Bugging out: Nieves Alvarez turned heads as she arrived in a midnight blue mini dress that was covered in 3D golden spiders while James Turlington cut a dapper figure in a black suit and Tina Leung stepped out in a coral co-ord Pals: Dapper James hung out alongside Barbara and Iris at the star studded dinner as the trio beamed alongside one another ahead of their luxurious meal Pals: Dapper James hung out alongside Barbara and Iris at the star studded dinner as the trio beamed alongside one another ahead of their luxurious meal Work it: Tina looked fierce as she posed with her hand on her hip while staring pensively into the camera in the thigh-split mini skirt and matching blazer Wild side: The Spanish beauty showed off her phenominal figure in the thigh-skimming dress that was adorned with the large bugs that appeared to be climbing towards her cleavage Sveva Alvit looked effortlessly chic in a tailored white blazer and black jeans. The Italian actress arrived at the party in a selection of diamond hoop earrings and toted an enviable white shoulder bag. And pregnant Julia Restoin Roitfeld stayed comfortable yet stylish in a black skintight jumpsuit that featured cut out patterns across her baby bump. She took her seat for supper alongside Austrian actress Coco Konig who looked chic in an off the shoulder muted blue dress. Timeless: Sveva Alvit looked effortlessly chic in a tailored white blazer and black jeans Mum to be: Pregnant Julia Restoin Roitfeld stayed comfortable yet stylish in a black skintight jumpsuit that featured cut out patterns across her baby bump Dinner time: Julia took her seat for supper alongside Austrian actress Coco Konig who looked chic in an off the shoulder muted blue dress And TikTok queen Jessica Wang pulled out all the style stops in a plunging red gown that featured dramatic puff sleeves. The fashion influencer smized as she sat down for dinner in the eyecatching dress, which she'd accessorised with a pair of bedazzled stilettos and a long pendant necklace. Arriving just in time for dinner was Anna Dello Russo, Elisabetta Marra and Elizabeth Sulcer was all looked similarly stylish in feather and sequin adorned ensembles. Anna opted for an aqua floor-length gown with feathers across the sleeves and train, with Elizabeth following suit in a yellow feathered strapless dress, while Elisabetta was slightly more understated in a glittering black dress. Turning up the heat: TikTok queen and fashion influencer Jessica Wang pulled out all the style stops in a plunging red gown that featured dramatic puff sleeves Lavish: Arriving just in time for dinner was Anna Dello Russo, Elisabetta Marra and Elizabeth Sulcer was all looked similarly stylish in feather and sequin adorned ensembles Trio: Anna opted for an aqua floor-length gown with feathers across the sleeves and train, with Elizabeth following suit in a yellow feathered strapless dress, while Elisabetta was slightly more understated in a glittering black dress Street style: Earlier that day Tina was spotted in a figure-higging all-black ensemble and dark shades with her hair filled with volume Street style: Earlier that day Tina was spotted in a figure-higging all-black ensemble and dark shades with her hair filled with volume Stanley Tucci, 60, has been cast to play music industry executive and producer Clive Davis, 89, in the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic. The project has received backing from Houston's estate, as well as Davis, who was Whitney's long-time boss. I Wanna Dance With Somebody, named after the late artist's 1987 hit song, will come out in theaters December 23, 2022. New role: Stanley Tucci, 60, has been cast to play music industry executive and producer Clive Davis (right), 89, in the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic Clive is credited with discovering the music icon, molding her, and leading her to success after signing the untapped talent at the tender age of 19. In an interview with Variety, he guaranteed that the biopic would be a 'no holds barred' portrait of Houston. 'I have a mission here, said Davis. 'I have a mission to make sure that for all time that the full picture of Whitney Houston is captured in a no-holds-barred film that is musically rich and shows her genius and more of her character than we have seen to date.' He teamed up with the screenwriter behind Bohemian Rhapsody, Anthony McCarten, to pen the script, which has since 'landed a distribution pact with Sony Pictures.' Support: The project has received backing from Houston's estate, along with Davis, who was Whitney's long-time boss; Clive and Whitney pictured in 2008 Tucci is currently in Spain where he's attending San Sebastian Film Festival to promote the film La Fortuna. The actor stars in 2020's Worth opposite Michael Keaton. This December he'll be seen in The King's Man with Matthew Goode and Gemma Arterton. The New York-born creative has three cookbooks under his belt. Earlier this month he revealed he had a secret cancer diagnosis back in 2018. In an interview for the September 2021 issue of Vera, the Virgin Atlantic in-flight magazine, The Devil Wears Prada star shared that doctors had found a tumor at the base of his tongue. 'It was too big to operate, so they had to do high-dose radiation and chemo,' he said of the aggressive treatment, which resulted in him having to use a feeding tube for six months. The treatment was successful, and although he admitted he 'feels much older' compared to before he got sick, Tucci said he's confident it's not likely that the cancer will return. Dapper! Tucci is currently in Spain where he's attending San Sebastian Film Festival to promote the film La Fortuna Years before Clive and Whitney's paths crossed, he attended New York University for undergrad, and then Harvard Law School. The music industry giant has had a long career that dates back to the 1960s when he joined Columbia Records as a lawyer. Within a few years he transitioned to head of the label, where he began scouting talent including Janis Joplin and Earth, Wind, and Fire. Naomi Ackie will play Whitney in the lead role in the coming film about the late icon's life and legacy. Kasi Lemmons - best known for directing 2019 biopic Harriet - is set to helm the film as Oscar-nominated writer Anthony McCarten is set to write the script. Whitney was found dead in a bathtub of a Beverly Hilton hotel room in 2012 at just 48-years old. Irina Shayk looked sensational in an ab-flashing sequin two piece at the Versace show at Milan Fashion Week on Friday. The Russian model, 35, wowed in the black figure hugging ensemble as she slinked down the runway at the Italian fashion house's show. She donned an asymmetrical crop top and skirt which came to her mid calf and boasted a thigh-skimming slit, which showcased her enviable pins. Wow: Irina Shayk, 35, looked sensational in an ab-flashing sequin two piece at the Versace show at Milan Fashion Week on Friday The beauty wore green and blue winged eyeliner and dewy clear lip gloss while her long brunette locks were slicked back from her face and flowed behind her. She strutted her stuff while wearing black square toe strappy sandals on her feet. The show comes after Irina nailed street style as she turned heads in a silk maxi dress and knee high boots before the show. Stunning: The Russian model wowed in the black figure hugging ensemble as she slinked down the runway at the Italian fashion house's show Amazing: She donned an asymmetrical crop top and skirt which came to her mid calf and boasted a thigh-skimming slit, which showcased her enviable pins She made the glamorous outing alongside Stella Maxwell, 31, who put on a leggy display in leather-look trousers and platform boots. Irina showcased her edgy sense of style as she took to the streets of Milan in the thigh-split black slip dress and chunky matching boots. The brunette beauty's silk dress clung to her toned physique as she showcased her curves in the elegant ensemble. She let her long tresses cascade past her shoulders in loose waves and covered her face with a black protective mask and a pair of glamorous shades. Irina completed her stylish outfit with a unique pendant necklace and a large coral tote bag where she kept all her essentials for the busy day ahead. Looking good: The beauty wore green and blue winged eyeliner and dewy clear lip gloss while her long brunette locks were slicked back from her face and flowed behind her Work it: Stella Maxwell made a breathtaking appearance at the Versace Spring/Summer 2022 collection runway show in a multicoloured silk dress She's a natural: The accomplished model made walking in towering platform heels look easy as she wowed fashionistas in the side-split blue, green and pink dress Meanwhile, her fellow model Stella looked similarly chic in her low-cut leather-look trousers, which she paired with a black oversized blazer. Stella flashed a glimpse of her taut abs in the loose-fitting trousers which she styled with a skimpy Versace pink crop top. She wore her mid-length blonde tresses in a tousled style and covered her face with a black face mask and round-framed glasses. Stella completed her look with an enviable black shoulder bag and appeared deep in conversation with Irina as they made their way to their next fashion week event. Stunning: Earlier in the day, Irina flaunted her figure in a silk maxi dress and knee high boots Stylish: Irina showcased her edgy sense of style as she took to the streets of Milan in the thigh-split black slip dress and the chunky matching boots Pals: The Russian model made the glamorous outing alongside Stella Maxwell who put on a leggy display in leather-look trousers and platform boots Wow: The brunette beauty's silk dress clung to her toned physique as she showcased her curves in the elegant ensemble Duo: Her fellow model Stella looked similarly chic in her low-cut leather-look trousers, which she paired with a black oversized blazer Stella stepped out ahead of her breathtaking appearance at the Versace Spring/Summer 2022 collection runway show in a multicoloured silk dress. The accomplished model made walking in towering platform heels look easy as she wowed fashionistas in the side-split blue, green and pink dress. Her look had been elaborately accessorised with a matching bandana, large gold hoop earrings and electric blue eyeshadow. Model figure: Stella flashed a glimpse of her taut abs in the loose-fitting trousers which she styled with a skimpy Versace pink crop top Irina's stylish outing comes after she wowed in the premiere of Rihanna's highly-anticipated Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3 on Thursday. Fans got their very first look at the brand's sizzling new lingerie looks during the fashion show's big premiere on Amazon Prime Video for its release on the streaming site the following morning. Irina commanded attention in a sexy snakeskin bodysuit with a large cut-out across the front that exposed her taut midriff. She wore her mid-length blonde tresses in a touselled style and covered her face with a black face mask and round-framed glasses and appeared deep in conversation with Irina Resting in the crook of Irina arms was a lengthy snakeskin scarf that hung down to the floor as she posed in an incredibly sultry fashion while oozing confidence and sex appeal. The Russian beauty's brunette strands were slicked away from her face and made to look as if they were soaking wet while her make-up was flawlessly applied in a striking style. As for accessories Irina was decked out in chunky gold jewelry from her ears to her wrists. For a touch of added glamour, Irina wore a tight fitting gold belly chain across her midsection. She commanded the runway in a pair of strappy suede heels that added height to her already statuesque frame. YouTube personality David Dobrik has returned to the United States after being stranded in his native country of Slovakia. The 25-year-old celebrated the occasion by sharing two images of himself posing in front of the Washington Monument to his Instagram account on Friday, the second of which showed him pretending to prop up the structure with his hands. He also wrote a humorous message in the post's caption that read: 'THEY LET ME BACK INTO AMERICA!! All I had to do was exchange 12 Teslas and Jasons first born for my green card!!' Home sweet home: YouTube personality David Dobrik has revealed that he has returned to the United States after being stranded in Slovakia He was poking fun at his viral Tesla Instagram giveaways, as well as his longtime collaborator Jason Nash. David also took to his Instagram Story to show off his stateside arrival to his nearly 13million followers. The first entry showed a TSA agent beautifully playing piano, and the social media personality added a text graphic to express that he was 'jealous' of the individual's playing ability. His second clip appeared to be shot at an airport's pickup area, and one of his good friends showed her excitement about the occasion by throwing her arms in the air. Another one of the Vine personality's friends was also shown holding a sign that read 'Welcome back to America' in his third video. Marking the occasion: The internet figure celebrated his return by sharing a duo of shots that had been taken at the Washington Monument to his Instagram account on Friday Warm welcome: He also shared several videos that had been taken during his return to the United States to his Instagram Story On Friday morning, one of the internet star's pals was seen dancing in his house, and he sarcastically commented that 'these are the moments I wish I was still in Slovakia.' Dobrik's struggle with his return was initially revealed earlier this week, when he shared a video to his Instagram Story and noted via Insider that he was having a difficult time getting his travel-related affairs in order. 'Hi guys, sorry I haven't been too active on social media. Everyone went back home because this is taking way longer and it's a lot harder than I thought it was getting my visa and green card,' he stated. The social media figure added: 'This like a f***ing scavenger hunt, so I'm apologizing because I can't get any vlogs up or anything. I hope to return to the States soon, it's like I'm lost, I'm literally stranded. Wish me luck.' Dire situation: Dobrik previously shared a video to his Instagram Story where he noted that he was 'literally stranded' in Slovakia; he is seen in March He did not give any specifics about the difficulties that were keeping him from re-entering the country. Dobrik moved to the United States at the age of six, and he is a notable beneficiary of DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The Obama administration's program was designed to allow the children of undocumented migrants to remain in the United States. Earlier this year, he released a vlog to announce that he had received a green card that would grant him permanent residency in the country. Situation: The Vine personality is a beneficiary of DACA, which allows him to stay in the United States, although he was previously unable to leave the country The card would also ensure that the internet personality would be free to travel internationally without fear of not being allowed back into the United States. Dobrik celebrated the occasion by taking a trip to Slovakia with his friends, and he also documented their experience in a vlog. He also previously shared a shot of himself spending time in Paris to his Instagram account earlier this month. In 2019, the YouTube personality sat down for a video with GQ, and he told the media outlet that DACA was the reason 'why I'm still here and I haven't been kicked out.' Enjoying the experience: Earlier this month, Dobrik shared a shot of himself spending time in Paris after taking his first overseas trip in years He also noted that, although he was free to leave the United States, his status as a DACA beneficiary meant that he would be unable to return. 'I can't leave because I'm protected by DACA and basically I can leave, I can go right now, but I can't come back. I can't re-enter the country for, like, another 10 years if I leave the country. So I'm not a citizen. I don't have a visa,' he said. Dobrik did point out that there was one exception to the rule, although he was not planning on using it in the future. 'The only thing I can do where I can leave the country and come back is if I got married...that's not happening anytime soon.' Stanley Tucci continued to demonstrate his good health on Friday evening as he hit the red carpet for a screening of La Fortuna at the 69th San Sebastian International Film Festival. Just weeks ago, the actor revealed he was diagnosed with oral cancer and underwent treatment nearly three years ago. Posing at the event - which took place at Kursaal Palace in Spain - Stanley, 60, looked more than happy to promote the new TV project. New series: Stanley Tucci continued to demonstrate his good health on Friday evening as he hit the red carpet for a screening of La Fortuna at the 69th San Sebastian International Film Festival He stopped for snaps in a smart navy suit with a bright blue tie and a pocket square, featuring a leafy, tropical design. He was joined by the likes of Manolo Solo, Karra Elejalde and T'nia Miller on the red carpet. The latter stunned in an elaborate clay gown, featuring a wash of pastel pink detailing. She completed the look with gold spiked statement jewelry, including striking earrings and rings. Stylish: Just weeks ago, the actor revealed he was diagnosed with oral cancer and underwent treatment nearly three years ago Chic: Posing at the event - which took place at Kursaal Palace in Spain - Stanley, 60, looked more than happy to promote the new TV project Line-up: He was joined by the likes of [L-R] Manolo Solo, Karra Elejalde and T'nia Miller on the red carpet The series is a six-part TV drama series about the discovery of La Fortuna in 2007 - a Spanish frigate sunk by four British navy warships off the coast of Portugal in 1804. Stanley plays Frank Wild, a treasure hunter, who discovers the wreckage at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, and the gold inside it. Despite claiming it as his own discovery, the Spanish government accuse him of stealing the gold, believing it to be their property. Earlier this month, Oscar-nominated Stanley was seen for the first time since his cancer admission while at the Women's Prize For Fiction Awards in London, with book agent wife Felicity Blunt. The couple have been married since 2012 and have two children together. Fighting fit: He stopped for snaps in a smart navy suit with a bright blue tie and a pocket square, featuring a leafy, tropical design New project: Stanley plays Frank Wild, a treasure hunter, who discovers the wreckage at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, and the gold inside it Stunning: T'nia stunned in an elaborate clay gown, featuring a wash of pastel pink detailing. She completed the look with gold spiked statement jewelry, including striking earrings and rings Drama: The series is a six-part TV drama series about the discovery of La Fortuna in 2007 - a Spanish frigate sunk by four British navy warships off the coast of Portugal in 1804 The couple were then seen at the ninth annual Fortnum & Mason Food And Drink Awards several days later, with the actor looking in great spirits. Tucci revealed his secret cancer diagnosis, which he battled in 2018, just days prior to these appearances. In an interview for the September 2021 issue of Vera, the Virgin Atlantic in-flight magazine, The Devil Wears Prada star shared that doctors had found a tumor at the base of his tongue. 'It was too big to operate, so they had to do high-dose radiation and chemo,' he said of the aggressive treatment, which resulted in him having to use a feeding tube for six months. Couple: Earlier this month, Oscar-nominated Stanley was seen for the first time since his cancer admission while at the Women's Prize For Fiction Awards in London, with book agent wife Felicity Blunt Tucci shared he was especially concerned about his cancer diagnosis and treatment plan after experiencing the heartbreaking loss of his first wife, Kate, to cancer in 2009. 'I'd vowed I'd never do anything like that, because my first wife died of cancer, and to watch her go through those treatments for years was horrible,' he confessed. The father of five also shared how the chemo and intense radiation was especially tough on his two younger twins Matteo and Emilia. 'The kids were great, but it was hard for them,' he said, adding that after using a feeding tube for a half a year he 'could barely make it to the twins high school graduation.' Although he admitted he 'feels much older' compared to before he got sick, Tucci said he's confident it's not likely that the cancer will return. John Mulaney's estranged wife Anna Marie Tendler put on a brave face on Thursday as she made her first public appearance since their separation. Tendler, 36, was focused on her art as she showed some of her recent work at The Other Art Fair in Santa Monica, California. The makeup artist and hairstylist seems to be getting back into the swing of public life amid her ex's ongoing romance with Olivia Munn, who is carrying their first child. Solo show: John Mulaney's estranged wife Anna Marie Tendler, 36, made her first public appearance since news of their split to exhibit her artwork at The Other Art Fair in Santa Monica on Thursday Tendler showed off some of her impeccable rustic fashion sense in a lovely white lace dress covered in delicate floral patterns. On Instagram, she revealed to her 245,000 followers that the hippie chic look was a family heirloom. 'The dress was my mom's wedding dress from 1978,' she captioned a photo of herself. Tendler wore a slim brown leather Gucci belt with it that complemented her long auburn locks, which she parted down the middle to frame her tastefully made-up face. Woman in white: Tendler showed off some of her impeccable rustic fashion sense in a lovely white lace dress covered in delicate floral patterns. She wore it with a brown leather Gucci belt that complemented her hair Vintage: On Instagram, she revealed to her 245,000 followers that the hippie chic look was a family heirloom Elegant: The makeup artist and hairstylist parted her long auburn locks down the middle to frame her tastefully made-up face. The artist wore small gold hoop earrings and had a gold pendant dangling from her throat as she posed in front of framed art. Anna Marie got a sweet show of support from Saturday Night Live veteran Molly Shannon, who stopped to pose with her. The White Lotus and The Other Two star wore a black sweater over a dark dress and had a black handbag with a silver chain slung over her shoulder. Tendler's exhibition at the art fair comes after she moved to Los Angeles after previously spending more of her time in New York with her ex, according to Page Six. Much of her artwork which she regularly posts on her Instagram account features photos of lonely looking rooms, often featuring herself. Sweet: Anna Marie got a show of support from Saturday Night Live veteran Molly Shannon, who stopped to pose with her Self-portrait: Her website describes the series, titled Rooms In The First House, as 'a portrait project exploring the multitudinous versions of self confined within one body' Still time: Tendler shared photos of attendees flocking to her display on Instagram and reminded her fans that they still had time to see it in person Her website describes the series, titled Rooms In The First House, as 'a portrait project exploring the multitudinous versions of self confined within one body.' Tendler shared photos of attendees flocking to her display on Instagram and reminded her fans that they still had time to see it in person. 'Thanks to everyone who came out to night one!' the captioned snap of herself proudly posing in the gallery with a mask on. 'There are still 3 days left. Hope to see you there [owl emoji].' She also praised her friends for their support amid her divorce. 'Thank you to my beautiful friends who showed up at exactly the right time to unexpectedly help me when my booth became overwhelming,' she captioned a photo of herself surrounded by friends, including the TV writers and producers Sarah Tapscott and Lang Fisher. In it together: She also praised her friends for their support amid her divorce Happy to see them: A short clip she reposted from her friend Sarah showed Anna Marie rising up from the table by her display to wave as her friends arrived Stunner: Another playful post showed a tall gray dog resting in her exhibit and stretching out one long, delicate leg A short clip she reposted from her friend Sarah showed Anna Marie rising up from the table by her display to wave as her friends arrived. Another playful post showed a tall gray dog resting in her exhibit and stretching out one long, delicate leg. 'This supermodel stopped by,' Tendler joked. The rising artist's divorce from Mulaney came to light in May, after he reportedly asked her for a divorce in February of this year. However, on a Late Night With Seth Meyers appearance earlier this month, the former SNL writer told his longtime friend that he had moved out of his home with Tendler back in October 2020. His new love Olivia Munn was reported to be pregnant this month, and Mulaney confirmed that they were having a child together during his late night talk show appearance. Split: The rising artist's divorce from Mulaney came to light in May, after he reportedly asked her for a divorce in February of this year, though he claims he moved out in October; seen in 2019 in NYC However, Mulaney and Munn have faced some skepticism over the timeline of their relationship that he laid out. A celebrity agent who has worked with Munn told Page Six on Thursday: 'I dont think its any coincidence that John broke the news of Olivias pregnancy the way he did in terms of basically giving a timeline of his past few months when he moved out of his house, how it was the spring when he fell in love with Olivia. 'It seems to me that he is going to great lengths to dispute the idea that he cheated,' they said. 'She has a demonstrated history of hanging out with and spending time with SNL guys, so no way did their paths not cross, and there is the video of them together back in 2017.' A source close to Tendler told Page Six that Mulaney had asked for a divorce in February, months after he claims they ended their marriage. When the news first broke of Mulaney and Munn's relationship in May, a source close to the comic claimed to People that the lovebirds had met at church, but an insider close to his ex disputed that to Page Six. 'That was BS, and Twitter immediately called Olivia out on it, saying shes known John for years,' the insider said. 'It isnt entirely clear when their relationship started. There have been rumors for months about her being pregnant, and it all just seems like a very tight timeline.' New love: Mulaney is expecting his first child with actress Olivia Munn, but observers have questioned the timeline of their relationship; seen in 2019 in Detroit, Michigan They also claimed that Mulaney had been messaging other women online prior to his December stint in rehab, though it was unclear what kind of relationships he may have had with them. Sources close to Munn alleged to the publication that the Newsroom star had been speaking openly about her pregnancy as early as July. Olivia infamously shared words of support to her future lover after it was reported that he had gone to rehab late last year. 'Sending SO MUCH love and support to John Mulaney. You got this,' she wrote at the time. She was on the SAS Australia course for just two short days, but gave it her all during that time. But now model Erin Holland has opened up about her time on the military-style show, saying that she learned a valuable lesson following her appearance on the hit Channel Seven series. Speaking to Popsugar this week, Erin, 32, said she learned it was okay to fail. Candid: Erin Holland revealed this week the one valuable lesson she learned after her gruelling stint on SAS Australia. Speaking to Popsugar this week, Erin, 32, said she learned it was okay to fail 'Failure is actually okay, and it probably was the biggest lesson for me in this entire thing was learning how to fail and how to be okay with it and to realise the limits,' she told the publication. Erin said she found her limit was a '91-kilo man on my back' - referring to when chief drill instructor Ant Middleton told her to carry actor Dan Ewing. The former Miss World Australia struggled to carry Dan before handing her number in and quitting the show. 'Failure is actually okay, and it probably was the biggest lesson for me in this entire thing was learning how to fail and how to be okay with it and to realise the limits,' she told Popsugar this week Tough: Erin says she found her limit was a '91-kilo man on my back' - referring to when chief drill instructor Ant Middleton told her to carry actor Dan Ewing She has since reflected on her time on the course and said that she was sad to leave the popular Channel Seven series so early. 'I'm pretty disappointed that I had to leave when I did because there were so many amazing things that I would have loved to do,' she said. 'I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I love doing a good job at the things that I do, I really hate falling short so I think that was the hardest thing for me to deal with.' Regardless of the short stint, Erin believes she has walked away from the show learning more about herself and her own capabilities. 'I really hate falling short so I think that was the hardest thing for me to deal with': The former Miss World Australia says that she was sad to leave the popular Channel Seven series so early Proud: Erin believes she has walked away from the show learning more about herself and her own capabilities Last week, the model shared a photo of her bruised body to her Instagram that was taken after her appearance on SAS. 'THE AFTERMATH... A raw look at what a few days of selection looked like,' she wrote in the caption. 'SAS Australia is unlike anything I've ever experienced. It's 24/7 - so many tasks that can't possibly all make it to air! SO much respect for my fellow recruits still toughing it out in there - it only gets wilder from here,' Erin added. SAS Australia continues Monday at 7:30pm on Channel Seven With his role as Henry Hill in the acclaimed film Goodfellas, Ray Liotta will forever be lumped in as one of the legendary mobsters of the silver screen. Realizing that he could be typecast as the gangster, Liotta once turned down a role in The Sopranos series before it went on to help launch the Golden Age of television that still wages on. And now, with hindsight in the rearview mirror, the actor couldn't refuse the offer a second time, and has since scored the role in the new Sopranos prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark. Confession: Ray Liotta, 66, admits he turned down a role in The Sopranos series because he 'didn't want to do another mafia thing' following Goodfellas; Liotta pictured in the upcoming Sopranos prequel film The Many Saints Of Newark While out on the promotional trail for The Many Saints Of Newark, the Newark native confessed her heard the rumors that he passed on playing Anthony 'Tony' Soprano, the role famously, and brilliantly played, by the late James Gandolfini. But Liotta, 66, came clean and admitted he was approached by show creator David Chase to play a different character. 'No! I don't know where that story came from,' Liotta said in reference to him being offered to play Tony Soprano. 'David [Chase] once talked to me about playing Ralphie. But never Tony.' Stepping into his shoes: Liotta stars alongside Michael Gandolfini (pictured), son of the late James Gandolfini, in The Sopranos prequel film, The Many Saints Of Newark His reasoning: Liotta says he was offered to play Ralphie in The Sopranos; Liotta pictured with costars in The Many Saints Of Newark At that time, in 1999, Liotta felt like he needed to branch out and play other characters that were being offered to him. 'I didn't want to do another mafia thing, and I was shooting Hannibal,' the actor told The Guardian, in a reference of the Silence of the Lambs sequel he made in 2001, adding, 'It just didn't feel right at the time.' Keep in mind, Liotta had also just appeared in the crime drama, mob-related film, Cop Land, in 1997. The Ralphie character, which would have required a two-year commitment, would eventually go to actor Joe Pantoliano. Bada bing: The Newark, New Jersey actor had already made a name for himself in the mobster genre in Goodfellas (1990) before before offered the role of Ralphie; he's pictured alongside co-stars Robert De Niro, Paul Sorvino and Joe Pesci Tale of two roles: While he rejected the offer to play Ralphie in The Sopranos, Liotta lobbied show creator David Chase for a role in The Many Saints Of Newark While Liotta was offered the part of Ralphie more than two-decades ago, this go-around he decided to aggressively pursue a role in the prequel film; even going as far as spending his own money to take a flight to meet with Chase. 'I'm really not sure what made me so determined. But I was and luckily it all worked out,' he explained. In the film, the actor plays Aldo 'Hollywood Dick' Moltisanti, father to central character Richard 'Dickie' Moltisanti, played by Alessandro Nivola. Set in the 1960s, the film focuses on the Newark Riots of 1967, all while examining the young Tony Soprano and his rise to power. Chase co-wrote The Many Saints Of Newark with Lawrence Konner, and it was directed by Alan Taylor, who worked behind the camera on the television show for nine episodes. Back for more: The Sopranos creator David Chase co-wrote The Many Saints of Newark The cast also includes Michael Gandolfini, who portrays a young Anthony 'Tony' Soprano, the real-life son of James Gandolfini. Along with Liotta, Gandolfini and Nivola, the film also stars Vera Farmiga (Livia Soprano, Tony's mother), Corey Stoll (Corrado 'Junior' Soprano Jr.), Billy Magnussen (Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri), John Magaro (Silvio Dante), Samson Moeakiola (Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero), Alexandra Intrator (Janice Soprano), Chase Vacnin (Jackie Aprile), Robert Vincent Montano (Artie Bucco), Michela De Rossi (Giuseppina Bruno), Gabriella Piazza (Joanne Moltisanti), Leslie Odom Jr. (Harold McBrayer), Joey Diaz and Nick Vallelonga. The Many Saints of Newark premieres October 1 in theaters and on HBO Max. They threw a massive engagement party for family and friends in New York earlier this month. And Paris Hilton and her fiance Carter Reum looked just as loved up as ever on Friday evening when they walked the red carpet at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. The 40-year-old socialite wasn't just a guest at the event celebrating the city of Beverly Hills, dubbed The Wallis Delivers, but also the evening's DJ. Cute couple: Paris Hilton, 40, and her fiance Carter Reum look classy yet relaxed as they walked the red carpet Friday at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills for its The Wallis Delivers celebration Paris showed off some of her classic elegance in an off-white windowpane plaid dress as she hit the red carpet. The dress featured puffy short sleeves and a billowing skirt that reached down to her ankles. She emphasized her trim figure with a slim cream-colored belt, and the 5ft8in beauty stood tall in pointy gray heels with studded straps. The Simple Life star looked glamorous with her blond locks bobbed and turned in at the bottom. Paris swirled her skirt about to show off the classy look. On the mark: Paris showed off some of her classic elegance in an off-white windowpane plaid dress as she hit the red carpet Voluminous: The dress featured puffy short sleeves and a billowing skirt that reached down to her ankles. She emphasized her trim figure with a slim cream-colored belt Towering: The 5ft8in beauty stood tall in pointy gray heels with studded straps Sparkler: She kept her accessories minimal and kept a pair of sunglasses clutched in one hand. The reality star wore simple studded diamond earrings while flashing her enormous engagement ring The Simple Life star looked glamorous with her blond locks bobbed and turned in at the bottom She kept her accessories minimal and kept a pair of sunglasses clutched in one hand. The reality star wore simple studded diamond earrings while flashing her enormous engagement ring. Carter complemented his fiancee with a lustrous navy suit with thin lapels. He dressed down a bit by skipping a tie, and added a low-key note with white sneakers. The businessman completed his look with a black luxury wristwatch. Blue mood: Carter complemented his fiancee with a lustrous navy suit with thin lapels Looking good: He dressed down a bit by skipping a tie, and added a low-key note with white sneakers. The businessman completed his look with a black luxury wristwatch Loved up: The two lovebirds couldn't hide their undeniable chemistry as they gazed longingly into each others eyes on the carpet Cute: Carter planted a sweet kiss on Paris' head, and the two embraced while beaming ear-to-ear The two lovebirds couldn't hide their undeniable chemistry as they gazed longingly into each others eyes on the carpet. Carter planted a sweet kiss on Paris' head, and the two embraced while beaming ear-to-ear. Paris got engaged to her venture capitalist beau back in February while celebrating her 40th birthday with family on a private island. Carter pulled out all the stops for his love by presenting her with a diamond engagement ring designed by Jean Dousset, the great-grandson of Louis Cartier. This engagement is the fourth for the socialite, who was previously proposed to by model Jason Shaw in 2002, Greek socialite Paris Latsis in 2005 and actor Chris Zylka in 2018. Star power: Maria Bello wore a white turtleneck tucked into capri jeans with a black Dior belt. She dressed up the look with a black blazer and black pumps with unusual beige straps Family: Paris' younger brother Barron Hilton wore a gray suit with a zip-up jacket, while his wife Tessa Grafin von Walderdorff had on a lovely beige dress with dangling beaded strands Guest of honor: Wallis Annenberg, the noted philanthropist and the venue's namesake, wore a green satin blouse with black pants and a black jacket decorated with colorful embroidered scenes Actress Maria Bello went with a more casual look for the charity event. She wore a white turtleneck tucked into capri jeans with shredded cuffs and a black Dior belt. The History Of Violence star dressed up the look with a black blazer with unbuttoned sleeves and black pumps with unusual beige straps. Paris' younger brother Barron Hilton wore a gray suit with a zip-up jacket, while his wife Tessa Grafin von Walderdorff had on a lovely beige dress with dangling beaded strands. Wallis Annenberg, the noted philanthropist and the venue's namesake, wore a green satin blouse with black pants and a black jacket decorated with colorful embroidered scenes. Redone: The event turned the courtyard at The Wallis into an al fresco restaurant and a night club, with Paris performing a DJ set for the crowd Musical guest: The event, which was hosted by legendary actress, dancer, choreographer and director Debbie Allen, featured multiple other musical events, though Paris was the headlining act The event turned the courtyard at The Wallis into an al fresco restaurant and a night club, with Paris performing a DJ set for the crowd. The event, which was hosted by legendary actress, dancer, choreographer and director Debbie Allen, featured multiple other musical events, though Paris was the headlining act. She stuck with her dress but added a pair of sheer beige fingerless gloves decorated with sequins. She rocked a chunky set of glittering headphones while laying down the beats. Paris couldn't help but pausing during her set for a selfie. Modified look: She stuck with her dress but added a pair of sheer beige fingerless gloves decorated with sequins Wendy Williams was seen being escorted by her son, Kevin Hunter Jr, while a helper pushed her wheelchair towards the entrance of her New York City home on Friday. The 57-year-old reality television personality was carefully assisted by her aid while getting out of a car, and her son was also seen carrying various bags from an errand run. Williams' outing comes not long after she tested positive for COVID-19 and abruptly canceled all of her public appearances for the foreseeable future due to 'ongoing health issues.' On the mend? Wendy Williams was seen being escorted by her son, Kevin Hunter Jr, while a helper pushed her wheelchair towards the entrance of her New York City home on Friday An NYPD spokesperson previously gave a statement to The Sun, who reported that Williams had been driven off in an ambulance after suffering major health complications last week. 'There was a call for a 57-year-old non-violent female who needed psychiatric services at that address on Wednesday morning. They were transported to the hospital,' they noted. An insider later spoke to the media outlet and gave further information about the seemingly troubled television host, who was reportedly 'drinking every day, even while filming the show.' They also alleged that those working around the media figure are not interested in seeking help for the embattled personality in an effort to preserve their careers. Health issues: Williams' outing comes not long after she tested positive for COVID-19 and abruptly canceled all of her public appearances for the foreseeable future due to 'ongoing health issues' Careful: The 57-year-old reality television personality was carefully assisted by her aid while getting out of a car, and her son was also seen carrying various bags from an errand run 'Everyone is an enabler because they don't want to lose their job. They see it, they know it, they smelled the liquor,' they said. They also claimed that, although Williams had previously spent time in an alcohol-free living situation, she had fallen off the wagon, which was reportedly known to and willfully ignored by her coworkers. 'Wendy drinks every day and the only time she was sober was when she was at the sober house. Her staffers are worried but no one is ever going to speak up because they don't want to lose their jobs,' they said. In 2019, DailyMail.com revealed that Wendy was staying overnight at a private facility run by the Pure Recovery Network in Long Island City, New York, after she plunged into an alcohol- and pill-fueled depression when she fractured her shoulder during a confrontation with her cheating husband, Kevin Hunter. In the past: Williams previously stayed at a sober living facility after her former husband's infidelity plunged her into a deep depression; she is pictured in 2019 She broke down in tears on her show at the time, admitting she had been living at the sober home and was attending meetings around New York City. The source added that the former radio DJ was 'an alcoholic. A bad one. She doesnt need a talk show, she needs help.' Earlier this month, it was revealed that, while dealing with her various conditions, Williams had also contracted the coronavirus, and she has been recovering from its effects over the last few weeks. A statement from her talk show's account reads, 'While continuing her health evaluations, Wendy has tested positive for a breakthrough case of Covid-19.' Serious concerns: Earlier this month, it was revealed that Williams had contracted the coronavirus, and she has been recovering from its effects ever since; she is seen in 2019 As a result of her precarious situation, the premiere of the 13th season of her show has now been delayed to October 4th. However, a source recently spoke to Fox News and expressed that Williams was currently recovering from her various illnesses and was planning on returning to her program in the coming weeks 'Wendy is on the mend, and doing well. There was a meeting this week, and [execs] assured staff the show will return on Oct. 4., and Wendy is ready to get back to work,' they said. Courteney Cox paid tribute to her longtime beau Johnny McDaid on Saturday as they celebrated eight years of dating. The Friends actress, 57, shared two snaps of the couple to Instagram - one from when they first met back in 2013, and a steamy current-day photo of the pair in bed. Looking just as youthful as she did eight years ago as she snuggled up to her Snow Patrol rocker beau, 45, Courteney wrote in the post's caption that he's 'still got it'. Loved-up! Courteney Cox, 57, shared this steamy bedroom snap with her Snow Patrol rocker beau Johnny McDaid, 45, to Instagram on Saturday as they celebrate eight years of dating In the sizzling bedroom snap, Courteney showed off her age-defying complexion and natural beauty as she took the selfie and cozied up to her musician boyfriend. Johnny, who has also written for Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams and Pink, drew attention to a rugged beard and closed his eyes as he slept next to the actress. The couple looked to have not aged a day since their first year of dating in 2013, with Courteney sharing a youthful snap of the pair embracing inside a swanky venue. '8 years later... I asked him to come up with a caption and he fell asleep. Still got it. Happy Anniversary xoxo,' the Scream star captioned the post. Youthful: Courteney also shared this youthful snap of the pair embracing inside a swanky venue from back in 2013. '8 years later... I asked him to come up with a caption and he fell asleep. Still got it. Happy Anniversary xoxo,' the Friends actress captioned the post The couple first met through celebrity friends and began dating in September 2013. They got engaged six months later, and remained close despite calling the wedding off in 2015. By April 2016, they reunited in London and have been a solid item ever since. Courteney celebrated Johnny's 45th birthday in July, paying tribute to him on Instagram. Timeline: The couple first met through celebrity friends and began dating in September 2013. They got engaged six months later, and remained close despite calling the wedding off in 2015. By April 2016, they reunited in London and have been a solid item ever since The brunette shared a snap of herself and Johnny snuggled up on the set of the Friends sitcom - specifically the setting used for her character Monica's apartment. 'Happy Birthday to my best friend and love,' she wrote in the caption. 'He's the kindest, most patient, best listener, curious, caring, not to mention talented and gorgeous partner. I love you jmd. x.' This year's birthday proved to be an extra special one for the couple, being that it was the first time they were able to celebrate in-person since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic last March. Celebrations: Courteney celebrated Johnny's 45th birthday in July. This year's birthday proved to be an extra special one for the couple, being that it was the first time they were able to celebrate in-person since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic last March Courteney and Johnny were separated last year when the Snow Patrol star turned 44 while quarantining in Europe. 'It's been 133 days since we were last together. Covid sucks. Happy Birthday J. I loved our lunch/dinner (LA/London time) Zoom date today. I miss you madly,' Courteney wrote on Instagram at the time. Johnny ended up being stuck in Europe for nine months in isolation, which turned out to be the longest time they were ever separated. Long-distance romance: Courteney and Johnny were separated last year when the Snow Patrol star turned 44 while quarantining in Europe. Johnny ended up being stuck in Europe for nine months in isolation, which turned out to be the longest time they were ever separated Love story: Johnny, who has written for Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams and Pink, first met the Daytime Emmy Award nominee through friends and they began dating in September 2013 'He was supposed to go to Switzerland to write and instead had to go to England. Then all of a sudden, this all happened and they called a quarantine,' the sitcom star explained during an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2020. Courteney shares daughter Coco, 17, with her ex-husband David Arquette, 50, who she wed in 1999 and divorced in 2013. Meanwhile Johnny has never been married and does not have any kids. He's known for his dapper red carpet looks and playing powerful characters like Doctor Strange and Sherlock Holmes. But Benedict Cumberbatch looked completely different as he underwent a geriatric makeover for his new film The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain. In the first look trailer, the actor, 45, sported spectacles, thinning white hair and a beard - making him look miles apart from his usual handsome looks. New look: Benedict Cumberbatch, 45, looked completely different as he underwent a geriatric makeover for his new film The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain The new flick follows Wain, as he highlights the 'ridiculous, frightened and brave nature of cats' through his art while he looks after his family and falls in love with Emily (Claire Foy). The period drama, which sees the 1800s through to the 1930s, also features Andrea Riseborough, Aimee Lou Wood, Richard Ayoade, Taika Waititi, Nick Cave and Olivia Colman. The film is set for release in UK cinemas next year, while it will be released in the US from 22nd October, and will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video on 5th November. Red carpet looks: His new movie makeup made him look miles apart from his usual handsome looks. Pictured at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2021 New flick: The new flick follows Wain as he highlights the 'ridiculous, frightened and brave nature of cats' through art while he looks after his family and falls in love with Emily (Claire Foy) The new trailer for his upcoming film comes as Benedict spoke about playing a gay character in The Power of the Dog - where he plays 'sadistic rancher' Phil Burbank who strikes up a relationship with Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee). While Cumberbatch isn't gay, Benedict revealed in an interview with IndieWire that they did speak about him playing a gay character often, adding, 'It wasnt done without thought.' 'I feel very sensitive about representation, diversity, and inclusion,' he said at the Telluride Film Festival. The Power Of The Dog: The new trailer for his upcoming film comes as Benedict spoke about playing a gay character in The Power of the Dog 'One of the appeals of the job was the idea that in this world, with this specific character, there was a lot that was private, hidden from view,' he added. While it's never specifically stated what his character's sexual preference is, the actor has played a gay man before, portraying Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. 'It wasnt done without thought. I also feel slightly like, is this a thing where our dance card has to be public? Do we have to explain all our private moments in our sexual history? I dont think so,' he added. Madonna was very much a proud mother when she took to Instagram on Saturday to share a heartfelt tribute for her adopted son David Banda on his 16th birthday. The Queen of Pop, 63, shared snaps of David throughout the years, and recalled meeting him at an orphanage when he was just 13 months, prior to his adoption. 'Who knew when I met you at Home of Hope Orphanage in Malawi, drinking coke out of a baby bottle and wearing no diaper that you would become this force of nature?' the hitmaker penned online. Celebrations: Madonna shared a heartfelt tribute for adopted son David Banda (pictured) on his 16th birthday in an Instagram post on Saturday - as she recalled him drinking 'coke out of a baby bottle' at 13-months-old at a Malawi orphanage when they first met Madonna posted a recent shot of David cutting a stylish figure in a vibrant blue vest, matching trousers, and with statement jewellery including a layering of necklaces. Another particular snap sees David in a head-to-toe Gucci ensemble cozying up to Madonna, who dons a tribal-inspired frock and leopard print fedora hat. Other photos capture David showing off his flair for fashion in a number of ensembles, including a suave black tuxedo and bow tie, as well as African clothing. Designer style: The Queen of Pop, 63, shared a photo of David in a head-to-toe Gucci ensemble. Madonna embraced him, donning a tribal-inspired frock and leopard print fedora Slew of fun snaps: Madonna shared this playful photo of David lounging across a pool table Polished: The Vogue hitmaker also captured David showing off his flair for fashion in a number of ensembles, including a suave black tuxedo and bow tie The Vogue chart-topper also included a gorgeous snap of herself cradling David as a baby on her hip, with daughter Lourdes Leon, now 24, by her side. Madonna captioned the gallery of birthday images: 'David Banda!! I cannot believe you have grown into This Young Man! This Artist. This Athlete. This Articulate and Charismatic Human. 'Who knew when I met you at Home of Hope Orphanage in Malawi, drinking coke out of a baby bottle and wearing no diaper that you would become this force of nature? Sweet tribute: Madonna captioned the gallery of birthday images: 'David Banda!! I cannot believe you have grown into This Young Man! This Artist. This Athlete. This Articulate and Charismatic Human' She continued: 'Who knew when I met you at Home of Hope Orphanage in Malawi, drinking coke out of a baby bottle and wearing no diaper that you would become this force of nature?' Doting mother: 'Happy Sweet Sixteen! Im so proud of you!' Madonna added 'Happy Sweet Sixteen! Im so proud of you!' she continued. Madonna adopted David when he was just 13 months, with then-husband, Guy Ritchie, 53. The former couple share son Rocco, 21, and Madonna is also a mother to Lourdes, with ex-boyfriend Carlos Leon, 55. Madonna also adopted Malawi orphans Mercy James, 15, and nine-year-old twins Stella and Estere. One of six children: Madonna adopted David when he was just 13 months, with then-husband, Guy Ritchie, 53 Family: Madonna is pictured with David as a baby, and daughter Lourdes Leon, now 24 The Papa Don't Preach artist recently marked Stella and Estere's birthday with a lavish celebration, with Madonna's boyfriend Ahlamalik Williams, 27, also attending. Madonna revealed what motherhood has taught her in an interview with the Today show in 2019. '[Having children has] reminded me how precious time is, and how each child requires attention and vigilance and guidance in a different way,' she said. Her team: Madonna is pictured with Lourdes, son Rocco Ritchie, 21, who she shares with ex-husband Guy Ritchie, David, and her adopted children, daughter Mercy James, 15, and twins Estere and Stella Ciccone, nine Motherhood: Madonna revealed what motherhood has taught her in an interview with the Today show in 2019. '[Having children has] reminded me how precious time is, and how each child requires attention and vigilance and guidance in a different way,' she said Life lessons: 'Really, you have to be ready for anything. They teach you to stop being obsessed with yourself, 'cause they're always there to throw a wrench into the works... self-obsession is not allowed with children,' she continued. Pictured: Estere and Stella 'Really, you have to be ready for anything. They teach you to stop being obsessed with yourself, 'cause they're always there to throw a wrench into the works... self-obsession is not allowed with children.' Madonna likened motherhood to writing songs, in that the more you practise, the better you get. 'The more kids that you have, the better you get at being a parent... yeah, definitely,' she said. Roxy Horner, 30, sent pulses racing as she treated fans to a steamy bathtub Instagram selfie on Friday, which saw her go completely naked for the camera. During a loved-up staycation to a Scottish isle with her boyfriend Jack Whitehall, 33, the Premier-signed star proudly held up a helping of seaweed, which is known for its nutritious benefits. She captioned the sexy shot, 'If you haven't tried a seaweed bath yet, this is your calling. Connect with the earth and get good skin.' Hot stuff: Roxy Horner sent pulses racing as she posed naked in a sizzling bathtub selfie during a romantic Scottish getaway with her boyfriend Jack Whitehall on Friday The pair took part in a plethora of activities and made sure to keep their followers updated with their every move. They seemed to be having a whale of a time as they larked around during a kayaking trip. Ever the joker, Jack quipped, 'Heading up s**t creek but at least I got my paddle,' in his caption after chanting, 'One, two,' in order to make his girlfriend giggle. They continued the jolly with a sweet picnic at an idyllic rocky spot where Roxy chuckled in-between her bites while Jack cupped a glass of wine. Having a blast! They continued the jolly with a sweet picnic at an idyllic rocky spot where Roxy chuckled in-between her bites while Jack cupped a glass of wine Hilarious: Ever the joker, Jack quipped, 'Heading up s**t creek but at least I got my paddle,' in his caption The blonde bombshell continued with her racy displays, sharing a mirror shot which saw her exhibit her ample assets in a busty green bra. Roxy has been dating the comedian since the first lockdown after the pair met during a trip to Australia, with the model moving into his London home after just a few weeks of dating. The Travels With My Father star previously admitted although the decision 'accelerated' their relationship, they did miss out on doing ordinary things like restaurant and cinema dates. Speaking on the Couples Quarantine podcast, he said: 'Weirdly that was quite nice because we spent a lot of time together and it accelerates the relationship in a way. Fun-filled: They seemed to be having a whale of a time as they larked around during a kayaking trip 'Then when lockdown ended, there's a lot of things we realised. We'd never gone to see a film together. We'd never been to a restaurant in England because we met in Australia.' It also comes after it was reported that a freak flood wreaked havoc in Jack's new home. The house, which Roxy shares with the comedian, was reportedly swamped with floodwater and the pair have been forced to stay in a hotel due to the damage. According to The Sun, water flooded the kitchen and dining area, damaging the parquet flooring. Busy bees: The pair took part in a plethora of activities and made sure to keep their followers updated with their every move A source told the publication: 'He's gutted. Talk about putting a dampener on moving in. The house is incredible and he loves it. There's even a lift and swimming pool in it. He wasn't expecting the kitchen to become a pool as well. 'Roxy doesn't live there full time but she is there most of the week now and it would definitely make the perfect home to start a family 'They had to move out while the repairs are being done. The flooring was ruined and it was really expensive stuff.' The source added that all the damaged property will have to be replaced, likely leaving the couple with a hefty bill. Dan Ewing isn't unscathed from the impact of border closures from lockdown. The actor, who is currently a recruit on SAS Australia, told The Daily Telegraph that he hasn't seen his seven year old son Archie, who he shares with former partner Marni Little, in months due of the travel restrictions. 'My little boy lives in Queensland and I am based in NSW, so like many Aussie families that aspect has been the most challenging,' the 36-year-old said. Long distance: SAS Australia's Dan Ewing (pictured) discussed fatherhood and the challenges of living interstate from his Archie Instead, he has ensured he and his son do a gratitude journal entry together every morning - something he said he is grateful they do. Like many people across Australia, the border closures have been a tough hurdle but the former Home and Away star channelled that inconvenience into positive thinking. He recalled missing out on his son's seventh birthday, he chose to focus thankful for being a father, and that his son could celebrate his day with his mother and friends. 'Looking at it through a different lens genuinely gave me so much joy. Change the way you look at things, the things you look at change,' the actor said. Tough: 'My little boy lives in Queensland and I am based in NSW, so like many Aussie families that aspect has been the most challenging,' the 36-year-old said. He shares seven-year-old Archie with his former partner Marni Little Dan, like many people itching to travel, said that as soon as borders he would be booking a trip up to Queensland to see his son. 'Straight to the Gold Coast to see my little boy and look for a house up there mainly so that our fishing trips aren't interrupted by border closures, should it happen again,' he said. This comes after Dan's recently revealed what it was like filming the brutal helicopter ladder challenge on SAS Australia on the Imperfectly Perfect Podcast this week. Changing perspective: He recalled missing out on his son's seventh birthday, he chose to focus thankful for being a father, and that his son could celebrate his day with his mother and friends. 'Looking at it through a different lens genuinely gave me so much joy,' the actor said He spoke about just how gruelling the show was and said what you see on camera is '100 per cent real' and that he was 'in a constant state of stress.' 'It's a big task, there's 18 people who have to go across the ladder, it's a helicopter reset. You don't have to be a genius to work out it's a film set, it's a reset of a helicopter We were there all day.' 'The tasks, and the discomfort, and getting called every name under the sun, and the sleep deprivation that's 110 per cent real,' he said. Molly-Mae Hague has revealed she has had surgery to remove a 'beign' lump in her breast and a separate mass in her finger. The former Love Island contestant, 22, shared pictures from her hospital bed on Saturday, as he revealed she had undergone the procedure. Molly-Mae had previously spoken about discovering a non-cancerous lump in her breast and had been referred for a biopsy. Hospital: Molly-Mae Hague has revealed she has had surgery to remove a 'beign' lump in her breast and a separate mass in her hand Posing for a picture with her beloved cuddly toy Elly Belly, Molly-Mae smiled as she revealed she has had the lump successfully removed. Alongside the snap, she wrote: 'I spoke about a lump I found in my boob on a recent vlog of mine, well I had it removed today. Check your bodies people!!' Further updating her fans, Molly-Mae said: 'Also had a lump removed from my finger that I've spoken about a few times too.' 'Also having a canula put in my hand has always been without a doubt my BIGGEST fear... so that in itself today is a HUGE achievement for me.' Molly-Mae previously told YouTube channel she'd been referred for a biopsy after discovering a benign lump in her breast had grown, but reassured her followers that it's 'not serious.' Further updating her fans, Molly-Mae said: 'Also had a lump removed from my finger that I've spoken about a few times too' The star explained she previously had the lump checked by doctors, who reassured her that it was benign and non-harmful. She told her fans: 'I basically noticed a little lump in my boob, went to get it checked and it was completely fine, completely benign. 'It's a little thing called a fibroadenoma and it's a normal thing to get at this age, small lumps can happen all the time it doesn't mean they're sinister.' Molly-Mae then told fans she'd begun to notice the lump was growing as it became more noticeable on her clothes. She continued: 'I went back today to get it checked and it had grown a little bit, again, it doesn't mean it's sinister, it doesn't mean it's dramatic, so the doctor recommended that we did a biopsy. 'It was not very nice actually considering I'm afraid of needles, but I thought there's not really a way around this. 'I promise it's nothing serious, I don't want it to be a massive thing. I think it's important that I share this with you guys. Struggles: On Wednesday Molly-Mae told fans that doctors had referred her for a biopsy after discovering a benign lump in her breast had grown 'It's an important subject and we should all be checking our boobs and checking for lumps so we can do things like this.' Molly-Mae went onto tell her fans she would provide them with an update as soon as she gets the results. In November last year, Molly-Mae was given the devastating diagnosis that a mole of her leg was a malignant melanoma - a type of skin cancer. The influencer filmed herself being given the diagnosis for her YouTube channel. In the video, she opened up about what she's been going through following her 'shock' diagnosis, telling her fans: 'I was walking around with skin cancer on my leg.' Worrying: Molly-Mae then told fans she'd begun to notice the lump was growing as it became more noticeable on her clothes, and is awaiting the results of further tests Molly-Mae revealed that she learned her mole was a malignant melanoma during a work trip to Italy, when a doctor phoned her to deliver the diagnosis following a recent biopsy. The social media star initially got the mole on her leg checked out by two dermatologists but was told it was nothing to worry about. Molly-Mae eventually sought third professional opinion during a routine check-up because she 'felt something wasn't quite right'. Speaking on her YouTube video, after the phone call from her doctor played out, she told fans: 'I got the call today and he's told me it is malignant melanoma - which is skin cancer basically. Shock: In November last year, Molly-Mae was given the devastating diagnosis that a mole of her leg was a malignant melanoma - a type of skin cancer 'It's obviously petrifying, shocking and scary. I don't even know what to think or say. I cannot believe I was told by others doctors it was OK. I am so upset and angry. 'I just briefly asked this doctor when I was walking out. I was walking around with skin cancer on my leg!' 'If I hadn't have asked, I'd still have that mole on my leg now and I'd be none the wiser. It could be spreading through my body, you just never know.' Molly-Mae continued, explaining how she was trying to be strong, despite breaking down, so that her loved ones didn't freak out. She said: 'I've already shed tears about it. I've already cried down the phone to every family member.' Molly-Mae concluded the video by urging her fans to have their moles checked out. Johnny Depp was gifted flowers by a fan through his car window as he left a photo call and press conference at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Thursday. The 58-year-old actor, who has claimed his career has been harmed by the spread of cancel culture amid a $50million defamation lawsuit, appeared in great spirits. Depp, who has appeared as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise from 2003 to 2017, said at the festival that he'd be happy to reprise the role at children's birthday parties 'at this point'. Sweet gesture: Johnny Depp was gifted flowers by a fan through his car window as he left the San Sebastian Film Festival on Thursday (pictured) amid claims Hollywood is 'boycotting' him due to $50m defamation lawsuit With adoring fans lined up outside hoping to catch a glimpse of the A-list star, one lucky follower got up close and personal as they handed him a bouquet of flowers. Speaking at the festival that day, Depp said: 'The beauty of Captain Jack Sparrow for me is that I can travel with Captain Jack in a box, literally Captain Jack in a box... 'And when the opportunity is right I'm able to go and visit people and places where the smiles and the laughs and the things that are important, the most important things in the world, are on the line. Great spirits: The 58-year-old actor, who has claimed his career has been harmed by the spread of cancel culture amid a $50million defamation lawsuit, appeared in great spirits Thoughtful: With adoring fans lined up outside hoping to catch a glimpse of the A-list star, one lucky follower got up close and personal as they handed him a bouquet of flowers Service: Depp was whisked away from the festival in a chauffeur-driven car 'So I still travel with Captain Jack and if I have the opportunity, whenever I do, I will go to these places. I'll go to somebody's house - man, I'll perform at your kid's birthday party at this point!' Depp appeared upbeat on Thursday as he emerged from his hotel at the festival after claiming his career has been harmed by the spread of cancel culture. The Hollywood star waved at fans while making his way towards a waiting car in the picturesque Spanish coastal city. Depp was the recipient of the Donostia Award on Wednesday evening at the event. Farewell: Depp waved at fans while leaving the festival held in the Spanish coastal city Iconic role: Depp said at the festival on Thursday that he'd be happy to reprise Captain Jack Sparrow at children's birthday parties 'at this point', if it means he could act in the role again, amid his legal woes The actor had previously claimed he is a victim of cancel culture, warning that 'no one is safe' and urging those affected to 'stand up' for themselves. Speaking in San Sebastian, before accepting his honorary award at the film festival, Depp said the situation had become 'so out of hand'. In July 2020 he lost a high-profile case at the High Court in London, after The Sun newspaper described him as a 'wife beater' and he sued. Depp said: 'The beauty of Captain Jack Sparrow for me is that I can travel with Captain Jack in a box, literally Captain Jack in a box...' Starring role: Depp first appeared in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise as the quirky seaman in 2003's first film, and appeared in all five movies of the series His ex-wife Amber Heard filed for divorce in 2016, accusing him of verbal and physical abuse, and she testified in London. Depp lost his lucrative role in the Fantastic Beasts franchise in the aftermath of the case. Back in the U.S., Depp has recently won the right to proceed with a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Heard. Depp told the audience in Spain that he saw himself as a victim, and was concerned about the wider implications for society. Johnny's in town: Depp is in Spain for the 69th San Sebastian Film Festival, where he was the recipient of the Donostia Award on Wednesday evening Greetings: The Hollywood star waved at fans while making his way towards a waiting car in the picturesque Spanish coastal city Trophy: Depp receiving his Donastia Award on Wednesday at the film festival in San Sebastian Ahead of taking to the stage to accept his award, Depp offered his thoughts on cancel culture, and called on people to 'stand up' for those facing 'injustice'. 'It can be seen as an event in history that lasted for however long it lasted, this cancel culture, this instant rush to judgement based on what essentially amounts to polluted air,' he said, according to Deadline. 'It's so far out of hand now that I can promise you that no one is safe. Not one of you. No one out that door. No one is safe. 'It takes one sentence and there's no more ground, the carpet has been pulled.' Depp said that his concern was not just for himself. 'It's not just me that this has happened to, it's happened to a lot of people,' he said. Legal case: Depp has won the right to sue Heard (pictured in November 2011) in a $50 million libel case after a Virginia judge threw out the actress's plea to dismiss the suit 'This type of thing has happened to women, men.' He said: 'It doesn't matter if a judgement, per se, has taken some artistic license. 'When there's an injustice, whether it's against you or someone you love, or someone you believe in stand up, don't sit down. Cause they need you.' Depp was reported by Deadline to be happy to answer questions about the recent state of his career, amid his ongoing lawsuit against Heard. But when a reporter asked about Spain's Association of Female Filmmakers and Audiovisual Media, which released a statement saying the award 'transmits a terrible message to the public', a festival organiser stepped in and prevented him replying, insisting he would only speak about his career. Depp later said that he was 'worried' that his presence at the festival would 'offend people,' and insisted he 'didn't want to offend anyone'. Claims: Heard claimed that Depp had attacked her, and her legal team showed photos alleging abuse He praised the event, its director Jose Luis Rebordinos, and the mayor of San Sebastian for their 'undying support'. He thanked them for 'not buying what has been, for far too long, some notion of me that doesn't exist'. Depp added: 'I haven't done anything, I just make movies.' Depp said that he was dismayed by the current state of the film industry, in particular how streaming had taken off. Sharing his thoughts: Ahead of taking to the stage to accept his award, Depp offered his thoughts on cancel culture, and called on people to 'stand up' for those facing 'injustice' He said many people - him included - realised they were disposable. 'Hollywood is certainly not what it was,' he responded. 'The studio system, the grudge matches, the pandemonium and chaos of cinematic releases to streaming it is a case of, 'no matter what, I'm going to get mine'. 'That's where these people are coming from. 'They realise they're just as disposable as I am. Some more so. 'Large, large corporations take control of these things. As someone who takes part in the creation of cinema, how much more formula do we need from the likes of studios? How much more condescension do we need as audiences? 'I think that Hollywood has grotesquely underestimated the audience.' Depp was asked about the future of his Pirates of the Caribbean role of Captain Jack Sparrow, and said that the character would never leave him, and that no one could ever take the character away from him. The actor went onto say: 'It takes one sentence and there's no more ground, the carpet has been pulled,' and claimed it's happened to 'a lot of people' He then delighted the crowd with an impromptu Captain Jack impression, Deadline reported. Despite the mixed reception to his arrival at the festival, Depp was in high spirits as he headed to the photo call ahead of his acceptance of the award. His appearance in Spain came a month after he was cleared by a court to proceed with the $50 million defamation suit against Heard. In August, a Virginia judge ruled that he can proceed with the litigation, based on a 2018 Washington Post op-ed she wrote saying she was a domestic violence survivor. She did not mention Depp in the story, though she publicly accused him of abusing her in their 2016 split. Timeline: Depp and Heard are pictured at the premiere of The Rum Diary - the film on whose set they met in 2009. The pair married in February 2015, and divorced a year later The actor is trying to clear his name after losing a defamation suit against The Sun. His U.S. suit, filed in Fairfax County, Virginia, accuses Heard of creating a 'hoax' account of abuse. Heard had requested the libel suit against her, filed in March 2019, be thrown out, claiming the ruling in the UK case should swing any new cases in her favour because they both relate to domestic abuse allegations against Depp. But Judge Penny Azcarate ruled the statements made by The Sun and Heard were 'inherently different', and said the case should proceed. The ruling stated: 'The Sun's interests were based on whether the statements the newspaper published were false. '[Heard's] interests relate to whether the statements she published were false.' The ruling also noted that Depp filed the defamation suit against The Sun before Heard's op-ed was published - and that she was not named in the case against the British paper. In the December 2018 op-ed, the actress wrote: 'I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture's wrath for women who speak out.' Sighting: Depp is pictured on July 29, 2020, outside the High Court in London during the case The UK's High Court ruled against Depp following an explosive three-week trial last July, finding allegations the actor was a 'wife beater' were 'substantially true'. Lawyers for The Pirates of the Caribbean star had asked two Court of Appeal judges to grant permission for him to challenge the ruling, with the aim of having its findings overturned and a second trial ordered. They claimed the judge in Depp's initial libel trial had not 'factually' considered all the allegations of violence against him and that they had 'fresh evidence' Heard had 'lied' about giving her entire $7 million divorce settlement to charity. They said that the charity claim influenced how her testimony was viewed, but the Court of Appeal ruled that it did not have an impact on the judge and that he would have reached the same conclusion on Heard being the victim of domestic violence. Caprice Bourret owned up to an epic photoshop fail on Saturday and revealed she edited her figure in her latest snap because her jumper wasn't 'very flattering'. Taking to Instagram to come clean about the gaff, Caprice shared her unedited snap alongside the altered image which featured a blatantly distorted doorframe. The model, 49, admitted: 'I literally suck at retouching. This sweater is not very flattering so I tried to make it flattering and failed !!!' Before and after: Caprice Bourret owned up to an epic photoshop fail on Saturday and revealed she edited her figure in her latest snap because her jumper wasn't 'very flattering' The confession comes after fans were filled with confusion at the snap, which saw her striking a sensational power pose outside her dressing room. Caprice looked stunning but the doorframe she posed inside had been undeniably doctored in line with her very svelte waist. The mother-of-two appeared to have slimmed her naturally-enviable figure, which affected the background of the photo. Caprice laughed off the embarrassing incident, writing: 'I just had to take the mickey out of myself I cant even get retouching right. Anyways have an awesome weekend.' Suspicious: Caprice Bourret suffered an epic photoshop fail on Saturday as a nearby doorframe suspiciously distorted in her latest sizzling social media snap Caprice shared a slew of behind-the-scenes snaps from her day of work at Ideal TV in the doctored Instagram post, which saw her plug her Caprice Home range. The model looked sensational as she flashed her bronzed legs in a studded black mini skirt, which she paired with an unmissable yellow polo neck sweater. On the very same day, she vented her anger after the UK fuel shortage caused her to queue for fifteen minutes at a petrol station near Peterborough. The former Dancing On Ice contestant told her fans that the ordeal nearly caused her to miss her appearance on the shopping channel. Oops! Caprice laughed off the embarrassing incident, telling her followers: 'I just had to take the mickey out of myself I cant even get retouching right' Businesswoman: She spent the day at the Ideal TV studios in order to plug her Caprice Home range She began, through gritted teeth, 'Ive been sitting here for fifteen minutes now waiting to get petrol. Finally Im at the front. 'But look at this and the queue back there. What is going on? Well, we know exactly whats going on. 'This is crazy, Im doing my show on Ideal with my Caprice Home, so exciting. Its a live show, I hope I make it,' she concluded before letting out two squeals of emotion. 'This is crazy, what is going on?' Caprice shared an Instagram video earlier in the day to vent her anger after the UK fuel shortage caused her to queue for fifteen minutes at a petrol station near Peterborough It seems the Vogue cover star had more to add as she went on to call out prime minister Boris Johnson and mayor of London Sadiq Khan in her caption. 'Morning gorg friends so on my way to my show @idealworld.tv @bycapricehome. 'Btw thank u so much for everyone that tuned in sold out if some lines and went through 40% of stock in first half of show #sograteful. 'But on the way up I couldnt believe what happened actually I do #thanksborisjohnson queuing for petrol yesterday. Irritated: She began, through gritted teeth, 'Ive been sitting here for fifteen minutes now waiting to get petrol. Finally Im at the front. Worried: The model told her fans that the ordeal could cause her to miss her TV appearance 'Almost missed my show and had to pay additional 20 to fill my tank,' the star with a reported net worth of 24 million added. 'Prices are so inflated it is ridiculousnow today many petrol stations are completely out of gas get your bikes out folks!! 'Maybe those millions of our hard earned money that @sadiq used on bike lanes will be relevant [laughing and raised-eye emojis] love u everyone.' Having reached her destination on time, a beaming Caprice flashed up as she gave viewers a glimpse behind the camera. Happy: Having reached her destination on time, a beaming Caprice flashed a thumbs-up as she shared a slew of behind-the-scenes snaps from her day of work at the shopping channel Experienced: She appeared to be in her element as she put her presenting skills to use Panic buying at the pumps has already begun amid fears fuel rationing is on the way due to the UK's crippling HGV driver shortage - as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tried to calm nerves by urging Britons 'carry on as normal'. Queues of cars were seen spilling out on to the road from forecourts in Tonbridge, Kent, in Ely, Cambridgeshire, Bright and Leeds this morning - just a day after fuel bosses warned of petrol and diesel rationing and petrol station closures. One petrol station in Essex, was already said to have run out of diesel by this morning, while outside another forecourt on the A12, also in Essex, queues were said to be 'three rows deep to every pump'. Phew! Relieved that she hadn't missed her presenting lot, Caprice continued with the thumbs-up pose The scenes of queues outside petrol stations - which for some will stir up memories of the 1973 Opec Oil Crisis and the 2000 fuel shortage - come amid fears of a 1978-style 'winter of discontent' for the UK, with skyrocketing energy prices, food shortages and fuel rationing. This week, BP announced plans to ration fuel and a 'handful' of its petrol stations, along with 'small number' of Tesco refilling stations, while supermarkets warned of food shortages and more energy firms went bust amid rising gas prices - sparking fears of a new 'winter of discontent'. And in a particularly unhelpful addition to the problem, eco-mob Insulate Britain returned to the roads today to block off a route to Port of Dover - Europe's busiest port and the UK's main gateway for trade from the EU. Luxury: The former Dancing On Ice star told fans all about her beautiful home collection It comes as Petrol Retailers Association last night warned drivers to 'keep a quarter of a tank' of fuel in their vehicles in preparation for potential closures of local petrol stations. Meanwhile Ministers faced fresh pressure to ease immigration rules as an emergency measure to attract HGV drivers from overseas amid warnings that 100,000 more were needed across the industry. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps today hinted at the possibility, saying he would move 'heaven and earth' to tackle the 'systemic issue' of HGV driver shortages. Wow! The blonde bombshell posed up a storm for the camera in a set of follow-up snaps He also claimed transport firms were offering huge salaries in a bid to entice drivers who have left the industry to come back - with one 'top milk firm' apparently offering as much as '78,000-a-year'. Meanwhile, one vegetable firm in Lincolnshire is currently advertising a broccoli picker role for 30-per-hour - equivalent to around 62,000-a-year. Government source warned last night that Downing Street is growing increasingly 'worried' over a brewing 'winter of discontent' - with Christmas ruined by soaring energy bills, shortages and Universal Credit cuts. Ministers are said to have drawn up plans to put soldiers on standby in case they are required to drive petrol tankers in case of severe crisis. When questioned about this on BBC Breakfast, Mr Shapps said: 'If it can actually help, we will bring them in.' But he urged people not to panic buy, telling Sky News: 'The advice would be to carry on as normal, and that's what BP are saying as well.' Kanye West posted an Instagram album this weekend showing X-rays of his five-year-old son Saint's broken arm. The 44-year-old rap star left the pictures without a caption and was inundated with comments wishing the little boy a quick recovery. It has been about two weeks since Kanye's estranged wife Kim Kardashian revealed that Saint had suffered multiple breaks in his arm. Concerned father: Kanye West posted an Instagram album this weekend showing X-rays of his five-year-old son Saint's broken arm Throwback: Kanye and Saint are pictured together in New York in September 2019 attending one of the rapper's famous Sunday Services She posted an aerial picture to her Insta Stories of Saint sitting in a wheelchair with what appeared to be an icepack over his injury. 'Who do you think cried more today?' Kim wrote in her caption. 'My baby broke his arm in a few places today. I'm not ok.' Shortly thereafter she posted a picture of Saint apparently in the car with his broken arm in a cast and she wrote: 'Poor Baby.' Saint has had more than one health issue lately - over the course of the pandemic both he and his father contracted coronavirus on separate occasions. Warm words: The 44-year-old rap star left the pictures without a caption and was inundated with comments wishing the little boy a quick recovery Road to recovery: It has been about two weeks since Kanye's estranged wife Kim Kardashian revealed that Saint had suffered multiple breaks in his arm Kim and Kanye share four children - North, eight, Saint, five, Chicago, three, and Psalm, two - and are managing to co-parent them despite their separation. Not long after Kim filed for divorce from Kanye this February it was reported that the pair had agreed to split custody. Just last month a TMZ source said the duo were 'working on rebuilding the foundation of their relationship,' casting doubt on if the divorce would proceed. In recent months Kim put on public shows of support for her ex by bringing the children to his two album release concerts for his latest record Donda. The way they were: Kim and Kanye share four children - North, eight, Saint, five, Chicago, three, and Psalm, two; pictured at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in February 2020 She even matched outfits for Kanye for both events, where she had to sit by as he performed a song begging her to 'come back to me.' At the second album release event he even included a number goading her: 'Time and space is a luxury but you came here to show that you're still in love with me.' Donda is named after Kanye's late mother who died in 2007 aged 58 of heart disease and post-operative complications after having multiple cosmetic procedures. Kim finally filed for divorce this February after months of rumors that her marriage to Kanye was on the brink of collapse. 'Who do you think cried more today?': Kim posted an aerial picture to her Insta Stories of Saint sitting in a wheelchair with what appeared to be an icepack over his injury Last year while campaigning for President Of The United States Kanye tearfully revealed during a rally that he and Kim considered aborting North. He fired off a series of furious Twitter tirades accusing his wife of adultery and referring to her mother Kris Jenner as 'Kris Jong Un.' In response Kim, who was rumored to be livid about the abortion disclosure, posted a statement about Kanye's struggles with bipolar disorder and pointed out 'that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor.' Eventually late last summer the couple traveled to the Caribbean with their four children in what was widely reported as a make-or-break trip to save the marriage. The American edition of Survivor has banned the term, 'Come on in guys'. The 'gendered' statement, considered by some as sexist, was discussed by the host of the US version, Jeff Probst, during last week's episode. Jeff had called the teams by saying 'Come on in guys' for 40 seasons but recently retired it, The Daily Telegraph reports. Us too? The American edition of Survivor has banned the term, 'Come on in guys'. Could the Australian version do the same? Pictured: Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia However, he announced that he will no longer refer to the contestants as 'guys' from now on. Jeff asked the teams: 'In the context of 'Survivor,' is a word like guys okay? Or is it time to retire that word?' One contestant agreed the term was 'uncomfortable' and in the spirit of inclusivity, Jeff agreed to retire it. Talks: The 'gendered' statement, considered by some as sexist, was discussed by the host of the US version, Jeff Probst (pictured), during last week's episode. He announced that he will no longer refer to the contestants as 'guys' from now on Him too: Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia is known to use the phrase, seemingly adopted from the American series. That's led to chatter that the local edition may ban the term 'guys' too Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia is also known to use the phrase, seemingly adopted from the American series. That's led to chatter that the local edition may ban the term 'guys' too, The Daily Telegraph reports. However, Channel Ten has not confirmed there will be any change to the terminology used in the Aussie edition. No change? However, Channel Ten has not confirmed there will be any change to the terminology used in the Aussie edition. Pictured: The recent Australian cast It comes after recent Australian Survivor: Brains v Brawn winner Hayley Leake revealed the show filmed two separate scenes announcing both finalists as winners. The 31-year-old said on TV Reload podcast, she and runner-up George Mladenov filmed the final episode in June, with both contestants shooting endings as if they had won to avoid spoilers. Hayley explained she had no idea she had won the $500,000 prize money until an executive producer contacted her the morning before the finale aired. Olivia Palermo looked sensational as she graced the front row of the Ermanno Scervino show during Milan Fashion Week on Saturday. The socialite, 35, made sure to turn heads in a black leather knot-front shirt with its sleeves rolled up to her elbows. She seamlessly paired the number with a coordinating midi skirt and accessorised the ensemble with a chunky gold chain bracelet and watch. Looking good: Olivia Palermo oozed confidence in a black leather knot-front shirt as she made a stylish arrival at the Ermanno Scervino show during Milan Fashion Week on Saturday Glam: She seamlessly paired the number with a coordinating midi skirt and accessorised the ensemble with a chunky gold chain bracelet and watch Her gorgeous caramel tresses cascaded over her shoulders in stunning curls while she posed for photographers wearing a pair of onyx loafers. She became a celebrity thanks to the MTV reality show The City which premiered in 2008. The former reality star is married to German model Johannes Huebl, 43, and the couple have remained in the Big Apple throughout the pandemic. Beauty: Her gorgeous caramel tresses cascaded over her shoulders in stunning curls while she posed for photographers wearing a pair of onyx loafers The Dress for Success impact ambassador celebrated her 35th birthday earlier this year with balloons from her husband of six years. Olivia originally met the German model through friends at a Manhattan film screening while she was still attending The New School back in 2008. 'Thank you everyone near and far for all of the birthday wishes!' Palermo - who boasts 8.1M social media followers - wrote. Grateful: The Dress for Success impact ambassador celebrated her 35th birthday earlier this year with balloons from her husband of six years 'This birthday may look a bit different but still feeling the love regardless.' In December, Palermo spoke to Page Six about trying to keep up her fashionable ensembles during the coronavirus crisis by employing 'a lot of cashmere and diamonds'. 'I have not let coronavirus stop me from getting dressed; I feel that its important,' she said. 'Im convinced its going to be the roaring 20s with that extra sparkle when we get out [of quarantine].' Ashley Benson ensured all eyes were on her as she attended the Salvatore Ferragamo show at Milan Fashion Week on Saturday. The actress, 31, looked sensational in a long black coat with cream fringed detailing, which she paired with a tiny black crop top and white trousers. She looked stunning as she styled her dark blonde locks in a side parting and messy pin curls for the event. Looking good: Ashley Benson, 31, displayed her fashion credentials as she attended the Salvatore Ferragamo show at Milan Fashion Week on Saturday Ashley paired the look with pointy black boots and a small black bag, which she held in her hand. Accessorising the look, she wore three chains around her neck and hoops in her ears. Her make up highlighted her natural beauty complete with a smokey eye and neutral coloured lip stick. Fashionista: The actress looked sensational in a long black coat with cream fringed detailing, which she paired with a tiny black crop top and white trousers Ashley has recently been spending more time with BFF Rita Ora. Earlier this month, Rita and Ashley joined their friend Kristen Stewart to charter a private plane from LA's Van Nuys airport to New York for the start of New York Film Festival. Ashley and Rita were both seen together attending fashion shows in Manhattan. Stunner: She looked stunning as she styled her dark blonde locks in a side parting and messy pin curls for the event Afterward, Ashley jetted off to Miami for a few days, reportedly to film a project, before returning to New York. She's usually based in Los Angeles, where Rita recently located to be with her boyfriend, actor and director Taika Waititi. Meanwhile, Benson was last romantically linked to G-Eazy, who she began dating in May 2020 and split from in February of this year. Amazing: She looked stunning as she styled her dark blonde locks in a side parting and messy pin curls for the event According to E! News, they broke up because they had been 'fighting a lot recently and Ashley 'didn't like the way he was acting around her.' It was also shared that the 'vibe has just been off. She told him that it's over.' And in the end, there were trust issues: 'She felt he hadn't been fully committed to her.' Previously, she dated Cara Delevingne for two years from 2018 to 2020. Cross-country flight: Ashley has recently been spending more time with BFF Rita Ora. Earlier this month, Rita and Ashley joined their friend Kristen Stewart to charter a private plane from LA's Van Nuys airport to New York for the start of NYFF Sharon Stone was overcome with emotion as she was awarded the Golden Icon Award at the Zurich Film Festival on Saturday evening. The actress, 63, wiped away tears of joy as she was recognised for her accomplished career in cinema. Sharon glowed in a stunning gold sequin strapless gown which she paired with a small glittery bag as she steps out at the award ceremony in Switzerland. Big moment: Sharon Stone was overcome with emotion as she was awarded the Golden Icon Award at the Zurich Film Festival on Saturday evening Sharon looked phenomenal in the glittering gown that clung to her flawless figure as she made her way into the event. The bombshell posed with her arm in the air in a peace sign - showing off her muscly arms as she beamed at onlookers on her way down the carpet. She caught the eye with her cropped blonde hair in a chic quiff and her ears adorned with chunky hoop earrings. The Zurich Film Festival aims to give promising and upcoming filmmakers from around the world. Wow! The actress glowed in a stunning gold sequin strapless gown which she paired with a small glittery bag as she arrived at the ceremony Looking good: Sharon looked phenomenal in the glittering gown that clung to her flawless figure as she made her way into the event Stunning: She styled her cropped blonde hair in a chic quiff and she donned chunky hoops in her ears Glamorous affair: The Zurich Film Festival aims to give promising and upcoming filmmakers from around the world Been through it: Sharon was making an appearance at the event following the tragic death of her young nephew, River, who passed away in August aged 11 months Sharon was honoured with the Golden Icon Award at Saturday night's glittering ceremony- the highest accolade the Zurich Film Festival bestows. The award was presented ahead of a screening of Martin Scorseses classic thriller Casino, which Sharon was nominated for an Oscar for in 1996. 'Sharon Stone is a true icon of the seventh art,' the festival's artistic director Christian Jungen told the Hollywood Reporter. Chuffed: Sharon was honoured with the Golden Icon Award at the 17th Zurich Film Festival - the highest accolade the industry event bestows Long time coming: The award was presented ahead of a screening of Martin Scorseses classic thriller Casino, which Sharon was nominated for an Oscar for in 1996 'Sharon Stone is a true icon of the seventh art,' the festival's artistic director Christian Jungens said of the accomplished actress (pictured together at the award presentation) He continued: 'She is a woman that Hitchcock would have loved. Her distinguishing qualities include an irresistible charm, a great human depth, the talent to play a whole range of roles and the ability to captivate an audience like no other. 'At a time when the film business was dominated by men, she stood her ground to fight against sexism and in doing so became a major role model for many women in the film business.' Sharon looked over the moon as she accepted the award with a huge grin on her face. Golden girl: Sharon looked over the moon as she accepted the award with a huge grin on her face Over the moon: The actress held the award up proudly as she made a heartfelt acceptance speech and laughed with joy at her achievement The actress held the award up proudly as she made a heartfelt acceptance speech and laughed with joy at her achievement. 'It is an honor to engage with the global community and celebrate the profound depth of our art. I am thrilled to be recognized in this capacity.,' Sharon said of the award ahead of the event. The Golden Icon accolade has previously been won by Juliette Binoche, Cate Blanchett, Glenn Close and Arnold Schwarzenegger. 'It is an honour to engage with the global community and celebrate the profound depth of our art. I am thrilled to be recognized in this capacity.,' Sharon said of the award Sharon was making an appearance at the event following the tragic death of her young nephew, River, who passed away in August aged 11 months. The actresses' nephew River died last month after being found in his crib with total organ failure. The star's younger brother Patrick Stone and wife Tasha, who are River's parents, made the tragic announcement earlier this week via CORE, the Center for Organ Recovery and Education. Good company: The Golden Icon accolade has previously been won by Juliette Binoche, Cate Blanchett, Glenn Close and Arnold Schwarzenegger Sad: Sharon's nephew River died last month after being found in his crib with total organ failure 'He was our tiny jokester, our water baby, our little foodie,' the family said in a statement to the organisation. 'Now, River has also become a hero. In death, he made a far greater contribution to this world than most of us could ever hope to ourselves. 'And he proved that the shortest of lives can also be the most meaningful ones. As an organ donor, River saved three lives.' The family said 'there will never be a day, hour, a minute or even a second that we won't miss our sweet baby.' Sharon is mother to three sons - 21-year-old Roan, 16-year-old Laird and 15-year-old Quinn. Hilary Duff had her hands full with all three of her kids in New York City on Saturday. Luca, nine, Banks, two, and five-month old daughter Mae were all in tow for the outing in the Big Apple. The 33-year-old Younger actress carried her baby in a light blue carrier with a swan graphic pattern. Mom duty: Hilary Duff had her hands full with all three of her kids in New York City on Saturday Hilary looked comfortable in a pair of white sweatpants, a beige crewneck t-shirt, and a blue, yellow, and cream flannel shirt wrapped around her hips. Making sure to add polish to her dressed down look, the mother-of-three covered her eyes with a pair of tortoiseshell cat eye sunglasses. She was seen in a pair of large hoop earrings, a necklace, and her wedding ring. A pair of well-worn, beige Reebok sneakers rounded out the getup and the former Disney star wore her blonde locks in a low, messy bun with a middle part. Saturday with mom: Luca, nine, Banks, two, and five-month old daughter Mae were all in tow for the outing in the Big Apple Banks looked chipper in a coordinating lavender sweatsuit that said 'Hi' on the front of its top. Luca donned a pair of drawstring shorts with a mashup of diagonal denim and grey cotton. The boy also had on a face mask and white Nike sneakers with orange accents. Well-equipped: The 33-year-old Younger actress carried her baby in a light blue carrier with a swan graphic pattern Earlier this month the Lizzie McGuire actress had an 'action packed weekend' with her family after recovering from COVID-19. Duff shared snaps from a beach trip and with husband Matthew Koma, 34, and their brood. The Hollywood vet revealed she had tested positive for a breakthrough case of Coronavirus on August 20 despite being vaccinated, but looked to be feeling much better after quarantining. Fun in the sun: Earlier this month the Lizzie McGuire actress had an 'action packed weekend' with her family after recovering from COVID-19 Hilary shared a slew of snaps to her Instagram story which included her digging in the sand with her son and dipping in the ocean with one of her daughters. She modeled a pink bikini and wore her blonde hair tied back in a bun as the family soaked up the sun on the beach in Santa Monica, California. Koma shared in the parental duties as he cradled their newborn on his lap in one snap, and dragged her stroller across the beach in another. Cooling off: Hilary shared a slew of snaps to her Instagram story which included her digging in the sand with her son and dipping in the ocean with one of her daughters Duff had been vaccinated with the Pfizer shot in April just one month after giving birth to Mae. She announced she had tested positive as she shared her symptoms with an Instagram selfie back in August. 'That delta... she's a little b**ch. Symptoms: bad headache. No taste or smell. Sinus pressure. Brain fog. Happy to be vaxxed (peace sign emoji).' Sandy! Duff shared snaps from a beach trip and with husband Matthew Koma, 34, and their brood Fans of Stranger Things are one step closer to the show's highly-anticipated fourth season. On Saturday the teaser for the forthcoming episodes dropped, much to the satisfaction of the eager fandom. It will come out sometime in 2022, but viewers have to wait longer for an official release date. Coming soon: On Saturday the teaser for the fourth season of the Netflix series Stranger Things dropped, much to the satisfaction of the eager fandom The haunting sneak peek begins with an unsuspecting family of four moving into a large, beautiful house. It appears to be a flashback from decades before the present day cast. As to be expected, things take a turn and become sinister. The familiar characters are later seen on screen, as they explore the now-vacant house where children mysteriously died years earlier. In the vague minute-long preview the curious bunch tries to piece together the history of the empty home. The start: The haunting teaser began with an unsuspecting family of four moving into an old house Also appearing in the new footage is the old clock. Leading up to this most recent snippet, three others have been shared since the end of the successful third season, which debuted all the way back in summer 2019. Shorter length teasers were released in February 2020, then in May and August of this year. A twist: As to be expected, things took a turn and became sinister Pending debut: Season four will come out sometime in 2022, but viewers have to wait longer for an official release date Director Shawn Levy, 53, recently stated that the long-awaited follow-up of the hit Netflix series would be 'super worth the wait.' The program's executive producer spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about various aspects of the forthcoming run of episodes, which will premiere sometime next year. Levy began the interview by expressing that he and the show's creators were aware of the hype that has been generated regarding the program and desired to make them available to the public as soon as possible. Added actors: Several new performers have been added to the show during the new season's development process He noted, 'We are long-delayed, and the Duffers and I want to share season four with the world as badly as the world wants it.' The filmmaker noted that the reason that the run of episodes has taken so long to produce is based on the scale that the series' producers had in mind. 'Part of what's taking time is long before Covid and the pandemic existed, season four was built to be by far the most ambitious, cinematic, sprawling and epic season that we've ever done...by a lot,' he said. Levy concluded by expressing that the next set of episodes would please fans of the show despite the time that it has taken to make them as fine-tuned as possible. More adventure: The familiar characters are later seen on screen, as they explore the vacant house where children mysteriously died years earlier Several new performers have been added to the show during the new season's development process. Series regulars Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder and David Harbour are set to reprise their roles from the previous seasons. Newcomers include Jamie Campbell Bower and Eduardo Franco, who have been cast as series regulars. Performers such as Robert Englund, Myles Truitt and Amybeth McNulty were also cast in recurring roles. Highly-anticipated: A definitive release date for the fourth season of Stranger Things has not been set as of yet Physical production on Stranger Things' fourth season initially began in February of last year, with filming taking place in Lithuania. The show's team then moved to Atlanta before shooting was shut down in March due to the onset of the global pandemic. Filming eventually resumed in later September after numerous delays. A definitive release date for the fourth season of Stranger Things has not been set as of yet. Familiar: Also appearing in the new footage is the old clock At long last, the new Bond film opened in cinemas yesterday, almost two years late. But the key four-letter word is not late or even Bond - but long. No Time To Die is the longest 007 movie ever. TV and radio presenter Rylan Clark-Neal is set to divorce his husband after losing a battle to save their six-year marriage. The 32-year-old star, who found fame on ITVs X Factor before carving out a successful broadcasting career, stepped down from his BBC Radio 2 show for four months after splitting from former policeman Dan Neal this year. Friends insist the couple spent weeks trying to work through their problems, but the marriage is now said to be unsalvageable. Mr Clark-Neals absence from Radio 2, social media and hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in May led to speculation. END OF THE ROAD: TV and radio presenter Rylan Clark-Neal, 32, is set to divorce his Dan Neal after losing a battle to save their six-year marriage (pictured together in 2017) In June, he broke his silence to say: Following reports about Dan and I spending time apart, I feel I have to speak out as the way it is being reported is unfair. I have made a number of mistakes which I deeply regret and have inevitably led to the breakdown of our marriage. Sources close to Mr Clark-Neal told The Mail on Sunday the couple tried to reconcile at their marital home after he spent much of the summer with his mother, Linda, who appears on his Saturday afternoon Radio 2 show. Things were looking so good, like they were back together, said one. They hoped they could avoid divorce, but its now looking like the only way forward. Friends insist the X Factor star (pictured) and the former policeman spent weeks 'trying to work through their problems', but the marriage is now said to be unsalvageable Many around them were desperately hoping they can win the battle to save their relationship. Its very sad. The couple married in 2015 at Braxted Park in Essex with guests including his This Morning co-stars Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes. They met in 2013 and got engaged in Paris. In July 2016, they stepped in for Mr Holmes and Ms Langsford, becoming the first gay couple to present the ITV programme. Returning three weeks ago to Rylan On Saturday, his Radio 2 show, Mr Clark-Neal told listeners: I am feeling better. In her address to the United Nations on Friday, the straight-shooting Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley drew for the lyrics of Get Up, Stand Up a song co-written by Reggae legends Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, as she rebuked the 76-year-old organization for being in a constant state of inertia. Mottleys address, propelled by the Marley/Tosh quote, has captured news headlines across the world. It took place at the annual gathering of world leaders in New York, and was done in a bid to spur meaningful action from the 193-member United Nations General Assembly on crises from climate and COVID-19 vaccines to poverty and education. Get Up, Stand Up originally appeared on The Wailers 1973 album Burnin where it was the lead single. Solo versions have also been recorded by Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. It was later included on Marleys iconic Legend compilation album. In the video of the address, which has been posted on the UNs YouTube channel, Mottley, after giving her salutations to the Assembly, dispensed with her prepared speech, and like a stern headmistress, made her no-nonsense stance clear. If I use this speech prepared for me to deliver today, it would be a repetition. A repetition of what you have heard from others and also from me, Mottley said. She then addressed issues ranging from the UNs nonchalant attitude towards Haiti and Cuba; the hoarding of vaccines by rich countries; the digital divide and the disillusionment of countrys leaders with the UN, as she called for, among other things, global, moral and strategic leadership from the organisation. In the words of Robert Nesta Marley. Who will get up and stand up for the rights of our people? an impassioned Mottley demanded to know, as she drew for the Wailers 1973 hit. Who will stand up in the name of all those who have died during this awful pandemic? The millions. Who will stand up in the name of all those who have died because of the climate crisis, or who will stand up for the Small Island Developing States who need 1.5 degrees to survive? she demanded to know. Mottley was satirical, and also lyrical in her address, as she compared and contrasted the manner in which the worlds leaders have prioritized the addressing of absurdities and sometimes unessential activities, over basic needs required for human survival. If we can find the will to send people to the moon and solve male baldness as I have said over and over, we can solve simple problems like letting our people eat at affordable prices, she said as she scolded the world leaders. Mottley, who has led Barbados since 2018, was imperious as she rebuked the United Nations for being unengaging and only giving token initiatives that will not close the gap. This is not 1945 with 50 countries. This is 2021 with many countries that did not exist in 1945 who must face their people and answer the needs of their people. Who want to know what is the relevance of an international community that only comes and does not listen to each other that only talks and will not talk with each other, she declared. She also called upon the Assembly indicate to indicate what direction it wants the world to go in. How many more leaders must come to this podium and not be heard before they stop coming? How many times must we address an empty hall of officials and an institution that was intended to be made for leaders to discuss with leaders? Mottley, a lawyer by profession said. This age, dangerously resembles that of a century ago, a time when we were on the eve of the Great Depression, a time when we fought a similar pandemic and a time when facism, and populism and nationalism led to the decimation of populations through actions that are too horrendous for us to even contemplate. Our world knows not what it is gambling with and if we dont control this fire, it will burn us all down, she added. In addressing the matter of the digital divide, the Barbadian Prime Minister also aid this was as a result of the selfishness of some wealthy nations. We have the means to give every child on this planet a tablet. And we have the means to give every adult a vaccine. And we have the means to invest in protecting the most vulnerable on our planet from a change in climate. But we choose not to, Mottley said. It is not because we do not have enough, it is because we do not have the will to distribute that which we have, added said. Mottleys song of choice Get Up Stand Up, has been described as a signature song with a more confrontational and militant tone than previous records by the Wailers. Get Up, Stand Up has become famous for being the worlds biggest protest song, and played a key role in the struggle of black people in Apartheid South Africa, who were being oppressed by a white minority. In 1988, the song was performed live by Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman and Youssou NDour at an Amnesty International Concert for Human Rights. Get Up, Stand Up has been sampled in 45 songs including Crown The King by American rap group Migos, Book of Life by Common in 1994 and Git Up, Git Out by OutKast featuring Goodie Mob in 1994. It was also and covered in 27 songs and remixed in one, according to whossampledwho.com. Millet organisations and enthusiastic farmers will be part of the two-year-long awareness campaign for producing minor millets in huge quantities in the district to highlight the rich quality of millet produced in India. (AFP Photo) ANANTAPUR: Warm-up activities for celebrating the International Millets Year 2023, as declared by United Nations Organisation (UNO), have kick-started at Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh. Collector Nagalakshmi unveiled brochures for the mega awareness campaign here on Friday. Millet organisations and enthusiastic farmers will be part of the two-year-long awareness campaign for producing minor millets in huge quantities in the district to highlight the rich quality of millet produced in India. Anantha Adarana Millets Farmers Producer Company Ltd. of Anantapur is backing the endeavour in the district in the run-up to the international celebrations in 2023. Adarana chairman Ramakrishna told Deccan Chronicle: "Though, centre has to initiate the mega event, we have started preparatory activities to warm-up farmers in advance towards producing millets for 2023," he said. On behalf of Anantha Adarana, minor millets expert Dr. Khader Vali will tour all parts of Anantapur district to create awareness among farmers about producing minor millets for two years. Vali will take part in different farmer awareness seminars at various zonal centres in the district. One will be on September 26 and 27 in Hampapuram at Adarana Farm House. Another will be held on September 27 at Partisala, Puttaparthi, in collaboration with Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust managing trustee R.J. Ratnakar and Puttaparthi legislator D. Sridhara Reddy. On the same day, there will be a function organised at RJH Function Hall in Lepakshi under patronage of the Hindupur market. Already, Rayalaseema and surrounding areas in Karnataka are producing millets on a large scale, with tens of thousands getting habituated to minor millets as health food. The two-year-long awareness campaign will give an additional boost to millet production in the region, the Adarana chairman declared. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday said his government has kept up its poll assurances, delivering 202 among the 505 promises made in the run up to the Assembly polls to the State besides other announcements made in the legislative Assembly. Taking pride in the unique achievement, which he claimed no other governments in the Indian subcontinent has delivered, the Chief Minister assured to meet the people once every three months, with a list of achievements, to inform them about his government's progress. Of the 505 promises, 202 assurances were delivered by my government within 4 months. Of all the governments in the Indian subcontinent, such a pace of implementation can only be attributed to the DMK government, he said in a video message posted on his twitter site. This achievement, he said should not be viewed as a momentary acceleration. This is how we perform and will continue to do so, every single day. Will meet you once every 3 months to let you know of the progress we made with the list of achievements, Stalin said. The CM said he would meet the people not as someone who takes them for granted thinking he will have to face them only after 5 years. It is you and my conscience that drives me. You order. I am waiting to deliver, he said. Stalin said he has taken charge of Chief Ministership because of people's votes. Each and every vote that was cast, serve as a strong base for me to be in Fort St. George. Each one of you cast your votes with the belief that we will always keep up our promises. We will always deliver the best of services to our people, he said. He also expressed pride that his government was safeguarding the trust that the people have invested in us. You have voted us. And we have kept most of our promises. Hence, I am talking to you, brimming with pride... presenting the DMK's election manifesto, I said as Thalaivar Kalaignar (his father and late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi) always says, we say what we do, and do as we say', Stalin said. In just 4 months after assuming office the DMK government delivered upon most of the promises. Listing some of the achievements, he said on May 7, within a few hours of assuming office he signed 5 important files including Coronavirus relief of Rs 4,000 for all 2.09 crore rice ration cardholders, reduction of Aavin milk prices by Rs 3 per litre, free bus rides for women in government city and town buses, and formation of a new department: Chief Minister in your constituency' to act upon public grievances. The first 4 of 5 promises were part of our election manifesto. Following this, to safeguard the interests of farmers and to improve agricultural production for the first time, a separate budget was presented for agriculture. Loans amounting to Rs 2,756 crore lent to women self help groups through Cooperative Credit Societies were waived, jewel loans lent through Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies were waived, he said. Reduction of petrol prices by Rs 3 per litre, reviving and implementing Anna Marumalarchi Thittam (Anna Renaissance Scheme) in rural areas on an estimated budget of Rs 1,200 crore, reviving and implementing the Namakku Naame Thittam with the support of local communities on an outlay of Rs 100 crores, cash awards for Olympic medal winners were among the promises fulfilled. Apart from passing resolutions against Centre's new farm laws and CAA in the Assembly and exemption from NEET, the government announced ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh for the families of doctors who lost their lives during COVID-19 treatment efforts, ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh for families of police officials and personnel who lost their lives during the COVID-19 frontline efforts, enhancing quota for women in government employment to 40 per cent, among others. Most of our promises have been kept 51 promises from the Governor's address, 2 promises from my reply, 43 promises from the budget, 23 promises from the agriculture budget, 64 promises from the announcements by ministers, and 16 promises from other announcements have also been delivered, he noted. Initiatives which were not part of the DMK's manifesto like 7.5 percent reservation for students from government schools on preferential basis in all professional courses, total fee waiver for beneficiaries of this reservation, free travel scheme in government buses extended to transgenders and differently abled, Rs 5 lakh fixed deposit for the children orphaned due to COVID-19 pandemic, to name a few were also delivered. All the above were not announced by us but delivered. We not only did what we said but also did what we have not said, Stalin said. New Delhi: At his first bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday, that is expected to have covered a host of issues such as defence cooperation, trade, climate change, Covid-19 vaccines and also discussions on the situation in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the seeds have been sown for an even stronger friendship between India and the US. President Biden said both leaders are launching a new chapter in history of India-US ties, taking on some of the toughest challenges we face together, starting with a shared commitment. At the start of the meeting in front of the cameras, the US President said he and Mr Modi would discuss about what more we can do to fight Covid-19, take on the climate challenges that the world faces, and ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific, including with our own Quad partners. President Biden said that the relationship between India and the United States, the largest democracies in the world, is destined to be stronger, closer and tighter, and it can benefit the whole world. The US President also mentioned the India-US shared responsibility to uphold democratic values, our joint commitment to diversity, and its about family ties, including the four million Indian Americans (who) make the United States stronger every single day. The India-US strategic partnership that is set to be strengthened by Fridays meeting is being watched keenly by a wary China. Describing President Bidens leadership as important, Mr Modi said that trade will be an important factor in India-US ties in the coming decade, and that technology is becoming a driving force, adding that this decade will be shaped by talent and people-to-people linkages. Recalling Mahatma Gandhis concepts in the context of the health of the planet, Mr Modi said Gandhiji spoke about trusteeship, a concept which is very important for our planet in the times to come. The meeting came just ahead of the Quad summit that will begin close to midnight (Saturday IST). There was also some light-hearted banter in front of the cameras between the two leaders, with President Biden mentioning again that he had relatives in India descended from a certain Capt. George Biden, who had worked in the East India Tea Company, with Mr Modi chuckling that he had brought along some documents in this regard for the President to see, following which the two leaders had a good laugh. In his remarks before the media in the presence of Mr Modi, President Biden said: Ive long believed that the US-India relationship can help us solve global challenges, adding that 15 years ago he had said that by 2020, India and the United States would be the closest nations in the world. Invoking Indias Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, President Biden said: Were all reminded that his message of non-violence, respect, tolerance, matters today maybe more than ever. Mr Modi said: I would like to thank the President for the warm welcome. I recall our interactions in 2014 and 2016. That time you had shared your vision for ties between India and the USA. I am glad to see you are working to realise this vision. Todays bilateral summit is important. We are meeting at the start of the third decade of this century. Your leadership will certainly play an important role in how this decade is shaped. The seeds have been sown for an even stronger friendship between India and the USA. Mr Modi added: This decade will be shaped by talent and people-to-people linkages. I am glad the Indian diaspora is making an active contribution towards the USAs progress. Technology is becoming a driving force. We have to utilise our talents to leverage technology for the greater global good. There is much to be done in trade. Trade will be an important factor in India-USA ties in the coming decade. The PM then added: President Biden mentioned Gandhijis Jayanti. Gandhiji spoke about trusteeship, a concept which is very important for our planet in the times to come. Each of the subjects mentioned by the President is crucial for the India-US friendship. His efforts on Covid-19, mitigating climate change and the Quad are noteworthy. Soon after the meeting, Mr Modi tweeted: Had an outstanding meeting with @POTUS @JoeBiden. His leadership on critical global issues is commendable. We discussed how India and USA will further scale up cooperation in different spheres and work together to overcome key challenges like Covid-19 and climate change. Soon after this, MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi tweeted: A Partnership of Trust -- globally we will make a difference! Vibrant discussions between PM @narendramodi & @POTUS Joseph Biden on global, regional & bilateral issues. An expansive agenda including defence, security, health, education, trade, IT, economic, science and technology, energy & people to people ties. New Delhi: Eminent women's rights activist, poet and author Kamla Bhasin passed away on Saturday after a battle with cancer. She was 75. Bhasin, a prominent voice in the women's movement in India and other South Asian countries, breathed her last at a city hospital. "Kamla Bhasin, our dear friend, passed away around 3am today 25th Sept. This is a big setback for the women's movement in India and the South Asian region. She celebrated life whatever the adversity. Kamla you will always live in our hearts. In Sisterhood, which is in deep grief," Activist Kavita Srivastava said on Twitter. The chant of 'Azaadi' which echoed across protest sites in the country is said to have been popularised by Bhasin as a feminist slogan against patriarchy. Netizens took to Twitter to condole Bhasin's demise. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted, "Deeply saddened by the demise of #KamlaBhasin ji. She was a stalwart of the women's movement in India. My deepest condolences to her family and her loved ones. She will always remain an inspiration for many of us." Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan said Kamla Bhasin was not only a women's rights activist, but also a philanthropist who set up and helped setting up many fine public Interest institutions like Jagori in Himachal Pradesh and School for democracy in Rajasthan. "She will be missed by many. May her soul rest in peace," he tweeted. Social activist Harsh Mander also expressed grief at her passing away. "Immense grief at passing of Kamla Bhasin. She has been and will remain a massive influence on many generations, teaching us by word, action, poetry, song & storytelling the equality of genders. She loved life, loved people," he tweeted. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also took to Twitter to condole her death. He shared her poem and posted a message, "Farewell to the inspiring Kamla Bhasin, voice of women's empowerment, heroine of girls' education, immortal poet." Historian S Irfan Habib said, "Very sad to hear about the tragic demise of dear friend and an exceptional human being Kamla Bhasin. We were just discussing her health yesterday but never realised that she will leave us next day. You will be terribly missed." Save the Children India, in a tweet, said, "Your legacy will live on in songs of hope and writings of courage. The spirit of movement will continue to ignite change. Rest in glory Kamla Bhasin. Your work will continue inspiring our collective efforts to drive change for every girl towards a vision of equality you espoused". At the state level, a state emergency operations centre has been set up to monitor the situation round the clock. (Representational Photo: PTI) VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh government has put on high alert three districts Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam, as they have become vulnerable to impending cyclonic storm in Bay of Bengal. Collectors of the three districts have identified 86,000 families living in low-lying areas for evacuation. Arrangements are being made to shift them to high ground cyclone shelters on need basis. Nearly 59,496 fishermen families live along the 378 km coastline in the three districts. Collectors have instructed revenue divisional officers, tahsildars and officials of other line departments to take immediate precautionary measures to face any eventuality. Earlier, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy reviewed preparedness in facing the cyclonic storm with officials at his camp office. He directed government machinery to take all necessary measures required to face the cyclone. As heavy rainfall is expected when the cyclonic storm crosses the coastline, we should be prepared to face any eventuality, including dealing with the post-storm scenario, the CM observed. Officials informed the Chief Minister that personnel from AP State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) have already been deployed in the three vulnerable districts. Control rooms have also been set up at village secretariats. At the state level, a state emergency operations centre has been set up to monitor the situation round the clock. Emergency operation centres have also been activated with all communication systems in vulnerable districts. As many as 76 mandal emergency operation centres, 145 multipurpose cyclone centres, 16 fish-landing centres and eight tourist locations have been connected to state and district level emergency centres. APSDMA has already positioned one SDRF team in Visakhapatnam and two in Srikakulam. One more team is being deployed in Visakhapatnam. Officers of essential services like police, transport, power, telecommunications, and drinking water have been instructed to be ready. Adequate stocks of essential commodities have been positioned at central points. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea up to September 27. Due to prevalence of Covid-19, health authorities have been instructed to keep ready buffer stocks of oxygen and be ready with plans to evacuate Covid-19 patients to safety. Let the details of the events pegged to Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the United States in Washington and New York -- and the frenetic diplomacy on the margins of the UN General Assembly session emerge in clear relief before objections are raised by scantily informed punditry. Meanwhile, let us keep our gaze where we can see. What could possibly be common between the Taliban brandishing their weapons in Kabul and the Palestinians twirling their spoons (yes, tea spoons) with a flourish? Well, the latter were celebrating because six Palestinian prisoners had pulled off a seemingly impossible escape from the high security Gilboa prison in northern Israel. Clearly a huge embarrassment for a state which flaunts national security as a marketable commodity. The spoon has become an emblem because the six had used it as an implement to dig a hole in the toilet attached to their cell. The prisoners, according to the 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 Fatahs 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 that is all too common in history -- the limits to power. Massive intelligence failure attended both the events. True, a jailbreak simply cannot be compared with the reconquest of a country, but that is not the way the 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 the Palestinians. The Taliban, likewise, in the initial flush of victory, are folk heroes in Afghanistan and beyond, having done a David on Goliath. But a pall is settling on their theatre of action. To bring out the irony in sharp focus on the American debacle in Afghanistan, recall the January 29, 2002 State of the Union address by then President George W. Bush. Mr Bush had sketched in bold colours the Axis of Evil. Ironies upon ironies attend that speech. Mr Bush welcomed Hamid Karzai as the leader of liberated Afghanistan. Mr Karzai is now under house arrest. Mr 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 of those 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 realistically 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. Americas young people who are now 20 years of age have never seen an America at peace. The suicide rates among US military veterans is as high as 18 per day? Mr Biden clearly abhors this data. The problem, of course, is that Mr 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 the 9/11 attacks indicates a sharp departure from past practice. And now even military protection is being withdrawn. In recent weeks the US removed its most advanced missile defence system, as well as the Patriot batteries, from the Kingdom which faces attacks from, say, the Houthis in Yemen. Troop reductions from Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan have also been confirmed by the Pentagon. The US departure from Afghanistan will remain vivid in our minds for years. Despite these stories, every American strategist will tell you that the Middle East is not being abandoned. There is that over the horizon capability which includes updated drones. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson calls it the outside-in ability. Let us hope that Indias northwest is not going to be a launching pad. Israel, which is busy adjusting to the limits on its power as a concept, must place in its calculus the US move to distance itself from the Arab theatre. Yes, support for Israel in the United States remains durable the Jewish control of banks, the media, institutes of learning, elections, 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 its support of the American evangelical Christians. It must be assiduously wooed. People must understand that the backbone of support for Israel in the US is the evangelical Christian, he said. The US thinning out from the region will accentuate popular perceptions of Israels exclusive support base inside the United States. As Israel rolls its eyes around to size up the neighbourhood for subtle adjustments, it will find, to its chagrin, Iran undiminished. The Houthis in Yemen, Hashd al Shaabi in Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon, groups supportive of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria and increasing reports of an Iranian role in Afghanistan, initiated by the late Quds commander, Qasem Soleimani. All of these enhance Irans position in the region. The cookie in Afghanistan having crumbled the way it has, Irans role in this theatre may in the future be of interest to the United States. 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 Mr Biden accords to what former President Barack Obama called pivot to Asia, meaning the focus on China. The pivot was of much greater saliency. West Asia, though still important, had placed a disproportionate demand on Washingtons attention. The nuclear deal of 2015 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 and Turkey. The regional balance of power would then require less day to day attention, freeing Washington to pay greater attention to the pivot. That continues to be the route on Mr Bidens GPS. Reportedly, the company has started rolling out the filter feature on Gmail for Android earlier this week. (AFP Photo) Washington: Tech giant Google is introducing a new search filter feature in Gmail for Android users, which will eventually make finding emails simpler. Mashable reported that the company has recently shared an official post on its Workspace forum to announce the search filter options in Gmail for Android. The company added the feature to the web version of Gmail last year and has now extended it to the Android app. The new features will make users find the relevant emails easier by using easy-to-access filters. They include 'From', 'Sent to', 'Date', and 'Attachment' options, and they reside right under the search bar in Gmail on Android devices. So, users can tap any of the options before or after searching for emails in their inbox, much like its desktop counterpart. The newly introduced search filters will help users easily find the email they are looking for in the Gmail app. As per Mashable, the users can use the search filters before typing anything in the search bar to instantly access relevant emails or use them after making a search to further narrow down the results. Reportedly, the company has started rolling out the filter feature on Gmail for Android earlier this week. However, Google is following an extended rollout schedule. For the users who are unable to see the feature enabled in the Gmail app on their Android device even after updating it from the Play Store, Google said that the feature would be available by the end of October. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. President Joe Biden speaks during the Quad summit in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Washington. Seated clockwise from left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. (AP/Evan Vucci) Washington: India, Australia, Japan and the US have pledged to work together for ensuring peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and the world, as top leaders of the Quad grouping announced a slew of new initiatives to take on common challenges, amidst muscle flexing by an assertive China in the strategic region. In a way, Quad would play the role as Force for Global good, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his short address on Friday and exuded confidence that this cooperation by the four democracies will ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world. Modi was the first leader invited by host President Joe Biden to address the first in-person Quad gathering in the East Room of the White House. Biden, who earlier in the day had a more than an-hour long meeting with Modi, described the prime minister as My Friend." Opening the summit, President Biden said the four democracies have come together to take on common challenges from Covid to climate. This group has democratic partners who share world views and have common vision for the future, he said. "When we met six months ago, we made a concrete commitment to advance our shared positive agenda for free and open up the session. Today we are proud to say that we're making progress, Biden said. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Japanese counterpart Suga were the two other leaders in the historic East Room. The vaccine initiative is on track, Biden said, adding that the Quad is taking action on climate change with a new partnership for zero emission shipping. "Today, we're also launching a new quad fellowship for students from each of our five countries to pursue advanced degrees in leading Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programmes through the United States, Biden said. The four countries have a long history of cooperation. We know how to get things done. And we are up to the challenge, Biden said. Thanking Biden for his initiative to organize this historic first ever in-person Quad Summit, Modi said the four countries came together for the first time in 2004 to extend support to the Indo-Pacific Region. "Today, when the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are meeting once again as Quad and working in the interest of humanity, he said. The Quad vaccine initiative is going to provide a great help to the nations in the Indo-Pacific region, he said. "Based on our common democratic values, Quad has decided to move forward with positive thinking," he said. Be it supply chain or security, be it climate action or COVID response, or cooperation in the field of technology, Modi said he would be very happy to talk to the leaders at the meeting. Australian Prime Minister Morrison said that the Indo-Pacific region should be free from coercion and disputes should be solved in accordance with international law, in a veiled reference to China. "We believe in a free and open Indo Pacific, because we know that the limits are strong, stable, and prosperous freedom to realise their hopes and dreams to live in a liberal free society, he said. Quad, he said, is about demonstrating how democracy such as these get things done, they can handle the big challenges in a very complex and changing world. Observing that there is no part of the world that is more dynamic than the Indo-Pacific at this time, a region that has extraordinary opportunity, Morrison said that there are many challenges that must be overcome. Prime Minister Suga of Japan, like the other three leaders, stressed the importance of the first ever in-person Quad Summit, saying this event demonstrates strong solidarity between our four nations and an unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. "It gives me great pleasure to discuss with my friends wide ranging topics from supply chains to global security, from climate action to COVID response, to cooperation in the field of technology. A Quad, in a sense, will play the role of a force for global good. I'm confident that our cooperation, under Quad, will ensure prosperity and peace in the Indo Pacific and in the world, Modi said. Later briefing the media, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that the Quad leaders discussed the Afghan situation, challenges in Indo-Pacific, Covid-19, climate change and cyber security. The leaders shared perspectives on the situation in Afghanistan, the emerging challenges in South Asia and Indo-Pacific, he said. They reaffirmed their commitment to work together to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and work towards preventing the other pandemics that would come in the future, he said. Prime Minister Modi announced that India would make available 8 million doses of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, manufactured in India by October end, Shringla said. The leaders also discussed evolving a common approach to emerging technologies, cyber security and addressing the challenge of climate change and space cooperation, he added. He said the joint statement has a strong language with regard to terrorism. India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the region. China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. Ahead of the Quad summit, Prime Minister Modi separately met his Australian and Japanese counterparts on Thursday and they reaffirmed the importance of maritime security towards the realisation of a "free and open" Indo-Pacific. In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence, amidst China's growing military presence in the strategic region. Competition Commission on Friday imposed penalties totalling over Rs 873 crore on United Breweries Ltd, Carlsberg India, All India Brewers' Association (AIBA) and 11 individuals for cartelisation in the sale and supply of beer. In its 231-page order, which comes nearly four years after ordering a detailed probe, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has also directed the companies, association and individuals to "cease and desist" from anti-competitive practices in the future. The final order has been passed against United Breweries Ltd (UBL), SABMiller India Ltd, now renamed as Anheuser Busch InBev India Ltd (AB InBev), and Carlsberg India Private Ltd (CIPL), among other entities. The regulator did not impose any fine on Ab InBev, while lesser penalties have been slapped on others. An official release said the companies and other entities have been found to be "indulging in cartelisation in the sale and supply of beer in various States and Union Territories in India, including through the platform of All India Brewers' Association (AIBA)". As AIBA was found to be actively involved in facilitating such cartelisation, CCI has also held it to be contravening the competition law. "Giving benefit of reduction in penalty... 100 per cent to AB InBev and its individuals, 40 per cent to UBL and its individuals and 20 per cent to CIPL and its individuals," the release said. The fines on UBL and Carlsberg India are nearly Rs 752 crore and Rs 121 crore, respectively. A fine of over Rs 6.25 lakh has been imposed on AIBA and various individuals have also been fined by the regulator. The period of cartelisation was considered to be from 2009 to at least October 10, 2018, with CIPL joining in from 2012 and AIBA serving as a platform for facilitating such cartelisation since 2013. All three beer companies were lesser penalty applicants before the regulator. As per the release, October 10, 2018, was the date on which the Director-General (DG) conducted search and seizure operations at the premises of the beer companies. Based on evidences of regular communications between the parties collected by the DG during search and seizure, and disclosures made in the lesser penalty applications, CCI found that the three companies engaged in price coordination, which is in violation of competition norms, the release said. CCI, which keeps a tab on unfair business practices across sectors, ordered a detailed probe by its investigation arm DG in October 2017. The matter was taken up suo motu by the regulator following a filing of an application under Section 46 of the Competition Act by Crown Beers India Pvt Ltd and SABMiller India Ltd, both ultimately held by Ab InBev, against UBL, Carlsberg India and AIBA in July 2017. Section 46 pertains to lesser penalty provision. The companies were found to have engaged in price coordination in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal, National Capital Territory of Delhi and Union Territory of Puducherry. Besides, they were found "collectively restricting the supply of beer in the states of Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal... and in sharing of the market in the state of Maharashtra as well as co-ordination with respect to the supply of beer to premium institutions in the city of Bengaluru," the release said. Further, the fair trade regulator also found coordination among UBL and AB InBev for the purchase of second-hand bottles. Also, "4 individuals of UBL, 4 individuals of AB InBev, 6 individuals of CIPL and the Director-General of AIBA, were held by CCI to be liable for the anti-competitive conduct of their respective companies/ association," the release said. Check out the latest DH videos here: The cab driver arrested for sexually assaulting a woman passenger outside her apartment complex in East Bengaluru on Wednesday had known her for quite some time, police say. Devarajulu, 25, and the 24-year-old hotel employee had exchanged phone numbers. She often called him for a ride whenever she got home late or went to parties, police have found. Devarajulu, a native of Andhra Pradesh, is currently in five-day custody of the Jeevan Bima Nagar police. The woman met Devarajulu for the first time a few months ago when she booked a cab on a ride-hailing app. During the journey, they struck a conversation and exchanged numbers. Devarajulu asked her to call him directly if she needed a cab ride. She did call him on a few occasions thereafter and took a ride in his cab, said a police officer who questioned Devarajulu. We suspect that the driver took advantage of her amenable nature and sexually abused her when she was in an inebriated state, the officer added. Police puzzled Police are, however, intrigued by why Devarajulu chose to sexually assault her right in front of her apartment complex in Murugespalya after driving her all the way from the hotel in HSR Layout. The woman says Devarajulu abused her when she fell asleep but that she gained her senses and caught him in a compromising position. China intensified its crackdown on cryptocurrency Friday, declaring all financial transactions involving cryptocurrencies illegal and issuing a nationwide ban on cryptocurrency mining, the power-hungry process in which vast computer networks compete for newly created crypto tokens. Bitcoin, the worlds largest cryptocurrency, dropped as much as 7%, to around $41,100, on the news but recovered somewhat as the day went on. The clampdown in China comes as the countrys central bank has been testing its own digital currency, the electronic Chinese yuan. A notice posted by the central bank explicitly called out Bitcoin and Ether, the two most popular cryptocurrencies, for being issued by nonmonetary authorities. George Selgin, an economist and senior fellow at the Cato Institute, said that creating a central bank digital currency and making crypto transactions illegal were part of the Chinese governments broader effort to channel citizens away from popular private financial services providers, such as AliPay and WeChat. A state-controlled digital currency would allow the government to collect data and keep tabs on citizens everyday transactions and would make it easier for the government to control access to an individuals funds, among other concerns. Also read: Explained | What's new in China's crackdown on crypto? This is really about establishing a state monopoly in payments, he said. The most obvious implication is that the state will have more opportunities to monitor citizens economic activity. In a joint statement by 11 Chinese government entities, authorities vowed to work closely to punish illegal crypto mining activities to help prevent the hidden risks caused by the blind and disorderly development of the industry and to help the country achieve its carbon reduction goals. Chinas central bank also announced that other activities tied to cryptocurrencies, like trading, token issuance and derivatives for virtual currencies, would be strictly prohibited. The bank reiterated that it was illegal for offshore crypto exchanges to serve customers in mainland China, one way that traders there have skirted a long-standing ban on domestic crypto exchanges. The moves Friday were the latest signal of Beijings determination to turn the screws on cryptocurrencies. China banned domestic cryptocurrency exchanges years ago, but trading has continued clandestinely by other means. And China has remained a major hub for cryptocurrency mining operations, in which computer farms compete to solve complex equations in return for Bitcoin, despite restrictions on the practice. In May, Chinas State Council, the governments main administrative Cabinet, vowed to crack down on Bitcoin trading and mining, leading local authorities in several parts of China to shut down crypto mining operations. As recently as 2017, Chinese mining groups generated more than two-thirds of all Bitcoin issued daily. In terms of the environmental impact of crypto mining, there are probably only limited benefits derived from Chinas latest announcement, said Alex DeVries, an economist in the Netherlands who studies the environmental effects of the crypto industry. Altogether, as long as other countries dont implement similar policies, the overall effect on the global environmental impact of mining will remain low, he said. A regulatory blitz by Chinese authorities is also cracking down on the countrys tech, education and property sectors. China is not the only country to have restricted access to crypto exchanges and related services. But crypto traders have found workarounds, masking their locations or using peer-to-peer methods to buy and sell digital currencies. US officials have also recently expressed concern about users gaining access to offshore crypto exchanges that operate under different rules. The exchanges are required to block access to US users, which has prompted some to hop countries in search of more amenable jurisdictions. Worldwide, governments are racing to keep up with developments in the $2 trillion cryptocurrency industry, which is growing fast and beginning to disrupt traditional banking and finance. Some officials fear these digital tokens could become a systemic risk, threatening the wider financial system. The rules on what is allowed in cryptocurrency vary from country to country, to the dismay of industry executives, who say a lack of regulatory clarity or overly prescriptive rules hamper innovation. US banking regulators have held interagency crypto sprints in recent months to lay out pathways for regulation. Financial regulators have met under the Treasury Departments guidance to prepare a report this fall on the risks of a particular kind of cryptocurrency, known as a stablecoin, that has exploded in use in recent months. In some smaller nations, like El Salvador, which recently adopted Bitcoin as legal tender, the open, global financial network based on cryptocurrencies is being promoted as a tool to foster financial inclusion and economic growth. The Bahamas created a digital sand dollar a version of the Bahamian dollar that is the most advanced central bank digital currency in the world and has welcomed crypto businesses interested in relocating. This week, crypto derivatives exchange FTX, a large crypto platform, announced that it would move from Hong Kong to the Bahamas, which has one of the worlds few comprehensive crypto regulatory structures, the exchanges founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, said in a statement explaining the move. Binance, the worlds biggest cryptocurrency exchange, was founded by Changpeng Zhao in China in 2017 but moved to Japan within months, after Chinese officials cracked down on crypto trading platforms. After other moves, including at one point saying it had no official headquarters, Binance announced in July that it would create regional headquarters in every area of the world where it operated. Most people dont understand how much work we do to follow the rules, said Zhao, who is now based in Singapore. India, US on Saturday called on the Taliban to allow full, safe, direct, and unhindered access for United Nations and its specialised agencies engaged in relief activity. The two countries have asked Taliban to adhere to its commitments and respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children and minority groups, and asked the new rulers of Afghanistan to make sure that the war-torn countrys territory is never again used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists. In a US-India Joint Leaders Statement issued after the first in-person bilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, the two leaders underscored the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan. The two leaders resolved that the Taliban must abide by UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021) which demands that Afghan territory must never again be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or finance terrorist attacks, and underscored the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, according to the joint statement. The resolution was adopted under Indias presidency of the UN Security Council in August. President Biden and Prime Minister Modi called on the Taliban to adhere to these and all other commitments, including regarding the safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals and to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and members of minority groups, the statement said. (With PTI inputs) Watch the latest DH Videos here: Taking a firm stand against the coup in Myanmar, the US and India have called for a swift return to democracy in the country, an end to the use of violence and release of all political detainees. In a Joint Statement issued following the first face-to-face bilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Friday, the two leaders also called for the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five Point consensus on Myanmar. The Leaders called for an end to the use of violence, for release of all political detainees, and for a swift return to democracy in Myanmar. They further called for the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus, the statement said. Read more: US, Pakistan face each other again on Afghanistan threats Myanmar's military seized power on February 1 after overthrowing the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and declared a state of emergency. Suu Kyi is among an estimated 3,400 people still being held by the junta. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last month came up with a five-point consensus stating that there shall be an immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties shall exercise utmost restraint; constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people. It said a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair shall facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the secretary-general of ASEAN; ASEAN shall provide humanitarian assistance through the AHA Centre (ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management); and the special envoy and delegation shall visit Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned. The ASEAN is an economic union comprising 10 member states in Southeast Asia. Its members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. India has previously condemned the violence in Myanmar and condoled the loss of life, as it urged maximum restraint and called for the release of detained leaders. India has also emphasised the situation in Myanmar to be resolved peacefully and underlined its steadfast commitment to democratic transition. According to a recent UN Development Programme report, the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar will further compound the socioeconomic impact of the Covid pandemic, reducing incomes. In the worst-case scenario, nearly half of the population of Myanmar (48.2 per cent) will live in poverty (compared to the 24.8 per cent in 2017), reversing gains made since 2005, the report said, adding that if the situation on the ground persists, the poverty rate could double by the beginning of 2022. The Taliban's takeover of Kabul has deepened the mutual distrust between the US and Pakistan, two putative allies who have tangled over Afghanistan. But both sides still need each other. With the Biden administration looking for new ways to stop terrorist threats in Afghanistan, it will likely look again to Pakistan, which remains critical to US intelligence and national security because of its proximity to Afghanistan and connections to the Taliban leaders now in charge. Over two decades of war, American officials accused Pakistan of playing a double game by promising to fight terrorism and cooperate with Washington while cultivating the Taliban and other extremist groups that attacked US forces in Afghanistan. Islamabad, meanwhile, pointed to what it saw as failed promises of a supportive government in Kabul after the US drove the Taliban from power following the September 11, 2001, attacks as extremist groups took refuge in eastern Afghanistan and launched deadly attacks throughout Pakistan. But the US wants Pakistani cooperation in counterterrorism efforts and could seek permission to fly surveillance flights into Afghanistan or other intelligence cooperation. And Pakistan wants US military aid and good relations with Washington, even as its leaders openly celebrate the Taliban's rise to power. Also Read | Pakistan is 'arsonist' disguising itself as 'fire-fighter': India's strong Right of Reply at UNGA Over the last 20 years, Pakistan has been vital for various logistics purposes for the US military. What's really been troubling is that, unfortunately, there hasn't been a lot of trust, said US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat who sits on the House Intelligence Committee. I think the question is whether we can get over that history to arrive at a new understanding. Former diplomats and intelligence officers from both countries say the possibilities for cooperation are severely limited by the events of the last two decades and Pakistan's enduring competition with India. The previous Afghan government, which was strongly backed by New Delhi, routinely accused Pakistan of harbouring the Taliban. The new Taliban government includes officials that American officials have long believed are linked to Pakistan's spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence. Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the US, said he understood the temptation of officials in both countries to try and take advantage of the situation and find common ground. But Haqqani said he expected Pakistan to give all possible cooperation to the Taliban. This has been a moment Pakistan has been waiting for 20 years, said Haqqani, now at the Hudson Institute think tank. They now feel that they have a satellite state." US officials are trying to quickly build what President Joe Biden calls an over the horizon capacity to monitor and stop terrorist threats. Without a partner country bordering Afghanistan, the US has to fly surveillance drones long distances, limiting the time they can be used to watch over targets. The US also lost most of its network of informants and intelligence partners in the now-deposed Afghan government, making it critical to find common ground with other governments that have more resources in the country. Pakistan could be helpful in that effort by allowing overflight rights for American spy planes from the Persian Gulf or permitting the US to base surveillance or counterterrorism teams along its border with Afghanistan. There are few other options among Afghanistan's neighbours. Iran is a US adversary. And Central Asian countries north of Afghanistan all face varying degrees of Russian influence. Read | Modi-Harris meet: US again subtly nudges India to protect democratic principles There are no known agreements so far. CIA Director William Burns visited Islamabad earlier this month to meet with Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan's army chief, and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, who leads the ISI, according to a Pakistani government statement. Burns and Hameed have also separately visited Kabul in recent weeks to meet with Taliban leaders. The CIA declined to comment on the visits. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi noted this week that Islamabad had cooperated with US requests to facilitate peace talks before the Taliban takeover and that it had agreed to US military requests throughout the war. We have often been criticized for not doing enough, Qureshi told The Associated Press on Wednesday. But we've not been appreciated enough for having done what was done. Qureshi would not directly answer whether Pakistan would allow the basing of surveillance equipment or overflight of drones. They don't have to be physically there to share intelligence, he said of the US. There are smarter ways of doing it." The CIA and ISI have a long history in Afghanistan, dating back to their shared goal of arming bands of mujahedeen freedom fighters against the Soviet Union's occupation in the 1980s. The CIA sent weapons and money into Afghanistan through Pakistan. Those fighters included Osama bin Laden. Others would become leaders of the Taliban, which emerged victorious from a civil war in 1996 and gained control of most of the country. The Taliban gave refuge to bin Laden and other leaders of al-Qaida, which launched deadly attacks on Americans abroad in 1998 and then struck the US on September 11, 2001. After 9/11, the US immediately sought Pakistan's cooperation in its fight against al-Qaida and other terrorist groups. Declassified cables published by George Washington University's National Security Archive show officials in President George W Bush's administration made several demands of Pakistan, from intercepting arms shipments heading to al-Qaida to providing the US with intelligence and permission to fly military and intelligence planes over its territory. The CIA would carry out hundreds of drone strikes launched from Pakistan targeting al-Qaida leaders and others alleged to have ties to terrorist groups. Hundreds of civilians died in the strikes, according to figures kept by outside observers, leading to widespread protests and public anger in Pakistan. Pakistan, meanwhile, continued to be accused of harboring the Taliban after the US-backed coalition drove the group from power in Kabul. And bin Laden was killed in 2011 by US special forces in a secret raid on a compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad, home to the country's military academy. The bin Laden operation led many in the US to question whether Pakistan had harbored bin Laden and angered Pakistanis who felt the raid violated their sovereignty. For years, CIA officials tried to confront their Pakistani counterparts after collecting more proof of Pakistani intelligence officers helping the Taliban move money and fighters into a then-growing insurgency in neighbouring Afghanistan, said Douglas London, who oversaw the CIA's counterterrorism operations in South Asia until 2018. They would say, You just come to my office, tell me where the location is,' he said. They would just usually pay lip service to us and say they couldn't confirm the intel. London, author of the forthcoming book The Recruiter, said he expected American intelligence would consider limited partnerships with Pakistan on mutual enemies such as al-Qaeda or Islamic State-Khorasan, which took responsibility for the deadly suicide attack outside the Kabul airport last month during the final days of the US evacuation. The risk, London said, is at times your partner is as much of a threat to you as the enemy who you're pursuing. The United States once again subtly nudged India to protect democratic principles as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first in-person meetings American President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington D.C. on Friday. As he played host to Modi at the White House in Washington D.C., Biden recalled Mahatma Gandhis message of non-violence and tolerance. He also said that the US and India shared a responsibility to uphold democratic values. Our partnership is more than just what we do. It's about who we are in our. Its about our shared responsibility to uphold democratic values, our joint commitment to diversity, Biden said, adding, As the world celebrates Mahatma Gandhi's birthday next week, we're all reminded that his message of non violence, respect, tolerance, matters today maybe more than it ever has. Read | PM Modi holds first bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden The Prime Minister too referred to Mahatma Gandhis words about trusteeship saying it was a concept which would be very important for our planet in the times to come Modi earlier met Harris. It was the first meeting between the two after she scripted history becoming the first Indian-American to take over as the Vice President of the United States. I know from personal experience and from my family of the commitment of the Indian people to democracy and to freedom and to the work that may be done and can be done to imagine and then actually achieve our vision for democratic principles and institutions, Harris said as she and Modi addressed media-persons just before the meeting. The Biden Administration has been over the past few months tacitly conveying concerns in the US about the perception that India was backsliding on human rights and freedom of speech and religion. As democracies around the world are under threat, it is imperative that we defend democratic principles and institutions within our respective countries and around the world and that we do what we must do to strengthen democracies at home, the US Vice President said. It is incumbent on our nations to of course protect democracies in the best interests of people of our countries. Also Read | India, China engaged in war of words over Galwan Valley clash hours before Quad summit Modi said that India and the US, being the largest and the oldest democracies, were indeed natural partners. We have similar values, similar geopolitical interests, and, also, our coordination and cooperation is continuously increasing, the Prime Minister told the US Vice President. During her meeting with Modi, Harris took up suo moto the issue of terrorism coming out of Pakistan and affecting the security of India and the US, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla later told journalists. The Prime Minister briefed the US Vice President about the cross-border terrorism, which has been coming out of Pakistan and targeting India for decades. Shringla said that Harris stressed on Pakistan taking actions against the terrorist organizations posing threat to the security of the security of the US and India. She agreed with the Prime Ministers briefing on the fact of cross border terrorism, and the fact that India has been a victim of terrorism for several decades now and on the need to rein in, and closely monitor Pakistan''s support for such terrorist groups, the Foreign Secretary said. Modi and Harris exchanged views on recent global developments, including in Afghanistan and reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders discussed the Covid-19 situation in their respective countries, including ongoing efforts to contain the pandemic through expedited vaccination efforts and ensuring supply of critical medicines, therapeutics and healthcare equipment, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. The two sides acknowledged the importance of collaborative action on climate change. The Prime Minister told the US Vice President about his governments push for increasing capacity to generate renewable energy and the recently launched National Hydrogen Mission in India. Modi and Harris also discussed areas of future collaboration, including in the space sector, Information Technology, especially emerging and critical technologies, as well as the cooperation in the healthcare sector. They acknowledged the vibrant people-to-people linkages as the bedrock of the mutually beneficial education linkages and the flow of knowledge, innovation and talent between our two countries, the MEA stated. Noting that Harriss ascent to the second highest office in the federal government of the US was historic, Modi extended an invitation to her and her husband Douglas Emhoff for an early visit to India, so that people of the country could also celebrate her achievement. Check out the latest DH videos here: The Quad leaders vowed to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region without being daunted by coercion but kept the four-nation coalition distinct from the recently launched AUKUS, a trilateral alliance of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, which focuses on defence cooperation to counter China. The leaders of India, Australia, Japan and the US discussed the situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban on August 15 last returned to power through a military campaign tacitly supported by Pakistan. They tacitly sent out a message to Pakistan, denouncing the use of terrorist proxies and emphasizing the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks, including cross-border attacks. On this historic occasion we recommit to our partnership, and to a region that is a bedrock of our shared security and prosperitya free and open Indo-Pacific, which is also inclusive and resilient, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said after the first in-person summit of the Quad. Also Read | Quad to act as a 'force for global good' and ensure peace in Indo-Pacific: PM Modi The four leaders did send out a tacit message to President Xi Jinping in Beijing by calling for rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, amid growing belligerence of China, not only along its disputed boundary with India in eastern Ladakh but also in the South China Sea, East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Together, we recommit to promoting the free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. We stand for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity of states, they said in a joint statement issued after summit in Washington D.C. on Friday. The Quad, however, continued with its benign agenda of countering Chinas geopolitical influence in the Indo-Pacific region. It kept the focus on dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and supplying vaccines to the countries in South Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific, helping revive economies, ensuring supply chain resilience, supporting the construction of infrastructure, educational initiatives and humanitarian assistance. Also Read | Quad summit seeks to counter Chinas Pacific influence The leaders recognized that the shared future of the four nations would be written in the Indo-Pacific, and vowed to redouble efforts to keep the coalition as a force for regional peace, stability, security, and prosperity. But they avoided announcing any defence cooperation among themselves to take on China in the Indo-Pacific, thus keeping the Quad distinct from the AUKUS. The US last week joined Australia and the UK to launch the AUKUS, which appeared to be more like a security alliance, focusing on the development of joint military capabilities and defence technology sharing. The AUKUS will create a framework for the US and UK to support Australia in acquiring a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Though the AUKUS cast a shadow on the Quad ahead of its summit on Friday, Modi told Biden, Morrison and Suga that the four-nation coalition would continue to act as a force for global good. They issued the Quad Principles on Technology Design, Development, Governance, and Use that will guide not only the region but the world toward responsible, open, high-standard innovation. India last year thwarted the US bid last year to turn the Quad into a NATO-like security alliance for Asia, as it was not keen to be part of a bloc with an overtly adversarial approach to China, notwithstanding the stand-off between the Indian Army and the communist countrys Peoples Liberation Army along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. New Delhi was also concerned over the implication of any move to turn the Quad into a US-led military alliance on Indias decades-old strategic partnership with Russia. Check out DH's latest videos: A presiding officers conference scheduled to be held in Shimla next month will arrive at a decision on the changes needed to the anti-defection law, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said Saturday. The conference will also discuss steps to maintain discipline and decorum in all legislative houses, he said. Addressing a news conference at Vidhana Soudha, Birla said a committee that was constituted to review the powers of the Speaker with respect to the anti-defection law had submitted its report. The report will be placed in the Shimla conference. If it is adopted, we will ask the government to revisit the law and what needs to be changed, he said. Legislators can be disqualified under the anti-defection law (10th Schedule of the Constitution) for anti-party activities. In 2019, 17 MLAs of the Congress-JD(S) coalition were disqualified for defecting to the BJP. Some presiding officers have expressed that Speakers should not enjoy unlimited power when it comes to the anti-defection law and that they should work within a framework in which disqualification petitions are disposed of within a stipulated time, Birla said. The three-day Shimla conference will start on October 26. This will mark the centenary of the first one that was held also at Shimla. Birla expressed concern over declining standards of parliamentary proceedings. Protests in the well, disruption...these are matters of concern. From time to time the presiding officers, chief ministers, law ministers and floor leaders discuss measures to maintain decorum. We will discuss this also at the conference, he said. Its a collective responsibility of the ruling party, the Opposition and all members to ensure theres debate and no disturbance. We need to create a conducive atmosphere where theres quality debate on Bills and burning issues, he said. The conference will also formulate 75 programmes to strengthen democratic institutions on the occasion of India's 75th year of independence. "These 75 programmes will include panchayats and the Parliament," Birla said. Common platform Birla said the Parliament library will be linked with all state assemblies so that lawmakers get a common platform to access debates and discussions. Over the next six months, were trying to create a database of all debates and discussions in Hindi and English by name and subject. Members can access, say, budget debates that happened in one state, Birla said, adding that this is one of the many capacity-building measures being taken for lawmakers. Check out the latest DH videos here: The BJP's West Bengal unit was completely unaware of former Union Minister Babul Supriyo's plan to exit the party and his sudden joining of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) came as a shock, a party leader said. The leader said that they did not expect the sudden exit of Supriyo within the three months of being dropped as minister. "The way Supriyo announced to quit politics in his social media post and later on clarified that he would continue to serve his Lok Sabha constituency, there was a general belief that the former Union Minister will remain in the party. Party leadership had the feeling that he will actively participate in party activities but no one expected that he would leave the party. "Many senior leaders were in touch with Supriyo and he never hinted that he was going to leave the party," he said. Read | 'Indiscriminate' induction of leaders resulted in BJP's poll debacle: Babul Another party functionary said that no one thought that Supriyo would join the Trinamool after the BJP named him one of the star campaigners for the West Bengal bypolls. On July 7, Supriyo was dropped from the Narendra Modi government and soon announced his decision to quit politics. He had also said that he is resigning as MP. On August 2, however, Supriyo, after a meeting with BJP chief J.P. Nadda, had said that he will continue to serve as MP "I will remain an MP and fulfil my constitutional duties as MP but not participate in politics. I also gave up my official bungalow and central security provided to me. There is politics beyond the constitutional post and I withdraw myself from it. I will not join any other party," he had said after meeting Nadda. On September 10, the BJP announced Supriyo as one of the star campaigners for the by-polls, but on September 18, he switched parties. The Congress on Saturday extended support to the Bharat Bandh call given by farmer unions against the Centre's three agri laws and demanded that discussions be initiated with the protesters. Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said the Congress party and all its workers will support the "peaceful Bharat Bandh on September 27, called by farmer unions and farmers". "We demand that the due process of discussion with the farmers should be initiated because they are sitting on the borders of Delhi for last more than nine months. We demand that these three black laws, which were imposed without any consultation, should be taken back," he also said. Read more: Farmers urge Biden to ask Modi to repeal farm laws The Congress leader also demanded that the MSP should be given as a legal right to every farmer "as they do not want only 'jumlas' (rhetoric)" and referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise to double the farmers' income by 2022. "If we compare 2012-13 income of a farmer family with his income in 2018-19, the income due to farming in the total income of a farmer has reduced from 48 percent to 38 percent," he claimed. Vallabh cited the Situation Assessment Survey of the Government of India, which states that a farmer on average is earning Rs 27 per day. He said that the agriculture sector suffered a permanent dent in the last seven years. He said that the Modi government "first tried to usurp farmers' land by bringing in the Land Acquisition Ordinance in 2014 and then in 2015, it filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court that if farmers' produce is purchased on MSP, as per the formula given by Swaminathan Commission, the markets are going to be distorted". He also said that in the name of agriculture insurance, the government gave a major portion of the agriculture budget to insurance companies, even as the cost of farming per hectare has gone up by Rs 25,000. "This is also the first government in the last 70 years that has imposed a tax on agriculture in the form of GST, which has also been imposed on tractors, pesticides, seeds and farm equipment, and the agriculture sector is being taxed indirectly," he claimed. The result is that the average debt of a farmer which was Rs 47,000 in 2012-13 has increased to Rs 74,121 in 2018-19, he alleged and said this is the reason the Congress is supporting the Bandh. Vallabh said the farmers are demanding the withdrawal of three "black laws which were imposed without following any democratic process or consultation". "They are only demanding that MSP should be given as a legal right to every farmer. "I am surprised that why Prime Minister Modi is opposing Chief Minister Modi? When UPA-2 was in power, Chief Minister Modi gave in writing that MSP should be given as a legal right, now he is opposing his own words and his entire party is opposing his words," he said. The government and farmer unions have held 11 rounds of talks so far, the last being on January 22, to break the deadlock and end the farmers' protest. Talks have not resumed following widespread violence during a tractor rally by protesting farmers on January 26. The three laws -- The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 -- were passed by the Parliament in September last year. Farmer groups have said that these laws will end the mandi and MSP procurement systems and leave the farmers at the mercy of big corporates, even as the government has rejected these apprehensions as misplaced and asserted that these steps will help increase farmers' income. The Supreme Court had in January stayed the implementation of the three laws till further orders and appointed a panel to resolve the impasse. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday tacitly warned Pakistan that its policy of using terrorism against India could turn out to be damaging for it also. The nations, which are using terrorism as a political tool, must realise that the menace poses a grave threat to them as it does to others, Modi said, addressing the United Nations General Assembly, which earlier saw a war of words between India and Pakistan. Amid reports about Islamabads role in bringing the Taliban and its affiliate Haqqani Network back to power in Kabul, the Prime Minister said that the territory of Afghanistan should not be used to spread terrorism or launch terrorist attacks against other countries. We must be careful to ensure that the sensitive situation there should not be misused as a tool by any nation for its own interest, Modi said in his 22-minute long speech at the UNGA. Read more: Biden reiterates US support for Indias permanent seat in UNSC, entry into NSG New Delhi earlier on the day deployed one of the youngest diplomats to respond to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans remarks against India. We have had a great tradition of democracy that goes back to thousands of years, the Prime Minister said. It is a country that has dozens of languages, hundreds of dialects, different lifestyles and cuisines. This is the best example of a vibrant democracy, said Modi, adding that it would soon be 20 years of him serving the people of the country as head of government first as the longest serving Chief Minister of Gujarat and then as the Prime Minister for the last seven years. The strength of our democracy is demonstrated by the fact that a little boy who at one time used to help his father at his tea stall at a railway station is today addressing the United Nations General Assembly for the fourth time as Prime Minister of India. Yes, democracy can deliver. Yes, democracy has delivered, he said. After Khan earlier accused the Modi government in New Delhi of Islamophobia as well as of committing atrocities and violating human rights in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India exercised its Right to Reply to turn the table on Pakistan. Sneha Dubey, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India at the UN in New York, slammed Pakistan Prime Minister for spreading falsehood on the world stage. This is the country which is an arsonist disguising itself as a fire-fighter, she said, tacitly referring to Pakistans role in Afghanistan and dismissing its claim to be a victim of terrorism. India alleged that Pakistan nurtured terrorists in its backyard in the hope that they would only harm its neighbours. She said that South Asia and, in fact, the entire world had suffered because of the policies of Pakistan, which, on the other hand, were trying to cover up sectarian violence in the country as acts of terror. Check out the latest DH videos: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said the drive to evict "illegal settlers" in government land would continue even as the Opposition parties stepped up demand to halt such a drive in view of killings of two persons in police firing on Thursday. "The drive will continue. The government will look into the problems of the poor and landless people but we can not allow one person to occupy 100 bigha, 200 bigha government land. We will provide 6 bigha land to the genuine landless people as per the criteria of our land use policy but we can not allow people to occupy large tract of government land," Sarma told reporters in Guwahati when asked about the demand by opposition parties to halt the eviction drive. Two persons died and several others including policemen were injured at Dholpur village in Gorukhuti area in central Assam's Darrang district, about 70-kms from here after police opened fire at protesters who allegedly clashed to stop the eviction drive. Videos shared on social media showed policemen firing at protesters while a photographer hired by the district administration stomped on a bullet-hit agitator. The photographer was arrested after the incident invited a lot of criticism. Also read: 12-hour bandh to protest eviction drive deaths hits normal life in Assam's Darrang The eviction was carried out as part of BJP-led government's promise to evict "illegal settlers" from government land, which would be utilised for an agriculture project. The government plans to provide employment to nearly 5,000 youths belonging to "indigenous" communities in the project. The BJP-led government claims that "illegal settlers" belonging to Bengali-speaking Muslims are occupying government land whereas the "indigenous communities" were becoming landless in their state. Over 800 families vacated their land in the area on Monday after a team of police and district administration personnel threatened to evict them. As the protest continued on Saturday, Darrang district administration and the state government officials continued work to clear the land for the agriculture land. The CM's announcement came when Opposition parties demanded that the eviction drive be stopped and the victims should be provided alternative plot before the eviction drive. A day after Congress staged a protest in Darrang, six MLAs of Badruddin Ajmal's AIUDF met Governor Jagdish Mukhi demanding that the drive be stopped till the alternative land is allotted. Conspiracy theory Chief Minister Sarma claimed that the government got intelligence inputs that suggested that "a section of people" collected Rs. 28 lakh from those people in the past three months with a promise to convince the government to halt the eviction drive. "When they could not resist the eviction, they mobilised people and created the havoc on Thursday. Only 60 families were evicted on Thursday but from where 10,000 came to oppose the drive?" he said. CM said the inputs said that people from Popular Front of India, an Islamic organisation also visited the area in the name of providing food to the evicted persons. "The government will conduct inquiry into all these and a lot of explosive details will come out," he told reporters in Guwahati. Check out the latest videos from DH: Lashing out at the Centre for denying her permission to attend a program on world peace in Rome, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said that the decision was illegal and an outcome of jealousy. She was addressing a public meeting at Bhabanipur in Kolkata. Mamata also said that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has taken Covaxin that is not yet recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) can visit US, then why cant she go to Rome. She said that just like the US Government has given special permission for Modis visit, the Government of Italy has issued the same for her. Why did not the Centre allow me to visit Rome? It is illegal. The prestige of the country was involved with the trip. It was a meeting on world peace where several other prominent personalities were also invited." Taking a veiled dig at the Prime Ministers foreign tours, Mamata said Wherever I have to go they will always create obstructions but their people will always roam around here and there. Then nobody has any objection. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo took a swipe at the BJPs Hindutva agenda without naming the party saying that if they are concerned about Hinduism then why were they stopping her, a Hindu woman, from visiting Rome. The moment they (Centre) got to know that the subject of the meeting was peace, they stopped my trip. I was not going to Rome on a vacation. It would have been a matter of pride for the country if Ii could attend the program. Since they (BJP) are so concerned about Hinduism, then why did they stop me, a Hindu woman, from visiting Italy, said Mamata. She said that the Centre has denied permission stating the event was not suitable for a Chief Minister. She said that other eminent personalities such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Pope Francis were invited to the program. It has been organized by the Rome based community SantEgido. The two day program will start on October 6. Check out the latest videos from DH: Breakthrough infections and worries of falling antibodies levels against Covid-19 among those vaccinated have prompted some health experts to suggest a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine for frontline workers and those above 60 years of age as the debate around the booster dose continues. Healthcare workers and frontline workers in other professions were the first to be vaccinated in India when the immunisation drive began in January. Since they are the most at risk, many have supported a booster dose to replenish their antibody levels against the viral disease. Booster doses to those who are in the frontline, and are at high risk, speaks of good common sense, Anoop Mishra, head of Fortis-C-DOC in Delhi, is quoted as saying by The Economic Times. Ambrish Mithal of Max Healthcare also reportedly tweeted that it has been seven months since the first jab. "It's evident now that those over 60 or with comorbidities and healthcare workers and frontline workers need a third shot of the vaccine after 6-8 months," the report quoted his tweet. Read | CDC endorses Covid booster for millions of older Americans Mishra acknowledged the ethical issue that vaccine doses should "suffice for the whole population and should be on schedule" for the booster dose to come into the picture. This adds to the larger controversy around the booster dose ever since US President Joe Biden suggested it for certain sections of the population. It is being seen as unethical that some beneficiaries should receive a third dose of the vaccine when many third-world countries are yet to vaccinate their entire population with the first. Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, said it was "not right" to roll out booster shots when poorer countries have "not been able to get the vaccines purely because the rich nations have taken away most of the vaccines". Another section of experts in India is thinking along the same lines, saying that a booster shot can be given in an ideal scenario where most people are fully vaccinated, but not now, when less than 25 per cent of the population has received both doses. Immunologist Satyajit Rath said that less than 15 per cent of Indian adults have been vaccinated with two doses, and this clearly means that all Indians who are more vulnerable to infection have not yet necessarily gotten two doses. I, therefore, think that it is ethically premature to begin planning the third dose to a fortunate category of people at this stage, Rath, from New Delhi's National Institute of Immunology (NII), told PTI. Immunologist Vineeta Bal agreed, saying India should not think of providing booster doses at this stage when about 40 per cent of the eligible population is yet to receive the first dose. NITI Aayog member V K Paul had said earlier this month that booster dose is not central to the countrys current strategy against the Covid vaccine. There are countries that have already started administering booster doses, including the US, France and Uruguay, which is prioritising this shot for frontline and healthcare workers, people aged above 60 and those aged between 18 and 64 with comorbidities. Check out DH's latest videos Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on Friday discussed ways to uphold the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific and deal with the challenges of climate change and Covid-19 in their first meeting after the change of guard in the White House. I look forward to strengthening the deep ties between our two nations, working to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific, and tackling everything from Covid-19 to climate change, Biden tweeted, just before his meeting with the Prime Minister in Washington DC. Enhancing trade ties also figured in their talks. There is much to be done in trade. Trade will be an important factor in India-US ties in the coming decade, Modi said. Though the Modi government had a long-running negotiation with Donald Trumps administration to work out a trade deal, the two sides had not been able to narrow down differences and clinch a deal. Also read: Modi-Harris meet: US again subtly nudges India to protect democratic principles The Biden administration over the past few months did not show much interest in restarting negotiations on a trade deal, but indicated its willingness to work with the Modi government to address concerns of the two nations, particularly regarding access to each others markets. Technology is becoming a driving force. We have to utilise our talents to leverage technology for greater global good, the Prime Minister said, adding that this decade will be shaped by talent and people-to-people linkages. Biden said that he had long believed that US-India relationship could help solve a lot of global challenges. Earlier, Vice President Kamala Harris subtly nudged India to protect democratic principles during her meeting with Modi, who called India and the US "natural partners" due to their similar values and geopolitical interests. The two sides also discussed the threats posed by terrorist groups based in Pakistan. Chief Justice of India N V Ramana on Saturday said the legislature needs to revisit the laws, and reform them to suit the requirements of the time and people to avoid the judiciary stepping in as a lawmaker. "Our laws must match with our practical realities. The executive has to match these efforts by way of simplifying the corresponding rules. Most importantly, the Executive and the Legislature should function in unison in realising the Constitutional aspirations," he said. It is only then, that the Judiciary would not be compelled to step in as a lawmaker and would only be left with the duty of applying and interpreting the laws, he added. Speaking at the inauguration of a new building of the Odisha state legal services authority in Cuttack, CJI Ramana reiterated his call for "Indianisation of judicial system". He pointed out that even after 74 years of independence, traditional and agrarian societies -- which have been following customary ways of life -- still feel hesitant to approach the courts. "The practices, procedures, language and everything of our courts feels alien to them. Between the complex language of the acts and the process of justice delivery, the common man seems to lose control over the fate of his grievance. Often in this trajectory, the justice-seeker feels like an outsider to the system," he said. Maintaining that Indianisation of justice delivery system remained as a primary challenge for the judicial system, Justice Raman said a harsh reality is that, often our legal system failed to take into consideration the social realities and implications. He said people might be bringing their problems to the courts, but what remains at the end of a day is yet another "case". He said it is a general understanding of the people that it is the court's responsibility to make laws. "This notion has to be dispelled. This is where the role of other organs of the State, i.e. the legislature and the executive assumes great significance," Justice Ramana said. Elaborating on the second challenge, enabling the people to "decode the justice delivery system by raising awareness", Justice Raman said the legal services have become an integral part of the judicial administration and lack of proper infrastructure and funds result in reduction of the activities carried out by these institutions. "As a result, the number of beneficiaries who avail services of these institutions reduces. Ultimately the goal of access to justice for all gets hampered. If we want to retain the faith of our people, we need to strengthen not only the judicial infrastructure, but we also need to boost our outreach programme as well," he added. The CJI said a country-wide robust legal awareness mission would be launched in the upcoming week. Check out the latest videos from DH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presented to the United States President Joe Biden some documents, which might help the Leader of the Free World find out once and for all if he really had relatives in India. You have talked today spoken in detail about the Biden surname in India and in fact you had mentioned that to me earlier too. Well, after you mentioned that to me, I looked for documents, Modi told Biden as the two leaders met at the Oval Office in the White House on Friday. Today, I have brought along a set of documents, maybe we'll be able to take this matter forward, and maybe those documents could be of use to you. Biden smiled and asked Modi if he was related to anyone in India. Yes, Modi replied. Also read: PM Modi holds first bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden Biden was born at Scranton in Pennsylvania in the US in 1942. But after he was elected as a Senator from Delaware in the 1970s, he had received a letter from Leslie Biden, who lived in Nagpur in Maharashtra, suggesting that they had common ancestors. Biden, who took over as the 46th US President on January 20 this year, had spoken repeatedly in the past about the letter he had received from Leslie Biden. He had referred to the letter during a visit to Mumbai in 2013 as the Vice President in President Barack Obamas administration. He also referred to five Bidens in India during an event in the US capital in 2015. He also referred to the story of Bidens in India while playing host to the Prime Minister at the White House on Friday. Check out latest videos from DH: Despite Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's earnest effort to gear up the Congress for next year's Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, the problem of senior leaders choosing to part ways continues to vex the party. The latest to bid adieu is Lalitesh Pati Tripathi, the great-grandson of late Congress stalwart Kamalapati Tripathi. This came a few months after ex-Union minister Jitin Prasada, the son of former Congress leader Jitendra Prasad, crossed over to the BJP. While some in the Congress blamed opponents of poaching its leaders, especially those belonging to the Brahmin caste, others termed the quitting "unfortunate" which these leaders will "regret in near future". However, expelled Congressman and former MLC Siraj Mehdi claimed that this trend shows dissatisfaction within the party leadership and it is not confined to Uttar Pradesh. Congress leaders from Ballia -- Shailendra Singh and Rajesh Singh -- have recently quit the party alleging that old and loyal party people were being neglected. These exits come at a time when the Congress is working hard to avoid the humiliation of the 2017 Assembly polls when it could win just seven seats in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly. The grand old party has already announced that it will fight the 2021 elections without aligning with any big political party. Some in the Congress are of the view that a "poaching game" is going on and the party leadership must remain alert. Also read: BJP to fight UP Assembly elections along with Nishad Party, Apna Dal "Both Jitin Prasad and Lalitesh Tripathi are big names despite the Congress being out of power for 30 years in the state now. Their parting ways with the party as the election approaches has a meaning," a leader of the Congress' Uttar Pradesh unit said. Tripathi, the vice-president of Congress' Uttar Pradesh unit on Thursday said he has resigned from all posts and primary membership of the party. He said it was an emotional decision for him to move away from the commitment of more than 100 years that his family had shown. "But in the present circumstances "when the families that had given their blood and sweat for the party and the workers who braved beatings for the party movement were not being respected, his conscience does not allow him to continue in any position," Tripathi had said. Jitin Prasada, while joining the BJP a few months ago, had said that he parted ways with the Congress not because of any individual or for any post, but due to the party's shrinking vote base and the "rising disconnect" between it and the people of Uttar Pradesh. "Lalitesh Tripathi's exit is unfortunate. He is a fourth-generation leader of his family which had been very close to the Nehru-Gandhi family and got proper respect and responsibility," member of the media advisory team Dwijendra Tripathi told PTI. Another leader pointed out that leaders who got everything in the party are now "running away seeking better prospects in other parties" as the elections are close. They will regret this decision when they will not get as much respect as they got here, he claimed in reference to Jitin Prasada. Also read: Yogi Adityanath will lead BJP in UP Assembly polls, issue of next CM 'settled': Dinesh Sharma On the other hand, Mehdi claimed that senior leaders were quitting the party due to the humiliation they faced. Congress' former women wing chief Sushmita Dev and ex-Punjab chief minister Amrinder Singh felt humiliated in the party in recent times, he claimed Mehdi was among the 11 senior leaders who were expelled from the Congress in 2019 for six years for allegedly tarnishing the party's image and opposing its leadership's decisions at public forums. "The problem is that despite seeking time from the leadership for an audience, party people are not able to connect with them," Mehdi claimed, adding that people like him, who have stayed with the party for long, want it to overcome all hurdles and regain strength. He said that he will soon write Amrinder Singh and other Congress leaders inviting them to tour Uttar Pradesh and help in restoring the pride of the party. Check out the latest videos from DH: Azad Samaj Party national president Chandrashekhar Azad has threatened to begin an indefinite protest if the Uttar Pradesh government fails to fulfil its promises to the family of a 19-year-old woman from Hathras who was gang-raped and assaulted last year leading to her death. Azad, who had visited the family of the woman in Hathras earlier this week, said, "Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's promises made a year back of providing financial support to the family, including job and housing, have become a cruel joke for the family." Azad met Aligarh Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal who, he said, "assured that the promised assistance to the family would be given within one week." "We will begin an indefinite dharna at the Aligarh divisional commissioner's office after 10 days if these assurances are not fulfilled and justice is not given to the family," he told reporters here on Friday. The woman died at a hospital in Delhi in September last year, days after being assaulted and raped by four men. Azad claimed that Aligarh "has become such a difficult place for Dalits that they would be forced to migrate from here." Asked whether his party will form any alliance for the 2022 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, he said, "So far no decision has been taken, but we will not spare any effort to ensure the defeat of the BJP." Check out the latest videos from DH: On the eve of the first-of-its-kind air show along the banks of scenic Dal lake on September 26, Srinagar skies roared with the fighter aircraft and their aerobatics exercise on Saturday. The event shall see fighter jets, helicopters and parachutes hovering over the scenic sky of Dal Lake to enchant the audiences and will be organised by the Indian Air Force (IAF) Station Srinagar and Jammu and Kashmir government to attract youth towards the aviation sector and also to boost Valley tourism. The display will include an air display by Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team, Paramotor and powered hand-glider display, Flypast by Mig-21 Bison and Aerobatics by Su-30 Aircraft. The event will be flagged off by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) overlooking Dal lake. According to Kashmirs Divisional Commissioner, P K Pole, in order to provide a platform to the youth, the Tribal Affairs department during the airshow will shortlist 30 to 40 youngsters from different Tribal communities. The shortlisted youth will be provided free pilot training, and added the way focus at the famous Bengaluru Air Show is to showcase aviation technology, Srinagar Air Show is concentrating to highlight career opportunities in this sector. Officials said more than 3,000 college and school students are expected to participate in the show to witness the impressive manoeuvres of the IAF. Check out the latest DH videos here: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who has been visiting various places in Uttar Pradesh to get a foothold in the poll-bound state, on Saturday left Bhadohi following a commotion by his party workers in which he got pushed around. Imran Ahmed, an office-bearer of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeens UP unit said, "As we moved ahead along with Owaisi, somebody pushed us. This angered Owaisi. He went inside the car and left." He added that if anybody within the party did this due to factionalism, he would be shown the door because the name of the party consists of the word 'Ittehad' which means unity. Nafees Ahmed, another office-bearer, said this is very sad for the party and some party men are responsible for it. He added that the party office bearers did not take any help from the police and district administration. If the help from police had been sought, such an incident would not have happened, he added. Nafees also said some party workers became over-enthusiastic, and they could not be controlled. Security was beefed up in Delhi jails where Gogi and Tillu gang members are lodged, a day after a bloody shootout at the Rohini court left three persons, including gangster Jitender Gogi, dead, even as lawyers on Saturday abstained from work, demanding stringent measures to thwart such incidents. Gogi was shot dead by two men, who were dressed as lawyers, inside a crowded courtroom on Friday, with police in retaliatory fire killing the assailants, who are suspected to be from the slain gangster's rival Tillu gang. Police said that the metal detectors at the Rohini court were working at the time of the incident. Read more: Multiple shots fired within minutes, seemed like terror attack: Rohini court shootout witnesses A medical board will be constituted for the postmortem of the three criminals killed in the shootout on Friday, a senior police officer said. "The two attackers were dressed as lawyers. Once we get the CCTV footage, things will be clear how they managed to sneak into the premises," the officer said. A day after the Delhi Police's Crime Branch took over the case officially, its team visited the courtroom to re-examine the scene of crime and collect evidence, according to the officer. Witnesses, lawyers and court staff, who were present inside the courtroom during the shootout, will also be approached to know how the incident transpired on Friday afternoon, the officer said. "Footage from CCTV cameras in and around the court premises and mobile footage of the incident are being scrutinised for further examination to establish and ascertain as to how the two assailants with weapons had entered the court," the officer said. Police suspect that the assailants had conducted a recce of the court premises and knew about Gogi's hearing on Friday. It is also suspected that the two men were staying just a few kilometres away from the Rohini court. However, all these are to be probed, said the officer. An application has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Centre and states to take immediate steps for security in subordinate courts. The application said that gangsters and hardcore criminals may be produced from jails through video-conferencing before the trial court instead of producing them physically. According to an FIR registered in connection with the Rohini court shootout, Sub-Inspector Vir Singh, who was part of the security team engaged in the exchange of fire, in his statement said several innocent people could have lost their lives if there was no immediate retaliation against the two armed assailants. Singh said that since the duo was armed with weapons and they were firing indiscriminately, it was not possible for the police team to nab them "physically", especially when the judge, court staff and advocates were inside the courtroom, and anyone could have died. Video footage of the incident, which exposed security lapses in the system, showed policemen and lawyers rushing out in panic as gunshots rang out inside courtroom number 207. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Saturday transferred 40 senior Delhi Police officers, including 11 special commissioners and 28 DCPs and additional DCPs, a move that comes a day after the shootout incident. A senior jail official said, "Security has been raised and officials are keeping a tight vigil on jails where Gogi and Tillu gang members have been lodged." Police suspect that the Tillu gang was behind the courtroom incident. A senior police official said adequate personnel have also been deployed inside and outside the court to ensure no untoward incident takes place in the future. Read more: CJI Ramana expresses concern over Rohini court violence He said concerns have also been raised about functioning of metal detectors in the court premises and the matter has been taken up with the court administration. "When it comes to checking and frisking, it has been observed that lawyers do not want to be frisked and that was a major problem faced. It is not limited to Rohini court alone as this has been observed in other lower courts as well. But we are in touch with the Bar Association of Rohini court and they are also cooperating," the police official said. Sanjeev Nasiar, the spokesperson of Coordination Committee of all District Courts Bar Associations in Delhi, said that lawyers abstained from work in all district courts in the national capital. The strike was called by the committee seeking modification of security norms inside all the seven district courts premises here. The courts, however, passed orders and judgments that were already scheduled for Saturday, he said. Advocate Manjeet Mathur, the secretary of Rohini District Courts Bar Association, said that the strike was peaceful and no information regarding any unpleasant incident was received from any of the seven courts premises. On Friday, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Gagandeep Singh was engaged in court proceedings and besides them, court staff and around five-six advocates were inside the room when suddenly, two men, who were dressed as lawyers and were seated, stood up and whipped out their pistols. The assailants started firing indiscriminately at Gogi and by the time police team could have "reacted", Gogi had already sustained several bullet injuries, the FIR said. Keeping in mind the safety and security of everyone, Singh and his commandos -- Constables Shakti and Chirag -- immediately opened fire at the two armed men from their respective weapons. Simultaneously, personnel from the Special Cell and the Rohini Special Staff also opened fire, it stated. The joint commissioner of police (northern range) has been asked to inquire into the incident and submit a report while the case is being handled by the Crime Branch. Breaking its over two-year silence, the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference on Saturday expressed grave concern over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir which was getting more and more repressive with each passing day. In an emailed statement a spokesperson of the separatist conglomerate quoting its chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that day in and out extreme laws are introduced to further curb people's freedom and intimidate them into silence through fear of retribution. Sudden dismissals of government employees without any investigation or being given a chance to be heard is part of this policy as six more government employees have been sacked by the ruling dispensation, he said. In the last few months, Jammu and Kashmir government headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has terminated two dozen government employees, including two sons of Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahudin, without holding any enquiry for their alleged involvement in anti-national activities. Referring to newspaper reports that lists have been prepared to dismiss hundreds of Kashmiri employees in this most foul manner to exacerbate the atmosphere of intimidation and fear in the valley, the Mirwaiz said, Under these bizarrely inhuman rules, employees can be even be dismissed from service if they or their family members are found to be sympathetic to people accused under the (UAPA) and Public Safety Act (PSA). While strongly denouncing this dictatorial approach to deal with people's aspirations, the moderate Hurriyat said these laws are meant to silence people into submission, crush their freedom of expression and speech and quell any kind of dissent. The Hurriyat also lashed out at the government for targeting media persons and media houses through raids and confiscation of their equipment. Continued raids by government agencies on organisations and homes of people and slapping of PSA and other harsh laws on them, picking up of youth, their arbitrary arrests constant surveillance of people continues unabated across J&K as a state policy, as the number of Kashmiris in jails and detention centre's further swells, they alleged. The separatist conglomerate said that the ruling dispensation should stop pursuing the policy of intimidation and retribution against the people of J&K by withdrawing these harsh laws and restore people's freedoms and liberties. Before August 5, 2019, most of the separatist organizations, including moderate and hardliner factions of the Hurriyat, would issue statements almost daily in which they used to bash the government of India and its policies in Kashmir. The statements would get prominent space in local newspapers. However, post abrogation of Article 370, local media has almost not carried any news related to the separatists. The separatists too have found it difficult to issue statements or strike calls as most of their men are either in jails or evading arrests. However, from the last few months the moderate Hurriyat faction has started to issue some statements and the tone and tenor of todays statement matches to their older days. Check out the latest videos from DH: A 30-year-old woman police constable was allegedly gang-raped by three men, who shot a video of the act and threatened her in Madhya Pradesh's Neemuch district, an official said on Saturday. While the incident took place earlier this month, the constable lodged a complaint on September 13, following which a probe was conducted and a case was registered this week against five persons, including the mother of the main accused, the official said. The police have arrested the main accused and his mother in connection with the crime, said Anuradha Girwal, in-charge of the women police station. The accused had befriended the victim on Facebook and had been interacting with her on WhatsApp since April. He invited the victim to his younger brother's birthday party, where she was raped by three men, Girwal said. Also Read | Cab driver, woman he allegedly raped knew each other for long: Cops The complainant has alleged that she was raped by the main accused, his brother, and another man at the party, the official said, adding that the accused also allegedly shot a video of the act. The victim has also claimed that the main accused's mother threatened her and a relative of the accused also threatened to kill her and tried to extort money from her, she said. The victim, who was earlier posted in Neemuch, is currently working in Indore district, the official said, adding that further probe is underway. Check out the latest videos from DH: Pakistan, where terrorists enjoy free pass, is an "arsonist" disguising itself as a "fire-fighter", and the entire world has suffered because of its policies as the country nurtures terrorists in its backyard, India has said in a blistering retort after Prime Minister Imran Khan raked up the issue of Kashmir in his address to the UN General Assembly. "We exercise our Right of Reply to one more attempt by the leader of Pakistan to tarnish the image of this august Forum by bringing in matters internal to my country, and going so far as to spew falsehoods on the world stage, First Secretary Sneha Dubey said in the UN General Assembly on Friday. Read | India, US committed to taking on toughest challenges together, says Biden after meeting Modi "While such statements deserve our collective contempt and sympathy for the mindset of the person who utters falsehood repeatedly, I am taking the floor to set the record straight, the young Indian diplomat said, slamming the Pakistani leader for raking up the Kashmir issue in his address to the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. "We keep hearing that Pakistan is a 'victim of terrorism'. This is the country that is an arsonist disguising itself as a fire-fighter. Pakistan nurtures terrorists in their backyard in the hope that they will only harm their neighbours. Our region, and in fact the entire world, has suffered because of their policies. On the other hand, they are trying to cover up sectarian violence in their country as acts of terror," Dubey said. Khan in his address had spoken about the August 5, 2019 decision of the Indian government on the abrogation of Article 370 as well as the death of pro-Pakistan separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. In the Right of Reply, Dubey strongly reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh "were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation. Read | Imran Khan paints Pakistan as victim of US' ungratefulness Khan and other Pakistani leaders and diplomats have consistently raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and other internal matters of India in their addresses to the UN General Assembly and other forums of the world organisation. Pakistans attempts to internationalise the Kashmir issue have gained no traction from the international community and the Member States, who maintain that Kashmir is a bilateral matter between the two countries. Dubey said it is regrettable that this is not the first time the leader of Pakistan has "misused" platforms provided by the UN to "propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country, and seeking in vain to divert the worlds attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities, are turned upside down." With the international community marking this month the solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of the dastardly 9/11 terror attacks, Dubey said the world has not forgotten that the "mastermind behind that dastardly event, Osama Bin Laden, got shelter in Pakistan. Even today, Pakistan leadership glorify him as a 'martyr'." "Regrettably, even today we heard the leader of Pakistan trying to justify acts of terror. Such defence of terrorism is unacceptable in the modern world." Categorically emphasising Indias position, Dubey said New Delhi desires normal relations "with all our neighbours, including Pakistan." However, it is for Islamabad to work sincerely towards creating a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible actions to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross border terrorism against India in any manner. Asserting that the Member States are aware that Pakistan has an established history and policy of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists, Dubey said the country has been globally recognised as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of State policy. "It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council." "This is also the country that still holds the despicable record in our region of having executed a religious and cultural genocide against the people of what is now Bangladesh. As we mark the 50th anniversary this year of that horrid event in history, there is not even an acknowledgement, much less accountability, the Indian diplomat said. Highlighting that minorities in Pakistan - the Sikhs, Hindus, Christians - live in constant fear and state-sponsored suppression of their rights, he said, "this is a regime where anti-Semitism is normalised by its leadership and even justified. "Dissenting voices are muzzled daily, and enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings are well documented." Dubey said that, unlike Pakistan, India is a pluralistic democracy with a substantial population of minorities who have gone on to hold the highest offices in the country including as President, Prime Minister, Chief Justices and Chiefs of Army Staff. India is also a country with free media and an independent judiciary that keeps a watch and protects our Constitution. "Pluralism is a concept which is very difficult to understand for Pakistan which constitutionally prohibits its minorities from aspiring for high offices of the State. The least they could do is introspect before exposing themselves to ridicule on the world stage," the Indian diplomat said. In his nearly 25-minute long address to the UN General Debate on Friday, Khan said sustainable peace in South Asia is contingent upon the resolution of the Kashmir issue. He said Pakistan desires "peace" with India, as with all its neighbours. "But sustainable peace in South Asia is contingent upon resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir" issue, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, he said. He also called on the UN General Assembly to "demand" that Geelanis mortal remains be allowed to be buried in the "cemetery of martyrs" with the appropriate Islamic rites. On Afghanistan, Khan said, "for some reason, Pakistan has been blamed for the turn of events, by politicians in the United States and some politicians in Europe. "From this platform, I want them all to know, the country that suffered the most, apart from Afghanistan, was Pakistan, when we joined the US War on Terror after 9/11." "The only reason we suffered so much was because we became an ally of the US - of the Coalition - in the war in Afghanistan. There were attacks being conducted from the Afghan soil into Pakistan. At least there should have been a word of appreciation. But rather than appreciation, imagine how we feel when we are blamed for the turn of events in Afghanistan, he said. The relationship between India and US, the two largest democracies in the world, is destined to be "stronger, closer and tighter," US President Joe Biden said on Friday as he hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House for the first bilateral meeting during which the two leaders discussed a wide range of priority issues, including combating Covid-19, climate change and economic cooperation. Prime Minister Modi, who is visiting the US for the 7th time after assuming office in 2014, described Fridays bilateral summit with Biden as important as they're meeting at the start of the third decade of this century. "Your leadership will certainly play an important role in how this decade is shaped. The seeds have been sown for an even stronger friendship between India and the US, Prime Minister Modi told Biden. Biden said the relationship between India and the US, largest democracies in the world, is "destined to be stronger, closer and tighter. "We are watching a new chapter in India-US ties, he added. Modi said this decade will be shaped by talent and people-to-people linkages. I am glad the Indian diaspora is making an active contribution towards the US progress." He said that technology is becoming a driving force. We have to utilise our talents to leverage technology for greater global good. Noting that trade will be an important factor in Indo-US ties in the coming decade, the Prime Minister said that there is much to be done in the area. While the two leaders have met earlier when Biden was the Vice President of the country, this is for the first time that Biden is meeting Modi after he became the 46th president of the US in January. Both Biden and Prime Minister Modi have spoken over the phone multiple times and have attended a few virtual summits, including that of the Quad in March hosted by the US president. The last telephone conversation between them took place on April 26. "This morning Im hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House for a bilateral meeting. I look forward to strengthening the deep ties between our two nations, working to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific, and tackling everything from Covid-19 to climate change," President Biden tweeted minutes before the meeting. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his counterparts from Australia and Japan on Friday attended the first in-person summit of Quad leaders hosted by US President Joe Biden and said that he firmly believed that the grouping of four democracies would act as a "force for global good" and ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific as well as the entire world. In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence, amidst China's growing military presence in the strategic region. At the invitation of President Biden, Prime Minister Modi and his counterparts Scott Morrison from Australia and Yoshihide Suga from Japan met at the White House for the first-ever in-person Quad summit. President Biden hosted the first virtual summit of the four leaders in March. Opening the summit, President Biden said the four democracies have come together to take on common challenges from Covid to climate. This group has democratic partners who share world views and have common vision for the future, he said. "We know how to get things done and are up to the challenge," he said. Also read: India will allow export of 8 million Indo-Pacific vaccine doses: PM Modi In a short and crisp opening address, Prime Minister Modi said that he was confident that "our participation in Quad will ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific as well as the entire world." "I am confident that our cooperation will establish peace and prosperity in the world and Indo-Pacific. I firmly believe our Quad would act as a force for global good. We had come together for first time after the 2004 Tsunami for regional cooperation in Indo-Pacific. Today, as the world is fighting Covid-19, we as part of Quad have come together again for humanity. Our Quad vaccine initiative will greatly help the Indo-Pacific countries," he said. "On the basis of our shared democratic values, Quad has decided to move forward with a positive thinking and a positive approach. "Be it supply chain or global security, climate action or Covid response, or cooperation in technology, I would feel happy to discuss with my partners in Quad," prime minister Modi said. Prime Minister Morrison said that the Indo-Pacific region should be free from coercion and disputes should be solved in accordance with international law. "The Indo-Pacific has great challenges and challenges have to be overcome. In six months from the last meeting so much has been accomplished. We stand here together in the Info Pacific region," he said. "I hope we are able to hold a relevant summit," Japanese Prime Minister Suga said. During the summit, the four leaders are expected to discuss promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, address the climate crisis and advance practical cooperation on areas like combatting Covid-19. Ahead of the Quad summit, China on Friday criticised the grouping, saying the formation of exclusive closed cliques runs against the trend of times, and it is doomed to fail. Asked for Chinas reaction as the Quad summit is expected to address the challenges and rising risks Beijing poses in the Indo-Pacific region, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told the media that the quadrilateral grouping should not target any third country and its interests. China always believes that any regional cooperation mechanism should not target a third party or harm its interests. Seeking exclusive closed cliques against a third country runs against the trend of the times and aspiration of countries in the region. It will find no support and is doomed to fail, he said. White House officials have said that the Quad leaders would announce a new working group on space, a supply chain initiative and a 5G deployment and diversification effort apart from discussing issues like challenges in the Indo Pacific, climate change and Covid-19 pandemic during their historic meeting. Quad leaders are also planning to roll out vaccine deliverables and announce a series of measures in the field of healthcare and infrastructure sector, officials said. India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the region. China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. Ahead of the Quad summit, Prime Minister Modi separately met his Australian and Japanese counterparts on Thursday and they reaffirmed the importance of maritime security towards the realisation of a "free and open" Indo-Pacific. Check out latest videos from DH: Unrest in the Congress in Kerala continues as senior leader V M Sudheeran quit the political affairs committee of the party. Four prominent leaders of the party quit over the last few weeks expressing displeasure over the selection of new district presidents of the party. Three of them have even joined the CPM. The resignation of Sudheeran, who is a former president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, from the political affairs committee was also learnt to be due to displeasure with the new state leaders of the party, Kerala PCC president K Sudhakaran and leader of opposition V D Satheesan, as the selection of office bearers of KPCC was progressing. While Sudheeran declined to comment on the reason for quitting, sources close to him said that he was unhappy over not involving senior leaders in the ongoing selection of office bearers. Kerala PCC president said that he was unaware of the reason for Sudheeran to quit the Political Affairs Committee as he was yet to go through the contents of the resignation letter. He also said that selection of office bearers of the PCC and the district committees were in final stages. AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala Tariq Anwar, who is in Kerala as part of the selection of new office bearers, said that he would meet Sudheeran if required after holding talks with the party leaders on the matter. Meanwhile, the state leadership of the party is caught up in a tight spot as senior leaders were pushing for their loyalists to the KPCC office bearer posts. Senior leaders Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala were quite upset over the selection of district committee presidents and had expressed their resentment in the open. Later the state leadership held talks with them and settled the row. Check out the latest videos from DH: Kerala government on Saturday further eased the Covid restrictions by allowing in-house dining at hotels and clubs. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that there was considerable decline in the Covid's severity in Kerala. While the number of infected persons under treatment came down by eight per cent during this week compared to the previous week, number of breakthrough infection was also coming down. Moreover, 91.5 per cent of people in the state above the age of 18 have received the first dose of Covid vaccine. The majority of persons who died due to Covid were those who did not take the vaccine, he said. In-house dining will be allowed in hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs subject to the conditions that only 50 per cent of the seating capacity would be allowed at a time, air conditions would not be allowed and both customers and employees should have taken both doses of Covid-19 vaccine. Persons who took both doses would be allowed in indoor stadiums and swimming pools. The state government also prescribed norms for the reopening of colleges and schools. While higher education institutions would be opening from October 1, schools would be opened by November 1. Apart from ensuring sanitisation and social distancing, schools should also ensure service of doctors and health workers, he said. Meanwhile, 16,671 fresh Covid cases were reported in the state on Saturday. The total number of Covid active cases was 1.65 lakh on Saturday. Check out the latest videos from DH: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday paid tributes to Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay on his 105th birth anniversary, saying his philosophy of integral humanism and 'antodaya' continues to inspire many. Born on this day in 1916 in Mathura, Upadhyay was a founder member of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, the progenitor to the BJP. Naidu said Upadhyay was a great nationalist, an exceptional organiser, a visionary thinker and a dedicated social worker. "His philosophies of 'Antyodaya' and 'Integral Humanism' continue to inspire many," the Vice President Secretariat tweeted, quoting Naidu. Check out DH's latest videos: Prime Minister Con Saturday said that the world must fulfil its duty by providing help to the people in war-torn Afghanistan where women, children and minorities are in need. Addressing the high-level United Nations General Assembly session here, Modi said that the people of Afghanistan require help at this time. The women and children of Afghanistan, the minorities of Afghanistan need help. And we must fulfil our duty by providing them with this help, he said. Read more: Countries using terrorism as political tool must understand that it is equally big threat for them: PM Modi He said it is absolutely essential to ensure that Afghanistans territory is not used to spread terrorism and for terrorist attacks. We also need to be alert and ensure that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation there and use it as a tool for its own selfish interests, Prime Minister Modi said without naming any country. The UNSC resolution 2593 on Afghanistan, adopted under Indias Presidency of the 15-nation Council in August, had demanded that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts, and reiterated the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, including those individuals and entities designated pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), and noted the Talibans relevant commitments. The Taliban, which took control of Kabul on August 15, have put in place a hardline interim 33-member Cabinet that has no women and includes UN-designated terrorists. The Taliban last ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. The Taliban swept across Afghanistan last month, seizing control of almost all key towns and cities in the backdrop of withdrawal of the US forces that began on May 1. On August 15, the capital city of Kabul fell to the insurgents. The Taliban claimed victory over opposition forces in the last holdout province of Panjshir on September 6, completing their takeover of Afghanistan three weeks after capturing Kabul. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday asked those who have given the call for Bharat Bandh on September 27 in protest against farm laws, to withdraw the call if they are concerned about farmers' welfare. "There is no opposition for reforms in the farm sector, except in Punjab. Even farmers in Punjab, who were not getting even the MSP amount directly to their accounts earlier, have now started understanding the benefits of reforms. Those staging protests in Delhi include traders, and all of them are not farmers," he said. "Congress manifesto included the closure of the APMC, and we have not closed down APMCs. Congress governments could not bring reforms due to the influence of lobbies. Even M S Swaminathan has stated that his recommendations are being implemented by the Modi government," Joshi noted. 'Don't obstruct' Meanwhile, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, "Business and other activities have started to return to normalcy after one-and-a-half years, and obstructing them in the name of bandh is not correct". Check out the latest DH videos here: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday the world must protect the oceans from the race for "expansion and exclusion" as he urged the international community to speak in one voice to strengthen a rules-based world order, in an apparent reference to China which is flexing military muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. Addressing the 76th UN General Assembly session here, Prime Minister Modi described the oceans as "our shared heritage" and said "we must keep in mind that we must only use ocean resources and not abuse them further. "Our oceans are also the lifeline of international trade. We must protect them from the race for expansion and exclusion. The international community must speak in one voice to strengthen a rules-based world order, he added. Read more: Narendra Modi urges world's vaccine makers to 'make in India' Speaking in Hindi, Modi said that the broad consensus reached in the UN Security Council during India's presidency in August showed to the world the way forward for maritime security. The Presidential Statement on maritime security, adopted unanimously under Indias presidency after the UN Security Council open debate chaired by Prime Minister Modi, reaffirmed in categorical terms that the 1982 UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) sets out the legal framework for maritime activities, sending a strong message to China. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled against China's claims to rights in the disputed South China Sea. Beijing dismissed the ruling that favoured the Philippines and said it would not be bound by it. India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the resource-rich region. China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. China also has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea. A day earlier, the Quad countries comprising India, Japan, Australia and the US - pledged to ensure a "free and open" Indo-Pacific, which is also "inclusive and resilient", as they noted that the strategically vital region is a bedrock of their shared security and prosperity. "We stand for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity of states. We commit to work together and with a range of partners, the Quad leaders said in a joint statement after their first in-person meeting hosted by US President Joe Biden and attended by Prime Minister Modi, his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison and Japanese premier Yoshihide Suga at the White House. Check out the latest DH videos: The burning in public of 2,479 rhino horns stockpiled in the Assam government's treasuries on World Rhino Day on Wednesday has sent out a much-needed message against the poaching of rhinos and the illegal trade in their horns. The Assam government did well to make a demonstration of the fact that the horns are worthless and have no medicinal or commercial value. The horns were confiscated or recovered from poachers and smugglers or collected after the natural death of rhinos over the years. About 95% of the stockpile has been destroyed. Some of the horns will be preserved for scientific studies and for production as evidence in courts where cases of poaching are heard. The horns were burned in an area of the Kaziranga National Park, which is the worlds largest habitat for one-horned rhinos. This is the first time the horns have been destroyed on such a large scale. Also read: Assam burns largest stockpile of rhino horns on World Rhino Day to bust black market myths The burning of such a big pile of horns would help to bust the myth that the rhino horn is a high-value item. It has been claimed that the stockpile may have helped to keep the horn prices high in the illegal market. It would have been most illogical for the government to sell the horns when it rightly maintains that they have none of the properties attributed to them. The rhino horn is actually a mass of compacted hair made of a protein found in human hair too and has no special medicinal value. But it is highly valued in traditional medicine, especially in countries like China and Vietnam, as a cure for certain diseases and as an aphrodisiac. That is why it is much sought after and there is an illicit trade in it. While such events may help to create public awareness about the need for conservation, more effective steps are needed to protect endangered wildlife. The poaching of rhinos has come down in Kaziranga Park but there is the need to further strengthen security. The park is home to more than 2,400 rhinos. There are rhinos in Manas and Orang National Parks and the Pobitora Sanctuary. Conservationists have demanded that trained manpower and facilities should be increased in all these parks. They have also called for expediting the construction of an elevated corridor through Kaziranga to enable rhinos and other animals to migrate during floods and to avoid being hit by vehicles on the highway. There are also complaints that Kaziranga Park is shrinking because of soil erosion and some parts of the habitat are facing the threat of degradation due to siltation. All these need to be addressed. Close on the heels of a Dalit family being penalised Rs 25,000 over their two-year-old son entering a temple in Kustagi, a Dalit man was forced to arrange a feast spending Rs 11,000 for entering a Lakshmi Devi temple in a village at Karatagi about 11 days ago, a police officer said. "Yes, it is true that the man spent Rs 11,000 to arrange feast for entering the temple. Our officers are investigating the matter," superintendent of Police T Sreedhara told PTI on Saturday. According to him, the incident came to light only on Friday and since then the temple management led by the priest raised an alarm and forced the man to organise the feast. Sreedhara said a few months ago, a theft had taken place in the village and it was decided that no one should enter the temple except the priest. However, the Dalit man, whose identity has been withheld, entered as he had taken a vow to conduct some rituals. On September 14, he entered the temple ignoring the collective decision taken by the elders of the village. Other police sources said eight people have been detained in this connection. The incident was a stark reminder of the September 4 incident when a Dalit family belonging to the Chenna Dasar community was harassed and asked to pay Rs 25,000 as penalty after their two-year-old son entered the temple in Miyapur village under Kushatagi police station limits in Koppal. Five people were arrested in connection with the incident and several awareness meetings were held to educate masses against the evil of caste based discrimination. Check out the latest videos from DH: Outbreak of fruit/bulb rot disease and leaf blight disease coupled with excess rainfall in the last three months has left thousands of onion farmers in tears across central and north Karnataka districts. While the disease has wiped out the crop in Chitradurga, Davangere, Shivamogga, excess rain and flash floods have damaged the crop in the northern parts of the state. Ravaged by the disease for three harvests in a row, farmers are destroying the crop and staring at a severe economic crisis. Venting their ire against the horticulture department, the farmers alleged that officials are of no help even as more and more hectares are being infected with the disease. In Chitradurga alone, more than 5,000 hectares of onion crop has perished with a similar state of affairs in Davangere. This apart, crops on close to 10,000 hectares in Kalaburagi, Koppal, Yadgir and Vijayapura have also been affected due to heavy rain and floods. What has baffled the farmers is the infection at the time of harvest. All farmers are witnessing the disease just prior to the harvest. In some cases, the bulbs begin to rot after they are packed in bags. We do not know if it is due to rain or the soil. Many have tried a variety of pesticides with little success, bemoaned Nagaraj, a farmer in Chitradurga taluk. While it costs Rs 700 to Rs 1,000 to cultivate, harvest and transport a bag of onions, the farmers are earning only Rs 150 to Rs 200 a bag. At times, we have even sold them for as low as Rs 50 to Rs 100, revealed Mallikarjun, district president of Raitha Sangha. The rot -ridden bulbs are summarily rejected at the Yeshwantpur APMC market in Bengaluru. During the onion season from June to September, Chitradurga, Davangere, Haveri, Kalaburagi and adjoining districts are the major suppliers of onion to Bengaluru. However, due to the poor quality of the local crop, traders are preferring those from northern Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The crop in central Karnataka has wilted due to rot disease and leaf blight infection. Many are destroying the crop using tractors. Hundreds of bags of onions are kept in open in sheds as we are unable to segregate the bulbs due to high cost of labour. The market price does not even compensate for the labour costs. It is better we dump them in compost pits, lamented Lakshmikanth, a farmer from Lingavarahatti in Chitradurga district. While DH reached out to horticulture officials at Lalbagh, including the director, there was no response to messages and calls. However, Horticulture Minister Munirathna told DH that he is not aware of the issue. No farmer has informed me about the problem. If they bring it to my attention, I will definitely do whatever is necessary to help them as I am always with the farmers. Relatives of those who lost their lives as a result of conflict-related offences spoke at a rally today to protest against the UK Governments plan to ban future legacy prosecutions. The families have rallied together in a stand against the UK Governments intended amnesty for all those who committed conflict-related offences. Emmett McConomy, brother of ten-year-old Stephen, killed by a plastic bullet fired by a British soldier, spoke to the crowd: Nearly 40 years later, we have the British Government, namely Boris Johnson and Brandon Lewis, telling us and all the other victims of this conflict that hes doing us a favour. Hes drawn a line under the past for us. This he says will help the healing process and move us further along the road to reconciliation. Well, I have a clear message for you, Mr Lewis and Mr Johnson, how dare you try and speak for me and try and tell me what is best for our family. "Do not speak for me and my brother. Do not speak for Stephen and you surely do not speak for the people of Derry. The proposed government amnesty would prevent prosecutions for conflict-related offences and close down present and future police and Police Ombudsman investigations, civil actions and legacy inquests. Other rallies were organised in protest of the amnesty today both North and South of the border. See Monday's paper for full coverage. Akshay Kumar has the the sweetest wish for daughter Nitara as she turns 9: "Always stay Papas precious lil girl" Akshay Kumar has cause for a double celebration today. The actors daughter Nitara turned 9 years old today while his film Sooryavanshi finally got a release date. The actor took to social media to celebrate both occasions. The star posted an adorable picture with his daughter sitting in his lap and hugging him. He penned a sweet birthday wish for Nitara in the caption saying, No bigger joy in the world than a daughters tight hug. Happy Birthday, Nitara - grow up, take on the world, but always stay Papas precious lil girl too. Love you. Bhumi Pednekar and Vaani Kapoor took to the comments section to join Akshay in wishing Nitara a happy birthday. Maneish Paul and Sharad Kelkar also showered love by posting hearts in the comments. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) Not long after his post, the actor shared a BTS still from Sooryavanshi to announce that the film will finally be getting a theatrical release. The picture featured Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh Rohit Shetty, and him on what looks like the set of a police station. In his post, her thanked Maharastra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and wrote, So many families would be thanking Sh Uddhav Thackeray today! Grateful for allowing the reopening of cinema halls in Maharashtra from Oct 22. Ab kisi ke roke na rukegi - AA RAHI HAI POLICE #Sooryavanshi #Diwali2021 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) The announcement for Sooryavanshis release came after the Maharashtra government announced their decision to re-open cinema halls in the state from October 22 following Covid-19 guidelines. Sooryavanshi will release in theatres on Diwali 2021, that is, November 5. Cinema halls to finally re-open in Maharashtra from October, CM Uddhav Thackeray announces in a meeting with producers Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said cinema halls and drama theatres in the state will be permitted to operate from October 22 on the condition that they follow all the protocols required to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The state government will soon issue the standard operating procedure (SOPs) in this regard, he said. Thackeray was speaking at a meeting of the COVID-19 task force, which was also attended by Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, state chief secretary Sitaram Kunte, filmmakers Rohit Shetty and Kunal Kapoor, theatre personality Makarand Deshpande, Marathi actors Subodh Bhave, Aadesh Bandekar, among others. In the meeting, it was announced that cinema halls and drama theatres will be allowed to function from October 22, provided they follow all COVID-19- related health protocols. Theatres and auditoriums in Maharashtra will open after 22nd October 2021 while observing all COVID safety protocols. SOP is in the works and will be declared soon. CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) September 25, 2021 On Friday, the state government had announced the reopening of religious places from October 7, and issued an SOP for devotees and officials managing places of worship to ensure strict implement of coronavirus-related protocols. The same day, the government had also announced that physical classes in schools would resume across the state from October 4. Classes 5 to 12 in all the schools in rural areas and Classes 8 to 12 in urban areas would resume, school education minister Varsha Gaikwad had said. Maharashtra on Friday reported 3,286 new coronavirus cases and 51 deaths, which took the state's infection tally to 65,37,843 and the toll to 1,38,776, a health department official said. With 3,933 patients discharged from hospitals, the number of recovered cases rose to 63,57,012. Maharashtra now has 39,491 active cases. Daniel Craig thought his James Bond journey would end in 2015: 'I'll probably be incredibly bitter when the new person takes over' Hollywood star Daniel Craig opened up about how he will feel when the next actor takes over the iconic James Bond role. As per The Hollywood Reporter, Craig is happy he was able to say goodbye to James Bond in his own way, which he did not think was going to happen. In a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Craig said that for a while, he believed 2015's 'Spectre' would be his final time playing to iconic secret agent. "I thought that was it. And I'm really, really happy that I was given the opportunity to come back and do [No Time to Die]," the star said on the popular UK talk show, "because we've sort of wrapped up a lot of the stories. And just a chance to come do one more was wonderful." Bidding the legendary character farewell has been a bag of emotions, Craig said, noting that playing Bond was 16 years of his life. View this post on Instagram A post shared by James Bond 007 (@007) "It's been incredible to do these films," he said. "It's very emotional. I'm glad I am ending it on my own terms. I'm grateful to the producers for letting me do that. But I sure miss it. I'll probably be incredibly bitter when the new person takes over." When Craig wrapped his fifth and final James Bond film back in 2019, he gave an emotional farewell to the cast and crew, which was taped and used in the new Apple TV+ documentary 'Being James Bond'. "A lot of people here worked on five pictures with me," said Craig, holding back tears in the doc footage. "I know there are a lot of things said about what I think of these films, but I've loved every single second of these movies. And especially this one, because I've got up every morning, and I've had the chance to work with you guys. And that has been one of the greatest honors of my life," added the actor. 'No Time to Die' arrives in theatres on October 8. Disney files lawsuits to retain rights for Marvel characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man and other Avengers Disney's Marvel unit has filed lawsuits to acquire full control of 'Avengers' characters including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Widow and others. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the complaints come against the heirs of some late comic book geniuses including Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and Gene Colan. The legal document seeks "declaratory relief that these blockbuster characters are ineligible for copyright termination as works made for hire." Reportedly, if Marvel loses, Disney would have to share ownership of characters worth billions. Marvel has faced terminations from Ditko as well as Larry Lieber's (who worked at Marvel as a writer, too) estate. In August, the administrator of Ditko's estate filed a notice of termination on Spider-Man, which first appeared in comic book form in 1962. Under the termination provisions of copyright law, authors or their heirs can reclaim rights once granted to publishers after waiting a statutory set period of time. According to the termination notice, Marvel would have to give up Ditko's rights to its iconic character in June 2023, reported The Hollywood Reporter. Larry also filed termination notices to Marvel in May. The heirs of the comic book creators (including Black Widow creator Don Rico) are being represented by Marc Toberoff, who had also represented Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster in an unsuccessful termination attempt against DC which saved off termination by counterclaiming against Toberoff. As per The Hollywood Reporter, Dan Petrocelli represented the publisher at that time and will be representing Disney for the new case. Petrocelli has already filed several lawsuits against Lieber, Don Heck, Patrick Ditko, Don Rico and Keith Dettwiler. The cases will focus on the creation of famous comic book characters and who should be deemed the statutory author. One of the complaints filed on Friday asserted, "Marvel had the right to exercise creative control over Lieber's contributions and paid Lieber a per-page rate for his work." If the plaintiffs win, Disney would have to share profits with the others and hold on to atleast a share of character rights as co-owners. As per The Hollywood Reporter, the termination provisions of copyright law only apply in the United States, allowing Disney to continue to control and profit from foreign exploitation. Kartik Aaryan demanded Rs. 18 crores for signing Sajid Nadiadwala's romantic film with Kiara Advani, here's what he's getting Kartik Aaryan is busy working on his impressive line-up of films which includes everything from action, drama, thrill, comedy to romance. He will be seen romancing Kiara Advani in Sameer Vidwans next which was earlier titled Satyanarayan Ki Katha. While the actor is busy wrapping up Freddy with Alaya F at the moment, there is an interesting bit of news on his romantic film which is being backed by Sajid Nadiadwala. According to a Bollywood Hungama report, Kartik Aaryan is reportedly charging Rs. 15 crores for the project while having begun negotiations from Rs. 18 crores. Well, thanks to his jam-packed schedule and even more demand, Katriks market value is rising steadily and it is reflecting sharply in his fee hike after every few projects. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan) The report has further claimed that while Kartiks film is a simple love story at the core of it, Sajid Nadiadwala is leaving no stone unturned and getting the best technicians on board. There is apparently also a lot of emphasis on the music of the film. While earlier there were reports of Kartik having walked out of Dostana 2 for allegedly demanding a fee hike from Karan Johar, the young actor seems to have only gained more projects with the room the film created in his schedule. The actor has completed Dhamaka which is ready to release and his films Bhool Bhulaiya 2 and Freddy are at near completion. He still has this Sameer Vidwans film, Captain India, Shehzada, an action film with Om Raut and Kirik Party remake in his kitty to complete. Saif Ali Khan on differences between his cop characters in Vikram Vedha and Sacred Games: 'Vikram does not have a turban' Saif Ali Khans upcoming Vikram Vedha remake is drawing a lot of attention as fans cant wait to see the him collaborating with Hrithik Roshan in the action thriller which was originally made in Tamil starring Vijay Sethupathi and R Madhavan. Playing a cop again after Sacred Games, his super successful Netflix web series, Saif was recently asked during an interview to differentiate between his two characters. The star who seems really pumped about Vikram Vedha told Pinkvilla during an interview, I would say, Sartaj Singh was kind of a victim, who would be slapped around by almost everybody. His rise was from a slightly suicidal space to something else. He was a troubled and honest guy. Contrasting his cop character from Vikram Vedha the actor added, Vikram on the other hand is a very tough, successful and intelligent IPS kind of a officer. He is much more dynamic, confident and strong. He hilariously also added, Also, Vikram does not have a turban. The project is ready to go on floors in UAE in October and Saif is expected to join the shoot there in November. Presently the star is basking in the success of his horror comedy Bhoot Police which released on OTT recently. He is also busy shooting for Adipurush with Om Raut and Prabhas which is expected to wrap up by next month. Aarti Singh confesses Govinda's family not speaking to her after fallout with Krushna Abhishek: 'I too have to face the consequence' Krushna Abhishek and Govindas falling out seems to have engulfed their whole family in the tussle. While we have already heard Krushnas wife Kashmera Shah and Govindas wife Sunita Ahuja hurtling accusations on each other, Arti Singh who is Krushnas younger sister has opened up about the whole muddled up family situation now. The former Bigg Boss contestant who was recently seen host the launch even for Bigg Boss 15 in Nagpur with Devoleena Bhattacharjee has said that because of Krushnas fall out with Govinda, the latter has not been speaking to her as well. Arti when asked about their fight told Indian Express, Theres a saying that gehun ke sath ghoon bhi pees jata hai (when bulls fight, grass gets trampled). Whatever issue that happened between them, I too have to face the consequence. Chi chi mama and his family doesnt speak to me anymore. She acknowledged that both the parties have said sometimes to each other but hopes that their differences get resolved soon. In the end, Arti, however, landed the ball in Govindas court and said that it is now up to the actor to forgive Krushna. Krushna Abhishek who has so far given a miss to The Kapil Sharma Show episodes featuring Govinda and Sunita in his last interaction on the matter said that he seeks their forgiveness but also added that he did not think it will happen. He had told Spotboye, I love my mama and mami. I seek their forgiveness. Ive tried many times. But they wont accept my apology. And therein lies the problem. I dont know why they are not willing to forgive me when I am like their child. So many times in so many interviews Ive said that we will resolve our issues, and theyve said so too. But we are still at loggerheads. International Emmys: Vir Das celebrated eating every kind of carbohydrate; Nawazuddin calls Serious Men 'a dream come true' Nawazuddin Siddiqui is elated to have received an International Emmy nomination for Netflix's "Serious Men", a movie which he said was special to him for multiple reasons. On Thursday, Siddiqui received a nod in the best actor category for his performance in the Sudhir Mishra-directed feature film. "Working with Sudhir and playing the role of Ayyan Mani in 'Serious Men' was a dream come true for me and the International Emmy nomination is validation of all the hard work we poured into the film. I feel honoured to portray meaningful stories that are being recognised globally - which is now a reality thanks to platforms like Netflix," the 47-year-old actor said in a statement. In the best actor segment, Siddiqui is pitted against British star David Tennant ("Des") as well as actors Roy Nik of Israel ("Normali") and Christian Tappan of Colombia ("El Robo del Siglo" or "The Great Heist"). "Serious Men" is an adaptation of author Manu Joseph's 2010 novel of the same name. It chronicles the story of an ambitious underachiever who capitalises on his son's newfound fame as a boy-genius to improve his family's fortunes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@nawazuddin._siddiqui) Vir Das' comedy special "Vir Das: For India" for the streamer also received a nomination in the comedy segment along with popular French show "Call My Agent", UK's "Motherland: Christmas Special" and Colombia series "Promesas de Campana". The special, which was Das' third with Netflix, released in January 2020. Das said he is "super happy" for receiving the nomination. "Now that I'm done eating every kind of carbohydrate to celebrate, I am super happy about this nomination, thank you - International Emmy Awards. Every talent across the world wants to feel like their perspective is seen. A nomination does that. "Thank you to all the crew of 'Vir Das: For India' and team Netflix for all their hard work to put this together. I'm just so happy as it is a show about my culture, my people and how funny we are. The special was my love letter to India and this is just unbelievable," he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vir Das (@virdas) Celebrating the nominations, Monika Shergill, VP Content, Netflix, said, "This recognition celebrates the brilliance of the creative community in India, and the diverse and entertaining stories that we at Netflix continue to make in India, for India and the world." She also congratulated Siddiqui for his brilliant portrayal of Ayyan Mani in Sudhir Mishra and Bombay Fables' film and Das and his company Weirdass Comedy for their stand-up special. The winners for 2021 International Emmy Awards will be announced during an in-person ceremony, to be held in New York City on November 22. Last year, Netflix's critically-acclaimed series "Delhi Crime" had won the best drama series honour at the International Emmy Awards. Randeep Hooda signs up to play a gangster in a Netflix crime thriller series, to begin shooting in Punjab Actor Randeep Hooda is set to star as a gangster in an upcoming crime-thriller series, which will release on streamer Netflix. According to a source close to the project, the untitled show will be directed by Balwinder Singh Januja, known for writing the screenplays of films like "Saand Ki Aankh" and "Mubarakan". "It is a crime-thriller series set in Punjab between two time lines 1991 and 2005. It is not inspired by any particular incident or event. We have Randeep Hooda on board. "He will be seen as a gangster. It is quite an interesting role and we are happy to have him lead the show," the source said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Randeep Hooda (@randeephooda) The team will commence shooting for the upcoming show from Saturday in Punjab. "We will most likely wrap up the shoot this year and the show will release next year on Netflix," the source said, adding that the second season will be set in Canada. The show will be the second collaboration between Hooda and Janjua after their upcoming film "Tera Kya Hoga Lovely". Also starring Ileana D'Cruz, the movie talks about India's unrelenting obsession with fair skin. The film is set in the backdrop of Haryana and chronicles the story of a dusky girl tamed by prejudices and biases held by the society against dark skin. It is backed by Sony Pictures Films India. The 2021 Cross County season kicked off and a Small group of eager St Peters Athletes made the long journey down the M9 to Kilmacow on the Kilkenny Waterford border. The host club St Sennans AC put on an excellent event which produced some great races. The highlight for the St Peters AC and not for the first time was the duo of Niamh Brady and Dearbhla Allen. Niamh moved up an age to compete in the girls U18 and took the lead after around 400M and from there the win was never in doubt as she seemed to pull further and further away from the rest of her competitors over the 3000M course for an emphatic victory. Leah Mooney also took part in the same race, this was Leahs first race in almost a year and she finished very strongly which suggests this race will bring her on greatly. Dearbhla Allen also moved up an age to compete in the girls U16 race, Dearbhla led from the start and showed great courage and really took the race on however she had to settle for second place as a St Sennans athlete roared on by the home crowd took the honours by the slightest of margins. Sean Reilly, having recently had a great track season, had a strong run in the boys U16 as did Mark Litchfield in the boys U18, both lads will have benefited from the tough competitive run outs. Niamh Allen was the first of the St Peters Athletes into action with a good performance in the girls under 12 race. Next weekend Cian Gorham will make his international debut when he runs for the Irish Schools Team in the SIAB games in Derbyshire, this will be a massive occasion for Cian , his family, Club and his school Del La Salle College Dundalk. A 33 year old man charged in connection with a robbery at Lordship Credit Union in north Louth eight years ago, during which Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was murdered, was sent forward last week for trial at the non-jury Special Criminal Court. The book of evidence in the case, in the form of two large lever-arch files, was served on Brendan Treanor with an address at Emer Terrace, Castletown Road, Dundalk who is facing trial on two charges. He's accused of allegedly robbing 7,000 in cash and assorted cheques at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan on January 25th 2013 and with conspiring with two named individuals and others between September 11th 2012 and January 23rd 2013, both dates inclusive, to enter residential premises as trespassers with the intention of stealing keys of the householders' motor vehicles. A solicitor from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions told Dundalk district court last Wednesday that the exhibits in the case are quite large and she had supplied a copy of them that morning to Mr. Treanor's lawyer on an encrypted USB stick. The solicitor added that both charges are non scheduled offences, and pursuant to the Offences Against the State Act, the DPP had certified that the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice. After administering the alibi warning to the accused, Judge Eirinn McKiernan remanded Brendan Treanor in custody to a sitting of a Special Criminal Court and granted legal aid to cover one Senior and one Junior Counsel. If I were a betting guy, Id wager that most voters in Michigan have never heard of a man named James Craig. Hes the former Detroit police chief and hes been stumbling out of the gate for the 2022 governors race on a nearly continuous basis for almost all of 2020, vying to be the Republican nominee. For the most part, hes been cagey about whether or not he was going to run even though virtually everyone paying attention knew that he was, in fact, already running. But, more importantly, he quickly became famous for refusing to take positions on any issues of importance. Finally, Craig set up a big campaign launch event a couple of weeks ago on Belle Isle in Detroit and what happened there is best summarized by a Metro Times articles title: James Craigs official campaign launch was a complete clusterfuck. Shouted down and drowned out by Detroit Will Breathe activists, Craig was forced to retreat to a private indoor event. In true Trumpian fashion, he later blamed Governor Whitmer for his campaigns complete faceplant. However, it was later revealed that his campaign WANTED the protesters to be there because they thought it would be a positive thing for him. Instead, it was an epic display of not-ready-for-prime-time, amateur political strategy. Now that hes officially a candidate, Craig is having to start planting his flag on issues hes been dodging for months. Thats not going well either. On infrastructure: Not a priority. Ending a persons right to have a safe, legal abortion in our state: BIG priority. In a secret audio recording obtained by Metro Times, Craig was clear on his support of Michigans 1931 abortion ban, said to be the most punitive in the country by criminalizing abortions both for those who get one and those who help a person get one. In the recording, which was obtained and provided by American Bridge 21st Century, a liberal political action committee that conducts opposition research on Republicans, Craig is asked if he would stop Democrats from undoing the law that makes abortion illegal in Michigan. I will do whatever I can Im pro-life, Craig responded. Asked again if he supports blocking Democrats from repealing that law, Craig said, Yes. Asked about the recording, Craigs campaign didnt directly respond to his remarks about the abortion ban. James Craig is unapologetically pro-life and opposes liberal efforts for abortion on demand, late term abortions, and partial birth abortions, his campaign said in a written statement. At a recent call with reporters organized by the Michigan Democratic Party, West Michigan emergency room doctor and Committee to Protect Health Care Executive Director Rob Davidson related his experiences as a doctor for women seeking an abortion. One woman came to him not feeling well. They discovered that she was pregnant and the womans only sexual intercourse was from being raped some weeks before. He also talked about having to treat women who had had secret abortions outside of the medical setting who came to him with devastating medical problems. In both cases he was able to get the women the help and safe medical care that they needed. But, if abortion becomes a felony in Michigan again, he said, all of that changes. People are still going to seek abortions, Dr. Davidson said. Theyre just going to do it unsafely. I dread someone coming in with infection or bleeding because Mr. Craig decided that getting an abortion was illegal. Dr. Davidson also asked how far James Craig was willing to go with his extremist anti-Choice position. [James Craigs extremist position] is going to lead to undue suffering and sometimes death. 23,000 people died as a result of unsafe abortions in 2014 alone It will happen here in Michigan and it will be at his hands. I just hope [people] will further question Mr. Craig on what he plans to do about that. As a physician wanting to take care of my patients the best I can, this is going to have a direct impact on my ability to do that. I have to ask Craig: how far do your views go? Is that criminal? Are you going to prosecute ME? Democratic State Senator Erika Geiss (MI-6) has a package of bills to repeal the 1931 law that makes abortion a felony. She described the situation in this way: The 1931 law is so draconian that it doesnt just criminalize it for the person seeking the abortion, but also for the physicians. It disrupts that patient-healthcare provider relationship that is really nobodys business but between that patient and their healthcare provider and whoever else that patient decides to include. Government should not be deciding what is in the best interest of the patient whos making this type of decision. We have this opportunity to repeal the 1931 law with SB70, which Im the sponsor of, and its companion bills 71, 72, and 73, of which Senator Chang is one of the sponsors Its important that these bills are passed and this 1931 law is repealed because for years, for years weve known that the threat to Roe v. Wade was possible. In recent years, between a growing violence of anti-abortion groups and the latest make-up of the hostile-to-abortion Supreme Court, the threat to reproductive rights and justice, including abortion access became not just possible but probable James Craig may be an amateur, second-tier candidate but, right now, hes the best shot Republicans have. The fact that hes an extremist on reproductive rights and freedom will only ensure that, like Bill Schuette in 2018 and Donald Trump 2020, his anti-woman positions will lead to him getting crushed at the polls in Michigan. You might not have to stay at home to watch James Bond movies if and when Amazon closes its purchase of MGM. As Deadline reports, producer Barbara Broccoli revealed to Sky News that Amazon had committed to releasing Bond movies in theaters "in the future." Broccoli wasn't more specific than that, but it's safe to say you won't need a Prime Video subscription to watch 007's post-Daniel Craig exploits. MGM has gone out of its way to make sure the latest Bond flick, No Time to Die, premieres in theaters. The movie was slated to debut in April 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic prompted delays to November 2020, April 2021 and finally September 30th, 2021 for the UK. It reaches the US on October 8th. In all cases, MGM has steadfastly refused to make it available on streaming services like rival studios' blockbuster releases Amazon might face stiff resistance if it tries digital premieres. The news follows a familiar pattern: Hollywood studios are determined to stick to theater-first launches for as long as possible. While there was clearly some success for WarnerMedia and other studios that released movies simultaneously or exclusively on streaming services at the height of the pandemic, they clearly want to return to the pre-COVID status quo. Bitcoin and similar blockchain-based cryptos exhibit the same radical divergence from traditional scarcity economics that we first saw when MP3s and Napster cratered physical album sales at the turn of the century. Unlike gold, which derives its value from both its myriad uses in fashion and industry as well as the difficulty involved in extracting it from the Earth, acquiring new Bitcoin is as simple as digitally mining more of the stuff. In his latest book, The Future of Money, Senior Professor of Trade Policy at Cornell University, Eswar S Prasad deftly examines how we collectively assign value to these digital constructs and what that means for the economics of tomorrow. Harvard University Press Copyright 2021 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Used by permission. All rights reserved. At a conference held in Scotland in March 2018, then Bank of England governor Mark Carney observed that the prices of many cryptocurrencies have exhibited the classic hallmarks of bubbles including new paradigm justifications, broadening retail enthusiasm and extrapolative price expectations reliant in part on finding the greater fool. The last phrase in his statement was an allusion to the period of seemingly ever-rising real estate prices during the US housing boom of the early to mid-2000s. High and rising real estate valuations seemed to be based on the notion that all it took to make money from a house purchased at inflated prices was to find just one buyeran even greater fool than oneselfwilling to pay an even higher price. Carneys speech came on the heels of another by Agustin Carstens, head of the Bank for International Settlements; he described Bitcoin as a combination of a bubble, a Ponzi scheme and an environmental disaster. Skeptics, including central bankers and academics, correctly note Bitcoins extremely volatile prices and the periodic price collapses it has experienced. Indeed, from an economists perspective, there is no logical reason Bitcoin should be priced beyond its value in providing an anonymous payment mechanism, let alone the sort of value it commands. Yet, even as it has shed all pretense of being an effective medium of exchange, Bitcoin has maintained the faith of its adherents. It seems not just to persevere but has become an increasingly prized store of valueor perhaps more accurately, an attractive speculative asset (at least as this book is being writtenthis could all change in a moment). What accounts for this? To address this question, we must first consider what gives a financial asset, tangible or not, economic value. For one thing, an asset represents a claim on future goods and services. Owning a share of stock or debt issued by a firm is a claim on the firms future earnings, which in turn is based on its ability to create real products or services that have monetary value. The same is true for real estate, which yields real services to homeowners or renters that can be monetized. Owning a government bond is in principle a claim on future government revenues, which could come from taxes or other sources. Gold is different. It has an intrinsic value based on its industrial use, and it is also used in jewelry (and tooth fillings). But its market value seems far greater than its intrinsic value based on these uses. It appears that gold derives its value mainly from scarcity rather than its usefulness or any claim it offers of a future flow of goods and services. Scarcity by itself is clearly not enough; there has to be enough demand for an asset as well. Such demand could hang on a thread as slender as a collective belief in the market value of the assetif you think there are other people who value gold as much as you do and enough people feel the same way, gold has value. So is Bitcoin just a digital version of gold, with its value determined mainly by its scarcity? The limit of twenty-one million bitcoins is hardcoded into the algorithm, making it scarce by construction. But there still needs to be demand for it, as even Bitcoin cannot escape the basic laws of market economics, especially the determination of prices based on supply and demand. Such demand could of course be purely speculative in nature, as seems to be the case now that Bitcoin is not working well as a medium of exchange. It does take copious amounts of computing power and electricity to mine Bitcoin, and unfortunately, computers and electricity have to be paid for in real moneywhich is still represented by fiat currencies. It has been argued that Bitcoins baseline price is determined by this mining cost. One research company estimated the electricity cost of mining one bitcoin in the United States to be about $4,800 in 2018. Another company estimated the overall break-even cost of mining a bitcoin in 2018 at $8,000, suggesting that this constituted a floor for its price. But this is hardly reasonable logic. Just because something takes a lot of resources to produce is not enough to create demand for it and, therefore, to justify its price. Bitcoin devotees, needless to say, have an answer for this; given the technologically inclined nature of this community, it had to be a quantitative model. The model, if it can be called that, uses the ratio of the existing stock relative to the flow of new units as an anchor for the price. Consider gold. The total stock of gold that exists in the world (above ground) is estimated at about 185,000 metric tons. Roughly 3,000 tons of gold are mined each year, which amounts to about 1.6 percent of the existing stock. Thus, the stock-to-flow ratio is about sixty. It would take that many years for annual gold production, assuming it continues at the average rate, to reproduce the existing stock. For silver, this ratio is about twenty-two. The logic of this pricing model appears to be that even doubling the annual rate of gold or silver production would leave their stock-to-flow ratios high, in which case they would remain viable stores of value with high prices. The physical constraints on supplyramping up mining operations would take a long timemean there is little risk of a surge in supply knocking down prices of the existing stock. By contrast, for other less precious commodities, including metals such as copper and platinum, the existing stock is equal to or lower than annual production. Thus, as soon as the price begins rising, production can be ramped up, preventing large price hikes. With these commodities, prices are more closely tied to values based on industrial and other practical uses. In 2017 the stock of Bitcoin that had been mined was estimated to be around twenty-five times larger than that of the new coins produced in that year. This is high but still less than half of the stock-to-flow ratio for gold. Around 2022, Bitcoins stock-to-flow ratio is expected to overtake that for gold. Thus, if one accepts this logic, the price of Bitcoin must eventually rise. This valuation is built entirely on a fragile foundation of faith. As one influential Bitcoin blogger puts it: Bitcoin is the first scarce digital object the world has ever seen. . . . Surely this digital scarcity has value. This blogger makes profuse allusions, which are echoed on most websites and chat boards frequented by Bitcoin adherents, to how Bitcoin and gold are analogous: It is [the] consistently low rate of supply of gold that is the fundamental reason it has maintained its monetary role throughout human history. The high stock-to-flow ratio of gold makes it the commodity with the lowest price elasticity of supply. Fiat money and other cryptocurrencies that have no supply cap, no Proof of Work consensus protocol, and no need of large amounts of computing power to keep operating are seen as less likely to retain value because their supplies are not constrained and can be influenced by the government or small groups of individuals or stakeholders. Clearly, logic and reason are not important underpinnings of Bitcoin valuations. And it is hard to argue, as I have learned, with a twenty-fiveyear-old who bought his first bitcoin at $400, then kept buying, and now views every dip in Bitcoin prices as a buying opportunity to add to his stash. But, as an economist, one does worry for that young man (whom I sat next to at a conference in January 2019 and with whom I ended up having a long and heated discussion) and others who have bet their life savings on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Then again, with the price of Bitcoin where it is in April 2021, perhaps my time would have been better spent in the past few years acquiring some bitcoin rather than laboring on this book. Next month, Nintendo will give Switch Online subscribers the chance to purchase Sega Genesis games as part of a DLC pack with N64 titles. And to make the experience as authentic as possible while playing them, the gaming giant is also selling wireless N64 and Genesis controllers exclusively to Switch Online subscribers. The gaming giant showed off a three-button Genesis controller at its most recent Direct stream in the west. Based on a tweet by Nintendo Japan, though, it will release a six-button version in its home country instead. Nintendo has confirmed to Polygon that the six-button Genesis controller will be exclusively available in Japan. A Nintendo of America rep told the publication that "different regions make different decisions based on a variety of factors" and that the three-button model was the more widely used and more well-known version in the US and Canada. As the publication notes, the three-button model came first, and the one with six buttons was only released when fighting games boomed in popularity. Playing titles like Street Fighter was easier with more buttons to mash. Take note that the Sega Genesis Mini also launched with a three-button controller outside Japan in 2019, whereas the Japanese version came with a six-button model. Even if you find a way to import the Japan-only controller, it may be better to wait until other gamers have confirmed that it works with consoles in your region. Nintendo doesn't have a release date for the three-button model yet, but it will set you back $50 when it becomes available. Matt Day, Bloomberg Amazon's Kent, Washington facility has long been home to many of the company's high-tech innovations. Bloomberg takes us inside "BFI4" for another look at the shipping location that's run my algorithms and robots. Sarah Krouse, The Information In a report on various instances of surveillance at Google, The Information discusses how things like researching COBRA health insurance info and screenshotting and using encrypted messaging apps can draw the ire of the company's security team. Elizabeth Dwoskin, Cat Zakrzewski and Nick Miroff, The Washington Post Between misinformation, privacy and antitrust debates, there's no shortage of challenges for Facebook at any given time. With scrutiny piling on from the US government, and the possibility of regulation looming, the social network is hoping to prove it's more than a problem-plagued platform. If she did not want glaring attention, Meghan Markle should not have worn red. She shoud also have not worn the red that Michelle Obama did on President Joe Biden's inauguration in particular. While the ex first lady was lauded on her outfit choice that day, Markle is mocked and ridiculed. Some said she's a copycat, some even joked that she's merely "cosplaying." What Did Meghan Markle Wear? Meghan Markle channeled Michelle Obama's style on Friday as she walked out in New York in a monochromatic maroon suit, which was described as being very similar to Michelle Obama's much-lauded appearance during President Joe Biden's inauguration. While visiting Harlem's PS 123 Mahalia Jackson school, the Duchess of Sussex, 40, wore a $5,840 Loro Piana cashmere coat, matching $1,685 wide-leg trousers, and red Manolo Blahnik pointed-toe shoes. She should have known that wearing an all-red outfit is likely to make people look twice. In her berry-colored outfit of choice, Markle looked to be emulating Obama, 57, and Twitter users took note, with one person joking that the princess was "cosplaying Michelle Obama on Inauguration Day." ALSO READ: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Receiving Federal Protection on First NYC Trip? Not that Markle "just copied." She also put a lot of thought in her outfit. Compared to Obama's, Markle's monochrome suit was more casual, which was likely due to the fact that she would be sitting and reading a book to schoolchildren. Her reversible coat is made of double-faced cashmere and has hand-finished undetectable seams. It also has a removable ribbed cashmere-knit collar. Markle had her sleeves cuffed to expose the fabric on the opposite side of the designer coat, which was baggier and less structured than Obama's coat. Its pockets, which were enclosed with a brighter shade of square-shaped lining, were another distinctive feature. Michelle Obama Has an Advice for Meghan Markle While Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have always been described as fans of the Obamas, and at some point, described as even being friends with each other, the latest news about them were more on the negative side. First, the Obamas did not invite them to Barack's birthday celebration. Nuemours writeups emerged as to why, with most claiming it's because Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are hardly A-list people. Second, after Meghan Markle tagged the palace as being racist towards her and her baby during her and Harry's bombshell interview, reports had it that both Barack and Michelle Obama frowned at what they did. A royal journalist reported that that former President Obama and First Lady Michelle are distancing themselves from the Sussexes after that very generous interview. Camilla Tominey told the Telegraph, "It arguably will not have gone down well with a couple who have always put 'family first' to see Harry and Meghan being so openly critical of their royal relatives during their Oprah interview in March. "When it comes to Harry and Meghan, it seems, the former president and first lady remain firmly of the view that blood is thicker than water," she added. ALSO READ: Gabby Petito's Missing BF Brian Laundrie 'Well-Equipped' To Evade Police in the Wilderness as Parents Refuse to Say Anything The recent Rohingya crisis in South Asia raised questions regarding the refugee policies of the Indian state, which seem to take a very diplomatic position on the refugee problem. This article seeks to argue that Indias kindness for some refugee communities and ignorant behaviour for Muslim refugees has raised a doubt on its way of refugee dealings, and has posed question on the very secular face of the Indian state. How the Supreme Court as well as the Indian government has viewed and handled the refugee problem has been discussed in detail in this article. The health and stability of a modern democracy depends not only on the justice of its basic structure but also on the qualities and attitudes of its citizens. Democracy as a form of life rests upon active consent and participation, but it is interesting to note that citizenship is distributed according to passive criteria of belonging, like birth upon a piece of land, which is called jus soli; and ethnic belonging to a group of people, which has been called as jus sanguinis (Benhabib 1999). The contemporary global scenario is marked by the emergence of new forms of identity and difference politics. With proceeding globalisation and fragmentation, a conflict between human rights and sovereignty claims has also increased. On the one hand, a worldwide consciousness about universal principles of human rights is growing; and on the other, particularistic identities of nationality, ethnicity, religion, race, and language along with the claim of sovereignty are also asserted. The right of a collectivity to define itself by asserting power over a bounded territory, creates a distinction between us and them, that is, between those who belong to the sovereign people and those who do not. Cross-border movements of population in South Asia are regarded as a serious issue, which is seen as affecting internal security, political stability, and international relations, and not only the structure and composition of the labour market; which has seized the attention of heads of governments in the region and have often been the basis for bilateral negotiations. The thrust of several state policies within the region is to close borders and to clearly define who is a citizen in a particular region. This has become a challenging task both for the citizen as well as for the state because historically, borders were not clearly demarcated or did not exist, because of which people moved freely with little regard for national boundaries or legal notions of citizenship (Kymlicka and Norman 1994). For scholars like Myron Weiner (1993) the population flows across the boundaries in South Asia are driven by political and economic circumstances, by which they often diminish the ethnic heterogeneity of the origin country, and have made the countries of destination more heterogeneous. A politically driven model of international migration is a highly conflictual one both for the sending and receiving countries. Therefore, it has been argued that the disturbed zone of citizenship inside the nation state may not be resolved without resolving the contests beyond the nation state (Roy 2010). This article seeks to examine the ongoing debate over citizenship in a global era, and how the Indian state is dealing with the problem of refugees and immigrants. Citizens and Citizenship A citizen is defined as someone who is a member of a national or political community and enjoys equal rights and responsibilities with all other citizens (Macfoy 2014). Citizenship has been viewed as a fruit of the modern state in which citizens are expected to be loyal to the cause of the state and willing to make all the sacrifices required, and in the same state, foreigners are suspected to be less trustworthy or even potential security risks (Hammar 1986). Citizenship is the legally acknowledged membership of a state and is thus not voluntary. It is commonly invoked to convey a state of democratic belonging or inclusion, yet this inclusion is usually premised on a conception of a community that is bounded and exclusive (Bosniak 2006). The targeting of non-citizens as undeserving of public benefits not only jeopardised human rights of immigrants, it also reflects the existing and persistent devaluation of important families who experienced higher levels of hunger and food insecurity due to welfare reform (Fujiwara 2005: 121). Citizenship as an idea and as an ideal institution has several regressions, incompleteness, contests, and often represent an axis of subordination, which have been seen as discontents by many scholars, and therefore becomes relevant in postcolonial societies like India, which has been marked by hierarchies of caste, class, race, religion, and gender. The principle of equality as an abiding feature of citizenship remains elusive and fettered. It is the civic community, which is often considered as an important goal of citizenship (Jayal 2013). Part II of the Constitution and the Citizenship Act, 1955 define citizenship and prescribes several rules for its acquisition. Articles 5 to 9 of the Constitution define citizenship at its commencement. The mode of acquisition of citizenship through birth, descent, naturalisation and incorporation of territory, after the commencement of the Constitution is provided in Sections 3 to 7 of the Citizenship Act, 1955. However, it is unclear about the stateless individual who is recognised as a refugee by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and will be able to invoke citizenship for her child (Chaudhury and Samaddar 2015). In the contemporary era of globalisation, citizenship is not confined to a single state but is virtually global in its extent, which has two aspects: first, emerging from normative cosmopolitanism it has an enduring cosmopolitan consciousness, which is superior to nationalism; and second, the globality of citizenship consists in the belief that globalisation has created the material conditions in which cosmopolitan existence may be possible (Roy 2010). Universal human rights transcend the rights of citizens and extend to all persons considered as moral beings. Therefore, citizenship has been defined as a divided concept in the era of liberal democracies in which it stands for both universalist and exclusionary commitments (Bosniak 2006). Who Is a Refugee in India? International law defines refugees as persons who have been forced to flee the country of their origin and are unable or unwilling to return there due to the fear of persecution on account of their race, religion, ethnicity, and political beliefs (Bhattacharjee 2008). Refugees are seen as threatening a host countrys security by increasing demands on its scarce resources or threatening the security of regions by their sheer presence. They are different from other migrants or aliens because they are compelled to flee from their country, unlike the latter who legally or illegally voluntarily leave their home country for a host of reasons. Refugee flows have assumed heightened significance as potential triggers of international intervention. The claim that certain individuals pose a national security threat has been misguided throughout history to prevent political dissidents from entering countries and has led to the creation of categories of unwanted aliens (Benhabib 1999). India has not defined clearly the category of refugees. Their status is predominantly determined by the extent of protection they receive from the Government of India, which in turn has often been influenced by political equations than by humanitarian or legal obligations. The largest single bilateral flow in South Asia took place in 1947 when the partition of the Indian subcontinent took place, and in 1971 when Bangladesh became independent. Nearly seven million Bengali Hindus had crossed the border into West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam to refugee camps built and sustained by the Indian government (Weiner 1993). Unlike the earlier population movements, the present international migration flows within South Asia are largely unacceptable, uncontrollable, and a source of conflict among countries of the region and often within the receiving country. On the one hand, certain refugee communities like Sri Lankan Tamils, Chakma, and Tibetan refugees have received sufficient protection by the Indian state. On the other hand, refugee communities like Bangladeshi Muslims, Afghans, Burmese, and many others following Islam have witnessed several discriminations by the same state. They have not ensured any kind of protection from the government as such. Chin refugees in Mizoram have assimilated into local communities and have not been recognised or acknowledged either by the UNHCR or the Indian state. Due to which they are subjected to persistent harassment and abuse from their employers and police. This raises a question: How can the Indian state, which proudly declares itself as secular, have two kinds of treatments or measures to deal with refugee communities? According to Myron Weiner (1993), refugees are not passive actors, and the political influence of refugees on the host government is enhanced by their ties to local ethnic kinfolk. For scholars like B S Chimni (2000: 244), in the era of globalisation, humanitarianism present in the International law, which is mainly the ideology of hegemonic states, is causing the erosion of the fundamental principles of refugee protection and is transforming the very character of UNHCR, by manipulating the language of human rights to legitimise a range of dubious practices. Unable to control entry, governments often attempt to influence the exit policies of their neighbours. Several strategies to deal with an unwanted and unacceptable entry have been applied by the government. Exercising diplomatic pressure on the sending country, armed intervention, border clashes, as well as violent attacks and abuses by the local elites of the receiving country have often been applied. Jacques Derridas (2005) idea of unconditional hospitality implies the welcoming of the foreigner before imposing any conditions on them, it must address the other. Enabling refugees to use the law and legal mechanisms to protect and advance their rights and acquire greater control over their lives could have important implications. The increasing significance of citizenship in social policy perpetuates a persistent devaluation of immigrant families. Therefore, legal empowerment has been regarded as the potential to improve the administration of justice within refugee camps, to increase the accountability of host state authorities and aid providers, and to contribute to the achievement of durable solutions either by providing the skills and knowledge to facilitate resettlement or local integration or by empowering refugees to be actors in resettlement and transitional justice initiatives.(Purkey 2013: 260) Rohingyas and Statelessness The 1954 UNHCR convention relating to the status of stateless persons defined a stateless person as someone who is not considered as a national by any state under the operation of its law. Rohingya refugees are a glaring example of a stateless community. In India, they have been represented as foreigners, suspected Bangladeshi nationals, and impoverished, and therefore a large number have been and continue to be arrested for violation of the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Passports (Entry into India) Act, 1929 along with other legislation. The Rohingya Muslims who have been forcibly ousted from Myanmar are living precarious lives, and have fled mainly to India and Bangladesh. The military assault on them in Myanmar compelled a large number of them to flee the country in order to save their lives. They are mainly the Burmese Muslims, bilingual Bengali and Burmese speaking people. They fled in early 1978 as well when the Burmese government launched a movement to check on illegal immigrants, followed by several interventions made by the Burmese Army in the effort to end local insurgency in the Arakan region. They are mainly the descendants of agricultural labourers who had migrated from Bengal to the Arakan region when borders were not clearly demarcated. They were compelled to flee as they were lacking national registration certificates and thus were unable to prove their Burmese citizenship. They are now the worlds most persecuted minority without citizenship. Because of their continuous fleeing due to persecution, and in search of livelihood they have been considered as the boat people (Chaudhury and Samaddar 2015). In the latest round of citizenship verification process initiated in 2015, the Rohingyas in Myanmar were asked to identify themselves as Bengalis and provide evidence of three generations of ancestry. They do not have access to government jobs or education. Under international law, they are considered as de jure stateless, that is, a person who is not considered as a national by any state under the operation of its law. To overcome the profound vulnerability that affects stateless people, the convention upholds the right to freedom of movement for stateless persons lawfully on the territory and requires states to provide them with identity papers and travel documents (UNHCR 1954). The 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness sets certain rules for the conferral and non-withdrawal of citizenship to prevent cases of statelessness from arising, by requiring states to grant citizenship to children born on their territory, or born to their nationals abroad, and by prohibiting the withdrawal of citizenship from states nationals. Despite such rules, there has been rarely any improvement in Rohingyas situation. Therefore, it can be argued that the use of legal citizenship status as a form of demarcation for entitlement to life-sustaining benefits further delineates immigrants and refugees as outside the social, political, and economic policy of the nation. CAA and NRC The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, which was passed recently, updates the existing Citizenship Act, 1955, in order to provide Indian citizenship to minority communities fleeing persecution from neighbouring countries. It seeks to offer citizenship to Hindus, Parsis, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, and Christians from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The clear intention behind bringing it, is to grant citizenship to Hindus fleeing persecution in Muslim-majority countries neighbouring India, which was clearly mentioned in the election manifestos of the present ruling party. However, this initiative could be seen as one of the important Hindutva project, which has serious implications for both the Muslim immigrants as well as Muslims residing in India itself. The act has created a climate of tension in the country, as it violates the basic principles and secular values of the Constitution since it proposes to club religion and citizenship together. The CAA and NRC were strongly opposed not only by the Muslim population of the country, but also sparked several protests across the educational campuses. Along with this, several states also passed resolutions against it. Clearly, the initiative sparked a serious bifurcation between those supporting and opposing it. The NRC has been brought with an intention of preventing Muslim immigrants specially from acquiring certain rights and benefits in India. People were told to prove their descendance of Indian citizenship by showing legacy data and the lineage, in order to get registered on the NRC. This sparked another protest and a pan-India campaign with a slogan of Kaagaz nahi Dikhayenge (we will not show our papers). It can be argued here is that NRC and CAA have been used as a political tool to identify and harass Muslims residing in India, and was implemented immediately after the persecution of Rohingyas in South Asia, as the Indian state did not want to take the responsibility of providing shelter to Muslim immigrants. The union home ministers declaration regarding the implementation of NRC on a pan India level for identifying intruders is a good example to show the Hindutva agenda of the Indian right wing. His famous chronology of amending CAA first for providing citizenship to non-Muslim refugees, and then introducing NRC to identify intruders not only targets and excludes a huge chunk of Muslim population regardless of their ancestry by snatching their citizenship rights, but also enlarges the category of stateless people. It is unclear what will happen to them next, how to deal with their problems, as neither can they be deported to India, Bangladesh, Pakistan or to any other South Asian country due to lack of arrangements. Moreover, such identification will also intensify the persecution of already persecuted Muslim immigrants like Rohingyas, furthering their victimisation of statelessness. Refugees and the Constitution The Constitution of India guarantees certain rights to all persons within India. Though the word refugee is not mentioned as such, the outsider people or those who are not Indian citizens are termed as aliens in the Constitution. Hence, certain fundamental rights have been granted to the people seeking asylum in India. These rights are equality before law under Article 14 of the Constitution, which states that the state shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the Indian territory. Protection of life and liberty under Article 21 is another right, which states that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the due procedure established by law. The Supreme Court of India further expanded this right in Louis De Raedt v Union of India (1991) and State of Arunachal Pradesh v Khudiram Chakma (1993) cases and included foreigners under the ambit of this law (Bhattacharjee 2008). The right to a fair trial has also been included in this right which is uniformly applicable to both citizens and aliens. Articles 245 and 246 gives power to the central government to frame laws with respect to matters that broadly fall under subjects relating to foreigners, aliens, and immigrants (Chaudhury and Samaddar 2015). The legal framework to protect refugees in India has been often characterised by an eclectic interplay of administrative ad hocism and judicial assertion of constitutional rights (Bhattacharjee 2008). The Constitution provides certain fundamental rights that often have been further expanded by the Indian Judiciary. A glaring example for this argument could be the case of National Human Rights Commission v State of Arunachal Pradesh (1996), in which the Supreme Court of India restrained the forcible expulsion of Chakma refugees from the state. Further, the court directed the state government to ensure that the life and personal liberty of each and every Chakma residing within the state should be protected. However, the inconsistent and arbitrary government policies, which have been dictated more by political exigencies than by legal imperatives have often created an obstruction in accessing these rights and institutions. Need for the Refugee Law India is one of the most prominent refugee receiving countries in the world. The Indian state has treated a few refugee communities reasonably well but has not formulated a well-defined refugee law. The absence of clearly defined statutory standards subjects refugees and asylum seekers to inconsistent and arbitrary government policies. The Foreigners Act of 1946 highlights the ad hoc nature of refugee law and practice in India. The Indian state lacks a national refugee law which can specify the rights of and govern the treatment of refugees. This lack has subjected different refugee communities to varying standards of protection. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 reflected this. Normatively, India seems to be committed to refugee protection, but practically she treats different communities differently. India has not signed either the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or the 1967 Protocol. It has been argued by many that the reason behind Indias refusal to sign the convention was that it was very Euro centric. Yet, India has recognised the right of refugees to non-refoulement and has maintained its basic commitment to humanitarian protection of refugees. In fact, India has signed numerous human rights instruments and is a party to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights 1948, International Convention on Civil and Political Rights 1966, etc, which demands an obligation to secure to refugees a right to status determination, and India did so. In Conclusion It can be concluded that the Indian law and the state practice provide distorted and incomplete protection to refugees. In fact, initiatives like the CAA and NRC, which clearly discriminate against a particular community have created several problems among its own citizens. The lack of refugee laws and clarity regarding refugees has created several problems in accessing institutions for the sake of the protection of the refugee community in India. The Indian states divisive way of treating certain refugee communities differently has resulted in a fear of persecution and helplessness among them, which also poses a question mark over the secular nature of the former. The absence of a national law on protection, rights, and entitlements of refugees has resulted in the denial of basic protection and has further pushed them into a condition of vulnerability. This has also made the refugees dependent on the state and they have no recourse against systematic violations made by the state itself. The Indian law is inadequate to deal with the problem of statelessness. For stateless people like the Rohingyas, the Indian state neither offers protection nor avenues to legal residence in the country, due to which they are witnessing continued detention and arrests. References Benhabib, S (1999): Citizens, Residents and Aliens in a Changing World: Political Membership in the Global Era, Social Research, Vol 66, No 3, p 709. Bhattacharjee, S (2008): India Needs a Refugee Law, Economic & Political Weekly, Vol 43, No 9, pp 7175. Bosniak, L (2006): The Citizen and the Alien: Dilemmas of Contemporary Membership, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Chaudhury, S B and R Samaddar (2015): Rohingyas: The Emergence of a Stateless Community, Kolkata: Mahanirban Calcutta Research Group. Chimni, B (2000): Globalisation, Humanitarianism and the Erosion of Refugee Protection, Journal of Refugee Studies, Vol 13, No 3. Derrida, J (2005): The Principle of Hospitality, Parallax, Vol 11, No 1, pp 69. Fujiwara, L (2005): Mothers without Citizenship: Asian Immigrant and Refugees Negotiating Poverty and Hunger in Post-Welfare Reform, Race, Gender & Class, Vol 12, No 2, pp 12141. Hammar, T (1986): Citizenship: Membership of a Nation and of a State, International Migration, Vol 24, pp 73548. Jayal, N G (2013): Citizenship and Its Discontents: An Indian History, US: Harvard University Press. Kymlicka, W and W Norman (1994): Return of the Citizen: A Survey of Recent Work on Citizenship Theory, Ethics, Vol 104, No 2, pp 35281. Macfoy, M K (2014): Introduction: Who is a Citizen? Feminism, Multiculturalism and Immigration, Citizenship, R Bellamy and M K Macfoy (eds), Vol II, New York: Routledge. Purkey, A L (2013): A Dignified Approach: Legal Empowerment and Justice for Human Rights Violations in Protracted Refugee Situations, Journal of Refugee Studies, Vol 27, No 2. Roy, A (2010): Mapping Citizenship in India, New Delhi: Oxford University Press. UNHCR (1954): Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, https://www.unhcr.org/en-lk/stateless-people.html. (1961): Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, https://www.unhcr.org/ibelong/wp-content/uploads/1961-Convention-on-the-reduction-of-Statelessness_ENG.pdf. Weiner, M (1993): Rejected People and Unwanted Migrants in South Asia, Economic & Political Weekly, Vol 28, No 34, pp 173747. The recent case of WhatsApp changing its data privacy laws is analysed as an example of issues emerging with competition law. Much has been written about the absence of data privacy laws in India that is likely to leave consumers vulnerable to sudden policy changes by service providers like WhatsApp. In this context, it is argued that informed consent from consumers is unlikely to be present and rather than depending on data privacy laws, it should be competition law that can ensure minimum harm to consumers and prevent adverse effects on market competition. WhatsApp was recently in the news in India for a number of reasons. First was its unilateral announcement regarding the change of its data privacy laws.1 This was followed by a second notice from the Government of India to WhatsApp in this regard.2 These new laws were announced globally on 4 January 2021 and subsequently have been kept on hold indefinitely in India,3 given the concerns of the government and some consumers switching to alternative platforms like Telegram. What came next is a suo motu case by the Competition Commission of India (case 01/2021) investigating the unilateral change in the data privacy laws by WhatsApp for potential abuse of dominance. The Indian competition authority had directed the director general to investigate the matter within 60 days from 24 March 2021 under the provision of Section 26(1) of the Competition Act, 2002. Despite protests from WhatsApp, the local Delhi High Court has not put a stop to this investigation by the Competition Commission of India. In this ongoing case, we are facing an instance of the likely nature of antitrust concerns going forward that involves issues of private data as a commercialised commodity and the fallout on competition and consumer welfare. This in turn is due to our increasing dependence on companies specialising in big data capabilities. In terms of consumer protection, the debate in policy circles highlight the problem for countries like India with many consumers,4 coupled with the absence of data privacy laws.5 In a related recent news, Reuters reported that phone numbers and other information of 500 million plus users of Facebook have been put on sale by a leaker.6 What is the link between these two pieces of news? Facebook is not an instant messaging service and does not provide the end-to-end encrypted messaging facilities that WhatsApp does. However, in 2014, WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook through a $19 billion deal. When data privacy of the parent company itself is insecure, what kind of privacy can one expect? The recent change in the data privacy policy of WhatsApp has happened post merger with Facebook. India provides a good ground to understand this issue, since, unlike the European Union (EU), it lacks a data privacy law. Second, the ongoing pandemic has made services like WhatsApp essential to the consumers.7 In this context, we re-examine the role of data privacy laws and the intersection of the latter with competition law. It is our contention that a data privacy law alone is not sufficient to address the emergent concerns that are raised by the actions of WhatsApp and that the step taken by the Indian antitrust authority is in the right direction. . The recent developments leading to the change of guard in the Congress-led state government in Punjab leave a compelling effect on ones thinking about the practice of electoral politics. The elevation of a Dalit to the position of chief minister can prompt us to think out of the box about the politics in India. That is to say, we need to use the occasion to make a more comprehensive statement, markedly different from the usual thinking that locates such political choices in terms of a narrow party or caste interests. From a realist point of view, the developments in Punjab could be seen as resulting from the Congress partys workable electoral calculations, strategies to brighten their electoral prospects, or, at best, they express rhetorical allegiance to equality or minimal compliance to the principle of social justice. It is minimal because such opportunitiesin the political history of Punjabare, arguably, rare and promise some semblance of partially achieving the goal of social justice. These opportunities are also fair because they offer some kind of parity with the opportunities that are enjoyed by the non-Dalit chief ministers. Also, such opportunities offer status equality and make sense in a context where it is a rare experience for a Dalit, Adivasi, or minority chief minister to continue for three to four terms in office. However, ones social background should not be taken as the condition to seek permanence in the chief ministers office. The opportunity to become a chief minister is tokenism. This is rightly termed by the editorial comment in the current EPW issue, as a token commitment to the principle of social justice. The elevation of a Dalit to the position of chief minister in the particular context of Punjab has led some to link the decision to tokenism. The political judgment producing the situation of exception may have relevance at least from the point of view of those who necessarily hold on to the realist idea of politics. Thus, from the realist point of view, the appointment of a Dalit chief minister can be considered as significant in the specific context of Punjab, where the Dalits never found such opportunities despite their demographic preponderance over other castes in the state. It is in this context that the Congresss decision could be seen as a step that could be undermining the unwritten rule, according to which the non-Dalit holds the most coveted position. Moreover, such decisions could also be defended in the context where even the left parties missed this opportunity to elevate a Dalit to such a position. For some, such a decision may sound to be desirable in the context where such a possibility does not even exist in the power configuration of right-wing parties. New York, NYNorman McCombs, author of the epic historical novel A Reason to Be, picked up Official Selection honors at the CFK International Film Festival. CKFIFF, an IMDb listed UK film festival, provides a platform for indie filmmakers seeking to showcase their work to a jury of producers, filmmakers and independent scriptwriters. This follows a Best Script award from the NY Independent Cinema Awards, which is sponsored by New York Arts & Cinema. The festival is a creative event created by indie filmmakers for the indie filmmakers and artists involved in film and script projects. U.S. and international projects are selected in various categories of the competition. A Reason to Be, an autobiographical novel by an incredibly successful man, lends itself naturally to a film project by virtue of having parallel stories which are historical and redemptive. Following the passing of his beloved wife, who suffered from Alzheimer's, Norman McCombs was plunged into deep depression. He dutifully cared for his lifelong sweetheart during that difficult time, and it broke his heart and wounded his soul. Taking a cue from a good friend, he began writing again and a book began to take shape; one that literally gave him A Reason to Be. Friends, the true friends still around, offered encouragement and a local librarian, met while ancestry researching, ended up becoming his "new life partner." She is fictionalized in the book and a vital part of both stories. In this time of uncertainty, McCombs' wisdom and insight holds value for us all! Scottish history is a hot topic in movies and on television, to the point where lots of Americans are searching genealogical websites for connections to the famed Highland Clans. Scotland, a small country, and Scottish people have had an outsized world impact in science, philosophy, government, economics, business, maritime exploration, religion and warfare. McCombs' contributions in science and tech offers stark evidence of this phenomenon. Expert Click Radio Norman McCombs, Author of 'A Reason to Be: A Novel,' Interviewed by Michelle Jerson on Radio A five-minute audio book sample, including a bit of Scottish brogue, can be heard at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D2DYXVX/. "A Reason to Be is a brilliant, cerebral narrative of a man's journey to discover who he is within the stunning breadth of history." Rachel Song, Author, 5-Stars "An exhilarating exploration into exactly why we are here and the never-ending journey to find and give love." John J. Kelly, Detroit Free Press, 5-Stars A Reason to Be Book Trailer A Reason to Be: A Novel, ISBN 978-1626347335 (Hardcover) $17.95, 2020, Greenleaf Book Group, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, Book-A-Million, and Porchlight. Norman McCombs was born in Amherst, New York, in a home built by his immigrant father. He graduated from Amherst Central High School where he met his late wife, Grace. Norman went on to earn an AASEE from ECTI, along with a BSME and an ScD from the State University of New York at Buffalo, while serving in the New York State National Guard. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, which honored him with the EDISON Medal, their highest patent award. He has received numerous awards for technical achievement, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Obama for developing the portable oxygen concentrator credited with saving and extending the lives of millions with lung diseases. As Norman stood outside the East Wing of the White House, he asked himself a simple question: How did I come from the circumstances of my birth to the steps of the White House? That moment prompted Norman to search for deeper connections to his ancestry. Norman has over two hundred patents worldwide, primarily for air separation technology used for a myriad of oxygen applications around the world. He is also an Officier Commandeur of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, as well as a sculptor, classical guitarist, and an avid fan of opera and the fine arts. You can find more information on Norman McCombs at NormanMcCombs.com. Media Contact: For a review copy of A Reason to Be or to arrange an interview with Norman McCombs, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on twitter @abookpublicist Kin Man Hui /San Antonio Express-News The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has declared Saturday as an ozone action day for the San Antonio area. It will be third day this week with possibly harmful levels of ozone pollution. Young children, the elderly and others who have respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema are more vulnerable to ozones effects. People with such conditions are advised to stay indoors or limit outside activity. The special election for Texas House District 118 wont be decided until Tuesday night, but I can already identify a couple of winners in this campaign. First, theres veteran South Side operative JoAnn Ramon, whose firm, Ramon & Associates, has received nearly $40,000 from the campaign of local attorney Desi Martinez. Then theres Republican consultant Craig Murphy, whose firm, Murphy Nasica & Associates, has taken in nearly $60,000 from the campaign of John Lujan, the retired firefighter who briefly represented District 118 after winning a special-election contest nearly six years ago. Its easy to find echoes of that election in the current race. In November 2015, we had three Democrats and three Republicans competing for a House seat that normally falls pretty safely into the Democratic column. The current special election features three Democrats and two Republicans. The previous special election ended in a runoff, with a Republican (Lujan) competing against a Democrat (Tomas Uresti) who was related to a former District 118 representative. In the current special election, were almost certainly headed for another runoff. It also could feature a Republican squaring off against a Democratic relative of a former state rep, if Katie Farias, the daughter-in-law of former lawmaker Joe Farias, makes it past the first round. Beyond the surface similarities with the last District 118 special election, however, everything is a mystery in this contest, which Gov. Greg Abbott called after Democratic incumbent Leo Pacheco stepped down to take a teaching position at San Antonio College. Martinez has strong connections within the legal community and has loaned $60,000 of his own funds to his campaign, but we dont know how all of that will translate into votes. Frank Ramirez is a sharp, young former legislative and council aide who gives off 2011-era Rey Saldana vibes. Hes got the support of County Judge Nelson Wolff, the AFL-CIO and the Texas Organizing Project. But hes never run for office before. Farias is a Southside Independent School District trustee and former staffer for state Sen. Roland Gutierrez. Shes driven by a passion for public education and has the backing of Gutierrez and Annies List. On the Republican side, theres Lujan, as affable a political candidate as you could hope to meet. He was recruited to run by Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, and Phelans campaign has contributed $21,400 in polling services to Lujans effort. Finally, theres Adam Salyer, a real-estate agent who is a full-fledged devotee of former Republican President Donald Trump. On Friday morning, Salyer volunteers set up a white canopy tent outside the early-voting polling site at Julia Yates Semmes Library. The tent displayed a photo of Trump as well as a huge banner that read: Trump 2024: Take America Back. Salyer also has promoted the lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump by voter fraud. While the district is anchored on the South Side, it winds its way up to the Northeast Side of Bexar County, where Semmes Library is located. The library appeared to be the most promising of the five early-voting sites for the Republican hopefuls and Salyers campaign had the strongest presence there. While theres barely been enough time for candidates to get their names out to voters, some of the nuances of this campaign have been fascinating. For example, Farias has framed her candidacy as a fight against what she refers to as a Republican war on women, citing the recently enacted state law which bans abortions after six weeks. In doing so, Farias has identified Lujan, an ardent opponent of legalized abortion, as a contributor to that war. Under Greg Abbott and John Lujan, women make 79 cents for every one dollar men make, Farias says in a campaign video that includes an image of Lujan. Six thousand rape kits are untested. Theyve banned masks in schools, putting our children at risk. Now they take away a womans right to choose when we have children? I dont think so. Theres also the way the Texas Organizing Project, a major grassroots presence in recent San Antonio elections, has lent its canvassing and phone-banking muscle to Ramirez, which should boost his stature with progressive voters. If you follow the money, its clear that Texas Republicans see Lujan as their best shot to flip the district. Thats demonstrated not only by Phelans help, but by a final-week, in-kind donation of $11,950 from Abbotts campaign fund for advertising. Lujan has also received combined contributions of $85,000 from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and Texans for Responsible Government, a political action committee formed by deep-pocketed Hill Country megadonors Michael and Mary Porter. To be sure, special elections are a law unto themselves. But they can give us hints about the barometric pressure thats forming in our political system. Tuesday night well get one of those hints. ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470 Eisenhauer Road is a two-lane road. The city spent tons of money putting sidewalks on both sides. One sidewalk is enough. Use the money budgeted for second sidewalks on two-lane streets to fix potholes and pave streets when necessary, and give the saved funds to the symphony. Nancy G. West The Texas Taliban So the Taliban is back in control of Afghanistan. They claim to be more progressive now, but the beatings of womens rights protesters show otherwise. It wont be long before the old male leaders dictate that women/girls cant be educated, leave the house without a male escort or cover their bodies as they choose. All of this is based on a perversion of the Islamic faith. Meanwhile in Texas, we have old men leaders who dictate that women cant have domain over their bodies they must carry unwanted pregnancies to term, even if those pregnancies are the result of a crime. All this is based on perversion of religious beliefs and anti-science beliefs. Forcing ones religious belief on another is unconstitutional. Seems to me that Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton and the rest of the Lege that passed this law constitute a group best described as the Texas Taliban. Ron Gaiser Compassion dying, too I shared the news of relatives who got COVID-19 with my sister and a cousin. It broke my heart when their responses were, Well they chose not to be vaccinated, with no accompanying compassion for their pain. Its such a shame that this vaccination divide is taking away our deepest caring for one another. Katherine Hess Carnival Corp. lost $2.8 billion in the third quarter, but shares rose Friday after the cruise line operator said bookings for the second half of next year are running ahead of 2019 levels. Cruising investors are looking for any glimmer of hope for an industry that has been battered by the pandemic. Still, the short-term outlook remains grim. Carnival said the rise in U.S. COVID-19 cases from the delta variant hurt sales this summer. Rivals Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line saw the same thing. New reported virus cases are trending slightly lower now. Carnival said the average ship was only 59% full in August, but that was an improvement from 39% in June, and voyages generated enough revenue to cover cash costs. We reported a significant loss, so we havent recovered yet, obviously, but as we look ahead we see brighter days, CEO Arnold Donald said in an interview. If things continue to trend the way they are (with COVID-19 cases), we should see positive cash flow as we get our fleet sailing broadly again. While there were fewer passengers, they spent 20% more on board than before the pandemic, the company said. Donald said there could be several explanations. People havent been able to cruise -- maybe not even travel for a while, so they are in a mood to spend more because they havent had a chance to in a while," he said. Carnival, which is headquartered in Miami but incorporated in Panama, said that after write-downs its adjusted loss was $1.99 billion in the third quarter, which ended Aug. 31. Eight of Carnivals nine cruise lines including Carnival, Princess and Holland America have resumed sailing with reduced schedules. The company said it expects more than half of its fleet to be operating by the end of October and the full fleet by next summer. The cruise industry has been among the hardest hit by the pandemic. The big three cruise companies are incorporated outside the U.S., and they did not receive the same kind of federal relief that was granted to airlines. With revenue at rock-bottom levels, the companies have borrowed billions to avoid sinking. Carnival shares rose 3% to close at $25.44. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Mississippi legislative leaders said Friday that they are asking Republican Gov. Tate Reeves to call the House and Senate into special session to enact a medical marijuana program and approve financial help for hospitals. They also want legislators during the session to authorize death benefit payments for law enforcement officers and first responders who die of COVID-19 and set aside money for shelters that help victims of child abuse and domestic violence. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and House Speaker Philip Gunn, both Republicans, told reporters that they believe legislators could handle the business quickly possibly in as little as one day. Only a governor can call a special session and set the agenda. Reeves has not said what he will do. Staff from the governor's office and Legislature met together to discuss it today, and we are looking forward to engaging further, the governor's spokeswoman, Bailey Martin, said Friday. Hosemann and Gunn said hospital executives are having difficulty retaining enough nurses and other workers during the COVID-19 pandemic because some are being lured away to make more money working for private contractors. We're in a crisis, Gunn said. Legislative leaders are proposing that Mississippi give some of its federal pandemic relief money to hospitals to provide financial incentives for employees. They did not specify an amount. Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said Friday that current state law allows payments of $100,000 to survivors of law enforcement officers or first responders who die because of the job. He said the law does not allow such payments for officers or responders who die of COVID-19, but he wants legislators to update the law to authorize those payments. Hosemann and Gunn are asking Reeves to put that on a special session agenda. Hosemann and Gunn said shelters that help abuse victims have lost money during the pandemic, partly because of a decrease in payment of court fines. They want the state to cover those financial losses. A few legislators have been negotiating for months on how to create a medical marijuana program. In May, the Mississippi Supreme Court tossed out a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved last November. Justices ruled that Mississippis initiative process was out of date and the medical marijuana proposal was not properly on the ballot. The legislative proposal is not identical to the voter-approved initiative. The proposal would allow local governments to limit where the marijuana could be grown, processed or sold. That was not in Initiative 65. The two lead negotiators Republican Sen. Kevin Blackwell of Southaven and Republican Rep. Lee Yancey of Brandon said Thursday that passing a bill would take a three-fifths majority because of tax provisions, and leaders of the House and Senate believe they have have enough votes lined up. Yancey said the proposed program would help people with debilitating illnesses such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis or cancer. He also said that if the bill becomes law, cities and counties would have 90 days to opt out of allowing medical marijuana growing sites, processing facilities and dispensaries. But if local governing boards decide to do so, voters could petition for an election to overturn that decision. Blackwell said if a city or county opts out of allowing facilities, people who live in those places would still be able to possess and use medical marijuana. ____ Follow Emily Wagster Pettus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus. PHOENIX (AP) Arizona public schools without mask requirements were several times more likely to experience COVID-19 outbreaks than schools with mandates in place when the current school year began, researchers said Friday in an article published by a federal health agency. The article published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at the impact of mask requirements at K-12 district schools in Maricopa and Pima counties, the state's two most populous counties. SEATTLE (AP) An administrative law judge has recommended that a Native American tribe in Washington state once again be allowed to hunt gray whales a major step in its decades-long effort to resume the ancient practice. This is a testament to what we've been saying all these years: that we're doing everything we can to show we're moving forward responsibly, Patrick DePoe, vice chairman of the Makah Tribe on the remote northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, said Friday. We're not doing this for commercial reasons. We're doing it for spiritual and cultural reasons. DePoe was in high school in the late 1990s when the Makah were last allowed to hunt whales occasions that drew angry protests from animal rights activists, who sometimes threw smoke bombs at the whalers and sprayed fire extinguishers into their faces. Since then, the tribe's attempts have been tied up in legal challenges and scientific review. A federal appeals court ruled in 2002 that the Makah needed a waiver under the Marine Mammal Protection Act; the tribe applied for one in 2005 but still hasn't received one. On Thursday, nearly two years after he presided over a hearing on NOAA Fisheries' proposal to approve the waiver, administrative law judge George Jordan issued his 156-page recommendation to the U.S. Department of Commerce. He found that the tribal hunts would have no effect on the healthy overall population of the whales, despite an unexplained die-off that has caused hundreds of the whales to wash up on the Pacific Coast since 2019, and which is believed to have lowered their numbers from about 27,000 to 21,000-25,000. The recommendation, along with a public comment period and further environmental analysis, will inform the department's final decision, though no timeline for that has been set. As proposed, the waiver would allow the tribe to land up to 20 Eastern North Pacific gray whales over 10 years, with hunts timed to minimize the already low chances of the hunters accidentally harpooning an endangered Western North Pacific gray whale. While Jordan found the waivers issuance appropriate, he also recommended additional restrictions that could drastically cut the number of whales the tribe kills perhaps as low as five whales over the decade-long waiver period. DePoe said the tribe is reviewing that recommendation but called it a potential source of frustration and further discussion. The tribe hopes to use the whales for food and to make handicrafts, artwork and tools they can sell. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Animal Welfare Institute oppose the hunts, which many animal rights activists consider barbaric and unnecessary. They argued that NOAAs environmental review has been inadequate, that the Marine Mammal Protection Act may have voided the tribes treaty right, and that the tribe cannot claim a subsistence or cultural need to hunt after so many decades. Sea Shepherd said in an email Friday it was reviewing the decision and had no immediate comment. DJ Schubert, a wildlife biologist for the Animal Welfare Institute, said in an emailed statement the organization was disappointed with the recommendation. All gray whales ... face critical anthropogenic threats from climate change, ocean noise, oil and gas development, pollution, coastal development, contaminants, bycatch, and ship strikes, Schubert said. In light of these acute threats, a hunt of these animals is biologically insupportable and inconsistent with the protective provisions of the MMPA. There are fewer than 300 Western North Pacific gray whales remaining, Schubert said, and the recommended additional restrictions would not completely eliminate any risk to them. Evidence presented to the government showed that the Makah, who now number about 1,500 members, have hunted whales for more than 2,700 years. The tribe's 1855 treaty with the U.S. reserved the right of taking fish and of whaling or sealing at usual and accustomed grounds. The Makah continued whaling until the 1920s, when commercial whaling had devastated gray whale populations. The whale population rebounded in the eastern Pacific Ocean by 1994, and they were removed from the endangered species list. The Makah trained for months in the ancient ways of whaling and received the blessing of federal officials and the International Whaling Commission. They took to the water in 1998 but didnt succeed until the next year, when they harpooned a gray whale from a hand-carved cedar canoe. A tribal member in a motorized support boat killed it with a high-powered rifle to minimize its suffering. DePoe was on a canoe that greeted the returning whalers as they towed in the whale, and his high school shop class worked to clean the bones and reassemble the skeleton, which hangs in a tribal museum. The connection between us and the whales is strong, he said. Tribes across the Northwest have always considered ourselves stewards of the land, stewards of the animals. We're not trying to do anything that is going to add to the depletion of these resources. ___ In an early version of this story The Associated Press erroneously reported that an animal welfare organization didnt respond to an email for comment. The AP inadvertently did not email The Animal Welfare Institute before that version was published. As the sun beats down on a family farm in McFarland, California, immigrant workers duck under a leafy canopy of cotton-candy grapes for a moment of relief. Its 5:56 a.m., and temperatures are quickly rising. Draped in cotton from fingers to toes, with only their eyes exposed to the sun, the workers plant, pick and prune six days a week, row after dusty row, year after year. Norteno music beats a country tune in the background as they talk with each other over breakfast tacos. Pruning the vineyard is harder for a woman, but we all do it, Consuelo Alvarez de Medina, 52, said in Spanish. She has picked grapes for nearly two decades. This is the life for us Latinos here. Work to live, day to day. Immigrants are the foundation of farm to table, especially during a pandemic. Immigrant workers in America are the people who work in fields, cook and package takeout orders in restaurants, and mop the floors and stock shelves at grocery stores. Among the nations 50 million immigrants from more than 150 countries, most are more likely to be service, construction and transportation employees than native-born workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They include refugees who become small business owners, like the corner Middle Eastern restaurant or the Indian grocery store. Even before the pandemic, they were considered essential employees but, advocates say, were often overlooked. Immigrants take the riskiest jobs, are paid low wages and have been the most vulnerable to health complications throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, although they often dont qualify for the government benefits handed out to other Americans. We do a great disservice to the families we set up a system that is hard to break free from, said Elliot Lepe, a Georgia resident and a paralegal at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Its hard to have savings. Its hard to have retirement. Their bodies break down. It just solidifies poverty poverty that is hard to escape. From farm to table From the Appalachian Trail in Georgia to the Central Valley in California, immigrant farm work accounts for nearly 75% of the countrys agricultural production, from such basics as potatoes and almonds to high-end products, including cotton-candy grapes found at upscale grocers. Margarita Ortega, who spent eight years as a grape picker in the farming community of Delano, California, described the obstacles that kept coming during the pandemic. First, the fear of COVID-19 hovered over the fields. Her husband, Juan Lozano, who is diabetic, lost his right foot to amputation. Both quit to protect the familys health. They werent aware of organizations offering rent relief, so they were left to accumulate loans. In effect, Margarita became the sole caregiver of their five children. I have raised my children from the grapes, she said in Spanish, shaded under the grape vines to be exported to Australia and China. Everything is from this job, even if it is hard work. Ortega gazes at her fellow workers, reaching high to snip the produce from its root in a vineyard that stretches for 1,500 acres. Nobody is going to do these jobs, she said. Nobody. Last March, as Americans rushed to buy groceries, grabbing toilet paper, produce and canned goods from nearly empty shelves, immigrant farm workers absorbed the repercussions. According to Alvarez de Medina, farm owners would not pay their employees overtime, opting instead to pay a bonus. Right now the minimum is $14.25 an hour, but when we pick the grapes, it is 50 cents of bonus per box. So the more boxes we fill, we earn a little more, Alvarez de Medina said of the 20-pound grape boxes. They gave us an extra $20 to come every day, because people are very scarce. Hernan Hernandez, the executive director of the California Farmworker Foundation, said Central Valley pickers are harvesting the fresh fruit to the world but dont have access to it themselves. Hernandez has watched as health issues, low wages and a housing crisis unfolded in rural Delano over many years, exposed further by the pandemic. The California Public Health Department said it required local health jurisdictions to request COVID-19 tests and vaccines, but Hernandez said the eight counties in the Central Valley were last in line for them. Theres no reason why LA and the (San Francisco) Bay should always get all the resources, he said. I think the Central Valley has always been that area in the state where it always gets left behind. The public health department looked at factors such as existing resources, local disease spread and local testing rates, a public health spokesperson said in an email. It was up to each county to request aid, he wrote. Gov. Gavin Newsom sent additional aid to the Central Valley once infection rates were on the rise in July 2020. On the other side of the country, Matt Tice, who oversees an immigrant shelter in Buffalo, New York, said the city took a backseat to New York Citys boroughs in terms of pandemic-relief efforts. Needing to remind them is often the job of local officials and other nonprofits and community groups (to) make sure (the governments) remember the rest of us, Tice said. Back on the West Coast, Hernandez agreed. I think there were systematic government failures that we should learn from, especially when it comes to the Hispanic population and the way we interacted with them, Hernandez said. I do still believe that the most vulnerable populations were the ones that were most severely affected from this pandemic. Farmworkers, considered essential workers by the government, were even more vulnerable as supplies of N95 masks dwindled. They no longer had access to the masks needed to protect them frompesticide applications, wildfires and COVID-19. Low wages and large risks Undocumented workers are particularly at risk of low wages and benefits receiving little to no government relief over the past 17 months. Pablo Bautista, 40, an undocumented janitor in Phoenix, was laid off in early March 2020 and couldnt find another job. Because he didnt qualify for a stimulus check or unemployment benefits, it was difficult to provide for his wife and five children. He now works the night shift six hours a day, for $12 an hour at a supermarket chain. Im still scared. I dont know whats going to happen, Bautistsa said in Spanish, explaining he is worried about his family, his work and the virus. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2020, foreign-born workers earned $885 for every $1,000 paid to native-born workers. Hispanics account for nearly half of the immigrant labor force, yet their salaries were 86.7% of those of native-born workers. If this country really respected and really was cognizant of their compensation for the most essential workers you cant help but think, how much better would my parents be off? Lepe asked. Paying a few extra cents at the grocery store for people to have dignified lives is a price that we should all be willing to pay. As the son of blueberry pickers, Lepe watched his father pay the price over 30 years of work, his body crippled after decades bent over. He never made enough money to build up savings. He developed heart disease and other ailments, then died of a heart attack three years ago. Revitalizing the west side Buffalo a factory town that borders Lake Erie and Canada is divided among racial and ethnic neighborhoods, except for the west side. There, shop owners from across the world, including people from Somalia, Ethiopia and Myanmar, are building businesses to prop up the Rust Belt city. The Pew Research Center found that a majority of immigrants are moving to urban areas, reshaping the landscape and the economy. There used to be many more just stripped blocks of nothingness shovel-ready sites, they called them, said Erin St. John Kelly, spokesperson for Wedi, a Buffalo organization that provides microloans to business owners in Erie and Niagara Counties. Immigrants who come to Buffalo are really part of whats economically driving the health of the city. Its not top-down money from the government. In 2019, the foreign-born population generated 6.6% of Buffalos gross domestic product meaning the more than 2,000 immigrant businesses contributed $4.9 billion to the metro areas total $73.8 billion GDP, New American Economy said. Immigrants are twice as likely to start their own businesses as native-born Americans, the National Immigration Forum found. A decade ago, boarded-up storefronts, broken windows and trash littered Grant Street, a strip on the west side of Buffalo. Over the years, shops owned by immigrants from across the globe moved in to revitalize the area. But the streets went silent during the pandemic. One day in June, the street was buzzing again. People walked into the Indian grocery store to buy Thai chiles, curry powder, garam masala and other spices, and buy a bedroom set at the boutique furniture and clothing store. They stopped by the halal market for canned goods and picked up hair care products and face wash at the local Sudanese-owned cosmetic supply store. Zelalem Gemmeda, a refugee from Ethiopia, brought her sourdough flatbread and pita plates to the West Side Bazaar food court on Grant Street, opening Abyssinia Ethiopian Cuisine eight years ago. She tried to keep it open for as long as she could during the pandemic, but eventually she had to pivot to takeout only. She reopened fully in early June. Im so blessed and thankful for being here because I could get my dreams in America, she said. The opportunity to be her own boss has allowed Gemmeda to put both of her children through university programs and to visit her family in Ethiopia, she said. Surrounded by other refugees, we have become like a family now, Gemmeda said, adding that the nearness of other refugees makes her feel at home in Buffalo. But the citys diversity also led to language and cultural barriers in the pandemic. Immigrant business owners in Buffalo had less access to government funding and were often misinformed about how to handle COVID-19 precautions, said Michael Moretti, the operations manager of the West Side Bazaar. He said in the absence of communication from the government, he had to provide answers to their questions, even when those answers might not make sense: Why were major retailers like Target allowed to remain open while their merchandise gathered dust behind their storefronts? They see me as, like, a trusted American person that they can come to with basically anything, Moretti said. Theres no local Burmese news sources so people are going based on what their friends said, people are going based on what loose translations they had. Anna Mongo, the former director at Vive, a north Buffalo immigrant shelter, also saw the disparities of language and cultural barriers. Without a trusted source or translated information, many immigrants often were left wondering what to believe about the pandemic. I think they got the information later than the rest of us, she said. I think they have more reason to not trust government information than the rest of us. Looking ahead Wage reform, government benefits and accessibility to public health information for immigrants have gained national attention during the pandemic. Advocates are working to garner more support from the federal and state governments, but nothing has been promised. Discussions sparked the Raise the Wage Act and revitalized the Fight for $15 movement in January 2021, after the pandemic highlighted the disparities in workplaces. The Economic Policy Institute reported that Hispanic workers specifically Hispanic women would disproportionately benefit from a wage raise, lifting many essential workers out of poverty. The National Immigration Forum, an organization that aims to educate and advocate for bipartisan immigration reform, created the All of Us campaign to show the value of immigrant labor in America. We made a point of saying, look, its going to take everyone who lives here, who resides here, to get us through, said Dan Gordon, a spokesperson for the organization. That includes native-born Americans and immigrants working shoulder to shoulder. Another advocacy group, FWD.us, wants lawmakers to open a path to citizenship for undocumented workers, so they can get benefits such as stimulus money, business loans and the relief of knowing they have a safety net. Lawmakers recognize that we have an enormous opportunity ahead of us to really reform our broken immigration system into something that serves our families and something that can improve our economy, spokesperson Leezia Dhalla said. Ortega, the former farmworker, said the Biden administration needs to step up. I hope the president sees the importance of giving immigration reform now for all farmworkers, Ortega said. Because, actually, they are very valuable to the field. This report is part Unmasking America, a project produced by the Carnegie-Knight News21 initiative, a national investigative reporting project by top college journalism students and recent graduates from across the country. It is headquartered at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. For more stories, visit unmaskingamerica.news21.com. Farmers and landowners will help spearhead a new project which will see extensive new woodlands planted along England's riverbanks. Over 3,000 hectares of trees will be planted with the backing from leading environmental organisations, the government announced on Saturday (25 September). The Woodlands for Water project will create woodland in six river catchment areas from Devon to Cumbria by March 2025. Farmers and landowners will be able to apply for funding through the England Woodland Creation Offer grant. The grant provides financial incentives for land managers to plant and manage trees, including along rivers and watercourses. Planting trees on and around riverbanks, or allowing them to grow naturally, can help to improve water quality by blocking the runoff of pollutants into rivers. Trees can also manage flood risks by slowing the flow of water and boost biodiversity by creating new habitat corridors. The project will be operating nationally on the National Trust estate and in six catchment areas across the country. The National Trust director of land and nature, Harry Bowell said: We fully recognise the value of trees to our river corridors in helping to slow flood waters, soak up carbon and keep rivers cool in the face of rising temperatures. "This work will enhance the projects we already have underway where our primary focus has been the conservation and health of the river channel itself. "This partnership and funding will allow us to look at the wider river corridor to further enhance this work. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said the announcement was a 'real boost' for the rural sector. CLA President Mark Bridgeman said: Its definitely worth private landowners making the most of the grants through the England Woodland Creation Offer as they cover the costs of planting, provide flexibility on what you can plant and where and there are financial incentives for delivering public benefits. "Its schemes like this which are key to achieving biodiversity recovery. The Olympians who represented the country on a prestigious platform. Some brought glory and others hope. The women who inspire us and make us believe that anything is possible, especially after the year that we have had. Women who have raised their voices and lent a voice to those who did not have one. There are too many to count, but this selection of 40 women will motivate us to hold our heads high while we march aheadEntrepreneurWith all the attention on Covaxin, Suchitra Ella, co-founder and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, has been firmly in the spotlight ever since her company rolled out the Made-In-India vaccine against COVID-19.Suchitra co-founded Bharat Biotech in 1996 with her husband, Dr Krishna Ella. A BA in economics and social sciences from the University of Madras, she holds diplomas in business development from UWCU, Madison, the USA, one in real estate management from the University of South Carolina, and a post-graduate diploma in patent law from NALSAR, Hyderabad. As someone who was raised to be independent, she has brought up two children while managing to work and support the family when her husband was pursuing his PhD in the United States. After living in the United States, the couple returned to India to set up Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad and worked for three years before their first product was launched. The company was the first in India to manufacture mercury-free vaccines for Hepatitis-B.At Bharat Biotech, Ella oversees a wide range of operations and puts her experience in customer operations, finance, marketing and business development to good use. She also spearheads the CSR initiatives of the company. Apart from being the Chairperson of the CII Indian Women Network, she is on the boards of the ISB Well Wishers Trust and United Way Hyderabad, which works for social empowerment in local communities.2021 is a pandemic year throughout the world, passing through unprecedented bad times in health, jobs, livelihoods, education, economic losses, etc. Working women have always been the backbone in millions of families the world over (that are) facing adversities. They multitask, rise above the rest bravely to support and sustain through ups and downs, says Ella, who adds that 2021 has been personally challenging as well. It has been the most challenging yet satisfying year so far in terms of facing the COVID-19 virus head on, successfully developing Covaxin and enabling 24x7 efforts to maintain world-class quality, manufacture and distribute the vaccine across the country. Our goal is to fully maximise all our efforts to make India a COVID-free nation. Fethiye Times has been following the progress of Sam Tucker, One Man Many Paths, and Dogan Eraslan, previous owner of Mozaik Bahce, as they prepared to kayak from Antalya to Fethiye to raise money for FIG (Fethiye International Group) a local childrens charity. Please click here and here to read our previous articles The adventure begins On Thursday 1st September, the big day finally arrived and the adventure began. Sam and Dogan, along with various supporters including Sheila Tongue, the Chairman of FIG, left from Fethiye on the first leg of their journey, the drive to Antalya. On arrival at Konyaalt Beach it was time to unload and pack the kayaks. Once the kayaks were packed and ready to go it was time to eat and relax before the journey began. Next on the agenda was an interview with the Turkish media. Surprise visit Thank you to Elvan Korukoglu (second from the left) from the British Vice-Consulate in Antalya for coming along to wish Sam and Dogan good luck. Time to go And then it was time to get the kayaks into the water. They were in the water and on their way at 16:15 Sherwood Club Kemer On Saturday Sam and Dogan stopped off at the Sherwood Club Kemer. Some information about the journey From Antalya ( Konyaalt Beach) to Fethiye is a distance of 170 nautical miles (315 km). Paddling from Antalya to Fethiye is against the natural current making it much more challenging as head winds and wave patterns can be unpredictable. The average kayaking speed is 3-4 km per hour Sam and Dogan covered 40km in the first four days of kayaking Further information To follow Sam and Dogans progress please visit and LIKE One Man Many Paths on Facebook If you would like to know more about FIG and the work they do please click here If you would like to sponsor Sam and Dogan in this fantastic effort please click here to make a donation to FIG When hes not working, writer and former UK journalist STEVE PARSLEY spends quite a bit of time walking the woods around Fethiye with four-legged companion Dillon, often posting their discoveries on his social media accounts. Fethiye Times asked if he would share some of his daily encounters with us. This month, Steve laments the end of the summer season. Farewell to the dog days of summer The thought occurred that whoever came up with the phrase the dog days of summer probably never tried to walk one in Turkey. Even though were up at first light throughout June, July, August and even early September this year its been so warm my tee-shirt was unpleasantly damp after just a few minutes walking on anything involving an incline. And, lets face it, around Kayakoy, thats pretty much everywhere. After his usual initial burst of enthusiasm, even Dillon was running out of steam in the relentless heat, with little to see out of the shade of the forest except parched earth, scorpions and lizards and all set to the shrill cicada chorus. Looking the phrase up, it seems the Romans were first to use it and it refers not to earth-bound hounds but to the time of the year when Sirius or the Dog Star shines brightest at night. But, although I have Wikipedia to thank for making the meaning a little clearer, were still not altogether sorry to see autumns arrival and not just because its cooler and we can set off that little bit later. Theres also much more to see. The pale pink cyclamens were first to emerge, poking out from beneath the bed of pine needles, closely followed by the usual surge of white asphodel in just about any space open to the sky. The boar are on the move Its not been quite cool enough to tempt the tortoises out of their summer stupor just yet but the boar have also been on the move, returning to high ground in the mornings. We stumbled across a family group of a dozen or so not so long ago and Im not sure who was more astonished. There was that fleeting moment when we were all looking at each other, before the family dissolved into a blur of brown and grey, all heading in different directions. Dillon and I stayed where we were, not wishing to cause them any more distress or to trigger a defence; they may have scattered in panic but, no doubt, they would try to regroup and walking through the middle of them probably wouldnt have been a good plan. Sure enough, there were a few indignant grunts from among the closely-packed pine saplings either side of the path but, in less than a couple of minutes, it was as though they had never been there at all. But, along with signs of larger animals, the soundtrack of the forest has changed too. Birdsong isnt drowned out completely by the cicadas so great tits, blue tits, the occasional nightingale and the odd robin are getting an opportunity to be heard. Were also frequently told off by a Syrian woodpecker and the jays who live close to the clearing where we throw Dills ball. The nearby water trough still almost empty nevertheless attracts a host of smaller birds including wagtails, black redstarts and chaffinches. However, while the wildlife may be back, over the last few days the goats have also returned from their summer pastures higher in the mountains. That means, from now until the late spring, the shepherds will be driving them along much the same routes we use at roughly the same time, following tracks which have probably been there for generations which help to ensure no particular spot is over-grazed. But, for us, it also means its time for change. Dillons fine with goats but theyre often escorted by the shepherds dogs and our encounters with them have rarely ended well. Ill admit to a sense of frustration that we cant all share the same space. Its not like theres not enough room. However, I also recognise we are the recent interlopers in a way of life which has probably changed little in a century or two so, although its with reluctance, its probably best to let discretion be the better part of valour. Our local winter routes are a little more cramped. Were also likely to come across more people not all of them enthusiastic about being greeted or sniffed enthusiastically by a German Shepherd who doesnt understand that they may not like him. But, while we enjoy the forests almost to ourselves in the summer months, at least we can also stretch our legs on the beaches at this end of the year and theres always the snow up at Nif if we fancy a weekend adventure. Swings and roundabouts as they say and I doubt that phrase comes from the Romans. Rebecca & Steve Parsley are both former journalists with experience in newspapers, magazines and on radio. Since 2006 they have run their own communications agency, specialising in social media and online content writing. They moved to Turkey just over four years ago and live in Kayakoy with their German Shepherd dog, Dillon formerly a street dog and two cats. When not slaving over their keyboards or walking in the local countryside, they enjoy watching motorsport especially Formula 1 and are also salsa dance addicts A draft law was submitted to parliament proposing the ban of free plastic bags in supermarkets this week. The regulation is planned to be effective as of Jan. 1, 2019. AKP Deputy Chair Mehmet Mus made a press statement regarding the draft law. He said plastic bags used for packaging in supermarkets would be sold for 25 kurus (1 Turkish Lira is equal to 100 kurus). However, he emphasized the ban on free plastic bags would only be valid for those with a thickness ranging from 15-50 microns, as this is the standard thickness of grocery bags. Any plastic bag with a thickness greater or less than this range will continue to be free of charge. Mus added that the relevant regulation seeks to decrease the use of customary plastic bags at supermarkets to 90 per person annually by the end of 2019 and to 40 by the end of 2025. Currently every Turkish citizen uses an average of 440 plastic bags per year. The draft law not only includes a provision on the use of plastic bags, but also proposes many changes to raise the bar higher in Turkeys fight against waste management. In line with this, local administrations will be given more detailed tasks supervising efforts for zero waste. For example, it will be obligatory for at least 20 percent of vehicles in the domestic waste collection fleet in every municipality to be capable of collecting packaging waste. Minister of Environment and Urban Planning of Turkey Murat Kurum said, the decision was made due to the need to protect the environment from the great harm caused by plastic bags. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 24, 2021 / Commerce Resources Corp. (the "Company") (TSXV:CCE)(FSE:D7H0)(OTCQX:CMRZF) announces that it has applied to the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") for an amendment to the terms of the 9,674,153 warrants (the "Warrants") issued in connection with the Company's private placement which held its first closing on October 11, 2019 and second closing on October 31, 2019. The Company proposes to extend the expiry date of the Warrants from October 11, 2021 to October 11, 2024 in respect of the first closing and October 31, 2021 to October 31, 2024 in respect of the second closing. In addition, the Company has applied for an amendment of the Warrants' exercise price from $0.50 to $0.285. All other terms of the Warrants will remain the same. The extension of the expiry date and repricing is subject to the approval of the Exchange. About Commerce Resources Corp. Commerce Resources Corp. is a junior mineral resource company focused on the development of the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit located in Quebec, Canada. The Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth producers globally, with a specific focus on being a long-term supplier of mixed REC and/or NdPr oxide to the global market. The Ashram Deposit is characterized by simple rare earth (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) and gangue (carbonates) mineralogy, a large tonnage resource at favourable grade, and has demonstrated the production of high-grade (>45% REO) mineral concentrates at high recovery (>70%) in line with active global producers. In addition to being one of the largest rare earth deposits globally, Ashram is also one of the largest fluorspar deposits globally and has the potential to be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets. For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.commerceresources.com or email info@commerceresources.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP. " Chris Grove " Chris Grove President and Director Tel: 604.484.2700 Email: cgrove@commerceresources.com Web: http://www.commerceresources.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Commerce Resources Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/665534/Commerce-Resources-Corp-Announces-Warrant-Extension-and-Repricing BEIJING, Sept. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for global cooperation in scientific and technological innovation at the Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing on Friday. Addressing the forum's opening ceremony via video link, Xi said countries in the world should ramp up sci-tech opening-up and cooperation, and explore approaches and means to tackle pivotal global issues through concerted efforts in sci-tech innovation. "It is more imperative than ever for all countries to ramp up sci-tech opening-up and cooperation, and explore approaches and means to tackle pivotal global issues through concerted efforts in sci-tech innovation. All countries should stand in solidarity to confront the common challenges of the times and jointly push forward the lofty cause of human peace and development," he said. "China attaches great importance to sci-tech innovation and has been committed to global cooperation in this regard. Looking ahead, we will strengthen international sci-tech exchanges with a more open attitude, actively engage in the global innovation network, and join hands with other countries to promote basic research. We will promote the commercialization of research results, cultivate new impetus for economic development, enhance the protection of intellectual property rights, create a first-class innovation ecosystem, and foster the concept of 'science and technology for good' so as to serve the ultimate purposes of improving global sci-tech governance and bettering the wellbeing of mankind," said Xi. "Zhongguancun is China's first national pilot zone for independent innovation. The Zhongguancun Forum is a national-level platform for international sci-tech exchanges and cooperation. China supports Zhongguancun to start a new round of reforms, accelerate the building of a world-class sci-tech park, and make new contributions to global sci-tech innovation and cooperation. I hope the forum participants will have in-depth exchanges and pool wisdoms to offer insights on how to advance global sci-tech innovation and cooperation and how to build a community of shared future for mankind," said Xi. This year's forum is scheduled to be held from Sept 24 to 28. Themed "intelligence, health and carbon neutrality", it aims to demonstrate China's resolve in promoting development through science and technology, building ecological civilization and enhancing international cooperation in climate change. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftSujLjG0sc Update: The Samsung Galaxy S22 renders are also out now, thanks to @OnLeaks. This shows the phones 6-inch AMOLED flat display and triple rear cameras, which could pack a 50MP main camera this time. It is said to measure 146707.6mm and weigh 167 grams, making it a compact smartphone. Based on earlier rumours, the phone is said to come with 3700mAh battery with 25W fast charging. Earlier: After the renders of the Galaxy S22 Ultra that surfaced yesterday, the renders of the Galaxy S22+ have now surfaced online, thanks to @OnLeaks. This shows a flat display, similar to the S21+, but the bezels are much smaller. Even though the display size is not mentioned, earlier rumours revealed a 6.55-inch AMOLED screen, possibly with 120Hz refresh rate. However, it is not clear if Samsung will stick to FHD+ or move to Quad HD+ resolution screen. There is no change in the rear camera bumps design and the flash next to it, but this appears to be smaller. The phone is said to measure 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6mm~9.1mm (including the camera bump) that once again hints at a smaller display compared to the 6.7-inch in the predecessor. It is said to weigh 195 grams. Earlier rumours revealed a 6.06-inch screen for the S22, smaller than the S21s 6.2-inch. Based on recent rumours, the phone will be powered by Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 898 SoCs depending on the market. The S22 series is expected to come with Snapdragon SoC in India this time. It is said to pack a 4500mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging. Source 1, 2, 3 The truck is very clean. I am the first working on the engine. You can see it in the routing of the wiring harnesses and the lines, "old" 10mm version of dummy plugs and standpipes , everything looks like coming fresh out of factory. Used and at the same time good engines are not available here in Germany, because these vehicles are very rare (officially they were never exported to Europe). I will pull 3 or 4 injectors the next days and inspect the cylinders with the inspection camera. An overhaul of the engine here costs about 3 times as much as in the US ;-/ I will see what the owner thinks about it. Due to the water everywhere, the turbo, HPOP, all sensors and the injectors must also be renewed. Chaz Revlon: That Handsome Man of the 1970s Vintages The story of Chaz, one of the most popular inexpensive and very masculine fragrances in the United States of the 1970s, began unexpectedly. It all started with the women's fragrance Charlie Revlon. This pair of perfumes, Charlie and Chaz, bore the name of one of the founders of the Revlon brand, who led the company for 50 years, Charles Revson (Fragrantica wrote about the history of this brand here). Chaz and Charlie are two derivatives of Charles. Both of these fragrances are rumored to have been created in competition with the feminine perfume of another American brand, Estee, named after Estee Lauder. (Just as Braggi Revson was previously developed to compete with Aramis.) If anything, the names Charlie and Chaz were much more popular in the US than Estee. Charlie by Revlon entered the market first in 1973, and after the unsuccessful Charlie Men in 1974, Chaz appeared in 1975 to complement it. Later they were combined in one video (see below). The first Charlie and Chaz faces were Shelley Hack & Bobby Short, the embodiment of freedom, vitality, and spontaneity (of course, in the way these virtues were understood in the 1970s). For example, Shelley Hack was the first woman to wear pants in a Charlie TV commercial. And just as women wanted to be like Charlie, men wanted to be like Chaz. At one point, Charles Revson stated that in factories, they make cosmetics, but in stores, they sell hope. Chaz & Charlie Then the mustachioed handsome Tom Selleck, the embodiment of masculinity, was chosen as the face of Chaz. He has advertised so many things in his life: Pepsi soda, Close-Up toothpaste, Right Guard and Safeguard deodorants, alcoholic drinks, and Salem cigarettes ("I can talk about enjoyment. Ive tasted it.") The video below shows how easily he changes roles; from a dashing cowboy to a well-groomed gentleman. First, he rides a horse, then he takes a shower and applies cologne to his hairy chest, after which he straightens a tuxedo butterfly on a snow-white plastron. This scent is suitable for any circumstance a man might encounter - although the transitions come much easier for actors; Selleck went from cowboys Orrin Sackett and Will Eubanks to Thomas Magnum, the private detective of Magnum P.I. without batting an eye. To me, Chaz fits Tom better than Bobby - Chaz is a relatively dense, sharp, and spicy fougere with a dash of sweetness. Citruses, lavender, and spices give it an intense boost in the beginning. Although it leans a little to the sweet side, the aromatic and spicy accents of pine needles, bay leaves, and sage, with its tobacco shade, give it a typically masculine character. The heart of Chaz, bright and metallic, is composed of green geranium, enhanced by the spicy base of Epicene Gamma (we wrote about it earlier), which gives the fragrance density, firmness, and power. Chaz's woody base lacks coumarin for the classic fougere smell. But there is a clear reference to the leathery and mossy base of Braggi Revson launched a decade before - and I was pleased to find these familiar features in this masculine scent. Then the leather and moss are replaced by a very soft and warm musk accord, warmed by tonka beans and cedar - the base smoothes this great cologne. Charles Revson often repeated Lauder's marketing moves - for example, the idea of offering gifts upon purchase. With the bottle of Braggi Revson, inexpensive men's souvenirs were provided as a gift (waist belts, sets for wine and cheese), but with the purchase of Chaz Revlon, one could win..... An Expensive Car! Or gold glasses, a camera, a watch, a mobile phone, all from prestigious brands - not a bad lottery with an inexpensive ticket that smelled good by itself! Chaz Revlon recommended versions. The Chaz Revlon fragrance can still be found in the vastness of online auctions, and its price will not hit your wallet too hard. It's almost as cheap today as it was then. Whenever possible, try to purchase the flacons in the navy blue boxes manufactured by Revlon before 1985, when the company was acquired by Pantry Pride and renamed Revlon Group. A version released for Italy in 1984 under the name Ciaz would work too. The modern version of Chaz by Jean Philippe (featuring a yellow or gold box and the addition of For Men or Pour Homme in the title) gives only an idea of the real Chaz, which was strong, sweet, handsome, and courageous. Chaz Revlon Top notes: Lavender, Rosemary, Laurel, Bergamot, and Lemon; Middle notes: Carnation, Geranium, Cinnamon, Pine, Coriander, Clary sage, and Cyclamen; Base notes: Moss, Musk, Cedar, Tonka Bean, and Amber. Pitti 2021: News From Essential Parfums New Fragrances Many of our readers who know and appreciate the Essential Parfums brand have already tried their latest perfume, Bois Imperial. (On a side note, I'd like to point out that the brand was fortunate with finding its partners and developed quite fast; it started in 2018, and now the brand is already presented in more than 200 doors worldwide). For me, this new fragrance was on my Must Try list after my acquaintance with Ganymede Marc-Antoine Barrois; both are Quentin Bisch creations and based on Akigalawood. I wanted to know - how similar are they? Therefore, my conversation with Geraldine Archambaut, founder of Essential Parfums, started with the new fragrance. GERALDINE ARCHAMBAULT: Our latest fragrance is Bois Imperial; it was created by Quentin Bisch and launched in December 2020. Its our bestseller today. Its a very unique woody fragrance because its a fresh and dry wood, mainly based on Akigalawood, which is a natural ingredient obtained by biotechnology from the unused part of sustainably produced patchouli of Indonesia. Quentin added a top note that is quite unique, a certain freshness coming from Thai basil and a little bit of Timut pepper of Nepal, which has a fizzy spicy smell with great grapefruit and tropical accents. SERGEY BORISOV: As far as I know, Akigalawood itself also offers some fresh peppery, woody scent, right? GERALDINE: Absolutely, yes! But the funny thing about Akigalawood is that, like with musks, some people are anosmic to it. It has a physiologic reason, and we dont exactly know why; its a rare thing, but Ive met people who cannot smell it. What we aimed for was a very dry wood perfume, and the sillage of Bois Imperial is quite impressive and very sexy. SERGEY (smelling blotter): Yes, it is! GERALDINE: Yes, sexy! The perfume reminded me of my grandmother, who was French and Vietnamese; she met my grandfather during the Indochina war on the bridge over the Perfume River. (The river Song Huong was given its name over 100 years ago due to the scent of flowers that dropped in the water from upriver orchards. As the strong floral scent was carried through the river during autumnal months, it resulted in locals naming it Perfume River ~ SB note). It all happened in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, on the bridge over Perfume River, so I thought it would be fitting to add some humidity in the perfume, to make it feel after rain. I was thinking of a man in a floating house in the rain, wet wood and such. I dont always have pictures in my head for our perfumes, but I have a picture for this one. And all these pictures from the past, pictures I had never seen, came to me during the perfume creation process. This setting brought the epithet "Imperial" to my mind as well. SERGEY: Yes, Bois Imperial sounds much better than Bois Sec So, you didnt give pictures to Quentin. What was in his brief? GERALDINE: I said to Quentin, "I want A Dry Wood. And I don't want it to be an overpowering fragrance because Im not too fond of very powerful perfumes. I wanted fresh, but not only fresh SERGEY: And dry but not only dry GERALDINE: Yes, that was a funny and interesting exercise; to undress the perfume and redress it afterward! We took out all the added ingredients with Quentin and added them one by one to see which ones were working well with each other. And it was fascinating! Like, the first formula of Bois Imperial had some sweetness of benzoin, but it made it too sweet and yummy, not as dry as I wanted it. So we took it out. Let me tell you, Quentin is not just a young talented perfumer; he's fantastic! Did you know that he was not classically trained? No ISIPCA, since he was bad at Math and Chemistry? But he found another way to become a perfumer - after studying Arts and Theatre in Strasbourg, he went to work as a perfumer's assistant at Robertet, learned a lot (he won his first brief being just assistant!) and finally Givaudan offered him a slot in their program, despite his lack of a chemistry degree. SERGEY: Ive smelled some perfumes by Quentin Bisch based on Akigalawood GERALDINE: Ah, Ganymede! People tell me that Bois Imperial reminds them of Ganymede. You know what, when I was finished with the development of Bois Imperial, I asked Quentin, "Let me try Ganymede; I didnt smell it before." They both are dry wood fragrances because of Akigalawood, but they are so very different. SERGEY: Yes, Bois Imperial is more easy-going, it has no saffron, no suede, no fougere quality It's a more transparent woody perfume, and I think the only part they have in common is Akigalawood. And maybe some technical moments like a spicy and powdery background. GERALDINE: And you know what - the next perfume is almost finished! SERGEY: Oh, you took the question right out of my mouth! GERALDINE: The next fragrance will be an opus with Nathalie Lorson of Firmenich. Its a perfume built around fig leaves. I hope we can launch it before the winter holidays, but Im not sure. SERGEY: Maybe in Spring? Green perfumes are suitable for springtime! GERALDINE: Oh, I dont make perfumes for seasons! And I don't get it when people wear fresh fragrances just because its summer, you know. I think you can wear anything depending on your mood, depending on who you want to be, what you want to show that day, maybe your mysterious side, your sexy side, whatever... GERALDINE: And I have to share some other great news with you - in July 2021, we opened our flagship boutique in the artistic Marais district (32 Rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004 Paris, France); we took the place of the closed LArtisan Parfumeur boutique. So now visitors can enjoy our range in a natural atmosphere! There are no tourists yet, but we are ready, and every visitor finds something to their taste. I cannot be any happier. We are neighbors with Cire Trudon and Mariage Freres, so there are many different perfume boutiques there. SERGEY: That's great news indeed! Thank you, Geraldine, and all the best to your brand! GERALDINE: Thank you! And all the best to you and all of Fragrantica's readers! Essential Parfums are available as Eaux de Parfum, 10 and 100 ml bottles priced at 19 and 72 EUR, respectively. You can read more articles about the brand's fragrances here and here. Bois Imperial Essential Parfums Notes: Timut pepper absolute, Thai Basil, Haitian Vetiver, Indonesian Patchouli, Petalia, Georgywood, Akigalawood, Ambrofix. Pitti Fragranze 2021: Roberto Drago and Pierre Gueros Explain ExpLOud Interviews On September 16th, 2021, Fragrantica announced the news of Laboratorio Olfattivo's new fragrance within the Laboratorio in Nero Collection, called ExpLOud. At the Pitti Fragrance perfume fair, we learned more about it in a conversation with the perfume's creators. ROBERTO DRAGO: ExpLOud is our project of 2019, which Laboratorio Olfattivo suspended due to Covid reasons. Now, we took it off the shelf and are presenting it at Pitti 2021. Pierre Gueros created six fragrances for us, and oud-centric ExpLOud is just one of them. His next Laboratorio Olfattivo fragrance is going to be launched in January 2022, and its not an oud perfume. Why oud? The fact is, I didn't have any oud perfume in my collection, and knowing that Pierre had lived and worked in Dubai for a long time, I asked him to create an oud fragrance with a European twist. Not the traditional perfume for Gulf countries, dark and powerful. So Pierre presented me a couple of trials - a marine oud which I didnt like, and this light flowery oud, which I liked very much because theres a light inside the ExpLOud fragrance. Magnolia and Lilybelle give light to the fragrance and make it very wearable. So, there are two kinds of oud in it, Adjmal oud and Boya oud, but the white flower heart uplifts the fragrance and makes it light as if you can see through it. I loved the perfume from the beginning. We chose it in 2019 and kept it for the right moment to be launched. And Pitti Fragranze 2021 is the right time. Why the name ExpLOud? Because its an explosion of Oud, its working title was Oud Explosion, but with a light inside. Whats important for me is that the perfume is different from other oud fragrances. SERGEY: Id say ExpLOud is a contemporary and European oud fragrance. ROBERTO: Yes, its modern and European, not as heavy as real oud oil, and maybe it will become a future standard for European oud compositions. And Id insist to try it on your skin rather than on a blotter, as it needs body heat to start blooming. SERGEY: That makes me wonder why you put ExpLOud in the black bottle of the Laboratorio in Nero Collection? ROBERTO: Yes, but the raw materials in the compositions are dark. Oud, Ambrostar, Cypriol, and all the materials in its base. The next fragrance we are going to launch in January 2022, will also be in the Black collection. SERGEY: Could you give us some hints about it? ROBERTO: The only thing I can say, it will be a composition Pierre created around the Honey note. At this point in our conversation, we smelled the key ingredients of the ExpLOud fragrance - Lilybelle, Ambrostar, Ambrocenide, Cypriol oil, Caledonian sandalwood, and Oud Adjmal, all in 10% dilution - and I started wondering how it was possible to create such a harmonious, easy-going and very wearable woody perfume out of such different raw materials that have so little in common. The perfumer, Pierre Gueros, joined our conversation, starting from his experience with Oud Adjmal, the raw material he used in ExpLOud. PIERRE GUEROS: Adjmal is a very well-known perfume company in the Middle East, they produce agarwood and make different oud products, including oud oil, and they manufacture perfumes, attars, and cosmetics. Their plantations and factories are located in Assam, India, and I went there some years ago. Adjmal invited a group of perfumers to Assam and organized an educational trip to show how they produce the oud wood and oil. I was in a group of ten perfumers, together with Dominique Ropion, Maurice Roucel, Arturetto Landi, and a few others, to discover the Assam agarwood. Roberto Drago and Pierre Gueros SERGEY: So now you know everything about Oud Adjmal? PIERRE: I know all that they were willing to share with us - I saw the forest of these beautiful trees, I know how they planted them and how they cut them, how they distillate the wood. We met with Dr.Deep whos Adjmal's world-known specialist of agarwood, and we smelled all the qualities of oud oil they produce. And that was amazing! Concerning Oud Adjmal - its a true oud oil, a high-quality oil, but the quality is more Western-oriented. Its not as animalic as Middle Eastern ouds, which are more popular in Saudi Arabia. Here we have a good balance between woody, leathery, smoky, fruity, musky, and animalic facets. And its a good sustainable production process that gives perfumers a product with the same olfactory profile and constant quality - so we can use it in our formulas and get the same results in our perfumes. SERGEY: Let me ask, how much oud oil is enough for a really good oud perfume? I know that regarding the rose materials (essence, oil and absolute) for rose fragrances, 0.5% in the formula is more than enough, its on the border of an overdose PIERRE: You can't say exactly, since every ingredient works in harmony with the other notes. Perfumers know how to work with it, how to boost its woody, animalic, earthy, and every other facet. But if you insist, Id say that outside the Middle Eastern market with their pure oils and attars, 0.5 - 0.7% of oud oil is enough in a composition to smell a prominent oud note in the fragrance. SERGEY: Another question I have about the ExpLOud composition is about Boya oil. PIERRE: I can tell you what Adjmal told us. Agarwood and Boya are coming from the same tree, Aquilaria. Agarwood is the dark infected wood; Boya is the white part of the wood. Smell-wise, its not far removed from the dark infected part, but it has a different olfactive profile, more suede than leather, and its more pronounced in the top of compositions (while oud is more pronounced in the base). I use both oils in my compositions usually - Boya oil for the top and oud oil for the base, as they enhance each other. Let me say that Boya isnt a cheap substitution of oud - its priced about 14-16 thousand euro per kg. Do you like the fragrance, Sergey? SERGEY: Yes, I do. It was really unexpected to find this fragrance inside a black bottle. I was expecting something dense and powerful, a perfume on par with real oud oil, dirty and animalic, and as loud as the Exploud pokemon. What I found was a modern woody perfume, smooth and clean, lasting but not overpowering, very easy to wear, and very commercial. PIERRE: Well, there are so many oud fragrances created by European brands that used the same oriental cliche; I dont think we need one more of the same - we need to come with a new approach. We are in the XXI century - why should we use the same old traditional approach that was created in the XIX century? Today, people of the Middle East are starting to wear modern oud compositions, with fruity, gourmand, and aquatic notes paired with oud, exploring new possibilities. Why should we Europeans stick to the old things? In the beginning of the oud trend, many European brands were using the oud note to catch the Middle Eastern market, "Oh, I have to seduce these people who spend 5000 EUR on perfume each month!" But now oud is a well-known ingredient everywhere, and there are oud traditions in Vietnam, Japan, China, India, Africa! The material really deserves to have a place in the perfume world - but we also know that Middle Eastern consumers love really fresh perfumes. So fresh ouds will come there as a new trend. SERGEY: Thank you both, Roberto and Pierre, for the info! And have a great exhibition! ROBERTO, PIERRE: Thank you, Sergey, and all the best to you and all Fragrantica readers! Photos: (C) Brian Chambers, Sergey Borisov NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) between April 22, 2021 and September 8, 2021, inclusive (the Class Period), of the important November 15, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline. 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 pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com 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 firms 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 Beers hard seltzer sales were decelerating; (2) as a result, Boston Beer was reasonably likely to incur inventory write-offs; (3) Boston Beer was reasonably likely to incur shortfall fees payable to third party brewers; (4) a result of the foregoing, Boston Beers financial results would be adversely impacted; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants positive statements about Boston Beers 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 pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com 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 investors 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 lrosen@rosenlegal.com pkim@rosenlegal.com cases@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com Governor Northam Signs Shared Stewardship Agreement with United States Department of Agriculture Reopens Historically Black Recreation Area in George Washington and Jefferson National Forests CLIFTON FORGEGovernor Ralph Northam today announced the reopening of Green Pastures Recreation Area in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The Commonwealth of Virginia will work with the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service to restore and manage Green Pastures as a satellite of nearby Douthat State Park. This area was one of the few federal outdoor recreational areas throughout the country that was set aside exclusively for African Americans during the segregation era in the 20th century. The Governor and federal officials signed an historic Shared Stewardship agreement between the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States Department of Agriculture to coordinate a response to the increasing ecological challenges and natural resource concerns throughout Virginia. The memorandum of understanding establishes a framework for state and federal agencies to improve collaboration as they strive toward their mutual goals of reducing wildfire risk and taking action against threats to forest and ecosystem health. Segregation affected every aspect of life for Black Virginians, including when and where they could access recreation spaces, said Governor Northam. People would come from all over to Green Pastures for cookouts, church outings, and celebrations with friends and family. Through this federal partnership, we will protect the land of this historical site and share the Green Pastures legacy with a broader audience. The Civilian Conservation Corps began building Green Pastures in the Alleghany Highlands in 1938. From 1940 to 1950, the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service operated the area as a segregated site for African Americans. Virginia and West Virginia opened segregated state parks in 1950. In 1963, the Forest Service changed the parks name to Longdale Recreation Area. Under the new Historic Property Lease between the Forest Service and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Green Pastures will now be known by its historic name. Restoring and reopening Green Pastures has long been a priority under Governor Northam's Historic Justice initiative, said Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Matthew J. Strickler. I am pleased that we have been able to work with state and federal partners to pay appropriate tribute to this place, and ensure it is accessible and properly remembered to all Virginians. The signing of this Shared Stewardship Agreement is emblematic of the long-standing relationship between the United States Department of Agriculture and the Commonwealth of Virginia, said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. The United States Department of Agriculture and the Virginia Department of Forestry have collaborated on the Virginia Interagency Coordination Center, forest health initiatives, water quality protection, urban and community forestry, and longleaf pine restoration. Working with and through each other, we can help ensure we have healthy forests, healthy people, and healthy communities across the commonwealth. Through Shared Stewardship, we have an unprecedented opportunity to work together to set landscape-scale priorities, implement projects at the appropriate scale, co-manage risks, share resources, learn from each other, and build capacity to improve forest conditions, said United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Associate Chief Angela Coleman. This collaborative approach will have direct and positive effects on land management practices for Virginians. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is pleased to join our sister agency, the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, in renewing our commitment to partner and prioritize programs based on local needs, said United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Terry Cosby. Leveraging funding and expertise enables us to do more to conserve natural resources, improve water quality, and protect biodiversity than we could ever hope to accomplish individually, and we hope to replicate this approach in every state across the nation. The Department of Conservation and Recreation will be responsible for restoring, operating and maintaining this as part of the Virginia State Parks system, said Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Director Clyde Cristman. Its critical to acknowledge that Green Pastures was originally built because African American families were excluded from taking advantage of the outdoor recreational opportunities at Douthat State Parkonly 11 miles awayand other public places in the central Appalachian region. We look forward to welcoming all to Green Pastures as an outpost of Douthat State Park, said Virginia State Parks Director Dr. Melissa Baker. Once restoration work is complete, visitors can once again gather with family and friends and enjoy a connection with the outdoors while learning about its important history. State and federal agencies will align their priorities for the surrounding George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, as well as other Virginia forests, under this Shared Stewardship Agreement. They will work to improve forest conditions in the face of urgent challenges, such as fire, flooding, insect and disease outbreaks, and invasive species. The Virginia Department of Forestry is proud to be among the Southern states who have signed a Shared Stewardship Agreement, said Virginia State Forester Rob Farrell. We are grateful to our federal partners for their support of Virginias vision for sustainably managed forests and anticipate future successes together. The restoration of Green Pastures and the signing of a Shared Stewardship Agreement provide a tremendous combination of benefits for our outdoorsmen and women and our wildlife resources, said Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Executive Director Ryan Brown. This will enhance efforts under our agencys Cooperative Agreement with the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, which is the oldest such agreement in the nation, and the preservation of Green Pastures will properly recognize the passion for the outdoors held by all Virginians, past and current. # # # The spectators at this year's Russian Grand Prix do not seem to expect a battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. While Mercedes convinced during the first two free practice sessions on Friday, Verstappen is changing engines this weekend and accepts that he will start the race from the back of the grid on Sunday afternoon. Partly due to the accidents he experienced in Britain and Hungary, Verstappen had to change engines. Given that he received a three-place grid penalty for the next race at the Italian GP two weeks ago, it seemed logical that Red Bull Racing would choose this weekend to replace the power unit. Although it is a logical decision, Peter Windsor finds it disappointing for the excitement in the race. On his YouTube channel states he about the situation. "From a fan's point of view it's a shame that Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen have to start the Russian Grand Prix from the pitlane." Hamilton vs Verstappen Verstappen will try to drive as far forward as possible from the last position on Sunday afternoon, to minimise the gap he faces from Hamilton. However, Windsor does not see a fight between Red Bull and Mercedes happening. "Mercedes looks really strong," he said. Green River Police Department reports for Sept. 12 At 1:38 p.m., officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision at the Green River Recreation Center. It was reported one vehicle was parked facing north in the first parking aisle and a second vehicle was parked and unoccupied facing south in the parking aisle south of the first vehicle. As the first vehicle reversed south out of the parking space the rear passenger side of the vehicle struck the rear passenger side of the second vehicle. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 5:24 p.m., officers responded to a report of... Claiming euthanasia by gas chamber to be inhumane, a group opposing the use of gas chambers in Wyoming wants the city to move away from euthanizing animals at its animal shelter in this manner. A spokesperson for Wyoming Against Gas Chambers, Madhu Anderson, spoke to the Green River City Council Tuesday evening to highlight the practice. Anderson said the practice is not only inhumane and cruel, but also causes physical and psychological stress on animal shelter workers and says the practice is also cost ineffective. Wyoming is one of four U.S. states that still allows for gas chambers for use in shelter euthanasia, with Green River and Evanston being the only cities with gas chambers. Rock Springs operated a gas chamber to euthanize animals at its shelter until action from residents pressed the city abandon the practice in 2020. The city utilizes a carbon dioxide gas chamber purchased in 1985, according to city records acquired by Anderson. Carbon dioxide is an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas Anderson argues does not provide a painless or quick death to euthanized animals. She said some animals get distressed about being placed in the chamber and claw at the walls inside as theyre being gassed. She claims some also go into convulsions and suffer injuries as they die. Due to the age of the chamber utilized by the city, Anderson also said gas chambers that are not properly maintained can have leaks or not deliver the amount of gas needed to quickly kill an animal, causing it to suffer before death. She said workers and volunteers typically feel stressed when they learn of the gas chamber as they tend to work in animal shelters because they like animals. Anderson claimed those workers suffer from psychological trauma because they dont want to kill the animals they are euthanizing, often walking out of the room after or during the gas chamber being on to avoid hearing animals scratch at the walls or whine. She said the instructions for the gas chambers require operators to be observing the chambers at all times during use. For overly fearful or aggressive animals, Anderson said workers are at risk of physical injury because they are tasked with transporting and loading the animals into the chamber, leaving them susceptible to being bitten or clawed. She believes shelter workers can also be subjected to carbon dioxide if the chamber has a leak or when euthanized animals are being unloaded from the chamber. Anderson said the gas chamber is also not cost effective for the city, saying data she received from Gillette showed use of a gas chamber on a dog cost the city $4.98, compared to $2.29 per animal to euthanize through lethal injection. Anderson said the more humane option for euthanizing animals is through lethal injection, which is supported by several animal control and shelter organizations. She said euthanasia will still exist until programs such as Trap, Neuter and Release are made mandatory by law. Since starting the fall semester, Western Wyoming Community College has made efforts to hold a mostly-normal semester while responding to the rising numbers of COVID-19 in the community and encouraging everyone to do their part to stop the spread. One way the college is encouraging people to be active in stopping further spread of the virus is by holding open vaccination clinics. The reason for this is that as a college we want to provide an opportunity for our students and our employees and any community members on campus to be able to receive the vaccination, Dean of Students Du... With additional reporting from the Casper Star-Tribune via the Wyoming News Exchange A letter from Bridger Coal Company to Rock Springs Mayor Tim Kaumo signals the end of underground coal mining in Wyoming. Dated Sept. 3, the letter notifies the mayor of plans to permanently close Bridger Coals underground mine. The closure is anticipated to take place on or after Nov. 19. According to the letter, 94 employees are impacted by the closure. Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements wont have bumping rights, but they will have bidding rights to the surface operations. In an article in the Casper Star-Tribune, the number of jobs impacted by the closure was down to 92. According to the Wyoming State Geological Survey, the mine was responsible for producing 2.4 million short tons of coal in 2020. Speaking during the Sweetwater County commissioners meeting Tuesday, Chairman Randy Wendling said his concerns were eased after a discussion with Roy Moyer, President of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local S1978. In that discussion, Wendling said Moyer was positive about the 94 employees job prospects, saying employees had a buy-out program open to them, as well as options to re-train for jobs in the trona mines. Wendling said Moyer told him about a recent job fair hosted for the workers that attracted 40 employers, including a Colorado-based coal company willing to take anyone who would relocate. The coal mines closure maybe be seen as another step in Rocky Mountain Powers plan to reduce reliance on coal in favor of renewables, but Shannon Anderson, staff attorney with the Powder River Basin Resource Council, doesnt believe this is the case. This is not surprising news at all, Anderson told the Casper Star-Tribune. Its been in the works for years. It really is just partly geology, partly economics. And it is not directly driven by the coal plant retirement decisions. The Star-Tribune reports the company told workers of plans to retire the mine in 2016 and has been moving employees to the surface operation in preparation for the closure. Coal from the mine fed the Jim Bridger Power Plant, which is still planned for an early retirement through RMPs resource management plan. The first part of this retirement process will take place in 2023 when the first of four power-generating units is taken offline. The company plans to select a Wyoming location for a pilot nuclear reactor project in partnership with TerraPower. Sweetwater County is one of the four proposed locations for the reactor and local leaders are hopeful it is chosen as it would help keep jobs in the area as RMP initiates the early retirement of the Jim Bridger Power Plant. RMP and TerraPower have yet to announce where the pilot plant will go, though an announcement is expected by the end of 2021. The best time for a mask mandate within Green Rivers schools was a month ago. The second-best time is now. As Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County continues to deal with waves of COVID-19-infected people seeking treatment, its no secret the doctors and nurses working at the hospital are fatigued. In a move that impacts everyone in the county, the hospital was forced to end elective surgeries until recently and convert that space into a second COVID-19 ward. And yet, there is largely nothing being done to curb infections. The one exception is Western Wyoming Community College. The co... The Green River Police Department has a Marine joining their ranks. Monday, new recruit Jennie Kordus received her badge and was welcomed into the fold. A 2013 graduate of Green River High School, she returns to her hometown after spending the last eight years in the Marines. Kordus said she initially wanted to go into a career in healthcare, but the amount of time she would have spent in college caused her to seek another path. She started looking into enlisting in the armed forces and decided to join the marines. Kordus, seeking a profession that would translate well in the civilian world... Two local attorneys were recently voted to the Wyoming State Bar. Chief Deputy County Attorney Teresa Thybo was elected to become the vice president of the organization while Jason Petri was elected to be a commissioner representing the Third Judicial District for the Wyoming State Bar. Petri, while operating a law office in Rock Springs, also serves as Green Rivers municipal court judge. Thybo succeeds R. Scott Kath of Powell to the vice president position while Petri succeeds Thybo as commissioner. Thybo came to Sweetwater County in 2010, joining the Sweetwater County Attorneys Offi... NEW YORK (AP) President Joe Biden is losing support among critical groups in his political base as some of his core campaign promises falter, raising concerns among Democrats that the voters who put him in office may feel less enthusiastic about returning to the polls in next year's midterm elections. In just the past week, the push to change the nation's immigration laws and create a path to citizenship for young immigrants brought illegally to the country as children faced a serious setback on Capitol Hill. Bipartisan negotiations to overhaul policing collapsed and searing images of Haitian refugees being mistreated at the U.S.-Mexico border undermined Biden's pledge of humane treatment for those seeking to enter the United States. Taken together, the developments threaten to disillusion African Americans, Latinos, young people and independents, all of whom played a vital role in building a coalition that gave Democrats control of Congress and the White House last year. That's creating a sense of urgency to broker some type of agreement between the party's progressive and moderate wings to move forward with a $3.5 trillion package that would fundamentally reshape the nation's social programs. Failure to do so, party strategists warn, could devastate Democrats in the 2022 vote and raise questions about Biden's path to reelection if he decides to seek a second term. Quoting Benjamin Franklin, if they dont hang together, theyll hang separately, said James Carville, a veteran Democratic strategist. Theyve got to get something done to have a chance. Despite such concerns, it's likely too early for Democrats to panic. While Biden's approval ratings have taken a hit, for instance, they are significantly better than Donald Trump's were at the same point in his presidency. With the midterms more than a year away, Biden and party leaders have time to course-correct. Some of the past week's challenges are more the result of inertia in a narrowly divided Congress rather than a failure of leadership by Biden. Other issues, including concerns about the future of abortion rights and anger at Republican efforts to restrict voting rights, may galvanize Democrats even if they're disappointed by Washington's persistent gridlock. "I said its going to take me a year to deliver everything Im looking at here, Biden told reporters on Friday when he was pressed about the slow pace of progress. No. 2, take a look at what I inherited when I came into office. When I came into office, the state of affairs, and where we were: We had 4 million people vaccinated. We had no plan. We had I mean, I can go down the list," Biden added. So, you know, part of it is dealing with the panoply of things that were landed on my plate. Im not complaining; its just a reality. A recent poll from the Pew Research Center, in line with internal polling on the Republican and Democratic sides, paints a darkening picture for the president and his party. It found a 14-percentage point drop since July in his support from voters between the ages of 18 and 29, a 16-point drop among Latinos and an 18-point drop among African Americans. The shift among Black voters from 85% to 67% was particularly troubling given that they were Bidens most reliable source of support in 2020. A year from now, the political environment is going to be a lot different, said Biden pollster John Anzalone. He emphasized the popularity of key elements of Bidens Build Back Better agenda being debated in Congress. Were going to have a good narrative going into 2022, not only what the Biden administration and Democrats have done for Americans, but also to contrast what Republicans are doing, Anzalone said, suggesting that voters would blame the GOP for any Democratic failures. For now, however, Democratic pollsters and strategists privately attribute Biden's shaky standing to a number of factors. Some point to the administration's messy withdrawal from Afghanistan as a turning point among some disappointed Democrats and independents. Things deteriorated further when Biden faced a fierce backlash from the left for his administrations aggressive treatment of Haitian immigrants gathering on the U.S.-Mexico border. Some African Americans have expressed concerns about some of the most far-reaching Democratic-backed pandemic restrictions in places such as New York City, which recently imposed a vaccine requirement for indoor dining. Some Black Lives Matter leaders in the city have called such mandates racist. The Democratic frustration has begun to seep into midterm elections like the one in Illinois' 7th Congressional District, where Kina Collins is challenging Rep. Danny Davis in the Democratic primary. Collins says the people of her Chicago-area district want less talk and more action. Her party has not done enough, she said, to move past Trump's divisive leadership. Is Trump gone? Collins asked. I dont know if the remnants of Trump are really gone. People are afraid. Most Washington Democrats are betting their political fate on the legislative package being debated on Capitol Hill that would lower prescription drug prices; establish universal pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds; upgrade Medicare to cover dental, vision and hearing; and combat climate change, among other liberal priorities. Senate Democrats can use a special process to approve the measure with a simple majority, rather than the 60 votes needed to proceed with most pieces of legislation. But even if Democrats are successful in enacting it far from certain, given resistance from moderates such as like Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona they still face intense pressure to deliver on immigration and racial justice. On both fronts, the odds of Democratic success are even more bleak. Immigration advocates are reeling from a ruling by the Senate parliamentarian that Democrats could not add immigration provisions, including a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants, to their massive package. And top Democrats have conceded that negotiations failed to produce a compromise policing bill in response to sweeping protests last summer against police violence. Biden pledged to keep fighting on both fronts, though the path forward is murky at best. There is cost to inaction, warned Lorella Praeli, who led Latino outreach for Hillary Clinton's last presidential campaign and now serves as co-president for Community Change Action. Her organization and others are pressing the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress to fight the parliamentarian's ruling or disregard it altogether. She predicted that the Democrats' ability or inability to deliver on what has been a party priority for more than a decade would resonate with voters in states such as Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin and Nevada, among others that host high-profile elections next fall. At the end of the day, no ones going to give a damn about the parliamentarian's ruling, Praeli said. Theyre just going to remember there was a Democrat in the White House and a Democratic majority in Congress. Sensing opportunity, the Republican National Committee recently opened Hispanic community centers in Laredo, Texas, and Milwaukee. The GOP already has some momentum with Latino voters, who backed Trump's party at higher rates last fall than Democrats expected. In June, Republicans won a mayoral race in McAllen, Texas, a border town whose residents are overwhelmingly Latino. Joe Biden and Democrats are solely responsible for their failures," RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel said. With rising prices, the largest tax increase in decades, a crisis at our southern border, and forced vaccine mandates all disproportionally impacting lower income communities and communities of color this isnt working. BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) When Hungary and Poland joined the European Union in 2004, after decades of Communist domination, their citizens thirsted for Western democratic standards and prosperity. Yet 17 years later, as the EU ramps up efforts to rein in democratic backsliding in both countries, some of the governing right-wing populists in Hungary and Poland are comparing the bloc to their former Soviet oppressors and flirting with the prospect of exiting the trade bloc. Brussels sends us overlords who are supposed to bring Poland to order, on our knees," a leading member of Poland's governing Law and Justice party, Marek Suski, said this month, adding that Poland will fight the Brussels occupier as it fought past Nazi and Soviet occupiers. Its unclear to what extent this kind of talk represents a real desire to leave the 27-member bloc or a negotiating tactic to counter arm-twisting from Brussels. The two countries are the largest net beneficiaries of EU money, and the vast majority of their citizens want to stay in the bloc. Yet the rhetoric has increased in recent months, after the EU resorted to financially penalizing members that fail its rule of law and democratic governance standards. In December, EU lawmakers approved a regulation tying access to some EU funds to a countrys respect for the rule of law. This is seen as targeting Hungary and Poland close political allies often accused of eroding judicial independence and media freedom, and curtailing minority and migrant rights. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called the so-called rule of law mechanism a political and ideological weapon designed to blackmail countries like Hungary that reject immigration. His Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki, called it a bad solution that threatens a breakup of Europe in the future. The EUs executive commission has also delayed payment of tens of billions of euros in post-pandemic recovery funds over concerns the two countries spending plans do not adequately safeguard against corruption or guarantee judicial independence. In an interview Thursday with the AP, Hungarys Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto was defiant, insisting that the withholding of EU funds would not compel his country to change course. We will not compromise on these issues because we are a ... sovereign nation. And no one, not even the European Commission, should blackmail us regarding these policies, Szijjarto said. This month, the EU Commission moved to force Poland to comply with the rulings of Europes top court by recommending daily fines in a long-running dispute over the countrys judicial system. This prompted Ryszard Terlecki, deputy head of Poland's governing party, to say Poland should think about ... how much we can cooperate, with the EU and consider "drastic solutions. Terlecki later walked back his comments. Hungary's Orban has repeatedly insisted that there is life outside the European Union." Last month an opinion article in daily Magyar Nemzet a flagship newspaper allied with Orban's Fidesz party said its time to talk about Huxit a Hungarian version of Brexit, the U.K.s departure from the EU last year. With the finance minister also suggesting Hungary might be better off outside the EU, Orbans opponents worry he is actually considering that. Katalin Cseh, a liberal Hungarian EU lawmaker, told The Associated Press it was outrageous that senior Fidesz politicians and pundits were openly calling to consider" Hungarys EU exit. They stand ready to destroy the single greatest achievement of our countrys recent history, Cseh said. But Daniel Hegedus, a fellow for Central Europe at the German Marshall Fund, says the Hungarian rhetoric could be politically calculated leveraging against the potential loss of EU funding. (They are saying), If you dont give us the money, then we can be even more uncomfortable for you, he said. Recent surveys show that well over 80% of both Poles and Hungarians want to stay in the EU. This seems to have had an effect on both governments. In a radio interview last week, Orban said Hungary will be among the last ones in the EU, should it ever cease to exist. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Poland's most powerful politician, said last week that the countrys future is in the EU and that there will be no Polexit. Political analyst Jacek Kucharczyk, president of the Institute of Public Affairs, a Warsaw-based think tank, told the AP that while Polands ruling party invigorates its nationalist base with its feuds with Brussels, popular support for EU membership constrains its options. The result is a kind of balancing act, Kucharczyk said. "Tough words about the EU and immediate and vehement denials that they want Poland to leave the Union. But Polish opposition leader and former top EU official Donald Tusk warned that allowing anti-EU rhetoric to grow out of control could unintentionally touch off an unstoppable process. Catastrophes like, for example, Brexit, or the possible exit of Poland from the EU, very often happen not because someone planned it, but because someone did not know how to plan a wise alternative, Tusk said. With Orban's party facing tight elections next year and Poland's governing coalition showing strains, battles with the EU can also serve purely domestic political purposes. Hungarys anti-EU rhetoric is likely a test balloon to gauge public support on how far the government can take its conflicts with the bloc, Hegedus said, and to garner support for the ruling party ahead of elections. I think they are framing this whole issue very consciously so that people will associate the European Union with rather controversial issues which are dividing Hungarian society, he said. Some European leaders have already run out of patience with both countries. In July, the Commission started legal action against Poland and Hungary for what it sees as disrespect for LGBT rights. In June, after Hungary adopted a law that critics said targeted LGBT people, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Hungary has no business in the EU, and suggested Orban activates the mechanism that precipitated Brexit. Huxit would be "clearly against the will of Hungarian citizens, who remain staunchly pro-EU," Cseh, the European Parliament member, said. And we will fight for our countrys hard-earned place in the European community with everything weve got." ___ Gera reported from Warsaw, Poland. NEW YORK (AP) Two Canadians detained in China on spying charges were released from prison and flown out of the country on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, just after a top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies reached a deal with the U.S. Justice Department over fraud charges and flew to China. The frenetic chain of events involving the global powers brought an abrupt end to legal and geopolitical wrangling that for the past three years has roiled relations between Washington, Beijing and Ottawa. The three-way deal enabled China and Canada to each bring home their own detained citizens while the U.S. wrapped up a criminal case against a prominent tech executive that for months had been mired in an extradition fight. The first activity came Friday afternoon when Meng Wanzhou, 49, Huawei's chief finance officer and the daughter of the company's founder, reached an agreement with federal prosecutors that called for fraud charges against her to be dismissed next year and allowed for her to return to China immediately. As part of the deal, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, she accepted responsibility for misrepresenting the company's business dealings in Iran. About an hour after Meng's plane left Canada for China, Trudeau revealed that Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were also on their way home. The men were arrested in China in December 2018, shortly after Canada arrested Meng on a U.S. extradition request. Many countries labeled China's action hostage politics. "These two men have been through an unbelievably difficult ordeal. For the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance and grace and we are all inspired by that, Trudeau said. News of Meng's pending return was a top item on the Chinese internet and on state broadcaster CCTV's midday news report, with no mention made of the release of Kovrig and Spavor. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reposted on social media a report on Meng having left Canada, adding Welcome home. Video was also circulated online of Meng speaking at Vancouver International Airport, saying; Thank you motherland, thank you to the people of the motherland. You have been my greatest pillar of support. The deal was reached as President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have sought to tamp down signs of public tension even as the worlds two dominant economies are at odds on issues as diverse as cybersecurity, climate change, human rights and trade and tariffs. Biden said in an address before the U.N. General Assembly earlier this week that he had no intention of starting a new Cold War, while Xi told world leaders that disputes among countries need to be handled through dialogue and cooperation. The U.S. Government stands with the international community in welcoming the decision by Peoples Republic of China authorities to release Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig after more than two-and-a-half years of arbitrary detention. We are pleased that they are returning home to Canada, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. As part of the deal with Meng, which was disclosed in federal court in Brooklyn, the Justice Department agreed to dismiss the fraud charges against her in December 2022 exactly four years after her arrest provided that she complies with certain conditions, including not contesting any of the government's factual allegations. The Justice Department also agreed to drop its request that Meng be extradited to the U.S., which she had vigorously challenged, ending a process that prosecutors said could have persisted for months. After appearing via videoconference for her New York hearing, Meng made a brief court appearance in Vancouver, where she'd been out on bail living in a multimillion-dollar mansion while the two Canadians were held in Chinese prison cells where the lights were kept on 24 hours a day. Outside the courtroom, Meng thanked the Canadian government for upholding the rule of law, expressed gratitude to the Canadian people and apologized "for the inconvenience I caused. Over the last three years my life has been turned upside down, she said. It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and as a company executive. But I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life. I will never forget all the good wishes I received. Shortly afterward, Meng left on an Air China flight for Shenzhen, China, the location of Huawei's headquarters. Huawei is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone and internet companies. It has been a symbol of Chinas progress in becoming a technological world power and a subject of U.S. security and law enforcement concerns. Some analysts say Chinese companies have flouted international rules and norms and stolen technology. The case against Meng stems from a January 2019 indictment from the Trump administration Justice Department that accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets and using a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The indictment also charged Meng herself with committing fraud by misleading the HSBC bank about the company's business dealings in Iran. The indictment came amid a broader Trump administration crackdown against Huawei over U.S. government concerns that the company's products could facilitate Chinese spying. The administration cut off Huaweis access to U.S. components and technology, including Googles music and other smartphone services, and later barred vendors worldwide from using U.S. technology to produce components for Huawei. The Biden White House, meanwhile, has kept up a hard line on Huawei and other Chinese corporations whose technology is thought to pose national security risks. Huawei has repeatedly denied the U.S. governments allegations and security concerns about its products. Meng had long fought the Justice Department's extradition request, with her lawyers calling the case against her flawed and alleging that she was being used as a bargaining chip in political gamesmanship. They cited a 2018 interview in which then-President Donald Trump said he'd be willing to intervene in the case if it would help secure a trade deal with China or aid U.S. security interests. Last month, a Canadian judge held off on ruling whether Meng should be extradited to the U.S. after a Canadian Justice Department lawyer wrapped up his case saying there was enough evidence to show she was dishonest and deserved to stand trial in the U.S. Comfort Ero, the interim Vice President of the International Crisis Group, Kovrig's employer, said they have been waiting for more than 1,000 days for the news. Michael Kovrig is free. To Beijing: We welcome this most just decision. To Ottawa: Thank you for your steadfast support for our colleague. To the United States: Thank you for your willingness to support an ally and our colleague. To the inimitable, indefatigable, and inspiring Michael Kovrig, welcome home! Ero said in a statement. ____ Tucker reported from Washington and Gillies from Toronto. Associated Press writer Jim Morris in Vancouver, Canada, contributed to this report. NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) One man said he counted 55 corpses as he escaped from his town in northern Ethiopia, stepping over bodies scattered in the streets. Another asserted he was rounded up with about 20 men who were shot in front of him. Yet others claimed Tigray forces went door-to-door killing men and teenage boys. The allegations from the town of Kobo are the latest against Tigray forces as they push through the neighboring Amhara region, in what they call an attempt to pressure Ethiopias government to end a 10-month war and lift a deadly blockade on their own home. Both Amhara and Tigrayan civilians have joined the fight, and calls by the United States and others for peace have had little effect as war spreads in one of Africas most powerful countries. The accounts from Kobo are the most extensive yet of one of the deadliest known killings of Amhara in the war. The estimates of deaths there range from the dozens to the hundreds; it is not clear how many were killed in all or how many were fighters as opposed to civilians, a line that is becoming increasingly blurred. The Associated Press spoke with more than a dozen witnesses who were in Kobo during the killings, along with others who have family there. They said the fighting started on Sept. 9 as a battle but quickly turned against civilians. At first, Tigray forces who had taken over the area in July fought farmers armed with rifles. But after the Tigray forces briefly lost and regained control of the town, they went door-to-door killing in retaliation, the witnesses said. We did our best, whether we die or kill, but what is heartbreaking is the massacre of innocent civilians, said one wounded resident, Kassahun, who was armed. Like others who spoke to the AP after fleeing, he gave only his first name to protect family members still in town. His account was echoed by a health worker who gave first aid to several wounded people. The health worker said Tigray forces withdrew from Kobo on the afternoon of Sept. 9 and returned several hours later, once local militia units had run out of ammunition and retreated. Then the killing started, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. The area of fighting is under a communications blackout, complicating efforts to verify accounts. Calls to the local administrator went unanswered. Ethiopias state-appointed Human Rights Commission this week said it had received disturbing reports of alleged deliberate attacks against civilians in Kobo town and surrounding rural towns by TPLF fighters. The acronym stands for the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, which dominated Ethiopias repressive national government for 27 years but was sidelined by current Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. What began as a political dispute erupted into war in November in the Tigray region, with thousands killed. While atrocities have been reported on all sides, the worst massacres recounted by witnesses have been against the civilians of Tigray, along with gang-rapes and deliberate starvation. They were blamed on the Ethiopian government, Amhara militias and Eritrean soldiers. However, since the Tigray forces in June retook much of their region and entered Amhara, accusations have been piling up against them, too. Amhara civilians in multiple communities have alleged that the Tigray fighters are killing them in retaliation, as the war grows bigger and more complex. Most allegations cannot be verified immediately, given a lack of access. But in September, the AP reached the scene of an alleged massacre in Chenna Teklehaymanot, where at least dozens of Amhara were reported killed, both fighters and civilians. The AP saw bodies scattered on the muddy ground, some in the uniforms of fighters and others in civilian clothing, and residents alleged at least 59 people were buried in a nearby churchyard. The Tigray forces have denied targeting civilians. Tigray forces spokesman Getachew Reda told the AP that the accounts from Kobo are just a figment of someones imagination. There was no such thing as our forces going in every house and targeting civilians. He blamed local militia, irregular units, and that people who were hiding their guns joined them. They fought and our forces had to fight back, Getachew said. Asked about the calls for peace, he said this cessation of hostilities thing needs to be taken seriously, but it takes two to tango, referring to Ethiopias government. As in Tigray, civilians are caught in the middle. One resident, Mengesha, said he counted 55 corpses in the town. It was not clear whether they were of fighters or unarmed civilians. I escaped by stepping over the dead bodies, he said. Like other witnesses, he fled to Dessie town 165 kilometers to the south. Birhanu, a farmer, said he and his friend were walking home on Sept. 9 when they were rounded up with about 20 other men. They were shot in front of us, he said. The fighters took us to their camp and made us line up and then picked who would be shot. I managed to run away with my friend. He said the Tigray fighters fired at them as they fled, severing two fingers on his right hand. Another resident, Molla, said he bandaged his wounds with grass and walked for days to safety. (The Tigray forces) were indiscriminately killing people, especially men, he said. They dragged them out and killed them while their mothers were crying. They killed my uncle and his son-in-law on his doorstep. A third resident, Ayene, said he watched out a window as fighters took his three brothers out of their nearby home and shot them on the street at point-blank range, along with four others. Then the fighters called me outside to shoot me, but luckily a woman intervened and I was saved, he said. There were so many bodies, I lost my mind. Before fleeing, Kobo residents said they spent days recovering bodies. One shop assistant, Tesfaye, said he locked himself inside his house, and then counted 50 bodies once the firing stopped. I saw many of my friends who were dead on the street, he said. I was just crying, then I went to bury them. ___ Cara Anna in Nairobi, Kenya contributed. BLACKSTONE, Va. - Mayor Billy Coleburn finished his burger, pulled out his cellphone and braced himself for the 24 Facebook notifications and slew of unread messages waiting for him. "Let's see how bad they are," he said, sitting in a booth at the Brew House on Main Street, in the town of roughly 3,600 people in rural southside Virginia. The rumors seemed to be evolving each day, ever since an international humanitarian crisis made its way across the world and landed in Blackstone's backyard. Just over a mile from the town limits, past a thick tree line and behind the heavily guarded gates of Fort Pickett, there were now more Afghan evacuees than Blackstone residents. Roughly 5,900 men, women and children who had escaped the chaos and the Taliban in Kabul were now sleeping on cots in barracks and tractor trailers at the Virginia National Guard installation, one of three military bases in Virginia where Afghans are being temporarily housed before being resettled in communities across the United States. The makeshift village was largely invisible to anyone beyond the gates of the military base - as were the Afghans within it. They were nowhere to be seen in Blackstone, but somehow seemed to be everywhere too, as their arrival transfixed the community. Coleburn watched as his town seemed to crack into two different Americas: one, welcoming the evacuees with floods of donations and compassion; the other, apprehensive and suspicious, believing the mere presence of the foreigners posed a threat to the town's safety. The recent arrest of one Afghan evacuee at Fort Pickett on charges of grand larceny, after he was accused of stealing a car on base, had only inflamed their suspicions. Coleburn slid open the first unread message. "A cryptic message is circulating about several escapees that have homemade weapons," one woman warned the mayor. The second message, more specific: "Have you heard about the 60 escaped refugees? They are headed to Blackstone to rob, rape and whatever they are planning." That woman added: "Or is this a wild rumor?" Coleburn sighed, puzzled. "Where did she get that number from?" - - - Coleburn, who is also owner and editor of the town's newspaper, the Courier-Record, says the paper broke the news in late August that Blackstone's own Fort Pickett would likely be called on by the federal government to host thousands of Afghans. Now the front page of his weekly newspaper was splashed with a bold red headline, "AFGHAN NUMBERS RISE," beside a mug shot of the arrested Afghan man, and its pages had become a sounding board for the community's split opinions on welcoming their new neighbors. "What's wrong with this picture?!" wrote Sam Mordan, a resident of neighboring Kembridge, in a letter to the editor Sept. 15. "The US can't take care of its own homeless and veterans, but can bring in tens of thousands of Afghans and give them everything." The bottom-left corner on the next page sounded a different note: "Want To Help The Afghan Evacuees?" read an ad from Blackstone Baptist Church. In the basement at Blackstone Baptist, Pastor Ted Fuson had set aside space for the dozens of hygiene kits that residents had been dropping off. As far as he could tell, politics and rumors hadn't had any impact on the town's eagerness to help. "Some people were scared to death they'd be terrorists - all it takes is one person to say it. But that's just not Blackstone. It just isn't," said Fuson, a cowboy-boot-wearing 78-year-old. "It's your typical small town of people who care about each other." Blackstone, a diverse community where roughly half the residents are Black, is also in a deeply conservative area, with a big pro-military and veteran population. Men and women in army-green fatigues from Fort Pickett can often be seen walking along a pristinely kept Main Street, passing recently remodeled storefronts. As he walks to the Brew House for lunch, Coleburn picks up a stray chewing gum wrapper on the sidewalk and throws it in a trash can. "Drives me crazy," he says. The town, he says, has taken immense pride in being the home of Fort Pickett, Blackstone's major employer. And so when he heard some complaints after the base was selected as a housing location for Afghan evacuees, "I said, folks, you can't sit here and say, 'We love Fort Pickett' - and then all of a sudden we get a mission and go, 'Oh hell no, we don't want that.' " Still, to Coleburn, Pickett did seem a bit of an unlikely place to bring thousands of evacuees with critical needs, many arriving with little else than the clothes they were wearing. "This is in a rural area with not a lot of infrastructure, nearest hospital is 35 miles away," Coleburn said - and, as an added challenge - "a bunch of people are wide-eyed and watching Fox News. Ain't a lot of MSNBC 'Morning Joe' fans around here." So there were a lot of people watching, Coleburn said, when Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., went on Laura Ingraham's show on Sept. 8 and claimed he had heard that Afghans were ordering Ubers and freely leaving Fort Pickett - leading to an avalanche of concerns from Blackstone residents, which they routed to the mayor, who went on Facebook Live to assure residents he would look into it. Something he now found himself doing almost every day. "Every time someone sees somebody that's not a Caucasian male, they're like, 'I saw one at Food Lion,' " Coleburn said between bites of his burger. "I'm like, 'folks, they're with the government. They're not evacuees shopping at Food Lion.' " Behind the bar at the Brew House, James D. Harvey, said he had heard the negative murmuring in town. But his instinct was to be "a humanitarian first." As a Black man in the South, he said, he felt for the Afghans and what they would have to face as they tried to acclimate to new lives in America - "the prejudice," he said, "as any minority in America would." "I don't think not one person here would want to switch shoes with any of the refugees - they talk that talk but won't walk that walk," said Harvey. Still, Harvey said he could understand why some small business owners who have struggled during the pandemic could see the federal government giving money to the Afghans to help them start new lives, and feel a sense of frustration. One was the owner of Farmers Cafe on Main Street, Al Moore. His restaurant had barely survived through the pandemic, Moore said, hanging on with the help of federal covid-19 relief. Now, he grumbled, taxpayers were helping people from a foreign country when people right here in his own community needed help. "We don't owe them a damn thing," Moore, 71, said of the Afghan evacuees, standing outside his restaurant beside a black banner hanging in the window that said, "We Will Never Forget." The timing of the Afghans' arrival around the 20th anniversary of 9/11 had Moore particularly upset. Instead of honoring the military and first responders, he believed, "we bring the ones here who blew up the twin towers." (None of the 9/11 hijackers were Afghans.) Since the Afghans' arrival, Moore had found himself feeling afraid even to be walking around Blackstone, and some nights found himself wondering if an invasion was possible. "I keep a pistol on me all the time," he said, "because you don't know what's going to happen." - - - Rebecca Freeze, an Iraq combat veteran who lives 10 miles east of Blackstone in an unincorporated community called Darvills - "a suburb of Blackstone," she jokes - had been to Fort Pickett and had seen what was happening in Blackstone. And what she witnessed had, at least on one occasion, brought her to tears. A friend of Freeze's thought to start a Facebook page to pool donations and volunteers to help their new neighbors, but she initially got "some kickback from people who knew her that wasn't positive," Freeze said. "So I told her, well let me start the Facebook page - because after 27 years in the Army, let 'em come. As a female combat veteran I can get PMS and PTSD at the same time." So she started the Facebook page - Helping Afghans in Southern VA - and instead of any negative reactions she got a rush of eager volunteers, turning the page into a mosaic of unique contributions. A local artist used proceeds from artwork he sold to buy soccer balls for Afghan kids. A chiropractor's office started collecting toys. Renee and David Cannon, the owners of a clothing store on Main Street that had gone out of business, donated the store's remaining, culturally appropriate merchandise to the Afghans. Renee Cannon, 65, said her father, Adren Quest Hance Sr., sponsored two young Vietnamese refugees - and later, the refugees' other family members - to come live with them in their small town in Hanover County after the Vietnam War, helping them find jobs and learn English and build new lives. When thousands of Afghans began arriving at Fort Pickett, she wanted to live up to what he had taught her. "It just seemed like the right thing to do," she said. She connected with Freeze about how to get all the clothing over to Pickett, and soon a truckload of volunteers showed up at the store to help lug it all away. Lately, Freeze had been camped out at Crenshaw United Methodist Church - or, in military parlance, Forward Operating Base Crenshaw United Methodist. The church basement had been transformed into quasi-barracks for about a dozen rotating volunteers from Team Rubicon, a veteran-led nonprofit contracted with the Defense Department to lead donation distribution inside Fort Pickett. Many had driven or flown in from North Carolina and Pennsylvania and Connecticut, among other places, while a few like Freeze were from the region. Each day, the volunteers sifted and sorted through the hundreds of boxes of clothing and toys and toiletries in a warehouse on base - many mailed in from all over, many pooled by area churches like Blackstone Baptist and Spring Hill Baptist, which that Thursday evening was hosting its latest donation drive. Spring Hill's pastor, the Rev. Travis Warren, said he could understand some of the mixed feelings in Blackstone about Fort Pickett's mission - he experienced them himself at first. His son fought in Afghanistan from 2019 to 2020, and during his tour two soldiers in his son's unit were killed in an attack by a man wearing an Afghan soldier's uniform. The arrival of so many Afghans who aided the United States in the war effort brought those painful memories to the surface. "But then, I would ask myself this question: What would Jesus do?" said Warren, a doctor of divinity. "And in spite of what happened, Jesus would still take care of the need. So I felt like as a church, that's what we would do." On the first Sunday in September, he appealed to his congregation from the pulpit in Spring Hill's sanctuary. "One of the things I want you to think about: Imagine yourself having to leave everything that you own and possess, and go to a foreign land that you've never been to before with nothing but what you have on your back. Would you not want someone, anyone, to offer a helping hand to you? "Well, I'll tell you, Spring Hill, you stepped up to the plate." The pastor called up Freeze who, wearing her Team Rubicon T-shirt, had come to thank the congregation for its recent deluge of charity. At least initially, the operation at Fort Pickett was bare-bones, and they had run out of clothes to distribute to the evacuees. She called Spring Hill's director of outreach, Shirverne Griffin, about 9 p.m. a couple days earlier and asked: "How quickly can we deliver clothes?" Quickly, it turned out. "I kept saying, I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna cry, but I think I got to," Freeze said to the church, "because it's such an emotional time out there because you see such need, and then when we reach out to the community, we see such love. Somebody said that compassion is God's love in work boots." Warren leaned over to hand her a box of tissues. - - - At the same time volunteers were gathering in Spring Hill's basement for the donation drive, Coleburn was firing up Facebook Live. By then fears of "60 escaped refugees" had been percolating for hours on social media, and now, citing his federal source at Pickett, the mayor had some answers. "The rumor is completely false," he assured Blackstone residents. "Completely false." The apprehension was starting to wear on him - "now I'm one of those people who can't sleep," he said - but he knew that the only way to calm fears was to deliver facts. So the day after the Ingraham segment aired, and not long after the grand larceny arrest on base, Coleburn and the town manager, Philip Vannoorbeeck, joined Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., on a tour of Fort Pickett, eager to bring back some answers for the surrounding community. No unauthorized people have been leaving the base, and those who are able to leave have completed health and security screenings and were confirmed to be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, Spanberger said she learned. She added the base's medical unit is equipped to handle urgent care, reducing the impact on local hospitals. Spokespeople for the departments of Defense and Homeland Security - which declined to make officials available for interviews or provide access to Fort Pickett or to Afghans on the base - said in a statement that evacuees have gone through "a multi-layer screening and vetting process" performed by federal law enforcement and counterterrorism professionals before arriving at Fort Pickett. They include Special Immigrant Visa holders who aided in the war effort, their families and others on humanitarian parole whose lives were endangered by the Taliban. They undergo "additional inspection" in the United States, along with coronavirus testing and a slate of mandatory vaccines; as of mid-week there were 38 positive covid-19 cases and one measles case at Pickett, and all were isolated. The Afghan man accused of stealing the car has been jailed, and is awaiting possible deportation. But DHS said that was an isolated incident at Fort Pickett; "allegations of widespread criminal mischief, attempted escape, or other concerning behavior are unfounded," the agency said in a statement addressing the rumors in Blackstone. It's unclear how long the mission might continue at Fort Pickett - DHS could not give an estimate on the average length of stay for the evacuees, saying it will vary by individual depending on the length of time for vaccines to take effect; work permits to be completed; and on the capacity of resettlement agencies to relocate the Afghans to new homes. During his visit to the base, Coleburn said his main complaint was the litter there, which he raised with the general in charge, while lobbying for increased security to assuage the town's concerns. Mostly, he said, they just witnessed "people waiting in long lines for those basic, mundane human needs" - roughly two-thirds of them women and small children. There were prayer tents functioning as mosques. Tea tents for socializing. Kids kicked around a soccer ball, and hung pictures on the walls scrawled in crayon of imperfect American flags. - - - Around dusk Thursday evening, Team Rubicon returned to Crenshaw Methodist from a day of sifting and sorting, and gathered beneath the outdoor pavilion for their nightly meeting. "OK, everyone, circle up!" the team's incident commander, Laura Block, shouted to the group, and one by one, the volunteers delivered a report on the day's work. "Some of y'all are headed home," Block said, as some volunteers' rotation came to an end. "And post-op drop, it's a real thing. So keep your eyes open, and if you start to feel sad, give somebody a call." The mission at Fort Pickett had been beautiful but hard to see, Block said afterward, and it could take a toll. Some potty-trained children seemed to regress, maybe due to trauma, Block said, and now they needed pull-ups again. Many of the Afghan families did not want to use the communal washers and dryers on base, reticent to let go, even for an hour, of what few belongings they had, and so they hung their laundry from clotheslines by the barracks. But the image that most often followed her back to her green cot at night was of Afghan families sitting on blankets in the grass passing the time, the kids smiling and waving as Block - with "HAPPY" written across her T-shirt where her name was supposed to be - tried to hide the lump in her throat. "It's almost like they're on an island," she said, waiting to come ashore the mainland to new lives beyond the gates. Next Monday, the Connecticut legislature will go into special session to vote on whether to approve Gov. Ned Lamonts request to extend his extraordinary powers by continuing to declare two states of emergencies one for public health and the other for civic preparedness. The governor declared these emergencies on March 10, 2020. He is asking for another 150 days until Feb. 15, 2022. Thatll be nearly two years of being in dual emergencies. The governor is a constituent of mine in District 149. I reached out to ask him why he is seeking this extension and he was gracious enough to return my call. The governor said he needs these powers to be able to respond to any surge in COVID cases. It is reasonable for the executive to have the ability to declare emergencies and act with expediency, as Gov. Lamont did at the start of the pandemic. However, as of Sept 21, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions COVID Data Tracker, 75.44 percent of Connecticuts population has received at least one dose and 68 percent are fully vaccinated. These percentages consistently put Connecticut among the top three states in the nation for highest vaccination rates. Being creative with ideas for vaccination incentives, such as free admission to the zoo or Dunkin Donuts gift cards, does not require emergency powers. But being able to order mandates does. Theres the rub. The governors leadership during this crisis, although well-intentioned, was not flawless as he like Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York adopted a policy of creating COVID-only nursing homes combining COVID positive elderly residents with other COVID patients. By early summer of 2020, nearly 90 percent of COVID deaths recorded in Connecticut were of nursing home patients. This shows that the exercise of emergency powers is not a saving grace and can bring about unintended harmful results. When I pointed out the example of other New England governors who had given up their emergency powers, Gov. Lamont said the Massachusetts governor had delegated those powers to the state health commissioner. He said that if I found him to be heavy-handed I would definitely not like to be ruled by Connecticuts new health commissioner, Dr. Manisha Juthani. Indeed, I want a government that understands its proper role to protect individual rights. The state Legislature is able to provide a system of checks and balances. Emergency powers have the effect of removing those checks. At the start of the pandemic, nearly everyone tolerated violations of their rights, such as forced shutdowns of private businesses that hurt folks ability to make a living, because the situation was so unexpected, felt imminently dangerous, and required immediate action. Today, it is a different story. COVID is evolving but there is no emergency when, as of Sept 22, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports that Connecticut has 325 people hospitalized with COVID in a state of 3.6 million souls and is using only 4.18 percent of its inpatient beds for COVID. Gov. Lamont remarked to me that he thought he was doing a better job than the Florida governor in keeping people safe. By American principles, a good job by a leader is done by protecting peoples freedoms and leading us through tough and scary times as free people, not by being our benevolent king, even if the majority of people ask for a benevolent king. Thank you, Gov. Lamont, for your service, but I respectfully remind you Connecticut is the Constitution State. It is your role to address real emergencies and to share information as transparently and timely as possible with the people, so that we are equipped with the best and latest information to make our own decisions, which I believe does not require an extension of your emergency powers. I am doing my job as a state representative to guard the role of the legislature in protecting individual rights. This has nothing to do with partisan politics; it has everything to do with abiding by the structures of government set forth in the Constitution. Any state representative who votes Yes on Monday to extend the governors powers for another 150 days is abrogating their constitutional duty to serve as a check on and a balance to executive powers. State Rep. Kimberly Fiorellos 149th district includes parts of Greenwich and Stamford. There's no denying that Google is quite eager about its upcoming Google Pixel 6 duo. The company revealed the device months before it plans to release it, and it has already been advertising the Pixel 6 even before revealing much of its specifications and features. XDA-Developers revealed a list of features we can expect from the Pixel 6 duo, but before getting into that, let's look at the camera hardware first. Most of what we know about the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro's cameras are the hardware side of things. The Pixel 6 will have a 50MP Samsung GN1 main sensor, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The Pixel 6 Pro will have the latter two in addition to a 48MP 4X telephoto periscope zoom camera. The Pixel 6 Pro will see an updated 12MP selfie camera. With Google's new Pixel phones, it will leverage its own image processing to enable new software features and improve image quality. XDA managed to uncover some of these new features never seen on Pixel devices before. These features were discovered through a leaked internal build of the Google Camera app (and from an undisclosed source) and may or may not make it to the final retail units. Wide-angle front camera: Evidence in the code points to the Pixel 6 Pro (not the Pixel 6) will have an ultra-wide angle lens. According to XDA , "our source confirms that the selfie camera on the Pixel 6 Pro offers two predefined zoom levels: 0.7X and 1.0X." Evidence in the code points to the Pixel 6 Pro (not the Pixel 6) will have an ultra-wide angle lens. According to , "our source confirms that the selfie camera on the Pixel 6 Pro offers two predefined zoom levels: 0.7X and 1.0X." Video recording: Main camera will support 4K video @ 60fps, but the ultra-wide and telephoto cameras are capped at 4K @ 30fps. Also, while recording at 4K/60fps, the maximum zoom level is 7X. Meanwhile, recording at either 4K or FHD @ 60fps enabled zoom up to 20X. This is the same for still images. Main camera will support 4K video @ 60fps, but the ultra-wide and telephoto cameras are capped at 4K @ 30fps. Also, while recording at 4K/60fps, the maximum zoom level is 7X. Meanwhile, recording at either 4K or FHD @ 60fps enabled zoom up to 20X. This is the same for still images. Manual white balance: Google has been working to add this feature, but it may not be ready yet. XDA speculates this may be only a developer feature, which resonates with Google philosophy of keeping the camera app as simple as possible. Google has been working to add this feature, but it may not be ready yet. speculates this may be only a developer feature, which resonates with Google philosophy of keeping the camera app as simple as possible. Magic eraser: Code named "swiss" is tied to a feature called magic eraser. This feature is for the Pixel 6 series and may also be accelerated by the Tensor Chip's TPU (Tensor Processing Unit). It's speculated to let you easily remove objects or people from an image. Code named "swiss" is tied to a feature called magic eraser. This feature is for the Pixel 6 series and may also be accelerated by the Tensor Chip's TPU (Tensor Processing Unit). It's speculated to let you easily remove objects or people from an image. Face deblur: This is a feature that was confirmed by Google. It works by taking additional frames of the subject(s) using the ultra-wide camera at the same time that it's capturing HDR frames from the main camera. The TPU then processes the details from both cameras to deblur a face that may have been captured in motion. This is a feature that was confirmed by Google. It works by taking additional frames of the subject(s) using the ultra-wide camera at the same time that it's capturing HDR frames from the main camera. The TPU then processes the details from both cameras to deblur a face that may have been captured in motion. Scene Lock: This feature has recently been associated with codename "naruto". Scene Lock may be related to AF/AE lock but it isn't clear what the purpose is yet. This feature has recently been associated with codename "naruto". Scene Lock may be related to AF/AE lock but it isn't clear what the purpose is yet. Bluetooth microphone support: The feature's codenamed: "sapphire" and code suggests the feature will come, but XDA 's source couldn't corroborate it. The feature's codenamed: "sapphire" and code suggests the feature will come, but 's source couldn't corroborate it. Motion Blur: suggests that a new feature will let the user add "creative blur effects to your photos" as per code. suggests that a new feature will let the user add "creative blur effects to your photos" as per code. "Nima aesthetic: seems to be related to Google's "Top Shot" feature when Motion Photo is enabled. This feature appears to be accelerated by the Tensor's TPU. seems to be related to Google's "Top Shot" feature when Motion Photo is enabled. This feature appears to be accelerated by the Tensor's TPU. Baby mode: this could be an auto-capture feature that will recognize and capture babies and toddlers in cute moments while they play or move around a lot. Again, these features may or may not make it to the Pixel 6's final hardware. Check out the full XDA report to see the full breakdown of each of these features and the lines of code found. Source A standard USB-C charger with a USB-C connection will be required for all telephones, tablets, and other consumer gadgets sold in the European Union by 2023. This is stated in a bill that was presented by the European Commission (EC) on Thursday. According to the European Commission, this is significantly more convenient for customers because numerous different charges are now frequently required for various gadgets. This, according to European Commissioner Thierry Breton, needs to be addressed immediately. It should be possible for everyone in the family to use the same charger in the near future, regardless of what phone they have." Furthermore, because manufacturers continue to include standard chargers with their products, a universal charger could help to reduce waste significantly. The new legislation will have a significant impact on Apple, in particular, because the business now supplies all of its mobile phones with a Lightning connector, which was previously unavailable. Numerous Android phone makers are already utilizing the USB Type-C connector. Electronic earphones, smart watches, and fitness trackers will not be covered by the new rule. According to the European Commission, this is due to the size and manner in which these devices are used. Apple doesn't like European plans Apple has already stated that it does not agree with the European Union's objectives for the future. According to the tech giant, this would result in a stagnation of innovation as well as mountains of electronic garbage, as previously advertised accessories for Apple products would no longer be able to be utilized.Since 2010, the European Union has been developing ideas for a universal charger, but has so far relied on voluntary action from the sector to move forward. They were mainly unsuccessful in their endeavors. Before it can be implemented, the law must first be passed by the EU's member states as well as the European Parliament. The European Parliament has previously been informed of an important finding regarding a universal charger. Manufacturers will have two years to adjust to the new standard following the passage of the legislation. With the new legislation, Apple's Lightning cable would become obsolete. Haiti - FLASH : No more migrants under the Del Rio bridge Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas spoke to the daily briefing point of Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, on Friday. Mayorkas took stock of the situation in the border town of Del Rio, Texas, where thousands of Haitians have attempted to enter the United States in recent weeks and said, "As of this morning there has been no more migrants in the camp located under the international Del Rio bridge" which connects Del Rio (South Texas) to Ciudad Acuna (Mexico) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34786-haiti-flash-joe-biden-orders-the-deportation-of-thousands-of-illegal-haitian-migrants.html According to Bruno Lozano, the mayor of Del Rio, thousands of migrants who lived under the highway bridge in a makeshift camp were taken to centers in Texas of "U.S. Customs and Border Protection" (CBP). Mayorkas recalled that his department had so far organized 17 deportation flights to Haiti, during which nearly 2,000 people were repatriated, adding that the United States was working with the Haitian authorities and humanitarian aid agencies to ensure that the return of these migrants is "as safe and humane as possible." In addition he indicated that approximately 8,0000 migrants living under the bridge have decided to return voluntarily to Mexico and that 5,000 others are being processed to determine if they will be deported and 12,400 have been able to leave the site and will have to come appear front aan immigration judge to defend their asylum claim before, who will determine whether or not they are allowed to stay in the United States. A total of 30,000 migrants, mostly Haitians, have arrived since the 9th. September Mayorkas, however, insisted that all migrants who enter US territory illegally will continue to be deported under Title 42, Read also on the Haitian migration crisis in the USA : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34824-haiti-politic-1-239-haitians-expelled-from-the-usa-in-4-days.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34820-haiti-flash-us-special-envoy-to-haiti-daniel-foote-resigns.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34812-haiti-migration-crisis-congresswoman-maxine-waters-revolted-and-angry.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34811-haiti-flash-haitian-migrants-from-del-rio-escape-during-their-bus-transport.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34807-haiti-politic-dhs-does-not-tolerate-abuses-against-migrants.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34805-haiti-justice-two-un-agencies-concerned-about-the-american-deportation-of-migrants-to-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34799-haiti-usa-democrat-nancy-pelosi-in-defense-of-haitians-stranded-at-the-mexican-border.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34797-haiti-migration-crisis-the-government-calls-for-solidarity-with-our-compatriots-in-difficulty.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34786-haiti-flash-joe-biden-orders-the-deportation-of-thousands-of-illegal-haitian-migrants.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34770-haiti-flash-thousands-of-haitian-migrants-detained-in-the-usa-in-a-makeshift-camp.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34734-haiti-politic-200-illegal-haitian-migrants-intercepted-in-mexico-returned-to-guatemala.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34669-icihaiti-chiapas-a-caravan-of-haitians-marches-towards-the-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-34626-haiti-politic-more-expulsions-of-haitians-under-joe-biden.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34268-haiti-mexico-more-than-2-000-illegal-haitian-migrants-arrive-in-tapachula.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33352-haiti-flash-joe-biden-expels-more-haitians-than-donald-trump.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Assassination of Moise : 3 police officers arrested Friday, September 24, 2021 in connection with the case of the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, 3 police officers Jacques Sincere, Wilner Cange and Ciceron Cedernier were arrested on the order of investigating magistrate Garry Orelien. Expulsions : 2 out of 3 migrants are women and children According to initial UNICEF estimates, more than 2 in 3 Haitian migrants returned to Port-au-Prince are women and children. Some of them are newborns, with specific and immediate needs. 71 Haitians abandoned on the island of Mona 71 illegal Haitian migrants were abandoned during the night of Wednesday to Thursday, September 23 in Puerto Rican territory on the island of Mona (small island of Puerto Rico located 66 km west of the main island) by human traffickers. According to a spokesperson for Customs and border control, these Haitian migrants were on board 3 boats. They were transported to Puerto Rico and handed over to the migration service. Senate rejects PM's agreement "The Monitor published the agreement that Dr Ariel Henry signed with some parties and organizations. This retrograde document bans the Constitution, ignores legitimacy and rejects democracy. The Senate, with its 10 elected officials, opposes absolute power," Joseph Lambert. PNH : A bandit killed in Petion-ville On Friday a bandit was killed near Place Boyer (Petion-ville), during an exchange of fire with the police. He was charged with robbery, murder, and kidnapping. An American delegation in Cap-Haitien An American delegation arrived in Cap-Haitien this Friday, September 24, 2021 to provide technical assistance to the City of Cap-Haitien in the areas of territorial security, civil protection and in the fight against permanent urban risks including fire, flood and seismic threats. Members of the delegation will stay in the country's second city for 72 hours before returning to the United States. New partnerships between the city of Cap-Haitien and American cities will soon emerge in the aforementioned fields. HL/ HaitiLibre Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up Email Password Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password. Stay logged in Help BOSTON (AP) Scores of Haitians and their supporters rallied Friday in downtown Boston, venting their frustrations at the treatment of Haitian migrants at the Mexican border and demanding President Joe Biden's administration stop deporting them back to their unstable homeland. A crowd of more than 100 people in front of the John F. Kennedy Federal Building held signs saying Haitian Lives Matter and End Anti-Blackness as they loudly chanted Stop the flights and We deserve better. State lawmakers and city officials, nearly all of them Democrats, gave fiery speeches criticizing Biden's handling of the migrants. State Rep. Brandy Fluker, a Boston Democrat who represents one of the largest Haitian enclaves in the state, was among those calling for Biden to grant temporary protective status to Haitian migrants. She said it would be disrespectful to send Haitians back to the Caribbean nation while it's still reeling from July's assassination of President Jovenel Moise and a devastating earthquake in August. Haitian community leaders said migrants from the latest wave are beginning to make their way to the Boston-area, which is home to the third largest Haitian diaspora community in the country. Geralde Gabeau, a native of Haiti who heads Immigrant Family Services Institute, said after the rally that her Boston nonprofit is assisting some 20 Haitians mostly mothers with young children who arrived on a flight earlier this week after being released by authorities at the border. Their journey has been long and difficult, she said. They are feeling a sense of relief because now we can show them that we care about them. On Friday, officials said a Texas border encampment that had swelled to almost 15,000 people had been emptied. Droves of Haitians and other migrants converged at the the border crossing connecting Del Rio, Texas, and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, in recent weeks, driven by confusion over the Biden administrations policies and misinformation on social media. Andrea Henry, a 61-year-old Stoughton, Massachusetts, resident who is originally from Haiti, said the images of the harsh treatment of Haitians and other migrants by U.S. border patrol agents were infuriating and upsetting. How can you do this to human beings? she said. Humans on horses jumping on other humans? That cant happen in 2021. Its because theyre Black. Theres no other reason. Henry, who has lived in the U.S. for 40 years, said shed discouraged her family from making the risky journey but understands the desperation and frustration of those that did. She applied to have her father come to the U.S. some 15 years ago, but is still awaiting approval for his visa. Now, theyre stuck there, Henry said. They cant even survive. Clara Raymond, a 56-year-old Boston resident who is also originally from Haiti, said she attended Friday's rally in part because she was worried about her young cousin, who had been making the perilous journey across the southern border. The 25-year-old was living in Chile the last four years and was hoping to reunite with family in Florida, but no one has heard from him in the two weeks since hes reached Mexico, she said. Im worried theyve deported him back to Haiti, Raymond said. Its terrible back there. She was equally appalled at the scene at the border. Its so sad. It reminded me of what I learned about slavery in the U.S., Raymond said. Theyre not animals. Theyre human beings like everyone else. TUPELO, Miss. (AP) A former police officer in North Mississippi accused of stealing from suspects has pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor theft charges in federal court. Dustin Rambo also pleaded guilty this week to a charge of lying to a federal agent, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported. Prosecutors agreed to drop another charge that accused the 34-year-old Rambo of sexual battery on a woman in his custody. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) A former official who had been responsible for licensing in an Alabama county is free on bond after being indicted on several counts, including using her public office for personal gain. Attorney General Steve Marshall on Thursday announced the arrest of former Tuscaloosa County License Commissioner Lynne C. Robbins on charges of using her public office for personal gain, theft of property in the first degree and seven counts of computer tampering. Robbins surrendered to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriffs Office and was released on $10,000 bond. It was unknown if she has an attorney who could speak on her behalf. Robbins, 56, of Tuscaloosa, served as license commissioner until her resignation in February 2020. The use of public office for personal gain charge involves a series of checks Robbins wrote to her office that were returned unpaid for nonsufficient funds, Marshall's office said in a news release. Robbins is accused of using her position to avoid paying the returned-check fee assessed in bad-check cases and to avoid repaying the face amounts of the unpaid checks, the release said. The theft charge relates to an alleged scheme employed by Robbins, between January 2016 and Dec. 3, 2019, to take cash belonging to the office. The computer tampering charges relate to specific instances where Robbins altered data in the license office's computer network to facilitate an alleged embezzlement scheme and to hide the scheme from discovery by county or state officials, the release said. The charges against Robbins were brought after separate cases against Robbins were referred to the attorney generals office by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts and the Alabama Ethics Commission. Further details were not released. If convicted, Robbins faces between two and 20 years in prison on the use of office for personal gain and theft charges. Each computer tampering charge carries between a year and a day to 10 years in prison. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) COVID-19 booster shots are being made available to Minnesotans who are eligible to receive them under the latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state health officials announced Friday. Minnesotans who got the Pfizer vaccine can get a booster shot at least six months after their initial series if they fall into certain categories as defined by the CDC, including those 65 and older and others with underlying medical conditions. Federal health experts are reviewing data from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson and will decide when people who received those vaccines may be eligible for a booster shot. COVID-19 data released Friday show the state is still in the grips of virus. Health officials reported 2,997 newly confirmed or probable cases and 27 newly reported deaths, bringing the total number of deaths to 8,076 since the pandemic began. Health officials say they expect the state will reach the benchmark of 700,000 overall cases in a few days. These are numbers we had hoped we would not see again, Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said Friday. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in Minnesota has risen over the past two weeks from five deaths per day on Sept. 8 to 11.29 deaths per day on Sept. 22. A total of 752 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, including 213 in intensive care units, officials said. St. Cloud Hospital says its intensive care unit has been full of COVID-19 patients for about two weeks, forcing the facility to expand its ICU and delay care for patients with other conditions. Dr. George Morris, CentraCare Healths medical incident commander, told the St. Cloud Times that about 90% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients were unvaccinated. Because COVID has taken up so many ICU beds, we are now having a hard time placing people who have had car accidents or strokes or heart attacks, Morris told the Star Tribune. So even if you dont have COVID, your care is affected by the pandemic. LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) An investigation into a spate of drug overdose deaths in the Lincoln area was traced back to fentanyl-laced cocaine stolen from a Nebraska State Patrol evidence locker, leading to two arrests, authorities announced Friday. Lincoln police and the patrol revealed at a news conference the arrest of Anna Idigima, 35, and George Weaver Jr., 36, both of Lincoln, on suspicion of distributing illicit drugs. A former Harris County prosecutor testified Friday that he believed District Attorney Kim Ogg used his firing as an excuse to dismiss a difficult case against a police officer charged with murder. The former assistant district attorney, Coby Leslie, testified about how Oggs prosecutors decided to pursue their case against the officer, Felipe Gallegos, who was charged with the killing of Dennis Tuttle during the January 2019 Harding Street drug raid. It was a rare public glimpse into the secret realm of grand juries. The unusual court hearing was also significant, courtroom observers said, because it revealed that prosecutors urged grand jurors not to hear from the accused officer, even though he was eager to testify before the secret judicial body. Gallegos was among a team of narcotics officers who raided a home in south Houston on Jan. 28, 2019. The raid erupted in gunfire, killing homeowners Rhogena Nicholas and Dennis Tuttle, and leaving four officers injured. After the raid, police investigators accused the lead officer behind the raid, Gerald Goines, of lying about buying drugs from the home and other critical elements of the case. The ensuing scandal led to criminal charges against Goines who retired amid investigation in state and federal court. Court denial: Texas judges reject latest request from Kim Ogg to withhold evidence and reports from accused cops Local prosecutors also eventually ended up bringing charges against 10 other current and former officers, mostly related to engaging in a criminal conspiracy to commit theft, padding overtime hours and tampering with government records. But they also sought murder charges against Gallegos, whom they accused of killing Tuttle during the raid. On Friday, the 228th District Court was packed with nearly all of the Harding Street defendants and their attorneys, a team of civil rights prosecutors and numerous spectators. While 11 current and former officers have been charged in the Harding Street scandal, the nearly three-hour proceeding focused mostly on Gallegos, whose murder charges were abruptly dismissed less than a month before his trial was to take place. Ogg announced that a judge had dismissed the murder charge against Gallegos in August, noting in a press release that prosecutors had sought the dismissal because Leslies conduct raised concerns about his judgment. In Leslies termination letter, Ogg accused her former employ-ee of emailing detailed information about the prosecution to people who werent connected to the cases. But during the hearing, Gallegos defense attorney, Rusty Hardin, said he believed the dismissal was a ploy to delay the trial because prosecutors were not ready to try the high-profile case. We were ready for trial, he said. In fact, if they had done it this way, we would probably already have a verdict, but we didnt get it and were told were still exposed. Wrong Door: Botched Houston drug raid not the first Global fishing expedition Prosecutors and defense attorneys dueled for much of the morning over whether or Leslie could be called to testify. Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Larsen argued that allowing a former prosecutor to take the stand to discuss a grand jurys decision on a case that had already been dismissed was unprecedented and a violation of statutory law. She said Gallegos did not have a right to that information and called it a global fishing expedition. Attorneys for the accused officers responded by saying they were concerned their clients constitutional rights had been violated, particularly regarding the right to a speedy trial and the ability to testify on ones own behalf. They have treated this class of defendants who wear blue differently than any other, even those accused of capital murder, said Lisa Andrews, who is representing retired Sgt. Clemente Reyna, one of the accused officers. Ultimately, Judge Frank Aguilar sided with the defense. Legal battle: Lawyer of Houston police officer charged in Harding Street murder blasts DA Ogg A ruse? When he finally took the stand, Leslie confirmed that former Civil Rights Division Chief Natasha Sinclair had specifically told subordinates that she did not want Gallegos to testify before the grand jury and that some of his colleagues had assumed the officers offer to testify before grand jurors was a ruse to try to ascertain prosecutors trial strategy and their theory of the case. Instead, one prosecutor had told grand jurors they had four written statements from Gallegos and suggested they didnt need to hear from him again, he said. I thought it was a horrible mistake not to have your client testify, he blurted, at one point. When asked if he witnessed any prosecutorial misconduct during the grand jury proceedings, the fired prosecutor said hed seen none whatsoever. At one point, he also acknowledged that Ogg had wanted to try the criminal conspiracy cases before taking on Gallegos murder case, and that he had told one defense attorney on the case that he believed the district attorneys office was worried about the strength of the case and that dismissing it would be embarrassing to Ogg. At the end of the hearing, Aguilar warned the attorneys who were present he wanted to hold Goines felony murder trial within 60 days. Afterward, Ogg spokesman Dane Schiller said prosecutors were pleased that Aguilar wanted to bring the case to trial. An operation completely out of control: Damning HPD narcotics audit reveals hundreds of errors The defense wants to talk about anything but what their clients did, he said. Prosecutors are busy preparing to present all the evidence to jurors and deliver justice for the victims who were slain in their homes. Too scared to have the defendant testify? Defense attorneys, however, said the hearing vindicated complaints that Ogg was engaging in political prosecutions particularly the decision from civil rights prosecutors to tell grand jurors they didnt need to hear Gallegos testimony. Ive never even heard of a prosecutor not taking up that opportunity, said Ed McClees, attorney for former Sgt. Thomas Wood. Youve got a super high profile murder case. And youre telling me that theyre too scared to have the defendant testify in that case with his lawyers not even present. Thats it. Thats all you need to know about the strength of that case. Andrews, the attorney for Reyna, excoriated Ogg for allegedly trying to maneuver to try the records tampering cases before trying Gallegos now-defunct murder trial. Conspiring to deprive a defendant of the right to testify in front of a grand jury; conspiring to determine the order in which trials go; dismissing a high-profile murder because youre so afraid to try it. I think those things are misconduct, she said. And I dont think that they are seeking justice. Regarding Texas says its begun 2020 election audit in 4 counties, including Harris, after Trump letter, (Sept. 23): With Gov. Greg Abbotts most recent decision to follow former President Donald Trumps orders, I am reminded of the discussion so many generations of parents have had with their children when they want to blindly follow someone: If they told you to jump off a bridge, would you do it? In Abbotts case, the sad answer is yes. It is well past time for a change. We need a leader in Austin. Katherine Butler, Houston We are now, day by day, learning how many corrupt, unlawful and downright shady dealings went on behind the scenes in Trumps White House. So why would Greg Abbott continue feeling comfortable under Trumps thumb? Trump won Texas so why would there be a need for an audit? Texans have always been recognized as strong, free-thinking people, not the followers of lunacy. Please keep the pressure on our governor for these silly issues. We need a leader, not a follower. The more he tries to look presidential, the more he looks foolish. It is depressing that politics is devoid of ethical representation statewide and especially nationally. Ronald Joubert, Houston The idea of having an audit might turn out to be a splendid one. We might discover that Trump actually did not win in Texas. Gerry Aitken, Stafford So Trump is pressing Abbott to audit the Texas 2020 election. Wouldn't it be appropriate if Biden won the recount? Patricia Roberts, Bellaire Broken trust Regarding Editorial: Tell the truth, Mayor Turner. Why the 'charade' over wasteful housing contract?, (Sept. 22): Thank you for shining light on government shenanigans. Sadly, both Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo have recently tarnished their image, losing their moral authority by their actions. Our community had high expectations for these Ivy League-educated politicians of color. Voters expect elected officials, Democrat and Republican alike, to adhere to high ethical standards and honor taxpayer funds. As a native Houstonian who was gentrified out of the city due to the lack of affordable housing, it's painful to see politics placed over people. With the highest rental and eviction rates mainly impacting low-income communities of color, affordable housing is needed, more than ever. The loss of 274 affordable housing units for Houston-area families is unconscionable. Turner fired former Housing and Community Development Director Tom McCasland for courageously highlighting Turner's bad deal. Hopefully, Houston City Council members will do their best to right this wrong, fix the contract and give McCasland back his job. Politicians would do well to remember their oaths as servant leaders. In the midst of a global pandemic, with people facing crippling unemployment, poverty and a public health crisis, public trust is sacred (especially to encourage vaccinations). Houston deserves better than politics as usual. Anna Nunez, Flower Mound Afterlife Regarding Consider composting instead of cremation, (Sept. 22): How awesome would it be if, after I die, instead of being cremated my body would be composted, and my remains placed in a large pot. In this pot would be planted a sapling, and my soul would nourish it to grow into a tree. The tree would then be placed in the ground, and anyone who wanted to visit me could. Because that tree will be me, and I will be that tree. Bill Silkowski, Galveston Is it really misogyny? Regarding Opinion: Don't just fight abortion bans. Build an economy of care, (Sept. 23): The article written by Elizabeth Gregory supports a liberal viewpoint in support of her field of expertise, but a misogyny claim is perhaps a bit overboard. An excellent case was related regarding the economic disparities due to gender and race that continue to exist. Work to compensate equally qualified folks regardless of gender or race this does need to happen. We can agree on this point and misogyny could be at the heart of this issue. The rest of the article is simply biased toward the points that the author chooses without consideration for alternative arguments, stretching the claim for existing misogyny. I agree with the author that a woman having control of her fertility, mind you, is an excellent virtue, but one that fully exists sans the abortion option through a variety of contraceptives that allow women to engage responsibly in intercourse without consequences. To this point, the abortion option just seems to be unnecessary in this day and age when women have so many and better options to control their fertility. To her other points, both women and men, and people of every race, have the same access to guns. As for domestic violence, that has been an issue since the dawn of time that victimizes both men and women of all races and is a result of a lot more factors than gun access. Robert Petty, Houston WASHINGTON (AP) The White House is facing sharp condemnation from Democrats for its handling of the influx of Haitian migrants at the U.S. southern border, after images of U.S. Border Patrol agents on horseback using aggressive tactics went viral this week. Striking video of agents maneuvering their horses to forcibly block and move migrants attempting to cross the border has sparked resounding criticism from Democrats on Capitol Hill, who are calling on the Biden administration to end its use of a pandemic-era authority to deport migrants without giving them an opportunity to seek asylum in the United States. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., an administration ally, said images of the treatment of the migrants turn your stomach and called on the administration to discontinue the hateful and xenophobic policies of Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump. The policies that are being enacted now and the horrible treatment of these innocent people who have come to the border must stop immediately, Schumer told the Senate on Tuesday. POLITICS: Haitian crisis reignites the left's criticism of Biden's border policy At the same time, the administration continues to face attacks from Republicans, who say Biden isn't doing enough to deal with what they call a crisis at the border. Reflecting the urgency of the political problem for the administration, Homeland Security chief Alejandro Mayorkas said Tuesday the images horrified him, a seeming shift in tone from a day earlier, when he and others were more sanguine about the situation at the border. Mayorkas announced later that the agents involved have been placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of an investigation. The actions were taking are swift and strong, and we will take further action as the facts adduced in the investigation compel, he said on Twitter. It's a highly uncomfortable position for the administration, led by a president who has set himself up as a tonic for the harshness of his predecessor. But immigration is a complex issue, one no administration has been able to fix in decades. And Biden is trapped between conflicting interests of broadcasting compassion while dealing with throngs of migrants coming to the country illegally seeking a better life. The provision in question, known as Title 42, was put in place by the Trump administration in March 2020 to justify restrictive immigration policies in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But the Biden administration has used Title 42 to justify the deportation of Haitian migrants who in recent days have set up an encampment in and around the small city of Del Rio, Texas. The provision gives federal health officials powers during a pandemic to take extraordinary measures to limit transmission of an infectious disease. A federal judge late last week ruled the regulation was improper and gave the government two weeks before its use was to be halted, but the Biden administration on Monday appealed the decision. The Biden administration pushing back on this stay of expulsions is another example of broken promises to treat migrants with respect and humanity when they reach our borders to exercise their fundamental right to asylum, said Karla Marisol Vargas, senior attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project and co-counsel on the litigation. NAACP President Derrick Johnson demanded a meeting with Biden to discuss the situation and called the treatment of the Haitian migrants utterly sickening. RACE FOR GOVERNOR: 5 reasons Beto is a better candidate for governor than president The humanitarian crisis happening under this administration on the southern border disgustingly mirrors some of the darkest moments in Americas history, he said in a statement. Shortly after the judge's decision on Friday, Homeland Security officials formed a plan to begin immediately turning the groups of Haitian migrants around, working against the clock. But people kept coming. Trump essentially put a chokehold on immigration. He decreased the number of refugees admitted to a record low, made major changes to policy and essentially shut down asylum. Biden has undone many of the Trump-era policies, but since his inauguration, the U.S. has seen a dramatic spike in the number of people encountered by border officials. The Haitian migrants are the latest example. More than 6,000 Haitians and other migrants have been removed from the encampment in Del Rio, and Mayorkas predicted a dramatic change in the number of migrants there within the next two to four days as the administration continues the removal process. As the controversy swirled around him, Biden spent his Tuesday address at the U.N. General Assembly in New York calling for the global community to come together to defend human rights and combat injustice worldwide, declaring, the future will belong to those who embrace human dignity, not trample it. The remarks stood in notable contrast to images of the Border Patrol agents on horseback. Biden himself seemed to acknowledge the challenge his administration faces with immigration, offering a clipped response when asked by a reporter after his U.N. remarks to offer his reaction to the images. Well get it under control, he insisted. Vice President Kamala Harris also weighed in, telling reporters in Washington that she was deeply troubled by the images and planned to talk to Mayorkas about the situation. Harris has been tasked with addressing the root causes of migration to the U.S., and emphasized that the U.S. should support some very basic needs that the people of Haiti have that are causing them to flee their homes for the U.S. Videos and photos taken in recent days in and around Del Rio show Border Patrol agents confronting Haitians along the Rio Grande near a border bridge where thousands of migrants have gathered in hopes of entering the country. One Border Patrol agent on horseback was seen twirling his long leather reins in a menacing way at the Haitian migrants, but not actually striking anyone. There was no sign in photos and videos viewed by The Associated Press that the mounted agents were carrying whips or using their reins as such when confronting the migrants. The agents, wearing chaps and cowboy hats, maneuvered their horses to forcibly block and move the migrants, almost seeming to herd them. In at least one instance, they were heard taunting the migrants. Asked about the images on Tuesday, Mayorkas told lawmakers that the issue had been uppermost in my mind ever since he had seen them. He said the department had alerted its inspector generals office and directed that staff from the Office of Professional Responsibility be present round-the-clock in Del Rio. I was horrified to see the images, and we look forward to learning the facts that are adduced from the investigation, and we will take actions that those facts compel, Mayorkas said. We do not tolerate any mistreatment or abuse of a migrant. Period. Previously, during a Monday news conference, both Mayorkas and Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz played down the incident, with Ortiz telling reporters that the agents were working in a difficult and chaotic environment and trying to control their horses. COVID: What you need to know about the R. 1 variant White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Mayorkas spoke Monday before he had seen the images. He believes this does not represent who we are as a country and does not represent the positions of the Biden-Harris administration," Psaki told reporters on Tuesday. Criticism was withering from members of Congress, including Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee. He called on Mayorkas to take immediate action to hold those responsible accountable. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also called for an investigation. Republicans, meanwhile, stepped up their continued criticism of Bidens approach to the border, with 26 Republican governors calling on the president to change his border policies. A crisis that began at the southern border now extends beyond to every state and requires immediate action before the situation worsens," they said in a statement. Latest draft of the Emerging Technology Charter for London encourages local authorities, public services and technology companies to improve how they implement technology in the capital London has published the latest iteration of its Emerging technology charter, a set of practical and ethical guidelines that outline the citys expectations for how new data-enabled technologies should be developed and deployed for use in the public realm. The fourth version of the charter, which was first announced in July 2020, is built around four principles openness, respecting diversity, being trustworthy with peoples data, and sustainability that are designed to lay out a clear pathway for how a range of future smart city technologies can be used ethically. This includes driverless cars, facial recognition software, drones, sensor networks, robotics, mobility services, augmented or virtual reality, and automated or algorithmic decision-making systems. Through these principles, the charter aims to set common expectations for how buyers and makers can innovate successfully; give Londoners and their elected representatives a clear framework to ask questions about the technologies being deployed in London; and improve transparency around the products and services that data protection law considers a high risk to privacy. By setting out the charters principles in this way, we aim to foster a trustworthy environment for innovation to flourish, and to do so responsibly for the benefit of Londoners, it said. Although the guidelines are voluntary, both local government and technology companies are being encouraged to adopt them. The charter will be shared with the Global Observatory on Urban Artificial Intelligence (AI), an initiative launched by London, Barcelona and Amsterdam in June 2021 that aims to monitor artificial intelligence (AI) deployment trends and promote its ethical use, as part of the wider Cities Coalition for Digital Rights (CC4DR). Public consultation is vital Drafted by the chief digital officer for London, Theo Blackwell, and advised by a working group drawn from the Smart London Board, the charter was developed through an open process of public consultation with subject experts, innovators and Londoners themselves. Speaking to Computer Weekly, Blackwell said the consultation process is vital to the ongoing development of the charter, and has already lead to a number of important changes from previous versions, including the focus on sustainability. It became very clear that people wanted a separate principle around sustainabilitywhen we started we thought Lets just deal with the main area of debate around the ethics of new technology, but actually by the end of the process and were really glad we did develop it in the open this was part of the discussion, he said, adding that these interactions led to a realisation that while many smart city technologies are perceived as virtual, they are still very much part of our physical, built environment. Blackwell further added that many technology ethics charters or guidelines are produced either by government or academia, both which rely on polling and expert interpretations of that polling as their form of engagement with the public. Were in a position where we have the opportunity to talk to people, and we got really valuable input from Londoners around this, he said. Another new addition to the charter (which falls under the being trustworthy with data principle) is around the use of biometric technologies such as eyeball tracking or live facial-recognition (LFR) technology by non-law enforcement bodies, which was added in light of an opinion issued by the information commissioner Elizabeth Denham in June 2021. Noting in a blog post at the time that she was deeply concerned about the inappropriate and reckless use of live facial-recognition in public spaces, Denham said that none of the organisations investigated by her office were able to fully justify their use of the technology, leading her to publish an official commissioners opinion to act as guidance for companies and public sector bodies. Organisations will need to demonstrate high standards of governance and accountability from the outset, including being able to justify that the use of LFR is fair, necessary and proportionate in each specific context in which it is deployed. They need to demonstrate that less intrusive techniques wont work, she wrote. Blackwell said the commissioners opinion sets a very, very high bar for the use of these technologies, as organisations would need to consider what alternative technologies might meet the same outcome something that has been written directly into the charter. Data protection impact assessments In line with Denhams opinion that any organisation considering deploying LFR in a public place must carry out a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) to decide whether or not to go ahead with the deployment, the charter also encourages companies to publish their completed DPIAs. A DPIA is a legal obligation to identify and minimise the risks of a project that when it is likely to result in a high risk to individuals, it said. Following the completion of your DPIA, we recommend you publish it on the GLAs [Greater London Authoritys] central register of DPIAs on the London Datastore to promote public transparency and good practice. Blackwell said that by providing an element of transparency where there was once obscurityI think that helps build trust, adding that one of the biggest criticisms people level at smart city projects is their often unexplainable, black-box nature. One of the challenges with smart cities is technology solutions being imposed on us, under the aegis that it helps operational efficiency, [meaning] its like an administrative matter, rather than something that has to do with you in your daily life, he said, adding that with new technologies, people dont often know the right questions to ask of the people responsible for buying it. Through this emphasis on consultation and transparency within the charter, and by providing both citizens and politicians with a clear framework for how new technologies should be approached, Blackwell said the charter will enable a higher quality of scrutiny. The arbiter of this is actually reputation, thats the enforcement mechanism here. If we set out to our elected representatives a framework by which we ask the right questions of technology, the quality of the answer becomes even more important, he said. When we say the charter is voluntary, it might sound a bit weak, but this is also a nice framework to bring together the kinds of things that might impact the reputation of your organisation if you dont consider them and dont explain what youre doing. In terms of how technology companies themselves have reacted to the charter and its development, Blackwell said while many were very welcoming of the principles in particular, some wanted to know what London itself would do to meet them halfway and help spur innovation. The quid pro quo here is that were setting out a clear framework that allows you to successfully innovate we dont need additional incentives in play, he said. Source: https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252507107/London-publishes-guidelines-for-ethical-use-of-smart-city-tech Clues for Annual Fall Foliage Leaf Hunt Follow Parade Theme The Fall Foliage Leaf Hunt committee is pleased to announce that nine of the 15 hidden leaves have been returned and the hunters rewarded with prizes. Here are second clues to assist you in solving the remaining six: Under Games, the children's card game War, only No. 5 in North Adams at the site of our Veterans Day ceremonies has not been returned. Under Movies, the classic "On The Waterfront," No. 7 in Williamstown under the fir trees and 10 in Adams, the only one not actually on a body of water but at a water source, remain to be solved. Under Take Out, No. 13 in Adams where billions and billions served, 14 also in Adams but not at Chee's, and 15 in Cheshire along the bike trail need to be returned to Pedrin's to claim your prize. Remember to take the yellow or orange leaf and leave the green so fellow hunters will know they had the right idea but were not the first ones there. Thanks to all who have participated. A complete list of winners, locations and sponsors will be announced in mid-October. ______________________________________________________________ NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The annual Fall Foliage Leaf Hunt, a traditional popular feature of Fall Foliage Festival Week, returns this year and starts Saturday. This year the committee has revealed that there will be 15 colorful leaves hidden in North Adams, Adams, Clarksburg, Cheshire, Florida and Williamstown. The first set of clues are listed below. When a leaf is found it should be brought to Pedrin's Dairy Bar during normal operating hours to claim a prize. One prize per household please. All leaves should be returned by Oct. 12. Prizes are generously donated by area merchants including Pedrin's, Boston Sea Foods, Craft Food Barn, Planet Fitness, Big Y, North Adams Museum, North Adams MoviePlex 8, Walmart and Wild Oats. A second set of clues will be announced in the event of unclaimed leaves. The committee has repeated the last two years' successful procedure whereby one plastic bag with a yellow or orange leaf should be removed and brought in and another with a green leaf should be left at the site so that subsequent hunters will know they correctly solved the clue but someone already claimed the prize-winning leaf. A complete list of winners, locations and sponsors will be released in October. As always, the leaf committee has included an invisible leaf hunt for homebound residents. Interested persons are asked to mail a postcard (or card in an envelope) with the number of the clue and the answer/s with their name, address and phone number, to the Mayor's Office of Tourism, City Hall, 10 Main St. North Adams MA 01247. Only mailed entries will be accepted. In the event of a tie, the earliest postmark will determine the winner. Answers must be received by Oct. 12. This year's theme is "Games, Movies and Takeout" the things that kept us going through COVID. The first set of clues are: The children's card game War 1. North Adams 2. Adams 3. North Adams 4. Florida 5. North Adams The classic movie 'On The Waterfront' 6. North Adams 7. Williamstown 8. Cheshire 9. Clarksburg 10. Adams Takeout 11. North Adams 12. Williamstown 13. Adams 14. Cheshire 15. Adams Invisible Leaf Hunt Clues (fill in the blanks) 1. War: During the Civil War local troops called the _________ ________, mustered in the yard of what is now _______ _________ on ________________Street in North Adams. 2. On the Waterfront: The YMCA ran _________ _____________. in North Adams at the ___________ ________________ also known as _________ __________. 3. Takeout: In Williamstown _______ __________ restaurant, although mainly eat-in, advertised ________________ flavors of today's popular take-out item _________ _______. Good luck. Thanks for participating. A woman who describes herself as a shaman has pleaded not guilty to starting a quick-spreading California wildfire that resulted in the destruction of more than 40 homes. Alexandra Souverneva, 30, is suspected of lighting a fire near where the Fawn Fire started, according to Cal Fire, after reportedly lighting a fire to boil bear urine to drink. Ms Souverneva is a former forestry student who describes her current job as a shaman in her Linkedin profile. According to the Daily Mail, she said during questioning that she had found a puddle containing bear urine and attempted to light a fire to boil the liquid. However, she claimed that she could not light a fire, so drank the liquid anyway and went on with her hike. Workers saw a woman acting suspiciously and trespassing on property in Shasta County, and authorities say that Ms Souverneva was later seen emerging near the fire line and asking fire crews for help. Cal Fire said that she was found to have a lighter in her pocket and she was removed from the area for evaluation and treatment. Officials say that during an interview with Cal Fire law enforcement officers came to believe she was responsible for starting the fire. Recommended California power company charged with manslaughter over 2020 wildfire The 30-year-old from Palo Alto, California, was arrested and booked into Shasta County Jail. The countys District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett has now charged her with felony arson to wildland with an enhancement due to the declared state of emergency California is under. She had pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor says that Ms Souverneva is also suspected of setting more fires in the county and other areas of California. The Fawn Fire has already burned more than 5,850 acres of remote land amid hot and gusty winds and has destroyed 25 structures. Officials say that around 2,000 other structures are at risk and people in neighbouring areas have been warned they may have to leave. The number of people already under evacuation orders is not known. California fires have burned more than 3,671 square miles this year, destroying more than 3,200 homes, commercial properties, and other structures. News of the arrest comes as a California power company has been charged with manslaughter for its equipment sparking a 2020 wildfire that left four people dead and hundreds more homeless. Pacific Gas & Electric, the countrys largest utility company, has been charged on 31 counts by prosecutors over the Zogg Fire, which burned last year near the city of Redding. Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett announced on Friday that the manslaughter and other criminal charges against the company including 11 felonies. Last year the company pleaded guilty last year to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter in the 2018 blaze caused by its electrical grid that destroyed the town of Paradise in the deadliest US wildfire in a century. The Zogg fire broke out on began on 27 September 2020 and burned around 87 square miles of the Sierra Nevada, killing four people and destroying almost 200 homes. The Prince of Wales has launched a television channel on Amazon Prime that is dedicated to promoting programmes about the climate crisis. RE:TV, as the channel is called, will highlight projects from across the globe as chosen by Prince Charles with the aim of promoting a more environmentally friendly planet. The channel will feature both new and old films, covering topics such as sustainable fashion, coffee production, innovation and the environment as a whole. Ive spent a lot of my lifetime trying to engage people and businesses with the issues and solutions of the climate crisis, said Prince Charles RE:TV was therefore set up with the aim of capturing the will and imagination of humanity and to champion the most inspiring solutions for sustainability from around the world. Charles is a staunch advocate for taking action against the climate crisis, having launched a new charter earlier this year in order to promote sustainable practices within the private business sector. The Terra Carta charter sets out a ten-point action plan for businesses as part of a recovery plan designed to drastically improve the carbon footprint of businesses by 2030. Designed by former Chief Design Officer at Apple, Sir Jony Ive, the Terra Carta comes as part of the Sustainable Markets Initiative that was launched by Prince Charles in January 2020 at the World Economic Forums Annual Meeting in Davos. Speaking at the One Planet Summit that took place in January 2021, Prince Charles commented: Today, I am making an urgent appeal to leaders, from all sectors and from around the world to give their support to this Terra Carta to bring prosperity into harmony with Nature, People and Planet over the coming decade. I can only encourage, in particular, those in industry and finance to provide practical leadership to this common project, as only they are able to mobilize the innovation, scale and resources that are required to transform our global economy. The Duchess of Cambridge has paid tribute to Sabina Nessa with a statement shared on Twitter. Ms Nessa was killed at the age of 28 last week near Pegler Square in Kidbooke, southeast London. A vigil was held at the square on Friday night, with several hundred mourners in attendance. Now, Kate Middleton is among those to have paid tribute to the late school teacher. On Friday, the Kensington Royal Twitter account posted a personal note from Kate, which she signed off with her initial C. I am saddened by the loss of another innocent young woman on our streets, the statement began. My thoughts are with Sabinas family and friends, and all those who have been affected by this tragic event. C. It is understood that flowers were laid on the duchesss behalf at the vigil. Kate also laid flowers at the Clapham Common bandstand earlier this year to honour the life of Sarah Everard, who was murdered when she was walking home to Brixton by ex-Met Police officer Wayne Couzens. The duchess is not the only public figure to have paid homage to Ms Nessa, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan releasing a statement on Friday ahead of the vigil. The vigil for Sabina Nessa tonight is an important and emotional moment for the whole community to come together and remember Sabinas life, and to stand in solidarity with her family and loved ones during this time of unimaginable grief, he said. Sabinas family, friends and colleagues have shared powerful tributes to her life. Its clear that she was a bright, kind and caring young woman, who had a powerful impact on those around her. What happened to Sabina is every parents nightmare and every womans worst fear. Her death is a tragedy and I stand with the community in Kidbrooke and Londoners across our city, united in grief and united in our determination that justice is done. Close Military tankers begin delivering fuel in bid to ease crisis No 10 said it is hard to put a specific date on when fuel supplies would return to normal - but insisted the situation was improving. Weve seen demand return back towards normal levels, the prime ministers official spokesperson said on Monday. It came as army tanker drivers started delivering fuel to petrol stations in a bid to ease shortages as Operation Escalin got underway. The troops were set to be concentrated in London and the Southeast, where the worst fuel shortages remained. Petrol stations have run dry and long queues have formed at forecourts as the UK grappled with the fuel crisis caused by a shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers and panic buying. A campaign group that has sent thousands of letters to schools threatening legal action if children get Covid jabs without parental consent has said it has been forced to stop because of censorship issues. Lawyers for Liberty, a UK group that says it aims to restore democracy and freedom, has contacted schools at the request of parents, who would remain anonymous. Anti-vaxxers have targeted schools with protests and legal threats as they prepared to start rolling out coronavirus vaccines to 12 to 15 year olds this week. The government has said teenagers will have the power to overrule parents who do not give their consent for Covid vaccines - a move which has angered anti-vaxxers. Parents have been able to ask Lawyers for Liberty to send a formal letter to their school stating the legal risks of this policy. This would be done without their identity being disclosed to the school; the letter only says a concerned parent had been in touch over the Covid vaccine rollout. Parents simply had to submit the details of the school and headteacher on the campaign groups website and the letter would be emailed to the headteacher, with the Lawyers for Liberty team as the sender. But this email campaign co-ordinated by the UK group was no longer available as the rollout of jabs to children got underway across schools this week, with the website button returning a page that says: We are currently experiencing censorship issues. It adds: This means that we cannot continue to bring you this campaign at the moment. However, the letter template is still available to view and download online. In a blog post published on Monday, Lawyers for Liberty said it had received nearly five thousand requests for emails to headteachers, putting them on notice of their legal responsibilities and liabilities if they go ahead with Covid-19 vaccination on school premises. The group added: Unfortunately, owing to circumstances beyond our control, this campaign is now closed. The Independent previously reported that the letter was being circulated around anti-vax groups on messaging site Telegram, with members urging others to get in touch with Lawyers for Liberty and ask them to email schools. The letter told headteachers: If a parent communicates to you that their child is not to be included in the vaccination programme or does not provide consent, then that decision must be respected, without any further consequences for the child, including direct or indirect discrimination or coercion. It added: Failure to do so may result in possible legal claims against you personally and for your school. The UK group that ran this campaign has no connection to a Malaysian human rights and law reform organisation also called Lawyers for Liberty. Geoff Barton from the Association for Schools and Leaders said many schools had received letters about possible legal consequences if they participate in the Covid vaccine rollout to 12 to 15 year olds. This is extremely unhelpful and we have called on pressure groups and individuals to stop sending them, the union leader added. A government spokesperson said: Covid-19 vaccines have saved more than 112,300 lives in England alone so far and are the best way to help us live safely with this virus. It is never acceptable for anyone to pressurise or intimidate pupils, teachers or the wider school community. They added: The government has provided updated guidance to schools on how to manage vaccination-related protests in liaison with the police, NHS and their local authority, should they take place. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it was aware some schools were receiving campaign letters and emails with misinformation about the vaccine programme, after ministers confirmed children aged 12 to 15 would be able to start receiving Covid jabs. The rollout of Covid vaccines for children in this age bracket kicked off this week in England, Scotland and Wales, with nearly three million children set to be offered the jab. It came after the UKs chief medical officers said a single dose of Pfizer for this cohort would significantly reduce the chance of a young person getting Covid and passing the virus on. More than 100,000 children were off school last week due to confirmed or suspected Covid, according to official government figures. Parental consent will not be needed for Covid jabs if a child is considered competent to make a decision by themselves, although Englands chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty has said for the great majority of cases, children and their parents come to the same decision. Prof Whitty also said this week children who do not take up the offer of a Covid vaccine should expect to catch the virus sooner or later. Lawyers for Liberty has been approached for comment. Police officers have been stationed at vaccination buses across North London after anti-vaxxers moved to prevent people from receiving the vaccine and also harassed staff. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the move this week after individuals became increasingly volatile to NHS staff administering the vaccine in the mobile vaccine centres. In a tweet, Willesden MPS wrote: Due to individuals becoming increasingly volatile to NHS staff and trying to prevent members of the public taking the vaccine we are now conducting static patrols beside NHS vaccine buses. A spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police said no staff were physically harmed during the disturbances. According to NHS staff on scene small groups of anti vaxxers had been attending the location and verbally discouraging/harassing those waiting to have the vaccine, the spokesperson said. We are currently conducting static patrols around the NHS buses to prevent further disturbance from occurring, they added. The vaccination buses were first launched in Brent, north west London in April this year to tackle vaccine hesitation in the borough. The buses are stationed in local areas where vaccine take-up is low offering residents an opportunity to be immunised against coronavirus and also discuss personal concerns around the vaccine. Councillor Neil Nerva, Brents Cabinet Member for Public Health, Culture and Leisure said: We are grateful for the support of the local police. It is important that everyone has the right to make the choice to protect themselves and those around them by getting the vaccine without being prevented from doing so, and that NHS and council key workers are not subject to abuse or intimidation. We thank the police and the community for their support. Police have launched a criminal investigation into four deaths at Glasgows Queen Elizabeth University Hospital including that of a 10-year-old girl. Officers will look into how Milly Main contracted a fatal infection while being treated at the Royal Hospital for Children part of the QEUH campus. Two other unnamed childrens deaths will be assessed as part of the investigation, as well as that of a 73-year-old woman. It comes after Millys mother, Kimberly Darroch, told a review that her daughters death had been murder. She spoke out as part of the Scottish Hospitals inquiry, which is currently looking at issues with the construction of facilities in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. "My view is that the hospital should be closed, she said. I don't think it's safe I feel like the health board need to be punished for all of this." Milly died in 2017 after contracting stenotrophomonas an infection found in water while being treated for leukaemia. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has now instructed police to investigate, a spokesperson confirmed on Saturday. They said: The Procurator Fiscal has received reports in connection with the deaths of three children and a 73-year-old woman at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus, Glasgow. The investigation into the deaths is ongoing and the families will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments. The spokesman added: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is committed to supporting the work of the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry and contributing positively and constructively to that work. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: Our investigation is at a very early stage, it would be inappropriate to comment further. When Hungary and Poland joined the European Union in 2004, after decades of Communist domination, they thirsted for Western democratic standards and prosperity. Yet 17 years later, as the EU ramps up efforts to rein in democratic backsliding in both countries, some of the governing right-wing populists in Hungary and Poland are comparing the bloc to their former Soviet oppressors and flirting with the prospect of exiting the bloc. Brussels sends us overlords who are supposed to bring Poland to order, on our knees," a leading member of Poland's governing Law and Justice party, Marek Suski, said this month, adding that Poland will fight the Brussels occupier as it fought past Nazi and Soviet occupiers. Its unclear to what extent this kind of talk represents a real desire to leave the 27-member bloc or a negotiating tactic to counter arm-twisting from Brussels. The two countries are the largest net beneficiaries of EU money, and the vast majority of their citizens want to stay in the bloc. Yet the rhetoric has increased in recent months, after the EU resorted to financially penalizing members that fail its rule of law and democratic governance standards. In December, EU lawmakers approved a regulation tying access to some EU funds to a countrys respect for the rule of law. This is seen as targeting Hungary and Poland close political allies often accused of eroding judicial independence and media freedom, and curtailing minority and migrant rights. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called the so-called rule of law mechanism a political and ideological weapon designed to blackmail countries like Hungary that reject immigration. His Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki called it a bad solution that threatens a breakup of Europe in the future. The EUs executive Commission has also delayed payment of tens of billions of euros in post-pandemic recovery funds over concerns the two countries spending plans do not adequately safeguard against corruption or guarantee judicial independence. In an interview Thursday with the AP, Hungarys Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto was defiant, insisting that the withholding of EU funds would not compel his country to change course. We will not compromise on these issues because we are a ... sovereign nation. And no one, not even the European Commission, should blackmail us regarding these policies, Szijjarto said. This month, th e EU Commission moved to force Poland to comply with the rulings of Europes top court by recommending daily fines in a long-running dispute over the countrys judicial system. This prompted Ryszard Terlecki, deputy head of Poland's governing party, to say Poland should think about ... how much we can cooperate, with the EU and consider "drastic solutions. Terlecki later walked back his comments. Hungary's Orban has repeatedly insisted that there is life outside the European Union." Last month an opinion article in daily Magyar Nemzet a flagship newspaper allied with Orban's Fidesz party said its time to talk about Huxit a Hungarian version of Brexit, the U.K.s departure from the EU last year. With the finance minister also suggesting Hungary might be better off outside the EU, Orbans opponents worry he is actually considering that. Katalin Cseh, a liberal Hungarian EU lawmaker, told The Associated Press it was outrageous that senior Fidesz politicians and pundits were openly calling to consider" Hungarys EU exit. They stand ready to destroy the single greatest achievement of our countrys recent history, Cseh said. But Daniel Hegedus, a fellow for Central Europe at the German Marshall Fund, says the Hungarian rhetoric could be politically calculated leveraging against the potential loss of EU funding. (They are saying), If you dont give us the money, then we can be even more uncomfortable for you, he said. Recent surveys show that well over 80% of both Poles and Hungarians want to stay in the EU. This seems to have had an effect on both governments. In a radio interview last week, Orban said Hungary will be among the last ones in the EU, should it ever cease to exist. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Poland's most powerful politician, said last week that the countrys future is in the EU and that there will be no Polexit. Political analyst Jacek Kucharczyk, president of the Institute of Public Affairs, a Warsaw-based think tank, told the AP that while Polands ruling party invigorates its nationalist base with its feuds with Brussels, popular support for EU membership constrains its options. The result is a kind of balancing act, Kucharczyk said. "Tough words about the EU and immediate and vehement denials that they want Poland to leave the Union. But Polish opposition leader and former top EU official Donald Tusk warned that allowing anti-EU rhetoric to grow out of control could unintentionally touch off an unstoppable process. Catastrophes like, for example, Brexit, or the possible exit of Poland from the EU, very often happen not because someone planned it, but because someone did not know how to plan a wise alternative, Tusk said. With Orban's party facing tight elections next year and Poland's governing coalition showing strains, battles with the EU can also serve purely domestic political purposes. Hungarys anti-EU rhetoric is likely a test balloon to gauge public support on how far the government can take its conflicts with the bloc, Hegedus said, and to garner support for the ruling party ahead of elections. I think they are framing this whole issue very consciously so that people will associate the European Union with rather controversial issues which are dividing Hungarian society, he said. Some European leaders have already run out of patience with both countries. In July, the Commission started legal action against Poland and Hungary for what it sees as disrespect for LGBT rights. In June, after Hungary adopted a law that critics said targeted LGBT people, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Hungary has no business in the EU, and suggested Orban activates the mechanism that precipitated Brexit. Huxit would be "clearly against the will of Hungarian citizens, who remain staunchly pro-EU," Cseh, the European Parliament member, said. And we will fight for our countrys hard-earned place in the European community with everything weve got." ___ Gera reported from Warsaw, Poland. A badly bruised Keir Starmer will ask the Labour conference to back a watered-down shake-up of leadership rules, after an embarrassing defeat in his bid to scrap the voting system that elected Jeremy Corbyn. The five-day event got off to the worst possible start for the Labour leader, who was forced into a U-turn that dented his authority and created a rift with his own deputy, Angela Rayner. After the trade unions opposed the change which would have seen the party return to an electoral college system, handing power from members to MPs a set of diluted proposals will be put to delegates in Brighton on Sunday. The one member, one vote system will survive, but candidates will now need the backing of 20 per cent of MPs to reach the ballot that goes to members, making a left-wing challenge far more difficult. Under Mr Corbyns leadership, the threshold was lowered to 10 per cent but even 20 per cent represents another defeat for Sir Keir, who had pushed for 25 per cent. Strikingly, Ms Rayner refused to endorse the proposed change ahead of the morning meeting of the ruling national executive committee (NEC), as did the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar. The deputy leader appeared to be furious that her own major announcement to bolster workers rights had been eclipsed by yet more Labour infighting over party rules. Mish Rahman, a Momentum-backed member of the NEC, accused Sir Keir of trying to destroy the right of ordinary people to shape the future of the party by handing power to the Westminster elite. If the 20 per cent threshold applied to the 2020 leadership election, it would have been a contest between Sir Keir Starmer QC and Sir Keir Starmer QC, he said. The leaders pick as party general secretary also suffered a bumpy ride in the conference hall, as he was heckled while discussing why people joined Labour. When David Evans told delegates: Everybody remembers why they joined Labour, before asking: What was it for you?, there were shouts of Oh, Jeremy Corbyn! A left-wing attempt to oust Mr Evans failed when his appointment was endorsed, but only by 59 per cent of votes to 41 per cent. Sir Keir attempted to put a brave face on his previous setback, after his deal with the unions was endorsed by 22 votes to 12 at the NEC meeting. The package will also abolish the policy of allowing registered supporters to vote in leadership elections for a one-off fee, and will require anyone wishing to vote to have been a member of the party for six months. And the percentage of local party members whose backing is needed to trigger a reselection battle for an MP will rise from one-third to 50 per cent. Im very pleased these party reforms have got the backing of our NEC, Sir Keir said. These proposals put us in a better position to win the next general election, and I hope constituency and trade-union delegates will support them when they come to conference floor. There is certain to be an anguished inquest into why the leader chose to fight an internal battle ahead of what is regarded as a make-or-break conference the first he has addressed as party leader. Many are mystified as to why, knowing he needed the unions support, he failed to roll the pitch for the changes instead of suddenly unveiling them less than a week ago. Sir Keir will hope to recover enough to be able to use the conference to convince the public that Labour has the answers to the cost-of-living crisis that threatens to turn the coming months into another winter of discontent. But other flashpoints loom, with more fighting likely to kick off at any hint that the leadership might back away from Mr Corbyns commitment to faster curbs on carbon emissions, and on the subject of trans rights, after Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield said she feared for her safety if she were to travel to Brighton for the conference. And the former leader still suspended from sitting as a Labour MP will stalk the conference fringe with popular speaking slots at the nearby The World Transformed event. In a fresh setback for Keir Starmer as Labours annual conference gets under way in Brighton, a poll for The Independent has found that Andy Burnham is the preferred choice as leader, not only of voters in general but also among the partys own supporters. The exclusive Savanta ComRes poll for The Independent found despondency among Labour supporters about the chances of election victory under Starmers leadership and uncertainty among voters about who he is as a person and what direction he wants to take the country. The findings will intensify pressure on Starmer this week to show he can make a breakthrough with the electorate in time for a general election, which is expected in 2023. It sets up his keynote speech on Wednesday as a make-or-break moment to boost his own personal appeal to voters and set out a compelling case for Labour or face escalating calls for his replacement by someone better able to oust Boris Johnsons Conservatives from power. Mr Burnham is not currently eligible to stand for leader, as he is not an MP. But the Greater Manchester mayor has not given up hopes of another bid for the top job, saying after Labours dismal showing in local elections in May that if the party were ever to feel it needed me, Im here and they should get in touch. The exclusive Savanta ComRes poll for The Independent on the eve of the Brighton gathering found that Mr Burnham was top choice for Labour leader for 19 per cent of voters, against 14 per cent who plumped for Starmer and 7 per cent for London mayor Sadiq Khan. Among those who voted Labour in 2019, Mr Burnhams popularity rose to 25 per cent, against 22 per cent for Sir Keir and 8 per cent for Mr Khan. Left-wing alternatives performed poorly, with just 4 per cent of Labour supporters wanting the leadership to go to either deputy Angela Rayner or former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and 3 per cent to Rebecca Long-Bailey, who was defeated by Starmer in lasts years contest to succeed Jeremy Corbyn. A majority of voters thought Labour was unlikely to win the next election under Starmers leadership with 24 per cent rating it not at all likely and 31 per cent not likely, against 18 per cent who said a Labour victory was likely and 10 per cent very likely. Even among Labour supporters, the proportion thinking Starmer could win a the next election, at 44 per cent, only marginally exceeded the 42 per cent who said he was not likely to. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 4 October 2021 A delegate passes a street cleaner on the second day of the annual Conservative Party Conference being held at the Manchester Central convention centre AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2021 Margaret Thatcher-themed mugs for sale at the annual Conservative Party conference in Manchester EPA UK news in pictures 2 October 2021 A couple make their way through a flooded underpass in Bristol as a yellow weather warning for rain and wind is issued for parts of the UK Tom Wren/SWNS UK news in pictures 1 October 2021 A driver talks to members of the media after passing his HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) driving test at National Driving Centre in Croydon, south London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 30 September 2021 The centrepiece One Thousand Springs by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota is seen ahead of the beginning of the Japan Festival, a celebration of the countrys plants, art and culture running from 2-31 October, at Kew Gardens in London PA UK news in pictures 29 September 2021 The family of Betty Campbell unveil the bronze sculpture of her during the unveiling of the statue in Central Square, Cardiff, of Betty Campbell, Wales' first black headteacher PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2021 A sign referring to the lack of fuel is placed at the entrance to a petrol station in London AP UK news in pictures 27 September 2021 Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London PA UK news in pictures 26 September 2021 Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer watches the Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur match at The Font pub in Brighton PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2021 Scottish pro-independence supporters hold a march and rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK news in pictures 24 September 2021 Police officers remove two protesters from the top of a tanker, as Insulate Britain block the A20 in Kent, which provides access to the Port of Dover in Kent. The environmental activists have moved location after been banned from campaigning on the M25 motorway in London PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2021 Gabriella, the seven year old daughter of imprisoned British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, joins in a game on a giant snakes and ladders board in Parliament Square, to show the ups and downs of her mothers case to mark the 2,000 days she has been detained in Iran AP UK news in pictures 22 September 2021 A new sign hangs on the Millicent Fawcett statue after it was altered by CrackTheCrises coalition activists to highlight the climate crisis as a feminist struggle in Parliament Square in London EPA UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2021 Bubbles surround Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo before the match against West Ham at London Stadium Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA The poll reflected Sir Keirs long-standing inability to pull Labour clear of the Conservatives, despite the problems Boris Johnsons party has faced with the Covid crisis, Brexit damage to business, soaring NHS waiting lists, empty supermarket shelves, rocketing energy prices and squabbling over Northern Ireland. Recent surveys have seen Conservatives maintaining an average five-point lead over Labour, with a margin of advantage hovering around 40-35 per cent. Meanwhile, Starmers personal ratings have plummeted, with people thinking he is doing a bad job outnumbering by three to one (59-20 per cent) those who say he is doing well at the end of last month, after level-pegging at the start of 2021. Todays poll found that a clear majority (51-28 per cent) felt he had failed to articulate a clear vision of where he wants to take the party since becoming leader in April 2020. Just 31 per cent said Sir Keir had succeeded in making Labour ready for government, against 50 per cent who said he had not. Some 32 per cent said he had provided an effective opposition to Mr Johnsons Tories, against 48 per cent who did not believe he had. And just 36 per cent said he had been able to give voters a clear idea of who he is as a person, with 45 per cent saying that he had not. Despite howls of protest from some parts of the Labour left about Sir Keirs move away from the Corbyn agenda, voters were split over whether he had moved the party nearer to the centre ground of UK politics, with 38 per cent saying he had and 37 per cent disagreeing. Asked to rate Starmers qualities against those of Mr Johnson, respondents in the poll found the Labour leader weaker, less inspiring and less patriotic than the prime minister. And a clear majority thought they would enjoy a drink with Johnson (55 per cent, against 45 per cent who would not) rather than Starmer (40-60 per cent). In brighter findings for the Labour leader, he was rated more honest, more decisive and more statesmanlike than the PM. Some 55 per cent said he had good ideas for the country and 45 per cent that he did not, against a 50/50 split for Mr Johnson. More voters said Starmer had a clear vision for the country than Johnson. And when asked if Starmer was able to understand the needs of ordinary people, 43 per cent said he could and 57 per cent that he could not, a far better split than the 36-64 per cent recorded for Johnson. Labour was rated as having better policies than the Tories on health (35-27 per cent), social care (38-23), education (35-27), welfare (39-24), housing (37-23), pensions (33-25), gender equality (30-20), racial equality (31-21) and cultural issues (29-23). But on some of the key issues on which the next election will be decided, Mr Johnsons party maintained a clear lead, preferred over Labour on the economy by 34-27 per cent, on dealing with Covid by 31-25, on Brexit by 34-26, on law and order by 31-27 and on defence by 32-24 per cent. Savanta ComRes interviewed 2,112 British adults between 17-19 September. A new 3bn plan to save the steel industry by making it carbon-neutral is proof that Labour is ready to follow Joe Bidens big spending plans, Ed Miliband says. Announcing the ten-year investment programme, the shadow business secretary said it was essential to give the embattled industry a long term future after years of Conservative neglect. But he also told The Independent, at the start of Labours annual conference: We need a Biden-style green investment, going big, and this is the first instalment of that. We are not willing to allow what happened to the coal mines in the 1980s happen to our steel industry. This is a litmus test for the green transition. Climate change advisers have concluded that clean steelmaking is within reach with proper investment, but the shadow business secretary accused the Tories of failing to try. None of more than 20 European projects to demonstrate green processing is in the UK and a promised 250m government fund is yet to appear, he said. Labours new plans would fund 50 per cent of the expected 6bn cost of the switch to making the industry close to carbon-neutral. Our steel industry will not exist unless we help it to get through this green transition. If we just leave it to the market it is not going to happen, Mr Miliband warned. He accused the Conservatives of not only failing to invest in the transition, but of failing to protect steelmakers from cheap imports that are building schools and hospitals. If you want to represent Red Wall seats, as the Tories claim they do, you have to have an answer on the future for steel, he added. The announcement has been welcomed by both the steel industry and green campaigners, as producers battle fierce international competition and high domestic costs. Making clean steel is significantly more energy intensive and the cost to the sector of bringing it to market will be huge. But, it is necessary and essential to the future of the planet, said UK Steel director general Gareth Stace. Roz Bullied, deputy policy director at Green Alliance, said: By setting a clear decarbonisation goal and investing at scale in research and development in clean, green steel, the UK can protect thousands of well-paid quality jobs, and create economic opportunities in areas of high unemployment. In the interview, Mr Miliband declined to be drawn on the setback for Keir Starmer, as he was forced to shelve plans to ditch the leadership voting rules that elected Jeremy Corbyn. On whether Labour still backs taking energy firms into public ownership a controversy the Labour leader omitted from a 11,500-word plan for the future Mr Miliband suggested the issue is yet to be decided. We do believe there is an important role for public ownership. The precise form of that will be set out at the time of the manifesto, he said. An FBI informant was reportedly among the 6 January rioters, and passed on real-time updates to his handler as the mob stormed the US Capitol seeking to disrupt the official certification of Joe Bidens presidential win. The New York Times reported a member of the far-right Proud Boys militia who was among the thousands to take part in the deadly riot was texting an FBI agent throughout the day. The informant is identified only as belonging to a Midwest chapter of the group. According to the report, the informant was unaware in advance that the group would attempt to break into the US Capitol, where lawmakers were certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election. It suggests that law enforcement were more aware about what was happening on the ground than had been previously known. Records obtained by the Times describe the informant meeting with other Proud Boys on the morning of 6 January by the Washington Monument, where former President Donald Trump spoke at the Stop the Steal rally that preceded the violent scene at the Capitol. The Proud Boys is notorious for instigating fights at protests, but according to the informants version of events, the group were simply following a pro-Trump mob consumed by herd mentality. Militia members reportedly had a long debate about whether to enter the Capitol, and eventually made their way into the building. The informant escaped through a window after a police officer told him someone had been shot inside, possibly referring to Ashli Babbitt. The informant seems to suggest there was no plot to storm the Capitol prior to the riot, and the intelligence may form part of the House select committees investigation into the events of that day. It appears the informant was a foot soldier in the group, rather than one of its leaders. Of the more than 600 rioters charged with offenses from the riot, 15 were members of the Proud Boys. The 6January committee has requested defendants who have already pleaded guilty to testify before the panel. Two Canadians who were detained in China have been freed following Canadas release of Huawei boss Meng Wanzhou in a years-long saga that many countries have labelled hostage politics. Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arrested in China in December 2018, days after Canadian authorities arrested Huaweis chief financial officer in Vancouver, on an American extradition request based on charges that the Chinese tech giant had breached American sanctions in Iran. While Ms Wanzhou was permitted to remain under house arrest living in her multimillion-dollar home in Vancouver as court proceedings between the US, Canada and China played out for nearly three years, the Canadians were held in a Chinese prison on charges of espionage. Mr Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, had been working for a think tank when he was detained. Mr Spavor, an entrepreneur, had been living in Dandong when he was arrested, working to facilitate investment and tourism in North Korea. On Friday evening, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau announced that the two Canadians, known as the two Michaels, would be arriving in Canada early Saturday morning. These two men have gone through an unbelievably difficult ordeal, he said. For the past 1,000 days, they have shown great strength, perseverance, resilience and grace. Mr Trudeau did not directly say how their release would impact Canadas strained relationship with China, nor was he specific about how their release came about. There is going to be time for analysis and reflection in the coming days and weeks, but the fact of the matter is, I know Canadians will be incredibly happy to know right now, this Friday night, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are on a plane and theyre coming home. (AP) The Canadians were released after Ms Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, reached a deferred prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in the US, which led the Justice Department to drop their request for extradition from Canada. Ms Meng had been accused of misleading banks into processing transactions for Huawei that violated conditions of American sanctions against Iran. Appearing in a Brooklyn courtroom on Friday afternoon by video link, the Huawei executive pleaded not guilty to multiple fraud charges but agreed to accept responsibility for misrepresenting the companys business dealings in Iran. She said she told HSBC that Skycom, a company operating in Iran in violation of US sanctions, was a local partner of Huawei, rather than a subsidiary of the Chinese firm. In exchange, the Justice Department agreed to drop charges of fraud against Ms Meng in December 2022 four years after she was first arrested as long as she does not contest any of the US governments factual allegations within the case. Following the agreement, Nicole Boeckmann, the acting US attorney for the eastern district of New York said that Ms Mengs admissions confirmed that she made multiple material misrepresentations regarding the firms dealings in Iran, in order to preserve the companys baking relationship with HSBC. The US Justice Department has said that it will continue to prepare for a trial against Huawei, which remains on a trade blacklist over concerns that the companys products could facilitate Chinese spying. (REUTERS) Following her video link court appearance, Ms Meng attended the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver, where Justice Heather Holmes approved the request to withdraw the extradition order. Outside the court, Ms Meng said: Over the last three years my life has been turned upside down. It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and as a company executive. But I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life. I will never forget all the good wishes I received. Ms Meng also thanked the Canadian government for upholding the rule of law, expressed her gratitude to the Canadian people, and apologised for the inconvenience she caused. Shortly after, she boarded an Air China flight to Shenzhen. Since December 2018, China has insisted that the charges against the two Michaels were unrelated to Ms Mengs arrest, but the timing of their release bolsters Canadas suggestion that the Canadians had been arbitrarily detained. Colin Robertson, a former Canadian diplomat, told CBC: China up until now, has said that theres been no linkage between the two, but by putting them on the plane tonight, theyve clearly acknowledged that this was hostage-taking. It reminds me of the swaps you used to have of spies in the Cold War, he said. Former diplomat and president of the Canadian International Council, Ben Rowswell, added that the detention of the two Canadians set a terrible precedent. Earlier this year, more than 65 countries came together to support Canadas declaration against arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations. Thirty high school pupils in Oklahoma have been suspended after protesting against sexist dress codes that forced them to cover their midriffs and shoulders. The protest saw students at Mustang High School carrying signs with messages including Dress codes are sexist, My body is not a distraction, Stop sexualising our bodies and I go to a school where the length of my shirt and shorts is more important than my education. Though the school districts dress code does not specifically mention gender, many of its provisions focus specifically on clothes more often worn by girls. As well as banning spiked jewellery, gang dress or visible underwear, the code forbids cleavage, bare midriffs, tube tops, spaghetti straps, biker or spandex shorts, leggings that are not covered by another garment, and makeup that disrupts the learning environment. It adds: Interpretation of questionable attire will be at the principals discretion. Violations may result in disciplinary action. Kirk Wilson, director of communications for Mustang Public Schools, said: There was a small protest before school at Mustang High School on Friday, September 10, 2021. When class began, the protest ended and most of the students attended class as normal. There were a handful of students who violated the student code of conduct after class began and those situations were addressed ... we remain committed to supporting our students and providing a safe and nurturing learning environment. He declined to discuss their specific punishments, citing federal school privacy law. The government of Chicago is urging Texans unhappy with their states new abortion ban and voting rights restrictions to flee north. In a full page advert published in the Dallas Morning News earlier this month, the city trumpeted its belief in every persons right to vote and protecting reproductive rights, telling businesses and workers to come to Chicago. On Wednesday, Illinois governor JB Pritzker followed up with letters to the chief executives of Texan companies such as Dell, Oracle, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, asking them to move their headquarters to a state that ensures women succeed. The PR offensive turns the tables on Texas Republicans long history of trying to poach businesses away from Democratic states with promises of low taxes and light regulation. In 2013, then governor Rick Perry bought adverts on four Chicago radio stations and wrote an open letter describing Illinoiss economy as a burning building on the verge of collapse. Chicagos adverts take aim at new Texas laws that ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy and drastically narrow access to voting, as well as the state governments antipathy to Covid-19 restrictions. They read: In Chicago, we believe in every persons right to vote, protecting reproductive rights, [and] science to fight Covid-19. If you want to build or expand your company or are looking to build your career, come to Chicago. (World Business Chicago) Mr Pritzkers letters are more pointed, with one example published by Politico accusing radical legislators in Texas of functionally eradicating the autonomy of half the state. He wrote: Ive spent decades in business, and no matter the company or industry ... you cant build success with a team that doesnt want to be there. Your company is at a crossroads: you can go where the country is going, or you can stay in a state that strips its residents of their dignity. If Im a bright and ambitious mind deciding where to plant my career, my family, my life the choice is clear. He also took a swipe at Texass ailing energy grid, whose dramatic failure this February under the weight of winter storms is estimated to have killed between 210 and 702 people. Texas is facing a federal lawsuit and a nationwide backlash over its new abortion laws, which womens rights groups have described as a back-door ban on the treatment. Around 60 per cent of abortions in Texas happen after six weeks of pregnancy, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and many people do not even realise they are pregnant before that point. The states Republican-controlled legislature has also passed sweeping restrictions on the right to vote, including new limits on postal voting, bans on overnight and early voting, and greater powers for partisan poll watchers. As tensions between France and the United States simmered this week over an Indo-Pacific defense deal that sank a multi-billion-dollar French submarine contract, a French general handed the baton of a key NATO command center to a fellow French air force officer. At a ceremony Thursday in Norfolk, Virginia, Gen. Philippe Lavigne took charge of Allied Command Transformation, where NATO does its strategic thinking, from Gen. Andre Lanata, who had led the center for three years. The handover cemented Frances place at the head of one of the military alliance's two strategic command centers, and NATOs only headquarters in North America. French officers have held the post since 2009, when Paris reversed a 1966 decision to pull out of NATOs command structure. Lavignes nomination was announced in May. It was not influenced by the shambolic troop withdrawal from Afghanistan that damaged U.S. credibility, or the submarine contract rift, which led to the recall of French ambassadors and rumors that Paris might once again leave NATOs integrated military structure. Indeed, the command handover illustrates that even amid the kerfuffle over the defense pact between the U.S., Britain and Australia and fresh calls for Europe to end its U.S. military dependence, France remains firmly anchored in the alliance. I fully understand Frances disappointment. At the same time, NATO allies agree on the big picture, on the most important challenges, and that is that we have to stand together to confront global challenges, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told The Associated Press this week. To ease tensions, U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron weighed in. A statement after their phone call conceded that Europe can provide its own security. The U.S., it said, recognizes the importance of a stronger and more capable European defense, that contributes positively to transatlantic and global security and is complementary to NATO. To help France swallow the loss of its massive contract in Australia to U.S. nuclear submarine makers, Macron won a commitment from Biden to boost support for French-led counter-terrorism operations in Africas restive Sahel region. A face-saving offer was needed, because Frances reaction to the AUKUS defense agreement was almost as surprising as the announcement of the pact itself. Paris claimed it got a stab in the back from its allies. For many European officials, the heated French reaction was partly due to the election cycle in the EUs two heavyweight countries. Germans voted Sunday and French citizens head to the polls in April. Some said it was just a question of waiting "for the dust to settle. That said, the fallout from the chaotic Afghanistan exit and the U.S. maneuvering for the defense contract have disappointed many allies. Some see early in the Biden presidency a continuation in form, if not in style, of former President Donald Trumps America First policy. With the U.S. now focused on the threat posed by China, calls are multiplying for Europe to ensure its strategic autonomy to avoid debacles like the chaotic evacuations from Kabul's airport. The idea of a 5,000-strong rapidly deployable EU stand-by force is being floated. The reality, however, is that NATO already has a similar contingent the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, with around 5,000 ground troops that officials can quickly deploy to respond to security threats. The challenge beyond getting 30 nations to agree to use it is drumming up equipment and personnel, including from many of the 22 EU countries that are also members of the worlds biggest security alliance, so it's difficult to see how a European force might be resourced. Moreover, there is no consensus in Europe to establish a separate force. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland all count on the U.S. security umbrella to deal with an increasingly assertive Russia. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark backed Biden and warned France on Thursday against turning concrete challenges, which will always exist between allies, into something they should not be. Germany is caught in the middle. The trauma of the Trump years convinced Germany to indulge Frances vision of strategic autonomy without ever fully endorsing it, said Noah Barkin, senior visiting fellow at the German Marshall Fund think-tanks Asia Program. Frances fierce reaction to its lost submarine deal puts Germany in the awkward position of having to choose between its closest ally in Europe and a Biden administration that has worked overtime to lure Berlin into its orbit, Barkin said. Ultimately, its unlikely that the French-U.S. spat will pose more of a threat to NATO, or Frances place in it, than, say, the security challenge posed by Turkeys purchase of Russian missile defense systems. As he took command in Norfolk on Thursday, Lavigne said that NATOs adaptation is the only possible way to collectively overcome threats of all kinds, be it terrorism, conventional and nuclear, or emerging threats from new domains like cyber, space or cognitive warfare. I am here to serve NATO, and I will devote, as always, all my will, the French general said. Lauren Boebert has committed yet another embarrassing gaffe while attempting to call for President Joe Bidens impeachment. The GOP Congresswoman issued a press release calling for Mr Bidens removal, but managed to misspell impeach, instead writing imeach. Lauren Boebert has sent a release calling to impeach Biden, but she has messed up the logo here pic.twitter.com/IR3m2QxNFT Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) September 24, 2021 The mistake was first pointed out by journalist Jake Sherman, and led to much mockery on Twitter. Its too bad we cant IMEACH Lauren Boebert, one person wrote. CNN anchor Jake Tapper simply wrote: IMEACH! Lol, Lauren Boebert wants to Imeach Biden. Stay in school kids, get your education, Amy Thatcher wrote. When Colorado sends its representatives, theyre not sending their best ... Christopher Bouzy said, riffing on an insult former president Donald Trump famously levelled at Mexican immigrants. Ms Boebert, a Maga-loving Congresswoman from Colorado, has frequently embraced conspiracy theories such as QAnon and the Big Lie that the 2020 election result was stolen. In February, she wrote that protecting and defending the Constitution doesnt mean trying to rewrite the parts you dont like, with many pointing out that she had overlooked the 27 amendments that have been passed by Congress. Three Supreme Court justices delivered the same plea in rapid succession in recent days: Dont view justices as politicians. The justices have reason to be concerned. Recent polls show a sharp drop in approval of a court now dominated by conservatives. The call by justices Clarence Thomas Stephen Breyer and Amy Coney Barrett for the public not to see court decisions as just an extension of partisan politics isnt new. But the timing of the recent comments is significant, just after a summer in which conservative majorities on the court prevailed over liberal dissents on abortion, immigration and evictions, and at the start of a blockbuster term. The future of abortion rights and expansions of gun and religious rights already are on the docket. Other contentious cases could be added. The outcome in each could fracture the court along ideological lines, with the court's six conservative justices chosen by Republican presidents prevailing over its three liberals nominated by Democrats. To some observers, the Supreme Court is facing the most serious threat to its legitimacy since its decision in Bush v. Gore two decades ago that split liberals and conservatives and effectively settled the disputed 2000 presidential election in favor of Republican George W. Bush. I think we may have come to a turning point. If within a span of a few terms we see sweeping right-side decisions over left-side dissents on every one of the most politically divisive issues of our time voting, guns, abortion, religion, affirmative action perception of the court may be permanently altered, said Irv Gornstein, executive director of Georgetown Universitys Supreme Court Institute. Paul Smith, who has argued before the court in support of LGBTQ and voting rights among other issues, said people are increasingly upset that the court is way to the right of the American people on a lot of issues. But views of the court have dipped before, then rebounded, from a public that doesnt pay too much attention to the courts work and has trouble identifying most of the justices. Tom Goldstein, the founder of the court-focused SCOTUSblog website who argues frequently before the justices, doubts this time will be any different. He says the court "has built up an enormous font of public respect, no matter what it does. Still, Thomas, Breyer and Barrett took aim at the perception of the court as political in recent speeches and interviews. Breyer, the courts eldest member at 83 and leader of its diminished liberal wing, has spoken for years about the danger of viewing the court as junior league politicians. But he acknowledged it can be difficult to counter the perception that judges are acting politically, particularly after cases like the one from Texas in which the court by a 5-4 vote refused to block enforcement of the states ban on abortions early in pregnancy. The majority was made up of three justices appointed by President Donald Trump and two other conservatives, with the three liberals and Chief Justice John Roberts in dissent. Its pretty hard to believe when a case like those come along that were less divided than you might think, Breyer said in an interview earlier this month with The Washington Post. Barrett echoed Breyer's comments soon after. My goal today is to convince you that this court is not comprised of a bunch of partisan hacks, the Trump nominee said in a talk in Louisville, Kentucky, at a center named for Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who was sitting on the stage near the justice. McConnell engineered Barretts swift confirmation just days before last years presidential election and little more than a month after the liberal icon, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, died. Barretts confirmation was arguably the most political of any member of the court. She was confirmed on a 52-48 vote, the first in modern times with no support from the minority party. McConnell's push to confirm Barrett in the final days before the election stood in contrast to his decision to hold open the seat held by Justice Antonin Scalia when Scalia died months before the election in 2016 and President Barack Obama, a Democrat, sought to name a replacement. In an appearance a few days after Barrett's, Thomas said the justices themselves were to blame for shifting perceptions of the court by taking on roles that properly belong to elected officials. The court was thought to be the least dangerous branch and we may have become the most dangerous, he said at the University of Notre Dame, where Barrett taught law for many years. Three new polls, all conducted after the courts Texas abortion vote, have shown sharp drops in approval of the court. Just 40% of Americans approve of the court, according to the latest Gallup poll. Thats among the lowest its been since Gallup started asking that question more than 20 years ago. Approval was 49% in July. The change in the composition of the court and the controversies over Trumps three nominees have prompted calls from liberal interest groups to expand the court and institute term limits for the justices, who have lifetime tenure under the Constitution. At the moment, those changes seem unlikely to succeed. But one group, Demand Justice, said this past week that it is planning to spend more than $100,000 on advertising in the coming weeks to promote the idea of court expansion. And a court reform commission established by President Joe Biden is supposed to issue a report by November. Some court-watchers think the efforts of the liberal groups, rather than the courts actions, are responsible for changing views of the justices. I do think theres a sustained campaign to delegitimize the court that has gotten some traction on the left, said Roman Martinez, a Washington lawyer who regularly argues before the court. At one point of another, most of the justices have talked about the importance of the court maintaining its legitimacy and the need for justices to rise above partisanship. Every single one of us needs to realize how precious the courts legitimacy is. You know we dont have an army. We dont have any money. The only way we can get people to do what we think they should do is because people respect us, Justice Elena Kagan said at a Princeton University event around the time of Kavanaughs confirmation. A couple of months later, Roberts spoke up in defense of judicial independence, but he did so to combat criticism of judges from Trump. After Trump described a judge who ruled against him as a biased Obama judge, Roberts memorably tangled with the president. Roberts said: We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges. What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them. Its almost certain that Afghanistans Taliban rulers won't get to speak at this year's U.N. General Assembly meeting of world leaders. The Taliban challenged the credentials of the ambassador from Afghanistans former government, which they ousted on Aug. 15, and asked to represent the country at the assemblys high-level General Debate. It began Tuesday and ends Monday, with Afghanistans representative as the final speaker. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that as of Friday, Afghanistans currently recognized U.N. ambassador, Ghulam Isaczai, who represents former president Ashraf Ghanis now ousted government, is listed as speaking for the country. The key reason is that the General Assembly committee which decides on credentials challenges has not met, and is highly unlikely to meet over the weekend. Assembly spokeswoman Monica Grayley said Wednesday the nine-member committee generally meets in November and will issue a ruling in due course. The Taliban, who overran most of Afghanistan last month as U.S. and NATO forces were in the final stages of their chaotic withdrawal from the country after 20 years, argue that they are now in charge and have the right to appoint ambassadors. In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the Talibans newly appointed foreign minister, Ameer Khan Muttaqi, said Ghani was ousted as of Aug. 15 and that countries across the world no longer recognize him as president. Therefore, Muttaqi said, Isaczai no longer represents Afghanistan and the Taliban was nominating a new U.N. permanent representative, Mohammad Suhail Shaheen. He was a spokesman for the Taliban during peace negotiations in Qatar. We have all the requirements needed for recognition of a government, Shaheen told The Associated Press on Wednesday. So we hope the U.N., as a neutral world body, recognize the current government of Afghanistan. When the Taliban last ruled from 1996 to 2001, the U.N. refused to recognize their government and instead gave Afghanistans seat to the previous, warlord-dominated government of President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was killed by a suicide bomber in 2011. It was Rabbanis government that brought Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of 9/11, to Afghanistan from Sudan in 1996. The Taliban have said they want international recognition and financial help to rebuild the war-battered country. But the makeup of the new Taliban government poses a dilemma for the United Nations Several of the interim ministers -- including Muttaqi -- are on the U.N.s so-called blacklist of international terrorists and funders of terrorism. Credentials committee members could also use Taliban recognition as leverage to press for a more inclusive government that guarantees human rights, especially for girls who were barred from going to school during their previous rule, and women who werent able to work. The committees members are the United States, Russia, China, Bahama, Bhutan, Chile, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Sweden. A U.S. State Department official said earlier this week that the committee, would take some time to deliberate. So it appears the Taliban are going to have to wait, and Isaczai will speak about a country where the government he represented fled without its army putting up a fight. Donald Trump has once again raged against the news media after a highly controversial recount of ballots in Arizona reportedly failed to find proof of electoral fraud, and in fact resulted in Joe Biden furthering his lead in November 2020s presidential race. Issuing a statement through his Save America fundraising PAC, the former US president said on Friday that there were Huge findings in Arizona! However, the Fake News Media is already trying to call it again for Biden before actually looking at the facts just like they did in November! His mid-morning fury followed reporting from AZCentral about a leaked version of a report that was to be formally handed to Arizonas Republican-held Senate on Friday afternoon. The report will allegedly inform Mr Trumps allies in the Arizona Senate that Mr Bidens lead over Mr Trump in Maricopa County had actually widened after a months-long audit of 2.1m ballots. and at a cost of $6m ($4.4m) and Republican infighting. In his statement, Mr Trump went on to call the report from Arizonas audit a major criminal event that should be investigated by the Attorney General immediately. He added that the final report delivered to the Senate would be different than that being reported by the Fake News Media, although it was not immediately clear what that meant. The Florida-based firm which was paid millions of dollars to carry out the audit of ballots in Maricopa County, Cyber Ninjas, revealed in the leaked version of its report that there were 360 more votes for Mr Biden taking his lead over Mr Trump to 45,467. The results, however, have no official bearing on the results confirmed by Arizonas legislature in January. "Unfortunately, the report is also littered with errors and faulty conclusions about how Maricopa County conducted the 2020 General Election," Maricopa County officials said on Twitter. Mr Trump also alleged on Friday that there was evidence of so-called phantom voters in the audit, because the leaked version of the report found 23,344 mail-in ballots that were registered to the wrong address. As The Hill reported, there were as many as 15,000 mail-in ballots from people who had changed address before the deadline to register to vote, so it was not necessarily evidence of voting fraud. Jack Sellers, the board chairman of Maricopa County, told AZCentral that the tabulation equipment counted the ballots as they were designed to do, and the results reflect the will of the voters. The audit was among the final attempts by Mr Trump and his allies to find evidence of election fraud, and led to a rift among Arizona Republicans because Cyber Ninjas is not a certified auditor of ballots. Four former aides to Donald Trump, among them his chief of staff and top political adviser, have been issued subpoenas by the committee investigating the 6 January riot at the US Capitol. The special select committee of the House of Representatives established to look into the events of the day when hundreds of supporters of the former president stormed the legislature building, subpoenaed former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Dan Scavino, former Defence Department official Kashyap Patel and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon. The committee chairman, Democratic congressman Bennie Thompson from Mississippi, issued letters to the four to say he was investigating the facts, circumstances, and causes of the attack and asked them to produce documents and appear at depositions at some time in the middle of next month. The committee was established by House speaker Nancy Pelosi to probe the incident that led to at least 600 arrests and was considered the worst day of violence at the Capitol since the British invasion during the War of 1812. The attack on the Capitol followed an incendiary speech by Mr Trump, as part of his stop the steal campaign, in which he repeated his false claim that the the 2020 election had been rigged. Donald Trump acquitted on charge of inciting US Capitol riot Despite the violence that ensued that day, 147 elected Republican politicians refused to vote to certify the election victory of Joe Biden. A number of Republican politicians said they felt threatened duing the episode, including then House minority leader Kevin McCarthy who said Mr Trump bears responsibility for the attack, there but there has been little GOP appetite to punish the outgoing president. As it was, while the House impeached Mr Trump for the second time for alleged incitement, the Senate did not vote to confirm the punishment and he avoided further congressional censure. The majority of Republicans also did want to take part in any process to investigate the causes of the riot, or how to better protect against a repeat of one. The partys leadership dismissed the establishment of an independent panel, something akin the one set up after the attacks of 9/11. They also did not want to participate in a congressional investigation. In the end, the most senior member of the party to accept the invitation from Ms Pelosi to sit on the committee, was Wyoming congressman Liz Cheney, a former chair of the GOP House caucus, who was stripped of her job after blaming Mr Trump for the riot and voting for his impeachment. The New York Times said the letters issued on Thursday claim Mr Bannon was present at a meeting at the Willard Hotel in Washington DC the day before the violence, when plans were discussed to try to overturn the results of the election. All hell is going to break loose tomorrow, he is quoted as saying. The letter claims Mr Meadows was involved in the planning of efforts to subvert the results of the election, and that Mr Scavino was in contact with Mr Trump and others who planned the rallies that preceded the attack. It said Mr Patel was reportedly in constant contact with Mr Meadows on the day of the assault. There was no immediate response to the subpoenas from Mr Trump. Additional reporting by agencies Three more towns have been evacuated and firefighters forced to retreat amid ongoing volcanic explosions on the Spanish island of La Palma. The return of volcanic activity also caused airlines to cancel flights due to a large cloud of gas and ash, thought to be the biggest since the volcano erupted on Sunday. Authorities on Friday ordered the evacuation of the towns of Tajuya, Tacande de Abajo and the part of Tacande de Arriba that had not already been vacated. Residents there were initially told to stay indoors to avoid being affected by any ash and lava fragments, but Canary Islands emergency services decided to U-turn on the decision once it became clear the situation had not stabilised. Firefighters had to withdraw from the town of Todoque owing to a high presence of ash, the local fire service said on Twitter. Crews were reportedly in the middle of a clean-up operation in the town on Friday afternoon when a new vent opened up in the flank of the volcano. Videos shared on social media showed a massive shockwave emanating from the eruption site. The volcano is in a newly explosive phase... firefighters will not operate anymore today, said the Tenerife fire service, which has been deployed to help on La Palma. Since erupting on Sunday, the Cumbre Vieja volcano has spewed out thousands of tons of lava and destroyed nearly 400 buildings, including many homes, on the western side of the island of 85,000 people. Almost 7,000 people have had to flee their properties amid loud explosions, a large cloud of ash and a cracked fissure that has let out additional lava. The ash cloud, which the Canaries volcanology institute said had extended to around two-and-a-half miles in the sky on Friday, forced regional airline Binter to cancel flights into and out of the island. While the airline could not say when it would resume operations, airspace above the island remains open apart from two small areas near the eruption site. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said he and ministers plan to declare La Palma a catastrophic zone and provide aid to those affected. No serious injuries or fatalities have yet been reported, which some say is due to the speed of the evacuations. However, around 15 per cent of the islands economically crucial banana crop could be at risk jeopardising thousands of jobs, according to Reuters. Scientists say the lava flows on La Palma could last for weeks or even months. The last eruption on the island, in 1971, went on for just over three weeks. Meanwhile, the last eruption on all of the Canary Islands occurred underwater off the coast of El Hierro island in 2011 it lasted five months. Additional reporting by agencies A crowd of several hundred turned up on Moscows central square on Saturday afternoon for a Communist-sponsored rally against alleged election fraud. For the most part, they had difficulty hearing. As the Communist orators turned up the rhetoric, police cranked up theirs in the form of jarring music from loudspeakers behind the tribune. Allez, Russia! went one patriotic ditty. Uncle Vladimir, were with you, went another. The latter came as an immediate response to a fiery speech from the partys Moscow chief Valery Rashkin, who described the Kremlins United Russia party as a gang of self-appointees. Mr Rashkin is perhaps the most outspoken of the Communists generally timid leadership. He has led calls to protest Sundays Duma vote, while his superior, party leader Gennady Zyuganov has repeatedly urged restraint. Mr Zyuganov was absent from the protest, reportedly on his way to see Vladimir Putin. Police escort a demonstrator near Red Square in Moscow during Saturdays muted protest against election fraud (AP) Many of the mostly old protesters said they were irritated by what they described as Mr Zyuganovs hypocrisy. You cant be a little bit pregnant, and you cant be a little bit Communist, said Vladimir, 65, surname withheld. We wanted to get a majority in parliament precisely to give people like Zyuganov no choice in the matter, added his friend, Tatyana Yakovleva, a retired teacher. Mr Rashkin aside, those who dared to speak avoided direct criticism of the Kremlin. Instead, they complained about western interference, and the regimes oligarchs who were supposedly pulling levers behind the scenes. The speakers singled out Alexei Venediktov, the head of the liberal Echo of Moscow radio station, who as chief elections monitor championed e-voting. Those electronic ballots swayed eight constituencies back to the Kremlin in a way the Communists say was not credible. Mr Venediktov should face a criminal trial, one said. Towards the end of the rally there were calls to free political prisoners, and a few pro-Navalny chants broke out: Russia will be free, Putin is a thief, Russia without Putin. The Kremlin took few risks in policing a protest that did not on the surface appear to represent much of a threat. In the lead-up, just under 60 activists were either officially warned or arrested over social media posts supporting the protest. Demonstrators complained about the results of the Russian parliamentary elections (EPA) Authorities also forced a change of brand: the Communists so-called peoples assembly became a meeting with constituents following threats from regulators to block the partys website. On the day itself, perhaps two dozen police vans lined Moscows central boulevards leading up to Pushkin square. Plain-clothed operatives with radio headphones milled in and out of the crowds. Other officers used their loudspeakers to warn participants of the illegality of the protest. In the end, truncheons stayed in their holders, with authorities content to let the protest trickle out under the drizzle of Moscows grey skies. Russian elections ended this week with a constitutional sweep for the ruling United Russia party, which has claimed 324 seats of the 450 parliament on an official 51.72 per cent turnout. But to describe the vote as straightforward for the Kremlin would be to miss the point. Getting to such a position required an estimated 14 million anomalous votes a record, say statisticians and has united unlikely political bedfellows in outrage. A group of independents, democrats and Communists joined forces to form what they are calling a coalition committee whose demands include the overturning of controversial e-voting results in Moscow and the end to the opaque systems use in future elections. Some of them will take to the streets in a Communist-sponsored rally in Moscows central square on Saturday to show their numbers. But timidity in even naming the event changed from a protest to meeting with parliamentarians after threats from the state underlined the weakness of their challenge. The cause was hardly helped by Gennady Zyuganov, 72, the Communists leader, apparently calling the revolution off. I want to ask everyone to show maximum restraint in this harsh time, he said. But those below are not yet ready to fall in line. Mikhail Lobanov, 37, who ran a spirited campaign from the Communists against state TV propagandist Yevgeny Popov, said he did not see a radical difference in views with the leadership. But his rhetoric we know the victory was stolen by fraud appeared to offer a different story. Mr Lobanov is one of eight independent candidates who had pulled ahead of Kremlin candidates in Moscow before the controversial results of electronic voting kicked in. He said he would be among those protesting the results on Pushkin Square. Given the promises of arrests, it seems unlikely that Saturdays demonstration will attract any more than a few hundred of the most dedicated. At smaller events on Monday and Thursday, journalists almost outnumbered the protesters. Communist candidate Mikhail Lobanov speaks at Sunday nights protest in Moscow. (AFP via Getty Images) Sergei Mitrokhin, 58, a veteran democratic candidate who also signed up to the coalition committee, told The Independent it was important to keep protesting even though the rewards were not immediate. The public opinion will follow, he said. Keeping a foot in the door was vital to stand a chance of challenging fraud. Falsifications are of course nothing new for Russian elections, the ex-candidate said. But this year e-voting seems to have changed the scale of the cheating. The technical intricacies of Moscows e-voting process, which was administered by the city councils IT department, has made criticism of it difficult. But Anastasia Bryukhanova, 32, an independent officially defeated in the opposition-leaning Leningradskaya constituency, has used statistical analysis of the data to put meat on her own fraud claims. A breakdown of e-voting patterns over the three days of voting showed evidence, Ms Bryukhanova said, of external interference. The data shows a slow period of voting for United Russia at the start, followed by a fast phase, with breaks for what appears to be lunch. You would expect that the same proportions of people would be voting whatever the day, she told The Independent. But youd see the Kremlin candidate getting artificial boosts at specific periods of the day. Russian communist party leader, Gennady Zyuganov (EPA) Ms Bryukhanova is trying to dispute the results in the courts a masochistic endeavour, she admits, given the Kremlins total control of the legal system. But the process was important to help people understand how e-vote fraud worked. You can only fight when you know what it is exactly you are fighting against, she said. For what its worth, the democracy activist appeared even less convinced about the comrades she was fighting alongside. There was little she had in common with the platform of the Communist party, she said. For this reason she had no intention of joining the oppositions coalition committee. She also stopped short of endorsing Saturdays unsanctioned protest, which described risky and likely to end in arrests. She predicted a small turnout. Successful protests are always led by society, not political declarations, she said. And thats our problem. Despite the fraud, so far the people appear decidedly unmoved. Smooth-talking Dmytro Kuleba is too much of a diplomat to admit hes angry with the west. One way or another, hes been a front-row witness to some infuriating letdowns: a foreign ministry envoy when Europe issued meek statements of concern as Russia annexed Crimea and fanned conflict in the Donbas; deputy prime minister during Ukrainegate, when his country was weaponised by Donald Trump; and Ukraines youngest ever foreign minister, now fighting an increasingly rearguard battle to maintain international pressure on Moscow. This country has learnt a number of bitter lessons that western promises are likely unfulfilled, he says. We do not believe in promises. The 40-year-old says Ukraine has come to understand it can only rely on itself. What that means in the short to mid-term, he says, is learning to become an agile military state like Israel: The circumstances leave no choice. Army, diplomacy and the Ukrainian people thats what we have to survive. Speaking with The Independent in Kyiv a day after his president warned of all-out war, Mr Kuleba says he believes Russia is trying to encircle Ukraine. Part of that operation is unconventional an attack on the idea of Ukrainian statehood by propaganda, fake news and strange historical essays by the Russian president. But there are worrying new developments in the conventional sphere too, most especially least along the 1,000km border with Belarus. Russian servicemen march during opening ceremony of the Zapad-2021 (West-2021) joint Russian-Belarusian drills (EPA) Relations between Kyiv and Minsk are at an all-time low. Last week, Alexander Lukashenko, Belaruss embattled autocrat, moved closer into the Kremlins embrace by apparently agreeing to 28 new integration programmes with Russia. That, says Mr Kuleba, fundamentally changed the equation with respect to Ukraines porous northern frontier, which run through woodlands, wetlands, and the Chernobyl exclusion zone. The ongoing Zapad-2021 joint Russian-Belarusian military drills which extend along Ukraines northern, eastern and southeastern flanks may simply be offering a taste of things to come. Frankly speaking, we have a problem now because we didnt invest enough in the border, Mr Kuleba says. Now we look at it and see it as a perfect vulnerability for subversion groups or migrants Lukashenko might want to send over. Ukraine has yet to experience the deliberate channels of migrants from Belarus to Lithuania, Latvia and Poland mainly because the migrants themselves, mostly middle class Iraqis, do not see Ukraine as a route to a more comfortable life in the European Union. Unlike Belarus, Ukraine also has a treaty commitment with Europe to take back any illegal migrants. But Kyiv expects things may change, the minister says. I spoke with one US senator who told me the United States should not screw up in Ukraine as it did in Afghanistan Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraines foreign minister Energy supply is another area where Ukraine is expecting serious new challenges from its eastern neighbours. Nord Stream 2, a new export gas pipeline between Russia and Europe that bypasses Ukraine, is due to come online in the coming days. Kyiv has been opposed to the project from the start, arguing that its aims are political in nature: to starve Kyiv of transit revenue and allow Moscow to reduce energy supplies to Ukraine proper. Many officials anticipate the Kremlin will find a way of cutting supplies to below the levels Ukraine needs for its own consumption, causing a crisis in the winter like the one seen in 2006. The United States initially offered a strong defence of Ukrainian interests around the pipeline, introducing sanctions that halted construction. But earlier this year, President Joe Biden removed those restrictions as a gesture to Germany, Nord Streams main European sponsor. It was a major blow to Ukraine. A few weeks later another worrying indication of American intent was sent from the June 16 Geneva summit, in which presidents Biden and Putin appeared to agree on a truce of sorts. A messy withdrawal from Afghanistan then followed, signalling perhaps most clearly Americas repudiation of its claimed role as a world policeman, and suggesting Kyiv might well expect further disappointment along the way. Biden and Putin appeared to agree a truce of sorts on the Nord Stream pipeline (EPA) Mr Kuleba agrees America is in the middle of a leadership crisis. But he says Ukraines security was one issue where the United States could demonstrate how serious it was again. I spoke with one US senator who told me the United States should not screw up in Ukraine as it did in Afghanistan, he says. From what the minister could glean from his recent trip to Washington, Joe Biden also remains personally invested in Ukraine. This was despite the 2020 scandal, in which Ukraine appeared, under extreme pressure from Donald Trump, to acquiesce to open an investigation into Mr Bidens son. We diplomats are trained to read through many layers of every line, Mr Kuleba says. I think the US president is open to working with us and understands that it was the previous administration that pulled us into American domestic politics. He said he would not leave Ukraine alone vis-a-vis Russia, and that is a crucial commitment. Whatever the extent of Mr Bidens backing, it certainly does not extend to membership of Nato and the European Union, which remain key, if distant aspirations for Kyiv. Ukraine was conspicuously excluded from the Nato summit earlier this year, and during opening remarks given to the YES security conference in Kyiv on Friday, President Zelensky said Ukraine did not intend to continue knocking at a locked door no one intended to open. The outgoing president of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, added to the local outrage by suggesting Ukraine needed another 20 years of reforms before EU membership was possible. For hundreds of years, the west lived with an understanding that Ukraine is part of the Russian world. Only now is it beginning to understand that, yes, there might be something different about us after all Dmytro Kuleba Mr Kuleba argues the opposition to Ukraines Euro-Atlantic integration came not from supposed concerns over reforms or Ukraines perceived far right problem which, he says, is overhyped and overblown but primarily from fear of Moscows response. Ultimately, that meant membership would only be realistic if Russia were to become much weaker than it was now, or do something so outrageous that the west would be forced to make a gesture to Ukraine. But the diplomat, who identifies as an over-keen student of history, insists he remains relaxed about the outcome. We are witnessing history in the making, he says. For hundreds of years, the west lived with an understanding that Ukraine is part of the Russian world. Only now is it beginning to understand that, yes, there might be something different about us after all. An influx of wild boars onto the streets of Rome is now such a problem that it has become a campaign issue for the Italian capitals upcoming mayoral election. The animals have been increasingly drawn to the city in recent years, attracted by piles of trash that tumble out of often unemptied rubbish skips. Current mayor Virginia Raggi, a member of the populist Five Star Movement, has complained in recent days that the boars are being used to undermine her campaign to win a second term. Ms Raggi filed a lawsuit against the regional Lazio government earlier this month over the massive and uncontrolled presence of wild boar in her city, which she claimed officials were not doing enough to tackle. My detractors continue to use photos and videos of wild boar around Rome, giving me full responsibility, she said, as reported by The Guardian on Thursday. It is clear that wild boar are a problem that does not only concern the capital. If a lady is chased by a wild boar in Formello, a small town north of Rome, the next day the newspapers say I am responsible. The regional government, which is led by the countrys centre-left Democratic Party, has denied Ms Raggis accusations, arguing that management of the animals is the responsibility of Rome's various municipal councils. Roberto Gualtieri, a Democratic Party member and one of Ms Raggis main opponents in the mayoral race, also dismissed the lawsuit against the region as a joke. One Rome resident, Rosa Carletti, told Reuters this week that she was scared of the animals, while another resident said that the influx had made it dangerous to live in the city. One time I saw them as I was going to throw the rubbish away. They came after me," Ms Carletti said. Six boars were seen harassing a woman in a carpark near Rome, forcing her to drop her shopping bags and flee, in a video that attracted international media coverage in May. On Wednesday, right-wing leader Giorgia Meloni said that Ms Raggi had been acting as a zoologist rather than a mayor. Wild boars, rats the size of labradors, killer seagulls, we've seen it all, Ms Meloni said, while out campaigning for her partys candidate in the mayoral race. Additional reporting by Reuters Supreme Court has asked the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to remove the photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the slogan Sabka Sath, Saath, Sabka Vikas' which were carried as a footer on apex court's official emails. The SC said instead of the PM's photo the email footer should carry an image of the apex court. PTI PTI, quoting unnamed NIC sources said that the slogan and the picture were put inadvertently and the controversy was created by some. Late last evening it was brought to the notice of the Registry of the Supreme Court of India that the official emails of the Supreme Court of India were carrying an image as footer which has no connection whatsoever with the functioning of the judiciary, the source said. This is not the first time, PM Modi's photo has run into controversy. BCCL The decision to put the image of the PM on the COVID-19 vaccination certificate had also courted controversy, but the government has stuck to it. Earlier this year, many opposition parties, especially those states that had gone to the polls recently had protested against the use of PM Modi's image on the vaccine certificate, calling it an attempt to influence voters. Several people who had traveled outside had claimed that they had landed in unwanted troubles after officials there claimed that it was fake as the photo on the card doesn't look like the person carrying it. BCCL In April, Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik had said that if the vaccination certificates carry Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo, then the death certificates of the COVID victims should also carry his image. AFP In March, ahead of the state assembly elections, the Election Commission had directed all petrol outlets and other agencies to remove hoardings advertising central government schemes and carrying images of PM Modi, from the premises, citing violation of the model code of conduct. India has used its Right to Reply at the UN General Assembly to respond to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who raked up the issue of Kashmir in his address. "While such statements deserve our collective contempt and sympathy for the mindset of the person who utters falsehood repeatedly, I am taking the floor to set the record straight, First Secretary Sneha Dubey said in the UN General Assembly, slamming the Pakistani leader for raking up the Kashmir issue in his address to the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. "We keep hearing that Pakistan is a 'victim of terrorism. This is the country which is an arsonist disguising itself as a firefighter. Pakistan nurtures terrorists in their backyard in the hope that they will only harm their neighbours. Our region, and in fact the entire world, has suffered because of their policies. On the other hand, they are trying to cover up sectarian violence in their country as acts of terror," Dubey said. Dubey strongly reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh "were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation. India At UN Pakistan misusing the platform Dubey said it is regrettable that this is not the first time the leader of Pakistan has "misused" platforms provided by the UN to "propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country, and seeking in vain to divert the world's attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities, are turned upside down." With the international community marking this month the solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of the dastardly 9/11 terror attacks, Dubey said the world has not forgotten that the "mastermind behind that dastardly event, Osama Bin Laden, got shelter in Pakistan. Even today, Pakistan leadership glorifies him as a 'martyr'." "Regrettably, even today we heard the leader of Pakistan trying to justify acts of terror. Such defence of terrorism is unacceptable in the modern world." "Arsonist disguised as a firefighter" Will Pakistani representatives understand such a level of English...#SnehaDubey Young & Energetic...#UNGA #ModiInUSA pic.twitter.com/elVZv5WoAi Dr. Vishal Garg (@DrVishalGarg3) September 25, 2021 Categorically emphasising India's position, Dubey said New Delhi desires normal relations "with all our neighbours, including Pakistan." However, it is for Islamabad to work sincerely towards creating a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible actions to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross border terrorism against India in any manner. What Imran Khan said Earlier, PM Khan had said that Pakistan desires "peace" with India, as with all its neighbours. "But sustainable peace in South Asia is contingent upon resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir" issue, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, he said. He also called on the UN General Assembly to "demand" that separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani's mortal remains be allowed to be buried in the "cemetery of martyrs" with the appropriate Islamic rites. He also repeated Pakistan's claim that it was one of the biggest victims of the war on terror. "From this platform, I want them all to know, the country that suffered the most, apart from Afghanistan, was Pakistan, when we joined the US War on Terror after 9/11," he said. Oh no! The billionaires are at it again! After the space tussle between SpaceX's Elon Musk and Blue Origin's Jeff Bezos intensified, Microsoft's Bill Gates has jumped in - but with immense shade. While Musk and Bezos contemplate the best ways to make space travel the norm, Bill Gates thinks there's way more to tackle on Earth before we begin thinking about leaving the planet. Reuters Bill Gates' classy burn During an interview with James Corden on CBS, Bill Gates took a swing at billionaire favourites Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Also read: Bill Gates Applauds Elon Musk's Work, Says Doubting Musk Isnt A Good Idea "We have a lot to do here on Earth", Gates can be heard saying in a Twitter clip shared by the official handle of "The Late Late Show with James Corden" Tonight on our special #ClimateNight episode, Bill Gates shares a very good reason for why you havent seen him in a rocket ship pic.twitter.com/7C8cKarJl0 The Late Late Show with James Corden (@latelateshow) September 23, 2021 Also read: Billionaire Feud: Elon Musk Tweeted Jeff Bezos Would 'Sue Death' If He Could When asked by Corden why billionaires are suddenly so interested, Gates had this to say - "I don't know I've become obsessed with things like Malaria and HIV and getting rid of those diseases, and I probably bore people at cocktail parties talking about diseases". This isn't the first time Microsoft's founder Gates has expressed lack of interest in space. In February, Gates spoke on the New York Times' "Sway" podcast, where said that he was not a "Mars person". Reuters Bill Gates actually likes Musk Even then, Gates wasn't there to discredit anyone, adding that Elon Musk's Tesla is one of the "great contributions to climate change", while urging people not to underestimate Musk. In 2020, SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk said that he would "die on Mars". He was speaking at the Satellite 2020 conference, but also added how space travel to Mars may not be possible in his lifetime. Also read: Jeff Bezos' 'Actual' Full-Time Job Is Filing Legal Actions Against SpaceX: Elon Musk Both Musk and Bezos have been embroiled in a war of words which had recently become a legal battle after Bezos attempted to delay the launch of Starlink satellites and questioned NASA's moon lander contract. Reuters Like us, do you enjoy a bunch of billionaires shading each other? Then, you're in luck. We have lots more where this came from - all you have to do is keep reading Indiatimes.com daily for all your science and technology news fix. Also read: Elon Musk Is Crazy: 10 Outrageous Comments Made By The Tesla & SpaceX CEO Did Facebook pay extra money to the US trade body to protect Mark Zuckerberg? It appears so. A lawsuit alleges that Facebook paid $4.9 billion extra to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the settlement for the Cambridge Analytica scandal in a bid to shield Mark Zuckerberg. Turns out that the hefty $5 billion settlement amount was partly driven by the company's hopes to prevent Mark Zuckerberg from being named in the FTC complaint. Reuters Why did FTC fine Facebook? In 2019, the FTC had fined Facebook for "deceiving" users about the company's ability to keep user information confidential. This FTC fine was initiated after investigations that went for over a year after the Cambridge Analytica data breach came to light, wherein millions of Facebook profiles of US voters were harvested. Also read: Facebook Is Hiding 'Real' News Feed Content From Safety Observers, Says Report The shareholder lawsuit was filed in Delaware last month and alleged that Zuckerberg, COO Sheryl Sandberg, and other Facebook directors agreed to the heavy settlement to "protect Zuckerberg from being named in the FTC's complaint, made subject to personal liability, or even required to sit for a deposition". Reuters What are the new allegations? The lawsuit also claims that the social media company paid $4.9 billion over what was required under the "applicable stature". In addition, the lawsuit claims that if Facebook founder Zuckerberg was actually named in the lawsuit, then he could have faced fines for violations in the future while causing "extensive reputational harm". Also read: WhatsApp Will Show Ads Inside The App Soon, A Facebook Executive Said Reuters After the $5 billion fine was announced, Mark Zuckerberg took to Facebook to announce how they were making "major structural changes" to how the company builds its products. A Facebook spokesperson claimed on Twitter that is not a "new" allegation and that the company intends to acknowledge these claims of paying extra "during the litigation". Portraying this as some kind of new allegation is wrong. The suggestion that we overpaid or underpaid on this settlement isn't new and is something we will address during the litigation. Here's the claim from two years ago. https://t.co/oJyKJGEqek Andy Stone (@andymstone) September 21, 2021 Do you think your data is safe in the hands of Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg? Let us know in the comments below. For all things, Facebook and the latest from the world of science and technology, keep reading Indiatimes.com. Google accused India's antitrust body of being a "habitual offender" in court on Friday, while referring to a recent document leak which showed how Google had been indulging in anti-competition practices in the country. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) rejected the accusation of leaking confidential information. What is happening with Google in India? On Saturday, the Times of India reported that CCI's investigation had found that Google was abusing its market monopoly in relation to the Android operating software. In addition, the document accused Google of stifling competition of manufacturers. Reuters Clearly, Google wasn't pleased. On Thursday, the company sued CCI in the Delhi High Court, claiming that the antitrust body breached confidence by unlawfully disclosing confidential findings. Also read: India's Antitrust Body Finds Google Is Abusing Its Market Dominance: What's Next? The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for Monday, September 27. The probe against Google began in 2019, after CCI found that Google was using its market dominance in India to limit the ability of mobile makers to opt for other versions of its Android OS. Reuters The probe also found that Google forces mobile makers to mandatorily pre-install apps, which CCI feels is "imposition of unfair conditions", which is against India's anti-competition law. In addition, it revealed how Google uses its Play Store to stifle competition. Also read: Top 5 Tech Blows Of The Week: Twitter Pays $800 Million, India Questions Google AFP The report runs into 750 pages and highlights how Google forces contracts onto device makers and app developers in a bid to ensure its own products from the same domain are prioritised within the Android ecosystem. This showdown between Google and CCI isn't expected to cool down anytime soon. Do you think CCI should have done more to prevent the leak or is Google simply overreacting? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. And for all things technology and science, keep visiting Indiatimes.com. In today's episode of bizarre news, a gravestone missing for almost 150 years was found to be used as a marble slab to make fudge for a woman living in Michigan. The monument was discovered in August on an estate auction site after the matriarch of the family was placed in a care facility for Alzheimer's, Friends of Lansing's Historic Cemeteries (FOLHC) President Loretta S. Stanaway told CNN. CNN After a local recognised it was from the city cemetery, he got in touch with FOLHC, and they started investigating. "The family hired an auctioneer to take care of the items," Stanaway told CNN. "As he was going through things, he saw this slab of marble in the kitchen and turned it around and discovered it was a gravestone. The family told him they used it to make fudge. The family could not say how or when the gravestone got there." CNN Stanaway was told by the family they were using the gravestone as the hard surface to make seasonal fudge since it was made out of marble. The process to find the gravestone's rightful home was a long one, said Stanaway. "We looked into trying to find any relatives to see what we could figure out what the story was from a relative standpoint or someone who could give us permission to put the monument back where it belongs, but we weren't able to find any survivors," Stanaway said. The gravestone had been missing for 146 years before it was returned. For more fun stories, click here. In a bizarre incident, a man in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh has sought divorce from his wife as she does not bathe every day. The issue came to light after wife filed a complaint with women protection cell, in a bid to save her marriage, News18 reported. The couple is now being provided counselling by the Aligarh Women Protection Cell. Representational Image/Shutterstock The woman belongs to Kwarsi village, while the man is from Chandaus village. It was reported that they were married two years ago and have a one-year-old child. "A woman gave us a written complaint stating that her husband has given her triple talaq on the pretext of not bathing every day. We are providing counselling to the couple and their parents to save their marriage," a counsellor working with the Women Protection Cell, was quoted as saying by News 18. Representational Image/Shutterstock The counsellor added that the woman has expressed wish to continue the marriage and live a happy life with her husband. "The man, during counselling, repeatedly and firmly told us that he wants to end terms with the woman. He also gave an application to us to help him get a divorce from his wife as she does not bathe every day," the counsellor further said. The man, in his petition, told the Women Protection Cell that they have a verbal spat every day after he asks his wife to take a bath. "We are trying to counsel the man to not break his marriage with his wife as it is a minor issue and which can be solved. We are also trying to make him understand that their divorce can also affect the upbringing of their child," the counsellor said. The Women Protection Cell has given time to the couple to think about saving their relationship. When insurance coverage lawsuits brought by businesses seeking coverage for COVID-related interruptions surpassed the 700 mark last week, the natural question to ask was: Is that a lot? Thats exactly the question that Chris Cheatham, CEO and co-founder of insurtech RiskGenius, asked during a webinar he hosted last week, addressing the question to Tom Baker, the William Maul Measey professor at the University of Pennsylvania, who presented the figure. Baker, an expert in insurance law and policy, showed an analysis of the numbers of business interruption coverage suits following past catastrophe events between 2009 and 2020in particular, Hurricanes Ike, Irma and Harvey and Superstorm Sandy and COVID-19. They exceed the norm by two or three times all the nat cats, he said, comparing the current level of COVID-19 cases in federal courts to the business interruption coverage suits filed after those natural catastrophes. Its a big deal, he added, displaying line graphs with case spikes that rose to less than 100 for Hurricane Ike a year after the third-quarter 2008 event, and to roughly 150 a year later. For Sandy, Irma and Harvey, case filings were less than 100 in similar time frames. The University of Pennsylvania has been tracking insurance coverage litigation on a COVID Coverage Litigation Tracker (CCLT) powered by Lex Machina, machine learning-focused legal analytics software that harvest information from PACER, the federal docket system. A webinar slide based on recent CCLT output indicated a figure of 694 total COVID-19 business interruption insurance coverage lawsuits, but Baker said that he had seen a list of 69 new cases on the day of the webinarJuly 21. While that number likely had some duplicates (owing to an overly inclusive search he uses to tap the Lex Machina tool), Baker confidently projected that the BI cases had eclipsed 700 at that pointmore than Ike, Sandy, Irma and Harvey together. Although Baker could not compare COVID BI case numbers with those brought in the wake of Hurricane Katrina because Lex Machina only goes back to 2009, he speculated that while the Katrina-driven suits numbers would be bigger than those for the other storms, it wouldnt be anything like COVID-19. And its not slowing down, Baker added, referring to the continual trend in COVID BI coverage suit filings. Cheatham, who has been using the University of Pennsylvania tracker to put together analyses of his own, agreed with the assessment. Its almost five-times, he said, comparing the COVID case counts to those following each of the storms individually. Providing one obvious reason for the disparity, Cheatham noted that while a hurricane hits just one areaa single state or multiple statesCOVID-19 shut down almost everything for a period of time. That was a countrywide shutdown essentially, except for some remote locations, where businesses just across the board were shut down, Cheatham said, turning to Baker to supply other reasons that COVID is a much bigger BI event in terms of the claims being filed than the storms. Baker offered that the nature of the coverage disputes is different. For hurricanes, coverage disputes centered around question like what share of the loss the insurance company should pick up vs. the federal flood program. And then also, what was the value of the damage? In contrast, for COVID-19, the insurance industry has decided that its just not paying absent an affirmative coverage [grant] in the policy. He added: I think things move to litigation faster and also, with a greater propensity because theres not that belief that, Hey, we can come to some agreement. When the answer is, No, your claim is denied, the next step is litigation. Penn. Higher Than New York Cheatham and Bryan Wilson, MIT Fellow, have been working on their own analysis of trends in COVID litigation for a series of articles Cheatham is authoring exclusively for Carrier Management, titled COVIDigation Nation. In the accompanying article, COVIDigation: Why So Many Cases? Are More Coming?the first of the serieshe uses Penn Laws COVID Coverage Litigation Tracker to conclude that 69 percent of COVID insurance coverage lawsuits have been filed in just nine states. While big states known for high litigation rates generally, like California and Illinois are among them, Cheathams analysis shows another factor is the correlation between COVID infection rates and the number of insurance coverage lawsuits filed. Still, there are a few questions that Cheatham needed Bakers help to answerlike why Pennsylvania, registering 10.5 percent of the coverage lawsuits as mid-July, and Florida, with 8.3 percent, were outpacing New Yorks 7.0 percent? Part of the reason is that New York isnt viewed as a particularly policyholder-friendly jurisdiction, Baker said, explaining a slower pace of filings in the Empire state. Beyond that, he said that plaintiffs firms actively seeking to consolidate cases in other states may explain some of the other outliers. MDL vs. Class Action: Whats the Difference? During a July 21 RiskGenius webinar, Prof. Tom Baker from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School explained that a class action decides the case for all the people who are in the class unless they choose to opt out so that decides the case. An MDL just gets the case ready, and then it goes back to the court where it started and where [cases are] resolved on an individual basis. Practically, MDLs tend to settle as a group and class actions, once class certification is granted, tend to settle too, he said, noting the similarities between the two that are nonetheless different from a legal procedure perspective. Speculating on what would happen in a COVID insurance litigation MDL, he said discovery would take place. Expert witnesses would address questions like, What is COVID-19? What does it mean to have virus in the building? Whats the transmission? In addition, motions to dismiss could be ruled upon. Summary judgment motions could be ruled on. And typically, in an MDL, with a lot of prodding from the judges, the parties will tend to agree to put cases in different categories and then some categories will be resolved and settled; others wont. Judges may also remand cases selectively for test case trials because the idea of an MDL is that theres too many casesto handle them all really individually so lets figure out the process that will allow the parties to resolve them. There is an effort right now in the federal courts to have what is called an MDL, which is multidistrict litigationa procedure in the federal courts thats very widely used in products liability cases, but has, to my knowledge, never been used before in insurance cases, Baker said. He explained that what an MDL does is that it transfers all of the cases of a particular category to one federal court for proceedings leading up to, but not including trial. (The cases go back to the court where they originated for the trial.) There are three teams of lawyers who have filed three competing efforts to consolidate these cases in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Illinois, Baker said, noting that the three cohorts have adopted different strategies. The Pennsylvania lawyers strategy has been, Hey, were going to file the most cases and that this case should be consolidated in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania because thats the center of gravity from cases.' While Florida lawyers are using a similar strategy, a high-powered coverage lawyer on the Illinois team of higher profile national lawyers is simply relying on their reputations rather than flooding the dockets. The strategy that theyre taking is, Listen, were just really amazing lawyers and you should do it in Chicagoand Chicago is in the middle of the country, Baker said. Years Not Months In his COVIDigation analysis, Cheatham also tracks the timing of case filings, finding roughly one-month lag between spikes in COVID infections and new high watermarks for litigation filings. Viewing a jump in infections during the week of a June 23 based on the New York Times COVID-19 dataset, Cheatham suggested there could be a surge in insurance litigation near the end of July. (See related article by Cheatham, COVIDigation: Why So Many Cases? Are More Coming?) Baker, going back to his analysis of hurricane landfalls and BI coverage litigation, suggests an even longer loss development tail for insurers to worry about. The peak doesnt come until one year out, Baker said, pointing to a bar graph showing case counts at intervals of six months, 1-2 years, 2-3 years and over three years out for the storm events. While most showed case spikes in the 1-2 year bucket, for Ike, the spike came in 2-3 years, and there were still Sandy BI lawsuits being filed after 3 years. To the extent that COVID-19 cases follow that pattern, which its too soon to tell because were not even six months out really, then that suggests that theres a lot more lawsuits to come, Baker concluded. Topics Lawsuits COVID-19 Catastrophe Florida New York Hurricane Illinois Pennsylvania Business Interruption Business owners and consumers are rethinking their finances and insurance needs due to the current economic uncertainty. However, new research suggests insurance customers and their agents are not always on the same page; there are gaps between what agents and their customers think and agents may not be giving customers everything they want. Thus insurance agents face some challenges when helping customers, according to a report from Nationwide Insurance. At the same time as they face these new obstacles, agents have a compelling opportunity to serve as a knowledgeable resource for current and prospective customers to strengthen and grow their portfolio or business, the report says. Nationwide identifies four themes in its study: A perception gap: There are gaps between agents and customers when it comes to perception of service levels. Customers want more than just property and casualty support from agents. Understanding policy coverage and price are shared challenges across all audiences. The economy is a concern, and customers are looking to agents for guidance. Our latest research shows some emerging opportunities in the agent-customer relationship particularly when navigating this current environment and economy, said Jeff Rommel, senior vice president of Property and Casualty sales at Nationwide. But while the data pinpointed gaps, agile agents will see ways to address their clients concerns, enhance retention and grow their business. A Few Tips for Agents: Set up regular calendar reminders to check in with top commercial lines clients every six months to understand the challenges their business is facing and evaluate evolving insurance needs. Reach out to all personal lines customers at least once a year. Ask your carrier partners for tools to talk to clients about employee benefits, loss control, retirement planning. Nationwides My Loss Control Services and the Nationwide Retirement Institute are two resources. When you touch base with clients, brainstorm insurance scenarios together to identify potential gaps and where business continuity and disaster planning may help. Help your clients understand that price is only one of several important considerations when evaluating insurance. Look to your carrier partners to share technical expertise and resources to help you advocate for your clients and provide safety resources that mitigate their risks. Explore telematics products with both commercial and personal lines clients. Share your knowledge and research on the state and future of the economy with customers. A Perception Gap There is a perception gap in the value agents believe they are bringing to their customers. Agents are confident they are meeting the needs of their customers, yet some business owners and consumers have a different perspective on the services agents should provide, indicating gaps that can be closed: 95% of insurance agents believe they are always there when their clients need them but only 79% of customers felt the same. While 91% of agents said they can offer the best prices, only 74% of customers agreed. 94% of agents reported they are regularly checking in with their customers to make sure their policy fits their needs. However, only 69% of customers reported sufficient check-ins from their agent. What Customers Want The research identified areas where agents can go above and beyond traditional insurance guidance. While most customers seek counsel on conventional insurance, some business owners are looking for help on succession planning, disaster recovery and employee benefits. Additionally, general property/casualty customers are asking agents about retirement and banking advice. 57% of mid-market business owners are asking about employee benefits. 45% of mid-market business owners and 35% of small business owners are asking about safety and loss control. 26% of consumer customers want guidance on retirement planning. Physical location is something customers value. While there is a desire for digital platforms, small business owners (68%), and consumers (51%) still prefer to have an insurance agent where they are physically located. Shared Challenge The research identified two consistent challenges across all audiences surveyed understanding policy coverage and finding the best price. 46% of small business owners, 71% of mid-market business owners and 47% of consumers said it is a challenge to understand what is and what is not covered in their policy. 44% of small business owners, 69% of mid-market business owners and 45% of consumers said it is a challenge to find the best price for protection needs. Similarly, 55% of agents say they struggle educating clients on the coverage they need and 46% of agents say providing the level of service customers demand is a challenge. Many customers also wrestle with understanding different types of coverage, the time it takes to settle a claim, insurance terminology and understanding how much coverage they need. Nationwide Research Methodology: Nationwide commissioned Edelman Intelligence to conduct a 20-minute quantitative online survey among a sample of 2,600 U.S. independent insurance agents, small business owners, mid-market business owners, mid-market business owners with fleet vehicles, African American business owners, Hispanic business owners and general consumers between June 9 June 25. Nationwide commissioned Edelman Intelligence to conduct a 20-minute quantitative online survey among a sample of 2,600 U.S. independent insurance agents, small business owners, mid-market business owners, mid-market business owners with fleet vehicles, African American business owners, Hispanic business owners and general consumers between June 9 June 25. Agents reported it particularly challenging to: Adopt new technology to keep up with the industry (55%) Understand the nuances between different industries (53%) Help clients with disaster prep or mitigation practices (51%) An Economic Outlook Over half of agents think their clients feel uncomfortable talking about economic uncertainty. However, more than half of business owners and consumers feel like their agent was prepared to have these discussions. 47% of agents are optimistic the economy will recover in the next year but 66% are concerned about making it through this economic climate. 81% of agents say their customers are unsure how the current economy will impact their business and their insurance needs. Topics Agencies Property Casualty Small Business Americans are becoming less comfortable with the idea of driverless transportation. A new report from an American Automobile Association (AAA) indicates that consumer trust in these vehicles has quickly eroded over the past few years. Today, three-quarters (73 percent) of American drivers report they would be too afraid to ride in a fully self-driving vehicle, up from 63 percent in late 2017. Additionally, two-thirds (63 percent) of U.S. adults report they would actually feel less safe sharing the road with a self-driving vehicle while walking or riding a bicycle. The survey comes after several high-profile accidents involving autonomous vehicle technologies. A 2018 Uber crash in Arizona that killed a pedestrian and several Tesla fatal crashes caught media attention and the attention of government safety regulators. Greg Brannon, AAAs director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations, thinks the attention paid to incidents has an impact. This technology is relatively new and everyone is watching it closely. When an incident occurs, it gets a lot of media attention, and people become concerned about their safety, said Brannon. Despite their potential to make our roads safer in the long run, consumers have high expectations for safety, he added. Our results show that any incident involving an autonomous vehicle is likely to shake consumer trust, which is a critical component to the widespread acceptance of autonomous vehicles. Surprisingly, AAAs latest survey found that Millennials the group that has been the quickest to embrace automated vehicle technologies were the most impacted by these incidents. The percentage of Millennial drivers too afraid to ride in a fully self-driving vehicle has jumped from 49 percent to 64 percent since late 2017, representing the largest increase of any generation surveyed. While autonomous vehicles are being tested, theres always a chance that they will fail or encounter a situation that challenges even the most advanced system, said Megan Foster, AAAs director of Federal Affairs. To ease fears, there must be safeguards in place to protect vehicle occupants and the motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians with whom they share the road. The technologies might not be quite as safe as some claim. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) analyzed 5,000 U.S. crashes and concluded that only a third of all U.S. road crashes could be prevented by driverless cars. It reported that only those caused by driver perception errors and incapacitation are likely to be prevented by self-driving cars. Autonomous carmakers criticized the IIHS for underestimating the safety effects. Partners for Automated Vehicle Education, a group of self-driving technology companies, claims 72% of crashes can be avoided. AAA said it supports thorough testing of automated vehicle technologies as they continue to evolve. The group also advocates for a common consumer nomenclature and classification system for the various driver assistance technologies. There are sometimes dozens of different marketing names for todays safety systems, said Brannon. Learning how to operate a vehicle equipped with semi-autonomous technology is challenging enough without having to decipher the equipment list and corresponding level of autonomy. Topics USA Auto Autonomous Vehicles California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Friday ordered the FAIR Plan to offer a homeowners policy, in addition to its current dwelling fire coverage, with more traditional homeowner features, such as coverage for water damage, theft, and loss of use. The order requires the FAIR Plan to submit a revised plan of operations to the California Department of Insurance within 30 days. The order comes after the FAIR Plan Association, comprised of all admitted insurance companies to be the states property insurer of last resort, sued Lara to contest his original order of November 2019. A court recently upheld the commissioners authority to require the FAIR Plan to offer more comprehensive homeowners policies to those residents who need it, especially in wildfire-risk areas of the state. The order will give roughly 200,000 Californians who currently rely on the FAIR Plan a more comprehensive option besides the bare-bones coverage that the FAIR Plan currently offers today, according to Lara. He says requiring the FAIR Plan to offer a more comprehensive homeowners policy will save consumers from having to purchase a second companion policy to cover other hazards such as premises liability, water damage, and theft. These changes are in addition to previous changes Lara successfully compelled the FAIR Plan to undertake last year, including increasing the combined coverage limit from $1.5 million to $3 million, providing more transparency in their Governing Committee meetings and allowing the CDI to participate in those meetings, and mandating the FAIR Plan to seek department approval prior to disbursing any operating profits back to participating insurers. The FAIR Plan issued the following statement in which the organization said its reviewing the order: The Commissioners previous order was invalidated by the Los Angeles Superior Court, and we are working in good faith to address issues raised by the Court in ways that strengthen consumer choices in the voluntary insurance market without unnecessarily raising rates for FAIR Plan policyholders. The statement notes that the FAIR Plan was created to provide California property owners with the basic property insurance coverage, and that coverage options to complement a FAIR Plan policy, referred to as difference-in-condition policies, are readily available and listed on the CDI website. Requiring the FAIR Plan to expand coverages without first having the necessary infrastructure in place, and on an unrealistic timeline, would lead to unintended consequences, including higher rates for FAIR Plan policyholders, the statement continues. Further, this order puts the FAIR Plan in direct competition with the voluntary market. Related: Topics California Thousands of people were under evacuation orders Friday and many others were on notice to be ready to flee as a destructive wildfire raged in a drought-stricken forest in Californias far north. A woman suspected of starting the Fawn Fire was under arrest, authorities said. The fire in the Mountain Gate area north of the city of Redding covered more than 9 square miles and was 10% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. Approximately 4,000 Shasta County residents are evacuated at this time with 30,000 residents affected, the Shasta County Sheriffs Office said in a statement Thursday night. Cal Fire said at least 25 structures had burned. Photos and video showed some homes blazing but the number of residences lost was not known. Damage inspection teams were conducting assessments, Cal Fire said. The fire erupted at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday and grew explosively in hot and gusty weather Thursday in the region about 200 miles north of San Francisco. Weather on Friday was expected to remain hot but with light winds. Alexandra Souverneva, 30, of Palo Alto was under arrest on suspicion of starting the fire, Cal Fire said. Workers at a quarry reported seeing a woman acting strangely and trespassing on Wednesday. Cal Fire said Souverneva later walked out of the brush near the fire line, approached firefighters and told them she was dehydrated and needed medical help. During an interview with Cal Fire and law enforcement, officers came to believe Souverneva was responsible for setting the fire, officials said. She was booked into the Shasta County Jail. It wasnt immediately known if she has an attorney. Souverneva, who had a lighter in her pocket when she approached firefighters, was charged Friday with felony arson to wildland with an enhancement due to the declared state of emergency California is under, said Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett. Souverneva is also being investigated for starting other fires in Shasta County and throughout the state, Bridgett said. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe California Natural Disasters Wildfire Arson Britain's retail industry has warned the UK government that unless it moves to alleviate an acute shortage of truckers in the next 10 days then significant disruption was inevitable in the run-up to Christmas. As the world's fifth-largest economy emerges from Covid-19 lockdowns, a spike in European natural gas prices and a post-Brexit shortage of truck drivers have left Britain grappling with soaring energy prices and a potential food supply crunch. BP temporarily closed some of its 1,200 UK petrol stations due to a lack of both unleaded and diesel grades, which it blamed on driver shortages. Esso said a small number of its 200 Tesco Alliance retail sites had also been impacted, while Shell said it was seeing increased demand for fuel at some of its petrol stations as worries over lorry driver shortages sent drivers to fill up their tanks. For months, supermarkets, processors and farmers have warned that a shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers was straining supply chains to breaking point making it harder to get goods on to shelves. "HGV drivers are the glue which hold our supply chains together. Without them, we are unable to move goods from farms to warehouses to shops," said Andrew Opie at the British Retail Consortium. Unless new drivers are found in the next 10 days, it is inevitable that we will see significant disruption in the run-up to Christmas." Hauliers and logistics companies cautioned there were no quick fixes and any change to testing or visas would likely be too late to alleviate the pre-Christmas shortages as retailers stockpile months ahead. Public urged not to panic-buy Government ministers urged the public not to panic-buy as some of Britain's biggest supermarkets have warned a shortage of truck drivers could lead to just that ahead of Christmas. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said Johnson, whom he met in New York, had asked him for an "emergency" agreement to supply a food product that is lacking in Britain, though the British embassy disputed President Bolsonaro's account. "We'll move heaven and earth to do whatever we can to make sure that shortages are alleviated with HGV drivers," said UK transport secretary Grant Shapps. A trucking industry body, the Road Haulage Association, has called on the UK government to allow short-term visas for international drivers to enter Britain. The British haulage industry says it needs about 100,000 more drivers after 25,000 drivers returned to continental Europe before Brexit and the pandemic halted the qualification process for new workers. Growing worries over energy bills, food costs, and tax hikes has prompted a hefty drop in British consumer confidence this month, surveys have shown. The GfK Consumer Confidence Index fell and a separate Confederation of British Industry survey of retailers showed sales growth slipped to a six-month low in September after spiking to its highest since 2014 in August. Businesses also said they were worried about running low on stocks of goods. Reuters SATURDAY Documentary on One RTE 1, 2pm Felix Life and Limb: Producer Charlotte Devlin presents the story of Iceland's Felix Gretarsson, who received the worlds first full double arm transplant in January 2021, after losing both his arms in an accident while working on high-voltage power lines and the long-term prognosis for living with the experimental technology behind it. SUNDAY The Lyric Feature Lyric FM, 6pm Ireland's Changing Nature Wildling: Presenter Anja Murray on how culture has shaped our relationship with nature. Part three of three features an eclectic weaving together of woolly mammoths, hunter-gatherers, Bronze Age rituals, Cromwellian settlers, psychology, and the future rewilding of mountains and bogs. MONDAY Arena RTE 1, 7pm The judges of the 2021 RTE Short Story Competition, Declan Hughes, Lisa McInerney, and Lucy Cauldwell, will discuss the entries and announce the winners, whose stories will be broadcast on Radio 1. TUESDAY Arena RTE 1, 7pm Oliver Sacks: His Own Life is a documentary looking at the life and legacy of the beloved neurologist and writer. RTE's weeknight arts magazine speaks with its director, Sacks' partner Bill Hayes. The Alternative 2FM, 10pm Another double-dip in the RTE sessions archives with Dan Hegarty: The Minutes' 2010 visit to Studio 8 for Dan's show is revisited; and another listen to a personal favourite Studio 8 session of the presenter's from Vernon Jane, in 2019. WEDNESDAY Saint Sister: part of the last episode of the Seconds Away web-series, highlights on The Alternative; Wednesday, 10pm, 2FM. Pic: Ellius Grace. Sessions from Oblivion RTE 2XM, 7pm Audio from the second series of rte.ie's new Irish music show, including live performances from Cherym and Fin Furey, and chats with Brendan Murphy of Irish pop veterans The 4 of Us. The Alternative 2FM, 10pm Selected live performances from Irish acts in the last of the current seasons of the Seconds Away webseries, including: Saint Sister, Susan ONeill, Cherym, Modernlove, Smoothboi Ezra, Robert Grace, and A Lazarus Soul. THURSDAY Lets Dive In RTE Jr, 7pm Julie and Phil slip into the Critter Shed with snake expert Collie Ennis to ask the question why dont we have any native snakes in Ireland? The Alternative 2FM, 10pm The Upsetter, Lee "Scratch" Perry, was an inestimable source of inspiration and innovation in a production and artist career that ran from reggae's beginnings, through dub and electronica, to the post-genre picture, before his passing in August. Dan Hegarty presents highlights from a 2005 performance originally recorded for RTS Couleurs 3 in Switzerland. FRIDAY An Saol o Dheas R na G, 12.05pm On the 50th anniversary of his passing, Helen Ni She interviews the children of composer Sean O Riada about their memories of him as a father, live from Cuil Aodha. Comoradh an Riadaigh R na G, 2.05pm The re-aired 1991 series on Sean O Riada's continues, as Peadar O'Riada recalls his father's interests in different genres of music, and his musical work, as well as some of his thoughts on spirituality and the importance of the Irish language. Spooky FM RTE Jr, 7pm Uncle Vlad and Zombetty have hijacked the airwaves once again, and the spooky season is set to get underway. Expect ghoulish tales and terror-inducing tunes for all the family. The Government needs to fund long term counselling for children left traumatised by the killing of a parent or sibling, a support group has said. AdVIC, the advocacy group for families of victims of homicide, said it has requested meetings with both the Minister for Children and the Minister of State for Mental Health on the issue, but say the requests have gone unanswered. The body said that, currently, the levels of government funding only allow it to offer 12 counselling sessions to children and adolescents free of charge. In a statement, the group said: AdVIC is concerned that the limited number of sessions is inappropriate and unethical due to the lack of support available through the health system thereafter. 'Long-term consequences' of inadequate intervention It said inadequate short term therapeutic intervention risks causing long term consequences with children and adolescents potentially experiencing low self-esteem, mood swings, substance abuse, flashbacks, panic attacks or relationship difficulties later in life. It said greater levels of funding would enable AdVIC to recruit additional professionally trained and qualified psychotherapists, saying they currently had three qualified child and adolescent counsellors. Losing a loved one through violence is one the most traumatic things that anyone can experience and the impact is even more of a burden on young people, said AdVIC spokesperson Joan Deane. It said that time-limited work with young people presenting with trauma and bereavement was clinically challenging, as bereavement and trauma associated with homicide required medium- to long term therapeutic support and, at times, open-ended support. The statement said that referrals to HSE counselling were not appropriate, saying there were extensive waiting lists: AdVIC has requested meetings with the Minister for Children and Minister of State for Mental Health to discuss the issue and raise the need for increased funding, but the requests have gone unanswered to date. The advocacy group reiterated its call to both ministers ahead of its biannual memorial service for victims of homicide which takes place tomorrow, Saturday September 25, 2021, at 3pm, when the service can be viewed online on AdVIC.ie. 'Impact is even more severe on children' Commenting, AdVIC spokesperson Joan Deane said: Losing a loved one through violence is one the most traumatic things that anyone can experience and the impact is even more of a burden on young people who can be left haunted for the rest of their lives: We feel that it is completely inappropriate that children and adolescents can only avail of short-term counselling for extremely complex trauma, but our calls to address this seem to be falling on deaf ears. It just goes to show once again that families of homicide victims are the only people that really serve life sentences. The lack of suitable therapeutic intervention means that young people can be left with extremely serious long term effects due to untreated trauma that impacts their future. "Negative outcomes can include mental health issues, missing out of educational and career opportunities, and damaging future relationships. The current approach by Government is simply sticking a plaster on a wound and letting it fester. In a statement, the Department of Children said it was contacted by AdVIC in late May and early June with a request to meet the Minister with regard to funding for particular posts. It said AdVIC indicated it had already consulted with Justice Minister McEntee and was requesting a meeting with the Minister for Children and also with the minister with responsibility for mental health. It said some clarification was sought given that the main channel of funding for AdVIC is from the Department of Justice. But it said: Information has been sought from Tusla with regard to its funding support for AdVIC in particular and more generally with regard to counselling and therapeutic supports. This was to brief the Minister for the expected meeting. The Minister certainly has no difficulty with meeting AdVIC and it is regreted that a timely response did not issue to convey this message to AdVIC. A statement from Minister of State for Mental Health, Mary Butler, said it was understood that AdVIC received funding from agencies under the departments of justice and children. The question of meetings in relation to increasing this organisations existing funding would be a matter for those Departments," it said. "Minister Butler will, in conjunction with the HSE, continue to work to improve all aspects of mental health services being developed by the Executive and its existing partnership agencies. Contact advic.ie; 1800 852000; email info@advic.ie Horrific, it was horrific. So stressful, and surreal. You sort of cant believe that its happening. And yet it did happen. Imagine, in the space of less than a year, going from pinpointing a family home to buy, in a location where you want to live, to couchsurfing with family 300km away and not even with the cushion of being assessed for emergency accommodation. As a showcase for the vagaries of the Irish housing system, the past few seasons in the life of Lydia Syms take some beating. Lydia, originally from Dublin, her husband, and four children moved to West Cork and stayed in three different rental properties over much of the past decade. The youngest of their children is just three years old and with Lydias husband working in the area, the family sought suitable properties for purchase. As Lydia, who is in her 40s, said: The housing market and the Celtic Tiger we just missed the boat. From this point of optimism, events shanked wildly off-course. The family applied for a Rebuilding Ireland home loan, the government-backed mortgage scheme, with a view to a low six-figure sum which would secure the property they had selected. They were turned down, but swiftly appealed. They say theyd never been late with their rent, or missed a loan repayment. The appeal was unsuccessful, though it was after a difficult Christmas before they learned of it. 'Covid bought us time' By then, theyd been served notice to quit by their landlord and were due out in January. Lydia utters the immortal words Covid bought us time". The requirement to leave the rented property was put on hold due to another lockdown and the imposition of the 5km limits. It would ultimately be May before they left. Not being able to rent or buy is piling enormous stress on this Irish mum and her family: 'Its really just incredibly strange. Youre just muddling through.' Picture: Larry Cummins The family had been on housing assistance payment (HAP), but confusingly, were taken off the housing list some years ago as it had been explained to them that Lydias husbands earnings from his job were marginally above the threshold. So with their rental coming to an end, the need to get back on the housing list was imperative. Cork County Council obliged, but then things got sticky. As moving day approached, Lydia says the family received an informal offer from the local authority of a property in Skibbereen, a considerable distance away from the primary and secondary schools attended by the familys middle children. They turned it down on that basis. These are the choices. In retrospect, it would have been a roof, but we hadnt even seen it, it would have meant moving schools, she says. The possibility of a private rental property was increasingly fanciful, not least because of the pandemic. There has to be a policy commitment to end homelessness and not just manage it, according to Focus Ireland's South and Mid West manager, Ger Spillane. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan Nationwide, I have never seen anything like the way the rental market is, she says. It is diabolical. Another offer another Lydia says was made informally came regarding a property they also deemed too far away for work and school. Yet, by mid-May, the couple were facing the reality of having nowhere to live. Worse, the local authority had said they could not assess them for emergency accommodation. The Irish Examiner has spoken to a number of people familiar with the familys situation, and no one can say for sure why a family facing homelessness was not assessed by the council and reinstated on the housing list but, whatever the reason, it happened. Lydia says it could simply have been due to a shortage of emergency accommodation as hotels and B&Bs reopened, or possibly the refusals to offers she says were never formally made. As pointed out by a member of Housing Minister Darragh OBriens staff, in return correspondence to Lydia, under the Housing Act 1988, it is a matter for the local authority concerned, in your case Cork County Council, to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless. For Lydia, its a question of oversight of those powers. It all meant family possessions placed in storage, and Lydia and the children now minus her eldest daughter, in her early 20s, who had moved out are couchsurfing with family in Dublin. Her husband remained in Cork to work. That situation has persisted since May up to the present day. 'Isolating, dehumanising, demoralising' Its quite isolating, Its a little dehumanising, its demoralising, Lydia says. You feel like an appalling parent its really just incredibly strange. Youre just muddling through. She praises her sister for providing her with a roof over her head but says: I remember feeling one day that I wish we could curl up in this room and feel invisible and not feel like we are in somebodys way. She describes the feeling as like you are a bit of a non-person. Lydia refers to the need to stop moaning and an element of personal responsibility in life but shes clear that she and her family did all they could to avoid what happened and it happened anyway. Its why she believes more oversight of local authority decision making is required; arguably a fair point, given the emphasis on councils to get it right under the Governments new Housing For All plan. A chink of light has appeared in recent weeks when Lydia was contacted by an Approved Housing Body which might be able to offer a suitable property back in West Cork. If it works out, it will mean stability, and maybe the chance to sort out financial issues, maybe secure a second job once all the children are in school. If her way with words is a guide, she may have missed her calling as a journalist; she certainly has the skills to be an advocate she even set up a Facebook page for families undergoing the same displacement she felt as her family slid, slowly but surely, into homelessness. If the family secure the new tenancy, it might allow them to go again for what, a year ago, seemed tantalisingly within their grasp. This would at least put us in a position of not spending a couple of grand moving, she says. Its insane the amount of money we have spent this summer, on nothing on greying hair. Im such a wreck. Lydias assertions and the details and context of her story were put to Cork Council Council, which said it does not comment on individual cases. However, a spokesperson for the local authority said it would provide comprehensive replies in due course to broader questions about access to social housing, management of choice-based letting (CBL), and assessment for emergency accommodation. Successive governments 'failed to deliver enough housing' Ger Spillane, the South and Mid West manager of Focus Ireland, said: Focus Ireland works in partnership with the local authorities here in Cork and around the country to support families and individuals who are homeless or at risk to secure a home: As we are all sadly too aware there is a severe housing shortage, and this has impacted on households on lower incomes the most in recent years. There is a shortage of affordable rental accommodation and successive governments have failed to deliver enough social housing to meet an ever-growing demand. Focus Ireland has welcomed the Government's new Housing For All strategy and its ambitious housing targets, as well as the commitment to end homelessness by 2030. However, Focus Ireland would stress that the commitment to end homelessness rather than just manage it, must be more than words and must help to drive real changes, Mr Spillane said: To make this a reality, policy must shift away from providing more shelters as a response to homelessness. This commitment must spearhead a move to provide more affordable housing, adequate supports, and effective prevention measures to help keep people in their homes and in their local communities. Lydia says: It may sound like an oxymoron but I want a mortgage, I want to have my own house, adding that this is fuelled by renting since she was 19. I want one solid place for my children, a permanent place, thats not going to change, something to leave them. Catalan separatist leader Carle Puigdemont has been released from jail in Sardinia after a judge ruled he could go free ahead of an October 4 extradition hearing. Puigdemont left the jail in Sassari on Friday, a day after he had been detained by police on the Italian island. He is wanted in Spain for sedition for leading a 2017 secession bid for the Catalonia region, where he served as regional president at the time. Hours before his release on Friday, Judge Plinia Clara Azzena ruled that he was free to travel without restrictions. The judge told the Associated Press that while she found his arrest valid, based on documentation she examined, we didnt restrict him in any way. He can travel if he wants. Judge Azzena and two other judges will hold a hearing on October 4 to rule on Spains extradition bid. Puigdemont was taken into custody on Thursday night when he arrived at an airport in Alghero, Sardinia. He had been invited to attend a Catalan cultural event as well as a meeting a few days later of Sardinian independence sympathisers on the Mediterranean island. Sardinia has strong Catalan cultural roots and its own independence movement. A 38-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering Sabina Nessa has been released under investigation, as British police continued the appeal for information about another man wanted in connection with the inquiry. It came as the primary school teachers family made an impassioned plea for women to keep safe as hundreds of mourners prepared to pay their respects at a vigil on Friday. Ms Nessa, 28, had been walking to meet a friend at a pub near her home in Kidbrooke, south-east London, last Friday when she was fatally attacked in nearby Cator Park. Her body was discovered by a member of the public the next day, having been hidden under a pile of leaves, it was reported. CCTV issued by the Metropolitan Police of a man detectives want to speak to in connection with the murder of Sabina Nessa (Metropolitan Police/PA) Both men arrested on suspicion of murder in recent days have now been released pending further investigation, while detectives remain keen to trace a third man captured on CCTV near where Ms Nessa was killed. On Friday, her sister Jebina Yasmin Islam described the familys ordeal. In a statement released to the PA news agency marking a week since her death, Ms Nessas sister said: We as a family are shocked of the murder of our sister, daughter and aunty to my girls. There are no words to describe how we are feeling as a family at the moment. We did not expect that something like this would ever happen to us. I urge everyone to walk on busy streets when walking home from work, school or a friends home. Please keep safe. I ask you to pray for our sister and make dua (supplication) for her. May Allah grant her paradise. The Metropolitan Police issued footage and images of the man they wish to speak to, which shows him walking in Pegler Square on the evening Ms Nessa was attacked. A 12-second clip shows a balding man wearing a black hooded coat and grey jeans, holding an orange object, looking over his shoulder and pulling at his hood as he walks down a path. Detectives have also released an image, captured in the same area, of a silver car they believe the man has access to and appealed for anyone who recognised either to contact the force immediately. (PA Graphics) Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe urged anyone who may know the man to contact them. Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, from the Mets Specialist Crime Command, said an extensive trawl of CCTV in the area continued and said information on the mans identity and whereabouts could be vital to the investigation. Friends of Ms Nessa gathered for community rally at the East London Mosque on Friday, ahead of a vigil in her honour. Halima Begum, whose family knew Ms Nessa, told the PA news agency: Speaking as a woman and a Londoner from the citys Bangladeshi community, Im heartbroken. Sabina Nessa is thought to have been murdered as she made her way to meet a friend at a pub last Friday (Metropolitan Police/PA) Sabina is related to members of my extended family and everything I know about her speaks of a beautiful, intelligent young woman who had so much life to live, and so, so much to offer in terms of making a positive difference to the peoples lives she touched, not least her familys and the young children she taught at school. Ms Begum urged everyone attending a memorial event on Friday for Ms Nessa to take care this evening, solidarity to yourself and women across London and the UK all we can do is hope for no more horrendous instances like this, and the countless others these past few months. An incorrigible and calculating criminal has been convicted of stealing a painting by Vincent van Gogh and another by Frans Hals from Dutch museums last year, and sentenced to the maximum eight years in prison. Neither of the paintings, each worth several million euros, has been recovered. The 59-year-old man, whose identity was not released in line with Dutch privacy rules, was found guilty of snatching the Van Gogh painting, The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring 1884, from the Singer Laren museum near Amsterdam. A few months later, he stole the 17th century Two Laughing Boys, by Frans Hals, from the Museum Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden in Leerdam, the Central Netherlands Court said in a statement. Given the criminal record of the suspect who is, according to the court, an incorrigible and calculating criminal, the court considers the maximum sentence to be appropriate Court statement The court said the Hals painting was valued at 16 million euros (13 million). It did not give a value for the Van Gogh work. On the very rare occasions that paintings by the Dutch master come up for auction, they attract multimillion-pound prices. The paintings were stolen by a man who broke into the museums at night and fled on a motor scooter driven by an accomplice. The defendant, who has a previous conviction for a similar art heist, denied involvement. The court doesnt believe this, the court said in its statement. His DNA was found at both crime scenes and the man cant explain how that is possible. The court described the paintings as part of the national cultural heritage, they are important for present and future generations. It added: That is why, and given the criminal record of the suspect who is, according to the court, an incorrigible and calculating criminal, the court considers the maximum sentence to be appropriate. Firefighters hope shifting winds and cooling temperatures over the next few days will help them battle a wildfire in a forest in Californias far north that has displaced thousands of people and burned at least 100 structures. Authorities have arrested a 30-year-old woman on suspicion of starting the Fawn Fire in the Mountain Gate area north of the city of Redding in the US state. The blaze covered more than 10 square miles and was 10% contained on Friday night, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Get the latest on the #wildfires burning in California, upcoming fire weather and how you can be prepared! pic.twitter.com/lkOcgKR3gA CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) September 20, 2021 California Highway Patrol said nearly 2,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders on Friday and another 7,400 were under evacuation warnings. Damage inspection teams are expected to conduct assessments on Saturday. Cal Fire said 9,000 structures were threatened by the fire and at least 100 structures had burned. Photos and video showed some homes burning but the number of residences lost was not known. The fire erupted at 4.45pm on Wednesday (12.45am BST on Thursday) and grew explosively in hot and gusty weather the following day in the region about 200 miles north of San Francisco. Firefighter Ron Burias battles the Fawn Fire as it spreads north of Redding, California (AP) North north-east winds on Friday night are expected to shift to become south south-west winds and be in firefighters favour, Cal Fire said. However, firefighters will likely encounter steep terrain during their efforts to control the blaze in the coming days. Temperatures are likely to slowly drop over the next several days as a cooling-off period comes, officials said. Alexandra Souverneva, 30, of Palo Alto, is under arrest on suspicion of starting the fire, Cal Fire said. A helicopter drops water on the Fawn Fire burning north of Redding in Shasta County (AP) Workers at a quarry reported seeing a woman acting strangely and trespassing on Wednesday. Cal Fire said Souverneva later walked out of the brush near the fire line, approached firefighters and told them she was dehydrated and needed medical help. During an interview with Cal Fire and law enforcement, officers came to believe Souverneva was responsible for setting the fire. She was booked into the Shasta County Jail. Souverneva, who had a lighter in her pocket when she approached firefighters, was charged on Friday with felony arson to wildland with an enhancement due to the declared state of emergency California is under, said Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett. The woman is also being investigated for starting other fires in Shasta County and throughout the state, Ms Bridgett said. The Fawn Fire is the latest destructive fire to send Californians fleeing this year. Fires have burned more than 3,600 square miles so far in 2021, destroying more than 3,200 homes, commercial properties and other structures. A firefighter uses a drip torch to slow the Fawn Fire burning north of Redding (AP) Those fires include two big forest blazes growing in the heart of Californias giant sequoia country on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Smoke from those fires raised air quality concerns in the San Joaquin Valley below the Sierra and also darkened skies over greater Los Angeles on Thursday. South coast air regulators issued a smoke advisory but said the heaviest smoke would remain in the upper atmosphere and impacts on surface air quality would be in local mountain ranges. 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, with wildfires becoming more frequent and destructive. Burma Any Embassy Sales by Junta Would Be Illegal, Myanmars Shadow Govt Warns Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo in July 2020. / Segodon Amid reports that the Myanmar military junta seeks to sell the land housing the countrys embassy in Japan, the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) has warned that any sale, in part or in whole, of a Myanmar diplomatic mission by the illegal military regime would be unlawful. NUG Minister of Planning, Finance and Investment U Tin Tun Naing told The Irrawaddy that the warning was issued after the shadow government received credible reports of the regimes proposed sale of the site of the Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo. A part of the Myanmar Embassys land in Tokyo was sold off under the former military regime. According to press reports at the time, the then regime sold 60 percent of the embassy grounds, netting it about US$234 million. The Irrawaddy contacted the embassy in Tokyo for comment but embassy officials werent available. While details of the proposed sale are not yet known, the plan shows that the regime is increasingly desperate for hard currency. The countrys economy has been in freefall since the coup with new investment drying up, the withdrawal of existing investment and the halting of key international-backed infrastructure projects, as Western countries sanction the military regime amid its forces brutal killing of more than 1,000 peaceful protesters, activists and youths. Myanmar people are also refusing to pay commercial and income taxes and have stopped buying lottery tickets as they continue their boycott campaign to reduce the regimes revenue and deny it legitimacy. As they are in dire need of foreign currency, it is likely they are plotting to sell embassy land in other countries as well, U Tin Tun Naing said. This fear prompted his ministry to issue its announcement, he said. The announcement states that the illegal military regimes governing body as well as its subsidiary institutions and organizations have no right to control, manage or dispose of the public estate and thus any sale of the sites of the countrys diplomatic missions is prohibited. Either the seller or the purchaser, or both, partaking in any such prohibited transaction will be prosecuted at a time and jurisdiction of the NUGs choosing, the announcement added. The NUG said it will follow up with relevant authorities in the host countries of Myanmar diplomatic missions to preclude unlawful transactions prohibited by the announcement. You may also like these stories: Juntas Demand to Spy on Customers Prompts Telenor to Leave Myanmar Myanmar Junta Cuts Internet Access in Anti-Regime Resistance Strongholds Myanmar Junta Troops Suspected of Killing and Mutilating Civilians Burma Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Denies Rumors of Talks With Myanmar Regime Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in 2019. / State Counselor Office Myanmars detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has denied rumors that she has held talks with the junta leaders over the past two months. No one came to talk to me, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told her lawyers on Monday, during a brief chat with her legal team, according to a lawyer present. There were rumors about who met her, but she told us that, until now, no one [from the juntas governing body the State Administration Council (SAC) or the military] has met with her, said the lawyer. Rumors circulated that coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi before Myanmars Martyrs Day, which falls on July 19, and that there was a follow-up meeting last month with two members of the SAC. A local news outlet reported that U Chit Naing and U Win Shein, the junta-appointed Ministers of Information and Planning and Finance and Industry, met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on August 6. On Monday, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was supposed to appear before a special court in Naypyitaws Zabuthiri Township after eight weeks of delays to her court hearings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But after the ousted State Counselor fell ill with car sickness, she requested an absence from the court proceedings. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other senior leaders of the National League for Democracy Party were detained hours before the militarys February 1 coup. She faces six charges for alleged violations of COVID-19 restrictions, possession of illegal walkie-talkies, sedition and for breaching the Official Secrets Act. The military regime has also filed four corruption charges against her. She faces a potential prison sentence of 75 years. Until early June, Daw Aung San Suu Kyis court appearances came via video conferencing. Her legal defense team met her in person for the first time on June 7, at the first hearing where she appeared in court in person. The trials for five of the charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi are supposed to be completed by December. Witness appearances for those cases had been half-completed when the trials were postponed for two months from July 19. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Junta Kills At Least 12 Civilians Over Weekend Over 80 Myanmar Military-Owned Telecom Towers Destroyed Nationwide Myanmar Military-Backed USDP Accused of Exploiting Smaller Political Parties Burma Myanmar Junta Arrests Two More Journalists Ko Myo Thant (left) and Ko Win Naing Oo (right), two of the 53 journalists currently being detained in Myanmar. Two more Myanmar journalists have been arrested by junta forces, raising the number of journalists being held by the military regime to 53 as of September 16, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Since the militarys February 1 coup, Myanmar has become the worlds second-biggest jailer of journalists, after China, said RSF. On Wednesday night, the former editor-in-chief of Mizzima News, Ko Myo Thant, was arrested in Kangyidaunt Township, Ayeyarwady Region. Junta forces went to Kangyidaunt after being told that Ko Myo Thant was there, and threatened to detain his aunt if he did not surrender, RSF stated in a report released on Thursday. Channel Mandalay news agency journalist Ko Win Naing Oo was arrested on August 31 with his wife. News of his arrest only emerged on Thursday, following a report that he has been charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, which criminalizes the spreading of false comments or fake news targeting government officials. Ko Win Naing Oo faces a potential prison sentence of three years. Since seizing power, the junta has targeted journalists with arrests, lawsuits, raids on newsrooms and violence in an effort to silence independent coverage of its daily atrocities. Over 100 journalists and media workers have been detained. In some cases, relatives of journalists have been held as hostages to force the journalists to turn themselves in. The arrests of [Ko] Win Naing Oo and [Ko] Myo Thant sadly illustrates the extreme brutality with which Myanmars military treats journalists, pursuing them, pressuring their relatives and holding them incommunicado, said Daniel Bastard, the head of RSFs Asia-Pacific desk. Ma Thuzar, a freelance reporter and former member of the Press Council has also been arrested. She was snatched by police as she left her home on the morning of September 1. Her arrest was only confirmed by the police on September 5. Her family were unable to confirm her whereabouts, although there are rumors that she was taken to a military interrogation center in Yangon. The reason for her detention is unknown. RSF has called on the international community to impose targeted sanctions against those responsible for the media crackdown. You may also like these stories: Burma Myanmar Junta Kills At Least 12 Civilians Over Weekend Around 30 houses were burned down during a junta raid on Htet Hlaw village, Gangaw, Magwe Region. / Gangaw Youth Voice At least a dozen civilians were killed by junta forces in Magwe, Sagaing and Yangon regions during the weekend. On Sunday, junta forces killed two brothers in Taungdwingyi Township, Magwe Region, after a telecom mast belonging to the military-owned Mytel, one of four telecom operators in Myanmar, was destroyed. Resistance fighters said in a statement that the troops tortured villagers as they interrogated them over the incident and two were killed. Four other villagers were detained, it added. Telecom towers owned by Myanmars military are being targeted by resistance fighters following the shadow National Unity Governments declaration of war against the junta on September 7. The junta troops also burned several houses during raids on Hnan Khar and Htet Hlaw villages on Gangaw Township in the region, a resistance stronghold, over the weekend. According to residents, a villager and resistance fighter were shot dead by junta troops in Htet Hlaw on Sunday morning during a raid. Around 30 houses were also burned down during the raid, forcing villagers to flee. Villagers said they found the two bodies when they returned to put out the fires. On Monday morning, junta troops torched Hnan Khar, burning at least 10 houses. Nearly 40 houses have been partially or completely destroyed in the village since Friday. In Myaung Township, Sagaing Region, seven villagers, who were trapped in their village during clashes between junta forces and resistance fighters, were reportedly shot dead by regime soldiers. In Yangon Region, 36-year-old Ko Aung Ko was shot dead after he reportedly failed to stop his car at a checkpoint on Saturday night. His wife, who was a passenger, was shot and is in a critical condition. Since the February coup, junta forces have killed at least 1,080 people, including teenagers, children, student activists, protesters, politicians, bystanders and pedestrians. More than 8,000 people have been detained of whom 6,398 remain in custody, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. You may also like these stories: Over 80 Myanmar Military-Owned Telecom Towers Destroyed Nationwide Myanmar Military-Backed USDP Accused of Exploiting Smaller Political Parties Myanmars Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Sick; Court Hearings Postponed Guest Column Chinas Infrastructure Projects in Myanmar, Nepal and Tibet Threaten to Encircle India The rail line opening ceremony on the Chinese side of the border on August 25. / Chinese embassy in Myanmar On August 25, when the international media was busy covering the Afghan crisis, China quietly opened a strategic rail link through civil war-hit Myanmar to access the Indian Ocean. This is the first rail link between western China and the Indian Ocean and will significantly reduce the time needed to import cargo to Chinas landlocked Yunnan Province. If anything, the newly-created rail line is Beijings gift to Myanmars military regime as it is expected to provide a source of income for the latter. China has remained undaunted in its support for Myanmars coup leaders since the military takeover on February 1. The trade route was opened exactly two months after China operationalized a fully-electrified high-speed train service between Tibets capital Lhasa and Nyingchi, a strategically-located border town opposite Indias Arunachal Pradesh State. Last year, there were reports that China was doing the groundwork for a proposed railway line connecting Lhasa to Kathmandu, and then on to Lumbini close to the India-Nepal border. These developments, seemingly unrelated, are all part of massive infrastructure projects that Beijing is planning in order encircle India strategically. Some of these projects are linked to Chinas President Xi Jinpings ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global connectivity project, but they nevertheless have significant security implications for New Delhi. China and India nuclear-armed neighbors have been locked in a border standoff for more than a year now. The 3,488km disputed border, known as the Line of Actual Control, that runs east to west from Indias Arunachal Pradesh to Ladakh has remained hot since June 2020, when Chinese and Indian soldiers clashed in a violent brawl that left 24 troops dead. Beijing claims Arunachal Pradesh as Chinese territory, referring to it as southern Tibet, in a tit-for-tat assertion against New Delhi offering shelter to the Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, and allowing a Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala. Chinas new high-speed train link to a border town opposite Arunachal Pradesh is seen as a direct threat by Indian analysts. Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) used its newly-inaugurated bullet train to transport troops to a remote location in Tibet, according to a report by The Eurasian Times. The significance of this railway project lies in the fact that President Xi Jinping travelled from the border town of Nyingchi to Lhasa by this train during his historic visit to Tibet in July this year. While India has also ramped up border infrastructure such as roads, bridges and tunnels in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, these regions lack railway connectivity. In 2014, Arunachal Pradesh joined the railway system, but the existing line caters only to the capital city. Commenting on these developments, China analyst Kalpit A. Mankikar said, Regarding the Myanmar project, it seems to be a trade-focused project, giving China its first road-rail transport link to Indian Ocean. This circumvents the need to use the Malacca Straits. The newly-launched railway line from the Myanmar border will service the important commercial hub of Chengdu in western China, the analyst told this writer. The development of rail infrastructure in Tibet is tied to Xi Jinpings need for the PLA to be able to transport troops quickly to the restive regionYes, its a cause of concern for India because improved rail infrastructure means that China has the edge in troop deployments there, added Kalpit A. Mankikar, a Fellow with the Strategic Studies Programme at the Observer Research Foundation think tank. If that were not enough, Beijing is also planning a railway track connecting the Nepalese capital Kathmandu with Shigatse in Tibet as part of the BRI. Under the plan, the proposed rail line could be further extended to Lumbini close to the India-Nepal border. Lumbini, the birthplace of the Lord Buddha, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The move seems to be aimed at boosting trade and tourism prospects for Nepal, while easing its reliance on India. Long-term goals Beijing sets its eyes on long-term strategic goals, unlike New Delhi, and it is pursuing them vigorously in Indias neighbourhood through trade diplomacy. Its latest targets are Nepal and Bangladesh, which have traditionally remained loyal to India. For instance, China has made efforts to boost its trade with Bangladesh which is now twice that of India about US$10 billion annually. Nepal, which is a signatory to the BRI, is drawing Chinese investment in sectors such as infrastructure and hydropower. China is the largest foreign investor in the Himalayan nation; it has pledged US$188 million for the 2020-21 fiscal year. China has maintained this position six years in a row, according to Xinhua, the Chinese news agency. Its worth mentioning that Beijing maintained close contacts with the Nepalese communists, who were ruling the country until a few months ago. It is believed China was instrumental in the merger of two Left-wing parties to form the Nepal Communist Party in 2018. Its another matter that Nepals communists are now in disarray after three and half years in power, due to an internal feud and then Prime Minister KP Sharma Olis loss of credibility. But the forthcoming elections could turn the tide in favour of the communists again, one faction or the other. And if that happens, China could once again try to reap benefits. Giving what he calls a broad picture of the BRI, Professor Srikanth Kondapalli, a leading scholar in China studies, says the mega infrastructure initiative is based on five connectivity plans policy coordination, physical infrastructure, trade promotion, internationalisation of the Chinese renminbi currency to counter the dominance of the US dollar, and people-to-people contacts [tourism, education, culture]. This policy has been placed in the party [Communist Party of China] constitution, which means that this has become one of Chinas long-term objectives, the professor told this writer. The second broad picture, according to Professor Kondapalli, is that last year China produced 800 million tons of steel by importing iron ore from countries like India, Australia, Brazil and South Africa. That amounts to almost half of all global steel production. China also produced 24,000 million tons of cement last year which was almost 54 percent of global cement production. The country also produces six million graduates a year. Last year, China had eight million graduates and they all had to be employed. So China thought of the BRI as a panacea for all these issues, added Professor Kondapalli, who teaches Chinese Studies at the Centre for East Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. The expert said that Chinas BRI projects in Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, stem from its desire to utilize its own resources. The enormous quantity of cement and steel that China has produced will be used in infrastructure projects such as roads and railways, while those projects also open up employment opportunities for its new engineering graduates. China also plans to lay a 1,920 km railway line from Kunming in Yunnan Province to Yangon and this could be commissioned soon given Chinas close ties with Myanmars military regime, said Professor Kondapalli. Jayanta Kalita is a senior journalist and author based in New Delhi. He writes on issues relating to Indias northeast and its immediate neighborhood. The views expressed are his own. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. The Catholic Church apologized unequivocally on Friday to Canadas indigenous peoples for a century of abuses at church-run residential schools set up by the government to assimilate children into the mainstream. But indigenous leaders are still awaiting a mea culpa from the pope himself. We, the Catholic Bishops of Canada, express our profound remorse and apologize unequivocally, read a statement, in which they said they were fully committed to reconciliation. The move follows recent discoveries, which convulsed Canada, of some 1,200 unmarked graves at three sites where indigenous children were forced to attend the schools. In total, some 150,000 Indian, Metis and Inuit children were enrolled from the late 1800s to the 1990s in 139 of the residential schools across Canada, spending months or years isolated from the families. It also comes less than a week before Canadians mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. The solemn commemoration for the thousands of indigenous children who died or went missing from the schools was set by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said in June that Canadians were horrified and ashamed of how our country behaved. In the statement, the bishops said they acknowledge the suffering experienced by indigenous students and the grave abuses inflicted upon them, including physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and sexual mistreatment at the hands of headmasters and teachers. Many Catholic religious communities and dioceses participated in this system, which led to the suppression of Indigenous languages, culture and spirituality, failing to respect the rich history, traditions and wisdom of Indigenous Peoples, they said. We also sorrowfully acknowledge the historical and ongoing trauma and the legacy of suffering and challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples that continue to this day. Cultural genocide A truth and reconciliation commission concluded the failed government policy amounted to cultural genocide. Today, the residential school experiences are blamed for a high incidence of poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence, as well as high suicide rates, in Canadas indigenous communities. Searches for more possible grave sites using ground penetrating radar continue after discoveries in British Columbia and Saskatchewan provinces. Meanwhile, tribes are trying to piece together old documents that might help identify the deceased in the unmarked graves and shed light on the fate of others who never returned home. The bishops committed to providing documentation or records (requested by tribes) that will assist in the memorialization of those buried in unmarked graves. Indigenous groups and leaders have also called for a papal apology for the Churchs role in the residential schools, with backing from Trudeau who has said he personally implored Pope Francis to make an apology to indigenous Canadians on Canadian soil. Indigenous leaders have said an apology from the church is welcomed, but it would be more meaningful coming from the pope himself. A delegation of Canadian indigenous peoples is scheduled to travel to the Vatican in December to meet with the pope. In the meantime, the bishops said they would work with the Vatican and indigenous leaders to try to schedule a papal visit to Canada as part of this healing journey. The mother of Jelani Day, an Illinois graduate student whose body was identified nearly a month after he was reported missing, is criticizing the way authorities handled her son's case. "To them, Jelani didn't mean anything," Carmen Bolden Day told CNN on Friday. "There is no effort. There is no push. There is no nothing that was being done about my son." Day's mother has been outspoken in recent days, pleading for help finding her son after the wave of interest sparked by the case of Gabby Petito -- which illustrated disparities in cases where the missing person is White compared with those involving Black and brown people. The LaSalle County Coroner confirmed Day's identity through forensic dental identification and DNA testing and comparison, the office said Thursday in statement shared by the Bloomington Police Department. The cause of death remains unknown, authorities said, pending further investigation. The coroner, Richard Ploch, on Friday declined to comment. CNN also sought comment from the Bloomington Police Department. Day, a 25-year-old graduate student at Illinois State University whose mother said aspired to become a speech pathologist, was reported missing on August 25 in Bloomington, Illinois. "Me and my kids, me and everybody that never knew Jelani -- my family, friends, strangers -- did all the leg work," Bolden Day said. "My son didn't get any type of help... He didn't deserve this." On Thursday, Bloomington Police Officer John Fermon said that while the case recently received national attention, he believes it received a good amount of attention locally from the beginning and he sympathized with the cases that don't get that exposure. "We're lucky the story actually exploded as well as it did, which may or may not have led to the tips that came in," Fermon told reporters. Day was last seen on August 24, and his vehicle was found in Peru, Illinois, a couple of days later on August 26. An initial search took place on August 26. Fermon said there were extensive K-9 searches conducted by Illinois State Police, drone aerial searches by local jurisdictions, and ground searches. Nothing was found then or in subsequent searches, he said. Authorities returned on September 4 and found the body that would later be identified as Day's floating in the Illinois River. "We got some information to give us that second search," Fermon said, citing there is still a death investigation looking into the cause. "We were getting tips in, but that's really as far as I'll get. We were getting some tips in from around that location." An autopsy was conducted the day after the body was found, he said, but the LaSalle County Coroner has yet to release the results. Carmen Bolden Day said authorities told her this week that clothes belonging to her son were found on the banks of the Illinois River. She said that when the coroner informed her that he had finally obtained her son's dental records, she inquired about the results of DNA testing. "He said to me, 'Do you want to know if this is your son or not?'" Bolden Day said. "They were so rude to me." Fermon said the search for Day involved 10 agencies and included specialized teams near the Peru area where the vehicle was found, with FBI assistance. "FBI Springfield has been in communication with Bloomington police department for several weeks regarding the Jelani Day case," spokeswoman Rebecca Cramblit said in a statement, declining to discuss "investigative details that have not been made available to the public at this time." Day's case and others involving people of color are getting renewed attention following coverage of the disappearance of Petito, whose remains were recovered Sunday in Wyoming, where she had been exploring parks with her fiance. "My son wasn't involved in the streets," Day's mother said, choking up. "He wasn't a gang banger... That could have been the narrative, then it would have been, well, let's forget about him. But he was a productive citizen. I raised a good young man. And somebody did this to him." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday harshly condemned the actions depicted in images showing Border Patrol agents on horseback rounding up Haitian migrant families in Texas after they crossed over from Mexico. "It's horrible what you saw. To see people like they did, with horses, running them over, people being strapped, it's outrageous," Biden said at the White House. The President said: "I promise you: those people will pay... There is an investigation underway right now and there will be consequences." "It's an embarrassment," Biden added. "It's beyond an embarrassment. It's dangerous, it's wrong. It sends the wrong message around the world. It send the wrong message at home. It's simply not who we are." An investigation was launched after video of Border Patrol agents on horse patrol aggressively confronting migrants surfaced earlier this week. Several top administration officials and congressional Democrats have expressed outrage over the images which appear to show law enforcement officers on horseback, including authorities swinging long reins near migrants who crossed the border near Del Rio. The Department of Homeland Security has temporarily suspended the use of horse patrol. Asked whether he took responsibility for what happened at the border, Biden said he did. "Of course I take responsibly," Biden said. "I'm President." Harris also expressed horror at the images and drew comparisons to slavery. "I was outraged by it, it was horrible and deeply troubling," she said during an appearance on "The View" on Friday, adding that she fully supports an investigation into the matter. "Human beings should not be treated that way, and as we all know, it also evokes images of some of the worst moments of our history, where that kind of behavior has been used against the indigenous people in our country, has been used against African Americans during times of slavery," Harris said. Harris said she and the President both feel "very strongly" that the US needs to do more to support the people of Haiti. "I feel very strongly, the President feels very strongly -- we've got to do more, there's no question. The United States is a member of the Western Hemisphere. Haiti is our neighbor in that regard. And so we have to do more in terms of supporting the Haitians who are returning to the island, returning to Haiti. We've got to do more without any question to support Haiti in terms of its need to get back up and recover," Harris said. Harris noted the nation was in a process of rebuilding as it recovers from natural disasters and in the wake of the assassination of the country's President. This story has been updated with additional details. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. MEDFORD, Ore-- Just as the 2021 Fire Season was set to move into the hottest months of the year, local fire departments across Jackson and Josephine Counties made a pledge. "We remain poised to engage this summer," said Fire District 3's Deputy Chief Mike Hussey. Since that pledged, firefighters have help true to their word. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest District, firefighters have responded to 310 wildfires across their protected lands since January 1, 2021. An almost 100 wildfire increase compared to 2020(245). But compared to 2020, the amount of acres and structures destroyed has significantly dropped. ODFSW telling NewsWatch 12 that this year, only 386 acres have been burned and zero structures destroyed. Compared to 2020, in that same time frame, more than 40,000 acres were burned and thousands of buildings destroyed. A big reason for that decrease, quicker responses and reports of wildfires and a deeper bond between fire organizations after the 2020 fire season. "They(firefighters) were able to take care of them(wildfires) really quickly before they could get out of control," said ODFSW's Natalie Weber. "I think that was a really big factor this year." "I think after last year in a sense we became that much closer, united and determined to make sure that we don't go through another wildfire season like 2020 again," Weber said. A big factor in a year where the wildfire season was primed to be one of the worst wildfire seasons on record in Jackson and Josephine Counties. In 2021, both counties have dealt with 'Extreme' drought conditions, even worse than that in 2020, pushing fire fuels to a point where they had never been. "We really had everything stacked against us because of the severe drought in most of our protection area," Weber said. "Just really warm temperatures starting in the early parts of March." But because of the lessons learned in 2020, firefighters and citizens were much more prepared for this season, prepping early before the wildfire season got to its most extreme point. "This community is much stronger," said Fire District 3's Fire Chief Bob Horton. "That's both the public community and the residents that we protect. Everybody stepped up and did their part and their role to hep make sure that the 2021 wildfire season was nothing like we experienced in 2020." However, even with the impacts of the 2021 Fire Season kept in check so far, the danger has still not passed. Fire officials have told NewsWatch 12 that right now it is still uncertain when this fire season could end. "It's so dependant on factors like weather and fuel moisture and time can only tell for those things," Weber stated. Fire departments want to remind locals that even with some recent moisture in the area, this is not the right time to let down our guard. "Even though we are experiencing some moisture and a drop in temperatures, I don't think this is the right time for people to let down their guard," said Chief Horton. Oregon Health & Science University is sharing an updated forecast today about hospitalization demands in Oregon caused by SARS-CoV-2 and its virus variants. Its forecast says Oregon hospitals will remain under severe strain from the current surge of COVID-19 cases well into the fall. The updated forecast released today from OHSU shows the current surge stirred by the delta variant is starting to abate slowly as the virus finds fewer people who arent immune either through vaccination or recent infection. However, the new forecast indicates hospitalizations will remain at extremely high levels at least until Oct. 5 and will stay high well into December. OHSUs new data also show findings that Oregon has a relatively low number of children with COVID-19 compared with other states. With in-person learning underway, this fall in Oregon schools, OHSUs new report presents information about COVID-19 cases among children. Peter Graven, Ph.D., is the lead data scientist in OHSUs Business Intelligence Unit. He said his data suggest children are protected when adults around them are vaccinated. We are seeing that one of the best ways to keep kids out of the hospital is to have high vaccination rates across the population, Graven said. The other OHSU forecast data show the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients decreasing. It expects COVID-19 hospitalizations to reduce from 939 on September 23, 2021, to below 600 hospitalized cases by October 5. That level compares with the highest previous peak in statewide hospitalizations of 584 during the winter case surge before vaccines were available broadly. OHSUs forecast looks further to project hospitalizations could lower to approximately 350 hospitalized statewide by December 11. OHSU says Oregon reached its peak of 1,178 people hospitalized statewide on September 1. MEDFORD, Ore. --On September 24, 2021 a Jackson County man was sentenced to 20 months after four Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants charges within 15 a month period. Richard William Myers had DUII charges in Jackson County from July 24, 2020, August 14, 2020, October 7, 2020, and May 11,2021. In addition to the 20 months, Myers will have 2 years of post prison supervision and his driver's license permanently revoked. Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants is the largest population of individuals monitored by Jackson County Community Justice. Almost every person is allowed a first offense Diversion, and all convicted individuals are required by law to attend an alcohol/drug treatment program. The Medford Police Department has found 288 DUII arrests were made in 2020, 281 in 2019, and 248 in 2018. Most recently, Medford police reported 31 DUII arrests in January 2021, 22 in February 2021, and 31 in March 2021. The Oregon Health Authority reports 112 deaths on average each year in Jackson County related to alcohol. MPD has also found an increase in DUII car accidents and DUIIs related to other drugs including fentanyl, heroine, and pills. Lt. Mike Budreau tells Newswatch 12, "Covid in 2020 was unique and you would think that would mean less DUI because there's less people driving and there's less bars for people to go drink, but that doesn't mean they can't drink at home." Deputy District Attorney in Jackson County, Kelly Hager tells Newswatch 12 multiple DUII offenses within a year are common, regardless of person's license being revoked. "We have so many more people now and we haven't grown our jail space so there really isn't a place to keep people from harming others while their waiting for their trials." Newswatch 12 will continue to follow DUII statistics throughout Jackson County. OREGON--- A new Oregon gun safety law passed in the 2021 session has a target date this weekend. Senate Bill 554 takes effect Saturday, September 25, 2021, as the 91st day after the sessions adjournment, signed into law by Oregon Governor Kate Brown. The law allows the state capitol, airports, schools and universities to prohibit firearms and require firearms be securely stored when not in use to avoid unintentional shootings and gun suicides. The original measure, Authorizes city, county, metropolitan service district, port operating commercial airport, school district, college or university to adopt ordinance or policy limiting or precluding affirmative defense for possession of firearms in public buildings by concealed handgun licensees. It modifies the definition of public building, for purposes of crime of possession of a weapon in a public building to include certain airport areas, buildings owned or controlled by public bodies and real property owned by college or university. Gun safety advocates, such as Everytown, highlight that SB 554 will require that firearms be securely stored and locked when not in use: Research shows secure storage legislation can prevent unintentional shootings and gun suicides. Right now, over 80 percent of gun deaths are gun suicides in Oregon. September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Everytown also says, Armed extremism in democracy is not new for Oregon. During the December 2020 special session, armed extremists descended on the Oregon State Capitol. Security footage shows Rep. Mike Nearman opening the door to let extremists into the building. In January, the Oregon legislature decided to delay the start of session due to threats of violence in Salem. A recent Everytown for Gun Safety report in partnership with the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), details that Oregon had the highest number of armed protests between January 2020 and the end of June 2021. The acts first page is a list of people whove died by gun violence or statistics about gun violence in Oregon, concluding with the rationale, Whereas everyone has the right to be free from gun violence; now, therefore, Senate Bill 554 was proposed and passed in to law in 2021. CENTRAL POINT, Ore. -- Jackson County Public Health and the hospital systems continue to encourage the community to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and provide relief to the hospital and public health system. Jackson County Public Health made a resource request to the Oregon Health Authority to provide additional testing resources in Jackson County. The OHA has fulfilled that request and has deployed a testing team to Jackson County. The weekend of September 25, 2021 will be the last weekend the OHA will offer the Covid testing and vaccine resource at the Jackson Expo, as of right now. The temporary testing site is located at the Jackson County Expo and people should enter through Gate 5. People must pre-register at doineedacovid19test.com.This is a PCR test, and results are available within 2-3 days. Covid tests are free. People can also get vaccinated at the Expo. The OHA has deployed one of their vaccination teams to this location. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available. Enter Gate 3 for vaccinations. Hours for Covid-19 Testing & Vaccination at the Expo: Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Medford, Ore. - A medical advisory group for Oregon, California, Washington, and Nevada is echoing approval of the Pfizer vaccine as a booster shot for some people. Friday the Western States Scientific Safety Review Group recommended a Pfizer vaccine booster shot six months after the original Pfizer vaccination for the following groups of people: People 65 and older, People living in a long-term care facility, and People 50-64 with underlying medical conditions. The Workgroup also recommends the following groups of people ages 18-64 receive a Pfizer vaccine booster shot six months after theyve received the original Pfizer vaccine: People with underlying medical conditions, and People who are at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to occupational or institutional settings. Jackson County Public Health advises that COVID-19 vaccine providers will need to have updated standing orders for the booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine before being able to administer the booster dose. Therefore, not all COVID-19 vaccine providers that carry the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine may be immediately ready to provide booster doses to the community. It reminds vaccine patients that while Oregon has an adequate supply of Pfizer vaccines, state health officials caution that provider capacity could mean that booster doses may not be available on-demand in some communities. Learn where to get vaccinated in Jackson County at https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/COVID-19/Vaccine-Appointments/where-to-get-vaccinated-in-jackson-county, visit the Oregon Health Authority Vaccine Finder site https://govstatus.egov.com/find-covid-19-vaccine, or call 211-information with general questions. 1 Shares Share The reason that the United States hasnt been able to reach higher vaccination rates is because of leadership failures. Its really hard for leaders to lead transformational change during stable times. Its infinitely harder to lead in a VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity)-dynamic world, but not impossible. Its the timeless leadership challenge. How do you help the people you lead get from A to B? This exchange between Fox Sunday host Chris Wallace and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts makes it pretty clear that both Wallace and Ricketts are correct and that each of their responses is rational and appropriate. Wallace wonders why parents object to getting their children vaccinated for COVID but not other required vaccines needed before attending school? He notes that when he was a child, his parents and many others didnt hesitate when the polio vaccine first came out. So what Wallace highlights is that vaccine requirements have existed for a while, and in the past, when Americans were faced with debilitating illness and given the choice of a vaccine, people didnt hesitate. Ricketts notes that for other vaccines like diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella, hepatitis B and chickenpox, there was a long rollout and familiarity people could see and so they felt comfortable. This feels different and having a federal mandate may actually decrease trust. This is a process thats going to take time to bring people along, and thats why it should be a personal choice and not something mandated by the government. So, wheres the gap in leadership? What Wallace correctly implies is that the role of leaders is to lead the people to where they need to go, and in the times of a public health crisis, we need to move more quickly. Rightly he wonders why is it different in times of COVID compared to polio? Ricketts provides the clues: People out there who dont know what to trust and in fact this is really an outcome of what the CDC has done because they flip-flopped on so many issues, whether its masking, or whether you have to mask if youve been vaccinated and so forth. Theres just a lot of people out there who dont know who to trust right now. This is also where Ricketts falls short of being a leader. Instead of avoiding phrasing loaded with emotion like, The president has forgotten we live in America. He thinks we live in the Soviet Union, and the hypocrisy of this is just unbelievable, Ricketts could have said lead with more empathy and understanding about the VUCA world we live in and that scientists and physicians have been facing since the beginning of COVID. For example, I understand where President Biden is coming from. There is an urgency to get fellow Americans and Nebraskans vaccinated as soon as possible. These federal mandates however will make my job harder as people already are uncertain what the right thing to do is. He could have followed up by also addressing the changing recommendations of the CDC by saying accurately: Its true that people are confused by the multiple changes in CDC guidance. Unlike the past, where the science of various illnesses was well known, like the ones you raised Chris, the American public has been witnessing the scientific discovery, all the stops and starts that come with dealing with a new disease, in full view for all to see, warts and all. As we learn more, we can continue to expect guidance to change periodically. However, Im confident that over time we will look back at 2021 and mid-2022, we will know how we best protect our children, adults, and elderly as our understanding of the virus continues to evolve and improve. To be candid, this would have been an incredible statement by any governor and instead should be coming from public health leaders. Though Dr. Fauci and others have said the same thing with follow the science, what public health leaders have failed to do is provide adequate empathy even as the pandemic rolls on to year two, March 2022, even as their own patience, endurance, and mental wellness wears thin. Even as President Biden and business leaders put mandates in to improve overall vaccination rates, those who are truly against vaccines will resent it and find other places to do business or work. Not ideal, but sometimes mandates are needed for a company or organization to survive change and to happen at a faster pace than leaders would like to bring people along. Although Ill assume that Governor Ricketts is factually accurate in this statement, At last year in Nebraska, if you were aged 10-19, you were 26 times more likely to die in a car accident than you were of COVID-19, in a dynamic VUCA world and a raging COVID pandemic, this sound bite could be wrong a year from now when reflecting on how 2021, went for Nebraska. Its hard to make predictions about a VUCA world that is increasingly dynamic. How to close the leadership challenge and end this COVID chapter It takes a lot of work to be a good empathetic leader and lead the changes necessary for organizations to succeed during normal conditions. The degrees of difficulty are infinitely higher when you have a public health emergency of unknown duration, evolving scientific discovery and treatments, and important and nuanced discussions boiled down into tweets and sound bites. So if we are to protect our friends, neighbors, and communities, leaders need to understand and implement the following. Invite conversation and set the stage. What are people most worried about? What do they need to make the changes happen? Set accountability and deadlines. At some point, a leader has to move forward. The president has mandated vaccines. He could also ask governors to have X percent vaccinated by a certain date just like they did for July 4th or that ICU/hospital capacity never falls below X percent. Understand how to address the four elements that often shoot down good ideas confusion, fear-mongering, death by delay, and personal attacks. There are plenty of examples available since the COVID pandemic and the discovery and deployment of the vaccine. To add more complexity, because knowledge of the illness is evolving, that understandably will cause even more confusion than in other situations. Note President Biden attempts to address the confusion in his address to the nation. Scaling this to the finish line will need different strategies and tactics we are moving from an air war to a ground war. It will be leveraging 1:1 conversations, and President Biden called this out by asking doctors to reach out to your unvaccinated patients over the next two weeks and make a personal appeal to them to get the shot. America needs your personal involvement in this critical effort. As one of my colleagues taught me once, it takes repeating things at least 17 times for change and understanding to occur. An address to the nation, a vaccine available in late 2020, and a variety of other programs and roll outs, got us to our vaccination rate today. It will take more 1:1 conversations and more work for all of us to get to the next level. Ultimately, its not about the COVID vaccines alone, as Chris Wallace notes, since schools have mandated vaccines for children to attend school. As Governor Ricketts noted, it shouldnt be just about vaccination rates alone, it should be whether the health care system can handle both COVID and non-COVID cases. If the vaccine is the best way to decrease hospitalizations and preventable deaths, that is the best course of action, but people are confused (see changing CDC guidance), scared (see: fear-mongering about the vaccine), death by delay (Ill wait until there is more data, a mandate, etc.), or personal attacks (directed at the leader leading the changes). In his mind, President Bidens federal mandate makes Governor Ricketts job harder. But for President Biden, he cant wait. Its time to go. Leadership isnt about leading people when times are easy, but when times are hard, the future uncertain, the data never quite adequate, and you wish you knew more. This is why this change, getting the entire country vaccinated at a rate for all groups, which has never happened before for any other disease, and a scale and speed that is unprecedented has been and will continue to be incredibly hard. When we look back years from now, it will be commonly accepted that we always wear masks in certain situations, and we always get vaccinated in certain situations. Until then, the leadership challenge has and always will be how do you help the people you lead get from A to B? Davis Liu is a family physician. He is the author of The Thrifty Patient Vital Insider Tips for Saving Money and Staying Healthy and Stay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely. He can be reached at his self-titled site, Davis Liu, MD, and on Twitter @DavisLiuMD. Image credit: Shutterstock.com PORTLAND, Ore. 2,284 Oregon state workers have requested an exemption to Gov. Brown's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, according to data provided by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS). That's about 5% of the approximately 42,000 employees impacted by the vaccine requirement. Of those, 90% were religious exemption requests and 10% were for medical reasons. As of Friday, 266 total exemption requests have been approved, the rest are still under review, according to Oregon DAS. It's unclear how many have been denied, if any, but more updates should be available as the vaccination deadline approaches. Governor Brown set Oct. 18 as the deadline for state employees to be fully vaccinated. After pushback from one of the largest employee unions, that date has been extended for almost 24,000 workers. Those employees now have until Nov. 30 to get vaccinated. All exemption requests are still required to be submitted by Oct. 18. As of last week, about half of Oregon's state employees had submitted proof of vaccination which means the number of exemption requests could increase in the coming weeks. Here are the number of exemption requests broken down by some of the largest state agencies: Oregon Department of Human Services: 642 exemption requests out of approx. 9,700 employees Oregon Department of Corrections: 374 exemption requests out of approx. 4,500 employees Oregon Department of Transportation: 240 exemption requests out of approx. 4,700 employees Oregon Health Authority: 183 exemption requests out of approx. 4,400 employees In Washington, more than 4,300 state workers have requested exemptions so far that's about 7% of the approximately 60,000 employees subject to Gov. Inslee's vaccination requirement. Experts KGW spoke to said it can be difficult to determine whether a religious exemption request is based on sincerely held beliefs that would prevent someone from getting vaccinated. Employers can ask additional questions to determine the sincerity of someone's religious exemption request but suggesting that a religious claim is unreasonable becomes more complicated. Traditionally courts are very reluctant to second guess religious claims, said Jim Oleske, a professor at Lewis & Clark Law School. But they do test sincerity. Oleske went on to say that he believes vaccine mandates hold up under current Supreme Court precedent. And even traditional supporters of religious exemptions may interpret the law differently in the context of a global pandemic. If your religion believes in human sacrifice, you don't have a right to kill people and be exempt from homicide laws, said Oleske. Likewise, many of these people would say yes, I believe there are religious exemptions to most laws but when it's a deadly pandemic, you don't have an exemption from the vaccination requirement. LANE COUNTY, Ore. -- A big announcement in the COVID-19 vaccine front: Oregon is moving forward with booster shots. The Oregon Health Authority had been waiting on a recommendation from the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup that just came in on Friday. Earlier, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended the booster for those 65 and older and for those who are immunocompromised six months after the second Pfizer dose. RELATED: CDC leader adds people with risky jobs to COVID booster list They're also giving it the green light for younger age groups. People age 18 to 64 with underlying medical conditions and those at risk of being exposed to COVID-19 at work can get a booster as well. Now that the Pfizer booster dose will be rolled out across Oregon for those recommended groups, counties in the area are getting ready. In Douglas County, there are more than 30 active local vaccine providers that can provide booster doses, and health officials there are looking into mass vaccination events starting in October. Meanwhile, in Benton County, Samaritan Health Services is planning to offer a vaccine clinic on the Oregon State University campus which will offer first and second doses as well as booster doses to those who are eligible. Health officials in Linn County said they are ready for a mass vaccination clinic to be available at the Linn County fairgrounds. Steve Adams, the incident commander for Lane County's COVID-19 response, said along with a mass vaccination clinic opening up at the Lane Events Center next week, there will also be other options. "We have pharmacies with vaccine available throughout the county, and individuals who are now newly eligible can go get that third dose there as well," said Adams. Adams also said additional mass vaccination clinics will open up in the near future, and they will be making the transition to indoors instead of relying on the outdoor drive-through clinics. With these newest recommendations from federal committees, there may be some questions about what side effects one can experience after getting a third shot. Dr. Bob Pelz, an infectious disease expert at PeaceHealth's RiverBend Hospital, said there are reports of mild flu-like symptoms after getting a booster dose, much like after getting the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. MORE: FDA authorizes Pfizer booster shot for some Americans Another common question: Can you mix the vaccines? Doctors have explored this, but they say for now you can only get a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine if that's what you got initially. "I will say that it's just staggering how much we've learned about this virus in such a short period of time. Had this happened 10 or 20 years ago, we wouldn't have a vaccine and it would have been a rampant pandemic. Fortunately we have safe and effective vaccines available," said Pelz. Pelz and others in the county are encouraging people to get vaccinated. As far as when people can expect booster shots to become available to other groups, Adams said this could be in the near future. The same goes for expanding vaccine eligibility to children ages 5 to 11. "We learned earlier this week that Pfizer will submit their package to the FDA, and we do believe that will be under review in a very quick process," said Adams. A former Eugene resident, Robert Gleeson, said he would roll up his sleeve a third time if he was given the chance. "I've gotten a tetanus booster shot every 10 years, I get a flu shot every fall and have for 20 years, and no problems with getting a shot," said Gleeson. SIOUX CITY, Iowa Embezzling over $270,000 from a Mason City church is sending a woman to prison. Melissa Noland pleaded guilty to wire fraud in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa. Court documents state Noland was hired in August 2014 by First United Methodist Church in Mason City as a financial records keeper. Prosecutors say Noland stole or otherwise misappropriated $274,222.09 from church accounts between January 2015 and January 2019. Investigators say Noland wrote checks to herself, directly depositing money into her accounts, and used church funds to pay credit card debts and for her personal internet service. Noland has now been sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. She must also pay $274,222.09 in restitution to First United Methodist Church. ALBERT LEA TOWNSHIP, Minn. A Freeborn County crash Friday night has injured a Mower County man. Derek Sullivan Wynn, 48 of Austin, was driving north on Interstate 35 when the Minnesota State Patrol says he went into the center median barrier near mile marker 11 and his vehicle rolled onto its side. The crash happened around 11:30 pm Friday and sent Wynn to Mayo Clinic Health Center in Albert Lea with what are described as non-life threatening injuries. The State Patrol says Wynn was wearing his seat belt. The Freeborn County Sheriffs Office, Albert Lea Fire Department, and Mayo Clinic Ambulance assisted with this accident. WINNESHIEK COUNTY, Iowa A Minnesota motorcycle rider is hurt in a northeast Iowa collision. The Iowa State Patrol says it happened around 3 pm Friday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 9 and Centennial Road. The State Patrol says Steven Brings of Howard Lake, MN, was eastbound on a motorcycle when the compact SUV driven by Julie Norris of Postville pulled out into the intersection. The State Patrol says Brings crossed the centerline to try and avoid an impact but the two vehicles collided in the westbound lane. A passenger on the motorcycle, Dawn Brings of Howard Lake, MN, was taken by Decorah Ambulance to Winneshiek Medical Center for treatment of injuries. The Winneshiek County Sheriffs Office assisted at the scene. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 56F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 56F. Winds light and variable. Tameiki Lee, a nurse with the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, loads a syringe with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at a facility near Jackson State University in Mississippi on Tuesday. Former Secretary of State Ken Bennett works to move ballots from the 2020 general election at Veterans Memorial Coliseum on May 1, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. New details emerge about Brian Laundrie's behavior in the days after Petito went missing A health officer wearing protective gear directs visitors waiting in line to get a COVID-19 test at a temporary screening clinic in Seoul, Sept. 24. AP-Yonhap Daily new COVID-19 infections exceeded 3,000, Friday, for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic as people returned home from the Chuseok holiday. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported a new all-time high of 3,273 cases, including 3,245 local ones, raising the total caseload to 298,402. Friday's number jumped 839 from the previous day's high of 2,434 then also a new record marking the highest since the country reported its first COVID-19 case in January last year. The surge in daily cases came as millions of South Koreans returned home after the Chuseok holiday, the Korean autumn harvest celebration, which ran from Monday to Wednesday. Daily cases have stayed over 1,000 for the last 81 days amid the fast spread of the more transmissible Delta variant nationwide. Seven more deaths were reported, raising the toll to 2,441 at a fatality rate of 0.82 percent. ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary-General Kim Hae-yong speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the intergovernmental organization's headquarters in central Seoul, Sept. 13. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Secretary-General Kim hopes for balanced ASEAN-Korea ties By Kwon Mee-yoo The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been one of the most important partners of Korea since 1989. To boost economic, social and cultural exchanges between Korea and the ASEAN member states, the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) was founded in 2009. Kim Hae-yong, who was inaugurated as the fifth secretary-general of the AKC in April, recognizes that he took the post for the intergovernmental organization to bridge the ASEAN and Korea at a crucial point. "The ASEAN is getting closer to us in economic relations as well as in people-to-people exchanges. The AKC has played a significant role in the past in developing the ASEAN-Korean relations and I hope to evolve our partnership into genuine friendship," Kim said during an interview with The Korea Times, Sept. 13. The ASEAN-Korea relations developed extensively in the past three decades: the volume of trade jumped 20 times and the amount of investment increased 60 times. ASEAN is now Korea's second-largest trading partner, with a $153.3-billion trade volume as of 2019. Over 17,000 Korean companies are active in ASEAN. In recent years, over 10 million Koreans visited the 10 ASEAN countries Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam yearly, as the region is a popular tourist destination among Koreans. Korea also provides official development assistance (ODA) to ASEAN countries, which amounts to 23 percent of the total ODA projects financed by Korea. Kim said that it is time to streamline and upgrade the AKC's projects and activities through its 12 years of expertise and network. "The ASEAN has been developing continuously and the ASEAN-Korea relations have to keep up with the changes. The ASEAN announced the "ASEAN 2025," with its three pillars, of Political-Security Community, Economic Community and Socio-Cultural Community, and Korea's New Southern Policy aims at boosting ties with the ASEAN countries. The AKC tries to find ways to promote ASEAN-Korea relations based on these basic strategies," Kim said. A performance takes place during the ASEAN Week event at Seoul Plaza in 2019, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN-Korea dialogues. This year's ASEAN Week event will be held at COEX in southern Seoul on Oct. 5-6. Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre The ASEAN is gaining attention as a global growth engine, as it is now an economic community with 650 million people and a combined GDP of $3 trillion. "The ASEAN was founded in 1967 with five countries for security concerns, but it has expanded to 10 countries and now includes economic and cultural aspects. The ASEAN was known as a great production base due to its rich resources and young workforce, but has become an important consumer market as national income increased," Kim explained. "It led many Korean companies to move their factories and other production bases to the ASEAN nations." Kim is a retired career diplomat who served as the Korean ambassador to Myanmar from 2011 to 2013 and New Zealand from 2014 to 2017. He taught international trade at Dong-A University as a lecturer from 2018. "When I was in Myanmar, I felt that the ASEAN countries try to learn from Korea, especially the experience of rapid economic development. The time I was in Myanmar was when the country tried to make the transition to democracy. I have a heavy heart over the Myanmar coup that has been continuing since February, but I believe that the resilient people of Myanmar will come through this eventually," he said. Kim noted that the ASEAN is a unique union of nations, as the 10 member states vary in many ways, such as: their political systems, their levels of economic development, their ethnicities, cultures and religions. "The ASEAN's slogan, 'Unity in Diversity,' shows how each country maintains its individual identity. The ASEAN way is based on a consensus and follows a non-interference principle in internal affairs. Sometimes, such processes take longer to reach a conclusion, but they allow the ASEAN to sustain diversity." For instance, the ASEAN has not intervened in the Myanmar coup due to its principle of non-interference. "Unlike the European Union, in which countries cede some sovereignty for a bigger agenda, the ASEAN is an economic community that fully respects each member state's sovereignty. The ASEAN way might be slow in decision making, but it allows the ASEAN to embrace 10 countries with different traits," Kim said. "Understanding the history and characteristics of the ASEAN member states and the ASEAN way is key to deepening ASEAN-Korea ties in the long term." Participants at the 8th ASEAN Connectivity Forum speak in this Jan. 19 photo. Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre The AKC hosts about 20 projects a year in the fields of trade and investment, culture and tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Among them, Kim picks the ASEAN Connectivity Forum and ASEAN Week as the center's flagship programs. The Connectivity Forum is based on the "Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025," aiming to engage in connectivity projects in the ASEAN, such as transportation and energy, in order to reduce development gaps in infrastructure and logistics. "We try to navigate what the ASEAN countries want from us. For example, Korea is a leader in the innovative industries and the ASEAN countries want to learn about digitalization and Smart City projects from us. More recently, healthcare emerged as an area of interest, as Korea showed strength in dealing with the pandemic. So we recently held an online seminar on the bio-health sector to cater to those needs," Kim explained. The 2021 ASEAN Week, slated for Oct. 5 and 6 at COEX in southern Seoul, features a variety of events to raise awareness on the cultural diversity of the ASEAN in Korea. "This year we expanded the ASEAN Week event to cover economic and people-to-people exchanges from the previous central theme of culture," Kim said. "We are hosting the ASEAN Week in conjunction with the New Southern Business Week, co-organized by the Presidential Committee on the New Southern Policy and the Korea International Trade Association, to create synergy in trade and business." The main theme of this year's ASEAN lifestyle exhibition is rice, the soul food of Southeast Asian countries. In addition, there is a mentorship program for ASEAN students in Korea who seek jobs here and a seminar for Korean companies interested in business opportunities in ASEAN countries. ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary-General Kim Hae-yong speaks during a seminar on ASEAN-Korea Tourism at a hotel in Seoul, Sept. 10. Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre Angola, IN (46703) Today Cloudy skies with periods of rain late. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Cloudy skies with periods of rain late. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of heavy rain late. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of heavy rain late. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. (ATCHISON, Ks.) A new scholarship in Kansas is giving community college students in high-demand fields a free education. The Kansas Promise Scholarship incentivizes students to develop skills in desirable occupations at community colleges and technical colleges by paying for students tuition, books and required program materials and requiring them to stay and work in the state for two years post graduation. The $10 million scholarship was signed into law this April by Governor Laura Kelly. The scholarship is designed to keep skilled workers in the state after they complete their talent program. "It is a big push by the state of Kansas because we have a shortage of workers in general, but a real shortage in trained workers. So, this scholarship really puts the onus on not only do we want to train you here, but we want you to stay and work here in the state of Kansas," said Lucas Hunziger, Dean of Highland Community College Technical Center. If students do not live and work in Kansas for two years following graduation, the state said students must repay the scholarship money plus interest. Eligible colleges throughout Kansas are participating in the scholarship, including Highland Community College Technical Center. Some 20 students are enrolled in the scholarship this semester, according to Dean of the technical center, Lucas Hunziger. Hunziger said, "This scholarship also includes some dollars that can pay for the tools that are required for their trade and training. So, not only are they receiving the education, but the equipment that they need to be trained as well. So, its a great opportunity as well. Eligible programs must fall into four areas: information technology and security; mental and physical health care; advanced manufacturing and building trades; or early childhood education and development. 10 of the 14 programs offered at Highland Community College Technical Center are eligible for the scholarship and 5 of the 6 programs at the Western campus in Baileyville are also eligible. Students must apply for FAFSA to be considered for the scholarship. Eligible students must be a Kansas resident with a GED or high school diploma or be at least 21-years-old and have lived in the state for three years. There's also some exceptions for children of military members. Hunziger said the scholarship paves the way for more people to receive a quality education they wouldn't be able to otherwise and beef up the state's trained worker shortage. He said it's a win-win. I believe this removes a lot of barriers for students who may have financial concerns, who just don't have the means to come to school, said Hunziger, Weve been encouraging students to take advantage of this opportunity to come out of school debt free, hop right into their field and help make Kansas a better place to be. For more information on eligible programs and requirements, click here. To apply for 'The Kansas Promise Scholarship,' click here. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday will address the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He will address the 76th session of the UN General Assembly shortly. pic.twitter.com/Cgw4qbdAkp ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) London, September 24: Scientists have found three viruses in bats in Laos that are more similar to SARS-CoV-2 than any other known virus, media reports said. The study, posted on the preprint server Research Square and not peer-reviewed yet, showed that the similarity of parts of the new viruses' genetic code with SARS-CoV-2 reinforces claims that Covid-19 has a natural origin. At the same time, their discovery means there are numerous coronaviruses with the potential to infect people, Nature reported. The finding is both "fascinating, and quite terrifying", David Robertson, a virologist at the University of Glasgow, the UK, was quoted as saying. According to researchers at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, and the National University in Laos, the new-found viruses contain receptor binding domains that are almost identical to that of SARS-CoV-2, and can therefore infect human cells, Nature reported. Nipah Virus Scare in Maharashtra: Deadly Virus Found in Bats in Mahableshwar Cave, Know All About the Infection. To find the virus, the team took saliva, faeces and urine samples from 645 bats in caves in northern Laos. They found viruses in three horseshoe (Rhinolophus) bat species, which were each more than 95 per cent identical to SARS-CoV-2. The new viruses have been named BANAL-52, BANAL-103 and BANAL-236, the report said. Further, the scientist with the discovery of bats living in caves in Laos carrying a similar pathogen to Covid suggests a natural spillover rather than a lab-leak. "When SARS-CoV-2 was first sequenced, the receptor binding domain didn't really look like anything we'd seen before," Edward Holmes, a virologist at the University of Sydney in Australia, was quoted as saying. This caused some people to speculate that the virus had been created in a laboratory. But the Laos coronaviruses confirm these parts of SARS-CoV-2 exist in nature, he said. "I am more convinced than ever that SARS-CoV-2 has a natural origin," said Linfa Wang, a virologist at the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore. Relatives of SARS-CoV-2 have previously also been discovered in Thailand, Cambodia and Yunnan in southern China, the report said. Together, the study demonstrates that southeast Asia is a "hotspot of diversity for SARS-CoV-2 related viruses", Alice Latinne, an evolutionary biologist at the Wildlife Conservation Society Vietnam in Hanoi, was quoted as saying by Nature. Researchers at the Pasteur Institute had last year described another close relative of SARS-CoV-2, called RaTG13, which was found in bats in Yunnan. It was 96.1 per cent identical to SARS-CoV-2 overall and the two viruses probably shared a common ancestor 40-70 years ago -- similar to the new-found viruses. However, there are still missing links to the origins of the pandemic, the researchers said. For example, the Laos viruses don't contain the so-called furin cleavage site on the spike protein that further aids the entry of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses into human cells. The study also doesn't clarify how a progenitor of the virus could have travelled to Wuhan, in central China, where the first known cases of Covid-19 were identified -- or whether the virus hitched a ride on an intermediate animal. Answers might come from sampling more bats and other wildlife in southeast Asia, which many groups are doing, the report said. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2021 05:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). On Sept. 30, 2001, a 13-year-old boy fishing in Galveston Bay in Texas spotted something terrible out in the water. A human torso, with nothing attached to it. No head. No arms. No legs. Police divers later found the arms and legs in two garbage bags. Along with the torso, the limbs belonged to a 71-year-old man named Morris Black. Officials would later charge an eccentric, cross-dressing, wig-wearing, real estate magnate named Robert Durst with the murder of his Galveston neighbor. Advertisement Now 71 years old, Durst has emerged again under the spotlight. He agreed Monday to be extradited to Los Angeles in connection with a different murder case -- the 2000 shooting death of his friend Susan Berman, a crime writer. The extradition comes after an HBO documentary explored Dursts possible ties to the killing. In the 2001 case, however, Durst was living in Galveston under an assumed identity as a mute woman in a threadbare apartment that cost $300 a month. He pleaded not guilty to murder in the Black killing. A trial would reveal that Durst had indeed chopped up Blacks remains. He faced up to 99 years in prison. Those facts were not disputed -- and yet Durst would be found not guilty. How was it possible? At the sensational 2003 trial, Dursts legal team, spearheaded by Houston attorney Richard DeGuerin, laid out an elaborate argument of self-defense -- that a jury of eight women and four men agreed with. Morris Black died as a result of a life-and-death violent struggle over a gun that Morris Black had threatened Bob Durst with, DeGuerin told the jury, according to the Los Angeles Times coverage of the trial, from which this account is drawn. As they struggled, the gun went off and shot Morris Black in the face. Another defense attorney on Dursts team, Mike Ramsey, ventured that Durst was then thrown into a traumatized state similar to an out-of-body experience, caused by a previously undiagnosed psychological disorder. His friend is dead, lying on the floor in a $300 apartment rented by a billionaire in Galveston, Texas, who is dressed as a woman. How much stranger does it get than that, and who will believe him? Ramsey said during the opening arguments. Prosecutors tried to paint Durst as a methodical killer who chopped up Blacks body on his kitchen floor over the course of two days and then dropped Blacks remains into the Galveston Bay. But Durst said he had downed a fifth of Jack Daniels and didnt remember chopping up Blacks body. You were drunk when you were cutting him up? Galveston County District Atty. Kurt Sistrunk asked Durst, who had taken the stand. I hope so, yes sir, Durst replied. Prosecutors said Durst had the presence of mind to file a money order to pay Blacks rent for the coming month to ward off attention. After Durst was charged with the murder, he posted a $300,000 bond and then fled Texas. Durst was later caught in Pennsylvania while shoplifting a chicken sandwich and a box of bandages and was brought back to Texas to face trial. It was nothing but a cold-blooded murder and a man on the run afterward, Dist. Atty. Kurt Sistrunk told the jurors during opening arguments. The jurors disagreed. On Nov. 11, 2003, after five days of deliberation, they found Durst not guilty of murder. Gasps rippled through the courtroom. Dursts mouth hung open and his eyes rimmed with tears. He then grinned and embraced his lawyers. It comes down to reasonable doubt, juror Joanne Gongora, 49, a nursing instructor, said after the verdict. The burden is on the prosecution to show how the event happened, and we didnt see that. It wasnt proven. Durst was not unscathed: He later pleaded guilty to jumping bond, evidence tampering and taking a gun across state lines while on the run in connection with the Black case. He served five and a half months for the gun charge and was sentenced to parole, for which he was later jailed for violating. But the murder trial marked a coup for lead defense attorney DeGuerin. It was a simple case, DeGuerin told Texas Monthly in 2004, referring to the self-defense argument. It was complicated because Durst is rich, wore a wig, pretended to be a mute woman, and was suspected of killing his wife in 1982. Durst has not been charged with any involvement in the 1982 disappearance of Kathleen Durst. DeGuerin told Texas Monthly that the key to his strategy was to remind jurors that it wasnt the chopping-up of Blacks body that mattered -- it was the killing itself. It was like asking them to forget the elephant in the room, DeGuerin told the magazine. But we got their promise that they could separate the facts and put them in their place. As for the claim of self-defense? The prosecution couldnt prove it wasnt self-defense, wrote Texas Monthlys Gary Cartwright. There were only two witnesses, and one was dead. Follow @MattDPearce on Twitter for national news. Florida teachers are currently facing a banking issue whenever they try to cash out their $1,000 salary bonus provided by the State of Florida. "Any Florida teachers out there whose bonus check bounced?" asked one Florida Senator Jason Pizzo via his official Twitter account. Any Florida teachers out there whose bonus check bounced? pic.twitter.com/cKhyKlE8ja Senator Jason Pizzo (@senpizzo) September 24, 2021 His latest tweet was able to generate more than 2,948 retweets, 6,000 likes, and 530 quote tweets. Some of the commentators on his post were not really happy regarding the bonus check issue. "This is actually a crime, issuing a bad check for more than $250 is a felony in Florida, turn it over to Federal Law Enforcement," complained one of the Twitter users in the comment section. Why Can't Florida Teachers Get Their Bonus? According to Miami Florida's latest report, the affected teachers were receiving an error response: "insufficient funds." Because of this, many of them are now alarmed since they won't get the $1,000 bonus, which good really help them during the ongoing pandemic. READ MORE: White House Reporters Slam U.S. President Joe Biden With Formal Complaint Over Hesitancy to Answer Questions However, the State of Florida clarified that JPMorgan Chase, an American multinational investment bank, is not out of money. Authorities added that the bouncing check issue happens because of a banking error. Allison Tobin Reed, JPMorgan Chase's Vice President of Communications, already apologized for the inconvenience that the teachers are experiencing right now. Reed added that they are already working to fix the system issue so that eligible beneficiaries could cash out their bonuses as soon as possible. Do These When Your Check Bounces Patriot Software explained various reasons why bank check bounces. These include insufficient funds, as well as unreadable written letters. If ever your check bounces when you're going to cash out, the best thing you can do is avoid panicking since it could only make the situation worst. Instead, following these methods: Call your bank provider right away. Ask for help from your local authorities. Try asking for help from a collection agency. Always contact customer service to know the issue. READ NEXT: Capitol Riot House Committee Subpoenas 4 Allies of Donald Trump, Including Mark Meadows, Steve Bannon A female U.S. soldier was allegedly assaulted by a group of male Afghan refugees staying in Fort Bliss, New Mexico, where thousands of Afghans are currently being housed. According to Fox News, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is now investigating the alleged assault. FBI Public Affairs Officer Special Agent Jeanette Harper told Fox News that they had received the referral from Fort Bliss, and their office is investigating the allegations. Fort Bliss officials have also confirmed the reported assault. Fort Bliss Officials Reaction on Female Soldier Assaulted by Afghan Refugees In a statement, the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Public Affairs said a female U.S. military service member supporting Operation Allies Welcome reported being assaulted by a small group of male Afghan evacuees at the Dona Ana Complex in Fort Bliss on September 19. Fort Bliss officials said they were taking the allegation seriously and appropriately redirected the matter to the FBI. According to the statement, the service member has been provided with counseling and support. The Operation Allies Welcome has 1,000 service members, according to an El Paso Times report. The said U.S. operation focuses on providing support to vulnerable Afghans, particularly those who have worked alongside the U.S. in Afghanistan for the past two decades. Fort Bliss officials said that additional security and safety measures were added in the complex, adding that they will fully cooperate with the FBI and will continue to ensure that the female soldier is fully supported. Sources with knowledge of the case told ABC-7 that at least three Afghan men attacked the female soldier near her car after she arrived at the complex for duty. The sources said the assault was not sexual in nature. The sources added that the woman's injuries did not require hospitalization, and she was physically doing fine now. Reports said about 10,000 Afghan refugees are living at Fort Bliss. This was not the first time that Afghan refugees were involved in a criminal allegation. Two Afghan evacuees staying at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin are facing federal charges for allegedly trying to rape a minor and suffocate a woman. Bahrullah Noori, 20, was charged with three counts of engaging in a sexual act with a minor, with one count alleging use of force. The victims have yet to reach the age of 16 and were at least four years younger than the suspect. The other Afghan refugee was charged with assaulting his spouse by strangling and suffocating her on September 7. He was identified as Mohammad Haroon Imaad, 32. Officials said both men are currently being detained at the Dane County Jail, and they are scheduled for arraignment on September 23. READ NEXT: 2 Afghan Refugees Staying in Wisconsin Arrested for Trying to Rape Child, Strangle Woman U.S. Resettling Afghan Refugees Since mid-August, the U.S. has admitted around 24,000 Afghans evacuated from Kabul. More than 20,000 of them are being housed at eight military sites, temporarily hosting them. Afghan refugees were reportedly put through COVID testing, vaccination, medical checks, and additional immigration processing, including work permit applications. According to CBS News, they are also required to receive measles, mumps, rubio, polio, and COVID vaccinations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) noted that they are also required to undergo tuberculosis testing. Afghan evacuees are being connected to resettlement agencies, which would help them find affordable housing and jobs once they finish processing at the military sites. Resettlement agencies were prompted to recruit volunteers and solicit donations due to the massive scale of resettlement, which was not even seen during the evacuation of tens of thousands of refugees in Vietnam in 1975. Resettlement agencies also said they were encountering "enormous" difficulties in trying to find permanent residences for evacuated Afghans. Erol Kekic, a senior vice president at Church World Service, noted that this is a very traumatized population coming for a chaotic evacuation system. Kekic added that Afghan refugees would be left in a place where they are left to fend for themselves unless agencies can get private support. The State Department is set to launch an "Afghan Parolee Support Program" to help Afghan parolees with the services they need. READ MORE: Major U.S. Companies to Offer Afghan Refugees Employment; List Includes Amazon, UPS This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: First Look Inside Fort Bliss' Afghan Refugee Camp - From KTSM 9 News A woman claimed that she saw Gabby Petito's missing fiance, Brian Laundrie, in Canada. The woman, a flight attendant, posted a photo showing a bald man with a beard and a face mask placed around his chin, the Daily Mail reported. The woman said on TikTok using the handle @cwlynn that she saw the "flustered" man, whom she believes looked strikingly similar to Brian Laundrie, in a hotel in Toronto, Canada on September 20. The woman noted that the man was walking out of the hotel when she saw him as she went downstairs to pick up a food delivery. "I'm not sure if this looks like him or if I just fell too far down the rabbit hole... It looked so much like him... It made me feel really nauseous because I've never seen him in person, like many of you haven't, and this is exactly how I imagined he would look," the woman said on TikTok. As the mystery man who looked like Brian Laundrie caught her attention, the flight attendant decided to take a photo of him. Comparing Laundrie's photo and the photo of the man she took, the TikToker said the man has his ears bent down but because of the mask, same as her when she wears a mask. The flight attendant noted that she last saw the man getting into a car and drove away with another man. The woman said she notified the hotel about her suspicion, but the employees said they did not have any idea about the case. A hotel worker also told her that man simply did not know where he was going and "he had the wrong hotel." The flight attendant said she also reported her encounter with the mystery man to the FBI. A source told CNN that Laundrie did not take his phone and wallet with him when he left his parents' home in Florida last week, which means it would be harder for authorities to track him. READ NEXT: Woman Claims Seeing Brian Laundrie' Acting Weird' Near Wyoming Campsite Where Gabby Petito's Remains Were Found Search for Gabby Petito's Fiance Brian Laundrie Cost $1.2M So Far Brian Laundrie is currently a person of interest in the disappearance and the homicide of Gabby Petito. The continuous search for him at the Carlton Reserve in Florida now reportedly cost around $1.2 million. Laundrie's parents said their son told them he was heading to the reserve when they last saw him at their home on September 14. Former LA County Sheriff's deputy and search and rescue expert Mike Hadsell told Daily Mail that around $200,000 a day is likely being spent for the operation to look for Laundrie in this area. Hadsell, who is not on this hunt, noted that Laundrie's parents could face the bill if it is proven that they lied to the police by wrongly telling them that it's where their son said he was heading. The North Port Police Department was still unsuccessful in locating the missing Brian Laundrie in the Carlton Reserve on Friday. North Port Police PIO Josh Taylor said some members of the search team would remain in the area, and they would be back over the weekend to continue looking for Petito's fiance. However, Taylor noted that they would not be "providing sound and video unless there is something of major note" this weekend. "Obviously, if something of note is found, like Brian, we will be ready to act and provide needed info," he added. FBI Agents Tail Brian Laundrie's Parents Brian Laundrie's parents have become the target of investigators since he disappeared. On Thursday, Laundrie's parents were tailed by undercover agents when they drove 150 miles to Orlando, Florida to meet with their son's attorney, Steve Bertolino. Reports said that Bertolino flew from New York to Florida to meet with Christopher Laundrie, 62, and wife Roberta, 55, after a federal arrest warrant was issued for Gabby Petito's missing fiance on Wednesday. Laundrie's parents did meet with Bertolino during their Orlando trip. Undercover agents believed to be with the FBI also reportedly followed the couple into the Orlando Public Library. But it was unclear why they went to the library. Meanwhile, the North Port Police Department received a report of gunshots in the area of Laundries' home "from an unknown number" at around 6:45 p.m. on Friday. Reports said at least 12 police cars showed up and entered the Laundries' home and nearby homes, but all left shortly after. Reporters in the area reportedly believed that it was a "bogus call" given how quickly the officers left. The FBI has issued a federal arrest warrant for Brian Laundrie over debit card fraud on Thursday. The warrant would allow law enforcement officers to arrest Gabby Petito's fiance. Gabby Petito disappeared on a cross-country road trip with Brian Laundrie. The couple was traveling to Oregon when the YouTuber stopped communicating with her family in Wyoming in late August. Laundrie was named a person of interest by North Port police after returning home on September 1 or 10 days before Petito was reported missing by her family. Gabby Petito's remains were found on Sunday at the Spread Creek Dispersed Campground in Wyoming. Her death is being investigated as a homicide. READ MORE: Hunt for Gabby Petito's Fiance: FBI Issues Arrest Warrant for Brian Laundrie This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Joshua Summers WATCH: Officers Defend Fruitless Search for Brian Laundrie in Sarasota Reserve - From FOX 13 Tampa Bay President Joe Biden pointed to former President Donald Trump's missteps as one of the reasons why he was unable to deliver on some of his campaign promises, resulting in his drop in polls. Joe Biden also cited the anti-vaxxers prolonging the COVID pandemic and the natural disasters like floods and fires, Daily Mail reported. As he addressed his sinking popularity, the president told reporters at the White House on Friday that he don't look at the polls. "This is a process and it's going to be up and down... Not a joke," Biden noted. Biden's poll numbers are plummeting recently, with new Gallup saying his job approval rating now sits at just 43 percent, which was a 13 point drop since June. Fifty-three percent disapproved of how he has handled his duties. The president said that people should take a look at what he inherited when he came into office. "When I came into office. The state of affairs.... Where we were. We had four million people vaccinated. We had no plan. I mean I could go down the list," Biden noted as he pointed a finger at Donald Trump. Biden added that part of it was dealing with "a panaply of things" that landed on his plate. He said he's not complaining, but "it's just reality." The president also pointed to a number of disasters as among the problems he had to deal with. He cited the "hurricanes going into Louisiana," floods in New York and New Jersey, and the wildfires "in the west." Biden further noted that he thought everything was working out on COVID, but the swath of anti-vaxxers hinders the U.S. from moving along. "Now we have all these people refusing to get the shot and now look at the people dying - large number of people dying," the president said. The president noted it was "understandable" that people would be frustrated because they expected things to get better. But he said "it's going to take some time." Joe Biden has previously said it's going to take him "a year to deliver everything." Joe Biden Partially Blames Donald Trump For Afghanistan Mess Last month, Joe Biden has also pinned partial blame on Donald Trump for some of the chaotic situations that occurred during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The president cited the Trump administration's agreement that said that if the U.S. stick to the May 1 deadline that they had signed, the Taliban would not attack any American forces, according to Fox News. However, Biden noted that if the U.S. stayed, all bets were off, leaving them with a simple decision of either follow through on the commitment made by the previous administration and leave Afghanistan "or say we were not leaving and commit another tens of thousands more troops going back to war." Biden said the real choice was between leaving or escalating. The president had taken responsibility for the decision to leave Afghanistan and the issues that resulted from that choice. Trump's former Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell reacted to Biden's speech, saying that the Taliban onslaught started when Biden got into office. Grenell added that the Taliban knew thay they could not make the move when Donald Trump was in the White House. READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Reacts Negatively to Donald Trump 'Toys,' Giant TV Screens Left in the White House: 'What a F------ A--Hole' Joe Biden: 'No Apologies' On Friday, Joe Biden admitted that he could have done some things better in his first eight months. However, he made no apologies and predicted that the U.S. would be in a different place by the end of the year, U.S. News reported. Biden is eying to pass two key elements of his domestic agenda: a bipartisan infrastructure plan and a large budget bill covering childcare and community college subsidies. Joe Biden noted that both measures are in a stalemate as progressive Democrats and moderate Democrats are arguing about funding levels and which bill should be voted first. The president said that both bills need to be passed as "they're going to have a profound impact." READ MORE: Biden Administration Suspends Use of Horses by Border Patrol Agents Amid Outrage This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: 3 Reasons Joe Biden's Poll Numbers Are Falling - From USA TODAY President Joe Biden has experienced a malfunction of his translation device during the Quad summit with three other world leaders at the White House on Friday. According to a Fox News report, after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga finished speaking, the president subtly motioned across the room and said he "can't get this to function at all." Biden touched the small cord connecting his earpiece to the translator console in trying to fix it as an aide walked behind him. The aide then fumbled with the translator console and checked the knob and earpiece before walking out of the frame as video of the Quad summit ended. Apart from Biden and Suga, other leaders who attended the summit were Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad has existed in practice since 2004 when four nations namely U.S., India, Japan and Australia closely and successfully coordinated relief efforts for a catastrophic tsunami in Japan. However, the Quad went on hiatus for several years after former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd backed out of the discussions since it would not meet Canberra's strategic concerns. READ NEXT: Brazil Launches Probe on JPMorgan's Involvement in Petrobras Bribery, Money Laundering Scheme Quad Leaders' Meeting At Friday's meeting, Quad leaders have agreed to collaborate regarding COVID vaccines and clean energy, and expand areas of cooperation to space and infrastructure, without mentioning the words "China" or "Beijing." Suga told reporters that the leaders of the Quad have also agreed to conduct the Quad summit meeting annually, Aljazeera reported. The two-hour meeting had discussed the partnership amid global challenges and growing competition with China in the Indo-Pacific region. Joe Biden announced a fellowship program to allow students from the three countries to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at universities in the U.S. In his opening remarks, Biden said the four countries were coming together to take on important challenges "of our age, from COVID to climate to emerging technologies." He added they know how to get things done, and they are up to the challenge. Morrison has backed Biden's statements and praised the four countries' efforts to produce one billion COVID vaccines earlier this year. China on Quad Summit Meanwhile, China has scrutinized the group, saying that it was "exclusive" and "doomed to fail." The Biden administration earlier announced a security pact with the United Kingdom and Australia, which China called an "extremely irresponsible" threat to regional stability. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the Quad is not a security meeting or "security apparatus." Kunihiko Miyake, a special adviser to Japan's cabinet and former diplomat, said what they are pursuing in Quad is not a monolithic, unified, NATO-type collective security alliance, NPR reported. Miyake noted that it is a multilayered system, composed of different groups and entities. Modi noted that he is confident that their cooperation, under Quad, will ensure prosperity and peace in the Indo-Pacific and the rest of the world. Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, director of Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, said China's behavior has pushed many more countries to collaborate together. Yoshihide Soeya, a professor emeritus at Keio University in Tokyo, noted that the main vision of the U.S. and Japan is to contain or counterbalance China. However, he said emphasizing the China threat could only make others be more dependent on the U.S. "If this is the only thing which Japan is interested in, then I think our so-called 'strategic autonomy' will be lost," he added. READ MORE: Republican Lawmakers Led by Rep. Bob Gibbs File Impeachment Articles Against Pres. Joe Biden This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: President Joe Biden Hosts Quad Leaders Summit - From Yahoo Finance The Biden administration has reportedly removed all the Haitian migrants who recently arrived and converged in Del Rio, Texas. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Friday said the camp under the Del Rio international bridge, where almost 15,000 migrants stayed, has been emptied. In a news conference, Del Rio Mayor Buno Lozano called this development "phenomenal news." As the Texas border camp was cleared of migrants, many Haitians faced expulsion because protections offered by the Biden administration did not cover them. The Biden administration allows more than 100,000 Haitians already in the U.S. to apply for an 18-month temporary protected status that would shield them from deportation. Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez told Daily Mail that the last group of Haitian migrants was removed from the Texas border camp at around 11:41 a.m. Friday. Martinez noted that migrants were taken to the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition in Del Rio. READ NEXT: Biden Administration Suspends Use of Horses by Border Patrol Agents Amid Outrage DHS Secretary Admits 30,000 Haitian Migrants Encountered on Border According to Alejandro Mayorkas, almost 30,000 migrants have been encountered at Del Rio since September 9. He noted that the 15,000 was the one-time highest number of Haitian migrants encountered at the border. The DHS secretary said around 2,000 Haitian migrants had been expelled on 17 flights, while 8,000 have volunteered to go back to Haiti. He noted that 12,400 migrants are having their cases heard, while at least 5,000 are being processed. Officials said some from the remaining 2,600 migrants have returned to Mexico, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris React on Horse-Mounted Border Patrol Agents The Biden administration has halted the use of horses by Border Patrol agents in Del Rio following outrage over the aggressive tactics they employed to disperse Haitian migrants. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris blasted the horse-mounted border patrol agents, who were caught in the images chasing and aggressively dispersing Haitian migrants in the area. On Friday, Joe Biden said the way the agents used their horses was "horrible" and that "people will pay" for their actions. "It's outrageous... There will be an investigation underway now, and there will be consequences... It's an embarrassment," the president noted. Joe Biden added that what the border agents did was "wrong," and it sends the wrong message around the world and "at home." On the other hand, Kamala Harris on Friday compared the photos to the brutality of slavery. The vice president said she "was outraged" by the images and that the photos were "horrible and deeply troubling." "Human beings should not be treated that way," said Kamala Harris, adding that the images also evoked some of the worst moments of U.S. history, where similar behavior has been used against African Americans during times of slavery. Kamala Harris said she "fully" supports the investigation. Meanwhile, the BBC reported that some 19,000 migrants, mostly Haitians, are heading towards the U.S.-Mexico border. Colombian officials said the migrants are reportedly in Colombia, waiting to cross the border to Panama. READ MORE: Biden Administration Eyes Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to Hold Migrants, Says Guards Must Speak Haitian Creole, Spanish This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Joshua Summers WATCH: Del Rio International Bridge Remains Closes as Haitian-Migrant Encampment Empties - From KENS5 Three burned and dismembered bodies were found in a dumpster fire outside of a business establishment in Fort Worth, Texas, police said Friday. According to Crime Online, the Fort Worth fire department responded to a report of a dumpster fire in the 3100 block of Bonnie Drive at around 6:15 a.m. Wednesday. Dismembered Bodies Found in Texas After the firefighters extinguished the blaze in the dumpster, they found the three dismembered bodies. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, one of the dismembered bodies was that of a child. The news outlet said the others were apparently a young woman or a teenage girl and an adult male. The man has been identified as 42-year-old David Lueras, NBC DFW reported. Police said on Friday that David Lueras was "known to frequent the Dallas area and has some ties to the Hurst, Euless and Bedford area." Court records showed that Lueras has a long criminal history. His crimes include charges of fraud, theft, and drug possession. The Fort Worth police said the other bodies have yet to been identified. Police admitted that they have been struggling to identify the other victims because they were badly burned and heavily dismembered. Also, the police said some of the body parts of the victims were missing. The dumpster, which was located on a tree lawn in front of a storage business, was removed from the scene and was taken into custody as evidence. Reports said all that remains now is charred grass around the area, where the large trash container was found. Police said no arrests had been made, and no suspects had been identified. Authorities urged anyone with information related to the three dismembered bodies to contact Detective M. Barron at 817-392-4339 or Detective T. O'Brien at 817-392-4338. They also said callers could contact the homicide unit at 817-392-4330. Residents could also choose the option of remaining anonymous by calling CrimeStoppers at 817-469-8477. READ NEXT: 2-Year-Old Texas Boy Accidentally Shot Himself in the Head After Finding Loaded Gun in His Uncle's Bag Four Individuals Found Dead With Gunshot Wounds in Houston Fire Early this month, authorities in Houston, Texas responded to a house fire and discovered four dead bodies inside. Police said all of the victims bore gunshot wounds. Police Chief Troy Finner said the victims were one man, one woman, a girl, and a boy. Police believe that the incident stemmed from domestic violence. "When it's innocent kids, it's even more upsetting, They hadn't even lived their lives," Finner noted. Police said it's unclear who set the blaze and whether it was related to the shootings. When asked about the possibility of a murder-suicide, Finner told reporters that police had not ruled anything out yet. Police said there was no forced entry, and the crime did not appear random. There was also no suspect arrested in this case. READ MORE: Kristin Smart Family Says 'One Step Closer to Justice' After Court Rules Paul Flores, Ruben Flores to Be Tried for Murder This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Jess Smith WATCH: Fort Worth Police Asking For Help After 3 Dismembered Bodies Found in Burning Dumpster - From WFAA A Laois Offaly Minister is backing a new campaign to get farmers to grow potatoes to supply takeaways ahead. Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett has welcomed a new initiative which is aimed at helping Irish potato growers get their produce into Irish chip shops. Board Bia says that Ireland, despite being a nation famous for potatoes and growing circa 300,000 tonnes per annum for domestic consumption, imports 80,000 tonnes, or 45 million worth, of potatoes per annum, with 64,000 (33 million) tonnes coming from the UK (source: CSO 2019). It says the majority of these fresh potato imports are used by chip shop owners of which there are currently over 530 independent chip shops in Ireland. Meadowfresh Foods based in Tallow, Co Waterford and O'Shea Farms/Iverk Produce, based in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny have joined forces to become Irelands first dedicated fresh chipping potato packer and distributor. Minister Hackett opened the new distribution centre on a visit their new purpose built storage facility. A storage facility which maintains the correct sugar and starch levels in potatoes, as well as keeping them fresh beyond the winter period, is absolutely key to producing the quality that is needed in good chipping potatoes. So the development of such a facility, along with the official opening today of Irelands first dedicated potato packer and distributor focusing on the exclusive growing of potatoes for chipping, is a real opportunity for Irish growers to supply home-grown potatoes for the Irish chip shop market. "Growing chipping potatoes is a specialist operation, and the market for them is valued at approximately 20 million per year. I think the Irish consumer, given the choice , will really appreciate businesses that support local growers. This is a welcome development which will shorten the supply chain and bring plant bio security benefits, making it a significant step forward for the sector. I would like to congratulate all involved and I look forward to seeing how the initiative progresses over the coming years, she said. In 2019, as part of the chipping potato project, Bord Bia says undertook consumer and trade research to understand both the Irish consumer and independent chip shop owners perspective. The research revealed that over 66% of Irish consumers (2 in 3) incorrectly assume that the potatoes used to make the majority of chipper chips come from Ireland. Approximately 3 in 4 are likely to support a chipper that sources locally grown potatoes. A further 70% would consider it useful to know the country of origin of the potatoes used in their usual chipper through signage or recognised marks. Texture of the chips, reputation of chipper and the appearance of chips were cited as the most important factors in making great chipper chips. From the trade side, Lorcan Bourke, Fresh Produce and Potato Manager, Bord Bia was encouraged by the research findings. Some chip shop owners have already successfully put a local supply chain relationship in place, demonstrating that Irish growers can grow chipping potatoes of excellent quality. Many of the chip shop owners working with locally grown potatoes saw local supply as a great advantage in their communications with customers. I firmly believe it is a win-win situation and would encourage any grower or chip shop owner willing to support the initiative to get in touch or visit our webpage (bordbia.ie/ sourcechips) with a view to establishing new trading relationships. Mr. Bourke concluded Todays launch is particularly timely, as we prepare to celebrate National Potato Day on Friday October 1st. Other findings in the Bord Bia research from the nationally representative online survey was carried out by Coyne Research amongst 1,000 adults aged 18+. Circa 1 in 4 Irish adults go to traditional chippers to buy chips at least on a weekly basis. Males and Millennials (23-37) go to the chipper to buy chips most often. Reputation of chipper and the appearance of chips are the most important factors that make up great chipper chips. There is a lack of awareness of where the majority of potatoes used to make chipper chips come from. Approximately 3 in 4 are likely to support a chipper that sources locally grown potatoes to make their chips. Circa 7 in 10 would consider it useful to know the country of origin of the potatoes used in their usual chipper indicated through signage or recognised marks (e.g. Bord Bia Quality Mark) within the chipper. 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. WP Engine, the world's most trusted WordPress technology company, has announced it's to expand it's workforce in Limerick as it marks its fifth anniversary in the city. Recruitment is underway to fill 25 new roles, across a variety of areas, between now and the end of the year. The company's Limerick office, which opened with a team of 10 in September 2016, represented a significant expansion of WP Engines customer support and engineering capabilities in Europe, while at the same time, serving as the spark for further investment in the region and future growth of the entire company. After being named one of the Best Workplaces in Ireland earlier this year, WP Engine Limerick was also designated as one of the Best Workplaces in Tech by Great Place to Work (GPTW), the global authority on workplace culture. GPTW certification alone is a strong indicator of a companys commitment to fostering an open, accepting workplace, with a strong culture that promotes transparency and trust. On its fifth anniversary, I couldnt be more excited or proud of the growth of our Limerick team and the key role they play in the success of WP Engine, said Heather Brunner, Chairwoman and CEO of WP Engine. Five years ago we were looking to expand our innovation and customer experience teams in service to our global customers. We knew when we met and worked with IDA Ireland and with the local Limerick city and regional officials that we had found our new home in Europe. Between the amount of top technical talent in Ireland, the focus on business growth in the country and the amazing people and culture of Limerick, we couldnt have found a better place to grow our team and culture," she added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WP Engine (@wpengine) Paul Ryan, Limerick Site Lead and Senior Director of Technical Support at WP Engine says he could never have envisaged where the position the company is on five years after its arrival in Limerick. "We are fortunate to work with the Limerick City and County Council, IDA and Limerick Chamber of Commerce in our commitment to the growth of Limerick. In partnership with regional education institutes, we drive exciting career opportunities for our existing and future employees. We are most proud of our team members in Limerick and around the country, who in five short years have elevated WP Engine Ireland to be one of the Best Workplaces in Tech 2021, he said. Will Corcoran, Regional Manager with IDA Ireland has welcomed the milestone achieved by WP Engine. WP Engines announcement and growth over the last five years demonstrates not only the company's continued commitment to Limerick and Ireland but also the attractiveness of the Mid-West region's value proposition. It is a strong endorsement of the talent available and the vibrant tech cluster in the Mid-West. I wish WP Engine every success with its growth plans as it continues to support their clients and power their digital experiences. The Mayor of the City and Countu of Limerick has also praised the success of WP Engine in Limerick. "The company is one of Limericks champions. It is helping to raise our profile as a prime location for technology investment. The team in Limerick have embraced the Limerick culture to become an integral part of the unique ecosystem of collaboration and partnership which is the key to the on-going success of both the company and Limerick. We are very proud to have WP Engine driving innovation in Limerick," he said. WP Engine will open new expanded offices in Limerick in the coming weeks and following the current recruitment programme it will employ around 140 people in the city. HEALTHCARE staff in Limerick have saluted members of the Defence Forces on their last day supporting the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme across the Mid West. At an event to mark the occasion at Limerick Racecourse, Patrickswell Colette Cowan, CEO of UL Hospitals Group, said the vaccination teams in Limerick, Nenagh and Ennis would be eternally grateful to the Defence Forces for their support in the vaccination programme at the three vaccination centres. Members of the 12th Infantry Battalion from Sarsfield Barracks attended the low-key event along with HSE staff. One of the things that members of the public remarked upon most often was the mere presence of the Defence Forces at the centres, which brought sharply to mind how we were all involved in an emergency response and a great national effort," said Ms Cowan. Since the opening of the vaccination centres in the region, Defence Forces personnel have provided logistical support, managed stores and supported pharmacy services. Lt Col Pat Murnane, Officer Commanding, 12th Infantry Battalion, said: It is very gratifying that the Defence Forces was able to assist the HSE in the nations hour of need and the level of co-operation we have had with HSE staff and the relationships we have built during the pandemic will stand to us in good stead in the future should we ever need to do something like this again." He also used the opportunity to praise his colleagues for their efforts since the beginning of the year when the vaccination programme was first rolled out. "The fact that all of our personnel volunteered to put themselves in harms way with HSE staff across a wide variety of tasks from patient transfer to assistance in nursing homes to assistance in both the inoculation and testing centres, it was very gratifying to be able to assist with a 100% volunteer response. ASKEATON councillor Kevin Sheahan has slammed Irish Water for its response to the ongoing issue of raw sewage going into the Deel. The reply from Irish Water is ridiculous, he said when the matter was raised at the monthly meeting of Adare Rathkeale councillors. According to Cllr Sheahan, Irish Water said there was no raw sewage going into the river at Askeaton. Rather it was spillage from the treatment plant. There never was and isnt today any semblance of a treatment plant in Askeaton, declared Cllr Sheahan. I know testing is ongoing on the River Deel, he continued. That must continue because the testing should hopefully led to the sources upriver. I dont know who they are but they must be identified He reiterated his demand for a copy of a document posted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about 10 years or more ago in which, the councillor said, the EPA threatened to fine the then Limerick County Council if they didnt start to build a sewerage treatment plant by a certain date. When Irish Water was founded, it (the document) disappeared. The EPA have a case to answer here, Cllr Sheahan said. We are paying them as taxpayers. They have a case to answer. We will have to use our national representatives to pursue the EPA. I have no confidence in Irish Water any more, to talk about a treatment plant that doesnt exist, he concluded. THE LOCAL Macra club, gardai and pharmacies have joined together in Kilmallock to help combat domestic violence. Elaine Houlihan, Macra Munster vice-president, said during lockdown cases of domestic abuse increased around the country. It made members in Kilmallock Macra think of ideas to help. After numerous discussions we decided to approach Sergeant Niamh Brosnan with our idea, said Ms Houlihan. The timing was perfect as Kilmallock gardai were also planning on launching an initiative. There was a countrywide increase in domestic violence during the pandemic. Sadly we only get a proportion of the calls. Not everyone will go to the guards in relation to it for various reasons. We are aware of that. Thats why this is important so women and men have another outlet for advice, that they dont have to feel like they are going into a garda station for it, said Sgt Brosnan. Ms Houlihan said they approached local pharmacies who were happy to help. To avail of this support look for a purple tulip sticker outside your local pharmacy. Ask the pharmacist or a member of staff for a purple pill box this is the key phrase. You will be taken into a consultation room where the pharmacist will point you in the direction of help. Connections were made with Adapt House and they were delighted to hear we were rolling out a campaign and they will be providing pharmacists with training around this area. This service could be crucial for those whose partner monitors who they ring; . Sgt Brosnan stressed that men or women can still contact gardai in complete confidentiality. They can still contact us directly but if they dont feel comfortable contacting Gardai directly, this is another way to seek help. We have supplied pharmacists with contact numbers for Adapt House, Womens Aid, Mens Aid as well as the local Garda stations. The aim of this initiative is to allow victims of domestic abuse to indicate to a staff member in a pharmacy that they wish to access support and advice in relation to domestic violence. People can ask for a Purple Pill Box to speak to someone in confidence where they will be offered advice from Adapt House. If you have been affected by this article please contact Bruff garda station at (061) 382940; Adapt House at (061) 412354; Womens Aid at 1800 341900 or Mens Aid 01 554 3811. It's the weekend and Ronan O'Meara has been scouring the TV schedules to find movies to watch over the next seven days...starting tonight. Here are 16 to choose from....enjoy! True Grit: Saturday, ITV4 @ 9pm A young woman hires a briary old U.S. marshal to hunt the men who killed her father. The Coen Brother's fiercely entertaining remake of the classic John Wayne western is a rare beast - a remake that surpasses the original. A droll, quirky and in places quite touching story. The cast is top notch too with Hailee Steinfeld superb in her debut acting role but the film belongs to Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn. He's just flawless in the part. Byzantium: Saturday, TG4 @ 9.40pm Two women on the run turn up a quiet beach town and it isn't long before their centuries old secret is out and they find themselves in danger again. Neil Jordan directs Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Atherton in this intelligent, well written and pretty bloody horror story. Not a film for the squeamish amongst us but if you can stick with it you'll be satisfied by this one off take on an overcrowded area of the horror genre. Let Us Prey: Saturday, The Horror Channel @ 10.45pm Something odd is happening in the police station of a small Scottish town. A man called Six, fingerprints from a case decades before, mysterious powers of persuasion and knowledge that people cannot possibly know. This 2014 horror film definitely isn't for the weak of stomach but a wicked turn from Liam Cunningham and a well crafted balance of gore, scares and black humour make it very watchable. Pollyanna MacIntosh is a strong lead. The Spy Gone North: Sunday, BBC Two @ 2am Black Venus has left South Korea and he's on his way to Beijing and about to wangle his way into a group of North Korean officials to learn all they know about their country's war plans. He's deadly at his job, but can the same be said about the government controlling him? This 2018 espionage thriller is a nerve wracking yarn, as far from a Bond film as you can imagine and all the more effective for it. Jung-Min Hwang as Black Venus is on the ball. Nevada Smith: Sunday, ITV4 @ 6.25pm Nevada Smith, looked down on all his life for being a "halfbreed", half White, half Native American is devastated by a massive tragedy and changes his life in order to get revenge on the men responsible. This Steve McQueen led western is a solid Sunday evening movie. It hits all the beats you'll expect but also adds a surprising depth with it's ruminations on the psychological effects of violence. McQueen is his usual stoic self. The Nanny: Sunday, Talking Pictures TV @ 10.05pm Bette Davis in a Hammer horror film? How could you go wrong? Answer - you can't. A young boy called Joey has just been released from a psychiatric hospital after he murdered his sister two years before. Now his sights are set on his mother. A sinister story about the darkness lurking in the minds of many that's grounded by taut, nervy performances from Davis, Wendy Craig and Jill Bennett. Detective Story: Monday, Film4 @ 12.45pm In a police precinct riddled with lowlives on both sides of the law, detective Jim McLeod stands out. He's rage in human form and lives to send the criminals he's sees every day behind bars. Now a doctor has caught his eye. Some aspects of this slice of film noir from 1951 have dated unsurprisingly but a vicious turn from Kirk Douglas and some inspired camerawork keep it all interesting. Passenger 57: Monday, ITV4 @ 9pm Super criminal Charles Rane has just hijacked a plane to avoid going to a trial that will jail him forever. Unfortunately for him the world's leading plane security specialist is onboard as well and he's ready to kick some goddamn ass. Yup, it's Die Hard on a plane but it's so much fun and it ain't afraid to wink at the camera from time to time either. Bruce Payne is a hilariously OTT bad guy and Wesley Snipes just rocks the hero role. I, Tonya: Monday, TG4 @ 9.30pm Tonya Harding was the talk of the Winter Olympics in 1994. But not because of any medals she won. Oh no, her story was far more complicated than any race to the podium. This sporting autobiography from 2018 is a fantastic film, as dark and twisted as any crime thriller and based on a true story that will shock you. Margot Robbie is immense as Tonya but it's Allison Janney as her truly vile mother who will stick in your mind for days after. Cold In July: Tuesday, Great! Movies @ 9pm Richard Dane kills a burglar in self defence inside his family home. The act sets in motion a sequence of events no one could foresee. This is a dark scenario, a twisting, turning, seedy feeling modern noir thriller that goes in directions that will surprise you every step of the way. A first rate cast including Michael C.Hall, Sam Shepherd, Vinessa Shaw and Don Johnson help keep it all grounded when things head towards silliness.. Dark Encounter: Tuesday, Film4 @ 11.20pm 1982. A child goes missing never to be seen again. A painful year goes by capped by a memorial service attended by her family. On their way home they see...... to say anymore would blunt a solid, suspenseful and unique spin on a story that's been done many, many times before. You'll want to be in a certain frame of mind for this one to get through it but it's worth your time. Laura Fraser and Mel Raido put in first rate work as her parents. Oldboy: Wednesday, TCM @ 9pm A man is locked in a room for 20 years and then suddenly released. He went in a drink sodden disaster but he comes out ready for a fight. Ok, this is the Spike Lee remake but no no no, hear me out, it's actually pretty good, it hasn't been blunted and it's a lot grittier and way darker than your average Hollywood revenge flick. Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Olsen head a cast packed full of faces you'll recognise. Boy Erased: Wednesday, BBC Two @ 11.15pm Jared's a gay college student who just wants to be happy but living in the deep south and having a religious family makes it impossible, especially when he's sent to a conversion therapy camp. You'll probably finish this film in a vile mood but it's an important look at the horrors of fundamentalism and homophobia. Russell Crowe as Jared's father is a bit pantomime but Lucas Hedges and Nicole Kidman will break your heart. The Gift: Thursday Channel 4 @ 2am Simon and Robin are a married couple living a nice life until a chance encounter with a face from the past turns everything upside done for them. A slowburn but gripping thriller with a truly unsettling denouement, this is the kind of movie that will rattle around your head for an age. Starring Rebecca Hall, Jason Bateman and Joel Edgerton (who also wrote and directed it) this one is really worth a go. Monos: Thursday, Film4 @ 11.25pm Teenage soldiers on a remote Colombian mountaintop are left to the own devices while holding a prisoner of war hostage. Did I mention they were teenagers? Yeah, teenagers, on their own, with guns. A tough watch as you can imagine, about the darker side of human nature and all the impulses that come along with it. But an oddly beautiful story too, one that will linger in your head for an age. Sofia Buenaventura, Moises Arias and Julianne Nicholson each add to a potent mix. Under The Skin: Friday, Film4 @ 1.30am There's a woman luring the men of Glasgow into her van with the promise of sex and well...... I'll be honest, you just have to see this one for yourself. Jonathan Glazer's 2013 film is one that defies description. It's a haunting, terrifying, sensual and mesmerising tale that will worm it's way into your head and mingle with your dreams for weeks to come. Scarlet Johannson carries the film with a brave, deeply disturbing turn. Under Siege: Friday, ITV4 @ 9pm The USS Missouri battleship has been hijacked by terrorists and it's up to Navy Seal turned head chef Casey Ryback to put aside the bouillabaisse and take care of business. This one is way better than you remember, a well paced and carnage packed slice of 90's action cinema. Steven Seagal does surprisingly decent work as the most dangerous chef in the universe but Tommy Lee Jones, a manic Gary Busey and Colm Meaney's turtle neck jumper are what will stay with you. The Devil Rides Out: Friday, Talking Pictures TV @ 9.05pm In 1929 a nobleman finds himself in the fight of his life as he strives to defend himself and his friends from a gang of satanists and the demonic onslaught they conjure forth. Christopher Lee excels in the lead role in this unsettling, atmospheric and beautifully shot film adapted by Hammer productions from the famous book by Dennis Wheatley. The effects might be aged but the scares are still powerful. A wicked way to start off the spooky season. As always visit hamsandwichcinema.blogspot.com/ for more film and tv chat. FOLLOWING the success of the recent 'Breathe & Stretch' classes, Healthy Limerick has announced it will continue its series of free Yoga classes in the Peoples Park. Five free classes will take place in the Park as part of the Breath & Stretch series which starts next Tuesday, September 28 at 12 noon. The classes are organised by Healthy Limerick, Limerick City and County Council as part of its community engagement action. It is so important that we take a little time for ourselves to help us to relax and focus, and to enjoy the moment, said Roisin Ross, Healthy Limerick co-ordinator. "This Breathe & Stretch series in the great outdoors of the leafy Peoples Park will offer a variety of classes in breathing techniques, stretching and mindful moves in the fresh air and open to all abilities, she added. The 'Breathe & Stretch initiative starts next Tuesday 2 noon with the class meeting under the Bandstand at the People's Park. The series runs each Tuesday up to and including October 26. Participants are welcome to come along for a taster session or book for the full five weeks. The classes are free but booking is essential through Eventbrite and are suitable for all age groups. Up to 25 people can be accommodated at each class. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first-ever in-person meeting with President Joe Biden raised a number of issues involving the Indian community in America, including access for Indian professionals in the US and speaking about the H-1B visas, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said. Prime Minister Modi described as "outstanding" his first bilateral meeting in the Oval Office with US President Joe Biden who said the Indo-US relationship is destined to be "stronger, closer and tighter". The prime minister and his counterparts - Scott Morrison of Australia and Japans Yoshihide Suga also attended the meeting of Quad leaders hosted by US President Biden in the US capital on Friday. He (Modi) spoke of the issue of getting access for Indian professionals to the United States. In that context he mentioned H-1B visa," Shringla told reporters at a news conference on Friday. The most sought-after H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. He also spoke of the fact that many Indian professionals who work here contribute to Social Security. The return of those contributions in the United States is something that affects the number of Indian workers," Shringla said. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. President Joe Biden sat down with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday for important talks about the Indo-Pacific region. But first, the leaders caught up on the president's own family ties to the subcontinent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday told US President Joe Biden that he has brought documents to prove that the Bidens in India were related to him, as the two leaders jokingly discussed the matter during their first bilateral meeting at the White House. Prime Minister Modi replied in affirmative when Biden asked if he was related to the Bidens in India. Was I related?" the president asked when Modi informed him that he has brought along with him a set of documents from the investigations he did on the Bidens in India. Yes," Modi told Biden. Mr President, you have talked today and spoken in detail about the Biden surname in India. In fact you had mentioned that to me earlier too. Well, after you mentioned that to me, I looked for documents," he said. Today I have brought along a set of documents, maybe we'll be able to take this matter market forward, and maybe those documents could be of use to you," Modi said. In his opening remarks, going off script, Biden referred to the Biden family in Mumbai. These are not part of my prepared remarks but when I was in Mumbai as vice president, I finished meeting with the equivalent of the chamber of commerce. And afterwards the Indian press asked me, do I have any relatives in India?" Biden smiled and Modi chuckled. And I said I'm not sure but, when I was elected as a 29-year-old kid in 1972, before I was sworn in, I got a letter from a person named Biden last name in Mumbai, from Mumbai. And I said, but I was never able to follow up," he said. The next morning, I had a press conference going away, and the Indian press, some of these folks, said you have five Bidens in India. And although we never admitted it jokingly I've found out that there was a Captain George Biden who was a captain in the East India Tea Company in India," Biden said. The president then turned to Modi and quipped: "That's hard for an Irishman to admit." He then said to the press: "I shouldn't be so casual with you all. I hope you understand the humour in it." Biden then continued: "The end result was he apparently stayed and married an Indian woman and I've never been able to track it down, so the whole purpose of this meeting is for him to help me figure it out." Biden smiled and there was laughter from people in the room. Decades after he received a letter from someone by the last name of Biden from Mumbai, Mr Biden learned that his great, great, great, great, great grandfather" had worked in the East India Company. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Click here to read the full article. A Washington State prosecutor has found no crime but much to criticize in the September 2020 law enforcement raid that killed the anti-fascist activist Michael Forest Reinoehl in a hail of bullets. Rienoehl was a murder suspect wanted for the shooting death of right-wing agitator Aaron Jay Danielson in the streets of Portland in late August 2020. In a 24-page report, Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim of Thurston County, concludes that, although Reinoehl never drew a weapon on the U.S. Marshal task force that came to arrest him, his killing was justified under Washington State law. Yet even as he absolved the shooters of criminal liability, the prosecutor called for further scrutiny of a confrontation that was marred by miscommunication and ad hoc decision-making and put innocent parties in danger. I feel compelled, Tunheim writes, to say how fortunate it was that no bystanders were injured or killed. The killing of Reinoehl by law enforcement sparked controversy from the start. An initial statement by the U.S. Marshals insisted its task force members had attempted to peacefully arrest Reinoehl, and only fired on him after he produced a firearm, threatening the lives of law enforcement officers. An eyewitness soon contradicted this account, however, describing a sudden and violent ambush by officers who never attempted to apprehend Reinoehl but rather opened fire on him without warning. The Trump administration, for its part, proudly politicized Reinoehls death, touting the killing of the self-proclaimed anti-fascist in terms that marked an erosion of the rule of law. First, Attorney General Bill Barr lauded the takedown of an admitted Antifa member. President Trump then celebrated Reinoehls death as an official act of revenge, insisting: There has to be retribution when you have crime like this. Trump later used Reinoehls killing as an applause line at a rally: We got him, he told a crowd in North Carolina, insisting the task force had no aim to take Reinoehl into custody: We sent in the U.S. Marshals, Trump said. They knew who he was. They didnt want to arrest him, and 15 minutes [later], that ended. The Thurston County prosecutors report does not fully cut through the fog of conflicting accounts. But it describes a raid that was chaotic, gung-ho, and hampered by glitchy radios and poor planning. It recounts how an impulsive decision by two officers sparked the task force to suddenly close in on Reinoehl, and how that apprehension effort almost immediately devolved into gunfire after officers saw the suspect reach for an object they could not see clearly, but said they believed to be a gun. The prosecutor adds that the evidence is conflicting as to whether the officers even turned their police lights on: I cannot conclude with any certainty, he writes, whether the emergency lights in the unmarked cars were activated at the time they approached. At the time of the killing on September 3rd, 2020, Reinoehl had been on the lam for days. But Washington State law enforcement officers operating as a task force under the authority of the federal U.S. Marshals service tracked him down in a housing complex in Lacey, Washington, outside the state capital, Olympia. Commanded by a Deputy U.S. Marshal, the task force was made up primarily of Washington state sheriffs deputies. The report criticizes the officers communication plan, under which they tuned their radios to a channel in neighboring Pierce County: Because they were operating outside of Pierce County, communication became intermittent and the transmissions had considerable static, making communication difficult. This communication deficiency the report adds, created confusion during the critical tactical decision to attempt an arrest, and it appears that the leader of the team could not effectively communicate a decision to the other officers. The report describes how task force members were waiting in their vehicles, conducting surveillance, when they spied Reinoehl enter a VW Jetta parked on the street at about 6 p.m. This sparked a debate over the glitchy radios. Some task force members felt they were too far away and should wait and tail Reinoehl as he drove away. One Pierce County deputy who was not in command of the task force shouted: Lets go take him, soon adding, OK, were moving, and then barking: Take him, take him now. Referring to this deputy and a partner in the same car, the prosecutor writes: It appears the decision to proceed with attempting an arrest was actually made by the two officers who simply decided to move in. The deputy who had shouted take him now was the first to fire shots at Reinoehl through the windshield of his own vehicle. According to the deputys statement, his partner pulled their Ford Escape in front of the Jetta to block Reinoehl from moving. The deputy claimed he opened his door and shouted police! which provoked Reinoehl to make suspicious gestures. I could not see where his hands were, the deputy wrote, but he was making a movement with his arms consistent with the moves that someone makes when they are attempting to grab a gun they have on their person. The deputy was armed with a department-issued rifle and immediately began firing it from inside the Ford. I fired my rifle through the front windshield of our vehicle towards Reinoehl, he wrote. The front windshield did not shatter and I still had a clear unobstructed view of the suspect and I continued to fire several shots at the suspect through the windshield. The deputys decision to fire on Reinoehl was so quick that his partner initially believed their vehicle was taking fire. The windshield was cracking and splintering in front of me and spraying me with glass dust, the partner wrote. I realized the windshield was being struck by bullets. I thought we were being shot at and I needed to get out of the vehicle to respond to the threat. The partner quickly reassessed, coming to understand that the shots were being fired from inside the vehicle. He exited the Ford and took aim at Reinoehl. I recall clicking the safety off on my rifle and I may have fired one or more rounds at him at that time, he wrote, but I am not completely certain as the events were unfolding quickly. Nearly simultaneously, a deputy in another car had pulled up on Reinoehl. In his statement this deputy wrote: Reinoehl seemed to recognize us as law enforcement because he mouthed Oh Shit as he reached down with his right hand and frantically pulled on his waistband/front right pocket area. This officer also opened fire at the suspect. Amid the gunfire, according to the prosecutor, Reinoehl jumped out of the Jetta. The deputies statements describe Reinoehl as continuing to grab at his waist, as though attempting to retrieve a weapon. Several describe concern that Reinoehl would escape or take a hostage. As described by the prosecutor: They continued to believe Reinoehl was armed, although none of them had yet observed a gun. All three then fired additional rounds at Reinoehl until he fell. The barrage of gunfire from the deputies was poorly aimed. Earlier reports have described more than 30 rounds being fired by officers. But according to the autopsy discussed in the prosecutors report, only three bullets were recovered from the suspects body: a 9mm bullet from Reinoehls back, a 9mm bullet from his head, and a .223 caliber bullet from the back of his neck. Jonathan Smith, a former litigator for DOJs Civil Rights Division, tells Rolling Stone that a serious review of the task forces operation should weigh two questions. First, did the shooters have legal authority to use deadly force. Probably, the answer is yes, he says. But the other question is, Was that use of force avoidable? Was there another way to have approached his arrest? In Smiths view, the officers failed gravely here. They went in to create confrontation, he says. It was like cowboy stuff. And weve learned over the years that there are much more effective strategies that are safer for everybody for taking people into custody. The local prosecutor did not find cause to prosecute based on this second question, but his report underscores how dangerous the fusillade by the task force was to the public. There is a distinct possibility that a small child was struck by some sort of object or debris during the shooting, he writes, adding that the child described being hit by one of the sparks from the officers gunfire. The prosecutor also highlighted that one bullet struck a nearby apartment building, traveling through the exterior wall, through a room, and lodged in another interior wall. Fortunately, no one was in its path. Despite his criticism of how the encounter unfolded, the prosecutor nonetheless found the killing of Reinoehl was justified. Washington Law does not require officers to actually see a weapon, he writes, when they have probable cause to believe a person is armed and a good faith belief the person is intending use of deadly force against officers or others in an effort to escape capture. As it turned out, Reinoehl was armed. The prosecutors report describes that a .380 caliber handgun was later found in Reinoehls pocket, and that the clip was fully loaded and there was no round in the chamber. A single shell casing fired from that gun was also found in the Jetta, although the report notes there is no way to determine when it was fired or how it came to be in the location it was found. While clearing the kill under state law, the prosecutor also emphasized that even if he had decided to press charges federal law might have prohibited him from bringing a case. Task forces operating under the U.S. Marshals service, despite being comprised of local officers, are likely immune from local prosecution, and instead would have to be charged for violations of federal law by the Department of Justice. The Thurston County prosecutor concluded his report with a clarion call for federal oversight of the Reinoehl confrontation. I strongly recommend this matter be reviewed by the United States Attorneys Office or other appropriate federal authority, he writes, to determine if the use of force was in violation of federal law or policy. The Department of Justice did not respond to a request for comment. Smith, the former DOJ litigator who now serves as executive director of the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, describes the lack of local accountability for task forces operating under federal jurisdiction as a huge problem. In part, he says, it arises because the local rules of engagement and restrictions on officer conduct go out the window. Rather than having the local rules apply to the federal agents, its just the opposite: You have federal rules that apply to the local agents on the task forces. Those federal standards, he insists, are often fast-and-loose, and violations rarely lead to serious consequences. There is really just no accountability. Theres no mechanism, he says. You cant shine a light on the bad conduct of the feds in the same ways you can on locals, and you have a culture in the [justice] department that allows them to get away with anything. Click here to read the full article. Finnish film productions, which tend to be small-scale, have some of the lowest carbon footprints in Europe, panelists agreed at the Finnish Film Affair industry event on Friday. But production companies still need to do better and not just those in Finland, said Anne Puolanne, environmental specialist at APFI, the Finnish producers association. Finland is kind of the furthest [in limiting its environmental impact] at the moment but we have to aim for systematic change, Puolanne said. Among productions filming in Finland at the moment is World War II action movie Immortal, from Rare Exports director Jalmari Helander (pictured). Experts from Finnish and European industry organizations took on the issue in Helsinki at a panel dubbed Beyond Best Practices: What Should the Next Steps Be for a Sustainable Nordic Film Industry? The discussion focused on the need for common data and measurement standards for determining the environmental impact of productions, with Puolanne citing several recent studies as good examples, while arguing the need for a clearer picture. Puolanne identified three main problem areas: The lack of concrete data on how much the audiovisual industry pollutes, the lack of common standards for measurement, and the lack of anyone clearly in charge of keeping data or dealing with the issue. Production companies need to know the cost versus savings of sustainability practices, she said, a consensus supported by other panelists, including Lauriane Bertrand, policy officer at Creative Europe MEDIA, Mikael Svensson, head of film commission at Southern Sweden Film Commission, and Anni Wessman, head of international at APFI. The panel also featured video presentations by Marina Blok, head of drama at Dutch national broadcaster NTR, and Ellen Heemskerk, a producer at NTR. These two presented a short history of what started as an upbeat, ambitious program in the Netherlands to limit the carbon footprint of productions a decade ago, The Green Filmmaking Project. It produced 1,500 green guides and set out a goal of 49% greenhouse gas reductions by 2030, but the plan floundered after a few years, said the NTR team, because of production companies concerns about money, time, hassle and a lot of communication challenges. One problem was the voluntary nature of the program, said Blok and Heemskerk, who said another lesson from their experience is that productions need a dedicated sustainability manager. Only a handful of studies have looked at the big picture with useful data tools that consider the multiple locations in Europe and beyond, Puolanne said. One study Puolanne cited has calculated that the annual cost of productions going green in the European Union could exceed a billion euros, with vast numbers of lights made into LEDs and training needed for some 300,000 people. We need to do this kind of research every year or every other year, she added. Puolanne, who founded an organization called NEMA to help Nordic countries implement standardized green measures and practices, also praised the newly announced partnership between APFI and the international organization Albert, which offers systems and training for charting environmental impacts from film and TV production. Svensson of the Southern Sweden Film Commission said a key issue is whether locations can be minimized and many agreed that the current system of tax incentives used to draw in production companies from abroad is driving up greenhouse gases by creating huge impacts from traveling film crews. Bet even local production companies that are dedicated to minimizing impact should consider whether they really need to use as many locations as they currently do in shooting stories, panelists said. Modifying incentives or adding some to reward green practices would help, speakers agreed. Of course we should have a green tag, said Svensson. If you want the money, you should follow the rules. When considering whats currently stopping Nordic countries from doing better on the environment, Svensson said, We dont know what to do. Training and education are essential steps, he said, which is an area the Albert partnership will help with. Another issue is that productions in southern Europe may be completely different in their impacts and issues than those in northern Europe or elsewhere. We need to challenge our mindset, said Bertrand. And when audience members asked how stressed out and exhausted producers on location can be effectively given a new and difficult job in monitoring and minimizing carbon from their footprint, Wessman of APFI agreed the burden should not fall to those on the ground who are already working overtime. Instead, green practices need to be implemented into the overall plan from the start, saving everyone both time and money and incentivizing is the way forward, said Puolanne. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ALGHERO, Sardinia (AP) Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont vowed Saturday to keep travelling throughout Europe to campaign for the region's independence from Spain but confirmed he would appear at an Oct. 4 hearing to decide whether he will be extradited to Spain to face sedition charges. Puigdemont, a member of the European Union's parliament who previously served as president of Spain's restive Catalonia region, struck a defiant tone during a press conference 48 hours after he was arrested upon his arrival in Sardinia to attend a Catalan cultural festival and then freed. The Sardinian judge who released him imposed no travel restrictions pending the Oct. 4 extradition hearing, suggesting Puigdemont had a green light to leave Italy and close the case. But Piugdemont said Saturday he would attend the hearing, answer all the questions the judge will ask me," and assumed he would walk free. My plan is once the Italian justice says OK, your duty is finished, I will return to my home in Belgium," he said. Puigdemont and a number of his separatist colleagues fled to Belgium in October 2017, fearing arrest after holding an independence referendum for Catalonia that the Spanish courts and government said was illegal. Members of his entourage called his high-profile arrest and speedy release a political boomerang" for Spain, which earlier this month restarted talks with the regional leadership of Catalonia aimed at resolving the political crisis that has persisted since the referendum. Puigdemont vowed to keep travelling throughout Europe to press his cause and said the previous two days had proved that he enjoyed the support of European judicial institutions. All that has happened in the last hours prove all of our arguments, all of our reasons in our fight for freedom, for democracy to defend the right of self determination, and the right to free speech, free movement, the right to be engaged in politics," he said. The only crime we committed was organizing a referendum," he added. At the heart of the immediate legal matter is whether the warrant issued by Spain seeking Puigdemonts arrest is valid. Gonzalo Boye, his lawyer, has insisted the European warrant issued in 2019 that provided the basis for Italian authorities to detain him had been suspended. The Spanish Supreme Court judge handling the case, Pablo Llarena, sent a letter to the European Unions Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation stating that the arrest warrant was in force." Its not the first time Spanish courts have tried to detain Puigdemont abroad. After a Belgian court declined to send him back in 2017, the following year he was arrested in Germany but a court there also refused to extradite him. Nine other Catalan separatists received prison sentences for their role in the 2017 referendum ranging from nine to 13 years. They were pardoned in July, but Puigdemont, who fled, was not. Although Puigdemont holds a seat in the European Parliament, that legislature stripped him of parliamentary immunity. Puigdemont noted he was due in Strasbourg on Oct. 4 for a Parliament session, but said he would follow it remotely from his laptop in Sardinia if he had to. ___ Winfield contributed from Rome. Good morning, yall. With FDA approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot in the bag, Bexar County is opening up a shot clinic today. University Health will be giving the Pfizer booster today, September 24, starting at 10 a.m. at the Wonderland of the Americas Mall, according to a news release. The booster will be available adults 65 and older, and people 18 and older with underlying health conditions. This group of eligible recipients must have received their second Pfizer dose no less than six months ago. Also today, San Antonio will start giving $100 H-E-B gift cards to residents who get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at Metro Health vaccine clinics. The city purchased the gift cards earlier this month as part of its vaccine incentive program. The gift cards will be given to individuals who receive either the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. People who were fully vaccinated before today are not eligible for the gift cards. Today's popup clinics will be at the Stablewood Farms Apartments from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the Seventh Day Adventists Church from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. More Metro Health vaccination sites can be found here. Here are five more things you need to know to get your day started. San Antonio area lakes stocked with 9-inch catfish Get your fishing rods ready, San Antonio, because it's time to fish. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says that it has stocked area lakes with catfish. Children under 17 can fish for free, but adults require a fishing license with a freshwater fishing endorsement. Find out which lakes have been stocked here. Texas Fashion Week is now official The first week of October is now officially designated at Texas Fashion Week, which means Alamo City designers will show all the way up to area runways. Shows are scheduled across several local venues throughout the week to show off what's trending in the world of Texas fashion. Read more here. Whataburger keeps it cool If you're a fan of all things Whataburger, then you'll want to get your hands on this new merch decked out in orange and white. The locally-based burger chain partnered with Igloo to create the "Whatacooler" and insulated fanny pack. Find out where to get them here. First look at La Tuna's new 'Ice Box' La Tuna, the 30-year staple that was in trendy Southtown before it was Southtown, has unveiled its new icehouse addition. The La Tuna Ice Box is a small building hidden away on the property is now open, and MySA's Madalyn Mendoza is giving us a first look. Get a look inside here. Snake sightings to increase during cooler months San Antonio is excited for the cold, but so is another group of what could be seen as unwelcomed guests. Sarah Kafel, of San Antonio Snake Removal, tells MySA business has been picking up as snake sightings increase. Appearances are exepcted to rise as weather cools. Find out what that means here. Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-News Fireworks will illuminate downtown skies Friday night, a little more than a week after another unpublicized explosion left residents puzzled. On Sunday, September 12, the downtown area was caught off guard by a lengthy fireworks show. Residents took to social media looking for a cause for celebration. MySA discovered the show was part of a private event hosted at the Tower of the Americas. While the show provided an unexpected Sunday spectacle, some San Antonians said they would've appreciated a warning. Talk about Sunday scaries... The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results Longford model and TV star Maura Higgins has received widespread support from people taking to social media to support her call to tackle harassment towards women. Last week, Maura Higgins hit out at a man who allegedly grabbed her and tried to pull her towards a car after the National Television Awards (NTAs) in the UK. The Ballymahon woman and former Love Island star said in an Instagram post: For people that think this does not happen...I can assure you it does! This guy that I have never met in my life grabbed hold of my arm and tried to pull me backwards towards his car. "I am smiling and the reason being is because pictures can be portrayed very differently ie. if I was to shout in anger at this guy, the headline might have been Maura gets violent after a night out, its more of an opportunity for clickbait," she continued. Luckily I had two girls walk with me to my car and I would NEVER leave a venue alone at night because of this reason. Its actively predatory, repeatedly violating womens personal space and boundaries. His behaviour is completely inappropriate and its crucial that we address the issue of street harassment. Maura is currently presenting Glow Up, the TV search for Ireland's next Make-Up Star, which is broadcast on Thursdays on RTE2 from 9.35pm. NewsLI.com is an online newspaper that focuses on news and investigative reporting specifically targeted towards Long Island, in the Southeastern region of New York State. NewsLI.com is an independent voice on the Web. We report news responsibly and truthfully, so that readers can improve their own lives and increase their understanding and respect for their neighbors next door or around the globe. Videos Contact Info A court in Sardinia released Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont from custody on Friday, a day after Italian police detained him under a European arrest warrant issued by Spain, Italy's Justice Ministry said. Spain has demanded that Italy extradite Puigdemont, who headed Catalonia's government at the time of a vote on independence from Spain in 2017 which courts said was illegal. If extradited, he would likely to face the same Supreme Court trial that sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to lengthy prison terms in 2019 for their role in the 2017 attempt to break away from Spain. The hearing on Oct. 4, which the court ordered Puigdemont to attend, will decide on the legality of the European arrest warrant, the ministry said. Until then Puigdemont will not be subject to any restrictions on his movements but he will have to return to Sardinia for the hearing, his lawyer told Reuters. After leaving the prison in the city of Sassari, Puigdemont said he had thought his arrest was a possibility. "We had some news there were police officers ... We have always thought this could happen but we also knew how it could end. The decision from the European Union's General Court is very clear ... Spain never misses an opportunity to cause a scene," he said, referring to the case related to his immunity. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Puigdemont must submit to justice but dialogue was the best way to seek reconciliation with the northeastern region, a week after he relaunched talks with Catalonia's separatist government. Catalonia's regional leader, Pere Aragones, said the arrest complicated that dialogue. "Yesterday's events clearly show that the Spanish state has not acted in good faith with European justice and do not help to resolve the conflict," he told reporters. Police cordoned off a major avenue in the Catalan capital Barcelona after a few hundred protesters gathered in front of the Italian consulate, waving Catalan separatist flags and chanting "Puigdemont is our president" and "Free Puigdemont." Arrest warrant Puigdemont, 58, has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium since late 2017 after Spain accused him of helping to organise the independence referendum. He has served as a member of the European Parliament since 2019, but was detained by Italian border police at Alghero airport as he arrived in Sardinia from Brussels to attend a cultural event. Puigdemont was subject to a European arrest warrant issued by Spain but his chief lawyer, Gonzalo Boye, told reporters in Brussels that there were no grounds to detain him. The European Parliament stripped him of immunity in March. Italy's Justice Ministry said in a statement it has no decision-making role in the European arrest warrant procedure and any final decision on this lies entirely with the judicial authorities. "This is in fact a different procedure from that of extraditions," it said. Manchester Center, VT (05254) Today Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 52F. Winds light and variable. 20 YEARS AGO Moratorium in place The Onekama Township Planning Commission placed a moratorium on development at the Portage Point Inn at its regular meeting on Sept. 20. Under new business, the commission discussed a special land use permit granted to Northwoods Development, the business owning the Portage Point Inn. After a review of the six-year permit, the commission decided to restrict any further development until the inns water and sewer system is given final approval by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the commission has received a final judgement on the Seventh and Ninth Street road ends by the road commission. 40 YEARS AGO Three brothers, one business A monthlong grand opening celebration is currently underway at the new Jackpine Office Products at 76 Filer St. Jackpine began operation in Manistee four years ago on River Street as Jackpine Quick Print. The acquisition of the building at River Street, Greenbush and Filer and opening of the new store signals diversification as well as expansion. With an entrance on Filer Street, Jackpine is on the second floor of the three-story building. Jackpine owners brothers Lee, Jon and Jeff Trucks note that their shop now carries a complete line of office products. 60 YEARS AGO Unique open house Some 1,100 invited guests attended an open house event yesterday marking the completion of spacious new indoor riding ring and horse stall facilities at Lake Bluff Arabians on Lakeshore Drive. Guests of Mr. and Mrs. Gray only partially filled the 70- by -200 feet freestanding metal structure which houses a large riding ring and nine stables to provide for future expansion of the Grays present seven-horse Arabian string. Heart group to meet Plans for renewed activity with emphasis on public education will be the subject of a special meeting of the Manistee County unit of the Michigan Heart Association, according to an announcement by Will Harrison, chairman of the county unit. The meeting is scheduled for Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. at Mercy-Community Hospital. Harrison stressed the special nature of the meeting. 80 YEARS AGO Morticians meet Ralph LaValle, Ray Bradford and Mike Janicki were in Traverse City today attending a voluntary clinic and educational session of northern Michigan morticians and embalmers. Sponsored by the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, the meeting is one of a series being conducted for members of the organization. Tomorrow night, funeral directors and embalmers of the West Michigan Association will gather at the Hotel Chippewa here for 6:30 dinner and a meeting. Compiled by Mark Fedder at the Manistee County Historical Museum MANISTEE An exhibit at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is highlighting decades of work by sculptor Bernadette Zachara-Marcos, but it is her latest project that is generating the most buzz in Manistee County. Zachara-Marcos is being commissioned by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Manistee County to create a life-sized bronze statues of James Earl Jones along with his mentor and former high school English teacher, Donald Crouch. Initial plans are to have the statues installed in front of Kaleva Norman Dickson School in Brethren, where Crouch taught and Jones attended -- however that agreement has not been finalized according to arts and cultural alliance president, Joy Smith. "I'm so happy to be a part of the project to memorialize James Earl Jones and Mr. Crouch," Zachara-Marcos said. A scale model of what the statues could look like when completed is currently on display at the Ramsdell's Hardy Hall, along with completed sculptures and life drawings by Zachara-Marcos. The exhibit, set to run from Sept. 24 through Oct. 15, is also a fundraiser by the cultural alliance to help pay for the sculpture, according to Ramsdell Executive Director Xavier Verna. "The (Ramsdell) is supporting this fundraising initiative by hosting a month-long exhibit featuring the works of Bernadette Zachara-Marcos ... The opening reception is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Oct. 2 with a short performance in the theatre," Verna stated in an email to the News Advocate. Long before James Earl Jones was a household name, he was a quiet and reserved student at Crouch's high school English class. Jones and his family migrated to the Brethren area from Mississippi when the famous actor was still young. During the first several years when attending school in Michigan, he "managed to get by not being able, or not wanting to speak because of a severe stutter," the result of childhood trauma, according to Jones' autobiography "Voice and Silence." Jones has credited Crouch as the mentor who "helped me find my voice." "The turning point in my ability to cope with my stuttering came in Professor Crouch's English classroom. He introduced me to good literature -- Shakespeare, Emerson, Longfellow. Because it had taken place in our part of the country, I especially loved Longfellow's 'The Song of Hiawatha.' In fact, I was so inspired that I started writing poetry, and poetry got me into trouble, and then, ironically, changed my life," Jones said in his autobiography. That change came when Crouch challenged Jones to recite a poem he wrote titled 'Ode to Grapefruit' -- inspired by the Song of Hiawatha. "I had started writing poetry in high school and (Crouch) said of one of them, 'Jim this is a good poem. In fact, it is so good I don't think you wrote it. I think you plagiarized it. If you want to prove you wrote it, you must stand in front of the class and recite it by memory.' Which I did. As they were my own words, I got through it," Jones said in a 2010 interview with the Daily Mail. Jones discovered that through memorizing, he could overcome his stutter, and would remain in touch with Crouch until his mentor's death in 1982. "From the Ramsdell Theatre of Manistee, the voice behind the mask went on to be an icon of stage and screen bringing art and the human condition to our own life experiences," according to a statement by the Arts and Cultural Alliance. A gala fundraiser on Oct. 2 at the Ramsdell will be open to the public, but seating is limited due to the pandemic and attendees are asked to register in advance on the theatre's website. Artwork by Zachara-Marcos will be featured at the gala, along with the recitation of a poem by Crouch and a performance of a short skit depicting interactions between Jones and his mentor. The Ramsdell's own Verna is slated to play the role of a young James Earl Jones. "We really are emphasizing the fact that mentoring makes a huge difference in people's lives," said Cynthia Asiala, of the Arts and Cultural Alliance. Quiz on Psoriasis Psoriasis is a non-contagious, non-fatal disease but it can adversely affect one's overall quality of life including trouble with daily activities and social interactions. Take this quiz to find out more about this skin ... COVID wreaked global havoc starting from the beginning of 2020 and is caused by SARS-CoV-2 . COVID in children is similar to that in the adults and caused by the same factors as those seen in the general population. This disease is communicable and can spread from one person to another through respiratory droplets. COVID is caused in children due to the same factors as those seen in the general population. The causes include: Person to person transmission - being in close proximity to an infected person increases the risk of inhaling respiratory droplets that are emitted when breathing, talking, coughing, sneezing and singing. The virus can also enter through the eyes. The risk increases significantly when both individuals are not wearing a mask. Airborne transmission - COVID-19 can continue to stay in an environment in the form of tiny droplets or aerosols. These may enter a persons nose, mouth or eyes. This is another possible mode of getting infected but more research is needed to ascertain to what extent this plays a role. Surface transmission - an infected person may have coughed or sneezed and the respiratory droplets may have landed on surfaces around him/her. Touching these surfaces and then subsequently touching ones mouth, eyes or nose can be a pathway for the virus to enter the body The World Health Organization suggests that the first outbreak of cases was in China, in December, 2019. After two waves of COVID-19, a third wave is being expected as the virus is constantly mutating. Recently, the Delta variant has swept the many countries leading to severe losses, and the possibility of a worse wave looms ahead. The symptoms of COVID in children are similar to those in adults. The signs and symptoms of COVID in children include: Respiratory related symptoms - Sore throat, fever, continuous cough, congestion, difficulty breathing and pneumonia Nervous system related symptoms - Loss of taste or smell Digestive system related symptoms Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting Aches and pains - Body ache and headache Fatigue Certain symptoms require hospitalization. These include difficulty breathing, inability to retain liquids leading to vomiting, bluish coloured lips, sudden new confusion, stomach pain, chest pain and inability to waken. As a result of COVID, other conditions such as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Shock and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) may develop and need medical attention. MIS-C involves rashes, gastrointestinal distress, coagulopathy and cardiac issues. In order to diagnose COVID in children, different types of molecular tests can be conducted. An RT-PCR test can be conducted. This involves taking a nasopharyngeal swab. The test checks for the presence of viral RNA in the sample. This test is generally accurate 70% of the time. A matter of caution is the occurrence of false negatives. A child who has been in contact with a known COVID infected individual may immediately get tested. The test results can be negative. This could be because the virus has not been detected by the test, but the child may actually have COVID, symptomatic or asymptomatic. A retest could show a positive result. False positives can also occur as the test may detect the presence of deactivated virus in the body from a person who previously had COVID. The other molecular tests include LAMP and NEAR tests, but RT-PCR is considered to be the best option. Another test used for diagnosis is the antigen test in which a nasal and throat sample are collected. This test is conducted by detecting protein markers found around the SARS- CoV-2 virus. It is not as accurate as the RT-PCR. Antibody tests study the blood to check for presence of antibodies developed in response to the virus. This test is more useful to check if one has had COVID in the past rather than diagnosing a current infection. CT scans are also being used to test the presence of COVID. CT abnormalities are found in 75% of children with confirmed COVID. However it is important to rule out other illnesses such as influenza B. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoFHW) has provided comprehensive guidelines for the management of COVID in children. This is according to the severity of the case. For asymptomatic cases, home isolation with telephonic consultation and nutritious food and fluids are recommended. For mild cases, paracetamol, throat soothing agents and daily monitoring of symptoms is required. This includes breathing rate, cold fingers and toes, oxygen levels and fluid intake. For moderate cases, the child may need to be admitted in a hospital. Oxygen support is required when the level is below 94%. Blood tests and a chest x-ray may be needed. Fluids and electrolytes need to be kept in balance. For severe cases, the child will need to be admitted in an intensive care or high dependency unit. Oxygen therapy, anticoagulants, corticosteroids, organ support and antimicrobials may be required. Blood tests, CT scan of chest would be required till the patient stabilises. Preventing COVID in children involves ensuring that they stay at home as much as possible, avoid crowded spaces, wear masks while outside (above 5 years of age), wash or sanitize hands frequently, and maintain social distance (6 feet). As children may not be as careful as adults, it is important to spend time teaching them in a way that is interesting and possibly adding a reward for following the safety precautions of COVID-19. Vaccines for children are in the third stage of trial for children aged 12-18 years. The main frontrunners are Covaxin and Zycov-D. Trials for younger children will start soon. Hirayama disease, also known as monomelic amyotrophy, Sobue disease or Juvenile non-progressive amyotrophy is a rare and incurable disease that was first described in 1959 by Dr. Keizo Hirayama, a neurologist, attached to the Chiba University School of Medicine in Japan. It mainly affects young males aged between 15-25 years, generally after they experience their adolescent growth spurt. Technically, it is termed as a lower motor neuron disorder. Classical findings include muscle wasting (atrophy ) and weakness of the forearms and hands, either on one or both sides. There is, however, no change in sensation and the patient doesnt experience any pain. There may be involuntary muscle twitching (fasciculations), but these are rare. The disease usually progresses for 2-5 years before stabilizing or plateauing. After plateauing, improvement in the symptoms does not occur. However, it does not worsen either. Even though Hirayama disease is regarded as a self-limiting and non-progressive disease, it can be severely debilitating is certain individuals. For this reason, early intervention is vital for halting disease-progression and reducing the severity of the disability. Salient Features of Hirayama Disease Muscle weakness in the hand and forearm Muscle wasting in the hands Usually affects the hands on one side (unilateral) Legs are not affected Occurs between the ages of 15-25 years Occurs suddenly, progresses gradually for several years, then stabilizes Pain or sensory changes do not occur Epidemiology of Hirayama Disease Hirayama disease predominantly occurs in Asian countries, especially in Japan, where it was first reported. Other Asian countries where the disease has been reported, include China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and India. However, very few cases have been reported from Europe and USA. In the case of India, most patients are from eastern and southern India, and to a lesser extent from northern India. The major affected states include West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Clinical Presentation of Hirayama Disease Hirayama disease generally starts at puberty and progresses to mid-teens and early adulthood, then reaches a plateau and does not progress any further. But by that time, irreversible damage has already been done to the hands, which become totally useless. Therefore, early diagnosis and medical intervention are vital. The disease affects males more than females (male to female ratio - 3:1). In most patients, the right hand is predominantly affected at a ratio of 2.8:1, irrespective of hand dominance. However, in severe cases, both hands can be affected. This is especially evident in case of a rare condition called OSullivan-McLeod syndrome. Hirayama disease progresses very slowly, usually up to 5 years, but sometimes, may be as long as 10 years. After this period, the symptoms stabilize, but in rare instances, they can persist till the age of 40 years. Other rare clinical features include worsening of symptoms upon exposure to cold (cold paresis), cold hands, muscle cramps, and occasionally tremors and twitching. However, there is no difficulty in passing urine. The term Mozart Effect which was first coined by Alfred A. Tomatis who used Mozart's music as the listening stimulus in his work attempting to cure a variety of disorders. Mozart Effect refers to the phenomenon of increased spatial abilities after listening to the musicians compositions. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a German prolific and influential music composer of the Classical era. Many studies evidence that if babies listen to music composed by Mozart then they can become more intelligent. Mozart baby music may induce a short-term improvement on the performance of mental tasks known as spatial-temporal reasoning. However, subsequent research also suggests that the Mozart Effect may be an artifactual outcome of mood arousal. Mozart and Social Media The initial study by Rauscher, Shaw, & Ky, in 1993 received widespread attention from the social media. The idea that listening to Mozart might increase intelligence quotient (IQ)scores sparked the development of many "educational" books and classical music products. Eventually, thousands of parents started playing Mozart to their children. It has also been reported that in 1998 Zell Miller, the Governor of the state of Georgia (US), even asked for money to be fixed in the state budget for CDs that have music for baby in womb and newborn babies. Moreover, a quick Internet search will reveal plenty of products to assist you in the task. There are also the books to help you to enjoy the Mozarts music benefits. Mozart Effect and Growing Preterm Infants Preterm infants are often kept with more care and considered to have less weight or growth as compared to full-terms pregnancy infants. So, with this perspective a randomized clinical trial with crossover design was conducted in 20 healthy, appropriate-weight-for-gestational-age, gavage-fed preterm infants. Infants were randomly exposed to a 30-minute period of Mozart music or no music on two consecutive days. Their metabolic measurements were performed by indirect calorimetry. The rate of weight gain in preterm infants who are exposed to music was found to improve. So, from the findings it can be concluded that Mozart reduces Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) in the development of healthy preterm infants. Research at Brigham Young University suggests that music has a positive impact and can even promote calmness in babies. Classical Music and your Babys Brain Brain is considered to be the most mysterious and complex object known to man. And, when it comes to increasing a babys brain power. people are more than interested to know the ways how to boost the babys IQ. While if you talk about a newborns brain, it is only 25 percent of its adult weight, by age 3, it grows and builds its pathways and connections, called synapses. According to Dr. Diane Bales, Ph.D., author of "Building Baby's Brain, the synapses used for classical music are similar to those that are used for spatial and temporal reasoning. Rauscher, in 1998 suggested that if music acts as a sort of pre-language of the brain, certain kinds of music (such as Mozarts) is likely to facilitate brain function, even on a short-term basis. The results of the experiment explain the higher scores on spatial-temporal tasks by stating that such music causes short-term causal enhancement of pattern development. Listening to classical music may soothe your babys ears. Music for kids offers numerous benefits that could alleviate physical and health problems. As you know that the brain has two lobes, the studies show that music involves both hemispheres of the brain. Its creativity and emotion is found to engage the right lobe, while rhythm and pitch engage the left one. So, notions of Mozart music work here, the child who receives musical exposure at a young age more efficiently develops the bundle of nerves that connects those two halves. One of the lead researchers in the original U.C. Irvine study believes that listening to a Mozart sonata can activate the brain to tackle mathematical tasks. In another study, performed by John Hughes, a neurologist at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago, reported that Mozarts compositions triggered the strongest response in the brain. The effect on brain and its wave patterns was 2-3 times more compared to other popular tunes. Prenatal Music Exposure Music therapy during pregnancy also proves to be beneficial. The elements of music such as rhythm intervention & range may affect physiologic function like heart and respiratory rates, activity levels and developmental functions. Music also decreases the parental stress perception. Early exposure to music increases abilities in several other areas, including math and language. Studies show that prenatal music exposure induces long-term neural effects. The approach considered was to use the brain's event-related potentials (ERPs). It provides more specific information on the neural correlation of the types and features of sounds the fetuses can learn. During the last trimester of pregnancy, the mothers in the learning group were asked to play the Twinkle twinkle little star melody 5 times per week. After birth and again at the age of 4 months, the modified melody with some of the notes changed was played for the infants. While at the same time, ERPs to unchanged and changed notes were recorded. The results showed that extensive prenatal exposure to a melody induces long term neural representations and prolonged periods of quietalert states. Even more the infants can categorize auditory stimuli, such as recognizing two or more stimuli that are different. Conclusion For centuries, the science of mind what we call as Psychology is studied differently and independently from the science of brain Neuroscience. Psychologists are mainly concerned with our mental capacities - how we learn, or think while Neuroscientists continue with their studies for brain development and its functioning. Thanks to the musical elements which stimulate a realistic and meaningful environment. Babies who listen to Mozart Music can develop positive attitudes, self-perceptions and cognitive skills. In todays tech-dependent world of smartphones and laptops, it is not surprising that most kids are more comfortable using a keyboard than a pen. Many states in the US have dropped cursive writing from their curriculum as students use laptops to type and organize their notes. In many ways, it is easier to use a laptop to take down notes in class as this method allows for quick note-taking and students can easily share notes or look up information if required. However, recent studies show that there are several reasons why writing by hand is a better option. Here are seven reasons why writing by hand is important: Boosts Cognitive Skills Writing by hand is an essential tool in the development of cognitive skills in children. Several studies show that children who learn to write letters and shapes by hand fare better than those who use mechanized methods. Unlike typing, writing by hand requires a combination of visual, motor and cognitive skills which is an integral part of the learning process, despite the age of the student. Writing practice not only allows a child to learn the required shapes or letters but it can also help improve expression and idea composition. This benefit is not limited to children and even as an adult, you can improve your writing skills to enhance your cognitive skills. Increases Focus When writing by hand, a certain part of the brain called the reticular activating system (RAS) is stimulated. This system acts as a filter for all the sensory information you receive from your environment and decides which bits of information are important and which ones can be ignored. Since writing by hand helps to stimulate this area of the brain, it helps the individual focus on the task at hand with minimal scope for distraction. Improves Memory In a series of experiments conducted by psychological scientists of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), students were divided into two groups where one group used laptops to take notes while the others used traditional notebooks. The experiments proved that the students who took notes using laptops were more likely to take verbatim notes with little or no mental processing of the information. Students who used notebooks memorized the information better and were able to understand and retain the knowledge better. The results of the experiment showed that handwriting information leads to better factual learning as well as conceptual learning and is a superior method of memorizing information. Handwriting information helps to improve memory in both young students as well as aging individuals which is why seniors are often advised to keep a journal or a diary in order to sharpen their mental acumen as well as improve their memory. Sharpens Aging Minds As we age, we start to notice diminished physical and mental capabilities. This is a natural part of the aging process and while it cannot be completely reversed, there are ways to slow down the effects. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh studied the effects of intellectual stimulation on memory and comprehension. It was found that older people who undertook regular intellectually stimulating tasks had better reasoning, judgment and cognitive abilities. Learning to write in cursive and practicing it regularly is considered to be a good mental exercise for seniors as it helps to keep the mind sharp and increases focus and attention. Improves Creativity Creativity requires analysis, comprehension, memorizing and insight. Writing by hand is not merely a style; it also promotes a deeper understanding of the subject matter along with an organized approach to communication. In recent years, cognitive science research and neuroscience have presented evidence that shows a definite connection between creativity and the process of writing by hand. Psychologists at the University of Washington tested students in order to observe and understand the differences between the effects of handwriting and using a keyboard. The researchers noted that the children who used notebooks to compose text consistently produced more words within a shorter period than the children who used keyboards. In older children, brain imaging tests showed that the connection between handwriting and idea generation was much stronger than researchers had realized as writing activates a unique neural circuit. During the analysis of handwriting, it was observed that children with better handwriting had better neural activation in the areas of the brain that are associated with creativity. Promotes Sequencing and Estimation Sequencing and estimation are fundamental abilities without which we would have trouble with even the simplest of tasks. For instance, an individual with sequencing problems would not be able to follow the logical sequence of a story starting with the beginning and ending at the conclusion but instead, the person would present the story as a jumble of sentences which would make the story unintelligible. Since each written letter of the alphabet needs to be executed in a specific sequence, handwriting helps to develop and sustain this skill. It also helps with spatial skills as it requires consistent letter sizing as well as spacing before and after words. Creates a Calming Effect Each letter of a word and each word of a sentence requires skill and a certain amount of coordination, especially with cursive writing. The number of complex motor and visual functions required for handwriting is quite surprising and many people find that it is a calming and even cathartic activity. Some people even choose creative calligraphy as a means of self-expression. When the need to focus the mind on a certain activity, such as studying, reading, or solving problems; do become totally aware of the buzz followed by the constant flow of irrelevant, useless, or distracting thoughts. This is the character of mental noise. The inner chatter constantly goes on in everyones mind. Be aware of the mental noise, because it does become a deeply embedded habit. It is considered as natural and an inseparable part of life. The mental noise is a background noise that never does cease, from the moment accountable to waking up in the morning and rightup to the moment of falling asleep at night. Often, it moves to prevent falling asleep. One of the innate characteristics of the mind is the habit of repeating the same thoughts over and over again, as in a loop, like a video or audio that has got stuck. Once there are positive thoughts it is fine. However, too often, these are negative thoughts that do intensify stress, worry, anger, or more so frustration. These are thoughts that are not needed. Thinking of the sun, the first thought might be about the possible damage it can do. Too much sun exposure can propagate towards causing several kinds of serious health issues. When it is early in the day before it is the brightest, the small amounts can be good in some possible ways. The human mind does have much capacity to concentrate, also it is observed the more intelligent the mind is, the more it remains distracted and inattentive. This indicates that the mind needs training throughout the day to comply with utmost discipline. There is nothing wrong with thinking, so we have to direct the thinking in the right direction. It is all about controlling the mind and then progressing towards governing the thoughts. Become highly conscious of the mental noise. Many of us are in fact not even aware that the mind is constantly thinking. Do pause and then arrest the thoughts. Do believe that we are in charge of our mind and not vice-versa. Learn to filter thoughts like a gatekeeper. Do allow only those in need to be a part of the present. Engage the mind to move towards getting involved in an activity that does hold the attention. This will divert the energy on what has been done and then will leave no space to entertain the monkey mind. Be present, do live in the moment and the now! As all we do have is now, so do enjoy every moment. Practice meditation regularly. In fact, with all the common practices and more so awareness, we can certainly train the mind to focus on the positives. Practices such as Trataka (a form of yoga) indicating gazing at one fixed point, encourages the mind in doing the activities that are going on around us. Zen Buddhists imply the constant chatter to be the monkey mind. The Buddha has reminded us that the human mind is about being filled with drunken monkeys flinging themselves from the tree branches, jumping around, and then chattering away non-stop. Buddha indicated that our minds are in fact in constant motion. Typically the mind chatter sounds like: Recalls hurtful things that have happened in the past Judges the present Creates all the catastrophic what-if scenarios of the future Reads off a laundry list of all the to-do items Lists down the fears that are both real and imaginary A monkey mind does hamper the ability to concentrate; it has a negative impact on the behavior; and it often does interfere with the ability to have any positive interactions with others. It does become stressful and more so draining to bear a bunch of monkeys screeching within our heads all day long. The good news is that there are ways to get the monkey mind to calm down completely. Taming the monkey mind will: Improve the quality of the sleep Increase the very sense of calmness along with the well-being Make a person happier Give the clarity of mind Allow focusingon the present and the task at hand It is interesting to note that this concept is part of early Eastern philosophy. Meditation teachers have coined the term monkey mind because before the mind is trained in meditation our attention wanders and all our internal dialogues do chitter like an excitable monkey. It is said this is the natural state. The goal of meditation is to enable us to be quiet and mindful. The relationship of the body towards the ground, the sounds we hear, the feeling of the clothes against the very skin and the movement of the breath in its very rhythm. This all moves way down to the thoughts we are having moment by moment, by acknowledging the sensation of the thought and letting it pass on mindfully. Mind chatter entails the grievances that have occurred quite a long time ago. Permitting to let go of the past does hurt. The choice is to forgive and move on, or then dwell in the past. Mental chatter means to have a normal brain. The brain makes noise, never stopping itself for long. It is all about remembering that chatter must not take over ones life. Then do remember most of the mental chatter is nothing but the random noise. The best thing you can do is recognize what it is and then let it go. Lastly, do apply all the appropriate steps which are indicated in the article to quieten the mental chatter. There is a limited amount of scientific literature on the idea behind Indian classical music as a healing therapy. Its position in the genre of healing through music, though proven through the ages, has not been researched and applied as thoroughly and on the scale that it ought to have been. Every parent knows that soothing tones and sounds pacify even the most irritable of babies. Therefore, the primary proof of the efficacy of music or Raga therapy is the lullabies we sing to infants and toddlers. This is later heightened into Raga therapy for more mature perceptions of adults and adolescents. Practitioners of music therapy have living proof of the effectiveness of music in therapeutic applications on a daily basis. They treat conditions like stroke, brain injury, depression, autism, Alzheimers disease and many others. The therapeutic effect of ragas in Hindustani and Carnatic classical music is a time-tested one, described in the ancient system of Nada Yoga. It channelizes vibrations emanating from sounds to uplift the level of the patients consciousness. Raga Chikitsa, an ancient manuscript in Tanjores Saraswati Mahal Library built by Raja Serfoji, a Maratha king, contains a treasure on ragas and spells out their application and use in fighting common ailments and diseases. How does the system of Raga therapy actually work? A Raga is a sequence of selected notes (swaras) that lend appropriate mood or emotion in a selective combination. Its a yoga system through the medium of sonorous sounds. Depending on its nature, a raga could induce or intensify joy or sorrow, violence or peace, and it is this quality which forms the basis for musical application. Thus, a whole range of emotions and their nuances could be captured and communicated within certain melodies. Playing, performing and even listening to appropriate ragas can work as a medicine. To be rendered effective, Ragas are used in a combination with Ayurveda, the ancient science of Vedic healing. A Raga must be played or sung to a patient keeping in mind his/her physical nature of vata, pitta or kapha. Vata is responsible for all kinds of movement in the body Pitta is responsible for digestion and metabolism Kapha is responsible for all structure and lubrication in the mind and body The time assigned to the Raga during the day or night is also important. Moreover, it is to be seen whether the time of the day or night is naturally suited to vata, pitta and kapha. Lets take an example. Early morning is the natural kapha time for Ayurveda. A kapha-type person should be treated to an early morning Raga like Bhairav, to cure physical imbalances. The later part of the morning and afternoon is pitta time. Raga Bilawal can be used during these hours to treat patients. Late afternoon and evening is vata time, when Raga Pooriya Dhanashri and Marwa can be used as a cure. It is very important, however, that the Ayurvedic constitution of the patient be kept in mind as to whether he or she is a vata, pitta or kapha person. The people at the core of this treatment would be the music therapist, the client, the clinical facility whether at home or in a hospital, and music providers. Music therapists interact with their clients and the use of music. They assess their clients and create a clinical plan for treatment in coordination with the team and client goals. This is what determines the course of clinical sessions. A music therapist works within a client-centered, goal-directed framework. Over the last couple of years, crime dramas have been all the rage in the digital space. From Raktanchal to Pataal Lok and Sacred Games, OTT platforms have been bringing in all the viewers from their over-the-top criminal masterminds. But a quick look beyond these famous shows will tell you the story of the reel queens of the digital world. Not many fictional shows and movies have done justice to the portrayal of daring, vengeful, and fierce women but heres a list of a couple of shows that come close have our hearts! Ashraf Bhatkar in Ek This Begum 2 MX Player Inspired by true events, MX Players Ek Thi Begum 2 sees Anuja Sathe reprise her role as the fearless AshrafBhatkar, a woman fueled by vengeance in a male-dominated world. After her husband was killed, she discovered that he was working for a powerful gangster. She vowed to avenge his death, and in the process, she pushes the boundaries of the dominant moral codes of her time and turns into a gutsy, daring woman from an ordinary housewife. Directed by Sachin Darekar, the new season chronicles Ashrafs life as she takes on a new alias Leela Paswan and plots yet another plan to bring down Maqsood, Dubais most powerful don. Add EkThi Begum 2 to your watch list! Aarya Ram Madhavani Films Starring Sushmita Sen in the titular role, Aarya is a show that narrates the story of a strong and fierce woman who would go to any lengths to save her family. When Aarya discovers that her husband (played by Chandrachur Singh) was a part of her fathers drug cartel, she is shell-shocked but recovers quickly to protect her family from vengeful goons. Sushmita Sen as the reel mafia queen is one of our favourite things to watch. Kainaaz in Kaafir Alchemy Films Inspired by the true story of Shehnaz Parveen, a suspected militant who crossed the LOC, Kaafir is an understated show that takes you on an emotional ride. The show stars Dia Mirza as the resilient and strong-head Kainaaz, who spends close to seven years in imprisonment. Kainaaz is a strong female lead who endures endless trauma, including giving birth in prison and raising a daughter. The show also stars Mohit Raina in the lead. Meera in Its Not That Simple Voot Starring the talented Swara Bhaskar as Meera, Its Not That Simple is a compelling look at how married life is different for women when compared to men. The show chronicles the life of Meera as she navigates through an unhappy marriage, work-life imbalance, and past relationships that re-enter her life. One school reunion opens up a can of worms that Meera is not ready to deal with. How does it impact her married life? Watch Its Not That Simple to find out! We are ready to binge-watch these fierce reel-life queens anytime. Let us know your favourite female protagonists in the comments below. In recent times, there has often been news of celebrities and other wealthy personalities getting caught up in money laundering cases. Well, this time around it is one of Bollywood's most popular actresses, Jacqueline Fernandez. Instagram/Jacqueline Fernandez Reportedly, the Housefull actress has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate, who will question her today in relation to a money laundering case worth Rs 200 crores, that involves a conman named Sukesh Chandrasekar. Jacqueline Fernandez To Be Questioned Today In Rs 200 Crore Cheating Case https://t.co/xEK4hpg21l mannainfinitysoul (@mannainfinitys1) September 25, 2021 As things stand, this is not the first time that Jacqueline is being questioned in the cheating case with the central probe agency interrogating her earlier as well. The conman Chandrasekar has been accused of cheating the family of former promoters of Ranbaxy, Shivinder Singh, and Malvinder Singh, to the amounts of Rs 200 crore. As per reports, it is suggested that Chandrasekar went after Jacqueline through his wife Leena Paul. Chandrasekhar has been a renowned criminal due to his history of cheating and got into it at a young age. The Enforcement Directorate issued an official statement following a raid conducted by them last week. "Sukesh Chandrasekhar is the mastermind of this fraud. He has been a part of the crime world since the age of 17. He has multiple FIRs against him and is presently lodged at the Rohini jail," it read. As per the evidence found and investigated in the case, the agency has called Jacqueline for the second time following her questioning session last month that lasted for a period of five hours. According to sources speaking NDTV, Chandrasekhar got in constant touch with Jacqueline through calls and messages, with the agency now wanting to probe the actor related to the cheating scandal. Last month, the agency had said that it had seized a sea-facing bungalow in Chennai, cash money around 82.5 lakh rupees along with a dozen luxurious cars in connection with the money laundering case against the accused conman. The cheating case has been based on Delhi Police's FIR against Chandrasekhar over alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating, and extortion to the insane amount of Rs 200 crore. Now, we don't know what's in store for Jacqueline next but this sure is negative PR for her anyway. Instagram/Jacqueline Fernandez The 36-year-old actress was last seen in Bhoot Police alongside Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Kapoor, and Yami Gautam. Let's admit it! While we work our as*** off in mostly 9-5 jobs, one thing that continues to intrigue us is the salaries or earnings of renowned celebrities who have lavish lifestyles. Be it Bollywood actors, musicians, and other celebrities, we often wonder how much they earn in a span of a year, with Google always suggesting the word 'Net Worth' after every personality that we search online. Now, if you've often done that, you would definitely be curious about finding what the Prime Minister of our country actually earns. Twitter As things turn out, PM Narendra Modi has quite a net worth due to his earnings from leading our country in the last seven years and over the rest of his career. Well, according to the official data released as per his latest declaration, PM Modi's net worth is somewhere around Rs 3.07 crore. It saw a jump of almost Rs 22 lakh from last year which was around Rs 2.85 crore. The 71-year-old prime minister actually does not possess any stock market exposure, with his investments being in the form of mostly the National Savings Certificate ( Rs 8.9 lakh), life insurance policies ( Rs1.5 lakh), and L&T infrastructure bonds, which he bought for Rs 20,000 back in 2012. As per reports, the increase in his wealth comes down mainly to his fixed deposits in a Gandhinagar branch of SBI. PM Modi's self-declaration filed showed that his fixed deposit amounted to Rs 1.86 crores this year, as compared to rupees 1.6 crores last year. PM Modi owns around four gold rings worth Rs 1.48 lakh, with his bank balance and cash in hand, amounting to Rs 1.5 lakh, and Rs 36,000 as of March 31 of this year. Since the prime minister came into power back in 2014, he has not bought any property with his only residential property being the one he bought in 2002, valued at Rs 1.1 crore. That too is said to be a joint property in which PM Modi is said to have a one-fourth share in. The property is reported to be around 14,125 square feet with Modi's rights being over 3,531 square feet of it. The Miami University Office of Sustainability and the Climate Action Task Force invite the Miami community to a series of five Climate Cafes. Each cafe will focus on a specific topic related to our institutional commitment to achieve carbon neutrality. Participants will hear goals and updates related to each topic and have the opportunity to give input on the Climate Action Task Force Resilience Assessment and Climate Action Plan (both in development). Climate Cafes will be held on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in room 2, Upham Hall. Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Board and Commissions Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Board and Commissions FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 24, 2021 Contact: press@michigan.gov Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Board and Commissions LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Board of Boiler Rules, State Fire Safety Board, Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, Michigan Truck Safety Commission, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Health Information Technology Commission, Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, MSU-CIBER Advisory Board, Committee on the Purchase of Goods and Services from Community Rehabilitation Organizations, and the Chair of the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs. Board of Boiler Rules Donald L. Kronewitter, of Ionia, is the HVAC skilled trades supervisor for Michigan State University. He is a licensed boiler installer, mechanical contractor, builder, and plumbing contractor. Mr. Kronewitter is reappointed to represent owners and users of boilers in this state for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring July 30, 2025. Glenn F. Glidden, of Paw Paw, is a mechanical engineer for Byce & Associates Inc. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Western Michigan University. Mr. Glidden is reappointed to represent consulting engineers in this state who have boiler experience for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring July 30, 2025. Nicholas P. Kammer, of Armada, is a performance manager for DTE Energy. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Mr. Kammer is appointed to represent owners and users of boilers in this state for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring July 30, 2025. He succeeds Ryan Randazzo whose term expired July 31, 2021. The Board of Boiler Rules was created to prescribe uniform rules for boilers; provide for the licensing of boiler inspectors, installers, and repairers; set fees for licenses, permits, inspections, and certificates; and to provide penalties for violation of the act. These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. State Fire Safety Board Timothy M. Dockerty, of Berrien Springs, is the CEO of Dockerty Health Care Services, Inc. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Western Michigan University and his Master of Business Administration from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Mr. Dockerty is appointed to represent persons who own adult foster care facilities for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring July 15, 2025. He succeeds Lindsey Haley whose term expired July 15, 2021. Ruth Ann Knapp, of Saginaw, is the president of the Saginaw Board of Education and a retired elementary school music teacher. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education and Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Idaho and Master of Education from Central Michigan University. Ms. Knapp is appointed to represent members of the governing board of a school district, public school academy, or intermediate school district, for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring July 15, 2025. She succeeds Tina Kerr whose term expired July 15, 2021. Richard S. Prestage, of St. Louis, is the vice president of facilities and capitals at Nexcare Wellbridge. He is the assistant chief of the Mid-Michigan Community Fire Department and a board member with the Health Care Association of Michigan. Mr. Prestage is appointed to represent the nursing home industry for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring July 15, 2025. He succeeds Paul Korte whose term expired July 15 2021. Robert A. Williams, III, of Dexter, is the business agent for Sprinkler Fitters Local 704. He completed an apprenticeship with Sprinkler Fitters Local 704 and previously worked as a Journeyman Sprinkler Fitter. Mr. Williams is reappointed to represent building trades for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring July 15, 2025. Ora E. Wolf, of Allen Park, is a manager with Phantom Fireworks. He received his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Ohio State University and Master of Business Administration from Capital University. Mr. Wolf is appointed to represent flammable liquids industry for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring July 15, 2025. He succeeds Kenneth Letts whose term expired July 15, 2021. The State Fire Safety Board assists in the development of fire safety rules covering the construction, operation, and maintenance of schools, health care facilities, penal facilities, and state-owned and leased facilities. The Board assists in the operation and maintenance of public assembly and other buildings, oversight of delegation of fire inspection responsibilities, and serves as an administrative hearing body on decisions made by the Bureau of Fire Services. These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee John P. Burk, of Bay City, is the owner of Burk Farms. He holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural technology and a master's degree in crop and soil sciences from Michigan State University. Mr. Burk is appointed to represent District 5 growers for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring September 23, 2024. He succeeds Michael Sahr whose term expires September 24, 2021. Peter Crawford, of Dansville, is the owner of Crawford Farms. He studied soil and chemical technology at Michigan State University. Mr. Crawford is reappointed to represent District 2 growers for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring September 23, 2024. Scott L. Wilson, of Lexington, is a partner with Wilson Farms, LLC. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Central Michigan University. Mr. Wilson is appointed to represent District 4 growers for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring September 23, 2024. He succeeds Dennis Gardner whose term expires on September 24, 2021. The Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee develops procedures relating to the soybean marketing program and recommends amendments to the marketing program. The Committee prepares the estimated budget required for the proper operation of the marketing program, develops methods for collecting and auditing the assessments, and collects and assembles information and data necessary for proper administration of the marketing program. These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Michigan Truck Safety Commission Jeremy M. Burleson, of South Haven, is the director of regional campuses at Lake Michigan College. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Central Michigan University and Master of Liberal Studies from Fort Hays State University. Mr. Burleson is appointed to represent Michigan community colleges for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring August 4, 2023. He succeeds Michelle Taylor whose term expired August 4, 2021. Randy L. Coplin, of Litchfield, is retired from the Michigan Department of State Police where he served as assistant commander and inspector. He received his Bachelor of Science in Criminalistics from Michigan State University. Mr. Coplin is reappointed to represent the general public for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring August 4, 2023. Carol M. Heinowski, of Grand Ledge, is the logistics, safety, and compliance manager at Meijer. She received her Bachelor of Arts in General Business Administration from Michigan State University. Mrs. Heinowski is reappointed to represent private motor carriers for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring August 4, 2023. Matthew B. Hitchcock, of Williamston, is the owner and CEO of MBH Trucking, LLC and owner and president of Chloride Solutions, LLC. He is the chairman and former president of the Michigan Trucking Association. Mr. Hitchcock is appointed to represent the Michigan Trucking Association for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring August 4, 2023. He succeeds the late Gregory Causley. Kim W. Kelly, of Dimondale, is retired from the Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning where she served as an accountant manager. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Kentucky. Ms. Kelly is reappointed to represent the general public for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring August 4, 2023. Jeffrey T. Lee, of Canton, is a trustee and business agent with the Teamsters Local 337. He is a veteran of the United States Navy and a former truck driver with Kellogg's. Mr. Lee is reappointed to represent organized labor for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring August 4, 2023. Jeremy J. Worm, Ph.D., of Ahmeek, is the associate director of APS Labs and director of Mobile Lab at Michigan Technological University. He received his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Dr. Worm is reappointed to represent 4-year colleges or universities for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring August 4, 2023. The Michigan Truck Safety Commission (MTSC) is the only organization in the nation dedicated to commercial truck driver education and training supported solely by the industry it serves. The Commission is committed to enhancing truck and truck driver safety by providing truck driver education and training, heightening all drivers' awareness of the operational characteristics and limitations of trucks, initiating data collection and research, and supporting enforcement of motor carrier safety laws. These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Deborah E. Mikula, of Howell, is the executive director of the Michigan Library Association. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Michigan State University and a graduate certificate in arts management from American University. Ms. Mikula is reappointed for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring September 1, 2024. Amy E. Spadafore, of Saginaw, is the managing director at Pit & Balcony Theatre and the founder and programs committee member of the Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan. She received her Bachelor of Science in Arts Management from Western Michigan University. Ms. Spadafore is appointed for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring September 1, 2024. She succeeds Xavier Verna whose term expired September 1, 2021. Rhonda Welsh, of Troy, is the executive director of Detroit Outreach at Central Michigan University and a teaching artist with the Pop-up Coterie in Detroit. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Master of Public Relations and Organizational Communication from Wayne State University. Ms. Welsh is appointed for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring September 1, 2024. She succeeds Rick Treur whose term expired September 1, 2021. Germaine Williams, Ph.D., of Detroit, is the vice president for development at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. He received his Ph.D. in History from Carnegie Mellon University, Master of Arts in Nonprofit Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and Bachelor of Arts in History from Morehouse College. Mr. Williams is appointed for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring September 1, 2024. He succeeds Omari Rush whose term expired September 1, 2021. Kate E. Yancho, of Kalamazoo, is the executive director of Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Kent State University and Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Ohio State University. Ms. Yancho is appointed for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring September 1, 2024. She succeeds Tyler Rossmaessler whose term expired on September 1, 2021. Gretchen L. Gonzales Davidson, of Birmingham, is a musician and the owner of El Studio 444 LLC. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science from Michigan State University. Mrs. Gonzales Davidson was appointed to the Council in 2019. The Governor has designated her to serve as Chair of the Council. The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs serves to encourage, develop, and facilitate an enriched environment of creative and cultural activity in Michigan. The Council envisions a Michigan where every citizen celebrates the state's cultural treasures and arts and cultural experiences are accessible to all its citizens. These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Health Information Technology Commission Norman Beauchamp, Jr., M.D., of East Lansing, is the executive vice president for health sciences at Michigan State University. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology, Doctor of Medicine from Michigan State University, and Master of Public Health from The John Hopkins School of Public Health. Dr. Beauchamp is reappointed to represent schools of medicine in Michigan for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring August 3, 2025. Camille P. Walker Banks, of Southfield, is the executive director of NPower Michigan. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Urban Planning from Wayne State University. Ms. Walker Banks is appointed to represent purchasers or employers for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring August 3, 2025. She succeeds Patricia Rinvelt whose term expired August 3, 2021. Heather M. Wilson, of Pinckney, is the senior director of revenue cycle mid-service at the University of Michigan. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Ferris State University and Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan. Ms. Wilson is appointed to represent hospitals for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring August 3, 2025. She succeeds Jonathan Kufahl whose term expired August 3, 2021. The Michigan Health Information Technology (HIT) Commission's mission is to facilitate and promote the design, implementation, operation, and maintenance of an interoperable health care information infrastructure in Michigan. These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Robert J. VerHeulen, of Walker, is the district director for the 28th Senate District and a former state representative for the 74th House District. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan and Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University. Mr. VerHeulen is appointed to represent members submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring April 1, 2025. He succeeds Joseph Haveman whose term expired April 1, 2021. The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission was created as a result of efforts to improve legal representation for indigent criminal defendants. The Commission develops and oversees the implementation, enforcement, and modification of minimum standards, rules, and procedures to ensure that indigent criminal defense services providing effective assistance of counsel are delivered to all indigent adults in this state consistent with the safeguards of the United States Constitution, the State Constitution of 1963, and with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act. This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. MSU-CIBER Advisory Board Natalie R. Chmiko, of Lansing, is the vice president of Pure Michigan Business Connect and International Trade for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Saginaw Valley State University. Ms. Chmiko is reappointed for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring at the pleasure of the Governor. In order for MSU to be eligible for a CIBER grant through the U.S. Department of Education, MSU shall establish a center advisory council which will conduct extensive planning prior to the establishment of a center concerning the scope of the center's activities and the design of its programs and advise the center on activities going forward. One member of the Board is appointed by the Governor. This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Committee on the Purchase of Goods and Services from Community Rehabilitation Organizations Melissa Potter, of DeWitt, is a rehabilitation consultant for the innovation and special programs division at Michigan Rehabilitation Services. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Michigan State University and Master of Science in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Ms. Potter is appointed to represent Michigan Rehabilitation Services for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring March 31, 2022. She succeeds Karsten Bekemeier who has resigned. The Committee on the Purchase of Goods and Services from Community Rehabilitation Organizations was designed to oversee the purchase of goods and services from community rehabilitation organizations by identifying, reviewing, and recommending approval or disapproval to the state administrative board requests from community rehabilitation organizations to provide goods and services for purchase by the Department of Technology, Management and Budget. This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs Chair Suzanne K. Sukkar, of Ypsilanti, is a member at Dickinson Wright PLLC. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Michigan and Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University Law School. Ms. Sukkar was appointed to the Commission in 2015. The Governor has designated Ms. Sukkar to serve as Chair of the Commission. The Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs was created by Executive Order 2015-6. The Commission is housed in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and shall act in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the Director. The 15-member council will advise the department on issues relating to the Arab and Chaldean communities in Michigan and promote awareness of their culture and history. They will also work to empower, promote, and advance the Middle Eastern American community in Michigan. Chair designations are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. ### Governor Whitmer Appeals FEMA Denial to Add Macomb and Oakland Counties to Major Disaster Declaration Governor Whitmer Appeals FEMA Denial to Add Macomb and Oakland Counties to Major Disaster Declaration FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 24, 2021 Contact: press@michigan.gov Governor Whitmer Appeals FEMA Denial to Add Macomb and Oakland Counties to Major Disaster Declaration LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the State of Michigan is appealing the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) denial to expand the Major Disaster Declaration in southeast Michigan to include households in Macomb and Oakland counties. The request was made following heavy rainfall and flooding across southeast Michigan in late June. "The impact of these storms has been widespread, affecting multiple counties in Michigan. We know, nearly three months later, many families still need help recovering, which is why I'm appealing their decision to get the resources that Michiganders need right now," said Governor Whitmer. "We will not stop working with our federal partners to ensure our communities get assistance to recover from the damage caused by these unprecedented events. And I will continue to advocate for the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill so that we can build more resilient infrastructure to the effects of severe storms." The appeal follows the completion of additional joint preliminary damage assessments with federal and local officials to validate the extent of damage to homes across Macomb and Oakland counties. If added to the federal declaration, households affected by the flooding in Macomb and Oakland counties would be eligible to apply for assistance to include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help people and businesses recover. On June 25 and 26, heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding in southeast Michigan, damaging infrastructure and private property. On June 26, Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Wayne County, later adding Huron, Ionia and Washtenaw Counties. By declaring a state of emergency, the governor made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated area. On July 13, Governor Whitmer sent a letter to President Biden requesting that he declare an emergency disaster for the state of Michigan. On July 15, President Biden issued a disaster declaration allowing individual assistance for Wayne and Washtenaw counties. On August 27, Governor Whitmer requested Oakland and Macomb Counties be included in that disaster declaration. On September 2, FEMA denied that request. To read the appeal letter, click here. ### Governor Whitmer Appoints Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian as Chief Medical Executive, Thanks Dr. Joneigh Khaldun for Leadership During Pandemic Governor Whitmer Appoints Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian as Chief Medical Executive, Thanks Dr. Joneigh Khaldun for Leadership During Pandemic FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 24, 2021 Contact: Press@Michigan.gov Governor Whitmer Appoints Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian as Chief Medical Executive, Thanks Dr. Joneigh Khaldun for Leadership During Pandemic After serving as the state's top doctor for over two years, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun has accepted a new career opportunity outside of state government. LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian will serve as chief medical executive for the state of Michigan beginning on Friday, October 1. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, who currently serves as chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, has accepted a new position to pursue an opportunity outside of state government, which will be announced in the coming weeks. The State of Michigan will conduct a nationwide search to select a permanent chief medical executive. "Thanks to Dr. J's around-the-clock leadership, our state acted quickly with the best available data and science to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save countless lives during the pandemic," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "Michigan has one of the lowest number of cases per capita, and numerous studies show that the tough decisions we made helped save thousands of lives. At the height of COVID-19, we stood side by side to keep our state safe through one of the most difficult periods in our lives. Dr. J also sounded the alarm on COVID-19 disproportionately impacting people of color, and she co-chaired the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, which has made significant progress towards reducing COVID-19 mortality rate disparities for Michiganders of color. While we wish we could keep Dr. J at the helm, I wish her the best of luck as she moves on to a well-deserved opportunity. The state of Michigan and I are incredibly grateful for your service." "I am proud to appoint Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian as chief medical executive. Michiganders across the state have benefited from Dr. Bagdasarian's expertise through her work leading the state's COVID-19 testing strategy to keep everyone safe," continued Whitmer. "Dr. Bagdasarian is a world-renowned medical expert with a wealth of experience. She is a proven leader who will continue to guide us through the pandemic. I look forward to collaborating with her as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and keep Michigan healthy." "I want to personally thank Dr. Joneigh Khaldun for her unwavering dedication and service to our state. Her extensive knowledge and direction have been invaluable as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and she has been a critical leader of our Racial Disparities Task Force," said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist. "She has been a tremendous example of what it means to be a leader, as she served not only as our Chief Medical Executive but also continued to provide lifesaving healthcare to patients on the frontlines of this pandemic in emergency rooms. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside Dr. Khaldun and to have learned from her. We welcome Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian to our team as we continue to take bold actions to protect public health across Michigan." "Dr. Khaldun has been on the forefront of Michigan's COVID response even before March 2020 when she was carefully monitoring the unfolding of what quickly became a pandemic," said Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. "Her leadership, consultation, determination and candor have been invaluable in guiding the decisions that have always been in the best interest of keeping Michiganders safe and healthy. She has served in multiple roles in the interest of public service throughout her medical career and no matter where her journey takes her we know it will be to continue to be a champion of community health. I, and the entire MDHHS team, respect and appreciate the dedication and sacrifices she made alongside all of us with the goal of protecting our state and its residents. We know we will continue these efforts together." "Dr. Bagdasarian has been serving as a senior public health physician at MDHHS during the pandemic, focused on testing strategies and community access, and most recently has been on sabbatical working with the World Health Organization on COVID -19 planning," said Hertel. "We are thrilled that an infectious diseases expert with her global experience will be able to step into the chief medical executive role quickly and seamlessly. Especially during a time when we need to maintain our momentum and focus on reducing COVID cases and hospitalizations, and increasing vaccinations." With a background in internal medicine and infectious diseases, Dr. Bagdasarian has worked in Michigan and internationally for the last decade, authoring 40 publications on topics in infectious diseases and public health. Since early 2020, she has provided technical guidance on outbreak preparedness and COVID-19to the international community. For the last year she has served the State of Michigan in the role of Senior Public Health Physician with the Department of Health and Human Services, where she oversaw the SARS-CoV-2 testing strategy for the state. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian received her medical degree from Wayne State University and her master of public health from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She completed training in internal medicine and infectious diseases at Michigan Medicine. "These past months have been full of unprecedented challenges and change on the public health front, and there is much work to be done," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian. "We can't thank Dr. Khaldun enough for her work and leadership during her years with the city of Detroit, the state of Michigan and MDHHS. I am honored to be named the state's chief medical executive. I know we have a committed, resolute, and untiring team that cares deeply about public health and moving past this current crisis. I look forward to collaborating with MDHHS and the Governor's office and other state departments to address this challenge and any others that may present in the future." Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the current chief medical executive, will transition out of her role, with her last day of service to state government on Thursday, September 30. Before serving as chief medical executive, Dr. Khaldun was the Director and Health Officer for the Detroit Health Department, where she oversaw a robust community health assessment, spear-headed new human service and maternal and infant health efforts and led Detroit's response to the largest Hepatitis A outbreak in modern U.S. history. Under Dr. Khaldun's guidance, the state enacted multiple public health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives during the pandemic. She also quickly recognized the disparate impact COVID-19 had on communities of color, and the state was one of the first states in the nation to form a task force to reduce these disparities and bring down the mortality rate. Due to her leadership, President Biden selected Dr. Joneigh Khaldun to be a member of the national COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. "I am so grateful to Governor Whitmer, Director Hertel, and all of the state departments, local health departments, health systems, physicians and community organizations across Michigan that I have had the privilege to work with over the last five years in my roles at the Detroit Health Department and the State of Michigan," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy of health, MDHHS. "This work has been the honor of my life. I've been inspired by the entire MDHHS team and their expertise and dedication to serving the people of Michigan. Dr Bagdasarian is an accomplished public health expert and epidemiologist and I am confident she will serve the state well in this new role. This is very bittersweet, but I am excited for this new and unique opportunity to continue doing my life's work of advancing bold programs and policies that promote the health of all communities." The State of Michigan has begun a search to select a chief medical executive. An announcement will be made when the position is filled. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian Dr. Joneigh Khaldun ### The Huron County Road Commission was recognized for having one of the lowest employee injury rates among road commissions in the state this past year. The announcement was made at the County Road Association Self-Insurance Fund's (CRASIF) Annual Membership Meeting in Traverse City held on Sept. 15, 2021. "Road commission workers are constantly putting their life on the line for the motoring public." says Jim deSpelder, CRASIF Administrator. CRASIF provides safety training and workers' compensation coverage for road commissions. "Seventy-five percent of the roads in the state are maintained by road commissions and their roughly five thousand employees. We remind the workers that they come within a foot of death many times during the day when working in traffic," commented deSpelder. He added "The risk of injury is higher than normal when working for a road commission." Lawyers for John Hinckley Jr., the man who tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, are scheduled to argue in court Monday that the 66-year-old should be freed from restrictions placed on him after he moved out of a Washington hospital in 2016. Since Hinckley's move to Williamsburg, Virginia, a federal judge has made him live under various conditions that dictate much of his life. For instance, doctors and therapists must oversee his psychiatric medication and decide how often he attends individual and group therapy sessions. Hinckley has monthly appointments now virtual with Washington's Department of Behavioral Health, which files progress notes with a federal court. And he must give three days' notice if he wants to travel more than 75 miles (120 kilometers) from home. Hinckley also has to turn over passwords for computers, phones and online accounts such as email. He can't have a gun. And he can't contact Reagan's children, other victims or their families or actress Jodie Foster - with whom he was obsessed with at the time of the 1981 shooting. Hinckley's attorney, Barry Levine, has said that Hinckley should get what's called unconditional release because he no longer poses a threat. He has adhered to every requirement of law, Levine told The Associated Press last month. And based on the views of a variety of mental health professionals ... he no longer suffers from a mental disease, and he hasnt suffered from a mental disease for decades. A status conference is scheduled for Monday before U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman in Washington. In a May court filing, the U.S. government had said it opposed ending the restrictions. It also retained an expert to examine Hinckley and determine "whether or not he would pose a danger to himself or others if unconditionally released. Findings from such an examination have not been filed in court. But a 2020 violence risk assessment conducted on behalf of Washington's Department of Behavioral Health said Hinckley would not pose a danger. Timothy McCarthy, a Secret Service agent who was shot during the assassination attempt, told the AP that he doesn't have a lot of good Christian thoughts" about Hinckley. But in any case, I hope they're right, McCarthy, 72, said of mental health professionals and the court. Because the actions of this man could have changed the course of history. Hinckley was 25 when he shot and wounded the 40th U.S. president outside a Washington hotel. The shooting paralyzed Reagan press secretary James Brady, who died in 2014. It also injured McCarthy and Washington police officer Thomas Delahanty. Hinckley was suffering from acute psychosis. When jurors found him not guilty by reason of insanity, they said he needed treatment and not a lifetime in confinement. He was ordered to live at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington. In the 2000s, Hinckley began making visits to his parents home in a gated Williamsburg community. A 2016 court order granted him permission to live with his mom full-time, albeit under various restrictions, after experts said his mental illness had been in remission for decades. Stephen J. Morse, a University of Pennsylvania professor of law and psychiatry, said Hinckleys acquittal by reason of insanity means he is not to blame for those terrible things that happened and he cannot be punished. Decades of legal precedent are on Hinckley's side when it comes to lifting restrictions, Morse said. Most people in Hinckley's situation are released from a psychiatric hospital if they're no longer considered mentally ill or dangerous, he said. And if they follow court-ordered rules, unconditional release virtually always follows after a period of time. People tend to age out of dangerousness, even people with terrible records, by their early 40s, Morse said. If he hadnt attempted to kill President Reagan, this guy would have been released ages ago. In recent years, Hinckley has sold items from a booth at an antique mall that hes found at estate sales, flea markets and consignment shops. Hes shared his music on YouTube and had been in a relationship with a woman he met in group therapy. Friedman, the federal judge, has also loosened Hinckley's restrictions from about 30 conditions in 2018 to 17 conditions last year. For instance, Hinckley was granted the right to publicly display his artwork and allowed to move out of his mother's house. But he still cant travel to places where he knows there will be someone who is protected by the Secret Service. Hinckley's mother died in July. By then he had already moved out, according to his attorney. Levine did not say where Hinckley now lives, but he would have been required to inform his treatment team of where he was moving. Hinckley's 2020 risk assessment said he planned to stay in the Williamsburg area after his mother's death and that his brother Scott expressed interest in living with him. Last year's risk assessment recommended that he be considered for unconditional release. The report said there's no indication he's sought access to weapons. And it said he's unlikely to reach out to people he's been barred from contacting. He hasn't tried to contact Foster, the actress, since the 1980s, the report said. Hinckley is quoted as saying that hed continue to take his psychiatric medication and attend group therapy. Not a whole lot would change, Hinckley said. DEL RIO, Texas (AP) The Texas border crossing where thousands of Haitian migrants converged in recent weeks will be partially reopened late Saturday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. Federal and local officials said no migrants remained at the makeshift encampment as of Friday, after some of the nearly 15,000 people were expelled from the country and many others were allowed to remain in the U.S., at least temporarily, as they try to seek asylum. In a statement, officials said trade and travel operations would resume at the Del Rio Port of Entry for passenger traffic at 4 p.m. Saturday. It will be reopened for cargo traffic on Monday morning. CBP temporarily closed the border crossing between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, on Sept. 17 after the migrants suddenly crossed into Del Rio and made camp around the U.S. side of the border bridge. CBP agents on Saturday searched the brush along the Rio Grande to ensure that no one was hiding near the site. Bruno Lozano, the mayor of Del Rio, said officials also wanted to be sure no other large groups of migrants were making their way to the Del Rio area to try to set up a similar camp. The Department of Homeland Security planned to continue flights to Haiti throughout the weekend, ignoring criticism from Democratic lawmakers and human rights groups who say Haitian migrants are being sent back to a troubled country that some left more than a decade ago. The number of people at the Del Rio encampment peaked last Saturday as migrants driven by confusion over the Biden administrations policies and misinformation on social media converged at the border crossing. The U.S. and Mexico worked swiftly, appearing eager to end the humanitarian situation that prompted the resignation of the U.S. special envoy to Haiti and widespread outrage after images emerged of border agents maneuvering their horses to forcibly block and move migrants. Many migrants face expulsion because they are not covered by protections recently extended by the Biden administration to the more than 100,000 Haitian migrants already in the U.S., citing security concerns and social unrest in the Western Hemispheres poorest country. A devastating 2010 earthquake forced many from their homeland. The U.S. government expelled 2,324 Haitians on 21 flights to Haiti from Sunday through Friday, according to the Department of Homeland Security. On Friday, the government operated four flights from Del Rio with 375 Haitian migrants; two flights to Port-au-Prince and two to Cap-Haitien. The department said the flights will continue on a regular basis" as people are expelled under pandemic powers that deny migrants the chance to seek asylum. The Trump administration enacted the policy, called Title 42, in March 2020 to justify restrictive immigration policies in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Biden administration has used it to justify the deportation of Haitian migrants. A federal judge late last week ruled that the rule was improper and gave the government two weeks to halt it, but the Biden administration appealed. Officials said the U.S. State Department is in talks with Brazil and Chile to allow some Haitians who previously resided in those countries to return, but its complicated because some of them no longer have legal status there. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the U.S. has allowed about 12,400 migrants to enter the country, at least temporarily, while they make claims before an immigration judge to stay in the country under the asylum laws or for some other legal reason. They could ultimately be denied and would be subject to removal. Mayorkas said about 5,000 are in DHS custody and being processed to determine whether they will be expelled or allowed to press their claim for legal residency. Some returned to Mexico. A U.S. official with direct knowledge of the situation said seven flights were scheduled to Haiti on Saturday and six on Sunday, though that was subject to change. The official was not authorized to speak publicly. No migrants were left Saturday morning in the camp on the Mexico side of the border. Local authorities had moved the last migrants to a walled, roof-less facility in downtown Ciudad Acuna where the Mexican immigration agency put some tents. That shelter had 240 people as of Saturday morning, according to Felipe Basulto, the secretary of the municipality. The Mexican government has been moving migrants by land and air to the south of the country and was planning to begin flying some to Haiti in the coming days. The Mexico office of the U.N.s International Organization for Migration released a statement late Friday saying it is looking for countries where some Haitians have residency or where their children have citizenship as an alternative to allowing them to be deported to Haiti. Luxon, a 31-year-old Haitian migrant who withheld his last name out of fear, said he was leaving with his wife and son for Mexicali, about 900 miles (1,450 kilometers) west along Mexicos border with California. The option was to go to a place where there arent a lot of people and there request documents to be legal in Mexico, he said. At the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition in Del Rio, migrants stepped off a white Border Patrol van on Friday, many smiling and looking relieved to have been released into the U.S. Some carried sleeping babies. A toddler walked behind her mother wrapped in a silver heat blanket. A man who drove nearly 1,300 miles (2,092 kilometers) from Toledo, Ohio, hoping to pick up a friend and her family, scanned the line of Haitian migrants but didnt see them. ___ Verza reported from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. Associated Press writers Sarah Morgan in Del Rio; Ben Fox and Nancy Benac in Washington; Elliot Spagat in Los Angeles; and Tammy Webber in Fenton, Michigan, contributed to this story. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) The Taliban hanged a dead body from a crane parked in a city square in Afghanistan on Saturday in a gruesome display that signaled the hard-line movements return to some of its brutal tactics of the past. Taliban officials initially brought four bodies to the central square in the western city of Herat, then moved three of them to other parts of the city for public display, said Wazir Ahmad Seddiqi, who runs a pharmacy on the edge of the square. Taliban officials announced that the four were caught taking part in a kidnapping earlier Saturday and were killed by police, Seddiqi said. Ziaulhaq Jalali, a Taliban-appointed district police chief in Herat, said later that Taliban members rescued a father and son who had been abducted by four kidnappers after an exchange of gunfire. He said a Taliban fighter and a civilian were wounded by the kidnappers, and that the kidnappers were killed in crossfire. An Associated Press video showed crowds gathering around the crane and peering up at the body as some men chanted. The aim of this action is to alert all criminals that they are not safe, a Taliban commander who did not identify himself told the AP in an on-camera interview conducted in the square. Since the Taliban overran Kabul on Aug. 15 and seized control of the country, Afghans and the world have been watching to see whether they will re-create their harsh rule of the late 1990s, which included public stonings and limb amputations of alleged criminals, some of which took place in front of large crowds at a stadium. After one of the Talibans founders said in an interview with The Associated Press this past week that the hard-line movement would once again carry out executions and amputations of hands, the U.S. State Department said such acts would constitute clear gross abuses of human rights. Spokesman Ned Price told reporters Friday at his briefing that the United States would stand firm with the international community to hold perpetrators of these of any such abuses accountable. The Taliban's leaders remain entrenched in a deeply conservative, hard-line worldview, even if they are embracing technological changes, such as video and mobile phones. Everyone criticized us for the punishments in the stadium, but we have never said anything about their laws and their punishments, Mullah Nooruddin Turabi said in the AP interview. No one will tell us what our laws should be. We will follow Islam and we will make our laws on the Quran. Also Saturday, a roadside bomb hit a Taliban car in the capital of eastern Nangarhar province, wounding at least one person, a Taliban official said. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing. The Islamic State group affiliate, which is headquartered in eastern Afghanistan, has said it was behind similar attacks in Jalalabad last week that killed 12 people. The person wounded in the attack is a municipal worker, Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Hanif said. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Gov. Tim Walz proposed a $10 million relief package Friday for farmers who suffered losses due to drought across most of Minnesota this summer a plan that would require a special legislative session to approve. The Democratic governors proposal includes $5 million in rapid response grants for livestock producers and specialty crop growers for costs of water-related equipment such as tanks, pipelines, wells, water wagons and irrigation equipment. It also includes $5 million for zero-interest disaster recovery loans for losses not covered by insurance. They need to make decisions now. They need to know this is going to be there, Walz said during a news conference at a farm near Hastings. But Walz said he's still insisting that Senate Republicans agree not to fire Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm if he calls lawmakers back for a special session that was already in the works for a $250 million bonus package for frontline workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. Negotiators from the House Democratic and Senate GOP majorities and the Walz administration missed a Labor Day target for agreeing to which workers are most deserving and how much money they should get. Republicans so far have not backed off a threat to use the Senate's confirmation powers to oust Malcolm over the administration's pandemic response. Walz called on them to put the political posturing and things aside and get both packages done without ousting his health commissioner. GOP Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, of Winona, was supportive of the drought relief package and said the Senate would work with Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen and his team to find a bipartisan solution to provide support to Minnesotas farmers affected by the drought. But Millers statement was silent about the health commissioners fate. Miller had said in a statement last week that Walz should not tie the frontline worker bonuses to other issues. Petersen told reporters that livestock producers have been forced by the severe-to-exceptional drought to make tough decisions about keeping or selling their herds because of poor pasture conditions and high forage costs. He said the proposal won't make farmers whole, but he called it a starting point. He said it's aimed mostly at livestock and specialty crop producers because they don't have the same safety net programs as other farmers. Drought conditions have eased somewhat due to recent rains. This week's U.S. Drought Monitor report shows that about 50% of Minnesota is still in a severe to extreme drought, down from about 88% in mid-August. While Minnesota no longer has areas of exceptional drought, the worst category, farmers across most of the state are still expecting serious losses. Petersen said the proposal calls for grants of up to $5,000, with the first $1 million reserved for livestock and specialty crop producers until officials get a better idea of the demand. He said they'd work to ensure that beginning farmers and those who sell at farmers markets get access. He said the $5 million for loans would replenish an existing fund that currently holds less than $3 million. Dan Glessing, vice president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau and a dairy farmer from Waverly, said the challenges are just beginning for many producers. He said the silage hell feed his cows in the coming months isnt as good as it should be, so hell have to buy supplements to add protein and energy to their feed. Gary Wertish, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, called for an agreement soon. The more families we have on the farm the more stronger our rural communities are and the stronger our state is," Wertish said. DARIEN Middlesex Middle School is the latest victim of a TikTok challenge prompting students to steal or vandalize school property. Alan Addley, the superintendent for Darien Public Schools, called the trend unfortunate, and said it has hit Darien schools. We have evidence of occurrences this week at Middlesex, he said in a letter to families and staff Friday. Addley asked parents to discuss the TikTok challenge with their middle school and high school-aged children, reminding them of the need to always respect school property. Conversations regarding safety and the risks associated with social media postings are always appreciated, Addley added. The devious licks trend has plagued many school districts throughout the country and Connecticut, even contributing to a brief closure of one high school in New Britain. Bedford Middle Schools national flag was stolen from the cafeteria in the name of the challenge, as well as multiple hand soap and towel dispensers were ripped off the walls and other acts of vandalism. Norwalk Public Schools Superintendent Alexandra Estrella told families Tuesday that the district was investigating reports of vandalism at several school buildings. Bathrooms were also vandalized in Weston and Fairfield, school officials reported. liz.hardaway@hearst.com A Florida deputy responding to a domestic violence call was shot by a man who barricaded himself in a room Friday, according to authorities. Hillsborough County deputies were called after an elderly woman reported her son was beating her. When they arrived at the Brandon home, James Allen Jackson, 48, refused to leave a room. Deputy Adriel Gonzalez asked him to come out and talk, and Jackson shot a bullet through the closed door. RUSTON, La. (AP) Louisianas governor will give a speech about ethics next week at a state university. Gov. John Bel Edwards speech will be carried live on Zoom at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Louisiana Tech said in a news release Friday. He will be the 15th speaker in the William Ardis Marbury, Jr. and Virginia Lomax Marbury Lecture Series, hosted by the school's College of Business. Leaders across our world have experienced unprecedented challenges throughout the pandemic, with daily, if not hourly, decisions being made that affected employees, companies, the economy, and society at large," said Chris Martin, dean of the College of Business. "This is a unique opportunity for our students to hear Gov. Edwards personal experiences surrounding ethical leadership and decision making in the midst of crisis, People who want the Zoom link can register online at https://tinyurl.com/MarburyEthics21. HARTFORD A woman was shot multiple times early Saturday in Hartford, according to the Hartford Police Department. Around 12:26 a.m. Saturday, the gunshot detection system was activated at a condominium building at 48 Evergreen Ave., the police department said. Once Hartford Police officers arrived, they found a woman in her 20s suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds. She was brought to the hospital for treatment, according to Hartford Police. Anyone with information regarding thi sincident should call the Hartford Police Department Tip Line at 860-722-TIPS (8477). SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Recriminations about face-mask mandates are creating new tension between Democratic candidates in the election campaign for mayor in Santa Fe. In a flier distributed by mail Friday, incumbent Mayor Alan Webber highlighted a dissenting vote by mayoral candidate and City Councilor JoAnne Vigil Coppler last year in the creation of a city ordinance requiring face masks, even outdoors, adding that Vigil Coppler cannot be trusted to be mayor. The ordinance reinforced a statewide mask mandate from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, creating a separate petty misdemeanor. It was approved by a majority of the city council with the mayor's endorsement in the early months of the pandemic, before vaccines were available. Vigil Coppler said Friday that she opposed the ordinance because of concerns that it would be unenforceable while highlighting that she still supported the statewide mask requirements. I have never, ever been been against masks, and this is a distortion, Vigil Coppler said. The ad from Webber's campaign says Vigil Coppler voted no on a life-saving citywide mask ordinance. "In the middle of a deadly pandemic, JoAnne Vigil Coppler had the chance to protect people's lives by supporting our citywide mask mandate. She voted no, the ad from Webber's campaign says. A third candidate in the race, Republican Alexis Martinez Johnson was given a citation in July 2020 for refusing to wear a mask on Santa Fe's downtown plaza after being warned by police. At the time, Martinez Johnson was in the midst of an unsuccessful campaign for Congress. New Mexico currently requires face masks in public, indoor settings under a coronavirus health emergency declaration. COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Two women who had been strangers prior to Thursdays mass shooting at a Tennessee supermarket clenched each others hands and fought back tears Friday, as they gathered at a vigil to pray for healing from the previous days rampage at a Kroger where the shooter worked. Hollie Skaggs and Sara Wiles happened to be running errands at the same Kroger in Collierville. A day later, after a gunman killed one person and himself and wounded 14 others, Skaggs called Wiles her guardian angel. Its been a very trying last few hours, Skaggs said, her voice trembling. Sara and I didnt know each other before. But now, I told her from the beginning when we came out, shes my guardian angel. Im just grateful for her. We ran and hid and heard everything. It was very, very traumatic. We just ask that you pray for us for peace and sleep. Thats one thing thats kind of hard. The gunman, identified by police as UK Thang, worked in a sushi business at the store and was the son of refugees from Myanmar who had settled in Nashville, a family friend said. Police have described Thang as a third-party vendor who worked at the grocery store on a daily basis. He died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound within a couple of minutes of officers arriving at the Kroger in the upscale suburb outside of Memphis. The victims included 10 employees and five customers, police said. On Friday, some of the wounded were still in critical condition and fighting for their lives, Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said at a morning news conference. Lane identified the woman who was killed as Olivia King. Friend Maureen Fraser said King was a widowed mother of three grown sons. Fraser said King was kind of quiet, kind of shy, but also "a little bit feisty because (she'd) been on her own with the support of her family, friends and church. King was a devout Catholic who attended Mass nearly every morning, including the morning of the shooting, Fraser said. She was a very generous person and would always do what she could to help people. Fraser said. That included passing Fraser's family an envelope of cash one year when her husband was out of work. King was worried they wouldn't be able to get Christmas presents for their children. Fraser said the money wasn't necessary, but King insisted on helping. On Facebook, one of Kings sons, Wes King, wrote that he had spoken to a trauma surgeon and learned his mother was shot in the chest. They tried to save her at the hospital to no avail, he wrote. I apologize for the graphic details, but this type of crime needs to stop being glossed over and sanitized. No one deserves this. Police searched the shooters home Thursday and removed electronic devices. We all want to know the why, Lane said of the shooters motive. But today, less than 24 hours (after the shooting), were not ready to tell you that. The shooters parents live in Nashville and are part of a community of Christian refugees from Myanmar who have settled there, according to Aung Kyaw, a friend of the family who came to pray with them at their home on Friday. Kyaw said Thang worked at a sushi business that operated inside the Collierville Kroger, though he wasnt sure what the arrangement was with the grocery store chain. Kyaw said Thangs parents were very upset about their sons involvement and were praying for all the people involved. Kyaw came to the door of the parents home at the end of a cul-de-sac in the Antioch area of Nashville. Kyaw said he did not know the son personally. The shooter, acting alone, did not appear to target anyone specifically as he rampaged through the building Thursday afternoon, police said. The entire shooting was over within minutes as first responders swarmed the scene. Lane said the outcome could have been worse but said officers of every rank quickly responded and were joined by off-duty firefighters. Nobody wants to go into that scene, I can promise you," Lane said. I mean, there were bloody people running out of that building, and there was not one blue uniform that hesitated, from the bottom all the way up. Earlier this year, Tennessee became the latest state to allow most adults 21 and older to carry handguns without first clearing a state-level background check and training. The measure was signed into law by Republican Gov. Bill Lee over objections from some law enforcement groups and gun control advocates concerned the measure could lead to more gun violence. Lee said Friday that the new law strengthened penalties that come into play when violent crime occurs. The constitutional carry bill applies to law-abiding citizens," he said. What happened yesterday was criminal activity, violent criminal gun activity. And those are separate issues. The constitutional carry piece of legislation we passed, in fact, strengthened penalties for violent gun criminals, and we need to continue to find ways to attack violence and violent crime and well keep doing that. The Kroger Co., based in Cincinnati, Ohio, issued a statement Friday confirming that the shooter was a third-party vendor but declined to provide additional details. The Collierville store will be closed until further notice but will continue to provide pay and other support to employees, the statement said. ___ Mattise and Loller reported from Nashville, Tennessee. Associated Press writer Carrie Antlfinger in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and News Researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this report. WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Authorities in Sedgwick County are investigating after a woman was found dead in the roadway. The body of the woman was found by a resident just after 7 a.m. Thursday. Emergency crews responded and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The House Armed Services Committee approved a bill this week that would take the decision to prosecute sex crimes away from commanders and hand it to attorneys -- a proposal that matches the Defense Department's current reform plan but falls short of Senate legislation on the issue. Following a vote Wednesday, the version of the fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, that will go to the full House for a vote calls for giving prosecutorial decisions on sexual assault, domestic violence, most crimes against children and other special victims offenses to independent military prosecutors. But the Senate NDAA calls for giving military attorneys the prosecutorial decisions for all serious crimes, including rape, kidnapping, murder and other serious felonies -- a measure that sets the stage for debate when the two bills are reconciled later this year. California Democrat Rep. Jackie Speier, chairwoman of the House Armed Services personnel subcommittee and one of the most consistent voices in the Capitol for reforming the way the military handles sexual assault and other crimes, previously advocated for the more comprehensive legislation passed in the Senate. But after continued opposition, she reached consensus with Republicans to advance the sexual assault measure while requiring the Defense Department to form an independent group to study whether other felony decisions should be included. Read Next: Lawmakers Try to Ban Dishonorable Discharges for Troops Who Refuse Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines "This [bill] is a great first step," Speier said before passage of the proposal Wednesday. In the Senate, Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., has worked for eight years to remove prosecution decisions on sexual assault from the chain of command, part of an ongoing effort to eliminate sexual assault in the ranks and hold offenders accountable for their crimes. Since 2014, Gillibrand has favored removing the decision on prosecuting all serious military crimes from commanders, but the proposals on sexual assault garnered the most attention as reports of that crime among actively serving military personnel have risen by 112% in the past eight years to 6,290 reported incidents in 2020. The number of reports is thought to be lower than the actual number of assaults, since many victims are hesitant to talk to authorities. A survey conducted in 2018 found that 20,500 service members said they had experienced sexual assault. Gillibrand and supporters of her more expansive legislation say it is needed to address racial bias in prosecution decisions by commanders for a wider array of cases. "We have a bright line at all serious crimes. And that is an important bright line," Gillibrand told reporters earlier this year. "We want to make sure that whether you're a plaintiff or a defendant, that you have access to a military justice system worthy of your sacrifice." Based on recommendations of an independent commission established to study the issue, the DoD plans to implement reforms by 2023, to include removing decisions on crimes such as sexual assault and harassment, stalking, posting photos without permission and domestic abuse from the chain of command. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said earlier this year that transferring most felony cases to attorneys could "swamp and diffuse our efforts" on sexual assault prosecution reform. "The question is around the scope of the set of offenses that would move outside the chain of command, which is, at once, a very large issue and, at the same time, not really related to the sexual assault/sexual harassment scope that we're trying to push," Hicks told the House Armed Services personnel subcommittee. Military commanders and some military attorneys also oppose the idea, noting that command authority is the foundation of the contemporary military justice system. The Joint Chiefs of Staff penned a letter in June saying the changes could hurt the military's ability to maintain order and discipline without improving how the services prosecute serious crimes. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley said the removal "may have an adverse effect on readiness, mission accomplishment, good order and discipline, justice, unit cohesion, trust and loyalty between commanders and those they lead." Diane Mazur, professor emeritus at the University of Florida College of Law and vice president for legal research at the Palm Center, a public policy think tank, said the decision to remove sex crimes alone from the system "sends a message to military leaders that preventing sexual assault is not a core part of military discipline." "It tells leaders that 'women's issues' are uniquely outside their ability to manage, and that's simply wrong," Mazur wrote in an email to Military.com. She added that more must be done to more broadly change how commanders address offenses since most military discipline is conducted below the level of court-martial. "In a perfect world, I'd rather see military leaders at all levels held accountable for their failure to enforce discipline. But that's the one remedy we've never seriously tried. By the time of a charging decision -- whether for sexual assault or another felony offense -- we're well past the point where actual leadership or 'good order and discipline' could have made a difference. It's time to hand the keys to legal professionals," Mazur said. The bills are expected to come before the full House and Senate in late September, according to lawmakers. Then, the different versions must be reconciled in conference prior to becoming law. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime. Related: Army Disciplines 13 Leaders, Confirms Murdered Soldier Vanessa Guillen Was Sexually Harassed The Air Force has told civilian staff they face a Nov. 22 deadline to be vaccinated against COVID-19, becoming the first service to issue a deadline for its civilians and matching a White House schedule for federal employees as the Pentagon works on a plan for enforcing the mandate. The deadline notice was sent out earlier this month by Air Force Under Secretary Gina Ortiz Jones in an internal memo obtained by Military.com. It was one of the first steps by the services toward hitting the date set by the Biden administration for all federal workers to be inoculated. Other branches of the military have yet to announce whether they intend to follow the White House's deadline, with the potential that they could pick an earlier date. But enforcing the mandate for all of the Defense Department's 700,000 or so civilians -- the largest contingent in the federal government -- looms as a challenge, as many are still working from home and some may resist the shot. And the Pentagon has yet to finalize the rules and what may happen to those who refuse. The Department of the Air Force, which includes the Space Force, has about 200,000 civilian employees, according to Rand Corp. The Jones memo reiterated the vaccination deadline spelled out by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, which is led by the White House's pandemic response team, according to Ann Stefanek, an Air Force spokeswoman. After lagging vaccination rates this summer, President Joe Biden announced all federal employees would be required to get the COVID shot, and the White House has since issued guidance saying all agencies, including the Defense Department, must move "as quickly as possible" to make sure all employees are inoculated. Read Next: How a Public Affairs Snafu Led to News Reports of a Fake Shooter at Fort Meade Monitoring and testing of civilians were expected to begin this fall, as well as an effort to monitor contractors, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said earlier this month. The Pentagon is expected to announce the plan soon, according to top spokesman John Kirby. "Following publication of the president's EOs [executive orders] requiring civilian employee vaccination, DoD is in the process of updating its policies to implement these requirements," Maj. Cesar Santiago-Santini, a Pentagon spokesman, wrote in an email Friday. For now, how the department will monitor hundreds of thousands of employees and who will pay for testing remain open questions. "Agencies are no longer required to establish a screening testing program for employees or onsite contractor employees who are not fully vaccinated, although they may do so," according to a September update from the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force. Defense contractors also will be required to take the shot. Any federal contractor working onsite and unvaccinated before the deadline must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the past three days before entering a federal building, according to the task force. So far, the Department of the Air Force appears to be the first branch of the military to widely push the deadline while waiting for a unified plan from Pentagon leadership. The Army and Navy reported no similar notifications when reached for comment. "COVID-19 vaccines are readily available to Department of the Army civilian employees, and we encourage all to comply with the President's directive," Lt. Col. Terence Kelley, an Army spokesman, wrote in an email. "As we receive implementation guidance from the Department of Defense, we will issue further guidelines to our civilian employees." All services have now set mandatory deadlines for service members to be vaccinated following an order in August from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and have warned of potential punishment and even separation if troops refuse without a legitimate exemption. -- Travis Tritten can be reached at travis.tritten@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @Travis_Tritten. Related: Mandatory COVID Testing for Unvaccinated DoD Civilian Workers to Start This Fall WASHINGTON (AP) Meeting with the leaders of India, Australia and Japan, President Joe Biden declared Friday that the U.S. and other members of the Indo-Pacific alliance known as the Quad" are showing they know how to get things done" in an increasingly complicated corner of the globe. Biden and his fellow leaders Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga are all grappling with a rising China that Biden has accused of coercive economic practices and unsettling military maneuvering. They made no direct mention of China as they opened the group's first ever in-person meeting, but the Pacific power played a big part in the private talks. Suga raised concerns about China intentions in the South China Sea, where it's stepped up its military presence in recent years, and the East China Sea, where a long-running dispute about a group of uninhabited islets administered by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing is a point of concern. Suga also raised concerns about Chinese action towards Taiwan, said Japans foreign press secretary Tomoyuki Yoshida. On Thursday, Beijing dispatched 24 jets toward Taiwanese airspace after it submitted its application to join a trans-Pacific trade pact. The prime minister emphasized the importance of the peace and stability in the Taiwan strait, according to Yoshida. Following the summit, the leaders issued a joint statement pledging to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas. The Quad leaders also announced Japan would work with India on a $100 million investment in COVID-19 vaccine and treatment drugs. They launched an initiative to bolster semiconductor supply chains. And they unveiled a new fellowship for graduate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to study at top U.S. universities. Biden has repeatedly made a case that the U.S. and likeminded allies need to deliver results on the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and other fundamental matters in what he's deemed a race between democracies and autocracies. Morrison and the others seemed to pick up that message at Friday's summit. We are liberal democracies, believe in a world order that favors freedom, Morrison said. "And we believe in a free and open Indo-Pacific, because we know thats what delivers a strong, stable and prosperous region. Biden and Modi also met prior to the summit for a one-on-one meeting. The president played up ties to India referencing Vice President Kamala Harris' Indian heritage and even his own family ties to the subcontinent. Biden also made clear he saw tightening relations with the world's biggest democracy one that shares a neighborhood with China and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan as vital for both sides. Ive long believed the U.S.-India relationship can help us solve an awful lot of global challenges," Biden said.. The Quad is an informal alliance formed during the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people. Biden has sought to reinvigorate the alliance, putting a spotlight on a chief foreign policy goal: greater attention to the Pacific and a rising China. The alliance met earlier this year, virtually, and announced plans to boost vaccination manufacturing in India. The Japanese and Indian governments welcomed a recent announcement that the U.S., as part of a new alliance with Britain and Australia, would equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. That will allow Australia to conduct longer patrols and give it an edge on the Chinese navy. But the announcement infuriated France, which accused the Biden administration of stabbing it in the back by squelching its own $66 billion deal to provide diesel-powered submarines. Tensions between Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron eased after the two leaders spoke Wednesday and agreed to take steps to coordinate more closely in the Indo-Pacific. Michael Green, who served as senior director for Asia at the National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration, said Japan and India welcome the United States-United Kingdom-Australian alliance because it will really for the next 50 years reset the trajectories in naval power in the Pacific and from the perspective of those countries stabilize things as China massively builds up its naval forces. But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian has called it a reflection of outdated Cold War, zero-sum mentality and narrow-minded geopolitical perception that will intensify a regional arms race. The meeting concluded a busy week of wider diplomacy for Biden, who addressed the U.N. General Assembly in which he stressed that the U.S. does not seek a Cold War with China. He also hosted a virtual global summit on COVID-19. Despite Australia and the U.S. taking multiple measures to counter Chinas economic and military power, Morrison left the White House meeting Friday determined to not publicly confront the Chinese. Were there to make the region stronger, more prosperous, stable. Its a positive initiative designed to lift the well being of the people," he said. The leaders also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and emphasized in their joint statement the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks, including cross-border attacks. The issue is of particular concern to the Modi government, which is concerned about elements of the Taliban government who have supported attacks on India in the past. Modi was expected to bring up Afghanistan during his meeting with Biden and to raise objections to the Talibans effort to get recognition at the United Nations. The Indian government also has concerns about the influence it believes Pakistans intelligence service exerted in how factions of the Taliban divvied up government offices in Kabul. Suga also raised concerns about North Korea. Pyongyang last week said it successfully launched ballistic missiles from a train for the first time, striking a target in the sea some 800 kilometers (500 miles) away. That test came after the North this month said it tested new cruise missiles, which it intends to make nuclear-capable, that can strike targets 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away, a distance putting all of Japan and U.S. military installations there within reach. ___ Associated Press writer Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed reporting. The Giants have signed outfielder Kaai Tom to a minor league contract, tweets Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group. Hes been assigned to Triple-A Sacramento. Ironically enough, that comes just days after the Giants added first baseman/corner outfielder John Nogowski on a two-year minors pact. Tom and Nogowski had been released simultaneously by the Pirates earlier this week, less than a month after both players were waived off Pittsburghs 40-man roster at the same time. Its not clear whether Toms minor league pact covers the 2022 season as Nogowskis deal does, although it seems likely thats the case. Tom wont be eligible for San Franciscos playoff roster as a player added to the organization after August 31, and there wouldnt be much benefit to bringing him in for the regular seasons final week only to see him depart via minor league free agency this winter. Tom will look to play his way back into the majors in the Bay Area, where his big league time briefly began this spring. The As selected Tom out of the Indians organization in last falls Rule 5 draft, and he broke camp with Oakland. The As waived Tom after just nine games, though, and Pittsburgh gave him a longer look after adding him on waivers. Between the two clubs, the 27-year-old tallied his first 133 MLB plate appearances. He hit just .139/.278/.231 with a pair of home runs, but Tom owns a much better minor league track record. The left-handed hitter has a .272/.353/.504 line in a brief look at Triple-A, and hes a .261/.353/.445 hitter over a rather lengthy run in Double-A. Toms primarily a corner outfielder, but he has the ability to cover center field if needed and has a long track of drawing walks and getting on base in the minors. Hell offer a no-risk depth add to the San Francisco system. In further action against Karvy Stock Broking Ltd (KSBL), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued an order for freezing shares of the group held directly and indirectly by KSBL chairman and managing director (CMD) Comandur (C) Parthasarathy, his sons, Rajat and Adhiraj, and their entities, to safeguard proceeds of the crime. The development comes in the wake of search operations on Wednesday at six locations connected to Karvy Stock Broking under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002. The ED had conducted search operations on various premises of Karvy group of companies, connected entities and at the residential premises of C Parthasarathy. During the course of the search, several incriminating pieces of evidence in the form of property documents, personal diaries, electronic devices, email dumps, etc, have been seized and are being analysed, ED officials stated on Saturday. ED has conducted search operation at 6 locations of M/s Karvy Stock Broking Limited under PMLA, 2002 in a Bank Fraud Case. Subsequently freezed shares worth Rs.700 Crore of Karvy Group, held directly & indirectly by C Parthasarathy and his family. ED (@dir_ed) September 25, 2021 It is reliably learnt that Mr Parthasarathy was trying to off-load his shares in the group companies through private deals and, thus, to preserve the proceeds of crime till further investigation, ED has issued a freezing order on 24 September 2021 under PMLA 2002. The estimated value of these shares has been arrived at Rs700 crore as per the valuation for the year 2019-20, the ED officials stated. It may be noted that ED had initiated a money-laundering investigation on the basis of first information reports (FIRs) registered by Telangana Police on the complaint of HDFC Bank alleging that KSBL had illegally pledged the securities of its clients and taken a loan of Rs329 crore and diverted it. HDFC Bank, in its complaint, alleged that KSBL defaulted on the loan taken in 2019. The stockbroking company had taken a loan of Rs350 crore against shares but only repaid Rs142 crore. HDFC Bank says the remaining balance loan amount of Rs208 with Rs38 crore interest remains unpaid. Another FIR has been registered by central crime station, Hyderabad police, for defrauding IndusInd Bank to the tune of Rs137 crore and one more FIR has been registered by the cyberabad police, Hyderabad, for defrauding ICICI Bank to the tune of Rs562.5 crore. As reported by Moneylife in September last year, a set of lendersHDFC Bank, ICIC Bank, Indusind Bank and Bajaj Finance Ltdhad allowed Karvy to borrow money by pledging clients shares, putting the investment of over 90,000 investors at risk. ( Read: How Exchanges, Clearing Houses, Clearing Brokers and Banks are Permitting Frauds by Brokers In 2019, IndusInd Bank had granted a loan of Rs185 crore to KSBL on depositing securities and guarantees. However, the broking company failed to repay the loan. It was alleged that KSBL illegally transferred Rs138 crore to other companies. Last month, ICICI Bank has filed a case against Karvy Stock Broking and its founder promoters C Parthasarathy and Meka Yugandhar Rao for allegedly defaulting the Bank to the tune of Rs563 crore. ( Read: ICICI Bank Files Rs563 Crore Cheating Case against Karvy Stock Broking and Its Promoters KSBL, under the leadership of C Parthasarathy, had committed gross irregularities and all the illegally taken loans have become non-performing assets (NPA). It is learnt that more FIRs are being registered by other banks and also individual shareholders and investors. The total loan proceeds taken from multiple banks using the same modus operandi is around Rs2,873 crore, a statement issued by ED on Saturday said. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) are also investigating the affairs of KSBL. The ED is conducting an investigation under PMLA against Karvy group of companies for their involvement in the offence of money laundering to the tune of Rs2,873 crore. During the course of the investigation, it came to light that KSBL did not report the depository participatory (DP) account no 11458979, named Karvy Stock Broking Ltd (BSE) in the filings made from January 2019 to August 2019 with the regulator and exchanges. Further, KSBL fraudulently transferred shares belonging to its clients to its own demat account (which is not disclosed to the exchanges) and pledged the shares held in these accounts with lenders and banks like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, and Axis Bank. The securities lying in the DP account of KSBL actually belonged to the clients who are the legitimate owners of the pledged securities. Therefore, KSBL did not have any legal right to create a pledge on these securities and generate funds. The quantum of such loans taken by KSBL from the illegal pledges of shares is to the tune of Rs2,873 crore. KSBL credited the funds raised by pledging of clients' securities to six of its own bank accounts (stock broker-own account) instead of the 'stock broker-client account' and, further, has not reported these six of its own bank accounts held with various private banks, to SEBI. Prima facie, a net amount of Rs1,096 crore was transferred by KSBL to its group company, i.e., Karvy Realty (India) Ltd (KRIL), from 1 April 2016 to 19 October 2019. Further, KSBL did large-scale trading activities in the name of nine companies that included Karvy Consultants Ltd (KCL), which is a group company of Karvy, and eight other shell companies, in the guise of doing insurance business. During the course of the investigation conducted under PMLA, it also came to light that several crores of rupees were diverted for acquiring immovable properties through the group company, KRIL, and to other group companies as well. It also came to light that recently deletion of files and emails from the computer servers by using anti-forensic tools had been done, under the instructions of C Parthasarathy. The bank statement analysis of these companies revealed that there is a large value rotation of funds between the Karvy group of companies and the shell companies' bank accounts. Further investigation is in progress. In November 2019, SEBI banned KSBL over client defaults worth Rs2,000 crore. The company was banned from taking on new clients and executing trades for existing customers. This followed an investigation by NSE which found that Karvy had allegedly sold clients stocks pledged with it through associated entities. The regulator had told depositories not to act on any instructions by KSBL on the basis of powers of attorney given to the brokerage house in order to prevent further misuse of clients's securities. Provident fund (PF) or employee provident fund (EPF) is a popular government of India run scheme, which functions as a useful social security net for individuals employed with eligible organizations. Under the scheme, the employees contribute around 12% of their basic pay plus dearness allowance towards the EPF pool on a monthly basis. A corresponding amount is contributed by the employer. The returns are recalibrated by the union government periodically and currently provide a decent 8.65% per annum for FY2018-19. Thus, over a period of time, the cumulative contributions result in a corpus that can provide monetary support during the retirement years. While PF is a very sound investment, in times of extreme emergency, however, the amount could be withdrawn, prior to retirement as well, subject to certain conditions. We shall look at the situations under which an employee can withdraw and transfer the EPF. To facilitate smooth portability of employee EPF records, the EPFO mechanism functions with the help of universal account number (UAN). Allotment of UAN to the employee is mandatory, whereby the UAN would be linked to the employees EPF account. Details about EPF Withdrawal One has the option to withdraw EPF completely or partially. But any withdrawal of EPF before five years of continuous employment attracts tax. The following are the situations under which EPF can be withdrawn. Complete withdrawal of EPF is permitted under the following situations: a. Upon retirement from employment b. In the event that an individual remains unemployed for a period of two months or more, withdrawal is subject to attestation by a gazetted officer. Partial withdrawal of EPF is allowed in the following circumstances, subject to stipulated conditions, with self-attestation facility: a. Marriage: For the purpose of marriage of self, son/daughter and siblings i.e. brother/sister Ceiling on withdrawal limit: Upto 50% of the employees contribution towards EPF Minimum number of years in service: This facility can be availed in case of at least 7 years in employment b. Education: Towards funding education for self (i.e. employee) or his/her children post completion of class 10 Ceiling on withdrawal limit: Upto 50% of the employees contribution towards EPF Minimum number of years in service: This facility can be availed in case of at least 7 years in employment c. Acquisition of land or house property or construction of house property: The capital asset should be owned by either the employee, the employees spouse or owned jointly Eligible withdrawal amount: Asset is land Ceiling limit is up to 24 times the sum of monthly wages and Dearness allowance Asset is house property Ceiling limit is up to 36 times the sum of monthly wages and Dearness allowance Minimum number of years in service: This facility can be availed in case of at least 5 years in employment d. Repayment of home loan: Partial EPF withdrawal is subject to fulfilling following conditions The said property should be registered in the name of either the employee, the employees spouse or in joint name The employee would have to submit relevant documents to the EPFO, validating housing loan availed The cumulative amount in the employees EPF, either singly or along with the spouse, including the interest component should exceed Rs20,000 Ceiling on withdrawal limit: Up to 90% of the cumulative contribution of employee and employer towards EPF Minimum number of years in service: This facility can be availed in case of at least 10 years in employment e. House renovation: The concerned property should be registered in the name of either the employee, the employees spouse or in joint name Ceiling on withdrawal limit: Up to 12 times the monthly wages earned Minimum number of years in service: This facility can be availed in case of at least 5 years in employment f. Upon reaching 57 years of age: Ceiling on withdrawal limit: Up to 90% of the available amount, including interest Withdrawal procedure: The employee can either submit a physical form or submit an online application. Steps involved in case of submission of physical form: Aadhaar based: The employee needs to submit the composite claim form (Aadhaar) at the regional EPFO office. This does not need attestation by the employer. Non-Aadhaar based: The employee needs to submit the composite claim form (non- Aadhaar) at the regional EPFO office, along with employer attestation. Steps involved for online submission of form This is facilitated by withdrawal of EPF online through the EPF website. The following are the prerequisites for smooth EPF withdrawal and elimination of the need for employer attestation: It is mandatory that the UAN is activated with a valid registered mobile number. UAN needs to be linked to ones KYC along with ones bank account. Broadly the steps include: Logging into the EPFO website using ones UAN and password. Following this, one needs to access the Claim section in the Online services tab. Upon selection of Proceed for online claim, one needs to fill in the claim form. Under this, the employee would need to select either of the 3 options in I Want to Apply for tab: full EPF Settlement, EPF Part withdrawal (loan/advance) or pension withdrawal. In case being ineligible, the options would not be displayed in the drop-down menu Submit the form Details about EPF Transfer In case of a job change, it is advisable to transfer the EPF balance to the current employer. The following are the prerequisites for smooth EPF transfer: Approval of e-KYC by employer The previous or current employer should have registered authorized signatories in the EPFO The EPF A/c no of previous as well as current employment should be entered in the EPFO portal A single transfer request against the previous member ID would be accepted Broadly the steps comprise Logging into the EPFO website using ones UAN and password. Following this, one needs to access the one member one EPF account (transfer request) in the online services tab. Verification of current employment details Selection of either previous or current employer for claim form attestation Validate with OTP based approval of UAN Upon receipt of the form via the unified EPFO interface, the employer would digitally approve the EPF transfer request Print the form 13 i.e. transfer claim form and submit within 10 days to the selected employer These are the procedures involved and the situations under which, one is permitted to withdraw and transfer the EPF. However, it must be remembered that the EPF is a useful tool to build a sizeable corpus towards ones retirement years. Further, the corpus is protected and interest as well as accumulated corpus is tax-free, PF should form a core part of your fixed income investments and so withdrawal should be avoided, to the extent possible. Whether the real estate market remains bullish or bearish, non-resident Indians (NRIs) prefer a place back in India - not just for investment returns but also to remain rooted in their country of origin. Previously, NRIs (like most other buyers and investors) had every reason to be leery of the Indian real estate market. Today, game-changing policies like Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and goods and services tax (GST) have now boosted confidence and transparency and streamlined the property-buying process for NRIs. This has begun fuelling new NRI investments into the Indian property market. The fact that the rupee value against dollar depreciated in 2018 was also a sound reason for NRIs to view Indian real estate more favourably. And, of course, developers have been offering substantial freebies and even discounts, apart from interesting payment plans, to draw NRIs as well as domestic buyers to their projects. Mindful of the importance of fostering more positive sentiment for NRI investments into the country, the Government also eased norms to facilitate a more streamlined and less cumbersome property buying process for NRIs. With Indian real estate once again becoming an attractive proposition, NRIs who are interested in buying a home in India need to equip themselves for making the best-possible property purchase decisions. This includes understanding the regulations and processes related to Indian real estate purchase by NRIs and also knowing what they can reasonably expect from such investments. Heres a quick 'realty check': Understand FEMA Regulations The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) stipulates that an Indian citizen residing outside the country can invest in Indian real estate, provided that the property in question is not agricultural land, plantation property or a farmhouse. There is no restriction on the number of properties that NRIs can own in India. However, NRIs obviously need to make informed decisions on such acquisitions. The most important consideration is that of whether the property purchase is for their own or their familys actual use, or as an investment for rental income and potential capital appreciation. Understand Returns on Investment (ROI) Before generalized market slowdown in 2015, the ROI on residential property in India was extremely rewarding for NRIs. However, post the slowdown, which was exacerbated by demonitisation (DeMo), RERA, and GST, there were no convincing signs of market revival until recently. As a result, there was a paradigm shift in wealthy NRI investors focus specifically, towards commercial properties, which promised far more satisfactory yields. Then, 2018 saw the beginning of a fairly decent recovery in the residential sector, thanks largely to the improved transparency and efficiency in the market. Historically, NRIs preferred investing in luxury homes by leading developers as these offered better rental income and capital appreciation. Today, NRI investors are also focused on affordable housing for rental income and better long-term appreciation. However, NRI end-users with higher purchasing power are still taking luxury housing seriously as long as the price is right. Indian luxury developers are turning out world class properties, which appeal to the expanded world-view of well-travelled NRIs. In short, both residential and commercial real estate now hold very good investment potential for NRIs, with commercial showing increasing viability on the back of favourable macroeconomic conditions, Indias thriving start-up revolution and the interest for the new kid on the office space block - co-working. Here is a broad spectrum of returns on investment that NRIs can expect from different real estate asset classes, provided that they have selected their properties wisely: Understand NRI Property Purchase Payments NRI needs no special clearances or permission to invest in Indian real estate. However, it is pertinent to note that: All monetary transactions must be done in Indian currency and through normal banking channels via an NRI account. NRIs can use either their own funds or avail of home loans from banks or other financial institutions in India. RBI mandates that all buyers, including NRIs, can avail of a maximum 80% of the overall property value via loans from financial institutions. NRIs must use inward remittances via NRO/NRE accounts in India. They can also issue post-dated cheques or opt for Electronic Clearance Service (ECS) from their NRO, NRE or Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) account. NRI Home Loans Sanctioning and Disbursement Like other Indians, NRIs are eligible for housing loans in India. As per current regulations, the loan amount cannot be credited directly into an NRIs bank account and must be disbursed to either the sellers or the developers account. Repayment of these loans is generally done through the non-resident ordinary rupee account (NRO), non-resident external (NRE) and foreign currency non-repatriable (FCNR) accounts or from other financial accounts permitted by Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In terms of loan disbursements, NRIs need to contribute at least 20% of the property value from their own sources. The remaining amount is sanctioned funded by the financial institution, subject to the NRIs gross monthly income (GMI). For loan sanctioning, preference is given to qualifications, work experience and duration of stay overseas. While the loan process and benefits remain same as for resident Indians, the documents that an NRI must submit differ from Indian residents. NRIs must meet certain eligibility criteria and also issue a power of attorney (PoA) a key document required during NRI home loan processing. Understand the Documentation The days when NRIs had to visit India or rely on relatives for the initial property search, as well as interviews with property sellers, are, of course, over. Thanks to advancements in technology, NRIs can conduct the initial search online, including via 3D walk-throughs, and make closer inquiries via video conferencing. The main documents required to make any sound property purchase decision include: The propertys title deed Last tax receipts Approved project plan Notice of commencement, and Encumbrance certificate In addition to this, a valid Visa, power of attorney and PAN card are also required for the verification process. Understand Income Tax Benefits and Compliances NRIs enjoy all tax benefits that local residents do, except the TDS rate during the property sale. An NRI can claim a deduction of Rs1.5 lakh of the loans principal amount under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Under Section 24, the interest on a home loan is deductible to the extent of Rs2 lakh per annum. To get these tax benefits, a minimum of two years investment is recommended. This is because the Indian Income Tax rules state that if a property is sold within two years of purchase, the proceeds will be treated as short-term capital gains, and are therefore added to an NRIs annual taxable income. If a property is sold after two years of purchase and ownership, there is an option to reduce long-term capital gains tax by investing the proceeds in another property purchase. NRIs must file I-T returns in India, and all NRIs buying property in India have to pay property tax along with the applicable stamp duty and registration charges for the property. It is therefore advisable that they assess all costs before taking the plunge. Income earned via rent in India is also subject to income tax. Thus, NRIs should ideally obtain a PAN card before investing so that the associated financial procedures become easier. Using Property Consultants Indian real estate can be a lucrative income generator and/or a fulfilling experience for end-users but only if the property is chosen wisely. NRIs who are out of touch with the ground realities of Indian real estate market dynamics should not rely solely on marketing collaterals and online listings, as these will not reveal potential drawbacks of a short-listed option. In the rapidly-changing Indian real estate market environment, the services of accredited and credible property consultants have become more important than ever before, especially when it comes to making investments. As already mentioned, there is an increasing demand for other real estate asset classes such as mall spaces in retail, co-working in commercial, co-living and senior living in residential, and even warehousing. Indias imminent REITs will also garner significant investor interest. Without adequate professional guidance, it is challenging for NRI investors to gauge these emerging trends and isolate the best investment options. Online platforms provide innumerable options but must never influence a final investment decision. Real estate consultants can assist NRIs not only in terms of shortlisting the right options but in inspecting properties, negotiating prices and roping in the best offers on their behalf. The right property consultants will advise NRIs on critical aspects such as the past performance of various developers, individual project specifications, location pros and cons, and also on potential rental income and capital gains. They will also handle all related legal functions and process the necessary documentation. NRIs should also realize that in the case of residential real estate, a professional property consultants services come at no cost to them. Credible consultants charge brokerage from the seller, not the buyer. The new lodestone of measuring a real estate consultants credibility is RERA registration, so NRIs should only deal with agents or agencies, which have this all-important qualification. While there are still innumerable small-time brokers and brokerages operating without it, a consultancy which is duly registered under RERA is fully accountable and will not engage in any untoward activities, including misleading promotions and advice. Best Cities and Locations for Residential Property Investment Housing is still the real estate category closest to the hearts of most NRIs. Pure end-users will obviously prefer their city of origin, regardless of whether it has optimal investment potential. However, for investors, heres a list of cities and locations within them best-suited for ROI: Source: ANAROCK Research (Shajai Jacob is CEO for GCC at ANAROCK Property Consultants) DOYLESTOWN >> A Middletown Township couple was convicted in absentia Wednesday, Oct. 6 in a case of child neglect one doctor described as the worst hes ever seen. Albert Dunkowski, 54, and Christine Dunkowski, 47, were convicted by a Bucks County jury of three counts each of endangering the welfare of a child. The Dunkowskis appeared for the first two... September 25, 2021 The Release Of Meng Wanzhou's Is A Small But Decisive Victory For China The U.S. has given in to the Chinese demand to end its hostage holding of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou: A plane believed to be carrying Chinese tech executive Meng Wanzhou took off from the Vancouver airport on Friday, marking a new stage in a legal saga that ensnared Canada and two of its citizens in a dispute between the U.S. and Chinese governments. A B.C. court decided on Friday that the extradition case against Meng would be dropped after the Huawei chief financial officer reached a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. government. Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, the two Canadian citizens who were detained in China just days after Meng's arrest in Vancouver, are now on their way back Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed on Friday evening. The U.S. had accused Meng Wanzhou of misleading the opium dealer bank HSBC about Huawei's relation with a local entity in Iran. This, the U.S. claimed, had led to breach by HSBC of its unilateral sanctions against Iran. This was a constructed crime with the only evidence being some wording on one page of a longer power point slideshow which Meng Wanzhou surely had not edited herself. The deferred prosecution agreement seems to admit that: As part of her arrangement with U.S. prosecutors, Meng pleaded not guilty in a court Friday to multiple fraud charges. The Huawei chief financial officer entered the plea during a virtual appearance in a New York courtroom. She was charged with bank fraud, wire fraud and conspiracies to commit bank and wire fraud more than two and a half years ago. ... The agreed statement of facts from Friday's U.S. court appearance said that Meng told a global financial institution that a company operating in Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions was a "local partner" of Huawei when in fact it was a subsidiary of Huawei. The deferred prosecution agreement does not included any admission of wrongdoing, just an agreement on the facts. The whole case was constructed and the arrest arranged by John Bolton when he was National Security Advisor under then President Donald Trump: The Trudeau adviser said Mr. Bolton and other like-minded officials in the U.S. government were well aware of the significance of the arrest they were asking Canada to make. The adviser and a senior national-security official say they are convinced the U.S. picked Canada to arrest Ms. Meng and did so in a last-minute rush because they believed the Justice Department and the RCMP would honour the extradition request. Trump then used Meng Wanzhou as bargaining chip in his trade fight with China: Trump has linked resolution of the U.S. governments dealings with Huawei to a potential trade agreement with China. He has said he would consider Huaweis role in a trade deal at the final stage of negotiations, the court application says. ... Prejudice to the fairness of these proceedings is made out by the presidents repeated assertions that (Mengs) liberty is effectively a bargaining chip in what he sees as the biggest trade deal ever. The case gave Canada a lot of headache as China had arrested two of its spies just days after Canada had followed the U.S. request to arrest Meng Wanzhou. Canada has denied that Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were spying for its services. However, Canada's main spy agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, welcomed the release of its boys: bigger During a July visit to China U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman had been given two lists of issues that China demanded to be solved before it was willing to cooperate further with the U.S.: In the List of U.S. Wrongdoings that Must Stop, China urged the United States to unconditionally revoke the visa restrictions over Communist Party of China (CPC) members and their families, revoke sanctions on Chinese leaders, officials and government agencies, and remove visa restrictions on Chinese students. China also urged the United States to stop suppressing Chinese enterprises, stop harassing Chinese students, stop suppressing the Confucius Institutes, revoke the registration of Chinese media outlets as "foreign agents" or "foreign missions", and revoke the extradition request for Meng Wanzhou. China sees the end of the Meng Wanzhou issue as a victory: The high-profile case of Meng, which has become a political dilemma significantly affecting the global geopolitical landscape, has been settled through both legal channels and political wrestling, experts said, noting that China, the US and Canada have seen the best scenario with much compromise made by the Biden administration in resolving the matter. It also helped pave the way for the positive interaction between the world's largest economies in the near future amid strained China-US relations. It was also one mistake of the US administration that has been corrected in line with the request of China, as China put forward two lists to the US during the bilateral talks in Tianjin in July, including the List of US Wrongdoings that Must Stop which urged the US to release Meng, showing that Beijing's US policies began taking effect and remaining mistakes of the US have to be corrected. Commentator Pepe Escobar however, does not believe that the release of Meng Wanzhou will change much if anything: Pepe Escobar @RealPepeEscobar - 11:49 UTC Sep 25, 2021 MENG WANZHOU - political kidnapping masked as criminal prosecution - part of the demonization of Huawei - near 3-year illegal detention - fake charges - Justice Dept. had to drop extradition request - Hybrid War continues While I agree that U.S. aggression against China will continue I do see this as a Chinese victory. China has disabled one of the weapons that U.S. had used against it. From now on no country will risk to follow a U.S. requests to arrest a Chinese citizen: The swiftness of the apparent deal also stands as a warning to leaders in other countries that the Chinese government can be boldly transactional with foreign nationals, said Donald C. Clarke, a law professor specializing in China at George Washington Universitys Law School. Theyre not even making a pretense of a pretense that this was anything but a straight hostage situation, he said of the two Canadians, who stood trial on spying charges. Mr. Spavor was sentenced last month to 11 years in prison, and Mr. Kovrig was waiting for a verdict in his case after trial in March. In a sense, China has strengthened its bargaining position in future negotiations like this, Professor Clarke said. Theyre saying, if you give them what they want, they will deliver as agreed. The U.S. had, via Canada, taken Meng Wanzhou as a hostage. China replicated that by taking two Canadian citizens as hostages, thereby putting the pressure on the weaker power involved. It also stopped imports of Canadian canola and pork. No government will want to repeat the experience of the Canadian one. It worked and the people of Chinese are happy with the result: The sentiment of patriotism prevailed at the scene. After the short speech, Meng waved to the crowds holding Chinese flags to welcome her at the airport, with a big smile, while singing a song for the motherland together with people at the scene. People were still singing after Meng rode the bus to undergo epidemic prevention inspection at the request of Chinese Customs. Groups of people, who wore protective suits, held flowers and welcome banners as they waited on the parking apron at the airport, as Chinese port cities have adopted strict epidemic prevention measures against COVID-19. Local media reports said earlier that Meng was expected to follow the 14 plus 7 days of quarantine following her arrival. So this is indeed a victory but in a minor battle and in a war that is likely to see much bigger ones. Posted by b on September 25, 2021 at 17:04 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page Efforts to maintain crude prices at around $65 for Brent, the international standard, were complicated by the delta variant of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. We did soften our price outlook for the remainder of 2021, driven by the delta variant, said Farzin Mou, vice president of intelligence at data analytics firm Enverus and co-author of the companys report, Oil and Gas Markets: Can the Balance Hold? Speaking with the Reporter-Telegram by telephone, she said researchers expect the US production decline to narrow, with the amount of production decline falling by 900,000 barrels in 2022. Another factor is the trend toward high-grading inventory. She said the Permian Basin has been seeing that trend for several years but it has been exacerbated by the pandemic. In the Rocky Mountains, she said inventory is being stressed and producers are stretching out their development plans as they reach the end of drilling inventory. I also think private operator activity will be ticking up, she said. Its already surpassed pre-pandemic levels and over half the rigs operated today are by private operators. She explained that private operators are growing production in an effort to be attractive to potential buyers or, in the case of family firms, generating cash flow to fund operations. ESG Environmental, Social and Governance concerns continue to play a roll, with operators focusing on ESG initiatives and being pressured to sell their more carbon-intensive properties, she added. Operators are also partnering with third parties to begin offering gas certification. An improved outlook means the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies wont have to remove 2 million barrels off the market, she said, though she expects some barrels will have to be removed as demand softens. We do expect OPEC will be monitoring supply to achieve $65 Brent. They worked hard to get to that price and will do what it takes to maintain that price, she said. OPECs ability to maintain control of the market is one of the three pillars critical to supporting prices. The second is the US response to OPECs price target, and the third is a smooth economic recovery coming out of the pandemic. Mou said OPEC and the US will be watching each other to see who will ultimately benefit from improved prices. US output is the wild card, she said. The report forecasts US producers will add 1.2 million barrels a day in 2022 and 90,000 to 300,000 barrels per day thereafter, mostly coming from the Permian Basin. OPEC worked hard to balance the market, and they did a good job. Theyll do what it takes to keep prices at $65, she said. But the least controllable risk is around demand, she added, with higher oil prices having the consequence of dampening demand. SHENZHEN, China (AP) An executive of Chinese global communications giant Huawei Technologies returned from Canada Saturday night following a legal settlement that also saw the release of two Canadians held by China, potentially bringing closure to a nearly 3-year-long feud embroiling Ottawa, Beijing and Washington. Meng Wanzhou, Huaweis chief financial officer and the daughter of the companys founder, arrived Saturday evening aboard a chartered jet provided by flag carrier Air China in the southern technology hub of Shenzhen, where Huawei is based. Her return, met with a flag-waving group of airline employees, was carried live on state TV, underscoring the degree to which Beijing has linked her case with Chinese nationalism and its rise as a global economic and political power. Wearing a red dress matching the color of China's flag, Meng thanked the ruling Communist Party and its leader Xi Jinping for supporting her through more than 1,000 days in house arrest in Vancouver, where she owns two multimillion dollar mansions. I have finally returned to the warm embrace of the motherland," Meng said. As an ordinary Chinese citizen going through this difficult time, I always felt the warmth and concern of the party, the nation and the people." On the same day, former diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor were freed and flown back to Canada. They were detained shortly after Canada arrested Meng on a U.S. extradition request in December 2018. Many countries labeled Chinas action hostage politics, while China accused Ottawa of arbitrary detention. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hugged the pair on the tarmac after they landed in Calgary, Alberta early Saturday, following what amounted to a high-stakes prisoner swap involving China, the U.S. and Canada. These two men have been through an unbelievably difficult ordeal. For the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance and grace and we are all inspired by that, Trudeau said earlier Friday. Meng, 49, reached an agreement with U.S. federal prosecutors that called for fraud charges against her to be dismissed next year. As part of the deal, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, she accepted responsibility for misrepresenting the companys business dealings in Iran. Shortly before her return, the Communist Partys flagship Peoples Daily newspaper declared the resolution of the case as a glorious victory for the Chinese people achieved through the unremitting efforts of the Chinese government. The evidence shows this was purely a case of the political persecution of a Chinese citizen with the purpose of suppressing Chinas technological advancement, the paper said. No force can block Chinas forward progress, it added. In an emailed statement, Huawei said it would continue to defend itself against the allegations. The company also sent a statement from Meng's lawyer, William W. Taylor III, saying she had not pleaded guilty and we fully expect the indictment will be dismissed with prejudice after 14 months." The case had caused a huge rift in China-Canada relations, with Beijing launching regular broadsides against the Canadian justice system and banning some imports from the country. In addition, two Canadians convicted in separate drug cases in China were sentenced to death in 2019. A third, Robert Schellenberg, received a 15-year sentence that was abruptly increased to the death penalty after Mengs arrest. It wasn't immediately clear if those prisoners might receive any reprieve. In Shenzhen, a 20-year old job seeker at the headquarters of Huawei repeated a government view that Meng's arrest was driven by politics and rivalry with the U.S. over technology and global influence. I think (this) was to stop Huaweis development in the world," said the man, who gave only his surname, Wang, as is common among citizens speaking to foreign media in China, where the government closely monitors all speech. Its a very important reason nobody wants other countries to have better technology than itself. Huawei is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone and internet companies and a symbol of Chinas progress in becoming a technological world power that has received massive government backing. It has also been a subject of U.S. security and law enforcement concerns, with officials and analysts saying it and other Chinese companies have flouted international rules and norms and stolen technology and vital personal information. The case against Meng stemmed from a January 2019 indictment from the Justice Department under the administration of former President Donald Trump. It accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets and using a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The indictment also charged Meng herself with committing fraud by misleading the HSBC bank about the companys business dealings in Iran. The indictment came amid a broader Trump administration crackdown against Huawei over U.S. government concerns that the companys products could facilitate Chinese spying. The administration cut off Huaweis access to U.S. components and technology, including Googles music and other smartphone services, and later barred vendors worldwide from using U.S. technology to produce components for Huawei. President Joe Biden, meanwhile, has kept up a hard line on Huawei and other Chinese corporations whose technology is thought to pose national security risks. Huawei has repeatedly denied the U.S. governments allegations and security concerns about its products. As part of the deal with Meng, which was disclosed in federal court in Brooklyn, the Justice Department agreed to dismiss the fraud charges against her in December 2022 exactly four years after her arrest provided that she complies with certain conditions, including not contesting any of the governments factual allegations. The Justice Department also agreed to drop its request that Meng be extradited to the U.S., which she had vigorously challenged, ending a process that prosecutors said could have persisted for months. After appearing via videoconference for her hearing with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Meng made a brief court appearance in Vancouver, where shed been out on bail while the two Canadians were held in Chinese prison cells where the lights were kept on 24 hours a day. Outside the courtroom, Meng thanked the Canadian government for upholding the rule of law, expressed gratitude to the Canadian people and apologized for the inconvenience I caused. Over the last three years my life has been turned upside down, she said. It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and as a company executive. But I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life. I will never forget all the good wishes I received. Video was also circulated online in China of Meng speaking at Vancouver International Airport, saying; Thank you motherland, thank you to the people of the motherland. You have been my greatest pillar of support. ___ Associated Press writers Eric Tucker in Washington, Rob Gillies in Toronto, Jim Mustian in New York and Jim Morris in Vancouver, Canada, contributed to this report. NEW YORK (AP) With cascading crises casting a pall over the proceedings at this year's United Nations General Assembly, Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova had this reminder on the first day of debate: We cannot save our planet if we leave out the vulnerable the women, the girls, the minorities. But gender parity at the world's preeminent forum of leaders still seems far out of sight. Eight women were speaking at the U.N. General Assembly on Friday. Just five women spoke across the first three days of the summit. On Friday, three vice presidents and five prime ministers including Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina and New Zealand's Jacinda Arden were taking the rostrum or giving their address in a prerecorded video. As the first female president in the history of my country, the burden of expectation to deliver gender equality is heavier on my shoulder," said Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president of Tanzania. When it comes to such equality, she said, "COVID-19 is threatening to roll back the gains that we have made, Hassan was the lone woman to address the General Assembly on Thursday. Despite those 13 women making up less than 10% of speakers over the first four days, the 13 represent an increase from last year, when just nine women spoke over the course of the session. There are also three more female heads of state or heads of government 24 than there were at this point in 2020. There can be no democracy, no security and no development without one-half of the humankind, Estonia President Kersti Kaljulaid said Wednesday, also underscoring women's vulnerability in society. The theme of vulnerability has been at the forefront during a week haunted by the ever-looming specters of climate change, coronavirus and conflict. Most of the speeches have taken on the tenor of pleas issued at the precipice, batting away the summit's theme of building resiliency through hope. Dire predictions were not limited to the General Assembly. At a U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday, the high-level officials urged stepped-up action to address the security implications of climate change and make global warming a key part of all U.N. peacekeeping operations. They said warming is making the world less safe, pointing to Africas conflict-plagued Sahel region and Syria and Iraq. Vice President Isatou Touray of Gambia, located in the Sahel, highlighted what many African nations have long called another deficit in inclusion: the powerful Security Council itself, which she called one of the last holdouts of reform. Africa's quest for greater representation on the Security Council is legitimate, just and overdue, she told delegates Friday. Africa has no permanent representative on the council. Scores of leaders have already spoken, and many have left New York altogether. But some of the most anticipated countries have yet to deliver their addresses to fellow leaders. North Korea, Myanmar and Afghanistan all perennially but also lately much in the news are expected to close out the final debate session Monday afternoon. It remains unclear who will represent Afghanistan, where the U.S.-backed government fell last month after American forces withdrew and a resurgent Taliban reclaimed power. Friday alone promised fireworks, with a slate of speakers from countries roiled by internal and external conflict. The president of ethnically divided Cyprus opened the proceedings Friday, followed by Lebanon, which is also riven by internal strife. Taking stock of our declarations and decisions over time, I must confess that I feel like many of you a deep sense of disappointment, said Nicos Anastasiades, Cyprus president. A sense of disappointment because I witness a widening gap between words and deeds, between the auspicious declarations and commitments which are made and the results of the measures that we promise to deliver. The morning plenary saw addresses from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the prime minister of Armenia, lambasted Thursday in Azerbaijan's speech in the aftermath of the Nagorno-Karabakh war and responding in kind. The afternoon was to see both Albania and Serbia, perpetually at odds over Kosovo, as well as a Pakistan that is feeling pressure on its eastern border with India and its western border with Afghanistan. Pakistan and India, which speaks Saturday, are historically eager users of the right of reply function, which allows diplomats to lob polemics defending their countries in response to speeches from unfriendly nations. That window of opportunity opens Friday night, after the leaders' speeches conclude. While leaders have avoided entirely succumbing to hopelessness, a sense of near-futility pervades. As Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley put it in an engaging, at times off-the-cuff speech read off her phone: How many times must leaders come to talk and not be heard before they stop coming? ___ Follow Mallika Sen on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mallikavsen I believe it is more common these days to see commentary that is critical of a politicians activities in public office, as opposed to one being vocalized that is supportive, and to be fair for good reason. Politicians, especially at the federal level, overall do a terrible job at governing. One only needs to look at the consistently increasing national debt to make that case. However, we the people may have slipped into a self-defeating cycle that fails to signal to our representatives when they are doing a good job, and this is important for many reasons not only to give them a better sense of direction of how to govern but also let them know their public service is noticed and appreciated. Congressman August Pflugers work of late has not gone unnoticed, and I believe it deserving of that recognition. Texas 11th Congressional District is comprised of all or parts of 29 counties that constitute one of the most conservative Republican districts in the nation, and the election to represent the district consisted of a large field of candidates all running on issues important to the overwhelming Republican majority constituency. While Republicans understandably cannot do a lot as the minority party in the House of Representatives, Pfluger hasnt decided to twiddle his thumbs until the midterms. Of course, one of the most basic characteristics in a good representative is accessibility, and Pfluger is making a high score on that test with having already held more than 40 town halls across his district in his first year in office, and that isnt counting the multitude of other events, such as business and civic club meetings. But lets talk policy shop. The Biden Administrations absolute disastrous handling of the withdrawal of American forces in Afghanistan has given Pfluger a unique opportunity to not only work on holding the White House accountable for erroneous decisions, but he has deployed his staff and connections working to extract Americans and our allies (who were disgracefully abandoned) out of harms way. His past military background comes in handy in this regard. It appears the White House is intent on keeping him busy because on the heels of the Afghanistan crisis he was then responding to the crisis on Texass southern border and was one of the few lawmakers that I saw to do so in person. Pfluger and his team were on the ground where thousands of migrants poured across the Rio Grande unchecked and unchallenged, causing a significant humanitarian crisis and national security danger. It is important for lawmakers to see these issues firsthand, and to listen to the front-line law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day in dangerous circumstances. That is where you will best learn what needs to be done to address the border, not from national media outlets or anyone in Washington. Pflugers attention and concern regarding the permit to store high-level nuclear waste in Andrews County is also appreciated. Whether youre for or against the high-level waste, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has been completely deaf to nearly every elected official (local, state or federal) who have taken a stance against the issuance of this permit, and it is my understanding that Pfluger is continuing to work on bringing accountability to the bureaucracy. Lastly, the congressman has been bringing good programs and opportunities to the districts that are relevant to his conservative constituency. Just this past week, Pfluger joined Congressman Devin Nunes on stage with director Amanda Milius to discuss the documentary movie The Plot Against the President, which is a recap on the Mueller investigation and shows how infamous Steele Dossier had a very questionable point of origin. Not to mention that the dossier was completely debunked. The very next day after the documentary event, Pfluger was joined with the firebrand Congresswoman from Colorado, Lauren Boebert for a gun-rights rally in Midland. As I mentioned Republicans are fairly limited on what they can do in the House while Speaker Pelosi rules over the chamber for another year, the key will be finding creative ways to be effective during the interim, and I applaud Congressman Pflugers efforts to this end so far. When Republicans take control of the chamber in the midterms, there will be an entirely new challenge that he will face for the first time, such as holding the line on deficit spending and other major issues. Until then, keep up the hard work congressman, and know that your service is noticed, and appreciated. https://odessaheadlines.com/2021/09/22/pfluger-is-delivering-on-conservative-issues/ Today Growin Together Market: 7 a.m.-9 a.m., Murrayville. | For more information, contact Taylor Suttles, Outreach Coordinator of the United Methodist Church, at 217-882-4041 or taysuttles1@yahoo.com. Fall Festival and Steam Show Days: 7 a.m., Prairie Land Heritage Museum, 1005 W. Michigan Ave. Admission $8 wrist band good for all three days. Children under 12 free. | Variety of activities and music on the bandstand. For full schedule, visit www.prairielandheritage.com. Illinois Solar Tour: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Illinois Solar Education Association, Various locations and virtual event. | The home of Ed and Elizabeth Anderson, one mile east of Concord, will be featured among over 60 solar homes and businesses across the state. Available in-person and virtual. Registration and more information at https://bit.ly/2XNw02u. COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Prairie Land Heritage Museum, 1005 W. Michigan Ave. | Pfizer vaccine for anyone over 12 years of age. To sign up, call Polly Williams 217-473-5911. Walk-ins will be accepted. Brown Bag Lunches: Noon, Congregational Church UCC, 520 W. College Ave. Free | For those who are hungry. GTGM Sportsmens Banquet: Noon-8 p.m., Koinonia Retreat Center, 1823 Andras Road, Murrayville. Free | Vendors, bear bow raffle, door prizes. Author and professional outdoorsman Brent Henderson at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 217-801-8219 or 217-490-3152. Sunday Fall Festival and Steam Show Days: 7 a.m., Prairie Land Heritage Museum, 1005 W. Michigan Ave. Admission $8 wrist band good for all three days. Children under 12 free. | Variety of activities and music on the bandstand. For full schedule, visit www.prairielandheritage.com. Shane Allen: 2 p.m., Ridge View Winery, 529 200 North Ave., Mount Sterling. | Live music. Monday Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 9 a.m.-noon, Jacksonville Food Center, 316 E. State St. Free | For Morgan County residents. Free Noon Meal: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. | Meals in to-go containers and can be picked up at side door. Walking for Wellness: 12:30-3 p.m., First Christian Church, 2106 S. Main St. Free | Indoor walking program offered year-round Monday-Thursday. For more information, call 217-243-6445. Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen: 3:30-4 p.m., Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen, 105 E. Dunlap St. Free | Serving meals to go for anyone in need. NAACP: 6 p.m., Jacksonville Municipal Building, 200 W. Douglas Ave. | Meeting on first floor in mayors conference room. Mask required. Tuesday Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 9 a.m.-noon, Jacksonville Food Center, 316 E. State St. Free | For Morgan County residents. Free Noon Meal: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. | Meals in to-go containers and can be picked up at side door. Walking for Wellness: 12:30-3 p.m., First Christian Church, 2106 S. Main St. Free | Indoor walking program offered year-round Monday-Thursday. For more information, call 217-243-6445. Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen: 3:30-4 p.m., Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen, 105 E. Dunlap St. Free | Serving meals to go for anyone in need. Morgan County Republican Club: 6 p.m., Jacksonville Municipal Building, 200 W. Douglas Ave., second floor | Guest speaker state Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer will discuss redistricting, ethics and energy. More information at Morgan County Republican Club of IL Facebook page. Escape to Margaritaville: 8 p.m., UIS Performing Arts Center, 1 University Plaza, Springfield. | Musical comedy featuring original songs and Jimmy Buffett classics. www.uispac.com. Wednesday Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 9 a.m.-noon, Jacksonville Food Center, 316 E. State St. Free | For Morgan County residents. Blood Drive: 9 a.m.-noon, Jacksonville Police Department, 200 W. Douglas Ave. | To donate, contact Courtney Glass 217-479-4630 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60161 to locate the drive. Masks and appointments required. All donors receive voucher for a t-shirt or gift card. Story Time: 10 a.m., Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Ave. | Free Noon Meal: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. | Meals in to-go containers and can be picked up at side door. Walking for Wellness: 12:30-3 p.m., First Christian Church, 2106 S. Main St. Free | Indoor walking program offered year-round Monday-Thursday. For more information, call 217-243-6445. Commodity Food Distribution: 1:15 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. Free | For income-eligible residents of Morgan County. Bring proof of residence and a box for food. Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen: 3:30-4 p.m., Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen, 105 E. Dunlap St. Free | Serving meals to go for anyone in need. Jacksonville Area Employment Fair: 4-6 p.m., Downtown Jacksonville. | Sponsored by Passavant Healthy Communities Collaborative. Thursday Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 9 a.m.-noon, Jacksonville Food Center, 316 E. State St. Free | For Morgan County residents. Free Noon Meal: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. | Meals in to-go containers and can be picked up at side door. Walking for Wellness: 12:30-3 p.m., First Christian Church, 2106 S. Main St. Free | Indoor walking program offered year-round Monday-Thursday. For more information, call 217-243-6445. Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen: 3:30-4 p.m., Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen, 105 E. Dunlap St. Free | Serving meals to go for anyone in need. Illinois Products Farmers Market: 4-7 p.m., Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., Springfield. Prices vary. | Weekly through Oct. 14. County Line Dance Club Class: 6:30 p.m., VFW Post 1379, 903 E. Morton Ave., $3. Friday Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 9 a.m.-noon, Jacksonville Food Center, 316 E. State St. Free | For Morgan County residents. Free Noon Meal: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. | Meals in to-go containers and can be picked up at side door. Produce and Bakery Giveaway: 12:30-1 p.m., The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. Free. Fundraising Dinner: 5-6:30 p.m., Carlinville Elks Lodge, 201 W. Main St., Carlinville. $10 | Menu includes grilled pork chops or fried chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Dine in or carry out. Tickets available through Carlinville Elks Lodge members, library board members, and at the library. Proceeds benefit the Carlinville Public Library Roof Fund. For more information, call 217-854-3505 or email mail@carlinvillelibrary.org. To submit items to the calendar, go to myjournalcourier.com and select calendar, or email jjcsocial@myjournalcourier.com. Items must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance. The Cors bi-annual sibling family reunion was held this month in Gulf Breeze, Florida. The Cors family was raised at 807 S. Main St. in Jacksonville after moving here from Herrin in 1950. Their parents were the late Joseph G. Cors, who passed away in May 1999, and Nellie M. Cors, who passed away in September 1992. They had 11 children, eight of whom still are living. The Cors siblings all attended Our Saviour School and Routt Catholic High School. This reunion continued a tradition started by their father. Since most of the Cors have moved away from Jacksonville, the reunions normally are held at different sites across the United States. The last one held in Jacksonville was in July 2013. In addition to this years reunion in Gulf Breeze, the siblings have gathered in Maggie Valley, North Carolina; Las Vegas; Lake Tahoe; and Williamsburg, Virginia. The reunions are a great venue for reconnecting, bonding and catching up on the many and various family activities. Tentative plans are for the 2023 reunion to be in Jacksonville. Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II has announced a grant award of $500,000 to increase farmer stress-related mental health initiatives statewide. In 2019, the Farm Family Resource Initiative was established in Illinois to specifically address mental health needs of the farming and agricultural communities. The Farm Family Resource Initiative Committee consists of members from government, commodity groups, academic institutions, healthcare and industry. Led by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, the Farm Family Resource Initiative launched a six-county pilot program to provide resources to Christian, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Morgan and Sangamon counties through a telephone hotline connecting farmers with mental health resources and providers. This grant will allow for the expansion of the pilot program to the entire state. Additional plans for grant funding include: Text and e-mail communication options (in addition to telephone hotline) increased marketing of helpline voucher program for professional behavioral health services agricultural literacy training for mental health providers to increase knowledge of agricultural community further mental health first aid trainings for agricultural community members As governor, Ive sought to make Illinois a state where mental health care should not and cannot be treated as a secondary healthcare service, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said. That includes tailoring mental health resources to better support our farmers and farm families, whose industry keeps everyone else afloat. Im proud to expand our Farm Family Resource Initiative to all 102 of our counties to ensure our rural communities are getting the care they deserve. Illinois is uniquely positioned with farmer mental health initiatives already in place, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II said. This award allows programmatic expansion statewide tailored to the needs of the agricultural community. Small farms are the core of our states economy, and farmers are on the front lines to provide food for our communities. The reality of this pandemic is that a new layer of stress has been put on farmers and farm families, Sen. Scott Bennett said. These additional funds for the Farm Family Resource Initiative will give farmers the support to help recognize and navigate these unprecedented times. SIU School of Medicines mission is to optimize the health of central and southern Illinois. The Farm Family Resource Initiative program is one the best ways to serve the region and the rural families that have been the backbone of many of the communities we serve, said Jerry Kruse, provost of SIU School of Medicine. With partners like the Illinois Department of Agriculture, we can move the health of farm families forward. Farmers, ranchers, and producers give so much of themselves to produce the food that we eat and to be good stewards of the land on which Illinois agriculture thrives, said Shelly Nickols Richardson, University of Illinois Extension associate dean and director. When mental health concerns affect our farmers, this impacts us all. This grant will provide the resources that our farmers, their families, and communities need to stay in good mental and emotional health as they contribute so much for so many. The Farmer Assistance Helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-FARM-SOS. Right now, Doug Coop is working to finish harvesting the 750 acres of corn growing on Morgan County land he farms with his father, Ric Coop. Once the corn is safely dried and stored and his harvesting equipment cleaned and put away for the winter, Doug Coop will tackle another task reviewing his emergency preparedness plan for the family farm. Farmers may be a resilient bunch Its bred out of necessity, he said. Weve got to be able to take care of ourselves but that doesnt mean they dont need to plan ahead for potential crises. I think its something were better prepared for than a lot of folks, Coop said of crisis management and emergency preparedness. Its always on the back burner for some people. But Noah didnt build the ark once it started raining. He built it well ahead of time. Disaster preparedness is all about what you can do ahead of time. People in general not just farmers often put off making an emergency plan. No one truly wants to consider the possibility of a tornado blowing through or a home flooding. I encourage people to go a step further than that and think about the things we think will never happen, Coop said. One such recent example is the coronavirus pandemic. It had been probably over 100 years since our last major pandemic had an international impact. In this region, the list of unlikely crises also includes earthquakes, despite the St. Louis area just 90 miles from Jacksonville falling within the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Ive heard experts speak on (the New Madrid fault) before, said Coop, who worked in crisis management during a two-decade career in the military, including active-duty, Reserve and National Guard service. Its not a matter of if; its a matter of when. A major earthquake in the St. Louis area could affect everything within a 100-mile radius, he said. Around here its not so much structural impact to buildings but damage to roads, Coop said. Fuel transportation, natural gas and propane. Were no longer just talking about electricity but about energy. And energy is vital on farms, which tend to be in sparsely populated areas and could be less of a priority for utility companies and emergency crews working to help as many people as possible as quickly as possible. A lot of the needs are the same, between city residents and rural residents, said Phil McCarty, Jacksonville-Morgan County Emergency Management director. They still have to have water, still have to have power, still have to have food. But, realistically, rural residents might find themselves waiting a bit longer for assistance, McCarty said. If they can turn on (power for) 100 people by putting 10 poles up in town but they have to put 30 (poles) up to get (power restored to) 10 people (in a rural area), McCarty said, its not that the rural environment comes second, but you want to get the best bang for the buck. Being prepared The Illinois Emergency Management Agency website at ready.illinois.gov has tips on preparing for a range of emergency situations, including severe weather, winter weather and earthquakes. Among its suggestions: Make a plan for when a disaster strikes, including how you will contact or reconnect with family members if separated. Build an emergency supplies kit that includes non-perishable foods, water, a weather radio, batteries, medications and other necessities for each family member. Keep one at home, at work and in your car. Consider home-improvement projects that help your home better survive a storm or other hazard, review insurance policies to be sure of what coverage you have, and practice tornado drills and fire drills at home and at work; they're not just for schools. Teach children how to prepare for a disaster, including helping them build their own emergency kit - one that also provides comfort items such as a favorite stuffed animal, books, music or board games. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also has released a downloadable Disaster Resiliency and Recover Resources guide for rural communities through its Rural Development offices. The 16-page guide offers Rural Development disaster resources, preparedness and recovery partners, federal agencies involved in disaster assistance, and other USDA resources. See More Collapse Its simply the reality, though no one person is more important, McCarty said. The realitys not lost on Coop. With Hurricane Ida, some of those people were without power for days, weeks, he said. So the question for farmers, ranchers in area, is how long can you go without electricity? If we have major damage to our grid, especially if youre a livestock farmer, how long can you go? A string of questions can lead one through the thought process. Whats your primary source of electricity? Coop asked. If that fails, whats your alternate? Whats your contingency? Whats your emergency backup? Those are important questions to ask before a crisis arises, he said. Still, its OK not to have all the answers It gets to the point in the preparedness plan for some of these things that it isnt economically viable, Coop said as long as youve considered the questions. When you think about a really worst-case scenario (when you can) no longer get fuel delivered and youre without power, if the backup plan fails, theres nothing I can do in this situation, he said. Thats OK, too. Being able to realize quickly that theres no solution to a problem allows a farmer to accept it and move on to the next one, Coop said. Which then could be a question of how to keep a farm operating for a while without power. I dont have any other option for (getting) this energy, so whats my plan for this livestock now? Coop asked. How do I get them somewhere else or get them to market? We saw this in the pandemic with pork. There was a big surplus of hogs that were ready for market. But markets werent taking them, which raised a question of what to do with the animals. Some of (the hog farmers) probably had something in place ahead of time, some didnt, Coop said. One backup plan might not be enough. Other things to consider: Where will you store your grain if its harvest time and a tornado wipes our your grain bins? What will you do for money if power is out and ATMs arent working? Some of these things are fairly easily solved, Coop said. But we encourage people to think about it in advance. Coop also suggests widening the range of a backup plan in rural communities that tend to rely heavily on friends, families and neighbors. If your plan is to rely on your brother or sister at the bottom of the road, what if theyre wiped out by the same emergency? he asked. Do you have someone out of the area but fairly close that you could go stay with? Still, one of the most effective ways to get through an emergency is a neighbor taking care of a neighbor, McCarty said, noting that it applies to cities and rural areas alike. Everybody pitching in is the main response. Government cant fix it all. We work hard at it, but its neighbor taking care of neighbor. Rural areas are really good about that. Thats what it takes to overcome disasters. That and a bit of preparedness. Were really talking about worst-case scenarios, Coop said. But, I got to tell you, the worst-case scenario seems to be happening more. Scientists have developed and deployed a series of new imaging and machine-learning tools to discover attributes that contribute to water-use efficiency in crop plants during photosynthesis and to reveal the genetic basis of variation in those traits. The findings are described in a series of four research papers led by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduate students Jiayang (Kevin) Xie and Parthiban Prakash, and postdoctoral researchers John Ferguson, Samuel Fernandes and Charles Pignon. The goal is to breed or engineer crops that are better at conserving water without sacrificing yield, said Andrew Leakey, a professor of plant biology and of crop sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who directed the research. Drought stress limits agricultural production more than anything else, Leakey said. And scientists are working to find ways to minimize water loss from plant leaves without decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide the leaves take in. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide through tiny pores in their leaves called stomata. That carbon dioxide drives photosynthesis and contributes to plant growth. But the stomata also allow moisture to escape in the form of water vapor. The amount of water vapor and carbon dioxide exchanged between the leaf and atmosphere depends on the number of stomata, their size and how quickly they open or close in response to environmental signals, Leakey said. If rainfall is low or the air is too hot and dry, there can be insufficient water to meet demand, leading to reduced photosynthesis, productivity and survival. To better understand this process in plants like corn, sorghum and grasses of the genus Setaria, the team analyzed how the stomata on their leaves influenced plants water-use efficiency. We investigated the number, size and speed of closing movements of stomata in these closely related species, Leakey said. This is very challenging because the traditional methods for measuring these traits are very slow and laborious. For example, determining stomatal density previously involved manually counting the pores under a microscope. The slowness of this method means scientists are unable to analyze large datasets, Leakey said. There are a lot of features of the leaf epidermis that normally dont get measured because it takes too much time, he said. Or, if they get measured, its in really small experiments. And you cant discover the genetic basis for a trait with a really small experiment. To speed the work, Xie took a machine-learning tool originally developed to help self-driving cars navigate complex environments and converted it into an application that could quickly identify, count and measure thousands of cells and cell features in each leaf sample. To do this manually, it would take you several weeks of labor just to count the stomata on a seasons worth of leaf samples, Leakey said. And it would take you months more to manually measure the sizes of the stomata or the sizes of any of the other cells. The team used sophisticated statistical approaches to identify regions of the genome and lists of genes that likely control variation in the patterning of stomata on the leaf surface. They also used thermal cameras in field and laboratory experiments to quickly assess the temperature of leaves as a proxy for how much water loss was cooling the leaves. This revealed key links between changes in microscopic anatomy and the physiological or functional performance of the plants, Leakey said. By comparing leaf characteristics with the plants water-use efficiency in field experiments, the researchers found that the size and shape of the stomata in corn appeared to be more important than had previously been recognized, Leakey said. Along with the identification of genes that likely contribute to those features, the discovery will inform future efforts to breed or genetically engineer crop plants that use water more efficiently, the researchers said. The new approach provides an unprecedented view of the structure and function of the outermost layer of plant leaves, Xie said. There are so many things we dont know about the characteristics of the epidermis, and this machine-learning algorithm is giving us a much more comprehensive picture, he said. We can extract a lot more potential data on traits from the images weve taken. This is something people could not have done before. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Reported sexual assaults have sparked large protests on college campuses in at least seven states just weeks into the new school year, which advocates say reflects both a greater vulnerability among students who spent last school year learning remotely and a greater ability among young people to make themselves heard on the issue. Such protests aren't new, but there seems to have been an unusually large number already this semester, with demonstrations over the past month at schools in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Alabama, Michigan, Massachusetts and Missouri. Protesters have accused their schools of doing too little to protect students and being too lenient with on the accused. Those pushing for tougher measures against sexual violence also say the protests are being led by students familiar with the #MeToo movement and cases like that of former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar and Bill Cosby. And they say a protest on one campus inspires them on others. It is this national push that were starting to see for accountability of colleges, said Tracey Vitchers, executive director of Its On Us, a nonprofit focused on building a movement to combat sexual violence on campuses. More than half of sexual assaults against students occur between the start of fall classes and the Thanksgiving break, and generally freshmen and transfer students are the most vulnerable to sexual assault because they aren't familiar with the campuses and haven't solidified their social networks. Victims' advocates call the period the red zone. Were in a period of a double red zone, said Shiwali Patel, senior counsel for the National Womens Law Center, who also directs its efforts to provide justice for assault survivors. We have the first-year students and the second-year students who are now being on campus for the first time. The wave of protests started after a student reported being sexually assaulted at a University Nebraska-Lincoln fraternity house just before midnight on Aug. 24. Police received a separate report about a wild party there. The following night, about 1,000 protesters surrounded the fraternity house. Police are investigating the assault report and the university temporarily suspended the fraternitys operations as it reviews the group's conduct. Protests at the University of Iowa began less than a week later against a chapter of the same fraternity over a year-old allegation of sexual assault that authorities are still investigating. In Kansas, students protested at the University of Kansas,Wichita State University and Topeka West High School last week over various reported assaults, and students at Auburn University in Alabama and Eastern Michigan University also held demonstrations. Protests this week included one at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. At Central Methodist University, a small Missouri liberal arts school between Kansas City and St. Louis, about 50 students protested this week in support of Layla Beyer, a 19-year-old sophomore who said a fellow music student sexually assaulted her during the first semester of her freshman year. The Associated Press typically doesnt identify sexual assault victims, but Beyer allowed her name to be used. The university said it can't comment about an individual student's case, but spokesperson Scott Queen said, "There will be ongoing discussions regarding the topics addressed at the protest. Beyer reported the assault and said she received a no-contact order against her assailant, who played the same instrument and was constantly around. But she said he repeatedly violated it without facing serious consequences. A lot of times, survivors dont have anybody to stand up for them besides themselves, Beyer said. Administrators at other colleges have said theyre committed to helping victims and educating students about appropriate behavior. University of Nebraska Chancellor Ronnie Green outlined plans that included expanding from two members to four a team that helps victims, and improving training and education about sexual assault. Eastern Michigans new initiatives include annual training for students and separate training to encourage people to intervene if they see inappropriate behavior. It also is considering the future of a fraternity at the center of multiple sexual assault allegations. Students speak out, protest and take action because they want to see their institutions respond with the same level of anger, determination and commitment to keep their communities safe, said Walter Kraft, Eastern Michigans vice president of communications. Vitchers said helping survivors is no longer enough. She said universities must educate students to prevent assaults and punish the perpetrators and groups fostering an environment in which sexual violence is viewed as normal or no big deal. Older advocates said current students have better access to social media and embrace activism more readily than their predecessors. Angela Esquivel Hawkins, a Stanford University administrator and CEO of a group that helps victims' friends and families, said students now are wiser about things such as choosing hashtags to make messages trend on Twitter. The more iterations of social media that come up in the future, the more that people are going to get more and more connected and more and more savvy about how to organize and be efficient in their efforts, Hawkins said. At the University of Iowa, 18-year-old freshman Amelia Keller and her friends turned to Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat to rally people to the recent protest at the school. Keller also has worked with a campus group advocating for rape victims. We want to be able to trust and depend upon those who claim to care about the protection of vulnerable students, Keller said in texts to The Associated Press. Right now, we cannot. At Eastern Michigan, 18-year-old freshman Abbie Francis helped organize last week's protest at that school and used an app to attract dozens of members within two hours to a new Sexual Assault and Rape Awareness group. Eastern Michigan students also held a protest in March. Everyone that I have talked to in the past few weeks has expressed that they feel extremely unsafe, she said in an email to The Associated Press. At Central Methodist, Beyer said she felt forced to choose between dropping out of band or having to face her assailant frequently despite repeatedly telling administrators that he should be the one to leave. She said the administrators completely invalidated me. And Beyer said she lost her passion for music because of the assault and her subsequent treatment. She dropped her music education major and is now majoring in psychology instead. You get to the point where, no ones hearing you and nobodys doing anything for you," Beyer said. "Having students, especially ones that go to your school, to be by your side and stand up for you, it means a lot. ___ Ballentine reported from Columbia, Missouri. ___ Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna Dog N Suds was a popular choice for fast food in the 1960s and 1970s, and remains a recognized root beer brand today. A co-founder of the chain was once a college music teacher in Jacksonville. Seven decades ago, Don Hamacher who helped build Dog N Suds into a juggernaut was a faculty member in music at MacMurray College, and helped establish a mens choral group at Illinois College. He left the area to accept a high school teaching position in Champaign, where Dog N Suds was born. A product of Richmond, Missouri, Hamacher graduated from the University of Missouri and began his teaching career in 1944 at Robinson High School in southeastern Illinois. He stayed there until 1950, when he was appointed the director of the college choir at MacMurray College. There, he also created a choral group at IC, while directing both the choir of the Jacksonville Methodist Church and the local chapter of the Society for the Preservation of Barbershop Quartets. Meanwhile, Hamacher became active in judging high school band contests statewide, and organized a statewide 500-piece band festival and 250-piece choral festival. In a 2012 memoir, Hamacher described his time at MacMurray College as a great challenge and an enjoyable part of my music career. His year in Jacksonville also led him to a business opportunity that would later consume his life. Hamacher recalled that I met a band director who had started a soft ice cream store in Springfield and it provided him with a nice summer income. That sounded like a good idea. Inspired, Hamacher said he found a good location in Virden [and] bought a soft ice cream machine. [I] was in business by the end of the school year. Two weeks later, I added a root beer machine and more than doubled my income. His new venture opened in June 1951 as the Dairy Creme, where hot dogs cost 15 cents and root beer came in glasses for either a nickel or a dime. Dairy Creme cones were offered for 5, 10, 15 or 25 cents, while take-home options included pints for 30 cents, quarts for 55 cents, a half-gallon for $1, and a gallon for $1.75. Sundaes were 15 or 25 cents, and came in hot fudge, butterscotch, marshmallow, chocolate, raspberry, pineapple or strawberry. Malts and shakes were a quarter each. Those who drove up could park in [the] newly rocked parking lot. Hamacher apparently had high hopes for the Dairy Creme, as he and his wife, Maggie, bought a house in Virden just before its opening. However, Hamacher was soon on the move again. He recalled that I was really enjoying the business in Virden when I received a phone call from the superintendent of schools in Champaign. He told me that the high school vocal position was going to be open and he offered me the job. Since Hamacher considered the opportunity the number one high school job in the state, he accepted, sold the Dairy Creme, and left for Champaign. In the summer of 1953, Hamacher joined with his friend Jim Griggs, the orchestra director at Champaign High School, in another venture to earn extra money a drive-in root beer and hot dog stand, which they dubbed Dog N Suds. Students were employed as car hops, and receipts of $300 were reported on the first day of business. By the end of the first week, local police had to be used to direct customer traffic at night. From those beginnings, Dog N Suds exploded into one of the iconic names in the American restaurant industry, eventually growing to 650 locations in 38 states and Canada by 1968. A location opened at 235 W. Walnut St. in Jacksonville in 1960. The meteoric success of Dog N Suds lifted Hamacher and Griggs to semi-celebrity status, and in 1966, Hamacher appeared on the hit game show To Tell the Truth. He later served as president of both the International Franchise Association and the Root Beer Institute. In 1969, Dog N Suds was chosen by Barrons magazine as the top brand in the industry. Griggs sold his interest in the early 1970s and by 1974, all stock in Dog N Suds was owned by Frostie Enterprises of New Jersey. From there, the brand name went into decline. Hamacher ruefully said that the different managements that followed used a cold, hard business approach that differed from our original homespun personalities. Hamacher continued his lifelong involvement in music both in Champaign and in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he moved in 1975. He died in January 2013. In 1991, the rights to Dog N Suds were bought by a former franchisee from Lafayette, Indiana, who began to sell the companys unique-tasting root beer in retail stores. Bottles of Dog N Suds root beer are still found in some outlets today. However, the number of Dog N Suds restaurants has dwindled rapidly. Today, only 15 locations remain, mostly in the Midwest. Huawei executive returns as China releases 2 Canadians View Photo SHENZHEN, China (AP) An executive of Chinese global communications giant Huawei Technologies returned from Canada Saturday night following a legal settlement that also saw the release of two Canadians held by China, potentially bringing closure to a nearly 3-year-long feud embroiling Ottawa, Beijing and Washington. Meng Wanzhou, Huaweis chief financial officer and the daughter of the companys founder, arrived Saturday evening aboard a chartered jet provided by flag carrier Air China in the southern technology hub of Shenzhen, where Huawei is based. Her return, met with a flag-waving group of airline employees, was carried live on state TV, underscoring the degree to which Beijing has linked her case with Chinese nationalism and its rise as a global economic and political power. Wearing a red dress matching the color of Chinas flag, Meng thanked the ruling Communist Party and its leader Xi Jinping for supporting her through more than 1,000 days in house arrest in Vancouver, where she owns two multimillion dollar mansions. I have finally returned to the warm embrace of the motherland, Meng said. As an ordinary Chinese citizen going through this difficult time, I always felt the warmth and concern of the party, the nation and the people. On the same day, former diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor were freed and flown back to Canada. They were detained shortly after Canada arrested Meng on a U.S. extradition request in December 2018. Many countries labeled Chinas action hostage politics, while China accused Ottawa of arbitrary detention. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hugged the pair on the tarmac after they landed in Calgary, Alberta early Saturday, following what amounted to a high-stakes prisoner swap involving China, the U.S. and Canada. These two men have been through an unbelievably difficult ordeal. For the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance and grace and we are all inspired by that, Trudeau said earlier Friday. Meng, 49, reached an agreement with U.S. federal prosecutors that called for fraud charges against her to be dismissed next year. As part of the deal, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, she accepted responsibility for misrepresenting the companys business dealings in Iran. Shortly before her return, the Communist Partys flagship Peoples Daily newspaper declared the resolution of the case as a glorious victory for the Chinese people achieved through the unremitting efforts of the Chinese government. The evidence shows this was purely a case of the political persecution of a Chinese citizen with the purpose of suppressing Chinas technological advancement, the paper said. No force can block Chinas forward progress, it added. In an emailed statement, Huawei said it would continue to defend itself against the allegations. The company also sent a statement from Mengs lawyer, William W. Taylor III, saying she had not pleaded guilty and we fully expect the indictment will be dismissed with prejudice after 14 months. The case had caused a huge rift in China-Canada relations, with Beijing launching regular broadsides against the Canadian justice system and banning some imports from the country. In addition, two Canadians convicted in separate drug cases in China were sentenced to death in 2019. A third, Robert Schellenberg, received a 15-year sentence that was abruptly increased to the death penalty after Mengs arrest. It wasnt immediately clear if those prisoners might receive any reprieve. In Shenzhen, a 20-year old job seeker at the headquarters of Huawei repeated a government view that Mengs arrest was driven by politics and rivalry with the U.S. over technology and global influence. I think (this) was to stop Huaweis development in the world, said the man, who gave only his surname, Wang, as is common among citizens speaking to foreign media in China, where the government closely monitors all speech. Its a very important reason nobody wants other countries to have better technology than itself. Huawei is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone and internet companies and a symbol of Chinas progress in becoming a technological world power that has received massive government backing. It has also been a subject of U.S. security and law enforcement concerns, with officials and analysts saying it and other Chinese companies have flouted international rules and norms and stolen technology and vital personal information. The case against Meng stemmed from a January 2019 indictment from the Justice Department under the administration of former President Donald Trump. It accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets and using a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The indictment also charged Meng herself with committing fraud by misleading the HSBC bank about the companys business dealings in Iran. The indictment came amid a broader Trump administration crackdown against Huawei over U.S. government concerns that the companys products could facilitate Chinese spying. The administration cut off Huaweis access to U.S. components and technology, including Googles music and other smartphone services, and later barred vendors worldwide from using U.S. technology to produce components for Huawei. President Joe Biden, meanwhile, has kept up a hard line on Huawei and other Chinese corporations whose technology is thought to pose national security risks. Huawei has repeatedly denied the U.S. governments allegations and security concerns about its products. As part of the deal with Meng, which was disclosed in federal court in Brooklyn, the Justice Department agreed to dismiss the fraud charges against her in December 2022 exactly four years after her arrest provided that she complies with certain conditions, including not contesting any of the governments factual allegations. The Justice Department also agreed to drop its request that Meng be extradited to the U.S., which she had vigorously challenged, ending a process that prosecutors said could have persisted for months. After appearing via videoconference for her hearing with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Meng made a brief court appearance in Vancouver, where shed been out on bail while the two Canadians were held in Chinese prison cells where the lights were kept on 24 hours a day. Outside the courtroom, Meng thanked the Canadian government for upholding the rule of law, expressed gratitude to the Canadian people and apologized for the inconvenience I caused. Over the last three years my life has been turned upside down, she said. It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and as a company executive. But I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life. I will never forget all the good wishes I received. Video was also circulated online in China of Meng speaking at Vancouver International Airport, saying; Thank you motherland, thank you to the people of the motherland. You have been my greatest pillar of support. ___ Associated Press writers Eric Tucker in Washington, Rob Gillies in Toronto, Jim Mustian in New York and Jim Morris in Vancouver, Canada, contributed to this report. Catalonias Puigdemont to attend October extradition hearing View Photo ALGHERO, Sardinia (AP) Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont vowed Saturday to keep travelling throughout Europe to campaign for the regions independence from Spain but confirmed he would appear at an Oct. 4 hearing to decide whether he will be extradited to Spain to face sedition charges. Puigdemont, a member of the European Unions parliament who previously served as president of Spains restive Catalonia region, struck a defiant tone during a press conference 48 hours after he was arrested upon his arrival in Sardinia to attend a Catalan cultural festival and then freed. The Sardinian judge who released him imposed no travel restrictions pending the Oct. 4 extradition hearing, suggesting Puigdemont had a green light to leave Italy and close the case. But Piugdemont said Saturday he would attend the hearing, answer all the questions the judge will ask me, and assumed he would walk free. My plan is once the Italian justice says OK, your duty is finished, I will return to my home in Belgium, he said. Puigdemont and a number of his separatist colleagues fled to Belgium in October 2017, fearing arrest after holding an independence referendum for Catalonia that the Spanish courts and government said was illegal. Members of his entourage called his high-profile arrest and speedy release a political boomerang for Spain, which earlier this month restarted talks with the regional leadership of Catalonia aimed at resolving the political crisis that has persisted since the referendum. Puigdemont vowed to keep travelling throughout Europe to press his cause and said the previous two days had proved that he enjoyed the support of European judicial institutions. All that has happened in the last hours prove all of our arguments, all of our reasons in our fight for freedom, for democracy to defend the right of self determination, and the right to free speech, free movement, the right to be engaged in politics, he said. The only crime we committed was organizing a referendum, he added. At the heart of the immediate legal matter is whether the warrant issued by Spain seeking Puigdemonts arrest is valid. Gonzalo Boye, his lawyer, has insisted the European warrant issued in 2019 that provided the basis for Italian authorities to detain him had been suspended. The Spanish Supreme Court judge handling the case, Pablo Llarena, sent a letter to the European Unions Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation stating that the arrest warrant was in force. Its not the first time Spanish courts have tried to detain Puigdemont abroad. After a Belgian court declined to send him back in 2017, the following year he was arrested in Germany but a court there also refused to extradite him. Nine other Catalan separatists received prison sentences for their role in the 2017 referendum ranging from nine to 13 years. They were pardoned in July, but Puigdemont, who fled, was not. Although Puigdemont holds a seat in the European Parliament, that legislature stripped him of parliamentary immunity. Puigdemont noted he was due in Strasbourg on Oct. 4 for a Parliament session, but said he would follow it remotely from his laptop in Sardinia if he had to. ___ Winfield contributed from Rome. By ANDREA ROSA and NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press Back in Haiti, expelled migrant family plans to flee again View Photo PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) Youre lucky, the U.S. officials said. Youre going to see your family. The authorities had called out numbers corresponding to raffle-like tickets the Haitians had been issued when they were detained after crossing the border into Texas. As each number was called, another bedraggled immigrant stood up. Everyone was happy, recalled Jhon Celestin. But I was not happy. I saw it was a lie. The prize was a one-way trip back to the place they had so desperately wanted to escape. And so it was that Celestin arrived in Haiti aboard the last flight Wednesday to the capital of Port-au-Prince, a city the 38-year-old left three years ago in search of a better-paying job to help support his family. He is among some 2,000 migrants that the U.S. expelled to Haiti this week via more than 17 flights, with more scheduled in upcoming days. Staying in Haiti is not an option for many of them. Like Celestin, they plan to flee their country again as soon as they can. It had stopped drizzling as Celestin left the airport and stepped out into streets choked with dust and smoke, carrying a bag in one hand and his 2-year-old daughter in the other. Chloe, born in Chile, looked around quietly at her new surroundings as Celestin and his wife asked to borrow someones phone to call a taxi. It would be more expensive, but they didnt want their toddler riding on a motorcycle a common means of transport in city where vehicles must veer around smoldering garbage dumps, heavy traffic and the occasional burning barricade. After a 35-minute ride, they arrived at a house whose basement they would share with a cousin who had been expelled from the U.S. the day before. The home is located a couple blocks away from where 15 people were killed in a shooting rampage in June, including a journalist and political activist. Among those charged was a police officer. This is not what I imagined, being here, said Celestins wife, 26-year-old Delta de Leon, who was born in the Dominican Republic to a Dominican father and a Haitian mother. But here I am, although I hope to leave soon because the one thing Ive never wanted for my daughter is for her to grow up here. Haiti has more than 11 million people; about 60% make less than $2 a day. A cornerstone of its economy is money from Haitians living abroad $3.8 billion a year, or 35% of the countrys GDP. The Haiti to which the migrants are returning is more violent, more impoverished and more politically unstable than the one they left. It is struggling to recover from the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and from a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Haiti in August, killing more than 2,200 people and destroying or damaging tens of thousands of homes. Thousands of people live in squalid shelters after their homes were razed in recent months as a result of rampant gang violence. Celestin and his wife dont plan on staying long. On his first day back in Haiti, Celestin spent several hours sprawled on the queen-sized bed he shared with his wife and daughter. He chatted on the phone with his sister, who lives in Chile, and with friends elsewhere as he planned his familys departure. He paused only to get a haircut and to figure out how to pick up a money transfer, since he had previously sent all his identification documents to his family in Miami in hopes he would be reunited with them with this month. The new plan is to return to Chile, where he built homes as a construction worker after obtaining a visa. With the pandemic drying up jobs and freezing the economy, the family decided to try their luck at the U.S.-Mexico border, traveling by foot, bus and boat at night for about a month. What hurt me the most, what frustrated me the most, was the dead people I saw, migrants who died along the way, said de Leon. The toll of that trip, the conditions at the border and the recent deportation flight with a sick child Chloe had developed an incessant cough while the family camped under a Texas bridge meant de Leon didnt sleep much her first night in Haiti. I cried because I dont want to be here, she said. De Leon intends to cross the border into the Dominican Republic with her daughter as soon as possible to reunite with her father, sister and brother while her husband flies ahead to Chile. But first, the family planned to go to the coastal city of Jacmel in southern Haiti to see more relatives, a risky trip because it entailed crossing gang-controlled territory. Buses often form convoys for safety, and sometimes pay gangs for safe passage. The violence in that neighborhood has reached such high levels that Doctors Without Borders recently closed its clinic there after 15 years. Breakfast on that first morning in Haiti consisted of spaghetti and bits of avocado. Normally, Chloe has milk and fruit, but de Leon said she was waiting on a money transfer to buy some basic food items. She worried about her daughters health, and about her future. The future I want for her is a better life, a more comfortable one, the kind a poor person can give their children, she said. If that life has to be in the United States, so be it. If it has to be in Chile, let it be in Chile. But let it be a better life. On their second day in Haiti, the couple decided to take the risk and go to Jacmel. A minibus waited as Celestin and de Leon grabbed their bags and put on new shoes they had bought earlier that morning: black-and-white sneakers for him, white sandals for her. Na pale! Celestins cousin called out to them in Creole Well talk! And the couple boarded the minibus, placing their little girl between them as they embarked on the treacherous road to Jacmel. ___ Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico. By EVENS SANON and DANICA COTO Associated Press Sonora, CA Involuntary manslaughter and other crimes have been brought against PG&E after investigators determine its equipment sparked the Zogg Fire near Redding that killed four people and destroyed hundreds of homes last year. In announcing the 31 charges, including 11 felonies, Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett said the utility failed to perform its legal duties. She added that it was reckless and criminally negligent, and it resulted in the death of four people. Since a corporation cannot go to jail if convicted of involuntary manslaughter, the punishment would be a fine for each person killed in last years blaze. Bridgett added, One of our primary functions here is to hold them responsible and let the surviving families know that their loved one did not die in vain. In a statement released by the company, PG&E CEO Patti Poppe argued that failing to prevent the fire was not a crime. Poppe also countered, This was a tragedy, four people died. And my coworkers are working so hard to prevent fires and the catastrophic losses that come with them. They have dedicated their careers to it, criminalizing their judgment is not right. The wind whipped Zogg Fire began on Sept. 27, 2020, burning about 200 homes and blackening about 87 square miles of land. In March, state fire investigators concluded that the blaze was sparked by a gray pine tree that fell onto a PG&E transmission line. Shasta and Tehama counties have sued the utility alleging negligence, saying PG&E failed to remove the tree even though it had been marked for removal two years earlier. The company relayed that the tree was subsequently cleared to stay. This is the latest legal action against the utility, which pled guilty last year to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter after its long-neglected electrical grid ignited the 2018 Paradise Fire that became the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century. Jamestown, CA Noticing a man in the parking lot just sitting in a vehicle for a while, a local gas station clerk requested Tuolumne Sheriffs Office Deputies escort him off the property not only did the suspect resist but the vehicle was not his. Deputies were called to the Chevron Gas Station on Highway 108 in Jamestown on Thursday around 3:22 p.m. for a suspicious person. When they arrived, they found 35-year-old John Selby of Lodi inside a vehicle in the parking lot. As deputies approached Selby, they noticed he was agitated and confrontational. Sheriffs officials detailed that Selby refused the deputies multiple orders to leave the property. Subsequently, they attempted to pull him from the vehicle, which he resisted, but then eventually complied. A .38 caliber round was found in Selbys pocket after being searched, which is a violation of his probation. A record check of the vehicle determined it had been reported stolen. Selby was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, trespassing, resisting arrest, and prohibited person in possession of ammunition. His bail was set at $10,000. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) In the three months since 62-year-old Navajo rug weaver Ella Mae Begay vanished, the haunting unanswered questions sometimes threaten to overwhelm her niece. Seraphine Warren has organized searches of the vast Navajo Nation landscape near her aunt's home in Arizona but is running out of money to pay for gas and food for the volunteers. Why is it taking so long? Why arent our prayers being answered? she asks. Begay is one of thousands of Indigenous women who have disappeared throughout the U.S. Some receive no public attention at all, a disparity that extends to many other people of color. The disappearance of Gabby Petito, a white 22-year-old woman who went missing in Wyoming last month during a cross-country trip with her boyfriend, has drawn a frenzy of coverage on traditional and social media, bringing new attention to a phenomenon known as missing white woman syndrome. Many families and advocates for missing people of color are glad the attention paid to Petito's disappearance has helped unearth clues that likely led to the tragic discovery of her body and they mourn with her family. But some also question why the public spotlight so important to finding missing people has left other cases shrouded in uncertainty. I would have liked that swift rush, push to find my aunt faster. Thats all I wish for, said Warren, who lives in Utah, one of several states Petito and boyfriend Brian Laundrie passed through. In Wyoming, where Petito was found, just 18% of cases of missing Indigenous women over the past decade had any media coverage, according to a state report released in January. Someone goes missing just about every day ... from a tribal community, said Lynnette Grey Bull, who is Hunkpapa Lakota and Northern Arapaho and director of the organization Not Our Native Daughters. More than 700 Indigenous people disappeared in Wyoming between 2011 and 2020, and about 20% of those cases were still unsolved after a month. That's about double the rate in the white population, the report found. One factor that helped people connect with Petito's case was her Instagram profile, where she lived her dream of traveling the country. Other social-media users contributed their own clues, including a traveling couple who said they spotted the couples white van in their own YouTube footage. While authorities havent confirmed the video led to the discovery, the vast open spaces of the American West can bedevil search parties for years and anything that narrows the search grid is welcome. Public pressure can also ensure authorities prioritize a case. The opportunity to create a well-curated social-media profile, though, isn't available to everyone, said Leah Salgado, deputy director of IllumiNative, a Native women-led social justice organization. So much of who we care about and what we care about is curated in ways that disadvantage people of color and Black and Indigenous people in particular," she said. The causes are layered, but implicit bias in favor of both whiteness and conventional beauty standards play in, along with a lack of newsroom diversity and police choices in which cases to pursue, said Carol Liebler, a communications professor at Syracuse University's Newhouse School. Whats communicated is that white lives matter more than people of color, she said. One sample of 247 missing teens in New York and California found 34% of white teens' cases were covered by the media, compared to only 7% of Black teens and 14% of Latino kids, she said. Friends of Jennifer Caridad, a 24-year-old day care worker of Mexican descent, have taken to social media to draw attention to her case out of Sunnyside, Washington, after it received little notice in August. Just as in Petitos case, Caridad was last believed to have been with her boyfriend. He was arrested on carjacking and attempted murder charges after shooting at police during a pursuit following her disappearance. So far, authorities have no answers for Caridads parents. Twice a week, Enrique Caridad heads to the police station for any updates on his daughter. They tell me they will not rest until she is found, he said. I tell them to please let me know her last whereabouts so I can also help find her. But they tell me not to get involved, not to hurt the case. Detectives took parental DNA samples and said there were blood stains in her SUV, but they have yet to say whether it was Caridads blood. At the beginning, her parents struggled to understand English-speaking detectives, but after the case was transferred to a smaller police department, they can speak Spanish to one of the investigators. Not knowing is what kills us not knowing if she is alive or if she was hurt by that man," Caridad said. David Robinson moved from South Carolina to Arizona temporarily to search for his son, Daniel, who disappeared in June. The 24-year-old Black geologist was last seen at a work site in Buckeye, outside Phoenix. A rancher found his car in a ravine a month later a few miles away. His keys, cellphone, wallet and clothes were also recovered. But no sign of him. The Petito saga unexpectedly elevated his sons case as people used the #findgabypetito hashtag on Twitter to draw more attention to cases of missing people of color. I was working hard previously trying to get it out nationally for three months straight, said Robinson, who's communicated with other families about the coverage disparity. This is bigger than I thought. ... It isnt just about my son Daniel. Its a national problem. Another family whose case was highlighted by that hashtag Lauren El Cho, a missing 30-year-old Korean American from California said in a Facebook statement they understand the frustrations but cautioned that differences between cases run deeper than what meets the public eye. Asians and Asian Americans definitely face the same issue of news visibility, said Kent Ono, a University of Utah communications professor. The model minority myth, that Asians are successful and dont get into trouble, also contributes to the problem. That then makes it very hard for readers and viewers to imagine that Asian and Asian American people have any problems at all, that they cant take care of by themselves, he said. Public attention is vital in all missing-persons cases, especially in the first day or two after a disappearance, said Natalie Wilson, who co-founded the Black and Missing Foundation to help bring more attention to underreported cases. Dispelling racism and stereotypes linking missing people with poverty or crime is key. Oftentimes, the families ... dont feel as though their lives are valued, she said. We need to change the narrative around our missing to show they are our sisters, brothers, grandparents. They are our neighbors. They are part of our community. __ Tang reported from Phoenix. Gomez Licon reported from Miami. Richard Miller was fresh into the workforce when he first crossed paths with Jim DeWese. They initially met when Miller started working as a probation officer. As Miller learned more about his colleague, he found himself reaching out for more and more advice beyond the workplace. He couldnt have known then what a close bond hed created with DeWese. He changed my life, said Miller, now pastor of Happy Union Baptist Church. He was a professional mentor for Miller but beyond that, there were few aspects of Millers life that DeWese didnt touch. The Alabama native moved to the Plainview area in around the mid-1980s for school. He met Jim DeWese and his wife, Velma, in 1987. Miller regarded the DeWese family as his own family away from home. And DeWese took him under his wing. He was proud when Miller became pastor. In fact, the last few years of his life were spent as part of Millers congregation. Miller held DeWese in high regard. DeWese was a World War II veteran, a counselor, a psychologist, a former Plainview High School teacher, a pastor and a prison minister. He wore various other hats throughout his life, which is all reflected in the book collection he left behind. DeWese was a knowledgeable man. Miller would seek his advice for everything. When Miller took over as a pastor of Happy Union Baptist Church, he sought out DeWeses knowledge and was granted near unlimited access to the resources within DeWeses personal library. If DeWese could help, he did. Thats the kind of man he was. After his death in 2014, DeWeses daughters reached out with the news that their fathers personal library was his if he wanted it. They asked to keep just a couple of titles and Miller took the rest. The books sat in storage for a few years, though Miller knew exactly what he wanted to do with them. The church plans to officially open and dedicate the library to DeWeses memory on Oct. 24. The library is relatively small with a roughly estimated 2,000 books many focused on subjects of faith. Its got reference books, childrens titles, self-help books, ministry books, fiction titles, non-fiction books, professional texts and much more. Its located on the churchs campus just inside its cafeteria/event venue. The library was set up by Lisa Peoples with special shelves created by Robert Zirpoli. A handful of other volunteers have contributed to it as well. The project has been a labor of love in all respects. Miller said hes utilized the available books countless times and hopes others find them just as useful. While the library is available on the churchs campus, Miller noted he wants everyone beyond the congregation to feel welcome to use it. It's no secret that central Texas is heavily influenced by German culture, with waves of immigrants settling the state's Hill Country and San Antonio area through the years. The harvest moon has come and gone, and now, the autumnal celebration from the Deutschland is fast approaching. Though festivities, which draw out more than 6 million attendees, in Munich have been canceled for a second year in a row, the stateside celebrations of all things bier kick off this week. You won't have to travel to Munich or even Fredericksburg to celebrate. Here are all the best places you can celebrate in San Antonio with a pint of German beer, a pretzel and if you're daring your favorite lederhosen. Beethoven Mannerchor Perhaps the most iconic Oktoberfest in town, the Southtown beer garden is sure to draw a crowd. Luckily for you, the festivities will span two weekends, and feature a variety of German beers on tap, authentic German live music and dancing, German food think sausage, goulash, and salty soft pretzels, and more. Other traditions will transpire, including a recitation of the German national anthem and the tapping of the Oktoberfest keg. Beethoven is family and outdoor friendly, and will include performances by the Beethoven Concert Band, the Beethoven Big Band and the Beethoven Dance Band. Revelers can stop by to enjoy the festivities Friday and Saturday, October 1-2 and Friday and Saturday October 8-9, from 5-11 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance or $10 at the entrance. Children under 12, active-duty military personnel, first responders, Fiesta San Antonio commission members and members of German-American organizations all receive free admittance. Beethoven Mannerchor is located at 422 Pereida Street. Chuck Blount /Staff Karbachtoberfest The River Walk's answer to Oktoberfest, Karbachtoberfest, will feature a variety of events and promotions from Friday, September 24 through Saturday, October 2. Sponsored by Karbach beer, the festival will include a pub crawl on Saturday, September 25, from 3-8 p.m. and a floating parade on Saturday October 2, from 3-5 p.m. Participating venues with beer specials include Mad Dogs, Little Rein and Bier Garten. While not mandatory, lederhosen and dirndls are encouraged. Bier Garten River Walk Bier Garten on the River Walk is the perfect place to try your hand at drinking a diverse selection of German beers while watching the city's Karbachtoberfest river parade float on by on Saturday, October 2, from 3-5 p.m. Oktoberfest is an evergreen concept at Bier Garten, serving sausage towers, 19 different types of German beer on tap and Bavarian pretzels year round. Starting this weekend through the rest of October, they're doubling down. On Thursday-Sunday September 23 through October 31, ceremonious keg taps will occur in which a guest keg tapper opens a 20 liter keg and dispenses free beer to guests. Bier Garten is located along the Riverwalk at 126 Losoya Street. Staff file photo Oktoberfest at Kunstler Brewing On Saturday October 9 and Sunday October 10, the German-style brewing company in Southtown, Kunstler Brewing, is throwing their own Oktoberfest celebration. Kunstler will release an Oktoberfest Bier on tap and offer a special 4-pack gift set of the release. They will also be serving a variety of other German-style beers, including Wolfie and the Vienna Lager. On both days, the kitchen will be cooking up Bavarian style roast chicken, Brats and Kraut, Curry Wurst, Caramelized Onion Brat, Pretzels, Schnitzel fingers. On Saturday, you'll be able to catch live music any time from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Commemorative salt glaze steins, imported from Germany, will be available to purchase while supplies last. On Sunday the 10th, they'll even serve a Bavarian-style brunch. Kunstler Brewing is located at 302 East LaChapelle. Oktoberfest at Alamo Beer Co. The local brewing company will celebrate the season from Thursday October 21 through Saturday October 24. Plan on enjoying German-inspired food, live music and beer and purchase your Official 2021 Alamo Beer Co. Oktoberfest Boot, $20 with beer. Below is a live music schedule for the end of month festivities: Thursday, October 21st: 5-5:30p Beethoven Mannerchor | 6-9p Tuba Meisters Friday, October 22nd: 1-3p Chris Rybak | 5-9p Der Klein Steins Saturday, October 23rd: 1-4p Der Klein Steins | 6-9p Colton's Kin Sunday, October 24th: 1-1:30p Beethoven Mannerchor | 4-7p Der Klein Steins Find Alamo Beer Co. at 202 Lamar Street. Krause's Biergarten Every Wednesday of October, Krause's Biergarten in New Braunfels will celebrate Oktoberfest with beer, pretzels and live music. Activities will abound, with keg tappings, Yodel contests, Bavarian hat dances, Lederhosen & Dirndl costume contests, Bratwurst eating contests, selfie scavenger hunts, Schuhplatter contests and more. Trek on over to 148 S Castell Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130. When I heard about the San Antonio group called Hikerbabes, I knew I should check it out because I'm a babe (duh!). Hikerbabes is an organization started by Monique Redmon to bring together like-minded female hikers. There are now several chapters across the country, including the Alamo City. On Sunday, September 19, I hitched a ride with one of the hosts for the local chapter, Connie Mosher, to hike a remote and shady trail at Guadalupe River State Park about 40 miles north of San Antonio. Mosher was kind enough to offer a few free passes to others, along with a carpool option if needed. Yes, I got into a stranger's car, but the stay-at-home mom seemed careful and kind as she asked me to wear a face mask while in the car. I did, of course. It also helped how I wasn't the only one in the vehicle. Sweta Mahapatra, who works in the oil and natural gas industry, was in the front seat when I met up with Mosher at a local Sam's store. Priscilla Aguirre, MySA.com The growth of San Antonio Hikerbabes About three years ago, Mosher, an avid hiker, joined the small chapter, hoping to meet new people after moving to Texas from Arizona. At first, she said it was her going on the hikes alone. The woman who started the San Antonio chapter lived in the Houston area and organized events many couldn't reach, Mosher explained. Over time, Mosher began hosting hikes that few showed up to, but all that changed once the coronavirus pandemic forced people to explore the outdoors. She said more and more women trickled in during 2020. "The group we have today is a good size," Mosher said about the group of six. "It was just me at first hiking all the trails, posting pictures to hopefully get more people out there. Now, it's about four to eight people, and it's been wonderful to see the growth." The ladies were friendly, ranging from ages 20 to late 40s. Three of them were neighbors and traveled together from San Antonio. Mosher is one of the now three hosts who organize several hikes during the week and weekend. Most of them are out of the San Antonio area, which I love. Through the group, Mosher said she's met amazing women and friends. After meeting one member on a hike who average the same hiking pace as her, Mosher said the two made plans to hike Big Bend National Park over a random weekend. Hikerbabes doesn't leave women behind. If they are heading to a challenging hike, Mosher said they let the women know ahead of time what kind of obstacles they will likely face. Mosher also works with members on what hikes they should begin with based on their skill level. "It's been really nice," she said. "And, I credit it all to the pandemic. I don't think most people were getting outdoors until they were stuck in the house." Priscilla Aguirre, MySA.com Heading to the Bauer Unit When you think about this 1,938-acre park, I'm sure visions of the popular and heavily trafficked trails along the green-colored river come to mind. However, the Hikerbabes embarked on the northside of the park, the Bauer Unit, an area carved out for a more primitive experience. Getting to the park is easy, but heading to the Bauer Unit area can be hard to follow as you can't access the trails from the main entrance of the state park. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department listed directions on its website, which Mosher followed. We didn't get lost when driving on the remote roads, but the entrance gate confused us a bit as you must let yourself inside. Once you wind up on the rocking roads, you'll find a parking lot. Leave your day-use parking pass on your car windshield as you can't check in with a state park ranger in this area. Also, go to the bathroom ahead of time because there are none at the site. If you aren't feeling like hitting the backcountry, you can hike some of the well-known trails, like the 0.3 mile River Overlook Trail, which leads you to a scenic view of the river. In the park, there are about 13 miles of trails to explore and bike. The longest trail is 2.86-mile Painted Bunting Trail. Or, you can skip all the trails and go to enjoy the four miles of river frontage the park offers. On the river, you can swim, fish, tube, and canoe. Texans have been traveling to the river since the park opened in 1983 after the state acquired the property from private owners in 1974. Most of the trails in the Bauer Unit are named after Philipp and Marie Bauer, who were German immigrants who settled in the Hill County in the 1850s. The Bauers farmed and raised livestock until their home was sold to the Hofheinz family in 1932. The final owner before Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was David Bamberger. Priscilla Aguirre, MySA.com The 4-mile trail After the other women showed up, we began hiking the Bamberger trail from the parking lot. The 1.7-mile journey is perfect for anyone who wants to escape the city and enjoy the Hill County forest filled with oak and juniper woodlands. The mild hike didn't have many inclines, which left room for great conversations with the group. Sometimes my hikes are so hard I don't talk at all because I'm out of breath. However, the rocky, dirt unpaved trail wasn't too bad for my average hiker self. We chatted about vegan food as two of the hikers were vegans, popular San Antonio trails like Eisenhower park, and traveling to Arizona because I'm hoping to visit in a few weeks. Mosher lived there for years, so she left me with plenty of tips and parks to visit. Most of the trail is shady, but you'll reach a small stretch with native prairie grasses where the sun will hit you hard. Once you get past this part, it's smooth sailing. Bamberger trail connects to the Curry Creek Overlook trail, which is about 1.2 miles long. None of us have hiked this area before, so we headed towards that way, hoping to see a nice overlook of a creek. While there is a creek, it's hidden by tall Bald Cypress trees that will remind you of the swamps in Lousiana. Take an allergy pill beforehand because cypress trees are wind-pollinated and produce pollen profusely for six to seven months of the year. The way back looped back perfectly to the parking lot, making about four miles of hiking. We saw two other people running alone along the trails, but, other than that, it was just us and the beautiful Hill Country park. I'd recommend hiking with Mosher and the Hikerbabes. They wait for others, take breaks, and aren't going at a fast pace. They pride themselves on helping others finish and reach their goals. I love how Mosher recommends what hikes to take before you embark on other serious journeys, like the one at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The peak is the highest in Texas with an elevation of 8,750 a goal I'll reach one day after some training. You can visit the group on Facebook to join, no fee is required. San Antonio officials issued another Ozone Action Day for Saturday, September 25. For the past two days, the city's been under an air advisory after the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality deemed the atmospheric conditions in the area are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone air pollution. The number of Air Quality Alert Days in 2021 is now nine for the San Antonio area, the city stated in a news release on Friday, September 24. In 2020, San Antonio had eight Ozone Action Days, according to the city. On Ozone Action Days, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities. If you have asthma or difficulty breathing, please stay indoors, the city stated in its release. To help keep the air healthy, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily practice certain pollution-reducing activities such as: Refueling cars and trucks after 6 p.m. Avoid using the drive-thru at restaurants, go inside instead. Turning your vehicle off instead of idling. Set thermostats 2 to 3 degrees higher from 2 to 7 p.m.; set programmable thermostats to higher temperatures when no one is home. The optimum energy-saving temperature is 78 degrees. Carpooling or using public transportation. Combining errands to reduce trips. For more detailed information about ground-level ozone, visit the city's website. Yves here. With so many other news stories on the boil, police shootings of people of color have taken a back seat. But that may also be due in part to Black Lives Matter protests having worked to a degree. One study, which due to the state of internet search I cannot quickly locate again, found that cities that had had Black Lives Matter protests saw a decline in police shootings. Nevertheless, advocates of police reform have been working to implement lasting reforms, with not much success. This article takes stock and suggests a way forward. By Thaddeus L. Johnson, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia State University and Natasha N. Johnson, Clinical Instructor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia State University. Originally published at The Conversation Bipartisan talks over police reform ended with no agreement on Sept. 22, 2021, with House Democrats and Republicans blaming each other for the lack of progress. It isnt the first time that reform at a federal level has been attempted nor the first time it has stalled. The sticking points this time appear to be centered around proposed changes to use-of-force procedures and plans to strip officers of qualified immunity, which shields them from being sued. As scholars of criminal justice one a former police officer of 10 years we were not surprised by the collapse of bipartisan talks. Policing in the U.S. is politicized, making it harder to reach consensus in an age of polarization, even though most Americans believe that major changes are needed. In determining the magnitude of this failure, it is important to keep in mind that policing in the U.S. is inherently local. The nearly 18,000 police departments in the country face a variety of different issues, ranging from problems recruiting enough officers and of a sufficient caliber to a breakdown of trust with the community. Even without legislation from Congress, there is a national blueprint for police reform. President Barack Obamas Task Force on 21st Century Policing set out six pillars to guide departments toward better practices. Those included strategies to build trust with the community, provide oversight, implement better training and procedures, and improve officer safety and well-being. The federal government can play a clear role in regard to financing reform and addressing nonpolicing issues that contribute to crime, such as underlying poverty and the lack of green spaces. In the years after the 9/11 attacks, the federal government made funding available for local departments to buy military-grade weapons and vehicles through the Defense Logistics Agencys 1033 Program and the Homeland Security Grant Program. The federal government might now be better placed playing a similar role as a funder for local law enforcement reforms. City by City While reform has stalled in Congress, there has been movementelsewhere. Steps toward reform are underway in many U.S. cities, including Philadelphia; Oakland, California; and Portland, Oregon. Many of these efforts are geared toward ending specific practices, including those that tripped up negotiations in Congress, such as the granting of qualified immunity and the use of no-knock warrants. Mayors and city councils nationwide have also pushed reforms emphasizing accountability and transparency, with many working to create independent oversight commissions. From Ferguson, Missouri, to Baltimore, Oakland and Chicago, numerous city police departments have undergone transformation efforts following controversial police killings. Not all of the reform movements have lived up to their promises. After the shooting death of unarmed teen Michael Brown in 2014, police in Ferguson agreed to a reform program that included anti-bias training and an agreement to end stop, search and arrest practices that discriminate on the basis of race. But five years into the process, a report by the nonprofit Forward Through Ferguson found the reforms had done little to change policing culture or practice. This was backed up by a Ferguson Civilian Review Board report in July 2020 that found the disparity in traffic stops between Black and white residents appears to be growing. Similarly, concerns over the quality of Baltimores police services persist despite federal oversight and reforms brought on after the death of Freddie Gray in police custody in 2015. Commentators have pointed to a resistance to change among officers and an inability to garner community buy-in as reasons for the slowdown in progress in Baltimore. Part of the problem, as seen with Baltimore, is that federal intervention does not appear to guarantee lasting change. Research shows that Department of Justice regulations aimed at reform only slightly reduce police misconduct. There is also no evidence that national efforts targeting the use of force alone mitigate police killings. Community-Led Reform One beacon of hope is the Cincinnati Police Department. Twenty years ago, residents in Cincinnati experienced events similar to what many cities have faced in more recent years. An unarmed Black man, Timothy Thomas, was shot dead by officers in 2001, sparking widespread unrest. It led Cincinnati to enter into a different model of reform: a collaborative agreement. Touted by former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch as a national model for community-led police reform, the collaborative agreement saw the police department, civic government, police unions and local civil rights groups act in partnership for a reform program backed by court supervision. The resulting changes to use-of-force policies, a focus on community-based solutions to crime and robust oversight brought about improved policing. A 2009 Rand evaluation of the collaborative agreement found that it resulted in a reduction in crime, positive changes in citizens attitudes toward police and fewer racially biased traffic stops. There were also fewer use-of-force incidents and officer and arrestee injuries. But it isnt perfect. Cincinnatis Black residents continue to be disproportionately arrested likely owing to the concentration of crime, service calls and police deployments in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Figures from 2018 show Black Cincinnati residents were roughly three times as likely to be arrested as their white counterparts. Cincinnatis collaborative agreement contained a number of elements that experts say are needed if police reforms are to be successful: strong leadership; flexible, goal-oriented approaches; effective oversight; and externally regulated transparency. Moreover, it depended on police officials ability to cultivate community investment and overcome resistance from police officers and police unions. Community confidence is critical to police reform and community safety. When citizens view police as legitimate and trustworthy, they are more likely to report crimes, cooperate during police investigations, comply with directives and work with police to find solutions to crime. Beyond Collaboration Efforts like those in Cincinnati that put community engagement at the heart of police reforms undoubtedly are strides in the right direction. But they can go only so far. A noticeable shortcoming in most police reform programs is a focus on what is the right thing to do during confrontations with the public, rather than on trying to avert those situations in the first place. Fatal police shootings often happen during police stops and arrests situations that carry increased risks of citizen resistance and violent police response. Scaling back low-level enforcement, such as arrests for vagrancy and loitering much of which has little public safety advantage and having police partner with civilian responders for mental health, homelessness and drug-related calls, could mean fewer opportunities for violent police encounters. Some departments have begun to change their enforcement policies along these lines. The Gwinnett County Police Department in Georgia, for example, stopped making arrests and issuing citations for misdemeanor marijuana possession. A 2018 study of traffic stops in Fayetteville, North Carolina, found that redirecting enforcement away from minor infractions such as broken taillights and expired tags and toward the more serious violations of speeding and running traffic lights resulted in reduced crime and a narrowed racial gap in stops and searches. Isolated successes suggest that a localized approach emphasizing community buy-in may be key to police reform. That is not to say that the federal government cant play a role just that it may be better off looking at ways to help facilitate change at a departmental or citywide level. Busy beaver believed to be behind brief blaze by Benson Lake OregonLive (Heresy101) Something Large Just Smashed Into Jupiter Science Alert (Chuck L) 747-sized asteroid skimmed by Earth, and scientists didnt see it coming Jerusalem Post. Chuck L: While on the subject of space rocks. Worlds Largest Carbon Capture Plant Opens in Iceland Smithsonian Magazine (furzy) You Think That Fresh Water Is Valuable On The Moon? Try The Earth! Forbes (David L) In the American Southwest, the Energy Problem Is Water IEEE Spectrum (Chuck L) #COVID-19 Major triaging has begun in Alberta hospitals, emergency doctor says Edmonton Journal (guurst) China? Old Blighty Boris Johnson is set to relax immigration rules for European lorry drivers as queues began to form at petrol stations following warnings of fuel rationing. https://t.co/DybgxTfu2l The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 25, 2021 Supply chain crisis: Tories poised to U-turn on foreign worker visas Guardian Dont Panic! The supply chain shortages story that has been in the media in one form or another solidly for the past 8 weeks now, and intermittently for most of the past 18 months is ramping up again heres a pleading for calm heads, collaboration, and a new strategy. 1/ Shane Brennan (@ColdChainShane) September 24, 2021 Hundreds of fishermen in Normandy, France, took to the streets and dumped fish at regional authorities' offices to protest offshore windfarm projects that they say would drive away their catch and shrink their fishing site pic.twitter.com/NZtD02ZviQ Reuters (@Reuters) September 25, 2021 11 years after EU and Creditors are still looting and destroying Greece Defend Democracy New Cold War Turkey will purchase new Russian missile defenses despite U.S. opposition, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said https://t.co/SvaEYE9kNL Bloomberg (@business) September 25, 2021 Syraqistan Imperial Collapse Watch Trump Biden Latin American Migration, Once Limited to a Few Countries, Turns Into a Mass Exodus Wall Street Journal. Resilc: Didnt Harris fix this two months ago before moving on to Asia? Officials: All migrants are gone from Texas border camp Politico The Civil WarEra Roots of the Debt Ceiling Crisis Washington Monthly McConnells 32 career votes to raise the debt limit increased it by $20.7 trillion CAP Action Republicans: Stop Funding an Unaccountable Military American Conservative (resilc) Dark-Money Group to Donors: Reconciliation Bill Can Still Be Killed Intercept What did Nancy Pelosi say to AOC right before AOC changed her vote from "Nay" to present? Serious question. Brutal Regime Apocalyptic Dreams (Aaron) (@brutal_regime) September 24, 2021 Woke Watch Bodies with vaginas?! Lancet slammed for erasing women after promoting latest issue with controversial quote RT (Kevin W). Um, I had a friend in Oz who had just gotten the chop, and from what she said, she was also stretching her tissues to simulate a vagina. So how would that fit in the Lancets paradigm? Women serving life sentences without parole surged over the past decade, report shows CNN Prince Andrew finally acknowledges sex assault lawsuit from Epstein accuser after forcing servers to jump through legal hoops RT. Kevin W: Its a bomb shell. The walls are closing. Flood Insurance Costs Are Set to Skyrocket for Some New York Times (resilc) Dara Khosrowshahi, the man reforming Uber Financial Times (David L). Kill me now. Wyoming natural gas flared for cryptocurrency mining exempt from taxation oilcity.news (Paul E) China PBOC Says Crypto-Related Transactions Illegal Bloomberg Why China Finally Decided to Ban Bitcoin Slate (Kevin W) No wonder Amazon is looking into crypto. Moar crime! CVS, Home Depot, Ulta and Target all have something in common. Theyre struggling to keep up with organized crime rings stealing from their stores in bulk and selling the goods online, often on Amazon. https://t.co/bZUWcbYswj The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) September 3, 2021 Guillotine Watch Class Warfare Antidote du jour. Karma fubar: My dog in my barn. Shot on my iPhone with no image alterations. And a bonus: See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Yves here. Forgive me if you were already well versed in how Danish workers brought McDonalds to heel, but I wasnt, and the account is instructive. It shows what solidarity looks like, an orientation that was never that strong in the US to begin with and has been weakened even further by attacks on labor rights and neliberalism fraying community ties. By Matt Bruenig, a lawyer, policy analyst, and founder of the Peoples Policy Project. Originally published at his website Every few months, a prominent person or publication points out that McDonalds workers in Denmark receive $22 per hour, 6 weeks of vacation, and sick pay. This compensation comes on top of the general slate of social benefits in Denmark, which includes child allowances, health care, child care, paid leave, retirement, and education through college, among other things. In these discussions, relatively little is said about how this all came to be. This is sad because its a good story and because the story provides a good window into why Nordic labor markets are the way they are. McDonalds opened its first store in Denmark in 1981. At that point, it was operating in over 20 countries and had successfully avoided unions in all but one, Sweden. When McDonalds arrived in Denmark, the labor market was governed by a set of sectoral labor agreements that established the wages and conditions for all the workers in a given sector. Under the prevailing norms, McDonalds should have adhered to the hotel and restaurant union agreement. But they didnt have to do so, legally speaking. The union agreement is not binding on sector employers in the same way that a contract is. You cant sue a company for ignoring it. It is strictly voluntary. McDonalds decided not to follow the union agreement and thus set up its own pay levels and work rules instead. This was a departure, not just from what Danish companies did, but even from what other similar foreign companies did. For example, Burger King, which is identical to McDonalds in all relevant respects, decided to follow the union agreement when it came to Denmark a few years earlier. Naturally, this decision from McDonalds drew the attention of the Danish labor movement. According to the press reports, the struggle to get McDonalds to follow the hotel and restaurant workers agreement began in 1982, but the efforts were very slow at first. McDonalds maintained that it had a principled position against unions and negotiations and press overtures were unable to move them off that position. In late 1988 and early 1989, the unions decided enough was enough and called sympathy strikes in adjacent industries in order to cripple McDonalds operations. Sixteen different sector unions participated in the sympathy strikes. Dockworkers refused to unload containers that had McDonalds equipment in them. Printers refused to supply printed materials to the stores, such as menus and cups. Construction workers refused to build McDonalds stores and even stopped construction on a store that was already in progress but not yet complete. The typographers union refused to place McDonalds advertisements in publications, which eliminated the companys print advertisement presence. Truckers refused to deliver food and beer to McDonalds. Food and beverage workers that worked at facilities that prepared food for the stores refused to work on McDonalds products. In addition to wreaking havoc on McDonalds supply chains, the unions engaged in picketing and leaflet campaigns in front of McDonalds locations, urging consumers to boycott the company. Once the sympathy strikes got going, McDonalds folded pretty quickly and decided to start following the hotel and restaurant agreement in 1989. This is why McDonalds workers in Denmark are paid $22 per hour. I bring this up because people say a lot of things about the economies of the Nordic countries and why they are so much more equal than ours. In this discussion, certainly the presence of unions and sector bargaining comes up, but rarely do you get a discussion of just how radically powerful and organized the Nordic unions are and have been. If you didnt know better, youd think the Nordic labor market is the way it is because all of the employers and workers came together and agreed that their system is better for everyone. And while its true of course that, on a day-to-day basis, labor relations in the countries are peaceful, lurking behind that peace is often a credible threat that the unions will crush an employer that steps out of line, not just by striking at one site or at one company, but by striking every single thing that the company touches. We saw this most recently in Finland in 2019 when the state-owned postal service decided to cut the pay of 700 package handlers by moving them to a different sector agreement than the one they were currently being paid under. The unions responded by striking airlines, ferries, buses, trains, and ports. In the aftermath of these strikes, the pay cuts were reversed and the prime minister of the country resigned. When I bring this up, people sometimes respond by saying that these kinds of strikes are illegal in the US. This is a true and worthwhile bit of information, but insofar as it is meant to imply that the different legal environment is what accounts for the labor radicalism, this obviously has things backwards. The laws arent driving the labor radicalism, but rather the labor radicalism is driving the laws. We can see this clearly in another recent example, this time from Finland in 2018. There, the conservative government was preparing to pass a law that would make it easier for employers with 20 or fewer employees to fire workers. The stated purpose of this was to stimulate hiring by making it easier to fire and thus less risky to hire the usual stuff. The Finnish labor movement did not like this idea and called a massive political strike that sidelined workers in a bunch of different sectors. In response to the strike wave, the government changedthe bill so it only applied to employers with 10 or fewer employees. The strikes continued and they changed the bill again, this time so it just stated generally that courts should consider an employers size when adjudicating wrongful dismissal cases. This was acceptable to the unions since, according to them at least, Finnish courts already do this and so the bill was basically moot. So they stopped striking. One can only imagine what would happen if the Finnish government tried to ban sympathy strikes in the same way the US government has here. If we are ever going to get to Nordic levels of equality, it is really hard to imagine doing it without building a similarly powerful labor movement. You can certainly get some of the way there, such as by copying certain welfare programs, but without the unions, youll always be missing a key piece. And while legal and policy reforms can help build the labor movement some, the power of organized labor is not ultimately rooted in the state, but rather in the ability to halt production and wreak havoc even when the state is aligned against it. McDonalds doesnt pay Danes high wages because of a statutory wage floor or even because the state stepped in to enforce a collective bargaining agreement. They pay high wages because back in the 1980s, Danish unions flipped a switch and turned the whole business off, and McDonalds doesnt want to find out whether they would do it again. This is where we need to get to. Confronting systemic anti-white discrimination (Natural News) (Article by John Mac Ghlionn republished from AmericanMind.org) India, a country whose history, language, religion, and culture are synonymous with its caste system,?divides its?1.4 billion people?into rigid hierarchical groups. The Indian caste system assigns everyone a rung on a socially-constructed ladder. Today, more than?200 million Indians?find themselves on the bottom rung. These people, the Dalits, cruelly referred to as the untouchables, are regularly denied access to basic necessities like education and healthcare. Furthermore, social mobility is all but impossible. For the untouchables, ridiculed and persecuted, life is a miserable existence. In the United States, a similar caste system has sprung up. Though it is only a few years rather than millennia old, the American caste system, like the Indian one, rewards some and demonizes others. The American caste system is the product of?intersectionality, a framework that uses race, class, and gender to classify individuals. At the bottom of this shaky ladder you will find whites. More specifically, white men. To be even more specific, cisgender white men. The demonization of white people is linked, paradoxically, to the notion of their inherent white privilege, a concept derived from theoretical suppositions sheltered assiduously from data. Across the United States, white people, all?200 million of them, have been reduced to a uniform blob. Progressives enjoy talking about lived experiences, but they ignore the?lived experiences?of white people. After all, the lived experiences of a white Wall Street executive are very different from those of a white farm laborer in Montana. It is true that the very top of the American economic elite is disproportionately white, yet it is just as true that farmers commit suicide at?three times the national rate, and ?95 percent of American farmers are white. Within our intersectional caste system, though, facts, no matter how stark they may be, cannot compete with fallacious, emotionally-charged narratives. According to the U.S. Census Bureau,?many minority groups earn considerably more than whites, from Pakistani Americans to Lebanese Americans, South African Americans to Sri Lankan Americans. Of all the ethnic groups, Indians are the highest earners. This should be celebrated: the United States, as promised, is a country where hardworking, diligent individuals, no matter their skin color or ethnicity, are rewarded for their efforts. So why do [we] continue to hear that America is shot through with white supremacism? Though Eric Weinsteins concept of the?gated institutional narrative?(GIN) wasnt necessarily designed to explain prejudice towards whites, its the perfect tool to explain this phenomenon. The GIN explains the ways in which heavily filtered information is presented to the public by the mainstream media and academics. The New York Times 1619 project, for example, which has been heavily criticized by respected historians, paints the United States as inherently racist. This narrative, either implicitly or explicitly, labels all whites oppressors, the beneficiaries of a despotic system, and is widely accepted across all elite sectors of society. The GIN is like an exclusive nightclub. Only the right kind of people can enter. Heterodox thinkers and heterodox ideas are frowned upon. A very specific dress code is required, and very specific narratives must be adhered to. An increasing number of universities also subscribe to the GIN. Take Yale University, for example, where a lecturer recently?shared her fantasies?about murdering white people with students. Sadly, this type of racism has worked its way into government legislation. As the?New York Post?reported in March,?President Bidens?American Rescue Plan Act?explicitly discriminated against whites. Black farmers were offered debt relief. White farmers, meanwhile, were not. Another provision, according to the Post, offered billions in aid to minority-owned and women-owned restaurants, but told struggling restaurant owners who happened to be white men that they had to go to the back of the line. The infrastructure bill currently before Congress is full of?anti-white racism. In a recent essay, Sacha Golad, a scholar at Kings College London,?described stupidity as?a lack of the necessary intellectual equipment. To defeat stupidity, according to the author, society requires not brute willpower but the construction of a new way of seeing our self and our world. Some might call stupidity a lack of knowledge. But thats not quite right. Stupidity is a lack of wisdom. After all, one can be in possession of good knowledge (Dublin is the capital of Ireland) or bad knowledge (all white people are privileged). Wisdom involves being able to separate good ideas from the bad. The caste system that now dominates American society is the product of ignorance, the very opposite of wisdom.?How can the American people defeat it? Brute force is not an option. You cannot kill an idea. The caste system, an amalgamation of bad ideas, can be fought with better people in positions of power; but in the end, it can only be defeated with better ideas. Read more at: AmericanMind.org and AntiWhite.news. (Natural News) A new proposal by the Biden administration aimed at curbing tax evasion is drawing strong opposition from the banking world. The proposal is part of the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package that is currently being considered by Congress and would require financial institutions such as banks to report any deposits and withdrawals that total more than $600 annually to and from every business and personal account to the Internal Revenue Service. More than 40 business and financial groups joined the American Bankers Association in sending a letter last week to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy objecting to the proposal. The letter said that the proposal does not really appear to be targeted at its stated purpose of uncovering tax dodging by wealthy Americans. They added: In addition to the significant privacy concerns, it would create tremendous liability for all affected parties by requiring the collection of financial information for nearly every American without proper explanation of how the IRS will store, protect, and use this enormous trove of personal financial information. The banks also pointed out that many people cite privacy concerns as one of the top reasons that they do not open financial accounts and take part in the countrys financial system, and this proposal would likely undermine their efforts to reach vulnerable populations and unbanked households. In a September 16 speech on the economy, President Biden claimed that the rule is not about raising taxes for the wealthy but is instead aimed at obligating super-wealthy Americans to pay what they owe. It aims to close the tax gap, which is the difference between the taxes that are owed to the U.S. government and what is actually paid. In a memo sent to congressional Democrats, the example was given of a taxpayer who has reported $10,000 in income but has a million dollars worth of flows into and out of their bank account; this type of summary information, they claim, could help to flag instances where high-income individuals are underreporting their income and, by extension, underpaying their taxes. According to a report that was released by the Treasury, the rule could raise $460 billion in the coming decade. However, it would represent a huge headache for banks, who would need to aggregate and report nearly every banking transaction that people make, including transactions between a persons own accounts. New proposal amounts to a dragnet The Vice President of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), Paul Merski, told the Epoch Times: Its a dragnet, its a collection of data on a scale that weve never seen before in the financial sector. The ICBA represents nearly 5,000 community banks in America and is one of many financial groups who believes that Bidens finance proposal is an overreach. As it stands, banks already report a significant amount of data to the Internal Revenue Service. A large percentage of the 3.5-billion-plus information returns that were received by the IRS pertaining to tax year 2018 came from banks, including reports of interest paid on bank accounts, brokerage transactions, dividend income, mortgage interest and other types of reports. Banks are already required to report all wire transfers that exceed $10,000 and any suspicious cash transactions to the government as part of the Bank Secrecy Act aimed at preventing criminal activities like money laundering. Merski said that it is reaching a point where banks are serving as police for the IRS. Competitive Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow John Berlau told the Epoch Times: The provision is a violation of Americans privacy rights and would be a crushing burden on community banks and credit unions struggling in the midst of the pandemic. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com FoxBusiness.com (Natural News) Investigative journalist Ann Vandersteel considers all those Big Tech censorships that she has experienced to be a blessing in disguise. Necessity is the mother of invention, Vandersteel tells host Tom Renz during the Lawfare with Tom Renz program on Brighteon.TV. She relates that her videos were always taken down by Big Tech, particularly YouTube. For a while they thought theyre doing us a disservice Jack Dorsey, [Mark] Zuckerberg and those buffoons over in the Silicon Valley speech cartel, says Vandersteel. When they pushed us out of their platforms, we were forced to stop relying on the echo chamber that they put us in on. (Related: Amazon takes censorship to whole new level with ban on Killing Free Speech documentary about censorship.) Vandersteel and her fellow truth tellers have been forced to go and find other ways to reach out to each other. So we start to really search for one another, look for the truth tellers. And I have found out since Ive been kicked out of these platforms that I have a much better reach, a much better connection with truth tellers out there, who are doing their own work and research to actually get the truth out, she says. But Vandersteel knows the work is far from done. We have to do more. We have to work together, pull our resources, reinvest to our business to increase the quality of the product, the frequency and the reach, she says. Im doing this for about six years now, and Im really excited to see the amount of people that Im surrounding myself. We touch a new demographic, and thats the key to getting that wide reach that we need right now. The reach is what propels us into the depth. Truth tellers reach is getting bigger and wider with rise of new platforms That reach is definitely getting bigger and wider with the advent of more platforms designed to give truth tellers like Vandersteel their own stage. In May, the social media platform frankspeech.com was launched at Mitchells Corn Palace with nearly 1,700 people in attendance. Frankspeech.com battles cancel culture My Pillow CEO and Minnesota native Mike Lindell has led the launching and presentation of the platform. Lindell says his new social media platform is needed because of the suppression of the truth by the media and the cancel culture. Radio talk show hosts Joe Piscopo, Eric Metaxas and Brannon Howse have joined Lindell at the platforms launch. GETTR an alternative to Big Tech sites In July, former President Donald Trumps top aide Jason Miller launched a new social media platform, billing it as an alternative to Big Tech sites. Called GETTR, the platform has advertised its mission statement as fighting cancel culture, promoting common sense, defending free speech, challenging social media monopolies and creating a true marketplace of ideas. The app was officially launched on July 4, coinciding with the countrys Independence Day celebration. Former Trump campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh is involved as a consultant on the app. GETTR is one of the highest-profile projects in a larger ecosystem of pro-MAGA tech and social media platforms that have blossomed on the right. The app first went live on the Google and Apple app stores in mid-June. A description for GETTR on the app stores calls it a non-bias social network for people all over the world. The app is rated M for mature, meaning it is recommended for users 17 and older. The name GETTR has been inspired by the words Getting Together. Posts are 777 characters long; the app hosts videos up to three minutes in length; and it is capable of hosting live streams. Brigteon.TV out to destroy lies of mainstream media Brighteon.com, of course, has expanded and now includes regular programs from morning until night on Brighteon.TV. A brainchild of Brighteon.com founder Mike Adams, Brighteon.TV features a full menu of likeminded individuals who do their research and are not afraid to tell what they have found. Brighteon.TV is described as a truly Patriotic and Christian platform that will destroy the lies of the mainstream media. Mainstream media corrupted by bigger players who want to destroy America That is perfectly in line with how Renz sees things. The mainstream media just wouldnt report anything. They didnt care. And if they did report anything, its probably a lie, he says. It turns out, theres a huge network of individuals who are completely decentralized, who do their homework and then put out what they find. Renz cites situations where members of the mainstream media dont report things that they can easily find, such as the initial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on COVID death counting in which the agency says all deaths will be counted as COVID deaths. It sounds ridiculous, but weve got the paper [to prove it], Renz says. Apparently, mainstream media journalists are not equipped to do some simple research. Our mainstream journalists have become so corrupt. Id like to say lazy, but I cant give them the benefit of that doubt, says Renz. I dont think that its laziness. Its absolutely corruption corruption is much more realistic. (Related: Durham indictment of lawyer who worked for Clinton-friendly firm proves again how corrupt mainstream media really is.) Vandersteel reminds Renz that they are also up against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which is determined to take down the U.S. They are funding a lot of this, working as a provocateur for the Big Cabal out there, says Vandersteel. They are part of this scheme to destroy our economy and to basically depopulate this country and allow it to be taken over by people who have no business being here because they have no interest to see this country thrive as a republic that it is founded. Watch the Sept. 21 episode of Lawfare with Tom Renz here: You can catch new episodes of Lawfare with Tom Renz every Tuesday at 11:30-12 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. Follow TechGiants.news for more news and information related to censorships and Big Tech companies. Sources include: Brighteon.com KELO.com Politico.com (Natural News) The price of bitcoin has fallen following the fiasco involving property developer Evergrande Group. According to CoinDesk, bitcoins price has fallen to $43,489 as of Sept. 20. The drop reflects an 8.6 percent fall from its Sept. 17 price. Other digital currencies have also seen price drops with Ether experiencing a 10 percent fall and Dogecoin experiencing an 11 percent slide. Investors selling off risky assets for more stable ones drive the price drops, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports. Crypto-linked stocks have also suffered from the instability surrounding Evergrande. These include Coinbase Global, Inc., a crypto exchange platform that saw its shares fall 3.5 percent on Sept. 20. Even traditional markets such as the S&P 500 are not exempt, with the index dropping 1.7 percent. The Shenzhen-based Evergrandes debt burden amounting to $305 billion is the largest for any publicly-traded real estate firm in the world. Some investors fear that the firms failure could send ripples throughout Chinas economy the worlds second largest. Meanwhile, investors who are closely watching the Evergrande situation are waiting to see whether Beijing will allow the company to default. Evergrandes collapse would be the biggest test that Chinas financial system has faced in years, says Capital Economics Chief Asia Economist Mark Williams. He adds that while markets dont seem concerned about the potential for financial contagion at the moment, that would change in the event of a large-scale default. Analysts at the political risk consultancy firm SinoInsider think otherwise. They say Beijing will not let Evergrande go bankrupt because doing so would undermine Chinas stability. Real estate is one of the major contributors to Chinas growth, comprising 29 percent of its economic output. The SinoInsider analysts add that a major Chinese company going bankrupt would have huge repercussions. Crypto and the recent happenings in China The WSJ cites some analysts claiming that Evergrande defaulting on its debt could impact the tether cryptocurrency. Tether plays a key role in the digital currency ecosystem because it is a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar. Traders frequently use tether to store value or shift assets between exchanges due to its stability. According to the Block, a crypto news and research website, around $71 billion of tether coins are currently in circulation. Tether Holdings Ltd., the firm behind the digital coin, has disclosed that about half of its assets are held in commercial paper or certificates of deposit. However, many observers doubt this claim with some suspecting tethers heavy exposure to Chinese commercial paper. A later statement by the company clarifies that it has no debt or securities linked to Evergrande. Tether has kept its $1 value despite the selloff in other tokens, a clear sign that the markets still trust it. Noelle Achison, head of market insights at Genesis Trading, warns that Tether is still susceptible if the Evergrande situation worsens. If Evergrande collapses, it is very likely to trigger further collapses which could impact some of the commercial paper that Tether holds. That would be bad news not just for market stability, but for confidence, she says. The Evergrande fiasco is just one of many happenings in China that could have a significant effect on digital token prices. A crackdown by the Chinese central bank has also contributed to the plunge in bitcoin prices. (Related: Bitcoins 50 percent drop in value hits crypto loans and derivatives.) The Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) has ordered the countrys largest banks and payment platforms to intensify moves against cryptocurrency trading. Multiple firms have been told to strictly implement guidelines and notices from Chinese authorities that aim to curb risks related to cryptocurrency. The price of bitcoin has fallen by 9 percent as a result of this regulatory action. The central bank has instructed firms to identify customers in their records who have accounts at digital currency exchanges or trade cryptocurrencies over the counter. The companies are then mandated to cut off those accounts ability to send or receive money. According to the PBOC, virtual currencies threaten economic and financial stability. It adds that cryptocurrencies could also be used for illicit activities. (Related: Chinas crypto ban forces Bitcoin miners to sell out or flee overseas.) Risk.news has more articles about how the Evergrande issue is affecting cryptocurrencies. Sources include: WSJ.com 1 DW.com WSJ.com 2 (Natural News) The COVID-19 pandemic has changed worship in America sparking a debate over the importance of religious freedom. This is the topic being discussed by Dr. Steve Hotze and his guest, writer Doug Giles, in the latest episode of The Dr. Hotze Report on Brighteon.TV. Early on in the pandemic, it was suggested thousands of times that social distancing measures and temporary business closures in response to the coronavirus were unconstitutional. For many, like Dr. Hotze and Giles, these were an attack on the church and religious freedom something protected by the Constitution. However, it looks like the courts have established that there are limits to these rights. The First Amendment to the Constitution explicitly say that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thereby protecting the rights of individuals to freely adhere to and worship in whatever faith they choose. The First Amendment also guarantees the right of the people to peaceably assemble, as long as there is no present danger of riot, disorder, interference with traffic on public streets or other immediate threats to public safety. However, the pandemic has made it clear that some of those in government dont think these protections are absolute. Around the country, public gatherings, including religious services, have been halted to follow social distancing guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). State restrictions on mass gatherings have propelled churches to find alternative ways to worship safely and celebrate the holy days. (Related: Biden pledges to gut religious freedom protections, saying they give hate a safe harbor.) Clash between religious freedom and pandemic safety Earlier this year, in one instance of a clash between the First Amendment protections for religion and pandemic safety, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with religious freedom. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Agudath Israel of America sued New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Their suit challenged the constitutionality of a state order that limited attendance at religious services. The case set precedence over the unconstitutional discrimination against religious worship. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court found that the governors order was not impartial toward religious groups, treating houses of worship differently than secular businesses. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott always cast himself as a defender of religious liberty. However, it seems that he is the one violating the free exercise rights of religious groups. Abbott previously served as the Texas attorney general who championed religious liberty. He previously deemed houses of worship as essential services in Texas, enabling them to sidestep stay-at-home orders. He also exempted religious gatherings from the statewide mask mandates. However, with the delta variant wreaking havoc on the state, Abbott has seemingly made an about face. Catholic charities along the U.S.-Mexico border, for instance, claim that the governors executive order in July interfered with their ability to live out their faith. We want to stop the spread of COVID-19 as much as the state does, but for that to happen, we need the government to let us do what Christ called us to do: minister to the strangers among us in their time of distress, said Bishop Daniel E. Flores, who leads the diocese of Brownsville, Texas. These are the same sentiments that Dr. Hotze and Doug Giles discussed during their formers show when is the word of politicians more important than the ability of the population to live out their faith? The mandates have severe negative effects on the ability of the church to carry out its religious missions. Listen more to what Dr. Hotze and his guests have to say about current events and the Christian faith in The Dr. Hotze Report, Mondays at 5 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. Get more updates about COVID-19 at Pandemic.news Sources include: Reuters.com TheRegReview.org Deseret.com (Natural News) Employees file suit against United Airlines over dracionian COVID-19 vaccine mandate A group of United Airlines employees have filed a lawsuit against the company over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, specifically when it comes to the way they have been handling religious and medical exemptions. In August, United Airlines announced that any employees who were not vaccinated would be required to get the jab by September 27. They did, however, make an exception for people with religious and medical reasons at least in theory. Now, a group employee plaintiffs say that the exemptions are not being honored and that the airline has not approved accommodation requests related to the vaccine, instead offering them six years of unpaid leave. They allege the company has been discriminating against these employees and essentially forcing them to get the vaccine to keep their job. According to the airline, those workers who are regularly in contact with passengers such as gate agents, pilots and flight attendants whose exemptions are granted approval will be facing indefinite unpaid leave beginning on October 2. According to a memo released by the company, these workers will not be allowed to return to their job until the pandemic meaningfully resides. Meanwhile, those employees who do not deal with passengers often, such as mechanics and baggage handlers, whose exemptions are approved are going to be put on leave only until the airline institutes a plan for mandatory mask wearing and weekly testing. Those employees who work at the airlines headquarters who are granted exemptions will be placed on leave until safety measures are decided, including whether or not the individual needs to come into the office to perform their role. A United spokesperson told Fox Business that they believe the complaint is without merit, stating: The most effective thing we can do as an airline to protect the health and safety of all our employees is to require the vaccine excluding the small number of people who have sought an exemption, more than 97% of our U.S. employees are vaccinated. Employees are feeling forced to get vaccinated despite exemptions However, a lawyer who is representing the plaintiffs, Mark Paoletta, pointed out that Uniteds actions are essentially forcing people who want to keep their job to get the vaccine. He said: We filed this lawsuit to protect the rights of honest, hardworking United Airlines employees who have religious or medical reasons not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. United has refused to grant any accommodations and these employees are scared by Uniteds draconian mandate that forces them to either get the vaccine or lose their job. Thats unacceptable in America. Attorneys are arguing that the Civil Rights Act stipulates that United has to make reasonable accommodations for its employees, which may include requiring unvaccinated employees to undergo testing and wear masks. They point out that even the recent vaccine mandate issued by the Biden administration accepts testing as an alternative to getting the jab. In addition to some people having sincere or religious objections to the shot that are protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, some individuals with special medical conditions have notes from their doctors declaring that they should not get vaccinated. The attorneys believe that the class action suit will ultimately involve around 2,000 employees, and it is seeking a temporary restraining order against the airlines plan to place unvaccinated workers on six years of unpaid leave. The airline has 67,000 U.S.-based employees, and they announced last month that 90 percent of their pilots and nearly 80 percent of their flight attendants had already received the vaccine. They said they plan to start termination proceedings soon against those employees who have not gotten the vaccine and have not been granted an exemption. Sources for this article include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org FoxBusiness.com (Natural News) Despite Anthony Faucis attempts to distance his agency from EcoHealth Alliance, the Peter Daszak-led group collaborating on coronavirus research with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, The National Pulse can reveal that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director has been published in the controversial organizations scientific journal. (Article by Natalie Winters republished from TheNationalPulse.com) Fauci authored an article for Volume 10 of the EcoHealth Journal, whose Editor-in-Chief is Daszak, in March 2013. Of the 18 stories included in the issue, Faucis article was selected as the cover story, as the pieces accompanying artwork was featured on the front page of the magazine. The article Dengue: The Continual Re-Emergence of a Centuries-Old Disease counts two additional National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) officials as authors: Senior Scientific Advisor David Morens and Chief of Staff Greg Folkers. The article was published roughly one year before Faucis NIAID inaugurated the controversial Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence grant, which ultimately led to U.S. taxpayer dollars funding collaborative research with the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The two-century-old American emergence of dengue is an interesting starting point for considering determinants of emerging infectious diseases that occur today, the article begins its overview of the viral disease. The article stresses that the virus entered and spread throughout America via travelers from the Caribbean islands: As early as the eighteenth century, dengue was being spread by human travel and was being introduced into new locales such as Philadelphia by the importation of both mosquitoes and infected crews and passengers arriving from Caribbean islands. The piece reiterates that American epidemics can often trace their roots to other countries: Dengue and yellow fever usually began in residential areas close to the docks, only occurred in the summer months, were repeatedly associated with concomitant Caribbean island epidemics, and such epidemics seem to have been most pronounced in places, like Philadelphia, where fresh water was scarce and expensive, leading to on premise storage of potable water, an ideal environment for Aedes oviposition (egg-depositing). Faucis featured publication in the EcoHealth journal undercuts his repeated claims that the NIAID didnt support the groups research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. In addition to top Wuhan lab personnel describing Daszak as a longtime collaborator, The National Pulse has also uncovered Faucis repeated attendance at events hosted by EcoHealth such as Zika virus: A Pandemic in Progress. Fauci and Daszak were also co-panelists at a 2017 Consortium of Universities for Global Health conference where Daszak admitted that NIAID funded his work on coronaviruses in China. Read: Read more at: TheNationalPulse.com and Truth.news. (Natural News) An FDA official has been caught on camera advocating for creating a Nazi Germany-style registry listing the details of all unvaccinated Americans and forcing the vaccines on black people by shooting a blow dart at them. (Article by Sean Adl-Tabatabai republished from NewsPunch.com) Yes, really. Project Veritas released the second video of its COVID vaccine investigative series on Wednesday exposing U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA] economist, Taylor Lee, who was caught on camera calling for forced COVID vaccinations and a registry for all unvaccinated Americans. Taylor Lee, FDA Economist: Go to the unvaccinated and blow it [COVID vaccine] into them. Blow dart it into them. Lee: Census goes door-to-door if you dont respond. So, we have the infrastructure to do it [forced COVID vaccinations]. I mean, itll cost a ton of money. But I think, at that point, I think there needs to be a registry of people who arent vaccinated. Although thats sounding very [much like Nazi] Germany. Lee: Nazi GermanyI mean, think about it like the Jewish Star [for unvaccinated Americans]. Lee: Im gonna go door-to-door and stab everyone [with the COVID vaccine], Oh, its just your booster shot! There you go! Lee: So, if you put every anti-vaxxer, like sheep, into like Texas and you closed off Texas from the rest of the world, and you go, Okay, you be you in Texas until we deal with this [pandemic]. Lee: All of the wealthy white people are getting vaccinated because theyre educated. Lee: There are political appointees [at the FDA] that are generally scientific advisors or are appointed by the president or the commissionTheyre being paid based on if the other people are staying in power. Lee: Unfortunately, everyone ends up playing politics, but I dont think that the career scientists are I think that its the people that theyre unfortunately having to report to because these political appointees are being put in place and thats part of like the Senate confirms the people to then just pick their people. Thedcpatriot.com reports: Lee said that U.S. Government policy could emulate Nazi Germany when it comes to the COVID vaccine. Census goes door-to-door if you dont respond. So, we have the infrastructure to do it [forced COVID vaccinations]. I mean, itll cost a ton of money. But I think, at that point, I think there needs to be a registry of people who arent vaccinated. Although thats sounding very [much like Nazi] Germany, Lee said. Nazi GermanyI mean, think about it like the Jewish Star [for unvaccinated Americans], he said. So, if you put every anti-vaxxer, like sheep, into like Texas and you closed off Texas from the rest of the world, and you go, Okay, you be you in Texas until we deal with this [pandemic]. Lee said that due to a large portion of the African American community being hesitant to take the COVID vaccine, the solution would be to blow dart on them: Taylor Lee, FDA Economist: I think that a lot of the time so theres also this issue of I remember reading about how with COVID [vaccine] trials, they were having an issue recruiting African American people. It was because of a different medication the government tried to do that was specifically designed to kill African Americans. Veritas Journalist: Oh, so like a mistrust thing. Lee: Yeah. Veritas Journalist: But this thing [COVID vaccine] is safe, though. Lee: We know that now, but like again, I think there is still this big mistrust and like its deep-rooted. Veritas Journalist: Yeah. Cant blame them [African Americans]. Lee: I cant. But at the same time, like, blow dart. Thats where were going. Lee affirmed that wealthy white people are more likely to get the COVID vaccine because they are educated, and added that he would be willing to force COVID vaccines upon Americans himself if needed. Im gonna go door-to-door and stab everyone [with the COVID vaccine], Oh, its just your booster shot! There you go! Lee also said that FDA officials can often be political appointees rather than actual scientific experts. There are political appointees [at the FDA] that are generally scientific advisors or are appointed by the president or the commissionTheyre being paid based on if the other people are staying in power, he said. Unfortunately, everyone ends up playing politics, but I dont think that the career scientists are I think that its the people that theyre unfortunately having to report to because these political appointees are being put in place and thats part of like the Senate confirms the people to then just pick their people. Read more at: NewsPunch.com and FDA.news. (Natural News) Health Ranger Mike Adams believes the workers who say no to the experimental Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are going to be vindicated and also reinstated. On the Robert Scott Bell Show on Brighteon.TV, Adams tells host Robert Scott Bell that Big Pharma companies know theyre going to lose all of these, but theyre trying to mass inject as many people as possible until that day comes. Theyre even sacrificing their long-term credibility, because when the real deaths accelerate, whos going to trust anything coming out of Pharma? Theyre destroying their future, but they dont care, Adams says. When talking about President Joe Bidens vaccine mandate on federal workers, Adams points out that the Food Drug Administration (FDA) did not approve a vaccine that is available. (Related: Bidens federal vaccine mandate doesnt really apply to everyone: Members of Congress, staff, postal workers are EXEMPT.) They only approved Comirnaty which nobody can get, says Adams, referring to the brand name of the Pfizer vaccine granted full approval by the federal agency. What the government is actually doing with vaccine mandates of government workers is they are effectively shrinking the size of the government as the antibody-dependent enhancement kicks in. Spike protein alone can cause vascular damage Adams cites a study by Salk Institute for Biological Studies that says the spike protein causes vascular damage. That same spike protein is what mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna are telling our cells to manufacture. Salk researchers and collaborators show how the protein damages cells, confirming COVID-19 as primarily a vascular disease. Scientists have long known that SARS-CoV-2s distinctive spike proteins help the virus infect its host by latching on to healthy cells. The study shows that the spike proteins also play a key role in the disease itself. The paper, published on April 30 in Circulation Research, also shows conclusively that COVID-19 is a vascular disease, demonstrating exactly how the virus damages and attacks the vascular system on a cellular level. A lot of people think of it as a respiratory disease, but its really a vascular disease, says Uri Manor, co-senior author of the study. That could explain why some people have strokes, and why some people have issues in other parts of the body. The commonality between them is that they all have vascular underpinnings. In the study, the researchers created a pseudovirus surrounded by SARS-CoV-2s spike proteins but did not contain any actual virus. Exposure to this pseudovirus resulted in damage to the lungs and arteries of an animal model proving that the spike protein alone is enough to cause disease. Tissue samples show inflammation in endothelial cells lining the pulmonary artery walls. The researchers have replicated this process in the lab, exposing healthy endothelial cells to the spike protein. The spike protein has damaged the cells by binding ACE2. This binding disrupted ACE2s molecular signaling to mitochondria (organelles that generate energy for cells), causing the mitochondria to become damaged and fragmented. Previous studies have shown a similar effect when cells were exposed to SARS-CoV-2, but this is the first study to show that the damage occurs when cells are exposed to the spike protein on their own. If you remove the replicating capabilities of the virus, it still has a major damaging effect on the vascular cells, simply by virtue of its ability to bind to this ACE2 receptor, the S protein receptor, now famous thanks to COVID, says Manor. Further studies with mutant spike proteins will also provide new insight towards the infectivity and severity of mutant SARS CoV-2 viruses. These findings help explain why a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that 397 children between the ages of 12 and 17 suffered from myocarditis, a form of heart inflammation, after receiving Pfizers mRNA vaccine. Myocarditis reduces your hearts ability to pump and can cause rapid or abnormal heartbeats. Severe cases of myocarditis can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest. Signs of myocarditis in children include chest pain, breathing problems, abnormal heartbeats, rapid breathing, fever and fainting. Bidens vaccine mandate is a virtual death sentence Bidens vaccine mandate is essentially a death sentence to those who are willing to comply. People need to understand that most if not all of the COVID-19 vaccines available are approved under emergency use authorization (EUA) only. Dr. David Martin has warned the public that the FDA has approved a COVID-19 vaccine that does not exist. When members of the mainstream media suggest that this approval has suddenly put what is sitting in freezers around the world into an approved status, thats actually not true, says Martin. Comirnaty does not exist. The approval is for future production of COVID-19 vaccine. Martin relates that some vital information had been redacted in the approval letter that Pfizer had, as well as in its official publication from the FDA. The section of where it can be manufactured and when it can be manufactured is redacted, which is unusual given the fact that an approval letter is supposed to be a public announcement that makes these things visible, Martin says. Products approved under EUA are experimental under U.S. laws There is a big difference between products approved under EUA compared with those fully approved by the FDA. EUA products are experimental under U.S. laws. Both the Nuremberg Code and federal regulations state that no one can force a human being to participate in the experiment. (Related: Nuremberg Trials: Big Pharmas Crimes Against Humanity.) Under U.S. laws, it is unlawful to deny someone a job or an education because they refuse to be an experimental subject. Potential recipients have an absolute right to refuse experimental vaccines. On the other hand, U.S. laws permit employers and schools to require students and workers to take licensed vaccines. EUA-approved vaccines have an extraordinary liability shield under the 2005 Public Readiness and Preparedness Act. Vaccine manufacturers, distributors, providers and government planners are immune from liability. The only way an injured party can sue is if he or she can prove willful misconduct and if the U.S. government has also brought an enforcement action against the party for willful misconduct. No such lawsuit has ever succeeded. The Comirnaty vaccine is subject to the same product liability laws as other U.S. products. Licensed adult vaccines, including Comirnaty, do not enjoy any liability shield. People injured by the Comirnaty vaccine could potentially sue for damages. Jury awards could be astronomical, so Pfizer is unlikely to allow any American to take a Comirnaty vaccine until it can somehow arrange immunity for the product. Watch the Sept. 20 episode of the Robert Scott Bell Show: You can catch the Robert Scott Bell Show live, every Monday from 4-5 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. Follow Immunization.news for more news and information related to coronavirus vaccines and vaccine mandates. Sources include: Brighteon.com 1 Salk.edu TheEpochTimes.com NaturalHealth365.com Brighteon.com 2 ChildrensHealthDefense.org (Natural News) ORLANDO, FLORIDA A 67-year-old former Notre Dame professor is dead, in what is fast-becoming a pattern of quick deaths after booster shots. (Article republished from TheCOVIDBlog.com) Mrs. Karen Croake Heisler received her first dose of Pfizer experimental mRNA on January 13, according to her Twitter account. Her age allowed her to be one of the first to receive the injections in December and January. Its unclear when she received the second injection. But Mrs. Heisler declared on April 9 that she and her husband suffered only sore arms after their second injections. Mrs. Heisler was a passionate, hardcore supporter of anything related to masks and COVID-19 mandates. She also displayed consistent animosity towards those who refuse to receive mRNA and viral vector DNA injections. She called non-vaxxed people selfish and ordered them to stay home until you come to your senses. Ms. Heisler loved masks so much that she even made her dog wear them. For reasons unknown, Mrs. Heisler received a third Pfizer mRNA injection on September 7. Her health apparently deteriorated very quickly thereafter. Mrs. Heisler tweeted from Orlando Regional Medical Center on September 14. She was there to see a cardiologist. Mrs. Heisler tweeted three times that day, with all of them blaming the unvaccinated for her deteriorating health. She went out swinging, telling everyone to get the damn vaccine and damn the unvaccinated. Mrs. Heisler died from cancer-related complications on September 19. Mrs. Heisler was well-respected by the Notre Dame community. She worked in the universitys Film, Television and Theater (FTT) department from 1993 until she retired in 2018. Mrs. Heisler authored the book Fighting Irish: Legends, Lists and Lore in 2006. The FTT Television Studies Award is named after Mrs. Heisler and given to one graduating FTT student annually for outstanding academic performance. Mrs. Heisler is survived by her husband and two sons. Read more at: TheCOVIDBlog.com and VaccineDeaths.com. (Natural News) Hospitals have taken advantage of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to exercise arbitrary discrimination over Americans. Stew Peters denounced this medical violence Monday, Sept. 20, during The Stew Peters Show on Brighteon.TV. Peters criticized doctors who see the pandemic as an opportunity to feel superior. Among those doctors is Mayo Clinic cardiologist, Dr. Courtney Bennett, who advises unvaccinated people who fall sick to go die. According to the National File, a Facebook post by Bennett says: [We] live in a society of self-centered people who get their medical advice from sources like YouTube or [One America News] yet beg us to help them [breathe] using technology developed by actual science when theyre blue and gasping for air. Bennetts colleague, Dr. Mark Sawyer, expresses similar sentiments against unvaccinated Americans. Peters talks about how the Mayo Clinic general surgeon fantasizes rhythmically kicking unvaccinated people in the genitalia, based on the latters Facebook posts. Sawyer also says that unvaccinated persons will have to be left to die for the greater good, a separate National File article reported. Peters has interviewed several guests with first-hand accounts of medical violence in the hospital system during the pandemic. Stacey Lee, a security guard at a Catholic charity hospital, contacted Peters to reveal how patients are denied proper treatments in medical facilities. According to Lee, people with COVID-19 symptoms who show a positive test result are sent back home because they are not sick enough. The security guard adds that the high utilization numbers in hospitals being reported in mainstream media are a farce. Lee says: Theyve shut down a lot of hospital wings and they are short-staffed already. (Related: Hospital administrators CAUGHT ON CAMERA scheming to fabricate covid numbers and SCARE the public.) Lee relates that the COVID-19 patients going in and out of her workplace are not receiving hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) or ivermectin (IVM). Let me say this very clearly. No one is getting HCQ and IVM. They are told that the doctors can only follow the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] protocol and cannot deviate from that, she tells Peters. Peters says the public health agencys official protocol for COVID-19 treatment is to jam [patients] full of remdesivir, throw [them] on a ventilator and then they die. He continues: Its a complete travesty, whats happening in these hospitals. And shame on these doctors for doing this. Medical violence also causes the loss of a health workers extremities Peters also interviewed Minnesota health worker Jummai Nache, whose legs were amputated due to a serious reaction caused by the vaccine. A report by the Gateway Pundit says Nache received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and had a bad reaction, resulting the removal of her lower extremities. Like millions of other health care professionals, she was ordered to get a COVID-19 vaccination [at the cost of losing] her job, Peters says. The CDC and FDA [Food and Drug Administration] are not too interested in exploring the possibility that these vaccines could be harmful for huge numbers of people. Better just keep mandating the vaccine for everybody, Peters says. Peters lets Nache and her husband Philip recount the events leading up to the amputation of her legs. Jummai Nache received her first dose on Jan. 13, and Philip immediately noticed that the veins in her legs were coming out. She got the second dose on Feb. 1. On Feb. 2, Jummai called up Philip complaining of chest pains. Philip rushed Jummai to a hospital for urgent care, and the doctors at the emergency room told him that Jummai would have died had she not been admitted in time. The doctors found that her legs were riddled with blood clots, forcing them to amputate both. The doctors also amputated her entire left hand and three fingers on her right hand. Philip says Jummai was hooked to a ventilator for more than two weeks and received medication to paralyze her. (Related: Utah teenager hospitalized for deadly blood clots following covid vaccine.) Peters concludes that given what happened to Jummai, you have to be able to make your own choices regarding what you put in your body. For somebody to force an injection that you dont want or you dont need into your body and to watch the effects that it could have on people, its insane all to feed a narrative, Peters says. Watch the entire Sept. 20 episode of The Stew Peters Show below. Catch new episodes of The Stew Peters Show from Monday to Friday at 6-7 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. MedicalViolence.com has more articles about the hospital systems mistreatment of unvaccinated Americans who catch COVID-19. Sources include: Brighteon.com NationalFile.com 1 NationalFile.com 2 TheGatewayPundit.com (Natural News) Aurora James, the designer of the Tax the Rich dress worn by Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the Met Gala, may have a powerful message, but it is not one that she has taken to heart. The 37-year-old designer who made waves at the Met Gala with AOC is a tax evader with unpaid debts in multiple states. Jamess arrears center on the Cultural Brokerage Agency, a limited liability company (LLC) she formed in 2011 to serve as the parent company of her fashion brand, Brother Vellies. Its also a favorite of celebrities like Beyonce, Rihanna and Meghan Markle. The company was found to have racked up three open tax warrants in the state of New York for failing to withhold income taxes from employees paychecks, as per the Department of Taxation and Finance. The debts were incurred before the pandemic stemming from 2018 and 2019. However, the company has been hit with 15 warrants in total since 2015. The company also had an issue with federal authorities. The Internal Revenue Service placed six federal liens on the Cultural Brokerage Agency between April 2018 and April 2019 totaling $103,220. The liens specifically cite the companys failure to remit taxes of its employees. David Cenedella, a Baruch College taxation lecturer, explained that just because employers take it out of their employees paychecks, it does not necessarily mean that theyre sending them to the government. James not only failed to pay her taxes, but she also took money from taxpayers: her company received $41,666 in pandemic relief aid. Over the years, her company has also faced multiple legal challenges due to habitual nonpayment of worker benefits. In October 2019, the Workers Compensation Board gave the company a $17,000 fine for not carrying workers compensation insurance between March 2017 and February 2018. The company owes a total of $62,722 and no payments have been received to date. Workers compensation insurance is supposed to be paid out when an employee is hurt at work. Former employees also blasted Jamess operation as a sweatshop that relied on unpaid interns expected to work full-time jobs. One former contract employee said: 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. The employee was eventually terminated. James owes more debt In August 2020, Jamess landlord filed papers to evict Brother Vellies from their location in Brooklyn. The landlord also demanded more than $25,000 plus interest for the company staying beyond the end of the lease. She was also sued by a previous landlord in February 2018 for more than $5,000 in unpaid rent at her shops old address in Manhattan. Despite being labeled as a working class designer, Jamess lifestyle is anything but. She bought a $1.6 million residence in Los Angeles in September 2020 despite the deep recession brought about by the pandemic. (Related: Ocasio-Cortez doubles down on STUPID after failing to understand how tax breaks work and chasing away $30 billion in tax revenue for the State of New York.) The Tudor-style home has cathedral ceilings, a masters bedroom fireplace and a backyard hot tub. It sits on 7,095 square feet of land in Hollywood Hills. The property, however, is already listed as delinquent by the Los Angeles County assessors office, owing $2,504 in property taxes. All the while, James has amassed a huge fortune from Brother Vellies. As per the brands website, shoes can cost between $285 to $800 a pair. She is also the founder of the 15 Percent Pledge non-profit organization that was created with the goal of helping Black-owned businesses. AOC, meanwhile, got flak for wearing the dress, which is said to be worth approximately $1 million. Republican Staten Island Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis said, Its the height of hypocrisy when socialists attend a $30,000 per ticket gala with a message of tax the rich while wearing an overpriced dress by a luxury designer who doesnt pay taxes. Read more about the lefts hypocrisy at LeftCult.com. Sources include: NYPost.com HITC.com (Natural News) Starting in November, Germans who are not considered to be fully vaccinated will be deprived of compensation payments from the government while under mandatory quarantine. Health Minister Jens Spahn announced that after meeting with the countrys 16 federal states on Sept. 22, the decision was made to stop compensating unvaccinated people the money they need to live while living in a covid concentration camp. Further, unvaccinated Germans will no longer be allowed to get tested for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) for free. They will instead have to pay out of pocket for this privilege. The changes are intended to persuade more people to get jabbed with one of the Fauci Flu shots currently available under emergency use authorization (EUA). By making life increasingly more difficult for the unvaccinated, the government is hoping to break them down and force compliance. Oh, but Spahn says that getting vaccinated will still be a personal decision. The only difference is that this personal decision will come at an increasingly greater cost to ones life and livelihood. Some people will say this means pressure for the unvaccinated. I think we have to look at it the other way around it is also a question of fairness, Spahn is quoted as saying, adding that choosing to remain unvaccinated will soon come with the responsibility to bear the financial consequences. Those who protect themselves and others via a vaccination can rightly ask why we should have to pay somebody who ended up in quarantine after a holiday in a risk area. Unvaccinated Germans will soon need to pay a testing fee every time they want to go indoors somewhere The new testing fee for the unvaccinated is a pretty big deal because just like Israel, Germany is now requiring that residents and visitors show proof of injection or a negative test before being allowed to enter restaurants, theaters and other indoor places. Starting on October 11, unvaccinated Germans who are unable to prove that they have refused the jab for medical reasons will be required to pay for a test every time they want to go inside somewhere. These costs will certainly add up over time, making it prohibitively expensive to be an unvaccinated person in Germany. Germany, like Israel, is becoming a two-tiered apartheid country, in other words. According to reports, the new rules will affect travelers who test positive for Chinese Germs upon returning from high-risk countries like Great Britain, Turkey and certain parts of France. Unvaccinated travelers from such countries are required to quarantine for at least five days, reports The Epoch Times. Those who have been vaccinated or have recently recovered are not required to do so. In the not-too-distant past, Germany was against the idea of compulsory vaccinations, saying it would undermine public trust. Something changed ever since Israel led the way in doing exactly that, though, and now Germany is following suit. German authorities are also opposed to proposed new rules that would allow employers to access the private vaccination records of their employees. Health information of employees is particularly sensitive, and the question of a vaccination against coronavirus is part of that, stated Christine Lambrecht, the minister of justice and consumer protection. As of this writing, Germany has a Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine compliance rate of around 63.5 percent. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), a health agency, has stated that its goal is to achieve an 85 percent vaccination rate in Germany among people aged 12 to 59. For people 60 years of age and older, the goal is a 90 percent compliance rate. Chinese Virus tyranny is spreading like a pandemic. More of the latest news about it can be found at Fascism.news. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com NaturalNews.com STORY AT-A-GLANCE KFOR news ran a fake story in which a doctor claimed emergency rooms in Oklahoma were inundated with people who used horse ivermectin paste as a treatment for COVID-19 and overdosed The story turned out to be pure fiction, as no such cases have occurred. Still, KFOR has not retracted the story or issued a correction The idea that ivermectin is a horse dewormer that poses a lethal risk to humans is a deceptive narrative aimed at dissuading people from using a safe and effective drug against COVID-19 While ivermectin is used as a dewormer in animals, it is also a human drug, approved by the FDA since the mid-1990s. Its on the World Health Organizations list of essential medicines for several parasitic diseases and, like many other drugs, ivermectin is used off-label for other diseases and conditions In addition to being antiparasitic, ivermectin also has potent antiviral properties and has even been shown to protect against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein damage (Natural News) (Article by Dr. Joseph Mercola republished from Articles.Mercola.com) In recent days, another big, fat lie has been allowed to circulate unchecked and unverified in headlines across the media landscape. Ivermectin: Why Are U.S. Anti-Vaxxers Touting a Horse Dewormer as a Cure for COVID? asks the Independent.1 Similar headlines all focusing on horse dewormer have been plastered across many other media outlets. It appears Oklahomas KFOR news was the first to run a fake story that made this false narrative explode. September 1, 2021, KFOR reported that emergency rooms were overrun with patients who had overdosed on horse ivermectin. The claim was supposedly made by doctor Dr. Jason McElyea. According to KFOR:2 Dr. McElyea said patients are packing his eastern and southeastern Oklahoma hospitals after taking ivermectin doses meant for a full-sized horse, because they believed false claims the horse de-wormer could fight COVID-19.The ERs are so backed up that gunshot victims were having hard times getting to facilities where they can get definitive care and be treated, he said. Fake News Alert Other media outlets ran with the story, including Rolling Stone magazine,3 The Daily Mail,4 the Independent,5 Newsweek,6 The Guardian,7 Yahoo News8 which later published a story saying a hospital was disputing the claim and MSNBCs Rachael Madow.9 There was just one problem. It was a fake story. A few days after the story made major media rounds, the Sequoyah Northeastern Health System issued a public notice and posted it on its website homepage, dismissing McElyeas claims as pure fiction: However, rather than retract the article, which would be appropriate for a piece that turns out to be fictional from start to finish, Rolling Stone simply posted an update at the top of the article, noting Sequoyahs rebuttal. KFOR has issued no correction at all, as of September 7, 2021. The Guardian issued an update at the bottom of its article, but did not include the hospitals statement that NO patients have been treated for ivermectin overdose. Hundreds of news articles have also brought attention to alleged rises in ivermectin-related calls to poison control centers around the U.S. These too, it turns out, are based on the flimsiest of data. For example, in Kentucky, poison control reports having received six calls relating to ivermectin paste overdose, compared to an average of one per year. The department of health in Mississippi similarly noted that while calls to poison control involving ivermectin paste have seen a slight increase, all cases have been mild and none have required hospitalization due to toxicity.10 Clearly, people are not dying from horse ivermectin overdoses, and theyre certainly not dying from appropriately-dosed and prescribed oral ivermectin. False Narrative Alert This idea that ivermectin is a horse dewormer that poses a lethal risk to humans is pure horse manure, shoveled at us in an effort to dissuade people from using a safe and effective drug against COVID-19. The intent is clear. What our so-called health agencies and the media are trying to do is confuse people into thinking of ivermectin as a veterinary drug, which simply isnt true. Ultimately, what theyre trying to do is back up the Big Pharma narrative that the only thing at your disposal is the COVID shot. As noted in a recent HuffPost article:11 Health experts ? the kind who practice on humans ? agree that the best way to prevent yourself from catching the virus is to get vaccinated, wear a face mask and stay out of crowds. In an August 21, 2021, Twitter post,12 the Food and Drug Administration said, You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, yall. Stop it, linking to an FDA article on why you should not use ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19. The MSNBC report in the video above is another perfect example of the deceptive narrative being spun around ivermectin. The host blatantly mixes data points together, talking about ivermectin horse paste in one breath and rising prescriptions for ivermectin in the other, as if doctors are now prescribing veterinary drugs just to appease desperate patients. He then goes on to refer to doctors success with ivermectin as anecdotal. Comedian and podcast host Joe Rogan, who recently developed COVID-19 and treated it with ivermectin and a slew of other remedies, is also being badmouthed for daring to share his success story. NPR, for example, reported:13 Joe Rogan has told his Instagram followers he has been taking ivermectin, a deworming veterinary drug formulated for use in cows and horses, to help fight the coronavirus. The Food and Drug Administration has warned against taking the medication, saying animal doses of the drug can cause nausea, vomiting and in some cases severe hepatitis. This video contains uncensored dialogue Did Rogan take horse ivermectin paste? No. Did he take animal doses of it? No. As you can see in the video above, Rogan talked with multiple doctors who told him to take it and, ultimately, he did take it and he got well, remarkably quickly. Yet NPR blatantly blends veterinary and human use together, as if to insinuate that he did take horse-level doses of it. Its worth noting that the FDA is not warning against low-dose oral ivermectin as routinely prescribed for human use. Theyre warning against animal doses, which no licensed medical doctor would prescribe. In short, doctors are not prescribing ivermectin for horses, nor are they prescribing it at horse dosages. Ivermectin Is an Essential Human Drug While ivermectin is used as a dewormer in animals, it is also a human drug, approved by the FDA since the mid-1990s for the treatment of river blindness.14 Its also on the World Health Organizations list of essential medicines for several parasitic diseases.15 Ivermectin has several different properties. In addition to being antiparasitic, it also has potent antiviral properties and has even been shown to protect against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein damage. Like many other drugs, ivermectin is also used off-label for other diseases and conditions. Systemic lupus and papulopustolar rosacea,16 for example, are sometimes treated with ivermectin. In 2018, a patent was filed to treat certain autoimmune disorders with ivermectin.17 When used preventatively for COVID-19, or as treatment for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, ivermectin is being used off-label, but theres nothing unusual or suspect about this at all. Many drugs are used off label. So, when media warn that ivermectin is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of COVID-19, that essentially means nothing. It certainly doesnt mean the drug isnt FDA approved at all, or that its only approved for animals. The fact is, ivermectin has several different properties. In addition to being antiparasitic, it also has potent antiviral properties and has even been shown to protect against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein damage. Research shows ivermectin impairs the spike proteins ability to attach to the ACE2 receptor on human cell membranes.18 The drug can also help prevent blood clots by binding to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This prevents the spike protein from binding to CD147 on red blood cells and triggering clumping.19 As for safety, more than 4 billion doses have been given to (human) patients since 1998, and only 28 cases of serious adverse events have been reported in that time.20 Yet the FDA now claims ivermectin should not be used for COVID-19 because the drug may cause serious harm, is highly toxic and may cause seizures, coma and even death21 warnings that are far more applicable to COVID shots. Ivermectin Suitable for All Treatment Stages Since early on, the Frontline COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC) has been trying to get the truth out about ivermectin. The FLCCCs prophylaxis and early outpatient COVID-19 protocol is known as I-MASK+22 while the hospital treatment is called I-MATH+.23 All include ivermectin. As noted by the FLCCC in a news release:24 The data shows the ability of the drug Ivermectin to prevent COVID-19, to keep those with early symptoms from progressing to the hyper-inflammatory phase of the disease, and even to help critically ill patients recover. numerous clinical studies including peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials showed large magnitude benefits of Ivermectin in prophylaxis, early treatment and also in late-stage disease. Taken together dozens of clinical trials that have now emerged from around the world are substantial enough to reliably assess clinical efficacy. FLCCC president and chief medical officer Dr. Pierre Kory has testified to the benefits of ivermectin before a number of COVID-19 panels, including the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in December 202025 and the National Institutes of Health COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel in January 2021.26 The two protocols I-MASK+27 and I-MATH+28 are available for download on the FLCCC Alliance website in multiple languages. The clinical and scientific rationale for the I-MATH+ hospital protocol has also been peer-reviewed and was published in the Journal of Intensive Care Medicine29 in mid-December 2020. Strong Evidence for Ivermectin April 24 through 25, 2021, Dr. Tess Lawrie, director of Evidence-Based Medicine Consultancy Ltd.,30 hosted the first International Ivermectin for COVID Conference online.31 Twelve medical experts32 from around the world including Kory shared their knowledge, reviewing mechanism of action, protocols for prevention and treatment, including so-called long-hauler syndrome, research findings and real world data. All of the lectures, which were recorded via Zoom, can be viewed on Bird-Group.org.33 A one-page summary of the clinical trial evidence for ivermectin is available on the FLCCC website,34 while a listing of all ivermectin trials done to date, with links to the published studies, can be found on c19Ivermectin.com.35 So, what does the evidence show? In summary, studies have demonstrated ivermectin:36 Lowers viral load. Inhibits replication of many viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal influenza viruses. An observational study 37 from Bangladesh, which looked at ivermectin as a pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 among health care workers, found only four of the 58 volunteers who took 12 mg of ivermectin once per month for four months developed mild COVID-19 symptoms, compared to 44 of the 60 health care workers who had declined the medication. from Bangladesh, which looked at ivermectin as a pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 among health care workers, found only four of the 58 volunteers who took 12 mg of ivermectin once per month for four months developed mild COVID-19 symptoms, compared to 44 of the 60 health care workers who had declined the medication. Inhibits inflammation through several pathways and protects against organ damage. Prevents transmission of SARS-CoV-2 when taken before or after exposure. Speeds recovery and lowers risk of hospitalization and death in COVID-19 patients The average reduction in mortality, based on 18 trials, is 75%. 38 A WHO-sponsored review 39 suggests ivermectin can reduce COVID-19 mortality by as much as 83%. Whos Actually Following the Science? As noted in an August 3, 2021, review paper in New Microbes New Infections, titled Ivermectin: A Multifaceted Drug of Nobel-Prize Honored Distinction With Indicated Efficacy Against a New Global Scourge, COVID-19:40 In 2015, the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine, in its only award for treatments of infectious diseases since six decades prior, honored the discovery of ivermectin (IVM), a multifaceted drug deployed against some of the worlds most devastating tropical diseases. Since March 2020, when IVM was first used against a new global scourge, COVID-19, more than 20 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have tracked such inpatient and outpatient treatments. Six of seven meta-analyses of IVM treatment RCTs reporting in 2021 found notable reductions in COVID-19 fatalities, with a mean 31% relative risk of mortality vs. controls. During mass IVM treatments in Peru, excess deaths fell by a mean of 74% over 30 days in its ten states with the most extensive treatments. Reductions in deaths correlated with the extent of IVM distributions in all 25 states with p < 0.002. Sharp reductions in morbidity using IVM were also observed in two animal models, of SARS-CoV-2 and a related betacoronavirus. The indicated biological mechanism of IVM, competitive binding with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, is likely non-epitope specific, possibly yielding full efficacy against emerging viral mutant strains. Despite the evidence, the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) are now banding together to call on doctors to immediately stop prescribing ivermectin for COVID outside of clinical trials.41 Hopefully, doctors will evaluate the evidence for themselves and do what makes sense and is best for their patients, rather than cater to Big Pharma. Indeed, as the U.S. wants to eliminate all use of ivermectin, other countries are starting to use more of it. India, for example, has added ivermectin for COVID-19 to its list of essential medicines. The Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Association also added ivermectin to its home treatment protocol August 13, 2021, and Indonesias government not only authorized the use of the drug but also created a website showing real-time availability of the drug. Hospitals in Indonesia started using ivermectin July 22, 2021. By the first week of August, cases and deaths were plummeting.42 The Delta Variant Is Vaccine Injuries, Whistleblower Claims In a recent Stew Peters program, a nurse blows the whistle on several commonly-held beliefs. She points out that her hospital was never, not even during the height of the pandemic 2020, over capacity due to COVID patients. Disturbingly, she notes that most hospital personnel are still unaware that the PCR test is completely unreliable, and care is all based on that test. Even if you do not have any COVID symptoms, a positive test will land you on the COVID ward, where standard protocol calls for Remdesivir and, if you have low oxygen, being put on a ventilator. She says most patients get worse on Remdesivir, which has been shown to cause heart and kidney problems. She points out that for a short time, the drug was given in combination with ivermectin, and during that time, patient outcomes were much better. Ivermectin was then removed from the protocol. As for the Delta variant, there are no commercial tests that will identify variants, although genetic sequencing in a research lab would be able to differentiate them. The nurse stresses that shes never seen Delta specified on any patient chart a claim that raises the question how officials are able to claim that most COVID-19 patients are now infected with the Delta variant. Shes also reporting seeing a significant number of vaccine injuries, yet shes not aware of a single instance where the injury was reported to the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Effect Reporting System (VAERS). Whenever shes brought her suspicions to the doctor, shes been rebuffed and the vaccine link has been dismissed. The most shocking take-home from this interview is that the supposed surge in Delta cases are in fact mislabeled vaccine injuries, according to this whistleblower. The Delta variant is the vaccine injuries, she tells Peters. Its common knowledge around the staff that is aware of whats going on, [who are] paying attention [and] arent in denial. Read more at: Articles.Mercola.com (Natural News) President Zoran Milanovi? of Croatia is done with the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine scam. In a scathing indictment of the medical establishment, Milanovi? announced that Croatians have been vaccinated enough and that we will not be vaccinated anymore in Croatia. The media spread panic and nonsense, Milanovi? boldly proclaimed. I start every day with CNN and those few channels and I wonder if I am normal or are they crazy. They spread panic. They do it from the beginning. Unlike United States politicians, which are too weak, compromised, or just plain evil to ever say anything like this, Milanovi? is not going to stand idly by as his countrymen continue to get medically raped by the Western Big Pharma machine. There is no life without risk, without the possibility of getting sick, Milanovi? added. People get sick from a thousand other more serious things, and while thats happening, weve been talking about COVID-19 for a year and a half. We need to know what the goal of this frenzy is. If the goal is to completely eradicate the virus, then we have the goal. I have not heard that this is the goal. If someone tells me its a goal, I will tell him hes out of his mind. You can watch Milanovi? speak below: Milanovi? warns that covid vaccines are endangering people At the current time, Croatia is about half vaccinated among its adult population. In Milanovi?s view, this is more than enough. It sounds like, based on the rhetoric, that if it were up to Milanovi?, the Operation Warp Speed injections brought into existence under Donald father of the vaccine Trump never would have been allowed in Croatia in the first place. We will not go more than 50 percent, Milanovi? stated emphatically to the media. Let them fence us with wire. They wont do it. There is simply no chance of endangering those people Since the New Year, I only listen to nonsense. What Milanovi? is saying, in essence, is that the mainstream media, which is a product of the United States et al. also known as Mystery Babylon is spreading nothing but propaganda and fear when it comes to the Chinese Virus. Hearing Milanovi? speak these words is certainly a breath of fresh air. To see an actual man stand up to this nonsense is both inspiring and depressing when considering that all we have here in the U.S. is a bumbling pedophile occupying our countrys highest office. I wish we had a president like him instead of a Marxist pedo with the brain capacity of a house plant, is how one commenter at Citizen Free Press put it. Croatia survived communism, wrote another. It is the middle state of three that comprised communist Yugoslavia from 1946 to 1992. It was part of the Hapsburg Austrian Empire from 1500s to 1918 becoming a separate kingdom. Then, in 1946 post-WW2 it became communist Yugoslavia. In 1963, Tito claimed himself Prez for Life. War broke out in 1990. By 1995, a Treaty was signed establishing among others the independent States of Croatia, Slovenia (which also rejects further vaccines) and Bosnia. So, freedom is a new, hard-fought reality. Another commenter from Croatia indicated that she loves her president and is proud to be a Croat. We need more leaders like this fine person in public office, wrote another. Im of the opinion that [Milanovi?] watches commie news network because he knows propaganda when he sees it and wants to stay on top of the latest fertilizer being spewed. As America dives headlong into the deep end with medical fascism, other countries like Croatia are resisting. To keep up with the latest, visit Fascism.news. Sources for this article include: CitizenFreePress.com NaturalNews.com Darwin Mendez has attempted and failed three times to enter the United States. He is 23 years old and has a $30,000 debt, and he claims that leaving Guatemala is his only option. Years of savage drought burned the cornfield he farms with his father, mother, uncle, and siblings, reducing the crop and drying off the few kernels that remained on the small cobs. Climate Change in Guatemala Last year, unpredictably rainy weather and back-to-back hurricanes wreaked havoc on the highlands of western Guatemala, causing mudslides that buried Mendez's crops and spread pests and disease. Then, when the ground dried out, it stayed dry, and the region is now experiencing extended heat waves and severe drought once more. "We don't have much land - no one around here does," he explained, "so when we lose crops, we lose everything." As Guatemala teeters between severe droughts and deadly floods - two extremes exacerbated by climate change - some farmers, like Mendez, are compelled to take dramatic measures, either selling all they own or borrowing large sums of money and fleeing the country. Most will relocate inside Guatemala to cities searching for a job, but some will join the tens of thousands of Guatemalans who undertake the far more perilous trek north each year. Related Article: Can Climate Change Drive Humanity to Extinction? Food Insecurity According to one UN organization, more than one-fifth of Guatemala's population suffers from dangerously high levels of food insecurity. In addition, according to the United Nations World Food Programme, over half of all children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition, and the percentage is substantially higher in some of the country's most vulnerable rural areas. Mendez stated, "Whatever we harvest on the field is not enough to feed ourselves." "I want to move to the United States to feed my family." Experts have predicted that rising sea levels, higher temperatures, and more frequent extreme weather events will cause hundreds of millions of people to be displaced throughout the world due to climate change. The impacts of global warming may approach a delicate tipping point for some of the world's most vulnerable people in regions already dealing with high levels of poverty, corruption, and violence. It's a scenario that's already unfolding in Guatemala. Without significant reductions in global emissions, global warming is projected to result in climate migrants on nearly every continent. The ramifications will be enormous. Migration as a "Solution" Nicholas Depsky, a doctoral student at the University of California, Berkeley, and a researcher at the Climate Impact Lab, said, "It's hard to point to a region of the world that will not be heavily impacted by climate change and migration. It's difficult to believe there's any way to exaggerate the seriousness of the situation when you see the writing on the wall." The flow of individuals displaced by climate change from Southeast Asia to Central America might fuel political confrontations or exacerbate existing tensions, according to Depsky. "Migration is already such a flashpoint from a US perspective," he added. "It's such a contentious political topic, and Central America is already a major emphasis due to how much it influences our political conversation here." The Climate Impact Lab has focused on migration, with Depsky's research focusing on droughts in Central America in particular. Guatemala is located along the so-called Dry Corridor, a length of Central America extending from southern Mexico to Panama. People are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to high poverty levels and a reliance on grain crops in rural areas. Climate Models Depsky was a co-author of research that predicted future drought projections in Central America and was published in the journal Environmental Research Letters in December. According to the study, drought intensity, frequency, and duration are expected to deteriorate along the Dry Corridor by the end of the century. While the models anticipated a drop in average yearly precipitation, Depsky believes that extreme weather events such as intense storms and torrential downpours will certainly rise due to climate change. Although it is unclear if global warming increases the frequency of hurricanes in general, research has indicated that rising sea surface temperatures increase the likelihood of storms becoming major hurricanes when they develop. Suffering for Years Part of the issue is that no clear legal or other definition of someone qualifies as a climate migrant. Climate change is seldom the primary cause of someone leaving their house, although it is virtually always contributing to many situations. Years of severe drought interspersed with tropical storms, last year's Hurricanes Eta and Iota, and other heavy precipitation events in Guatemala have devastated crops and pummeled the soil, according to Paris Rivera, a climatologist at Guatemala's Mariano Galvez University. While climate change will almost certainly lead to waves of migration in Guatemala and elsewhere, not everyone will have the means or capacity to traverse borders. As a result, most climate migrants will most certainly be those who have been uprooted and compelled to relocate inside their nation. According to a World Bank research issued earlier this month, 216 million people might relocate inside their countries by 2050 across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Eastern Europe, North Africa, Central Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific. Also Read: Worsening Global Warming Will Kill 83 Million People by 2100, Warn Scientists For more environmental news, don't forget to follow Nature World News! Texas March 1* | May 24* Open: N/A* Close: Dec. 13, 2021, by 6 p.m. (not later than 6 p.m. on the second Monday in December of an odd-numbered year)* Tex. Elec. Code 172.023 *TX SB 13: Due to the delayed delivery of the 2020 redistricting data, this bill sets new dates for the candidate-filing period, primary election, and primary runoff election for the 2022 election cycle based on when the legislature completes redistricting. If redistricting done on or before November 15, 2021 Candidate filing period: November 29, 2021 December 13, 2021, at 6pm Primary date: March 1, 2022 Runoff primary date: May 24, 2022 If redistricting done after November 15 but before December 28, 2021 Candidate filing period: January 10-January 25, 2022, at 6pm Primary date: April 5, 2022 Runoff primary date: June 21, 2022 If redistricting done after December 28, 2021, but before February 7, 2022 Candidate filing period: February 21 March 7, 2022, at 6pm Primary date: May 24, 2022 Runoff primary date: July 26 North Carolina March 8 | April 26 Open: Dec. 6, 2021, at noon (no earlier than noon on the first Monday in December) Close: Dec. 17, 2021, by noon (no later than noon on the third Friday in December preceding the primary) N.C. Gen. Stat. 163-106.2 Illinois June 28 Open: March 7, 2022 (not more than 113 days prior to the date of the primary) Close: March 14, 2022 (not less than 106 days prior to the date of the primary) Indiana May 3 Open: Jan. 5 (not earlier than 118 days before the primary election) Close: Feb. 4 (not later than noon 88 days before the primary election). Burns Ind. Code 3-8-2-4 Ohio May 3 Open: N/A Close: Feb. 2 (not later than 4 p.m. of the 90th day before the day of the primary election) Ohio Rev. Code 3513.05 Nebraska May 10 Open: January 5, 2022* Close: Feb. 15, 2022 (filing period shall be between Dec. 1 and Feb.15 prior to the date of the primary election)* Neb. Rev. Stat. 32-606 LB 285 (2021): changed the candidate filing dates. West Virginia May 10 Open: Jan. 10 (not earlier than the second Monday in January before the primary election day) Close: Jan. 29 (not later than the last Saturday in January before the primary election day and must be received before midnight ET of that day or, if mailed, shall be postmarked by the United States Postal Service before that hour) W. Va. Code 3-5-7 Kentucky May 17 Open: Nov. 3, 2021 (not earlier than the first Wednesday after the first Monday in November of the year preceding the year the office will appear on the ballot) Close: Jan. 7, 2022 (not later than the first Friday following the first Monday in January preceding the day fixed by law for holding the primary) KRS 118.165 Oregon May 17 Open: Sept. 10, 2021 (not sooner than the 250th day before the date of the primary election) Close: Mar. 8, 2022 (not later than the 70th day before the date of the primary election) Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. 249.037 Pennsylvania May 17 Open: Feb. 15 Close: March 8 (on or before the 10th Tuesday prior to the primary) 25 P.S. 2873 Idaho May 17 Open: Feb. 28, 2022, at 8 a.m. (8 a.m. on the 12th Monday preceding the primary election) Close: March 11, at 5 p.m. (5 p.m. on the 10th Friday preceding the primary election) Idaho Code 34-704 and 34-708 Alabama May 24 |July 26 Open: N/A Close: Jan. 28 (not later than 5 p.m. 116 days before the date of the primary election) Code of Ala. 17-13-5 Georgia May 24 | June 21 Open: March 7 (9 a.m. on the Monday of the 11th week immediately prior to the state or county primary) Close: March 11 (noon on the Friday immediately following such Monday, notwithstanding the fact that any such days may be legal holidays) O.C.G.A. 21-2-153 California June 7 Open: Feb. 14 Close: March 11 Iowa June 7 Open: Feb. 28 (not earlier than 99 days before the primary election) Close: March 18 at 5 p.m. (no later than 5 p.m. on the 81st day before the day fixed for holding the primary election) Iowa Code 43.11 Mississippi June 7 | June 28 Open: Jan. 1, 2021 (no such assessments may be paid before Jan. 1 of the year in which the primary election for the office is held) Close: March 1 (by 5 p.m. on March 1 of the year in which the primary election for the office is held or on the date of the qualifying deadline provided by statute for the office, whichever is earlier) Miss. Code Ann. 23-15-299 Montana June 7 Open: Jan. 13 (no sooner than 145 days before the election in which the office first appears on the ballot) Close: March 14 (no later than 5 p.m., 85 days before the date of the primary election) Mont Code 13-10-201 New Jersey June 7 Open: N/A Close: April 4, by 4 p.m. New Mexico June 7 Open: Feb. 1, at 9 a.m. Close: Feb. 1, by 5 p.m. (on the first Tuesday in February of each even-numbered year between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.) NM ST 1-8-26(B) South Dakota June 7 | August 16 Open: Jan. 1 Close: March 29, by 5 p.m. (by the last Tuesday of March at 5 p.m. local time before the date of the primary election; by the last Tuesday of March at 5 p.m. local time before the primary election, if the petition is mailed by registered mail) S.D. Codified Laws 12-6-4 Maine June 14 Open: N/A Close: March 15, by 5 p.m. Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, 335 Nevada June 14 Open: March 7 (first Monday in March of the year in which the election is to be held) Close: March 18, by 5 p.m. (not later than 5 p.m. on the second Friday after the first Monday in March) NRS 293.177(b) North Dakota June 14 Open: N/A Close: April 11, by 4 p.m. (not later than 4 p.m. on the 64th day prior to the day of election) N.D. Cent. Code, 16.1-12-04 South Carolina June 14 | June 28 Open: March 16, at noon Close: March 30, by noon (noon on March 16 and noon on March 30; next regular business day if March 30 is on a Saturday or Sunday) S.C. Code Ann. 7-11-15 Virginia June 21* Open: March 14 (not earlier than noon of the 92nd day before the primary) Close: March 30 at 5 p.m. (not later than 5 p.m. of the 75th day before the primary) Va. Code 24.2-503, 24.2-522 and 24.2-524 *Note: SB 1148 (2021) changed the date of the primary election held in June from the second Tuesday in June to the third Tuesday in June. The bill also changes candidate filing deadlines to reflect the change of date. Arkansas May 24 | June 21 Open: Feb. 22, at noon (beginning at noon one week prior to the first day in March) Close: March 1, at noon (ending at noon on the first day in March) Ark. Code 7-7-203 Colorado June 28 Open: Jan. 18 (third Tuesday in January) Close: March 15 (no later than the third Tuesday in March) Colo. Rev. Stat. 1-4-801 Maryland June 28 Open: N/A Close: Feb. 22, by 9 p.m. (9 p.m. on the last Tuesday in February before the primary election) New York June 28 Open: April 4 (not earlier than the 13th Monday before the primary election) Close: April 7 (not later than the 12th Thursday preceding the primary election) NY CLS Elec 6158 Oklahoma June 28 | August 23 Open: April 13, at 8 a.m. (no earlier than 8 a.m. on the second Wednesday of April of any even-numbered year) Close: April 15, at 5 p.m. (no later than 5 p.m. on the next succeeding Friday) 26 Okl. St. 5-110 Utah June 28 Open: March 11 (on or after the second Friday in March before the next regular general election) Close: March 17, by 5 p.m. (before 5 p.m. on the third Thursday in March before the next regular general election) Utah Code 20A-9-408 Arizona Aug. 2 Open: Jan. 1 (Citizens Clean Elections CCEC participating candidates); March 7, 2022 (traditionally funded candidates) Close: April 4, by 5 p.m. Ariz. Rev. Stat. 16-311 Kansas Aug. 2 Open: N/A Close: June 1, at noon if new redistricting plans are established on or before May 10; June 10, 2022, at noon if new redistricting plans are established on or after May 11. K.S.A. 25-205 Michigan Aug. 2 Open: N/A Close: April 19, at 4 p.m. (no later than 4 p.m. of the 15th Tuesday before the August primary) Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. 168.551 Missouri Aug. 2 Open: Feb. 22, at 8 a.m. Close: March 29, at 5 p.m. R.S. Mo 115.349.2, 115.349.1 Washington Aug. 2 Open: May 16 Close: May 20 (during regular business hours beginning the Monday two weeks before Memorial Day and ending the following Friday in the year in which the office is scheduled to be voted upon) RCW 29A.24.050 Tennessee Aug. 4 Open: N/A Close: April 7, by noon (noon, prevailing time, on the first Thursday in April) Tenn. Code 2-5-101 Connecticut Aug. 9 Open: N/A Close: June 7 (not later than 4 p.m. on the 63rd day preceding the day of the primary) Conn. Gen. Stat. 9-400 Minnesota Aug. 9 Open: May 17 (not more than 84 days before the state primary) Close: May 31 (not less than 70 days before the state primary) Minn. Stat. 204B.09 Vermont Aug. 9 Open: April 25 (not earlier than the fourth Monday in April preceding the primary election) Close: May 26 (not later than 5 p.m. on the fourth Thursday after the first Monday in May preceding the primary election) Vt. Stat. tit. 17, 2356 Wisconsin Aug. 9 Open: April 15 (no sooner than April 15 preceding the general election) Close: June 1, by 5 p.m. (no later than 5 p.m. on June 1 preceding the partisan primary) Wis. Stat. 8.15 Hawaii Aug. 13 Open: Feb. 1 Close: June 7 HRS 12-6, HRS 12-2.5 Alaska Aug. 16 Open:N/A Close: June 1 by 5 p.m. Alaska Stat. 15.25.040 Wyoming Aug. 16 Open: May 12 (not more than 96 days preceding the primary election) Close: May 27 (not later than 81 days preceding the primary election) Wyo. Stat. 22-5-209 Florida Aug. 23 Open: June 13, at noon (noon of the 71st day prior to the primary election) Close: June 17, by noon (not later than noon of the 67th day prior to the date of the primary election) Fla. Stat. 99.061 Delaware Sept. 13 Open: N/A Close: July 12 (on or before noon) 15 Del. C. 3101 New Hampshire Sept. 13 Open: June 1 Close: June 10 (between the first Wednesday in June and the Friday of the following week) RSA 655:14 Rhode Island Sept. 13 Open: N/A Close: last consecutive Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in June (June 27, 28, and 29, 2022) 17-14-1 Massachusetts Sept. 20 Open: Feb. __, 2022 (no later than 15 weeks prior to the first filing deadline with the secretary of the commonwealth) Close: May 31 (on or before the last Tuesday in May of the year in which a state election is to be held) ALM GL ch. 53, 10 Our County Editor Dave Hinton is editor of The News-Gazette's Our County section and former editor of the Rantoul Press. He can be reached at dhinton@news-gazette.com. Reporter Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). Champaign, IL (61820) Today Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 59F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 59F. Winds light and variable. England is on track to have diagnosed 95% of people living with HIV by 2025, putting it in a strong position to eliminate HIV transmission by 2030, say researchers at the MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, and Public Health England (PHE). In 2014, UNAIDS set an ambitious target of 90-90-90 by 2020 that is, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status; 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy; and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression. According to the Cambridge and PHE team, in 2019 there were an estimated 105,200 people living with HIV in the UK, of whom 94% were aware of their HIV status. In addition, 98% of those living with diagnosed HIV were on treatment, and 97% of these were virally suppressed. In other words, England had already reached the UNAIDS goals. In a publication today in The Lancet Public Health, the researchers extended their analysis of evidence from multiple surveillance, demographic, and survey datasets relevant to HIV in England from estimating HIV prevalence in a single year to estimating the trends over time in HIV prevalence. Trends in the number of people living with HIV, the proportion of people unaware of their HIV infection, and the corresponding prevalence of undiagnosed HIV are reported. According to their analysis, the estimated number of people in England living with HIV aged 15-74 years who were unaware of their infection halved from 11,600 in 2013 to 5,900 in 2019, with a corresponding fall in prevalence from 0.29 to 0.14 per 1,000 people. At the same time, the increase in the number of people living with diagnosed HIV resulted in the total number of people living with HIV rising from 83,500 to 92,800 over the same period. The percentage of people living with HIV whose infection was diagnosed therefore steadily increased from 86% in 2013 to 94% in 2019, reaching the UNAIDS target in 2016 and even earlier, in 2013, for Black African heterosexuals. Professor Daniela De Angelis from the MRC Biostatistics Unit, the study's senior author, said: "Overall, we see a positive picture for the HIV epidemic in England, with a dramatic fall in the number of people living with undiagnosed HIV. We estimate we are already several years ahead of the UNAIDS 2020 goals and are on target to reach 95% diagnosed by 2025 and to eliminate HIV infections by 2030. Dr Anne Presanis from the MRC Biostatistics Unit added: "However, examined more closely, the situation is not as positive for everyone. We estimate that areas of England outside London have not seen as steep a decrease in undiagnosed HIV prevalence as in London, and there is evidence of missed opportunities to diagnose HIV infections among some population subgroups." In England, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, and Black African heterosexuals remain disproportionately affected by HIV, with considerably higher undiagnosed HIV prevalence per population in 2019 than heterosexuals in other ethnic groups. However, undiagnosed HIV prevalence rates within these communities have seen dramatic falls: for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, prevalence fell from 13.9 to 5.4 per 1,000, and for Black African heterosexuals prevalence fell from 3.3 to 1.7 per 1,000 population. London saw more dramatic falls in the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV during the study period than other regions of England, down from 0.74 to 0.31 per 1,000, compared to a decrease from 0.20 to 0.11 per 1,000 outside London. Although sexual health clinics provide free and confidential HIV testing to all clinic attendees, the researchers estimated that among heterosexuals in an ethnic group other than Black African, undiagnosed prevalence in clinic attendees in 2019 was more than 30 times greater than in those who had not attended in the past year. This implies that sexual health clinics are missing opportunities for testing attendees. This is in line with findings from Public Health England that among individuals outside those subgroups at greatest risk of HIV infection, the proportion declining a HIV test had increased to more than one in four (27%) in 2016. The researchers say their estimates have important implications for efforts to eliminate HIV transmission in England and the UK. Dr Valerie Delpech, head of the HIV Team at Public Health England said: "This research is good news and shows that combination prevention, and in particular HIV testing and early treatment, is working in England. The increasing use of pre-exposure prophylaxis among persons at higher risk of HIV has further amplified our response to end HIV transmission. Nevertheless, further reducing the number of people who remain undiagnosed with HIV infection will become very challenging in the coming years. This is particularly the case for heterosexuals who may not consider themselves at risk of HIV. "The priority must be to ensure that all sexual health clinic attendees are offered and encouraged to accept a HIV test, regardless of ethnicity, rather than the 73% that currently do test. If we can increase the number of clinic attendees unaware of their HIV status who get tested and diagnosed, as well as improve partner notification, the prospect of eliminating HIV transmission becomes increasingly likely." The research was funded by the Medical Research Council and Public Health England. A child with an oxygen mask. A diseased lung. A woman with a huge bump on her neck. Adding warning labels like these with graphic depictions of the negative health consequences of cigarette smoking could have averted thousands of smoking-related deaths if approved as originally planned in 2012, according to a new analysis by University of Michigan researchers and colleagues from the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling network (CISNET) Lung Group. If the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does require tobacco companies to include the graphic warning labels on cigarette packages in October 2022, as its expected to do, between 275,000 and 794,000 smoking-attributable deaths could be averted by 2100, and between 4 million to 11.6 million life-years could be gained during that period. While the FDA had planned to implement the graphic warning labels nine years ago, it has been entangled in litigation with the tobacco industry over the issue. The rules to add the labels include textual warnings and color graphics with photorealistic images depicting the negative health consequences of cigarette smoking, such as warnings that smoking can cause erectile dysfunction or head and neck cancer, and can lead to COPD. Industry litigation and delays to implementing tobacco regulations have high costs to public health, said Rafael Meza, professor of epidemiology and global public health at U-Ms School of Public Health and senior author of the study published in JAMA Health Forum. This research shows that we must move forward with implementation to maximize the benefits of adding graphic health warnings to cigarettes packaging. For their study, researchers simulated smoking and mortality outcomes associated with the health warnings using the CISNET Smoking History Generator Population Model and previously published research of the expected impacts of graphic health warnings on smoking prevalence and cessation. The assumptions in the model are based in part on what has been seen in other countries like Canada and Australia that have already rolled out these graphic warnings. All CISNET lung cancer models are based on inputs from the Smoking History Generator, which simulates detailed individual-level life and smoking histories: birth, probabilities of smoking initiation, smoking cessation and death. Because graphic health warnings have never been implemented in the United States, researchers could not perform external validation of the policy scenarios. The researchers acknowledge that while literature on graphic health warnings demonstrates their public health benefit, uncertainty remains about the true magnitude of their effect on smoking behavior, especially with regard to smoking initiation. Researchers first modeled a baseline scenario with the current status quo and then calculated smoking attributable deaths under different graphic health warnings scenarios. The team varied the time of implementation of the warnings and their impact on smoking initiation and cessation to more accurately capture the uncertainty in the actual effects that health warnings could have on smoking behaviors and outcomes. In the baseline scenario, smoking prevalence is projected to decline from 20% in 2012 to 13.6% in 2022 and 4.6% in 2100. In the scenarios with graphic health warnings implemented in 2022, the model estimated that smoking prevalence would decrease from 13.6% in 2022 to between 4% and 4.4% in 2100. If the warnings had been implemented in 2012, researchers estimate about 365,000 to 1,060,000 deaths might have been prevented, and 5.7 million to 16.6 million life-years could have been gained, roughly 40% higher. The upcoming policy and its simulated impacts on population health can be explored in more detail online through the Tobacco Control Policy Tool. This shows the health costs of delaying implementation of this regulation by 10 years due to industry litigation and procedural delays, said Meza, who is also the principal investigator of the CISNET Lung Cancer Working Group and the Center for the Assessment of Tobacco Regulations. More than 120 countries have required graphic health warnings on cigarette packs and saved lives by doing so, said the studys first author, Jamie Tam, an assistant professor at the Yale School of Public Health. The U.S. has been lagging behind the rest of the world when it comes to this issue, so we are long overdue, she said. In addition to Meza and Tam, authors include Jihyoun Jeon of the Department of Epidemiology at U-Ms School of Public Health; Theodore Holford of Yale University School of Public Health; James Thrasher of the University of South Carolinas Arnold School of Public Health; David Hammond of the University of Waterloo, Canada; and David Levy of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University Medical Center. The Pacific island nations are falling back on immunization targets, especially those for diseases spread through mother-to-child transmission, according to WHO officials. Po Lin Chan, medical officer at the WHO regional office, explains to SciDev.Net that "vaccination has helped reduce prevalence to one per cent in the Pacific islands, but reaching 0.1 per cent prevalence among children requires additional interventions built on maternal, newborn and child health programmes, including antenatal screening of pregnant women for hepatitis B alongside that for HIV and syphilis". WHO's Western Pacific regional office's response to the issue was to add hepatitis B to an existing vaccination programme to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis with a goal of reaching 0.1 per cent prevalence by 2030. WHO's recommendation is based on China's example. "Since 2010, China has been providing universal testing for each pregnant woman, for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B and modelling suggests that China will achieve the elimination target by 2029," Chan says. For the Pacific islands, according to the epidemiologist Caroline Van Gemert from the Burnet Institute of Melbourne, which is involved in the Vanuatu Health Programme, elimination will not be reached even by 2030, unless things change on the ground dramatically. The team presented its work at the Word Congress of Epidemiology, held from the 36 September. "To achieve elimination of mother-to-child transmission infections, a country needs to be able to prove that elimination targets are reached but data are not collected, there are huge gaps that need to be filled to monitor elimination," Van Germert tells SciDev.Net. Only Guam, which is administered by the US, is reporting any data, says Van Germert. "I know that other countries are screening pregnant women, but data aren't released," she says. Plus, screening is not systematic. "In Vanuatu, it depends on the clinic and the availability of tests. Testing is available more in hospitals than in the community healthcare facilities", she says. WHO guidance recommends administration of drugs such as Tenofovir to pregnant women who are infected, to avoid transmission to their babies. "Treatment is not available on every island. Whether it is at a national scale or at the health care facility level, I couldn't gather data," Van Germert says. According to Van Germert, Pacific countries could fill in a WHO tracking form that has several indicators. "It's already what WHO does with UNAIDS for HIV surveillance. Every year countries file global AIDS monitoring data," she adds. Immunisation drives also need to be improved. While some islands have had a universal child immunization programme for decades, total coverage is elusive because of logistics between the main islands of each country and the outer islands. "It is expensive to reach some of the islands since access is only by boat. It is also hard to maintain the cold chain needed to keep vaccines doses viable," says Chan. If the deployment of COVAX the multilateral mechanism for the distribution of vaccines for COVID-19 is successful, there will be lessons to be learned for the delivery of other vaccines including hepatitis B. National Curriculum Key Stage 2 tests taken by 10- and 11-year-old children in England to assess progress in English and Mathematics do not seem to affect children's wellbeing, according to new UCL-led research. The peer-reviewed study, published today in Assessment in Education, analysed data from around 2,500 children who live in England (where the KS2 tests are conducted) and in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales (where the tests do not take place) and are all participants of the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS). The study found there was little difference in the wellbeing and happiness levels reported by the children regardless of where they lived and whether they took the KS2 tests or not. Additionally, among those who did sit the tests, there was no significant change in how they felt about themselves, their school or their family life in the weeks preceding and following the tests. There is growing concern about the mental wellbeing of young people, including how this is related to national tests at school. However, the study found that happiness and wellbeing levels among children in England and the rest of the UK were very similar to one another and often overlapped. The research also found there was little evidence to changes in wellbeing around the time of Key Stage 2 tests, or that children in England become happier - either in general or about school - once these tests are over. Equally, there was no evidence to show that pupils who were happier or more self-confident in the build-up to the tests achieved higher scores. Taken together, these findings provide an important counter to conventional narratives about how the Key Stage 2 tests can have serious negative impacts upon children's wellbeing." John Jerrim, Study Author, Professor, UCL Social Research Institute Children were asked a series of questions on how they felt about themselves and their lives in the lead up to and weeks following the Key Stage 2 tests. For example, 24% of school children in England said they felt unhappy about their schoolwork prior to the tests and this figure was 28% for children in the rest of the UK. This figure did not significantly increase or decrease in the weeks prior to and after testing. The study highlights that Key Stage 2 tests are considered "high-stakes" for schools whose results get published in school league tables. However, they are not necessarily "high-stakes" indicators for pupils. For example, no educational decisions about the secondary school a child will attend or the subjects they might study depend on achieving certain scores in Key Stage 2 tests. The author notes that as with every study there are limitations. The study uses MCS data from 2012 and although it is unlikely to undermine the key findings, several reforms have been made to national assessments so stronger effects on pupil wellbeing could be found if the importance attached to these tests has increased. Professor Jerrim added: "When we turn to education policy in England what do these results mean? Given what we found, there does not seem to be strong enough evidence to support Key Stage 2 tests to be scrapped on wellbeing grounds. "The tests play a fundamental role feeding into school accountability metrics and our findings suggest they should continue in their current form for the foreseeable future. We need more high-quality research to better understand both the positive and negative effects these tests have on young people, especially in light of the challenges teachers and pupils have faced throughout the pandemic." The National Cancer Institute once again recognized UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center as one of the nation's most elite cancer centers, awarding the center $17.5 million over five years and renewing the cancer center's "comprehensive" designation. The designation is in recognition of the cancer center's breadth and depth in cancer research, clinical care, cancer control and population sciences. The NCI once again recognized UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center as one of the nation's top cancer centers. The renewed NCI grant will support the cancer center's innovative research, world-class care for patients, education, and community outreach and engagement programs. Treatment at NCI-designated cancer centers is associated with improved outcomes for many people with cancer and we are honored to receive this important vote of confidence from the NCI." Gary May, UC Davis Chancellor UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 51 centers receiving comprehensive designation nationally. The peer-review process of NCI designation is among the most rigorous in the nation, requiring evidence for collaboration and leadership as well as demonstration of high-quality programs in research, clinical care, education, and community outreach. "On behalf of patients around the region, UC Davis Health is grateful and honored the National Cancer Institute has awarded the prestigious 'comprehensive' ranking to our cancer center and its efforts to reduce cancer across the region," said UC Davis Health CEO David Lubarsky. "We are a critical cornerstone in the region's fight against cancer and this award signifies we meet the highest standards of excellence in oncology research, diagnostics and treatment. We look forward to serving and coordinating Northern California's cancer care for years to come." Outside of San Francisco, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only NCI-designated center from the Bay Area north to Portland and east to Salt Lake City, with more than 100,000 patients visiting annually. The large region includes a highly diverse population with a considerable cancer burden in Northern California and the Central Valley. Some of the funding will be directed to programs designed to address cancer disparities. These ongoing programs aim to reduce the cancer burden in underserved communities that have for too long carried a heavier cancer burden. A new series of education, training, and career development initiatives will expand the diversity of scientists at UC Davis pursuing a career in cancer research and clinical care. Primo "Lucky" Lara Jr. is director of UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and led the NCI grant renewal process. "The rapid pace of discovery and improved cancer treatments at NCI-designated cancer centers such as ours are increasing cancer survivorship and improving the quality of life for patients in our region," said Primo "Lucky" Lara Jr., UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center director, who also serves as principal investigator of the grant. "Equally important is the outreach we are doing to underserved communities as we seek to reduce the cancer burden in the region." The cancer center conducts more than 200 active clinical trials at any one time, including the region's only Phase 1 trials. There are hundreds of scientists and staff engaged in this leading-edge research. Many trials are testing innovative new anti-cancer therapies or approaches developed by UC Davis laboratories and are only available at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. "The renewal of the NCI award is a remarkable accomplishment and means UC Davis will continue to advance its groundbreaking work, collaborating between clinicians, researchers, educators, staff, and of course, our clinical trial participants, as we share a common goal-;defeating cancer," said Vice Chancellor of Research Prasant Mohapatra. The award demonstrates the high-quality collaboration between dozens of disciplines across multiple departments at UC Davis. "At UC Davis School of Medicine, we encourage team science and believe that innovation is inspired by diversity of thought. The NCI award will help expand our transdisciplinary collaborations to identify new cancer treatments," said Dean Allison Brashear. "This year, the School of Medicine achieved record high research funding with $368 million in awards. Our collective efforts are not only improving the lives of our patients and community but are having an impact worldwide." UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center was first given NCI designation as a cancer center in 2002 with "comprehensive" status awarded in 2012. It has since grown its innovative cancer programs to include robotic surgery technology and theranostics-;using the same imaging technology that spots cancer to kill tumors with precision. In 2019, the cancer center opened its EXPLORER Molecular Imaging Center, the first combined research and clinical total-body PET center in the world. The cancer center is also one of the few in the country to partner with veterinary science, in this case the No. 1 veterinary school in the country, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, to conduct a novel comparative oncology program that combines human and companion animal oncology. The research is considered crucial to advancing the understanding of tumor biology, speeding development of therapies, and giving hope to both people and their pets impacted by cancer. Among its many other strengths, the cancer center is distinguished by its world-class research in cancer biology and DNA repair, immunotherapy, precision oncology, and its strong programs in new cancer drug development. It has growing programs in supportive care for cancer patients. As the region's only clinic for managing the long-term effects of treatment on childhood cancer survivors, the cancer center is also a leader in pediatric oncology. It recently launched the area's only adolescent and young adult oncology program. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's Best Hospitals in cancer care, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center treats more than 20 types of cancer, including the most aggressive tumors such as pancreatic cancer. A $4 million Pancreatic Cancer Collective grant recently awarded to the cancer center will fund an early-stage clinical trial to test delivering radioactive isotopes directly into pancreatic cancer cells. Data from early clinical trials presented at the ESMO Congress 2021 suggest that new anticancer treatments are on the horizon, with a clear emphasis on precision medicine. Despite medical research suffering setbacks in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the wealth of promising new agents and innovative therapeutic approaches currently in development is evidence that the oncology field is once again looking towards the future, closing the annual rendez-vous of the oncology community with a message of hope. New molecular targets on the way to being hit As personalized medicine comes of age, an ever-increasing number of genetic alterations in cancer cells are being identified as potential targets for novel therapies. One example is a mutation causing loss of function of the tumor-suppressing gene ARID1A, which is found in an estimated 10 to 50% of solid tumors including endometrial, bladder, colorectal and bile duct cancers. In a Phase II trial (1) of the targeted agent ceralasertib, for which interim results were presented at this year's ESMO Congress, a clinical benefit defined as stable disease for at least six months was observed for three out of 10 patients with advanced solid tumors exhibiting ARID1A loss of function. Two participants with endometrial cancer remained on the treatment and exhibited ongoing complete responses 16 and 21 months respectively after its initiation. According to Dr. Rodrigo Dienstmann, Oncoclinicas, Brasil, an expert in early drug development not involved in the study, this data is promising and adds to mounting evidence that tumors with this type of alteration are potentially sensitive to targeted therapies that exploit defects in cancer cells' ability to repair damage to their DNA: "We still need to understand whether this is tumor-type dependent and whether other alterations within the tumor need to be taken into account, because we see ARID1A mutations in many cancers from gynecological to esophageal malignancies, but we currently do not know whether they have the same behavior in each disease. That is why going forward, it will be key to obtain a complete genomic picture of the cancer through next-generation sequencing early in the treatment journey," he stated. The hope that medicines targeting a specific mutation could effectively treat multiple different diseases in which it plays a role is also what motivated the compassionate use of alpelisib, an approved agent for the treatment of PIK3CA-mutated breast cancer, among patients with PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS)a rare, life-threatening syndrome caused by sporadic mutations in the same gene and leading to malformations and overgrowths in different parts of the body. A retrospective analysis (2) of patient charts from this compassionate use programme showed that out of 31 evaluable cases, reductions in overgrowths were reported for 23 individuals (74%) alongside clinically meaningful and durable improvements of PROS-related signs and symptoms in a majority of patients (55-91%). The medicine proved safe in this mainly pediatric population, with 91% of participants remaining on treatment at the end of the study. Thanks to the increasingly widespread use of broad genetic testing, drugs we know in oncology are now finding new potential applications: the use of alpelisib is a very interesting approach for this rare group of illnesses with no approved treatment options to date." Prof. Alessandra Curioni-Fontecedro, Medical Oncologist, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland Delivering anticancer agents straight to the core of the tumor cell According to Prof. Andres Cervantes, Hospital Clinic Universitario Valencia, Spain, another novel treatment approach that showed promise at ESMO 2021 is represented by antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), which utilize antibodies that bind to proteins known to be produced in excess by a wide range of tumors to penetrate cancer cells and release cytotoxic agents that will cause the cells to die in a highly targeted manner while preserving healthy tissue in the body. "The proteins targeted are so common that in a Phase I/II clinical trial of the antibody drug conjugate DS-7300, (3) the investigators decided not to select patients based on the expression of the relevant protein B7-H3," Cervantes noted. Antitumor activity of DS-7300 was suggested by partial responses to the drug seen in 15 of the 70 patients (21%) enrolled in the study, with participants heavily pre-treated (median of four prior lines of therapy) achieving reductions in tumor size observed to last up to 40 weeks after the start of treatment. Early signs of efficacy were similarly reported in a first-in-human trial of the antibody drug conjugate SKB264 (4), where six out of 17 patients (35%) with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors responded to the treatment. Both trials are now recruiting additional patients to further determine efficacy in tumors including breast, ovarian, gastric, lung, esophageal and prostate cancer. "It is amazing that despite these being early clinical trials, both of them saw responses across different cancers with drugs that appear to be well tolerated as no dose-limiting toxicities were observedthus underlining the future value of ADCs for a wider population of cancer patients. The time has come to study this promising therapeutic approach in larger trials to learn which other tumor types it may be effective against," said Cervantes. Expanded horizons in immunotherapy In the much-publicised immunotherapy arena, new technologies and mechanisms of disease are being utilised in an attempt to improve the efficacy of this treatment approach among patients with solid tumors, only 15 to 20% of whom have durable responses to existing immune checkpoint inhibitors. Curioni-Fontecedro highlighted the exceptional results (5) seen with a new type of cellular therapy, TC-210, which adapts the patient's own T-cells to recognize the target protein mesothelin present on the surface of tumor cells in diseases such as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. In a dose-escalation study presented at ESMO 2021, all but one out of 16 patients experienced a reduction in the size of their tumor, and six participants saw their tumors shrink by more than 50% following a single infusion of TC-210. Among mesothelioma patients, making up three quarters of the study population, median overall survival was 337 days. "Not much else has happened in terms of treatment for mesothelioma, so this type of cellular therapy could eventually make a real difference for patients," said Curioni-Fontecedro. While citing the currently complex and lengthy production process of cellular therapies as a practical and economic hurdle to their further development, Curioni-Fontecedro also suggested that the heterogeneity of tumors may require approaches directed at multiple molecular targets in the future. This was the case in another study (6) presenting long-term follow-up data of 75 patients with cancers related to human papillomavirus (HPV) who had exhausted standard treatment options and been enrolled in Phase I and Phase II trials to receive bintrafusp alfa, an agent designed to activate the body's immune response to the cancer by simultaneously blocking the well-known immune checkpoint protein PD-L1 and inhibiting the activity of the immune-suppressing molecule TGF- produced by cancer cells. The median duration of response to the treatment was 17 months, with some patients continuing to respond for much longer, and median overall survival was 21 months, with 40% of patients living past four years after starting treatment. Prof. Sebastian Kobold, University of Munich, Germany, an immuno-oncology expert with no ties to the research, commented: "This dual-targeting approach caused quite a dramatic response in patients with advanced HPV-positive cancers, even achieving complete remissions in four patients with just this one agent, which is very encouraging for an early-phase trial." Kobold concluded: "We need more of these alternative immunotherapeutic approachesand, in parallel, further work is required to understand, including for immune checkpoint blockade, which are the patients who will benefit most from this type of therapy so that we can focus future efforts on them." "The ESMO Congress 2021 strongly confirmed that cancer research works, including for rare cancers that are usually orphan of new treatments," added Antonio Passaro, ESMO 2021 Press Officer, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Italy. "The ESMO Congress has offered the stage for promising developments to be presented to the oncology community, looking beyond for the development of new agents, both for biomarker-driven and agnostic approach, but also to improve the management of resistance after molecular or immune treatments. These prospects might well encourage oncologists and cancer researchers worldwide to continue on the quest to significantly improve the survival and quality of life of our patients." Adelaide company Micro-X (MX1) has started developing a small CT brain scanner that can be fitted in ambulances and emergency aircraft. If successful, the device will allow paramedics and retrieval teams to diagnose and then start treating stroke patients in the golden hour the first hour after a stroke. Today Micro-X signed a Project Agreement that will unlock $8 million of funding from a $40 million grant awarded to the Australian Stroke Alliance under the Australian Governments Frontier Health and Medical Research initiative. The funding will contribute to the development of the scanner for patient imaging trials in 2023. This year, stroke will affect more than 15 million people worldwide 5 million will die and another 5 million will be permanently disabled. In Australia, there are about 38,000 stroke events annually, or more than 100 a day. Your best chance of surviving a stroke lies in the first hour after the attack the so-called Golden Hour, Professor Stephen Davis, AO, from the Australian Stroke Alliance, said. Detecting and starting treatment within that timeframe gives patients a much better chance of surviving and recovering with limited brain damage, he said. This scanner would allow us to determine the type of stroke in minutes and start treatment on the way to hospital, Graeme Rayson, Operations Manager, SA Ambulance Service (SAAS), said. An aeromedical stroke unit would potentially save hours in time to diagnosis for remote patients, enabling our teams to fly to a community, scan the patient and start treatment immediately on the plane en route to a hospital, Dr Mardi Steere, Executive General Manager of Medical and Retrieval Services, Royal Flying Doctor Service (Central Operations) said. While some health services have Mobile Stroke Units (MSUs) fully-equipped, custom-built specialist vehicles that accommodate a built-in, conventional CT scanner and specialist acute stroke personnel these cost more than $1 million each and require reinforcement to support the weight of the CT scanner plus they are dedicated to stroke imaging. These have delivered good patient outcomes, but the conventional CT technologys size, weight, cost and workflow mean MSUs will always be relatively rare, particularly in rural and regional communities. Micro-Xs technology by contrast, has the potential to turn every ambulance into a stroke capable ambulance. We have invented an electronic X-ray tube. Its already in use in mobile X-ray units in hospital emergency and ICU rooms. We will create a small arc using a number of these patented X-ray tubes, and a curved detector developed in partnership with Fujifilm, to create a compact and robust CT scanner with no moving parts that could be installed in every ambulance. Peter Rowland, Managing Director, Micro-X The project is made possible thanks to Micro-Xs carbon nanotube (CNT) emitter technology. Micro-X has successfully completed initial imaging studies with the Melbourne Brain Centre. The second stage of the collaboration will continue the development and refinement of the device with the intention of conducting patient imaging trials in approximately three years. Micro-X will build on established relationships with Fujifilm, the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, the MADA Monash University Health Collab team and the Melbourne Brain Centre at Royal Melbourne Hospital. Micro-X is also sending an employee to the Johns Hopkins University as a PhD candidate from Flinders University for three years. "We are excited to be at the forefront in developing technology which has the potential to radically transform health care for all Australians, Rowland said. "This unique collaboration puts Australia and the Australian Stroke Alliance at the forefront of global best practice in stroke care which may be adopted as the new standard for stroke diagnosis and management, Professor Stephen Davis, AO, from the Australian Stroke Alliance, said. University of Helsinki led research project that partners with the University of California, San Francisco, was awarded a Breast Cancer Research Program Breakthrough grant from the US Department of Defense. The University of Helsinki led research project will advance research that aims to bring new MYC based therapies from the laboratory bench to the help of patients suffering from metastatic breast cancer. The grant helps to advance research on breast cancer, but it also fosters collaboration between the European and Californian cancer patient organizations. Some cancer genes that help cancer grow also create weak spots in the cancer cells, which can be exploited with new drugs. In the breast cancer, MYC cancer gene reprograms cells to grow without pause but the uncontrolled growth also makes MYC carrying cancer cells prey to many different types of drugs. Researchers are getting better at finding drugs to target such specific cancer gene created vulnerabilities, and we hope to generate next generation cancer drugs that would kill only cancer cells but leave normal cells unharmed. Even further, we hope that these new drugs would also incite the body's immunity to fight cancer." Juha Klefstrom, Ph.D., Study Leader, FICAN Research Professor, University of Helsinki "Our joint groups at the University of Helsinki and UCSF have discovered that the MYC oncogene is associated with poor breast cancer patient outcomes and resistance to immunotherapies. The Breakthrough Award will allow us to discover improved treatments that seek to selectively kill high-MYC tumor cells and improve response to immune treatments. We anticipate that these studies will lead to new clinical trials to treat patients with these especially aggressive and difficult to treat MYC high breast cancers", states study co-leader Professor Andrei Goga, M.D, Ph.D from the University of California, San Francisco. The project will be implemented in close collaboration with patient advocacy groups in the US and in Finland, exploring new ways to communicate science to patients and the public. "It is great that this important topic is being studied and new treatments are being sought for this fatal disease. Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in women of working age", says Anu Niemi, Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Association Europa Donna Finland. This unique project brings together dedicated teams of researchers, clinicians and advocates, aiming at elucidating a mechanistic role for MYC in regulating the anti-tumor immune response and providing new therapeutic approaches for aggressive breast cancers. With vaccine availability growing in New York City and across the country, attention is increasingly turning to those who remain hesitant to receive it. Between 70 to 90 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity and bring the pandemic under control, according to public health experts. Yet 14 percent of Americans say they will definitely not get a vaccine and another 13 percent want to wait and see how they work or will only get one if required, a Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) poll found in July. Much attention has focused on hesitancy among Black and Hispanic populations, based in part on their feelings of mistrust in the healthcare system. So diversity leaders at Weill Cornell Medicine have launched ambitious community vaccination and education efforts, with the goal of improving uptake and helping those who are reluctant overcome their concerns. The July KFF poll showed some 16 percent of Hispanic adults wanting to "wait and see" before getting vaccinated, compared to 11 percent of Black adults and 8 percent of white adults. The poll also found that resistance to vaccination is associated with younger age, lower level of education, lack of insurance coverage and political affiliation. Healthcare professionals who work with and belong to Black and brown communities say the focus needs to be as much on making the vaccine easy to access as on hesitancy. Although anyone age 12 and up is now eligible in the U.S., getting an appointment can require Internet fluencyplus taking time off and traveling to a site. In January, NewYork-Presbyterian opened a vaccination site at the Fort Washington Armory in Upper Manhattan, prioritizing appointments for eligible residents of Washington Heights, Inwood, Harlem and the South Bronx. Additionally, using information provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension-NYC, the Weill Cornell Medicine Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC) has worked with the Community Healthcare Network of federally qualified health centers to administer, as of late May, over 8,600 vaccine doses. The effort, led by Jeff Zhu of the CTSC, was conducted at sites staffed by Weill Cornell medical students in churches and nonprofit spaces in Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens. And in April, Weill Cornell Medicine's future physicians teamed up with Hunter College nursing students to run clinics at churches in Jamaica, East New York and Harlem, with the aim of vaccinating 100,000 people by September. Dr. Julianne Imperato-McGinley, director of the CTSC and a professor of medicine, says it's important to make vaccination available in people's own communities, particularly at "trusted spaces" like places of worship or a neighborhood organization. The CTSC had previously worked with a predominantly Black church on a free health screening program called Heart to Heart; its pastor reached out to the center and got vaccinated himself in front of his congregants. The point about trust is essential. That's why we're doing this with faith-based communities, where the community knows the people hosting the event. And it's workingthey are getting vaccinated." Dr. Imperato-McGinley, Attending Physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center Throughout the vaccine rollout, significant attention has also been paid to the healthcare system's historic mistreatment of communities of colorparticularly the infamous Tuskegee experiment, in which researchers withheld treatment from Black people who had syphilis so they could study the disease's course. But it's not just history: COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on people of color, some of whom remain underserved by the healthcare system. For this reason, experts say, questions about why vaccineswhich usually take years to developcould be produced so quickly, or whether they could cause future side effects, should be seen as self-advocacy rather than hesitancy. To help healthcare professionals respond to these concerns, in March Weill Cornell Medicine trained "vaccine ambassadors" to serve as relatable, credible sources of information. "It's not about convincing people," says Dr. Susana Morales, an associate professor of clinical medicine and director of the Diversity Center of Excellence within the Cornell Center for Health Equity and an associate attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, who spearheaded the training. "It's about providing information that is sorely missing; it's about empowerment and access." At the training, supported in part by a $200,000 gift by the law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, panelists framed conversations as filling a "knowledge gap" and advised approaching questions in a receptive and empathetic manner. "I tell patients, 'I promise you I've done the research to decide whether I can recommend COVID vaccines to youand whether I was going to accept the vaccine myself,'" said Dr. Morales, who shares with them that she has been vaccinated. In response to concerns about the speed of vaccine development, Dr. Morales describes how clinical trials were able to enroll thousands of diverse volunteers and produce results quickly because of how widespread the virus has been. Ambassadors address questions about side effects by noting that study participants continue to be monitored for serious adverse reactions, which investigators must report and drug makers and other study sponsors must disclose. They also point out long-term side effects of COVID-19 infection such as neurological damage, against which the vaccine protects. To patients from populations that weren't included in vaccine studies, ambassadors can share findings from the latest research. For example, none of the currently approved vaccines have shown negative effects on fertility or caused pregnancy abnormalities in animal studies, and early data on vaccinated pregnant women is very encouraging, says panelist Dr. Kevin Holcomb, associate dean for admissions and a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an attending ob/gyn at NewYork-Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Holcomb has also talked to people about historical comparisons, when appropriate. For example, he has learned that some are under the false impression that in the Tuskegee study, researchers infected participants with syphiliswhen in fact they denied them penicillin to treat the disease. Says Dr. Holcomb: "What happened in Tuskegee is what we might be doing by not availing ourselves of this vaccine." The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Task Force on Reassessing the Inclusion of Race in Diagnosing Kidney Diseases has released its final report, which outlines a new race-free approach to diagnose kidney disease. In the report jointly published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases (AJKD) and the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), the NKF-ASN Task Force recommends the adoption of the new eGFR 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine equation that estimates kidney function without a race variable. The task force also recommends increased use of cystatin C combined with serum (blood) creatinine, as a confirmatory assessment of GFR or kidney function. The new approach may report a different eGFR and could alter the stage of kidney diseases in some people. Patients should learn their latest eGFR and uACR to assess if the new eGFR calculations change their kidney disease status or stage. Patients and healthcare professionals can use a patient-friendly eGFR calculator that uses the new equation to determine a non-race-based calculation to assess their kidney function. It is important for patients to speak with their doctors to determine if this may affect their treatment and care going forward. More than 37 million adults in the United States have kidney diseases and 90% are not aware they have diminished kidney function. A disproportionate number of these people are Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. These Americans also face unacceptable health disparities and inequities in healthcare delivery. The NKF-ASN Task Force organized its work, which took place over a period of 10 months, into three phases: 1) clarify the problem and evidence regarding eGFR equations in the United States; 2) evaluate different approaches to address use of race in GFR estimation; and 3) provide recommendations. The group identified 26 approaches for the estimation of GFR and narrowed their focus by consensus to five such approaches. The final report was drafted with considerable input from hundreds of patients and family members, medical students and other trainees, clinicians, scientists, health professionals, and other stakeholders to achieve consensus for an unbiased assessment of GFR so that laboratories, clinicians, patients, and public health officials can make informed decisions to ensure equity and personalized care for patients with kidney diseases. The interdisciplinary field of active matter physics investigates the principles behind the behavior and self-organization of living organisms. The goal is to reveal general principles that allow to describe and predict the performance of living matter and thereby support the development of novel technologies. Recently, the groups of Oliver Baumchen and Marco Mazza from the MPIDS, the University of Bayreuth, and the University of Loughborough in the UK published their results on the model describing microbial navigation. "As microbes are often challenged with navigating through confined spaces, we were asking ourselves if there is a pattern behind the microbial navigation in a defined compartment", they explain the approach. To answer this question, the researchers followed a single motile microbe and experimentally determined the probability flux of its movements. That is to say, they subdivided a predefined compartment into sectors and determined the probability of movement direction for each sector. In this way, a map was created according to which the navigation behavior of the microbe can be predicted. The curvature determines the flux Surprisingly, the microbe was found not to move randomly through the open space. Instead, the average movement pattern was both highly organized and symmetrical: the map of movement patterns showed a defined distribution of probability fluxes. In particular, the strength of the flux was found to depend on the curvature of the adjacent solid interface: a higher degree of curvature resulted in a stronger flux." explain Jan Cammann and Fabian Schwarzendahl, lead authors of the study. For practical reasons, all measurements were done in a quasi 2-dimensional environment, meaning that the microbe was confined from the top and bottom to better monitor its movement and avoid defocusing. Observing its movement pattern, the group of Marco Mazza (University of Loughborough and MPIDS) created a model to predicts the probabilities to flow in a certain direction. This model was then applied to compartments with more complex interface curvatures and experimentally verified by the lab of Oliver Baumchen (MPIDS and the University of Bayreuth). It turns out that the curvature of the interface is the dominating factor which directly determines the flux of the self-propelling microbe." Oliver Baumchen, University of Bayreuth A technological implication for the future As this discovery constitutes a fundamental observation, the model might as well be applied to other areas of active matter physics. "With our model, we can basically statistically predict where the object of interest will be in the next moment", Mazza reports. "This could not only significantly improve our understanding of the organization of life, but also help to engineer technical devices." Understanding the principles behind the organization of active matter therefore can have direct implications on our future technologies. Potential applications of the model could be directing the movement of photosynthetic microorganisms in such a way so their flux can propel a generator, which would be a direct way to convert sunlight into mechanical energy. But also, in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, the findings of the scientists might be applied: "A potential application in the medical sector is the development of micro-robots delivering drugs to their specific destination in an efficient manner", Baumchen concludes. (Newser) Alex Murdaugh's fall from grace has been well-documented, and the Wall Street Journal adds to that pile. A lengthy piece by Valerie Bauerlein delves into the "unraveling of the Murdaugh dynasty," as the headline reads, and while some of the article trods familiar ground, it provides a cohesive summary of a storied family whose current state is anything but cohesive. Murdaugh, of course, is the 53-year-old South Carolina lawyer whose wife and younger son Paul were murdered in June, which allegedly worsened his 20-year-long opioid addiction, which allegedly contributed to him embezzling millions from his law firm, which allegedly led to him hiring someone to kill him so his surviving adult son could collect his life insurance policy (it didn't work; he's alive). But those are only some of the threads. story continues below Bauerlein details more of what happened the 2019 night 19-year-old Mallory Beach died when Murdaugh's boat, driven by Paul, crashed. The then-college student was home to visit his sometimes-girlfriend Morgan Doughty, and on the evening of Feb. 23, 2019, the two of them went boating with two other couples; Paul allegedly used his older brother's ID to buy booze. Lacking lights, they used a flashlight to navigate. Paul was allegedly behind the wheel the entire time, with the exception of when they docked to do shots and when he got in a nasty fight with Doughty, who told police Paul hit her. A 2:20am crash sent Beach, and others, into the water. Her body was found a week later. Murdaugh repeatedly refused the Beach family lawyer's demands to hand over his financial statements, reportedly maintaining that he didn't have money for them to obtain. Murdaugh was also sued by his insurance company, which said it didn't have to pay as much as $6 million over the crash because Paul wasn't covered by the policy. A judge just ruled in the insurer's favor. (Read the full story.) (Newser) The people who have responded with horror to images of Border Patrol agents on horseback appearing to corral Haitian immigrants at the Rio Grande include the US president and vice president. Some of the photos seem to show agents using whips, KTSM reports. But that's not quite what the photographer who took many of them said he saw happening in Del Rio, Texas. "I've never seen them whip anyone," Paul Ratje said. Still, an investigation has begun, per CNN, and the Department of Homeland Security has temporarily called off the horse patrol. story continues below "It's horrible what you saw," President Biden said Friday at the White House. "To see people like they did, with horses, running them over, people being strapped, it's outrageous." He added, "There will be consequences." Harris also has expressed outrage and said, "Human beings should never be treated that way." Ratje said what's happening in some of the photos can be misinterpreted. "Some of the Haitian men started running, trying to go around the horses," he said. Ratje said other photographers there saw the events the same way he did. Videos made by Al Jazeera and Reuters also showed the confrontations. Some agents were swinging reigns, per the Washington Post, but not whips, and were not shown to be hitting anyone. Members of Congress from both parties also criticized the agents' behavior. "The images turn our stomach," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the floor. The Border Patrol's boss, Raul Ortiz, told reporters in Del Rio early in the week that he was sure the agents were just "trying to control" their horses. It was his decision to dispatch the mounted patrol. (Read more US-Mexico border stories.) (Newser) For nearly three years, Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou has been detained in Canada, awaiting extradition to the United States on fraud charges. On Friday, all of that changed, as the US and China reached an agreement and the US Justice Department dropped its extradition request, allowing Meng to go free, reports the BBC. "My life has been turned upside down," Meng said outside British Columbia's Supreme Court after her release. "It was a disruptive time for me." AFP notes Mengwho'd been out on $8 million bail and under house arrest in her Vancouver mansion since December 2018, per the New York Timesboarded a plane bound for Shenzhen, China, shortly afterward. story continues below Meng and Huawei were indicted by the DOJ in early 2019 on charges of bank and wire fraud, with the agency alleging that Huawei and Meng had lied to HSBC bank officials on whether Huawei was involved in unlawful business with Iranwhich would have prohibited the bank from financing Huawei's sale of telecommunications equipment to Iran, due to sanctions. Per the deferred prosecution deal, Meng agreed to acknowledge a "statement of facts" that said she knowingly making false statements to HSBC, though she was able to formally deny guilt on those allegations, per the BBC. Meng has "taken responsibility for her principal role in perpetrating a scheme to defraud a global financial institution," the DOJ notes. For its part, the DOJ has agreed it won't prosecute Meng, 49, until December 2022. The case will be dropped altogether if she complies with court conditions. Just days after Meng was arrested, China arrested two Canadian citizens, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, and accused them of spying, in what critics say was retaliation for Meng's detention. Spavor was convicted last month and sentenced to 11 years behind bars. Friday's development appears to have changed the fate for those two men: They were released by China and flew back to Calgary, Alberta, on Saturday, where they were greeted by a hug from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reports the AP. "For the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance, and grace and we are all inspired by that," Trudeau said. (Read more Meng Wanzhou stories.) (Newser) Schools that ask kids to wear masks are seeing fewer COVID outbreaks. The CDC released three reports on Friday. One summed up a study comparing outbreaks in schools that required masks and schools that didnt in two school districts in Arizona, where Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona has banned mask mandates. Some schools there required them anyway, Yahoo News reports. Another one compared COVID case numbers in counties with school mask requirements and counties that didnt. The third is simply a roundup of which schools have in-person, remote, or hybrid learning modalities, and which were closed for COVID outbreaks, and showed that most schools are open, even as the Delta variant spreads nationwide. Schools without mask requirements were 3.5 times more likely to have a COVID outbreak, per the Wall Street Journal. story continues below Mobeen Rathore wasnt involved in the studies, but he is chief of infectious diseases at a children's hospital in a Florida county with no mask requirement for schools. In Duval County, where Rathore is, COVID cases among schoolchildren hit a high shortly after classes started, then declined when the school board changed the policy, mandating masks for 90 days. Masks work, Rathore told the WSJ. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also banned mask mandates, but some schools rebelled, and DeSantis docked bard members pay, per Yahoo News. In a press release accompanying the reports, the CDC continued to press the message that masks save lives, and not just of the kids in schools. Mask mandates can reduce the burden on the health care systems that support these school districts, the press release says. (Read more face masks stories.) (Newser) Parents of a child in Vermont are suing the Disney Cruise Line for $20 million. They say their 3-year-old daughter was groped by a significantly older child while being looked after in the Oceaneer Club daycare for passengers ages 3-12, WCAX reports. They say their daughter was restrained, and staff failed to recognize the sexual assault and allowed it to continue. The parents say the assault happened on Jan. 9, 2020. The familys lawyer, Michael Winkleman, said the incident was captured on surveillance video, the Miami Herald reports. Winkleman said the child started wetting the bed and showing signs of having been abused, which prompted the parents to get help from law enforcement, who found a video that shows the child being held down and touched in private areas by a child of about 10 who was dressed like Princess Leia. story continues below Winkelman said the age and identity of the other child isnt known, NBC News reports. The parents didnt know anything was wrong until they got home, and the child tried to pull her fathers pants down and lie down with his eyes closed. A spokesperson for Disney dismissed the lawsuit as wholly without merit, saying the family have changed their story, and that the FBI and Brevard County Sheriffs Office investigated and found nothing. Through their lawyer, the parents said they want to raise awareness of the hidden dangers of sexual assaults on cruise ships, People reports. (Read more child abuse stories.) Agencies | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Indias Ambassador to Bahrain Piyush Srivastava has applauded the Kingdom for its success in achieving the green alert level following the decline in cases. The diplomat also thanked Bahrain for taking India off the red list countries in view of significantly improved COVID situation in India. Indian nationals having valid visas are now able to travel to Bahrain, the ambassador said as he interacted virtually and for two hours with the Indian community in the Kingdom to address urgent consular and labour issues. The ambassador told the open house that the visit by Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Shri V Muraleedharan to Bahrain on August 30 - September 1 was highly successful and provided momentum to various aspects of bilateral co-operation. BRIDGEWATER It was Elmer Garretts dream to restore an old mill and that dream came true, said his son Jim Garrett, who remembers going to the Red Mill on South Main Street as a child in the 1940s, and watching his father work on it. The landmark mill, which was built in 1796, has had many occupants. On Sept. 1, during the remnants of Hurricane Ida, it was hit hard and many parts of it flooded and some broke. A video posted by the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company showed water rushing down to the house, with firefighters on a nearby road. Matt Denning, the mills owner, would like to restore it, and is asking the public for help. He has set up a fundraising campaign that can be found by searching Help rebuild the old Red Mill Bridgewater on GoFundMe.com, with a goal of $50,000. All contributions will go toward the repairs to the mills exterior, which includes rebuilding a 60-foot water flume and a 16-foot Fitz water wheel, the Wewaka Brook Pond Dam, and 50 feet of retaining wall to help prevent a future catastrophe, Denning said. He added an exact cost wont be obtained until the project is completed. Clean up, costs The days following the flood were spent cleaning up the horrible mess, said Denning, whose mother was rescued from the building by neighbors during the storm. The very first morning after the storm, my son, whose school was canceled for the day, was down there helping me lift all the debris. There was at least knee deep of just debris, said Denning, who is a private chef in Manhattan. It took me five full days of cleanup. It was a lot of elbow grease and sweat and hard work and a large dumpster. My family rolled up their sleeves and our good friends helped, and we all did it together. My wifes friends cooked this great big lunch and brought it over. About $25,000 worth of damages was done to the existing retaining wall and the erosion, Denning said. It has to be done with reinforced rebar and a very strong wall because we dont want this to happen again, he said. He said another $25,000 is needed for replacing the 60-foot water flume and steel work. All those those buckets were ripped off from the debris, he said. Debris was swept down the flume before the flume collapsed, and that debris ripped buckets off the back of the water wheel. Additionally, Denning said about 1,000 square feet of wood flooring is needed inside the building because the existing antique floors buckled from the flood. He plans to do all the flooring work on his own. Red Mill history The mill was built by Truman Minor in 1796, according to Landmarks of Bridgewater by the Bridgewater Historical Society, published in 1958. The mill was uncovered at first, later a roof and building were erected, the book said. It was later enlarged to a gristmill, cider mill and shingle saw mill. Other owners of the mill include the Glovers, Hawleys, Giddings, Northrups, Haddens, Howes, Stuerwalks, Rogers and Lalans. Richard Boleslavsky, a Broadway director, owned the mill in the 1920s, Garrett said. After he died, his wife, Natalie Boleslavsky, along with a man named Alexander Shimkevitch, became owners. On the back of the property sat a small cottage where a Russian silent film star named Maria Alekseyevna Ouspenskaya lived, Jim Garrett said. She worked with Richard Boleslavsky and stayed at the cottage whenever she was in town. The Bolislavskys used the mill as a dance studio for years, said Jim Garrett, who now lives in Marlborough. The Garrett family became owners of the mill in 1950. Mills werent new for the Garrett family they had owned many in Pennsylvania, and Elmer Garrett had worked on his fathers mill while growing up, before going off to college, Jim Garrett said. Elmer later worked as an electrical engineer with Remington Rand and Sperry. When Elmer took over ownership of the mill, Jim said he was about 7 years old. Jim is now 81. We lived on Freeport, New York, and dad would come up on weekends and in the summer to work on it, said Garrett. Dad was an engineer in New York but his dream was to restore an old building. There was always one more project, Jim Garrett said. Prior to the Garretts taking over the mill, it had been damaged by an ice storm. When dad bought it, it was kind of a wreck, Jim Garrett said. Dad fixed the mill all up. Elmer Garrett bought the waterwheel for the mill by the Fitz Water Wheel Company in Pennsylvania, Jim Garrett said. He put in the water wheel and built the flume, he said. I helped him. Elmer Garrett wasnt sure what the end product was going to be as far as the use of the mill, but he had an interest in papermaking because thats what his parents did, so he developed the mill as a papermaking museum, Jim Garrett said. Elmer Garrett died in 1996. Denning purchased the mill from the Garrett family in 2000 and has used it as a pottery studio. He and his immediate family live in a house near the mill. Denning said his goal is to restore the mill to look like the historical landmark it is. It is such an iconic building for Bridgewater. The town considers it Our mill, and everybody enjoys the view from the road and Im trying to restore that view, he said. sfox@milfordmirror.com BETHEL A roughly 13,000-square-foot expansion is being proposed for the Target store on Stony Hill Road. Target which has been in Bethel since 2004 is looking to expand the existing 123,000-square-foot building in order to meet on-site storage capacity needs and improve operational efficiencies and fulfillment capabilities, according to project manager John Canning. Along with an uptick in online orders for pick-up, the store has seen an increased need for inventory storage but Canning said its current stockroom is only able to hold about 50 percent of the replenishment stock product needed to operate efficiently. Due to the lack of on-site storage space, Target has been leasing an additional 11,800 square-feet in an offsite facility. The goal of the proposed expansion is to allow Target to exit the off-site lease and house all of its product on site, Canning wrote in a letter to Bethels Planning and Zoning Commission, which will hold a Zoom public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday on Targets special permit application for expansion. In addition to more on-site storage space, the proposed expansion project would include the creation of a new employee lounge and training conference room inside the store, as well as the addition of a Starbucks coffee bar. Some other Targets like those in Stamford, Milford and Waterbury already have Starbucks bars. The Starbucks bar would be adjacent to the Bethel stores cafe and snack bar area, which has been closed since last year due to the pandemic and converted into a fulfillment storage space. Target is looking to reopen the snack bar as part of the proposed expansion, which includes minor floor reconfiguration plans for that area of the store. The proposed floor plan would utilize roughly 2,000 square-feet for the Starbucks and snack bar area, and include approximately 700 square-feet of area for queuing and circulation. There are also proposed changes for the sites parking lot and driveway, which Canning says would result in only a very modest increase in traffic volumes and parking activity. Target is looking to relocate the Bethel stores eight existing drive-up stalls and add 16 more for a total of 24 online order pick-up spots in the parking lot. To improve circulation, Target also proposes widening the entrance to the parking area from 24 feet to 30 feet and removing five parking spaces near the entrance where parking activity currently interferes with the operation of the access way, according to Canning. Peter Yankowski / Hearst Connecticut Media WALLINGFORD A Wallingford woman was arrested Friday and charged with illegally collecting workers compensation benefits while working as a teacher in Bristol, according to the states Division of Criminal Justice. Ann Marie Barros, 44, of Wallingford was a teacher for the Bristol Board of Education. In February 2019, Barros injured her head, neck and back while attempting to break up a fight between two students. She was placed on Temporary Total Disability and received $59,608 in benefits, according to the state division. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) A man died in Kentucky after gunfire broke out involving two vehicles on a Louisville highway, police said. Shots were fired on Interstate 264 around 5:40 a.m., and one of the vehicles crashed into a wall, Louisville police spokesperson Dwight Mitchell told news outlets. It wasn't clear whether the man died as a result of the shooting or the wreck. WASHINGTON (AP) Three Supreme Court justices delivered the same plea in rapid succession in recent days: Dont view justices as politicians. The justices have reason to be concerned. Recent polls show a sharp drop in approval of a court now dominated by conservatives. The call by justices Clarence Thomas, Stephen Breyer and Amy Coney Barrett for the public not to see court decisions as just an extension of partisan politics isnt new. But the timing of the recent comments is significant, just after a summer in which conservative majorities on the court prevailed over liberal dissents on abortion, immigration and evictions, and at the start of a blockbuster term. The future of abortion rights and expansions of gun and religious rights already are on the docket. Other contentious cases could be added. The outcome in each could fracture the court along ideological lines, with the court's six conservative justices chosen by Republican presidents prevailing over its three liberals nominated by Democrats. To some observers, the Supreme Court is facing the most serious threat to its legitimacy since its decision in Bush v. Gore two decades ago that split liberals and conservatives and effectively settled the disputed 2000 presidential election in favor of Republican George W. Bush. I think we may have come to a turning point. If within a span of a few terms we see sweeping right-side decisions over left-side dissents on every one of the most politically divisive issues of our time voting, guns, abortion, religion, affirmative action perception of the court may be permanently altered, said Irv Gornstein, executive director of Georgetown Universitys Supreme Court Institute. Paul Smith, who has argued before the court in support of LGBTQ and voting rights among other issues, said people are increasingly upset that the court is way to the right of the American people on a lot of issues. But views of the court have dipped before, then rebounded, from a public that doesnt pay too much attention to the courts work and has trouble identifying most of the justices. Tom Goldstein, the founder of the court-focused SCOTUSblog website who argues frequently before the justices, doubts this time will be any different. He says the court "has built up an enormous font of public respect, no matter what it does. Still, Thomas, Breyer and Barrett took aim at the perception of the court as political in recent speeches and interviews. Breyer, the courts eldest member at 83 and leader of its diminished liberal wing, has spoken for years about the danger of viewing the court as junior league politicians. But he acknowledged it can be difficult to counter the perception that judges are acting politically, particularly after cases like the one from Texas in which the court by a 5-4 vote refused to block enforcement of the states ban on abortions early in pregnancy. The majority was made up of three justices appointed by President Donald Trump and two other conservatives, with the three liberals and Chief Justice John Roberts in dissent. Its pretty hard to believe when a case like those come along that were less divided than you might think, Breyer said in an interview earlier this month with The Washington Post. Barrett echoed Breyer's comments soon after. My goal today is to convince you that this court is not comprised of a bunch of partisan hacks, the Trump nominee said in a talk in Louisville, Kentucky, at a center named for Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who was sitting on the stage near the justice. McConnell engineered Barretts swift confirmation just days before last years presidential election and little more than a month after the liberal icon, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, died. Barretts confirmation was arguably the most political of any member of the court. She was confirmed on a 52-48 vote, the first in modern times with no support from the minority party. McConnell's push to confirm Barrett in the final days before the election stood in contrast to his decision to hold open the seat held by Justice Antonin Scalia when Scalia died months before the election in 2016 and President Barack Obama, a Democrat, sought to name a replacement. In an appearance a few days after Barrett's, Thomas said the justices themselves were to blame for shifting perceptions of the court by taking on roles that properly belong to elected officials. The court was thought to be the least dangerous branch and we may have become the most dangerous, he said at the University of Notre Dame, where Barrett taught law for many years. Three new polls, all conducted after the courts Texas abortion vote, have shown sharp drops in approval of the court. Just 40% of Americans approve of the court, according to the latest Gallup poll. Thats among the lowest its been since Gallup started asking that question more than 20 years ago. Approval was 49% in July. The change in the composition of the court and the controversies over Trumps three nominees have prompted calls from liberal interest groups to expand the court and institute term limits for the justices, who have lifetime tenure under the Constitution. At the moment, those changes seem unlikely to succeed. But one group, Demand Justice, said this past week that it is planning to spend more than $100,000 on advertising in the coming weeks to promote the idea of court expansion. And a court reform commission established by President Joe Biden is supposed to issue a report by November. Some court-watchers think the efforts of the liberal groups, rather than the courts actions, are responsible for changing views of the justices. I do think theres a sustained campaign to delegitimize the court that has gotten some traction on the left, said Roman Martinez, a Washington lawyer who regularly argues before the court. At one point of another, most of the justices have talked about the importance of the court maintaining its legitimacy and the need for justices to rise above partisanship. Every single one of us needs to realize how precious the courts legitimacy is. You know we dont have an army. We dont have any money. The only way we can get people to do what we think they should do is because people respect us, Justice Elena Kagan said at a Princeton University event around the time of Kavanaughs confirmation. A couple of months later, Roberts spoke up in defense of judicial independence, but he did so to combat criticism of judges from Trump. After Trump described a judge who ruled against him as a biased Obama judge, Roberts memorably tangled with the president. Roberts said: We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges. What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them. Thousands of Connecticut state employees, K-12 teachers, school bus drivers and day care workers were among those being urged to get vaccinated or else get tested for COVID-19 in the waning hours before Gov. Ned Lamont's executive orders requiring vaccinations for certain employees takes effect on Monday. State employees were reminded to upload their vaccination status, applicable weekly testing results or medical and religious exemption requests by midnight on Sunday to a third-party app. Please also set aside enough time Friday or this weekend to complete the process and dont leave reporting until the last minute in case you encounter any issues. Employees who do not complete the process will be subject to unpaid leave and possible separation from state service, Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Josh Geballe wrote in an email sent to affected state employees on Thursday. Geballe noted that it could it could take several days next week to manually input submissions and fully assess individual compliance" and any resulting actions. As such," he wrote, "all employees should report to work on Monday as usual and continue to report normally until and unless notified otherwise. State officials are uncertain how many affected workers may not comply with the order. Some issues still remain with state employee unions leaders, including the exact nature of the consequence for not complying with the executive order, and whether there should be a cash incentive associated with being vaccinated, according to an update posted Thursday night by the State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition. Despite such outstanding issues, Lamont's administration has reached a formal agreement with the state employee unions that represent mostly executive branch workers. For example, unvaccinated workers' state health insurance will now cover the cost of the first four COVID tests at locations not providing free testing. Also, unvaccinated state employees will be allowed to use sick time, personal leave, vacation time or other accruals to cover the work time lost in order to get tested. But Geballe warned on Thursday during a news briefing with Lamont that workers will have to eventually pay for these tests. Theres a very simple solution to this. Just get vaccinated, he said. Meanwhile, school officials across the state were waiting Friday to see how many of their workers might forgo vaccinations and the required testing. Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, said her members believe most of their teachers and staff will be vaccinated or tested in time. For the most part, what superintendents are telling me, they will be compliant with the testing by midnight on the 26th. It may take a few days ... to get the testing processed, but they will be tested or vaccinated," said Rabinowitz, who has heard of isolated incidents of staff who refuse to be tested or vaccinated, and subsequently won't be allowed on school property. Meanwhile, Rabinowitz said she's heard from school bus companies that as many as 300 bus drivers may refuse to get vaccinated and tested, and therefore won't be allowed to work. She said that will only exacerbate an existing shortages of bus drivers. I hope that the bus drivers reconsider and either get tested or vaccinated, she said. Lamont said Thursday that his administration has been working to accelerate getting additional bus drivers in place in order to bring students to school next week in case large numbers of school bus drivers decide not to get required vaccinations or testing. The governor's orders also require employees at long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities, to get their first shot of a two-dose vaccine and have an appointment for a second vaccine dose by Sept. 27. Their employers face a possible $20,000-a-day fine for any violations. Monday's deadline comes several days before Lamont's executive authority is set to expire on Sept. 30. The Democratic-controlled General Assembly is meeting next week to consider extending those powers until February. ___ This story has been corrected to show that long-term care employers, not employees, face a possible $20,000-a-day fine for violating the vaccination mandate. DANBURY The Danbury police officer who shot and wounded a Bristol man in July 2019 seven months after fatally shooting a Danbury man is expected to return to work next month following more than two years of paid administrative leave. Alexander Relyea was exonerated last year after firing his service weapon at Aaron Bouffard near Old Ridgebury and Reserve roads on July 3, 2019. Months earlier, Relyea who has been with the Danbury Police Department since 2014 shot Paul Arbitelle three times during a confrontation at Danburys Glen Apartments on Dec. 29, 2018. He was cleared in that shooting. Police said Bouffard and Paul Arbitelle were armed with knives when they were shot. Relyea was poised to return to active patrol duty following his second exoneration in March 2020, but has instead remained on paid administrative leave a decision Mayor Joe Cavo said was left to Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour. Weve allowed the chief to decide what he does for his department and whats best for his personnel, Cavo said. These are huge events in a persons life, and I think hes just been giving (Relyea) time. Its not common under any circumstance for an officer to be on administrative leave for such a long period of time, but its not unheard of either, said John DeCarlo, University of New Haven criminal justice professor and former Branford police chief. Not only could there be a number of factors at play, but an officer being involved in two shootings in a matter of months when most go their entire careers without firing their service weapons while on duty could cause the administration of a department to take their time to make a really careful evaluation, he said. The chief declined to say why Relyea has remained on leave describing it as an internal personnel matter, but Ridenhour said it was his call. It was mainly my decision, but I do take input from a variety of sources, said Ridenhour, adding that such sources included Relyea and the police union. The chief said a process is underway to bring Relyea back to work very soon. His return may be just a few weeks away, according to Cavo. Its my understanding that he will be coming back to work sometime in the early part of October to be in the station, the mayor said. Relyea wouldnt immediately return to active patrol duty, though, because he would first need to be brought up to date on the departments latest policies, procedures and training. Theres been a lot of things hes missed in terms of training, and so hes going to have to spend time doing that, Cavo said. In addition to catching up on new standard operating procedures, the 35-year-old officer will have to be instructed in the use of the departments new body cameras. Theres training that everybody has to take, so hell get caught up on that and well work from there, Ridenhour said. We look forward to working with him and getting him back into the fold in some capacity. The shootings During the December 2018 fatal shooting of Arbitelle, Relyea fired his gun following another officers ineffective attempt to use his stun gun on the 45-year-old, according to state police. Officers had repeatedly told Arbitelle to drop his knife, police had said. Arbitelle was hit three times. Arbitelles 74-year-old mother, Linda Arbitelle, was unintentionally shot in the abdomen during the incident. She survived, but her son succumbed to his injuries. Stamford States Attorney Richard Colangelo determined that Relyeas use of force against Arbitelle to be both reasonable and justified under the circumstances. That exoneration was announced July 10, 2019 seven days after Relyea shot Bouffard, becoming the subject of a second officer-involved shooting investigation. Authorities said Bouffard was carrying two knives when Relyea and other officers encountered him in a field off Reserve Road following a two-hour manhunt the morning of July 3, 2019. Danbury and state police had been searching for the 31-year-old after receiving several 911 calls about an assault at the Midwestern Connecticut Council of Alcoholism rehabilitation center on Old Ridgebury Road around 8:40 a.m. Employees told police Bouffard fought clients and staff before taking two knives from the facilitys kitchen and leaving the property. The search for the knife-wielding man ended around 10:45 a.m. when officers found Bouffard in a nearby field and Relyea fired several rounds, striking him in the thigh, pelvis area and finger. RELATED: Momentarily lost body cam found with video at Danbury shooting Bouffard allegedly ignored orders to drop the knives he was holding and continued to advance towards officers, according to the Connecticut State Police investigation into the shooting. Bouffard later pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and first-degree threatening stemming from the incident at MCCA and was sentenced to jail time in March 2020, according to court records. He is being held at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield with a maximum release date of May 28, 2022, according to the state Department of Correction. The same month Bouffard was sentenced, Relyea was exonerated in the July 2019 shooting after Danbury States Attorney Stephen Sedensky determined the officer had acted appropriately and the shooting was justified. Lawsuits There are two federal lawsuits pending against Relyea, which Cavo said have nothing to do with the officers prolonged administrative leave status. Linda Arbitelle filed a lawsuit against Relyea in Bridgeports U.S. District Court in December 2019, claiming he used excessive force and took unjustified and unlawful action during the shooting that wounded her and killed her son. She claims Relyea did not have to fire his weapon and failed to utilize less than deadly force that was readily available. Bouffard filed a lawsuit in New Havens U.S. District Court against Relyea and the City of Danbury in August 2020 for alleged civil rights violations. He claims there was no need or justification for the use of so much deadly force under the circumstances present at the time of the July 2019 incident an allegation both the city and Relyea denied in December 2020 responses to Bouffards complaint. Bouffard claims to have been at least 25 feet away with his back towards Relyea when the officer shot him. He also alleges that Relyea shot him despite knowing he was not armed with a gun. Bouffard accuses Relyea and the city of being jointly and severally liable for the injuries inflicted upon him, as well as responsible for Relyeas unreasonable and excessive use of force. He is suing the city for allowing Relyea to be on duty despite the active investigation into the fatal Arbitelle shooting at the time. Bouffard claims the city allowed Relyea to be on duty with a loaded gun while the investigation into his recent use of deadly force still was in process, failed to provide him with retraining, failed to evaluate his propensity for deadly violence, and failed either to discipline or reassign him to duties in which he would not have the opportunity to kill again. The City of Danbury not only denied that Relyea had a prior history of using excessive and unreasonable deadly force, but that his duty status on July 3, 2019 was in any way improper or that he required retraining, evaluation and/or discipline. Bouffard is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from both Relyea and the city, while Arbitelle is seeking compensatory, punitive and treble damages, as well as any other relief deemed appropriate by the court. Relyeas lawyers in both lawsuits Simsbury-based attorneys Elliot B. Spector and David C. Yale could not be reached for comment. Julia Perkins contributed to this report. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Alabama is considering whether to use $400 million in pandemic relief funds to build new prisons, a proposal Gov. Kay Ivey and Republican legislative leaders say would save state taxpayers money, but that critics argue is not what the funds are supposed to be used for. Lawmakers on Monday begin a special session focused on a $1.3 billion prison construction plan to build at least three new prisons and renovate others. The projects would be done in phases and funded with a $785 million bond issue, $150 million in general fund dollars and $400 million from the states $2.2 billion share of American Rescue Plan funds. Ivey and Republican legislative leaders have defended the use of the virus funds, saying it will enable the state to essentially pay cash for part of the construction and avoid using state dollars as well as paying interest on a loan. We dont have to borrow quite as much money and pay all that money back, Ivey told reporters this week as she explained why the virus funds should be used for prison construction. Republican Sen. Greg Albritton, who chairs the Senate general fund budget committee, said legislative leaders are comfortable they can legally use the money for prison construction. Albritton said part of the federal dollars are to replace revenue lost during the pandemic. He said that pot of funds has many, many fewer restrictions on how it is used. Dev Wakeley, a policy analyst with Alabama Arise, said while the state may be legally able to use the money for prison construction, the purpose was to do things that will help everyday Alabamians in their lives, and to smooth out the recovery. Alabama Arise is an advocacy organization for low-income families. He said the money could be used for items such as an expansion of the states Medicaid program to provide medical coverage to previously uninsured Alabamians and child care programs. Congress surely did not contemplate state governments deciding that well, you know, were just not going to use this money to actually improve lives of people ... instead were going to blow $400 million on building fancy new prisons that dont even really get at the problems" of the state incarceration system. Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, said there are obviously better uses of the money. President Joe Bidens sweeping $1.9 trillion COVID-19 rescue package known as the American Rescue Plan was signed in March, providing a stream of funds to states and cities to recover from the pandemic. A spokesperson said the U.S. Department of Treasury does not preapprove any specific uses of the funds and has not issued a final rule on usage. Treasury officials say the department is monitoring all proposed expenditures and expects any state or local government that uses state and local funds in violation of the eligible uses to repay the misused funds to the federal government. Dozens of activist and progressive investor groups this week sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen asking the administration to forbid states from using the pandemic relief funds for prison construction projects. They argued the aid should be allocated to communities in greatest need that have been disproportionately affected by the crushing impacts of COVID-19. If permitted to use federal dollars, the state will squander a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in our communities for productive infrastructure like K-12 and early childhood education, access to high quality and affordable healthcare, clean water and sanitation, as well as promoting a green economy through the transition to renewable energy sources, read the Sept. 23 letter signed by The Ordinary Peoples Society, Worth Roses, Justice Capital and other organizations. The Alabama prison construction proposal calls for at least three new prisons at least a 4,000-bed prison in Elmore County with enhanced space for medical and mental health care needs; another at least 4,000-bed prison in Escambia County; and a womens prison as well as renovations to existing facilities. The session begins at 4 p.m. Monday. DETROIT (AP) About half of the first demolition funds awarded following a bond proposal approved by Detroit voters have gone to Black-owned businesses based in the city. So far, the Detroit Demolition Department, which runs the citys blight removal program, has awarded $70 million for the abatement and demolition of vacant houses and clearing out structures that will be secured for renovation and sale. NEW HAVEN A new pilot grant program that aims to promote community healing and racial justice has awarded funding to 16 local artists and art projects, according to a release. The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven in partnership with the Arts Council of Greater New Haven awarded $583,000 in Racial Equity and Creative Healing (REACH) through the Arts grants, the release said. The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven is funding the program through its Stepping Forward initiative, a $26 million commitment to addressing the impact of COVID-19 and advancing racial equity, the release said. The Arts Council of Greater New Haven is overseeing the grant application, selection and award process. The REACH programs purpose is to support community and neighborhood art projects that create cultural experiences centered on racial justice, collective healing and youth development, the release said. This was a participatory grant process that worked to identify artists in the community who can lead the way in healing from the ravages of COVID and of racism, Jackie Downing, director of grantmaking and nonprofit support at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, said in the release. The grants are supporting a variety of projects in different artistic mediums, all led by non-white artists, Arts Council Executive Director Daniel Fitzmaurice added. By centering on Black and Brown creatives and on whatever it is that will bring the community joy through the arts, that is healing, Fitzmaurice said in the release. Grant recipents are: Amplify the Arts Festival, $44,000, a two-day Hamden festival with schedule of performances and artists booths showcasing local artists. Bars On I-95, $22,000, a platform to introduce local artists to the hip-hop industry and help local artists showcase their talent plus grow and maintain their fan base. Black Haven, $44,000, to organize the second Black Haven Film Festival with goal of sustaining as an ongoing annual event. Black Obsidian Mens Group, $44,000, for a retreat series for people folks who identify as men and as Black. Camp Folklorico, $44,000, a free, culturally explorative dance class hosted by Junta for Progressive Action. The Community Connection Project, $22,000, for a weekly series of Saturday workshops focusing on the history of jazz and a holiday lights contest engaging the youth of Newhallville to decorate the neighborhood with festive decor. Global Youth Media Initiative, $44,000, for music and news broadcasting training, mentorship and technical instruction for high school students and young adults. 3 Little Kids (3LK), $44,000, for professional filmmakers to mentor youth actors in the production of a film. Little Free Hope & Healing Lending Libraries, $22,000, for three new free lending libraries in public spaces across the city of New Haven stocked with BIPOC authors. Sites will host a series of readings, activities and book clubs. New Haven Chinatown, $11,000, for regular arts and cultural programming for Chinese families and the production of a mural. New Haven Pride Center, $44,000, for expanded racial justice and advocacy programming. One Village Healing, $44,000, for wellness and resilience for BIPOC residents in the region. Orchid Blossom Mural Womens Shelter, $22,000, for a three-story mural of lavender orchid blossoms on the side of the Hillside Family Shelter. Children in the community will be engaged to work collaboratively to paint the bottom. Playmaking New Haven, $44,000, for playmaking workshops, performance opportunities and mentorship for young artists. Pod in New Haven, $44,000, in which New Haven high school students will receive training and guidance on the art of podcasting with the goal of hosting bi-weekly podcasts. Ubuntu Storytellers, $44,000, to support and pay story artists who identify as Black or brown to tell their personal narrative stories for the storytelling concerts. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Mississippi will soon start rebuilding a section of highway that collapsed during torrential rainfall brought by Hurricane Ida, the head of the state Department of Transportation says. Two people were killed and nine were injured Aug. 30 as seven vehicles plunged, one after another, into a deep pit that opened up on the dark, rural stretch of Mississippi Highway 26 near Lucedale. One of the injured people died in a hospital Sept. 11. NEW HAVEN The Department of Community Resilience leapt from an idea to reality as the Board of Alders unanimously approved three measures requested by Mayor Justin Elicker. After unanimously approving an ordinance amendment creating the new department, which aims to address issues such as street violence, mental health and reentry out of one office, the board unanimously approved a second ordinance amendment authorizing a series of budget transfers to the department totaling $3.03 million. Then it unanimously approved an order transferring $8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to the new, $6 million-a-year department. Elicker has said the department the first new city department in decades would be an umbrella to bring together the efforts of a host of agencies, from police to social services, to work to lessen violence in the city. Im thankful for the Board of Alders support for this new department, Elicker said in a release after the vote. New Haven, like many other communities, has experienced an uptick in violence and the Department of Community Resilience will be a key component of our strategy to combat it. We know we cant simply arrest our way to a safer city, Elicker said. We need to get the right services to the right individuals and this new department will help us do that in a data-informed way. The department will be organized under the supervision of the citys Community Services Administration, headed by Dr. Mehul Dalal. As part of the plan to staff the new department, the city will create four new positions: a department head, a coordinator for the office of violence prevention, a coordinator for mental health and a data analyst. The plan also calls to move four existing positions into the department, including a special projects director that oversees the reentry center and the Community Crisis Response Team initiative, a homeless health outreach coordinator, the coordinator of the Office of Housing and Homelessness and the manager of community development initiatives. The proposal to create the new department was presented by Finance Committee Chairwoman Alder Evette Hamilton, D-24. Among those speaking in about it were alders Abbe Roth, D-7, Jeanette Morrison, D-22, Steven Winter, D-21, Majority Leader Richard Furlow, D-27, Anna Festa, D-10, Kimberly Edwards, D-19, and Ron Hurt, D-3. I very much agree that the issues, which are very important, said Roth. She said she supported spending $8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding but had concerns about spending $2 million in block-grant-funded new funds for new positions without knowing how were going to fund them in the future. Morrison supported the move, saying, We know that (some of) the funding is temporary. However, we really need the support. ... I ask you to give it a chance, and when the money runs out, it runs out. We all know what gun violence has done to this community, Winter said, and the citys approach must go beyond policing. Furlow said city officials have heard the cries of our residents, saying, Do something! People need help and they arent getting the help, he said. Lets do something to help out the residents of this city who are crying out for help. Festa said the new department is needed but asked the board to table it until we get a better understanding of the four positions that are being created. She ultimately voted in favor of it after her motion to table it failed on a voice vote. If not now, when? said Hurt, who represents part of the Hill neighborhood. Every day I walk through my community and I hear the cries of my residents, but I also see those with addiction, those who are homeless and jobless, walking through the streets. ... There should be some help for them. mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com WASHINGTON (AP) The Taliban's takeover of Kabul has deepened the mutual distrust between the U.S. and Pakistan, putative allies who have tangled over Afghanistan. But both sides still need each other. As the Biden administration looks for new ways to stop terrorist threats in Afghanistan, it probably will look again to Pakistan, which remains critical to U.S. intelligence and national security because of its proximity to Afghanistan and connections to the Taliban leaders now in charge. Over two decades of war, American officials accused Pakistan of playing a double game by promising to fight terrorism and cooperate with Washington while cultivating the Taliban and other extremist groups that attacked U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Islamabad pointed to what it saw as failed promises of a supportive government in Kabul after the U.S. drove the Taliban from power after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as extremist groups took refuge in eastern Afghanistan and launched deadly attacks throughout Pakistan. But the U.S. wants Pakistani cooperation in counterterrorism efforts and could seek permission to fly surveillance flights into Afghanistan or other intelligence cooperation. Pakistan wants U.S. military aid and good relations with Washington, even as its leaders openly celebrate the Taliban's rise to power. Over the last 20 years, Pakistan has been vital for various logistics purposes for the U.S. military. Whats really been troubling is that, unfortunately, there hasnt been a lot of trust, said U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat who is on the House Intelligence Committee. I think the question is whether we can get over that history to arrive at a new understanding. Pakistan's prime minister, in remarks Friday to the U.N. General Assembly, made clear there is a long way to go. Imran Khan tried to portray his country as the victim of American ungratefulness for its assistance in Afghanistan over the years. Instead of a mere word of appreciation, Pakistan has received blame, Khan said. Former diplomats and intelligence officers from both countries say the possibilities for cooperation are severely limited by the events of the past two decades and Pakistan's enduring competition with India. The previous Afghan government, which was strongly backed by India, routinely accused Pakistan of harboring the Taliban. The new Taliban government includes officials that American officials have long believed are linked to Pakistan's spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence. Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, said he understood the temptation of officials in both countries to try and take advantage of the situation and find common ground. But Haqqani said he expected Pakistan to give all possible cooperation to the Taliban. This has been a moment Pakistan has been waiting for 20 years, said Haqqani, now at the Hudson Institute think tank. They now feel that they have a satellite state." U.S. officials are trying to quickly build what President Joe Biden calls an over the horizon capacity to monitor and stop terrorist threats. Without a partner country bordering Afghanistan, the U.S. has to fly surveillance drones long distances, limiting the time they can be used to watch over targets. The U.S. also lost most of its network of informants and intelligence partners in the now-deposed Afghan government, making it critical to find common ground with other governments that have more resources in the country. Pakistan could be helpful in that effort by allowing overflight rights for American spy planes from the Persian Gulf or permitting the U.S. to base surveillance or counterterrorism teams along its border with Afghanistan. There are few other options among Afghanistans neighbors. Iran is a U.S. adversary and Central Asian countries north of Afghanistan all face varying degrees of Russian influence. There are no known agreements so far. CIA Director William Burns visited Islamabad this month to meet with Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistans army chief, and Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, who leads the ISI, according to a Pakistani government statement. Burns and Hameed have separately visited Kabul in recent weeks to meet with Taliban leaders. The CIA declined to comment on the visits. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi noted this past week that Islamabad had cooperated with U.S. requests to facilitate peace talks before the Taliban takeover and that it had agreed to U.S. military requests throughout the war. We have often been criticized for not doing enough, Qureshi told The Associated Press on Wednesday. But weve not been appreciated enough for having done what was done. Qureshi would not directly answer whether Pakistan would allow the basing of surveillance equipment or overflight of drones. They dont have to be physically there to share intelligence, he said of the U.S. There are smarter ways of doing it." The CIA and ISI have a long history in Afghanistan, dating to their shared goal of arming bands of mujahedeen freedom fighters against the Soviet Unions occupation in the 1980s. The CIA sent weapons and money into Afghanistan through Pakistan. Those fighters included Osama bin Laden. Others would become leaders of the Taliban, which emerged victorious from a civil war in 1996 and gained control of most of the country. The Taliban gave refuge to bin Laden and other leaders of al-Qaida, which launched deadly attacks on Americans abroad in 1998 and then struck the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001. After 9/11, the U.S. immediately sought Pakistans cooperation in its fight against al-Qaida and other terrorist groups. Declassified cables published by George Washington Universitys National Security Archive show officials in President George W. Bushs administration made several demands of Pakistan, from intercepting arms shipments heading to al-Qaida to providing the U.S. with intelligence and permission to fly military and intelligence planes over its territory. The CIA would carry out hundreds of drone strikes launched from Pakistan targeting al-Qaida leaders and others alleged to have ties to terrorist groups. Hundreds of civilians died in the strikes, according to figures kept by outside observers, leading to widespread protests and public anger in Pakistan. Pakistan continued to be accused of harboring the Taliban after the U.S.-backed coalition drove the group from power in Kabul. And bin Laden was killed in 2011 by U.S. special forces in a secret raid on a compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad, home to the countrys military academy. The bin Laden operation led many in the U.S. to question whether Pakistan had harbored bin Laden and angered Pakistanis who felt the raid violated their sovereignty. For years, CIA officials tried to confront their Pakistani counterparts after collecting more proof of Pakistani intelligence officers helping the Taliban move money and fighters into a then-growing insurgency in neighboring Afghanistan, said Douglas London, who oversaw the CIAs counterterrorism operations in South Asia until 2018. They would say, You just come to my office, tell me where the location is, he said. They would just usually pay lip service to us and say they couldnt confirm the intel. London, author of the forthcoming book The Recruiter, said he expected American intelligence would consider limited partnerships with Pakistan on mutual enemies such as al-Qaeda or Islamic State-Khorasan, which took responsibility for the deadly suicide attack outside the Kabul airport last month during the final days of the U.S. evacuation. The risk, London said, is at times your partner is as much of a threat to you as the enemy who youre pursuing. ___ Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. President Muhammadu Buhari has departed New York for Abuja, Nigeria, after participating at the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA. Buhar... President Muhammadu Buhari has departed New York for Abuja, Nigeria, after participating at the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA. Buhari left New York on Saturday, a day after he delivered his countrys address to the world body. The president is expected to arrive in Nigeria on Monday. News about his departure was broken by Sunday Aghaeze, his photographer. Recall that in his speech to UNGA 76, the Nigerian leader focused on the recent trend of an unconstitutional takeover of power in West Africa and called on the world to show its disapproval. Buhari also warned that the democratic gains of the past decades in West Africa are now being eroded due to these negative trends. The president affirmed Nigerias support to efforts by ECOWAS, AU and the UN to address this growing challenge. Catriona Laing, British high commissioner to Nigeria, says statements suggesting that COVID-19 vaccines administered in Nigeria are not UK... Catriona Laing, British high commissioner to Nigeria, says statements suggesting that COVID-19 vaccines administered in Nigeria are not UK approved are completely untrue and should be disregarded. In a press release on Saturday, Laing said the UK approves of vaccines currently in use in Nigeria irrespective of the manufacturer. She said the UK has so far donated 1.2 million vaccines to Nigeria through COVAX and will continue to support the country in accessing COVID-19 vaccines. She encouraged all eligible Nigerians to get vaccinated in order to help stop the spread of the virus. The UK is committed to global access to vaccines, and is among the largest funders to COVAX. The UK has donated 1.2 million vaccines specifically to Nigeria through COVAX and will continue to provide support, Laing said. The UK strongly supports the work of the Nigerian health authorities and Nigerias vaccination campaign, and strongly encourages all eligible residents in Nigeria to get vaccinated. Only once we are all vaccinated can we end the spread of COVID-19. I would like to emphasise that any statements that COVID-19 vaccines administered in Nigeria are not approved by the UK are completely untrue. The UK recognises the Oxford-Astra Zeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines used in Nigeria, irrespective of where they are manufactured. Speaking about rules concerning international travel to the UK, the high commissioner said the UK is using the COVID-19 vaccination certification process to ensure people enter the country safely. She said from October 4 the current travel system will be simplified and Nigeria which is currently on the amber list will be added to the rest of the world list with simplified travel measures. The UK is committed to opening up international travel and we are using our COVID-19 vaccination certification process to enable those wishing to enter the UK to do so safely. We know this matters hugely to many people in the UK and in Nigeria the extensive people-people ties between our two countries are at the heart of our bilateral relationship, she said. From 4 October, the current system will be simplified. There will be a single red list of countries and territories where stricter rules apply, and there will also be a rest of the world list, with simplified travel measures. The rest of the world list will include countries currently on the UKs amber list, such as Nigeria. Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Friday, said the unfolding events in Afghanistan and other countries demand that authorit... Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Friday, said the unfolding events in Afghanistan and other countries demand that authorities in Nigeria take proactive measures to stem any grave repercussions. In a statement on Thursday, by the Director-General (Press Affairs) Government House Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, said the Governor made the observation, while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, at a Roundtable Discussion. According to him, the discussion centred on the Security Situation in Afghanistan: Implications for Nigeria and Africa, organized by Alumni Association of the National Defence College in the Nations capital. The governor, who described the event as apt and timely, noted that Nigeria and Afghanistan share a lot of characteristics, hence what affects the South Asian country has consequences in Nigeria and Africa in general. He said the implications of the development in Afghanistan and other countries across the world are worrisome and disturbing, especially with the insecurity that is challenging the fabric of Nigeria. Governor Inuwa Yahaya observed that presentation of papers and holding of roundtable discussions are not enough but implementing the outcomes of the deliberations is what matters most. According to him, we are good at organizing seminars and roundtable discussions but at the end of the day nobody implements the outcome of the deliberations He therefore, urged the organisers of the roundtable to see to it that the communique that will be issued at the end of the engagement is implemented to the later The governor, who shared with participants the Gombe State experience, advocated for a strong synergy among the federal, states, local governments and other relevant stakeholders so that issues of security are nipped in the bud before they snowball and get out of hand. I think it is expedient to share the experience of Gombe State so that together we can cross fertilize ideas; for sure being in the North East and in the centre of the region sharing boundaries with all the remaining five States, Gombe is very vulnerable and it equally has the experience of the attendant consequences of the displacement of people within the subregion, he further said. Governor Inuwa Yahaya, however, remarked that prior to taking over as Governor, he set up a security transition committee that was saddled with the responsibility of analysing the security situation with a view to providing a roadmap on how to manage the security architecture in the state. He explained that on coming into office, he established a ministry to take charge of internal security and ethical orientation being the first of its kind since the creation of the State. He said the ministry coordinated between the state and security agencies as well as with traditional institutions and cultural organisations with a view to imbibing and maintaining the excellent traditions embedded in the peoples culture. So far, I can say we are doing well even though Gombe is not in the frontline but being in the middle, it is a transit route for weapons, strategic planning and even for distribution of illicit drugs as well as other materials needed by the insurgents for them to operate and we are making frantic efforts at closing these gaps and making sure that we curtail such nefarious activities and maintain the relative peace, he further said Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has explained why names of dead Nigerians are s... Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has explained why names of dead Nigerians are still on the voter register. Yakubu said the inability of INEC to get adequate data on death in Nigeria has hampered it from taking away names of dead Nigerians from its register. He stated this when he received Nasir Kwara, the Chairman of the National Population Commission, at the headquarters of the commission on Friday in Abuja. Yakubu added that the commission had been periodically removing ineligible people and multiple registrants using technology but the technology cannot assist INEC to identify and remove dead persons from its record. The INEC boss said, Perhaps you may wish to start by availing us with the list of prominent Nigerians who have passed on, civil and public servants compiled from the official records of government Ministries, Departments and Agencies and other Nigerians from hospital and funeral records across the country. We appreciate that this is a herculean task but thats partly why we have the National Population Commission. Were confident that the NPC has the capacity to do so. This information is critical for INEC to enhance the credibility of the National Register of Voters. The investment rating agency Moodys has changed its outlook for Entergy Corp. and its two Louisiana subsidiaries to "negative" after the company estimated the repairs needed after Hurricane Ida would be more expensive than previously anticipated. The rating agency also expressed concern about an increasingly contentious political environment that has seen the New Orleans City Council sparring with the utility over the extended outages post-Ida. A higher risk political, regulatory and operating environment could create financial problems for the utility going forward, according to a Moodys press release announcing the new outlook for Entergy Corp., Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana. The immediate cause of the downgrade was Entergys announcement that repairs would be more expensive than some had expected, with the company estimating recovery costs ranging from $2.1 billion and $2.6 billion between Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans. That comes on top of similarly steep costs for the recovery from Hurricane Laura and other storms last year. "The physical effects of climate change continue to cause significant damage to Entergy's Louisiana service territory, with over $4.5 billion of total storm costs for Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans combined over the past 13 months," Ryan Wobbrock, a vice president and senior credit officer at Moody's said in a press release. "These added costs will place incremental pressure on customer bills -- increasing risks related to customer relations and potential political intervention into rate making - and could keep Entergy's financial performance lower for longer. +3 City Council passes package of measures to probe Entergy New Orleans' Ida response A package of measures aimed at investigating Entergy New Orleans decisions before and during Hurricane Ida, and geared towards eventually stu The change moves Moodys outlook on $17 billion in Entergy bonds from stable to negative, suggesting it saw challenges ahead for the company. Entergy Corp., Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans will still hold the moderate ratings they held before the storm. A downgrade in those ratings which Moodys warned could occur if the companies financial picture did not improve in the next 12 to 18 months can lead to higher borrowing costs. Typically, utilities pass storm recovery costs on to customers on future bills. But in the wake of the failure of all eight transmission lines into the New Orleans area, leaving residents in the dark, questions have been raised about whether the power company did enough to prepare its lines for powerful hurricanes such as Ida. Thats prompted calls, particularly in New Orleans, to resist efforts to increase rates to pay for the repairs. 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 While city ratepayers contribute to a fund used to cover the costs of storms, Entergy had already drained the $39 million that was in that account before Ida. The company has estimated the full cost of the repairs in the city could be as high as $150 million. Entergy New Orleans drains storm fund to cover some of Hurricane Ida's $150M cost Entergy New Orleans has told the City Council that it drained the storm recovery account this week to cover some of the estimated costs of Hur The City Council, which regulates Entergy, on Thursday launched an investigation into the companys preparedness and response to Ida, while also starting a process of examining alternatives to the company's current monopoly in the city and seeking consultants to do a management audit of the company. Council members have also suggested they could hold off on a rate increase in the works for months before Ida that was expected take effect in November, though they have not yet approved that delay. Those measures were all cited in the press release as developments that could be of concern to investors in light of Entergys currently weakened financial profile. +3 New Orleans moves forward to investigate Entergy's Ida performance But utility provides no new information on infrastructure improvements, performance in storm Councilmember Helena Moreno, who chairs the Utility Committee, which regulates Entergy, stressed that she and her colleagues were committed to getting recovery funds for Entergy even as she suggested the costs would not be borne by residents and businesses in the form of higher rates. Were moving aggressively and in a bipartisan manner to fight for significant federal help for storm restoration costs, alongside Congressman Troy Carter, PSC Chair (Craig) Greene and Governor (John Bel) Edwards, Moreno said in a statement. Well continue to fight for and protect ratepayers in every way possible. The Orleans Parish coroner's office has identified a man who was fatally shot in his car in the Lower 9th Ward. Authorities say Jarvares Tobias' assailant approached him from behind and shot him several times in the 1500 block of Tupelo Street on Aug. 1. Tobias, 38, was taken to a hospital but later died from his wounds. The coroner's office confirmed his death as a homicide on Wednesday. Anyone with information on the killing was asked to call Crimestoppers Inc. at (504) 822-1111. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward. The Orleans Parish School Board has increased the value of a disaster recovery contract to as much as $15 million 30 times the maximum amount in the original contract to repair schools damaged by Hurricane Ida. The initial contract, for $500,000 with Guarantee Restoration Services, was approved over the summer, with the understanding it would be increased if a catastrophic loss occurred. The Category 4 storm damaged 29 buildings owned by the School Board on Aug. 29 Ida damaged 29 New Orleans public schools; some still need environmental OK for students to return Twenty-nine Orleans Parish School Board buildings received some damage from Hurricane Ida or the prolonged power outage caused in its wake, NO Hurricane Ida was the strongest hurricane to hit the New Orleans area in recent memory, schools Superintendent Henderson Lewis Jr. told the board Thursday. Overall, our buildings fared very well. All but 11 school buildings have welcomed students back to in-person learning this week. We are working as quickly as possible to environmentally test our building to ensure it is safe to do so. NOLA Public Schools oversees 78 independent charter schools, most of which use buildings owned by the School Board. A few state-authorized charter schools rent its buildings as well. Lewis administration has vowed to ensure that its most severely affected buildings will receive environmental clearance from a contractor before students return to in-person learning at those sites. For the first time since the states oyster harvest areas were closed as a safety precaution after Hurricane Ida, fresh Louisiana oysters are back on local menus. But a return to pre-Ida supply levels is likely months away, said Empire oyster grower and restaurant owner Mitch Jurisich, who also is chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force. Its going to be months before oyster farmers and fishers in west Plaquemines and other locations farther west return to normal, Jurisich said. Were weeks away from having a good supply. As of Friday, only seven of the 28 oyster growing areas across Louisianas coastline had been reopened for harvesting by the Louisiana Department of Health, including five on the east bank of the Mississippi River in Orleans, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes, and two on the west bank near Empire in Plaquemines. On Monday morning, the health department cleared the remaining oyster growing areas for reopening, though harvesters must still determine whether oysters on private leases were not hurt by Ida. The state Department of Wildlife & Fisheries will have to do the same for its public oyster beds. Slowing the health agency's process was the limited number of inspectors available to conduct sampling on oyster beds and on the oysters themselves, if necessary. The Louisiana agency has as many as 10 workers conducting inspectors at any given time, which actually is significantly more than any other state with oyster harvesting, said Justin Gremillion, who oversees the oyster testing program. The agency follows guidelines established by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program to determine if the oysters are free of contaminants like sewage or pollutants. Those guidelines also could help speed the clearance of the remaining areas where theres no clear sources of pollutants, he said. +4 This New Orleans oyster bar happy hour benefits Louisiana oyster farmers after Ida The raw bar menu at Sidecar Patio & Oyster Bar is as detailed as a wine list and reads like a love letter to the world of oysters, routine If the waters return to normal temperatures for this time of year, to the normal salinity levels, you can count that after 21 days in its lifetime, an oyster can purge itself. Theoretically, after 21 days, some areas will be able to reopen without sampling and be just fine, Gremillion said. That would not include areas where there have been any reports of pollutants, he stressed. But the health clearances is only the first step for oyster growers in what is expected to be a very slow recovery process. The oyster harvesters living in the parishes hit worst by Ida are dealing with damage to their homes, businesses and boats. All add to the time it takes to get oysters into restaurants. Oysters have been very, very difficult to get, said Tommy Cvitanovich, owner of the six-location Dragos Seafood Restaurant. On Monday, Louisiana oysters came back into the pipeline, and we were able to serve fresh oysters on Tuesday. Obviously, they were a bit more expensive. But thats the end of the good news. Paul Rotner, chief executive of the Acme Oyster House chain, agreed. The biggest challenge after every storm is always availability, he said. His chain uses 8 million fresh oysters and fries up another 3.5 million a year. Once power was restored in New Orleans and at other Acme locations after Ida, the chain turned to Virginia oysters for a time to fill the gap. By Friday, Acme was again serving Louisiana oysters from three of the areas that were reopened by the Health Department. +4 Want your leftovers to protect Louisiana? These restaurants recycle oyster shells A program that harnesses New Orleans hunger for oysters into constructing artificial reefs has slowly rebuilt itself to more than half its pr In a week, we can go through 150 sacks of oysters in one restaurant, but with the storm, business has slowed down, especially in the French Quarter, Rotner said, as well as in Metairie, Baton Rouge and even at its Texas restaurant. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The state immediately closes down all the beds in case of sewage and what not, basic precautionary reasons. We expect that after every storm, he said. But with Nicholas following so closely behind Ida, that process was delayed even more. Once an oyster grower gets back out on the water, theres still lots of work before harvesting begins. In a number of locations passed over by Idas powerful central storm, with winds near 150 mph, both flotant floating marsh grasses and the mud in which it was rooted have ended up covering growing oysters. Growers will have to determine what areas are badly hit and attempt to rake off the worst of the mud and grass to assure their oysters dont suffocate before being harvested in the weeks and months to come. All of the same issues affecting commercial oyster growers also have slowed efforts by the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to clear the 1.7 million acres of public oyster beds for use. Those oyster beds, once open, will be subject to capture of sacks of grown oysters by commercial fishermen, and, equally important, of seed or spat oysters, which growers capture and relocate to their own oyster beds to create new crops. The problem is Hurricane Ida was so powerful that it was not just a natural disaster, but also a disaster for all of our employees, for our state buildings, said Carolina Bourque, oyster program manager for the wildlife agency. We have employees who are still trying to fight with their insurance companies, or still out of town, waiting for electricity to be restored. The good news for the public beds, she said, is that there seems to be a mix of areas where no damage was done by the storm, with some areas experiencing the same covering by mud and grass as has occurred on private leases. We havent sampled all the reefs yet, especially in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, Bourque said. But I expect well still have a decent oyster season if dealers in the area are able to get their power back and are able to begin operations. The state also has already begun collecting information aimed at requesting a federal emergency fisheries declaration, which might provide federal money over the next couple of years to add cultch rocks and shell that oysters can use as anchors on both the states public oyster beds and private leases. One of the hardest hit subsets of oyster growers are members of the new Alternative Oyster Culture industry, about six growers that created above-bottom farms of caged oysters in Barataria Bay just north of Grand Isle, said Earl Melancon, a Louisiana Sea Grant biologist and oyster expert. Whether they were big or small, most of them lost all of their cages and their oysters, he said. Youd expect lots of despair, justifiably so, right after the hurricane passed, whether they want to get back in the industry. But Im amazed at their resilience. Theyre all going to try to come back and thats a good sign. The off-bottom oyster culture efforts are aimed in part at finding alternatives for traditional bottom growth areas that might be made too fresh by the Mississippi River water used to deliver sediment by the states proposed Mid-Barataria sediment diversion. But the new growers have some significant obstacles to cross, Melancon said, as there are no present insurance carriers in the state that were willing to provide them with policies. Sea Grant is in the midst of developing a grant proposal aimed at identifying better ways of anchoring the growing cages in the face of weather challenges, Melancon said. But honestly, in the face of a Category 4 storm, its difficult to say that you could have hardening that would handle something like that. For the oyster industry as a whole, a key question in its recovery from Ida is whether larger oyster houses that contract with smaller growers to move their oysters to market will see those growers return. A lot of the plant workers and operators are homeless, he said. Its going to be an uphill climb for them to even have a sense of normalcy. This story was updated on Monday, Sept. 27, to include the reopening of more oyster harvest areas by the Louisiana Department of Health. Representatives of the Louisiana Department of Health gave few answers to lawmakers at the first legislative hearing about the deadly Independence warehouse evacuation of 843 nursing home residents. Senators and representatives on the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee questioned a panel of attorneys representing the department through the Hurricane Ida fallout. Seven nursing homes owned by real-estate mogul Bob Dean in four southeast Louisiana evacuated before the Aug. 29 storm to the warehouse, also owned by Dean. Residents and workers there described putrid conditions and poor care at the property, part of a former pesticide plant. At least 15 of the residents have since died, and five of those deaths have been classified as storm-related. The conditions got so bad that the Health Department swooped in Sept. 1 to move residents out. Over a 48-hour period, almost 450 residents were taken to shelters across the state. Fridays committee hearing was a chance for legislators to get some answers about how conditions deteriorated so rapidly, and why the residents were taken there in the first place. But lawmakers such as Rep. Tony Bacala, R-Prairieville, were visibly frustrated at the lack of answers from Stephen Russo, the Health Departments director of legal affairs. Flanked by the other department lawyers, Russo cited attorney-client privilege, a lawsuit filed by a resident against the department over the evacuation plan and state investigations while declining to answer several questions. Chief among those unanswered questions was one of accountability: Who in state government was responsible for approving the evacuation plans of the seven nursing homes? "What's the purpose of a mandated plan that can say anything, apparently, if nobody has to approve (it)?" Bacala asked. "Who signs off on them?" Russo said the Health Department is not responsible for approving either the full nursing home evacuation plans or the separate summaries of those plans that it receives except when renewing licenses for the nursing homes each year on behalf of the federal government. Plans to evacuate nursing homes to warehouse, where 7 have since died, were OK'd by state When news broke that nearly 850 frail nursing-home patients were crammed into a warehouse in a remote corner of Louisiana during Hurricane Ida The Health Department said the plans should be submitted to the emergency preparedness office of each nursing centers home parish. The state receives only a summary, which it reviews simply to ensure the document of 140-plus pages is not missing any required information. But parish-level officials say it is the Health Departments job, not theirs, to approve the plans. They say their sole responsibility is to review the plans, not to pass judgment on the document. 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 New Orleans emergency preparedness office "does not have a role in approving the plans," said Michael Beau Tidwell, a spokesperson for Mayor LaToya Cantrells administration. Two of the nursing homes evacuated to the Independence warehouse are in New Orleans. "That responsibility lies solely within the state Health Department. +14 At remote Louisiana warehouse, nursing home evacuees lay in waste, calling out for help After spending six days in a fetid warehouse with overflowing toilets and piled-up trash, four nursing home residents died and nearly 800 more Much of the legislative committees frustration appeared to stem from a lack of clear answers from the Health Department. When the panels chairman, Rep. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, tried to confirm there was no chance the displaced nursing home residents could be sent back to the warehouse to ride out another hurricane, he couldn't get a concrete answer. The Health Department has closed all seven nursing homes and revoked their licenses, although Dean has said he will appeal. The residents have been moved to other, certified nursing homes across Louisiana. Russo said he wasn't aware of any other nursing homes with plans to evacuate to Independence, let alone the warehouse owned by Dean. But Russo would say only that he would "highly doubt" they could be sent back there, and that he was 99.9% sure it wouldn't happen. At one point, when Sen. Bob Hensgens, R-Abbeville, asked a question confirming how the state handles deficiencies found while renewing nursing home licenses, Russo huddled with the other attorneys before answering the procedural question. "That's a yes or no," Hensgens said while the department lawyers conferred, before answering his own question. "The answer is yes." Rep. Thomas Pressley, R-Shreveport, homed in on the fact that Louisiana law lets nursing homes shelter people in unlicensed buildings for as long as five days after a storm. He asked if there is a minimum standard for those buildings. Before Pressley finished the question, one of the Health Department attorneys began shaking his head and leaned in whisper in Russo's ear. After listening for a moment, Russo straightened and spoke into the microphone: "No, I cannot answer that." Mayor LaToya Cantrells soup-to-nuts plan to rid New Orleanss streets of weeks-old trash bags kicks off this weekend, and may finally restore some normalcy to garbage pickup. But its still unclear what caused sanitation services to deteriorate so drastically in the first place. The mayor and her deputies have frequently pointed to a national labor shortage plaguing solid waste collections across the country, though Cantrell has promised a more thorough examination once the immediate crisis is resolved. But issues with labor dont explain a widely recognized local phenomenon: one of the citys two primary garbage contractors has long been outperforming the other. And its not particularly close. Missed-pickup calls to 311, the citys hotline, have targeted Metro Service Group about three times as frequently as Richards Disposal, according to data on the citys website. We have always had substantially more issues and complaints with the Metro contract, District C Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer said in an interview. Thats not to say we havent had complaints with Richards, they just seem to be rectified more quickly. In addition to the 311 calls, the companies are contractually required to provide monthly service reports to the administration. And those seem to tell a different story. Richards, which separately tallies calls to 311 and direct calls to its office, shows a combined total of 2,429 calls for missed pickups over a six-month span through the end of July, according to the most recently available reports. Metro, meanwhile, reported the same number of complaints every month: 0. Yet the citys website shows 5,586 calls about missed pickup to 311 alone over that span -- never mind the number of calls the company received directly. Its ludicrous, Palmer said. The reports are fraudulent. Metro owner Jimmie Woods did not respond to questions. Alvin Richard, the owner of Richards, likewise did not respond to multiple queries. That Metro and Richard's both have struggled throughout the year to adhere to twice-weekly collection schedules is no secret. The problem first boiled into a crisis this summer, and, after a brief improvement, reignited after Hurricane Ida. The monthly reports from Richards reflect that reality. Call volumes in May and June were about twice as high as the previous two months. But the companys call volume in July ticked back to spring levels. Metros monthly reports, on the other hand, consistently show flawless service delivery, even though Woods has publicly acknowledged Metros failures. 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 The value of the report is seeing something in real time, and if something is a blinking light, then it needs to be discussed as early as possible. Obviously a zero number is a blinking light that needs to be reviewed, said District A Councilmember Joe Giarrusso. Has the monthly reporting been like this forever? Does that mean people arent watching the reports as they come in? +16 'Operation Mardi Gras' trash plan off to slow start due to bad weather, no-show equipment The stopgap measure of deploying New Orleans city employees to help pick up trash accumulating on city streets is moving slower than officials The Cantrell administration declined to make anyone available for an interview Friday, and did not directly answer written questions about the monthly reports. In a statement conveyed through spokesperson John Lawson, the administration said it fully acknowledges and has catalogued Metros missed collections, though it did not provide further details. The statement left open the possibility of imposing damages on Metro, though Cantrell has said she will not consider such a move until the trash is cleared. The City Council on Thursday unanimously backed Palmers non-binding resolution calling for Metro to be fined. Cantrell on Thursday unveiled a $20 million plan to rid the city of its trash backlog. It would employ four emergency contractors and involve recommissioning Waste Management Inc.s transfer station on Chef Menteur Highway, which has been out of service since 2007. New Orleans City Council calls trash crisis 'abject failure' as residents aim ire at Metro As New Orleans city workers hit the streets Friday morning in the latest attempt to stem the spiraling sanitation crisis, City Council members Metro and Richard's each service between 70,000 and 75,000 customers, and are each paid about $10 million annually on seven-year contracts. Though they occasionally subcontract to other haulers, the companies are the exclusive providers for two distinct service areas that cover most of the city. Metro covers Lakeview and neighborhoods downriver of Esplanade Avenue, including Gentilly and New Orleans East. Richard's services upriver neighborhoods, parts of Mid-City and Algiers. A third contractor handles the French Quarter and Central Business District, a much smaller service area with daily pickups and other requirements that are distinct from the rest of the city. Metro and Richards first won their deals during the administration of former mayor Ray Nagin. Former mayor Mitch Landrieu signed the two contracts now in force in late 2016, near the end of his second term. The contracts require monthly reporting of service complaints, both those made to 311 and directly to the companies. Its not clear whether Metros reports have always showed zero calls and complaints about missed pickups, or whether that is simply a feature of its recent reports. But Constance Hornig, a lawyer who specializes in municipal solid waste contracting around the world, said its critical for decision makers to have solid information about the level of service theyre getting before they consider extensions, solicitations or rate adjustments. Especially if its an exclusive service and the customers cant change (the service provider), then the community really has to look out for residential customers. Missed pickups is one of the big service quality issues, Hornig said. The reason why the monthly reports are important is you can nip the problem in the bud. You catch something before it gets worse. Staff writer Missy Wilkinson contributed to this report Retired police officer Michael Myers rode out Hurricane Ida's winds in a New Orleans hotel room last month with his parents, Bessie and Manuel, and two days later, they decided to go see how their home in Gentilly had fared. They never made it. About two miles away from their home, their car struck a curb and hit a tree, killing the father, mother and son. Manuel Myers younger sister, Joyce Franklin, spoke out Friday for the first time about the wreck that stole three of her most steadfast relatives, people who were there to lend a helping hand during family crises as eagerly as they were to savor family celebrations. The weeks since she received a phone call about the crash have felt like an unending nightmare, and shes hoping her strength wont falter as relatives come together to bury Manuel, Bessie and Michael on Saturday afternoon, she said. My heart is just really broken, Franklin continued. And I just feel numb. Elysian Fields Avenue traffic fatality A New Orleans police officer investigates a car wreck that killed two people and critically injured a third Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in the 250 One of the last times she spoke with her nephew, Franklin said she told him that she and her family had made it to their temporary evacuation spot in Tallahassee after a 15-hour drive. Myers, who spent three decades working in hotel security after a career as a New Orleans Police Department officer, informed his aunt that he and his parents were going to ride Ida out at a hotel. Franklin was looking forward to catching up with her brother, sister-in-law and nephew whenever it was safe to plan another of the barbecues that brought the family together through the years. But then, about four days after Idas Aug. 29 landfall, she got a phone call delivering the searing news. About 3:20 p.m. on Aug. 31, the familys Nissan Sentra inexplicably struck a curb in the 2500 block of Elysian Fields Avenue, roughly a five-minute drive from their home on Frenchmen Street. The Sentra veered into the median and plowed into a tree and a traffic signal before coming to a stop in the left lane, police said. Michael, 66, and Manuel, 85, were both ejected from the car and died at the scene. Paramedics brought Bessie Myers, 83, to the hospital in critical condition, and she died there later, according to information from police and her obituary. 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 Investigators havent released any additional details. Franklin said shes still struggling to grasp the unfathomably sad end for a family she described as inseparable. She recounted how her brother, who was born near Marksville in Avoyelles Parish but brought to New Orleans following his fathers death at the age of 4, married Bessie shortly after meeting her while he was studying at Booker T. Washington High School in Central City. She was at McDonogh No. 35 High School on the edge of Treme. Manuel and Bessie supported one another and their only child Michael through their jobs: He worked as a longshoreman; she as a secretary at what is now called Ochsner Baptist Hospital. Manuel also started his own pesticide company, which helped the couple afford St. Augustine High School. After finishing up at St. Aug, Michael obtained a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Loyola University, became an NOPD officer and primarily trained new recruits at the agencys academy. He later pursued a second career providing security at various New Orleans hotels, including the Westin, the Monteleone and the Marriott. Franklin said navigating post-Ida New Orleans was already going to be difficult enough for the Myerses extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. For Franklin, needing to bury three of her closest relatives including her last of two siblings amid the recovery is almost unbearable. I just cant believe it happened, Franklin said. And I keep hoping this is a bad dream that Im going to wake up from. Teen driver arrested in St. Tammany car crash that killed two other teens The 16-year-old driver of a vehicle that crashed in Madisonville last month, killing two other teens and injuring a third, has been arrested i CORRECTION: Earlier versions of this story gave an incorrect age for Michael Myers. In the turbulent aftermath of the 2020 presidential contest, election officials in Georgia, from the secretary of states office down to county boards, found themselves in a wholly unexpected position: They had to act as one of the last lines of defense against an onslaught of efforts by a sitting president and his influential allies to overturn the will of the voters. Now state Republicans are trying to strip these officials of their power. Buried in an avalanche of voting restrictions currently moving through the Georgia Statehouse are measures that would give G.O.P. lawmakers wide-ranging influence over the mechanics of voting and fundamentally alter the states governance of elections. The bill, which could clear the House as soon as Thursday and is likely to be passed by the Senate next week, would allow state lawmakers to seize control of county election boards and erode the power of the secretary of states office. Its looking at total control of the election process by elected officials, which is not what it should be, said Helen Butler, a Democratic county board of elections member. Its all about turnout and trying to retain power. Its not just Georgia. In Arizona, Republicans are pushing for control over the rules of the states elections. In Iowa, the G.O.P. has installed harsh new criminal penalties for county election officials who enact emergency voting rules. In Tennessee, a Republican legislator is trying to remove a sitting judge who ruled against the party in an election case. NAIROBI, Kenya France played a significant role in enabling a foreseeable genocide in Rwanda, according to a report commissioned by the Rwandan government that was released on Monday and that echoed the findings of a recent appraisal by France. The report offered a damning new perspective on the events that led to the killing of at least 800,000 people in 1994, arguing that France did nothing to stop the slaughter of ethnic Tutsi by a Rwandan government dominated by members of the Hutu ethnic group. Twenty-seven years after the genocide, both France and Rwanda are making attempts to set the record straight on what happened during the bloodletting, government officials have said, both to respond to domestic demands and to improve bilateral relations. The 600-page report, generated by a Washington law firm, concluded that the French government was neither blind nor unconscious in regard to the imminent genocide, yet continued in its unwavering support for the government of the Rwandan president then, Juvenal Habyarimana. It accused the government of the French president at the time, Francois Mitterrand, of doing so in order to advance and reinforce its own influence and interests in the country. NAIROBI, Kenya During his years as an administrator at the Department of Transportation in upstate New York, the Somali refugee turned U.S. citizen earned a masters degree in American Studies, imbibing democratic values he hoped to one day export back to his homeland. That dream came true for Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed in 2017, when he returned to Somalia and was elected president in a surprise victory that evinced high hopes he might reform even transform his dysfunctional, war-weary country. But those aspirations have crumbled since Mr. Mohamed failed to hold elections when his four-year term ended in February, then moved to extend his rule by two years a step many Somalis viewed as a naked power grab. A furious political dispute turned violent on Sunday when a series of gunfights broke out between rival military factions in the capital, Mogadishu, evoking fears that Somalia, after years of modest yet gradual progress, could descend into the kind of clan-based bloodshed that ripped it apart in the 1990s. BUENOS AIRES For most of the past year, Uruguay was held up as an example for keeping the coronavirus from spreading widely as neighboring countries grappled with soaring death tolls. Uruguays good fortune has run out. In the last week, the small South American nations Covid-19 death rate per capita was the highest in the world, according to data compiled by The New York Times. As of Wednesday, at least 3,252 people had died from Covid-19, according to the Uruguayan Health Ministry, and the daily death toll has been about 50 during the past week. Six out of the 11 countries with the highest death rates per capita are in South America, a region where the pandemic is leaving a brutal toll of growing joblessness, poverty and hunger. For the most part, countries in the region have failed to acquire sufficient vaccines to inoculate their populations quickly. K.C. Cage-Singleton, a 30-year-old landscaper and father of four, was walking in Baton Rouge, La., in October 2009 when two officers approached him because they thought his clothing resembled that of an armed robbery suspect. Records show they chased him into an apartment complex, shocked him with a stun gun and beat him with a baton. The coroner cataloged a slew of injuries, including abrasions, lacerations and broken teeth, but said the manner and cause of his death were undetermined, citing probable sickle cell trait. The officers were not charged. Army Sgt. James Brown, 26, had completed two tours in Iraq and was struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder in July 2012 when he turned himself in to the El Paso jail to serve a two-day sentence for drunken driving. The authorities said he became violent, and he died after five jailers in riot gear piled atop him, pulled a mesh mask over his head and bound him in a chair. The medical examiner ruled that he had died a natural death caused by sickle cell crisis, and a grand jury declined to bring charges. Gamel Brown, a 30-year-old property maintenance supervisor, cut his hand on a broken mirror at his home in a Baltimore suburb in January last year, prompting a call to 911. The police who responded said he became extremely combative, and they jolted him several times with a stun gun. After he died at a hospital, the medical examiner said that the manner of his death was undetermined and that it was caused in part by sickle cell trait. The states attorney filed no charges. In three cases, deaths linked to sickle cell trait that were deemed natural or of indeterminate cause were later ruled homicides as occurred when Martin Lee Anderson, 14, died at the hands of his jailers at a northwest Florida juvenile detention camp in January 2006. You cant put the blame on sickle cell trait when there is a knee on the neck or when there is a chokehold or the person is hogtied, said Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr., the former chief medical examiner for the District of Columbia and now chairman of pathology at the Howard University College of Medicine. You cant say, Well, hes fragile. No, that becomes a homicide. Not every death that is tied to the condition is inherently questionable. Medical experts say sickle cell trait has caused deaths in rare cases of extreme overexertion, especially among military trainees and college athletes. Three of the in-custody deaths identified by The Times involved people who were exercising vigorously in jail yards or running hard before they collapsed and law enforcement officers said that at most they put handcuffs on them. In none of the deaths examined by The Times did the person have actual sickle cell disease, though there were instances when imprecise language by medical examiners left the false impression the trait and the disease were the same. This is very significant, Tsedale Lemma, editor of The Addis Standard newspaper, said of the American measures. Ethiopia is a bulwark of American security in the Horn of Africa. If anyone in Addis Ababa is taking this lightly, they are not reading the writing on the wall. The American measures against Ethiopia, the harshest in several decades, aim to rally wider international pressure to force a halt to fighting in Tigray, which has been accompanied by widespread atrocities. Some 5.2 million people need urgent help and officials warn the region could plunge into famine by September unless large-scale relief aid, currently blocked by Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers is allowed through. It is unclear, though, if the U.S. measures will work. Mr. Abiy has often appeared impervious to outside pressure, instead strengthening his alliance with Isaias Afwerki, the autocratic leader of Eritrea, whose troops have been accused of many atrocities in Tigray. Mr. Abiy tried to deflect international criticism by promising to protect civilians, to increase humanitarian access and to send home Eritrean troops promises that American officials say he has failed to keep. More recently Mr. Abiy has sought to rally supporters by turning his fire on Western critics. He relishes riling up his base, said Ms. Tsedale, who lives in Germany. Some of his speeches in the last week went on and on, using offensive language and saying things that make your skin crawl. The American measures announced Sunday were presented as an initial diplomatic salvo that aimed to stop the fighting in Tigray and allow immediate humanitarian access to stave off a possible famine. Tucked into many of the election laws Republicans are pushing or enacting in states around the country are pernicious provisions threatening punishment of elections officials and workers for just doing their jobs. Laws like those already passed in Republican-controlled states like Georgia and Iowa, no matter their stated intent, will be used as a weapon of intimidation aimed at the people, many of them volunteers, charged with running fair elections at the local and state levels. By subjecting them to invasive, politically motivated control by a state legislative majority, these provisions shift the last word in elections from the pros to the pols. This is a serious attack on the crucial norm that our elections should be run on a professional, nonpartisan basis and it is deeply wrong. It is so wrong that having once worked together across the partisan divide as co-chairs of the 2013-14 Presidential Commission on Election Administration, we have decided to come together again to mobilize the defense of election officials who may come under siege from these new laws. Bear in mind that this is happening after the 2020 election, run in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic, went off much better than expected. Voter turnout was the highest since 1900. A senior official in the Trump administration pronounced it the most secure election in American history, with no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes or was in any way compromised. Multiple recounts, contests and court cases brought by former President Donald Trump and his allies failed to persuade any courts or state officials to overturn the results of any election. NAIROBI, Kenya Paul Rusesabagina, the prominent dissident who was portrayed in the Oscar-nominated movie Hotel Rwanda, is being denied food and medicine in a prison in Rwanda where he is being held on terrorism-related charges, according to his family, lawyers and foundation, even as the 66-year-old has complained of poor health. Mr. Rusesabagina told family members that prison officials informed him that they would cut his access to food, water and medicine starting Saturday. His family and lawyers believe the move by Rwandan authorities was an attempt to pressure him to return to his trial, which he stopped attending in March after saying he did not expect to receive justice. Mr. Rusesabagina, the former hotelier whose efforts to save more than 1,200 people during the countrys genocide were depicted in Hotel Rwanda, later became a critic of the government of President Paul Kagame. The Rwanda Correctional Services tweeted later on Saturday that it treated all inmates equally and that Mr. Rusesabagina had access to meals and a medical doctor. MOGADISHU At least 10 people were killed and 20 wounded in an attack on a Somali Army training camp where new recruits were gathering on Tuesday morning, the authorities said, the latest in a series of assaults targeting the site, which is jointly run by Turkish and local forces. Brig. Gen. Odowa Yusuf Raage, Somalias army chief, attributed the attack to the Shabab militant group. He said a suicide bomber had set off an explosion as dozens of new recruits lined up for military enrollment. Ten people seeking to join the new army recruits were killed and 20 others wounded when a terrorist suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance of General Dhagabadan army training center in Mogadishu, he told the state news media, referring to the intake area where troops are processed before being brought to the main facility, known as Camp Turksom. Al Shabab later claimed responsibility for the attack, citing a much higher death toll of 40. The militant group often carries out suicide attacks in Somalia and has targeted Camp Turksom several times before. Still, veteran dissidents said the repression was to be expected following what many called the biggest day of protest in the country since the Cuban Revolution, forcing Cubas leaders to acknowledge the severe economic crisis that had sent thousands into the streets. Many described it as a potential turning point in a country where the Communist Party has managed to stifle even small challenges to its authority for decades. The spark has been lit, ladies and gentlemen, theres no turning back, the independent journalist Yoani Sanchez said in a brief podcast she recorded on Tuesday. People felt what its like to scream freedom in the streets of Cuba. The Cuban government often detains dissidents for a day or two after security forces break up demonstrations. It was unclear whether Sundays detentions would lead to a new generation of long term political prisoners. Daniel Triana, a Cuban actor who was held at a Havana detention center for about 24 hours, described a flood of protesters being led into the cell where he was kept. A lot of people throughout the country are still detained, I would say hundreds, he said in a phone interview. In my wing, there were dozens of people and they were bringing in people when I got there, and they were bringing in people when I left. Camila Remon, a member of Movimiento San Isidro, said the recent protests were enabled by widespread internet connectivity on the Island, a relatively new phenomenon. The courage many Cubans showed when they poured into the streets two weeks ago chanting Down with the dictatorship! and We are not afraid! has curdled into fear for many. Hundreds have been detained, advocates say, and an untold number are still being held. The police have staked out the homes of activists. And among government critics, there is a widespread sense that the crackdown is far from over. Maykel Gonzalez, an independent journalist taken into custody after the July 11 protests, has ventured out of his home rarely in recent days, frightened by the surveillance and harassment that other protesters are enduring. At any moment they could show up at my door, said Mr. Gonzalez, 37. Its a fear thats with me from the moment I wake up. Last year, two Syrians who were part of the secret military police were put on trial. A verdict in the case of one of the officers is expected in the western city of Koblenz in September. The other officer, who was more junior, was convicted in February and sentenced to four and a half years. Dr. Mousa has been in German custody since he was arrested last year. Roger Lu Phillips, the legal director of the Syrian Justice and Accountability Center in Washington, applauded the move by federal prosecutors. Alaa Mousa is part of the Syrian government apparatus that is part of the persecution and torture of the Syrian people, he said in a telephone interview. Mr. Philips said the indictment was part of a rising trend in Western countries like Sweden, the Netherlands and France of using the legal concept of universal jurisdiction to hold people to account in countries where they did not commit their crimes. Germany has been at the forefront at fighting against this impunity because you have so many Syrians living in the country, he said. On Wednesday, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on eight Syrian prisons used by the regimes intelligence apparatus and on five senior officials that run the facilities. The prison where Dr. Mousa worked in the city of Homs does not appear to be among those sanctioned. NAIROBI, Kenya A decade after South Sudan gained independence amid much hope and fanfare, the countrys path to lasting stability remains fragile as infighting tears at the shaky coalition governing the worlds youngest nation. Over the weekend, clashes within one faction in the national unity government may have left as many as several dozen people dead, according to officials. The flare-up of violence inflamed long-simmering divisions and raised concerns about the future of the tenuous peace agreement signed three years ago by rival ethnic factions led by the countrys president and vice president. Now, just over 10 years since the people of South Sudan voted overwhelmingly to separate from Sudan after years of repressive rule, the question is whether leaders of the long-warring factions within South Sudan can bridge their differences and build a future together. The need for undivided and undiverted leadership is great: the nation currently faces a dire humanitarian crisis with millions of people struggling to get enough food, tens of thousands displaced by severe flooding and a rise in coronavirus cases while few vaccines have been delivered. President Bidens presidency raised expectations among many Cubans of a return to the Obama days, when the United States sought to bury the last vestige of the Cold War by restoring diplomatic relations with Havana and calling for an end to the embargo. Instead, Mr. Biden is taking an even harder line on Cuba than his predecessor, President Donald J. Trump, who tightened restrictions on travel and financial transactions. The island became an early foreign policy crisis for the Biden administration after Cubans poured into the streets to denounce their authoritarian government and the food and medicine shortages exacerbated by the pandemic. The rare act of rebellion was quashed with the biggest crackdown on dissent in a generation. The White House imposed new sanctions against Cuban officials in the past few weeks in response to the arrest of hundreds of protesters who took to the streets in cities across the island nation on July 11. Mr. Biden also asked government experts to draw up plans for the United States to unilaterally expand internet access on the island and has pledged to increase support for Cuban dissidents. Mortuaries and crematories have been overwhelmed. The city of Guantanamo, for example, is dealing with a surge of deaths that on some days climbs to about eight times the usual number, a government official said. Cubans are posting heart-wrenching videos of dead relatives, saying that their loved ones died for lack of medical care. This past weekend, after Cubas prime minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, said that Cubans were complaining more about doctors and their poor service than they were about the shortages, nearly two dozen young physicians and medical students took to social media to state, one by one: I am publicly declaring that doctors are not to blame for the collapse of the public health system. The move was a daring step in Cuba, where any public show of discontent may result in the loss of employment or even prison. Cubas president, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, acknowledged recently that the pandemic had exceeded the capacity of the Cuban health care system, but he blamed the U.S. trade embargo for the shortages the country suffers. While the pandemic has strained medical systems around the world, the calamity in Cuba is particularly significant because the government has for decades held its free health care system up as a signal accomplishment of the socialist revolution. But the growing crisis has revealed a frayed system that, while often producing medical breakthroughs, is also denounced as ill-equipped and underfunded. A fast-moving wildfire in the parched woodlands of northeastern Minnesota continued to threaten cabins, homes and recreational sites on Friday as hundreds of firefighters fought to contain it. The Greenwood fire, in the Superior National Forest not far from the Canadian border, has burned more than 25,000 acres since it began on Aug. 15, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire, which has not been contained, was started by lightning, the authorities said. Evacuation orders are in effect for several areas, including McDougal Lake, Sand Lake, and areas along Highway 2 and north of Highway 1. The fire destroyed 12 primary structures, which include homes and cabins, and 57 outbuildings, which include garages or outhouses, earlier this week, the Lake County Sheriffs office said. Crews used heavy machinery on Wednesday to build a fire line along the part of the fire to the west of Highway 2. Our hearts go out to any of you who lost your cabin or your home, Connie Cummins, a forest supervisor, said at a news conference on Thursday. BRUSSELS A standoff that has trapped Afghan asylum seekers on the border between Belarus and Poland is a telling example of the European Unions dilemma over migration, especially acute now with the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. As E.U. member states worry about a new flow of migrants and asylum seekers from Afghanistan, they are accusing nonmember Belarus of using migrants as a weapon to destabilize the bloc and worry that Turkey could do the same, as it has done before. The rapid Taliban takeover of Afghanistan less than two weeks ago has shocked Europe, which is still trying to absorb the more than one million asylum seekers and migrants who came in 2015, many of them driven by the horrors of war zones like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. European leaders have made it clear that this time, they intend to enforce Europes border controls and avoid a new migration crisis and the political backlash that could come with it. Some 37 Afghan migrants, who left their country before the Taliban takeover earlier this month, have been stuck between the borders of Belarus and Poland for two weeks without easy access to food, water or toilets. Poland will not let them in and Belarus, which initially granted them visas, wont let them return from the border. TUNIS Year after year, the man now accused of trashing Tunisias Constitution sat straight-backed in a suit and tie at the front of a university lecture hall, his notes on constitutional law tidy in front of him, his Day 1 warning to students ensuring pin-drop silence: Late students will not be admitted. Talk to your neighbor during class, and you will be admonished. Do it again, and you will be asked to leave. I was taken aback at first, recalled Fadoua El Ouni, who took Kais Saieds constitutional law course her first year at Carthage University. Like, are all university courses going to be like this? They were not. Mr. Saied was semilegendary on campus for mesmerizing classrooms with his deep, ringing voice, his speech so starched and archaic that when Ms. El Ouni first heard him converse in everyday Tunisian dialect, it was, she said, an out-of-body experience. Since Mr. Saied suspended Parliament and fired his own prime minister last month amid mass protests over unchecked poverty, corruption and the coronavirus, Tunisians have puzzled over the contradictions: How a political novice whose severe bearing and formal style earned him the nickname RoboCop became so beloved among the young that Facebook fan pages sprang up crediting him with sage utterances he had never uttered. Denmark, whose health minister said on Thursday that the country had fully vaccinated 80 percent of residents over age 12, will no longer consider Covid-19 a socially critical disease. It will drop all Covid restrictions as of Sept. 10. The heath minister, Magnus Heunicke, made the announcement on Twitter on Friday. The socially critical designation is a political one, which allowed officials to implement measures such as national closures and requirements for coronavirus passes. Denmark has reported a total of 342,866 virus cases and 2,575 deaths since the pandemic began, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The country has been averaging just under 1,000 new cases a day in recent weeks. Mr. Heunicke said that as of Sept. 10, the country would phase out the last of its important restrictions, including having to show coronavirus passes at nightclubs and sporting events, according to Jyllands-Posten, the Danish newspaper. michael barbaro From the New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. [music] In the coming days, the Democratic governor of an overwhelmingly Democratic state may be removed from office and replaced by a Republican. Today: Kevin Roose spoke to our colleague, Shawn Hubler, about the tangled tale of Californias recall election. Its Monday, August 30. kevin roose Shawn, hello. shawn hubler Hi, how are you doing? kevin roose Im doing well. How are you? shawn hubler OK. kevin roose Where are you right now? shawn hubler Im in lovely Sacramento, under blue, only slightly wildfire smoky skies. And air quality thats OK for now. [LAUGHS] kevin roose Im also in California in the Bay Area. And I want to talk to you about two things that I got in the mail the other day. shawn hubler OK. kevin roose The first was a ballot, mail-in ballot, asking me if I wanted to recall California Governor Gavin Newsom. And if so, who do I want to replace him? And then there was about a 46-person list of possible replacements. And the second thing I got in the mail was a voter guide, explaining who those people were. And it was a wild ride. shawn hubler [LAUGHTER] kevin roose I mean, I saw a few names I recognized Caitlyn Jenner of Kardashians fame was on there, and then a whole bunch of people I didnt recognize. And when I started reading their candidate statements, it was a trip. So one of them, for example, was a Green Party candidate, pictured wearing sunglasses, whose candidate statement just said, Can you dig it? shawn hubler [LAUGHTER] kevin roose There was a independent candidate whose candidate statement said, Search YouTube. And then my favorite was the candidate who as their candidate statement just wrote two words, Love U. shawn hubler [LAUGHTER] kevin roose The letter U. shawn hubler Yes. kevin roose So I guess my first question is, what the hell is going on here? shawn hubler Well, this is a California recall, and its a strange but glorious trait of California politics and the California political landscape that periodically governors have to confront a recall attempt against them. Because its easier in California to recall a governor than it is in almost any other state that allows them. All you need to do is gather signatures from 12 percent of the people who voted in the last gubernatorial election. But typically, they dont work. Only one other attempt to recall a sitting governor has ever qualified for the ballot. That was when Republicans ousted Gray Davis in 2003, and the state elected Arnold Schwarzenegger. But every governor in California for the last 60 years has had at least one recall attempt against him, and Governor Newsom was no exception. [music] kevin roose And for the non-Californians in our audience, who is Gavin Newsom? Whats his deal? shawn hubler So Gavin Newsom is a Democrat. Hes a young father, he has four children. He was the mayor of San Francisco. He was lieutenant governor for two terms. And he was a popular figure. And in 2018 archived recording (gavin newsom) Thank you, California. shawn hubler Gavin Newsom was elected in a landslide in California. archived recording (gavin newsom) I will have the incredible privilege of serving as your next governor. shawn hubler He seemed to signal a kind of a new passing of the torch in politics in California. archived recording (gavin newsom) The sun is rising in the west, and the arc of history is bending in our direction. shawn hubler He was among Democrats who dominate California, kind of a galvanizing figure. And he had a really ambitious and popular agenda. He helped pass a ballot initiative that legalized marijuana in the state. archived recording (gavin newsom) I think the war on marijuana is all but over. And for me, thats a social justice issue, its a criminal justice issue, its a racial justice issue. shawn hubler He was going to address homelessness in the state. archived recording (gavin newsom) Were committed to launching a marshall plan for affordable housing, and well lift up the fight against homelessness from a local matter to a statewide mission. shawn hubler He had a big climate change agenda. archived recording (gavin newsom) We dont put profit and loss ahead of clean water and clean coastlines. shawn hubler He was going to do a lot. He had high hopes and there were high hopes for him. kevin roose So hes, from what youre telling me, a fairly popular Democratic governor in a state that is heavily Democratic. So whats the problem? shawn hubler The problem is a little bit of a nuanced issue. Theres a robust and significant strain of conservatism in California. You wouldnt think it because only about a quarter of the votes are Republican. But almost from the moment that Gavin Newsom was elected, the conservatives in the state began trying to recall him. [music] A small group of Facebook friends started this recall effort, and mostly in rural California and in a few other sort of slightly redder parts of the state. And they had a number of general Republican complaints about Democratic policies. archived recording The people voted for the death penalty to be maintained, and he came in and unilaterally overrode that. shawn hubler They didnt like the governors opposition to the death penalty. archived recording The governor of the largest state in our country empowering these folks that are here unlawfully. shawn hubler They didnt like his stance on immigration. archived recording California has become unlivable. And the first order of business is removing the governor whos a political extremist. shawn hubler But this recall was a long shot. It wasnt expected to go anywhere. And it would have stayed a long shot had it not been for the pandemic. kevin roose What do you mean? shawn hubler When the pandemic started and it hit California, Governor Newsom was among the earliest and most aggressive proponents of following the science and shutting things down early. archived recording (gavin newsom) We direct a statewide order for people to stay at home. That directive shawn hubler He acted on the advice of epidemiologists who were really urging the state to social distance and take precautions and not gather in large groups. archived recording No gatherings of more than three households present, and those gatherings can be no longer than two hours. shawn hubler And the governor began to really act to protect people in a much more aggressive way than many governors across the country. archived recording (gavin newsom) We need to make tough decisions. We need to bend the curve in the state of California. shawn hubler And initially, Californians were kind of OK with it. They were sheltering at home. People were wearing masks. But then as time wore on, people began to get pandemic fatigue, and then two important things happened. On November 6, a superior court judge in Sacramento gave the proponents of the recall an extra four months to continue to circulate petitions. kevin roose Why did they do that? shawn hubler They argued that they hadnt really had the ability to gather the signatures they needed because the shutdown order that the governor had initiated had prevented them from going to supermarkets and malls and places like that where they could get people to sign on. And the folks behind the recall were frustrated. They couldnt get the signatures they just knew were out there among unsatisfied Californians that they were sure were as angry with the governor as they were. kevin roose So the judge essentially gave them an extension. shawn hubler Thats right. And on the same day that this extension is made final by this judge in Sacramento, the governor decides to go to a birthday party in the Napa Valley at the French Laundry restaurant, which is an extremely expensive, extremely exclusive, extremely fabulous restaurant that costs hundreds of dollars a plate for diners. kevin roose Ive heard of that. Ive never been. Someday, if I win the lottery. shawn hubler Its one of the best restaurants in the country. People come from all over the world to eat there. Reservations are sold out within minutes of opening them. They only open reservations once a month, and you have to call a special number or sign up online, and you can never get a reservation. So the governor goes to this birthday party with his wife and his friend, who is a lobbyist, and they sit down in this room thats kind of an indoor outdoor type room. It complies with state rules. But its enclosed and you can see into it. And the governor and his friends are not wearing masks. And people notice and they talk, and some of them take pictures. kevin roose I remember when this happened. It was sort of all anyone could talk about. People did not see those pictures and go, wow, looks like a nice dinner. Glad he had a good time. shawn hubler No. Californians were outraged. archived recording At this time, he really needed to step up and be that example for us. I think its highly hypocritical of him. shawn hubler This was coming up into the holidays. archived recording Is it setting a good example to do exactly what youre telling the rest of us not to do? No. shawn hubler The governor had asked people to stay home and not gather. archived recording Tonight, while Governor Newsom is telling all of us to have Thanksgiving dinner outside shawn hubler To not eat Thanksgiving dinner together if they could avoid it. archived recording Hes facing some new fallout for that fancy birthday dinner party he went to at the French Laundry. shawn hubler It was just insult upon injury. archived recording (gavin newsom) I made a mistake being with a few extra people beyond the guidelines that Ive been promoting, which is outside the household. So that was a mistake. kevin roose What did this dinner this party at the French Laundry what did it do to the recall movement? shawn hubler Before the French Laundry incident, there were about 50,000 signatures on the petitions to recall the governor. A month later, there were more than a half a million. kevin roose Wow. shawn hubler It supercharged the whole recall. The Republican National Committee was involved, the state Republican Party was involved and money was starting to come in from Republicans around the United States. kevin roose So I guess in some ways, that dinner that fateful dinner at the French Laundry is one of the reasons, maybe, that I have this ballot with 46-odd names on it of people who might become the next governor of California. shawn hubler Well, thats right. The dinner, the frustration with the pandemic, this extra time that this judge gave to gather signatures, all of those things came together. And all of a sudden, what had seemed like a real long shot, the recall of a Democratic governor in a heavily Democratic state, that has become an actual possibility. michael barbaro Well be right back. kevin roose So Shawn, of the dozens of people on this ballot who might replace Governor Newsom, who are the front runners? shawn hubler Theres the former mayor of San Diego, a guy named Kevin Faulconer, whos a Republican. Theres a guy named Kevin Kiley, who is an assemblyman in a conservative district in suburban northern California. Theres a guy named Kevin Paffrath, who is a YouTube financial adviser with like a million point seven subscribers. kevin roose Is there anyone not named Kevin who is a front-runner in this race? shawn hubler Yes. There are three Kevins, but theres also a Larry, Larry Elder. And hes seen to be the front-runner among these 46 challengers. archived recording Talk Radio presents The Larry Elder Show. shawn hubler So Larry Elder, hes had a very popular radio show for a very long time in California. archived recording And this is Larry Elder, absolutely, quite positively, a.k.a. the Sage from South Central. shawn hubler Hes kind of the Rush Limbaugh of California conservatives. archived recording (larry elder) The glass ceiling is a myth. shawn hubler He has very clear right-leaning opinions. archived recording (larry elder) The minimum wage law destroys jobs for the very people that the left claim to care about. How can you possibly have a position advocating further gun control legislation without even knowing how often Americans use guns for defensive purposes? Youre being conned. Youre being conned by people like Maxine Waters, telling you that youre held back because of systemic racism. Its a con. shawn hubler And he has, most importantly, high name recognition. archived recording (larry elder) People ask why recall Newsom? Well, he acted like a tyrant, ordering your kids out of public school. shawn hubler California has 40 million people. It has five major media markets. It is highly expensive to run a statewide race here. archived recording (larry elder) Hes arrogant. Hes incompetent, or worse. shawn hubler And so Larry Elder has what many of these candidates dont have, which is that he is known statewide. archived recording (larry elder) Im Larry Elder, and this is a fight for the soul of California. kevin roose So Shawn, of the dozens of people running to replace Governor Newsom in this recall election, do any of them actually stand a chance of winning? shawn hubler You wouldnt think so, but there are two questions on the ballot. The first question asks, do we want to recall the governor? Yes or no. And then the second question asks, if the governor is recalled, who should replace him among these 46 candidates that, by the way, do not include the governor? And so if the majority vote recalls the governor, then whoever wins the second question will become the governor. And to win that second question, you dont need a majority. You only need a plurality. You only need to get more votes than the other 45 candidates. kevin roose So you could theoretically become the Governor of California even if you only got, say, 15 percent of the votes in the special election? shawn hubler As long as nobody else got 16 percent, right. So in order to beat back the recall, Governor Newsom needs to get a 50 percent plus one majority of the votes on the first question, on the recall question. He needs as many people as possible to vote no on the recall. In theory, that should be an easy thing to get. California is overwhelmingly Democratic. 46 percent of the voters in California are registered Democrats, and only a quarter of the voters are registered Republicans. But if Democrats dont turn out, if theyre disengaged, or they just have mixed feelings about Gavin Newsom and they dont vote, then thats a problem for the governor. And up until recently, polls have been showing that among all Californians, he wins walking away. But among likely voters, the race narrows significantly to almost a dead heat. kevin roose So how is Governor Newsom responding to the threat, which seems like a pretty real threat, of being recalled and replaced with a Republican? shawn hubler The governor has framed the recall pretty relentlessly as a power grab by far-right extremist Republicans, by Trump Republicans, who are hoping to install a governor in a blue state that they could never win on the fair and square. And hes saying to Californians, this state is successful. Were the worlds fifth largest economy. We do pretty well here. We got through the pandemic better than a lot of places. And if you want to know what Republican governance looks like, look no further than Florida. Do you want to be Florida, with condominiums collapsing on the beach because of lax regulation, and raging Covid rates and local school districts and local governments trying desperately to protect kids? I mean, is that what you want? And Republicans are saying, darn right. That is what we want. Floridas not so bad. Their schools stayed open when our schools were closed because youre so close to teachers unions. And their businesses stayed open when our businesses struggled. And so, yeah. Florida? Yeah, lets be Florida. kevin roose Speaking of states outside of California, what are politicians on the national level thinking and saying about this race? shawn hubler So on the Republican side, they want to frame this race as a referendum on Democratic policies. California is the biggest Democratic-run state in the country, and it has for a long time been the model of liberal governance. California has sought to prove the argument for a long time that you can have liberal policies and progressive taxation, and you can still have a really wildly booming economy. So Republicans want to frame the race as a referendum on that, highlighting the parts of California that arent working so well right now, things like housing costs and homelessness and crime rates and so on. On the Democratic side, they want to show this race to be an example of how Republicans nationally are, for lack of a better word, trying to game the system, trying to use unorthodox and maybe not quite legitimate policies to win elections and to get power that they otherwise wouldnt get from voters naturally. But just from a standpoint also of pure political math, the Senate is deadlocked 50-50, and Californias senior senator Dianne Feinstein, there has been talk that she might retire early before her term ends. Shes aging, and if she were to retire or, God forbid, pass away, then her replacement would be named by the next governor. And so theres a sense within the Democratic party that theres more riding on this than just Gavin Newsoms personal political fortunes. kevin roose Shaun, thanks so much. shawn hubler My pleasure, Kevin. michael barbaro Well be right back. Heres what else you need to know today. On Sunday, the U.S. military said it had prevented a second attack on the Kabul airport by blowing up a vehicle filled with suicide bombers from ISIS K, the same group that carried out last weeks deadly bombing. The military said that the suicide bombers were headed to the airport when they were killed by a U.S. drone strike. The drone strike occurred as the remains of 13 U.S. service members killed in last weeks suicide bombing were flown to the Dover Air Force base in Delaware in a solemn ceremony witnessed by President Biden. And Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday, as a powerful category four storm with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour that threatened the cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. DHAKA, Bangladesh Six men said to belong to an Islamist militant group were convicted and sentenced to death on Tuesday over the 2016 killings of a prominent Bangladeshi gay rights activist and his friend. When Xulhaz Mannan, an activist sometimes referred to as Julhas Mannan, and his friend Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy were hacked to death in April 2016, it was seen as yet another in a series of targeted attacks against academics, secular writers and activists who wrote views critical of Islam. That same month, an atheist blogger was shot and killed, and a university professor was hacked to death. Mr. Mannans killing was the first attack on a gay rights activist. They decided to slay the victims for their involvement in gay rights activism, a special antiterrorism tribunal in Dhaka said on Tuesday in announcing the convictions and sentences. All the convicts had the same intention. They wanted to prevent them from practicing their freedom and create fear among the other people from expressing their opinion. The court said the six men who were convicted were members of Ansar al-Islam, a banned militant group that local news outlets have connected to Al Qaeda. Four of the men are in custody, while two remain at large, including Syed Mohammad Ziaul Haque, a former major fired by the Bangladeshi Army, which accused him in 2012 of involvement in an attempted coup. BERLIN The most popular politician who would like to be chancellor isnt on the ballot. The leading candidate is so boring people compare him to a machine. Instead of Yes, We Can! voters are being fired up with promises of Stability. Germany is having its most important election in a generation but you would never know it. The newspaper Die Welt recently asked in a headline: Is this the most boring election ever? Yes and no. The campaign to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel after 16 years of her dominating German and European politics is the tightest in Germany since 2005, and it just got tighter. The Social Democrats, written off as recently as a month ago, have overtaken Ms. Merkels conservatives for the first time in years. SRINAGAR, Kashmir Syed Ali Geelani, an influential and uncompromising leader of the separatist movement in Kashmir who refused to engage with India over the future of that troubled Himalayan region, died on Wednesday while under house arrest in Srinagar, Kashmirs biggest city. He was 91. His death was confirmed by his son Naseem. He did not specify a cause but said his father had been struggling with heart and kidney disease for the past two decades and dementia more recently. Even in death Mr. Geelani showed he could make the regions Indian-led authorities nervous: They shut down the internet across the Kashmir valley when word of his death spread and beefed up security forces patrolling empty streets. The police took his body away just hours after he died, Naseem Geelani said, leading to a quiet funeral for a resistance leader who could once summon thousands of people into the streets to protest. As Californias Sept. 14 election over whether to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom draws closer, unfounded rumors about the event are growing. Here are two that are circulating widely online, how they spread and why, state and local officials said, they are wrong. Rumor No. 1: Holes in the ballot envelopes were being used to screen out votes that say yes to a recall. On Aug. 19, a woman posted a video on Instagram of herself placing her California special election ballot in an envelope. You have to pay attention to these two holes that are in front of the envelope, she said, bringing the holes close to the camera so viewers could see them. You can see if someone has voted yes to recall Newsom. This is very sketchy and irresponsible in my opinion, but this is asking for fraud. According to the intelligence report, Mr. Alay and Mr. Dmitrenko met the two men in Barcelona for a strategy session to discuss the independence movement, though the report offered no other details. Mr. Alay denied any connection to Tsunami Democratic. He confirmed that he had met with Mr. Sumin and Mr. Lukoyanov at the request of Mr. Dmitrenko, but only to greet them politely. Even as the protests faded, Mr. Puigdemonts associates remained busy. His lawyer, Mr. Boye, flew to Moscow in February 2020 to meet Vasily Khristoforov, whom Western law enforcement agencies describe as a senior Russian organized crime figure. The goal, according to the report, was to enlist Mr. Khristoforov to help set up a secret funding channel for the independence movement. In an interview, Mr. Boye acknowledged meeting in Moscow with Mr. Khristoforov, who is wanted in several countries including Spain on suspicion of financial crimes, but said they only discussed matters relating to Mr. Khristoforovs legal cases. By late 2020, Mr. Alays texts reveal an eagerness to keep his Russian contacts happy. In exchanges with Mr. Puigdemont and Mr. Boye, he said they should avoid any public statements that might anger Moscow, especially about the democracy protests that Russia was helping to disperse violently in Belarus. Mr. Puigdemont did not always heed the advice, appearing in Brussels with the Belarusian opposition and tweeting his support for the protesters, prompting Mr. Boye to text Mr. Alay that we will have to tell the Russians that this was just to mislead. The powerful hurricane, which swept through one of the nations largest chemical, petroleum and natural gas hubs when it made landfall on Sunday, has heightened concerns over the vulnerability of the regions fossil fuel infrastructure to intensifying storms, which are linked to global warming driven by emissions from oil and gas. It was unclear how much oil had spilled into the Gulf, according to a person with direct knowledge of the cleanup. The spill, possibly from an old pipeline no longer in use that was damaged by the storm, was first spotted on Monday from reconnaissance flights led by a number of Gulf Coast producers, and was reported to the Coast Guard, said the person who was not authorized to speak publicly about the cleanup effort. By Saturday morning, two more boats appeared to join the cleanup. James Hanzalik, assistant executive director of Clean Gulf Associates, a nonprofit oil spill cooperative set up by the industry, confirmed Friday afternoon that a leak was ongoing and that a cleanup was underway. Lt. John Edwards of the U.S. Coast Guard said that the spill was believed to be crude oil from an old pipeline owned by the Houston-based oil and gas exploration company, Talos Energy. A cleanup vessel hired by Talos was using skimmers to recover the oil and had placed a containment boom in the area to try to contain the spread, he said. Talos Energy declined to comment on the record. Coast Guard boats had not yet made it to the site, Lt. Edwards said, but the agency had been told by Talos that just 42 gallons of material had so far been recovered from the water. The agency has launched a preliminary investigation, he added. Sophia Trevino carefully picked her outfit the night before her first day of eighth grade last month. Two hours before bedtime, and with her mothers help, she went through her closet and selected a white Los Angeles T-shirt, a new pair of black distressed jeans and Air Force 1 sneakers. Sophia, 13, of course checked with her friends that the outfit was cute; they said it was. Her parents didnt think twice about the clothes. But a teacher making sure students were in compliance with the dress code at Simpson Middle School in Cobb County, Ga., did not find her outfit appropriate. Lined up with other students as they came into the school, Sophia was asked to put her hands down by her thighs to measure if the rip in her jeans was lower than her fingertips. It was not. She and 15 other girls were written up before first period. Every Friday since then, Sophia and other students at Simpson Middle School, about 25 miles north of Atlanta, have worn T-shirts that denounce dress codes as sexist, racist and classist. In protesting the rules, some parents and students have used the Cobb County School Districts laissez-faire policy on face coverings the district leaves it up to parents if their children wear masks at school as a cudgel. If adhering to a public health measure is optional, they say, why cant students opt out of a dress code they see as discriminatory? In a statement, a spokeswoman for the Cobb County School District said that the districts rules for student dress encourage a focus on learning for all 110,000 students in Cobb, not on what students prefer to wear. LE BOURGET, France The plan, to repatriate the skeleton of a Napoleonic general who died on a Russian battlefield two centuries ago, was supposed to bring together the leaders of two nations long at odds. The remains of Gen. Charles Etienne Gudin, who was killed in action in 1812 during Napoleons invasion of Russia, would be flown home with official pomp, and President Emmanuel Macron of France would host his Russian counterpart, Vladimir V. Putin, for a funeral that would serve as a symbolic burying of the hatchet. Instead, General Gudins return to French soil on July 13 was far more low-key: His coffin was flown in on a private plane chartered by a Russian oligarch and was welcomed with a small ceremony in a grim hangar at Le Bourget airport, near Paris, next to a decommissioned Concorde jet. The presidents were nowhere in sight. It was not the repatriation that was originally conceived, said Helene Carrere dEncausse, a French historian of Russia. Amid steady showers, up to 1.5 inches of rain was expected in the New York area on Thursday, a week after the region was battered by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Showers were forecast into the afternoon, but there were no active flood warnings on Thursday morning, said John Cristantello, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in New York. He warned that circumstances could change if things hit the right way. Overall, the storms were expected to bring 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain to the New York region, although 2 to 2.25 inches were possible in a worst-case scenario, the Weather Service said. It noted that flooding was possible in urban areas and in communities where small rivers, streams and creeks were already swollen. New York City was expecting up to an inch of rain, with some areas possibly receiving 1.25 inches. These systems are not forecast to be severe at this time, but please be prepared as conditions may change, the New York City Emergency Management Department said. MOSCOW President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia threw his embattled, authoritarian ally in Belarus a fresh lifeline on Thursday, pledging cheap natural gas and more than $600 million in new loans as part of a push to more closely integrate the post-Soviet neighbors. Mr. Putin and President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko of Belarus met in person for the sixth time in the past year, hammering out a long-delayed integration plan that some analysts had speculated could bring the two countries to the brink of a full-blown merger. Late Thursday evening at the Kremlin, the two leaders finally announced the contours of such a plan, but one that focused on aligning the two countries economies while leaving aside thornier political questions. We must first create an economic base, an economic foundation, in order to move forward, including on the political track, Mr. Putin said. OTTAWA Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus decision to call an election two years ahead of schedule has not worked out as planned. Polls have consistently tracked a decline in voter support for his Liberal Party and a rise in backing for its nearest rivals, the Conservatives, leaving the parties in a statistical tie. The bulk of the 36-day campaign, the shortest allowed by law, came during Canadas all-too-brief summer, when many voters minds were far from politics. The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, where the Canadian military fought, further distracted the publics attention. So for Mr. Trudeau and his rivals, particularly Erin OToole of the Conservatives, the debates this week in each of Canadas official languages were crucial opportunities to define the campaign before Election Day, Sept. 20. New York Citys classrooms reopened on Monday to roughly a million children, most of whom were returning for the first time since the United States largest school system closed in March 2020. While the city reopened schools last fall for part-time learning, the vast majority of students chose to keep learning remotely. But with no remote option now available to almost all parents, classrooms will be full for the first time in a year and a half. For months, Mayor Bill de Blasio had forecast the first day of school to be a triumphant coda in New York Citys long recovery from the pandemic. But the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant has complicated the citys push to fully reopen schools and left many families and educators anxious about what the next few months will hold. At a news conference on Monday morning, Mr. de Blasio asked parents to put aside their worries and focus on reorienting their children to in-person learning. Im appealing to all parents right now, he said. Work past the fear, help your kids move forward. Follow the latest on Tropical Storm Nicholas. NEW ORLEANS Even as blue tarps cover damaged roofs across Louisiana and more than 100,000 people remain without power, a new tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to bring more wind and rain, most likely slowing the states recovery from Hurricane Ida and threatening residents who are already vulnerable. Louisianans are dreading the arrival of Tropical Storm Nicholas, which is expected to hit Texas on Monday morning and then push northeast along the Louisiana coast on Monday night, just over two weeks after Hurricane Ida tore through the state. Forecasters say that more than a foot of rain could drench some areas. The neighbors and all of us, were feeling pretty anxious watching this other depression out there, said Valerie Williams, as she nervously watched the cloudy skies on Sunday afternoon from her home in Luling, about 30 minutes west of New Orleans. Her husband and son installed a tarp on her roof after Hurricane Idas winds damaged it. We dont need another one we really dont, she said. Ida left New Orleans without power for more than 50 hours. Power has been restored in all but a sliver of the city, but roughly 118,000 electric customers outside New Orleans are still in the dark. MEXICO CITY As soon as the nurse found out that she had an abortion at home, Fernanda Garcia knew she was in danger. The nurse began yelling that she was a criminal, that what she had done was wrong, that she would be sent to jail. She told me that they were going to report me, that I was going to face charges, said Ms. Garcia, who went to the hospital last month after experiencing pain and bleeding. Ive never felt so scared in my life. When Ms. Garcia tried to leave, she said the medical staff refused to return her belongings. She said that she snatched her things and ran out, but that she still shakes every time the doorbell rings, convinced the police are coming to arrest her. She says she has thought about killing herself many times since then. Now, Mexicos Supreme Court has ruled that abortion is not a crime, setting a national precedent that puts the country on the path to becoming the most populous nation in Latin America to allow the procedure. Thousands of people have faced criminal investigations in recent years for ending their pregnancies, and the courts unanimous decision last week should enable them to get any charges dropped, legal experts said. You barely see people here anymore, said Darrayal Jenkins, 40, as he walked past several burned buildings in July. Its like a ghost town. City officials have promised a renewed focus on Uptown, planning developments of apartments and businesses that would breathe life into it once again. Whether they will follow through has become a test of the citys commitment to change after Mr. Blakes shooting and how far it will go to heal a neighborhood that is the home of so many African American families who say that they are still on the margins of civic life in Kenosha. Theyre never going to rebuild it, said Lonnie Stewart, 61, a former ironworker who lives in the neighborhood. He nodded in the direction of a wall of empty, boarded storefronts. All this time later, it still looks like this. It shook the foundation Kenosha is not Minneapolis, or Portland, Ore., or Chicago, bigger cities with long and familiar histories of protest, activism and street marches. So it came as a shock to much of the town, a mostly white former industrial and car-making hub whose voters lean Democratic, when the unrest exploded one Sunday last August. Police officers had arrived at an apartment in response to a domestic complaint and tried to arrest Mr. Blake, who is Black. As Mr. Blake, who was holding a knife, tried to climb into an S.U.V., one of the officers, Rusten Sheskey, who is white, grabbed him and fired seven times into his back, leaving him crumpled on the ground. Americans, still shaken by the killing of Mr. Floyd in Minneapolis, responded with horror after watching cellphone video of the episode, captured from across the street. Protesters amassed in the city by the hundreds, and on the third day of marches a 17-year-old from Illinois, Kyle Rittenhouse, fatally shot two people during a scuffle, according to the authorities; he is set to stand trial for murder in November. WASHINGTON The Justice Department has opened an investigation into allegations of unconstitutional abuses of prisoners in Georgia, a sweeping civil rights inquiry that could force the state to carry out a federally mandated overhaul. The department also separately limited whether and how federal law enforcement officers can use tactics that have been widely criticized for their role in the deaths of Black people at the hands of the local police, including neck restraints like chokeholds and unannounced searches for evidence. The moves, announced on Tuesday, broadly address issues of violence in law enforcement and incarceration that have become a rallying point for criminal justice advocates and led to protests and civil unrest around the country. The Georgia investigation was prompted by documentation of violence in prisons across the state. During a riot last year at Ware State Prison that played out on social media, hundreds of inmates took over the building, set fires and took guards hostage, resulting in damage and myriad injuries. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Haitis chief prosecutor said on Tuesday that there was evidence linking the acting prime minister to the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, and prohibited him from leaving the country until he answers questions about it. Last week, the prosecutor issued a police summons for the prime minister, Ariel Henry, requesting that he testify about contact he had with one of the chief suspects in the killing. Phone records show that Mr. Henry spoke with the suspect Joseph Badio, a former intelligence official in the hours after Mr. Moise was killed in July in his home in Port-au-Prince, the capital. Mr. Henry, who swiftly removed the prosecutor from his post, is by far the most prominent figure to be swept up in a murder investigation that has resulted in the arrest of more than 40 people but has shed little light onto who ordered and paid for the presidents killing and why. The detained include Mr. Moises security officers, businessmen, three Haitian Americans and 18 Colombian mercenaries accused of leading the assault on Mr. Moises residence. And the police have issued at least a dozen more arrest warrants, including one for Mr. Badio, whom the Haitian authorities accuse of arming and directing the Colombian mercenaries on the night of the attack. The Myanmar soldiers attacked the village of Yay Shin, deep in the furrows of the Himalayan foothills, just after dusk, descending with flamethrowers and heavy weaponry. Clutching aging AK-47s smuggled from India and Thailand, members of a self-proclaimed Peoples Defense Force returned fire so the rest of the villagers could scramble into the hills, several residents said by phone. Eight bodies of villagers were later found, along with those of eight soldiers who were killed in battle. By the time the 77th and 99th Battalions left Yay Shin this month, little of the village in northwestern Myanmar remained, just smoldering ruins of a hamlet that had dared to take up arms against the militarys February coup. Seven months after ousting Myanmars elected government, the countrys fearsome army, known as the Tatmadaw, is ramping up attacks on a largely improvised armed resistance, and on the villages where its members live. It is a pattern of slaughter that the Tatmadaw has inflicted for decades on various ethnic minorities, such as the Rohingya, whose forcible expulsion from the country the United States considers to be ethnic cleansing. BEIRUT, Lebanon The Hezbollah militant group said it trucked more than a million gallons of Iranian diesel fuel into Lebanon from Syria on Thursday, celebrating the move as a way of spiting the United States while bringing much-needed aid to a country nearly paralyzed by fuel shortages. With Lebanon suffering one of the worst economic collapses in modern history, Hezbollah portrayed itself as a national savior, stepping in where the Lebanese government and its Western backers had failed. Hezbollah supporters lined roads in northeastern Lebanon as dozens of tanker trucks arrived. They waved Hezbollah flags, distributed sweets, blasted heroic anthems and fired rocket-propelled grenades into the air in celebration. The fuel delivery which a Hezbollah official said was the first installment of more than 13 million gallons underscored the severity of Lebanons crisis, as well as the governments failure to address it. Unable to secure help from elsewhere, it has turned to war-torn Syria and economically damaged Iran. Unfortunately, fatalities are a lagging indicator when it comes to the virus, Mr. Reeves said on CNNs State of the Union. Timing has as much to do with that statistic as anything else. Mr. Reeves attributed the deaths to the presence of the more-contagious Delta variant, suggesting that current conditions in the state are temporary. He also noted that new cases in Mississippi have been falling recently. Despite continued probing, Mr. Reeves refused to answer whether his state would take any additional measures. Mr. Reeves, who is vaccinated, said that vaccination is the best thing Americans can do to protect themselves against the virus. The governor critiqued the Biden administrations plans to enforce a vaccine mandate for two-thirds of American workers. This is an attack by the president on hard working Americans, and hard working Mississippians, who he wants to choose between getting a jab in their arm and their ability to feed their families, Mr. Reeves said. Caroline Young was thrilled to be hired two years ago as a host at Cafe Poetes in Houston. She was pursuing an undergraduate degree in hospitality, so she thought the experience in fine dining would be invaluable. She wanted to be the first person to greet arriving diners. Initially, she said, most guests seemed glad to see her. Since the pandemic, not so much. I have been screamed at. I have had fingers in my face. I have been called names. I have had something thrown at me, she said. One customer hurled a water glass at her feet and stormed out after she repeatedly asked him to put on a mask. I have never been yelled at like that before in my life, until I was asking people to simply put a piece of cloth over their face that I was wearing eight to 10 hours a day. Once upon a time, the host, or maitre d in formal dining rooms, held a position of some prestige and power, as the public face of the restaurant and the arbiter of who got the most coveted tables. Today, the job is often entry-level, and saddled with the difficult tasks of asking customers to don masks, maintain social distancing or present proof of vaccination. Hosts have to judge whether diners have complied, and to deal with any blowback. Kids and whistle-blowers. This is the heart of the recent Wall Street Journal series of investigations about how Facebook runs its business. And its why the articles landed with such force. Jeff Horwitz, one of the Journal reporters who penned the devastating Facebook Files series, and Cecilia Kang, who with fellow Times reporter Sheera Frenkel wrote the recent book An Ugly Truth about Facebook, joined me this week for a social audio discussion on Twitter Spaces. We talked about The Journals reporting on the toxicity of Instagram on the psyche of teenage girls, supported in the stories by internal Facebook documents. Kids and whistle-blowers have now given politicians and regulators a very clear target, one that resonates with the public. Finally, slow-moving regulators may have some much-needed fuel. This story will continue to unfold in the coming days. Facebook will be sending its global head of safety, Antigone Davis, to Senate hearings about kids safety sometime next week, which should be made livelier by the revelation that a whistle-blower who gave documents to The Journal has also turned over a pile to lawmakers and will go public at some point soon, according to Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican. This person is reportedly seeking federal whistle-blower protection. About a year ago, Calarco was quoted in an interview as saying that while other advanced nations had social safety nets, the United States has chosen to instead rely on women. It was the kind of statement that knocks you back a step for how obvious, complex and direct it is. While other nations subsidize child care, paid leave, health care, transportation and family leave, U.S. social policy chooses to shift the cost of having and raising children onto women. We do that directly by shifting the risk of getting pregnant to employed women. We also do that indirectly by diminishing and undervaluing care work, a female-dominated class of workers. As luck would have it, Calarco was studying how parents make all kinds of decisions about jobs, schooling and household labor when the biggest test case in recent memory Covid and the ensuing public health crisis hit the United States. On Twitter, she shared a particularly revealing excerpt from some of her interviews with anti-vaccine and anti-mask parents. A respondent, Tory, was a former nurse. Calarco describes Tory as a white Republican mom and former nurse who opposes masks and vaccines. Tory said Covid is serious only if youre unhealthy, if you have comorbidities. She has extended family members who are at risk, but she suggests they deserve what they get. I talked with Calarco about how someone like Tory could have exposure to health education and still be so adamantly anti-vaccine. Calarco pointed out that people filter education through their other identities, one of which is their political identity. She said: Theres a happy marriage between Republican or right wing ideas about personal responsibility in all aspects of life and personal responsibility and medicine. And so theres a clear alignment with those parents who are most strongly opposed to masks, vaccines, across the board, these different kinds of public health measures, being the parents who are most likely to oppose these kinds of measures, either in society as a whole, or specifically if were talking about things like kids in schools. And so certainly the nurse that I was quoting on Twitter, for example, identifies as libertarian. So sort of right-leaning independent and certainly has you can hear those ideas in the way that they talk about things. And the Republican-leaning, white parents were the ones who used sort of the strongest sort of bad body is bad culture kind of arguments, these echoing, and sometimes explicitly eugenicist, arguments about why they shouldnt be required to sacrifice for who they call unhealthy people. My conversation with Jessica got me to thinking about recent research by Ashley Jardina at Duke University. In her book, White Identity Politics, she shows how many more white voters now view themselves through a white racial lens. On the one hand, that could be a good thing: One goal of critical theory is to get white people to see and label the way their racial identity exists. On the other hand, white racial identity politics can easily become a politics of grievance. Torys interpretation of public health as an attack on her civil liberties her God-given right to choose how she will live and ergo how others around her might die sounds like a strident political identity of grievance. A lot of Calarcos research is about mothers. For well-known reasons, mothers are a bellwether for household decision making. But I did not want to let fathers off the hook in thinking about how political entrenchment is fueling politicized grievance over vaccines. Where the heck are the fathers in all of this, I asked her. She said: Unfortunately, the data say that in many cases, especially when it comes to masks, dads are more skeptical than moms are. The quantitative survey data that weve done, we did a big survey of parents across the U.S. back in December with about 2,000 parents, and moms are more opposed to vaccines than dads are, but dads are more opposed to masks. And so, really, I mean, theyre all kind of on the same page. But dads, I mean, historically defer to moms, particularly when it comes to kids and schools and health. Fathers arent missing in the community-level debates about public health. They are just managing a different thread of denialism. In both instances, these arent divisions amenable to public health messaging or education. Parents who reject vaccines and masks for themselves and their children are making decisions rooted in household divisions of labor Moms work versus Dads work and a broader culture of political grievance that can turn any scientific fact into a cultural war. A woman from Palo Alto, Calif., was charged with arson in connection with a wildfire that has burned about 9,850 acres and damaged more than 25 buildings in Shasta County, worsening the toll of an already brutal fire season in the state, the authorities said. The woman, Alexandra Souverneva, 30, who was arrested on Thursday, could face up to nine years in state prison if convicted, Shasta County prosecutors said. The Fawn fire was about 10 percent contained as of Friday night and prompted mandatory evacuations in parts of the county. Ms. Souverneva may have also set other fires in Shasta County, which is in Northern California, the authorities said. Officials declined to specify which other fires she may be tied to but the county district attorney, Stephanie A. Bridgett, said in an interview on Friday that it was more than one in her county and at least another in a separate county. Wildfires in California have burned almost two million acres so far this year, according to Cal Fire, the states firefighting agency. WASHINGTON Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York and the highest-profile progressive in the House, apologized on Friday to her constituents for an abrupt decision to pull back her vote against providing $1 billion in new funding for Israels Iron Dome missile defense system, suggesting she had done so after being subjected to hateful targeting for opposing it. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the liberal group known as the Squad, was one of two members who voted present as the measure to help Israel replace missile interceptors overwhelmingly passed the House on Thursday on a vote of 420 to 9. She was seen weeping on the House floor after she switched her vote from no to present. The episode captured the bitter divide among Democrats over Israel, which has pit a small but vocal group of progressives who have called for an end to conditions-free aid to the country against the vast majority of the party, which maintains that the United States must not waver in its backing for Israels right to defend itself. In a lengthy letter on Friday, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez told her constituents that she opposed the funding, citing persistent human rights abuses against the Palestinian people, and had pleaded with top Democrats to delay the vote. After all the scurrying, searching, sifting, speculating, hand-counting and bamboo-hunting had ended, Republicans post-mortem review of election results in Arizonas largest county wound up only adding to President Bidens margin of victory there. But for those who have tried to undermine confidence in American elections and restrict voting, the actual findings of the Maricopa County review that were released on Friday did not appear to matter in the slightest. Former President Donald J. Trump and his loyalists redoubled their efforts to mount a full-scale relitigation of the 2020 election. Any fleeting thought that the failure of the Arizona exercise to unearth some new trove of Trump votes or a smoking gun of election fraud might derail the so-called Stop the Steal movement dissipated abruptly. As draft copies of the report began to circulate late Thursday, Trump allies ignored the new tally, instead zeroing in on the reports specious claims of malfeasance, inconsistencies and errors by election officials. Significant parts of the right treated the completion of the Arizona review as a vindication offering a fresh canard to justify an accelerated push for new voting limits and measures to give Republican state lawmakers greater control over elections. It also provided additional fuel for the older lie that is now central to Mr. Trumps political identity: that the 2020 election was stolen from him. The end of the three-year-old case suggested that the Biden administration and the government of President Xi Jinping could come to some kind of accommodation in a major dispute that included allegations of hostage-taking on both sides. Yet it came on a day that President Biden was meeting for the first time at the White House with the leaders of three Indo-Pacific democracies Australia, Japan and India in another of his efforts to build loose alliances that can counter Chinas growing influence. Ms. Meng spent the past nearly three years out on bail of about $8 million at her two luxurious homes in Vancouver, detained by Canadian authorities as the United States sought her extradition in a fraud case related to Huaweis sale of telecommunications equipment to Iran. The transaction appeared intended to avoid U.S.-led sanctions on Tehran. Yet the case seemed to be about so much else: The U.S. effort to block Huaweis, and Chinas, domination of 5G communication networks, and lingering resentments over Huawei having initially stolen much of its technology from a major American competitor. The end of the case did not end the battle over Huawei, where Ms. Meng serves as the chief financial officer. The Justice Departments criminal case against the company is ongoing, despite Ms. Mengs agreement. In fact, prosecutors may try to use her admissions of wrongdoing as evidence against Huawei including statements that she deliberately misled bank executives in a way that allowed the company to evade sanctions. But that is only part of the struggle over Huawei, which has become a symbol of the depth of the competition between two global superpowers, and their mutual determination to turn all their tools of national power toward winning a growing technological struggle. The Trump administration began an effort to threaten or persuade allies not to buy Huawei gear, arguing that it would give Beijing even more power to intercept data around the world and maybe to shut down networks in times of conflict. Since Mr. Biden took office, the United States has denied the company some, but not all, of the types of key chips needed for its equipment leading the company on a drive for self-sufficiency. And there is evidence that, by starving the company, it has begun to sharply curtail Huaweis profitability and much of its influence. At the beginning of September, Alberta introduced some pandemic control measures. But Dr. Schwartz said that they were inadequate and often ineffective. As if an alcohol curfew of 10 p.m. could ward off the virus, he said. Rather than keeping crowds from packing nightclubs, Dr. Schwartz added, the measure only meant that people were just going out to party earlier. On the day of Mr. Kenneys apology, his government announced a variety of renewed restrictions and rules, including those involving masks. But given the level of severity of the situation, Dr. Schwartz said that the new safety measures would not be nearly enough to prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed. Alberta, in his view, needed to introduce a hard lockdown where most things other than essential retail and services would be closed. He particularly noted, with disapproval, the plans to allow N.H.L. games to take place in front of tens of thousands of fans in Calgary and Edmonton. While fans will need proof of vaccination or a recent negative test result to enter, several news outlets have reported that Albertas vaccine document, like Ontarios, can be easily edited or faked using only minimal computer skills. We really have no option but to go into a hard lockdown, what were calling a firebreak, he said. Basically, we have a raging forest fire Albertans are familiar with the imagery. Were calling for removing some of the combustible elements, in this case people, out of the way. Instead, Mr. Kenneys government has mostly promised to give more resources to hospitals. However, Dr. Schwartz said that such extra resources were impossible to provide because of shortages of trained medical staff. While Meng Wanzhou contemplates flying to freedom to her home country, China, many Canadians on Friday lashed out at the continued imprisonment of two Canadians, known across the country as the two Michaels. Others expressed hope that Ms. Mengs release could clear a path to their liberation. The men, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, a former diplomat and businessman, arrested in what many considered to be retaliation for Ms. Mengs detainment, have become potent symbols in Canada of Chinas repression. They have spent more than 1,000 days behind bars, deprived of sunlight, interrogated and unable to see their families. At the courthouse in Vancouver, where Ms. Meng was discharged on Friday afternoon, a crowd of at least 100 people gathered outside the courtroom, a number of them protesters shouting that she was guilty. Ms. Meng did not respond when someone shouted, What about the two Michaels? Canadas Justice Department issued a statement saying Meng Wanzhou was free to leave Canada. Accusing President Biden of continuing the thick file of the Trump sanctions against Iran, the new, hard-line Iranian foreign minister said on Friday that in return for agreeing to limits on its nuclear program, his country would demand far more sanctions relief than it received under the 2015 nuclear deal. In two lengthy interviews with journalists during the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, his first as Irans top diplomat, Hossain Amirabdollahian said that Iran would return very soon to negotiations in Vienna. But Tehran, he said, had received contradictory messages from Washington about restoring the agreement jettisoned by Donald J. Trump more than three years ago. The foreign minister represents a new government that is more closely tied to the military and openly antagonistic to the West than its predecessor, and his repeated insistence on gaining more benefits in return for returning to the deal points to a looming impasse with the United States. American officials have said that if Iran wants to see other sanctions lifted, it must be prepared for what Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has described as a longer and stronger accord than the original, which runs through 2030 one that would significantly extend the time period when Iran would not be permitted to hold more than a token amount of nuclear fuel. When I was in graduate school in Manhattan, my friend Bernard and I went to the opera without eating supper. Bernard and I had met at a fancy food market in SoHo where we both had part-time jobs behind the bread station. I was going to be a famous writer and he a famous set designer. But in the meantime, we spent our bread wages on the cheapest Family Circle tickets at the Metropolitan Opera, then hummed the arias from Eugene Onegin and La Boheme while we sliced seven grains and stacked up the baguettes. Our shift lasted past dinnertime, and the sandwiches and flutes of Champagne at the intermission bars were beyond our students budget. So we always came packing snacks hearty, filling bites that could sustain us through Gotterdammerung but were small enough to stash inside my vintage beaded purse. Sometimes the firebrand temperament distracts from the writing. To his longtime editor, Erroll McDonald, however, they coexist. They feed off each other, he said. It is impossible to think of one without the other. And Soyinka the activist does seem to keep providing Soyinka the writer with material. Not least for his latest work, Chronicles From the Land of the Happiest People on Earth, his first novel in nearly 50 years, which Pantheon will publish in the United States on Tuesday. Its careering plot twists, spirited cast of characters and sinister themes a corporation that sells human body parts, a false prophet who uses elements from different religions to suit his purposes might seem unlikely, but they are less so for someone in an intimate relationship with Nigeria. Intimate, and stormy. Born in Ibadan, Soyinka was brought up by loving Christian parents and a grandfather who, Soyinka said, confirmed that he was a child of Ogun, the Yoruba deity of poetry, blacksmiths and palm wine. Ogun is Soyinkas muse. He studied in Britain, the country that colonized Nigeria, and when he returned on New Years Day 1960, it was in the process of becoming independent. He threw himself into exploring and growing his newly free home. But it wasnt long before its new politicians let him down, and he got wind of electoral fraud in western Nigeria. Forcing the radio announcer to read a message denouncing fraud at gunpoint was his first dramatic attempt to hold the countrys politicians to account, but it was only the beginning of a lifelong struggle. Hes almost untouchable, because hes paid his price, and hes also recognized internationally, Austen-Peters said. Hes got a lot of things going for him. Several times, Soyinka has had to sneak out of Nigeria and into exile, his life in danger because he spoke out against the politicians of the day. (Once, he sneaked into Nigeria from neighboring Benin.) Other programs, such as Power UP in Birmingham, Ala., seek to encourage, educate and place women in construction trades. Kathleen Culhane, president of Nontraditional Employment for Women, or NEW, which has been training women for jobs in construction and other trades since 1978, said the organizations partners in trade unions now set aside 15 percent of their job slots for NEW graduates. (It was 10 percent about five years ago.) In the early 80s, women could show up at a construction site, tools in hand, and wouldnt be able to find work, Ms. Culhane said. Despite progress, she said, theres still work to be done, especially in providing access for women of color to these life-sustaining, family-sustaining careers. Women still fill just 3 percent of hands on tools jobs (as opposed to management and administrative jobs) in the construction industry, according to NEW. To improve those disparities, other programs target a younger audience, when stereotypes about who can work in construction may be less entrenched. The Construction Education Foundation of Georgia, founded in 1993, shares construction skills and training with around 20,000 students in 175 elementary and secondary schools statewide. In districts that fully adopt the program, students encounter construction education from second grade on, including themed lesson plans in math and science classes, and even apprenticeship programs in high school to help students graduate into the field with a job. Were building bridges between industry and education, and all genders and ethnicities are able to try this out, said Zach Fields, vice president of the foundation. Actively opening the construction industry to a broader range of people would increase the pool of recruits, allowing for more opportunities to train them to assume in-demand positions. But it wouldnt be a silver bullet. Better wages, labor standards and benefits would also help attract more workers to long-term careers in the skilled trades, especially when wages are rising for jobs that require less training. Andrew Garin, an economics professor at the University of Illinois, said the overall economic data didnt point to a shortage of workers building infrastructure as much as a shortage of workers at the going rate. Sure, I could say theres a shortage of affordable Ferraris, he said, adding that policymakers should understand that the industry needs training programs with better incentives. Monsters on the order of Hitler are comparatively rare. But monsters are not the only problem for biographers. There are also the Inconsistent, the Out-of-Step, the Authors of Important Mistakes, the Nearsighted, the Disastrously Well Intentioned. How do we write a biography of a Nearsighted like the British prime minister Neville Chamberlain and explain how he could have misjudged Hitler so catastrophically? How do we engage with an Out-of-Stepper like Chamberlains successor, Winston Churchill (on the Dardanelles, Edward VIII and colonialism)? How do we treat an Inconsistent like Ulysses Grant, fighting for the Union as a general in the Civil War but issuing an antisemitic order in 1862, or Woodrow Wilson, making the world safe for democracy but endorsing Jim Crow? My examination of Robert E. Lee has posed many of these same questions. He raised his hand against the United States he had sworn to defend, and there is no other word for that but treason (Lee was indicted on a charge of treason but never brought to trial). He fought with maddening skill during the Civil War in defense of a Confederacy openly devoted to the perpetuation of slavery. By some accounts, he even whipped an enslaved person who attempted to run away. And he became the apex of the Lost Cause mythology, which treated him as the peerless Southern cavalier and the ultimate vindication of white supremacy. But then other realities intrude. If by cavalier Lee was supposed to be a plantation aristocrat, Lee was certainly no cavalier. His branch of the famous Virginia Lees was a marginal one, and Lee himself was the product of an adverse childhood. (His feckless father, Light Horse Harry Lee of Revolutionary fame, deserted him when he was only 6.) That left him possessed by thirsts for security, independence and perfection. Lee is a study in contradictions. He frankly admitted that slavery was a moral & political evil in any country but added mercilessly that it was really more of a problem for whites and made the blacks immeasurably better off here than in Africa, morally, socially & physically. He urged emancipation on the Confederacys leadership, including the enlistment of emancipated enslaved people in the Confederacys armies but the enlistment gambit came only in the wars final months, as a last desperate gasp, when the Confederacys situation was already hopeless. In the postwar years, he discouraged the fostering of Lost Cause myths and assumed the presidency of a small college that he turned into a pilot for progressive education and yet showed no sympathy for the former slaves all around him and made no effort to integrate the colleges student body. Like the Germans of the 1930s and 1940s described by W.G. Sebald, Lee was always looking and looking away at the same time. Not even the Lee statues express a simple message. Confederate statuary always carried with it a truculent refusal to face up to the new racial and political world created by the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. Ana Edwards, a community activist, hailed the statues removal as representative of the fact that were sort of peeling back the layers of injustice that Black people and people of color have experienced when governed by white supremacist policies for so long. In other instances, the Rangers fell short of basic standards. They did not speak to all relevant witnesses, delegated investigative tasks to the agencies under review and failed to follow up on signs that officers were negligent or behaving dangerously. In the death of Ms. Page, Mr. Russell sided with the two guards over 10 pathologists who conduct autopsies in Dallas County, home to one of the states largest medical examiners offices. The Times shared its findings with a half-dozen veteran homicide detectives and policing experts in six states, all of whom emphasized that death investigations range widely in difficulty and circumstances. When officers shoot and kill someone, for example, many of the facts are not in dispute, particularly the manner of death, and the pressure mostly falls on prosecutors to decide whether to treat the killing as a criminal act. It gets more complicated when no shots are fired, they said, and there is a struggle in which the person in custody stops breathing. A deep examination of those investigations offers hints about the thoroughness of the outside police work because state investigators must retrace how officers used their hands, feet and body weight at every turn and determine whether those actions were appropriate. The Times identified 29 cases the Rangers had investigated since 2015 in which a person stopped breathing after struggling with local authorities. None of those inquiries led prosecutors to charge anyone in law enforcement. In two-thirds of the cases, The Times found shortcuts, missteps or judgment calls that some veteran homicide detectives said might indicate a lack of effort on the Rangers part. For example: After Genaro Rocha II, 47, died in an Amarillo jail in 2019, bound in a harness and left in a cell because guards said hed kicked them, the Ranger did not record a single interview in his case file. The Ranger who reviewed the 2018 death of Andrew Carmona, 36, east of San Antonio, started his investigation 11 days afterward, because local officials told him they did not need him there right away. He never visited the scene, a front yard in which an officer had held Mr. Carmona by the head and neck because he was acting frantically. And he conducted one interview with a toxicologist. The Ranger investigating the death of Michael Cassel, 41, in Tyler County in 2016 provided video footage to lawyers for the sheriffs deputies involved before taking their statements. The deputies, who had struggled with Mr. Cassel in the woods near a road, heard him complain that he could not breathe before he lost consciousness and died, records show. The Texas Rangers who handled the various cases declined or did not respond to requests for interviews, and the Rangers parent agency, the Department of Public Safety, would not make any official available to answer questions. A spokeswoman did not respond to multiple requests for comment. It is a reality of policing in Texas and elsewhere that people sometimes die in custody, through no fault of the arresting officers. When officers do cross the line, investigators play an important role in holding them responsible. But the cases are often a lower priority than other duties because of the many demands placed on police agencies and the general reluctance among law enforcement officials to assign blame to their own. I guarantee you this is not a sought-after assignment for the Texas Rangers, said Adam Bercovici, a former homicide lieutenant for the Los Angeles Police Department who works as a consultant and reviewed case files for The Times. Nobody wants them, because 99 percent of the time its just an unfortunate set of circumstances. But its a lot of work to dot all the Is and cross the Ts. [Race affects our lives in countless ways. To read more stories on race from The New York Times, sign up here for our Race/Related newsletter.] The city of Detroit took everything from Keith E. Williams and his family. He now wants it back. Right before he was born, Mr. Williamss parents and older siblings left Black Bottom, a once vibrant and predominately Black neighborhood in Detroit, when city officials demolished the area as part of what was billed as a large-scale urban renewal project in the 1950s. The land is now a major freeway, I-375, and the location of the largely white, and affluent, Lafayette Park neighborhood. Although city officials claimed it had successfully relocated the Black Detroiters who once lived there, no independent source ever confirmed those assertions, according to The Detroit Free Press. Mr. Williamss family, who were among 43,096 displaced residents and an additional 409 Black business owners, struggled to rebuild their lives. It was taken from us, Mr. Williams, who is now 64 and the chair of the states Black Democratic caucus, said. Its not only my family, its also all the other families that left too. We are still trying to catch up. The debate over masks in schools has become highly politicized, as tens of millions of students across the country have returned to the classroom. Texas, Florida, Arizona and Iowa are among the states where governors have tried to ban mask requirements in direct opposition to local school leaders who want them. President Bidens administration has waded into the fray. The federal Education Department is investigating orders issued by governors in seven states, including Tennessee, to determine if allowing parents to ignore mask mandates for their children discriminates against students with disabilities by restricting their access to education. The same legal theory is at the heart of the lawsuits in Tennessee. Earlier this month, the Knox County Board of Education had voted against requiring masks in its schools, bucking guidance from local and federal health officials. The following day, families who have children with disabilities filed a class-action lawsuit, arguing that the school boards decision did not create a safe, in-person learning environment for children during the coronavirus pandemic. On Friday, U.S. District Judge J. Ronnie Greer, of the Eastern District of Tennessee, ruled that schools in Knox County must enforce a mask rule in order to help protect children with health problems while the lawsuit is pending. He prohibited the governor from imposing his order until the legal battle is settled. A similar decision was handed down by U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw, of the Middle District of Tennessee, who said on Friday that schools in Williamson County and in the Franklin Special School District can enforce mask mandates, also blocking the governors order. Ms. Toback said about 5 percent of her unions members have not been vaccinated. I believe a lot of unvaccinated employees, not just nurses, are banking on the fact that they are so necessary that they wont be terminated, and they are holding out, she said. The governors office said workers terminated because they refuse to be vaccinated are not eligible for unemployment insurance unless they provide a doctor-approved request for a medical accommodation. In announcing New Yorks determination to enforce its deadline, Ms. Hochul said, We are still in a battle against Covid to protect our loved ones, and we need to fight with every tool at our disposal. She also commended the vast majority of state health care workers for getting vaccinated and urged all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care. The Greater New York Hospital Association, which represents about 140 health systems and 55 nursing homes, had not issued a response to the governors plan but has supported the deadline for health care workers vaccinations, signaling that staffing shortages can be managed. Michael A.L. Balboni, executive director of the Greater New York Health Care Facilities Association that represents about 80 nursing homes in the metropolitan area, applauded the governors effort to get more health care workers vaccinated but expressed concern about staffing shortages. This is a paradox, in that in trying to protect the residents and staff you dont have enough people to provide the services and you could put people in jeopardy, Mr. Balboni said. Ms. Toback said retirees and others could play a role in helping to alleviate shortages, as they did early in the pandemic. But she said replacement workers were no substitute for experienced nurses who have worked at the same hospital for 13 shifts a month, every month, for years. ZHENGZHOU, China The heaviest hour of rainfall ever reliably recorded in China crashed like a miles-wide waterfall over the city of Zhengzhou on July 20, killing at least 300 people, including 14 who drowned in a subway tunnel. In the aftermath, regional and national officials initially suggested that little could have been done in the face of a storm of such magnitude. But an analysis of how the authorities responded that day, based on government documents, interviews with experts and Chinese news reports, shows that flaws in the subway systems design and missteps in its operations that day almost certainly contributed to the deaths in the tunnel. SEOUL North Korea would consider holding a summit meeting with South Korea and declaring an official end to the Korean War if the South can restore trust with it, the Norths official news agency reported on Saturday, citing the sister of its leader, Kim Jong-un. Mr. Kim met three times with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea in 2018. But inter-Korean relations have chilled since Mr. Kims diplomacy with former President Donald J. Trump collapsed in early 2019 without an agreement on ending the Norths nuclear weapons programs and lifting sanctions on the country. In recent months, Mr. Moon has repeatedly urged the North to engage in dialogue, hoping to put the peace process on the divided Korean Peninsula his main foreign policy initiative back on track before his single, five-year term ends in May. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Mr. Moon repeated his proposal for a declaration to end the Korean War. Mr. Moon insists that if all major participants in the war the two Koreas, the United States and China together make such an end-of-war declaration, it could build confidence on the Korean Peninsula and help the North move toward denuclearization. He sees the end-of-war declaration as a trust-building political gesture before negotiating a legally binding peace treaty. Fighting halted in a truce in 1953, leaving the peninsula technically in a state of war. In a rapid-fire climax to a 1,030-day standoff, China welcomed home a company executive whose arrest in Canada and possible extradition to the United States made her a focus of superpower friction. In getting her back, Beijing brandished a formidable political tool: using detained foreign citizens as bargaining chips in disputes with other countries. The executive, Meng Wanzhou, landed in China on Saturday night local time to a public that widely sees her as a victim of arrogant American overreach. By the same turn, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, two Canadians detained by Chinese officials just days after Ms. Meng had been arrested, were released and arrived in Canada. The exchange resolves one of the festering disputes that have brought tensions between Washington and Beijing to their worst point in decades. But it will likely do little to resolve deeper issues including human rights, a sweeping clampdown in Hong Kong, cyberespionage, Chinas threats to use force against Taiwan, and fears in Beijing that the United States will never accept Chinas rise. JERUSALEM One night last month, a top Israeli minister traveled the winding roads of the occupied West Bank to meet Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority. The meeting between Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Mr. Abbas at the octogenarian Palestinian leaders private residence less than a 10-minute drive from the Israeli militarys regional headquarters lasted only about 90 minutes, but it immediately made waves in Israel and the West Bank. It was the first time in more than seven years that a senior Israeli minister was known to have met with Mr. Abbas. Israels previous government, led by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had denigrated Mr. Abbas as an intransigent inciter of violence and never met with him. The August meeting is the most prominent piece of evidence of a new, more cooperative approach to dealing with the Palestinian Authority, which senior members of Israels new government see as a bulwark against the Islamist militant group Hamas. Robinhood, the free stock-trading app with 21 million active users and counting, is about to hit the road for a college coffeehouse tour to drum up new customers. Now where have we heard this one before? Ah, yes, the credit card industry. The campus antics that the card companies got up to two decades ago were so egregious that they helped lead to a 2009 federal law that made it harder for anyone under 21 to get their products in the first place. There are some important differences. Credit card issuers can put marks on your record that can keep you from qualifying for an apartment or other services years later. Robinhood is handing out a mere $15 to give each student a taste of investing. But heres what they have in common: Both products are habit-forming, and if you get in over your head, the ramifications can be costly. The two questions Californians have been asked are simple: Should Gov. Gavin Newsom be removed from his job? And if so, who should take his place? But as the Sept. 14 special election date to decide Mr. Newsoms political fate comes into clearer view, many of the states 22 million registered and active voters have found themselves with more questions about whats at stake and how to ensure their voices are heard. Heres what voters need to know: Where can I find election results? You can follow live results on this page starting at 8 p.m. Pacific time when polls close in California. Do I have to answer both questions on the ballot? No your vote will count even if you answer just one. How can I check to see whether my ballot was counted? You can track when your vote-by-mail ballot is mailed, received and counted at california.ballottrax.net/voter. In this episode of NYU Brainiacs, you'll learn about the "voice cultivation process" and how coworkers can help each other speak up, be heard, and give their ideas a chance to thrive. You'll also discover how NYU Law students are defending the advocates who fight for immigrants' rights and bringing their stories to life through an interactive map. And did you know that hackers can gain access to your car's computer?! Well, rest assured because Tandon researchers are now fighting these cybercriminals with new open source software. In the 1993 film Jurassic Park, scientists bring dinosaurs back from extinction using DNA extracted from mosquitoes that were preserved in amber for millions of years. While dinosaur DNA remains elusive in real life, the idea of resurrecting extinct species is gaining traction in plant genome research. Researchers from NYU Abu Dhabis Center for Genomics and Systems Biology have successfully sequenced the genome of previously extinct date palm varieties that lived more than 2,000 years ago using a technique called resurrection genomics. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, marks the first time researchers have sequenced the genomes of plants from ancient germinated seeds. Rather than dinosaur DNA, the researchers used date palm seeds that were recovered from archaeological sites in modern-day Israel and radiocarbon-dated from the 4th century BCE to the 2nd century CE. The seeds were germinated to yield viable, new plants. The researchers conducted whole genome sequencing of these germinated ancient samples and used these data to examine the genetics of these previously extinct Judean date palms. By examining the genome of a species (Phoenix dactylifera L.) that thrived millennia ago, NYU Biology Professor Michael D. Purugganan and his NYU Abu Dhabi colleagues, along with research partners in Israel and France, were able to see how these plants evolved over a period of time. In this case, they observed that between the 4th century BCE and 2nd century CE, date palms in the eastern Mediterranean started to show increasing levels of genes from another species, Phoenix theophrasti, which today grows in Crete and some other Greek islands, as well as southwestern Turkey, as a result of hybridization between species. They conclude that the increasing level of genes from P. theophrasti over this period shows the increasing influence of the Roman Empire in the eastern Mediterranean. Resurrection genomics offers an alternative to other approaches to sequencing ancient DNA and is particularly useful for ancient and extinct plant species, the researchers note. Ancient plant DNA can be tricky to study, as it easily degrades without the protection of material like bone, and only small quantities are usually foundbut regrowing the whole plant offers new possibilities. We are fortunate that date palm seeds can live a long timein this case, more than 2,000 yearsand germinate with minimal DNA damage, in the dry environment of the region, said Purugganan, who is also affiliated with NYU Abu Dhabi and the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW). This resurrection genomics approach is a remarkably effective way to study the genetics and evolution of past and possibly extinct species like Judean date palms. By reviving biological material such as germinating ancient seeds from archaeological and paleontological sites, or historical collections, we can not only study the genomes of lost populations but also, in some instances, rediscover genes that may have gone extinct in modern varieties. So, it is likely that scientists will use resurrection genomics to bring dinosaurs back from extinction? In principle, resurrection genomics can be used to revive extinct species or populations. There is actually an interest in this area. However, dinosaurs are probably not possiblebut certainly plants, if we have seeds, or even bacteria or other microbes are possible, said Purugganan. New research from NUI Galway has said every county in Ireland can expect an increased population of false widow spiders within the next 20 years. Researchers studied the populations across the country and actually found 550 of the species in Lucan, Co Dublin, during the course of the study. Their research is the first venom study of its kind in the world and comes 22 years after the first false widow spider was discovered in Ireland in 1999. Were living in a time where weve got huge concerns about climate change, weve got insect decline and now it appears that we have this global invasive spider, said researcher Dr John Dunbar in the Irish Times. He said it was important to monitor the growth of the false widow here to evaluate its impact on native species and other wildlife. A bite from a false widow can be deadly to humans and there have been a number of cases of hospitalisation in Ireland. Other spiders, like the native European giant house spider and lace web spider, are impacted by the false widow venom and can be killed. The fact that this spider has more highly potent venom and is more active throughout the year and can out-reproduce them as well, its really efficient in tackling other spiders, Dr Dunbar said. There is no doubt that within the next 20 years we are going to have a significant population in every county in Ireland. An incredible amount of itter was cleared up in Offaly last weekend as part of a nationwide clean-up operation. A total of 750kg was cleared. After a break in 2020, the Big Beach Clean took place and Clean Coasts were overwhelmed with the incredible support and commitment shown by communities across Ireland. Even in inland counties like Offaly, clean-ups took place. This year, thanks to the support of the An Taisce National Spring Clean programme, Clean Coasts opened registrations to residents of non-coastal counties too. The reason behind this is that according to recent studies, 70% of marine litter is originated inland in towns and cities. Litter dropped inland can make its way through our waterways all the way to the coast. Offaly saw a huge response with 125 volunteers organising clean-ups in Cappincur and Rahan and collecting 750kg of litter. The Big Beach Clean is an annual call to action that takes place in September at the end of the bathing season. Volunteers around Ireland were asked to register their clean up event and take part in a worldwide citizen science project, as part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), operated internationally by Ocean Conservancy. This year, a record number of over 400 clean-ups were organised by volunteers who removed 42 tonnes of litter across the country. In addition, more volunteers joined clean-ups facilitated by Clean Coasts officers in 8 different locations around Ireland. Statistics show that the number one cause of marine litter is litter dropped in towns and cities. Thanks to the involvement of An Taisce National Spring Clean programme, the Big Beach Clean was open to all residents of Ireland, including non-coastal counties, who contributed to the problem of marine litter at its source. Sinead McCoy, Coastal Communities Manager, said: After a break in 2020 due to Covid, we were excited to host the Big Beach Clean again, but we didnt know what to expect. This year there was a significant increase in clean-ups organised, but in a different format: we saw more people registering for clean-ups as individuals or within their household. Sinead continued: This year, there was an over 5% decrease in litter found across Ireland. Overall this is an incredible improvement. The work that Irish volunteers do all year round to tackle litter and less waste dropped by more conscious beach users mean that we are heading in the right direction! Prajna Pravah convener J Nandakumar said the Kerala government should stop commemorating the mass murderers and declare the 1921 Moplah massacre a Hindu genocide. The Kerala government should declare the Moplah massacre as Hindu genocide, demanded RSS-affiliate Prajna Pravah convener J Nandakumar. It was a well-planned Hindu genocide in which more than 10000 Hindus were massacred in one region. They were Hindus who refused to convert and so were massacred. The Kerala government should recongnise the sufferings of the people, J Nandakumar said to Organiser. He added, The families of the 1921 Hindu genocide are suffering trans-generational trauma. And their pain is unbearable when they see the mass murderers being recognized as freedom fighters. The Communist government is whitewashing history, and what even Babasaheb Ambedkar has said about it is being ignored, said J Nandakumar. Babasaheb Ambedkar has said the 1921 Moplah massacre was not even a riot, but mass murder and Hindu genocide. Annie Besant and G Nair has also written in detail about the 1921 Moplah massacre. Forget about recognizing the pain and sufferings of the Hindus and their families, the Kerala government is constructing memorials for the mass murderers. VK Haji, who led the mass murder of Muslims, is celebrated as a freedom fighter by the Communist government of Kerala. The level of whitewashing is such that, in the Mallapuram district of the Malabar area, there is not a single statue of any freedom fighter. J Nandakumar said to Organiser, We demand that the Kerala government build a memorial to honour the memories of the victims of the 1921 Moplah Hindu genocide. Currently, the Kerala government is celebrating the memories of the mass murders and providing them with all sorts of incentives. The mass murderers of the Moplah Hindu genocide were declared freedom fighters by the Communist government of Kerala. In a bid to help dubious NGO, M Nambirajan, ASI Joint Director General, has declined to include in his order, serious allegations raised by several organisations against PAMA in the context of Pattanam excavations Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) cancelled the excavation licence for PAMA, a dubious NGO, at Pattanam through an order (No T 17011/ 41/2019- EE ) issued on September 3, 2021 by M Nambirajan, Joint Director General (Exploration and Excavation). On the order, Nambirajan has cleverly left out PAMAs name and instead put the name Institute for the Advancement of Transdisciplinary Archaeological Sciences to help P J Cherian secure an easy court verdict, once he approaches the court against the ASI order. In a bid to help Cherians cause, Nambirajan has declined to include in his order, even one of the serious allegations raised by several organisations in the context of Pattanam excavations. He did so to help PAMA to have a clean chit and secure a favourable court verdict. There are many reasons for Nambirajan to bring out such a convenient and beneficial order cancelling the Pattanam excavations, which is helpful for PAMA. One who looks at the order shall not find any serious allegation that is strong enough to terminate the excavations by PAMA at Pattanam. Even if Cherian goes to court, the judge can hardly identify any serious lapse to have occurred on the part of PAMA for the ASI to take such a strong stand cancelling its licence to excavate Pattanam. The association of Nambirajan and Cherian has a history of more than twelve years. Nambirajan was a Member of the Muziris Heritage Project (Pattanam Excavations 2008) of KCHR. It has Prof K N Panikkar, former Chairman, KCHR and Dr V Venu, Secretary, Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala Vice- Chairman. Dr Nambirajan, was then Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Thrissur Circle, Kerala. He was designated Member in the handbook of Pattanam Archaeological Research March-April 2008, published by KCHR. Nambirajan and Cherian have jointly published many papers on the dubious Pattanam site which has been severely criticised by reputed archaeologists. For instance, one paper published by Cherian, Nambirajan, V Selvakumar, K P Shajan, and P Rajan, in 2010 is titled Pattanam Excavations: Interim Reports, published by KCHR, Thiruvananthapuram. Another paper is Pattanam Excavations 2011 (Fifth Season Field Report) also published by KCHR in Thiruvananthapuram. The title of the paper is The maritime spice route that linked peninsular India with West Asia, Red Sea and Mediterranean rims; new archaeological evidence from Pattanam (Muziris).It is jointly authored by P J Cherian, K P Shajan, V Selvakumar, M Nambirajan, K Rajan and Preeta Nayar. When serious allegations were launched earlier against Pattanam, the ASI intervened in 2015 and terminated Pattanam excavation license to KCHR. According to then ASI Joint Director General R S Fonia, the digging has been going on for over seven years now, but no report was filed. So no fresh permission can be granted (Doubting Thomases Suspend Saint Project in The Telegraph (October 1, 2015). In 2016, the licence of 20 NGOs in Kerala was suspended by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act which included the KCHR which then conducted the Pattanam excavations (MHA Shows no Charity, Cuts License of around 20 NGOs in The New Indian Express on December 8, 2016). The 45th Executive Council Meeting of KCHR held on February 3, 2020, states that on December 28, 2019, former Director P J Cherian who launched an NGO, PAMA, informed KCHR that the ASI has granted a license for him to excavated Pattanam in Ernakulam and Mathilakam in Thrissur districts. How did the ASI which cancelled the license for KCHR to excavate Pattanam due to serious allegations, again within 4 years grant a license to re excavating the site? It was the presence of Professor K Rajan in the ASI Advisory Council that enabled Cherian to secure a license to re excavate Pattanam using his NGO PAMA. The document, Pattanam Excavations-2008: Muziris Heritage Project, published by KCHR reveals that Prof K Rajan was co-director of the Pattanam Excavations. Another association of PAMA is secured from Dr Preetha Nayar of Kerala University Archaeology department. The New Indian Express (July 22, 2012 ) reported that Preetha Nayar who was an academic coordinator in KCHR has received an excess amount of Rs 3.22 lakh, according to the Accountant-General audit report of 2010-11. Although Cherian said the AG dropped the objections, sources in the AGs office said that the objections still remain as such. It is not true that the objections have been dropped after the KCHR gave an explanation, as reported by The New Indian Express. Pattanam is currently linked with Keezhadi archaeological site in Tamil Nadu, as claimed by Cherian himself (Deccan Chronicle, October 31, 2018). Keezhadi is virtually controlled by Father Gasper Raj with LTTE terrorist links and supports Dravidian secessionist movements in Tamil Nadu. He is also involved in multiple activities in support of LTTE, a Sri Lankan group designated by the US State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation. (Douglas C. Lovelace Jr., Esq., 2008, Terrorism: Documents of International and Local Control, Academic, OUP, Vol. 91). Gaspar Raj is actively associated with S P Udayakumar, Coordinator of the Peoples Movement against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), who led protests against the commissioning of the Indo-Russian Nuclear Power Plant at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu (Kudankulam protesters disallow PM Manmohan Singhs envoy to speak, The Economic Times, Sept. 21., 2011). The Pattanam site is associated with George Soros, a multi-billionaire leftist who openly supports the Kashmir secessionists against India. (George Soros laments rising nationalism, says biggest setback in India, in The Times of India, January 25, 2020). The Central European University founded by Soros launched its ambitious plan in Kerala in collaboration with KCHR under a Left Government. Prof. Istvan Perczel from Central European University is a scholar on Byzantine history and Medieval Christianity, and one of the patrons of Pattanam excavations in Kerala. Perczel was honoured with Distinguished Visiting Professorship at the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Kerala, by the Left Government in Kerala. Discarding serious allegations against PAMA, M Nambirajan has given a safe order terminating the excavations, but which helps P J Cherian approach the court for a beneficial verdict. Guwahati: As Assam government ordered a judicial probe into the incident that led to the death of three persons and injury to several others including police personnel at Gorukhuti area of Sipjhar locality in central Assam on Thursday while carrying out an eviction drive against the encroachers, State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma blames the third party for the violence. Speaking to media persons, CM Sarma argued that the administration initiated the eviction for only 60 families, but thousands assembled at Gorukhuti and natural question arises were from all the people arrived there, who attacked the police personnel. He also assured that all the landless evited families will be provided six bigha land for their survival. Meanwhile, the situation on the ground continues to remain tense. The Darrang district administration postponed the evection drive scheduled for Friday and tightened the security arrangement apprehending mass protests against the government action and any unpleasant development. Meanwhile, many injured individuals were shifted to Guwahati medical college hospital after preliminary treatments. The declared eviction drive at Gorukhuti area under Darrang district turned violent as hundreds of protesting illegal settlers started pelting stones on the police and district administration officials on duty. Some protesters carried handmade weapons and targeted the police and para-military personnel. As the police opened fire for self-defence, two persons were killed and later one more succumbed to injury. The authority claimed that it has recovered 5,000 bighas of government land from the grab of suspected migrants in the locality. State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterated that the eviction drive will continue until all the areas are made free from the clutch of encroachers. Sarma also urged the opposition political party leaders not to indulge in politics over the eviction drive. Meanwhile, a viral social media campaign asserts that this is the area of Sipajhar locality where the suspected illegal migrants killed no less than eight indigenous youths in 1983 taking advantage of the socio-political turmoil during the Assam agitation. Promising local youths Bhavani Goswami, Jatin Saharia, Muja Bora, Dimbeswar Deka, Khitey Deka, Hargovinda Goswami, etc were lynched to death by the land grabbing migrants. Numerous jihadi elements, fundamentalists and so-called humanists are now making noises in social media supporting the encroachers. Those anti-Assamese campaigners may pose a serious threat to the indigenous population. The organized attacks on Assam police personnel by the land grabbers on 23 September at Gorukhuti area find reflection with the invasion of Mughal general Ram Singh with the diktat from his master Aurangzeb, stated the viral post. It also added that the indigenous people of Assam can never forget the 1671 naval battle on mighty river Brahmaputra at Saraighat (now in Guwahati) and the relentless threats to their existence and identities in their own homeland. The time has come to stand united for a secured future to the Assamese community and extend pertinent supports to the authority. Encroachers must be evicted under the legal provisions. There should be no compromise, otherwise, the weeping souls of indigenous martyrs will never get the solace. Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has slammed the state Congress president Navrot Singh Sidhu for his proximity with the Pakistani establishment and organising rebellion within the Congress party. In an interview given to 'the week' magazine, the captain also called Sidhu an anti-national and reiterated that he will do everything to stop Sidhu from becoming the CM of Punjab. Rahul and Priyanka, who are themselves quite inexperienced, were fed all kind of nonsense by their advisers like (AICC general secretary) K.C Venugopal. It is unfortunate that after [me putting in] so many years of loyal service to the Congress, the party leadership chose to trust them over me, Amarinder Singh said. It is my responsibility as a Punjabi to do my best to protect my state and my people from such anti-nationals like Sidhu, who is a danger for all of us, he added. He pointed out Sidhus friendship with the Pakistan PM Imran Khan and Army chief Bajwa and said that it was a disaster to have him the CM of Punjab since it shares an international border with Pakistan. Notorious drug peddler P A Niyas (35) was arrested with 2.1 Kg of Cannabis by the Eerattupetta excise team. Niyas is known as a Big billion sale among the users since he gives an additional 100 gram to his customers who purchase 2 kg Cannabis. Niyas was transporting the cannabis in his scooter while he was arrested by the excise team. A shadow excise team was observing the activities of Niyas from the past few days. He was seen working as a daily wage labourer in the morning and a drug peddler in the evening. Recently, there has been a sudden spike in narcotic related cases in Kerala. The narcotic Jihad statement made by Pala Bishop had created a huge controversy, but cases like these underscore the narcotic threat looming over Kerala. The NIA is now engaged in "building up" the case as the suspects being questioned are among those JeI cadres whose residential premises were raided by the NIA sleuths at the 61 locations in 14 districts in Jammu and Kashmir in the terror funding case. New Delhi: In its ongoing investigation against the outlawed Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) group in a terror funding case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been planning another series of raids against its cadres in Jammu and Kashmir next week. These raids would be in continuation to the 61 search operations conducted by the anti-terror agency's sleuths on August 8 and August 9 in Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar and Rajouri districts in Jammu and Kashmir. Highly placed sources in the NIA told ANI that the fresh set of searches would be conducted on the premises of JeI cadres and their supporters across Jammu and Kashmir any time next week. The official, requesting anonymity, said, "These searches are being planned as the NIA investigator has found "some more leads" in connection with the case." "We (NIA) have got new leads during questioning of over a dozen JeI cadres and suspects linked to the banned organisation," said the official. Another NIA official, privy to the ongoing investigation in the case, told ANI that 10 JeI cadres and suspects were examined for over a week at the agency headquarters here, and over five suspects are still being questioned. Those JeI suspects examined by the NIA sleuths here in the last few days belong to Ganderbal, Srinagar, Kupwara, Bandipora, Rajouri and Doda districts, said the official. "We are looking for some more people linked to the JeI case and they will be summoned very soon as the examination is an ongoing process," said the official. The NIA is now engaged in "building up" the case as the suspects being questioned are among those JeI cadres whose residential premises were raided by the NIA sleuths during its August 8 and August 9 raids at the 61 locations in 14 districts in Jammu and Kashmir in the terror funding case. The suspects are being questioned regarding the documents seized from their premises during the raids, said the official. The official further said that the ongoing questioning with four-five JeI cadres would be continued for at least one more week. "As we (NIA) are done with searches, the suspects are currently being examined with the documents recovered from their houses...This is just a preliminary examination in the case. We are trying to build up the case," said the official. The NIA, along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), conducted searches at 56 locations on August 8 at 14 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. In continuation of the searches, the NIA sleuths further conducted searches at five more locations on August 9. The searches included the premises of office bearers of the JeI, its members, and offices of trusts purportedly run by the proscribed organisation. Various incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized from the premises of the suspects. JeI is an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned the organisation on February 28, 2019. The case was registered against by NIA on February 5 this year in pursuance of to order from MHA relating to separatist and secessionist activities of JeI even after its proscription. NIA investigation has so far revealed that the members of JeI have been collecting funds domestically and abroad through donations, particularly in the form of Zakat, Mowda and Bait-ul-Mal purportedly to further charity and other welfare activities, but these funds are instead being used for violent and secessionist activities. The funds raised by JeI are also being channelised to proscribed terrorist organisations such as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and others through well-organised networks of JeI cadres. JeI has also been motivating the impressionable youth of Kashmir and recruiting new members (Rukuns) in Jammu and Kashmir to participate in disruptive secessionist activities. Courtesy: ANI Deendayal ji was a social thinker, economist, educationalist, politician, writer, journalist, speaker, organiser, and represented an era when journalism was an ideal and not a subject for crass commercialisation God on this earth not only creates everyone, but also endows everyone with some special quality. But there are also certain people whose talent is multidimensional. If they get an opportunity for "development", they become "Great". Such was the persona of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. In such a simple-looking man were reflected different aspects of a social thinker, economist, educationalist, politician, writer, journalist, speaker, organiser, etc. All these talents bloomed as the opportunities arrived. However, it is a different matter that he was mainly known for his organising capability, serious thinking, and skilful political leader. The first and foremost thing to remember is that Deendayal ji represented an era when journalism was an ideal and not a subject for crass commercialisation. During our struggle for freedom, many of our great leaders used journalism for the nation's cause and awakening the people of the country. Especially in Hindi and regional languages, one might hardly find an editor who took up this job at that time to earn his livelihood. So it is quite natural that Pandit ji's personality reflected a journalist with missionary zeal and not having commercial considerations. During the publishing of Rashtradharm, the journalist within Pandit ji first came to light with the publication of monthly "Rashtradharm" from Lucknow in the 1940s. The publication was meant to spread the ideology of nationalism. Though he did not have his name printed as an editor in any of the issues of this publication, there was hardly any issue that did not have his long-lasting impression, because of his thought-provoking writings. He chose to publish those items which had a positive side. He never had a problem with criticising anti-people thoughts or movements unless the language was balanced and the criticism was healthy. Later On, Panchjanya weekly and Daily Swadesh started getting published from there, where the present Prime minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was appointed as an editor. After some time, Deendayal ji was asked to work in the political field. There he had regular interaction with scribes, and he had to issue statements quite frequently. He had a column in the Organiser weekly. The name of the column was Political Diary. While reading this column, one realised that despite being critical of several policies of the Nehru era, his language was always decently balanced. In 1959, I was asked to edit Panchjanya. Annoyed by the Nehru government's policy about China and Tibet, I wrote a strong editorial in the weekly's first issue. After reading it, Deendayal ji said your piece was excellent, but perhaps you should be a little more cautious with the heading as Pandit Nehru is, after all, the Prime Minister of the Country. We should not be careless in using words while criticising him. His message was clear and worthwhile. 'Don't Distort The News' was his mantra. Once he gave a statement that was quite out of context by one of the English dailies. When he met the concerned journalist , he told him in a polite manner and with a personal touch, "I know you just can not do this, but kindly tell your news editor not to publish statements out of context as it just not seems right to mislead the readers? It is the responsibility of a journalist to report the facts correctly and if he does not agree with somebody's views then that should also be published." A mature journalist always has his perception of a problem. He was also motivated by an ideology. Sometimes he was also a follower of a particular party or organization. The natural question is that as a journalist, he should be loyal to whom? To his ideology? To the Party or organisation he is related to? Or to the wider interest of Country and the common people? In a similar situation, I received a directive about the publication of one of my edits. It was 1961. The Country was facing a distinct threat of Chinese invasion. At that time, several political parties and trade unions called for a nationwide strike to support certain demands of railway employees. Given the elections in 1962, Bharatiya Jansangh had also supported the call. Most of its leaders were expecting that Panchjanya would support the strike. But then I consulted my editorial colleagues and took the stand that the strike was not in the nation's interest. "Navjivan" of the ruling Congress Party used this ploy to mount an attack on Jansangh. Many Jansangh leaders, quite naturally, were not happy. They complained to Deendayal ji, who was the General Secretary of the Party at that time, that whether it is appropriate for Panchjanya to criticise the policies and programmes of Jansangh? In the evening, he called me and these leaders to his residence. He told me why these leaders were unhappy. Then he asked, "If something is in the interest of Party but not in the interest of Party but not in the interest of the nation, then what should be done?" The answer was inherent in the question. Then he said, "The Party might have certain compulsions to support the strike, but Panchjanya should not have any such compulsion. I think everybody has taken the right decision in their position. Parties can not be larger than the society or the country. The national interest should get top priority. A journalist should be loyal to the country. " Why English News Papers have an anti-Indian attitude? In our conversations, several issues related to journalists and journalism used to come up. Once I asked him, Why English newspapers take a negative stand when it comes to Indianisation while the Hindi and regional newspapers always have a positive approach on this issue? His answer was-"The Englishmen ran almost all the major English newspapers. Though after independence, the ownership came into the hands of Indians, the scribes and the editors were the same, and so was their psyche. They were no more with the Britishers, but the attitude was the same. They remained alienated from the culture, civilisation, and tradition of this country. There are certain exceptions to this too. Generally, the English journalist was from the highly educated class, and the old attitude overawed him. Going further deep into the issue, he said, "Even after the Britishers have left, India has failed to develop an education system according to its traditions. Physically Indian but intellectually English oriented Macaulay oriented education system according to its traditions. Physically Indian but intellectually English oriented Macaulay oriented education system is still prevalent with minor changes. How could the journalists coming out of this system be not alienated? Courtesy: Deendayal Upadhyaya.org Guwahati: Popular Front of India (PFI) and Campus Front of India (CFI) are behind the attack on Assam police in the Dhalpur eviction site. Assam chief minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma told the media that it was a pre-planned organised attack designed by organization's like PFI, CFI. All Assam Muslim Student Union (AAMSU) collected 28 lakhs of rupees from the people of Dhalpur to foil the eviction drive by the district administration. But after their failed attempt to resist the eviction, the leaders of some Muslim organizations instigated the people to attack the police in the eviction site. PFI and CFI leaders visited the site in the name of providing food to the evicted people. Evidence is emerging that 6 Muslim leader of AAMSU, CFI, ITEHAD Front and a college lecturer was present there when the protest turned violent in Dhalpur on 23 September. It has been come out in police investigation that few leaders of PFI and CFI from Kokrajhar district was involved in mobilising the violent mob against police. Dr. Sarma further added that it is time to proscribe PFI. During the anti-CAA protest, the Assam chief minister wrote to the central government to ban PFI. If the organization is not proscribed at the right time, it will organise more such attacks, he added. Again the Assam government is sending a letter urging a ban on PFI. Dr Sarma said there were only 60 families to evict on 23rd September, but how come 10000 people gathered there is a serious question. All these truths will come out in the judicial inquiry, he added. Targeting the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi the chief minister said, in 1962 during the war with China Congress part bid adieu to Assam and now the Congress leadership doing it with Assamese people. The Congress party thinks that Assamese are going to minority soon in the state, so Rahul Gandhi thinks more about the migrant Muslims now. He alleged that the Congress party now exporting Muslim people to Hindu majority constituencies of Assam. He cited that hundreds of Muslim people from the Rupahi and Dhing constituency of Nagaon district have relocated to the Barsala constituency in Sonitpur district and started encroaching land near the Gupteswar Mandir. Likewise, Sipajhar constituency in Darrang district has also become a target of huge encroachment of Muslim people from Barpeta and Nalbari districts. All these practices are being carried out to grab the Hindu majority constituencies of Assam, he added. In Washington, US President Joe Biden was joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, and they focussed on cooperation on critical and emerging technologies. Washington: Amid growing security concern over misuse of 5G technologies by Chinese companies, leaders of the United States, Japan, Australia and India on Friday agreed to advance the deployment of "secure, open and transparent" 5G telecommunications networks and work to bolster supply chain security for semiconductors. Discussion at the first in-person summit of the leaders of the four democracies, which are known as the Quad, reflected the concerns of the member countries about the concentration of the world's semiconductor manufacturing capacity largely in China and also the hold of the Asian country on 5G networks. In Washington, US President Joe Biden was joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, and they focussed on cooperation on critical and emerging technologies. "We have established cooperation on critical and emerging technologies, to ensure the way in which technology is designed, developed, governed, and used is shaped by our shared values and respect for universal human rights," said the joint statement of Quad leaders put out by the White House after the summit. "In partnership with industry, we are advancing the deployment of secure, open, and transparent 5G and beyond-5G networks, and working with a range of partners to foster innovation and promote trustworthy vendors and approaches such as Open-RAN," the statement added. The US has been at the forefront of an effort to restrict the use of Huawei equipment in 5G mobile networks, citing serious security issues. The US designated Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp as national security threats, saying they have close ties with the Chinese Communist Party and China's military apparatus. Huawei is also facing resistance from other governments over the risk that its technology could be used for espionage. "Acknowledging the role of governments in fostering an enabling environment for 5G diversification, we will work together to facilitate public-private cooperation and demonstrate in 2022 the scalability and cybersecurity of open, standards-based technology. With respect to the development of technical standards, we will establish sector-specific contact groups to promote an open, inclusive, private-sector-led, multi-stakeholder, and consensus-based approach. We will also coordinate and cooperate in multilateral standardization organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union," said the joint statement. Moreover, the Quad countries also said that they are mapping the supply chain of critical technologies and materials, including semiconductors. "We affirm our positive commitment to resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains of critical technologies, recognizing the importance of government support measures and policies that are transparent and market-oriented," said the statement. The leaders also reiterated that they would monitor critical and emerging technologies of the future, beginning with biotechnology. "We are monitoring trends in the critical and emerging technologies of the future, beginning with biotechnology, and identifying related opportunities for cooperation," said the statement. The Quad countries also launched Quad Principles on Technology Design, Development, Governance, and Use that will guide the region and the world towards responsible, open, high-standards innovation. Courtesy: ANI The Joint Statement reaffirmed that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country, shelter or train terrorists, plan or finance terrorist acts, and reiterate the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan. New Delhi: In stinging messages to Pakistan and its neo-found iron brother, China, the four-nation Quad has issued a strong statement denouncing 'use of terrorist proxies' and asserted that it would "continue to champion adherence to international law" in blue waters. The Joint Statement was issued at the end of the first in-person Summit of leaders and nations and governments heads from India, the US, Australia and Japan, the forum called for the "end of violence" and return of democracy in Myanmar and backed "complete denuclearisation" of North Korea. "Quad is a force for regional peace, stability, security, and prosperity. Towards that end, we will continue to champion adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas," the Joint Statement said. "We affirm our support to small island states, especially those in the Pacific," said the statement after the meet in Washington, which was presided over by US President Joe Biden and was attended by PMs Narendra Modi, Scott Morrison and Yoshihide Suga. It said: "In South Asia, we will closely coordinate our diplomatic, economic, and human-rights policies towards Afghanistan and will deepen our counter-terrorism and humanitarian cooperation in the months ahead in accordance with UNSCR 2593." The Joint Statement reaffirmed that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country, shelter or train terrorists, plan or finance terrorist acts, and reiterate the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan. "We denounce the use of terrorist proxies and emphasized the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks, including cross-border attacks," it said. The strong statement has significance as terror groups and elements in the Pakistan establishment have been linking the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan to foment bigger troubles and terrorism in Kashmir. "We stand together in support of Afghan nationals, and call on the Taliban to provide safe passage to any person wishing to leave Afghanistan, and to ensure that the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and minorities are respected". "We also recognize that our shared futures will be written in the Indo-Pacific, and we will redouble our efforts to ensure that the Quad is a force for regional peace, stability, security, and prosperity. Towards that end, we will continue to champion adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas". It reaffirmed firm commitment to the "complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with UNSC resolutions and confirmed the necessity of immediate resolution of Japanese abductees. "We urge North Korea to abide by its UN obligations, refrain from provocations." "We continue to call for the end to violence in Myanmar, the release of all political detainees, including foreigners, engagement in constructive dialogue, and for the early restoration of democracy. We further call for the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus," the statement said. The Quad summit, it said, has been an opportunity to refocus ourselves and the world on the Indo-Pacific. The Quad is committed to working together and with a range of partners. "We reaffirm our strong support for ASEAN's unity and centrality and for ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and we underscore our dedication towards working with ASEAN and its member states the heart of the Indo-Pacific regionin practical and inclusive ways." It also welcomed the September 2021 EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Quad countries will also coordinate their diplomacy to raise global ambition, including reaching out to key stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region, it said. Ms Lekhi said she is happy to announce that 1000 copies of the Indian constitution translated into Uzbek would be gifted to TSUL's law faculty. New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi, is on a visit to Uzbekistan. She announced India would distribute 1000 copies of the Indian constitution translated into Uzbek as a gift for the Tashkent State University of Law faculty members. "Glad to go back to my legal roots," tweeted New Delhi MP, who is also an eminent lawyer. "Spoke at Tashkent State University of Law on India's democratic traditions on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav," she tweeted. Ms Lekhi said she is happy to announce that 1000 copies of the Indian constitution translated into Uzbek would be gifted to TSUL's law faculty. Ms Lekhi also visited the Shastri monument in Tashkent and paid floral tributes to India's second Prime Minister, Late Lal Bahadur Shastri. "Gratified to see the respect given by the people of Uzbekistan to the memory of Lal Bahadur Shastri ji," she wrote. The Minister also met Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan. "We agreed to take forward cooperation in the areas of heritage projects, cultural exchanges, films and capacity building of Uzbek professionals in archeological preservation," Ms Lekhi tweeted. India's CAG becomes the External Auditor of the IAEA Meanwhile, as a recognition of the credibility of India's Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the esteemed audit body has been selected as the next External Auditor of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for a six-year term between 2022 and 2027) at the General Conference of the IAEA in Vienna. "The CAG's bid received majority support of the IAEA General Conference for the position for which several competing bids were submitted from different countries. The election is a recognition of India's standing in the international community and global acknowledgement of our CAG's credentials, professionalism and experience," the MEA said in a statement. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is the Constitutional Authority in India, established under Article 148 of the Constitution of India. The CAG had exposed the corruption in the now-famous coal scandal and 2G spectrum scam during the erstwhile Congress-led UPA regime. Kerala-cadre IAS officer Vinod Rai was the CAG then. Mr G C Murmu is now the CAG. The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Tess DeGayner. Sunday, Sept. 19 11:17 p.m. A deputy responded to a delayed car-deer accident that occurred on a Midland Township roadway. An accident report was completed. 9:52 p.m. Deputies responded to a verbal argument between a 47-year-old male and a 43-year-old female in Edenville Township. The woman left for the evening. No crime was committed. 7:56 p.m. A deputy checked a Midland Township location for a suspicious odor. The source was a deceased deer. 5:32 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to Barden Road in Geneva Township reference a dirt bike racing down the road and going onto private property. Deputies were unable to locate the person. 4:16 p.m. Officers responded to a disorderly report near Cinema Drive and Joe Mann Boulevard. 2:41 p.m. A 28-year-old Midland man reported he had a catalytic converter stolen off the vehicle he drives for work while parked at a "park and ride" lot. 2:37 p.m. A 50-year-old Midland Township male reported receiving a phone call that he had applied for a $3,500 loan. The male is working with the company to cancel a loan that he didn't take out. 2:28 p.m. A deputy checked on a loose dog that was being aggressive toward people. The dog was transported to a Humane Society. 1:09 p.m. A 66-year-old woman reported her 35-year-old daughter took coins from her residence. The caller also stated the coins were a combination of ones belonging to the caller, the daughter as well as the daughter's husband and son. The woman advised she was not sure how much exactly was taken but wanted it back and wanted her daughter cited for trespassing. The deputy contacted the daughter who was in the process of sorting and documenting the coins at her residence. The daughter had her 13-year-old son assist with verifying which coins belonged to the complainant and those were returned to the woman. The daughter was also advised by the deputy she was not welcome at her mother's residence. The mother was still upset over the situation and was going to seek a personal protection order due to a history of problems with the daughter. 12:50 p.m. A Coleman gas station reported that someone took $61.68 in gas without paying for it. No plate was obtained. 12:36 p.m. Officers responded to a crash in the area of North Saginaw Road and Eastman Avenue. 3:10 a.m. Officers responded to a "loud party" near the 6600 block of Perrine Road. 2:22 a.m. A deputy was dispatched to a Homer Township gas station regarding a report of a male sleeping in a car. The deputy made contact with a 66-year-old Lee Township male who advised he was too tired to drive so he stopped to take a nap. 1:27 a.m. Officers responded to an animal complaint near the 4000 block of Castle Drive. TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) More than 100 officials of Tunisias Islamist party Ennahdha announced their resignations Saturday to protest the choices of the movement's leadership in confronting the North African country's political crisis. The split within the ranks of Ennahdha comes amid deep political crisis in Tunisia. In July, President Kais Saied's decided to sack the country's prime minister, suspend parliament and assume executive authority, saying it was because of a national emergency. His critics called it a coup. In a statement released Saturday, 113 officials from Ennahdha, including lawmakers and former ministers, said they had resigned. This is a definitive and irrevocable decision, Samir Dilou, an Ennahdha lawmaker and former minister from 2011 to 2014, told The Associated Press. Dilou said the decision to resign was linked to the impossibility of reforming the party from the inside because of decisions being made by the head of the party, Rachid Ghannouchi, and his entourage. He also noted that Ennahdha, the largest party in parliament, has failed to counter Saied's actions. Earlier this week, Saied issued presidential decrees bolstering the already near-total power he granted himself two months ago. Wednesdays decrees include the continuing suspension of the Parliaments powers, the suspension of all lawmakers immunity from prosecution and a freeze on lawmakers' salaries. They also stated Saieds intention from now on to rule by presidential decree alone and ignore parts of the constitution. Laws will not go through the parliament, whose powers are frozen, granting him near-unlimited power. Saied said his July decision was needed to save the country amid unrest over financial troubles and the governments handling of Tunisias coronavirus crisis. The Ladies of Zion Lutheran Church of Beaver Township will host a take-out only Smorgasbord Dinner and Country Store, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3, at the church school, located at Eleven Mile and Seidlers roads northwest of Auburn. The Country Store will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will serve an old-fashioned country meal including pork sausage, chicken, sauerkraut, dressing, German potato salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, baked beans, squash, coleslaw and pies. Dinners are $12. New York, US (PANA) - Libya's neighbours met on Friday in New York to discuss the current situation and ways of restoring security and stability in the country Photo: (Photo : JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images) The international custody battle involving a 6-year-old boy from Israel, the only cable car crash survivor of an accident in Italy in May 2021, began in a family court in Tel Aviv. Eitan Biran lost his parents, 2-year-old brother, and great-grandparents in the tragic cable car crash, which claimed 14 victims. His extended relatives on both sides are now involved in a bitter international court battle after allegations surfaced that Eitan was whisked away to Israel without permission from his paternal aunt in Italy. Aya Biran-Nirko, now an Italian resident, filed a request with the local courts for Eitan's return, which has been challenged by Shmulik Peleg, the boy's maternal grandfather, in Israel. Gali Peleg, Eitan's maternal aunt, and Shmulik's other daughter also seek custody of the child in the Middle Eastern country. In an interview with the New York Times, Biran-Nirko said that his nephew should stay with her as Italy has been his home since he was 2-months-old. However, Shmulik noted that the boy's parents had intentions to come back to Israel, Eitan's birthplace, so he should be with his Israeli family. Read Also: Mom Recalls Tragedy of Baby's Death and the Shocking Medical Insurance Bill That Followed Abduction Allegations Against Grandfather After the accident, the juvenile courts ruled that Eitan may stay with her aunt in Italy since she's a doctor. Shmulik then temporarily moved to Israel so he could visit his grandson. On September 13, however, he drove with the boy from Italy to Switzerland to fly him back to his country, bringing along Eitan's Israeli passport. However, upon arriving in Israel, Shmulik was questioned by the police for allegations of kidnapping and was put under house arrest. Biran-Nirko claimed that his grandfather abducted the boy. If guilty, Shmulik could be in prison for 15 years. The grandfather claimed in the local press that they left Italy in a "totally legal way." Eitan's aunt told New York Times that Shmulik disrupted her nephew's life and risked his physical and psychological care. Months after the accident, Eitan still needs to use a wheelchair and walker. Shmulik, on the other hand, has appealed Biran-Nirko's appointment as Eitan's guardian for a third time in the Italian courts, which has left him frustrated with the Italian justice system. The grandfather said that Eitan has been doing well under his care. Top Guns for the Legal Battle Both families have hired the best lawyers for this custody battle. Shmulik has Ronen Tzu, whose clients include Israel's former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biran-Nirko has hired Avi Himi, who is the current Israel Bar Association president. According to the Times of Israel, Biran-Nirko's legal team will highlight Shmulik's history of domestic violence and emphasize how he abducted his grandson. The other family's side will argue that Eitan's family had been planning to move back to Israel, and they have been searching for a school for the boy. They will defend the abduction accusations since Eitan frequently visits Israel while temporarily living in Italy. They will also point out the "flawed and unfair" appointment of Biran-Nirko as the main guardian. The latest court hearing has both families agreeing that Eitan should alternate his stay between the two families while the case is still in court. They are expected to return for another hearing on October 8. Related Article: Adoptive Parents Appeal Reinstatement of Birth Dad's Rights to 3-Year-Old Adopted Child Photo: (Photo : CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/AFP via Getty Images) The parents of a 2-year-old girl who took part in the trial for COVID-19 vaccines for toddlers have had some peace of mind after she didn't have any bad reaction, except for the usual soreness on her arm. Mom Maggie Sandwith believes that Caroline has developed the antibodies she needs to protect her and her family from COVID-19. It has been a big deal for the family to let Caroline have the vaccination because of Louise, her 4-year-old sister, who has leukemia. The mom said they were challenged to keep Louise in the bubble when the pandemic started because of her delicate health. Doctors recommended that they maintain isolation, but they had to keep Caroline at home since daycare centers were temporarily shut down. So, when the chance to join the trial for COVID-19 vaccines for toddlers came up, the Sandwith family didn't think twice. They believed that the vaccine would keep Louise protected while Caroline would be able to interact outside of her sister's bubble. Read Also: Governor Murphy Defends New Jersey Mask Mandate for Toddlers in Daycare Caroline's COVID-19 Vaccine Shot Caroline received her first Moderna shot in June and has completed the vaccination as of September. Dad Pierce Sandwith said that the experience was "not any different" than when she had her other vaccinations and booster shots as a baby. The toddler did cry and got angry as she did with her other non-COVID shots, but they had to stay longer at the hospital for the observation period. According to the parents, the only reaction Caroline had was soreness on the injection site. They haven't received any other news from the scientists who conducted the trial, which they took as a good sign. On the other hand, Louise cannot get the vaccine since she's undergoing treatments for her illness. "Caroline having [the vaccine] is such a Godsend for our family," Pierce said. "It just gives us another layer of protection for Louise as she hopefully finishes up treatment as an immunocompromised person." Pierce said that they did not decide on enlisting Caroline in the trial on a whim. The family believes in the value of science since Louise's treatments were also once under trials and research before. Because of these trials, the chances of survival for her type of leukemia are at 90 percent. COVID-19 Vaccination for Toddlers in the U.S. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet decided on COVID-19 vaccines for toddlers as that research will need more time to ascertain its safety and effectiveness. For now, the FDA's attention is on assessing the trial results for kids in the ages of 5 to 11 years old, which involved more than 2,200 participants. Pfizer will be the first to file for an emergency use authorization (EUA) for their children's vaccine. Experts at Stanford Medicine, who helped with the trials, said that the initial data is "very encouraging." Meanwhile, Cuba is the first nation in the world to administer COVID-19 vaccines for toddlers using the vaccine their homegrown scientists developed. Related Article: Coronavirus Pfizer Vaccine for Children Age 5 to 11 Shows Safe and 'Robust' Antibody Response Photo: (Photo : Scott Olson/Getty Images) Pregnant women who take the common painkiller, Acetaminophen, or paracetamol, to treat a headache, fever, or pain should double down on the medication as an international group of experts said it's not safe for moms or their babies. In a joint statement in Nature Reviews Endrocrinology, experts from countries like the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Scotland, and Brazil agreed that they would not recommend Acetaminophen to women in the family way. The medication, more commonly known by its brand name, Tylenol, in the U.S. has been linked to reproductive and urogenital disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders. Ann Bauer, an epidemiologist at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, said that there is growing evidence to be concerned about Acetaminophen for pregnant women, but further research is required to determine its exact impact. Read Also: More Babies Born With Congenital Syphilis in 2020, Study Reveals Widely Available, Widely Used Acetaminophen is in at least 600 pain relievers aside from Tylenol, and it's widely available and widely used in the U.S. Data has shown that 65 percent of pregnant women take this drug when only about a third of them actually need this for urgent care. "We don't want to try and scare anybody, but we want to see that 65% go down," Bauer told USA Today. The experts want the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a review to provide more evidence-based advice for the public. They also need doctors to educate their patients on the risks and concerns of paracetamol intake so that they can make informed decisions. Bauer also clarified that the risk of short-term exposure to the medication, around two weeks or less, is modest. On the other hand, prolonged use could be significantly worse for the mother and baby's health. Dr. Christopher Zahn, the vice president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, who was not part of the signatories, said that the experts' latest advice is not groundbreaking as many obstetrician-gynecologists in the U.S. only prescribe Acetaminophen for specific medical conditions. He agreed that pregnant women should be educated on taking pain relievers in moderation and advised that they must consult with their doctor if they have some concerns about pain or fever. What's the Harm? Barring the discovery of the exact mechanisms, the authors said that Acetaminophen could disrupt the development of the baby's reproductive tracts and organs. The drug might also increase the risk of health issues like ADHD and infertility. In many cases, people don't consider the side effects of Acetaminophen as worrying since it is easily accessible at grocery stores or vending machines. For years, Tylenol has also been the only drug that the FDA hasn't flagged down for pregnant women; thus, many moms think this is generally safe. Meanwhile, in response to the latest findings, a spokesperson for the FDA said that their 2015 drug safety communications did mention a need to review Acetaminophen down the line. The agency said it would continue to monitor and evaluate this medication among pregnant women. Related Article: Pregnancy Exercises Boost Baby's Lungs and May Help Prevent Asthma, Study Shows Photo: (Photo : Octavio Jones/Getty Images) Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, the parents of Brian Laundrie, who has been tagged as a person of interest in the murder of Gabby Petito, aren't likely going to be arrested despite not cooperating with the police in their investigations, a criminal lawyer said. Ajay Pallegar, an expert in criminal defense, told Fox News that there is no other evidence to arrest Christopher and Roberta. It would be hard for the authorities to file charges against the parents since they haven't done anything criminal. However, Pallegar, who is not part of the Petito case, said that if the authorities could discover evidence that they hid a weapon or participated in a cover-up, they may be charged as an accomplice. Only, the investigators have yet to find this evidence, including the whereabouts of their son, Brian, whom they said hasn't been home since September 14. Brian told his parents that he would be going to a nearby reserve in their Florida hometown after a missing person's report was filed for his girlfriend, Petito. The 22-year-old woman's parents believed that the Laundries knew what happened to their daughter, whose body was discovered at the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming nearly ten days after her disappearance. Petito was last seen with her boyfriend as they went on a cross-country trip over the summer. Also Read: Gabby Petito: Timeline Leading to Death as FBI Issues Arrest Warrant for Brian Laundrie Summoned to a Grand Jury Trial Frank Figliuzzi, who used to work for the FBI, predicted that if Christopher and Roberta aren't arrested, they could be summoned to a grand jury trial. Speaking with CNBC, the expert also said that the parents could be charged with obstruction of justice or contempt in court if they will still not cooperate during the trial. As of September 24, the FBI filed an indictment for Brian after discovering that he allegedly used Petito's credit cards after his girlfriend's death. This indictment will pave the way for his arrest to find more evidence that could link him to Petito's murder. Following Brian's federal warrant of arrest, undercover agents have reportedly been shadowing Christopher and Roberta in Florida as they met with New York lawyer Steve Bertolino. The lawyer confirmed to the press that he was with Laundrie's parents for an hour. Former FBI agents said that the authorities have been finding a reason to hold Brian in custody. With a federal warrant of arrest, any law enforcement nationwide has the authority to bring Brian to the police for an investigation. Concern for Their Son Meanwhile, Brian's parents are concerned that their son might have hurt himself since he hasn't returned home. According to the family's lawyer, they have talked to the FBI about finding their son, who left home without his cellphone or his wallet. As the Laundrie family's search continues, Petito's dad, Joe Petito, posted on Twitter that a memorial service for his daughter will take place in Holbrook on Sunday, September 26. Services for our sweet Gabby will be held at Moloney Funeral Home in Holbrook on Sunday September 26th from 12pm-5pm. Thank to all for your suppprt and love. pic.twitter.com/rYB0wePoJh joseph petito (@josephpetito) September 24, 2021 Brian and Gabby were dating for at least two years and got engaged in July 2020. According to her mother, Nichole Schmidt, the pair met in high school and decided to live together in the Laundrie family home over a year ago. However, Schmidt believes that Brian and Gabby called off their engagement just before their summer trip. Schmidt said she tried to reach out to Brian and his mother when her daughter went missing, but they ignored her. Lawyers of the Laundrie family said they would only speak through their attorneys. Related Article: Trial for COVID-19 Vaccines for Toddlers Gives Parents Peace of Mind This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions Interestingly news broke on Thursday claiming that Apple and Microsoft have been invited to the White House representing consumers; Intel, Samsung Electronics, TSMC and Micron Technology representing chip makers; and GM, Ford and BMW representing car companies along with Stellantis that provides mobile solutions for many vehicle brands. The meeting will be hosted by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, the Commerce Department said earlier this month. Topics will include the impact of the coronavirus Delta variant on chip supplies and how to better coordinate between chip producers and consumers. The White House had said only that attendees would include producers, consumers and industry groups. The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A shortage of semiconductor chips has forced top automakers to cut production worldwide after a decrease in demand for cars early in the coronavirus pandemic led many chipmakers to shift production to computers and tablets, whose demand was soaring. For more, read the full CTV or Barron's reports. At present, no details were provided to explain why Apple and Microsoft have been included in this particular meeting. The date of this meeting at the White House was not divulged in either report. Thanks for visiting PatnaDaily.Com, your exclusive source on the Web for news, facts, and figures relating to Patna and its neighbors. As we embarked on this project in the year 2000, we found that there was absolutely no exclusive site for information relating to Patna. This need echoed not only in Patna but also around the country. Further, as we all know, people from Patna can be found all over the globe, the need was even more felt, that eventually led to extensive research and fact-findings. However, after being in business for 20 years, we have come to realize that PD was in need of a new direction and news from Bihar was no more a priority as there are now literally dozens of other sources where you can get your daily fix for news from our state. What we feel is there's more of a need for exchange of ideas instead of discussing the same old, tired tropes like which politician said what and how to win elections based on caste calculations. After careful consideration, we have decided to do away with daily news updates and instead use this platform to foster and exchange ideas. We have always given voice to people from different religion and political persuasion and that will continue to be so. However, we will not allow articles that are blatant propaganda from politicians and their minions and those that foment political, social, or communal tension. Remember, this is a privately-held website and we reserve the ultimate right to publish or to not publish any article submitted to us that we deem inappropriate. Our decision in such matters would be final. PatnaDaily.Com is not affiliated with any political party or organization thus putting us in an unique position to appraise politicians or political parties, that is, to criticize or praise them as they deserve. Unlike other newspapers or websites, we are neither pro nor against any particular political party or group but we do intend to raise our voice against ill-conceived government policies and corrupt practices irrespective of the name of the party. Once again, we thank you for your patronage. Your comments, ideas, and suggestions are quite welcome. Your feedback to us will be highly appreciated and will help us decide the future and shape of this web site. Sunil Sinha Editor/Founder PatnaDaily.Com (Updated Feb. 7, 2021) Rice is the most popular grain in the world, even more than wheat. It is consumed by most of Asia as the main staple and is used as a side dish in Europe, Africa and America. Thus it is a commodity with tremendous potential in world trade. And Patna Rice can be a huge geographic indicator with tremendous business potential. For the purposes of all the readers, let me explain the term Geographic Indicator or GI for short. GI is used for produce of a particular geographic area. For example Champagne for the sparkling wine from the eponymous district in France or Scotch for the whisky distilled in Scotland. Near home, we have Darjeeling tea and Basmati rice. Over a period of time, the term gets associated with high quality and sells for a much higher price than a similar produce from another area. For example, world renowned sommeliers admit on record that sparkling wine from other areas is equally good, but Champaign continues to demand a premium pricing. These geographic indicators are guarded very zealously and produce of other place cannot use the name. Readers would recall the controversy over Basmati rice that erupted a few years back and the Government of India and Pakistan got together to thwart the attempts of Texan farmers to use the name. Thus now only the rice grown in the foothills of Himalaya can be sold by the name of Basmati rice. While it is commendable that the Govt of India took this step for Basmati, it is really sad Patna rice as a GI continues to languish. Like so many other good things from Bihar, I myself was unaware of it till quite late in my life. Though having been born and brought at Patna, I heard about it for the first time in Germany. For me it was a wonderful experience to be associated with an exotic merchandise rather than the patronising attitude that one faces within India when one utters the word Patna. To tell a little bit about rice, there are some 40,000 varieties of rice under the same botanical species: oryza sativa. The most common classification is by the length of the grain: Long Grain, Medium Grain and Short Grain. Long-grain rice, as the name suggests, is long and slender. The grains stay separate and fluffy after cooking. This is the best suited for rice served as a side dish, or as a bed for sauces. Medium-grain rice is plumper and the grain is shorter. It is considered good for paella and risotto. Short-grain rice is almost round, with moist grains that stick together giving it a gooey appearance when cooked. The terms "Indica" and "Japonica" could be taken to mean "long grain and non-sticky" and "short grain and sticky" respectively and represent the two ends of the spectrum. The westerners, either in America or in Europe including UK, find long grain rice suitable for their style of cooking. Within these broad categories there are innumerable varieties and I would deal with some of them in this article. The western cook books usually mean American long-grain rice when they refer to long-grain rice. Carolina Rice is considered the best among the American Long Grain. Intriguingly, rice is no longer grown in Carolina. The name indicates to a past when the British gentry wanted to savour rice but found it rare and expensive. Some British merchants dealing in Patna Rice took the grain from India to Carolina which was then a British colony and grew it there. They made a rather decent job of it. To this day, the best American rice is called Carolina rice though its cultivation was ceased there at the end of the American Civil War. Most of American long grain in now grown in Arkansas, California, Texas or Argentina and Brazil in South America. When I recently did a search on Google for Patna Rice, I was pleasantly surprised to find a very large number of hits at fairly credible sources. A similar search on Basmati rice had fewer results and there were almost none for Dehradun Rice or Doon Rice. In Bihar, we use terms like Parimal or Rani Kajal and Badshah Bhog for good quality rice. However, a wonderful opportunity awaits us by way of the name Patna Rice which has instant recognition the world over. In popular global perception, Patna rice has a robust, long and narrow, opaque grain that keeps its shape well for curries. It has a mild fragrance and has been grown for millennia. Basmati rice is found referred to as a close relative of Patna Rice, having a nutty taste and a stronger aroma. Botanical.com describes Carolina and Patna rice as the most esteemed in England and the United States. The grain of the first is round and flat, and boils soft for puddings; the latter has a long and narrow grain that keeps its shape well for curries Website : http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/r/rice--15.html Authentic Patna is considered the king of rice. It is described as The most expensive long-grained Indian rice, aged for two years to enhance its fragrance and texture. Worth the extra money. Source: http://gourmetclub.signonsandiego.com/20030129-9999-rice.html Westerners erroneously do not differentiate between Carolina Rice and Patna Rice and use the term interchangeably. American long-grain (which includes Carolina rice) has a somewhat bland flavour. The popularity could be due to the price and availability since long grain from India is rather rare and expensive. The situation should be considered analogous to Wine. While Wine from say Napa Valley is quite good, it is not quite the same as the wine from France. Patna rice is considered the best for use with curries. (http://funkymunky.co.za/currytips.html craving for genuine long grained rice with decent flavour that a westerner feels can be gauged from the question put up by an expatriate British in Thailand: The http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=44562 Observe the surprise of a gourmet when he finds the rice he is served is authentic Patna It's really Patna!" http://www.montrealfood.com/restos/bistroavenue.html There are so many legends that exist around Patna rice that a nice story can be woven around it. The earliest written reference to the rice grown near Patna is in the Buddhist literature at the time of Gautam Buddha himself. Rice gruel is referred to as offerings to Lord Buddha when he went around asking for daily alms. Reference can also be found about varieties of rice being superior and inferior quality. There is reference to the rice from the region in the travelogue of Hiuen Tsang, the seventh century Chinese traveller to India. He spent considerable time at Nalanda. He was served a strain of Patna rice called Mahasali rice. He describes it as grain was as large as a bean, and when cooked, was aromatic, and shining like no other rice Yet another reference to the rice of Patna is in Ain I-Akbari written by Abul Fazal, the court historian of Mughal king Akbar. He collected various strains of rice grown around Patna and reported that even if one grain of each strain was taken, it would fill a large vase. Europeans took to the rice of the region in a big way in the seventeenth century. Fortunes of several merchants were built by dealing in Patna rice. The most celebrated is the case of William Fullarton of Skeldon UK. Having made his fortune by dealing in Patna Rice, he returned to the UK. He started a coal mining business in Scotland. He felt so obligated to Patna that he named the hamlet he built for his miners as Patna. To this day, this town in East Ayrshire, Scotland is called Patna. There was a town in US also which was called Patna but the name has now been changed. I have not been able to authenticate whether that also has a rice connection, but I suspect it would be so. Since at one time, most of the rice sold in Europe came from this region, Patna Rice is also sometimes loosely used to mean any long grain aromatic rice. Let me end with a poser: What can we as a community can do to unlock the value of this goldmine of a Geographic Indicator? Can we attempt to come up with an action plan? T. V. Sinha, Guest Contributor, PatnaDaily.Com The political parties who have now been made accountable under the RTI will not easily give up and the legal battle may be contested till the bitter end in the higher courts. In their public postures, however, they have taken the line that they are already furnishing information to other agencies like the election commission and the income tax; they can be inundated by frivolous petitions; the confidentiality of political decision making can be misused etc; it is not possible to maintain records .The legality of the order should better be left to the courts because that is where the legality of the order of the CIC will be decided. A brief examination of the performance of the Act so far may light up some areas of the debate. The RTI Act made available to the common people all the information that could be made available to the members of legislatures and members of the parliament. Suddenly the amorphous, undifferentiated, impersonal information potentially accessible to or already in the inert keeping of our public representatives is being mined by RTI seekers to seek a measure of control over their destinies. The master key to force open the secret vault called bureaucracy which had for long eluded the citizenry become available to all and sundry. The accountability scene is undergoing a magical transformation. RTI activists, autodidacts, and public spirited people are using this as a tool to map the objective reality of their particular situations against the given big picture. People at large nourish fairly sound attitudes based on instinct and memory but they lack a coherent account as to how their local environments of oppression are located within the larger economic or socio-political realities. In order to be able to derive maximum advantage from this legislation, people all over the country are raising themselves to levels of awareness commensurate with their particular situation, are acquiring uncanny legal skills and are extending their circle of influence to initiate a potentially transformative movement. Antonio Gramsci would have approved of these organic intellectuals. Where does my little postage stamp of a village figure in the double digit growth story of Bihar? To find out Sanjay Sahani, Ramkumar Thakur and a motley group from a nondescript village called Ratnauli in Bihar demanded the information about the implementation of MNREGA in their panchayat. It is but natural that the custodians of all those little bureaucratic lies that collectively go to make the official truth should feel threatened. Ram Kumar Thakur had to be simply put away. But killings are not the norm; slapping of false cases is the standard tactic as the RTI groups have claimed and even the pioneering RTI activist Shiv Prasad Ray was subjected to this fate. The formidable bureaucracy which had expressed fears of its misuse have realized its subversive potential. So they have taken to something akin to a civil disobedience movement, a strategy of passive resistance against army of information seekers under RTI demanding information as varied as the lifting and disbursal of PDs grains to the amounts of travelling allowance drawn by the civil servants. They just remain silent. Or pretend imbecility. If you ask for information A they furnish B and in some cases no relief could be had even from the information commission. Or they wage semantic guerilla warfare; they ambush you with an ambiguity of meaning. So there is no frivolity involved here. It is a deadly serious business. There are some other democratic dividends as well. RTI has created a new and thriving public sphere. Village chaupals, hamlets with cyber cafes, small towns - quite different from the traditional city centric public sphere, salons, coffee houses, universities, think tanks and media clubs are the new hubs of activity. Debates on development and public issues are becoming livelier because the range and depth of their information has increased considerably and citizens are acquiring a better understanding of how things are done. The RTI is materializing a public that is living up to instantiate and ideal of public reason. So should the political parties feel bothered by unnecessary duplication of work or is there an apprehension in the political minds that the information furnished by them, say the accounts of laughable sums of money spent in their election campaigns by candidates could be put to rigorous scrutiny by an army of local volunteers? Everyone knows that the figures are meant just to get past the Election Commission which has neither the time nor the wherewithal to verify them in every particular. But in the hands of the masses it can transform the whole scene. How many taxis were hired, who printed the publicity material, who set up the pandal and for how much? The right to information becomes purposive, goal directed hence an effective tool of accountability; in the statistical keeping of the Election Commission it is merely grist for the academic researchers mill for drawing broad general conclusions. In the absence of transparency and internal democracy politics has largely become the skill of intrigue among a narrow group of those closest to the instruments of power. Mendacity and cynicism in political discourse - "they know very well what they are doing, but still, they are doing it" has become a sad fact of our lives. So what is at stake here is not the fear of being submerged under frivolous queries, nor is any one afraid of being asked about their internal affairs - the nation has already an unsolicited surfeit of it. RTI is ushering in some kind of a direct democracy and that is a terrifying idea. India Today magazine once referred to Manoje Nath, a 1973-batch IPS officer, as being fiercely independent, honest, and upright. Besides his numerous official reports on various issues exposing corruption in the bureaucracy in Bihar, Nath is also a writer extraordinaire expressing his thoughts on subjects ranging from science fiction to the effects of globalization. His sense of humor was evident through his extremely popular series named "Gulliver in Patiliputra" and "Modest Proposals" that were published in the local newspapers. Ghana's leading online recruitment platform, Jobberman Ghana has launched its new job seeker campaign, #LevelUpWithJobberman with the mission to connect job seekers with opportunities in Ghana through digital means. The focus of the campaign is to encourage young graduates on the essence of a career path as young professionals and innovate their job search while setting themselves apart from the competition on the job market. If job seekers only focus on finding a job without a strategic plan, they will end up in a job that is not meant for them and may not make use of their skills, acquired knowledge, and experiences. Jobseekers need to know who they are, their personality type, and that superpower that sets them apart for success. The #LevelUpWithJobberman campaign is purposely to get them to align with their career and to assist them to identify job opportunities that best suit their interest," shares Haralabos Antarakis, CEO of Jobberman Ghana. Since its launch in Ghana in 2012, Jobberman has emerged as one of the most trusted HR partners for businesses in the country boasting over 600,000 qualified CVs, 100s of active jobs per day and more than 21,000 employers. The unemployment rate in Ghana is high, yet there are many opportunities available. We have observed that one of the major reasons why some job seekers are not being shortlisted for interviews is, either they are applying to jobs they may not be fully qualified for or their CVs are not well-tailored which causes them to miss opportunities. Top companies in Ghana are hiring new team members daily. Leveling up with Jobberman and signing up on the site, is the best opportunity to land a dream job, adds Human Resource Manager at Jobberman Ghana, Freda Nana Embil. During the period of the #LevelUpWithJobberman campaign, job seekers will receive tailored career advice from human resource experts, job hunting tips from seasoned recruitment experts on how to gain a competitive edge, timely access to top jobs, and an opportunity to get matched with top companies looking for skillful professionals. Job seekers are encouraged to take their next career step with Jobberman by signing up at https://www.jobberman.com.gh/job-seeker/level-up 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 A renowned Takoradi-based solicitor has stated categorically that the laws of Ghana has no locus to imprison or fine the suspectedly kidnapped Takoradi pregnant woman, Josephine Panyin Mensah. Fiifi Buckman says even if she faked her kidnapping or the pregnancy, she cannot be prosecuted for no apparent reason. Speaking to host Paa Kwesi Simpson on Friday, September 24 on Omanbapa, the morning show on Connect FM, Mr. Buckman said that though Josephine Panyin Mensah is suspected to have faked her nine-month pregnancy and kidnapping, the law cannot take her on. There is no law that can incriminate the current controversial suspected Takoradi kidnapped pregnant woman if she faked, the solicitor contended. The lawyer also explained that police cannot be sued over this issue of them saying the pregnancy is fake even if it turns out to be true because they are working with information available to them from a doctor. Lawyer Buckman also said Josephine will only be made to face the full rigours of the law if it is proven beyond reasonable doubt that she conspired in her kidnapping. The woman will have herself to be blamed if it turns out that she conspired in her kidnap. The issue will be treated holistically as someone who aided in a kidnap, stressed lawyer Buckman. Source: 3news.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 Ghana Polce Service has confirmed on their official facebook page that Mrs. Josephine Panyin Mensah, the woman at the center of the Takoradi kidnapping controversy, has confessed she wasn't pregnant nor kidnapped as reports have it. "The suspect, Josephine Panyin Mensah, 28, has confessed to the Police during further investigations and stated that neither was she pregnant nor ever being kidnapped," the Police stated on their page. The Ghana Police Service had earlier disclosed all three tests at the Axim Government Hospital, the Takoradi Hospital and the Effia Nkwanta Government Hospital to ascertain whether Josephine Panyin Mensah was indeed pregnant at the time she was reported missing turned out negative. This was after the found self-acclaimed pregnant Takoradi woman was transferred from the Axim Government Hospital to the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region capital. Josephine Panyin Mensah was transferred under strict Police escort on Thursday, September 23. This was strongly challenged by the relatives of the 28-year-old, who was declared a suspect by the Police, and residents of Columbia where she lives. Some residents even invoked curses on the Regional Minister for spewing such lies on their neighbour. Many have therefore called for an independent examination of the hitherto kidnapped victim. Read full statement below: 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 Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, has tasked the newly inaugurated Board of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) to fast-track processes to complete the implementation of the public sector Smart Workplace Programme. The programme which is being rolled out in all public institutions including Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), is to enable public sector workers work remotely and virtually to enhance efficiency. So far, about 300 government agencies including the Ghana Health Service have been connected to the solution since it was piloted in 2018. It is being implemented by Government through the Ministry and its implementing agency, NITA. Speaking at the swearing-in of the new Governing Board of the Agency in Accra, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful urged them to focus on completing the programme to ensure efficiency in the public sector. The Board is chaired by Mr Kwabena Addo-Atuah and has Mr Richard Edmund Okyere-Fosu, Director-General, NITA; Mr Gerard Nana Kwakwa Osei-Tutu from National Security Council, and Mr Issah Yahaya, Expert in ICT issues, as members. Others are Mrs Matilda Acheampong Wilson, Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako and Madam Sheila Minkah-Premo, Presidents nominees; Madam Ama Pomaa Boateng, the Ministrys nominee, while Industry is yet to nominate a member. Mrs Owusu-Ekuful reiterated Governments government towards the digitalization of the economy. She said: To sustain the Digital Transformation Agenda of Government, we must ensure that Agencies that regulate the ICT space do their job effectively. The National Information Technology Agency (NITA), the Electronic Transactions Regulator of Ghana, is therefore very critical in this respect. Members of the Board have therefore been carefully selected with this new direction in mind. The Board is expected to provide the necessary strategic direction for the Agency to fully consolidate its role by putting in the right structures, effectively regulating the ICT space, and ultimately contribute to the Digital Transformation Agenda. The NITA was established by the NITA Act, (Act 771) in 2008 and supported by the Electronic Transactions Act (772) as the ICT policy implementing arm of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation. It is the implementing agency for the ETA and regulates all electronic transactions under the law, as well as responsible for implementing Ghanas IT policies. Its mandate includes identifying, promoting, and developing innovative technologies, standards, guidelines and practices among government agencies and local governments and the private sector. Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful urged NITA to ensure efficient performance of its regulatory functions as envisaged by Acts 771 and 772. She explained that the rapid utilization of digital technology which had been escalated by the COVID-19 pandemic, proliferation of virtual and online applications and services in both the public and private sectors, required effective regulation to ensure that the protection of rights, systems, data and minimum standards of technology and proficiency were adhered to across 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 A tiler in the Ashanti Region has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in hard labour for robbing a trader of 40 pieces of ice cream and a purse containing a cell phone and GHC25.00. Simon Blay, 28, pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced on his own plea by the Asante Bekwai circuit court. Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Ofori told the court presided over by Mark Tair-ima Diboro that Sarah Ofori and Blay were neighbours at Feyiase. He said on 15 September 2021, at about 1400 hours, Ofori was going about her normal business when Blay called her under the pretext of buying some of the ice cream. The prosecution said the convict took advantage of the quiet nature of the area and with a pair of scissors, robbed the ice-cream seller of her items, a purse containing a cell phone, GHC25.00, all valued at GHC112.00. Chief Inspector Ofori said Blay took to his heels after the robbery whilst Ofori made a formal complaint with the Feyiase police. When the crime scene was visited the ice cream container was found about 100 meters away from the scene. The prosecution said the next day residents on hearing the incident arrested Blay and handed him over to the police. A search on him revealed the stolen cell phone, which he had fixed his sim card in, instead of Oforis card. He led the police to his house after admitting the crime and the police found Oforis sim card in his room during a search. Inspector Blay said police investigations revealed that the convict was standing trial with others for alleged unlawful entry and theft of a 17-inch television set. He said Blay committed the robbery right after he was granted bail by the court in the stealing case. 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 Tano River, which is a major source of drinking water for residents in the Western North Region, has started regaining normalcy after being heavily polluted by illegal mining activities. The Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, who visited the River during a tour of the Region, was excited about the current development but cautioned that there was more to be done to deal with illegal mining in the country. He noted that one major challenge the newly created Region was facing was illegal mining and called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to deal with the menace. River Tano had almost lost its aquatic life due to illegal mining activities. The Minister was in the Region to court the support of relevant stakeholders to effectively curb illegal mining. He began the one-day tour with a courtesy call on the Western North Regional Minister, Mr Richard Ebbah Obeng. Mr Jinapor admitted that, although Operation Halt had chalked some successes in the fight against illegal mining, there was more work to be done to ultimately flush out illegal miners. The Western North Regional Minister, Richard Ebbah Obeng, noted that a strong collaboration was needed to win the war against illegal mining. The two ministers subsequently met with members of the Regional Security Council. Mr. Jinapor noted that they had adopted some strategies that would in the coming days help deal with the menace. The Minister also met with the Regional House of Chiefs and staff of agencies under the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry to court their support to help in the Greening Ghana agenda and responsible mining. Mr. Jinapor and his team took a trip to some water bodies that have been polluted as a result of illegal mining. 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 Huawei Chief Financial Officer, Meng Wanzhou held in Canada on US fraud charges since 2018 could be freed as soon as possible after the US government said it would submit a "resolution" to the case against her. Wanzhou, was detained in December 2018 at the request of the US sparking an international row, while straining China's relations with the US and Canada. On Friday, September 24, the US Department of Justice said it would submit, along with lawyers for Ms Meng, a "resolution" to the case. If the charges against her are dropped, her extradition case in Canada will be thrown out and she could be freed almost immediately. The US alleges Ms Meng misled the bank HSBC over the true nature of Huawei's relationship with a company called Skycom, putting the bank at risk of violating US sanctions against Iran. Huawei has faced accusations that the Chinese authorities could use its equipment for espionage - allegations it denies. In 2019, the US imposed sanctions on Huawei and placed it on an export blacklist, cutting it off from key technologies. The UK, Sweden, Australia, Japan have also banned Huawei, while other countries including France and India have adopted measures stopping short of an outright ban. Ms Meng joined the company in 1999 and became its chief finance officer (CFO) in 2011. She is the elder daughter of billionaire Ren Zhengfei, who set up Huawei in 1987, building it up to become one of the biggest technology firms in the world. 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 Audrey Frimpong-Barfi, Paediatrician at the Tema General Hospital, has urged Ghanaians to know their sickling status to help avoid future complications. Sickling is a blood-related condition where the haemoglobin inside red blood cells sticks or clumps together, causing the cell to become fragile, rigid, and crescentor sickle. Dr Frimpong-Barfi, explaining the difference between blood group and sickle cell said, "sickle cell disease is an inherited red blood cell disorder that changes the normal shape of the red blood cell to look like a crescent shape farm tool called sickle, given its name sickle cell. Blood group refers to the type of markers found on the surface of the red blood cells, Dr Frimpong-Barfi told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Tema and explained that everyone has a blood group, others may have a sickle cell with it and others do not. Dr Frimpong-Barfi, who is also the head of Paediatrician Department at the Tema General Hospital, said a person with AS is a sickle cell carrier (sickle cell trait) She noted that if two AS should get married, the likelihood of these couple having a baby with sickle cell was 25 per cent; 50 percent chance for AS and another 25 percent for AA for every pregnancy. Dr Frimpong-Barfi further noted that it was vital for everyone to know their sickle cell status and not just for sickle cell as there were other types of sickle cell diseases. There are several types of sickle cell disease, the most common are: Sickle Cell Anaemia (SS), Sickle Haemoglobin-C Disease (SC), Sickle Beta-Plus Thalassemia and Sickle Beta-Zero Thalassemia. Sickle Cell Anaemia (SS): When a child inherits one substitution beta globin genes (the sickle cell gene) from each parent, the child has Sickle Cell Anaemia (SS). Populations that have a high frequency of sickle cell anaemia are those of African and Indian descent. Sickle Haemoglobin- C Disease (SC): Individuals with Sickle Haemoglobin-C Disease (SC) have a slightly different substitution in their beta globin genes that produces both haemoglobin C and haemoglobin S. Sickle Haemoglobin-C disease may cause similar symptoms as sickle cell anaemia but less anaemia due to a higher blood count level. Populations that have a high frequency of Sickle Haemoglobin-C disease are those of West African, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent. Sickle Beta-Plus Thalassemia: Individuals with Sickle Beta Thalassemia (SB) disease also contain substitutions in both beta globin genes. The severity of the disease varies according to the amount of normal beta globin produced. Populations that have a high frequency of Sickle Beta Thalassemia are those of Mediterranean and Caribbean descents. Sickle Haemoglobin-D Disease: Through research, haemoglobin D, which is a different substitution of the beta globin gene, has been found to interact with the sickle haemoglobin gene. Individuals with Sickle Haemoglobin-D disease (SD) have moderately severe anaemia and occasional pain episodes. Populations that have a high frequency of Sickle Haemoglobin-D disease are those of Asian and Latin American descents. Sickle Haemoglobin-O Disease: Haemoglobin O, another type of substitution in the beta globin gene, also interacts with sickle haemoglobin. Individuals with Sickle Haemoglobin- O disease (SO) can have symptoms of sickle cell anaemia. Populations that have a high frequency of Sickle Haemoglobin-O disease are those of Arabian, North African and Eastern Mediterranean descent. She said, however, that, there was also another type called Thalassemia - an inherited blood disorder that affects the way the body makes haemoglobin. According to Dr Frimpong-Barfi, instead of just testing for sickling, it was preferable to do Haemoglobin electrophoresis which can test for HbS and the other types such as C, B, D and E, the sickling test only shows S. "When persons with AS and AC give birth, the child can be SC," she said. Dr Frimpong-Barfi said, it was not just enough testing for sickling before marriage that mattered but rather undertaking haemoglobin electrophoresis, and stressed, even with that, the Haematologist would say it is not enough when it comes to testing for Thalassemia and the other forms. According to her, sometimes, some parents get confused when their children have sickle cell because the husband may be AS and the wife AA but it could be as a result of S beta thalassemia behaving like SS. Dr Frimpong-Barfi advised that immediately a child was born, it was very necessary for sickle cell test to be conducted on the child, because early detection would mean early management and most of the complications would be taken care of. "I am happy the Government is trying to introduce newborn screening for sickle cell as a national project and it is now being rolled out and soon it would be scaled to quite a number of places in Ghana," she said. She added that, there were a lot of medications coming up and currently in Ghana, hydroxyurea had been introduced and this would help reduce number of times crises occur, admissions and the number of times they get blood transfusion. 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 Two vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine sit on a table at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Halifax on Monday, May 24, 2021. A northern Ontario First Nation says Indigenous Services Canada gave residents expired doses of the Pfizer vaccine between Aug. 9 and Sept. 15. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan SATURDAY MORNING FOURSOMES SHEBOYGAN, Wis. Facing a 6-2 deficit coming into Saturdays play Padraig Harringtons European team was looking to stop the bleeding and begin an attempted comeback while Steve Strickers Americans were hoping to show no mercy and increase a lead. Unfortunately for Europe, it was the latter. Despite an incredible comeback by the Spanish duo of world No.1 Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia in the opening match, the 43rd Ryder Cup is trending towards a rout after the third consecutive 3-1 session win lifted the U.S. team to what must be considered an insurmountable 9-3 lead. Since continental Europe was added to the Cup in 1979 the U.S. has never held such a dominant lead through three sessions and the new guard is well and truly on their way. With eight players under 30 and six Ryder Cup rookies the U.S. is sending a devastating message. Stricker expects there to be no let up in the afternoon session. "The plan is just keep building on that lead. Just keep trying to increase that lead. We got them down a little bit, and our goal is to continue that and continue that momentum," Stricker said. "And our guys are fired up still. They're excited. They're fired up to get out here. The crowd is unbelievable. We've got a great day, a little chill in the air, and it's all good." Match 1: Jon Rahm/Sergio Garcia, EUR, def. Brooks Koepka/Daniel Berger USA, 3 and 1 Recap: An incredible lead off match where the Spanish resistance dropped the first three holes and things looked more than bleak for the European team in general before an incredible turnaround. Rahm and Garcia lifted their game exponentially and secured the sixth and eighth holes before Garcia chipped in expertly on the ninth to flip the script completely. The hole out came with the U.S. looking at a birdie putt, that Berger subsequently missed, and it was tied at the turn. A lovely wedge into the par-3 12th from Rahm set up a 7-foot birdie for Garcia and the Europeans grabbed a lead they wouldnt relinquish. They doubled it at the 13th but the lead was just one soon after. A contentious ruling on the 15th hole went against the Americans before Rahm and Garcia produced two incredible shots on the par-5 16th that resulted in a conceded eagle and capped off an incredible comeback win. Quotes: "We are not giving up. We're going to fight until the end as hard as we can. Hopefully we have a good afternoon this afternoon and see what happens." -- Sergio Garcia "They got off to a bad start but probably 7 through 13 probably killed us. They chip-in on 9. We three-putt 7. Just one of those things, they played really well." -- Brooks Koepka Score at matchs conclusion: USA 6, EUR 3 On September 21, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the U.N.s 76th General Assembly and boasted about his military actions along the border of war-ravaged Syria. As a result of our efforts and at the expense of our martyrs, we were able to ensure the voluntary return of 462,000 Syrians to the areas where we provided security. But that is misleading. In fact, Turkeys ongoing military actions in Kurdish-controlled areas in Syria have displaced thousands of locals and killed hundreds of civilians. Refugees from other parts of Syria are replacing inhabitants in majority Kurdish areas. Critics call it demographic engineering. And Turkey recently accelerated military strikes in Kurdish-controlled border areas, including drone attacks targeting the Kurdish-led Womens Protection Units, or YPJ. The allied Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) were the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) formed in 2015 and backed by the U.S. to fight the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria. Ankara, however, regards the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) as a terrorist group and considers its push for independence tantamount to insurgency. The United States-YPG alliance to defeat Islamic State has always infuriated Turkey, although the U.S. also has deemed the PKK a terror group. The YPG is the military arm of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), an offshoot of the PKK in Syria. Turkey engaged in talks with PKK and PYD leaders until 2015, when the talks broke down. However, the SDF in Syria denies having connections to the PKK. Humanitarian groups say Syria is in the midst of the worlds worst refugee crisis, with more than 13 million people displaced and most in need of food, water, shelter and other assistance. About half those affected are children, according to the aid group World Vision. They Syrian civil war began in 2011. Since 2016, Turkey has conducted airstrikes and cross-border military operations in conjunction with allied Syrian militias. They targeted YPG-controlled areas in northern Syria and purportedly had the aim of establishing a safe zone cleared of IS and YPG fighters. At the U.N., Erdogan called the U.S. relationship with the YPG unacceptable. He claimed that the Turkish presence in Syria prevented PKK terrorists from using the territory to launch attacks. But Turkeys border operations have been disruptive and marred by accusations of atrocities. In 2018, Turkey and allied Syrian rebels launched an operation in the Kurdish-controlled Syrian enclave of Afrin. At the time, 500,000 people were living in the area, 80 percent of them Kurdish, along with about 300,000 refugees of all ethnicities. The Turkish campaign displaced an estimated 150,000-200,000 people from the area. Turkey allowed Syrian refugees from other areas to relocate to Afrin. Civilians who remained in Afrin were reportedly subject to arrest, torture, loss of property and cultural persecution, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor. In October 2019, Turkey launched another military operation in northeast Syria. The U.N. said about 180,000 civilians were forced to flee the area, and that the operation worsened the already dire humanitarian situation for 3 million people living there. In 2019, Erdogan told the U.N. that 2-3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey would be resettled in this area. According to Refugees International, a Washington, D.C., advocacy group, this would violate international law as it would significantly alter the ethnic landscape in northern Syria and could be seen as demographic engineering. Amnesty International said in 2019 that there was credible evidence Turkish forces and their Syrian allies had committed war crimes. Turkish military forces and a coalition of Turkey-backed Syrian armed groups have displayed a shameful disregard for civilian life, carrying out serious violations and war crimes, including summary killings and unlawful attacks that have killed and injured civilians, during the offensive into northeast Syria, the group said in a statement. Human Rights Watch (HRW) also denounced Turkish forces and allied Syrian militias. Contrary to Turkeys narrative that their operation will establish a safe zone, the groups they are using to administer the territory are themselves committing abuses against civilians and discriminating on ethnic grounds, the group said. In October 2019, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Turkish officials and institutions. The White House said Turkeys moves in Syria threatened to undermine the war against jihadists, endangered civilians and further threatened to undermine the peace, security, and stability in the region. In September 2020, the United Nations Human Rights office (OHCHR) said that increased killings, kidnappings, unlawful transfers of people, seizures of land and properties and forcible evictions had been documented in the areas of north, northwest and northeast Syria under the control of Turkish forces and Turkish-affiliated armed groups. This past July, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on several Syrian entities, including Syrian-run prisons and Ahrar al-Sharqiyah, a Turkish-backed Syrian rebel faction operating in northern Syria. Two of the factions leaders were sanctioned for alleged crimes against civilians, particularly Syrian Kurds, and for inviting former IS members into its ranks. The Treasury Department accused Ahrar al-Sharqiyah of unlawful killings, abductions, torture, and seizures of private property. In Clay Killian's opinion, Aiken County's population should have been higher in the U.S. census data for 2020. I think we were undercounted a little bit by a couple thousand or 3,000 is my guess, said the county administrator recently. Based on the nationwide survey, there were 168,808 people living here last year. That total represented an increase of 5.44% from 2010's total, but there was a significant decline in Aiken County's rate of growth. During the 10-year period from 2000 to 2010, the local population rose by 12.31%, from 142,552 to 160,099. South Carolina has 46 counties, and Aiken County was the 11th most populous, according to the 2020 census. It also was among the 22 counties where the number of residents increased. In addition, Aiken County enjoyed the 17th-highest growth rate. Greenville County had the most residents, 525,534, and Horry County grew the fastest with a 30.35% upswing. The U.S. Census Bureaus estimate of Aiken Countys population in 2019 was 170,872. Killian blamed the novel coronavirus pandemic for Aiken Countys lower than anticipated total in 2020. The Census Bureau had a hard time hiring door-to-door canvassers to count the people who didnt return the surveys, he said. A greater number of Aiken County residents would have meant a higher amount of financial aid locally in the future, so that's the main reason why Killian was hoping for a bigger surge. A lot of the federal grants and things are tied to the population growth and the amount of population that you have, he explained. But Killian was more philosophical than frustrated by the final 2020 census count. Obviously, we have to live with it, he said. We grew and some counties around us didnt and some lost (residents), so this was a better alternative. Aiken City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh and North Augusta City Administrator Jim Clifford also spoke to the Aiken Standard about the 2020 census results. Aiken remained Aiken Countys most populous municipality with 32,025 residents, up 8.47% from the 2010 total of 29,524. You want to be trending in a positive direction and we are, Bedenbaugh said. The percentage of increase was about what he had anticipated. Our geographic area hasnt grown much in the last 10 years, Bedenbaugh said. We didnt annex large swaths of property into the city that could be redeveloped or developed for the first time, so the level of growth did not surprise me. "The key going forward is to grow in a way that meets the expectations and the values of the community. We also have to make sure that our infrastructure keeps up with the growth, which is why we have embarked on infrastructure improvements for our water, sewer and stormwater (systems). Bedenbaugh believes that Aiken City Council has a more growth-oriented attitude than in the past. Council put a lot of its focus in the last decade on maintaining and improving what we had, he said. That mindset continues, but I think that our current Council would like to see the growth be a little more robust. They recognize that we have a good quality of life and that the way that you grow is by expanding utilities and offering compelling reasons to make residents who live adjacent to the city want to come in. Aikens greatest opportunities for expansion, Bedenbaugh added, are to the north and to the east. North Augusta grew faster than Aiken but was still the runner-up among Aiken Countys municipalities in terms of population, according to the latest census results. The number of North Augusta residents increased 14.20%, from 21,348 in 2010 to 24,379 in 2020. Within the CSRA, weve got a great series of economic drivers between the Fort (Fort Gordon), the Savannah River Site and Plant Vogtle, said North August City Administrator Jim Clifford. "We are adding rooftops at a pretty good clip, so my guess is that we're probably inching closer to 25,000 (residents) as of today. He described the surge in population in his municipality as sustainable. Over the next several years, based on the plans I have seen for development, we are going to have even more residential growth and some more commercial growth, Clifford said. And its all within the current city limits, not growth through annexation. He mentioned a variety of home construction projects in the areas around Exits 5 and 1 on Interstate 20 that are underway or are scheduled to be launched in the near future. And there are others in the early planning stages in those locations and elsewhere. I am curious about where were going to end up at Riverside Village, Clifford said. Weve been talking about adding apartments down there. If that gets going, its going to bring in some more residents as well, so there is some real growth potential. Its a great time to be here in the City of North Augusta and part of Aiken County, he concluded. Based on the latest census results, Burnettown was the countys fastest-growing municipality. Its population increased 16.16%, from 2,673 in 2010 to 3,105 in 2020. New Ellenton was the only other municipality in Aiken County that experienced growth. Its number of residents rose 7.70%, from 2,052 in 2010 to 2,210 in 2020. The population declines in the rest of the county's municipalities were as follows: 4.96% in Windsor, from 121 in 2010 to 115 in 2020. 10.53% in Jackson, from 1,700 to 1,521. 13.14% in Monetta, from 236 to 205. 16.74% in Perry, from 233 to 194. 17.34% in Salley, from 398 to 329. 20.83% in Wagener, from 797 to 631. In general, population growth was the greatest in and near the southwest corner of Aiken County, and that wasnt a new trend. 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. Get the SC business stories that matter. Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free. Gov. Henry McMaster wants the Charleston County School District to stop using school resource officers to enforce its new mask mandate. In a letter to Board Chairman Rev. Eric Mack on Sept. 24, the governor condemned how the district is using resource officers to make sure all students wore masks on school grounds. "I am concerned that the district's aggressive use of school resource officers may inadvertently create unhealthy, erroneous and negative stereotypes of law enforcement officers, especially among our young children," McMaster wrote. In his letter, McMaster noted that a school resource officer is usually the first law enforcement officer a young child comes in contact with. "That child's life-long perception of law enforcement can be shaped by that initial counter and reinforced by future encounters," he wrote. Andrew Pruitt, a spokesman for the school board, said that Mack received the letter Friday afternoon. "I can confirm our district has not asked any of the school resource officers who serve in our schools, nor any of our law enforcement partners, to enforce the Board's mask requirement," he said in an email to The Post and Courier. Just days before the school year began, Charleston County's school board issued a mask mandate. However, a state budget provision prevented them from enforcing it. That provision prevents state funds from being used by local districts for a mask-wearing requirement. On Sept. 16, Mack made an announcement that the board found a way to make students wear masks. He said they would use funds from the district's savings instead of ones from the 2021-22 budget to cover the salaries of those who enforce the requirement. Each school has a cohort of non-teaching staff designated as compliance officers, whose salaries are being paid from the reserves. Only those officers can tell students to put masks on. Teachers can merely remind students who are already wearing masks to wear them correctly, Pruitt told The Post and Courier. Any student who did not wear a mask to school would be forced to learn virtually starting the week of Sept. 20. The day after the announcement, a group of four parents and one teacher filed a lawsuit against the district saying that the mandate violated South Carolina law. On Sept. 21, they filed a motion for an emergency temporary injunction and restraining order against the district. Small groups of upset community members protested outside of several Charleston schools this week. Some were parents of maskless students who were denied entrance into the buildings. What are your lasting impressions of visiting a library? If youre like me, maybe its the funereal atmosphere? The glare from the library lady looking disdainfully in your direction? Maybe simply your frustration at navigating the card catalogue that may or may not actually direct you to the most likely place to find your book of interest? Before you feel the need to Google the Dewey Decimal System, let me assure you the library of the 21st century is light years away from what a library looked like the last time some of you darkened its doors. I found that out on a recent rainy morning upon entering one of Charleston Countys newest public places. The Bees Ferry Branch of the countys system opened almost a year ago. As I walked through the glass doors into the 20,000-square-foot, one-story site, the first thing I heard was a childs laughter. Soon after, there was audio emanating from a nearby computer and a few feet away two people were huddled in front of a screen filling out a job application. One was no youngster. While weve all had our noses buried in our phones, the public libraries have been reinventing themselves. They still provide access to information, but these warehouses of knowledge are so much more than that. How is that being accomplished? Engagement both with technology and relevant collaboration. From cover to cover As I wandered around, the first stop was the large childrens section. Ive never seen so many books on display. Designed for ages from birth to 12, there were pop-up books, audio books, DVDs, and a computer keyboard with oversized letters and numbers for little fingers. Nearby, an entire room designed for story time allowed groups of little ones to gather to listen without distraction. In addition, a mothers lounge, providing privacy for a nursing mom, was just around the corner. All the tables and chairs were size appropriate. This area was clearly designed with kids in mind. Sign up for our new opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email Sign Up! I watched a pregnant mom with her active toddler use the self-checkout station. The little girl had selected four or five books to take home. Upon loading them into the pink book bag, she quickly realized the bag was too heavy. Mom grabbed the bag in one hand, the toddler in the other, and off they went. Britni Cherrington is the branch manager. Few places can make this level of contact with a community, she said. As she gave me a tour, that was clearly on display. A community room, which can seat up to 100 people, will be available once COVID restrictions are no longer in effect. Theres a room for teenagers that feature fiction and non-fiction titles, as well as computer terminals and charging stations. A creative studio will eventually provide opportunities for learning to sew or edit videos. Book it See what I mean? It might say its a library on the sign outside, but theres so much more to see and experience once you go inside. This library happens to be located between a middle school on one side and a high school on the other. When school is over, its not unusual for students to come by, and theyre welcome. There are a lot worse places they could be. On this mid-morning meander, different book titles jumped out as I walked from one section to another. In the childrens area, a book titled What Grandmas Do Best caught my eye. In the non-fiction shelves, a self-help book suggested How to Stop Worrying and Start Living." As I casually glanced from aisle to aisle, I saw a band arrangement for Beatles songs. And how about this discovery: a small soft-bound book called Porgy by Dubose Hayward. Based right here in Charleston, its often called a landmark in Southern literature, published in 1925. As a child, I remember when the BookMobile would pay a visit. Todays library is far more engaging and relevant than that old converted school bus could ever be. If youre a Charleston County resident, a library card costs nothing. Thats quite a deal given all the opportunities to escape and educate that are provided via those pages. And you know what, not a single time while I was in there did I hear anybody once say, Shhhhhh, no talking.' SUMMERVILLE A group of around 10 community activists gathered down the street from Cane Bay High School to call for the termination of one its teachers. At a press conference Sept. 24 organized by Justin Hunt, the president of an activist group called Stand as One, he and others voiced concerns over a recent controversy involving a teacher accused of using a racial slur in class. The situation rose to prominence after a TikTok video surfaced where viewers can hear someone saying the "n-word" and highlighting that it was rooted in racism. Berkeley County School District later confirmed the person in the video using the word is a teacher. The video captures a portion of a classroom conversation about words and objects rooted in racism, according to BCSD. Hunt said the goal of the Sept. 24 press conference was to show solidarity with Cane Bay High School students who had been protesting. On Sept. 21, students organized an in-school protest in response to the teacher using the slur. "I don't believe a protest would've happened with the students if they were comfortable," Hunt said. North Charleston pastor and community activist Thomas Dixon attended the press conference to show his support. He said he personally feels the slur used is offensive regardless of who uses it. Considering the history of the word when it comes to Black and White people, he said this situation is a little more intense. "No matter what the context is, it's hitting Black people different," he said. In addition to the teacher's termination, he wants BCSD to take a stronger stance on the situation. Dixon said he would prefer if there were clear repercussions for anyone who uses the word regardless of if it's a teacher, student or administrative staff member. "It needs to be a teachable moment," he said. The group clarified they don't see the situation as a reason to stop having uncomfortable and complicated classroom discussions about race. Dixon said if there had been a focus in schools on teaching the complicated racial history of America, then this situation could've been avoided. To further emphasize the need for more education, Hunt also pointed to a situation in March where BCSD had to investigate a social media post that mocked the death of George Floyd. "We want a better community as a whole, not just for Black people," Hunt said. Erica Sampson is another local activist who spoke out during the press conference. She said that if the teacher wanted to have a discussion on words and objects rooted in racism, there were other examples to pull from. She and other activists said the teacher also could've abbreviated the word or alluded to it. "Good people make bad choices," Sampson said. "(The teacher) just missed the mark." BCSD did not respond to comments on the press conference. District officials previously noted that they are currently investigating the situation. "Berkeley County School District promotes a welcoming and supportive environment that celebrates and values diversity and respect for all students, employees, and stakeholders," BCSD spokeswoman Katie Tanner said previously in relation to the incident. HAMPTON Alex Murdaughs legal team has requested a probable cause hearing before a Hampton County judge, a sign they could seek to dismiss some or all of the criminal charges filed against the prominent attorney after his botched assisted suicide over Labor Day weekend. Meanwhile, legal and financial firms are seeking to distance themselves from the disgraced lawyer as he faces a wave of embezzlement and fraud accusations. The Hampton law firm that Murdaughs great-grandfather founded in 1910 issued a statement Friday that none of its lawyers were aware Murdaugh has suffered from opioid addiction over the past 20 years. The office of Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth, Detrick also said it was not involved in a lawsuit filed against Murdaugh after the familys housekeeper died in an apparent fall. PMPED said its lawyers were stunned at recent allegations that the housekeepers family received none of the millions of dollars it was owed from the settlement. And Forge Consulting, a Georgia-based financial firm, has released a statement claiming no involvement in or knowledge of any financial schemes Murdaugh is accused of carrying out. The company said it contacted law enforcement when it learned Murdaugh might have used the Forge brand on his bank accounts. The developments are just the latest in the rapid unraveling of Murdaughs personal and professional lives, which began in earnest June 7 with the still-unsolved slayings of his wife, Maggie, and son Paul at the familys hunting lodge. Now, authorities have opened no fewer than six separate investigations involving the Murdaugh family, including accusations Murdaugh stole a substantial amount of money from his former law firm. Playing defense Murdaugh also faces up to 20 years behind bars in connection with the staged shooting he survived on Sept. 4. The State Law Enforcement Division charged Murdaugh with insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and filing a false police report after he admitted he orchestrated his own murder. Murdaughs attorneys have said he wanted to die during a fit of depression but believed his $10 million life insurance policy would not pay out to his remaining son, Buster, if he committed suicide. So Murdaugh, the 53-year-old heir to a legal dynasty in Hampton County, had his drug dealer shoot him instead, Murdaughs lawyers have said. In a brief Sept. 23 filing, Murdaugh attorneys Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian requested a preliminary hearing to assess whether probable cause exists on all three charges. The filing included no details about which charges the attorneys might want dismissed, or why they believe those charges might not meet the probable cause standard. Under S.C. law, defendants have a right to such preliminary hearings within 10 days of requesting one. Preliminary hearings are sometimes conducted like mini-trials. Prosecutors must present reasonable grounds for showing the crime was committed and that the defendant committed it. That usually means a lead investigator is called to testify about evidence the state has collected to establish probable cause. While the courts clearly instruct attorneys not to use these hearings as fishing expeditions, they can often function as a valuable tool for the defense to learn just what evidence the state has against the defendant. Griffin and Harpootlian declined to comment further on the request. PMPED's statement Meanwhile, Murdaughs former law firm hasnt rushed to his defense. Instead, after accusing Murdaugh of embezzling from the firm and forcing him out, PMPED sought Friday to distance itself further from the man at the center of this Southern murder mystery. In a statement on its website, PMPED said it never represented Murdaugh in the wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of Gloria Satterfield, the Murdaughs late housekeeper. The firm said it was surprised to hear that money tied to a settlement in that case has gone missing. "His insurance company hired counsel to represent him," the law firm said. SLED is now investigating what happened to the millions of dollars Satterfields sons were supposed to receive. PMPED also insisted that none of its attorneys have spoken with anyone who was aware of Murdaughs addiction to opioids. Murdaughs attorneys have said he embezzled firm money to fuel a 20-year addiction that worsened after the deaths of his wife and son this summer. Like many of you, we have lots of questions about Alex and what has recently come to light, the law firm said. We dont know the answers, but we will continue assisting law enforcement and other authorities in efforts to find the truth. Harpootlian, one of Murdaugs lawyers, said on Sept. 24, he was not surprised the firm is trying to distance itself from Murdaugh, calling it a prudent business decision. The firm is pursuing what is best for them, Harpootlian said. That is to be expected. Asked about PMPEDs statement about Murdaughs addiction, Harpootlian said: Im not an addiction expert. Nor am I an expert in how people appear while on opioids. He declined to comment further. The firm insisted the money Murdaugh stole will not affect current or future operations at the company, or any of its clients. Fake Forge? A second firm, Forge Consulting, has felt compelled to also distance itself from Murdaugh after allegations that missing money from the Satterfield wrongful death settlement was funneled to a bank account for a fake company named after Forge. Documents show a settlement in that case, negotiated after Satterfields unexplained death in 2018, amounted to about $4.3 million, including attorneys fees. But the May 2019 settlement, which appears to bear the signature of Circuit Judge Carmen Mullen, was never filed in court, and none of the money ever reached Satterfields sons, their new attorney said. Eric Bland, an attorney for Satterfields sons, has alleged the scheme tried to mimic the real company, Forge Consulting, that is often hired by attorneys. Forge Consulting uses annuities to split large lump-sum settlements into smaller payments and directs the money to insurance companies, trusts and other financial institutions. In a Sept. 17 interview on NewsNation, Bland said the alleged scheme required several procedural checks to be overridden. Cory Fleming, an attorney who is friends with Murdaugh yet represented Satterfields sons in the original lawsuit, should have consulted with his clients about taking a structured settlement, Bland said. The check should have been sent to the personal representative for Satterfields estate, who should have reported to the probate court where it went, Bland said. Whats more, a portion of the money didnt immediately belong to the sons; it should have been distributed by the probate court. Multiple attempts to reach Fleming and Chad Westendorf, a banker who was appointed the personal representative of Satterfields estate, were unsuccessful. Mullen has not returned multiple phone calls and emails from The Post and Courier over the past week. Mullen's involvement with the Satterfield settlement has come under scrutiny, in part, because she approved the deal just a month after she recused herself from a separate lawsuit involving the Murdaugh family. In her recusal order, Mullen did not explain why she felt she needed to step aside. But her reasoning will dictate whether her involvement in the Satterfield matter was appropriate, according to Robert Wilcox, former dean of the University of South Carolina's law school: If she'd determined she couldn't hear a case involving the Murdaughs, it would be inconsistent to approve the settlement. Bland said the settlements appeared to total roughly $4 million. Only $505,000 was reported in public court records. None of it went to Satterfields sons, who have filed a new lawsuit against Murdaugh to recover the money. I believe that this case is at the epicenter of whats going to happen ultimately in Hampton County, Bland said in the interview, calling it an indictment of the South Carolina justice system. Later, he added: There are a lot of lawyers who know what happened in this case in that town, and a lot of people are contributing information. Forge Consulting released a statement this week to our South Carolina friends and clients reiterating they were not involved in the alleged scheme. We had no knowledge of nor anything to do with the reported inappropriate bank account that included Forge in its name, which Alex Murdaugh purportedly used, Forge Consulting CEO Spooner Phillips wrote. When we learned of the possible existence of such an account, law enforcement officials were immediately contacted - along with others who are investigating - to offer our assistance. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. Heres a dirty little secret about the S.C. Supreme Courts order Wednesday striking down the supermajority vote requirement to amend the Heritage Act: Nobody who pays attention certainly not any lawyer-legislator worth his salt was surprised. Well talk more about that in a moment, but heres the other secret: Practically speaking, the unanimous ruling doesnt change a whole lot. Most obviously, it still takes that same two-thirds vote in the House and the Senate to override a gubernatorial veto. And when it comes to amending the 2000 Heritage Act to allow cities, counties, colleges and public schools to remove statues or rename buildings, roads or practically anything else honoring Confederate or certain other historic figures the only reason most people care about Wednesdays ruling its hard to imagine a change that wouldnt draw a veto from Gov. Henry McMaster. Theres also a less obvious and more important reason the two-thirds requirement hasnt been the impediment to change that many portrayed it to be: Few bills become law without significantly more than two-thirds support in the Senate. Fewer still become law over the objections of the House leadership fewer than a dozen of the 124 representatives. Although bills do pass the S.C. House with only a majority, thats almost never enough for a bill to pass the Senate, where most bills need unanimous support, or at least indifference, to even get debated. If a single senator objects to the bill, its dead unless the Senate grants it one of a tiny number of priority debate slots. And senators are loathe to give a slot to a bill they dont strongly support, because any prioritized bill could generate protracted debate that dooms other bills they support more. If anyone filibusters one of those priority bills, senators cant pass or kill it until they break the filibuster. That takes just 26 of the 46 votes, which is five short of two-thirds (the requirement has been as high as 31 in the past), but 26 is a lot harder to muster than youd imagine, because several senators philosophically oppose breaking a filibuster. All of those factors, by the way, explain why it's not the two-thirds requirement for the Legislature to debate anything for the rest of this year besides redistricting and federal COVID spending that's stopping lawmakers from repealing their restriction on school mask requirements. (And no, Wednesday's ruling doesnt affect that two-thirds requirement, because well, the explanation is tedious and not relevant to this conversation.) I suppose if youre a Clemson or Winthrop student, theres a psychological boost to thinking you dont have to convince two-thirds of the House and two-thirds of the Senate to let you stop calling one of the most prominent buildings on your campus by the name of one of the vilest human beings ever to hold public office in South Carolina (Ben Tillman). Or, if you attend USC, to imagine that it would be easy to convince a bare majority of legislators to strip Strom Thurmonds name off your physical education center. Or, if youre into tearing down monuments, that with a mere 87 votes, you could take a wrecking ball to well, to half the monuments on the Statehouse grounds. But your actual battle is no less daunting. What is significant about the ruling is that Pinckney v. Peeler gave our Supreme Court an opportunity to finally, officially endorse a fundamental principle of constitutional law: that one legislature cannot bind another. Associate Justice John Few, who wrote the court's opinion, made a point of noting that although this Court has not specifically addressed whether one legislature can restrict a future legislature's authority to enact, amend, or repeal legislation this issue has arisen before in South Carolina. Famously so, in fact, in constitutional law terms. The 1905 U.S. Supreme Court order Manigault v. Springs, which still controls today, involved a dispute between Alfred A. Springs and another Georgetown County property owner named Arthur M. Manigault. Mr. Manigault was a successful rice planter who, just a few years before the dispute, had formed the Evening Post Publishing Co. in order to acquire the Charleston Courier, laying the groundwork for what is today The Post and Courier. Mr. Manigault had negotiated a deal in 1898 for Mr. Springs to remove a dam over Kinloch Creek. Five years later, Mr. Springs apparently had second thoughts, and he convinced the Legislature to pass a law authorizing him to rebuild the dam. Mr. Manigault sued, claiming that the new law violated an 1885 state law that said no bill for the granting of any privilege or immunity, or for any other private purpose whatsoever, shall be introduced or entertained in either house of the general assembly except by petition, to be signed by the persons desiring such privileges, with extensive notice given. The high court ruled against Mr. Manigault, finding that the Legislature was free to ignore its earlier law, explaining: As this is not a constitutional provision, but a general law enacted by the legislature, it may be repealed, amended, or disregarded by the legislature which enacted it. This law ... is not binding upon any subsequent legislature, nor does a noncompliance with it impair or nullify the provisions of an act passed without the requirement of such notice. The dispute in Manigault wasnt over a super-majority requirement but a much less restrictive effort to ensure that certain types of laws weren't rushed through too quickly. In more than a century since then, it's become clear that it applies to virtually any restriction legislators try to impose statutorily on their successors. The reason for the prohibition, the S.C. Supreme Court explained in a footnote quoting a 2003 law review article, is that trying to restrict a legislative body that hasn't even been elected yet is "inconsistent with the democratic principle that present majorities rule themselves. Which, when you think about it, is the central tenet of representative democracy. A good education and a good job dont guarantee a life on the right side of the law. For evidence, look no further than Alex Murdaugh, the prominent Hampton County attorney SLED says admitted he conspired to have someone kill him in an insurance-fraud scheme after his law firm kicked him out over allegations that he stole millions of dollars to support a drug addiction. Or the executives at the defunct SCE&G and Westinghouse who have pleaded guilty to defrauding stockholders in the collapse of the V.C. Summer nuclear construction project; at least one of them, former SCE&G CEO Kevin Marsh, will be heading to prison. But they are certainly outliers. The overwhelming majority of the people we lock away in prison do not have law degrees or even bachelors degrees. In most cases, they dont even have high school degrees. Part of this is because we dont generally send white-collar criminals to prison, and we dont tend to send police to posh neighborhoods to conduct crackdowns on illegal drug use. Mostly, its because theres a huge correlation between poverty and crime, and a huge inverse correlation between education and crime: People who dont have a decent education are likely to end up without a decent job, if they have any job at all, and people without a job are more easily pulled into a life of crime. That by itself is a good argument for doing a better job of providing a decent education for all S.C. children. But we already have generations of kids who missed that decent education the first time through, so even if we mastered the forward-looking approach right now which is essential for our state for many reasons beyond keeping kids out of crime and prison it would take years to make a noticeable difference in our crime rates and our prison populations. And since 85% of prison inmates will return to our communities within five years, the main focus of our prisons should be increasing their odds of landing a job on the outside, whether thats through helping them get a GED or job skills training or a college degree. That last option has been a rarity generally involving particularly industrious inmates and one-shot exceptions. Thats why were so excited about a new collaboration between the S.C. Corrections Department and Claflin University in Orangeburg that allows inmates to earn bachelors degrees in criminal justice, psychology and organizational management, which started this summer with 12 students and has already grown to 50. We hope it grows further and even more colleges get involved. As The Post and Couriers Libby Stanford reports, Claflin is offering the virtual and self-paced classes at three prisons as part of the national Pathways from Prison program. A federal Second Chance Pell Grant allows the university to offer the classes to inmates free of charge and allows participants to finish taking classes for free at Claflin if theyre released before they graduate. The goal of Pathways from Prison is to lower recidivism through education, which makes it a perfect fit with a state Corrections Department that does a better job of keeping inmates from returning to prison than any other agency in the nation. Director Bryan Stirling, who made reducing recidivism a top priority when he took over the agency in 2013, credits South Carolinas success to an aggressive effort to make sure inmates leave prisons with the tools to become productive citizens, from providing education and job training for in-demand work to teaching interview skills and helping departing inmates line up housing and get copies of their birth certificates and other forms of identification theyll need to get a job. These seem like obvious policies, but they werent always so obvious at least not in our state. In the 1990s, education and time off for good behavior were seen as coddling prisoners, and in the early part of this century, the Legislature was perfectly content to cut prison funding as the inmate population skyrocketed, forcing the department to slash job-training and drug treatment programs. Its only in the past decade or so that S.C. policymakers have come to understand that these so-called tough on crime policies mainly encourage inmates to become better criminals once theyre released. Even when the Legislature finally embraced smart-on-crime reforms to encourage more prison alternatives for nonviolent offenders and allow shorter sentences for all but the most dangerous criminals, there was nothing to guarantee that inmates wouldnt return to prison after they served their sentences. Thats partially because a lot of legislators still worry about the soft-on-crime label and so havent passed laws that fully embrace turning around lives, but its also because even the best laws arent very effective if they're not implemented well. Making a real difference in our correction policies took an agency director who was committed to turning lives around and governors who were willing to support that work. We should recognize that progress and encourage more of the same. We should also keep in mind that this is tedious work without a one-size-fits-all solution. A liberal-arts college education isnt the best path forward for every inmate just as it isnt right for every high school student. But it is the path forward for some, and every inmate we can help find such a path forward is one far less likely to commit another crime after his sentence is up. Insights Lately, weve been hearing a lot about the unhappy fate of women and girls in Afghanistan now that the Taliban has again assumed power. The ed Read more The Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office on Guam and the University of Guam hosted a virtual summit on Thursday to promote educational exchange programs. UOG President Dr. Thomas Krise and officials from other Taiwanese institutions signed memorandums of understanding to develop light industries, electronics, and traditional and hydroponic agriculture. Issues like food security, sustainable food production, aquaculture Taiwan leads in so many ways in those areas, and we could benefit from that partnership, Krise said. TECO Director Paul Chen said the collaboration with Taiwanese universities would supplement programs offered at UOG which does not have departments covering the fields targeted in the cooperation. Having a relationship with the University of Guam is a foundation between Taiwan and Guam, he said. There are many ways to strengthen the relationship political and military interests, economic and business interests, and more importantly, people-to-people, cultural, and educational interests. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Krise said the University of Guam is valuable to the Taiwanese universities as the hub of the even broader Micronesian region with links to other regional colleges, including College of Micronesia-FSM, Palau Community College, Northern Marianas College, and the College of the Marshall Islands. Participating colleges were represented by their respective presidents, including: National Chung Hsing University, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, National Taitung University, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Chaoyang University of Technology, and Yuan-Ze University. UOG signed seven memorandums of understanding one with each university and another with TECO, according to the press release. (Daily Post Staff) When it comes to the defense of the United States, Joe Biden would prefer not to. For all practical purposes, hes not on our side. Bidens refusal to defend our southern border undermines both our sovereignty and security. Its a two-fer. Yesterday Biden took a bold standagainst the CBP agents who have sought to protect the border (video below). He came down on them like the proverbial ton of bricks. Worse, he has falsely defamed them before the world. "Of course I take responsibility, I'm president." Pres. Joe Biden tells @rachelvscott the controversial handling of Haitian immigrants "sends the wrong message around the world," claiming "there will be consequences." https://t.co/kx01LNbaNT pic.twitter.com/o3kDDt5Giq ABC News (@ABC) September 24, 2021 Ed Morrissey comments in the tweet below and in the linked Hot Air post Biden: Those mounted Border Patrol agents will pay for, er, doing their job. I second Eds emotion. This is a disgraceful, malicious smear from a president desperate for a distraction. The media's support for that distraction is equally disgraceful. Biden: Those mounted Border Patrol agents will pay for, er, doing their jobhttps://t.co/xezAXhYdqI pic.twitter.com/qMgafDTXBO Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) September 24, 2021 John Roberts and Bill Melugin add context. Joe Bidens manifest incompetence is, naturally, driving down his approval ratings. After all, some failings cant be concealed forever, regardless of how compliant the press may be. Thus his current approval/disapproval numbers in the Rasmussen survey are 42%/56%, with a 47% plurality strongly disapproving. And his disastrous Iowa numbers made headlines last week. Now, blue Minnesotans are getting into the act: the Star Tribune poll finds Biden under water in the state at 47%/51%. Given Bidens appalling job performance, that shouldnt be surprising. But the poll reveals dramatic and, I think, surprising splits. Start with gender: Minnesota men overwhelmingly disapprove of Biden, by 28%/70%. Those numbers are shockingly bad. But someone needs to get the message to the states women, who support Biden by 64%/34%. That can only be explained by the assumption that a great many women are still happy that our president isnt Donald Trumpan effect that one assumes will wear off over time. The geographic breakdown is interesting, too. The cities are pro-Biden, with Hennepin and Ramsey counties (Minneapolis and St. Paul) approving 69%/29%. A caveat, thoughHennepin County includes a lot of suburbs, too. But the rest of the metro area has caught on to Biden, by 38%/61%. This may bode well for Republican chances in the suburbs next year. The rural parts of the state, are, as you would expect, intensely anti-Biden. Finally, this poll finds that the college-educated are more likely to approve of Biden (56%/43%) than the non-college educated (38%/59%). This is more evidence that college makes you stupid. The Star Tribune poll also tested Governor Tim Walzs popularity. Walz resembles Biden in some ways; he is a left-wing ideologue who poses as a moderate and is personally a nasty character. The Strib finds that Walz does better than Biden at 49%/44%, but this is the first time Walz has been under 50% approval. His splits closely resemble Bidens. There are plenty of reasons to disapprove of Tim Walz, but I suspect that what we see here is a general decline in perceptions of the Democratic Party. The many failures of Bidens administration are putting down-ticket Democrats in a bad light, even in a blue state like Minnesota. They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Gen. Mark Milley proves that a lot of knowledge can be a dangerous thing when accompanied by a fevered imagination and barely a glimmer of analytical ability and common sense. James Hohmann of the Washington Post gushes that Milley owns thousands of books in his personal library and attended Princeton before starting his climb up the officers ladder. The general is also an amateur historian. Relying on the depiction of Milley by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa in their book about the last days of the Trump presidency, Hohmann informs us that the generals knowledge of history and culture caused his mind [to] gravitate[]. . .toward chilling metaphors during this period. In Hohmanns telling (via Woodward and Costa), the metaphors come fast and furious. When a pro-Trump mob overran the U.S. Capitol, it reminded Milley of the failed Russian revolution of 1905. After order was restored at the Capitol, Milley switched analogies and feared that Trump was looking, Hitler style, for a Reichstag moment before the inauguration of Joe Biden. When Trump chewed out then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper for publicly opposing the invocation of the Insurrection Act amid the BLM protests, Trump reminded Milley of the vituperative drill sergeant in the movie Full Metal Jacket. The general viewed Stephen Miller as the American version of Rasputin. Trumps curiosity about the possibility of attacking Iran reminded Milley of the 1997 movie Wag the Dog. In addition, he thought, for some reason, about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo. And also about the Cuban missile crisis. If Milley had dropped acid, I doubt he would have had a stranger trip. Yet, Hohmann reels off Milleys analogies uncritically. The Post man seems to be along for the trip. Stephen Miller as Rasputin? I guess that makes Trump a modern day Czar Nicholas II, while Melania becomes Czarina Alexandra, over whom the mystic exercised so much influence. Come on, man. Overall, Milley at least deserves high marks for originality. However, the Wag the Dog reference is hackneyed. The Bolshevik reference isnt original, either. John Mitchell, Nixons attorney general, invoked it when he saw many thousands of angry marchers parading past the Justice Department during a massive anti-war demonstration. Neither analogy holds up, though Mitchells comes closer to the mark. Jake Angeli as Vladimir Lenin? Come on, man. Hohmann writes: Milley told associates that he had buried 242 kids at Arlington National Cemetery. Im not really interested in having a war with anybody, he said, according to Woodward and Costa. Ultimately, thankfully, neither was Trump. Of course, Trump wasnt interested in starting a war. If Milley had any sense to go with his book learning, he would have understood this. No American president in many decades has been more averse to war than Trump. The notion that Trump would start a war with China, of all adversaries, due to his anger over the 2020 election is laughable. So too is Milleys reference to the Cuban missile crisis. In that case, the Soviet Union placed missiles 90 miles from the U.S. and President Kennedy responded with a naval blockade of Cuba. What was the analogous behavior of either China or the U.S. in 2020-21? Given Milleys status as an amateur historian, its fair to ask how he seems to have missed the most apt historical analogue to recent events the fall of Saigon, with its similarities to the fall of Kabul. Apparently, this parallel was too obvious for the generals wild imagination. I think it was Sir Lewis Namier, the great British historian, who said that the purpose of studying history should be to acquire historical sense. Milley studys of history hasnt yielded that happy attribute. As depicted by Woodward and Costa, the general spouts historical nonsense. You dont have to be an amateur historian to worry about Mark Milley being chairman of the joint chiefs. Yes, no matter what Yes, but it depends on variety No, for medical reasons, uncertainty No, principle Vote View Results The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will elect new leaders at its national convention fixed for October 30 and 31 in Abuja. Unless Uche Secondus stages a miraculous comeback there, the event will end his tumultuous reign as the national chairman of the party. The convention will also indicate where the party will look in picking candidates for the 2023 presidential election. Mr Secondus was elected the national chairman of the party in 2017. In the election, also held at the Eagles Square, Abuja, Mr Secondus polled 2,000 of the 2,296 total votes cast. He beat three other contestants and became the 11th National Chairman of the party founded during the transition to Nigerias Fourth Republic in 1998. His resounding victory followed the endorsement of his candidature by the 11 state governors elected on the platform of the opposition party and other key stakeholders. The governors of Rivers and Ekiti, Nyesom Wike and Ayodele Fayose respectively, led the mobilisation of support for Mr Secondus, who was a friend and political ally of Mr Wike in Rivers State. In his acceptance speech after the election, the new chairman promised to make the time of the PDP in opposition short. The party had broken into factions over a leadership tussle after losing its 16-year hold on the Nigerian presidency. Mr Secondus promised to rebuild it. By my understanding, the mandate you have given us today is clear and unambiguous. It is to return our party to power come 2019. As Herculean as this mandate seems, I know its achievable. My campaign pillars for this election are To Rebuild, Reposition and Regain, he said. Let me assure you, great members and leaders of our party, that by the grace of God and with all hands on deck, the brief tenancy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Aso Rock Villa expires on May 28, 2019. By this, we serve them a quit notice. However, the PDP has continued to be riven by internal crisis and Mr Secondus has become a major casualty of the turmoil. A court has removed him from the chair and consigned him to the sidelines as the party prepares for the national convention where it will elect a new chairman and other leaders. It is not clear yet whether Mr Secondus intends to run for the position again. According to his critics, Mr Secondus lacks the leadership skills required to reposition the party for victory in the 2023 General Election. In the last 10 months under his watch, the PDP lost three state governors, including two from the south; some national and state lawmakers as well as many members across the country to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Secondus faces the fate suffered by his former counterpart in the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, who was also booted out of office as national chairman of the ruling party last year after a costly fight with his home state governor, Godwin Obaseki. If he fails to recover the chair, he will also follow in the steps of a majority of the people who have sat on that chair in the 23-year history of the PDP. Of the 11 persons that have served as the partys national chairman, only eight, including Mr Secondus, were elected into the office in substantive capacity. The three others served as interim chairmen. Except Ahmadu Ali who completed his four-year tenure in 2008, no other chairman, including the first, Solomon Lar, has seen out their term. The others are Barnabas Gemade, Audu Ogbeh, Vincent Ogubulafor, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Bamanga Tukur, and now Mr Secondus. Mr Secondus, who was suspended five months to the end of his four-year tenure, is the longest-serving, behind only Mr Ali. Messrs Ogbeh and Tukur held the seat for three years while the others did two years or less before being forced to resign. Going by the constitution of the PDP, Mr Secondus is entitled to seek another four-year term. But sources in the party hierarchy told PREMIUM TIMES that this is unlikely due to the influence of the forces against him in the party. Frosty relationship Like Mr Oshiomhole who was forced out of office as APC chairman by his protege-turned-rival and other party leaders, Mr Secondus political troubles are linked to his frosty relationship with Mr Wike, the man who handpicked him for the top seat four years ago. But Mr Secondus was not new to party positions. Before his election as PDP chairman in 2017, he had served two terms as the partys state chairman in Rivers, National Organising Secretary, deputy National Chairman (South), and acting National Chairman, following the resignation of Adamu Muazu in 2015. All these, many believe, he enjoyed with the support of his friend and longtime political ally, Mr Wike. Although the two continued to publicly deny reports of a rift between them, recent instances indicate the contrary. At the 60th birthday celebration of a former governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, in July, the Rivers State Governor publicly called Mr Secondus a liar who should not be trusted to continue running the PDP. He also blamed him for the crises in some state chapters of the party. Reacting to the public attack a few days later, Mr Secondus said he was not ready to join words with Mr Wike. But the Rivers governor persisted in his public rebuke of his partys national chairman. Everybody believed that whatever the national chairman was doing was dictated by Wike and must have the backing of Wike. I believe when you support somebody, support him to succeed. But when things are also going wrong, if you dont speak out, people will believe you are part of it. Therefore, I owe it as a duty to say things are not going right, Mr Wike said in August. Court Injunction A few days after that remark by the governor, the Rivers State High Court barred Mr Secondus from parading himself as PDP national chairman, having been suspended by his wards chapter of the party in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The court decision, coupled with the earlier resignation of seven national officials of the party, intensified the controversies around the party leadership and 2023 politicking. Can Northern allies save Secondus? The PDP is divided over which between North and South of Nigeria should produce the partys presidential candidate in 2023. Mr Secondus has found himself at the centre of that tempest. It is couched as a battle to determine the zoning formula of the party ahead of 2023. Zoning has become the most sensitive issue not only in the PDP but also in the APC as President Muhammadu Buhari nears the end of his final term in 2023. Southern state governors from across parties have repeatedly made a public demand for a southern president in 2023. But that does not seem to be swaying leaders of the PDP, even though the party has nine of the 17 southern state governors. After announcing October 30 and 31 as the dates for the National Convention, the PDP NEC, on Thursday, constituted the National Convention Organising Committee and Zoning Committee. The latter was tasked with recommending a zoning formula for National Working Committee (NWC) offices. If he retains the seat or is succeeded in the office by another member from the South, it would be an indication that those clamouring for the presidency to continue to reside in the North after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC are winning the war. From the list of known aspirants for the office, it appears the PDP is tilting towards electing another chairman from the south. Does this mean good news for Mr Secondus? Mr Secondus is believed to still enjoy the backing of the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Tambuwal, and some of his colleagues. This further shows the crack among erstwhile allies because Mr Wike in 2018 backed Mr Tambuwals presidential bid until he was beaten at the partys primaries by former vice president Atiku Abubakar. Following his nomination, Mr Abubakar worked very closely with Mr Secondus, a development which some analysts believe sowed the seed of mistrust between the suspended chairman and Mr Wike. It is not known whether Mr Abubakar will stand by Mr Secondus or follow the flow of popular opinion in the party on the chairmanship contest. Aside from the 2023 calculations, however, there are party leaders who are unimpressed by Mr Secondus leadership style. They believe he needs to be removed to save the party from implosion and increase its chances of electoral victory against the ruling APC in 2023. In a conversation with PREMIUM TIMES after the 93rd NEC meeting, a party leader dismissed Mr Secondus chances in the coming elections into the NWC offices. Against speculations that a larger number of state governors were behind the embattled chairman, the party chieftain said the body language of many of the party leaders show that although they may favour a northern presidential ticket, they are against Mr Secondus continuing in the office of national chairman. Many of us want a southern national chairman but definitely not Secondus. We want someone formidable to guide the sail of the party to victory, not losing what we already have. We are weighing our chances and Secondus is not in the equation if we really mean business to take over from this incompetent government in 2023. As you can see, we are one family again and we are ready to speak and act as one, the NEC member, who asked not to be named, told this journalist last Thursday. However, when quizzed on the chances of Mr Abubakar, emerging PDPs flag bearer again in 2023, the source did not offer a direct answer. You are a journalist, figure it out. Is the body language not obvious? the party chieftain said. Most of the members who have declared interest in Mr Secondus chair are southerners like himself, but from the Southwest. They include a former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former deputy national chairman of the party from Lagos, Olabode George and a former South-west National Vice Chairman, Eddy Olafeso. If any of these emerges victorious in the race at the end of October, it may do more than end the long career of Mr Secondus in the leadership of the PDP. It will also indicate that despite the clamour for power rotation in Nigeria, the PDP will be looking north for its next presidential candidate. A group of lawyers from various countries known as the International Lawyers Assisting Workers (ILAW) Network, has called on the Nigerian government to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with trade unions in the health sector, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). The lawyers, in a letter dated September 24, 2021 and addressed to Nigerias ministers of labour and employment, and health, Chris Ngige and Osagie Ehanire respectively, expressed their concerns over the poor treatment of doctors and other health workers in Nigeria. The group also accused the government of violating the striking doctors freedom to associate and justly demand fair treatment and improved welfare. Concerns In the letter, the lawyers said the government has failed to begin the implementation process of all agreements signed with the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), as well as three other affiliates in the health sector.. The letter reads in part; Beginning in August 2021, thousands of NARD members resumed their strike over long unpaid salaries, hazardous working conditions in hospitals, and insufficient hazard pay. Indeed, some doctors have not been paid or paid their full salaries since the COVID-19 pandemic began over a year ago. Further, the failure of the government to adopt appropriate safety measures to protect healthcare workers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), has already led to the death of almost two dozen NARD members. Nigerian doctors not alone The lawyers said healthcare workers across other nations have also had to down tools at one time or the other to protest poor welfare conditions, among other issues. The letter further reads in part; NARD members are not alone in resorting to collective action, as doctors and nurses in several other countries have also gone on strike, including in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Israel, South Korea, Spain, Peru and the United States. As in Nigeria, these healthcare workers protested unsafe working conditions (including the lack of PPE), poor salaries, inadequate government responses to the pandemic and the overall failure to properly resource healthcare systems. The lawyers said different MOUs signed had specific deadlines for implementation, including the payment of salary arrears, payment to the medical residency training fund, and a no victimisation clause. It, however, said the Nigerian government failed to meet those deadlines. Right to freedom The lawyers noted that the industrial courts judgment ordering all doctors back to work fails to address the doctors concerns. It said workers have the right to freedom of association and to organise, to bargain collectively, and to strike under Nigerian law. On September 17, the National Industrial Court granted an interlocutory injunction suspending the strike and ordering all doctors back to work. The Court cited the potential harm of the strike on public health and left the doctors concerns to be addressed at an undefined later date, it said. The network explained that NARD members are on strike because of lack of payment of wages and failure to provide a safe workplace, all of which are clearly protected objectives for a strike. It urged the federal government to fully implement all outstanding MOUs without further delay and to ensure the doctors resume work. NARD strike Resident doctors across public health facilities in Nigeria have been on strike for 53 days. The doctors cited several reasons, including delays in the payment of their salaries and allowances. The strike coincided with a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country, leaving many worried that it could have serious consequences for the battle against the third wave of the pandemic. NARD is demanding amongst other issues the payment of COVID-19 treatment allowances in the absence of death-in-service insurance, having lost over a dozen of its members to the pandemic, while also protesting the shortage of manpower in public hospitals. At the root of the strike action is the governments constant failure to honour the agreements reached with NARD over its demands. A meeting last month between the leaders of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), NARD, and government representatives also failed to resolve the issues after the striking doctors backed out at the last minute. Despite the National Industrial Court (NIC) ordering members of NARD to return to their duty posts, the doctors vowed to continue the strike until all demands are met. The NMA, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and the Medical and Dental Doctors in Academics (MEDSABAM) are also threatening to commence strike if the government fails to resolve the pending issues. About ILAW The group claims it unites over 670 workers rights lawyers from over 70 countries, including Nigeria. The ILAW Network is currently a project of the Solidarity Centre, a U.S.-based non-governmental organisation affiliated to the AFL-CIO and which is dedicated to the promotion of workers rights worldwide. Following frustration experienced by Nigerians visiting the United Kingdom over strict COVID-19 travelling protocols, the British High Commission on in Nigeria on Saturday said beginning from October 4, the rules will be relaxed. A statement credited to the high commissioner in Nigeria, Catriona Laing, also noted that reports suggesting that the COVID-19 vaccines administered in Nigeria are not approved by the UK are untrue. Ms Laing said the UK recognises the Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnsons and Johnsons vaccines used in Nigeria, irrespective of where they are manufactured. The statement reads in part: The UK is committed to global access to vaccines, and is among the largest funders to COVAX. The UK has donated 1.2 million vaccines specifically to Nigeria through COVAX and will continue to provide support. The UK strongly supports the work of the Nigerian health authorities and Nigerias vaccination campaign, and strongly encourages all eligible residents in Nigeria to get vaccinated. Only once we are all vaccinated can we end the spread of COVID-19. On travel restrictions Ms Laing said the UK authorities will soon simplify existing travel rules for Nigerians and other international visitors to the country. From October 4, 2021, the current system will be simplified. There will be a single red list of countries and territories where stricter rules apply, and there will also be a rest of the world list, with simplified travel measures. The official said the rest of the world list will include countries currently on the UKs amber list, such as Nigeria. She said the UK government is committed to opening up international travel while using its COVID-19 vaccination certification process to enable those wishing to enter the UK to do so safely. We know this matters hugely to many people in the UK and Nigeria the extensive people-people ties between our two countries are at the heart of our bilateral relationship. She also explained that travel rules are kept under regular review and people planning to travel to the UK should regularly check the latest information and requirements as set out on the www.gov.uk website. Background A recent Nigerian traveller who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES said on September 8, 2021, when he arrived the UK, he was made to undergo two COVID-19 tests on day 2 and day 8 of his arrival The traveller, who did not want to be named, said these tests were conducted on him even though he was still in isolation. Another Nigerian who is currently residing the UK but asked not to be named, expressed frustration over what he described as extortion of Africans by the UK government. You can imagine the frustrations of Nigerians visiting the UK. After taking two doses of vaccines in Nigeria, you are still made to pay for accommodation for isolation while you also pay for test. A friend of mine paid about 160 pounds sterling, an amount equivalent to about N120,000, just for testing, the source said. Students affected too Meanwhile, some Nigerians who recently returned to the UK for education purposes reportedly experienced difficulties over the protocols. Some of the returning students who had earlier received two shots of either Moderna or Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines said the protocols were frustrating. Nigeria reacts In a briefing last week, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, said Nigerian officials are in talks with the UK government. Mr Shuaib who was also reacting to the report of the new travel advisory said all the vaccines administered in Nigeria were recognised by the UK. He clarified that the UK in the past had three classifications for vaccination by countries green, amber and red of which Nigeria is on the amber list. Mr Shuaib said the new advisory would only see countries classified into two lists green and red and hopes that Nigeria maintains the status quo by not being restricted. Nigerias minister of health, Osagie Ehanire, has said 2000 Nigerian citizens have lost their lives to the coronavirus pandemic. Officially, 2,671 fatalities have been recorded in the country since the index case of the infection was detected in February, 2020. The minister also added that the pandemic has also affected the nations Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Mr Ehanire made the disclosure on Saturday at the South-south zonal town hall meeting on COVID-19 vaccination in Benin, Edo State capital. The minister noted that over 90 per cent of deaths recorded from COVID-19 in Nigeria are from unvaccinated persons. According to him, the government needs to vaccinate 70 per cent of the population to effectively curb the spread of the virus. The way out of this is to get vaccinated because those who have taken the vaccine have full protection while the unvaccinated are exposed to danger, he said. More from the event The town hall meeting was organised by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, in collaboration with The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Edo State government. Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Faisal Shuaib, also noted at the meeting that out of the 4,680,000 vaccinated Nigerians, about 1,865,127 were fully vaccinated with the two doses. I will like to encourage us to use our good offices to encourage eligible members of our community to visit the nearest designated health facility to receive the vaccine. All the vaccines are currently available in designated vaccination sites across the country and are safe and effective, he said. According to him, NPHCDA plans to gradually involve the private sector as sites for COVID-19 vaccination, adding that the federal government has set up a Joint Task Force on COVID-19 vaccine for monitoring and accountability in collaboration with the security agencies. Also speaking, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, said the state has so far vaccinated over 130,000 residents against the virus. The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Osaigbovo Iyokha, said the states target was to vaccinate 60 per cent of the population. (NAN) The Ekiti State Government on Friday announced it had discovered five suspected cases of cholera in Moba Local Government Area of the state. The discovery has heightened fears that the state may be set for an epidemic. At least 27 states and the FCT have been ravaged by cholera outbreak this year, leading to hundreds of deaths. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, a total of 2,404 persons have died of the disease since its outbreak in Nigeria this year. As of Week 36, which is within September, a total of 72,910 suspected cases were recorded in 27 states and the FCT and from 336 local government areas. The affected states are Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. In the current week 36, which is between September 6 and 12, a total of 23 persons died of the disease out of 1,182 suspected cases reported from 13 states. The suspected cases are in Bauchi (472), Katsina (194), Borno (106), Jigawa (95), Yobe (80), Kaduna (68), Adamawa (63), Sokoto (38), Gombe (34), Abia (13), Taraba (10), Ogun (8) and Niger (1). A statement in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, by the Commissioner for Health, Banji Filani, said the Ministry of Health had reinforced cholera surveillance, to pick up early any suspected case to mitigate the outbreak. Mr Filani also alerted the citizens about a possible outbreak of cholera in some local government areas of the state and cautioned them on proper hygiene in those susceptible areas and other parts of the state. On the 19th of September, 2021, five suspected cases of cholera were reported in Moba Local Government Area of the State. These cases were picked up by community informants and reported to the LGA health authorities who in turn reported to the State Ministry of health for proper investigation, he said. Given the risk of this outbreak escalating rapidly across the State, the Ministry of Health has commenced active case finding across all LGAs in the State. State surveillance teams have been deployed to support the outbreak response at the LGA level. These teams are actively searching for and investigating suspected cases in health facilities, informal treatment centres and within communities. This is in line with earlier developed emergency operations plan to tackle a possible cholera outbreak in the State. Mr Filani maintained that the state was also leveraging on the capacity that has been built during the COVID-19 response to handle the present situation, assuring that the government is on red alert to tame the disease. Cholera is a preventable and treatable epidemic-prone disease that is transmitted by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. The number of cholera cases tends to increase during the rainy season and the risk of death from cholera is very high when treatment is delayed, he said. READ ALSO: Hence, it is very important to visit a health facility if symptoms of cholera such as watery diarrhoea and vomiting are observed. The State Government urges members of the public to be aware of the risk of the disease. He advised that residents should boil and store water in clean and safe containers before drinking, while food should be cooked and stored safely. He said people should wash hands frequently with soap under clean running water especially after defecation and before handling food or eating, as well as avoid open defecation and indiscriminate refuse dumping. Visit a health facility immediately, if symptoms of cholera such as watery diarrhoea and vomiting are observed. Notify the health authorities in your community if you know someone with the above-mentioned symptoms, said Mr Filani. The commissioner directed the health workers to be conscious of the happenings and maintain rapid response in discovery of suspected cases, while also observing standard protocols for infection prevention and control. Support by the United States of America has made a great difference in Nigerias efforts to stamp out terrorism within its borders, President Muhammadu Buhari has said. Meeting Friday in New York with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Permanent Representative of America to the United Nations, the president indicated that Americas support was a morale booster to the military, and people of Nigeria in general. With supply of the Super Tucano aircraft purchased from America, and other helicopters on the way, President Buhari said ending the security challenges in Nigeria was only a matter of time. On how the country was able to mitigate the scourge of the coronavirus pandemic, of which the ambassador said the Delta variant was very virulent, the Nigerian leader disclosed that a special team was raised by the federal government, which in conjunction with states, educated people on safety methods, and we are not doing badly vis-a-vis our population. He said coronavirus does not discriminate between small and big, rich and poor countries, so we all have to collaborate and work together. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said about 70 per cent of her work at the UN center on Africa, and expressed worry about the recent military takeover in Mali and Guinea. In his response, President Buhari said leaders have to respect their people, part of which is to obey the term-limit clauses in their Constitution. I am surprised when people spend the maximum term possible, and then tinker with the Constitution, to stay longer. In Nigeria, we try to educate our people to appreciate the democratic system. Elections should be safe and secure, no coercion of any form. People should elect the people they want. That would grow democracy, he said. On climate change, President Buhari said the impact had been badly felt in the Lake Chad basin area, with more than 30 million people affected, deprived of access to fishing, farming, animal husbandry, and causing irregular migration and other anti-social acts. The president then canvassed concerted action on inter-basin water transfer from Congo basin to the Lake Chad. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) September 24, 2021 Ron DeSantis, Florida Governor, U.S. has appointed a Nigerian-American, Joseph Ladapo, as Florida Surgeon-General and Secretary of the Department of Health. Mr DeSantis in a statement posted on the Florida Department of Health website, stated that he was pleased to announce Mr Ladapo for the position. I am pleased to announce that Ladapo will lead the Florida department of health as our states next surgeon-general. Ladapo comes to us by way of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, with a superb background. According to him, Mr Ladapo has had both a remarkable academic and medical career with a strong emphasis in health policy research. The governor said: Ladapo will bring great leadership to the department of health, thanking both Dr Scott Rivkees and Dr Shamarial Roberson for their hard work on behalf of all Floridians. Lieutenant-Governor, Jeanette Nunez described Mr Ladapos as, an excellent choice to serve as our next surgeon general. READ ALSO: Ladapo has impeccable credentials and a strong vision to effectively serve the people of Florida at the helm of our public health agency. Through his service to our state, we will continue Floridas work to advance our public health goals, Mr Nunez said. Mr Ladapo said he is honored to have been chosen by DeSantis to serve as Floridas next surgeon-general. We must make health policy decisions rooted in data and not in fear. From California, I have observed the different approaches taken by governors across the country and I have been impressed by DeSantis leadership and determination, he said. The new surgeon-general said he was impressed by DeSantis leadership to ensure that Floridians were afforded all opportunities to maintain their health and wellness, while preserving their freedoms as Americans. It is a privilege to join his team and serve the people of Florida, he said. Mr Ladapo was recently granted a professorship at the University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine. Prior to joining UF, he served as an associate professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), caring for hospitalised patients. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University, who also holds an MD from Harvard Medical School and a PhD in Health Policy from Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. (NAN) The war crimes trial of Gibril Massaquoi took a dramatic turn on Friday when a defence witness accused top human rights advocate Hassan Bility of bribing him and other witnesses to lie about Mr Massaquois actions in the civil war. The first witness 48, codenamed L1 to protect his identity, said Mr Bility offered him $US16,000 him to lie against Mr Massaquoi, the former Revolutionary United Front commander, on trial by the court in Finland for crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Liberias civil war. He also claimed Mr Billity wanted him to lie about two other convictions in international courts that Mr Billity had been instrumental in securing. He told me, since I fought the war and did not get money, they [international authorities] will give you money and asylum. He wanted me to go and testify against one Gibril, Jungle Jabbah and Alieu Kosiah, L1 told the four-judge panel hearing testimony in a secret location in Monrovia referring to combatants found guilty in earlier trials in the U.S. and Europe. He told me to lie on the man and say he entered Liberia and raped and open peoples stomach because he fought war. He gave me US$ 200.00 and said he was going to pay me $US16,000 and give me $4,000 advance. L1 later said Mr. Bility had also recruited people to falsely implicate Agnes Taylor in her war crimes case in the United Kingdom. But the claims were immediately countered by an explosive prosecution revelation that the witness had exchanged WhatsApp messages with Alan White, the former chief investigator for the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Allen White texted me but my phone spoiled and I just bought a new one, so when I open my WhatsApp, I will show you the messages, said the witness. Chief Prosecutor Tom Laitinen surprised L1 by producing the WhatsApp messages. He quoted a message from White to the witness on April 21, 2021: I understand you spoke to the defense counsel of Massaquoi, said Dr. White in the message presented to the court as evidence. Can you provide names and number of witnesses you spoke to? Also, were there witnesses present and heard your conversation with Bility when he asked you to lie against Massaquoi and Agnes Reeves for an asylum for you and your wife in Europe? L1 became visibly uncomfortable at this revelation. His feet shook and he shifted repeatedly in his chair. Mr Laitinen asked how Mr White knew he had spoken with Massaquois defense lawyer. The arms we took to fight, we were very united, the witness said. When Mr. Laitenen asked what fighting had to do with the question, L1 replied, poverty can make you to do a lot of things. The mention of Mr White has added another twist in a trial that has already taken several unexpected turns. Dr White has been highly critical of the Finnish courts decision to prosecute Mr. Massaquoi. In an article earlier this year Dr White said, Accepting a relocated witness with knowledge of his past and pursuing prosecution twelve years later is a politically damaging action that will impact future war crimes prosecutions. I am deeply concerned about the motives and reasons behind this investigation and prosecution. But Dr Whites motives are now under scrutiny. As head of the investigations of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Massaquoi was under Dr Whites watch during the period June to August 2003 when he was in a safehouse in Freetown protected by UN guards as Mr Massaquoi dished out damaging information that would help convict his former allies including then-President Charles Taylor. A central question of this phase of the trial is whether Mr Massaquoi was able to escape the Freetown safehouse to travel to Liberia to commit war crimes on behalf of Taylor as dozens of witnesses have testified in this trial. Dr White has been called to testify in Mr Massaquois trial but has yet to make himself available to the court. Dr Whites name also came up in Liberia last week when Foreign Lobby Report, a U.S. media outlet, revealed that Dr. White had registered on the U.S. foreign agent registry as a lobbyist for a new organization, Liberian Renaissance Office Inc. a coalition of Liberian opposition political parties. The outlet claimed Dr. Whites company was paid $180,000 to lobby U.S. politicians on the opposition parties behalf. Prosecution cross examination revealed more inconsistencies in L1s testimony. He gave different dates for his meeting with Bility in court and in police interviews in 2020. L1 told the court that despite Bilitys alleged enticement to lie the witness could not go through with it. L1 said he took $US200 from Bility but refused to go further with the deal which he claimed would require him to travel to Ghana to rehearse his testimony with other witnesses. I did not get the $4,000 advance because I did not go to Ghana but he gave me $200 as my transportation, said L1. L1 claimed that Bility told him he took Milton Blayee, known as General Butt Naked during the war, to Ghana with others. But when contacted for a response on Friday Blayee, a reverend, denied the accusation. I do not know anybody by the name Hassan Bility, nor can I even place the face to the name, neither have I sat in one room with him, said Rev. Blayee by phone. Quote me, the witness is lying on me. I can even stand on television and say what I am saying. I was in Ghana 2006 and left since 2007 when my wife and children came to join me in Liberia, but I have never gone to testify against any General outside of Liberia. Mr Bility is the director of the Global Justice and Research, which worked with the Swiss organization Civitas Maxima to gather evidence that persuaded prosecutors in Finland, where Massaquoi was living as part of an immunity deal with the Special Court for Sierra Leone, to investigate his role in the Liberian wars. The two organizations have been instrumental in the convictions of Mohammed Jabbateh, Thomas Woewiyu and Alieu Kosiah by international courts for their roles in the Liberian war. They have also played key roles in the arrests of Martina Johnson, Agnes Taylor and last weeks civil ruling against Moses Thomas, the former Armed Forces of Liberia commander found to have ordered the 1990 Lutheran Church massacre. Mr Bility has been the target of an apparently coordinated campaign in some local Liberian media outlets that have made the allegations of bribery and accused Bility of having a role with Ulimo. L1 repeated that second claim in his testimony Friday saying he had met Bility twenty years ago as a liaison recruiting people to fight for Ulimo, the rebel group made up of Mandingo and Krahn fighters. Bility recruited many of us to go fight at Po River, and he was encouraging us and saying the only way Mandingoes could get their liberty was if we go and fight, he said. The two organisations have long dismissed the allegations as baseless and a lie. Earlier this year Alain Werner of Civitas Maxima told Front Page Africa, For years alleged war criminal commanders associated with ULIMO, NPFL and other factions have been united together in denying any crime, and also accusing Civitas Maxima and the Global Justice and Research Project of committing themselves criminal acts to subvert the course of justice in its attempt to find justice for victims of war crimes committed in Liberia. We have never answered any of these specific baseless accusations made over and over against us because we believe it should for judges to evaluate evidence, and any accusation against us should be made in court, not in newspapers. The accusation that Bility has bribed witnesses may have implications beyond this case if found true by the Finnish court. More than 200 witnesses have testified in trials and cases against accused Liberian combatants in the U.S. and Europe over the last six years. Those verdicts may be called into question. But the very fact that so many witnesses have testified and persuaded juries and judges in several jurisdictions may convince the Finnish judges that L1s accusation is unlikely to be true. A second witness, called by the prosecution and codenamed Z2, added to evidence given by more than a dozen witnesses in this hearing claiming they saw Massaquoi committing crimes in Waterside market in Monrovia between June and August 2003. He told of one incident where there was shooting in the parking square on Water Street and Massaquoi ally, General Salome, told them there was heavy shooting going on. Salome said he received an order from Angel Gabriel, [Massaquois alleged war name] that if anyone was found looting, they should be executed, said Z2. Just within that time, we saw some women crying. And they said the Aggbah boys opened fire and killed people in the biscuit store. When we got there, we met many people dead. But they had carried some people around the bridge area had already executed seven people, then Glassco called Yeaten and they went upstairs. We started arguing with Salome and others then Yeaten came down and gave them some money and told us to leave it, he was going to settle it. The trial continues on Monday. This story was a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Justice Reporting Project. We have permission to republish content. Nigerias Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said he foresees Akwa Ibom becoming a leading industrialised state in the country. Mr Osinbajo said this on Thursday in Uyo where he inaugurated some infrastructural projects, including a 21-storey building, undertaken by Governor Udom Emmanuels administration. The projects inauguration was done to mark the 34th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State. Just last month, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the Lagos-Calabar rail project, which will pass through Uyo as a major station, and at the end of last year, FEC also approved the full business case for the Ibom Deep Sea Port. These infrastructural developments are set to establish Akwa Ibom as a major industrial hub, not just in Nigeria, but in the West African sub region, Mr Osinbajo said. The Ibom Deep Sea Port is a $4.2 billion project owned jointly by the Nigerian government and the Akwa Ibom State Government. It is to be built on over 2,565 hectres of land. The vice president said Governor Emmanuels industrialisation in the state was on course. When I was here in 2019, we commissioned the Kings Flour Mills, Lions Plywood and Timber Factory and the power substation. Since then, you have done far more and you have even launched an airline, Ibom Air, which has become the gold standard nationally for promptness and efficient service, the vice president said while addressing the governor. He said the Akwa Ibom State Government was consistently reinventing itself to remain competitive and attractive to the investment community. Mr Osinbajo said the federal government was investing huge resources on infrastructure development. As you are aware, since the inception of our administration Mr President has prioritised the development of infrastructure roads, rail, power and broadband and despite the severe economic headwinds we have experienced in the past six years, we have invested more than any other administration in infrastructure, he said. As of last year, we had expended over N7.6 trillion on infrastructure alone. Governor Emmanuel, who thanked Mr Osinbajo for honouring Akwa Iboms invitation, described the vice president as the pride of Nigeria. The 2022 deadline set for the completion of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) projects being undertaken by the Lagos State Government remains sacrosanct, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Saturday. The governor defied the rain for a physical assessment of the progress made in the construction of both Blue and Red Lines, inspecting the rail corridors to evaluate the ongoing work. The inspection came five months after Mr Sanwo-Olu performed the groundbreaking ceremony to kick off the construction of the 37-kilometer-long Red Line, which starts from Agbado and terminates at Oyingbo. The Blue Line project, which started in 2010, is currently at over 80 per cent completion. It starts from Marina and will run till Okokomaiko. The rail projects are being undertaken by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), an agency under the Ministry of Transportation. The Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladehinde, and other members of the States cabinet joined the governor in the inspection that started at the Ikeja Terminal of the Red Line project. Mr Sanwo-Olu, visibly elated by the progress of work, said the take-off of the Red Line project represented a major breakthrough for his administration in its drive to deliver an integrated transportation model that would ease road congestion in the State. We are excited about the ongoing rail projects being undertaken by the Lagos State Government and there is a huge number of jobs being provided to Nigerians engaged by the contractor at all stages of the construction work, he said. There are over a thousand personnel working at the Marina Terminal alone. We are happy with the extent of work on both projects. What we have seen at the Ikeja Station, which is the second biggest station after the one being built at Marina, gives us so much hope that the projects are on course. Based on the physical assessment, we are believing that the timelines set for the completion of major engineering work are on track. We are also believing that our contractor is working on schedule. Although there are few hiccups, we believe we will be able to address and surmount them. By the last quarter of 2022, we hope that trains would move on both corridors. And by 2023, we expect to see the full operation of both Blue and Red Lines. Mr Sanwo-Olu said henceforth, there would be quarterly assessment and monitoring of the two projects. By doing this, he said the State Government would avoid the pitfalls that stalled the progress of the Blue Line prior to his administration. There are six overpasses being constructed at strategic level crossing points along the Red Line corridor to eliminate interactions between the rail tracks, vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The governor also stopped at Yaba Terminal of the Red Line, assessing the work done. He later moved to the Oyingbo Train Terminus, where construction was at the third level toward completion. There will be a stabling extension from Oyingbo to Iddo, which would be used as a parking lot for the train. The Marina Terminus of the Blue Line, which will be an elevated station, would be a transportation hub that would offer intermodal transportation services. At Marina Station, not only are we building rail tracks, underneath we will have a bus station as well for the BRT and First-and-Last Mile buses. There will also be a ferry service at the Marina Station for those who want to travel through the waterways, Mr Sanwo-Olu said. The governor hailed the Chinese contractor for the speed of the construction but said there was a need for knowledge and skill transfer in order to retain the engineering skills brought into the projects by the Chinese contractor. Mr Sanwo-Olu directed engagement of engineering students at the State-owned Lagos State University (LASU), University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) through internship programme to enable them to have practical knowledge of rail construction. More people have been abducted in Mali in the first eight months of 2021 than in any other year documented by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). The country has seen 935 incidents since 2017, including 318 since January this year, says the conflict monitoring organisation. United Nations figures broadly confirm this trend. But while kidnappings are on the rise, they seem to go relatively unnoticed, despite intense media and international scrutiny of violence in the country. Although the problem is not new in Mali, the increase in frequency reflects the interests of those driving conflict. And while victims were mostly foreigners in the past, now Malians face the greatest risk. Abductions are carried out for different reasons and by a variety of perpetrators. Unsurprisingly, many cases are attributed to jihadist groups (46.6 per cent between January 2012 and July 2021), according to ACLED. They use this tactic to isolate communities from the government and the outside world, and stifle any sign of local resistance. Hostages are also used as leverage to bargain with the authorities. Militias and community self-defence groups are also responsible for kidnappings (17.6 per cent of cases over the same period). This is sometimes in retaliation against those they suspect of being involved in violence against a particular community. A total of 33.1 per cent of all kidnappings are committed by unidentified armed groups. This suggests that much better information is needed to accurately determine who is involved and what drives their actions. According to ACLED, most incidents occur in areas heavily affected by other forms of violence, especially in rural central Mali, where the government has a limited presence (Figure 1). Attacks are common along road and river routes, making it even harder for those living far from urban centres to reach basic social services. These same people already endure poor road conditions and the threat of explosive devices along the way. Source: ACLED, OCHA-HDX, SWAC-OECD & Natural Earth Abduction trends in Mali have evolved over the years. From the early 2000s, the northern desert part of the country which the central state has historically struggled to control gained notoriety as a hide-out for captives. Foreign hostages taken from Mali or neighbouring countries were held there by jihadist groups waiting for ransom payments. The money helped fund violent insurrections, particularly the jihadist movement. Paradoxically, the deteriorating security situation since 2012 has led to a decline in foreigner abductions, as embassies discourage travellers from visiting high-risk areas. Since the release of the former Malian opposition leader Soumaila Cisse along with three European captives in October 2020, some assumed hostage-taking was on the wane. And yet the attacks persist. In April 2021, French journalist Olivier Dubois, who has lived in Mali for many years, was kidnapped in Gao. His abduction was a reminder of jihadists ransom strategy that provided an income stream and a way to reclaim fighters in prisoner exchanges in open defiance of the government. In some cases, foreigners have been targeted as a result of power struggles within jihadist groups. Evidence pointed to this in the abductions of Colombian nun Gloria Cecilia Narvaez by Katiba Macina in 2017 and humanitarian worker Sophie Petronin by al-Qaeda affiliates in 2016. At the time, trophy hostages allowed kidnappers to position themselves within the hierarchy of the emerging coalition. The epicentre of Malis kidnapping crisis has shifted in recent years from the north to the centre (Figure 2). Sixty-two per cent of abductions recorded by ACLED since 2017 have taken place in the central Mopti and Segou regions. This change mirrors the expansion of the security crisis since the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation was signed. The deal provided a political framework to manage northern Malis conflict but failed to anticipate the deteriorating situation in the centre. Source: ACLED With this geographic shift, the profile of victims has also changed, with Malians being increasingly selected for attack. According to ACLED, 97 per cent of civilians abducted since 2012 are locals. This trend is particularly pronounced in the countrys central regions, and local humanitarian aid workers are among the most common targets. Other primary victims include village chiefs, religious leaders and journalists, who are mainly singled out because of their influence over communities. Local administration officials, police and soldiers, and civil servants are also targeted to further weaken the central governments presence in some areas and secure ransom payments. The international media rarely cover the kidnapping of locals. Some prominent cases, such as the abduction of the magistrate Soungalo Kone in 2017 by Katiba Macina, made national headlines. But the incidents occur so frequently that many go unnoticed both in Mali and beyond. Given the scale of the problem, the narrative around the Malian crisis clearly needs to be revised. Better data is also vital. This would shed light on the hidden aspects of the conflict, such as kidnappings, and inform policy responses. Lessons can also be learned from the countrys experience of managing hostage crises. Negotiations for the release of captives show the existence of communication channels that could be effectively used to engage in dialogue with insurgents. Over the years, the Malian public has repeatedly called for discussions with jihadist groups. This could be a way out of a crisis that cannot be resolved by military action alone. It is also essential that hostages who are rescued receive the psycho-social support they need to rebuild their lives. Ornella Moderan, Head, Sahel Programme, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Bamako; Jose Luengo Cabrera, Data Analyst, Tenerife; and Boubacar Diallo, Journalist, Bamako This article was produced with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). Hours after the United Nations Food Summit was held in New York, Nestle, a Switzerland owned food and beverage company, announced its intention to invest N535 billion in regenerative agriculture food systems. Nestle currently operates a large investment in 22 countries including Nigeria with its country headquarters located in Ilupeju, Lagos State, and its factories sited in Agbara and Sagamu interchange on Lagos-Ibadan road in Ogun State. In a statement issued by the company shortly after participating in the summit, its chairman, Paul Bulcke, disclosed that the food company will be investing 1.2 billion in Swiss Francs over the next five years. The effort, Mr Bulcke noted, will spark regenerative agriculture across the companys supply chain, using three primary levers to help farmers adopt regenerative practices. Based on Nigerias exchange rate of N444.98 per Franc on Friday, the CHF1.2b is equivalent to N535 billion Nigerian Naira. According to the release, the levers include applying state-of-the-art science and technology, providing technical assistance, offering investment support and paying premiums for regenerative agricultural goods. The statement hinted that the transition to a regenerative food system aims to protect and restore the environment, improve the livelihoods of farmers and enhance the well-being of farming communities. The statement reads in part; Nestle will work with its food system partners, including the companys network of more than 500,000 farmers and 150,000 suppliers, to advance regenerative farming practices at the heart of the food system. As part of this journey, the company will also initiate new programs to help address the social and economic challenges of the transition, Explaining further, the company noted that the step was taken as part of Nestles contribution to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 as well as follow the recent report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that shows the climate crisis is intensifying. Mr Bulcke added; We know that regenerative agriculture plays a critical role in improving soil health, restoring water cycles and increasing biodiversity for the long term. These outcomes form the foundation of sustainable food production and, crucially, also contribute to achieving our ambitious climate targets. Also speaking, Nestles chief executive officer, Mark Schneider, said: Today, Nestle published the most important regenerative farming practices that the company wants to promote. They include, among others, enhancement of biodiversity, soil conservation, regeneration of water cycles and integration of livestock. Agriculture accounts for nearly two-thirds of Nestles total greenhouse gas emissions, with dairy and livestock making up about half of that. Nestle is assessing cutting-edge science and technology to reduce emissions at farm level, he said. About the UN food summit Under the leadership of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the UN Food Systems Summit was held on September 23. The completely virtual event was positioned to serve as a historic opportunity to empower all people to leverage the power of food systems to drive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and get countries back on track to achieve all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Over the past 18 months, the summit has brought together all UN Member States and constituencies around the world including thousands of youth, food producers, indigenous peoples, civil society, researchers, private sector, and the UN system to bring about tangible, positive changes to the worlds food systems. Regenerative agriculture According to frontiersin.org, a sustainable food system website, regenerative agriculture is an alternative means of producing food that may have lower or even net positive environmental or social impacts. It is a system of farming principles and practices that seek to rehabilitate and enhance the entire ecosystem of the farm by placing a heavy premium on soil health with attention also paid to water management, fertilizer use, and more. It is a method of farming that improves the resources it uses, rather than destroying or depleting them. Regenerative agriculture has recently received significant attention from producers, retailers, researchers, and consumers, as well as politicians and the mainstream media. Some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have condemned an alleged alteration of list of party officials in the area. The condemnation was a fallout from the recently conducted ward congress of the party, particularly in Bwari Area Council. Ibrahim Abubakar, speaking for the stakeholders, alleged that after the successful ward congress on August 14, the final list was altered and replaced with names of individuals who were not part of the exercise. He cited Usuma and Kubwa wards, where the lists were altered and several names replaced. He added that such a fraudulent act of alteration contravened the partys constitution and posed a threat to the unity of the ruling party ahead of the 2023 polls. He urged the FCT chairman of the party to take urgent steps to address the anomaly. The ward congress here was monitored by officials of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and security personnel, and the results were known to all. It is sad that a final list of excluding names of successful executive members, and replaced with some strange names, can be circulated as the final list. Article 21 of our party constitution states that offenders in cases of alteration of lists, falsification of results or tampering with internal democracy shall be liable to prosecution and expulsion from the party. Something similar played out in 2018 as we prepared for the 2019 elections, and it affected our performance in that election here in the FCT. We should not allow history to repeat itself, he said. He called on party members in the affected wards to remain loyal to the party while efforts were made to resolve the issue. Efforts to get reaction of the State Chairman of the party in the FCT, Abdulmalik Usman, were not successful as repeated calls to his mobile phone were not answered. The chairman also did not reply to a text message asking for his reaction. (NAN) The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says 4,680,000 Nigerians have so far been vaccinated against COVID-19 . The Executive Director /Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this during the South-south zonal town hall meeting on COVID-19 vaccination on Saturday in Benin. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the town hall meeting was organised by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, in collaboration with NPHCDA and the Edo government. Mr Shuaib noted that out of the 4,680,000 million vaccinated Nigerians, about 1,865,127 were fully vaccinated with the two doses. He stated that the figure was below the nations target adding that the threats posed by the virus could prevent the country from returning to normal living. I will like to encourage us to use our good offices to encourage eligible members of our community to visit the nearest designated health facility to receive the vaccine. All the vaccines are currently available in designated vaccination sites across the country and are safe and effective, he said. According to him, in the course of the next few weeks, NPHCDA plans to gradually involve the private sector as sites for COVID-19 vaccination. Mr Shuaib, however, disclosed that the Federal Government had set up a Joint Task Force on COVID-19 vaccine for monitoring and accountability in collaboration with the security agencies. Earlier, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire said the town hall was organised to discuss COVID-19 vaccination, address mutual concerns and reach a consensus to ensure citizens were safe and protected against the deadly coronavirus. Mr Ehanire, said Nigeria had so far lost 2000 of her citizens to COVID-19, adding that the virus had also affected the nations GDP. According to him, the government needs to vaccinate 70 per cent of the population to effectively curb the spread of the virus. The way out off this is to get vaccinated because those who have taken the vaccine have full protection while the unvaccinated are exposed to danger, he said He disclosed that the Federal Government was working with the private sector for the production of vaccine in the country. According to the minister, records have shown that over 90 per cent of deaths recorded from COVID-19 are from unvaccinated persons. Also speaking, Governor Godwin Obaseki said the state had so far vaccinated over 130,000 residents against the virus. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Osaigbovo Iyokha, Obaseki said the state target was to vaccinate 60 per cent of the population. (NAN) The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, Echeng Echeng, has ordered an investigation into the death of a 27-year-old robbery suspect, Goodluck Oviekeme, while in police custody. Police spokesperson in Bayelsa, Asinmi Butswat, disclosed this in a statement in Yenagoa on Saturday. Mr Butswat, a superintendent of police, said preliminary investigation showed that the deceased was the mastermind of an attack on a police patrol team. He was arrested in connection with an alleged armed robbery incident that occurred on September 21 at Biogbolo, Yenagoa, where some hoodlums were said to have attacked a police patrol team and reportedly injured an inspector, Ugbotor Sunday and carted away his rifle. Oviekeme was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at about 3 a.m., and while in police custody he was observed to be running a high temperature and was rushed to the hospital where he eventually died. READ ALSO: The Commissioner of Police condoles with the family of the deceased and assures the general public that investigation had begun and the outcome would be made public, Mr Butswat said. The commissioner of police has directed that an autopsy be conducted to determine the cause of death. Meanwhile, Biogbolo community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa have condemned the arrest and unlawful detention of people from the community by the police. The Paramount Ruler of the community, Michael Ibu, said some residents of the community who were arrested on Tuesday have been detained since without being charged to court, and that no reason has been given for their arrest. He said the police have prevented members of the community from having access to those detained. The community is deeply concerned about the well-being of its members, the paramount ruler said, while calling on the governor of the state and other political leaders to intervene in the matter. On his part, the Chairman, Community Development Committee, Omosinivi Ogbara, said the Biogbolo community has been working with the police to ensure that the area is secured. He, however, wondered why the police would arrest members of the community without stating their offence or charge them to court. The youths in the community also condemned the arrest and called for the unconditional release of the arrested residents. (NAN) Two persons were killed on Saturday when a Toyota Sienna car rammed into some commuters on the Lagos-Abeokuta Highway. Seven other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the accident. The spokesperson of the Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta. Mr Akinbiyi said the Sienna marked KRD 900 GV, also hit a brown Ford car marked AAB 439 XB and a yellow tricycle, with registration number AKM 791 VP. The accident was caused by excessive speeding and loss of control on the part of the Toyota Sienna driver, he said. READ ALSO: The TRACE spokesperson noted that the accident involved 10 persons; five of them male. According to eyewitness reports, the Toyota Sienna driver was on top speed and in the drivers attempt to avoid a ditch, he lost control and ran into commuters waiting by the roadside to board a bus to their destinations. In the process, two persons died, a minor (whose mother survived the accident) and an old man, while seven other commuters were injured, with one person escaping unhurt. The driver of the Toyota Sienna has been arrested and taken to Itori Divisional Police Station with the vehicles involved in the crash, Mr Akinbiyi said. He added that the injured were taken to nearby General Hospital, Ifo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital. (NAN) "Hospitals are places of hope and healing," said Sohail. Tweet this Orange Nasso Hospital Akkar Governmental Hospital Siblin Governmental Hospital Dar Assalam Hospital Al Hamshari Hospital Der Al Saleeb Hospital Al Makassed Hospital Dar Al Ajaza Hospital Al Tabbaneh Polyclinic Ankoun Polyclinic Al Nahda Polyclinic According to Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal, a significant number of patients at these facilities struggle with chronic illnesses as well as acute diseases such as COVID-19. "Hospitals are places of hope and healing," said Sohail. "It's just not right that people suffer or even die because a hospital runs out of oxygen or other medical supplies." Approximately 33 percent of Lebanese households do not have access to healthcare, and more than half are unable to obtain medicine, according to a UN study by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. Eighty-two percent of the Lebanese population has fallen into poverty since 2019 one of the sharpest declines in modern times. The Lebanese currency has depreciated by more than 90 percent, and food prices have surged 557 percent according to the World Food Programme. The World Bank recently declared that the country is "likely to rank in the top 10, possibly top three, most severe crisis episodes globally since the mid-nineteenth century." Baitulmaal was on the ground in Lebanon shortly after the August 4, 2020, explosion, helping to clear debris, feed the hungry and help the homeless. Since then, Baitulmaal began reconstructing homes and buildings and provided over 2 million meals to impoverished families in Lebanon. In addition to this $1.1 million medical shipment, Baitulmaal previously sent $1.2 million in medical supplies and hard-to-find medications to hospitals in Beirut. Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides lifesaving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Dallas, the charity has offices in Kenya, Somalia, Jordan and Pakistan. Media Contact: John M. Janney, APR [email protected] (972) 823-0136 Photos available at https://baitulmaal.org/1-1-million-medical-shipment-distributed-in-lebanon/ SOURCE Baitulmaal, Inc. Related Links https://baitulmaal.org Many of Yemen's hospitals have been depleted of the necessary medical equipment and supplies required to address the healthcare needs of a population suffering high levels of malnutrition and disease outbreaks such as cholera, according to Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal. "Without basic healthcare, an illness like cholera can kill," said Sohail. "Thanks to our donors, thousands of lives are likely going to be saved by just having the supplies that they may have otherwise gone without." Yemen's humanitarian situation remains the worst in the world, according to the United Nations. An estimated 24 million people out of a population of 29 million are in need of healthcare support, while less than half of Yemen's healthcare facilities are still operational. Since 2018, Baitulmaal has sent over $10.6 million in aid that provided meals, antibiotics, medical supplies, and hygiene kits to Yemen. If you would like to learn more about or contribute to the emergency aid programs at Baitulmaal, please visit their website at baitulmaal.org. Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides lifesaving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Dallas, the charity has offices in Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit as well as international offices in Jordan, Kenya and Pakistan. Media Contact: John M. Janney, APR [email protected] (972) 823-0136 Photos available at https://baitulmaal.org/4-6-million-in-medical-supplies-distributed-in-yemen/ SOURCE Baitulmaal, Inc. Related Links https://baitulmaal.org Risk Statement: Severe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes, if not reversed, can potentially cause adverse health consequences ranging from transient, minor complaints to neurological damage, seizures, and even death if not promptly treated. Associated with the one product complaint, it was reported to Lilly that the involved patient experienced lack of drug effect and also reported subsequent seizures. Glucagon Emergency Kit is used as an anti-hypoglycemic agent and a gastrointestinal motility inhibitor indicated for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in pediatric and adult patients with diabetes mellitus. The product is packaged in a kit containing 1mg of freeze-dried (lyophilized) product in a 3 mL vial and a pre-filled diluent syringe. The affected Glucagon Emergency Kit lot is D239382D and the expiration date is April 2022 (label expiry date: 04 2022). The lot number can be found on the label of the kit as well as the vial (refer to the photos provided). The lot was distributed nationwide to wholesalers and retailers. Lilly is deeply committed to manufacturing high-quality medicines for patients who need them, and the safety and quality of our products is our highest priority. We take our obligations seriously and have rigorous quality systems in place to ensure compliance with stringent regulatory requirements. Lilly is notifying its distributors and customers by written communication and is arranging for return and replacement of all recalled products. Wholesalers and Distributors with an existing inventory of Glucagon Emergency Kit lot D239382D should cease distribution and quarantine the product immediately. Instructions for Wholesalers and Pharmacists If you have distributed the recalled product, please notify any accounts or additional locations which may have received product from the recalled lot from you. Please conduct a sub-recall to those accounts and communicate this recall information immediately. Please request they immediately cease distribution of the product and promptly contact Sedgwick at 877-907-7032 (Interactive Voice Recording), 877-884-9410 (Fax), or [email protected] (Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm ET) to obtain a Business Reply Card (BRC) to initiate the return process. Instructions for Consumers Consumers in possession of Glucagon Emergency Kit lot D239382D should contact The Lilly Answers Center at 1-800-LILLYRX (1-800-545-5979) for return and replacement instructions for the product (hours of operation are Monday- Friday, 9AM 7PM EST) and should contact their health care provider for guidance. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product. Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax. Complete and submit the report Online : www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm : www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178 This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Purpose and Safety Summary Important Facts About GLUCAGON (GLOO-ka-gon). It is also known as glucagon for injection. GLUCAGON is a prescription medicine used to treat very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) in people with diabetes mellitus, and to stop movement in the intestines in people receiving radiology exams. Warnings Do not use GLUCAGON if: you have a tumor in the gland on top of your kidneys (adrenal gland) called a pheochromocytoma. you have a tumor in your pancreas called an insulinoma. you have a tumor in your pancreas called a glucagonoma because it could cause low blood sugar when used for your radiology exam. you are allergic to glucagon or lactose or any of the ingredients in GLUCAGON. GLUCAGON may cause serious side effects, including: High blood pressure. GLUCAGON can cause high blood pressure in certain people with tumors in their adrenal glands. Low blood sugar. GLUCAGON can cause certain people with tumors in their pancreas to have low blood sugar. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include sweating, blurred vision, abnormal behavior, drowsiness, hunger, lightheadedness, dizziness, slurred speech, unsteady movement, sleep disturbances, restlessness, inability to concentrate, irregular heartbeat, depressed mood, personality changes, anxiety, tingling in the hands, feet, lips or tongue, headache, tremor, and irritability. Very low blood sugar can cause confusion, seizures, passing out (loss of consciousness), and death. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to tell if you have low blood sugar and what to do if this happens while using GLUCAGON. Know your symptoms of low blood sugar. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for treating low blood sugar. Serious allergic reaction. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have a serious allergic reaction including: rash low blood pressure difficulty breathing High blood sugar. If you receive GLUCAGON before your radiology exam, it can cause high blood sugar. Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood sugar levels during your treatment. Heart problems. If you have heart problems and receive GLUCAGON before your radiology exam, you may have an increase in your blood pressure and pulse while using GLUCAGON, which could be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will monitor your heart during treatment. Common side effects The most common side effects of GLUCAGON include: swelling at the injection site redness at the injection site vomiting nausea decreased blood pressure weakness headache dizziness pale skin diarrhea sleepiness or drowsiness These are not all the possible side effects of GLUCAGON. For more information, ask your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch , or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Before using Before getting GLUCAGON, tell your health care provider about all your medical conditions, including if you: have adrenal problems have pancreas problems have not had anything to eat or have not had a drink of water for a long time (prolonged fasting or starvation) have low blood sugar that does not go away (chronic hypoglycemia) have heart problems are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if GLUCAGON will harm your unborn baby. are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if GLUCAGON passes into your breast milk. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. How to use Read the detailed Instructions for Use that comes with GLUCAGON. Use GLUCAGON exactly how your healthcare provider tells you to use it. Make sure your caregiver knows where you keep your GLUCAGON and how to use GLUCAGON the right way before you need their help. Act quickly. Having very low blood sugar for a period of time may be harmful. After GLUCAGON is mixed, make sure it is clear and of water-like consistency. Do not use if it has particles or is discolored. After giving GLUCAGON the caregiver should call for emergency medical help right away. The caregiver should turn the person on their side to prevent them from choking. If the person does not respond after 15 minutes, another dose may be given, if available. Eat sugar or a sugar-sweetened product such as a regular soft drink or fruit juice as soon as you are able to swallow. Tell your healthcare provider each time you use GLUCAGON. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of your diabetes medicines. Before you mix the GLUCAGON powder and liquid: Do not use GLUCAGON if the expiration date has passed. Store GLUCAGON at room temperature between 68F to 77F (20C to 25C). Do not freeze GLUCAGON. Keep GLUCAGON in its original package and away from light. After you mix the GLUCAGON powder and liquid: Use GLUCAGON right away. Throw away unused GLUCAGON. Keep GLUCAGON and all medicines out of the reach of children. Learn more For more information, call 1-800-545-5979 or go to www.lillyglucagon.com . Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use GLUCAGON for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give GLUCAGON to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. This summary provides basic information about GLUCAGON but does not include all information known about this medicine. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about GLUCAGON that is written for health professionals. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor. Be sure to talk to your doctor or other health care provider about GLUCAGON and how to take it. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide if GLUCAGON is right for you. GLUCAGON is available by prescription only. GLUCAGON is a trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates. GLUC CON BS FEB2021 About Eli Lilly and Company Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at lilly.com and lilly.com/newsroom. P-LLY SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company Related Links www.lilly.com NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, heralded plans to construct a state-of-the-art museum complex honoring the legacy of world-renown black intellectual and civil rights pioneer W.E.B Du Bois (pronounced du boys) as an important symbolic monument. "The museum will provide in Ghana, yet another important monument to the collective struggle of the African peoples to get their rightful place in this world," said President Akufo-Addo in his remarks prior to the signing of a historic partnership arrangement between the Government of Ghana and the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation 's affiliate in Ghana. The signing took place in New York City where the U.S. foundation is headquartered. "Mr. President, let me reassure you of our commitment to making your beloved Ghana a hub of Pan-African research and heritage tourism," said Daniel Rose, Chairman of the foundation, as he kicked off the ceremony. Rose is a philanthropist and leading real estate developer with deep ties to Ghana. Signing the agreement on behalf of the government were Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance, and Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Signing for the foundation were Japhet Aryiku, Executive Director of the U.S. foundation and Humphrey Ayim-Darke, Board Member of the foundation in Ghana. The partnership arrangement will grant authority for the foundation to construct a multi-million dollar museum complex to preserve Du Bois' legacy over a 50-year period. The complex will be designed by Sir David Adjaye, renowned Ghanaian architect and designer of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The Du Bois Memorial Centre in Accra where Du Bois and his wife, Shirley Graham Du Bois, are buried. The ambitious museum complex will feature a museum, library and reading room, event hall, outdoor auditorium and amphitheater, lecture space, guest house for visiting scholars and the refurbished bungalow where Du Bois lived and worked until his death. The complex also includes a Memorial Pavilion, housing the remains of Du Bois and his wife. Du Bois, who was a confidant of Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah, became a citizen of Ghana and resided in the country until his death in 1963. While living in Ghana, Du Bois envisioned building a unified ancestral home for Africans in the diaspora around the world. President Akufo-Addo has invited the Africans Diaspora to follow the footsteps of Du Bois through the government's "Year of Return" and "Beyond the Return" campaigns. Additional speakers and special guests at the signing ceremony included Board Members Deborah Rose and Kwame Anthony Appiah, professor at New York University, Hon. Shirley Aryorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H. E Hajia Alima Mahama, Ghana's Ambassador to the USA. Click here to access event photos. Contact: Carol Pineau [email protected] 202-321-0570 SOURCE W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation High-resolution, 3D data is essential in guiding conservation research Intermap continues to innovate, building on its 102-year legacy of delivering rapid, actionable intelligence from the sensor to the operator DENVER, Aug. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Intermap Technologies (TSX: IMP) (OTCQX: ITMSF) ("Intermap" or the "Company"), a global leader in geospatial content development and intelligence solutions, today announced a new collaboration with The Snow Leopard Trust to provide high-resolution elevation models to scientists who are researching snow leopard behavior to aid the conservation of the species. The Snow Leopard Trust started the first long-term study of snow leopards in the Tost Mountains in Southern Mongolia in 2008. The snow leopard is a top predator with a habitat range of over two million km2, but scientists estimate there may be only 3,900 6,400 snow leopards left in the wild. Researchers seek to learn more about snow leopard ecology, such as how the snow leopards use the mountainous terrain, to guide the conservation of the species. Intermap is an acknowledged expert at modeling complex, dynamic mountainous terrain in austere environments. Intermap is supporting this exciting project by providing 3D digital elevation models (DEMs) in Southern Mongolia. The Snow Leopard Trust is currently exploring whether snow leopards stay longer at kill sites in rugged terrain, which offer better escape routes and hiding places. Intermap's NEXTMap high-resolution, 3D digital elevation model and all-domain routing analysis will be used to conduct studies along with the GPS tracking data from snow leopard collars to follow their movement and determine if terrain ruggedness affects the amount of time they spend at kill sites. The Snow Leopard Trust began their study using a 30-meter resolution DEM. The initial results were unclear because cliffs, hills and other terrain features are not well represented in a coarse DEM. Intermap's high-resolution, 3D elevation datasets are readily available to be integrated into studies like this or other all-domain command and control analysis for any location in the world. The Snow Leopard Trust was able to access Intermap's high-resolution DEM for the study area and start scenario modeling along with data collected in the field in a quick and efficient manner. Using Intermap's DEM, the preliminary results suggest that terrain did affect snow leopard behavior around kill sites where there was adequate conceal and cover. Researchers found that snow leopards stayed longer at kill sites of their largest prey when the kills were made in rugged terrain. They also found that snow leopards stayed longer at the kill sites of wild prey, compared with domestic prey, when the prey were larger in size. Located just miles from the Chinese border, the Tost Mountain region covers Mongolia's two largest, strictly protected areas. These results suggest that potential risk from humans changed how snow leopards behave at their kill sites in the Tost Mountain region. This study will help The Snow Leopard Trust gain more insight into the patterns of snow leopards and develop ways to help conserve the species. Read more about the study here. Research continues Intermap's 102-year history of innovation and rapid delivery of information from sensors to decision makers The snow leopard research is the latest in Intermap's 102-year history of innovation. The Company has powered a diverse array of projects, ranging from aerial photography and national mapping programs to data collection with proprietary sensors, creating customer-specific analytics in insurance, aviation, telecom and rail markets and now conservation efforts in Mongolia. Intermap's roots date back to 1919, when its predecessor, Pennsylvania Aero Service Corporation (Aero Service), was founded. Aero Service is the oldest flying corporation in the world and used aircrafts to collect aerial photos of Philadelphia with a camera attached to the plane's cockpit cowling. Aero Service participated in several major projects, including aerial surveying work for the U.S. Geological Survey and for the European and Pacific theaters during World War II. After a series of strategic acquisitions from 1961 to 1997, Intermap became a listed company and continued to acquire and develop cutting-edge remote sensing capabilities. Intermap commercializes its technology and 3D data library, creating leading products and solutions that offer non-expert users the ability to subscribe to geospatial solutions. "We are pleased to support the Snow Leopard Trust's conservation efforts in Mongolia," said Patrick A. Blott, Intermap Chairman and CEO. "Intermap's high-resolution terrain data is a rapid, efficient and accessible solution for the researchers to analyze the mountainous terrain in the snow leopard habitat and learn more about their behavior. We are building on our history by innovating and developing the future of geospatial intelligence with next-generation technology and capabilities. Our vertically integrated software and solutions simplify large-scale geospatial data challenges and allow non-expert users to get answers quickly and efficiently down range at the edge, anywhere and in any environment. We are continuing to build partnerships with key industry players to serve government and commercial clients around the world." Learn more about Intermap's history here. Intermap Reader Advisory Certain information provided in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate", "expect", "project", "estimate", "forecast", "will be", "will consider", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermap's forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things, cash available to fund operations, availability of capital, revenue fluctuations, nature of government contracts, economic conditions, loss of key customers, retention and availability of executive talent, competing technologies, common share price volatility, loss of proprietary information, software functionality, internet and system infrastructure functionality, information technology security, breakdown of strategic alliances, and international and political considerations, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed Intermap's Annual Information Form and other securities filings. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law. About Intermap Technologies Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP;OTCQX: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions. The Company's proprietary 3D NEXTMap elevation datasets and value-added geospatial collection, processing, analytics, fusion and orthorectification software and solutions are utilized across a range of industries that rely on accurate, high-resolution elevation data. Intermap helps governments build authoritative geospatial datasets and provides solutions for base mapping, transportation, environmental monitoring, topographic mapping, disaster mitigation, smart city integration, public safety and defense. The Company's commercial applications include aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. For more information, please visit www.intermap.com. SOURCE Intermap Technologies Corporation Related Links https://www.intermap.com/ The Colombian rebel gangs and drug trafficking groups have used Panamanian rainforests as their hideouts for decades, but in recent years their strongholds have extended to the local governments. Reports of human rights violations, corrupt officials and violence against women and LGBTQ+ people have led US State department to assign Panama a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory (source: travel.state.gov). Some areas to particularly avoid when traveling to Panama are listed below: Madden Dam and Colon for their drug activity and street crime Darien Gap, close to the Columbian border, for its guerrilla groups, drug traffickers, and limited police force The Mosquito Gulf for its inaccessibility by American authorities to provide support to American citizens on visit Panama City: El Chorrillo, Curundu, and San Miguelito, which have strict curfews due to its high crime rates The nearby water bodies, especially if you find floating packages while on a boat trip, which are likely to be drugs or other illicit materials Poor Political Scene and Human Rights Regulations Inefficient law enforcement and poor regulations, an under-educated workforce, labor issues, and corruption have created socioeconomic issues in this Presidential Republic. Political demonstrations around the University and Parliament in Panama City are common and are known to get violent. Bribes, and inadequate property titling prove the judicial system to be lacking. Panama has a history of violations of basic human rights, especially against vulnerable members of society like women and the LGBTQ community. Same-sex marriages are not generally accepted in society and displays of same sex affection can attract unwanted attention and, in some cases, police intervention. In recent times, people who are transgender have reported various forms of harassment by security forces and the government, and many have been forced to shelter at home for several months due to fear of public humiliation and ridicule. 10 things to consider before traveling to Panama Panama is rife with muggers who lurk around busy public areas like tourist hot spots and shopping hubs like Avenida Central and Casco Viejo in Panama City, looking for gullible tourists. Pickpockets are also commonly found at public transportation stops. Ensure you keep your wallets in your front pockets and hold your bags in front of your chest to have it in view at all times. It pays to be vigilant with your cash and credit cards. Use your hotel's safe, money belts and dummy wallets for safety. If you need to withdraw cash, use an ATM preferably within a bank in a populated area and during the day. Avoid looking and acting like a tourist. Lock your vehicle's doors when you're driving. Never leave cash or other expensive items in your vehicle when you're not in it. Account for heavy traffic when in Panama City. Very few people follow rules, infrastructure is poor and construction work is commonplace. Always opt for registered companies when hiring cabs and dissuade the drivers from helping hitchhikers. Travel in big groups when possible and always carry your passport as you'll never know when you need it and could be jailed for not having it on your person. Be very cautious of who you talk to or move with. Getting caught with even a tiny amount of drugs or with someone who has drugs in their possession can get you jailed for up to 15 years. The Panama Bay is polluted with industrial waste and sewage. It is best to avoid swimming there. Besides the pollution, dangerous tides and a lack of warning signposts make swimming a risky affair. Do not leave your home without the necessary documents. When traveling to Panama , all Americans need to have a three-month valid passport from the date of arrival into the country and a two-way ticket back home. An American traveler will also need to show cash of $500 , a clean record of zero criminal activity, and a negative HIV result. Additional resources: Transparency.org Global Corruption Barometer: https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/panama TradingEconomics.com Corruption Rank: https://tradingeconomics.com/panama/corruption-rank Panama's Director of Seized Assets Charged with Illegal Use of Assets: https://dineroynegocios.mx/querellan-a-director-de-bienes-aprehendidos-del-mef-de-panama-por-uso-ilegal-de-vehiculos/ SOURCE North American Travellers Association LONDON, Sept. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- After months of designing and preparations, the much-anticipated new online trading website CryptGain has been officially launched. According to the company, the website and platform are now open for registration to clients from across the globe, in nations where local regulations support this type of financial activity. CryptGain provides cryptocurrency services on a broad list of trending and promising crypto assets. "We are thrilled to bring this project we've been working on for quite a while to life," commented CryptGain's spokesperson Georgina Skarginef. "We've added new tools, put innovative security protocols in place, designed a simple and user-friendly registration process, and much, much more. This new platform provides an unprecedented trading experience, and we invite traders from around the world to give it a try. They won't be disappointed in what we have to offer." Tomorrow's financial world, today In the past few days, since the launch of CryptGain, thousands from around the world have already enrolled and opened an account with the provider, and the feedback is positive. Traders are reporting that every detail has been paid attention to, and that a worry-free trading environment has been created, enabling them to focus on what's important: the cryptocurrency market. "With conditions in the global economy being so volatile since the emergence of the COVID-19 crisis, it was clear to us that some rethinking is necessary in the online crypto trading sector," added Skarginef. "That was our main initiative behind the production of this new brokerage brand. We've left no stone unturned in our effort to bring forward a trading experience suited to the new reality, with the client at the center. This is truly what crypto trading should look like in 2021." About CryptGain Founded by an elite group of financial analysts and expert brokers, with years of accumulated experience in the cryptocurrency market, CryptGain has already become a key player in the online crypto brokerage industry. With the combination of state-of-the-art technology and expert guidance, the brand aims to bring crypto traders to a new level and assist them in seizing the potential of the market. Users can choose between three tailor-made accounts, offering several benefits, or they can customize their account according to their budget, strategy, and financial goals. More information regarding this matter and others can be found on the brand's website. SOURCE CryptGain VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif., Sept. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket is in final preparations to launch the Landsat 9 mission for NASA. The launch is on track for Sept. 27 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Launch is planned for 11:11 a.m. PDT. The live launch broadcast begins at 10:30 a.m. PDT on Sept. 27 at www.ulalaunch.com. "We are proud to continue to serve as the primary launch provider for Landsat missions. ULA and our heritage launch vehicles have launched every Landsat mission since 1972," said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. "The Landsat series provides outstanding data for Earth environment and science-based research and Landsat 9 will add to these capabilities. We have worked alongside our partners, in a challenging health environment, to prepare to launch this important mission that will empower Earth research from space for decades to come." Landsat 9 is a joint mission of NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In addition to Landsat 9, this mission includes the ESPA Flight System (EFS) which will deploy multiple CubeSats after Landsat 9 separation. The Atlas V will deploy Landsat 9 and the CubeSats into two different orbits, enabling the first four-burn Centaur mission for ULA on an Atlas V rocket. The Centaur upper stage has the capacity for increased performance, and the flight design of the Landsat 9 mission takes advantage of that capability. The mission will launch on an Atlas V 401 configuration rocket, that includes a 13.7-ft (4-m) Extra Extended Payload Fairing (XEPF) and stands 194 ft. (59 meters) tall. The Atlas booster for this mission is powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine. Aerojet Rocketdyne provided the RL10C-1 engine for the Centaur upper stage. This will be the 88th launch of the Atlas V rocket and 20th mission launched on an Atlas V in partnership with NASA's Launch Services Program (LSP). This launch is the 300th Atlas launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. To date ULA has launched 144 times with 100 percent mission success. With more than a century of combined heritage, ULA is the nation's most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 140 missions to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, deliver cutting-edge commercial services and enable GPS navigation. For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Photos available on the ULA Flickr page. SOURCE United Launch Alliance (ULA) DUBLIN, Sept. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The US Rent-to-Own Market: Size and Forecasts with Impact Analysis of COVID-19 (2021-2025 Edition)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides an in-depth study of the US rent-to-own industry with detailed analysis of impact of COVID-19, market size in terms of value, distribution channel and number of stores. The US rent-to-own market has shown rising trends over the past few years and gained more prominence in 2020 and the coming years due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Furthermore, the market is projected to progress further during the forecasted period (2021-2025). Growth in the market in the last decade was supported by factors such as heightened urbanization, improved GDP, significant population of international migrants and increased usage of virtual rent to own platforms. Boost in internet penetration, spike in number of smartphone users and increased importance of e-commerce distribution channel are some of the latest trends existing in the market. These trends are expected to boost the market during the forecasted period. The pandemic has made social distancing and stay at home, the new normal throughout the country. In these tough times, more and more people are expected to make RTO transactions online for essential commodities like computers and other appliances. Moreover, the report also assesses the key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and would be driving the growth of the industry. Growth of the overall US rent to own market has also been forecasted for the period 2021-2025, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends. The US rent-to-own industry is highly fragmented but dominated by only two major players namely Rent-A-Center and Aaron's Inc. The report also provides company profiling of goeasy Ltd. and FlexShopper Inc. which briefs about business overview, and financial summary of these major companies. Company Coverage Rent-A-Center Aaron's Inc. goeasy Ltd. FlexShopper Inc. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Introduction 2.1 Rent-to-Own 2.1.1 Rent-To-Own: An Overview 2.1.2 Rent-To-Own: Advantages and Disadvantages 2.2 Consumer Protection 2.2.1 Consumer Protection Provision Federal Laws States Rent -to-Own Legislation States without RTO Legislation 2.3 Rent-to-Own Laws 2.3.1 Types of Law Pricing Restriction Required Disclosures 2.4 Rent-to-Own Components 2.4.1 Components of Rent-to-Own Agreement Rental Agreement Option to Purchase 2.5 Transaction Structure 3. The US Market Analysis 3.1 North America Rent to Own Market: An Analysis 3.1.1 North America Rent to Own Market by Countries (The US and Rest of North America) 3.2 The US Rent to Own Market Analysis 3.2.1 The US Rent to Own Market by Value 3.2.2 The US Rent to Own Market Value by Distribution Channel (Ecommerce and Bricks and Mortar) 3.2.3 The US Rent to Own Market by Number of Stores 3.2.4 The US E-Commerce Rent to Own Market by Value 4. Impact of COVID-19 4.1 Economic Impact of COVID-19 4.1.1 The Economic Effects of COVID-19 4.2 Response of Industry Players to COVID-19 5. Market Dynamics 5.1 Growth Drivers 5.1.1 Spike in Urbanization 5.1.2 Significant Population of International Migrants 5.1.3 Surging GDP Growth 5.1.4 Rising Disposable Income 5.1.5 Growing Millennial Population 5.1.6 Rising Virtual Rent-to-Own Market 5.2 Challenges 5.2.1 Dependency on Vendors, Suppliers and Products 5.2.2 Lack of Customer Security 5.2.3 Low Profit Margin 5.3 Market Trends 5.3.1 Hike in Internet Penetration 5.3.2 Rollout of Smartphone as New Category 5.3.3 Rapid Pace in Technological Advancements 6. Competitive Landscape 6.1 The US Rent to Own Market Players: A Financial Comparison 6.2 The US Rent to Own Market Players Comparison 6.3 The US Rent to Own Market Players by Number of Stores 7. Company Profiles 7.1 Business Overview 7.2 Financial Overview 7.3 Business Strategy Aaron's Inc. FlexShopper Inc. Rent-A-Center Inc. goeasy Ltd. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bfz2jf Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-171 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com Make accurate predictions on upcoming trends and changes in customer behavior. Download Free Sample Report The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Ali Group Srl, Alto-Shaam Inc., Cambro Manufacturing Co., Duke Manufacturing, FUJIMAK Corp., HOSHIZAKI Corp., ITW Food Equipment Group, The Middleby Corp., The Vollrath Co. LLC, and Vanya Industrial Equipment are some of the major market participants. Although the expansions, upgrades, and renovations in hospitals and transformation from the assembly line to made-to-order will offer immense growth opportunities, concerns related to food safety will challenge the growth of the market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Hospital Foodservice Equipment Market 2021-2025: Segmentation Hospital Foodservice Equipment Market is segmented as below: Product Primary Cooking Equipment Refrigeration Food Preparation Equipment Food Holding And Serving Others Geography North America APAC Europe South America MEA Learn more about the future trends impacting hospital foodservice equipment market size. Request a free sample report here: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR46461 Related Reports on Consumer Discretionary Include: Global Foodservice Market - Global foodservice market is segmented by sector (commercial and non-commercial), type (conventional, centralized, ready-prepared, and assembly-serve), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa). Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Global Commercial Microwave Ovens Market - Global commercial microwave ovens market is segmented by product (commercial heavy-duty microwave ovens, commercial medium-duty microwave ovens, and commercial light-duty microwave ovens), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA). Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Hospital Foodservice Equipment Market 2021-2025: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our hospital foodservice equipment market report covers the following areas: Hospital Foodservice Equipment Market size Hospital Foodservice Equipment Market trends Hospital Foodservice Equipment Market industry analysis This study identifies the increasing focus on healthier and nutritious food as one of the prime reasons driving the hospital foodservice equipment market growth during the next few years. Hospital Foodservice Equipment Market 2021-2025: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the Hospital Foodservice Equipment Market. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research report on the Hospital Foodservice Equipment Market is designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Hospital Foodservice Equipment Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025 Detailed information on factors that will assist hospital foodservice equipment market growth during the next five years Estimation of the hospital foodservice equipment market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the hospital foodservice equipment market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of hospital foodservice equipment market vendors Table Of Contents : Executive Summary Market Overview Overview Market Landscape Market ecosystem Value chain analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market segment analysis Market size 2020 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025 Five Forces Analysis Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition Market Segmentation by Product Market segments Comparison by Product Primary cooking equipment - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Refrigeration - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Food preparation equipment - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Food holding and serving - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Product Customer landscape Overview Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Key leading countries Market opportunity by geography Market drivers Market challenges Market trends Vendor Landscape Overview Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Ali Group Srl Alto-Shaam Inc. Cambro Manufacturing Co. Duke Manufacturing FUJIMAK Corp. HOSHIZAKI Corp. ITW Food Equipment Group The Middleby Corp. The Vollrath Co. LLC Vanya Industrial Equipment Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Related Links https://www.technavio.com/ Princess Cruises, Los Angeles' hometown cruise line, has been sailing out of the Port of Los Angeles since 1965 and does so more frequently than any other cruise line. Over the past decade, Princess had more than 700 ship visits in Los Angelesthe most of any line in the last decade. "It is a pride point for us that Grand Princess is returning to service in our hometown port. Our crew members are eager to welcome guests back on board as we continue resuming operations in the United States," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. "We are grateful to the Port of Los Angeles for their support during the pause and are excited to be working together once again." "Princess Cruises is a valued longtime partner, and we are excited to welcome Grand Princess back to Los Angeles for the first passenger cruise since March 2020," said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. "We are a full-service port with cargo, marina, cruise and visitor-serving businesses -- and every cruise ship call generates more than $1 million dollars in local economic activity. That's especially important to the City and Port of Los Angeles right now." Grand Princess departs on a 5-Day Cabo San Lucas Getaway, the first of five sailings with this itinerary and the first of 11 sailings from the port of Los Angeles in 2021. Grand Princess offers a MedallionClass vacation, offering the ultimate in effortless, personalized cruising. It begins with OceanMedallion, a quarter-sized, wearable device that enables everything from touch-free boarding to locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as enhanced service like having whatever guests need, delivered directly to them wherever they are on the ship. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com/. Editors' note: B-roll of today's event can be downloaded here and high-resolution photos can be downloaded here. About Princess Cruises : One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is the world's leading international premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 14 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year to 380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is continuously recognized as "Best Cruise Line for Itineraries." In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced MedallionClass Vacations enabled by the OceanMedallion device, the vacation industry's most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest way to an effortless personalized vacation giving guests more time to do the things they love most. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK). In line with the latest advice from health officials about COVID-19, Princess Cruises is currently enhancing health and safety protocols with input from medical experts and government bodies and assessing how they may impact future itineraries. Actual offerings may vary from what is displayed in marketing materials. Click on the following links to stay updated on current Cruise Updates and Health & Safety protocols . SOURCE Princess Cruises Related Links www.princess.com Bengaluru, Sep 25 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has no faith in democracy and a parliamentary system of governance, Siddaramaiah, the Leader of the Opposition has said, adding the entire government, including Bommai, is behaving like a puppet of the RSS and working on their orders, The Congress party will start a statewide protest against price rise from October 2 till the prices are reduced, he said. The position of the Speaker is above politics and political parties. His/Her decisions should always be unbiased. What is the sanctity of the position, if the speaker behaves like a member of a political party, he said. "New National Education Policy is an attempt to enable upper caste and RSS to enslave marginalised sections, Dalits and women. If we try to oppose, Speaker jumps to justify the government," he charged. The BJP government has decided to hand over KIADB land that was acquired at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore per acre amounting to Rs 175 crore to acquire 116 acres. The same land is now being given to CESS at just Rs 50 crore. The current market price is Rs 300-400 crore, he said. "The prices have increased drastically after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. Both Central and State BJP governments are looting from the common man. Narendra Modi government has increased the excise duty of Diesel from Rs 3.45 to Rs 31.84 and excise duty of Petrol is increased from Rs 9.21 to Rs 32.98. Let him reduce excise duty by 50 per cent. The Narendra Modi government has collected about Rs 23 lakh crore as excise duty in the last 7 years," he said. Bengaluru, Sep 25 : Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education, K. Sudhakar has lashed out at the hypocrisy of the Congress party on Covid. "It is unfortunate that the Congress Party has stooped so low that it has no hesitation to use the unfortunate death of Covid victims to its political advantage," he said. The Congress party politicised the issue of Covid management and made false allegations in the House yesterday but did not have the decorum to listen to the State government's reply today, he said on Friday. The number of ICU beds in Karnataka before Covid were only 725- 413 in Government Medical Colleges and 312 in Government hospitals. The ICU beds were increased to 858 by the first wave and to 1,961 by the second wave. As many as 1,916 ICU beds were added to the tally during and after the second wave. Currently, the State has 3,877 ICU beds in government medical facilities, he said. The number of regular beds was 41,378 including 31,600 from government hospitals and 9778 from government medical colleges. These beds were increased to 45,966 by the second wave and to 50,629 by August 2021, he explained. The Congress party created a ruckus in the House on Friday because it did not have the courage to let the people of the state know the truth. This exposes the double standards of the Congress, he said. "The behaviour of the Congress party shows the 'hit and run' culture of the party! It can't mislead the people of the State by making some false allegation," he added. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) United Nation, Sep 25 : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has given Israel one year to end its occupation of Palestinian territory. "Israel, the occupying power, has one year to withdraw from the Palestinian territory it occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem," he told the General Assembly in a fiery speech on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported. "We are ready to work throughout this year on the delineation of borders and solving all final-status issues under the auspices of the international Quartet and in accordance with UN resolutions," he said. Abbas threatened to withdraw recognition of the State of Israel. "If this is not achieved, why maintain recognition of Israel based on the 1967 borders? Why maintain this recognition?" he asked. Moreover, in this regard, Palestine will go to the International Court of Justice on the issue of the legality of the occupation of the land of the Palestinian state and the relevant obligations for the United Nations and states around the world in this regard, and all will have to respect the conclusions of the court, he said. "Colonialism and apartheid are prohibited under international law and they are crimes that must be confronted and a regime that needs to be dismantled," said Abbas in a pre-recorded speech. The international community's support for this initiative, consistent with international law and UN resolutions, may save the region from an unknown fate, he said. "We all have a chance to live in peace and security, good neighborly relations, each in our state. And delaying implementation of these steps will keep the region in a situation of turmoil and instability with dire consequences." "Do the leaders of Israel dream of maintaining their occupation forever? Do they want this occupation to last forever? Why should a Palestinian continue living either under Israel's racist occupation or as a refugee in neighboring countries? Are there no other alternatives -- freedom, for example?" he asked. Palestinians are creative and dynamic and the entire world can testify to that. Palestinians deserve to live free in their homeland, he said. "From this podium (of the UN General Assembly), I call on the sons and daughters of Palestine everywhere around the world to continue pursuit of their peaceful and popular struggle that has shown the true image of the valiant Palestinian people striving for freedom and independence by resisting occupation and apartheid." Abbas thanked the international community for the political and material support to Palestinians and for building Palestinian institutions and national economy. "I say to Israel's leaders: do not oppress and corner the Palestinian people and deprive them of dignity and their right to their land and state as you will destroy everything. Our patience and the patience of our people have limits. I reiterate yet again that the Palestinian people will defend their existence and identity and will not kneel or surrender, they will not leave and will remain on their land, defending it, defending their fate and pursuing their great journey toward ending the occupation," said Abbas. "We say once more: this is our land, our Jerusalem, our Palestinian identity, and we shall defend it until the occupier leaves, as the future belongs to us and you cannot claim peace and security for yourselves alone. Let us be," he said. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text United Nations, Sep 25 : India has denounced Pakistan as a patron of terrorism and a suppressor of minorities in reply to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's tirade against the country. "This is the country which is an arsonist disguising itself as a firefighter," Sneha Dubey, a First Secretary in India's UN Mission, said on Friday. "Pakistan nurtures terrorists in their backyard in the hope that they will only harm their neighbours. Our region, in fact, the entire world has suffered because of their policies. "Today, the minorities in Pakistan, the Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, live in constant fear and state-sponsored suppression of their rights. This is a regime where anti-Semitism is normalised by its leadership and even justified," she said. Responding to Khan's claims about treatment of minorities in India, Dubey said: "Pluralism is a concept which is very difficult to understand for Pakistan which constitutionally prohibits its minorities from aspiring for high offices of the State. The least they could do is introspect before exposing themselves to ridicule on the world stage. "Unlike Pakistan, India is a pluralistic democracy with a substantial population of minorities who have gone on to hold highest offices in the country including as President, Prime Minister, Chief Justices and Chiefs of Army staff. India is also a country with a free media and an independent judiciary that keeps a watch and protects our Constitution." As for Khan's allegations of "war crimes" by India, Dubey recalled the genocide perpetrated in Bangladesh in 1971 during and before the War of Independence in which more than 300,000 people were killed by Pakistan and hundreds of thousand women raped. Pakistan "still holds the despicable record in our region of having executed a religious and cultural genocide against the people of what is now Bangladesh. As we mark the 50th anniversary this year of that horrid event in history, there is not even an acknowledgement, much less accountability", she said. Khan in his speech said that after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, "terrorism has been associated with Islam by some quarters" and "increased the tendency of right-wing, xenophobic and violent nationalists, extremists and terrorist groups to target Muslims". He then went on to link this to the BJP and the RSS. Dubey said: "We marked the solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks a few days back. The world has not forgotten that the mastermind behind that dastardly event, Osama Bin Laden, got shelter in Pakistan. Even today, Pakistan leadership glorify him as a 'martyr'. "Regrettably, even today we heard the leader of Pakistan trying to justify acts of terror. Such defence of terrorism is unacceptable in the modern world." Pakistan has made an annual ritual of using up most it time at the high-level General Assembly session to attack India, which it also does at all meetings, regardless of the topic. Dubey said: "This is not the first time the leader of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country, and seeking in vain to divert the world's attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities, are turned upside down. "This is a country which has been globally recognized as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of State policy. It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council." Khan said that Pakistan "desires peace with India" but it is "contingent upon resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and the wishes of the Kashmiri people". Pakistan, however, is in violation of Security Council Resolution 47 adopted in 1948 that requires it to withdraw all its personnel from Kashmir. Dubey declared: "Let me reiterate here that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation." On the conditions for peace, she said: "We desire normal relations with all our neighbours, including Pakistan. However, it is for Pakistan to work sincerely towards creating a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible actions to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross border terrorism against India in any manner." Khan blamed the US for the developments in Afghanistan, recalling the support Washington under President Ronald Reagan gave mujahidin fighting the Soviet Union in the 1980s. "We were left with sectarian militant groups which were never existed before," he said. After 9/11, the US needed Pakistan's help to invade Afghanistan, he said. As a result, the same Mujahidin also turned against Pakistan and the Taliban attacked his country, he claimed. After Dubey gave the right of reply speech, a Counsellor in Pakistan's UN Mission, Saima Saleem, replied to the right of reply. Saleem repeated many elements of Khan's speech, in addition to quoting Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and UN human rights bodies, ignoring their scorching criticism of her country. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Los Angeles, Sep 25 : Actor Robert Redford and rock legend Bruce Springsteen are teaming up for the documentary 'The Mustangs: America's Wild Horses'. According to variety.com,'The Mustangs: America's Wild Horses' tells the story about America's wild horses from their turbulent history to their uncertain future. The feature-length documentary takes audiences on an odyssey throughout America to places that few people have seen, with more than 80,000 wild horses on public lands and more than 50,000 in government corrals. The film will be released theatrically on October 15, then followed by a TVOD (transactional video on demand) release. Redford is an executive producer, and Springsteen contributes to the film's soundtrack, which also features music from Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris, and the original song 'Never Gonna Tame You', performed by Blanco Brown and written by 12-time Oscar-nominated songwriter Diane Warren, who also serves as a co-producer on the film. Redford said: "America's wild horses are fighting their last stand. Increasing competition for our natural resources threatens our wilderness areas, our wild horses and other wildlife species. Horses are interwoven into the very fabric of what is America. What threatens them threatens us all." One of the film's prominent storylines focuses on mustangs being paired with veterans with PTSD, as the documentary highlights the work of Operation Wild Horse. Penske Media Corporation's Vice Chairman, Gerry Byrne, who is a Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran and prominent veterans' activist, applauds the film, stating: "'The Mustangs' highlights the importance of addressing the pressures of PTSD and the 'hidden wounds of war'. I commend the film for showcasing the work of veterans who are making a difference." Springsteen's wife and daughter, Patti Scialfa Springsteen, and US Olympic equestrian silver medalist, Jessica Springsteen, are executive producers. 'The Mustangs: America's Wild Horses' will be released theatrically in October, and then launched on TVOD in late November. Next month, the film is premiering at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the Heartland International Film Festival, the Edmonton International Film Festival and Film Fest 919. September 25 : Kunal Kapoor of Rang De Basanti fame is all set to launch his own production house. The actor has also decided the first film he would like to produce. In a recent interview with a leading daily, Kunal revealed that he has been writing stories since his days as an assistant director. The actor said that he would love to bring his stories to life, and would not only act in them but also produce and direct them. As an actor, you have little control over what stories you get a chance to tell. You can only choose from what you are offered and you're part of someone else's vision. But as a producer, you have a chance to bring your own vision to life," he said. Back in August, Kunal shared a post on his Instagram handle and had announced that he would like his first produced film to be about India's Winter Olympian, Shiva Keshavan. Shiva Keshavan is India's fastest man on ice. The actor wrote that he has been inspired by Shiva Keshavan, a six-time Olympian and the first athlete to represent India at the Winter Olympic Games, for many years. He wrote, Very happy to start my journey as a producer with the story of six time winter Olympian, the amazing @100thofasec A story that Ive lived with and been inspired by for many years. A story that is not only about resilience and the path less taken, but also about the spirit of India. Our ability to reach for the impossible with limited resources #thefastestindian. Image Source: Instagram/kunalkkapoor Kunal Kapoor to launch production house Kunal further said in the interview that he chose Shiva Keshavans biopic as his first film as a producer because he is an amazing athlete. What drew me to Shiva Keshavan was not only the fact that he has represented India in the Olympics six times, but that it was also a story about the spirit of India and the incredible things we manage to achieve with limited resources. It's a story of resilience and the path less taken; it's also a celebration of our culture and diversity. Meanwhile, on the acting front, Kunal Kapoor will be seen playing Mughal emperor Babur in Nikkhil Advani's The Empire. The web series will soon premiere on Disney+Hotstar. September 25 : Sidharth Malhotra gave his career-best performance in his recent release film 'Shershaah' and the film is undoubtedly the best film of the year till now. The actor was in Leh recently and he inaugurated the 1st Himalayan Film Festival there with 'Shershaah' being the opening film. Sharing photos from the inauguration, the actor wrote, "Inaugurated the 1st Himalayan Film Festival with 'Shershaah' today. It was a complete honour to have shared the stage with our honorable Union Minister for I&B, Mr.Anurag Thakur. Thank you for having us Image Source: News Helpline Sidharth Malhotra inaugurates 1st Himalayan Film Festival with Shershaah' Kiara Advani who also features in the film shared on her social media,"Physically in Mumbai but my heart is in Ladakh. Leh will always feel extra special as I gave my first ever shot for my very first film in this beautiful town, It's such a proud moment seeing our film Shershaah being honoured at the First Himalayan Film Festival. 'Shershaah' is a biographical war action film directed by Vishnu Vardhan and co-produced by Karan Johar. It traces the life journey of Param Vir Chakra awardee and army captain Vikram Batra. Image Source: News Helpline Sidharth Malhotra inaugurates 1st Himalayan Film Festival with Shershaah' On the work front, the actor will be seen in 'Mission Majnu' that celebrates the hard work of the RAW agents. The film is based on real-life events. It will be directed by Shantanu Bagchi and produced by RSVP and Guilty By Association. He will also be seen in 'Thank God' which is directed by Indra Kumar. The film is an entertaining slice of life comedy with a message. It stars Ajay Devgn, Rakul Preet Singh alongside him in lead roles. New York, Sep 25 : The leaders of the Quad nations -- the US, Australia, Japan and India -- have denounced the use of terrorist proxies and demanded an end to support for terrorism, while introducing new areas of cooperation, especially in technology. A joint statement adopted by Primes Ministers Narendra Modi of India, Scott Morrison of Australia and Yoshihide Suga of Japan and US President Joe Biden after their summit on Friday, said: "We denounce the use of terrorist proxies and emphasise the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks, including cross-border attacks." That segment of the statement applies to Pakistan, even though it was not named, and another, without mentioning China directed attention to its aggressive actions in the region, from the Himalayas to the Pacific Ocean. "Together, we recommit to promoting the free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. We stand for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity of states," the leaders said. Their joint statement did not, however, put forward any specific joint defence or security measures. It instead said: "We also recognise that our shared futures will be written in the Indo-Pacific, and we will redouble our efforts to ensure that the Quad is a force for regional peace, stability, security, and prosperity." To bring a measure of permanence to what has been an informal group, the four agreed to hold annual summits and meetings of Foreign Ministers in addition to regular sessions of senior officials. The leaders said that they would coordinate diplomatic, economic, and human-rights policies towards Afghanistan and deepen counter-terrorism and humanitarian cooperation. Most of the defined actions proposed by the Quad leaders are about cooperation and helping themselves and others in the region. Taking on the current challenge of the pandemic foremost, the declaration said: "Our partnership on Covid-19 response and relief marks an historic new focus for the Quad." They welcomed New Delhi's resumption of vaccine exports and the Indian company Biological E producing at least one billion safe and effective Covid jabs by the end of 2022, financed in part through Quad investments. India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that the vaccine would be the Johnson & Johnson type, which requires only one shot. Japan will provide finance for the distribution of the vaccines and Australia will buy jabs for distribution in the Southeast Asia region and also pay for their delivery, according to the declaration. The leaders said that they "will also strengthen our Science and Technology cooperation" in clinical trials and genomic surveillance to bring a quick end to the pandemic and also "conduct a joint pandemic-preparedness tabletop or exercise" next year. They committed themselves to fight climate change by working towards zero net emissions by 2050 and increase their commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The leaders also agreed to pursue the deployment of clean-hydrogen technology, which is one of Modi's initiatives. Several of the new initiatives are in technology, which had risks posed by China in the background. "We are mapping the supply chain of critical technologies and materials, including semiconductors, and affirm our positive commitment to resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains of critical technologies," the leader said in the joint statement. "We are monitoring trends in the critical and emerging technologies of the future, beginning with biotechnology, and identifying related opportunities for cooperation." They said that they have established cooperation on critical and emerging technologies "to ensure the way in which technology is designed, developed, governed, and used is shaped by our shared values and respect for universal human rights". With the co-sponsorship of the major companies, they announced 100 Quad Fellowships in STEM subjects for graduate students, the declaration said. The Quad was also launching programmes in cybersecurity and in space. They also said that they were launching a new Quad infrastructure partnership that will map the region's infrastructure needs, and coordinate on regional needs and opportunities, the declaration added. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 25 : A fresh headache has surfaced for the new leadership of the Congress party in Kerala, with news surfacing on Saturday that key leader V.M.Sudheeran has stepped down from the political affairs committee (PAC) of the party. The PAC is the highest decision-making body of the state unit of the party and comprises the be all and end all of the top brass. The 73-year-old leader put in his papers to the new state president K.Sudhakaran. The reason for quitting, according to sources close to him, is because the new leadership of Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan is not taking him into confidence despite Sudheeran being a former state party president, legislator, Lok Sabha member, minister and a former speaker. Ever since the Sudhakaran-Satheesan team took over with the full blessings of the party high command, ignoring the traditional faction managers of Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala has been a norm. The new leadership has shown complete disregard even when selecting 14 new district president's of the party last month. Sudheeran's quitting the PAC has come at a time when the AICC general secretary in-charge of Kerala, Tariq Anwar, is reaching the state capital to finalise the 51-member organisational structure of the party. Of late, the state unit of the Congress party has continued to receive rude jolts. Last week, two top state party general secretaries - K.P.Anil Kumar and Rathi Kumar quit the party and joined the CPI-M. A media critic on condition of anonymity said: "Many Congressmen will recall on how after Sudheeran took over as state party president in 2014 what happened when he took open positions against the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's government policies, especially the liquor policy and it reached a point of no return which led to a total washout of the Congress-led UDF in the 2016 assembly polls. "The state unit of the Congress party has not recovered after that loss and hence, his quitting might not make much of a difference." Working president of the Kerala unit of the Congress party P.T.Thomas, also a senior legislator said he is confident that things will be resolved. "Sudhakaran had called on Sudheeran and had a discussion with him. We are sure that the leadership of the party will resolve issues and will move forward smoothly," said Thomas. Bangkok, Sep 25 : Thailand has started administering Covid-19 booster shots to people who have been fully vaccinated, according to a statement by the Ministry of Public Health. The authorities started to give the third dose of booster shots to about 150,000 people on Friday, reports Xinhua news agency. Around 3 million people are eligible to be vaccinated with booster shots, according to the official figures. Thailand has struggled to handle its worst coronavirus outbreak so far, as the highly infectious Delta variant spread through the country and the healthcare system is under pressure. Since July, the Thai government has begun to give booster shots to some medical staff and to inoculate people with mixed vaccines to improve the effectiveness. According to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, Thailand recorded 12,697 new cases and 132 deaths on Friday. To date, about 23 per cent of Thailand's nearly 70 million people have been vaccinated with two doses, and 41 per cent with one dose. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, Sep 25 : Delhi Police Crime Branch has taken over the investigation of Rohini courtroom shootout case in which gangster Jitender Mann, alias Gogi, and two others were killed. Since Saturday police have been deployed outside of district court in Rohini in the light of Friday's incident. Bar Council of Delhi chairman Rakesh Sherawat, along with other officials have reached Delhi Police headquarters to meet Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana to discuss and review security in Delhi court premises. Gogi was shot dead in a courtroom by two assailants from the rival 'Tilu' gang, dressed as lawyers in broad daylight amid a packed court house. The incident took place inside the courtroom where a case was being heard against him. The two assailants were subsequently shot dead by the police. However, the incident led to chaos and panic in the courtroom where the judge had commenced proceedings. A woman lawyer was reportedly injured in the firing. Besides being accused in dozens of cases, including murder, kidnapping and fraud in other states, Gogi was on Delhi police's most-wanted list. His gang was involved in possession of illegal arms, carjacking and land grabbing. A lawyer, who was inside the courtroom at the time of the incident, told IANS that everything happened so fast that they could not even catch their breath. "The firing began just seconds before the hearing in the case of gangster Gogi. Judge Gagandeep Singh was sitting inside the courtroom," he said, adding that there was utter chaos. "There was an exchange of at least 30-35 rounds of bullets between the police and the attackers," an eyewitness said. According to sources, the attackers were from the Tilu Tajpuria gang and the Delhi Police's Special Cell had input about the possibility of such an incident. Ramallah, Sep 25 : A Palestinian man was killed and dozens were injured during clashes in the West Bank, according to authorities. Mohammed Khbeisa, 28, was killed by Israeli soldiers during the clashes on Friday in the village of Beita, near the city of Nablus, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a statement. Witnesses said that dozens of protesters demonstrated in the village during which they burned tires, waved Palestinian flags, chanted anti-Israel slogans and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers. In retaliation, Israeli soldiers fired teargas canisters, live gunshots and rubber-coated metal bullets to disperse the demonstrators. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said that dozens were injured by rubber bullets and others suffered suffocation after they inhaled teargas, adding that most of them received field treatment by medics. Clashes in Beita have continued for around four months following the establishment of an Israeli outpost on parts of the village's lands owned by its residents. Similar clashes also took place on Friday in Qalqilya and Hebron, both in the West Bank. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, Sep 25 : Actor Gaurav Khanna, who plays the super-successful business tycoon 'Anuj Kapadia' in the show 'Anupamaa', says that the show has attempted to change many old beliefs and try to set a new perspective for viewers. Gaurav explains: "The show has quashed many age-old beliefs and that's why it is the number one show because it has held on to the pulse of the viewers. It's high time that television comes out of the regular patterns and they deliver something new to the viewers because too many similarities are happening of late and that's why 'Anupamaa' came as a pleasant surprise." In the show Anuj's thoughts and understanding of things are opposite of 'Vanraj' (Sudhanshu Pandey) and he not only wants Anupamaa to succeed because she was his college crush but he also takes a stand for what's right. With his beliefs and opinions, the makers have yet again set an example. "Anuj's understanding on the show and his character gaining importance in the story right now, I would say he is sort of a mouthpiece of the audience, like what the audience would think or they would want to do in a certain situation is what 'Anuj' technically does or ends up doing eventually." "He is an extension of the audience in the story and that's why people can connect with him so much because it's their understanding in the form of a character and the way they would want 'Anupamaa' to go forward in life and the way they want her to get out of the shackles of the society and the household she is in," he adds. While the audience is liking Gaurav's on-screen performance, they are also loving his off-screen bond with Rupali Ganguly, who plays the titular character in the show. Talking about his bond with his co-actors, he says: "My maximum number of scenes are done with either Rupali or Deepak Gheewala Ji. I have very good bonding with both of them because I feel if the bonding is strong off-screen it transcends on-screen as well. I want people to understand me as a person so that when I do something impromptu on-screen or I add a couple of lines to make it more Anuj or real then they should understand the pauses and they should take it up from there. That is what happens with Rupali and Deepak Ji." Chennai, Sep 25 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday said his DMK government has fulfilled 202 of the 505 poll promises made during the run up to the elections. Stalin said the DMK party will always do what it promised and would promise what it can do. He said the DMK had made 505 poll promises in its manifesto and has fulfilled 202 of them during the four months since the party came to power in Tamil Nadu. Stalin said hours after assuming officem he had signed the files for issue of Rs 4,000 to 2.09 crore ration card holders who are eligible for rice as Covid-19 relief; reduced Aavin milk price by Rs 3/litre; free travel for women in city buses; and inclusion of treatment given in private hospitals for Covid-19 under the government insurance scheme. He also listed out presentation of a separate budget for agriculture; reduction of petrol price by Rs 3/litre; writing off of cooperative bank loans to women self help groups to the tune of Rs 2,756 crore; kick starting of organic farming scheme; withdrawal of 5,570 cases filed against journalists, protesters against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and other projects; passing of the resolutions in the state assembly urging the Central Government to withdraw the three farm laws; and exempting Tamil Nadu from NEET for medical college admissions and others. He said the 202 DMK poll promises have been issued as government announcements. Stalin also said the government has implemented several other schemes that were not mentioned in the party's poll manifesto. He said the fulfillment of the 202 promises is not just the starting speed but it will be like that for the full five years of the government. Mexico City, Sep 25 : Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has urged the UN to intervene in Haiti, saying the Caribbean nation is racked by instability, violence and "total disorder". "Something has to be done and the UN is taking too long here," Lopez Obrador told reporters here on Friday. Since the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise on July 7, he said, there has been "a lot of violence", which has driven waves of Haitians to migrate north through Mexico to the US. Lopez Obrador also repeated his call for the US government to invest in development programs in Latin America and the Caribbean to help discourage immigration. "We want the underlying problem to be addressed so people are not forced to emigrate, because if not, we will continue to get the same results," the President said. "What we want is to change the policy that has been applied for many, many years and has not produced results," he added. Lopez Obrador hoped to expand Mexican development programs to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, as a way to reduce mass migration. Jaipur, Sep 25 : Six candidates of the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teacher (REET) test were killed in a road accident when the van they were travelling in collided with a truck on NH-12 on Saturday. Five others were injured in the collision near Chaksu in Jaipur district. All 11 were in the van which was on its way to the examination centre. The deceased were from Baran district and were travelling to Sikar to take the REET test. The injured are critical and are being treated at several hospitals. While two have been rushed to Chaksu-based Satellite hospital, other two to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital and one referred to a Jaipur hospital. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed his condolences and announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the family of all deceased victims and Rs 50,000 for those injured. He appealed to the REET candidates to remain cautious while driving and avoid high speeding and reckless driving. "Try using public transport. No exam is bigger than your life," Gehlot told the REET candidates. The REET will be held on September 26 in which nearly 16.5 lakh students will be appearing. It is considered to be a major exam in the state and hence strict security measures have been adopted. Armed police forces are being deployed at the examination centres as well as CCTV and videography is ordered in each of the exam centres. The state government has arranged free transportation service for the REET candidates. New Delhi, Sep 25 : Tihar Jail authorities are on high alert amid fear of clashes between different rival criminal gang members lodged in the high security prison here following the shootout incident in Rohini court. "We are maintaining higher level of alertness than before after Friday's court shootout," Tihar Director-General Sandeep Goel told IANS on Saturday. Tihar, South Asia's largest complex of prisons has been working on tightening its security by installing CCTV cameras since a series of violent incidents were reported from within the jail in August. On Friday, top Delhi gangster Jitender Singh Mann, alias Gogi, was shot dead in a courtroom by two assailants from the rival 'Tilu' gang, who were dressed as lawyers. The incident took place inside the courtroom where a case was being heard against him. The two assailants were subsequently shot dead by the police. However, the incident led to chaos and panic in the courtroom where the judge had commenced proceedings. A woman lawyer was reportedly injured in the firing. There was an exchange of at least 30-35 rounds of fire between the cops and the attackers, an eyewitness said. Delhi Police Crime Branch has taken over the investigation of the shootout. "The Crime Branch and the Special Cell of Delhi Police will now investigate the incident that could not have been possible without proper planning," Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana told IANS on Friday. He also averred that the police force is determined to act against any organised criminal activity in the national capital, assuring a full investigation and appropriate legal action in such matters. On Saturday, Bar Council of Delhi Chairman Rakesh Sherawat, along with other officials met Asthana to discuss and review security in Delhi court premises. The Commissioner has assured that there will be fresh security audits of the courts. United Nations, Sep 25 : While addressing the UN General Assembly (UNGA), several world leaders have reflected on the present situation in Afghanistan following the South Asian country's takeover by the Taliban after the US withdrew its troops after 20 years. In his address on Friday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the failure in Afghanistan shows military strength alone does not work, reports Xinhua news agency. "Military strength without the will to forge understanding, without the courage to engage in diplomacy, does not make the world more peaceful," he told the General Debate of the 76th session of the UNGA. "We need strength at the negotiating table just as we need strength in defense." Describing the fall of Kabul as a turning point in Afghanistan, he said: "We achieved our goal of defeating those who wrought horrendous terror on this city (of New York) 20 years ago. But despite immense endeavor and investment, we were not able in two decades to establish a self-sustaining political order in Afghanistan. My country also shares responsibility. "And we have an ongoing responsibility, particularly toward the many Afghans who had hoped for a more peaceful, free and democratic future. "We need to be smarter in selecting our instruments and setting our priorities. German and European foreign policy must not restrict itself to being right and condemning others. What we need to do is extend our toolbox -- diplomatic, military, civilian, humanitarian." In a pre-recorded message to the UNGA, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said: "It is imperative to ensure that humanitarian aid organisations can safely deliver assistance and that human rights, especially those of women, are protected. "We will carefully monitor the actions, not words, of the Taliban, to see whether or not they will honour the commitments they have publicly announced. We will also work closely with relevant countries and organisations to that end." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the current situation in war-torn nation is disturbing for the long-suffering people of Afghanistan, for the women and children, and for the international community. "We need a strong and coordinated response. The contribution at the international donor conference last week was an important step," she said. Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah also expressed concern over the situation in Afghanistan. He called on the Taliban movement and all relevant parties to exercise utmost self-restraint in order to prevent bloodshed, provide full protection to civilians, adhere to international obligations and international law, and to preserve the security and stability of the country, as well as the gains of the Afghan people in the past two decades. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: "We envision a peaceful, stable, and prosperous South Asia. We firmly believe that it is upon the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country and decide the course of the future themselves. "Bangladesh stands ready to continue to work with the people of Afghanistan and the international community for its socio-economic development." New Delhi, Sep 25 : Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that his country would work with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan to stop the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other sources of terrorism emanating from the neighbouring country. He said Pakistan was "extremely concerned" about the threat of terrorism from Afghanistan, particularly from the TTP, which had carried out thousands of attacks against Pakistan from the Afghan territory with the sponsorship and support of "certain hostile intelligence agencies", The Express Tribune reported. In an exclusive conversation with Newsweek magazine, the Prime Minister pointed out that the "plethora of terrorist groups" could take advantage of the conflict in Afghanistan. Khan mentioned that the TTP had also been responsible for most of its attacks on Chinese citizens working in Pakistan, perhaps with the support of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). He stressed the need for working with the authorities in Afghanistan to neutralise those terrorist groups, The Express Tribune report said. He mentioned that the Taliban had welcomed the prospects of being incorporated in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and establishing close relations with Beijing. The Prime Minister stressed that the US could also play an important role in Afghanistan by contributing to its recovery and reconstruction. About the CPEC, he said that China had already invested around $25 billion for the projects while additional projects worth $20 billion were under implementation. Projects worth a further $25 billion are in the pipeline, Khan added. New Delhi, Sep 25 : Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), on Saturday announced one-of-its kind CSR initiative 'Art for Hope. Art for Hope is India's first dedicated CSR program to encourage artists across various domains like Digital Arts, Crafts, Multidisciplinary Arts, Performance Arts and Visual Arts. 25 artists, with community art project concept around the theme of Hope Solidarity and Gratitude will receive a grant of 1 Lakh each. The project is scheduled to commence from October this year. 'Art for Hope' is conceptualized to promote art as art inspires change to positivity for happiness and composure of humanity. Shortlisted artists will get an opportunity to exchange ideas, execute an art project and be mentored by industry stalwarts. The projects will also be displayed for community viewing across India, including Hyundai Motor India Ltd.'s new Corporate Headquarters in Gurugram. Commenting on the unique 'Art for Hope' CSR initiative, S.S. Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said "Hyundai has responded to the pandemic with various meaningful social initiatives and Art for Hope is yet another step to encourage India's Best Artists from diverse genres. It is a unique initiative that thrives to elevate socio-economic status quo of our Indian artisans who were affected during the pandemic. Hyundai's global vision, 'Progress for Humanity' believes that Hope, Gratitude and Solidarity are three core pillars that can unveil new possibilities and become a beacon of optimism for the artist community in India. We hope that our humble endeavor will bring recognition to artists and integrate them into the mainstream for a happy life." 'Art for Hope' grant program consists of advisory members from different domains of art such as: Rathi Jafer, Director of Inko Centre (Chennai), Riyas Komu, a critically acclaimed multimedia artist and curator and the co-founder of the Kochi Muziris Biennale in India along with Priya Pall, a popular museum and arts consultant, former Curatorial Director of Bikaner House, Delhi and a consultant to various popular museums. The proposals are invited from artists and groups across India through email with a project proposal in any Indian language in 800-1000 words along with CV, artist statement and a recommendation letter. A panel of jury including above mentioned advisory members and internal members will be evaluating the proposals based on innovation, community impact along with the economic situation of the applicant. Projects can be located anywhere in India and completed in between 6-10 weeks of grant announcement. The grant shall be used to execute an art project available of public viewing. Gurugram, Sep 25 : The Gurugram police have booked an unknown person on Friday on charges of allegedly withdrawing Rs 4,767 fraudulently from the bank account of the District Divisional Commissioner. Rajeev Ranjan, the Gurugram Divisional Commissioner, in a police complaint said on September 23 at nearly 9.15 p.m., an unidentified person had fraudulently done three cash transactions of Rs 3,000, Rs 1,500 and Rs 89 withdrawing a total of Rs 4,767. "An unknown accused had also attempted to withdraw money on September 24 at nearly 2.12 p.m. but by then I had blocked my credit card and the cash transaction had failed. All the transaction was done via Apple.com/bill," Ranjan told the police. Following a complaint, a case under relevant sections of the IPC, including the IT Act, was registered against the accused at the Cyber Crime police station in Gurugram. New Delhi, Sep 25 : India's actions in Balakot and Galwan are clear signals to all aggressors, that any attempt to threaten sovereignty will be given a swift and befitting response, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday. Speaking at National Defence College Convocation ceremony, Singh said, "We are faced with belligerence on our land borders challenging the status-quo, cross border support to terrorism, and increasing efforts to counter our goodwill and outreach in our neighbourhood." At Galwan Valley, Chinese People's Liberation Army had "unilaterally changed status quo" due to which clashes took place on June 15, 2020. India lost 20 soldiers and Chinese four. India and China are engaged in border dispute for last 16 months. Both the countries after clashes at Galwan Valley resorted to de-escalate the tension at the border through military and diplomatic talks. On February 26, 2019, Indian Air Force fighter jets crossed the Line of Control and destroyed terror launch pads in Balakot in Pakistan. India's warplanes hit a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot to avenge killing of 40 CRPF personnel in the Pulwama terror attack. Singh asserted that India is totally committed to peace and goodwill amongst all nations but "threats to its internal and external security will no longer be tolerated". "From a security perspective, the nation and our military are acutely aware that the future military strategies and responses will need proactive synergy amongst all elements of our armed forces to safeguard our national security interests," he said. Singh pointed that while the conventional threat remains, the grey-zone threats necessitate the adoption of an "all of government" approach with all elements of state power coming together to anticipate and mitigate future challenges. "These not only come at a long term financial cost, but also undermines the intellectual capital of our own industry. No country that aspires to develop as a knowledge-based economy can sustain such reliance on defence imports," he said. Talking about self-reliance, he said that one aspect where both knowledge and wisdom coincide is the ability to seek and gain self-reliance. India has for far too long remained dependent on import driven technologies.He also pointed out changing character of conflicts. "Cyber, space, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics are some of the areas that are fast emerging as enablers in this context. The world has witnessed rapid transformation in all these areas of scientific knowledge," said the minister adding that this technological progression must be accompanied by its military interpretation within the strategic community. "This is where the role of institutions like NDC again comes to the fore. Look beyond the obvious," he said. He also talked about the idea of 'vasudhaiva kutumbakam' (the world is one family). "This thought of 'the world as a family' is not only relevant socially and economically in a globalised world, it can only reinforce the urgent need to create a unified approach to conflicts both within the country and globally. Be it against terrorism or cyber challenges, success can only come by unifying our national diversities," he said. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Wellington, Sep 25 : A New Zealand farmer who underfed nearly 300 cows has been fined NZ$9,000 ($6,300) and ordered to pay vet costs of NZ$1,763 ($1,234), according to a statement by the Ministry For Primary Industries. Nigel George Rowan from Waikato also faces permanent restrictions on the number of animals he can own, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday citing the statement as saying. Rowan pleaded guilty to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act at the Hamilton District Court for under-feeding 178 milking cows, 50 dry cows and a mob of 60 heifers. In addition, the farmer has been disqualified from having more than 250 cattle over the age of six months and 60 calves under the age of six months on the farm. The court heard that the situation could have been managed, but Rowan allowed conditions on his farm to deteriorate. Between 2018 and 2020, he received advice and a plan to improve the body condition of his animals from a number of parties, including his industry bodies and a farm consultant. Ministry For Primary Industries' Animal Welfare and NAIT Compliance Regional Manager Brendon Mikkelsen said people in charge of animals have responsibility for their welfare. "Rowan failed his animals by not taking opportunities to address the issues. Our Animal Welfare Inspectors, backed by a veterinarian, inspected all 288 cattle at the property and found the farm low on pasture," Mikkelsen said. "Supplementary feed was available but it wasn't being fed out at a level that would improve the situation for his animals. "The body weight of many of the milking mob was too low for milking and some of these animals had become emaciated, while others showed signs of stunted growth," Mikkelsen added. Srinagar, Sep 25 : Former minister and president of Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement (JKPM) on Saturday resigned from the party's presidentship and also its basic membership. Javaid Mustafa Mir, former minister in the Mehbooba Mufti-led BJP-PDP coalition government, told reporters told that he has resigned as the JKPM president and also as its basic member. Mir had taken over as the president of JKPM when its founder, Shah Faesal, former bureaucrat, quit politics in August 2020. Formed with a lot of fanfare by Shah Faesal, who gave up a promising career in the IAS, JKPM was envisaged as a party of honest people who would bring back accountability into the political system of J&K. Mir had quit the PDP and later decided to join Shah Faesal's party. Tripoli, Sep 25 : Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah on Saturday said that he will not allow another war to erupt in the country, pledging to put an end to the state of division in Libya. "We will not allow the division to continue for any reason. There will be no more war," Dbeibah told his supporters who were protesting here against the Libyan House of Representatives (Parliament). "We will continue the development and stability. All the Libyans want to live in peace, and we have the means to enable us to live in dignity, freedom and peace," Xinhua news agency quoted the Prime Minister as saying. He also stressed on his government's keenness for holding successful elections later this year. Dbeibah's Government of National Unity (GNU) was selected by the UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in February, ending years of political division in the country. On September 8, Parliament held a session to question Dbeibah over financial and administrative violations, which he denied as the GNU's budget was not approved by the parliament. On Tuesday, Parliament announced the withdrawal of confidence from the GNU but kept it as a caretaker government, while Dbeibah called on his supporters to protest against Parliament. Libya is expected to hold the general elections on December 24 as approved by the LPDF. Washington, Sep 25 : The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky, in an unusual decision overruled her agency's recommendation and endorsed Covid booster shots for people who work in healthcare, schools and other settings where they are at higher risk of exposure to the Covid-19 virus. "This was a scientific close call," said Walensky, defending her decision, during a press briefing of the White House coronavirus task force on Friday. "I want to be very clear that I did not overrule an advisory committee," she added. Walensky's recommendation, however, deviated from the advice of the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP), who in a four-part vote, unanimously voted to give Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 shot to people aged 65 and older and long-term care facility residents. They recommended the additional jabs for Americans aged between 50 and 64 with underlying medical conditions by a vote of 13-2. A third Covid dose was also recommended for people between ages 18 and 49 with pre-existing conditions, by a vote of 9-6. However, the committee voted against recommended use for those at risk due to an 'occupational or institutional settings', the Daily Mail reported. According to the members, there wasn't enough data to suggest that those who live in institutional settings that increase their risk of exposure, such as prisons or homeless shelters, as well as healthcare workers, teachers and grocery store employees, are at heightened risk. "In that situation, it was my call to make. ...if I had been in the room, I would have voted ayes'," Wallensky said. "As CDC Director, it's my job to recognise where our actions can have the greatest impact. In a pandemic, we most often take steps with the intention to do the greatest good even in an uncertain environment, and that is what I'm doing with these recommendations," she added. In August, the US had approved boosters shots for immunocompromised Americans who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine based on data that they were less likely to develop high antibody levels after two doses. But many scientists, including senior officials at the FDA, disagreed with booster shots due to lack of data on the potential side effects, especially for younger adults who may be at risk for heart inflammation. "Overall, data indicate that currently US-licensed or authorised Covid-19 vaccines still afford protection against severe Covid-19 disease and death in the United States,' the FDA scientists wrote in a briefing document last week. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Bengaluru, Sep 25 : Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday said that objection to implementation of National Education Policy (NEP), is natural. He was addressing the media here on Saturday. Answering a question on strong objections raised by the Congress for implementation of NEP, he said, the government will implement NEP only after deliberations and considering advantages as well as disadvantages. Birla opined that, discipline and decency are missing in Parliament and Assemblies these days. The good message has to reach to the public. Pro-people programmes must be taken up by the legislators and media should play an active role in making the democratic roots stronger, he said. During Covid, it was difficult to convey Parliamentary proceedings, in spite of that, the proceedings were conducted successfully, he underlined. It is ok to have verbal fights, shoutings in sessions but, the members should not cross the limits of decency, he noted. On the occasion of completion of 100 years of Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, centenary celebrations will be held on December 4-5 in New Delhi, he explained. Om Birla refused to answer a question on Congress boycotting his joint session speech which waas held on Friday. However, Karnataka assembly speaker Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri recalled that on June 24, 2002, then Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi had addressed the legislature in the same assembly and S.M. Krishna was the Chief Minister then. He further added, in Gujarat and Rajasthan also similar programmes are being held. "On capacity of Speaker, the decisions we take are final. The objections are not tenable. Those who oppose this should understand this," Kageri maintained. Islamabad, Sep 25 : The Pakistan's police Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) have foiled a major terror bid in Balochistan province and arrested three terrorists during an operation, local media reported on Saturday. The local media quoted CTD officials as saying that three terrorists, including a suicide bomber, were arrested during the intelligence-based operation in Turbat city, reports Xinhua news agency. A suicide vest and a huge cache of explosive material and ammunition were recovered from the possession of the arrested militants, the CTD officials said. Police said terrorists were planning to carry out terror activities in the province. The militants have been shifted to an unknown location for further investigation. On Friday, six terrorists, including two commanders, were killed during a separate operation also in Balochistan province. Mumbai, Sep 25 : The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Pravin Y. Darekar, "is a 'crore-pati labourer who has allegedly mis-declared his professional credentials in his election affidavits", claims a criminal complaint lodged with the Ghatkopar Police Station against the Bharatiya Janata Party leader. The complainant, Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavalamban Mission (VNSSM) Chairman Kishore Tiwari, accorded a MoS status, raises certain uncomfortable questions to Darekar. A former Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) MLA from 2009-2014, Darekar is currently a BJP MLC since 2016, appointed Leader of Opposition of Upper House since 2019, and is also shown as the Chairman of Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank (MDCCB) or Mumbai Bank, comprising the categories of representatives of registered cooperative societies. In the police complaint, Tiwari said Darekar is said to be a member of the 'Pratigya Mazur Sahakari Sanstha' (PMSS) Ghatkopar, a labour cooperative society, on the basis of which he is represented as a director with the Mumbai Bank, and as fulltime Chairman since 2015. However, in his statutory affidavits in Form 26 for the two elections Darekar has stated on oath his profession and that of his wife Sayli Darekar as 'independent business', Tiwari contended. "This is blatantly false and a misleading declaration on the basis of which he was elected to the house on both occasions. He is looting the government through full salaries, allowances, honorariums and privileges, and as LoP now even enjoying a Cabinet Minister rank, and at the same time availing the coveted position and perks of Mumbai Bank," Tiwari said. Despite repeated attempts by IANS, including a brief questionnaire, there was no response from Darekar or his team in the matter. Elaborating on the recently-emerged revelations, the Shiv Sena's farmer face accused Darekar of pretending to be a 'labourer', and through the PMSS as a voter at the MDCCB or Mumbai Bank. Even his wife and one of his brothers are proclaimed 'labourers' and as the PMSS representatives are voters in the same Mumbai Bank, as per the police complaint. "Can the honourable LoP explain whether he and his family members are 'daily wage earners', or have they misused the 'labour' tag to snatch positions and swindle the government," Tiwari pointedly asked. "This is an extremely serious matter as all positions were gained based on fraudulent or fictitious documents and false declarations. I urge the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the Union Cooperative Minister Amit Shah, Enforcement Directorate and others to probe and initiate criminal action," said a grim Tiwari. He pointed out that as per the Supreme Court, the affidavit of a election candidate or Form 26 filed during the nomination can be used as evidence to prosecute in case of a cognizable criminal offence. Moreover, the Maharashtra government's Model Rules for labour cooperative societies define a labourer as a person whose main means of subsistence is manual labour, he pointed out. "From this it is clear that Darekar is primarily disqualified as a 'labourer' and hence all the pay, perks, facilities, concessions he was given till date amounts to cheating the people and defrauding the government coffers that attracts criminal action," he said. Currently, one or more cases are pending pertaining to the alleged scams in the Mumbai Bank since 2014-2015. Tiwari demanded that Shah and Thackeray order an immediate enquiry through the concerned agencies, book Darekar and conduct the trial in a fast-track court as per the mandate of SC, failing which he would file a PIL int he court. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in) New Delhi, Sep 25 : Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday called for addressing the shortage of trained human resources in the health sector on a war footing. Noting the low doctor to population ratio at 1:1,511 in India against the WHO norm of 1:1,000, he stressed the need for creating more medical colleges in line with the government's intention of setting up one medical college and hospital in every district of the country. Referring to the paucity of paramedical staff in the country, the Vice President called for improving the nurse to population ratio (1:670 in India, compared to the WHO norm of 1:300) in a mission mode. On the shortage of trained manpower in rural areas, he suggested creating better incentives and infrastructure to attract health care workers to serve in the villages. Speaking at the convocation of the University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, the Vice President noted the improvement in different health indicators since Independence. At the same time, there were many challenges that require a coordinated and concerted approach by both the government and the private sector, he added. Referring to the 15th Finance Commission recommendations that said that states should increase spending on health to more than 8% of their budgets by 2022 and the public health expenditure of the Centre and States together should be increased in a progressive manner to reach 2.5 percent of GDP by 2025, he stressed that the first step to achieving the goal of 'Health for All' is to increase public spending on health. The Vice President also called for setting up more state-of-the-art hospitals in rural areas, with proactive participation from the private sector. He observed that medical advice or consultation should be accessible and affordable for the common people. Lauding the 'critical role' of paramedical personnel in healthcare, the Vice President said the importance of the service they render came to the fore during the pandemic as they worked tirelessly over the past year. He observed that Indian nurses and paramedical staff have earned a great reputation and demand globally over the years with their skills, dedication and caring nature. "The need of the hour is to leverage the innate skill among our youth to train more allied health workers and assign a larger role for them in our public health", he added. "With increasing internet and smartphone penetration in rural areas, e-health is the way forward for the optimum use of our human resources in healthcare. e-Health can also empower women and bring about much needed awareness on maternal health and other issues", he said. Noting various e-health initiatives by the Health Ministry, the Vice President stressed the need to further popularize and scale them. "While India is going through a digital revolution, we must capitalize on it and bring about a revolution in healthcare", said Naidu. He also expressed concern over the high out-of-pocket expenditure on health and said that such health expenses adversely affect low-income households that face the risk of being pushed into poverty. He said the government's flagship scheme, 'Ayushman Bharat' has brought 'health assurance' to many poor families for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization and has covered more than 2 crore hospitalizations so far. Naidu commended the University College of Medical Sciences and the associated Guru Teg Bahadur hospital for the great service offered by the two institutions during the management of COVID-19. New Delhi, Sep 25 : Maulana Syed Arshad Madani, principal of the Darul Uloom Deoband, said he supports the Taliban's apparent drive to completely segregate men and women in educational institutes. Madani says he thinks the Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan was a positive development because the Islamist movement liberated the country from foreign occupation, RFE/RL reported. Madani says he supports the Taliban's attempts to segregate men and women, the report said. "They are requiring people to observe the Islamic requirement of hijab," he said, referring to the Arabic word for veil, which denotes the Islamic concept that members of the opposite sexes should not mix if they are not related. "Allah created women's bodies differently from men," he says. "They must dress in a such a way that does not create 'fitnah'," or temptation, the report said. Madani is adamant that his school has no current connection to the Taliban as none of its leaders was educated in his India-based seminary. But he says the Taliban has some historical ties to the Deoband Movement, whose leaders were staunchly anti-British and established an exiled Indian government in the second decade of the 20th century, the report said. Deobandis are a prominent strain among Islamists in modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. Madani cites the example of India, where scores of universities and thousands or colleges are attended only by women. "If it can happen in our country, what is so wrong with the Afghan government wanting to do the same?" he asked. "If the Afghan government can enforce (segregated education), it will mean the door to education for girls has opened." Panaji, Sep 25 : Hotels in Goa should shoulder the responsibility for ensuring that only double vaccinated guests are allowed to check-in, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Saturday, days after the state government allowed the re-opening of one of Goa's biggest tourists draw, offshore and onshore casinos with 50 per cent capacity. Rane also said that visitors to the state should ensure that they carry authentic double vaccination certificates. "...everyone should insist that when they come to their hotel (are double vaccinated), this is my suggestion... Basically get people on board or do things with people who are double vaccinated. Allow those people who come into Goa who are double vaccinated. That is the only way," Rane told reporters in Panaji. "As of now we are maintaining whatever it is and people also have to be responsible. People cannot be irresponsible. People who come into the state should come with authentic double vaccination certificates and several other things," the Health Minister also said, adding that even the rest of the world was using double vaccination as yardstick for allowing entry to tourists and international travellers. Mumbai, Sep 25 : Lakhs of candidates and several political leaders slammed the government for the last-minute cancellation of the health department's recruitment exams to fill up 6,200 vacant posts for which over 800,000 hopefuls have applied, here on Friday. Health Minister Rajesh Tope announced the cancellation of the exams for the Group C and D staffers scheduled for Saturday and Sunday vide social media, triggering a wave of protests. Apparently, the outsourced company, Nyasa Communication Pvt. Ltd, which was awarded the contract to make arrangements for the exams could not complete the requirements on time, preparations for which started around mid-August. "The company informed the state government on (Thursday) evening at 7 p.m., leaving no other option with the state. It was tasked with the preparations like setting up a dedicated website, accepting online applications, issue hall tickets, conduct the written exams, prepare the merit list, etc," said Tope. The health department stated that the next exams date would be announced in "a few days after making full preparations". This resulted in anger spilling over onto the social media with many agitated candidates posting photos and videos showing them already en route in trains, buses, to reach the examination venues. Opposition politicians like BJP's Nilesh Rane also targeted the Maha Vikas Aghadi government for 'looting' the poor candidates, saying they have already paid the examination fee of Rs 630 with GST, so who would compensate them for the loss. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Sep 25: The 'mateship' between the United States and Australia is extending further after the AUKUS security pact and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific as the two countries have unveiled plans to jointly launch rockets into space. There are chances of India being part of the expanding horizons to meet the strategic challenges of the future. On Friday, a 27-member strong NASA team emerged from quarantine in Darwin "to begin work on a ground-breaking campaign" to launch three suborbital sounding rockets from the Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory of Australia. The team will spend the next six weeks in Nhulunbuy working with Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA) preparing for the mid-2022 launches. It will be the first time NASA will undertake a launch from a commercial facility outside of the United States. "We're going to give the NASA team a warm Territory welcome, and we're very excited to see the world's most famous scientists meet the world's oldest continuous living culture," said Michael Gunner, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. Australia Arnhem Space Centre is located in Nhulunbuy, the Northern Territory of Australia (Image courtesy: East Arnhem Land Tourist Association) It will also be the first NASA launch in Australia since 1995, when six sounding rockets were launched from the Australian government-run Woomera Instrument Range in South Australia. The historic collaboration, says Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan, is a big win for Australia's expanding space sector. "The Morrison Government is committed to expanding the civil space sector as part of its plan to grow the sector to $12 billion and create the jobs of the future," he said today. During next year's campaign, NASA will launch three two-stage Black Bant IX sounding rockets carrying scientific instruments into space. The purpose of the missions is to conduct astrophysics research and provide scientists the opportunity to observe astronomical objects that cannot be observed from Northern Hemisphere rocket ranges used by NASA. "This is the first time NASA is undertaking a launch at a commercial facility outside of the USA - and the fact they've picked Australia reflects the momentum we are currently seeing in our local space sector," said Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency. Having common goals to tackle global challenges, there's also a strong possibility of quadrilateral cooperation between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States extending into civil space activities. Earlier this year, the Australian Space Agency and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to increase their cooperation in civil space research and the use of outer space for peaceful purposes. "ISRO's experience in spacecraft and systems engineering and ground stations to support space activities makes them a strategic partner for Australia as we grow our own national space capability and open doors for Australian business internationally," Palermo had said in February. The head of the Australian Space Agency and ISRO Chairman K. Sivan had also discussed establishment of a transportable terminal in Australia to support India's Gaganyaan programme. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative New Delhi, Sep 25: After making amendments to conventional service rules, some two dozen government employees have been dismissed by the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in the current year. The latest lot, sacked on Wednesday 22 September under provisions of Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution of India, comprises one Forest Range Officer, one junior assistant, two government schoolteachers and two constables of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Unlike on all previous occasions of the termination of service of the government employees for their alleged anti-national activities, the fraternity of the 5 lakh public servants is calm and quiet. There are no reports of a protest, calls for shutdown, threats to cripple the government system from the trade unions as they did several times in the last 32 years of the militancy. As of now, there are also no reports of anybody having challenged the termination orders in a court of law or a judicial officer having stayed such an order. Grabbing government jobs on gun point or on account of the political clout the separatists enjoyed for a long time was a new normal for over 20 years post-1990 in Jammu and Kashmir. All such complaints would fall on the deaf ears of even the senior civil and Police officers and bureaucrats who had no local weaknesses or stakes in silence. So the practice of working as militants, getting government jobs while fighting the State Police and the Indian security forces or after arrest or surrender remained intact. Even deviating to militancy for a period while retaining the government jobs and returning to offices silently on court orders or due to complicity of the controlling and the salary drawing and disbursing officers was a known practice and open secret for many years. On one occasion in 2012, unsuccessful attempts were made to admit a top Al-jihad commander-who according to the CID records had participated in encounters with the security forces and spent about a year of his detention in the Public Safety Act after his arrest-in J&K's higher judicial service. Once in, he would have shortly risen to the position of a judge and subsequently Chief Justice in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. Two successive Chief Ministers helped him assiduously but failed after an aggrieved candidate filed a petition in the Supreme Court and the matter was reported by the media. On another occasion, a bunch of complaints regarding the appointment of 128 relatives of an officer in the University of Kashmir were received in the offices of a Governor and Chief Secretary. According to the complaints, the officer holding a senior administrative position in the University belonged to a particular religious organisation, with deep militant connections. A Police agency investigated and confirmed the complaints. There was no action. And when on certain occasions, the government was compelled to dismiss some employees of the egregious militant linkage, the system buckled either under political pressures or the court orders which nobody bothered to resist or contest. Such entrants into the public services would rarely attend their duties. They were in fact on the forefront of mobilising the anti-government crowds in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2016 and enforcement of over 2,000 hartals called by the militants and the separatists. The people of Kashmir valley ended up as the worst sufferers of the absenteeism at the government offices as the public services remained paralysed and the successive political governments and governors showed no will to act against the saboteurs within. Finally the ice broke with some aggressive interventions and modifications in laws and rules after revocation of the erstwhile State's special status and break up into the two Union Territories. Even as all the separatist leaders are like mute spectators to the government actions, the only criticism ironically comes from the tweets and statements of some mainstream politicians who have been day in and day out cursing and demonising New Delhi while comfortably retaining all the privileges available to them as former Ministers or Chief Ministers. On their initiation, the separatists' ecosystem abroad plays up the government orders as "regressive, illegal, unconstitutional and infringing on the fundamental rights". According to the official records, Range Officer Tariq Mehmood Kohli of Poonch was involved in smuggling of illegal arms, ammunition, drugs and fake Indian currency notes from Pakistan. The ISI provided him with SIM cards which he used for planning and executing trans-border smuggling. He was responsible for sustaining militancy in Poonch from 1990 to 2000. On account of his close association with Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and top commanders like Abu Hanzala, Kohli was referred for detention under PSA but he subverted the whole process by making the SSP and the District Magistrate buckle under pressure. Constable Jaffer Hussain Bhat of Kishtwar was involved in looting one AK-47 rifle from the District Magistrate's incharge of escort, Daleep Singh, at Asrarabad Kishtwar on 8 March, 2019-soon after the killing of the BJP leader Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet Parihar. Bhat provided his Maruti Alto car JK17-5025 to Hizbul Mujahideen militants Osama Bin Javed, Haroon Abbas Wani and Zahid Hussain to facilitate their crime. Selection grade constable Showkat Ahmad Khan of Aarth, Narbal, Budgam, according to official records, is "hardcore sympathiser and Over Ground Worker" (OGW) of LeT who used his position as a policeman to give legitimacy to the secessionist agenda. He got clandestinely involved in "activities detrimental to the security of the state". A junior assistant in Roads & Buildings Department, Mohammad Rafi Bhat of Pochhal, Kishtwar surfaced after his associate Tariq Hussain Giri was arrested and interrogated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which was investigating the assassination of the RSS leader Chanderkant. Chanderkant and his PSO Rajinder Kumar were killed in a terrorist attack inside District Hospital Kishtwar on April 9, 2019. The investigation established that Bhat had provided logistic support to the three terrorists-Osama Bin Javed, Haroon Abbas Wani and Zahid Hussain-who planned and executed the RSS leader's killing. Teacher Liyaqat Ali Kakroo of Nambla, Uri, Baramulla, was exposed as a trained militant after his arrest in December 2001 from Chhan Mohalla, Chattabal in Srinagar with two hand grenades and 20 explosive sticks. He got bail but continued his militant activities. In June 2002, he was again arrested with arms and ammunition including a Chinese pistol and a hand grenade. He was found to be a Hizbul Mujahideen OGW, involved mainly in transportation of their cadres and weapons. After his release on bail, he was yet again arrested with a Chinese grenade in April 2021. Teacher Abdul Hamid Wani of Dupatyar Bijbehara, Anantnag, surfaced on account of his association with the outlawed Jamaat-e-Islami and later as "District Commander" of Allah Tigers. Wani and his associates extorted money on gun point from local residents. The group was known for its campaign to shut down cinema theatres. He allegedly got himself appointed as a teacher on gun point without being in any selection process. "Wani promoted his ideology of terrorism and secessionism while delivering jihad sermons at the Friday congregational prayers at the local mosques". (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative New Delhi, Sep 25 : Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the government will bring a new cooperative policy with suitable changes, the new policy will be implemented by the end of this year. Addressing the first Cooperative conference here, he said that the cooperative sector needs to be strengthened and all important units in the entire network will soon be computerised. "Many people say that cooperative is state subject but I must tell you that we will not have any confrontation with the states and will be working with them in poverty amelioration and help them in the matter of cooperatives", Shah said. He also said that all Pax, district cooperative banks, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and other important financial institutions will be revamped with a new software system. The Minister also announced that a new cooperative will be created for the fishermen in the country which will help them in their business in many ways. Noting that the Cooperative credit facility has to be made more liberalised, Shah further said many people in this country do not get small loans from banks or financial institutions as they do not have any paper or something to mortgage, these cooperative institutions will address their concern. He also said that cooperative sector will have major role in achieving the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's target of five trillion dollar economy by 2025 and after creating a new Ministry, nobody will be able to do injustice to this sector. He also urged the representatives of the various cooperative federations to make this sector successful, training, skill development and transparency was required for filling in posts and appointing office bearers. Shah also said that creating the Ministry of Cooperation was the need of the hour and this will develop and make the poor, farmers, women and downtrodden of the society. The PM Modi's mantra of 'sahkar se samridhi' (prosperity from cooperation) will play an important role in poverty alleviation in rural India. The Minister also attacked the critics who say that the days of the cooperatives are over. Referring to the example of Amul Cooperative, Shah further said that it was created on the vision of Sardar Patel with only 80 farmers in 1946 and now its turnover has been over Rs 53,000 crore per annum. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Guwahati, Sep 25 : The Assam government will confer the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Award for National Integration and National Contribution on Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu during his proposed visit to the state on October 3, officials said here on Saturday. According to the officials, the prize amount of the biennial award, which was named after Gopinath Bordoloi, a freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of Assam after India's independence, was increased to Rs 5 lakh from Rs two lakh. The award also carries a citation. Bordoloi was called the architect of modern Assam and he was bestowed the Bharat Ratna for his contributions to the society in1999. An official in the Assam Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that the award had become irregular over the years and the cabinet in its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday decided to scrupulously make the award a biennial affair. The CMO official said that the cabinet also decided to change the names of the state's highest civilian awards, to be given in various fields. Assam Ratna award from now onwards will be known as Asom Baibhav, Assam Vibhushan as Asom Saurav and Assam Bhusan and Assam Shree award as Asom Gaurav. New Delhi, Sep 25 : Indie pop band Euphoria band of 'Dhoom Pichak Dhoom' fame recently released a music album after a long gap of nine years. The album is uniquely titled 'Sale'. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Palash Sen, the founder of Euphoria, shared what made the band compose an album after nine years. 'Sale' is Euphoria's eighth music album after 'Sharnaagat' in 2012. The album 'Sale' is a result of 17 years of hard work. "You can safely say that we have been making this album for over 17 years. 'Kesariya' was composed 17 years ago during a road trip with my brother Ayushmann Khurrana from Delhi to Shimla. The last entrant on the record was the title song, which was made just a little over 2 months ago," said Palash, whose band created popular songs like 'Maeri', 'Ab Na Jaa' among many others. The album 'Sale' consists of the songs - 'Sale', 'Kesariya', 'Saahiba', 'Baavra', 'Khwaamkhaa', 'Saajna', and 'I Like It'. He added, "Honestly, this album came together because of our sheer determination to keep fighting and because of the people who refused to give up on us and on good music." Palash said he was pulled down several times in Bollywood. "Also because of people who tried to shut us out...the Bollywood exec who told me how to make a song...and a so-called friend who told me Euphoria wasn't relevant anymore. You can knock us down, but we will get up again and we will never be out." Palash said the band has been active and releasing singles over the last decade. "We have been actively releasing singles over the last 10 years, but somehow an album was always on the cards." "Hardly anyone is releasing an independent album nowadays. The so-called indie songs too are controlled by labels. So, we had to step up and take the challenge. We dared to do it, and I seriously hope more indie artists follow suit." Talking about the thought process of keeping a unique name 'Sale', Palash expressed, "The situation around us, the times we live in, the people I met, the people I lost and the friends I made. Over the past decade, I have seen almost everything I know being compromised for a price...any price! It actually forced me to ask myself a lot of questions." He added, "This album is based on real stories, of real people known to me, and mostly about the truth I know. This album reinforced my faith in my band. In a world full of buyers and sellers, Euphoria will never be a sellout! And the only thing we are putting on Sale is our emotions for people to window shop or perhaps give us what we are asking for - only love!" Sharing the mood of the album, he said, "A little bit of anger, a little bit of fun, a little bit of melancholy and a whole lotta love! The overtones are of disappointment with the system...the undertones are mischievous and euphoric!" The band is promoting their album through NFT. Talking about the experimental way of promotions, Palash said, "We released 'Sale' as an NFT earlier this month. So that was a huge experiment for us. NFTs can potentially change the way music is consumed globally and we are proud to be the torchbearers in our country." New Delhi, Sep 25 : On its 66th foundation day on Saturday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi installed a Vitros Dry chemistry automated system that can conduct 50 diagnostic tests and present the results in 2-3 hours. The Dry Chemistry automated machine will save around 2 crore litres of water per year. Union Health Minister Mansik Mandaviya digitally inaugurated the high throughput lab where the system has been installed in the RAK building. Along with the Minister of State for Health, Mandaviya also inaugurated an exhibition on the theme 'Digital Health and Medical Education' to mark the institute's 66th foundation day. The automated system will significantly reduce the burden of laboratory medicine. There will be no involvement of water during the tests. "This will vastly improve patient care, as we are going to get the results of the tests in just three hours," said Subroto Sinha, HoD, Lab Medicine and Dean Research. He added that previously, the doctors used to work on limited parameters and then in-depth investigation of sample was sent on the next day. Now the doctors can plan their treatment immediately with the help of this system. It will vastly improve patient care as almost 50 parameters for tests will now be available at any point of time everyday. The system can present the results of over 50 types of tests with a single vial of blood. Mumbai, Sep 25 : Action-based show 'Khatron Ke Khiladi 11' is known for its adventurous stunts with host Rohit Shetty's quirky and witty attitude. Besides this the ladies on the show have also been giving some fashion goals to viewers. Be it Shweta Tiwari, Divyanka Tripathi or Nikki Tamboli, each one of them have set one or another trend to follow for their fans. Let's take a look at some of the styles which the audience witnessed on the show this season: Shweta Tiwari The versatile actress also knows so well how to carry herself with whatever she wears. With her lovely flowy hair, and comfortable yet chic clothes, she made sure that she's able to do all her stunts in style. Be it fuchsia pinks or just the white, stripes or blocks, she has set some cool trends one can try next time. Divyanka Tripathi From being the perfect 'bahu' on-screen to doing stunts on the sets of 'Khatron Ke Khiladi 11', Divyanka seems like doing everything perfectly and in the same way her wardrobe on the show was commendable. From wearing bold colours like red and black, to pairing it with beautiful and braided hair, her fans correctly named her 'sherni' for her daring looks and stunts. Nikki Tamboli Ex-Bigg Boss contestant and actor Nikki has worn some amazing well-coordinated activewear that looked so awesome and one would love to try it next time for a gym session. And then her wavy, honey almond-coloured hair just also seemed so perfect. -- Syndicated from IANS New Delhi, Sep 25 : China's coal power station fleet grew five-fold between 2000 and 2020, and now accounts for almost half the world's consumption - more than three times its closest rival, the US. It is said to have 1,080 separate plants with a total capacity last year of 1,005 gigawatts - and is building more. Britain, in contrast, has just four coal-fuelled plants left, with a joint output of 5.4 gigawatts. This week, in his apocalyptic climate change speech to the United Nations, Boris Johnson urged China - by far the world's worst emitter of greenhouse gases, producing as much as 28 per cent of the global total - to end its domestic use of coal, Daily Mail reported. But far from carbon emissions slowing down in China, they are increasing ever more rapidly. This is a country with a mind-boggling pace of development. Between 2011 and 2013, China used more cement than the US did in the entire 20th century. It produces almost 60 per cent of the world's steel and its oil refinery capacity has tripled since 2000. Even though it promised last week to stop building coal power stations abroad, China continues to do just that at home. Last year, its coal-powered capacity rose by 38 gigawatts, while the rest of the world cut capacity by 17 gigawatts. China has a further 105 gigawatts of new coal capacity in the construction pipeline - more than the entire generating capacity of the UK from all sources, including nuclear and renewables, the report said. Last month, the Workers' Daily reported that in coal-rich Inner Mongolia, 38 mothballed coal mines have been reopened, with an annual production of 60 million tonnes. Last year, Inner Mongolia dug up more than a billion tonnes of coal - and this did not even make it Chin's biggest coal province: that honour belonged to Shanxi. China's president, Xi Jinping, claimed last year that although Chinese emissions would keep rising until 2030, they would then reach their peak and decline, eventually reaching Net Zero by 2060 - ten years after Britain. But he has given few details on how this might be achieved, and there are ominous signs that he has no intention of keeping his word. When President Biden's climate change envoy, John Kerry, went to Beijing this month to put pressure on the regime on carbon emissions, he was humiliated. Kerry was forced to hold his meetings via Zoom - he might as well have stayed in Washington - and China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, politicised the encounter, warning him that if America wanted China to talk seriously about emissions, it must first stop treating it as 'a threat and a rival'. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, co-chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, which has members in 20 countries, said this week that 'governments across the free world have been utterly supine'. He added: 'China may say their emissions will peak by 2030 but meanwhile they are building all the new coal-fired power stations they need, to do whatever they please. "Yet they are being let off the hook while other countries are being asked to step up to measures that will have an incalculable economic impact. China will watch while we collapse our economies and they become all-powerfu", Daily Mail reported. Smith said, "We are heading for a great historical disaster. The free world is emasculating itself while China gets stronger and more dominant. They will soon be impossible to resist." New Delhi, Sep 25 : The restoration and renovation work of Bollywood legends Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor's ancestral homes in Peshawar has started after the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government got possession of the properties, The News reported. Raj Kapoor's ancestral home, known as Kapoor Haveli, and Dilip Kumar's ancestral residence are situated in the Qissa Khwani Bazaar area of Peshawar. As per government plans, the homes of both Bollywood stars would be restored to their original state. Initially, the debris from both houses was removed to begin the restoration work. Meanwhile, Dilip Kumar's nephew Fawad Ishaq lauded the government's decision to restore his uncle and Raj Kapoor's ancestral home. He further said Dilip Kumar's attachment to Peshawar never diminished. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Sep 25 : An application has been moved in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Centre and state governments to take immediate steps for security in subordinate courts, in the backdrop of shootout inside Rohini court complex in the capital, which left three gangsters dead and a law intern injured. The application filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari sought directions to use video conferencing for the appearance of hardcore criminals and dreaded gangsters, in the trial courts. The application has been filed in a PIL seeking directions for protection of judicial officers, advocates and legal fraternity. This PIL cited the mowing down of Dhanbad judge, Uttam Anand, by a vehicle on July 28 in Jharkhand. Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana on Friday expressed deep concern at the Rohini court complex incident, where three gangsters were killed in a shootout inside a courtroom. The incident raised serious questions on the loopholes in the security arrangements on the court complexes. According to a source familiar with the development, the CJI spoke to the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court in connection with this incident and advised him to talk to both police and the Bar to ensure that the functioning of court is not affected. The top court is already examining a matter in connection with safety and security of court complexes and judicial personnel. The source added that in the wake of Friday's violence at the Rohini court complex, the matter may get prioritised next week. Jailed gangster Jitender Maan alias Gogi and two assailants of a rival gang, who were posing as lawyers, were killed in a shootout inside the courtroom on Friday. Meanwhile, another lawyer has moved the Delhi High Court seeking direction to authorities to take measures for the safety and security of district courts in the capital. Tiwari's application said such incidents are not only a threat to the judicial officers, lawyers, and others present on the court premises, but also to the justice delivery system. Citing violence which took place in court premises, the application also sought directions for the installation of CCTV cameras and the setting up of armed police posts in district court premises in the country. Jaipur, Sep 25 : M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Vice President of India, shall be on a five-day tour to Rajasthan starting Sunday. In the first phase, he will visit Jaisalmer; Here, he will address Sainik Sammelan. Next, he will visit Tanot Mata temple where he will offer his prayers. This temple is famous as it remained undamaged despite facing many bomb attacks from Pakistan during 1971 India-Pakistan war. The temple is now being looked after by BSF jawans. He will also visit the site of Longewala war. Thereafter, the vice president will visit Thar desert and participate in cultural programmes. He will also visit the war museum here. On Sept 27, he will go to Jodhpur on World Tourism Day & shall tour Mehranagarh Fort. Naidu will talk to local artists here. He will also visit IIT Jodhpur. On Sept 29, he will visit BSF headquarters in Jodhpur and talk to officers. Next day, the Vice President will inaugurate Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster and shall lay the foundation of AIOT (Artificial Intelligence of Things). Thereafter, the Vice President will have interactions with students and teachers. He will also release a book 'Samwidhan, Sanskriti and Rashtra' on his Jodhpur trip and then shall tour BSF headquarters in Jodhpur. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans hypocrisy in proclaiming himself as the "defender" of the Palestinian cause, while maintaining military, diplomatic and economic alliance with Israel, is legendary. He does it unabashedly. He plays the similar charade when he projects himself as the messiah of Muslims all across the world. Dr Shujaat Ali Quadri Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans hypocrisy in proclaiming himself as the "defender" of the Palestinian cause, while maintaining military, diplomatic and economic alliance with Israel, is legendary. He does it unabashedly. He plays the similar charade when he projects himself as the messiah of Muslims all across the world. Erdogan inherited from Ottoman Sultans the skill of walking a diplomatic tightrope. For centuries, the Ottoman Empire perfected the political art of seeming to be on both sides of conflicting powers. The Sultans sided with France and England against Germany and with Germany against France and England. The same policy is being pursued now by Erdogan, appearing to be on the Palestinian side, while maintaining multi-faceted relations with Israel. Similarly, Turkey is a Nato member while purchasing advanced missiles from Russia, which violates Nato policies. Amazingly, Erdogan is simultaneously the good friend of both US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin! Turkey remained neutral during the Arab-Israeli war of 1948. At its conclusion, the then young Turkish republic became the first Muslim country to recognize the infant state of Israel on March 28, 1949. In January 1950, Ankara sent a career diplomat, Seyfullah Esin, to Tel Aviv as the first Turkish chargA d'affaires in Israel. In 1951, Turkey joined the Western bloc of countries that protested Cairo's decision to deny Israeli ships passage through the Suez Canal. The Mossad (Israel's Intelligence Agency) opened a station on Turkish soil in the early 1950s. In 1954, Turkish PM Adnan Menderes, while on a visit to the US, called on Arab states to recognise Israel. Erdogan paid an official visit to Israel in 2005 and he hoped to play a role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Erdogan was also the first Muslim leader to visit the grave of Zionism founder Theodor Herzl in Israel and meet with then Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Erdogan is trading in the Palestinian cause. Relations deteriorated after the 2008-09 Gaza War and the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid on the Turkish vessel by Israeli forces. In March 2013, Israel apologised for the raid, opening a path for normalised relations. Recently, Arab states like UAE signed a peace agreement with Israel, also known as "Abraham Accord", in exchange for recognition for the state of Israel and stalling further settlement in the West Bank. Turkey reacted astonishingly and threatened to withdraw its ambassador from Abu Dhabi. Commenting on this, a Jordanian writer, Noura al-Moteari, asked: "Does Turkish President Erdogan have a mental illness and a dual personality, or does he know for sure that his followers from the oppressed Turkish people and the Muslim Brotherhood follow him with blind loyalty and do not see beyond the end of their noses? How does Erdogan threaten to withdraw his ambassador from Abu Dhabi because of the historic peace agreement with Israel, while the Israeli embassy in Turkey is active?" Similarly, the Saudi newspaper Okaz wrote in an editorial: "Erdogan's regime does not miss an opportunity to trade in the Palestinian issue and deceive everyone. Despite Erdogan's hypocrisy, which has become exposed to Arab and Islamic public opinion, his regime continues to play on the feelings of Muslims. The Turkish president appears to be applying double standards by ignoring the presence of his ambassador in Tel Aviv." Turkey-Israel Trade Turkey and Israel also have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). According to the 2018 figures, Turkey is the major trading partner country of Israel. Turkey's export products to Israel include textiles, iron, chemicals and oil distillates, steel, land, sea and air vehicles, along with ceramic and glass products. Turkey also purchases high-tech defence equipment, whereas it supplies Israel with military boots and uniforms. Turkish Airlines is the most frequent airline to fly to Israel. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce of Turkey, Turkey's foreign trade volume with Israel has stood at around $5 million - $6 million since 2013, reaching $6.6 million in 2019, with $4.4 million in exports and $1.6 million in imports. In January 2020, foreign trade with the country further increased. Turkey considers Israel the sixth-largest exporter. According to the Israeli Chamber of Commerce, Israeli exports to Turkey in 2020 rose 39 per cent to $950 million, and imports from Turkey rose 16 per cent to $1.05 billion. Independent estimates put Turkey-Israel trade volume at a much larger scale. Israel is among Turkey's top 10 export markets. Israel-Turkey Recent Diplomacy The curve of Israel and Turkish diplomacy has followed a labyrinthine path. The relations between the two countries touch a low and then rise again after reconciliatory efforts. Sometimes, it seems Turkish President Erdogan thinks Israel to be the enemy number 1 in the world, and then suddenly his administration is seen doing patchwork to restore ties between the two countries. On 14 May 2018, after the United States recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and rioting broke out, Erdogan accused Israel of carrying out a "genocide" and behaving like a "terrorist state'. Since then, the bilateral diplomatic representation has been at the level of charge d'affaires rather than ambassador in response to the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem and to Israeli policies in the Gaza Strip. However, according to Seth J. Frantzman, executive director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis, the rhetoric and extreme positioning were part of a deliberate choice by President Erdogan to distract from failures at the economic front and containing Covid-19 pandemic in Turkey. True to Frantzman's observation, Ankara informed Israel in March 2021 that it was set to appoint an ambassador to Tel Aviv once Israel commits to simultaneously reciprocating the gesture, according to a media report. Meanwhile, as a token of its support to Palestinians, Turkey hosts some members of Palestinian resistance group Hamas and has also let the group to establish its office in Istanbul. But, this is also seen as a ploy to find better leverage while negotiating with Israel. Arab News reported in March 2020 that Turkey was in controversial talks with Israel over mutually beneficial maritime borders in the Mediterranean. These talks have been kept in secrecy, but according to sources, they are still in progress. If this project materialises, Turkey will share a border with Israel. Thus, the "technical" and "functional" relationship between Israel and Turkey will go on under President Erdogan come what may happen to Palestinians and their territories. Though, President Erdogan and his cabinet colleagues will continue to serve lip service whenever Palestinians will be victimised. (The writer is the National President of Muslim Students Organisation of India. The views expressed are personal) New Delhi, Sep 25 : The sixth sero survey has started in the national capital where a total of 28,000 samples will be collected in a week, said Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Kumar Jain on Saturday while talking to reporters. He said that the sixth sero survey was started from Friday and said he believes that this time lot of people in the city will have antibodies. The Delhi Health Minister said, "We have started the sixth sero survey and the samples are being collected from all 280 wards that includes 272 MCD wards and NDMC and Cantonment wards". He said that total 100 samples will be collected from all 280 wards, a total of 28,000 samples are to be taken in a week. "This will be the biggest sero survey ever. Experts believe that this time a lot of people will have antibodies", said Jain. On being asked about Delhi's Covid situation, he said that Covid is under control for the last two months in the city. Covid infection rate in the city stands at 0.3 per cent which means only 3 people are getting positive out of every 10,000 samples collected, he said, urging people to use mask in public and follow Covid appropriate behaviour. On the vaccination status, Jain said that around two lakh vaccines are administered in the city everyday. Over 50 lakh people have been jabbed with both doses. As the central government has given green signal for door to door vaccination service, we will also start the service soon, said Delhi Health Minister. Clarifying the confusion over the reopening of private schools as the daily caseload has declined, the minister said that the private schools have been allowed to open, adding a word of caution that opening the schools for them is optional, but they can't force the parents to send their kids to schools. Cuttack, Sep 25 : The Chief Justice of India, N.V. Ramana, said on Saturday that the legislature needs to revisit the laws and reform them to suit the needs of time and people. He emphasised that if the executive and the legislature function in unison to realise the constitutional aspirations, the judiciary will not be compelled to step in as a law-maker Speaking at the inauguration of a new building of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority in Cuttack, Ramana said the legislature needs to revisit the laws and reform them to suit the needs of time and people -- "laws must match with our practical realities and the executive has to match these efforts by way of simplifying the corresponding rules". Emphasising that the executive and the legislature should function in unison, the CJI said, "It is only then, that the judiciary would not be compelled to step in as a law-maker and would only be left with the duty of applying and interpreting the same. At the end of the day, it is the harmonious functioning of the three organs of the state that can remove the procedural barriers to justice." He pointed out that even after 74 years of Independence, traditional and agrarian societies, which have been following customary ways of life, still feel hesitant to approach the courts. Ramana said: "The practices, procedures, language and everything of our courts look like alien to them. Between the complex language of the acts and the process of justice delivery, the common man seems to lose control over the fate of his grievance. Often in this trajectory, the justice-seeker feels like an outsider to the system." Elaborating on Indianisation of justice delivery system as a primary challenge for the Indian judicial system, on which he had spoken earlier, Ramana said a harsh reality is that "often our legal system fails to take into consideration the social realities and implications". He said it is a general understanding of the people that it is the court's responsibility to make laws. "This notion has to be dispelled. This is where the role of other organs of the state, i.e., the legislature and the executive, assumes great significance," Ramana said. Elaborating on the second challenge, enabling the people to "decode the justice delivery system by raising awareness", the CJI said the legal services have become an integral part of the judicial administration and lack of proper infrastructure and funds result in reduction of the activities carried out by these institutions. "As a result, the number of beneficiaries, who avail services of these institutions, reduces. Ultimately, the goal of access to justice for all gets hampered. If we want to retain the faith of our people, we need to strengthen not only the judicial infrastructure, but we also need to boost our outreach programmes as well," he added. Ramana said considering the gravity of the challenge, "we have decided to launch a country-wide robust legal awareness mission in the upcoming week". Concluding his speech, the CJI said: "The power and strength of any justice-delivery system is derived from the faith of the people in it. The Bar and Bench need to work in conjunction to affirm the faith that a citizen has in the justice delivery system. We are mere custodians. I am sure that you will be able to make use of this grand edifice, for the service of the people." Bhubaneswar, Sep 25 : Revealing more details about the DRDO espionage case, a senior official of Odisha police on Saturday said the suspected female operative had given marriage proposals to two of the arrested accused. The Odisha police on September 14 had arrested five former contractual employees of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unit at Chandipur, on charges of sharing classified defence information with foreign agents, who were suspected to be from Pakistan. "As per our investigation so far, the suspect woman was issuing a UK mobile phone number and chatting with the accused on social networking sites like Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram," said additional director general (ADG) of Odisha police (crime branch) Sanjeeb Panda. The 'mysterious' woman had made video calls to two of the accused in Hindi and she was in contact with the five accused through seven Facebook accounts under different names and profile pictures, Panda said. He said the suspected woman operative had also given marriage proposals to two of the arrested accused and promised to visit the house of another accused located in Chandipur. "Our efforts are also underway to find out details of the bank account of Dubai from which money was transferred to the bank account of one of the accused. Besides, we are inquiring whether they received money from any other sources," he said, adding, further investigation is also on to get details of the UK phone number. The Crime Branch had taken the five accused on a seven-day remand. After detailed interrogation, they were produced in the court on Friday. If required, the Crime Branch will seek further remand of the accused, he informed. United Nations, Sep 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck a deeply personal note in his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, rewinding to his roots as a "poor boy" who sold tea in a small town and rose to the country's highest political office. "Democracy can deliver. Democracy has delivered," he said within minutes of kicking off the weekend leg of UNGA speeches. Modi came to New York fresh off the Quad summit on Friday when he also held a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House. The first in-person leader-level Quad meeting welcomed India's announcement to resume exports of Covid vaccines, including to COVAX, beginning October 2021. The triage between Japan, Australia and India on this effort headlines immediate deliverables while offering a lens into what the Quad seeks to stand for. In a joint statement, Quad leaders Modi, Scott Morrison of Australia and Yoshihide Suga of Japan and US President Biden slammed terrorist proxies and cross-border attacks, without naming Pakistan or China. This messaging came soon after US withdrawal from Afghanistan and deepening mistrust between the US and Pakistan, which remains important to US intelligence because of its proximity to Taliban leaders now in charge of the war-torn nation. United Nations, Sep 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi headlined India's scalable and "cost-effective" tech solutions within minutes of beginning his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday. "When India grows, the world grows. When India reforms, the world transforms. The science and technology based innovations taking place in India can make a big contribution to the world. The scalability of our tech solutions, and their cost effectiveness are both unparalleled," Modi said. "Over 3.5 billion transactions are taking place every month in India through the unified payment interface (UPI)," he said. Earlier, Modi began his speech on a deeply personal note, rewinding to his roots as a "poor boy" who sold tea in a small town and rose to the country's highest political office. "Democracy can deliver. Democracy has delivered," he said in the first of Saturday's addresses at the UNGA. Among Modi's opening lines: "I represent a country that is proud to be known as the mother of democracy." Modi came to New York fresh off the Quad summit on Friday when he also held a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden. The first in-person leader-level Quad meeting welcomed India's announcement to resume exports of Covid vaccines, including to COVAX, beginning October 2021. The triage between Japan, Australia and India on this effort headlines immediate deliverables while offering a lens into what the Quad seeks to stand for. In a joint statement, Quad leaders Modi, Scott Morrison of Australia and Yoshihide Suga of Japan and US President Biden slammed terrorist proxies and cross-border attacks, without naming Pakistan or China. This messaging comes soon after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and deepening mistrust between the US and Pakistan, which remains important to US intelligence because of its proximity to Taliban leaders now in charge of the war-torn nation. About 15 minutes into his UNGA address, Modi shifted his attention to ripping Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's harsh rhetoric targeting India. New Delhi, Sep 25 : The Supreme Court has said judges occupying the highest moral ground go a long way in building public confidence in the justice delivery system. A bench comprising justices K.M. Joseph and P.S. Narasimha said: "It is through the Civil Judge (Junior Division)/Magistrate that the common man has the greatest interface. Most importantly, the perception of the common man about the credentials and background of the judicial officer is vital". The bench added that post of a judicial officer at any level involves applying the "most exacting standards". The bench added: "The incumbent of a judicial post discharges one of the most important functions of the State, that is, the resolution of disputes involving the people of the country. Judges occupying the highest moral ground go a long way in building public confidence in the justice delivery system". The bench noted that post of a civil judge or a magistrate is of the highest importance notwithstanding the fact that in the pyramidical structure of the judiciary, the civil judge is at the lowest rung. "We say this for the reason that of all the litigation which is instituted in the country, the highest volume of the same takes place at the lowest level. Not many of the cases finally reach the highest Court", said the bench, in its judgment. These observations were made by the top court while allowing the plea filed by the high court through its registrar general against the Rajasthan High Court verdict, which allowed a plea by a man challenging the decision against his appointment to the civil judge's cadre. The bench noted that the man was acquitted in FIRs lodged against him on the basis of compromise and added, the alleged involvement of an officer in criminal cases may undermine public faith in the system. "We are unable to describe the acquittals as honourable or acquittals based on there being a complete absence of evidence," said the top court, as it set aside the high court verdict. In November 2013, the Rajasthan High Court, Jodhpur, had issued a notification inviting applications for filling up the post of civil judge (junior division). The man had applied for this post. The top court noted that during verification, the man had volunteered with the information in connection with him being implicated in certain criminal cases. The committee of the high court, in July 2015, tasked by the chief justice to consider the case of 12 candidates, including the man, resolved to not recommend him. The man had filed a plea before the high court which allowed it, noting that no criminal case was pending against him when the online application form was submitted for the recruitment. Jaipur, Sep 25 : Speculating about major changes in Rajasthan politics after Punjab, lobbying and WhatsApp calling have picked up pace in the state and Delhi after former deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi twice in Delhi in the last one week. This time, he met Priyanka Gandhi too along with Rahul which is raising eyebrows of many leaders from the Gehlot camp. While a few Rajasthan ministers and MLAs have reportedly visited Delhi for lobbying, there are others seen busy making WhatsApp calls to discuss newer permutations and combinations coming up in the state. Before leaving for Delhi, Pilot met Rajasthan Speaker CP Joshi which led to speculation being rife that Pilot was busy making his camp stronger, and hence major changes will be reported here. Meanwhile there is speculation that Pilot may be given the Pradesh Congress Committee presidency or a major portfolio in the government as CM Ashok Gehlot presently handles a number of portfolios. There are also reports that Congress veteran leader from Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh might visit Rajasthan on October 1 to talk to MLAs here and draft a strategy for upcoming changes in the political map. "These changes, the high command feels, are required not only for the upcoming assembly polls in 2023 but also for the Lok Sabha polls in 2024," they added. "In December 2018, the Congress won 99 seats out of 200 and Ashok Gehlot was made the CM even though he was not the CM face during the poll campaign. After five months of these elections, Lok Sabha polls were held, where Congress scored a duck out of 25 seats." Now, the next elections are scheduled in 2023 and the party is contemplating a new CM face so that the 2019 Lok Sabha results are not repeated in the 2024 parliamentary elections, said Congress sources. In fact, veteran strategist Prashant Kishor has chalked out a comprehensive strategy and submitted it to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Gandhi, they said, had shared it with leaders like Ambika Soni and others. In his report, Kishor has recommended major changes in Punjab, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. These are the states where the Congress is on a strong wicket and hence the party should not take them lightly, he recommended. Eventually, in the next few days, there will be major changes in the desert state which has been lying low in terms of political action. Kolkata, Sep 25 : Hours after the union ministry of external affairs disallowed Mamata Banerjee to go to Rome to attend a programme organised by a non-governmental organisation, the chief minister came down heavily on the central government saying that she was stopped only out of 'jealousy'. The controversy cropped up after the state government received a letter from the ministry of external affairs mentioning that the chief minister has been invited to an event in Rome which, the letter said was, "not conducive of participation for a state chief minister". The event is scheduled to take place in Rome on October 6 and 7. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was invited to Rome by the Community of Sant' Egidio - a Catholic association dedicated to social service - to participate in the international event in Rome, the World Meeting for Peace "Peoples as Brothers, Future Earth", on 6 and 7 October this year where Pope Francis, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are likely to be present. Mamata accepted the invitation. It was decided that she would visit Rome after the by-election in Bhabanipur. Mamata was also preparing to go to Rome but this sudden letter from the central government has changed everything. Speaking at a public rally in Bhabanipur, the chief minister didn't conceal her anger. "The Prime Minister can go abroad. Why I shall be disallowed to attend a function abroad? I was stopped only out of jealousy," a furious Banerjee said. Previously the chief minster was also disallowed to go to Chicago where she was supposed to address a gathering at Belur Math, the global headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, to mark 125 years of Swami Vivekananda's historic speech at the Parliament of Religion, Chicago. At that time also the chief minister had termed it as an 'unholy conspiracy'. "No one can go to America or Britain with covaxin. The World Health Organization has not given it recognition yet but the Prime Minister went with special permission. There are many people who cannot go abroad because they have taken covaxin. The Prime Minister went and I don't have any problem with that but why was I not allowed to represent? I used to go there and represent Hinduism. He speaks much about Hindutva but disallows me. This is nothing but jealousy," she added. New York, Sep 25 : In a 22-minute address to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi framed the idea of India's power in the context of science, technology, culture and problem-solving capability at an "unparalleled" scale. "When India grows, the world grows. When India reforms, the world transforms. The science and technology based innovations taking place in India can make a big contribution to the world. The scalability of our tech solutions and their cost-effectiveness are both unparalleled," Modi said within minutes of his address. Here are 10 highlights from Modi's speech: Aspiration: "The strength of our democracy is demonstrated by the fact that a little boy who at one time used to help his father at his tea stall at the railway station is today addressing the United Nations General Assembly for the fourth time, as the Prime Minister of India." Democracy: "I will soon have spent 20 years serving my countrymen as head of government. First, as the longest serving Chief Minister of Gujarat and then as the Prime Minister for the last seven years. And I am saying this to you from my own experience. Yes, democracy can deliver. Yes. Democracy has delivered." Banking: "During the last seven years, India has brought over 430 million people who were previously unbanked into the banking system. Today, over 360 million people, who earlier could not even imagine this was possible, have insurance coverage as security." Healthcare: "By giving over 500 million people the facility of free treatment in hospitals, India has given them access to quality health services. By building 30 million proper homes, India has made homeless families home owners." Water Supply: "In India, we are carrying out a very big campaign to ensure that piped, clean water reaches over 170 million homes." India and Indians: "Every sixth person in the world is Indian. When Indians make progress, it also gives an impetus to the development of the world. When India grows, the world grows. When India reforms, the world transforms." Science and Tech: "The science and technology based innovations taking place in India can make a big contribution to the world. This scalability of our tech solutions and their cost-effectiveness are both unparalleled. Over 3.5 billion transactions are taking place every month in India through the unified payment interface (UPI)." Vaccines: "I would like to inform the UNGA that India has developed the world's first DNA vaccine. And this vaccine can be administered to anyone above the age of 12. Another mRNA vaccine is in the final stages of development." Investment Opportunity: "I also extend an invitation to the vaccine manufacturers from across the world. Come, make vaccines in India." Terrorism: "Countries with regressive thinking are using terrorism as a political tool. These countries must understand that terrorism is an equally big threat to them. Also, it is absolutely essential to ensure that Afghanistan's territory is not used to spread terrorism or for terrorist attacks. "We also need to be alert and ensure that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation there, and use it as a tool for their own selfish interests. At this time, the women and children of Afghanistan, the minorities of Afghanistan, need help. And we must fulfil our duty by providing them with this help." New Delhi, Sep 25 : Congress leader and member of the Screening Committee for UP Assembly polls and Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Hooda was at 10 Janpath on Saturday where he met party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. However, not all members of the screening committee were present in this meeting. Priyanka Gandhi's proposed UP tour also came up for discussion in this meeting, which lasted for about an hour. Congress President Sonia Gandhi on September 17 had constituted a screening committee for the UP assembly elections to select candidates and prepare the election strategy. Jitendra Singh has been made the chairman of the committee. While Deepender Hooda and Varsha Gaikwad have been nominated as members. According to the party, soon the Screening Committee will make a list of the panel of candidates after a multiple level process. However, it has been said that about 60 leaders have already been given the green signal by the Congress party to enter the electoral fray. On the instructions of the general secretary in-charge of UP, Priyanka Gandhi, the national secretary of the party is taking a decision on the candidates keeping in view the ground reality. If this happens, it will be the first time in the Congress party that candidates will be decided without a screening committee. Priyanka Gandhi's Pratigya Maharally was proposed in Meerut on September 29, which has been postponed. According to sources, the date of the program has now been shifted to October 9 due to Pitru Paksha (inauspicious period). Now Priyanka Gandhi will start her election campaign by holding a 'Pratigya Maharally' in Varanasi on October 9. The party has planned 12,000 km journey criss-crossing the entire state to connect to the masses. The party will hold rally in Agra on October 7, in Prayagraj on October 16, in Kanpur on October 23. United Nations, Sep 25 : Four separate sparsely-attended protests were held outside the UN on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the the United Nations General Assembly. The groups were separated from each other in enclosures put up with police barriers, advocating different causes. The biggest group of them was that of about 100 Khalistan supporters waving yellow flags and carrying portraits of Simranjit Singh Mann, the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar). The organisers of the other three protests disowned the Khalistanis and said they were not associated with them, pointing to the barriers separating them from that group. One of the groups was the Indian National Overseas Congress, which supports the Congress in India and was protesting against what they said were human rights violations. Another was a protest organised by a local gurdwara in support of the farmers' agitation in India focused solely on the agriculturists' issues. They stationed themselves far from the Khalistanis and an organiser said that they did not have anything to do with that protest and distinguished themselves with green turbans. The Hindus for Human Rights (HHR) organised yet another protest that was sandwiched between the Congress and Khalistani protests. An organiser said that they were not associating themselves with the Khalistanis and their enclosed barrier next to that group's was assigned by the police. HHR protested against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and other laws and regulations, as well as what they called human rights violations and detention of activists in India. They were joined by a representative of the New York State Council of Churches, a protestant organisation that also lists the World Council of Churches among its members. Its executive director, Peter Cook, a protestant pastor who said he had been deported from India, asserted that his organisation opposed the CAA even though it gave citizenship rights to Christians fleeing persecution, because it "pits Christians against Muslims". The Khalistani protesters, who were not allowed by the police to demonstrate outside India's mission to the UN, drove past it in cars flying their flags and raising slogans. Supporters of Kashmiri separatists and Pakistanis, who held protests in the previous years, were not seen this time. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) The Shenzhou 13 crew is expected to spend six months at the space station. (Photo: Weibo) Image Source: IANS News Beijing, Sep 25 : China is expected to send a woman astronaut for the upcoming Shenzhou 13 mission, media reports said. The crew is expected to launch on Shenzhou 13 around October 3 from Jiuquan in the Gobi Desert to its new space station, Space.com reported. The crew has not been officially announced. But according to Chinese media, Wang Yaping is likely to be the first woman on China's new space station, the report said. Just two of 12 Chinese astronauts to have flown to space so far have been women. Yaping was the second Chinese woman to be in space in 2013 on Shenzhou 10, after Liu Yang on Shenzhou 9 in 2012. Yaping visited Tiangong 1, a space lab which was designed as a test bed for the much larger Tianhe module. During the mission, Wang also delivered a lecture to school children from orbit. Wang is also known to have been in training earlier this year for space station missions, the report said. The country has recently concluded its Shenzhou 12 mission, with the three-member crew returning to Earth following 90 days aboard the Tianhe module of the Tiangong space station. Shenzhou 13 will be the last mission this year to build the space station. When completed, the T-shaped Tiangong ("Heavenly Palace") space station will be China's first multi-module space station. In addition to hosting Chinese crews and research, China plans to invite international partners to visit and work aboard the orbiting outpost. In all, the Tiangong will have a mass of about 100 tonnes, about a quarter of the size of the International Space Station, which was built by a coalition of 16 countries, the South China Morning Post reported. The Tiangong is likely to be the only space station operating in near-Earth orbit by the end of the decade, because the 15-year-old ISS is ageing, especially its Russian segment, the Zvezda service module, it added. New Delhi, Sep 25 : In Delhi MCD polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party will sell abrogation of Article 370, Ram Mandir and Triple Talaq law in 11,000 meetings planned to repeat its 2017 victory. Gearing up for the next years' municipal polls in the national capital, the BJP on Saturday launched its plan of holding 11,000 meetings with 500 community leaders on board to target different sections of people across Delhi. In these meetings, decision taken by the Modi government, which were deemed to be "historic" by its followers will be the top talking-points. People from Purvanchal, Uttarakhand, North-east, South India and youth among them will be the main target of the party. "Total 11,000 meetings will be held across Delhi for which 500 people from different communities in the capital have been trained by the party. We have been given a month's time to achieve this target but it could easily go beyond that," a senior BJP official told IANS. Elections to three Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCD), where the saffron party has not lost since 2007, will be held in April next year. Early this month, Delhi BJP general secretary Harsh Malhotra had told IANS that the meetings will be held in small groups of around 25 to 50 prominent people from these groups. Pandemic was cited as the reason behind restricting the number of people. Preparation for the large-scale assemblies had started weeks ago with BJP forming committees in over 8,000 polling booths in the city. Of the 13,789 booths in the city, 21-member committees were set up in over 8,000 booths. Moreover, about a fortnight ago, 14 prominent leaders of the BJP state unit, including Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta had spent a night with people in different parts of city to know about the response of the masses. "Our main agenda behind these meet ups is to inform the concerned communities about the schemes introduced by the Modi government for their benefit and the promises on which Kejriwal-led Delhi government failed to deliver," the source said. The party has targeted communities based on their profession, region and religion for a larger impact. "For examples, groups like traders, residents welfare associations (RWAs) will have separate meetings, where they will discuss the Modi government's schemes, launched specifically for their communities. Similarly, in a meeting of Purvanchal community, people will be told about Ram Mandir and the Purvanchal Expressway project," it added. Other than campaigning for the BJP ahead of MCD elections, we are also creating new leadership in this way. These 500 leaders have been trained for these meetings and will be kept battle ready for future also. A party-vice president's or general secretary's speech will not have the same impact as that of someone from one's own group, the official said. With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on the front, BJP which is already burdened with the anti-incumbency factor of three terms, faces a strong challenge this time. To negate the anti-incumbency factor during the 2017 municipal polls, the saffron party had denied tickets to all its sitting councillors. (Radhika Tiwari can be reached at radhika.t@ians.in) New Delhi, Sep 25 : India is on track to achieve Paris Agreement's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) limit of 40 per cent installed power capacity from non-fossil sources, and will be able to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35 per cent over 2005 levels by 2030, said Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Bhagwanth Khuba. The minister was addressing an event on 'Ambition to Impact: Opportunities for Global Collaboration in India's Clean Energy Economy' at the United Nations High-Level Dialogue on Energy (HLDE). The event was co-organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in New York, and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) on Friday. Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of India to the UN, T.S. Tirumurti said in a video message, "India is aiming to deliver universally accessible and sustainable energy at rational prices through several citizen-centric measures. India is constantly engaging with international communities through global initiatives to achieve its targets." According to an official communique, "The webinar showcased India's efforts to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda through a citizen-centric energy transition and focused on enhancing the speed of India's clean energy deployment through global collaboration. It discussed the multilateral efforts required for this transition through conducive international policies, co-development of technologies, pooled finances for demonstrations, and investments to create markets and scale up deployment." Expressing strong support for India's clean energy and climate action initiatives, the Ambassador of Brazil, Andre Aranha Correa do Lago, and the Ambassador of Denmark, Freddy Svane, talked about ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation with India with targeted focus on the field of renewable energy. Both Brazil and Denmark are UN Global Champions for Energy Transition. New Delhi, Sep 24: The importance of the Indian diaspora has come to the fore in India-US relations with both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden highlighting this factor as part of the strengthening relationship between the worlds largest and oldest democracies. President Biden during his bilateral meeting with PM Modi mentioned that "there are more than 4 million Indian-Americans who are participating in the journey of progress of America." PM Modi responded by saying: "As I look at the importance of this decade and the role that is going to be played by this talent of Indian-Americans, I find that this people-to-people talent will play a greater role and Indian talent will be a co-partner in this relationship and I see that your contribution is going to be very important in this." The diaspora factor was also very evident at PM Modi's meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris. He told Harris "between India and the US, we have very vibrant and strong people-to-people connections, you know that all too well," referring to her Indian roots. "More than 4 million people of Indian origin; the Indian community is a bridge between our two countries, a bridge of friendship and their contribution to the economies and societies of both our countries is indeed very praiseworthy," the Prime Minister pointed out. With Indian-Americans playing a crucial role in the technology sector it was only natural that at least two of the five top CEO's that PM Modi held a one-on-one meeting with in Washington, were Indian-Americans. His meeting with Vivek Lall, Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation, focused on strengthening the defence technology sector in India. Lall appreciated the recent policy changes to accelerate defence and emerging technology manufacturing in India. The company makes state-of-art drones which is a technology that India urgently requires to counter the growing threat from China in this field. The discussion with Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen centred around the software technology company's ongoing collaboration and future investment plans in India. Discussions also focused on India's flagship programme Digital India, and use of emerging technologies in sectors like health, education and R&D. India with its huge market and skilled manpower offers an alternative investment destination for US tech giants at a time when they are decoupling from an increasingly aggressive Communist China and looking to set up alternative supply chains. In this backdrop, the Prime Minister met Cristiano Amon, CEO of leading computer chip maker Qualcomm to present the investment opportunities in India's telecommunications and electronics sector. This included the recently launched Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing as well as developments in the semiconductor supply chain in India. Strategies for building the local innovation ecosystem in India were also discussed. Similarly, he took up the issues of cutting-edge solar equipment with the CEO of renewable energy major First Solar. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Kolkata, Sep 25 : The West Bengal government is fully geared up to meet any eventuality caused by excessive rain forecast in the coming week, particularly in three districts, Kolkata, South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore, officials said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rains in south Bengal next week, likely to be triggered by a cyclonic circulation that will form after Cyclone Gulab, which is expected to hit south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh on Sunday evening. West Bengal Chief Secretary H.K. Diwedi has held meetings with the respective district administrations and has given them a seven-point plan so that damages can be avoided. The district administrations has been asked to move all the people residing in the low lying areas and in mud houses to the cyclone centres on Sunday itself. The fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea till October 5. "During cyclones Amphan, Yaas and Bulbul, the state government had made an extensive plan for evacuation, rescue and rehabilitation, which produced extremely good results. We want to follow the same pattern here also," a senior official of the state secretariat said. The state government has also asked the district administrations to store dry food, water pouches and other relief materials as much as possible so that there is no dearth of relief items. "A central control room has been opened at the disaster management department which will be in touch with the district administrations 24x7. All leaves of the state government employees have been cancelled and they have been asked to stay prepared for any kind of eventuality," the official added. The state government has also asked the district administration to keep a strict watch on the embankments and has asked them to keep the teams ready so that they can be rectified soon. The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) has also been asked to keep an eye on the situation so that electrocution cases can be avoided. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Police have opened a 24-hour control room at its headquarters in Lalbazar on Saturday. Officers from Kolkata Police, NDRF, Fire Brigade and Disaster Management Department will be present in the control room. Sources in Kolkata Police said that they have formed 22 teams for the purpose of disaster management, seven of which will be stationed in the Bhabanipur area, which will go to the bypoll on September 30. "There is by-election in Bhabanipur on September 30 and we want the elections to be held peacefully. We are taking all the measures so that people can come out and exercise their franchise," a senior Kolkata Police officer said. New York, Sep 25 : Minutes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed his 22-minute address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar tweeted 12 'big policy takeaways' from the PM's speech. The very first takeaway was an answer to those attempting to lecture India on democracy. Jaishankar emphasised right upfront that India is "the Mother of Democracy" and "based on his own experiences, PM affirms that democracy can deliver, democracy has delivered". Two, Modi's governance vision "is one where no one is left behind. Therefore, the pursuit of integrated and equitable development. The numbers PM shared speak for the government's record". Three, the "impact of India's development on global progress is evident. When India grows, the world grows; when India reforms, the world transforms". Four, India's "strong message of a foreign policy for global good (notably) India's importance as a responder and a contributor (was) underlined". Five, aligned with her status as a leading power, India's commitment "of vaccine supplies to the world is one clear indicator in that regard". Six, the PM's highlighting of "the transformational role of technology in our daily lives. But equally, the significance of technology with democratic values". Seven, a message that "resilient and expanded global value chains and production centres is in our (the world's) collective interest". Eight, "India's strong record on climate action and its ambitious vision, including renewable energy goals and green hydrogen". Nine, India's advice that "ocean(s) and its (their) resources must be protected. This lifeline should be safeguarded from expansion and exclusion". Ten, PM's note of caution "against regressive thinking and extremism". It follows that "using terrorism as a political tool will backfire on those practicing it". Eleven, on Afghanistan, the world "must not allow use of its soil by terrorists. Nor should its (Afghanistan's) predicament be taken advantage of by other states. The world has an obligation to its women, children and minorities". Finally, the PM telling the UNGA that "United Nations must enhance its effectiveness and reliability". Noteworthy here, the PM's takeaway was that "there are questions on that count". (Nikhila Natarajan is on Twitter @byniknat) Guwahati, Sep 25 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday claimed that the Popular Front of India (PFI) was involved in the violence in Darrang district during an eviction drive, stating that some people had collected Rs 28 lakh from the encroacher families assuring them that they would convince the government against eviction. Two persons, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed and 20 others were injured after a mob clashed with the police during an eviction drive in Assam's Darrang district on Thursday. The Chief Minister said that the state government has prepared a dossier on PFI and sent it to the Centre seeking a total ban on the outfit. "There are detailed intelligence reports that six people, including a college teacher, had collected Rs 28 lakh in the past three months from the landless families, assuring them that they would convince the government not to undertake the eviction drive," Sarma told the media after attending a function here. "From where did around 10,000 people, armed with sticks and spears, gather and attack the policemen," the Chief Minister asked, adding that when these people failed to prevent the eviction drive, they assembled people and created havoc on Thursday. "We have sufficient details about the PFI and other conspirators and when the judicial inquiry begins, more facts and evidence would emerge," he said. Sarma said that he had earlier promised to the All Assam Minority Students' Union (AAMSU) that all the landless households would be provided six bighas of land. "The affected poor people were not given any land or compensation. Those evicted are now staying in makeshift structures sans drinking water or sanitation facilities," AAMSU President Rejaul Karim Sarkar told the media. Those killed in Thursday's violence included a 12-year old boy named Shaikh Farid who was returning home after obtaining his Aadhaar card from the post office, and 28-year-old Moinul Haque, who was seen in a viral video, shot dead by the police. In the viral video, a photographer, hired by the Darrang district administration to record the eviction drive, was seen stomping on the body of Haque. The photographer was subsequently arrested. Meanwhile, a delegation of the All India United Democratic Front on Saturday met Assam Governor Jagadish Mukhi and demanded compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 10 lakh for those injured in the firing during the eviction drive. The AIUDF also demanded six bighas of land for the evicted families for farming purpose, and one bigha for constructing houses. The eviction drive was launched by the police and the district administration to vacate 4,500 bighas (602.40 hectares) of government land illegally encroached by several hundreds of Bengali-speaking Muslim families in Darrang. Imphal, Sep 26 : The security forces on Saturday arrested four militants of a Kuki outfit and a top NSCN-IM cadre in Manipur and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession, officials said. Police sources said that four hardcore militants of Kuki National Front (Mangkholam Kipgen faction) outfit have been arrested from the jungles near Gopibung village under Kangpokpi district. The joint operation of Assam Rifles troopers and police personnel led to the recovery of two 9 mm pistols along with one magazine each and some live ammunition from the possession of the ultras. In another operation, the Assam Rifles jawans apprehended a top cadre of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) on National Highway-2 at Maram in Manipur's Senapati district bordering Nagaland. A defence spokesman said that during interrogation, the NSCN (IM) militant revealed that he was working for the outfit since 2002 and he along with another cadre was involved in extortion and tax collection activities for the last two months. The associate of the arrested NSCN (IM) rebel fled with the collected money on seeing the security forces. Sharjah, Sep 26 : Punjab Kings have finally finished on the right side of a close game as they defended a 125-run target against Sunrisers Hyderabad by five runs to notch up their fourth win of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). They have played plenty of thrillers last season and this time as well. After the match here, Punjab captain KL Rahul was happy and relieved. He also said his team was used to such tight games. "Used to these games. Hope the TRP is up due to Punjab Kings. I'll take the win - nothing else to say," said Rahul. The Punjab captain further showered praise on Hyderabad's Jason Holder for his all-rounder show. Holder with figures of 3/19 with the ball and an unbeaten innings of 47 runs almost got SRH through but PBKS prevailed in the end. "Holder played a phenomenal innings. He picked up two wickets in an over to get me and Mayank (Agarwal). He came and batted really well... There was no pace on the pitch. It was important for our team for Chris Gayle and others to get stuck in. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. It gives us the belief that if you put a decent total on the board, the pressure can make the opposition do funny things," Rahul added. Latest updates on IPL 2021 New Delhi, Sep 26 : A massive fire broke out at a cardboard godown in southwest Delhi area on Saturday night, officials said. No casualties, however, were reported. An official said 14 fire tenders that were rushed to the spot have managed to bring the fire under control. The fire broke out at the cardboard godown of a four-storey building in Dabri village near Dada Dev hospital. An official said the fire was so massive that it eventually spread to the third floor leading to the collapse of its roof. No casualties, however, were reported. Daisy Intelligence is pleased to announce it placed No. 238 on the 2021 Report on Business ranking of Canadas Top Growing Companies. Canadas Top Growing Companies ranks Canadian companies on three-year revenue growth. Daisy Intelligence earned its spot with three-year growth of 161%. It is an honour to be on the Globe and Mails ranking of Canadas Top Growing Companies for the third year in a row, says Gary Saarenvirta, Daisys Founder and CEO. The pandemic has posed challenges for all businesses and it is a testament to our great retail and insurance clients who continue to collaborate with us to build the future of artificial intelligence in business. A major addition to our insurance user interface, as well as supply chain solutions for forecasting and assortment planning, were significant contributors to our growth. Launched in 2019, the Canadas Top Growing Companies editorial ranking aims to celebrate entrepreneurial achievement in Canada by identifying and amplifying the success of growth-minded, independent businesses in Canada. It is a voluntary program; companies had to complete an in-depth application process in order to qualify. In total, 448 companies earned a spot on this years ranking. The full list of 2021 winners, and accompanying editorial coverage, is published in the October issue of Report on Business magazineout nowand online. As we look toward the future, Canadas Top Growing Companies offer both inspiration and practical insights for other firms facing similar challenges, says James Cowan, Editor of Report on Business magazine. The entrepreneurs behind these companies are smart, tenacious and unwavering in their commitment to their goals. Any business leader seeking inspiration should look no further than the 448 businesses on this years Report on Business ranking of Canadas Top Growing Companies, says Phillip Crawley, Publisher and CEO of The Globe and Mail. Their growth helps to make Canada a better place, and we are proud to bring their stories to our readers. About The Globe and Mail The Globe and Mail is Canadas foremost news media company, leading the national discussion and causing policy change through brave and independent journalism since 1844. With award-winning coverage of business, politics and national affairs, The Globe and Mail newspaper reaches 6.4 million readers every week in print or digital formats, and Report on Business magazine reaches 2 million readers in print and digital every issue. The Globe and Mails investment in innovative data science means that as the world continues to change, so does The Globe. The Globe and Mail is owned by Woodbridge, the investment arm of the Thomson family. About Daisy Intelligence Daisy is an AI software company that delivers explainable Decisions-as-a-Service for retail merchandise planning and insurance risk management. Daisys unique autonomous (no code, no infrastructure, no data scientists, no bias) AI system elevates your employees, enabling them to focus on delivering your mission, servicing your customers, and creating shareholder value. In retail, the Daisy system will deliver optimized assortment plans, improved demand forecasting and inventory allocation, dynamic price optimization for regular and promotional prices and promotional item selection. For our insurance clients, the Daisy system detects and avoids fraudulent claims while enabling claims automation, minimizing human intervention in claims processing. Daisys solutions deliver verifiable financial results with a minimum net income return on investment of 10X. For additional information visit daisyintelligence.com. Media Contact: Dave Hochman DJH Marketing Communications, Inc. (for Daisy Intelligence) 718-415-3859 djhochman [at] djhmarcom [dot] com GBC AutoFeed+ Shredders are powerful, secure, easy-to-use and look great in the home or office. Were excited to see how our consumers receive them. Today, GBC added a new product range to its iconic line of commercial, office and personal shredders. The AutoFeed+ Shredders encompass 13 leading-edge models engineered with the latest auto feed technology and features for optimum performance. AutoFeed+ shredders save you time by allowing you to stack up to 750 sheets into the feeder, close the door and walk away while the shredder does all the work. Simply stack, shut and shred. Enjoy longer run times, ultra-quiet shredder performance and efficient, powerful results. As with all GBC Shredders, the AutoFeed+ Shredders were designed to provide customers with peace of mind. Models are P4 or P5 Security-Rated and feature super-cross cut and micro-cut technology that shreds confidential documents, credit cards and more into unreadable particles. In addition, all larger models include a pin code lock that provides an extra layer of security to your shredded documents in shared spaces. The GBC Phase 1 September release will include Home Office Models 60X, 100X/100M, 150X/150M and Office Models 230X/230M and 300X/300M. The GBC Phase 2 October release will include Commercial Grade Models 600X/600M and 750X/750M. GBCs number one goal is to be the most innovative and dependable brand in the marketplace, and we couldnt be more excited to announce the addition of GBC AutoFeed+ Shredders to our lineup of high-quality, high-performance shredders, Lori Conley, Vice President, Office Products and Licensing, ACCO Brands, said. GBC AutoFeed+ Shredders are powerful, secure, easy-to-use and look great in the home or office. Were excited to see how our consumers receive them. Product Details: Larger bin sizes mean less time spent emptying and cleaning. Allows you to stack up to 750 pages at one time in auto-feed mode. Shred your most confidential information securely with our P4 or P5 Security-rated shredders. All models feature powerful induction motors that allow for longer continuous run times and an overall quieter shredding experience. Models 300 and above are designed with a lockable paper feeder to prevent potential tampering with your pre-shredded documents. The easy-to-use interface, cooling fan, anti-jam technology and bin full sensor make operation a breeze. Powerful blades quickly take care of paper clips and staples. Use the manual slot to shred credit cards effortlessly. Model MSRPs range from $465.58 - $3,932.20. The GBC AutoFeed+ Shredder models come with a two-year warranty in the U.S. and are available on GBC.com, Amazon and select office dealers. About GBC The GBC (General Binding Corporation) story began in 1947 when founder William N. Lane and two business partners helped Chicago printers find a faster, more reliable way to bind and laminate. GBC introduced the first electric, desktop mechanical binding punch in 1961, then the tabletop laminator in 1966. After merging with ACCO Brands in 2005, GBC became part of the worlds largest supplier of branded office products. We make solutions for the place your business is todayand more importantly, where its going tomorrow. About ACCO Brands ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) is one of the world's most prominent designers, marketers, and manufacturers of branded academic, consumer and business products. Our widely recognized brands include Artline, AT-A-GLANCE, Barrilito, Derwent, Esselte, Five Star, Foroni, GBC, Hilroy, Kensington, Leitz, Mead, PowerA, Quartet, Rapid, Rexel, Swingline, Tilibra, Wilson Jones, and many others. Our products are sold in more than 100 countries around the world. More information about ACCO Brands, the Home of Great Brands Built by Great People, can be found at http://www.accobrands.com. David Dykeman Featured on Product Success Podcast: Quality and Medical Devices David J. Dykeman, co-managing shareholder of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLPs Boston office and co-chair of the firms global Life Sciences & Medical Technology Group, was featured on the Product Success Podcast: Quality and Medical Devices on Sept. 16 hosted by Chuck Serrin, vice president industry marketing, medical-tech and life sciences, and Rachel Jang, partner engagement manager, of Propel. In this podcast episode, Dykeman discusses the importance of investing in and optimizing a companys patent portfolio to protect its innovations and position itself for success in the market. Dykeman shares best practices such as filing patents early and often, securing ownership rights in intellectual property (IP), understanding the patent landscape, proactive patenting, due diligence, and managing a patent portfolio. He offers his insights on the international patent market and key jurisdictions for medical technology companies. Dykeman also highlights trends in medical technology including the convergence of data and digital health with traditional medical devices and its impact on IP. Dykeman is a registered patent attorney with nearly 25 years of experience in patent and IP law. His practice focuses on securing worldwide IP protection and related business strategies for high tech clients, with particular experience in medical devices, life sciences, robotics, materials, and information technology. An author of over 55 articles and a speaker at over 50 conferences, Dykeman is the founding co-chair of the American Bar Association (ABA)s Medical Devices Committee. He has also been named one of the top 250 Patent and Technology Licensing Practitioners in the world by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Magazine, an "IP Star" by Managing IP magazine, a "Life Science Star" by LMG Life Sciences, one of the World's Leading IP Strategists in the IAM 300, and is listed in Chambers. About Greenberg Traurigs Life Sciences & Medical Technology Group: Greenberg Traurigs Life Sciences & Medical Technology Group advises clients ranging from start-ups to large multinational public companies to leading research institutions. The groups attorneys work closely with clients, providing innovative legal counsel to help them achieve their objectives from discovery through commercialization and product marketing. About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2300 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 4.0 Plus Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Romania, which currently has a tax compliance requirement, will introduce new mandatory regulations from January 2022. SAF-T Romania will be mandatory for large taxpayers. The Romanian name of the new SAF-T regulation is D406 Informative Declaration. Mr. Rdvan Yigit, CCO of SNI, explains the Romanian SAF-T regulation in his article as follows: Implementation of the SAF-T regulation will begin gradually. Initially, the D406 form will need to be submitted by large taxpayers. Smaller companies will need to adapt to the new regulation later. Although the submission of SAF-T files is mandatory in Romania, the reporting frequency conforms with the VAT period. All major taxpayers are required to submit a monthly VAT return declaration. D406 Informative Declarations follow this monthly report. The SAP SAF-T Romania report is currently due by the end of the month following the reporting period. However, periodic D406 files do not contain asset and stock data. Therefore, these SAF-T sections must be sent separately. In the SAF-T Romania reporting, penal action will be applied in case of non-compliance with the obligations. Especially, the penalty for not submitting the D406 file within the specified legal timeframe can be up to 5,000 Romanian leu ($1,200). At the same time, it was stated that erroneous reporting will also be penalized. However, the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) allowed a three-month grace period to comply with the new requirements. It means that there will be no fines for submission errors or reporting errors in SAF-T files for January, February, and March. Taxpayers must submit a correct declaration by the end of April 2022 at the latest. Files sent to tax offices must be signed electronically using a digital certificate. The exact filing of D406 Informative Declarations to ANAF is done through the portal E-Guvernare.ro. The SAF-T file for the relevant reporting period is regarded as the first D406 return. All files in the following processes are considered a revision of the SAP SAF-T Romania already submitted. The D406 Informative Declarations is a seriously detailed and comprehensive reporting requirement. There are hundreds of data fields that need to be filed and many of the fields need to be filed with values only in line with the strictly defined nomenclature (dictionary). For example, there are special classifications for taxes (including VAT) or general ledger account numbering. Taxpayers are responsible for reflecting these rules in the SAP SAF-T Romania files submitted to ANAF. As a result, it is important to remember that data mapping from the company's ERP system to the D406 systems must be completed. ANAF highlights a large number of advantages of D406 Informative Declarations. Thanks to this Declaration, interaction between taxpayers and tax authorities had begun. With the entry into force of D406, the need for physical tax audits will be significantly reduced. Mr. Rdvan Yigit, CCO of SNI points out the impacts of the new regulation and explains: Considering the instant checks and data that must be regularly reported to ANAF routinely, the sooner the taxpayers start the SAF-T Romania application, the better it will be for them. It will also provide an opportunity to check that the reported data is complete. On September 8 Wednesday, a webinar about implementation of SAF-T in Romania will be held by speakers Ridvan Yigit (Partner & CCO), Ege Akbas (Regulatory Analyst) and Esref Bahadr (Project Manager). You may register here. For more information or requesting a demo, please visit our website. About SNI SNI, Computer Technology Corporation focused on Tax Compliance and Regulatory Reporting software, providing integrated digital solutions for compliance digitalization - is dedicated to be the central partner for its customers to stay compliant in all countries. If you would like more information about this topic, please email Brand, Marketing and Communication Manager Didem Guven at didem.guven@snitechnology.net Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Snapmedtech, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. The Los Angeles employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action lawsuit against Snapmedtech, Inc., alleging the company violated the California Labor Code. The lawsuit against Snapmedtech, Inc. is currently pending in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 21STCV31264. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here. According to the lawsuit filed, Snapmedtech, Inc. allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse employees for required expenses, and (f) failed to provide wages when due, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in Labor Code Sections 201, 202, 203, 226, 226.7, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct. Snapmedtech, Inc., allegedly, required Plaintiff to work off the clock without paying them for all the time they performed work duties. Allegedly, Defendant required Plaintiff and other California Class Members to complete training and orientation work directly related to their job tasks without paying these employees for their time worked during the mandatory training. For more information about the class action lawsuit against Snapmedtech, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other types of illegal workplace conduct. ***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT*** We are excited to launch our new venture - a wellness-focused luxury space designed for groups to have a self-guided, private retreat at an accessible rate Manifest House today announced a crowdfunding campaign to open their first physical location, a wellness-focused luxury overnight rental designed for group retreats. Founder and CEO, Angelee Andorfer-Lopez has a vision to bring the heart and soul of her virtual community to more individuals through this in-person immersive experience. Angelee is partnering with IFundWomen for the raise, and the campaign was kicked off with a $10K pledge from Neutrogena. Remarkable and qualified founders like Angelee Andorfer-Lopez had the opportunity to be recognized for their drive and commitment to making an impact in the wellness space, which led to her selection as a recipient, said Sarah Sommers, Co-Founder of IFundWomen and VP of Brand & Partnerships. We are so proud of this program and recipients like Angelee, who are leveraging this capital to raise even more funds through crowdfunding. The mission of Manifest House is to create a welcoming space for all, where we weave rest and self-care into our lives and our childrens lives from an early age, said Angelee Andorfer-Lopez, Founder and CEO at Manifest House. There is still a stigma that exists around prioritizing our mental health, and I would like to see that shift, especially within the BIPOC community. We are excited to launch our new venture - a wellness-focused luxury space designed for groups to have a self-guided, private retreat at an accessible rate. Our property will be located in Phoenix, Arizona, and created with your wellbeing in mind - allowing you to rest, recharge and find your way back home to yourself. The retreat space will focus on reducing the barriers to wellness in a holistic way, through: Accessibility - Manifest House will be a luxury home turned wellness sanctuary that can be rented out for a completely private experience. Their model will allow them to keep operating costs to a minimum and extend savings to their guests. A-la-carte Experiences - Manifest House will offer holistic wellness experiences (such as classes and workshops) as add-ons to the nightly rate so that you can take what you need and leave the rest. Inclusivity - Manifest House is committed to serving the local community through offering day passes, scholarships, and championing representation by hiring diverse healers and instructors. Since the launch of the virtual wellbeing space in September of 2020, Manifest House has hosted hundreds of online and in-person wellness events. Through their community-funded scholarship fund, Manifest House has awarded 10 women with a free 6-month membership. Past enterprise clients include WeWork, Starbucks, WeAllGrow Latina, and the Mujeristas network. Manifest House was the official wellness partner of the LTX Quest 2021 virtual conference that brought together 4,000+ Latinx professionals. About Manifest House: Manifest House is a virtual wellbeing membership offering live-stream healing events, workplace wellness, and a community for BIPOC women and allies. Members receive a monthly abundance including yoga classes, guided meditations, workshops, discussion circles, and more. Guided by the belief that wellness is a birthright, they operate on a community-funded model and have scholarships available to those in our community needing financial support. To learn more or help fund the space, check out the crowdfunding page at https://tinyurl.com/43hkr5bj. "The campaign takes a strong focus on the importance of increasing access to emergency nasal spray naloxone in order to make everyone prepared to help reverse an overdose." The CDC reported that more than 93,000 people died of a drug overdose in the United States last year a record number that reflects a rise of nearly 30 percent from 2019. With the pandemic ongoing and the presence of fentanyl-laced drugs continuing to increase, more individuals are at risk of overdose each day. In 2021, we must educate and advocate for the OUD community in order to combat this pervasive epidemic. That is why we teamed up with leaders of the SUD and OUD industry to create our most comprehensive Opioid Awareness Campaign yet! Published on August 31st, in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, within the centerfold of USA TODAY and online through Mediaplanets award winning e-content hub, this campaign aims to raise awareness of the risks of accidental overdoses due to fentanyl-laced opioids as well as present leading solutions to those struggling with opioid use disorders. Mediaplanets Opioid Awareness Campaign is poised to be the leading wellness guide in 2021 to empower readers to navigate the opioid crisis nationwide. Explore the digital version of this campaign at futureofpersonalhealth.com/campaign/opioid-awareness futureofpersonalhealth.com/campaign/opioid-awareness. The campaign takes a strong focus on the importance of increasing access to emergency nasal spray naloxone in order to make everyone prepared to help reverse an overdose. Partnering with Opiant Pharmaceuticals and Emergent Biosolutions, this publication highlights the stewards of industry who are creating lifesaving solutions and advocating for elevated standards of health equity. Incorporating celebrities and influencers, such as Camille Schrier, Miss USA 2020, and Dan Schneider, star of the hit Netflix documentary The Pharmacist, we delve deeper into the importance of pharmacovigilance and share stories that inspire our audience to take action. We mix these stories with a powerful leadership panel including Dr. Lipi Roy, addiction medicine expert media personality; Dr. Yuri Maricich, clinical specialist in digital therapeutics and chief medical officer of Pear Therapeutics; and Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Delving into the history of the opioid crisis, these thought leaders also comment on digital therapeutics, a new comprehensive approach to treating opioid use disorder. Core sponsors Pear Therapeutics and Orexo Inc. offer compelling resources with digital therapeutic solutions that are changing lives and empowering patients every day. We invite you to explore the campaign and to join us in empowering people living with opioid use disorders as well as educate yourself to the risks and resources available to promote harm reduction strategies About Mediaplanet Mediaplanet specializes in the creation of content marketing campaigns covering a variety of industries. We tell meaningful stories that educate our audience and position our clients as solution providers. Our unique ability to pair the right leaders with the right readers, through the right platforms, has made Mediaplanet a global content marketing powerhouse. Our award-winning stories have won the hearts of countless readers while serving as a valuable platform for brands and their missions. Just call us storytellers with a purpose. Please visit http://www.mediaplanet.com for more on who we are and what we do. Press Contact: Caroline Dranow carolinedranow@mediaplanet.com Too often, small businesses trade growth for debt repayment or ownership for equity capital, which can diminish a businesss ability to build wealth where its needed. Thats why we created the Flex Fund. Pathway Lending today announced it has secured a $1 million grant from the Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund to expand Flex Fund a new source of patient growth capital to minority-and woman-owned businesses in key markets across Tennessee, including Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville. Pathway Lending will work with existing and new clients to identify and invite entrepreneurs to participate in Flex Fund over the coming year. Tennessee small businesses that meet Flex Fund requirements may qualify for funding ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 with terms of two to five years. Pathway Lendings Flex Fund is an alternative to debt and equity. A portion of the amount is treated as debt the business must repay with interest, and the remainder as a share of revenue, equity, or deferred interest the business can wait to repay when the term ends. The approach frees capital from regular debt payments, so businesses can invest in growth right away by adding more employees, pursuing a new business opportunity or other growth initiatives. Wells Fargo provided the grant to Pathway Lending as part of its Open for Business Fund, a roughly $420 million small business recovery effort aimed at supporting entrepreneurs across the U.S. to recover and rebuild after the pandemic. We know small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities, said Wells Fargo Senior Vice President and Community Relations Senior Consultant Paula Beck. Were working alongside Pathway Lending, and other great organizations across the country, to support a more inclusive economic recovery, with a focus on racial and social equity so small businesses can emerge from this pandemic stronger and more resilient. The capital needs of growth-minded small businesses can be as varied as the entrepreneurs themselves, said Hank Helton, Pathway Lending EVP and chief stakeholder officer. Too often, small businesses trade growth for debt repayment or ownership for equity capital, which can diminish a businesss ability to build wealth where its needed. Thats why we created the Flex Fund. Phillip Ashley Chocolates represents one such business in Memphis that turned to Pathway Lending for growth capital. Established in 2012, the chocolatier quickly achieved fame with some of the worlds top tastemakers and made Oprahs Favorite Things List in November 2020. With funding from Pathways Flex Fund, the business purchased an automatic tempering machine to speed production, upgraded its packaging, engaged a firm to help it expand internationally, and created 15 new jobs paying $15 per hour in a low-to-moderate income Memphis district. The business grew substantially and now plans to add more staff and purchase its first building. Weve been breaking the boundaries of conventional chocolate making since 2012, and the international following weve earned has put us in the fortunate position of needing to grow fast enough to keep up with demand, said Phillip Ashley Rix, owner and chef. Partnering with Pathway Lending has given our business the fuel it needed to sustain our growth and reach a point where were ready to purchase a permanent home for our business. To date, Pathway Lending has invested an average of $70,000 in funding to eight, Black-owned Memphis area small businesses. Along with funding, all Flex Fund awardees receive advisory services from Pathways financial and marketing experts plus access to learning programs focused on resiliency-related topics like scenario-based planning that Pathway Lending created and will continue to offer as part of the grant from Wells Fargo. Created to accelerate revenue and job growth among Memphis minority-owned businesses, Pathway Lending first established its Flex Fund in 2019 as a pilot project with philanthropic support from Kresge and FedEx Foundations and in collaboration with Epicenter, The 800 Initiative and Christian Brothers University. The Flex Fund has supported Memphis entrepreneurs of color broadly with a particular focus on Black-owned businesses involved in The 800 Initiative and firms with paid employees or promising growth opportunities. Small business owners who would like to learn more about Pathway Flex Fund can contact Keith Hickey at keith.hickey@pathwaylending.org. Since 2015, Wells Fargo has provided Pathway Lending with nearly $1.77 million in grants through the Wells Fargo Foundation and the Open for Business Fund. ### About Pathway Lending Founded in 1999 and based in Nashville, Pathway Lending is a community development financial institution (CDFI) certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. It has grown to become a major lending institution in the Southeast, propelling meaningful economic growth in communities across the region. In 2020, Pathway Lending made more than $46.1 million in loans and delivered 15,790 hours of technical assistance and education. Get to know our mission and the stories of the entrepreneurs and communities we serve at PathwayLending.org. About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is the leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 37 on Fortunes 2021 rankings of Americas largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. Additional information may be found at http://www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo. Theres more to authoring than conquering the blank page. Dozens of unique quirks of industry factor into the experience of a creative. If youre an aspiring writer with traditional publishing in mind, pay attention. Heres what to expect from author life: The industry moves slowly. Very slowly. The publishing machine is overloaded. More manuscripts are submitted than agents and editors can comfortably review. Even established authors can wait weeks or months to hear back on submissions. And even once you receive an offer, the contract process takes time. Thats just on the acquisition sideon the publishing side, editorial cycles can lag, with digital-first projects taking up to a year from contract to publication and print projects taking up to two. Advice: Unless youre writing timely nonfiction, settle in for a leisurely ride. There are more gatekeepers than you think. At the pitching stage, it can seem like the only person separating you from bestseller status is the right acquiring editor. In reality, players at several key stages need to get behind your work. Prereaders often triage submissions for editors. Individual editors who love your manuscript may have to sell your project to a wider team. Accepted manuscripts might have to pass muster with print retailers for wide distribution. Critical publications may or may not opt to publish a review, let alone a favorable one. Advice: Dont jockey to get any one individual to fall in love with your book; conceptualize projects with multiple stakeholders in mind. Not every deal is a good deal. For most early-career authors, being offered a contractany contractfeels like the goal, like it will validate the quality of our work and our status as authors. What seasoned authors know is that different publishers have different goals, different marketing philosophies, and different access to readers. And each contract has its own small print. A good deal is a deal with terms that are balanced and fair to both parties and that serve the authors career goals. Advice: Dont be afraid to negotiate or to decline an offer thats a bad fit. It matters how big a fish you are, and what size the pond. Signing on with a major publisher carries cachet, but where you fall in the pecking order matters. Sometimes, its better to be a big deal at a small publisher than it is to be an underling at a big house. The same could be said of agencies and agents. The most time, effort, and (in the case of publishers) marketing dollars will go to the authors they plan to invest in the most. It wont matter if youre with a big-name publisher or agent if the horse theyre betting on isnt you. Advice: Only work with people who will treat you like a priority. Youll have to sit on good news. Congratulations! Youve been offered your next great deal. Now, get ready to wait. Publishers and production houses time their announcements strategically. You will have little control over when, where, and how such announcements happen. Advice: Develop fulfilling rituals that encompass private and public celebration so that victories dont feel anticlimactic. Youll feel more competitive than youre proud of. Publishing is not a meritocracy. The more you hustle for book contracts, rights deals, awards, and accolades, the more inequity youll see. The quality of the books you write wont always line up to the size or status of the deals you land, let alone the level of recognition youll receive as a creator. A culture of competition among authors can amplify hard feelings on all sidesfrom jealousy among authors who feel passed over to a sense of abandonment among authors whose friends dwindle the more successful they become. Advice: Set individual goals and learn to feel content as you meet them, regardless of what others have achieved. The goal line is always moving. Authors dont just write booksauthors build empires, with multiple business aspects and income streams. Some authors focus on subrights. Others book speaking engagements, develop course franchises, sell merchandise, and seek out other sources of revenue. Ambitious authors raise the bar, inspiring (and sometimes intimidating) other authors. The more time you spend in the industry, the more possibilities youll see. Advice: Be ready for the hustle if you want the bigger things. Readers are a tricky bunch to please. Even if youve written a literary masterpiece that every critic exalts, readers judge based on arbitrary factors. They may gripe about a story element that is transparently stated or editorial decisions that fall within the boundaries of genre; they may even penalize authors for perceived moral transgressions (e.g., profanity, religious persuasion, or sex). Advice: Dont focus on the readers who will never like your work. Cultivate the readers who will. It takes a long time to get paid, and income is sporadic. The industry pays advances for a reason. The editorial cycle relegates authors to long waits before their first royalty checks arrive. Publisher payouts range from monthly to quarterly to biannually, with longer lead times if youre routing through an agent. And even when money is rolling in, bigger checks come with new releases; sales taper off as books age. Advice: Build financial scaffolding designed to weather inconsistent income patterns. The intangibles make the struggle worth it. If all of this sounds terrible, just wait until a fan writes you an email telling you how much your book meant to them, or until a mega-author sees your work and says something kind. Wait until youre at a book signing and a fan is ecstatic (I mean, ecstatic) to meet you. Wait until you find your writer community and realize that youve made a set of lifelong friends. Theres even more gravy if youre doing wellfrom bestseller lists to international travel and seeing your work adapted to the screen. Advice: Dont be discouraged. The intangibles will come, and they make up for a lot. Kilby Blades is a bestselling author of romance and womens fiction and a digital marketing veteran. In this edition of Indie Spotlight, our monthly thematic roundup of BookLife titles, we're celebrating illustrated children's books and graphic novels. History, Mythology, and Folk Tales Dreaming of California Grant Collier, illus. by Stephanie Lowman, ISBN 978-1-935694-50-2 About the book: Dreaming of California tells the story of Pandora the Pelican, who does not want to go to sleep. But when she does doze off, she dreams that she can travel back in time. Pandora goes on exciting journeys and sees ancient sea creatures, saber-toothed cats, and giant sloths.. Each of Pandoras adventures is based on real events that occurred in California. Author statement: Both Stephanie Lowman and I went to school in California, so we wanted to do a childrens book on the state. Our goal was to bring Californias past back to life in meticulous detail. I spent several months photographing across California to capture images for this book. Stephanie studied fossils of prehistoric creatures and compared them to fossils of living animals to learn how they might have looked. She then spent about one year drawing all of the animals and people line by line. For the story, I wanted to teach the history of California using rhyming text. This involved a lot of writing and rewriting in order to maintain a good flow, while still telling the story I wanted to tell. The Gingerbread Man 2: What Happened Later? Stephen Dixon, ISBN 978-1-976966-17-0 About the book: The Gingerbread Man 2 is a rhyming sequel to the traditional folk tale that kicks off following the dramatic ending of the original story. This story follows the fox on his journey back to the bakery with his newfound desire to bake. Find out what happens when he makes an oven full of little gingerbread men, and whether a happier ending is in store. Author statement: I really enjoy making up stories for my two young children and have always loved to write, draw, and paint. My three-year-old son loved reading the story of the Gingerbread Man, though not the sudden ending, and one night asked a simple question: What happened next? The silly story told that night eventually turned into my debut picture book! I am also an architect and relished the opportunity to illustrate the story, breaking away from sketching buildings to draw baking foxes, cheeky gingerbread men, and crumb-munching pigeons! Kid Beowulf: The Tarpeian Rock Alexis E. Fajard, ASIN B08ZJVX6NQ54 About the book: Twin brothers Beowulf and Grendel are lost in ancient Italy and forced to fight for their freedom in the gladiatorial games. In the arena the brothers battle fearsome warriors, take on deadly beasts, and meet another pair of twins, Romulus and Remus. It all leads to the founding of the worlds most epic city: Rome. Kid Beowulf: The Tarpeian Rock is the fourth book in the ongoing Kid Beowulf series of graphic novels. Author statement: I hope readers enjoy this story as much as I did creating it. It was really fun to delve into the origins of Roman mythology and add my particular twist to it. Conquering Fears The Bedtime Knight Katie L. Carroll, ISBN 978-0-9989254-6-2 About the book: When the lights turn off at bedtime, a young mouses imagination runs wild. Daddy Knight charges to the rescue and sheds light on what the shadows really are. Then he empowers his daughter to turn the scary shadows into fun imaginings. Author statement: As a child with an overactive imagination, I often had trouble falling asleep at night. I wanted to write a story that showed kids how they can take control of their imaginations and create their own stories with them. I Can Jennifer Miller-Joseph, ISBN 978-1-947927-60-2 About the book: I Can follows a little girls efforts to conquer some of her fears. Heavily influenced by her grandmother, she navigates through the different scenarios that she finds herself in at different stages of her life. Author statement: My children are the inspiration behind me writing I Can. I was deeply moved as I witnessed them during the early stages of their lives attempting to grasp new concepts and activities. Even through times of frustration and fear, they never gave up, eventually conquering the tasks that were before them. I Can is also a tribute to my grandmother, a way of thanking her for the major impact she has on my life. The Little Monster Sheri Fink, ISBN 978-1-949213-27-0 About the book: Little Monster is counting down the days until his birthday. When his parents decide hes finally old enough to get his own bedroom, hes too embarrassed to admit that hes afraid of the dark. Following a series of humorous missteps to cure his fear, the Little Monster discovers that he can have fun in the dark and relax at night in his own room, just in time for his big birthday sleepover party. This glow-in-the-dark storybook empowers kids to face their fears, share their feelings, and find ways to sleep peacefully at night. Author statement: Im thrilled to share The Little Monster and his adventures in overcoming his fear of the dark with readers. Each page throughout the book features glow-in-the-dark elements that will encourage kids to actually want to turn off the flashlight after reading each page, enabling them to discover ways to feel comfortable in the dark while having fun. This is the seventh book in The Little series of social-emotional learning books. Tough Topics My Bodys Mine: A Book on Boundaries and Sexual Abuse Prevention Kayla J. W. Marnach, ISBN 978-1-71901-198-3 About the book: My Bodys Mine is written in the style of a sing-song poem and empowers children to take ownership of their bodies. The caregiver guide educates adults on how to confidently start conversations regarding personal boundaries and uncomfortable situations with their children. Author statement: I worked with therapists to create my Can-Do Kids series for three-to-eight-year-olds. I wanted to give children safe strategies to protect themselves and present the material in a relatable, nonthreatening way. I have been thrilled and humbled by the success parents and professionals have experienced discussing what can be a very difficult subject using My Bodys Mine. My Cat is Blue Sarah Sommer, ISBN 978-1-64543-959-2 About the book: When her beloved cat gets a case of the blues, one little girl tries everything to help. As she discovers that she may not have the cure, she develops a case of the blues herself. Asking for help leads to an important discovery about love and loss as the illustrations evolve from grayscale to full color. Author statement: I want children reading the book to see that sadness is one of many emotions and, with love and support, those feelings can change and evolve into something different. My hope is that those struggling through a tough time or watching someone close to them struggle will see that these emotions dont last forever. Who Will Hear Begonia? Bonny Gable, ISBN 978-1-73471-760-0 About the book: This picture book aims to help children cope with the confusion, disappointment, or fear they may experience when a loved one struggles with the effects of Alzheimers disease. It demonstrates to readers that, although the illness brings about changes, their connection to that person through love remains the same. Author statement: I wrote this story after witnessing my mother suffer from Alzheimers disease for 20 years. I hope it can be of help to families with children who may be perplexed by how the illness affects their beloved grandparent, aunt, or uncle. A portion of the proceeds from this book is donated to the Fisher Center for Alzheimers Research Foundation. We look forward with hope for a cure. Wonder and Adventure The Leaning Tower of Pizza Derek Taylor Kent, ISBN 978-1-949213-31-7 About the book: A diverse group of kids tell one another about the amazing places theyve heard about, and their imaginations run wild with possibilities. This book introduces readers to the joys of travel, experiencing new cultures and foods, and learning about famous monuments, landmarks, and artwork. Author statement: As a lover of food, travel, cultures, architecture, and art, it was such a joy to create a childrens book where the reader can truly see the world through a childs eyes. During college, I studied both Italian and theater in Italy, and its been my favorite travel destination for food and art ever since. I knew I always wanted to set a book in Italy! Then I remembered that when I was a kid, I thought the Leaning Tower of Pisa was actually the Leaning Tower of Pizza because pizza came from Italy, so it made sense to me. As I grew up to become a childrens author, I thought about that and wondered what might happen if kids mistook other famous landmarks and monuments for crazy structures of food, and thus the idea for this book was born. Readers get to visit the Waffle Tower in France, the Grape Wall of China, and even the Louvre to view the Donut Lisa. Bon voyage and bon appetit! Life in the North (The System Apocalypse Book 1) Tao Wong, ISBN 978-1-989458-38-9 About the book: All John Lee wants to do was get away from his life in Kluane National Park for a weekendhike, camp, and chill. Instead, the world comes to an end in a series of blue boxes. Animals start evolving, monsters start spawning, and hes got a character sheet and physics-defying skills. Now, he has to survive the apocalypse, get back to civilization, and not lose his mind. Author statement: I adapted my comic series over a period of two years from my LitRPG novel, Life in the North. This is a passion project due to my love for the medium. Comics can convey, in the graphics and images, certain aspects of the world that are hard to depict to a reader in words. Read Island Nicole Magistro, illus. by Alice Feagan, ISBN 978-1-73652-330-8 About the book: Through the power of imagination and the pleasure of reading, a very brave girl and her furry friends set sail for a magical island made of books. Author statement: I love books and the book world! Making connections about what we read and the world around us is critical, and equally so is the escape that books and stories provide to us. They are there for us, always, in times of our greatest need. I want to pass that message along to as many children as I can. Witches Three Count on ME! Lynda Bouchard, ISBN 978-1-73518-119-6 About the book: Its Halloween, and a mischievous little boy has run away from home. He wanders through the dark forest behind his house and comes upon a frightful scenethree witches up to no good! They see him, too, and thats when the magic begins. How will the boy outsmart the witches as they try to capture him? Told in rhyme and through the prism of a childs imagination, this story shows that daring and wit come in handy when three witches are out to get you. Author statement: As a literary publicist, I had been quite content on my side of the writers fence. But an unfinished manuscript left behind by my late husband, and my desire to complete it in his honor, changed all that! Yates Davis began this childrens story as a challenge from his nephew to write something scary about witches and poisonous stuff. It turns out that children grow up much faster than books are written and, in this case, a first draft outlives the author. The handwritten draft included notes in the margins that I used to rework the rhyme and improve the story structure. One of the advantages of self-publishing is that I was able to work very closely with my illustrator, who brought our words to pictorial life. The unfinished manuscript was a parting gift. It made me an author. Whimsical Moments Bubbies Magical Hair Abbe Rolnick, ISBN 978-0-9995291-9-5 About the book: Bubbie, like many grandmothers, turns the ordinary into the spectacular and the mundane into something miraculous. In Bubbies Magical Hair, the lyrical text combines with playful illustrations to take readers on a whimsical journey as Bubbie and her grandchildren grow older, reminding us of all the ways grandparents bring us joy, comfort, and inspiration. Author statement: When I became a Bubbie, I had the overwhelming desire to share my legacy and that of my own Bubbie with my grandkids. Bubbie's hair is a metaphor. As Bubbie ages and the grandkids grow older, Bubbies hair reflects changes. When she cuts her hair, she lets go of parts of her life and releases her living history to the world. Birds take bits into their nests. Bunnies take the pieces into their burrows. The children see renewal each year. You Cant Kiss a Bubble Karen A. Wyle, illus. by Siski Kalla, ISBN 978-1-73555-860-8 About the book: What can you do with a bubble? Many childrenand adultsfind bubbles fascinating, even enchanting. And yet theyre so different from most things we enjoy, lasting only a few moments. This little book, with its lovely and whimsical illustrations, looks at both the charm and the transitory nature of bubbles, and reminds us that we can take joy even in the impermanent. Author statement: I began writing picture book manuscripts in 1991, when I was expecting our first daughter. I wrote quite a few such manuscripts in the following years, before I began writing novels in 2010. I waited for self-publishing technology to advance to the point where I felt I could publish a picture book of sufficient quality, and then began the delightful task of finding illustrators. You Cant Kiss a Bubble, while not the first one I wrote, is the first one Im publishing. I no longer remember what gave rise to it, but Id hazard a guess that I was blowing bubbles with one or both daughters. Youre Only Two Once Marta Costello, ASIN B09BTKLLYW About the book: Youre Only Two Once follows a typically strong-willed and curious toddler through a day in the life, from predawn breakfast to bedtime. The illustrations highlight the mischievous moments. while the text reminds the reader this funny phase will pass quickly and should be embraced for all its heartwarming tenderness. Author statement: The idea for this book came from watching my son hang upside down from the handles on the car ceiling. Even though I was in a hurry, I stopped and took in the moment as he gymnastically dangled rather than buckling up. The silly acronym YOLO popped into my head and I was off. I think the terrible twos get a bad rap, and its worth remembering that this precious, if frustrating, part of parenting can be better appreciated if you have a sense of humor. Decades ago, I tried to sell the rights to a childrens picture book series we published by an author of Indian descent and featuring a South Asian child. The stories were simple, showing memorable moments in the girls life. The reviews were terrific. A publisher in Britainwhere there are millions of people of Pakistani and Indian heritagereplied that, while the series was worthwhile, it was for a special market, not the U.K. mainstream. When I received similar responses elsewhere, I realized mainstream meant white characters; there was no sense that commonplace or joyful moments in the lives of South Asian communities would or should be of interest to young readers. Perhaps if the series had dealt directly with the traumatic subject of racism my British colleagues might have been interested. Years later, we published the picture book Mom and Mum are Getting Married! It wasnt about the challenges the brides faced due to discrimination but rather typical wedding planning. Recently, we simplified it as a board book called Mom Marries Mum!, and, while many applauded the release of this title, they also questioned why, if we were addressing a controversial issue, did we not do something more hard-hitting. The author, Ken Setterington, had previously written a forthright book for us about gay men being persecuted during the Holocaust but realized that, while it was important to do the trauma book, it was no less important to explore the familiar experience of planning a wedding with a lesbian couple. I love hard-hitting books that deal with the real experiences of diverse communities and written compellingly for both adults and children. Social justice and human rights stories are Second Story Presss mandate. We will always do those books. However, having come to North America as an immigrant with parents who spoke little English, I never saw characters like myself or my family in the kids books at school or in the library. I kept wondering, wheres my lush, green, suburban lawn with a rambunctious dog running around? As a publisher, it is important to me that young people who might not be regarded as part of the dominant culture still find a place in literature. Certainly, the ongoing issues that confront North American societyoppression based on race, religion, disability, immigration status, gender, and identityneed to be addressed in well-written and well-conceived books. At the same time, all readers need to find themselves in books that are not specifically issue-directed. To better understand someone, we must see the current and historical trauma of their experience, but also everything else. At Second Story, we publish books about the terrible oppression of Indigenous children in residential schools as in The Train, but equally valuable is The Water Walker, the story of an Ojibwe grandmother calling attention to fresh water protection. Alongside our many Holocaust-focused books is the biography of a Jewish woman deemed Canadas greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century, Bobbie Rosenfeld: The Olympian Who Could Do Everything by Anne Dublin; the novel about the community of Black Jews who lived in Ethiopia for many centuries, Daughters of the Ark by Anna Morgan; and Jacob and the Mandolin Adventure, historical fiction about child immigrants who came to North America to farm and ended up performing at Carnegie Hall. A forthcoming title, Unstoppable: Women with Disabilities, doesnt just discuss the hardships confronting the women profiled but explores their remarkable achievements. Our hope is that kids might read these books and say, Wow, I didnt know that, or Wow, maybe I can do that too. Just as there is a wide variety of stories about the pleasures, interests, contributions, and everyday experiences of members of the historically dominant culture, there needs to be a spectrum of literature that reflects the experience of other communities. How wonderful for all young readers when they can see each other and themselves in an abundance of books, not just in stories in which they are suffering or being oppressed and exploited. A commitment to diversity in childrens literature means that difficult and challenging books, from which readers can begin to better understand the history, struggle, and hardships of multiple peoples, are necessary. At the same time, dont we also want to know more about the everyday, wonderful, special, and joyful experiences that are part of all our lives? Margie Wolfe is the is the publisher, president, and owner of Second Storey Press. Back to Main Publishing in Canada 2021 Feature Food Emporia The #1 book in the country is An Unapologetic Cookbook by Joshua Weissman. He has 5.7 million TikTok followers and a brusque charm [that] does not quite translate kindly to the page, our review said, though the impressive recipes he supplies certainly do. Two other recipe collections also enjoyed strong starts, including #6 on our hardcover nonfiction list, Once upon a Chef by Jennifer Segal. Our review called it a resourceful roundup of the best recipes from her Once upon a Chef blog, and suggested that those craving more variety in their cooking routines should take a look. Two notches below, Cook Once Dinner Fix by Cassy Joy Garcia offers a savvy strategy for knockout, plan-ahead recipes, our review said. Built upon her Dinner Series Conceptwhich takes components from a meal to create new and completely different fareGarcias collection serves up ideas for 60 dishes with a second act. Coming to Fruition As the Hulu adaptation of Liane Moriartys Nine Perfect Strangers sets viewing records, the authors latest psychological thriller, Apples Never Fall, is the #2 book in the country. Moriartys superb storytelling continues to shine, our review said, and the books debut week performance is a testament to the authors growing popularity. Happy Feat Two-time Pulitzer Prizewinning novelist Colson Whitehead has the #2 book in the country with Harlem Shuffle, a sizzling heist novel set in civil rightsera Harlem, according to our starred review, and more of a romp for the author than his recent outings. Compared to the villains in The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, Miami Joes pretty small potatoes, Whitehead told PW in a prepub interview, referring to one of the underworld figures his protagonist tangles with. Coming down from those other books, it was a relief to have normal-size villains. I think all the supporting cast was really fun to come up with: their language, their idiosyncrasies. NEW & NOTABLE WHERE TOMORROWS AREN'T PROMISED Carmelo Anthony #7 Hardcover Nonfiction Writing with Salon editor-at-large D. Watkins, NBA All-Star Anthony shoots and scores with a gripping account of how he went from being a Black kid from the bottom to being a world-renowned pro athlete, our review said. Those in search of inspiration will find no shortage of it here. FUZZ Mary Roach #12 Hardcover Nonfiction Our starred review called this an often funny, always provocative survey of species that regularly commit acts that put them at odds with humans. She walks the talk, the review continues: Roach hopes that humans can come to embrace coexistence even with creatures seen as pestsas she does the rat living in her own home. We arent sending anyone to Frankfurt this year, but were hopeful for the spring fairs, said Heather Baror-Shapiro, an agent who also oversees foreign rights for Baror International, when asked about plans for the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair. Then again, we were hopeful about Frankfurt 2021 last year, too. Like most Americans in the international literary rights community, Baror-Shapiro is skipping Frankfurt this year. And though she has no concerns about getting her job done, she, like most, is hopeful that an in-person event is on the horizon. When that will come, however, is anyones guess. For Baror-Shapiro and other agents and rights professionals, work for this years Frankfurt, which is taking place in person beginning October 20, is largely being done via Zoom. Business that usually happens at the endless line of tables in the rights center at the show, or in cafes and bars near the Frankfurt fairgrounds, is being conducted via video chats. For many, this year was about improving upon existing approaches to selling foreign rights virtually. While no professionals who spoke to PW said they enjoyed doing a virtual show, some admitted that there are benefits to the approach. Others added that its even led to some innovations. Linda Kaplan, director of foreign rights at DeFiore & Company, said that after experiencing Zoom exhaustion from doing back-to-back virtual meetings during the 2020 Frankfurt Book Fair, she decided to spread things out this year, scheduling her meetings over a two-week stretch. (With the in-person show, most foreign rights directors and associates cram all of their meetings into the four days.) Kaplan has also found other ways to take advantage of the situation. Shes been conducting live webinars, open to multiple clients (unlike Zoom calls, webinars do not allow attendees to see each other), where she goes over her titles. Shes also had a few authors record videos about their books. Thats been really great, she said. Melissa Whites approach to her virtual Frankfurt this year has been all about finding the most effective way to schedule her Zoom meetings. White, who is v-p and director of international rights at Folio Literary Management, said that for last years show, she did meetings all of September and October. This time around she and her colleagues reserved time in early September to meet exclusively with their co-agents, saving their time early in October for meetings with international editors. We are being really economical about our meetings because we know everyone has Zoom fatigue, she added. While theres no question that booksand the foreign rights to themcan be sold virtually, all the professionals PW spoke with say they are longing to see colleagues in person. The question of returning to international shows in person is one of when, not if. And the answer to that question seems to depend on how hopeful one is about the world returning to some level of normalcy soonor how comfortable one is plowing ahead even if it doesnt. A number of agents, like White, said they are hopeful about returning soon, while acknowledging that the future of Covid is uncertain. I really hope to see all my colleagues and friends in London in 2022, White said. Kaplan echoed that sentiment: Im full on for London 2022if theyre having it. Others, perhaps more waryor realistic?about where the world will be months from now, seemed resigned to a longer wait before an in-person international show. Understanding that its probably going to be years before we can count on international travel with any real confidence and without lots of hurdles, I just think the world needs to take a serious step forward in terms of vaccination before it feels like a great idea to be mixing and mingling with international community in a singular place, said Rebecca Gardner, v-p and rights director at the Gernert Company. The reality, of course, is that no one knows when it will be safe to return to in-person events. And even Gardner, who was the most cautious about when an international show could happen again, is interested in alternatives. I love the idea, she said, of sooner rather than later, getting to market-by-market traveli.e., spending a few days in a few key publishing cities, where one can see a range of publishers and walk into bookstores. With most respondents saying they are hopeful about attending an in-person London Book Fair in the spring, its clear that the publishing community is itching to get back to attending international shows. As Kaplan put it, Everyone I know is wanting to go back, and committed to going back. Back to Main Frankfurt 2021 Preview Feature In Canada, the Covid-19 crisis has created daunting challenges for bookstores across the country, from independents to chains, putting strain on the overall health of a vibrant book retail ecosystem. Many bookstores, particularly in Ontario, have spent more days with their doors closed than open. Canadian booksellers have been incredibly adaptive throughout, and it has been inspiring to see how many of them launched online stores, established curbside pickup and home delivery, boosted their social media presence, and launched websites for the first timeall to sustain Canadian readers and authors by continuing to serve as the vital link between them. Given the crucial importance of the work booksellers do to cultivate that relationship between readers and writers, at Penguin Random House Canada we have wholly dedicated ourselves to supporting our bookselling partners large and small through all the many ups and downs of the pandemic. Bookstores play a crucial role within their communities, where knowledgeable booksellers, often with decades of experience, can curate a collection that fits their communitys interests, recommend a homegrown author for every taste, and champion their favorite reads one book lover to another. They are vibrant places dedicated to connectionboth as literal meeting points for readers and for authors, when its safe to come together in person, and always as figurative hubs for the sharing of ideas and stories. Canadian fiction writers, poets, childrens authors, historians, and thought leaders all depend on a broad, diverse ecosystem of Canadian booksellers to connect them with their specific readerships. Ensuring not just the survival but the prosperity of this beating heart of our literary community is central to our mission as publishers, and, over the past 18 months, weve launched a whole array of initiatives and tactics to help this essential part of our community. As leaders in the Canadian book industry, we continually highlight the challenges faced by bookstores for Canadian decision-makers. Through the media and direct engagement with government officials, we have and will continue to communicate the essential role bookstores play in the lives of communities, Canadian writers, and Canadians; working with the Canadian Publishers Council and the newly founded Canadian Independent Booksellers Association, we collaborate on a number of initiatives to support our industry. Following the conclusion of the Canadian federal election in September, we will work with those in government to strengthen Canadian publishing, support local bookstores and booksellers, and advance policies that increase our capacity to share Canadian stories. This includes working with our partners to advocate for policies that support the continued sustainability of bookselling in a changing marketplace, such as a subsidized postal rate for books in Canada that mirrors the media rate available in the U.S. Beyond advocacy, weve looked for ways to channel material support to those retail partners who need it most. Our Covid Relief Fund provided a one-time credit to eligible booksellers to help sustain them, while the addition of a Shop Local button on our website made it easier for readers to support local bookstores even while they were closed to in-store browsing. As for Indigo, our two teams have never worked more closely together: from sales and supply chain to insights and marketing, colleagues kept in frequent, often daily touch with their counterparts at this crucial partner to support its operations and keep on getting books into the hands of readers without interruption. Finally, we have taken every opportunity to shine a spotlight on the distinctive parts played by all bookstores in helping their unique communities thrive. In June 2020, we launched a summerlong conversation series called Indie Feature Fridays featuring authors who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color speaking with bookstore owners who are BIPOC or run advocacy-focused stores. In the fall, we kept going with our National Indie Event series, which has brought in-demand authors such as Kazuo Ishiguro and Souvankham Thammavongsa to viewers across Canada and beyond; our first season attracted almost 2,000 people to register by purchasing a book from one of nearly 100 participating indie retailers. This spring, we celebrated our second virtual Canadian Independent Bookstore Day with a campaign anchored by the launch of our Indie Spotlight Sunday series, which has seen us hand over control of our Instagram channel to a participating store every weekend to help them showcase their spaces and book recommendations for a wider audience. And with Indigo, weve partnered on more than 60 premier events featuring the likes of Margaret Atwood, Eden Robinson, Kevin Kwan, and Brit Bennett. The future of book retail continues to evolve, and we are committed to supporting all our retail partners to ensure we can maintain a vibrant and robust ecosystem that will benefit booksellers, readers, and publishers, now and in the future. Robert Wheaton is the chief strategy and operations officer of Penguin Random House Canada. Back to Main Publishing in Canada 2021 Feature The Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP) represents approximately 115 small-to-medium-size Canadian-owned and -controlled English-language book publishers across the country. This group publishes some 80% of the Canadian-authored titles in the book sector and routinely lobbies government and serves as an advocate for the industry overall. Kate Edwards, who has served as the organizations executive director since 2015, spoke with PW via email about the way the organization has addressed the challenges of this past year. What are the major issues and priorities for the ACP this year? Supply chain issues, paper and printing shortages, and shipping delays remain realities publishers are navigating daily. Normal business has not resumed and pandemic recovery remains a high priority. Its always challenging for independent companies to compete with the economies of scale enjoyed by larger houses, and the challenges related to Covid-19 are, of course, universal. But pandemic disruption has made these challenges more intense for the small- and medium-size companies ACP represents. Challenges around discoverability have also been heightened through the pandemic, and competition with large multinational houses operating in Canada is becoming ever more fierce. ACP is watching the pending sale of Simon & Schuster to Bertelsmann carefully, and estimates that a combined Penguin Random HouseSimon & Schuster would control more than 40% of the Canadian trade market. As of September 2021, the government of Canada has not announced its decision regarding this transaction under the Investment Canada Acts Revised Policy in Book Publishing and Distribution. ACP adopted a new strategic plan in the spring, which also reinforces the associations commitment to supporting our members in areas related to social corporate responsibility. Initiatives around environmental sustainability and equity, diversity, and inclusion remain high on our collective agenda. How have the ACP members fared overall during the pandemic? 2020 sales results were much better than publishers had forecast in the pandemics earliest days, but most companies still experienced a decline in 2020. Data collected by ACP shows that our members experienced a decline in year-over-year domestic print sales of close to 20%. Though the decline was not as dramatic as originally anticipated, Canadian-owned publishers saw a greater decline in sales revenue than their multinational competitors. Overall, the Canadian book market rebounded nicely through the year; BookNet Canadas tracked sales for the Canadian market in 2020 reflect an overall decline of 2.7% in units sold compared to 2019, though the same data set shows a decline of 15.5% among Canadian-owned companies. This speaks to the challenges small- and mid-sized companies are experiencing, and the unevenness of pandemic recovery for Canadian companies. Have you seen success with any special programs in the past year? Through 2020 ACP offered an emergency business consulting program for companies seeking timely advice to help navigate the Covid-19 crisis. A roster of experienced publishing consultants and industry veterans were recruited to support us in this initiative, which we were able to fund through existing program budgets. The program launched quickly, ran through early 2021, and was a great help to those trying to figure out what steps to take to keep publishing operations going through the crisis. We were also successful in shifting our semiannual meetings and professional development seminars online. Though everyone misses the benefits of gathering in-personinformal conversations, networking, social time with colleagueswith travel and financial barriers removed we were able to offer timely programming to a much larger number of members than usual. For a national association, with members based in communities across Canada, this was a silver lining of the pandemic. Many companies were able to include more staff who might not otherwise be able to attend the in-person. How has government support held up over the past year for ACP members? Do you anticipate more in the future? Thankfully government funding through the Canada Book Fund and Canada Council for the Arts has been stable in the last year. Both agencies expedited the release of grants to publishers in the early days of the pandemic, which was incredibly valuable at a time of significant cash flow challenges. Additional emergency funding was also offered to assist with pandemic response, and recovery funding has been announced for 20212022 and 20222023. Publishers were also able to draw on universal programs offered by the federal government, including wage and rent subsidies, and emergency loans. As of early September, we are in the midst of a very close federal election race. If reelected, the current Liberal government has committed additional funding to programs that support Canadian authors and book publishers, specifically an increase in funding through the Canada Book Fund, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Public Lending Right Program by 50%. The Conservative party has committed to a review of book publishing policies. ACP will be watching the results of the September 20 election carefully and tailoring future advocacy work accordingly. Do you have one or two priority challenges you want to address in the coming few months and into 2022? In addition to the priorities already mentioned, copyright and fair remuneration for use of published works remains a key concern. The Canadian education sectors arbitrary interpretations of fair dealing since 2012 have resulted in significant market damage, with more than C$150 million in licensing revenue alone, exacerbated by an unknown loss of primary book sales, being removed from the Canadian publishing sector during this time. A decision from the Supreme Court of Canada in the appeal of Access Copyright v. York University has not brought clarity to the acts fair dealing provisions. Legislative reform is essential to creating the conditions that encourage investment in future Canadian-specific learning resources. Covid-19 has further exposed longstanding weaknesses in the Copyright Act, while illustrating the importance of Canadian works to educators. Publishers were flooded with requests for new digital uses and formats to support distance learning, demonstrating the value of the content they create. The legal framework that should underpin our industry does not currently encourage publishers to invest in the digital content and infrastructure todays education system demands. Finding solutions to this challenge, ideally in partnership with the education sector and bolstered by copyright, is critical. Back to Main Publishing in Canada 2021 Feature The story started with John Walker Lindh, documentary filmmaker Greg Barker told me in a phone conversation. Lindh was a young man from Marin County, California, when he was captured as an enemy combatant in late 2001. Nothing about his childhood or upbringing suggested this would happen. His father was a prominent attorney in California. His family was comfortably middle class. Lindh had been baptized Catholic but converted to Islam at age 16, leaving the United States to study Arabic in Yemen and later at a madrasa in Pakistan. By age 20, he traveled to Afghanistan to join the Afghan Taliban and fight against the Northern Alliance. That was in May of 2001. By November, he was captured by the Northern Alliance and detained at a military prison in Qala-i-Jangi. Three days after Thanksgiving, on the morning of November 25, 2001, Lindh was questioned by another American who had traveled far from home to serve in Afghanistan as a CIA paramilitary officer. Johnny Michael "Mike" Spann, along with CIA intelligence officer Dave Tyson, questioned Lindh, but he had little to say. Minutes after their meeting, Spann became the first American killed in combat in Afghanistan during a prison uprising that kicked off the days long Battle of Qala-i-Jangi. Lindh survived the battle but was wounded, later suffered abuse as a detainee, and spent nearly 20 years as an inmate in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Though Lindh was released in 2019, questions remain about what he knew of the prison uprising at Qala-i-Jangi, and whether he could have saved the life of Mike Spann on November 25, 2001. Barker, a veteran filmmaker of war stories and politics, knows there are more questions than answers in the life of John Walker Lindh, but that the emergence of the so-called "American Taliban" marked the beginning of a much larger story of America in the war on terror. We spoke about Lindh and Spann, Qala-i-Jangi and about America's fascination with war since 9/11. This conversation has been edited for clarity. Why did you make DETAINEE 001? I've been interested in origin stories of the war on terror. I think it's reshaped our society in ways we can't really understand. Our military, our government, but also how we think about ourselves. I've done several films about the military by now, Osama bin Laden and Iraq, but I remember the John Walker Lindh case from the beginning. There was only a short CNN piece and then the short legal, political attention he received, but films just kind of present themselves. I had in my archive a lot of the material that ends up in the film, including the long interview between Robert Pelton and John Walker Lindh. I was looking through this old footage and found this interview, and I was blown away. I didn't remember any of it. And later, I was in conversation with an executive at Showtime who once worked with Peter Jennings before going to Hollywood, and we got to talking. Also, I knew some of the special forces soldiers who worked on Lindh at the time of his injury. It became a kind of journey into this one case, and not just John Walker Lindh but to the whole event. It was not like the Hunt for bin Laden movie I made from Peter Bergen's book. This was more of an exploration into what the war on terror has meant to us through this one particular case. Plus, it's a great story. I suppose this one should be easy for you. Why does the film matter? I started off making documentaries for Frontline and other investigative films, but I wanted to make films that changed the way people think. Theres a hunger for context and you see it in films and podcasts. People feel let down by the rush of cable news. But I dont try to make a film that has an impact anymore. I try to tell stories. I want the film to speak to the current moment. This film was four years in the making. We had no idea it would come out around the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, or that the Taliban would be victorious. Thinking about why does it matter cant get a little much its a movie. Ive made a couple films in the past few years but I have a hunger for fictional accounts more than ever. Ive found myself turning to fiction to try and figure this stuff out, and so I turned to someone like novelist John Wray to get a sense for his narrative interpretation. He's a compelling presence in the early part of the film. What does a novelist add to your work? I found it more instructive than talking to a policy expert, talking to someone who thought about Lindh on an emotional and narrative level. Wrays book, Godsend, was inspired in part by Lindhs journey but Wray changed a lot. Its about a young woman who goes to Pakistan and ends up with the Taliban. Its not factually the same as Lindhs story, but the process and experience of the character made sense to me in light of John Walker Lindhs story. While making this film, I was two and a half years in and then I read Godsend. What Wray had to say ended up being like a voice I had inside myself, grappling with what happened. Another book I really enjoyed on this topic was A Door in the Earth by Amy Waldman, and its inspired by the Greg Mortenson story. A young woman goes to Afghanistan and wants to help the people and make a difference, and the book is about best intentions that go awry. Amy Waldman was a journalist and she made great sense of everything that happened through fiction. The storytelling in this film is much more narrative than documentary. Tell me about John Walker Lindh. Was he a hero? Was he a hapless victim? Im not sure I would call him a hero. Hapless? John left Marin County as a teenager on some kind of spiritual quest. He was online posting or blogging as an African-American rapper at one point, but he was a white suburban kid. He converted to Islam at age 16 and went to Yemen and on to Pakistan. You would never guess from his own pretty average background that he would go on that journey. As I dived into it, John Walker Lindh was very smart. His interview with Pelton in the film demonstrates how incredibly articulate he was, even injured. However, there is no idea why he did what he did. Though most of us do irrational things at 18 or 19, hardly anyone does what he did in traveling across the world. We dont know if he would have become a terrorist. As I made the film, though, I found I became less and less interested in him, and more interested in our reaction to him. While were chasing Lindh, bin Laden is slipping through the net nearby in Afghanistan. At the time, the war on terror was going well. The Taliban was being decimated with only 100 troops on the ground. For me, this was the moment when the post-9/11 era became morally complicated and uncomfortable. One of our own was captured and the way he was treated. This was not a straightforward enterprise. Did you speak with John Walker Lindh? No. I tried. I met with his father several times and his lawyers up in San Francisco. His mother joined meetings and conference calls. When I began the film he was still in prison, in a unit of the federal penitentiary that was very difficult to communicate with. I asked repeatedly and for a while it looked like they wanted to be a part of the project. His lawyers were fascinating. There were many stories I wanted to tell, had the legal team agreed to cooperate. I suppose everybody who was in a senior decisionmaker-type position did not want to revisit this issue. I think they wanted me and my team to go away. The special forces people didnt want to go on camera. I tracked down the doctor who treated Lindh on the aircraft carrier. He didnt want to go on camera. Nobody wanted to go on camera. The defense department, Cheneys team nobody wanted to go on camera. There was a collective spirit on both sides that was like, Can you just go away? Why was his legal team so fascinating? His dad is an energy lawyer, one of the best energy lawyers in California. He reached out to James Brosnahan, a very prominent San Francisco lawyer and former federal prosecutor. Hes a partner at a big firm in downtown San Francisco. His own firm didnt want him to take on the case, but hes a towering figure in the legal establishment and a believer in the First Amendment, rights of the defendant as well. He put together a very compelling case. He hired a private investigator, a long-haired dude who walked Lindhs footsteps in Yemen and Pakistan. I mean, this team was fascinating. One of the young attorneys was Tony West, who is now the chief legal officer at Uber. So you had these California lawyers against east coast prosecutors and FBI agents. California folks are saying, Whats wrong with this kid from Marin County? He was on a spiritual journeywhats the big deal? Brosnahan named all these people as witnesses special forces soldiers, journalists, Pelton and so forth and right before this was to go to trial, the government reached out and offered a plea bargain, dropping most of the charges. All of the serious charges were withdrawn. The footage in the movie makes the story seem brand new. After watching the scenes at Qala-i-Jangi, I wanted to hear from CIA officer Dave Tyson, who was on the ground with Mike Spann. Did you talk to Tyson? Of course, we tried to reach out to him. I believe hes retired. I gather thats not his real name. But I would have asked him, What happened? Im sure he wonders why they were interviewing Lindh and the other prisoners in an open courtyard. I also wonder how close by Lindh was when the shots were fired that killed Spann. Tysons colleague is killed and hes borrowing a satellite phone from a German journalist to make the phone call that alerts other CIA officers that hes in trouble and needs help. I have some reason to believe hes been haunted. Tell me about Mike Spann. Dave Tyson and Spann were alone and without protection. Mark, who led the army special forces team on the ground, has never forgiven himself for what happened to Spann. What happened when Spann got to the prison is unknown. In the days after 9/11, the CIA was putting everybody out into the field and this was the most important mission. Dave Tyson was not a field guy. He was drawn from one of the embassies in central Asia. The CIA was throwing everyone out into the field. Theres a conversation years later where Tyson described the battle at Qala-i-Jangi as chaos. He said it was not normal, that he was in slow motion, a state of amazement. The battle at Qala-i-Jangi looks surreal in the film. Did you talk to anyone who fought there? No. The special forces guys would not go on camera for this film. They had gone on camera for other films, but not this one. The Afghans? We looked at it. We considered going to Mazar-i-Sharif, but it was just logistically not possible to do that. I felt like there was enough material to complete the film. What about General Abdul Rashid Dostum? He fought with the Northern Alliance in the days after 9/11. Yes, a fine, upstanding individual. Im kidding. Dostum became vice president of Afghanistan for a while. Frankly, I didnt want to go back to Mazar or Kabul and not get him because Id tried to get him on other projects and it didnt happen. His human rights abuses are pretty well-documented, though I do not believe that the special forces guys who were with him were complicit. Dostum himself? Look at how he treated the prisoners, putting them in the basement at the Qala-i-Jangi prison complex and then flooding the basement. When Peltons camera goes into that hospital and sees these people lying on the floor and they look like theyve come from a zombie movie. Death is all around them. Its unbelievable what they went through. Dostum seems like a pretty repulsive individual to me, but I work with different types of people. What remains of the mystery, from your perspective? Almost everything. Yeah. Why did John go? What were his intentions once he entered Afghanistan? He met bin Laden. Would he have become a terrorist? Actually, John Wray did a great job describing the vetting process one would go through before making it through training camp and meeting bin Laden. What happened with Spann and did Lindh know about it? Where did Lindhs mistreatment begin? You see shots of ODA595 in Afghanistan. The medic who saved Lindhs life on film was killed two years later in a firefight in Iraq. I dont think it was those guys who abused him. Did it begin at Camp Rhino? Thats where they taped a headband to Lindh that said shithead. Did it start at Camp Rhino? I heard other stories that can never be verified. One of them is that General Tommy Franks flew to the aircraft carrier just to spend an hour yelling at John Walker Lindh. Beyond that, the plea bargain is a mystery. Im 99 percent sure that somebody from Cheneys office or Rumsfelds office shut it down. And what about Lindh himself? He has to stay in northern Virginia somewhere, within the jurisdiction of the court where he was sentenced. Another reason Lindh didnt participate is that he doesnt want to be a target. His dad picked him up in a rental car from the penitentiary in Terre Haute and drove him somewhere in northern Virginia, and thats the last we know. Youve been a war journalist and filmmaker for some time. What is the root of our fascination with war? The way we tell stories of war. Its exciting, right? Theres a certain romance. The stakes and drama are high, and we want to believe that were on the side of good, righteousness, the right causes. When this all began, it made great television. The narrative we shape around war creates this mystique. Right after Bushs axis of evil speech, someone said to me that our first triumph in Afghanistan after 88 days was too easy. The narrative went down to easily. As it became more complicated, the stories became harder to tell and thats one reason to tune out. Its hard to get your head around it. So, the stories we tell about war captivate us. The people whove seen war up close tell it differently. Theres no glory or glamor in the stories of people whove seen it up close. We get at this idea in film. I think Zero Dark Thirty was great. The torture scenes were not right, but the movie was very good, and people in the Agency think the same from what Ive heard. Kathryn Bigelows other film, The Hurt Locker, was better in some ways. Restrepo was also very good. But Id say Flight 93 was the best film. Ive only seen it once, but that was enough. Were still figuring out how to tell these stories, and so theyll become less political over time. Stories of the Holocaust took 20 years to come out, after all. John Waters is a writer in Nebraska. Female U.S. Soldier Assaulted by Afghan Refugees in NM The FBI is investigating a group of male Afghan refugees after they assaulted a female U.S. soldier in New Mexico. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs recent Met Gala dress sparked a renewed conversation on the perceived fairness of the rich paying their fair share in taxes. This leads to questions about who decides fairness, and how much that fair amount should be. Before going further, we need to consult the facts, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office: In 2018, households in the highest quintile received 55 percent of income before transfers and taxes and paid 70 percent of federal taxes [emphasis added]. Households in the lowest quintile received 3.8 percent of income before transfers and taxes and paid about 0.01 percent of federal taxes, on net." The share of federal taxes paid by the highest earning 20% of Americans has increased from 55% in 1979 to 70% in recent years. Is this too little to be considered fair? Given these facts, it seems reasonable to ask whether the tax the rich mantra has more to do with sociology than with economics. Perhaps the notion that income inequality itself is inherently bad is an example of a luxury belief. In a seminal article, Rob Henderson introduced that term, which means ideas and opinions that confer status on the rich at very little cost, while taking a toll on the lower class. For example, many affluent people will publicly signal their belief that inequality is inherently bad, including business leaders like Jamie Dimon, billionaires-turned-nonprofit-leaders like Chris Hughes, and even religious leaders like Pope Francis. They are signaling that they care about those at the lower end of the income spectrum and are willing to tax the rich to close the gap. Yet raising taxes in the name of reducing income inequality may actually diminish opportunities to climb the income ladder. According to the Tax Foundation, the corporate income tax is among the most economically harmful ways to raise revenue: Higher corporate taxes reduce output, productivity, and wages in the long run, while making the United States less competitive. Proposed tax increases on capital gains, corporations, and income would be so high that they would discourage employment, on net, by 300,000 jobs and reduce economic growth by 1% over a decade. The poor and middle class not the rich would be hardest hit by those policies. Ironically, expressing support for a certain policy and going through with it are two different things. As Dream Hoarders author and Brookings Institution senior fellow Richard Reeves has pointed out, plans to reinstate the state and local tax (SALT) deduction would effectively erase any recent tax hikes for the top 1%. Generally speaking, though, many policies put forth to address income inequality, such as minimum wage hikes or higher taxes, dont affect the rich much. They are not working in minimum wage jobs so the jobs that disappear because of those artificially higher wages will not affect them. Theyre not using the boosted unemployment benefits that disincentivize quickly finding a new job. They wouldnt be at risk of becoming dependent on welfare if universal programs create too much dependency. And, when it comes time to really solve the issues that generate inequality, there is precious little discussion, let alone action, on those issues, including NIMBY zoning laws, occupational licensure, the importance of family structure to develop the necessary skills to climb the income ladder, and even school choice. Rather than sloganeering among their ultra-wealthy peers, policymakers should take the perspective of the poor into account. When polled on questions around income inequality, people earning less than $30,000 per year did not express a belief that closing the gap would help them the most. Barely 20% of people earning less than $30,000 say that the most important public policy goal should be to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, compared with 26% of those earning more than $100,000. A plurality of people in the under-$30,000 group (39%) say our top priority should be ensuring that everyone has a fair chance of achieving success. Among people in the under-$30,000 bracket, only 8% say the most important precondition for climbing the income ladder is a low level of income inequality, compared with 31% claiming it is economic growth and a strong labor market. As Mr. Henderson tells us, people care a lot about social status, with respect and admiration from people in our social circles ranking higher than money for our sense of well-being. Even though the evidence suggests that merely shrinking income inequality by taxing the rich would not meaningfully improve the lot of the poor, this view is routinely and publicly expressed by some of America's wealthiest people or prominent policymakers. Its important to recognize that taxing the rich is not a panacea to solve Americas problems, even if it is luxurious to believe that it is. If the 2022 midterm elections had an official soundtrack, it would be the ominous music from the 1975 movie Jaws. Although the election is 13 months away, mounting intensity feels like great white sharks are circling our national boat with a convergence of two powerful, never-before-seen political forces. Both forces are hangovers from the 2020 election with the potential to make the 2022 midterms the most tumultuous in modern American history. The first force is the growing lack of voter confidence in our election system. Second, is the looming presence of Donald J. Trump, a one-term, twice-impeached human lightning rod who is still the de facto leader of the Republican Party. No former president in history has ever injected himself into the midterms to this degree, and certainly not in the primary process. Curious about Matt Schlapps take on these two forces, I reached out to the high-profile chairman of the American Conservative Union. An ardent Trump supporter, Schlapp is one of the nation's most influential non-office-holding Republicans and, as host of CPAC, he leads a mighty MAGA army. Its clear that he, like the titular head of that army, has not really accepted the 2020 voting results. Having a big question mark over a presidential election is bad for democracy, Schlapp said. We should know who won. And one of the ways we will know is if we all follow the same rules. We have to get back to voting the way we did in 2016. Will the Democrats try to pull the same shenanigans next year? I do know this: The American people are outraged over the Democratic agenda, and if we vote fairly, they are going to get shellacked. There is a history of new presidents getting shellacked in their first midterm election, with their party losing control of the House, Senate, or both. In 2010, President Obama used shellacking to describe his first, monumental midterm defeat when Republicans won control of the House with a net gain of 63 seats a number not achieved since 1948. Surely, then-Vice President Joe Biden remembers that repudiation. Perhaps the most stunning midterm defeat was Bill Clintons in 1994. Forty-two years had elapsed since Republicans had won complete control of Capitol Hill. The architect of that remarkable victory netting the GOP 54 House and eight Senate seats was Newt Gingrich, who ascended to speaker of the House. I emailed Gingrich, asking if 2022 had the makings of a GOP victory on par with 1994. If Republicans can discipline themselves to consistently describe Democrats as big government socialists and the $3.5 trillion spending and $3 trillion tax increase as big government socialist bills it is, after all, Sen. Bernie Sanders bill I think we can win a massive victory in both the House and Senate next year, Gingrich answered. I also asked Schlapp to weigh in on the prospects of a 1994-scale victory. He happily took the bait. Guaranteed! said. Unless we dont have the courage to stand up against the cheating. If not, then it will be more mixed. If the left understands that we are going to go to the barricades to make sure that the cheating is exposed, then I think their agenda will be rejected. Then, after outlining Bidens liberal-left agenda, Schlapp declared, When people understand the policies of socialism, they reject it in this country. Regarding Trump, the former president's engagement in the midterms is a force to be reckoned with for both parties. I asked Schlapp if Trumps involvement was a winning strategy for the GOP. I think President Trump is doing the right thing to spend his time and money making sure that we win as many Senate and congressional seats as possible, and I applaud him for doing that, he replied. In the past, he has been accused of not spending as much time on these midterm races. Now he is committed to doing so, and he will help us win lots of seats with those efforts. Then I asked Schlapp, If the Republicans do well in 2022, will Trump take credit? And if they dont, will Trump say its because his name was not on the ballot? With either outcome, is he going to see it his way? Schlapp parried that point. If the Republicans, with so much promise, end up doing poorly in the midterms, I think it would probably have a negative impact on President Trumps thinking about running [in 2024], he said. The Democrats have never embraced this type of radical policy agenda. And if that turns out to be popular with the American people, I think its going to be very discouraging for Republicans. I dont think the chances of that are very high, but I am willing to entertain the premise. However, if the 2022 midterms go well for the GOP and Trump decides to run, I asked Schlapp if he thought Trump would have primary opposition or be crowned the nominee without a fight. He told me: I think Trump will have primary opponents, a lane of never-Trump, and dont know how many there will be. President Trump should want these opponents because he is much better in the ring when competing against somebody. I dont know if I can see him just getting coronated. I dont know how he would react to that he is so used to fighting! But Trump will be a better candidate if he has to take someone on immediately. I believe primaries can be a good thing. Then Schlapp proclaimed, If Trump runs again, he is essentially the incumbent. In the meantime, cue the ominous shark-circling-in-the-water music. With voters lack of trust in our election system, Trump at center stage, Democrats in disarray, redistricting court battles looming, Biden failing fast, and all the collective pandemic, economic, and cultural angst in our nation, Im reminded of the most famous line from Jaws as the 2022 midterm approaches: Were gonna need a bigger boat. An Oregon woman's black and tan coonhound earned a Guinness World Record when each of her ears was measured at 12.38 inches long. ADVERTISEMENT Guinness said Lou, a 3-year-old canine belonging to Paige Olsen, officially has the longest ears on a dog (living). Olsen said she always knew Lou's ears were "extravagantly long," but she only decided to measure them while sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. "All black and tan coonhounds have beautiful long ears, some are just longer than others," Olsen, a veterinary technician, told Guinness. Olsen said Lou's especially long ears have not led to any medical complications for the canine. "Of course everyone wants to touch the ears, they're very easy to fall in love with with just one sighting," she said. Olsen said Lou is also a competitor at dog shows and has earned titles from the American Kennel Club and Rally Obedience. A Florida woman was reunited with her Yorkshire terrier 59 days after the canine went missing thanks to a pet detective. ADVERTISEMENT Anita Maharaj said her dog, Milo, went missing from her Lake Worth Beach home in August, after a security guard in her subdivision spotted the canine leaving through an open gate. "It was heartbreaking," Maharaj told WPTV. "It was stressful. It's like a different type of pain." Maharaj enlisted the services of pet detective Jamie Katz, who set about using online posts and paper flyers to spread the word about Milo. "I've been telling her this whole entire time we're going to get him back," Katz said of Maharaj. Katz said tips started pouring in, but most turned out to be dead ends. "There's a lot of background checks. We had a lot of calls coming in, a lot of kids calling pretending to have her dog," she said. The detective's efforts paid off when a West Palm Beach woman who saw Milo on a poster called to report she had found the canine and brought him to her home. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Maharaj was reunited with Milo 59 days after he went missing. "This is an experience that I don't want any pet owner to ever go through," Maharaj said. Katz said Milo's reunion was only her latest success story. She said she currently has a 67% success rate in reuniting people with their lost pets. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. With COVID-19 now becoming a part of daily life, the University of Georgia's study abroad programs are navigating the difficult task of when and how they should return safely. The state Supreme Court says a Vermont couple cannot be prosecuted in state court for drug violations with evidence seized by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on a roving patrol Julie Moore is the Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, the state agency with primary responsibility for protecting and sustaining Vermonts environment, natural resources, wildlife and forests, and for maintaining Vermonts beloved state parks. Moore was named to that position by Governor Phil Scott in January 2017. Moore currently resides in Middlesex with her husband and their two children. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) More than a year after protesters toppled a statue of a Spanish missionary on the grounds of the California Capitol, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law on Friday to replace it with a memorial for the state's Native Americans. A statue of Father Junipero Serra had stood in Capitol Park since 1967. He was a Roman Catholic pries who established a string of missions from San Diego to San Francisco in the late1700s and used them as centers to convert members of nearby tribes to Christianity. But many natives were forced to live and work at the missions and subjected to beatings and other abuse. Thousands died. Serra was given sainthood by Pope Francis in 2015, a controversial decision that brought sharp criticism from those who see Serra as a colonialist who destroyed Native American tribes and their cultures. Last summer, the murder of George Floyd by a Minnesota police officer prompted nationwide protests over racial injustice. On July 4, 2020, protesters tore down the Serra statue on the Capitol grounds. Protesters also tore down Serra statues in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Assemblyman James Ramos, a Democrat from Highland and a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe, authored a bill to replace the statue on the Capitol grounds with a memorial for Native Americans in the Sacramento area. It's one of several laws Newsom signed on Friday dealing with Native American issues. Todays action sends a powerful message from the grounds of Capitol Park across California underscoring the states commitment to reckoning with our past and working to advance a California for All built on our values of inclusion and equity, Newsom said in a news release announcing the signing. Last year, Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Sacramento called it the statue's removal an act of vandalism that does little to build the future. He wrote there is no question California's indigenous people suffered during the colonial period but said Serra denounced the system's evils and worked to protect the dignity of native peoples. His holiness as a missionary should not be measured by his own failures to stop the exploitation or even his own personal faults, Soto wrote. The law allows tribal nations to plan, construct and maintain the monument. But it could be awhile before the monument is built. The law says the tribes need permission from the Joint Rules Committee before they can begin construction. The committee has imposed an unofficial moratorium on new memorials until the Department of General Services develops a master plan for the Capitol Park grounds, according to a legislative analysis of the law. Capitol Park contains at least 12 memorials, including ones honoring veterans and firefighters. Last year, state officials removed a statue from the rotunda of the Capitol depicting Christopher Columbus. The statue had been the centerpiece of the rotunda since 1883, donated by a banker who had advocated for California's Capitol to be built in Sacramento. Legislative leaders removed the statue of Columbus because they said it was out of place "given the deadly impact his arrival in this hemisphere had on indigenous populations. ELKO, Nev. (AP) A hospital in rural northeastern Nevada is pleading with residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to take other precautions to help slow the spread of the coronavirus to keep our healthcare system from being overrun." The Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital in Elko said Friday the virus was running rampant"" in the region and that the hospital's intensive care and medical-surgical units were near capacity and that it had postponed elective surgeries and added beds. A New Haven police officer allegedly refused a field sobriety test after police said he was driving a Rolls Royce in Las Vegas involved in a crash that led to the death of a fellow officer, according to an arrest report. The crash occurred around 4 a.m. on Sept. 17 while Officer Robert Ferraro, Joshua Castellano and two other New Haven officers were on vacation in Las Vegas. Castellano died. An arrest report from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated Ferraro, 34, was driving a Rolls Royce at a high rate of speed. The car flipped over and Castellano was ejected from the SUV. A witness who called in the crash to authorities said the passengers in the car, who all suffered minor injuries, performed chest compressions on Castellano, according to the report. An inspection of the car allegedly showed that no one in the Rolls Royce was wearing a seat belt before the crash, according to the arrest report. When a patrol officer arrived on the scene, he noted Ferraro had watery eyes and allegedly a strong odor of alcohol, the report said. The report alleged Ferraro showed signs of impairment and allegedly refused to participate in any standardized field sobriety tests. Ferraro was arrested and taken to the Clark County Detention Center. Officers later got a search warrant to draw his blood for evidence, but the results of the two blood drawings were redacted from the report. Ferraro is charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving. The officer, who is on administrative leave, posted bond Tuesday but had remained in custody. A judge took Ferraro off of house arrest Thursday, allowing him to come back to Connecticut. Ferraros next court appearance is Oct. 7. liz.hardaway@hearst.com ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Gov. Kathy Hochul said Saturday she is prepared to call in medically trained National Guard members, retirees and workers outside New York to address potential staffing shortages caused by an approaching vaccine mandate for health care workers. If necessary, Hochul said, she will declare a state of emergency through an executive order designed to address staffing shortages in hospitals and nursing homes once the mandate takes effect Monday. Many health care workers have still not yet received a required first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine days before the deadline, leaving the prospect of potentially thousands of health care workers being forced off the job next week. The order would allow health care professionals who are licensed in other states or countries, are recent graduates, or are formerly practicing health care professionals to practice in New York, Hochul said, noting she is exploring ways to expedite visa requests for medical professionals. The governor said she also has the option of deploying National Guard members and partnering with the federal government to deploy Disaster Medical Assistance Teams. I am monitoring the staffing situation closely, and we have a plan to increase our health care workforce and help alleviate the burdens on our hospitals and other health care facilities," she said in a prepared release. As the state made its preparations, New York City officials were temporarily blocked from enforcing a similar vaccine mandate for its teachers and other school workers. The city mandate was set to go into effect Monday, but a federal appeals judge granted a temporary injunction Friday and referred the case to a three-judge panel an an expedited basis. Hospitals around the state have been preparing contingency plans that included cutting back on elective surgeries. Many nursing homes were limiting admissions. Were roughly about 84% statewide vaccinated right now, so any initiatives that the governor could advance to increase the workforce is welcome and needed, said Stephen Hanse, who represents nursing homes statewide as president of the New York State Health Facilities Association and the New York State Center for Assisted Living. Hochul, a Democrat, has resisted calls to delay the mandate, and her 11th-hour announcement could ratchet up pressure on vaccine holdouts. She said workers terminated because of refusal to be vaccinated are not eligible for unemployment insurance without a doctor-approved request for medical accommodation. Also Saturday, Hochul announced in a tweet that booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine were now available in New York for those who received Pfizer as their primary vaccine and are 65 years and older or 50 years and older with underlying medical conditions. Recipients must have had their second dose at least six months ago. We want to make it as seamless as possible for New Yorkers to receive a booster dose and well provide more guidance & details in the coming days, she tweeted. BRIDGEPORT A city man is accused of mistakenly killing his best friend who he mistook for a man who had shot him last year, according to police. Eric Ayala, 22, of William Place, was brought back from New York where police said he had fled after being questioned by detectives, and was arraigned Friday afternoon on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, criminal possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit. Police said Ayala is accused of firing through a closed door at a man he had believed previously shot him only to learn later that he had killed his best friend, 33-year-old Gregory Ingram. Ingrams family, sitting in the back of the courtroom, glared at Ayala as he was brought into the courtroom. They were friends, they hung out together, Ingrams mother, Bobbie Ingram, said later outside the Golden Hill Street courtroom, her voice cracking with emotion. He (Ayala) stabbed his own friend in the back. Deputy Assistant States Attorney Peter Cunniff urged Superior Court Judge Tracy Lee Dayton to set a high bond for Ayala arguing the defendant fled to New York after initially being questioned by police in the case. But Ayalas lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Nicole Feinberg, urged leniency for her client. He denies the allegations but appreciates the seriousness of the charges, she said. The judge ordered Ayala held in lieu of $1 million bond and continued the case to Oct. 5. Shortly after 2 a.m. on March 13, police responded to a shooting on Seaview Avenue and found the victim lying in a large pool of blood on the front stairwell between the second and third floors. Police said he had been shot in the torso. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Ingram and his girlfriend had just moved into the third-floor apartment. They were asleep in bed when they were awakened by a loud noise coming from their back door. The affidavit states that Ingram went to investigate and was standing just inside the closed door when numerous shots began coming through the door and the walls. Babe Im hit, call my mom. They got me, the affidavit states Ingram gasped. He then dragged himself to the front stairwell where he collapsed. The affidavit states that from surveillance video police were able to identify the gunmans getaway vehicle as an older red Ford sedan. The car was traced to a local used car lot where it had just been put up for sale, the affidavit states. Ayala was identified as the previous owner, according to the affidavit. But the affidavit continues that Ayala told detectives he had lent the car out to two other men who had killed Ingram. He told detectives he was upset because Ingram was like a brother to him. Ayala told detectives that the intended target had been a man named Johnno who previously lived in the Seaview Avenue apartment and had shot Ayala last October on Pembroke Street, the affidavit states. However, the affidavit continues, detectives were able to trace Ayala to the murder scene through his cell phone. Bobbie Ingram said her son had grown up in Bridgeport and attended Central High School before moving to Pennsylvania. She said he only recently returned to Bridgeport. He left four kids, four babies that now I am raising, she said, crying. FAIRFIELD The mother of a freshman at a Sacred Heart University dorm alleges mold is making students living there ill and she is questioning whether the college is doing enough to address the issue. My daughter has been sick since she moved in, said West Haven resident Brigitte Bosco Rafia, whose daughter lives on the second floor of Seton Hall. Its been a nightmare and were not getting any answers from the university. A university spokesperson said Friday that a company was hired to clean every room in the residence hall and that the school is awaiting air quality test results, but that the school suspects it was mildew, not mold, in the dorm. She added Sacred Heart has communicated daily with the impacted students to let them know the actions taken. A Fairfield health department official said although the department has received multiple complaints about the dorm, he found no evidence of mold during a site visit he made after the universitys cleanup efforts. Were hoping this takes care of it but we have been working with them, said Rob Guerrera, assistant director for environmental health. Rafia said parents have been sharing pictures sent from students living in the dorm of alleged mold throughout their rooms on laundry baskets, backpacks, desks and ceilings. She said many have commented that their children have been sick not severely ill, but mainly with coughing and cold-like symptoms. She said she wished the university communicated more with parents about what could be causing the symptoms and taking more proactive measures to address it. Give us some answers, let us know whats going on, if its safe, if its not, Rafia said. Maybe move the students elsewhere into temporary housing until they have a solution. In a prepared statement Friday Deb Noack, Sacred Heart Universitys executive director of communications, said that after receiving reports of what was likely mildew from students in the dorm, the school immediately hired cleanup crews from Servpro to clean all the rooms in the hall. Since then, Servpro has cleaned every room, Noack said. All rooms and ventilation units have been HEPA vacuumed, and each room has been thoroughly wiped down and Bio cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectant. Today, Servpro has been doing thorough cleanings of every bathroom and laundry room in Seton Hall. Noack said the school suspects the mildew could have been caused by students having windows of their rooms open while the air conditioning is running. Sacred Heart has not turned off the air conditioning in the residence halls because of the possibility of another warm stretch, and it is understandable that the students opened windows to let in the crisp fall air, Noack said. We are awaiting air quality results from AMC Environmental, and we have been working with the Fairfield Health Department on this issue. She also noted the school recently spent $4.2 million replacing the heating and cooling systems in Seton and Merton halls. Guerrera said he had visited the school Tuesday and Friday after the health department received multiple complaints. I didnt see any mold when I was out there, he said. They have an idea of what it might have been. Theyre not 100 percent sure. Rafia said she wished the school had been more responsive with students and parents. I doubt this was caused by open windows. I look forward to the air quality reports, she said. Meanwhile, my child and dozens of others will be seeking medical attention from health services. TORRINGTON Scott R. Ritters Sophie Gallery is ready for visitors, even though it wont be open for a couple of weeks yet. His paintings and photographs glimmer and glisten on the white walls, enhanced by spaced lighting and a creamy brown, tin ceiling, freshly painted. The gallery opens with a preview show Oct. 16, followed by an opening reception the next day. Ritter moved his work into 15 Water St. this month, and is nearly next-door to Five Points Gallery and its Annex. Ritter said the age of the building and its history drew him to the space, as well as the increase in gallery ownership on the street. The gallery is named after a relative, he said. I like being next to Five Points, Ritter said, as he discussed the gallery with his sister Martha. I was in touch with (Executive Director) Judith McElhone from Five Points about it. It seems a positive goal to have as many galleries as possible here. He first investigated the gallery a year ago, when it was still occupied by artist John Noelke, who has since moved into the Howard Building on Main Street, where he is running a bookstore and planning public events. I wanted it, Ritter said. It took some time to get it together. Five Points Arts is delighted to welcome Scott Ritters new gallery, McElhone said. We have long been aware of Ritters work and are proud to announce that two of his large paintings are featured in the new Five Points Art Centers auditorium. The Sophie adds yet another dimension to Torringtons growing reputation as an arts destination. Ritters work, which has been exhibited in a number of group and one-person shows, ranges widely in style, content and scale from large canvases to paintings on paper and abstract photographs. Some paintings on the walls have layers of rich colors dark turquoise, hot pink, green and gold, while others feature circles and splashes of blue or yellow, or a square canvas with layers of soft colors. Last week, Ritter welcomed a couple and their teenage son to the gallery. They walked by, and asked if they could come in and look around, he said. It turned out they were from Meriden, and this was the first time they had ever been in a gallery. The family didnt leave for some time. They discussed the paintings and photographs, and asked questions. I talked with them about four or five of the paintings. The son looked at one of them and said, Thats a hamburger, Ritter said. And we got involved in a discussion about that. It made me feel good all day, he said. When someone comes in, I say, Welcome, enjoy yourself, Hes also influenced by Japan and China, where he taught at universities for many years. The gallerys opening exhibit, Wrench and Obi, features traditional Japanese obi sashes in shades of orange, black and red, and a railway workers wrench, nearly 100 years old, with a thick, wooden handle. The obi is such a beautiful piece of art, Ritter said. The colors, the fabric are so fascinating. When I lived in Japan, I grew to appreciate some of their art forms, their ceramics and fabrics. For me, they represent delicacy, but with their own kind of strength. The wrench is pretty old, and it still works. Its such a substantial tool. So the exhibit is a combination of this basic technology and the obi. Ritter received his masters degree in studio art from Claremont Graduate University in Los Angeles. He also studied at the Art Students League and the National Academy in New York City and the University of Hartford Art School. He grew up in Hartford and has lived and worked in various parts of the U.S. as well as China and Japan. I went to art school in Los Angeles in my 50s, but over the years, Ive had lots of jobs, he said. Taxi driver, factory work, security guard ... a lot of different things. Also a writer and musician, he holds four additional graduate degrees in literature and the arts: a Ph.D. in English from Northern Illinois University under dissertation adviser Lucien Stryk, the foremost English language translator of Japanese Zen poetry; a masters degree from Wesleyan University in literature and the arts; and masters degrees from both Sarah Lawrence College in theater and Tisch School of the Arts/ NYU in musical theater writing. What Ive been working on for a while is a series of monologues, Ritter said. Some of them are a story; some are a stream of consciousness. I see them as something I want to develop into a production. Theyre performance laboratories, he said. They start with American voices, and my initial thought was to explain how people respond to major change, to how they view authority in the country they live in. I hope to publish them in 2022. Ritter began painting as a teenager, and he has used other creative mediums, but always returns to painting. Its always been a touchstone for me, he said. Its an important part of my life. Wrench & Obi opens Oct. 17, 1-4 p.m., with a preview Oct. 16, 8-10 p.m. The exhibit will run through January 2022. Masks are required. A special holiday event is planned to introduce some new Opals Nov. 6, 2 to 6 p.m. The Sophie Gallery also plans to be a home for readings, performance art events and small concerts. Gallery hours are Fridays, 2-6 p.m. and by appointment or chance. Contact the gallery to confirm. For information, contact Karina Marquis, gallery manager, at 860-618-2994 or info@TheSophieGallery.com; or .visit www.TheSophieGallery.com. Alan William Minnig, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away suddenly Tuesday at his home. Born Aug. 2, 1955, in Pottsville, he lived his childhood years in Tremont. He was a son of the late William and Shirley Schrope Minnig. Alan was a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School and Penn State University. Alan began his career in aviation with flight lessons at Schuylkill County Joe Zerbey Airport at age 14. His impressive career of more than 36,000 flight hours and more than 1,800 Atlantic crossings began by humbly flying pheasants to Canada and towing gliders in Happy Valley. He flew through various mergers of Pennsylvania Airlines, New York Air and Continental Airlines, culminating in 2013 with United Airlines, his high school yearbook ambition. He captained seven different airliners, retiring from full-time flying in Boeing 777 as a line check airman. After the terrorist attacks on 9/11, he completed DHS Federal Law Enforcement training, becoming a flight deck enforcement officer, to ensure the safety of his passengers. He was currently working at CAE Inc. in the training department and as a consultant. He also served on the board of directors for Schuylkill County Airport Authority. Alan was an avid fly fisherman and sportsman, always enjoying spending time outdoors, particularly in Callicoon, N.Y. He was preceded in death by his brother, Neil Minnig, and is survived by his wife, Dr. Melissa Ann Burke; his son, William (Billy) Minnig, a sophomore at Villanova University; his daughter, Saragrace Minnig, a junior at Schuylkill Haven Area High School; his sister, Ellen Reigel; uncle-at heart, Dalton Schaadt; aunts, Mary Frew and Sylvia Eisenaucher; uncles, Dick Minnig and Skip Schrope; cousins, nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Bartashus Funeral Home, New Philadelphia. Friends may call at an open house from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Minnig residence. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions to be made to National Wild Turkey Federation or Schuylkill Community Foundation, also accepted at the funeral home. Donations can be given directly to the family or at the funeral home. Actor Akshay Kumar who is quite close to his children, especially his daughter Nitara, penned a heartfelt wish on her birthday. The actor shared a picture on social media where he can be seen sitting on a chair while hugging his daughter Nitara who rests her head on his shoulder. Apart from this, Akshay captioned the picture with a beautiful note where he expressed his love for his daughter on her 9th birthday. In the endearing note, a doting father, Akshay, compared a daughters hug to the worlds biggest joys. Further, he prayed best for his daughter and wished she would always remain Papas precious little girl. No bigger joy in the world than a daughters tight hug. Happy Birthday, Nitara - grow up, take on the world, but always stay Papas precious little girl too. Love you, the Bell Bottom actor wrote beside the picture. No bigger joy in the world than a daughters tight hug. Happy Birthday, Nitara - grow up, take on the world, but always stay Papas precious lil girl too. Love you. pic.twitter.com/ke30KHeDL9 Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) September 25, 2021 Akshay is currently busy shooting for his new film in the United Kingdom. He jetted off to London along with his family members after attending his mother Aruna Bhatias last rites in Mumbai. The actors mother passed away recently in Mumbai after age-old problems. After completing the rites, the actor, known to hold a high sense of professionalism, decided not to let the shoot suffer after his mothers demise and jetted back post the rituals. Akshay, who turned 54 on September 9, remembered his mom and penned a heart-touching note. Sharing an adorable photo with her, he wrote, "Would have never liked it this way but am sure mom is singing Happy Birthday to me from right up there! Thanks to each one of you for your condolences and wishes alike. Life goes on (sic). Meanwhile, on the work front, the actor will be seen next in Rohit Shettys Sooryavanshi with Katrina Kaif. According to recent updates, after several delays, the film is now slated to hit the screens during Diwali this year. The film will lock horns with Marvel's superhero biggie Eternals starring Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek which is releasing in 6 languages in India this Diwali. He also has Raksha Bandhan with Bhumi Pednekar, Atrangi Re with Sara Ali Khan and Dhanush, and Ram Setu with Nushrat Bharucha and Jacqueline Fernandez in the pipeline. Image: Instagram/@AkshayKumar As the 2021 Global Citizen Festival has been slated to release soon, numerous artists from all around the world have gathered together to support the cause and donate their time for the event. Global Citizen Live will be a 24-hour music festival that will be held on six continents and feature many of the worlds top artists and celebrities. Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder, BTS, and others will be performing while Priyanka Chopra and Denis Brogniart will be seen hosting the event. Heres everything you need to know about where and how to watch Global Citizen Festival 2021 live stream online. When to watch Global Citizen Festival 2021 live? The 2021 Global Citizen Festival will be held on 25 September and will air live across the world in numerous cities. Global Citizen Festival 2021 time: The 2021 Global Citizen Festival will be streaming in different parts of the world at 2 pm ET / 11 am PT on 25 September. The fans in India will be able to enjoy the show at 11:30 pm on 25 September. How to watch Global Citizen Festival 2021 live stream? Fubo TV offers both ABC and ABC News Live via which the fans can easily enjoy the event from home. BBC in the United Kingdom, Sky & TV8 in Italy, TF1/TMC in France, TV Azteca in Mexico, and Zee TV in India, among others also offer ABC channels. Even Vidgo offers the ABC channels with a 3-day free trial to the users. If you have a Roku-compatible device, a Roku streaming stick, or a Roku TV, you can stream the Global Citizen Live for free via The Roku Channel. The event will also live stream on Apple Music, ABC, Hulu for which one would not require to buy a subscription. Can you watch Global Citizen Festival 2021 on TV channels? The event can be watched through various platforms such as Fubo TV, Hulu + Live TV, Vidgo, and Roku TV. If you have a cable connection, you can watch the Global Citizen live on TV beginning at 1 pm ET / 10 am PT Saturday on ABC News Live, on FX at 9 am ET/noon PT, and on ABC beginning at 7 pm ET / 4 pm PT. In which cities Global Citizen Festival 2021 is being held? Global Citizen Festival 2021 will be held in New York, Paris, Los Angeles, London, Lagos, Rio de Janeiro, Mumbai, and Sydney while the tickets will be available via VividSeats.com for the show at The Great Lawn, in New Yorks Central Park, and for the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Image: Twitter/@GLBLCTZN A Thane man studying in Dublin University in Ireland has allegedly lost Rs 5.30 lakh to a cyber fraudster, police said on Saturday. Mandar Kotnis, pursuing his Masters in Computer Science, had gone to Ireland on September 2 this year, and got a call on September 23 from a person who identified himself as an Irish official. "He was told he had watched some site which is prohibited in the United States of America and hackers could now siphon off money from his account. In order to avoid this, the caller asked Kotnis to transfer the money he had in his Thane account. When the victim went ahead, he realised he had lost Rs 5.30 lakh," an official from Chitalsar police station in Thane's Wagle Estate area said. As per a complaint filed by the victim's mother's, a case under IPC and Information Technology Act provisions has been registered against an unidentified person, Thane police PRO Jaimala Wasave said. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla informed that India is getting continuous support from several countries for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In a setback for China, Shringla, who is a part of the high-level delegation accompanying PM Narendra Modi for the United States visit, said that apart from America and Quad leaders, Portugal has also supported India for permanent membership in UNSC. "US President Biden had mentioned that India should have permanent seat in UN Security Council. This is a view continuously hailed not just by the US but other Quad partners and many other countries. Portugal also supported India for a permanent seat in UN Security Council," the foreign secretary said. Biden bats for Indian's permanent seat in UNSC During a bilateral in-person meeting with PM Narendra Modi, American President Joe Biden reiterated USA's support for India's permanent seat in the UNSC and its entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). According to the US-India joint leaders' statement, the POTUS applauded India's strong leadership during its UNSC presidency in August 2021. President Biden reiterated that the US supports India's permanent seat in a reformed United Nations Security Council. India at UNSC India had taken over the rotating presidency from France on August 1 and held the tenure for a month. Under India's presidency, New Delhi hosted high-level events in important areas such as peacekeeping, maritime security and counterterrorism. In December 2022, India will take over as chairman of the UN Security for the final month of its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the council. The five permanent members of the UNSC are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States and these members can veto any substantive resolution. Recently, there have been growing demands to add more permanent members to reflect the contemporary global reality. Meanwhile, PM Modi on Saturday delivered a powerhouse address at the 76th session of the UNGA (United Nations General Assembly). During his address, the Prime Minister highlighted the COVID-19 pandemic, the Afghanistan crisis and global terrorism. Read Here: FULL SPEECH: PM Modi Addresses UNGA, Sends Strong Message Against Extremism & Expansionism Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) remarkable. The Union Minister noted that PM Modi spoke on various issues like world peace, clean water, ocean resources and democracy. The Prime Minister also impeccably explained how India is setting benchmarks in different sectors and helping other countries during the toughest times, he said. Amit Shah stated that PM Modi slammed those who promote and support terrorism. "He perfectly explained how Regressive Thinking and Extremism are the growing challenges for the entire world and its time for the world to adopt science-based, rational and progressive thinking," he said. The Home Minister also said that PM Modi gave befitting tribute to Deendayal Upadhyaya on his birth anniversary. "When India grows, the world grows...When India reforms, the world transforms, reflects Indias immense potential. Sharing Deendayal jis mantra of Antyodaya at the world forum is a matter of great pride for all of us and a befitting tribute to the great icon on his Jayanti," he said. PM Modi's UNGA address PM Narendra Modi on Saturday delivered a power-packed addressed at the UNGA. In his opening statement, the Prime Minister highlighted the COVID pandemic and paid tribute to people who lost their lives. Calling India 'mother of democracy', he said that democracy is India's tradition and explained it with his own example. He said a child (referring to himself) who used to help his father sell tea is addressing UNGA. PM Modi's dig at Pakistan and China Indirectly slamming Pakistan and China, PM Modi said that some nations with regressive things were using terrorism as a political tool. He advised them that they "need to understand that terrorism is an equally big threat for them." PM Modi noted that the dangers of regressive thinking and extremism are increasing across the globe. "In these circumstances, the whole world has to make science-based, rational and progressive thinking as the basis of development," he said. He also stressed that would need to ensure that war-ravaged Afghanistan is not used to spread terrorism and for terror activities. "We also need to ensure that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation in Afghanistan and use it for its own self-interests," PM Modi said adding that the world should step up to help Afghan people. United Kingdom Parliamentarian Bob Blackman on Saturday reiterated his stand that the Indian Army has prevented the 'Talibanization' of Jammu & Kashmir by defending the sensitive region, for which he feels they deserve applause. Speaking on the Primetime Debate with Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, Blackman lamented that Parliamentarians in the UK do not recognize the princely states of Jammu and Kashmir and 'certainly do not talk about Ladakh'. He said that Islamist forces that have set up bases at the Line Of Control would take over Kashmir Valley and plunge the region into terrorism if the Indian troops were to leave the region. "When the US and UK forces left Afghanistan, the Taliban immediately took over. Similarly, if the Indian forces were to leave the Kashmir valley, an Islamist force would take over, and then terrorism would be far worse. Besides people of the valley would suffer tremendously," said Blackman. "So, the brave Indian troops who are defending democracy and defending Jammu and Kashmir should be applauded not castigated. On the other hand, Pakistan should start looking at the forced conversions of young Hindu girls and child marriages and equally acknowledge the fact that they annexed part of the princely states of J&K as part of their own territory," the MP for Harrow East said. Blackman added the world cannot interfere in what is a bilateral dispute between India and Pakistan. However, he says that the world should intervene when Pakistan quite clearly seems to be harbouring terrorists and threatening the security of the world. Speaking of China's expansionist policies in J&K, the North East, as well as the Indo-Pacific, Blackman said that unity of nations believing in democracy would help protect freedom and democracy. "That obviously includes US, Australia, Canada, UK, India, Japan, and anyone else that wants to combat China's incursions in maritime areas. I think China is a dark threat to Indian security," he said. UK MPs back Revocation Of Article 370 Earlier on Friday, Bob Blackman had raised the issue of human rights violations in J&K before Article 370 was abolished, and cited the benefits that the abrogation had brought for women, children as well as minorities that were otherwise being persecuted by radical Islamists. Additionally, Bob Blackman highlighted the diverse population of Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs who were natives of the region and were being persecuted before Article 370 was revoked. Bob Blackman's stand was echoed by UK MP Theresa Villiers, who said that J&K women, before Article 370 was revoked, were denied certain property rights if they married men from outside the state. India had abrogated Article 370 and Article 35A on August 5, 2019, stripping the 'special status' given to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the erstwhile state into - J&K and Ladakh. India and the US issued a joint statement after holding their first in-person bilateral meeting under PM Modi and Joe Biden Biden's leadership on Saturday stressing on countering global and cross-border terrorism. In the statement, the two countries affirmed that they stand together in the shared fight against terrorism, and will take concerted action against designated terrorist groups. Moreover, a specific emphasis was placed on cross-border terrorism by Pakistan and the need to bring perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to justice. "The Leaders reaffirmed that the United States and India stand together in a shared fight against global terrorism, will take concerted action against all terrorist groups, including groups proscribed by the UNSCR 1267 Sanctions Committee, condemned cross-border terrorism, and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to be brought to justice.They denounced any use of terrorist proxies and emphasized the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks," the joint-statement read. India-US to develop counterterrorism technologies US President Joe Biden and PM Modi noted the upcoming U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group, Designations Dialogue, and renewed U.S.-India Homeland Security Dialogue hoping that it will further strengthen counterterrorism cooperation between India and the United States, including in the areas of intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation. "They also welcomed opportunities to develop counterterrorism technologies. They commended the U.S.-India Counter Narcotics Working Group and are committed to finalizing a new Bilateral Framework which would facilitate joint efforts to combat drug trafficking, illicit narcotics production and precursor chemical supply chains," the statement read. The Afghanistan crisis and the use of Afghan soil to shelter or train terrorists was strongly condemned by the two leaders who asked the Taliban to adhere to the commitments made under the UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021). Apart from focusing on terrorism, PM Modi and Joe Biden affirmed a clear vision to promote shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, developing a trade and investment partnership, fighting against COVID-19, climate change and strengthening democratic values and institutions in support of their citizens. President Biden also reaffirmed the strength of the defence relationship between the United States and India and the need to expand engagements in a multilateral framework. He welcomed Indias announcement of resuming exports of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines including to COVAX and raised support for Indias permanent membership on a reformed UN Security Council. In a development that can have a big impact, US President Joe Biden endorsed India's candidature for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. The joint statement by the two sides read, "President Biden applauded Indias strong leadership during its UN Security Council Presidency in August 2021. In this context, President Biden also reiterated US support for Indias permanent membership on a reformed UN Security Council and for other countries who are important champions of multilateral cooperation and aspire to permanent seats on the UN Security Council." Addressing a press briefing, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla also mentioned that Joe Biden had appreciated India's cooperation with the US in the UNSC. This is seen as an acknowledgement of India's growing stature on the world stage. However, Barack Obama too had extended his support for India's bid for a UNSC seat way back in November 2010 when he was on his first official visit to India as the US president. Impact of a permanent UNSC seat Responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, the UN Security Council has 5 permanent members the US, the UK, China, France and Russia. At present, India is one of the 10 non-permanent members, who is elected by the United Nations General Assembly for a two-year term. The importance of the UNSC is underscored by the fact that it has the power of determining a threat to peace, imposing sanctions or even authorising the use of force if need be. While 9 votes are required to pass a decision, this has to include the concurring votes of all the permanent members. Essentially, the P-5 countries have a veto power which implies that no proposal can be approved if either of them disagrees. If India does become a permanent member in the near future, it too will have the power to veto any decision which the country deems against its national interest. In the recent past, China rushed to the defence of its "all-weather friend" Pakistan by repeatedly blocking UNSC's move to blacklist Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee. On May 1, 2019, China finally lifted its veto after persistent diplomatic efforts by India resulting in Azhar finally being declared a global terrorist. A permanent seat on the UNSC would also help enhance the country's geopolitical importance as India would be at par with China's influence. Thus, India might play a leading role in global issues such as terrorism, the Afghanistan crisis, climate change, trade deals and so forth. This also assumes significance in the wake of the growing China-Pakistan nexus that is endangering the western and eastern front. (Image: Twitter/AP) Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Friday revealed that United States President Joe Biden feels India should have a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Speaking after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with President Biden, Shringla informed that the US president appreciated Indias presidency of the UNSC. The talks about Indias role in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) came on the second day of PM Modis US visit. "There was an appreciation of our presidency of the UN Security Council, especially on the Afghanistan issue. President Joe Biden was very specific in stating that he felt India should have a permanent seat in the UN Security Council," Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Biden. India at UNSC India took over the rotating presidency of UNSC from France on August 1, Sunday and held the tenure for the month of August. On January 1, 2021, India began a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. The August presidency was India's first as a non-permanent member of the Security Council during its term of 2021-22. In December, next year, India will take over as chairman of the Council for the final month of its two-year term. The country hosted high-level events in three important areas including maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism under India's presidency. India also played a major hand in dealing with the Afghanistan situation during its tenure at UNSC. PM Modi lands to address UNGA After completing the Washington DC leg of his US visit, conducting significant meetings with US President Joe Biden and Quad leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Session. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tweeted informing the nation's "current membership of the UN Security Council lends even greater significance!" PM Modi will be speaking at the general debate of the 76th session of the UNGA at 6.30 pm today. Informing about the Indian Prime Minister's arrival to New York, the MEA tweeted: "Voicing the sentiments of the 1.3 billion people of India!" Meanwhile, two crucial meetings took place on Friday-- the first with US President Joe Biden and the second with leaders of the Quad countries. In his meeting with PM Modi, US President Joe Biden highlighted that the US-India relationship is bound to be stronger and said that from here on begins a new chapter in Indo-US ties. During the meeting, the duo discussed issues related to trade, COVID-19, climate change and stability in the Indo-Pacific. (Image: AP/ PTI) A 40-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly strangulating a woman to death in her parlour in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district, police said on Saturday. Although the accused claimed that he hadn't raped the 40-year-old woman before killing her, police are waiting for the post-mortem examination report to confirm it. The incident took place in Burma Mines police station area of Jamshedpur city on September 20 when the accused came to the parlour in an inebriated state for a body massage and forced himself on the woman upon finding her alone, Senior Superintendent of Police M Tamil Vanan told reporters. When the woman resisted the accused's attempt, he strangulated her with her 'dupatta' (stole) and then fled the spot with her mobile phone and Rs 200 in cash, the officer said. The accused was nabbed from a colony in Golmuri police station area on Friday night, he added. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Jind, Sep 25 (PTI) Several regional political outfits like the INLD, SAD and the National Conference here on Saturday put up a show of strength on the 108th birth anniversary of the late deputy PM Devi Lal and also backed the stir against the Centre's farm laws. The event saw a surprise participation of BJP leader and former Union minister Birender Singh. The Indian National Lok Dal had organised a Samman Diwas Samaroh at Jind to mark the birth anniversary of the former deputy PM. Akali stalwart and five-time chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, former Jammu and Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah, Janata Dal (U) leader KC Tyagi and former Haryana CM OP Chautala attended the rally. Former PM HD Devegowda and ex-Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav could not attend the event. Addressing the gathering, Badal urged people to strengthen regional outfits for the resolution of their issues. Pointing out that he has 70 years of political experience, Badal said governments of regional parties should be formed in states as they know the ground realities and understand people' problems. "Those who do not know your problems, who are sitting in Delhi and never saw a village and farmers problems, how could they solve issues," said the Akali stalwart. "Unless you give strength to the regional parties, nothing will happen," said the five-time chief minister. Badal urged the leaders who attended the event to bring all regional parties in the country together. He urged Chautala to go to every state and bring leaders of the opposition parties on one platform. He called former deputy PM Devi Lal an institution, who sacrificed the post of the PM in the first non-Congress government and recommended VP Singhs name. He also ridiculed the Congress in Punjab, saying four candidates for the chief minister were changed by the party high command in the past a few days, in an apparent reference to the discussions for the selection of a CM after Amarinder Singh resigned as the chief minister of the state. Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah slammed the Centre over the three farm laws. He said the Union government is in the "grip of industrialists and that is why they want to sacrifice farmers". "Today, we are seeing that farmers are dying on roads," he said, adding that the day will come when the government will have to bow down before the protesting farmers. Touching upon the scrapping of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, he said not even a single person got job despite two years passing after the decision. He said the Centre had promised 50,000 jobs in Kashmir. He accused the Centre of "dividing" the country in the name of religion and also "speaking lies". He asked farmers to hold their agitation like Mahatma Gandhi, who forced the British to leave India. He said the Centre has claimed that terrorism has been eliminated since the scrapping of special status of Jammu and Kashmir. "They lie to you," he alleged. "I want to say that they have weakened India," he said. He stressed on making friends with the neighbouring countries and asked whether Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh were "our friends". Despite spending a huge sum in Afghanistan, is that nation "our friend", he asked. He said Lord Ram belongs to everyone. Ram is everyone's Ram and not only to the BJP and the RSS, he stated. Former Union minister Birender Singh also praised the late Devi Lal and recalled his works for the welfare of people. He said though it has been claimed that hundreds became millionaires in the past some years, there was no "crorepati" among farmers, who produced more foodgrain during the time of coronavirus. A few people have control over the country's wealth, gold, silver and diamonds, he said. Former Haryana CM Om Prakash Chautala also supported the ongoing farmers' stir. He claimed following the Ellenabad byelection, the present BJP-JJP coalition government in the state will "fall" and there will be a "mid-term poll". INLD's lone MLA Abhay Singh Chautala had resigned from the Ellenabad seat to protest three farm laws. He urged people to strengthen the Indian National Lok Dal while promising employment to the youth. In recent weeks, Chautala has been meeting several like-minded political leaders in a bid to forge a third front. Earlier this month, he had claimed that people of the country were upset with the BJP government and asserted that a third front will soon be formed at the national level. PTI CHS VSD RDK RDK (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Climate activists rallied on the streets of Lagos Friday joining a global day of demonstrations demanding stronger government action against climate change. Protesters marched carrying various placards to create awareness on using reusable materials while discouraging single use plastics. The rally was part of a worldwide climate strike that included 1,400 events in 80 countries, according to the Fridays for Future movement. Environmentalist Maame Adeshina from the Urban Tree Revival Team said that what needs to change is "the mindset of people especially the younger ones so that by the time they are older, they would be more enlightened." She warned that "whether we like it or not, if we choose to do it or choose not to do it, the earth will recycle itself." (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) The COVID-19 vaccination is poised to reach a major milestone in Australia, with half of the adult population fully vaccinated. According to data supplied by the Department of Health, 74.1 per cent of Australians aged 16 and up have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination, with 49.3 per cent having received all doses. During a press conference in Washington on Thursday afternoon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that they are currently around 75% first dose and 50% second dose. He further said that It would make a tremendous difference as they move closer to those 70 and 80 per cent benchmarks that will open Australia up. New South Wales records 1,043 new cases and 11 deaths As the country battles the third wave of virus, Australia reported more than 1,700 new locally acquired COVID-19 infections on Friday morning. The state of New South Wales (NSW), which has Sydney as its capital, recorded 1,043 new cases and 11 deaths. According to a statement from NSW Health, there have been 277 COVID-19-related deaths in NSW since June 16 this year. Victoria, the state with the most people and Melbourne as its capital, reported 733 new local cases and one death. There were 19 additional cases reported in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). According to official estimates, the ACT is on course to become the first jurisdiction in Australia to have 60% of its over-16s properly vaccinated in the coming days. Late next week, the ACT Government is set to unveil its plan to loosen Canberra's severe lockdown on businesses, schools, and outdoor social gatherings. According to Health Minister Martin Foley, there has been an increase in vaccinations and there is "no shortage of enthusiasm" among individuals who want to get vaccinated. Sydney and Melbourne are getting closer to eliminating lockdowns As vaccination rates grow, Australia's two largest cities Sydney and Melbourne are also getting closer to eliminating lockdowns, but officials told that people should be cautious with their newfound freedoms and that coronavirus case numbers would undoubtedly rise. Premier Gladys Berejiklian of New South Wales has set a target of reopening on Oct. 11 once vaccination milestones are met, as the outbreak in Sydney continues to spread. (Inputs from ANI/ AP News) Image: AP 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) Hundreds of protesters marched on Friday in a Fridays For Future protest in Athens, demanding that politicians take stronger action to curb climate change. The rally in central Athens' Syntagma square, adjacent to the parliament, was part of a string of rallies around the world, from Japan and Italy to Indian and Britain. The protests come amid dire warnings the planet faces dangerous temperature rises unless greenhouse gas emissions are cut sharply in the coming years. The idea for a global "climate strike" was inspired by teenage Swedish activist Greta Thunberg's solo protest in Stockholm three years ago. It snowballed into a mass movement until the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to large gatherings. Activists have only recently started staging smaller gatherings. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Leaders from all over the world, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have gathered in New York for the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The 76th UN General Assembly in New York started on September 21 and it will conclude on September 27. Opening the UN General Assembly, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro addressed the 76th session on September 21. The theme for the 76th UNGA meeting 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." Brazil address at the UNGA Informing about the Brazilian President's address, the Government of Brazil said, "As per tradition, Brazil opens the United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, this morning, President @JairBolsonaro highlighted the Brazilian governments steadfast commitment to bettering not only our country, but the world as a whole." Since the 10th UNGA meeting held in 1995, Brazil has always been the first to address the United Nations General Assembly, followed by the United States. After the first two addresses, the order of speakers is not fixed and the sequence of speech of different world leaders is based on number of factors which includes level of representation and the importance of the speaker, reported Breezyscroll. As per tradition, Brazil opens the United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, this morning, President @JairBolsonaro highlighted the Brazilian governments steadfast commitment to bettering not only our country, but the world as a whole. #UNGA76 #BolsonaroUN21 @Brazil_UN_NY pic.twitter.com/LTgy9QmLYF Government of Brazil (@govbrazil) September 21, 2021 The sequence of the first speech of UN tradition dates back to the early days of the United Nations, as per Breezyscroll. Reportedly, after the second world war was over, several countries were hesitant to address the nations. At that time, Brazil had volunteered to be the first speaker. As per the report, Oswaldo Aranha, Brazils top diplomat presided over the first UN Assembly meeting. Aranha was also elected as the president of UNGA's second session later on. During the 76th UNGA, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro addressed the assembly on September 21. Following Brazil, the US is always the second to address the assembly and this year, US President Joe Biden addressed the UN General Assembly. #tbt to 1947, when a tradition begins! Brazilian diplomat Oswaldo Aranha presided the 1st #UNGA Special Session & its 2nd Regular Session. Since then (with rare exceptions) Brazil has been the 1st Member State to address the annual General Debate of the @UN General Assembly. pic.twitter.com/REgSVpdNlE Brazil Mission UN (@Brazil_UN_NY) September 23, 2021 Addressing the UNGA, Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro dismissed allegations levelled against his government for not handling the COVID pandemic properly, according to AP. During his speech, Bolsonaro showed the recent data that indicated less deforestation in the Amazon. As per the AP report, the Brazilian President flouted the rule of the General Assembly by participating in the session without taking the COVID-19 vaccination. (With Inputs from AP) Image: Twitter/@govbrazil The much-anticipated Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) Summit took place on Saturday, September 24, with a special focus on the Indo-Pacific region - a topic sensitive to China. At the meeting, much to China's discomfort, the four leaders pledged to work together to ensure peace and security of the Indo-Pacific region and the world. The Quadrilateral alliance, which was initiated by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007, comprises four nations: Japan, Australia, India, and the United States. Heads of all four states - PM Yoshihide Suga, PM Scott Morrison, PM Narendra Modi, and President Joe Biden held their first in-person meeting at the White House on September 24. While none of the leaders named China during the Quad meeting, their repeated reference to countering coercion in the Indo-Pacific region sent a clear message to the expansionist country. In the joint statement released later that day, the Quad leaders reiterated their "commitment to promoting the free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond". "We stand for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity of states. We commit to working together and with a range of partners, the joint statement said. The four countries have also assured to provide 'G20 Quality Infrastructure Investment Principles' and 'provide high-standards infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific'. Quad leaders reaffirm Indo-Pacific ties Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose administration had previously slammed China for its increasing influence in the Indo-Pacific, called for the region to be "free" and "liberal". In his opening remarks at the summit, the PM said- "The Quad is about demonstrating how democracies such as ours can get things done. They can deal with the big challenges we face in a very complex in changing world. There is no part of the world that is more dynamic than the Indo-Pacific at this time. We believe in a free and open Indo-Pacific because we know that is what delivers a strong and prosperous region. So our citizens can realize their hopes and dreams for their future in a liberal and free society." Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in his opening remarks spoke about strengthening the four nations' relations. He said- "We have come here for the first in-person Quad Leaders' Summit. This Summit shows the relations shared by our four nations and the commitment we have for a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Quad is a very important initiative by the 4 nations that believe in fundamental rights & are of the view that the Indo-Pacific should be free & open. To date, Quad has given its absolute cooperation in big sectors, be it regional challenges or COVID-19." "PM Modi also assured that Indias' contribution to the Quad will ensure peace in the world and Indo-Pacific region. In a way, our Quad will work as a force for global good. I believe that our cooperation in Quad will ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific as well as the entire world," PM said. India, the US, and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open, and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's growing military presence in the resource-rich region. China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, although Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea and also has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea. (With inputs from agency) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday referred to him as a little child who used to help his father at his tea shop to grow to the level where he is addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the fourth time, demonstrating the strength of Indian democracy. PM Modi declared at the UN General Assembly's 76th session that he represented a country recognised as the 'mother of democracy.' He said that India has a long democratic tradition dating back to thousands of years. He further said that diversity is India's strong identity. "It is a country that has dozens of languages and hundreds of dialects, different lifestyles and cuisine. This is the best example of a vibrant democracy. The strength of the democracy is demonstrated by the fact that a little boy who at one time used to help his father at his tea stall is today addressing the UNGA for the fourth time," PM Modi stated. PM Modi paid respect to everyone who died in the COVID-19 outbreak He also paid respect to everyone who has died as a result of the devastating COVID-19 outbreak. 'Building Resilience through Hope to Recover from COVID-19, Rebuild Sustainably, Respond to the Needs of the Planet, Respect People's Rights and Revitalize the United Nations,' is the topic of this year's General Debate. On Tuesday, the 76th United Nations General Assembly's high-level session opened in New York. This year's UNGA has been organised in hybrid style, yet a substantial number of world leaders have gathered in New York. Modi landed in the United States on Wednesday for a three-day visit. This was his first trip outside the country since the COVID pandemic broke out. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with Prime Minister Modi for bilateral talks. In addition, he also met with Australia's Scott Morrison and Japan's Yoshihide Suga. PM Modi also attended the inaugural Quad Summit in person, which took place in Washington. He also met with five global CEOs to discuss possible investments in India. Modi last spoke at the UN General Assembly in 2019 Modi last spoke at the United Nations General Assembly in 2019. Nearly 60 leaders of state and government are set to offer comments via pre-recorded video statements during the General Debate. (Inputs from ANI) Image: Twitter/@naqvimukhtar Palestinians mourned the death of a 28-year-old man who died shortly after being wounded by Israeli gunfire during clashes on Friday between protesters and Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank. The clashes erupted in the northern town of Beita, where residents hold weekly demonstrations against the expansion of an Israeli settlement outpost. The Palestinian ministry identified the slain man as Mohammed Khebisa, 28. It said he was wounded in the head and died soon after arriving at a hospital in the nearby city of Nablus. Eight other protesters were injured by rubber-coated steel pellets and dozens suffered breathing difficulties from tear gas. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. The residents say the expansion of the unauthorized Eviatar outpost threatens their farming land. Over the past months, the weekly protests have seen the death of at least six Palestinians. Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank occupied by Israel in the 1967 war and sought by the Palestinians for a future state as illegal and an obstruction to peace. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Turkey has detained nearly 35 individuals on Friday for the alleged connection to a network suspected of organising a 2016 coup attempt, reported by a semi-official Anadolu Agency. According to ANI, as part of an investigation into the infiltration of supporters of the Gulen Movement into state institutions, the chief prosecutor of Turkey's capital, Ankara, has issued arrest warrants for 51 individuals in 19 different locations around the country. The individuals are suspected of utilising prepaid landlines to communicate with Gulen's clandestine "imams." The administration of Turkey accused the Gulen movement of entering into the Turkish administration's bureaucracy before trying a coup on July 15, 2016. Ankara claims that Fethullah Gulen, a United States bases Muslim cleric, was the mastermind who supported the 2016 coup attempt, which resulted in the deaths of estimated 250 people. Gulen, who has lived in rural Pennsylvania since 1999, dismisses the charges levelled on him. Following the attempted coup, the state administration issued a state of emergency and started a significant crackdown upon his network. Earlier, at the beginning of September of this year, Turkish prosecutors have filed arrest warrants against 214 serving and retired military members for alleged connections to the 2016 coup attempt. According to Anadolu Agency, the probe, which prosecutors conducted in the western city of Izmir, has resulted in 137 detentions in 41 provinces so far. The majority of the accused were expelled from the military, but 44 of the military members were still serving. A colonel with the highest ranking is one of the suspects of the 2016 coup attempt. Turkey continues to conduct mass arrests suspected supporters of Fethullah Gulen. Turkey has labelled Gulen's network as the Fethullahist Terror Organization, or FETO, which they consider the terrorist organisation. Since then, about 4,900 individuals have been condemned to jail, with approximately 3,000 receiving life sentences. Over 130,000 individuals were laid off from government employment, which also includes over 20,000 military members. While, the Gulen movement is basically a well-organised group of individuals, not a political organisation, named after Fethullah Gulen. As per the BBC, his supporters had seen him as a spiritual leader, and he is frequently referred to as Turkey's second most influential man. It is said that the movement which the imam advocated was for a tolerant Islam based on compassion, humility, hard labour, and education. Image: ANI/ AP As many as 32 dead bodies of Yemen's Houthi militants were pulled out from a frontline in the country's Marib province. The news was confirmed by a medical professional from al-Bayda, a neighboring province of Marib in the southwestern district of Rahabah. This came after a massive fight, which broke out between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels. 32 bodies of Iran-backed Houthi rebels pulled from the frontline in Yemen's Marib According to a medic who was present at the health facility where the bodies of Iran-backed Houthi rebels were brought, he stated, "The bodies were pulled from Marib's southwestern district of Rahabah and brought to a health facility in al-Bayda's district of Rada'a. They would be sent to their villages in the northern provinces of Amran, Saada, and Hajjah for burial," he told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. A week ago, the Houthis advanced into government-controlled territory, al-Kulah, which is the center town of the Rahabah district. The Iran-backed militants had a massive fight with government troops. The struggle continued for hours, resulting in a major loss for both sides. The Houthi rebels lost 32 fighters in the class, while no casualties from the government side have been reported till now. As per media reports, the fight between Yemen military forces and Houthi soldiers is still ongoing. Earlier, in February this year, the Iran-backed Houthis fighters launched a major attack on Marib in an attempt to capture the oil-rich province, which is the last northern stronghold of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. Tension between Houthi rebels and Yemen's government Yemen, a small country on the Arabian Peninsula, has turned into a site of great suffering and civil war. If reports are to be believed, the fight between Yemen and the Houthis has now turned seven years old and has taken the shape of a proxy war. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels overthrew the Yemen government and civilians are now facing grievous conditions. The violence has forced as many as one million people to leave their homes. The country has become a place of several diseases including cholera outbreaks, shortages of food and medicine, and threats of famine. The country has long struggled with cultural and religious differences between its north and south regions, along with the legacy of European colonialism. The Houthi rebels are backed by Iran, while Yemen has the support of Saudi Arabia. The country has witnessed several devastating fights that led the nation into the poorest conditions. However, the fight between the two continues, and the civilians are suffering more than ever. (IMAGE: AP) (With Inputs from ANI) Issuing a statement at the Ahmad Shah Massoud Conference at UK's Cambridge University, NRF leader Ahmad Massoud on Friday, batted for an inclusive Afghanistan. Arguing that a system based on a single character for Afghanistan was impractical, Massoud said that people must elect their own leaders. The NRF is currently still fighting the Taliban regime from parts of Panjshir as the terror group's govt seeks global recognition. Ahmad Massoud: 'Taliban is regressive and will fight it' "History has proven that formation of the nation on the basis of emergent and single character for an entire population of people is impractical. Since this system was institutionalised, Afghanistan has seen many breakdowns including the one seen in August. Local communities should be given the power to elect their local leaders and hold them accountable. This system has existed in Afghanistan in the past century in varying degrees," said Massoud in his virtual recorded address. Lashing out at the Taliban 'government', Massoud listed how the regime had repressed women's rights since their takeover of Kabul. Claiming that Taliban had made Afghanistan the refuge for international terrorism, Massoud batted for a connected Afghanistan, not an isolated nation. The Taliban's newly appointed UN envoy Suhail Shaheen has asked to address the UN General Assembly which is currently underway in New York. "Since taking over Kabul on 15 August, the Taliban engaged in atrocities on different communities via terror activities. They are standing against the fundamental rights of women and have stooped their education. The Taliban have made our country a refuge for international terrorism - one that is isolated and regressive. We want an inclusive Afghanistan, one that preserves and promoted the rights of women. A country that is not isolated, but connected and one which has relations with not just nearby countries but with the world," he added. Taliban takes over The Taliban took over Kabul on August 15 after major cities like Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Jalalabad and Lashkar Gah fell without resistance as US troops retreat after 20 years from war-torn Afghanistan. The hasty withdrawal of the US troops saw thousands of people attempting to flee from Afghanistan with several clinging to a departing US plane's wheels, leading to them falling to their deaths. After a bloody fight with the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRFA), Taliban claimed capture of the last province in Afghanistan - Panjshir, taking over the governor's office. NRFA led by 'caretaker' President Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud has refuted these allegations. Now, the Taliban announced its new government naming Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund as its interim Prime Minister and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar as its deputy. While Pakistan has officially recognised the regime, China has vowed to provide aid to the Taliban govt. Bangladesh has reiterated its commitment to nuclear disarmament at the United Nations General Assembly. "We firmly believe that the ultimate guarantee of international peace and security lies in the total elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said. The prime minister told the General Assembly the investment in women's advancement and empowerment has allowed Bangladesh to progress the most out of any country in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. She also stressed the need for the equitable distribution of vaccines and called for immediate measures to combat climate change. 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 first in-person Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) summit took place in the United States and the leaders have carried out discussions on various topics. The Quad Leaders Summit being hosted by the US, with countries like Australia, India, and Japan participating, the topic of climate change was bound to take the centre stage. The meeting held at the White House saw Joe Biden, PM Modi, Scott Morrison and Yoshihide Suga announce a series of measures to tackle the climate crisis. Following the meeting, the Quad leaders revealed that the issue of climate change has become an urgent one. In a joint statement, the leaders said that the countries are now joining hands in order to tackle the looming crisis. We have joined forces to tackle the climate crisis, which must be addressed with the urgency it demands, the statement read. The quad leaders also revealed a series of measures to be taken in order to better the situation. QUAD summit addresses climate crisis According to the joint statement, the Quad countries will now work together to tackle the climate crisis. The four countries will take measures to achieve temperature limits as prescribed in the 2015 Paris Climate Deal, which is 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. This is a major take on the climate situation as increasing temperature extremes have proven to be a huge problem all around the world. To this end, Quad countries intend to update or communicate ambitious NDCs by COP26 and welcome those who have already done so. Quad countries will also coordinate their diplomacy to raise global ambition, including reaching out to key stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region, the statement said. Meanwhile, the Quad leaders also said that the work will be focused on climate ambition, clean-energy innovation and deployment, and climate adaptation, resilience and preparedness. While climate adaptation and preparedness remain vital, the efforts in clean-energy innovation will be looked upon by the whole world. The countries promise towards sustainable growth will be a positive for climate control. Heres how the QUAD summit will pan out for climate change The statement revealed that the countries will begin taking joint actions towards achieving the same in 2020s while aiming at achieving global net-zero emissions by 2050. Furthermore, pursual of nationally appropriate sectoral decarbonization efforts, including decarbonizing shipping and port operations and the deployment of clean-hydrogen technology will help add responsibility to the global business sectors towards chipping into the efforts. Furthermore, the leaders also said that the countries will try to create more clean-energy supply chains. The Quad countries will also be strengthening the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and climate information systems to add efficiency. The newly formed coalition and joint efforts promise better results in the fight against climate change as the Indo-pacific is a major contributor to the same. Being some of the most productive countries in terms of factories and shipping, the Quad leaders efforts will strengthen the defence against the crisis. Image: Twitter Chinese tech giant Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who was detained in Canada on fraud accusations levelled in the United States, was freed on Friday after reaching an agreement with US prosecutors. Meng Wanzhou, who is also the daughter of Huawei founder and chief executive Ren Zhengfei, was detained in December 2018 at the behest of the United States on fraud allegations. 'Every cloud has a silver lining': Meng Wanzhou After being released from Canadian custody, Meng told reporters that her life has been flipped upside down for the past three years and as a mother, wife, and business leader, it was a challenging time for her, but she believes that every cloud has a silver lining, Politico reported. Following the trial, Canada's Justice Department issued a statement stating that Meng has now the liberty to leave the nation. Meng is accused of deceiving British banking giant HSBC about the actual nature of Huawei's business with Skycom, placing the bank in jeopardy of breaking US sanctions against Iran. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) stated it had secured a deferred prosecution deal. This implies that the Department of Justice will not prosecute Meng until December 2022. The lawsuit would finally be dismissed if she follows the court's terms. Chinese group's CFO admits to a 'statement of facts' The agreement which helped in Wanzhou's release was that it will enable her to officially deny guilt on crucial counts while simultaneously admitting the Americans' claims. Canadian prosecutors informed a Vancouver judge later on Friday that they had dropped their attempts to extradite her to the United States and that she will be released from custody. For over three years, she was confined under home arrest in her multimillion-dollar Vancouver mansion. As part of the agreement, the Chinese group's CFO admitted to a "statement of facts" acknowledging that she intentionally made false claims and statements to HSBC. The US Department of Justice revealed that Meng had accepted responsibility for her primary role in orchestrating a plan to defraud a multinational financial institution. The Department of Justice also stated that it was working to prepare for Wanzhou's trial. On the other hand, a few days after Meng was detained, China imprisoned two Canadian nationals, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, on allegations of spying. On September 25, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an announcement, saying that Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor will return to Canada on Saturday after leaving Chinese territory. (Image: AP) A Palestinian man was reportedly killed by Israeli forces during a clash with Palestinian demonstrators in West Bank's Beita on Friday. According to a statement by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Mohammed Khbeisa, 28, was killed by Israeli troops during confrontations in Beita, West Bank. Palestinians have been engaging in weekly protests in Beita in northern West Bank against the development of an Israeli settlement outpost. News agency AP reported that Khbeisa was shot in the head and died shortly after being moved to a hospital in the adjacent city of Nablus. News agency ANI quoted eyewitnesses as saying that hundreds of Palestinian demonstrators marched through the village in protest against the Israeli settlement construction and land expropriation. Palestinian protestors pelt stones at Israeli troops Eyewitnesses also said that demonstrators set fire to tyres, waved Palestinian flags, recited anti-Israel slogans, and pelted stones at Israeli soldiers who were deployed near the village. In retaliation, the Israeli troops fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. A press release from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society stated that hundreds of civilians were hurt by rubber bullets, while some suffocated after inhaling tear gas, with the majority of them receiving field treatment from doctors. News agency AP reported that rubber-coated metal bullets injured nearly eight more demonstrators. Additionally, Palestinian medics reported that numerous people were hurt in confrontations between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli forces in the West Bank towns of Qalqilya and Hebron. Conflicts have erupted in the area for the last four months, after the creation of an Israeli settlement on property owned by the community's people. While the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Khbeisa's criticised the incident, the Israeli military was yet to respond. Locals in the area claim that the unlawful Eviatar outpost's development threatens their land for farming. Earlier confrontations Previously, on September 17, many Palestinians were injured during confrontations with Israeli forces while protesting against an Israeli settlement in the West Bank area. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society stated at least 217 protestors were hurt in the confrontation, with 35 of them being hit with rubber-coated metal bullets. (Image: AP/ Representative) No leader from conflict hit Myanmar will address the United Nations General Assembly this week, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said as the Southeast Asian country nears the completion of seven months under military rule. After a military coup deposed the elected government, there have been rival claims by the country's current UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun and military veteran Aung Thurein for the countrys UN seat. While Kyaw was officially appointed by the ousted Myanmarese government, Aungs candidacy has been pushed forward by the now-in-power Tatmadaw (Myanmar military). On Friday, Al Jazeera reported that Kyaw had been asked to renew his accreditation to the 193 member body. Earlier, diplomats from Russia and China confirmed that they would not object to him retaining his position until he does not speak at the high level assembly. Notably, UN accreditation issues are dealt with by a nine-member committee, whose members include the US, China and Russia. Earlier in February, Myanmars previous ambassador to UN Kyaw Moe Tun had called for "the strongest possible action from the international community" to restore democracy in the country. He also urged all countries to strongly condemn the coup, refuse to recognise the military regime, and ask the military leaders to respect the November 2020 elections won by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party. Coup d'etat in Myanmar On February 1, Myanmars military took steps to undermine the country's democratic transition, including the arrest of the nation's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and a few other civilian officials in Burma. The Myanmar Army has said that it carried out the detentions in response to fraud in last Novembers general election that Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) won by a landslide. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is now in control of the country and a state of emergency has been imposed for one year. In June, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), urged all its member states to prevent the flow of arms into Myanmar, stopping short of calling for a global embargo. The non-binding resolution, which aims to curb the growing unrest in the country, also demanded Tatmadaw to immediately stop all violence against the peaceful demonstrators. (With inputs from AP) Image: AP The Peace Mission 2021 counter-terrorism military drill of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states culminated on Friday, 24 September. The Indian Army informed that the closing ceremony of the multi-nation joint military exercise was marked by march past and equipment display. The participants of the military drill were from eight SCO members states - China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Pakistan and Uzbekistan. Exercise #PeacefulMission2021 Multi Nation Joint Military Exercise #PeacefulMission2021 of #SCO Nations culminated today. The closing ceremony was marked by march past & equipment display. pic.twitter.com/r7purT5Zzp ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) September 24, 2021 According to Xinhua News Agency, the military troops of SCO members states conducted live-fire drills when military equipment such as infantry fighting vehicles and assault vehicles made fierce attacks against the targets. While speaking at a closing ceremony at the Donguz training range in Russias Orenburg Region, Commander of the Russian Central Military District Alexander Lapin reportedly said that the military exercise was successful and all the tasks were finished. Separately, on the last day of the exercise, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat witnessed the final validation exercise of Multi-nation Exercise and interacted with the contingent commanders of participating nations. Exercise #PeacefulMission2021 General Bipin Rawat #CDS interacted with the contingent commanders of participating Nations & members of the #IndianArmy contingent. #CDS lauded them for their high standards of training & professionalism. pic.twitter.com/fRiRd2kSeI ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) September 23, 2021 As per the news agency, the senior military officials also exchanged their views at a meeting of chiefs of general staff of the SCO member states. They discussed the current international and regional situations, security challenges and deepening military-security cooperation. The officials also expressed concern over new risks arising from the hasty withdrawal of foreign troops from war-torn Afghanistan. 6th edition of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Meanwhile, the SCO Peace Mission Exercise marked the first foreign visit of General Bipin Rawat after taking over as the CDS. During his visit, he witnessed the activities of the respective armed forces taking part in the SCO peace mission drills in Russia. The military drills aimed to foster close relations between the SCO member states and to enhance the abilities of the military leaders to command multi-national military contingents. The Indian Army had taken part in the opening ceremony of the 6th Edition of the SCO. The Indian Army said that the opening ceremony was marked with an impressive parade by all participating contingents & an address by Commander Central Military District, Russian Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defence informed that the Indian military contingent, comprising of an all arms combined force of 200 personnel from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force participated in the exercises. (Image: Twitter) Addressing the Quad summit on 24 September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India will make available eight million of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines by the end of October under the groups vaccine partnership. India along with Australia, United States and Japan held its first in-person Quadrilateral Security Dialogue summit at Washington wherein the leaders of the four nations discussed a range of issues including the COVID pandemic and tackling the growing Chinese influence amongst others. Speaking at the Quad leaders meeting. https://t.co/bQzenzUlQa Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 24, 2021 Talking about Indias COVID vaccine delivery to the Indo-pacific region, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that it would be synchronised with resumption of the countrys vaccine exports. At the summit, PM Modi had emphasised that while the world continues to battle the deadly coronavirus pandemic, the Quad leaders have, once again, joined hands for humanity. "In that context, Prime Minister [Modi] announced not only the resumption of vaccines export but at the request of Quad, Prime Minister said that India would make available 8 million doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine which is Jensen vaccine which is manufactured in India by the Biological E," Shringla said adding that Quad would bear the cost of the jabs with India paying a certain share of the total. "Our Quad vaccine initiative will help Indo-Pacific nations. Quad decided to go ahead with a positive approach on basis of our shared democratic values. I would be happy to discuss with my friends-be it supply chain, global security, climate action, COVID response or tech cooperation," PM Modi said at Quad Leaders' Summit on Friday. What is the Quad vaccine initiative ? Launched in March, the Quad vaccine partnership aims to accelerate the end of coronavirus pandemic by expanding the supply of vaccine doses. The shots would be financed by the US, and would be produced in India by Biological E. Apart from the US, it would also be funded by Japan with Australia providing the initiative with necessary logistical support. The commitment will be implemented by the launch of a senior-level Quad Vaccine Experts Group, comprised of top scientists and officials from our governments, QUAD members said about the initiative in a joint statement. (Image: AP/ANI) (With inputs from ANI) Following the first in-person Quad Summit, leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States issued a joint statement informing discussions that were carried in the crucial summit. US President Joe Biden talked about 'democratic progress' between Quad countries while PM Modi spoke on the group's united efforts for the welfare of humanity. Meanwhile, Australia and Japan talked about "promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific". QUAD joint statement - Key takeaways Joe Biden's announcement Quad fellowship for STEM career in US In a highly-anticipated announcement for the students of the Quad member countries, US President Biden announced a new fellowship that would let them pursue higher studies and advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics STEM programmes in the United States. The announcement was made on Friday during the first crucial in-person meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. Quad infrastructure partnership Launching new 'Quad infrastructure partnership,' the joint statement mentioned that the four countries will meet regularly to 'coordinate efforts, map the regions infrastructure, regional needs and opportunities, technical assistance, empowering regional partners with evaluative tools, and to promote sustainable infrastructure development'. The statement also mentioned support to the 'G7s infrastructure efforts' while 'looking forward to cooperating with like-minded partners, including with the EU'. Indo-Pacific enhancement The four countries have also assured to provide 'G20 Quality Infrastructure Investment Principles' and 'provide high-standards infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific'. "We also welcome the September 2021 EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific," added the Quad joint statement. Pointing out that the Quad has already delivered nearly 79 million safe, effective, and quality-assured vaccine doses to countries in the Indo-Pacific as part of their commitments, the Quad leaders have further ensured expanded manufacturing for the Indo-Pacific and the world. 5G technology: United efforts to diversify The four leaders have informed that they are advancing the deployment of secure, open, and transparent 5G and beyond-5G networks. The Quad countries will also work 'together to facilitate public-private cooperation and demonstrate in 2022'. A discussion regarding the 'scalability and cybersecurity of open, standards-based technology' also took place. Cooperation with ASEAN countries Reaffirming their 'strong support for ASEANs unity and centrality' the Quad leaders have also extended support to 'ASEANs Outlook on the Indo-Pacific'. "We underscore our dedication towards working with ASEAN and its member statesthe heart of the Indo-Pacific regionin practical and inclusive ways," reads the Quad joint statement. (Image: @NarendraModi/Twitter) Two Canadians detained in China on spying charges have been released from prison and flown out of the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday, hours after a top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies resolved criminal charges against her in a deal with the US Justice Department. Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arrested in China in December 2018, shortly after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, Huaweis chief financial officer and the daughter of the companys founder, on a US extradition request. Many countries labeled China's action hostage politics. The deal with Meng calls for the Justice Department to dismiss fraud charges late next year in exchange for Meng accepting responsibility for misrepresenting her companys business dealings in Iran. Trudeau called a news conference Friday night about an hour after Mengs plane left Canada for China. IMAGE: AP (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas warned Israel to withdrawal to the 1967 boundaries within one year or face repercussions. Following the six-day war in 1967, Israel occupied the Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem. While Palestinians initially objected to it, they later accepted the demarcations under Oslo Accords, allowing the Palestinians to self-govern the captured land. However, over the years, the zionists have increased their influence in the region by building hundreds of settlements and cementing their claim on the land. The Israeli authorities have one year to withdraw from the Palestinian territory it occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem, Abbas said in a pre-recorded video message. Furthermore, Abbas said that he was ready to work throughout this year on delineating borders and solving all final status issues under the auspices of the international Quartet and in accordance with United Nations resolutions. If this is not achieved, why maintain recognition of Israel based on the 1967 borders?" he said. In addendum, he also threatened the Naftali Bennett administration with a complaint in International Criminal Court (ICC) if it continues to stall the peace pact. HIGHLIGHTS - H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas speech at the #UNGA76: This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the Nakba. More than half the Palestinian people were uprooted from their land and deprived of their property in that time. #Palestine Palestine PLO-NAD (@nadplo) September 24, 2021 No Peace with Palestine: Bennett Earlier this month, Israeli PM Neftali Bennett said he would not meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, given the latters decision to bring Israel before the International Criminal Court ( ICC). In March, the ICC announced an investigation into possible war crimes in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem on June 13, 2014. Back then, Abbas had welcomed the probe asserting that it was long overdue, but the Zionist regime had refused to co-operate with former PM Benjamin Netanyahu, even terming it as an attack on Israel. Speaking to Times of Israel, a participant of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations disclosed that Bennett had expressed his angst towards Massoud in an off the record zoom call. As someone who comes from the business world, when someone sues me, Im not really that nice to him, the newly minted PM had reckoned. Additionally, Bennett had also reiterated his decision that no possible breakthrough would be possible between Israel and Palestine in the near future. Image: AP No migrants remained Friday at the Texas border encampment where almost 15,000 people most of them Haitians had converged just days earlier seeking asylum, local and federal officials said. It's a dramatic change from last Saturday, when the number peaked as migrants driven by confusion over the Biden administration's policies and misinformation on social media converged at the border crossing connecting Del Rio, Texas, and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. Many face expulsion because they are not covered by protections recently extended by the Biden administration to the more than 100,000 Haitian migrants already in the U.S., citing security concerns and social unrest in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country. The devastating 2020 earthquake forced many of them from their homeland. The United States and Mexico appeared eager to end the increasingly politicized humanitarian situation that prompted the resignation of the U.S. special envoy to Haiti and widespread outrage after images emerged of border agents maneuvering their horses to forcibly block and move migrants. On Friday, President Joe Biden said the way the agents used their horses was "horrible" and that "people will pay" as a result. The agents have been assigned to administrative duties while the administration investigates. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Scores of Haitians and their supporters rallied Friday in downtown Boston, venting their frustrations at the treatment of Haitian migrants at the Mexican border and demanding President Joe Biden's administration stop deporting them back to their unstable homeland. A crowd of more than 100 people in front of the John F. Kennedy Federal Building held signs saying "Haitian Lives Matter" and "End Anti-Blackness" as they loudly chanted "Stop the flights" and "We deserve better." State lawmakers and city officials, nearly all of them Democrats, gave fiery speeches criticizing Biden's handling of the migrants. State Rep. Brandy Fluker is a Boston Democrat who represents one of the largest Haitian enclaves in the state. She was among those calling for Biden to grant temporary protective status to Haitian migrants. She opposes sending Haitians back to the Caribbean nation while it's still reeling from July's assassination of President Jovenel Moise and a devastating earthquake in August. Haitian community leaders said migrants from the latest wave are beginning to make their way to the Boston-area, which is home to the third largest Haitian diaspora community in the country. Geralde Gabeau is a native of Haiti who heads Immigrant Family Services Institut. She says that her Boston nonprofit is assisting some 20 Haitians mostly mothers with young children who arrived on a flight earlier this week after being released by authorities at the border. On Friday, officials said a Texas border encampment that had swelled to almost 15,000 people had been emptied. Droves of Haitians and other migrants converged at the border crossing connecting Del Rio, Texas, and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, in recent weeks, driven by confusion over the Biden administration's policies and misinformation on social media. Andrea Henry is a 61-year-old native of Haiti who now lives in the Massachusetts town of Stoughton. She is infuriated and upset by images of the harsh treatment of Haitians and other migrants by U.S. border patrol agents. Henry, who has lived in the U.S. for 40 years, said she'd discouraged her family from making the risky journey but understands the desperation and frustration of those that did. She applied to have her father come to the U.S. some 15 years ago, but is still awaiting approval for his visa. Clara Raymond is a 56-year-old Boston resident who is also originally from Haiti. She says she attended Friday's rally in part because she was worried about her young cousin, who had been making the perilous journey across the southern border. She says the 25-year-old was living in Chile the last four years and was hoping to reunite with family in Florida, but no one has heard from him in the two weeks since he's reached Mexico. Raymond says she is appalled by images that shows what she describes as racist treatment of Haitian migrants at the border. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) On Friday, September 24, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was booed outside Queen's University in Belfast as she had come to attend a ceremony to mark her appointment as the institution's first female chancellor. A video has gone viral on Twitter where Clinton is seen walking towards the institution in academic robes, with a child holding the long garment so that it does not drag on the ground. In the short video clip, people can be heard booing her, while one individual was continuously heard shouting "war criminal." However, Clinton seemed unfazed by booing and continued her walks towards the university. It should be mentioned here that Clinton was named Queen's University's first female chancellor in January 2020, however owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was unable to attend the inauguration event at the time, according to Sputnik. According to UK media reports, a few people had gathered near Queen's University to protest against the US foreign policy. Meanwhile speaking at the ceremony, Clinton called the university "exceptional." She also expressed her excitement at the prospect of learning a lot more about the university and contributing further to the success of the institution. Clinton stated that there was "another reason" she consented to join this community. She said that Northern Ireland has become a symbol of democracy's ability to bridge divisions and bring peace, and she believes that the world needs that beacon of hope today more than ever, according to BBC News. Clinton also stated that hope comes with responsibilities, including the obligation to be a citizen, to be willing to talk to and learn from people who are different from you, to respect the rights, dignity of all people, and to uphold the rule of law. Watch the video here: #HillaryClinton booed outside of Queen's University while child holds her gown. pic.twitter.com/dLQWHpB4yn LMER FU (@BlaiseP59407586) September 24, 2021 Clinton receives an honorary doctorate in civil law from Oxford University It is worth mentioning here that the former US Secretary of State also received an honorary doctorate in civil law from the University of Oxford on Wednesday, September 22. Sharing this news on Instagram, she wrote, "Thrilled to receive an honorary Doctorate of Civil Law on a beautiful day at Oxford University[sic]." Notably, Clinton has had a distinguished career that includes serving as a US senator representing New York and as the first lady during her husband Bill's two terms as the President of the United States. She was also the Democratic Party's losing presidential nominee in 2016 when Donald Trump was elected. (Image: @BlaiseP59407586/Twitter) In an exclusive interview, former US Secretary of Defence and ex-CIA director Leon Panetta interacted with Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami and iterated the importance of the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) in establishing strong bonds. During his interaction, Panetta also touched upon the Taliban's insurgency in Afghanistan while going on to warn China that communities that support terrorism do not play by the rules. Panetta speaks on QUAD; Says US believes in building strong alliances Panetta while speaking on the QUAD (a strategic dialogue between India, Japan, Australia and the United States) underscored that the key to providing peace and prosperity was dependent upon building strong alliances. The former US Secretary of Defence said, "The ability to work together to improvise Security, Economic and Trade issues becomes a part of a critical relationship. I am a believer in building strong alliances and POTUS Joe Biden has committed to fulfilling and supporting those kinds of alliances. Whether it's NATO, QUAD or building a relationship with Middle East partners or Ocean countries, the key to providing peace and prosperity will depend on whether or not we have the support of strong alliances and Quad represents one of those very strong alliances to deal with challenges concerning the Pacific region." PM Modi attends QUAD Summit 2021 The QUAD Summit was initiated in 2007 by former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, with the intention of maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. While speaking at the event which was also attended by the heads of state of the US, Australia and Japan, PM Modi said that the QUAD will work to ensure it's a force for global good. He also asserted that the cooperation among the four countries in the group will ensure peace and prosperity. While opening the Summit, US President Biden said, This group has democratic partners who share world views and have a common vision for the future. Australian PM Morrison, on the other hand, asserted that the Indo-Pacific should be free from coercion in accordance with international law and sovereign rights must be respected. Japans Suga separately expressed the importance of the maiden in-person QUAD meeting and said that the Summit reflects strong ties among four nations, emphasising that the Indo-Pacific should be open and free. Image Credits - Republic World A top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies has resolved criminal charges against her as part of a deal with the U.S. Justice Department that could pave the way for her to return to China. The agreement with chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou also concludes a case that roiled relations between Washington and Beijing. It was disclosed in federal court in Brooklyn on Friday. The deal calls for tIMAGE: APhe Justice Department to dismiss the case next December, or four years after Meng's arrest, if she complies with certain conditions. Meng is the daughter of the company's founder, Ren Zhengfei. IMAGE: AP (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 24 September, President Joe Biden said that the United States and India are committed to taking on toughest challenges that both countries face together. PM Modi, who is on a four-day visit to the US, held his first in-person bilateral meeting with Biden at the Oval Office in the White House. Following the meeting, Biden noted that the US and India are the worlds largest democracies, and further added that the nations launched a new chapter in the history of their ties. This morning, I hosted Prime Minister Modi at the White House as we launch a new chapter in the history of U.S.-India ties. Our two nations are the largest democracies in the world, and were committed to taking on the toughest challenges we face together. pic.twitter.com/uO97X1upFn President Biden (@POTUS) September 24, 2021 Prime Minister Modi arrived in Washington for his US visit on Wednesday. He held bilateral meetings with US Vice President Kamala Harris, Australian PM Scott Morrison and Japan PM Yoshihide Suga. PM Modi also attended the first in-person QUAD Summit on Friday, during which the leaders shared perspectives on the Afghanistan situation, Indo-Pacific challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. PM Modi-Biden's bilateral meet During the bilateral meeting with Biden, PM Modi extended a special invite to the US President to visit India. In their first in-person meeting, PM Modi redefined the contours of the India-USA ties and highlighted 5 Ts - Tradition, Talent, Technology, Trade, and Trusteeship that bind the nations together. He also shared his vision for the India-US relationship in the coming decade. He remarked how this bilateral relationship is steep in a rich tradition of working together. PM Modi also highlighted the unwavering faith in the youth of the two countries to drive this transformative relationship. He appreciated the contribution of the Indian diaspora towards US progress. The Prime Minister even went on to mention trade and the need to complement each others strengths, adding that the relationship between the two nations will open the doors for several Indian and American companies. President Biden, on the other hand, highlighted his belief that the US-India relationship is bound to be stronger. The US President pointed out that from here on begins a new chapter in Indo-US relationships. President Biden and PM Modi's bilateral concluded on a good note with a handshake, and a hug, putting the solidarity between India and the US at present as well as in the upcoming days quite clear. (Image: Twitter) State Department officials say the United States will maintain 'sanctions pressure' on the Taliban to ensure the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people are met and hold them accountable for commitments they've made. State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters Friday during an audio briefing "Even as we maintain pressure on the Taliban and we continue to hold them to account for the commitments they've made both publicly and privately, we will not relent in our efforts to provide needed humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan. We can and will do both." In his briefing Price said the Treasury Department has issued the necessary licenses to support the continued flow of needed humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan. "We have been in touch with partners around the world about work in Afghanistan both regarding security conditions on the ground and about their ability to continue that important and critical work," Price said. Aid to Afghanistan should be made conditional to ensure the protection of women's rights and access to education under the rule of the Taliban government, a panel of high-level speakers said at the United Nations on Friday. Price also addressed the recent reports that one of the founders of the Taliban and the chief enforcer of its harsh interpretation of Islamic law when they last ruled Afghanistan said the hard-line movement will once again carry out executions and amputations of hands, though perhaps not in public. In an interview with The Associated Press, Mullah Nooruddin Turabi dismissed outrage over the Taliban's executions in the past, which sometimes took place in front of crowds at a stadium, and he warned the world against interfering with Afghanistan's new rulers. Price said, "We condemn in the strongest terms reports of reinstating amputations and executions of Afghans. The acts the Taliban are talking about here would constitute clear gross abuses of human rights, and we stand firm with the international community to hold perpetrators of these of any such abuses accountable." Iran's new foreign minister said Friday the country will return to nuclear negotiations "very soon," but accused the Biden administration of sending contradictory messages - saying it wants to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal while slapping new sanctions on Tehran and not taking "an iota of positive action." President Joe Biden and his team have made a U.S. return to the deal one of their top foreign policy priorities. The deal was one of President Barack Obama's signature achievements, one that aides now serving in the Biden administration had helped negotiate and that Trump tried to dismantle. "We are ready to return to Vienna and to conclude our negotiating negotiations quickly before the window of opportunity to return to the JCPOA closes. We have made very clear that we are ready to do so, Price said. A senior administration official, who briefed reporters on condition that he not be identified by name, said U.S. patience is wearing thin and that further delays while Iran continues to expand its nuclear capabilities, including enriching uranium to higher levels, could lead Washington and its partners to conclude a return to the landmark nuclear deal is no longer worthwhile. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) After Republic TV exposed the presence of an ISI agent in an anti-India protest in Washington, netizens took to social media to praise Republic's Senior Executive Editor Abhishek Kapoor for bringing out the 'real face' of Pakistan. Netizens also demanded that the US take action against the ISI agent who was using its soil to peddle agenda against India. On Saturday, Republic TV exposed a nexus between Pakistan and the Khalistani forces which came to the fore during PM Modi's bilateral meetings with President Joe Biden. As the meeting was underway, a crowd of Khalistanis gathered outside the US President's residence in Washington carrying Khalistani flags and posters. The reality of the paid protest was exposed after known ISI agent Ghulam Nabi Fai was spotted in the crowd. Republic TV's Senior Executive Editor Abhishek Kapoor who was present at the spot confronted the ISI agent. As the ISI man was being confronted, other protestors attempted to overshadow the expose by heckling Republic TV and its crew. He asked Ghulam Nabi Fai, "Are you doing this on the behest of Pakistan." Shortly after asking the question, he was heckled by the paid protestors on the site. Netizens react PM Modi-US President Biden's bilateral meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first face-to-face bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden on Friday. In his first remarks to PM Modi, Biden said that he has known the Indian Prime Minister for years. He asserted that the US-India relationship is bound to get stronger and enter a new chapter. "The PM and I'll be talking about COVID, climate change, Indo-Pacific," he said and added that COVID is the main focus for now. Meanwhile, PM Modi has extended an invite to the US president and has welcomed him in New Delhi at the earliest mutual convenience. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardha Shringla said, PM Modi invited Joe Biden to visit India. President Biden noted with thanks and appreciation. We certainly look forward to the visit of the US President at the earliest mutual convenience. On Friday, the last surviving immigrants, mainly Haitians, left a makeshift shelter beneath a bridge in Del Rio which is a border city of the United States, Texas. As per Xinhua, on Friday noon, a CNN team obtained photos of the final two buses filled with the immigrants as they left for United States Customs and Border Protection processing stations. Earlier this month, there were over 15,000 immigrants staying underneath the bridge. Texas officials blocked off the border at Del Rio earlier this week by building a "wall of vehicles" that stretched for several miles along the side of the Rio Grande riverbank dividing the Texas town from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott said that the state is investing nearly $3 billion on border protection and that state law enforcement will attempt to progress to limit the extraordinary number of individuals seeking to enter the border. Police Personnel deployed in US Texas border The El Paso Times reported on Thursday that Mexican State Police were also stationed by the side of the Rio Grande's south bank, with cars parked along a route that stretches beside the river bank. The White House has been chastised by both Republicans and Democrats over the problem in the border area. Republicans criticised President Joe Biden's government for its "lack of action" in addressing the migrant problem, while Democrats slammed the government's mass deportation of Haitian immigrants. Inhumane behaviour by the border patrol officials Several videos and pictures posted earlier this week showed that the US border patrol officials on horse patrol in Del Rio allegedly used whips on migrants, inciting a public outcry over the "inhumane" behaviour. According to Xinhua, Biden described the photos as "un-American" and a humiliation to the US government, promising to hold those involved accountable. Following the incident, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is presently investigating border agents' handling of migrants, which is scheduled to be completed next week. The use of horse patrol in Del Rio has already been temporarily halted, according to DHS authorities. The United States' special envoy to Haiti, Daniel Foote resigned on Thursday over the Biden government's decision on the deportation of thousands of Haitians trying to enter the country. Many Haitian immigrants are being deported under Title 42, which has been utilised by the Trump government to deport immigrants without enabling them to seek asylum during the COVID-19 outbreak. According to a report by The Hill, the White House has justified its present approach and stated that the administration is striving to establish an orderly and compassionate procedure for the southern border. Border arrests between the United States and Mexico have allegedly remained at their top-level over 20 years, with over 208,000 recorded in August alone. (Image: AP) Authorities announced Friday that over 1,600 firefighters are battling a new fast-moving wildfire in northern California that has spread to over 6,800 acres. During a virtual meeting Friday night, Captain Chris Harvey of the Sacramento Fire Department, who was serving as a public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) on the incident, said that 1,663 firefighters have been assigned to battle the wildfire dubbed Fawn Fire. The wildfire, which started 19 kilometres north of Redding city Wednesday evening and prompted repeated mandatory evacuation orders, has damaged at least 25 structures. According to Harvey, the wildfire is still threatening 9,000 structures and is barely 10% contained. 169 engines, 45 dozers, and 29 water tenders were also dispatched to assist in the fight against the blaze, according to Harvey. Local residents have been advised to evacuate Local residents have been advised to evacuate if the fire activity intensifies. Over 4,000 people have been forced to flee Shasta County in northern California due to the wildfire. Several large wildfires are now raging in the western United States. The Dixie Fire, which began on July 13 in northern California and is now the country's largest wildfire, has burned 963,276 acres and is 94% contained. Another massive wildfire in central California's Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park has devoured more than 40,000 acres and is yet to be contained. Cal Fire said in its California Statewide Fire Summary on Friday that more than 9,400 firefighters remained on the frontlines of 12 major wildfires in California as of Friday, adding that 7,641 wildfires have burned more than 2.38 million acres in California so far this year. The greatest smoke would remain in the upper stratosphere Air regulators on the South Coast issued a smoke notice but stated that the greatest smoke would remain in the upper stratosphere, with surface air quality impacts occurring in isolated mountain ranges. Wildfires are becoming more difficult to put out as a result of a historic drought linked to climate change. In California alone, millions of trees have been killed by wildfires. Climate change has made the West significantly warmer and drier in the last 30 years, according to scientists, and the weather will continue to be more intense, with wildfires more frequent and catastrophic. (Inputs from ANI/ AP News) Image: AP A bipartisan group of US senators has called upon State Secretary Antony Blinken to press Bahrain to end what it calls violent and systematic repression of the Bahraini population. Since 2011, when a democratic uprising challenged the rule of Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the monarchy has detained, allegedly tortured journalists, activists and protesters, according to various rights groups. In the letter, the seven senators said that continuous repression could breed resentment and instability and ultimately jeopardise the lives of US troops and citizens in Bahrain. Pointing out various atrocities being meted out to the Bahraini people, the American lawmakers said that the US State Department has been reporting serious and ongoing human rights abuses for years. The list encompasses arbitrary detention, torture, cruel and degrading treatment of prisoners, restrictions on freedom of the press, interference with peaceful assembly, and restrictions on political participation and religious practice. We write to raise our concerns about the government of Bahrains troubling rights record and to better understand your administrations strategy for pressing this issue with our important ally and partner, a group of seven influential US senators wrote. We believe American officials must be willing to speak hard truths when friends and partners lose their way and appreciate that you have spoken of putting human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy, they added. Bahrain's abuses Bahrain, a small island state in the middle east, has often come under scrutiny for its authoritarian rule under King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and its zero-tolerance policy towards pro-democratic protests. Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch along with London based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) released a joint statement stating the torturous treatment that was meted out to children as young as 11 years of age. As per their report, nearly 13 children aged between 11 and 17 years were arrested in early to mid-February as authorities tried to dissuade protesters from gathering later in the month. Furthermore, they cited five children, all detained mid-February, stating that police officials not only beat and assaulted them but also threatened to give them electric shocks from the car battery. Additionally, another official reportedly hit a 13-year-old and threatened to rape him. Image: AP Vice President Kamala Harris met with two of the three members of the Indo-Pacific alliance on Friday in Washington. Their meeting came after the leaders of India, Australia and Japan met with President Joe BIden at the White House. Biden and his fellow leaders- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga - are all grappling with a rising China that Biden has accused of coercive economic practices and unsettling military maneuvering. They made no direct mention of China as they opened the group's first ever in-person meeting, but the Pacific power was sure to be a major focus as they headed into private talks. On broader issues, Biden has repeatedly made a case that the U.S. and likeminded allies need to deliver results on the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and other fundamental matters with the world in what he's deemed a race between democracies and autocracies Modi, who met with Harris and American business leaders on Thursday, noted the importance of the Indian diaspora for the U.S. economy and said he wanted to find ways the two countries could work together to strengthen their respective economies. At the afternoon summit, the Quad leaders were expected to announce a coronavirus vaccine initiative and plans to bolster semiconductor supply chains. Biden announced the Quad had created a program to bring graduate students in science and technology to U.S. universities. The Quad is an informal alliance formed during the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people. Biden has sought to reinvigorate the alliance, putting a spotlight on a chief foreign policy goal: greater attention to the Pacific and a rising China. The alliance met earlier this year, virtually, and announced plans to boost vaccination manufacturing in India. IMAGE: AP (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou headed home to China on as Chinese authorities released Canadian nationals Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, despite having claimed their sentences were unrelated to Meng's detention in Vancouver at the request of the United States. Meng was freed after attending court via video link from her home in Vancouver, where she has been under loose house arrest since being arrested on Dec. 1, 2018 at the city's airport, pending an extradition request from U.S. federal investigators, who have charged her with misleading HSBC Holdings about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. Days later, Chinese authorities arrested eight Canadian nationals, including Kovrig and Spavor, and handed down a death sentence to convicted Canadian drug trafficker Robert Schellenberg, who had been serving a 15-year jail term. The arrests and resentencing sparked criticism around the world that the moves were a form of "hostage diplomacy" on the part of Beijing, and raised concerns that Beijing might seize nationals of other countries with disputes with China. Meng's release came after she reached a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the U.S. Department of Justice on Sept. 24. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kessler told the court that the prosecution had adopted Meng Wanzhous acknowledgment of some wrongdoing under the agreement in exchange for delaying her prosecution. A copy of a "Statement of Facts" posted to Twitter by Canada-based South China Morning Post correspondent Ian Young showed that Meng admitted that her previous claim that Huawei had only a "business partnership" with another company, Iran-based Skycom, was untrue, as the latter is wholly owned by the former, and "Skycom employees are really Huawei employees." The statement relates to a case against HSBC brought by the DOJ under U.S. sanctions banning companies with a U.S. presence from doing business with individuals or organizations in Iran. Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou (C) talks to media at British Columbia Supreme Court after her extradition hearing ended in her favor, in Vancouver, Canada, Sept. 24, 2021. Credit: AFP 'Huawei's princess' The deferred prosecution agreement will end in , at which point the wire transfer and bank fraud charges against Meng will be withdrawn if she doesn't break the law again. Meng, who as the daughter of Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei has earned the soubriquet "Huawei's princess," thanked the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Chinese government via social media as she took a plane home. "It is that shade of brilliant Chinese red that...leads me on the long journey home," she wrote in comments translated by Agence France-Presse. Back home in China, state media made no reference to her admission of wrongdoing, with the Global Times newspaper reporting that she had been "finally released on a not guilty plea," and made no mention of Kovrig and Spavor. Soon after Meng boarded her flight to the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Kovrig and Spavor had left Chinese airspace, and were expected to arrive in Canada on . Trudeau told a news conference in Ottawa that they had gone through "an unbelievably difficult ordeal." For the past 1,000 days they have shown strength, perseverance, resilience and grace, and we are all inspired by that," he said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: "The U.S. Government stands with the international community in welcoming the decision" to release the men. Michael Spavor, who was detained amid allegations of stealing state secrets more than two years ago, was sentenced on Aug. 8 by the Dandong Intermediate People's Court in the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning. Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat detained amid allegations of stealing state secrets more than two years ago, stood trial behind closed doors at the No. 2 Intermediate People's Court in Beijing on , 2021, three days after Spavor's trial. China gave no legal explanation for the release of the Canadians, despite its long insistence that their case had no connection to Meng's. Huawei security concerns The U.S. has warned that Huawei, a private company subject to Chinese government orders to aid national security operations, could use its gear for espionage, and the U.S. has lobbied some foreign governments, including some members of the 29-nation NATO alliance and European Union, to shun Huawei Technologies. U.S. officials have threatened to not share intelligence with those who compromise their network security by buying the Chinese manufacturers products for their next-generation 5G wireless infrastructure or defense communications systems. In , the U.K. said it was banning Huawei from its 5G telecom network amid an investigation by U.S. prosecutors into its alleged theft of trade secrets and obstruction of justice. British telecom operators were given until 2027 to remove existing Huawei equipment from their 5G networks in changes likely to delay the country's 5G rollout by a year. Around the same time, researchers in Australia were sounding the alarm about the CCP's global network of influence operating via the United Front, a network of party and government-linked agencies and companies. Concerns were reignited in the U.K. earlier this month after the Times newspaper reported that a top business school at the University of Cambridge has close ties with Huawei, with three out of five board members linked with the company. Three out of four directors at the Cambridge Centre for Chinese Management (CCCM) were reported to have ties with Huawei, while its chief representative is a former Huawei senior vice president paid by the Chinese government, the Times reported on Sept. 13, 2021. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China is the latest in string of civil society groups to disband following investigation by national security police. Richard Tsoi, secretary of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, speaks to the media after the 32-year-old group voted to disband, in Hong Kong, Sept. 25, 2021. The organizers in Hong Kong of a now-banned candlelight vigil marking the 1989 Tiananmen massacre voted to disband Saturday, following heavy pressure and a string of arrests of its leaders under a harsh national security law imposed on the city by the Chinese Communist Party. The 32-year-old Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China stands accused of acting as the agent of a foreign power, with leaders Chow Hang-tung, Albert Ho, and Lee Cheuk-yan arrested on suspicion of "incitement to subvert state power," and the group's assets frozen. At a special general meeting held at the June 4th Memorial Hall under heavy police watch in Hong Kongs Mongkok, members voted 41-4 to disband after 32 years of supporting victims of the Tianamen killings, demanding accountability and advocating for an end to one-party rule. The somber meeting began with a moment of silence for the victims of the massacre, with some members and staff wearing black mourning clothes with the slogan "For Freedom, Shared Destiny, and Struggle Together." I do believe Hong Kong people, no matter [whether in an] individual capacity or other capacities, will continue commemorating June 4th as before, Alliance secretary Richard Tsoi told reporters after the meeting. Tsoi said he was confident that the regime would not be able to erase the memory and awareness of the events of June 4, 1989, which are not taught or widely discussed on the mainland as the result heavy censorship by the CCP. The annual vigils the Alliance hosted often attracted over 100,000 people, but the gatherings were banned in 2020 and this year over what local authorities said was coronavirus risk. The group is the latest in string of civil society groups to disband following investigation by national security police under the national security law imposed on Hong Kong by the CCP from July 1, 2020. On Sept. 21, the China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, which once campaigned for China's embattled human rights lawyers, announced on its website that it had received a letter of enquiry from the Hong Kong Police dated Aug. 25, 2021 and "decided to dissolve in September 2021 and has already activated the voluntary liquidation procedure." The pro-democracy Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU) will vote on Oct. 3 on whether to disband after being denounced in the Beijing-backed media, a typical precursor to investigation under the national security law. In what turned out to be the final Hong Kong vigil for victims of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, people attend a candlelight vigil at the city's Victoria Park to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown in Beijing, June 4, 2019. The vigil was banned in 2020 and this year amid coronavirus concerns and a gathering crackdown under a national security imposed by Beijing. Credit: AFP Erasing Hong Kong-China differences The denunciations usually focus on accusations that a given activist group or non-government organization has done something that could be in breach of the law. Several organizations, including protest march organizers the Civil Human Rights Front, the Professional Teachers' Union, and Wall-fare, a prison support group for those in custody because of the 2019 protest movement, have disbanded following similar articles, or after being criticized by Hong Kong's leaders. Alliance leader Chow was arrested on Sept. 8 and denied bail, while Lee and Ho are already serving jail terms linked to their activism, while four other Alliance members, Tang Ngok-kwan, 53, Simon Leung, 36, Chan To-wai, 57, and Tsui Hon-kwong, 72, have been charged with "failure to comply with a notice to provide information." In letters to members from jail, Ho and Lee called on the group to consider the safety of its members and partners. "Dear friends," the identical letters dated Sept. 17 and 18 read. "We believe that the best way forward is for the Alliance to disband on its own initiative, given the current climate." Chinas Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office says the alliance incited hostility and hatred against the CCP and the central government and told media it supports Hong Kong government investigations of the group. China and the Kong Kong government have moved swiftly to erase the large gap between the CCP-ruled mainland and the once free-wheeling port city in civil and political rights, as well as media and academic freedom. Kong Kong police have targeted dozens of civil society groups, journalists, rights activists, and protesters under the National Security Law for Hong Kong. The law forms part of Beijing's claims that recent waves of popular protest for greater democracy and against the erosion of Hong Kong's promised freedoms were instigated by hostile foreign powers intent on undermining CCP rule and destroying social stability in Hong Kong. Jimmy Lai and several senior journalists at the now-defunct Apple Daily face charges of "collusion with foreign forces" under the law, after the paper called in editorials for sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials. Reported by RFA's Cantonese Service. Written in English by Paul Eckert. An Indonesian group monitoring the pandemic said in July that some health workers fully vaccinated with Sinovac had died from COVID-19, with Thailand making a similar announcement that same month. People receive a dose of the Chinese Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine at a mall in Surabaya, Indonesia, Sept. 23, 2021. A little more than 80 percent of COVID-19 vaccines in Indonesia come from China, while a fifth of all vaccines exported by the superpower have gone to the Southeast Asian country, officials said. Indonesia is the largest recipient of Chinese vaccines, according to Beijing-based research firm Bridge Consulting, and that, one analyst said, does not showcase Jakartas much touted free and active foreign policy. Jakarta on Friday received another two million doses of the vaccine made by Chinas Sinovac Biotech, this time as a donation from Beijing and the pharmaceutical company, said Xiao Qian, Chinas ambassador to Indonesia. So far, Sinovac and Sinopharm have sent 215 million doses of vaccine to Indonesia, Xiao told an online news conference. It accounts for almost 20 percent of all vaccines exported by China in the same time period, and more than 80 percent of the total vaccines obtained by Indonesia. Overall, Indonesia has received 273 million doses of vaccines from a variety of drug makers worldwide, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Friday. These include doses produced by Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Janssen. Retno said international cooperation was key to ending the pandemic. Our diplomatic machinery continues to work, establishing cooperation in various forms so that our vaccine needs are fulfilled, she told reporters. But with 215 million of 273 million vaccine doses having come from China, it appears Indonesias diplomatic machinery has put most of its eggs, as it were, in one basket, according to international relations expert Teuku Rezasyah. Reliance on one supplier is not good, Rezasyah, a lecturer at Bandungs Padjadjaran University, told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. The cases of Bangladesh and Thailand have proven that. The South Asian country signed a huge deal for vaccines with an Indian company, but was then stuck without any shots for months when the manufacturer halted exports after a horrific second wave of COVID-19 hit India. Closer to Indonesia, Thailands over-reliance on AstraZenecas vaccine, because a local manufacturer was awarded a contract to produce it, proved to be its undoing when the company couldnt deliver enough or on time. The country is still behind in its inoculation campaign. Rezasyah said Indonesia should have cast its net wide for vaccines from the get-go. We should have launched an international tender from the start, he said. China understands that this [vaccine] business is very profitable and long-term. Its been made easier because Indonesia and China also have a strategic partnership. Indonesia needs to engage more broadly with other nations for vaccine supplies, he said. That would also be in line with the foundation of its foreign policy, Rezasyah said about the archipelago nation that is one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement. Declining Sinovac efficacy? Additionally, research conducted in Indonesia and released in August showed that the Sinovac vaccine, named CoronaVac, provided protection against COVID-19 a clinical trial showed its efficacy was 65 percent. But the study by the research and development wing at the Ministry of Health also found that the vaccine was less effective at protecting against death and severe illness in the April-June period, compared with the previous three months. The vaccine prevented 79 percent of deaths during April-June, down from 95 percent in January-March, said Siti Nadia Tarmizi, spokeswoman for the governments COVID-19 task force. It prevented 53 percent of hospitalizations during April-June, down from 74 percent January to March. Siti did not provide a reason for the drop, but infections that led to the highly contagious Delta variant-related second wave may well have begun in the April-June period. As of Friday, more than 84.8 million people in the country had received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with 47.7 million of them fully vaccinated, according to data from the health ministry. Of those fully vaccinated with the Sinovac jabs, nearly 900,000 received a third, non-Sinovac dose. Indonesia said in July that it planned to give a third vaccine shot to many of the 1.47 million medical workers inoculated with Sinovac, using a jab developed by Moderna an American drug firm to protect them from the Delta strain. An Indonesian volunteer group that keeps tabs on pandemic data, LaporCOVID-19, had at the time said that some health workers fully vaccinated with Sinovac had died from COVID-19. Thailand made a similar announcement that month. Meanwhile, Indonesia has not yet received any of the 20 million doses of the Sputnik vaccine promised by Russia, even though the countrys Food and Drug Monitoring Agency has issued an emergency use authorization for the jab. I cant respond in detail because this is still under negotiation, the Russian ambassador to Jakarta, Lyudmila Vorobieva, told a virtual press conference on Wednesday. There are formalities that need to be completed. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Residents say the information blackout has destroyed their livelihoods and left them vulnerable. People access the internet using their mobile phones outside of an internet cafe in Naypyidaw, March 16, 2021. Myanmars junta has shut down phones and the internet in nearly two dozen townships in Chin state and Magway region to block the flow of information in areas where armed clashes between the military and Peoples Defense Force (PDF) militias have intensified in recent weeks, residents said Friday. On Thursday evening, cuts went into effect in Chin states Paletwa, Mindat, Matupi, Falam, Htantalang, Tedim, Tunzang, and Kanpetlet townships, as well as in the Magway townships of Myaing, Gangaw, and Htee Lin. The move stoked fear in residents who recalled similar tactics used by the military when it orchestrated a coup on Feb. 1 and expressed concern over a potential major offensive where they live. A source in Chin states Mindat township told RFAs Myanmar Service that all lines of communication were cut at around 6:00 p.m., affecting service for connections to all four of the countrys internet service providersTelenor, MPT, Ooredoo, and Mytel. I think they did it to start a news blackout as fighting is continuing in the region, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity. A resident of Paletwa township named Tun Wai told RFA that internet and phone services went out at around 7:00 p.m., which he said was strange because there had been no fighting between the military and local ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) until Thursday evening. Im not sure how to say this, but I think it was because of the fighting across Chin state, he said. Myanmars military has attempted to justify its overthrow of the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government by claiming the party had stolen the countrys November 2020 ballot through voter fraud. The junta has yet to provide evidence of its claims and has violently repressed anti-coup protests, killing at least 1,123 people and arresting 6,748 others, according to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). Paletwa township was the scene of severe fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military under the NLD government in June 2019, which led to what observers have said was historys longest internet shutdown there and in nearby parts of Rakhine state. Fighting subsided by the end of 2020 and in February residents were able to use the internet again to access information about the rest of the country. Locals said Thursdays sudden outage could be linked to fighting between junta forces and anti-junta militias in Mindat, Matupi, Kanpetlet, and Thantlang townships in southern Chin state, along the border of Paletwa. Other townships in Magway region are facing internet cuts due to the success of PDF forces in fighting the military, sources said. A resident of Magways Myaing township told RFA on condition of anonymity that although there had been no recent clashes in the area, the internet was cut off after 6:00 p.m. Thursday, forcing all businesses that rely on the internet to cease operations. Ooredoo and MPT were the first to lose connections, and Telenor and Mitel were disconnected later, he said. We cant do anything without internet access, such as online cash transactions. Cutting communications Residents of Magways Htee Lin township told RFA that separate branches of the PDF in nearby Gangaw and Myaing townships had been coordinating their resistance online and that the military sought to sever their communications link through the internet blackout. The internet has been shut down in a total of 22 townships in Mandalay, Magway, and Sagaing regions, as well as in Kachin and Chin states, since Aug. 20. Salai Za Op Lian, deputy executive director of the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO), said that cutting off the internet has threatened the publics survival and amounted to a violation of basic human rights. People are fleeing the war and the internet is a support line for them to survive, he said. Over the past few months, the public has speculated that the junta may have been planning a major offensive, noting that most of the townships affected by the internet shutdown have shown strong resistance to military rule. Friday marked the tenth day of an internet blackout in 10 townships of central Myanmars Mandalay, Sagaing, and Magway, regions where residents said they have faced more harassment and arrests by the junta. The townships of Yinmarbin, Pale, Salingyi, Kani, Mingin, Ayardaw, and Butalin in Sagaing region; Mogok and Myingyan in Mandalay region; and Taungdwingyi in Magway region have all been centers of resistance to the junta since the February coup. Residents there told RFA that the internet shutdown had impacted access to crucial information, education, trade, and financial services. People who have to rely on the internet now face a big problemtheir livelihoods depend on online access, said a resident of Ayardaw township, who declined to be named due to security concerns. I can't write advertisements now because I don't have the internet, and now I have no income Online shopping is also important in rural areas and now everything has come to a stop. You can't simply rely on phone lines to communicate with one another. The source said he is now considering leaving his family behind and moving to an area where the internet is available so that he can continue to earn a living. Increase in military harassment In Sagaing region, the military has stepped up raids on villages and arrests of civilians that residents had previously been able to prevent with information accessed via the internet. Previously, we knew exactly when and how to avoid the enemy, but now we are constantly on our toes as it is no longer possible to know when or where they are coming or whether theres any fighting going on around the region, said a resident of Kani township. Without accurate information, it is very difficult to make any move. Things could be better if we regained internet accesseven just a bit. A member of the anti-junta movement in Mandalays Myingyan township said the military is already making arbitrary arrests following the internet shutdown there. The number of arrests has risen since Sept. 14. If 50 people were arrested 10 days ago, it has now become 70, he told RFA. There are increased guest-list checks in many areas and many arrests have been made. The mobile internet is completely down but our leaders are using text messages to exchange information. A resident of Sagaings Yinmabin township said shutting down the internet would not be enough for the military to remain in control of the country. The junta cut off the internet because they dont want to relinquish power, but they cant assume that they will be able to hold on to power by doing this, he said. The people are too much against them. The more they act like this, the stronger the grievances will be. They wont be able to rule us forever. Thinzar Shun Lei Yi of the Committee for the Development of Democracy (ACDD) said the juntas decision to cut off the internet in areas where they face opposition amounts to a human rights violation. The resistance of the people cannot be suppressed by any means, she said, noting that the year-long internet shutdown in Paletwa township and parts of Rakhine state had only led to public hatred and resentment. Just as the militarys plan of suppressing the opposition by cutting information off failed then, the juntas current move will just create more enemies. Attempts by RFA to reach junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun for comment went unanswered Friday. Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Uzbekistan might have the best lines of communication with the Taliban of any Central Asian state. But Tashkent is now facing problems after the Taliban requested the return of 585 Afghan government military personnel along with more than 40 warplanes and helicopters that crossed the border into Uzbekistan in mid-August. Uzbek authorities have reportedly been speaking with other countries about taking the Afghan soldiers. And Uzbek authorities are also contending with small numbers of Afghans who continue to try to escape from Taliban rule and flee into Uzbekistan. Uzbek authorities are turning the Afghans back at the border, a move that some countries and international organizations are criticizing. On this week's Majlis podcast, RFE/RL media-relations manager Muhammad Tahir moderates a discussion that looks at how Uzbekistans government is dealing with the Afghan spillover since the Taliban seized control over most of the country in mid-August. This weeks guests are, from Britain, Shahida Tulaganova, a documentary filmmaker who has been working to get journalists out of Afghanistan; also from Britain, Alisher Ilkhamov, the Eurasia program officer at the Open Society Foundations; from Prague, Alisher Sidiq, director of RFE/RLs Uzbek Service, known locally as Ozodlik; and Bruce Pannier, the author of the Qishloq Ovozi blog. Listen to the podcast above or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes or on Google Podcasts. Jailed Belarusian opposition figure Maryya Kalesnikava has been shortlisted for the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize, which is awarded each year by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to honor "outstanding" civil society work in the defense of human rights. The selection panel on August 31 shortlisted Kalesnikava -- along with the Paris-based media freedom watchdog Reporters Sans Frontieres and Burundis human rights defender Germain Rukuki -- for this years prize. PACE described Kalesnikava as one of the three female symbols of the Belarusian opposition and its peoples struggle for civil and political liberties and fundamental rights. The nominee, who is on trial in Minsk in a case that the United States has called "manufactured" amid an ongoing crackdown on pro-democracy activists by authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka, is at serious risk for her safety and life, according to PACE. Kalesnikava is a member of the opposition Coordination Council that was set up after the disputed election with the stated aim of facilitating a peaceful transfer of power. She has been detained in Minsk since September 2020, and charged, along with another Coordination Council member, Maksim Znak, with conspiracy to seize power. Verdicts and sentences in the case are expected to be handed down on September 6. Both defendants have rejected the charges, which stem from their calls for protests against the official election results of a disputed presidential election in August 2020 that awarded Lukashenka a sixth term. They face up to 12 years in prison if convicted. The winner of the 2021 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize will be announced at the opening of PACEs fall plenary session in Strasbourg on September 27. An event will also be organized in Prague in honor of the 2021 laureate on September 29. The 60,000 euro ($70,800) prize has been awarded each year since 2013. Past recipients include Ales Byalyatski, the head of Belaruss Vyasna human rights organization, Baku-based human rights activist Anar Mammadli, Russias veteran human rights campaigner Lyudmila Alekseyeva, and Oyub Titiev, the head of the Grozny office of the Memorial Human Rights Center in Chechnya. PRISTINA -- Police in Kosovo said on September 25 that two offices run by Kosovo's Interior Ministry have been attacked in the northern part of the country. The attacks took place in mostly ethnic Serb communities near border crossings that have been blocked by local Serbs to protest Kosovo's ban on cars with Serbian license plates entering the country. The Interior Ministry's Vehicle Registration Center In the town of Zubin Potok was set ablaze, Kosovar police said in a statement. Authorities said the fire damaged the ground floor of the building and was thought to have affected Interior Ministry offices there along with the library of the local House of Culture." In the nearby town of Zvecan, two hand grenades were thrown at the Civil Registration Center in the building of the Municipal Assembly but did not explode, authorities said. There were no reports of casualties. Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti said both attacks were intentional, accusing Serbia of "encouraging and supporting" attacks on the state of Kosovo. "Serbia is using Kosovo citizens to provoke a serious international conflict," Kurti said. "Individuals or groups whose criminal activity endangers the rule of law and public order are attacking our state and disturbing the peace," Kurti wrote on Facebook. "They are clearly encouraged and supported by Serbia, namely the autocratic regime there." Ethnic Serbs have used hundreds of vehicles to block two main roads in northern Kosovo near the border with Serbia since Pristina's ban on Serbian license plates came into force on September 20. Meanwhile, special units of the Kosovar police have been stationed at the Jarinje and Brnjak border crossings. An AFP correspondent reported seeing Serbian fighter jets fly twice over the border area around noon on September 25. Serbian military helicopters were seen on September 24 flying several times over the border posts blocked by ethnic Serb protesters. Helicopters serving the NATO peacekeeping force KFOR have also been making regular flights over the area since the dispute erupted. Kosovo's ban requires all drivers from Serbia to use temporary printed registration details that are valid for 60 days. The government in Pristina says the ban resembles measures imposed by Serbia against drivers from Kosovo since 2008, when Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia. Belgrade does not recognize Kosovo's independence, and many ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo also consider themselves to be citizens of Serbia. Kosovo's Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla said the latest attacks will not prevent the government from implementing its ban on Serbian license plates across all the territory of Kosovo. "These criminal actions show best what would happen at the border crossings in Jarinje and Brnjak if we did not have the presence of special units to ensure order and security," Svecla said on Facebook on September 25. "Despite such actions, we will continue with our full commitment to implement the [Serbian license plate ban] throughout the territory of Republic of Kosovo." Meanwhile, Kosovo's Defense Ministry is denying reports that the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) is preparing to deploy troops in northern Kosovo. "The misinformation that the KSF is preparing military troops for intervention in northern Kosovo is completely untrue," the Defense Ministry said in a statement on September 24. It said such reports were an attempt to "misinform the public and to present a situation of insecurity for our citizens of the Serb community." Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia are now at their highest for years. NATO's mission in Kosovo, where troops from the alliance maintain a fragile peace, has called for restraint. The European Union and the United States have called for dialogue between the two sides on the issue in order to prevent tensions from escalating further. Kurti has asked Serbia to start recognizing Kosovo car license plates to allow the free movement of people and goods. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said Kosovo should first remove police units sent by Pristina into northern Kosovo to help enforce the license-plate measures. Serbia and Kosovo committed in 2013 to a dialogue sponsored by the European Union in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues. But little progress has been made. Kosovo's independence is recognized by 110 countries -- including the United States, Britain, and most Western states. But Kosovo's independence is not recognized by Russia, Serbia's traditional ally, and five EU member states. With reporting by RFE/RL's Balkan Service correspondent Luljeta Krasniqi-Veseli and Reuters Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the military junta in Mali has turned to "private Russian companies" for help in its fight against Islamist insurgents in the Western African country. "This is activity which has been carried out on a legitimate basis," Lavrov said during a press conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York on September 25. "We have nothing to do with that." The move comes despite warnings to Mali's military junta by the European Union, France, and Germany against hiring the Russian private security firm Vagner to fight against Islamic militants. Vagner is believed to be controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although private military companies are illegal in Russia, observers say Vagner has in recent years played an increasingly important role in buttressing the Kremlin's ambitions abroad. The group has been active for several years in combat operations in different countries -- including in Syria, Libya, Sudan, and the Central African Republic. 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. Mali slid into political turmoil last year, culminating in a military coup in August 2020 against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. After overthrowing Keita, under the threat of sanctions, the military junta appointed an interim civilian government that was tasked with steering the country back to democratic rule by holding elections in February 2022. But army strongman Colonel Assimi Goita overthrew that government in May and was later declared interim president. Although Goita has pledged to respect the February 2022 deadline for civilian elections, observers say the likelihood of the vote taking place on schedule is increasingly in doubt. French Defense Minister Florence Parly told reporters on September 20 after meeting in Mali with Defense Minister Colonel Sadio Camarag that hiring Vagner to fight Islamic militants would lead the country to "isolation." But with Paris planning to reduce its troop numbers across the region by early 2022, the military junta has accused France of "abandonment." It has said "everything had to be considered to secure the country." Germany has also warned that it will reconsider its deployments in Mali should the government strike a deal with Vagner. The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also warned earlier this week that the EU's ties with Mali could be seriously affected if it allows Russian private military contractors like Vagner to operate there. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, RIA news, and Interfax Russian security forces have detained migrant rights defender Valentina Chupik at Moscows Sheremetyevo airport. Chupik who runs the migrant center Sunrise of the World, told Novaya Gazeta that authorities had seized her documents and notified her that she had been deprived of her refugee status since September 17. Chupik was also banned from entering Russia for 30 years, the newspaper reported. The report said that Chupik was sent to a special detention center at the airport amid concerns that she could be deported to Uzbekistan where she could face torture. "I am sitting in a special detention center at Sheremetyevo airport, Terminal F. It is not clear where they will take me," Chupik told Novaya Gazeta. She later stopped communicating, the newspaper said. Chupik had returned to Russia from a trip to Armenia when she was detained. The human rights activist moved to Russia from Uzbekistan after the 2005 bloody crackdown on anti-government protests in the eastern city of Andijon. She was based in Moscow where she had been providing free legal assistance to migrants. Russian authorities have not commented on her detention. With reporting by Mediazona A Russian court has sentenced five Jehovah's Witnesses to between six and six-and-a-half years in prison in the latest crackdown on the religious group, which is banned in the country. A court in the southwestern city of Volgograd sentenced the five individuals on September 24 after they were found guilty of participating in the activities of an "extremist" organization. Sergei Melnik, 49, and Igor Yegozaryan, 50, were sentenced to six years in prison, while 50-year-old Vyacheslav Osipov and 43-year-old Denis Peresunko were handed sentences of six years and three months. Valery Rogozin, 59, was given a six-and-a-half year sentence. According to the indictment, the believers "received recommendations from followers of the confession from abroad, were engaged in missionary work, conducted services, collected donations for them, and also shared religious literature with other members of the community." Russia labeled the Jehovah's Witnesses an extremist group and banned it in 2017, leading to a wave of court cases and prison sentences against its members. For decades, the Jehovah's Witnesses have been viewed with suspicion in Russia, where the dominant Orthodox Church is championed by President Vladimir Putin. The Christian group is known for door-to-door preaching, close Bible study, rejection of military service, and not celebrating national and religious holidays or birthdays. According to the group, dozens of Jehovah's Witnesses have been either convicted of extremism or are in pretrial detention. The Moscow-based Memorial Human Rights Center has recognized dozens of Jehovahs Witnesses who have been charged with or convicted of extremism as political prisoners. MOSCOW -- More than 1,000 Russian demonstrators, angered by the official tally from online voting during last week's parliamentary elections, defied warnings from authorities on September 25 to protest in central Moscow. The protest was organized by several Russian politicians, most of them Communists, who said they were cheated of victory by an online voting system. Calling for the online voting system to be scrapped, the protesters held up posters with slogans, such as "bring back the elections." "I came here today to express my will that we have once again been deceived," one woman demonstrator at the rally told reporters. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a meeting with leaders of political parties entering the State Duma that "elections and online voting" are "unstoppable, just like technological progress." Despite widespread accusations of fraud and voting irregularities, and in spite of a harsh crackdown and bans against candidates who oppose Putin and the ruling United Russia party, the president declared that last week's elections were "free and fair." "The elections themselves were held openly and in strict accordance with the law," Putin said. Based on the final official results released on September 24, United Russia received 324 of the 450 seats in the State Duma -- enough to retain a supermajority and pass legislation unilaterally. The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) finished second to United Russia with 57 seats. Three parties -- A Just Russia, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, and New People -- all received under 30 seats each, while another three, smaller parties gained one seat each. Five non-party-affiliated candidates were also elected. No opposition candidates recommended by jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's Smart Voting app won individual seats. In five of Moscow's electoral districts, three KPRF candidates, one candidate each from the Yabloko and New People parties, and one independent candidate saw their leads over the ruling United Russia party vanish after e-voting results were added to the final tallies. Three days [of voting] plus remote voting -- it's like a two-stage bomb that will blow up societys stability and finally discredit that stability that the president has been creating for many years, Communist Party General Secretary Gennady Zyuganov, stated during a September 23 online meeting with KPRF members. Amid the controversy and confusion over the online voting results, concerns are rising that the Russian government's promotion of blockchain-based e-voting gives it a way to frustrate public scrutiny of the ruling United Russia party's hold on power. Accusations of massive fraud and rampant voting violations also have put Russia's Central Election Commission (CEC) on the defensive over the offline vote from September 17-19. But CEC Chairwoman Ella Pamfilova has not acknowledged any major violations to date. Russian police detained opposition activists on the eve of the September 25 protest. The Moscow mayor's office, the prosecutor's office, and city police all issued warnings that they would break up any other unauthorized demonstrations during the weekend. There were no reports of arrests during the Moscow demonstration. But the Communists said about 60 of their activists were detained ahead of the protest. Many were released after being held for a few hours. Many opposition allies of Navalny were barred from running for office. They accuse authorities of censorship. Navalny's Smart Voting election-guide app aimed to evade United Russia's stranglehold on state media and politics. But it disappeared from the Apple and Google online stores on September 17, the day voting started. A group of independent municipal and regional deputies has launched a petition demanding all results from all of the elections throughout Russia be invalidated due to numerous violations and irregularities in the voting. With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa, Ekho Moskvy, and TASS Officials in Dushanbe say they've received reports that Tajik militants who fought alongside the Taliban in Afghanistan are now making plans to cross the border into Tajikistan. An official at Tajikistan's Border Service, a branch of the State National Security Committee, confirmed to RFE/RL that Tajik authorities are reviewing information from various sources that militants are preparing infiltrations from northern Afghanistan. "We do have such reports," the official said September 22 on condition of anonymity. "Regardless of whether it will happen or not, we see certain security threats from the other side of border and we are prepared to deal with them." Tajikistan shares more than 1,400 kilometers of border with Afghanistan. The former Soviet republic has been on high alert since the Taliban's rapid advance along the borders of northern Afghanistan in early summer, weeks before the militant group took over Kabul on August 15. In June, security sources in Dushanbe expressed concern that a notorious 25-year-old Tajik militant commander named Mohammad Sharifov had been put in charge of security in five border districts seized by the Taliban in the northeastern Afghan province of Badakhshan. Security sources in Tajikistan also say that Sharifov -- known by the alias Mahdi Arsalon -- also traveled to Kabul after it fell to the Taliban, apparently for consultations with Taliban leaders there. Sharifov returned to Afghanistan's northern border region a week ago and has been seen in Badakhshan in recent days, several local villagers told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity. A former Afghan security official with detailed knowledge of the area told RFE/RL on September 22 that Tajik Taliban militants have been gathering information about the easiest places to cross the border into Tajikistan. Martyrdom Battalion The latest reports come as pro-Taliban media in Afghanistan reported on September 22 that a new branch of the so-called the Lashkar-e Mansouri Martyrdom Battalion was established in Badakhshan Province. Afghanistan In Turmoil: Full Coverage On Gandhara Read RFE/RL's Gandhara website for complete coverage of developments in Afghanistan. Gandhara is the go-to source for English-language reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Azadi and its network of journalists, and by RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, which offers extensive coverage of Pakistan's remote tribal regions. According to the Bakhtar news agency, the move is aimed at countering "possible threats" to Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers. In Tajikistan's eastern province of Badakhshon, which borders Afghanistan, regional government spokesman Gholib Niyatbekov said there have been many "rumors" about the possibility of a militant attack from Afghanistan in recent days. Speaking to RFE/RL on September 24, Niyatbekov cast doubt over the seriousness of the threat. But he said Tajik border guards have been reinforced in the area. Taliban spokesman in Kabul Zabihullah Mujahid denied that militants are plotting ways to infiltrate Tajikistan. Mujahid told RFE/RL on September 22 that "no one will be allowed to use Afghanistan's territory to harm its neighbors." In June, Mujahid also denied reports that the Taliban put Sharifov in charge of security in areas near the border with Tajikistan. But multiple sources and eyewitnesses in northern Afghanistan insist that "Arsalon" oversees the districts of Kuf Ab, Khwahan, Maimay, Nusay, and Shekay. During the Taliban's advance in the summer, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon ordered the deployment of 20,000 additional forces to help guard Tajikistan's border. Tajikistan has also recently conducted military drills with troops from Russia and other members of the Moscow-led security group, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). After the Taliban's seizure of power in Kabul, Rahmon warned that Dushanbe will not recognize any government in Afghanistan that undermines the "interests of ethnic Tajiks and other minorities" there. Brutal Killings The Taliban has said it poses no threat to neighboring countries. Nevertheless, Tajikistan remains wary of the presence of hundreds of Tajik militants in Afghanistan. Sharifov and his fighters are members of Jamaat Ansarullah, which is banned in Tajikistan as a terrorist group. Jamaat Ansarullah -- also known as Ansarullah or Ansorullo -- was founded by a rogue former Tajik opposition commander a decade ago with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the government in Dushanbe. Sharifov was said to be involved in recruiting Tajik citizens to join the Taliban in the past when the Taliban was still fighting against the Western-backed government in Kabul. One security source in Tajikistan claimed that he has "introduced" about 200 Tajik militants to the Taliban. Tajik fighters in Badakhshan Province caught the Afghan authorities' attention in November 2020 when footage appeared on social media showing insurgents brutally killing men in Afghan Army uniforms. Some of the militants spoke with a distinct Tajik accent. The video purportedly showed the fall of the province's Maimay district to the Taliban. Authorities in Tajikistan have identified at least 10 of the insurgents as Tajik citizens. Tajik Interior Ministry officials confirm that Sharifov was among the group. Written by Farangis Najibullah with reporting by Mumin Ahmadi of RFE/RL's Tajik Service ASHGABAT -- Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov has been reportedly hospitalized with COVID-19 even as authorities continue to deny the presence of the coronavirus within the country's borders. Two separate sources close to the government told RFE/RL on September 8 that the 61-year-old Meredov has not been seen in public since August 20 and is currently being treated for coronavirus in a newly built hospital in the village of Yzgant, in the south-central region of Ahal. Media reports say that another sign of Meredov's illness is that Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov's upcoming visit to Uzbekistan is being prepared by Deputy Prime Minister Esenmurad Orazgeldyiev and not Meredov, who is also a deputy prime minister and normally is responsible for the organization of the presidents foreign trips. Turkmenistan has not reported officially a single coronavirus infection since the pandemic started in March last year and the government remains steadfast in its zero-infections claim despite signs of outbreaks across the country such as increasingly overcrowded hospitals and changes to the academic year that have extended the summer holiday. RFE/RL's correspondents have reported from across the country that number of people who were killed by COVID-19 has increased dramatically and many have to bury their loved ones in plastic bags as they cannot afford burial expenditures. The bodies of victims of lung ailments are being delivered to relatives in special plastic bags, and there have been an unusually high number of fresh graves across the country, RFE/RL's correspondents have reported. ULYANOVSK, Russia -- From big gas projects to closer military cooperation and improved bilateral trade that reached a record of more than $110 billion in 2019, the China-Russia relationship has reached new heights. But in Ulyanovsk, a region some 850 kilometers east of Moscow, a different portrait of Chinese-Russian ties is unfolding. The city of 1.2 million -- and the wider region by the same name -- are home to a growing array of local initiatives connected to China that have been pushed against the backdrop of warming high-level ties between Beijing and Moscow. At the local level, this has included deepening trade links, a burgeoning tourism sector, and future infrastructure deals -- including plans for a Chinese-funded highway project through Russia that is meant to connect Europe to western China. There have been loud pronouncements from local officials about expanding ties with China and an eagerness from Chinese investors to explore opportunities across Russia. But much cooperation in Ulyanovsk exists only on paper -- frozen due to budget issues and border restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unpacking this complex dynamic is the focus of a recent series by RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service. It takes an up-close look at ties between the two countries at the ground level. Through interviews with local officials, activists, and experts, the Ulyanovsk region is seen as a potential future location for China's economic footprint to grow in Russia. But this development faces pushback from local residents. There are also difficulties in translating deals into real projects on the ground, despite the partnership's top-level endorsement. "Relations with Europe and the West are in a tense state and the Russian economy, in my opinion, needs cooperation because domestic production is poorly established," says Vitaly Kuzin, a member of the Communist Party who sits in the Legislative Assembly of Ulyanovsk Oblast. "China is a locomotive for the world economy, so our country needs to deepen its cooperation," Kuzin says. All Roads Lead to China Ties between China and Russia have improved markedly since 2014 when the Kremlin declared it would pivot to Asia in the wake of Western economic sanctions over Moscow's annexation of Crimea and Russia's role in the war in eastern Ukraine. The deepening relationship is best seen in the interactions between the leaders of the two countries: Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. They have met more than 30 times since 2013, with Xi even referring to the Russian president as his "best friend" during a 2019 summit. These ties have fueled a flurry of deals since 2014, mostly connected to Chinese investments in Russian extractive resources, such as its lucrative oil and gas sector. But in recent years, Beijing has also begun to cautiously eye other sectors. It has invested in high-tech industries and is increasingly using Russia to transport goods to and from Europe. In Ulyanovsk, which sits on the European side of Russia, local authorities have attempted to expand their links to China. In 2020, the first direct train from China arrived in the region. Its 53 container cars carried a mix of automobile parts and industrial equipment into Russia, then returned to China with a cargo of grain and sunflower oil. The area is also home to a Chinese-Russian Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Founded in 2019, it received a modest investment of $1.5 million to start setting up a local technology center. But many local officials have told RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service that restrictions brought by the pandemic have frozen this nascent local-level cooperation. In February 2020, Russia enacted strict border measures with China to curb the coronavirus outbreak. Beijing also restricted movement into China following several local outbreaks linked to travelers arriving from Russia. "Travel on this railroad has stopped since the start of the pandemic and the closure of the borders, and has not started since then," Tatyana Fadeeva, a spokesperson for the Ulyanovsk Region Development Corporation, told RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service. "We don't have any information on when the movement will resume." Vladimir Kazantsev, an independent sociologist in Ulyanovsk, says the frozen transport links, as well as the obstacles and limits on bringing in large sums of Chinese investment, highlight the disparity between deepening Russia-China political and military cooperation and the realities for more remote regions. "It is unprofitable to build production [in Russia] in order to bring finished products to China," Kazantsev told RFE/RL. "The economics don't add up." 'Red Tourism' One area that has seen extended growth in recent years is tourism between China and the Ulyanovsk region. A growing number of Chinese visitors are traveling to the area due to its importance in history as the birthplace of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin. So-called "red tourism" within China, where tourists visit locations with historic significance for Chinese communism, has been a priority promoted by Beijing over the last several decades. In 2014, formal cooperation between the Chinese and Russian governments was established to bring more tourists to Russia. Due to its connections to Lenin, Ulyanovsk has become a focal point for this type of tourism. During a visit to Ulyanovsk in 2013, the then-chairman of the China National Tourism Administration Shao Qiwei referred to the city as "the beginning of China's red history." Since 2015, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Ulyanovsk has increased annually by 20 to 30 percent, according to the local tourism board. Overall figures remain modest, however, with an estimated 7,000 Chinese visitors passing through Ulyanovsk on tours along Russia's so-called "red route" -- which includes historic sites in Kazan, St. Petersburg, and Moscow, and is expected to expand to Yekaterinburg, Perm, Samara, Ufa, and Krasnoyarsk. Expanding those links remains difficult because the pandemic has largely frozen the growth of tourism from China to the region. In fact, official statistics show an 86 percent drop in total tourism since 2020. Despite these obstacles, many local officials see strong potential in communist-linked tourism from China and are pushing for more investment in the sector. Aleksei Kurinny, a Communist Party member of the Russian State Duma from the Ulyanovsk region, told RFE/RL that, while investment with China is difficult to attract, tourism to the area has untapped potential. "Investing in the tourism industry and attracting more tourists from China is not yet fully developed," Kurinny said. "We are considering moving in this direction as the main area for cooperation with China." Navigating A New Era This leaves deepening cooperation with China in the Ulyanovsk region at a difficult crossroads as ties continue to blossom between the Kremlin and Beijing. Kurinny is apprehensive about how much direct investment his region can attract from China. He says that he is aiming to attract projects focused on industries higher up in the supply chain, pointing to how his party moved against plans to build a Chinese cement plant in Ulyanovsk due to environmental concerns. "The region today is interested in high-tech production, something that can contribute to its high-tech development and not simply aim to dig something up," Kurinny said. It's for these reasons that Igor Toporkov, an Ulyanovsk-based human rights activist, is skeptical about the area becoming a regional hub for Chinese economic growth. "There are some isolated projects, but I don't think there will be any big Chinese expansion to the Ulyanovsk region," Toporkov told RFE/RL. Still, there are attempts to move large projects forward. In November 2020, plans were announced to build a highway through Ulyanovsk that would serve as an important transit route for shipping goods between China and Europe through Russia. The project has received high-level backing. But RFE/RL found there has been little public discussion about the plans and several legal procedures have been bypassed. That has raised concerns about environmental risks during construction and how residents close to the planned highway route could be impacted. "Due to the lack of public discussions, the rights of residents of those settlements near where the road would pass are being violated," says Aleksandr Nikolaev, a lawyer from nearby Chuvashia who focuses on transport issues. The AstraZeneca vaccine has an efficacy rate of 69.2 percent 22 days after the first shot and 80 percent 12 weeks after the second, according to the Ministry of Health. The ministry has also approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine for the second shot following a first shot of AstraZeneca. Ho Chi Minh City is in a hurry to vaccinate its population against the coronavirus. The southern metropolis, which has had 362,493 cases since the fourth wave of infections began in late April, has vaccinated around 6.8 million people at least once. Around 2.2 million people, or over 31 percent of the adult population, are fully vaccinated. While some La Mesa residents welcome it, a new housing project proposed near the La Mesa Civic Center is not sitting well with some others in the area. Jefferson La Mesa is planned for the same site along Baltimore Drive as Park Station at the Crossroads of La Mesa, a development that was opposed at nearly every turn by its neighbors for nearly 10 years. In 2009, Park Station developers were seeking a waiver to construct an 18-story mixed-use project at 4949-4999 Baltimore Drive and were unsuccessful. A six-story development was later requested and nixed. The area is zoned for no higher than four stories unless special permission is granted by the city. Another attempt in 2015 for a revamped, shorter development at the same site was rejected by the city. Advertisement The site is currently home to a used car and RV lot, next to the local American Legion building. It is near Interstate 8 as well as the San Diego Trolley stop at Spring Street. More than two dozen people who wanted to learn more about the newest project showed up at an outreach meeting hosted by JPI, the parent group of Jefferson La Mesa, Monday at the La Mesa Police Departments community room. Blair Ruffner of JPI explained how the two-building, four-story project looking to bring 11 studios, 136 one-bedroom, 73 two-bedroom, six three-bedroom, and 4 live/work apartments to the city is consistent with La Mesa zoning requirements. The project includes 230 residential rental units,10 of those designated as affordable housing. The project is in an area zoned for mixed use development, and it was explained at the meeting that four units designated as work/live units would fulfill that requirement. There are 327 parking spots on site of the projects mid-century modern architectural theme. Barbara Swulius, who has lived in the downtown area for 58 years, peppered the projects development team and its hired public affairs company with questions and criticisms about how the project will affect traffic and residents quality of life. After the meeting, Swulius said she didnt like how the developers were taking advantage of a small town and turning it into a city and said the area is already challenging for police and fire department vehicles to get through intersections. I dont like living in a cluttered area, she said. When I first moved here, it wasnt cluttered, it was like Mayberry. Change is good but not change that is not going to help our community. This was a small one-horse town. Lets keep it small. Keep it small and then we can live in harmony without all the stress this is going to create. Architects for the project said they would put in sidewalks and bike lanes where none currently exist along Baltimore. They also said while an onsite dog park was for residents only, a pocket park on the grounds would be open to the public. David Potter of JPI said if the project moves in a timely manner though the next steps of the city staff review and Design Review Board, finally getting the City Councils OK, groundbreaking could be in the last three months of 2019. Jefferson La Mesas first units would be available for rent about 22 months later, he said. Eric Dewey-Hoffman, who has lived near downtown since the 1970s, said a development cant come soon enough. It needs to be redeveloped, Dewey-Hoffman said. Its an ugly entrance to the city and it needs something and we need more places for people to live. The city has changed a lot since i first moved here. La Mesa Boulevard was Antique Row. It couldnt stay that way, and it shouldnt. La Mesa has changed and thats important. Sure, traffic makes it more difficult for my wife and I to come and go but previous developments were way out of scale and not appropriate. This one is. Dave Myers, who ran unsuccessfully for La Mesa City Council, said the project is pedestrian friendly and encourages bike riding, is near the Trolley and freeway, and addresses the housing crisis. To me, its a good project, Myers said. But Aaron Amerling, who has been a vocal opponent of previous plans for developing the area, disagrees. He said parking will be an issue for him and other residents in his neighborhood across the street of the where Jefferson La Mesa is planned. Amerling said the city is poised to build more multi-unit housing at the site of the old police station just a block away on Allison Avenue by the La Mesa Springs Shopping Center on La Mesa Boulevard. Between both proposed developments, there will be hundreds of new residents parking in the village, taking up spots on neighboring streets and store parking, Amerling predicted. He said the City Council needs to become an active partner in the discussion and not stay silent throughout the entire process and then do nothing and say their hands-are-tied. No city staff nor current City Council members were at the community meeting. Were not against the building or development in general, we want the developers and the city to work with the community to make something that benefits everyone, Amerling said. Development and growth are inevitable, good development and responsible growth take strong leadership. karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com What a difference four years makes. Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall ran unopposed for re-election in 2014. But this year he has a challenger, first-term Councilwoman Cori Schumacher, and the two have starkly contrasting views on a number of subjects. Schumacher, 41, is a former professional surfer and the founder of a nonprofit, The Inspire Initiative, that works to empower women through surfing. She rode a wave of resident unrest to office in 2016, after she and other residents fought the City Councils approval in 2015 of a luxury shopping mall to be built on the shore of a Carlsbad lagoon. The opponents collected enough signatures to place a referendum on a special election ballot that defeated the project. Advertisement Carlsbad Councilwoman Cori Schumacher (Union-Tribune photo) Now Schumacher has her eyes on the citys top spot, and her campaign is a bit like the one that worked for her two years ago. The single biggest issue facing Carlsbad is a lack of public trust in our local government leaders and the need for transparency, she said in response to questions submitted to both candidates last week. We need new leadership committed to transparency and centering our residents first in every decision. Hall, 70, got to be mayor the old-fashioned way. Now retired, he ran a towing company and auto salvage yard in the city for years and was appointed to the Planning Commission in the early 1990s. He was first elected to the City Council in 1994, then his first term as mayor in 2010. Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall (Union-Tribune photo) Like many Southern California cities, Carlsbad is nearing built out. Construction is underway in what probably will be the citys last large residential communities at Robertson Ranch along El Camino Real and Quarry Creek just south of state Route 78. Our biggest challenge is transitioning Carlsbad from a growth-mode to a sustainability-mode, Hall said in his written response, which includes protecting our quality of life against potential state mandates regarding housing and land use, preserving the unique character of our older neighborhoods, and protecting our open spaces. Hall is only Carlsbads second mayor in 30 years, following in the footsteps of former Carlsbad High School teacher Bud Lewis, who served 40 years on the City Council, including 24 as mayor, before retiring in 2010. He died in 2014 at age 83. Like Lewis, Hall strives to keep City Council meetings business-like, to move things along, keep discussions civil, and give everyone a chance to speak. Its service above self, Hall said at a recent candidates forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. I cant tell you how much I enjoy this city and love what Im doing. Schumacher has differed with Hall and most of the other council members on a number of recent issues. When the council decided to take a stance on Californias position as a sanctuary state for immigrants, Schumacher cast the only vote against backing the federal government. The weighing in on this is purely political, and its divisive, Schumacher said at the time. Hall saw it another way. Our laws are becoming more difficult to enforce, Hall said, backing efforts to have local law enforcement officers work more closely with state and federal agents. It takes many agencies working together to keep us safe. When the Carlsbad Police Department asked to install license plate readers at key intersections in 2017, and then to add more of the cameras this year, Schmacher cast the only nay vote both times, saying they are an invasion of privacy. I will not play a part in chipping away at our residents Constitutionally protected rights, she said in response to the newspapers questions. Hall said the cameras would help keep residents safe, and that the data collected would be carefully protected. Used with appropriate restrictions they are not an invasion of privacy, he said. There is no evidence this data has been used for anything other than apprehending criminals. Schumacher said at the candidates forum that the city needs more staff employees and police officers. Hall responded that the city is well managed, with fewer employees and higher ratings than it had 10 years ago, and that he doesnt see the need for more employees. We are one of the financially strongest cities in the state, Hall said at the forum. Both candidates have talked about the need to pursue sources of renewable energy for Carlsbad, provide more affordable housing for residents, and find more resources to help the homeless. Hall emphasized the work Carlsbad has done already to build more affordable housing. With the exception of the city of San Diego, Carlsbad has built more affordable housing than any other municipality in the county, he said, and it will continue to make 15 percent of all new housing affordable. Schumacher said Carlsbad should go further, suggesting it stop allowing developers to pay an in-lieu fee to the city instead of building affordable homes within their project, and it should re-examine the incentives for developers to build affordable housing. Schumacher has two years remaining on the four-year term she won in 2016, so if Hall wins on Nov. 6 she will continue to serve as an at-large council member until 2020. However, because she lives in council District 1 and that district is up for election this year, she would be unable to run for re-election in 2020 unless she moves to one of the two districts open that year. Should she win the mayors seat in November, that would create a new opening on the council. Then the council could appoint someone to fill the remainder of the at-large term, or, if the four members are unable to reach a consensus within 60 days of the vacancy, there could be a special election. Carlsbads mayor receives a base salary of $25,826 a year, a car allowance of $5,400 a year, and other benefits. philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl 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 Many studies conducted throughout the pandemic have shown that the prolonged restrictions brought by COVID-19 inflicting many side effects on the physical and mental states of many groups in the population. In the state of Iowa, lesser cases of the coronavirus have been recorded. But even then, experts from the state believe that the effects of the pandemic have the potential to target their citizens. Lifestyle Shift During COVID-19 Pandemic Iowa's chains of physical therapy center expert and regional director Ruth Kern-Scott said in a Radio Iowa report that their team is still in pursuit to identify more patients that require attention regarding the impacts they experience during the pandemic. These effects are known to inflict both physical and mental health on the larger population in the United States and eventually affect the normal lifestyles they had before COVID-19 existed. Ken-Scott added that minor impacts include people sitting in their homes for longer periods of time compared to their stationary limitations at their office jobs. According to the expert, sitting for consecutive hours could cause a lot of negative consequences on the physical wellness of an individual. Some of the well-known issues of people that do not move or sits for long periods are back, upper back, and neck pain. Iowan citizens are evidently aware that their overall health and wellness are shifting to a much worse condition, according to the expert. The root cause of these health issues is being induced by excessive gain weight and high rates of blood sugar. But the most possible origin of the health anomalies Iowans and other states experience is the massive shift from a workplace-related lifestyle to pandemic-restricted routines. Kern-Scott said that the state has people who are more fond of working from home than going back to their office due to the ease of access. However, most of the materials they utilize for their home-based jobs are not ergonomically designed. This could result in other effects such as intermittent neck pain. This is back up by the state's increasing cases of disc bulging and sciatica located in the lower back. ALSO READ: COVID-19 Might Give You a Rare Chance of Having Guillain-Barre Syndrome That Results to Muscle Weakness Restrictions of COVID-19 on Physical and Mental Exercise Kern-Scott is part of the large health center network known as the FYZICALTherapy and Balance Centers. The institute is composed of 400 facilities that are scattered throughout 45 states of the country. The centers help experts to cater to the patients who need specialized programs that are curated to their specific exercise needs. According to the expert, many patients are known to quit their health programs and clubs just because people do not meet the specific exercises for them or do not feel safe to participate in programs due to the threat of COVID-19. Among the initial steps to join the programs catered by the centers are through computers, which a lot of people have access to. Through the mobile advantage, patients can be reminded of their exercise for a specific amount of time. Kern-Scott believes that devices are beneficial to track the health status of the patients, and the results showed even to the expert as they monitored their own health activities during the pandemic. RELATED ARTICLE: DIY Homemade Facemask: How to Make One That is Effective Against COVID-19 Check out more news and information on COVID-19 on Science Times. Oakland Fire Chief Reginald Freeman has asked Alameda County officials to start an investigation into the response times of the countys contracted ambulance provider, Falck, which Freeman said has consistently not been providing reliable emergency transportation in Oakland. In a Sept. 17 letter to the Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Agency, which coordinates first responder and ambulance service, Freeman said that from July 1 to Aug. 17, Falck ambulances had delayed responses to 462 calls for emergency services in Oakland. Some of those calls were for critical issues such as stabbings, shootings, sexual assault, traumatic injuries, overdoses, strokes and chest pains, he said. In one instance, a woman in Oakland gave birth and had to be transported to the hospital in an ambulance from Piedmont because there were no Falck ambulances available, Freeman said. Freeman asked that the agency review Falck Northern Californias transport and response times since the start of 2020. Our residents and visitors deserve to have the best services which includes their loved one(s) being transported to the hospital in an expeditious, safe, and orderly manner when there is a medical emergency, Freeman wrote. Alameda County contracted with Falck Northern California in 2018 and the company began providing services in July 2019. The contract runs through June 30, 2024, according to county records. Previously, the county had relied on Paramedics Plus for ambulance services. When Falck was awarded the contract in Alameda County, officials set up ambulance deployment hubs in West Oakland, Livermore and Hayward. The hubs were placed in areas with high call densities and ease of access to other locations. Falck provided 77 new ambulances, according to a presentation to the countys board of supervisors by Alameda County EMS Director Lauri McFadden and Deputy Director William McClurg in 2019. For the public, the transition was seamless, the presentation slides said. There were no delays or disruptions to service. Falck charges the county a base rate of $2,295, plus additional fees for mileage, oxygen and patient treatment without transport. The countys contract with Falck requires it to respond to all medical emergencies throughout the county except for the cities of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley and Piedmont, which are served by their local fire departments. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is served by the Alameda County Fire District, according to the contract. The contract outlines response time compliance requirements for medical and nonmedical calls. Depending on the priority level and the location of the emergency, required response times range from 10 minutes to 60 minutes. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. A repeated failure to meet response time requirements after receiving notice of the noncompliance from McFadden could constitute a breach of the contract. If that happens, Alameda County EMS can terminate the contract immediately. Freeman asked that Alameda County EMS produce a report of the investigations findings with a list of steps meant to improve ambulance response times in Oakland. Freeman, Alameda County EMS and Falck Northern California could not immediately be reached for comment. Falck Northern California is a subsidiary of a Danish patient transport company with contracts to operate in 15 countries, according to its website. Andy Picon is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: andy.picon@hearst.com Twitter: @andpicon San Francisco police are investigating a shooting in the Mission District Friday morning that left one person dead and a nearby school rattled. Officers were called to the area of 17th and Folsom streets for a reported shooting around 11:49 a.m. and found a male of unspecified age suffering from a gunshot wound, officials said. The victim was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries after officers rendered aid at the scene. He was pronounced dead in the afternoon, officials said. A class of fourth graders from La Scuola, an international school located about a block away from the site of the shooting, was at nearby In Chan Kaajal Park when shots were fired. Students and the teachers who were with them heard gunshots and caught a glimpse of the shooter before quickly returning to the school. Teachers offered students social-emotional support in talking circles, assured them that they were in a safe place and answered any questions they had as they sheltered in place, said Valentina Imbeni, head of the school. Its been quite a shock to the community and its very unfortunate, Imbeni said. A San Francisco police sergeant spoke to the class and stayed at the school for more than an hour. Counselors will be available to students on Monday, Imbeni said. Police did not have a suspect as of Friday afternoon. Investigators at the scene had placed yellow evidence markers in front of an apartment building and were taking photos of a black Hyundai Tucson that was parked in the area. Students go to the park occasionally because we want to be part of the neighborhood, Imbeni said. Its normally a lovely park... The place is always full of children and people, so its also kind of sad. 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. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the San Francisco police tip line at 415-575-4444. I hope that the neighborhood will get safer so that everybody can be out in the street and not have to worry about these things, Imbeni said. Chronicle staff Trisha Thadani and Stephen Lam contributed to this report. Andy Picon is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: andy.picon@hearst.com Twitter: @andpicon It wasnt unusual for employees of prominent Sebastopol restaurateur Lowell Sheldon to meet up for drinks after work at a local bar. It also wasnt unusual for Sheldon, widely celebrated for his farm-to-table ethos, to show up. On one of these evenings in the fall of 2019, a staffer at one of his restaurants, Jesse Hom-Dawson, said she returned from the restroom to see her boss in her seat. She said Sheldon told her, Come sit on daddys lap. The remark was a breaking point for Hom-Dawson and some of her colleagues who either witnessed or learned of the alleged incident. Alexandra Lopez, then a manager at his trendy, cocktail-centric restaurant Fern Bar, sent a letter to Sheldon and his business partners, accusing him of abusing his power and sexually harassing employees. For years, Sheldon created a toxic work environment where employees, particularly at his acclaimed and now-closed restaurant Lowells, constantly felt on edge and often dreaded his presence, 11 former employees who spoke with The Chronicle allege. He was also behind Fern Bar, casual seafood spot Handline and Thai cuisine newcomer Khom Loi. Six of the workers accused him of sexual harassment, saying he engaged in a pattern of unwanted touching and inappropriate comments. One recalled an increase in discomfort after Sheldon took her to a strip club after work. Another woman described a sexualized atmosphere at one of Sheldons restaurants and quit after three months. Later, he attempted to place his hand under her dress in the back seat of a car, she said; an employee and Sheldons then-girlfriend, who was also a business partner, sat unaware in the front, she said. All 11 former employees, who worked at Sheldons restaurants between 2015 and 2021, said they wondered who might be Sheldons target on any given day, subjected to harsh criticism about minutiae like the distance between a chair and a table or the way sausage looked on a pizza. (Eight of the staffers spoke on the record, and three did not wish to be identified by name.) Sheldon told The Chronicle that he regrets the daddys lap comment he made to Hom-Dawson and feels sorry for the pain it caused. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle I have been trying to focus on moving forward in the community in a positive way ever since, he said in a written statement. At no other point during Lowells twelve years of business did anyone ever accuse me of sexual harassment or creating a toxic work environment. He denies all other allegations, which he characterized as either taken out of context, grossly misleading or completely false, though he did not provide details regarding specific incidents. In response to Lopezs 2019 letter, Sheldons partners hired an outside investigator to examine his behavior and, eventually, worked to buy out his ownership stake in two of his restaurants: Fern Bar and Khom Loi. At Fern Bar, he was initially suspended for an extended period, though his partners now say he is no longer part of operations. But some former workers want to see more accountability from Sheldon, particularly as he embarks on a new project: a wine tavern and inn he hopes to open in the Freestone Hotel, a Sonoma County historic landmark between Sebastopol and Bodega Bay. That includes Lopez. You have used your ethos as a cover for your bad behavior, Lopez wrote in her letter, referring to his restaurants motto of putting people above profits. Lopez told The Chronicle that Sheldon hugged her and kissed her on the forehead without her consent several times. I have set boundaries for you and you have repeatedly ignored them, she wrote, seemingly thinking you are untouchable: I am telling you that you are not. Everyone in Sebastopol seems to know Sheldon, who is now 40. He grew up in the quirky and progressive West Sonoma County town, which became a Wine Country destination with the steady conversion of apple orchards to vineyards. He received a Waldorf education on a campus with a biodynamic farm. After a brief stint in Seattle, he returned home to open his first restaurant, Peter Lowells, in 2007, at age 26. Peter is his middle name. Peter Lowells stood out as soon as it opened. It was the countys first restaurant housed in an environmentally friendly LEED-certified building a space designed by Sheldons father, an esteemed architect. Sheldon said he wanted to run the restaurant like a nonprofit, donating to local charities and commissioning dining room decor from local artists. Some former employees praised his work ethic, generosity and strong sense of community. Whenever something was broken, it was Lowell (who fixed it). He was a vital part of working there, said former cook Tyler Woodbury. When he teamed up with a farmer to grow food specifically for the restaurant, whose name was later shortened to Lowells, Sheldon gained national attention and drew comparisons to Thomas Kellers French Laundry. It was at this first restaurant that he met Natalie Goble, who started as a server and became a romantic and business partner. Together, they opened Handline in 2016, and brought on other partners to expand with Fern Bar two years later. When his eponymous restaurant shut down in 2019, he recruited the owners of Sebastopols popular Ramen Gaijin to open Khom Loi in its space. Ex-staffers said they were drawn to Lowells for its idealism and its vegetable-centric cooking that celebrated rural Sonoma County. Many said they loved their jobs preparing the best produce, serving loyal regulars and working with a team of passionate people. The cost, they said, was dealing with Sheldon. Workers described a pattern of his casually touching employees in intimate ways over the course of several years, actions that led some to quit, upend their lives and sometimes deal with diminished mental health. Ten of them confirmed that Sheldon routinely massaged employees shoulders and backs, though not all considered this sexual harassment; some said that Sheldon often pushed boundaries, but they didnt feel his behavior was intentional or hostile. Mason Trinca/Special to The Chronicle 2017 Rebecca Tally, a server at Lowells from 2016 to 2019, said that early in her time there, Sheldon would press his body against hers when they were near the service station at the same time to grab glasses or enter orders. Tally said she learned to step away whenever he approached. Tally, who was 26 at the time, didnt report the behavior. I felt angry because I felt like he was in a position of power and he was using it to his advantage, she said. And then I was angry because it worked. I was young and scared and didnt say anything. Eventually, she said, he stopped temporarily. A few years later, she recalled, when she was working behind the bar, Sheldon grazed her rear end with his hands multiple times during one shift. She said she vented about it to a supervisor in the middle of the busy shift and that the touching ceased. Tally said her experience at Lowells, and at previous restaurants, led her to write a college paper on misogyny in the hospitality industry. Shes now volunteering at a local rape crisis center and wants to build a career around helping sexual assault and harassment victims. But she also needs to earn money, having been mostly unemployed throughout the pandemic. Finding a job has been really hard because I dont want to put myself in an abusive situation again, she said. Its been really hard for me to get past the trauma and move forward. Joni Davis, a Lowells pastry chef from 2015 to 2017, said Sheldon often leaned against her to grab pots above her station even when there was plenty of room to avoid doing so. Davis said his actions toward her completely tainted her work experience, though she never reported them out of fear of losing her job. One particular incident stands out, she said, when Sheldon asked her to harvest plums with just him at an orchard. Though the work was unpaid, she felt like she couldnt say no, and the outing itself was uneventful. But a few hours afterward, Davis received a text from Sheldon with three photos of her picking plums. He secretly took photos of me and said, Sorry, I couldnt help myself, she said. That scared me. She deleted the texts right away and never acknowledged receiving them. At the time, she told only her sister, who corroborated her account in an interview with The Chronicle. At some point, Davis realized she needed to work through a lot of kitchen trauma with her therapist, that the nightmare Sheldon created was not worth the pride she felt in being the pastry chef at an acclaimed restaurant. She quit and said that, in some ways, she feels grateful: The experience opened her eyes to the importance of leaving bad situations even if it seems like a poor career decision. Sheldon generally didnt speak in overtly sexual terms, but he sometimes called himself daddy to employees, according to Woodbury, a line cook at Lowells in 2019. He remembered preparing pizza with Sheldon one day when another cook was out sick. Hed say, Can you pass daddy that knife? Can you do this for daddy? That made me uncomfortable, Woodbury said. Why would you call yourself that in a professional work environment? Sheldon sometimes made jokes that made employees feel uncomfortable, too. For example, he once joked that he hired an employee off of the dating app Tinder, Lopez said. It created awkward tension among the staff, some of whom incorrectly assumed it meant their boss was sleeping with the newest hire. In a 2019 email to Lopez viewed by The Chronicle, Sheldon called the perception massively problematic and asked her to help him correct it. Aaron Young said Sheldon rubbed her shoulders several times and made passing comments about her looks while she worked behind the counter at Handline in 2016. Meanwhile, she said, she also endured sexually explicit comments from other employees. She quit after three months. Young said it never occurred to her to report any of the behavior at the time because it seemed so normalized. Lowells subtle sexualized interactions with employees set the tone for other people in the restaurant to behave in a similar way, she said. That was the atmosphere at Handline. Shortly after quitting, she said, she ran into Sheldon while drinking at a bar with her friend Madeline Miller, then a server at Lowells. The three ended up drinking at Lowells after closing time. When Miller went to the restroom, Young said, Sheldon approached her from behind and pushed her against the counter. Young asked him to stop, she said, but he forcibly kissed her instead. She pushed him away and left the restaurant when Miller returned, she said. Miller confirmed that Young told her about the unwanted kiss that night. Courtesy Jesse Hom-Dawson A few months later, Young encountered her former boss at a charity dinner. Sheldon, there with Goble, invited Young and Miller out for drinks after the event, she said, and the four got into a car. While Goble and Miller sat in the front seats, Sheldon twice tried to slide his hand under Youngs dress, she said, prompting her to quickly push his hand away. Once the car stopped, Young said, she told the group that she was tired and took an Uber home with Miller. Miller said Young told her about what happened in the back seat immediately after, though she didnt observe it herself. In hindsight, it was one more wildly inappropriate and unacceptable experience from a man who was in a power position over me, Young said. I feel it really negatively impacted my sense of self-worth in the workplace. Goble, who oversaw operations at Handline, said she had no knowledge of Youngs interactions with Sheldon. I am saddened and surprised to hear of her experience and will be continuing to integrate her story into my own understanding of what was taking place without my knowledge, becoming more aware moving forward of my responsibility in all of this, Goble said by email. As at many restaurants, shifts at Lowells often ended in drinks and rowdy nights of drugs and partying until 4 a.m., according to staffers. Much of the lewd behavior ex-staffers objected to occurred after work, fueled by alcohol and what they said were blurred lines about what was acceptable. Miller described one after-hours night with Sheldon that changed the way she viewed working at the restaurant. In 2017, Sheldon took her and two other female employees to a concert in San Francisco. Afterward, one of her colleagues suggested they go to a strip club, and Sheldon paid for them all to get in, Miller said. Its not like he forced us to go, but he should have had boundaries, she said. Watching Lowell watching my co-worker get a lap dance was disgusting. To Miller, Sheldon was constantly walking the line between appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Hed get a glimmer in his eye when hed make people uncomfortable, a little smirk on his face, she said. Former Lowells shift manager Leah Engel, who held multiple positions at Sheldons restaurants from 2015 to 2021, said she felt like she was constantly putting out Lowell fires and trying to protect workers from an environment that ex-staffers said didnt always feel safe. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Engel said she spent years feeling guilty and frustrated about a particular situation with a former Lowells busser, which she felt she had to handle despite not having the authority of an owner or general manager and having no sexual harassment or human resources training. The busser, who asked not to be named, told The Chronicle that a co-worker invited her to smoke marijuana in his car after work one night, and then became aggressive. The then-19-year-old woman said the co-worker tried to kiss her, and that she told him no, but that he didnt listen. As she searched for her shoes to leave, she said, the man grabbed her skirt to pull her closer. She was terrified, she said, and after she fled the car, a friend called the police. The police report, reviewed by The Chronicle, described her as not hurt, just scared. I thought I was going to get raped, she said. My heart was beating so fast that I couldnt listen to what he was saying to me. I thought I wasnt going to be able to escape. Police officers came to Lowells the next day, but Engel said Sheldon didnt seem to think the incident was significant. He never acknowledged it to the busser, the busser said. Instead, Engel, the only female supervisor at the time, spoke with the busser to learn what happened, consoled her and demanded to management that the two employees schedules no longer overlap. Engel said she deeply regrets not doing more. She said the man went on to work at one of Sheldons other restaurants. It felt like such a blow-off. I remember feeling totally dumbfounded and upset and really confused, Engel said. There was safety given to people who didnt deserve safety. Employees said there were no human resources personnel at any of Sheldons restaurants, despite the payroll totaling more than 100 at Lowell's, Handline and Fern Bar, which are set up as separate LLCs. (Handline and Fern Bar said they have used a human resources consultant more recently.) California labor law doesnt require employers to maintain human resources specialists on staff, and its common for traditionally cash-strapped restaurants to not bother. The former employees said that meant filing a complaint against him at Lowells or Handline didnt seem feasible. Sheldon was an owner, and the other potential option was Goble, who was his girlfriend until they broke up about three years ago, in part because he was having an affair with an employee. Goble was an owner and on-and-off executive chef at Lowells, including in 2019. But she told The Chronicle that she was never in charge of operations and generally not involved from 2015 to 2018. When told that staffers didnt feel like they could go to her, Goble said that she never experienced this to be true. Employees generally give me feedback that they appreciate my management style and feel connected, supported and highly valued, she said by email. When Lopez arrived in 2018, she independently tried to create the first human resources systems at Lowells, sensing there might be issues with Sheldons allegedly touchy behavior. The next year, Hom-Dawson, who was communications director for the three restaurants, started the groups first sexual harassment training program for everyone in the company. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle But the efforts came too late for many employees, who described an us-against-Sheldon culture where the only support came from one another. Miller, for example, told Engel about the strip club night as a friend, not a superior. Engel said it never occurred to her to report the incident, because whom would she have reported it to? Learning about Sheldons affair also caused tension among employees, ex-staffers said, as they second-guessed everything they had previously talked about in the presence of the employee. It shattered the sense of security workers felt with each other. I dont know what I would have done differently, Engel said. I dont even know what my options were other than saying, We need to all leave. A lot of us regret that we didnt leave sooner. For Hom-Dawson, Sheldons Come sit on daddys lap comment felt like the beginning of the end. In some ways, it was. It prompted Lopez to send the scathing letter to Sheldon and his business partners in October 2019, which led Fern Bar co-owner Sam Levy to hire an outside human resources consultant. That consultant determined that Sheldons conduct violated Fern Bar policies, according to an email from Levy to Lopez reviewed by The Chronicle. As a result, Fern Bar partners prohibited Sheldon from entering the restaurant for several months and forced him to take a sexual harassment class. When he returned, I had an immediate anxiety attack, Lopez said. I was crying uncontrollably. I could not believe it. Lopez had never experienced anxiety attacks before working for Sheldon, she said. Now, she said, she deals with a constant, low-grade fear that shell run into him somewhere. She has nightmares about working with him again. After the investigation into Sheldons behavior, Lopez and Hom-Dawson said they felt in the dark, isolated and confused about Sheldons future role in the restaurants. They both left soon after. Engel, who had switched to a full-time social media role for Fern Bar and Handline that allowed her to avoid direct contact with Sheldon for two years, said she felt stunned when he asked her to promote the opening of Khom Loi. She asked Levy to tell Sheldon not to approach her directly anymore, she said, but then Sheldon did it again. The negative emotions she felt convinced her that her only choice was to quit, even if that meant losing two-thirds of her income, she said. I made the decision to lose a job that was a huge part of my identity in the community and that I felt I was really good at because I didnt feel like I could be involved in anything to do with Lowell, Engel said. She announced her resignation in a public statement on Instagram in April. Engels post got people talking about their past experiences, and she, Hom-Dawson and Lopez hoped the owners of Fern Bar, Handline and Khom Loi would take the opportunity to sever ties with Sheldon. They hoped to see public statements. Instead, the restaurant partners at Fern Bar and Khom Loi worked privately to buy out Sheldon, according to the restaurants. At Handline, Goble said she attempted to negotiate a buyout but was unable to reach an agreement for terms. They agreed to place negotiations on hold until spring 2022, according to Goble. Meanwhile, she said Sheldon was effectively removed as managing member when the first allegations came to light. My hope is that Handline can continue to build a robust, resilient and safe work environment through continued learning, diligent awareness and practices, where employees are respected, and boundaries remain clear, Goble said in a written statement. Khom Loi co-owner Matthew Williams said he never witnessed any problematic behavior from Sheldon before opening the restaurant, nor did he receive any reports from employees. He was asked to step away because of the accusations on social media and he agreed to and is no longer part of the business, said Williams, who declined to comment further. At Fern Bar, Sheldon is no longer involved with operations, according to the restaurant, and Sheldon signed a binding agreement in July stating the company would redeem his stake. At Fern Bar, we are a family with deep ties to the community, Levy said in a written statement. We work hard to create a high standard for ourselves and for our team so we have a positive influence on our employees lives, our guests experiences and in our community. In an Instagram message to Hom-Dawson earlier this year, Levy said the investigation did not reveal enough to buy out Sheldon right away. Removing Lowell without more cause than what he said to you and without people publically coming forward would have been illegal and would have ended in Fern Bar shutting down, he wrote. That explanation didnt satisfy Hom-Dawson. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle All these people who I thought would have my back didnt have my back it was brutal for me, said the Sebastopol native. The fact that were in this small town and no one has stopped (Sheldon) or said anything has made me look differently at the community. Now, as Sheldon appears set to become a central figure in a revitalization effort in Freestone, a tiny town near Occidental known for the crowds that line up at Wild Flour Bread on Bohemian Highway, the three women and other ex-staffers said they feel obligated to go public with their experiences. In September, at a meeting of Sonoma Countys Landmarks Commission, Sheldon revealed plans for a bed-and-breakfast inn at the Freestone Hotel. Also known as the Hinds Hotel and Freestone House, the wood-framed, Gothic Revival building dates to 1872 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Given his background in hospitality and the buildings location in Wine Country, Sheldon said it only made sense to include a wine-focused restaurant and bottle shop on the ground floor. Each person in our small community of Sebastopol deserves to be able to work, live and enjoy themselves in a safe and respectful environment, Sheldon said in a written statement to The Chronicle. I have always worked towards this end, imperfect as I may be, with steadfast resolve. Engel said she often thinks about how speaking out now could lead a young woman not to apply to one of Sheldons restaurants in the future. I can stop this situation from happening again, Engel said. It feels important to stop this from being a whisper. Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated Khom Loi co-owner Matthew Williams last name. PARIS (AP) French authorities have launched an investigation into the asphyxiation death of a 37-year-old man after subway security agents detained him in the southern city of Marseille. The death Thursday came as arrest techniques have been under heightened criticism in France following multiple cases of abuse or fatal arrests. An investigation is ongoing for voluntary violence causing involuntary death which will determine the circumstances of the mans death and the proportionality of the agents response, the Marseille prosecutor's office said Friday. According to the Marseille subway agency RTM, the man was stopped after getting out of the train and before exiting the station. RTM CEO Herve Baccaria told The Associated Press the man was aggressive and punched an agent. According to the prosecutor, he resisted being stopped. The mans mother told local newspaper La Provence that he had a mental disability that prevented him from understanding things and explaining himself clearly. The prosecutor's office did not respond to queries about the case, including about his reported disability. The man was brought to the ground by RTM agents, who called the police. According to the prosecutor, by the time police arrived, he was unresponsive. He was put in the recovery position but died despite attempts to revive him. Baccaria said the station's cameras were functioning but it is unclear whether they captured the incident, as it may have happened in a blind spot. For Olivier Cahn, a criminal justice expert at the state research institution CNRS, at first look, there is no problem with the arrest, theres a problem with the person dying of it. Because of it, there is a question of necessity and proportionality, Cahn told the Associated Press. 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. The technique the agents used to immobilize the man is not clear. RTM agents are trained to immobilize and stop a person whose behavior is deemed needing the intervention of police, Baccaria said. France's Interior Ministry has been reassessing police arrest methods, particularly in the wake of the global protests unleashed by George Floyd's death in Minnesota last year. France's government banned the chokehold arrest technique earlier this year. Police used the method on Cedric Chouviat in 2020, a delivery driver who was asphyxiated during a police stop, a case that called national attention to the issue. Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. (Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus). Does this apply to Haitian refugees, too, President Biden? Dont we have any room left for these people? Philip Reinheimer, Penn Valley (Nevada County) Lack of remote space Regarding Tiny cabins could solve homelessness crises (Letters, Sept. 24): I see a letter from a person in Kentfield, suggesting the building of 32,000 tiny cabins for homeless folks in San Francisco on remote city-owned or leased land. Excellent thought, and I would like to see them housed, too! But perhaps there is a lot more remote in Kentfield than in seven-mile-by-seven-mile San Francisco; we dont have a great deal of remote space here for 32,000 cabins. But building them in remote areas of Kentfield might be a great idea. Larry Schorr, San Francisco Cyclists slippery slope Regarding Benefits of bicycles (Letters, Sept. 23): As an 83-year-old, longtime bicyclist, I disagree with the letter writer regarding the proposed adoption of the so-called Idaho Stop. Giving cyclists a green light to blow through stop signs is ill-advised and will lead to a slippery slope. For years, in Berkeley, I have routinely slowed down and ridden through four-way stops when it seemed safe and I had the right of way, knowing I was breaking the law. But there are always differences of opinion as to who got to the intersection first. Police should be able to cite drivers (and cyclists) for egregious behavior. Putting the Idaho Stop into law will only lead to more accidents, more injuries and more liability issues. Bill Hickman, Berkeley Check for right of way I ride my bike regularly and I follow some basic rules. I stop at all stoplights, and if there is a right-turn lane, and I am going straight, I get as far left in that lane as I can to let cars turning right have that chance. At all stop signs, I slow down and assess the situation. If I am the only vehicle at the stop, I will proceed without slowing more. I treat any other situation the same as a car would; right-of-way means just that. If I am the last vehicle at the intersection, I can expect to have to stop. In any other right-of-way situation, the same applies but I may not have to come to a complete stop. If I am the first one there, I will only slow enough to make sure I, indeed, have the right-of-way. It is somewhat frustrating when someone has the right-of-way but they want to wave me through. Thank you, but I had to come to an almost complete stop waiting for you, and it is often very hard to see you waving. Daniel DeShazo, Novato Keep the highway open Regarding Dont jump the gun on JFK (Editorial, Sept. 19): I want to urge our citys transportation department, San Francisco Board of Supervisors and anyone else involved in the decision to keep the Great Highway open to cars/traffic. While I appreciated and used the Great Highway when it was closed to traffic for the past nearly two years, I also enjoy driving that great highway to see, hear and smell the ocean. I wanted to show it to out-of-town guests recently and we could not get close to the ocean at all, except near the Cliff House. Lets not forget that walkers and bikers have a pathway on one side of the Great Highway and the beach to walk in enjoying our Pacific Ocean. Drivers have no other route to view the ocean except on the Great Highway. Please keep it open to cars. San Franciscos criminal justice system is under an international spotlight. Our district attorney, Chesa Boudin, has been the subject of dueling profiles in New York Magazine and the New Yorker. Our shoplifting issues have been covered ad nauseam in outlets from the Wall Street Journal to CNN. Yet despite all the attention, nobody seems to know much about what is actually happening in our criminal courts. Is Boudin letting dangerous criminals back on the streets, or is he unfairly maligned? We often have no idea. San Franciscos criminal justice system is a black box. And a major reason why is because our criminal records request system is shamefully inadequate. We are the tech capital of the world, yet our system is stuck in a pre-internet time warp. For example, a reporter I work with has been following an incident where a man chased a couple with a kitchen knife in broad daylight. The anti-Boudin crowd latched on to the mans long and violent record, insinuating that it was Boudins fault the man was free and that the attack was allowed to happen. My colleague, however, received a tip that the D.A. had tried to charge a felony, but it was the judge who actually tossed the case. Because of the courts impenetrable record system, it took almost a month to confirm who the judge was. Meanwhile, the news cycle has moved on. In order to hold Boudin and other elected officials accountable or to laud them we need to demand that the San Francisco Superior Court do a better job making records accessible in reality, not just in name. Somebody jaded might say: Well, thats just how it is with government institutions they make it hard. I would tell those people to go across the bay to Alameda County, or look at the federal court filing system, or look at what other San Francisco departments have done during COVID. I am a freelance journalist, and if Im researching a criminal case in Alameda County, I can go online and request records with the click of a button, and pay for them with my credit card. In a few days, the requested documents will arrive at my house by mail. I can also walk into a courthouse and electronically view most case filings from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the week. If I want to research federal court filings, its even easier: I can do everything from home. The PACER website provides instantaneous access to more than 1 billion documents filed at all federal courts. Other city departments had no trouble moving online during COVID. For instance, the Department of Building Inspection increased the types of projects and permits that allowed online submissions. San Francisco Superior Courts criminal records request system, on the other hand, became even more byzantine during COVID. San Francisco refuses to accept any criminal records requests by any method except paper. You can send a request via snail mail. If you want to ensure they get your request, or if your request is time-sensitive, you must drop it off in person. You cant pay for your records request online, so to avoid going back to the courthouse to pick up your documents, you must include a blank check with the request, and a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Walk-ins are no longer permitted during COVID. To view a docket, you must first submit your request in writing, by either snail mail or a trip to the courthouse. Then, in a time frame that varies and can take up to a week, somebody from the records division calls you, and you make an appointment to come in to view the docket. At your appointment, you have only 30 minutes to look at the docket that can be hundreds of pages long. After that, you will be kicked out, even though relatively few people appear to make these appointments each day. If you want to know what happened at specific hearings, you will need to either pay for a court reporter transcript, which costs about $30-$50 per hearing, or you will need to pay $25 and head back to court to pick up ... a CD-ROM. The last time Apple made a Mac with a CD-ROM drive was 2012, nearly 10 years ago. I couldnt find a computer with a CD-ROM drive, so I had to borrow a friends old car to play the CD-ROM. Journalists like me arent the only ones who need easy access to records. Crime victims and people who are accused of crimes, many of whom have inflexible jobs, or dont have a car, or dont have money to request expensive CD-ROMs, need them, too. This equity problem is especially bad in criminal court because crime too often targets the poor. The terrible criminal court records user experience even extends to the courts public relations. When I emailed to ask when reporters would be able to walk in to request dockets, public relations officer Ken Garcia emailed me back: Its a ridiculous question to ask right now. I was only a journalist for 35 years, but I think anyone should know better given the circumstances. I replied that if COVID safety were truly a priority, the court should consider conducting its business online, rather than requiring that I return paper documents. He never responded to my email. That wont cut it. San Francisco voters have consistently demanded criminal justice reform at the ballot box. To determine if this voter will is being met, we need transparency. Having open courtrooms is not enough. Our court needs to bring its records request system out of the dark age. Anna Tong is a freelance reporter. There is nothing glamorous about 620 Folsom St., a 99-year-old building in what once was the industrial boondocks of downtown San Francisco. The squat three-story brick box was built for a candy manufacturer on the block between Hawthorne and Second streets, around the corner from what then was skid row. It was converted to offices in the 1980s. The most recent historic survey deemed it not ... especially significant. And not long after 620 Folsom turns 100 years old, the tree-shrouded relic could be demolished to make way for 58 stories of housing that would climb 240 feet above what zoning now allows. Welcome to the arcane world of housing density bonuses a state program that developers and their attorneys are putting to ever-more-blunt use in San Francisco. The program is a tool that makes total sense, given decades of overzealous and often cynical efforts by local governments to control growth out of existence. But theres also a real danger that in some cases it could undermine genuine planning efforts to encourage large-scale development that also fits its surroundings. S.F. Planning Department As brazen as 620 Folsoms zoning sleight-of-hand might sound, seeking to almost double the 320-foot height limit that now covers the block, its not even the most extreme example of proposed extrapolation. Since the application was filed with the citys Planning Department late last month, another developer filed a bid to build an 818-foot apartment tower at 50 Main St., land that is zoned to allow a 400-foot building. Not a bad payoff especially considering that the density bonus only allows projects to grow by 50%. These two projects show how something that seems straightforward can be altered in unexpected ways. Lets say a building is proposed on a block with a 100-foot height limit, on a site with 10,000 square feet of buildable land. That means a new 10-story structure could contain roughly 100,000 square feet of space. However, the current state density bonus says that if a proposed apartment building sets aside 15% of its units for residents making no more than 50% of a regions median income, the project can grow by 50% in terms of the total square feet. So if the developer submits a proposal for this base amount that exceeds this state affordability level, the project would qualify for another 50,000 square feet. Only build on half of the footprint, and the result could be a 20-story tower. Amy Osborne/Special to The Chronicle Complicated? Yes. And Im leaving out aspects like the triggers for different income levels, or for condominiums instead of apartments. For San Francisco, theres another wrinkle. That 15% state requirement would be instead of not in addition to the citys current housing rules, which say large housing projects must include large numbers of affordable units, with 12% of them classified as very low income. In other words, toss a handful of additional affordable units into the San Francisco mix, and you qualify for a whole bunch more square footage. Jackpot! Thats basically whats going on with the two recently proposed towers. In each case, their base proposal supposedly includes just enough affordability to trigger the state bonus which allows them to build hundreds of thousands of extra square feet filled with apartments that would be fully market-rate. The developers can then shape the building in ways that allow for much taller towers. The big deal with the bonus is that you can take a code compliant mass and increase it by 50%, in the succinct words of Paul Paradis, senior managing director of the San Francisco office of Hines, the developer that owns 50 Main. Amy Osborne/Special to The Chronicle I say supposedly because whenever a developer applies to use the density bonus, city planners review the plans to make sure that the base square footage is legitimate. In neighborhoods where light-industrial space is required at the bottom of large new buildings, for instance, the city tweaked its rules to state specifically that this meant the ground floor of a housing project not the basement. But once the formulas are agreed upon, planners dont have much discretion in terms of tweaking the shape or design of a building. 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. The state has crafted this in a way that we dont have a ton of levers, said Rich Hillis, San Franciscos planning director. Downtown, this can mean proposals that blow through the height limits weve established. Thats not necessarily a bad thing one generations phobia of excessive heights is another generations openness to vertical drama. In the case of 50 Main, the idea of a relatively slender high-rise jabbing up from the Market Street thicket could jazz up the skyline as well as provide housing that San Francisco needs. Also, the tower is part of a larger project that would add a variety of public spaces to the block bounded by Main, Mission, Beale and Market streets. And the top-down pressure from the state is understandable. Too many prosperous California cities for decades have tightened limits because of exclusionary concerns over neighborhood character and the like. This cut down the housing supply, which drove up prices even more which then makes vocal self-righteous residents all the more determined to lock everything in place around their obscenely expensive domain. Its a vicious cycle. But the reason that 620 Folsom and the block around it are now desirable is because San Francisco has upzoned nearby neighborhoods as a way to, yes, build more housing. Thats why you see residential towers on Rincon Hill, and Folsom Street high-rises closer to the Embarcadero. Those areas were planned carefully to allow dramatic urban growth that also makes sense as an extension of the downtown skyline. With 620 Folsom, by contrast, thered be a tower filled with apartments in a setting that still feels remote. The views for residents would be great. The impact for the rest of us could stick out like a big sore thumb. John King is The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron Popular San Francisco taqueria El Farolito was blocked from opening a new North Beach location by the San Francisco Planning Department, which enforces a ban on "formula retail." The city's planning code defines "formula retail" as businesses with 11 or more locations and standardized branding. Those businesses are prohibited from opening new locations in designated Neighborhood Commercial Districts (NCDs), such as North Beach. El Farolito currently has 12 locations across the Bay Area. Given the codes prohibition of formula retail uses in North Beach, this new El Farolito would not be allowed, San Francisco Planning Department Chief of Staff Dan Sider wrote in an email to The San Francisco Chronicle (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another). Some San Francisco residents weren't thrilled by the news, nor was one elected official. The San Francisco Examiner's editorial board wrote, "The Planning Departments decision may reflect the letter of the law, but it clearly does not reflect the spirit of San Francisco," while District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney tweeted, "Let's change this law. El Farolito and Starbucks shouldn't be treated the same." The law banning formula retail was first introduced in 2004, when the city sought to to limit the number of locations owned by brands such as Starbucks and McDonalds in an attempt to protect small businesses. The retail formula ban has been modified several times through 2014, and an expansion of the regulations even faced the city's voters via ballot measure in 2006. At the time, 55% of voters approved of an expansion of the ban that requires Planning Commission hearings for approval of any "conditional use authorizations" granted to formula retail. By 2014 the last time the rule was modified the ban had been expanded to additional NCDs and extended to banks and other firms with more than 11 locations and standardized branding. While no changes have been made to the ban since 2014, some big brands have been able to obtain exemptions. For instance, in 2019, the city's board of supervisors voted to grant Trader Joe's an exemption to open a new Hayes Valley location. Hayes Valley is a thriving shopping district, but people forget that the median household income on the north side of Fulton is $24,041, and over one-third of the residents that live there live below the poverty line, Supervisor Vallie Brown said when explaining her vote. Its important to bring in a grocery store thats affordable and offers fresh, organic food. To this point, Haney is the only supervisor who has expressed interest in once again modifying the law in light of the El Farolito situation. WESTMINSTER, Calif. (AP) A former Southern California pastor was sentenced Friday to 14 years in federal prison for masterminding a church-based investment scheme that bilked hundreds of victims of more than $33 million. The former pastor of the Westminster-based Church for the Healthy Self, Kent R.E. Whitney, was ordered to pay more than $22 million in restitution. He pleaded guilty last year to mail fraud and filing a false federal income tax return. The Securities and Exchange Commission says Whitney and his co-pastor allegedly targeted the Vietnamese community in a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme. Whitney founded the church and operated it out of an Orange County strip mall . The church did not appear to have a sanctuary, according to the Los Angeles Times. Mr. Whitney, upon being notified of the investigation, immediately settled with the SEC, cooperated with the U.S. Attorneys office, and accepted responsibility and entered a guilty plea," his attorney, Kenneth White, wrote in an email Friday. "His focus is now on his family. Attempts to reach other church members were unsuccessful. Whitney defrauded his investors between September 2014 and April 2019, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles. He directed church representatives to solicit investments on television, as well as at seminars, where they made false or misleading claims. Although few investors' dollars were actually put into trading accounts, Whitney had monthly statements sent to victims that included false reports of returns. Whitney also filed a false federal income tax return, according to prosecutors. He formed the Church for the Healthy Self following his release from prison on a federal conviction for defrauding investors in a commodities scheme, the LA Times reported. UPDATE Saturday, 7:48 p.m.: The Fawn Fire has consumed 8,446 acres, with containment now at 25%, according to Cal Fire's update Saturday evening. With 1,886 personnel fighting the blaze that was allegedly started by a Palo Alto woman, 131 structures have been destroyed so far. Saturday, 8:19 a.m. A weekend forecast with cooler temperatures and shifting winds is expected to help firefighters contain a Northern California wildfire 225 miles north of San Francisco that has destroyed 100 structures as it tears through a parched, drought-stricken landscape. The Fawn Fire, first reported Wednesday near the community of Mountain Gate just north of Redding, was 7,544 acres Saturday morning with 10% containment, Cal Fire said. Authorities arrested a 30-year-old Palo Alto woman Thursday on suspicion of starting the blaze. Alexandra Souverneva was charged Friday with felony arson to wildland with an enhancement due to the declared state of emergency California is under, Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett said at a Friday press conference. Some 5,200 people have been evacuated due to the blaze, the California Office of Emergency Services reported. Ethan Swope/AP The number of destroyed structures is likely to go up as damage inspection teams hit the ground Saturday to conduct assessments. Cal Fire said 9,000 structures continue to be threatened by the fire. Photos and video showed some homes blazing but the number of residences lost was not known. The fire started at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday five miles northeast of the town of Shasta Lake and grew explosively in hot and gusty weather Thursday, triggering a flurry of evacuations. "I would call it extreme," Cal Fire spokesperson Robert Foxworthy said at 1:30 p.m. North northeast winds on Friday night shifted to south southwest winds and will be in firefighters' favor, Cal Fire said. Temperatures in the 80s are likely to slowly drop into the 70s over the next several days as a cooling-off period comes, officials said. Rain is in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday. Workers at a quarry reported seeing a woman acting strangely and trespassing on Wednesday. Cal Fire said Souverneva later walked out of the brush near the fire line, approached firefighters and told them she was dehydrated and needed medical help. During an interview with Cal Fire and law enforcement, officers came to believe Souverneva was responsible for setting the fire, officials said. She was booked into the Shasta County Jail. It wasnt immediately known if she has an attorney. Souverneva had a lighter in her pocket when she approached firefighters, the district attorney reported. Souverneva is also being investigated for starting other fires in Shasta County and throughout the state, Bridgett said. Ethan Swope/AP The Fawn Fire is the latest destructive fire to send Californians fleeing this year. Fires have burned more than 3,600 square miles so far in 2021, destroying more than 3,200 homes, commercial properties and other structures. Those fires include two big forest blazes growing in the heart of Californias giant sequoia country on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. 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 story. Peter Unger/Getty Images One of Hawaiis most significant and sacred coastlines, the Pololu Valley, has been the focal point of debate this year. Now, a grassroots movement has emerged to protect the beloved valley. A proposed development deal, between a local real estate corporation and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, planned to consolidate land on the valley floor in exchange for a 13-lot subdivision along the valley ridge and a 5-acre parking lot to accommodate the areas massive influx of visitors. Residents, particularly from the Native Hawaiian community, were opposed to the project. The outcry led to a viral petition, online rallies, and protests from local students, who galvanized the community to step up. The Kohala Kuleana movement aims to delegate power back to the community, return the kamaaina (children of the land) to the aina of their kupuna (land of their elders), and to spread understanding of responsibilities to their places. It arose after the descendant families in Pololu and neighboring villages gathered to discuss what to do about the development plans. It was then that community members decided they also needed to find better solutions to manage the valleys problems with overtourism. When we saw [the youth] going out and being brave at their age, speaking up for the valley, we all just said, we got to back these guys up, we cannot let them hang out there on their own, said Lehua AhSam, who is part of the community protecting Pololu. The valley has long lacked proper management from the state because of a lack of resources. Now, with funding from the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the group is working in collaboration with conservation organization Kupu and Na Ala Hele Trails and Access on a community-led stewardship pilot program operated by those whose families have been there for generations. Any time we can move resources to empower community, I think that that's the way to go, said Kalani Kaanaana, HTAs new chief brand officer. He added that hiring people in the Pololu community to interpret and protect the place allows residents to feel some ownership. They know whats best; they know [the area] like the back of their hand, they understand the issues, they know the history and it puts them in the best position to manage these places. After the state hit a record of more than 10 million tourists in 2019, HTA spent the last year pivoting from largely focusing on marketing to coming up with a sustainable and regenerative tourism plan, prioritizing Native Hawaiian culture, community and the environment. Pololu is one of five high-impact sites HTA is funding with this kind of program. Prior to HTAs funding, AhSam said that the valleys families reached out to Jackson Bauer at Na Ala Hele, part of the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, to voice their concerns about overtourism and to ask for better signage to promote education, along with the hiring of a steward to help manage the area. Visitor numbers to Pololu have spiked in recent years, as its views and hiking trails are popular on social media. This popularity has had a detrimental impact; the valley has since suffered from trail erosion, visitors not packing out their garbage and safety hazards due to overcrowding, as well as lack of preparation for the rigors of the hikes or trail conditions. And when it rains, flash floods have been a persistent issue, leading to many rescue operations; the most recent involved nine hikers flown out by helicopter in January. Pololu also contains significant cultural sites, including ancestral burial mounds protected by conservation zoning and located on private property. Visitors have consistently gone off trail in those areas, Kohala Kuleanas website notes, and even ventured to parts of the third valley, including to private property partly belonging to kuleana landowners. These are parcels granted to Native Hawaiian tenant farmers in the 19th century and passed down through generations. After meeting with the families, Na Ala Hele's Bauer went to HTA, where he was granted both funding for the signs and the ability to partner with Kupu in hiring land stewards. If you take the long view, this [program] isnt really new, said Kawika Riley, senior director of external affairs at Kupu. This is a renewal, because this is consistent with the mindset and the practices by which Hawaiis resources have been managed for the vast majority of our history. Before occupation, when land ownership didnt exist, Hawaiians lived sustainably in land divisions called ahupuaa, which stretched from the highlands to the sea, each containing the resources the community needed. In stewardship program, a community empowered Taking in the dizzying view above San Francisco from the northwest windows of the Top of the Mark, its hard to believe that very corner is laced with tragedy. Below, the red stone James C. Flood Mansion and Grace Cathedral watch over dog walkers in Huntington Park. Between the Russian Hill high-rises, the bays waters to Alcatraz and Angel Island peek through, and on to the Golden Gate Bridge and ocean beyond. Years ago, in place of tourists and business guests snapping the panoramic sight on their phones, loved ones would gather there to get one last glimpse of soldiers warships heading out to battle, earning the corner of the fabled bar the name Weepers' Corner. During World War II, San Francisco was the biggest port on the West Coast, and the recently opened Top of the Mark went from what Life magazine described as the exclusive night spot rendezvous for San Francisco cafe society to a Pacific-bound servicemans last port of call. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE A 1944 Time magazine story wrote that up to 30,000 soldiers and sailors came up the elevator every month for a final drink on American soil. Packed to the rafters, the swing band would play as couples danced. Servicemen toasted the Golden Gate believing it would bring them good luck, praying it wouldnt be their last martini. A lot of ships were shipping out from Treasure Island. Officers would leave a bottle for fellow squadron members for when they came back from their tour of duty, InterContinental Mark Hopkins hotel manager Jaap Boelens tells me over a dirty vodka martini. As so often is the case on the 19th floor, the view distracts us. Its iconic. It really is a very good looking city, he says. The sunset is different almost every time, with the fog rolling in. It feels timeless. The bottle ritual went something like this: Servicemen who returned from battle could claim a free bottle of bourbon from behind the bar. Once they signed a note and attached it, their squadron could drink from it for free if and when they also returned. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE The only catch was that the last officer to take a sip had to buy the next bottle. The tradition acted as an unofficial way to document those who returned from war, and to honor those who didnt. At that time, everyone was either going to Japan for the expected big battle, or they had just come back from a big battle like Iwo Jima or Okinawa, veteran T. J. Chapman told his grandson Boston Globe writer Keith Chapman. You were either drinking to celebrate that you hadnt been killed, or you were drinking to forget that you might. The Mark Hopkins Hotel was built on the footprint of its namesakes Victorian fairy castle of a home that was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. The hotel built in the railroad barons honor became a sensation in 1939 when owner George D. Smith chose to knock down all the walls in the penthouse suite on the 19th floor and turn it into a glass-walled cocktail lounge with 360 degree views of the city. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Seven decades after its time as a wartime icon, the hotel helped the city through more hard times as the luxury rooms filled with first responders during the early depths of the coronavirus pandemic. It was interesting. Id never closed a hotel before, Boelens says. It was high stress, high anxiety. There was a lot of uncertainty in the world. It got very quiet on the streets. We didnt know how long it was going to last. The contract with the city saw Muni drivers, police, firefighters and hospital workers with commutes use the hotel when BART service was cut in half. We had a lot of nurses from S.F. General. Anyone who had a long commute stayed with us. It didnt feel like a hotel, it felt like a small apartment building. You got to know the people very well. We gave them to-go bags for dinner. The hotel reopened to tourists in August 2020 but was forced to shutter again in January after travel restrictions saw occupancy rates drop to single digits. The bar is now open, though the regular pianist, band nights and Sunday brunch are still on hold. Boelens says his goal is to restart Sunday brunch by Fleet Week in October, so guests can get a sky-high view of the Blue Angels. Im looking forward to bringing that all back, Boelens says. It brings a lot of life. As we talk, waiter Jose Cervano brings us drinks and napkins with a smile. Cervano has been serving patrons on the 19th floor since 1975. The staff is ready, theyre happy to be back, Boelens says. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE The best way to visit the Mark is maybe before sunset, after a stroll around Huntington Square. The historic block and the bar seem to be of a pair, and of a different time. Once the site of the robber barons wedding-cake mansions that crumbled in 1906 (save for the Flood Mansion, which somehow survived the fire), the place is now a tranquil oasis right on top of the bustling city. A good starting point is Grace Cathedrals gilded Doors of Paradise. Down the steps the diocese marks the former spot of a 40-foot-tall "spite fence" built by a furious Charles Crocker. Huntington Park fills the footprint once occupied by the mansion of another railroad magnate, Collis Huntington, and is centered around the curious fountain of the turtles. The Brocklebank Apartments on the corner of Mason and Sacramento may be most recognizable as where James Stewart started his agonizingly slow car chase in Vertigo, and also once housed San Francisco columnist Herb Caen. The fortress-like James C. Flood Mansion, now the headquarters of maybe the most elite club in California, the Pacific-Union Club, sits across from the flags of the Fairmont Hotel where Tony Bennett first sang I Left My Heart in San Francisco (and more recently famous for Sean Connery throwing an FBI agent from the roof in The Rock). From there, across the cable car tracks of California Street, is the Top of the Mark elevator. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE You can be on the hill and fully entertain yourself for a whole day, Boelens says. Many other places in San Francisco have been around for as long, but theyre not on top of Nob Hill. Its untouched up here. The bar is still frequented by those in uniform today, among a mishmash of tourists and guests on business. And no bar in San Francisco, or maybe anywhere, can count as many famous visitors. Boelens tells me that over the years everyone from Elvis Presley to Michael Jackson to Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama have taken in the view. Until the 90s the windows circled the entire room with an old circular bar in the middle. The bar was moved to the corner so the central space could be used for dancing and banquet events, meaning the Pine Street facing wall is now windowless. We still want to say its 360, Boelens laughs. If you put your face against the glass. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE On my way back to the elevator, host Brian Hamilton ushers me toward the glass cabinet containing the squadron bottles, and tells me the wartime tradition is still going strong. One recent note on a bottle of gin from a veteran honors those who died in the Kabul terror attack in August. Hamilton unlocks the case and hands me a green bottle with a note on it. An older gentleman asked to add this to our collection last week, he says. He wasnt a war vet, but he survived the Holocaust. Hes nearly 100. The combination of heartache and good cheer on the handwritten note epitomize the timeless draw of the bar. As a holocaust survivor I am so grateful to to all the service men and women who served during World War 2. Enjoy this bottle of tequila. DUNMORE, Pa. (AP) Four teenagers have been charged with a plot to attack a Pennsylvania high school in 2024, on the 25th anniversary of the massacre at Colorado's Columbine High School, authorities said. A 15-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy are charged as adults and two other teenagers face juvenile charges in the plan to attack Dunmore High School, outside Scranton, on April 20, 2024, authorities said. Investigators said the girl's mother told police that her daughter was obsessed with Columbine," The Times-Tribune reported Friday. While the investigation is ongoing, I want to assure the parents, students and staff at Dunmore High School that we do not believe there is any active threat at this time, District Attorney Mark Powell said in a statement. We are relieved that this plot was uncovered before anyone was hurt and urge anyone who has information about potential threats of school violence to contact police immediately. A Molotov cocktail, components for bombs, writings on how to make bombs, and handwritten lists of guns, ammunition and tactical gear complete with prices were found at the girl's home, investigators said in a criminal complaint. The Times-Tribune reported that the girls mother and defense attorney Corey Eagen declined to comment, while the other teen charged as an adult had no lawyer during Fridays arraignment. Powell declined to comment on the juvenile charges. The mother of one of the teens charged as a juvenile discovered text messages on her child's cellphone July 6 in which a group discussed plans to shoot up the school," investigators said in the complaint. The teen told investigators that he thought it was bluster until he saw 20 to 30 Molotov cocktails under the girl's porch. Dunmore schools Superintendent John Marichak told the newspaper he was appalled but relieved by the arrests. A statement on the districts website said authorities had assured officials that there was no current danger to students or staff. Principal Timothy Hopkins, who was one of the officials targeted, said he knows the two teens charged as adults and described them as quiet children who werent troublemakers. He said he had no idea why they would seek to harm him, other than his position as principal. Its a little bit disturbing to find out something like that was being plotted, he told the Times-Tribune. The two teens charged as adults were taken to the Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center following their Sept. 16 arraignment on weapons of mass destruction, terroristic threat, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and possession of explosive material charges. The girl is also charged with risking catastrophe because of the threat the explosive devices posed to family members and neighbors, police said. Preliminary hearings are scheduled Oct. 4. CONWAY, S.C. (AP) Less than two weeks ahead of the one-year anniversary of his death, Horry County Council members voted to pass a resolution to honor former Myrtle Beach police officer Jacob Hancher. Hancher, who was 23 when he was shot and killed by John Aycoth, died as he was responding to a domestic dispute at the corner of 14th Avenue and Yaupon Drive in Myrtle Beach on Oct. 3, 2020. The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) later determined that Hancher had shot and killed Aycoth, returning his fire, while other Myrtle Beach police officers who responded shot and killed Aycoth. No officers were charged with wrongdoing from the incdicent. Law enforcement officials from Myrtle Beach to Horry County to Columbia have since honored Hanchers death, calling it a sacrifice in the line of duty. Hancher was also inducted in the South Carolina Law Enforcement Hall of Fame on Wednesday. In its resolution honoring Hancher, which passed unanimously, county officials wrote that Hancher, personified the values of courage, professionalism, and service to community for which Horry County is eternally grateful. A portion of River Oaks Drive in the Carolina Forest area will be renamed to honor Hancher, County Council member Dennis DiSabato said. Hancher had worked with the Myrtle Beach Police Department for four years at the time of his death, first as a Community Service Officer and later as a police officer. Hancher also served for four years as a volunteer firefighter with Horry County Fire Rescue. At the councils Tuesday night meeting, DiSabato and Hanchers mother, Suzanne Williams, gave brief remarks to honor Hancher. DiSabato had a list of thank-yous. I want to thank Jacob Hancher and his family for the ultimate sacrifice they made and for the service theyve given to our community, he said. I want to thank all people in uniform, both police and fire, both in the county and in all of the municipalities...I want to thank the police officers from Myrtle Beach that had to come tonight to show their respects and honor their fallen officer. DiSabato added: And most of all I want to thank Jacobs mother for being here to day with us to memorialize his ultimate sacrifice. Williams said she was grateful to Horry County leaders for honoring her son. I just wanted to pay my respects to council and tell you thank you for all that you have done to keep my sons memory alive, she said. And thank you to these fine officers and public safety officials in both fire and police who do so much to keep our community safe. Williams added: As a mother of a peace officer and a firefighter, thank you beyond words for everything that you all do, so thank you. Hancher has been honored by Myrtle Beach police in the past and his name has been etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. After a public funeral service in Myrtle Beach last year, Hancher was buried in his hometown of Waldorf, Maryland. On the night Hancher died, he had responded to a call about a domestic disturbance in Myrtle Beach. Aycoths then girlfriend had broken up with him and forced him to move out of their shared apartment when Aycoth became agitated, SLED said in a report issued in February. A friend of Aycoths ex-girlfriend called police, and Aycoth said he would shoot any police who arrived. Aycoth had been known to have mental health issues and owned several guns, according to SLEDs report. As Hancher arrived to respond to the 911 call, Aycoth began shooting, according to dash cam footage released by police as well as the SLED report. Both men ended up dead. After Tuesdays meeting, Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner echoed the sentiment that Hancher had given the ultimate sacrifice. I was in the Army myself, my father was in the Army, service is the ultimate sacrifice and we feel for his family, Gardner said. He was not only a police officer but he worked for the county in the fire department as a volunteer and our heart goes out, and has, from the beginning to today. Hancher will be further honored at a memorial event on Oct. 3. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) A city planning commission in Alabama's capital city has unanimously passed a recommendation to rename one of its streets for a civil rights lawyer. The recommendation to rename Jeff Davis Avenue to Fred D. Gray Avenue was passed Thursday during a City of Montgomery Planning Commission meeting, WSFA-TV reported. COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) The Coeur dAlene School Districts Board of Trustees canceled a special meeting on Friday to consider a temporary COVID-19 mask mandate after protesters swarmed the building. The crowd gathered outside of the Midtown Center Meeting Room at 1 p.m., KREM-TV reported. The meeting agenda included a reopening plan for the 2021-2022 school year, including masking and quarantine. Earlier this month the board adopted a plan that strongly recommends masks be worn in schools. The school district has seen hundreds of positive COVID-19 cases since the first day of school Sept. 7. The meeting was postponed officials said for safety reasons after the crowd banged on doors and shouted at police. A video tweeted a reporter for KREM shows a large group of people standing outside of the meeting room chanting, No more masks. Estimated at up to 200 people, the group then moved to the districts administrative center, which was placed on lockdown for safety precautions. Many protesters said school board members should be fired for refusing to hold the meeting. Idahos coronavirus numbers have continued to surge, leading to record-high hospitalization rates. And the states coronavirus vaccination rates remain among the lowest in the nation, with only about 51% of eligible residents fully vaccinated. The coronavirus mainly spreads through droplets that are emitted when people talk, shout, cough and sneeze. Masks lower the likelihood of those droplets reaching other people. A group hired by Trump-friendly Republicans to examine the results of the 2020 election in Arizonas largest county spun falsehoods about deleted data, double voting and other malfeasance in a report that ignored basic facts about how elections are run. The report released Friday by the Cyber Ninjas, the firm hired by Republican lawmakers in Arizona to look for 2020 election fraud, came up with nothing that throws the election won by President Joe Biden into legitimate question. Instead it tried to paint routine election practices in Maricopa County as errors, irregularities or sinister efforts to deny Donald Trump another term. Even with its skewed analysis, the report actually came up with more votes for Biden than he was certified to have won in the county last year. Here's a look at some of the claims by Doug Logan, CEO of Cyber Ninjas, in a hearing to present its report on Friday: LOGAN, claiming election results were deleted from Maricopa Countys election management system: So some individual went into an application, and they chose specifically to run something that would clear all records in the system that was used to generate the official results, the day before an audit started. THE FACTS: No, the data never disappeared; it was just moved. Maricopa County officials made copies of the data and archived it before removing it from the election management system. We have backups for all Nov. data & those archives were never subpoenaed, the county said in a statement on Twitter. County officials said data cannot be stored indefinitely on the election management system. Cyber Ninjas dont understand the business of elections," the county said. We cant keep everything on the EMS server because it has storage limits. ___ LOGAN: 23,344 people voted when they should no longer have access, or would not normally have access" to voting in Maricopa County because they have moved. THE FACTS: No, thats not what happened. Logan reviewed the names of voters against a commercial database of addresses, not a database of voters. He found that 23,344 reported moving before ballots went out in October. While the review suggests something improper, election officials note that voters such as college students, those who own vacation homes and military members, can move to temporary locations while still legally voting at the address where they are registered. A competent reviewer of an election would not make a claim like that, said Trey Grayson, a former Republican secretary of state in Kentucky. ___ LOGAN: There were 9,041 mail-in voters who were mailed one ballot but somehow two ballots were received, which I do not know how you would have one ballot sent and two received." THE FACTS: This isn't unusual, and it's not a sign of wrongdoing. The file Logan consulted, known as EV33, shows two returned ballot entries whenever a voter's mail-in ballot has a signature discrepancy that gets fixed. When a voter mails in a ballot with a blank or mismatched signature, election officials contact the voter. If the discrepancy is resolved, they enter a second record in the EV33 file, election officials said. "The appropriate conclusion to draw from this finding is that the early voting team was performing their statutory-required responsibility by reviewing signatures on all returned mail-in ballots," Maricopa County tweeted in response to Logan's claim. ___ Associated Press writers Jude Joffe-Block in Phoenix and Cal Woodward in Washington contributed to this report. ___ EDITOR'S NOTE A look at the veracity of claims by political figures. ___ Find AP Fact Checks at http://apnews.com/APFactCheck Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) At least 16 people in eastern Iowa were charged with gun crimes after a two-day sweep by federal authorities this week. Grand juries met Wednesday through Friday in the U.S. District Court for Northern Iowa and issued the indictments, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported. MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) A beverage can company has started work on a new factory in eastern Indiana where it expects to produce about 3.6 billion cans a year. A groundbreaking ceremony was held this past week for the new aluminum can factory in Muncie that will be operated by Canpack, a subsidiary of the Polish company Giorgi Global. The factory is expected to ultimately employ about 340 people, according to the company. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) A Brandon man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a woman. The Argus Leader reports Jeffrey Eitreim was sentenced on Friday, after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide and vehicle battery on Aug. 30. A retired Connecticut physician and surgeon had her license suspended Friday by a state medical board for allegedly providing people she had not treated with blank vaccine, mask-wearing and other exemption forms, so long as they sent her a self-addressed stamped envelope in the mail requesting the paperwork. The state Department of Public Health said it received an anonymous tip in July about Dr. Sue Mcintosh of Durham sending people fraudulent exemption forms. After an investigation, DPH called on the Connecticut Medical Examining Board to hold Friday's emergency hearing and summarily suspend the doctor, saying she poses a clear and immediate danger to public health and safety. The panel voted unanimously in favor of the suspension. A full hearing on the merits of the case is scheduled for Oct. 5. A message was left seeking comment with Mcintosh. State officials allege Mcintosh provided an unknown number of blank, signed forms exempting people from the COVID-19 and other vaccines, as well as mandatory mask-wearing and routine invasive COVID testing. The Department of Public Health obtained a packet of the bogus forms after a state investigator sent a request to Mcintosh. In a letter titled Instructions for Medical Exemptions, Mcintosh said the recipients may copy and distribute as many forms as you wish to anyone. She advised them to keep blank copies for yourself for future use and to fill in the name and date in black ink. She also provided blank forms that stated whoever filled them out had a history of anaphylaxis to polyethylene glycol and cannot be vaccinated for COVID-19 or was highly allergic to aluminum and mercury and cannot be vaccinated for any vaccine in general. Mcintosh, who wrote that she does not provide personalized exemptions, signed the instruction letter with, Let freedom ring! Other blank forms that DPH obtained exempted people from COVID testing and the wearing of face masks. These actions by Dr. Mcintosh are irresponsible and unacceptable, Dr. Manisha Juthani, the state's public health commissioner, said in a written statement. "Her practice of medicine represents a clear and immediate danger to the public health and safety of our communities. The suspension of her license should serve as a warning to other practitioners that this conduct deviates from the standard of care and is subject to serious discipline. The commissioner said any signed, blank exemption forms from Mcintosh are invalid. According to the state's public health department, Mcintosh is a 1969 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and was issued a Connecticut surgeon and physician license in 1971. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics with subspecialty in Hematology-Oncology. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) The driver of a Pierce County prisoner transport van involved in a fatal crash last month has been charged with misdemeanor reckless endangerment. Court documents allege 58-year-old Geraldine Miller, of Towner, drove through a controlled intersection disregarding cross traffic on a high speed road which caused a crash to occur. New York City schools have been temporarily blocked from enforcing a vaccine mandate for its teachers and other workers by a federal appeals judge just days before it was to take effect. Workers in the nations largest school system were to be required to show vaccination proof starting Monday. But late Friday, a judge for the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a temporary injunction sought by a group of teachers pending review by a three-judge panel, which will take up the motion Wednesday. Department of Education spokesperson Danielle Filson said officials were seeking a speedy resolution in court. Were confident our vaccine mandate will continue to be upheld once all the facts have been presented, because that is the level of protection our students and staff deserve, Filson said in an email. The New York Post reported that the department sent an email to principals Saturday morning saying they should continue to prepare for the possibility that the vaccine mandate will go into effect later in the week. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced in August that about 148,000 school employees would have to get at least a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination by Sept. 27. The policy covers teachers, along with other staffers, such as custodians and cafeteria workers. It's the first no-test-option vaccination mandate for a broad group of city workers in the nations most populous city. And it mirrors a similar statewide mandate for hospital and nursing home workers set to go into effect Monday. As of Friday, 82% of department employees have been vaccinated, including 88% of teachers. Even though most school workers have been vaccinated, unions representing New York City principals and teachers warned that could still leave the 1 million-student school system short of as many as 10,000 teachers, along with other staffers. De Blasio has resisted calls to delay the mandate, insisting the city was ready. Weve been planning all along. We have a lot of substitutes ready, the Democrat said in a radio interview on Friday. A lot is going to happen between now and Monday but beyond that, we are ready, even to the tune of, if we need thousands, we have thousands. ATHENS, Ga. (AP) Flora Harlow has become used to change. Over the last several years she has been in and out of permanent housing, at times working while being homeless. Today she lives with others in a small encampment colloquially called Cooterville by some. The tight-knit community nestled in the trees off of Willow Street and under CSX train tracks has evolved over the years, according to Harlow. But the encampment is scheduled to be cleared by Nov. 12, and while a new, government-sanctioned encampment may be up and running shortly after, some still remain skeptical of its benefits. And many have yet to find a better alternative. Harlow, who goes by Flo, said shes sure some in the homeless community will choose to move into the sanctioned encampment. But for the people who kind of rely on this place it may not be good, she said. Cooterville has become a commune-like space for those who live there. When a person stops by to announce a church is giving out food and soft drinks at Bigger Vision, another camper reminds others they plan to cook dinner that night, and all were welcome to join. As Harlow sits along a fallen tree, Tink, a campers dog, jumps up to join the conversation. Everyone is familiar with Tink, considering her as much as part of the extended family as any other camper. She demands attention, Harlow joked. Since its founding, Cooterville has grown to encompass a community that largely regulates itself. Harlow said around 8 or 9 people permanently live in the camp today, but numbers have grown to 15 at times. Before we let somebody move in well all talk about it and either agree or disagree, she said. You cant just come in and do whatever you want whenever you want. The encampment is also a space for those who may not permanently live there, but have created close ties with those who do. And people who have gone on to move into apartments sometimes return to see everyone, according to Harlow. Anybody needs a place they come here, she said. If they dont feel safe they come here. One iron-clad rule is that those who are caught stealing are promptly kicked out of the camp, she said. They also ban those who fight because it draws attention. While the encampment is called Cooterville by some, Harlow said the real Cooterville was actually further up the hill away from the main road. The man who originally built it over a decade ago was called Cooter and infamously had raccoons for pets, she said. The encampment was eventually pushed further down the hill due to some campers stealing on CSX property, Harlow said. Since being pushed closer to the road the encampment has drawn more attention, and not all of it has been good. A spokesperson for CSX Transportation said the company had received multiple complaints about the camp from local landowners. A deadline of Sept. 5 was originally imposed for the campers to move by but it was pushed back to November. The delay came after city police notified CSX a government-sanctioned encampment was in the works that could provide an alternative, according to City Manager Blaine Williams. My understanding, I wasnt part of the conversations, is that CSX agreed to extend that time to try and bridge it closer to when the sanctioned homeless encampment will be up and running, he said. The city currently is looking for an organization to head the encampment, which will determine what it eventually looks like. But Williams said CSX has been collaborating with police and local officials to accommodate the campers on the property. By their right, they could have the police remove them, he said. So I want to give credit to CSX for trying to work with the community on this. In Cooterville many have questions about what this encampment will look like and who will be involved. Some have expressed feeling left in the dark about the entirety of the process, not entirely sure if they will even be secured a spot in the camp. The campers each have their own personal journeys that led to Cooterville. And for some, they said their time out there has led to skepticism when it comes to receiving help. For Harlow, the journey to Athens came after she moved in and started taking care of her mother who had Alzheimers and dementia several years ago. When her mother died she found out her stepfather took out additional mortgages on the home, which was eventually foreclosed. Out on the streets, she met her uncle who already had experience living homeless in Athens. He was the one who taught me how to hustle out here, Harlow said. He passed away a couple of months after my mom. I went from staying with her and taking care of her, to coming out here and him trying to teach me how to be homeless. Over a year ago she worked at a Family Dollar near the encampment. Harlow said a manager for the store was willing to work with her because she worked hard, but when he eventually left the store a new manager pushed her out upon finding out her living situation. Her first sentence she said to me was, In Madison county homeless people dont even come in my parking lot, she recalled. I was fired within a week. After the encampment was moved closer to the road earlier in the year, campers said people started dumping their garbage on them. We have people who come by in cars and put their trash at the foot of our camp, Harlow said. Theyll just stop and drop stuff... I mean just trash, and it makes us look bad. Barrett Smith, who doesnt live in the encampment but often spends time there, shared similar sentiments. People dump their trash on us under the guise of donations, he said. The streets get littered, but I try to come out here on the weekends and clean up some of the litter. Smith bartended around Athens for a decade working at places like Manhattan Cafe and Flicker Theatre & Bar. But when the pandemic struck he was left without a job and soon fell behind on rent. My last shift was on St. Patricks Day last year, Smith recalled. After bouncing around the southeast he arrived back in Athens in April. He said since returning hes seen the homeless population explode. Before COVID you didnt see tents like this, he said. Smith said while he wasnt keen on the idea of the government-sanctioned encampment, it was a move in the right direction. But many dealing with trauma may choose to take to the streets because its an easier way to live, he said. With a life of abuse its kind of easier to navigate this area, Smith said. However, Smith, and others, all shared that there are real dangers with being homeless, especially at night. Its shocking some of the things that go on, he said. And when the body of a woman known to those in the camp was found in North Oconee River, rumors began to spread about what could have happened. It highlighted the real danger that comes with living without permanent housing. Harlow said there are serious attacks on women and men that often go unreported. But despite the danger, for some the sense of community provided by the encampment has been a help. Around the encampment, Harlow is known as something like a mother figure. Ensuring people take their medication while trying to maintain a stable living environment. Shes often assisted by Kat Ryan-Butts, a camper whos been in Cooterville since 2019. Me and Flo are like the queens, Ryan-Butts said. I call us the queens because everybody comes to us to fix problems. As the deadline approaches many are trying to figure what this will mean for them. Oscar Sutton, who has lived in Cooterville for a couple of months, said he had no plans to move to the government-sanctioned encampment. He said he was worried about placing so many random people from the homeless community together. Its going to be chaos, he said. Im not going to do it. If I have to stay out here Ill just find somewhere to stay, but Im not going to do it. Upon finding his tent and belongings in it burned down one day, he migrated to Cooterville where a friend already lived. The only place I knew I could come and set up something was next to him, Sutton said. He said people generally got along in Cooterville, and while he understood people had to leave the property hell choose his own solution. Sutton said hes since applied to work at the chicken plant in the city and is hopeful he can land the job before the deadline. If I get there my whole situation is going to change, he said. Im going back to an apartment. With uncertainty on who is running the camp, what it will look like, or if they will even get in, others are similarly looking for alternatives. Harlow currently has no plans to move to the government-sanctioned encampment, but she said she was thankful the deadline was pushed back. Days before Sept. 5 her partner, Robbie Pierce, suffered a ruptured ulcer and was placed in the hospital. She said she was thankful for the additional time because without Pierce she was worried about having to secure and move their belongings alone. Pierce has since recovered and is looking for a new living space alongside Harlow. He said theyve even been in talks to possibly live on the property of an associate they know, where they wont face an immediate threat of being removed. Me and Flo, well be alright, Pierce said. Some of the other ones though I just dont know. AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) A probation officer for the federal court system in Georgia has pleaded guilty to creating false records while on the job. Court records show Enoch Eller Jr. of Augusta pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to making false statements. Prosecutors say 47-year-old Eller, a probation officer for the federal court in the Southern District of Georgia, falsely documented drug testing and other personal contacts with criminal defendants awaiting trial that he never performed. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) A nonprofit organization that documents the history of LGBTQ people in the South has been awarded a $600,000 grant for work in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. The Birmingham-based Invisible Histories Project, established in 2016, said it received the funding through The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The money will help the organization expand its collections, do more work in the community and increase access and diversity, the group said in a statement. MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) Violene Marseille, her husband and two children were on a bus heading north through central Mexico when they received messages warning them their destination on the U.S.-Mexico border was no longer a safe place to cross. Other Haitians already in Ciudad Acuna and Del Rio, Texas were telling them the U.S. was flying people back to Haiti. That Sunday, more than 320 people were sent Port-au-Prince on three flights. Stepping off their bus in the bustling station of the northern industrial and transportation hub of Monterrey, Marseille spotted Mexican immigration agents and hurried to the Casa INDI migrant shelter. A trip they had started more than two months earlier in Santiago, Chile was over for now, less than 140 miles (225 kilometers) from the U.S. border. As U.S. authorities moved out the last of the more than 14,000 migrants gathered beside a border bridge in Del Rio, thousands of other Haitians who were en route to the border from South America were realizing their time window to make it to the United States had closed. So now, as they have done before, they are looking to legalize their status in the countries they find themselves in, get work and wait until the next opportunity to once again head north. We spent $4,000, our entire savings, to make it to the United States, but now with what is happening in the United States, its better we stay here in Monterrey in Mexico, Marseille said. We want to work. Marseille arrived in Santiago, Chile in 2016 looking for better opportunities than she found in Haiti. Haiti has experienced a massive outward migration for more than a decade, set off initially by the devastating 2010 earthquake and followed by successive natural disasters, political turmoil and economic stagnation. Marseille legalized her status in Chile she still has legal residency and found a job with a cleaning company that worked in hospitals. She had been a hair stylist in Haiti and her husband John Telisma is a mason. In Chile, they settled in to work, save and raise their family, but eventually making it to the United States was the goal. A conservative government in Chile made them feel less secure and Marseille saw policy changes she thought could negatively impact them down the road even with their legal status. So in July, she decided it was time to resume the journey to the U.S. They set out on a voyage by plane, bus and foot that took them through 10 countries, following instructions shared by others via WhatsApp and Facebook. Like tens of thousands of other migrants this year, they hiked through the treacherous Darien Gap, a dense, lawless jungle that divides Colombia and Panama. On the trip they stole my wedding ring, Marseille said. I saw how they assaulted girls and women, it was horrible. The family Marseille, Telisma, a 3-year-old son born in Chile and an 8-year-old daughter born in Haiti was already well into Mexico, headed north from the capital, when the news from Del Rio forced a change of plans. We dont want to return to Haiti, theres no government there, Telisma said. He fills his days volunteering at the shelter, helping to unload food and other donations. We want papers, documents to be able to get a place to live here. Those papers could be long in coming. Mexicos refugee agency has been overwhelmed and is backlogged. So far this year, about 19,000 Haitian migrants have requested asylum in Mexico. The agencys director, Andres Ramirez said this week via Twitter that the number of Haitian applications through August this year was 56% above all those received from 2013 to 2020. He said hundreds had arrived this week to all of the agencys offices across Mexico. Mexico has been sending migrants from Ciudad Acuna to the southern city of Tapachula near the Guatemala border this week. The government has maintained what is a essentially a containment policy that seeks to keep asylum seekers in southern Mexico and away from the U.S. border. But it is Mexicos poorest region, there is little work and migrants have grown tired of waiting there. There were long lines of mostly Haitian migrants outside the refugee agencys offices in Mexico City this week. Marseilles family was among some 1,500 Haitians who have arrived at the shelter since Sunday. They have been told officials from the refugee agency will come to the shelter Monday to photograph applicants. Ana Estache, 43, who was travelling with her husband and two children, said she had even considered returning to Chile. I could go back if they dont give us papers here, my son is Chilean, she said. Still she said she had not let go of the dream of getting to the U.S. for a chance at a better life. Selomourd Menrrivil, 43, of Cap-Haitien, has continued receiving daily updates all week from other Haitians in Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna. He too arrived Sunday with his wife and two teen daughters. The bottom line: dont come now. So he too wants to legalize his status in Mexico. After living and working in Chile he managed to save $10,000, but he has spent it all to make it to Monterrey. Now we dont have hardly anything, we sold everything to make it here, Menrrivil said. The greatest wish I have to be able to be legally in a country with my family, find a job to survive. HONG KONG (AP) The Hong Kong group that had organized annual vigils in remembrance of victims of the Chinese militarys crushing of the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests voted to disband Saturday amid an ongoing crackdown on independent political activism in the semi-autonomous city. Police had notified the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China last month that it was under investigation for working for foreign interests, an accusation the group denied. While it called the probe an abuse of power, core members voted 41-4 at a meeting on Saturday to lay the 32-year-old group to rest. Tens of thousands of people had attended the annual vigil, until authorities banned it in 2020, citing anti-pandemic measures. Following the vote, alliance spokesperson Richard Choi said it wasn't clear how the events of 1989 would be commemorated in future. But we do believe that the basic belief of Hong Kong people hasn't changed and will not change," Choi told reporters. So whatever the conditions are, we still think that in the coming future, Hong Kong people will use different ways to stand up and commemorate. The government investigation came during heavy restrictions on Hong Kong civil society following mass pro-democracy protests in 2019 and the imposition of a sweeping national security law by Chinas ruling Communist Party last year. The legislation effectively criminalized opposition and severely limited free speech, while other measures have heavily reduced popular participation in the city's electoral process. The law, which outlaws subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign collusion to interfere in the citys affairs, has forced several civil organizations to disband or seen their ties to the government cut. More than 100 pro-democracy activists have been arrested under the law, including leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance, while other opposition figures have sought asylum abroad or been intimidated into silence. In August, the prominent Hong Kong Civil Human Rights Front, made up of a slew of member organizations, said it could no longer operate and chose to disband. The group helped organize large protests in 2019, which grew increasingly violent as mostly young demonstrators battled police. The annual vigil had honored those who died when Chinas military violently suppressed massive pro-democracy protests in Beijings Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. The topic has long been taboo in mainland China and Hong Kong had been the only place in the country allowed to hold such a commemoration. Smaller crowds gathered this year and in 2020 despite the police ban. Police had asked the alliance to hand over any information about groups they had worked with overseas or in Taiwan the self-governing island democracy China claims as its own territory as well as contact information. They did not mention what specific incidents prompted the investigation. Critics say the national security law restricts freedoms Hong Kong was promised it could maintain for 50 years following the territorys 1997 handover to China from colonial Britain. In an emailed statement, Amnesty Internationals Asia-Pacific Director Yamini Mishra said the effectively forced disbandment of the alliance showed the Chinese authorities were seeking to censor all mention of the crackdown in Hong Kong as it has on the mainland. After the recent demise of some of Hong Kongs largest unions and the group organizing some of the citys largest protests, it is clear the Hong Kong government is targeting civil society groups with broad support and the capacity to mobilize," Mishra said. Worryingly, the governments crackdown on such organizations seems likely to continue." TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) Hundreds of protesters gathered in Libya's capital of Tripoli on Friday to oppose a decision by the country's lawmakers to pass a vote of no-confidence in the transitional government. The motion, passed Tuesday, represents a challenge to planned December elections and impedes efforts to unite the oil-rich North African nation after a decade of turmoil. Protesters in a central square in Tripoli waved Libyan flags, chanting that the decision did not represent them and should be overturned. They called for members of the east-based House of Representatives to step down. Libya's current transitional government replaced two rival administrations one based in the countrys east and another in the west that had ruled Libya for years. Its main goal has been preparing the country for elections by Dec. 24. But politicians have failed to finalize elections laws dictating how the vote will be conducted. Oil-rich Libya was plunged into chaos after a 2011 NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. In the aftermath, the nation was split between a government in the east, backed by commander Khalifa Hifter, and a U.N.-supported administration in the capital of Tripoli. Each side has also had the support of different regional powers. The elections have been seen by many as a step forward to end the countrys divisions. But the move by the eastern-based House of Representatives shows that tensions remain. On Wednesday, Hifter announced he was suspending his role as leader of his self-styled Libyan army for the next three months an indication that he may be planning to run for president in the December elections. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has vowed that his government will not step down before handing over power to elected officials. The House of Representatives said, following its decision, that the current government can act as caretaker administration but gave no time frame for the appointment of another government before elections late this year. Dbeibah, a powerful businessman from the western city of Misrata, was appointed earlier this year to lead the executive branch of an interim government that also includes a three-member Presidential Council chaired by Mohammad Younes Menfi, a Libyan diplomat from the countrys east. International pressure is also mounting ahead of the December deadline for Libyans to head to the polls. On Friday, the foreign ministers to France, Germany and Italy met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss Libya and reaffirm their commitment to voting happening on the scheduled date, according to a UN statement. Menfi announced in a speech to the assembly that the government would hold an international conference next month on trying to keep the political process on track, without offering further details. France has announced that it will be hosting a conference on Libya in November about the elections. REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) Icelanders were voting Saturday in a general election dominated by climate change, with an unprecedented number of political parties likely to win parliamentary seats. Polls suggest there wont be an outright winner, triggering complex negotiations to build a coalition government. A record nine parties could cross the 5% threshold needed to qualify for seats in Iceland's parliament, the Althing. Upstart parties include the Socialist Party, which is promising to shorten the work week and nationalize Iceland's fishing industry. High turnout is expected, as one-fifth of eligible voters have already cast absentee ballots. Climate change is high among voters' concerns in Iceland, a glacier-studded volcanic island nation of about 350,000 people in the North Atlantic. An exceptionally warm summer by Icelandic standards 59 days of temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius (68 F) and shrinking glaciers have helped drive global warming up the political agenda. Polls show strong support for left-leaning parties promising to cut carbon emissions by more than Iceland is already committed to under the Paris climate agreement. The country has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2040, a decade ahead of most other European nations. The current government is a coalition of three parties spanning the political spectrum from left to center-right and led by Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir of the Left Green Party. It was formed in 2017 after years of political instability. Jakobsdottir remains a popular prime minister, but polls suggest her party could fare poorly, ending the ongoing coalition. The country is facing big decisions as we turn from the pandemic, Jakobsdottir said during a televised debate on Friday night in which party leaders vowed to end Icelands reliance on oil and many wanted to raise taxes on the rich. ___ Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-change. ROME (AP) Thousands of people demonstrated in cities across Italy on Saturday to support Afghan women and demand continued international pressure on the countrys Taliban leaders to let women participate in the educational and political life of the country. Among the groups organizing the protests were members of the Pangea Foundation, which had worked for 20 years on economic development projects for Afghan women before finding itself helping to evacuate them when the Taliban took over. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) A Kansas City shooting Friday night killed one victim, The Kansas City Star reported. Police responded to reports of gunshots in south Kansas City and found a male victim who had been shot. MADRID (AP) The airport on the Spanish island of La Palma shut down Saturday because of an ash cloud spewing out of a volcano that has been erupting for a week, and scientists said another volcanic vent opened up, exposing islanders to possible new dangers. The intensity of the eruption that began Sept. 19 has increased in recent days, prompting the evacuation of three additional villages on the island, part of Spain's Canary Islands archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off northwest Africa. Almost 7,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes. The recent volcanic eruption is the first since 1971 on La Palma, which has a population of 85,000. La Palma Airport operator Aena said the airport was inoperative due to the accumulation of ash. Other airports in the Canary Islands were still operating Saturday but some airlines were suspending flights, Aena said. Emergency crews pulled back from the volcano Friday as explosions sent molten rock and ash over a wide area. The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute said another vent opened early Saturday. Rivers of lava have been sliding down the mountainside toward the southwestern coast of the island, destroying everything in their path, including hundreds of homes. The speed of the flow has slowed down considerably, however, and the lava is now barely moving forward, with about 2 kilometers left to reach the sea, said Miguel Angel Morcuende, head of the Canary Island Volcanic Emergency Plan. I don't dare to tell you when it's going to get there, nor do I dare to make a forecast, Morcuende told reporters in a news conference. A more immediate concern for the residents of La Palma is the huge ash cloud that is rising from the volcano and being carried by the wind to other parts of the island. In addition to being a significant danger to aviation, he said volcanic ash can cause damage to people's airways, lungs and eyes. The local government has urged residents in affected areas to avoid going outside and only do so wearing masks and goggles. The speeches may be scripted, but the U.N. General Assembly can sometimes be the only direct window into the regional challenges that command global concern. On Saturday, world leaders were speaking on behalf of some of the most unstable and unsettling current conflicts. That includes Indias fight over the Kashmir region with bitter rival Pakistan, Haitis domestic crises spilling into a migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and questions about the Ethiopian governments role in reported starvation deaths in the Tigray region. Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry didn't shy away from addressing his country's turmoil following a major earthquake and the assassination of its president, Jovenel Moise, in recent months alluding to but not directly addressing reports that may implicate Henry himself in the murder. I want to reaffirm here, at this platform, my determination to do everything to find the collaborators, accomplices and sponsors of this odious crime. Nothing, absolutely nothing, no political maneuver, no media campaign, no distraction, could deter me from this objective: rendering justice for President Moise, Henry said in a prerecorded speech. It is a debt to his memory, his family and the Haitian people," Henry said. "The judicial inquest is going difficultly. Its a transnational crime. And for that, we formally solicit mutual legal assistance. It is a priority of my government for the entire nation. Because this crime cannot rest unpunished et those culpable, all those culpable must be punished. The statement comes days after Henry fired his chief prosecutor, who had asked a judge to charge Henry in the slaying of Moise that has shocked the world and to bar the prime minister from leaving the country. Haiti's troubles have moved beyond its borders, with thousands of migrants fleeing to the United States. This week, the Biden administrations special envoy to Haiti, Daniel Foote, resigned in protest of inhumane large-scale U.S. expulsions of Haitian migrants. Foote was appointed to the position only in July, following the assassination. Henry pointedly said that inequalities and conflict drive migration. But he stopped short of directly criticizing Washington, whose treatment of Haitian asylum-seekers has prompted an outcry. Human beings, fathers and mothers who have children, are always going to flee poverty and conflict, Henry said. Migration will continue as long as the planet has both wealthy areas, whilst most of the worlds population lives in poverty, even extreme poverty, without any prospects of a better life. It was a flat-out denial for Ethiopia Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen, who rejected humanitarian concerns over Tigray as part of a twisted propaganda campaign" in the embattled corner of northern Ethiopia. The criminal enterprise and its enablers created and advertised horrific imagery of faked incidents. As if the real misery of our people is not enough, storylines are created to match not the facts but preconceived stereotypical attitudes," Mekonnen said. Ethiopia has faced the pressure of global concern since the U.N. warned of famine in the conflict, calling it the worlds worst hunger crisis in a decade. Starvation deaths have been reported since the government in June imposed what the U.N. calls a de facto humanitarian aid blockade. In his speech Saturday, Mekonnen urged the international community to steer clear of sanctions, avoid meddling and take a constructive approach to its war forces from the region. Prescriptions and punitive measures never helped improve situations or relations, he said, less than 10 days after the U.S. threatened to impose sanctions against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other leaders. Meanwhile, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi largely sidestepped his nation's regional conflict, making only what appeared to be a passing reference to Kashmir, channeling his comments through the lens of the Afghanistan crisis. Modi, who spent part of the week meeting with U.S. officials to strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific, was measured in his pushback as compared to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans scathing albeit predictable rhetoric that had landed hours earlier. Modi called upon the international community to help the women, children and minorities of Afghanistan and said that it was imperative the country not be used as a base from which to spread terror. We also need to be alert and ensure that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation there, and use it as a tool for its own selfish interests, he said in an apparent reference to Pakistan, wedged in between Afghanistan and India. On Friday, Khan had, once again, labeled Modis Hindu nationalist government fascist and railed against Indias crackdown on Kashmir, the disputed region divided between each country but claimed by both. The Indian government has raised concerns that the chaos left in the wake of the U.S.s military withdrawal from Afghanistan will benefit Pakistan and feed the long-simmering insurgency in Kashmir, where militants already have a foothold. ____ Follow Sally Ho on Twitter at http://twitter.com/_sallyho RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Authorities in North Carolina say a man has been sentenced for an armed robbery of a business during which an employee was duct taped to a chair and pistol-whipped. A news release from Raleigh-based federal prosecutors Friday said that Dexter Jamal Williams was sentenced to 14 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to charges related to armed robbery. BOSTON (AP) Proposals to let Massachusetts create sites where people could use illegal drugs in the presence of staff trained in helping to reverse overdoses will be the focus of a daylong virtual hearing Monday at the Statehouse. One of the bills would create a 10-year pilot program establishing two or more supervised consumption sites that utilize harm reduction tools, including clinical monitoring of the consumption of pre-obtained controlled substances in the presence of trained staff, for the purpose of reducing the risks of disease transmission and preventing overdose deaths. The site would have to provide sterile injection supplies, collect used hypodermic needles and syringes, and provide secure hypodermic needle and syringe disposal services as well as offer referrals to addiction treatment and education on the risk of contracting HIV and viral hepatitis. Similar proposals have met with political pushback in the past. In 2019, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker said that such sites would be illegal under federal law and that the state should instead focus on legal actions to curb overdose deaths. At the time, he pointed to comments by former U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling who said that regardless of any state law, drug users and employees at the sites would be exposed to federal criminal charges. The idea of supervised sites has the support of groups like the Massachusetts Medical Society, the Massachusetts Hospital Association and the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. The ACLU also backs legislation that would make personal possession of illicit drugs a civil, rather than criminal, violation, and offer people with substance use disorders a connection to potential treatment proposals that will also be part of the hearing. In July, Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee signed into law a bill authorizing the opening of so-called harm reduction centers where people dealing with addiction can take heroin and other illegal drugs under the supervision of medical professionals making Rhode Island the first to enact such a statewide measure to combat the opioid crisis. The hearing by the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. From 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. the hearing will focus on the two decriminalization bills and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the three supervised consumption site bills. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) More than 115 years after an angry mob lynched Ed Johnson from the Walnut Street Bridge, area residents got their first look Sept. 19 at the memorial to the innocent man and his two courageous attorneys. As the overcast afternoon brought periods of rain, members of the Ed Johnson Project Committee thanked dozens of people, from politicians to artists and researchers, for their help in bringing Johnsons story back into the consciousness of the city and into a permanent art piece beside the bridge. Eric Atkins, vice chair of the committee, said there remain too many walls of injustice and inequity in society that need to be addressed in light of the recognition toward Johnsons story. We have to open up the doors and bring down the barriers and tear down these walls and build bridges, like we see here today, he said. Johnson was lynched from the bridge in 1906 after falsely being accused of rape. Despite multiple witnesses testifying to his innocence and a stay of execution delivered from the U.S. Supreme Court, an angry mob broke into the Hamilton County Jail and hanged Johnson from the bridge. Last Sunday, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly presented a proclamation from the city apologizing to Johnson for the miscarriage of justice he received. Eddie Glaude Jr., professor of African American studies at Princeton University, said Johnsons killing worked as a way to consolidate white power and control Black residents. The memorial, he said, presents an opportunity to better understand history, as well as chart a new future for the city. It is rare in these trying times that communities come together to recognize a profound wrong. A wrong that haunts, Glaude said. Over 100 years later, though it may be, this act to remember Ed Johnson, what happened on that fateful day, helps clear the path for a different way of being together here in Chattanooga. The nation is at a turning point with its narrative, with some running away from the facts of history, Glaude said. The truth must be reckoned with, he said. If we dont tell the truth about what happened, if we lie to ourselves about what weve done and try to forget or ignore what we have been through, we condemn ourselves to a certain extent to being moved about by the ghosts that haunt, Glaude said. This has nothing to do with being a Republican. It has nothing to do with being a Democrat. It has nothing to do with being conservative. It has nothing to do with being progressive. It has something to do with what kind of human being are you. Jerome Meadows, the visual artist who designed the memorial, unveiled the three statues with the help of Howard High School students. Then a procession from the crowd walked across the Walnut Street Bridge. The challenge of how to move forward with Johnsons story was echoed that morning as area faith leaders held a church service in the Maclellan Gym at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Lakweshia Ewing of New Holy Temple Church of God in Christ told those gathered that the nation needs to address the root causes of injustice. We love telling the stories about the purple mountains majesty, the democracy and the political justice of this nation, Ewing said. But are we as willing to simultaneously talk about the strange fruit hanging from poplar trees in the South? The enslavement, the incarceration, the discrimination, the dehumanization of people of color in this land? Chris Sands of Olivet Baptist Church said Johnson was able to face the violent mob and forgive them and reassert his innocence because of his faith in God. Because he was able to stand firm, we can stand firm on our convictions, Sands said. Because of what he faced, we can face the injustices thats taking place in our world today. Why? Because we have something to look forward to. We have something to say, you know what, this is not the end of the story. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) More than 70 members of the Connecticut National Guard were honored Saturday for their service after completing nearly one-year tours of duty. A welcome home ceremony was held for members of the Middletown-based 143rd Regional Support Group and several members of Detachment 2, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment at the state armory in Hartford. WAHOO, Neb. (AP) A Nebraska police officer charged with sexually assaulting a child turned himself in and was jailed Friday. Prosecutors charged Sean Vilmont, a 51-year-old Fremont resident, with three counts of third-degree sexual assault of a child. He was booked in the Dodge County Jail Friday. The Wahoo Police Department placed Vilmont on administrative leave after the Nebraska State Patrol flagged that it was investigating him, according to a release from the agency. 'In light of the pending criminal charges, Officer Vilmont has been relieved of his duties pending his right of appeal," according to the release. Vilmont allegedly had sexual contact with a child between 11 and 12 years old in January, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. According to a Nebraska Attorney General's Office complaint obtained by the newspaper, Vilmont also is accused of taking an inappropriate photo or video of the girl. No lawyers were listed for Vilmont in online court records as of Saturday morning. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) New Hampshires Democratic Congressional delegation is backing the governors request for federal disaster declarations following storms and flooding in July and August. Republican Gov. Chris Sununu asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for help after mid-July storms caused at least $2.3 million worth of damage in Cheshire County and a second round of storms July 29-Aug. 2 caused more than $3.2 million worth of damage. LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) If youve seen one community school, youve seen one community school. This no-one-size-fits-all mantra is intentional, said David Greenberg, executive director of the National Education Association of New Mexicos Center for Community Schools. Since each communitys needs are different, so is each community school. Though each of the 80 community schools in New Mexico offer different services, their missions are the same. Greenberg tells the Las Cruces Sun-News that mission is to strategically leverage partnerships to be with local businesses and faith-based organizations or nonprofit organizations or different health providers to to meet the vision of the needs that the communities establish. What he means is that if a community needs it, youll find it at a community school, with services available to anyone beyond just when school is in session. In one town, a community school helped facilitate the installation of solar panels in homes that wouldnt otherwise have access to electricity or running water; in another town, the community school became a food pantry; and in still another town a mom found a job through connections at the community school. And if a community school doesnt have what you need, a staff member can find a service to help. Once those basic needs are met, the community can thrive, advocates say. Some people need help with food and clothes, some people need help with housing, some people need help with electricity. We really tailor the approach to an individual level, said Victoria Dominguez, a coordinator for Cuba Independent Schools, one of the most at-risk school districts in the state. Advocates say community school strategies help the state fulfill its directives in the Yazzie/Martinez lawsuit from 2018 that revealed at-risk children in New Mexico arent getting the same level of education as their peers. The first step in really reinventing education is shifting whos at the table and in the room making decisions, and doing the deep listening that we need to do to understand (where) the people are at this point in time, Greenberg said. __ What do community schools do? Lucia Carrillo and her three young children ages 8, 5 and 2 live in Arrey, a small town south of Truth or Consequences. Carrillo also cares for her 15-year-old niece, all while working toward for her degree in Early Childhood Education at Dona Ana Community College and New Mexico State University. Carrillo has watched the small town come together since Arrey Elementary School became a community school in 2019. More people are coming out to get the help and seek the help, she said. Arrey Community Elementary has fewer than 100 students enrolled, according to community school coordinator Yolanda Tafoya. However, Tafoya said she provides services to over 180 families in the area. Tafoya said shes learned more about the community in the year shes been the Arrey Elementary community schools coordinator than in the past 12 years working for Truth or Consequences Municipal Schools Those home visits, going in and actually seeing where the students are living, and what their needs are, have just opened my eyes tremendously, Tafoya said. To know these are their struggles, (these are) some of the barriers that they may have. The reason were here is all about students, helping them succeed. The only way that they can be successful in school, is make sure they have every basic need covered. For residents of rural communities, those needs can be myriad and wide-ranging, from food to clothes to health care to internet and utility services. When Tafoya realized that internet access was a huge problem for Arrey families, the community school provided computers, hotspots and other internet services. She said the school is also working on establishing a computer lab inside the school for anyone in the community. This will help students like Carrillo access online classes, Tafoya said. Tafoya has also worked for years to establish a food pantry in town, which she has now done thanks in part to the community school label. Instead of it being an entity or an individual or church, we were able to establish under the school district, she said. Tafoya now receives weekly truckloads of food from Roadrunner Food Bank as well as donations from the local grocery stores in Arrey and nearby Hatch. She travels dirt roads to deliver food to 160 families 600 individuals weekly. Cuba Independent Schools also provides food to residents through its community school. The school building now has racks of clothes that families have access to. The thing about Cuba is were kind of in the middle of nowhere, said Dominguez, the community school coordinator. We dont have a lot of resources, so rather than dwelling on the fact that we dont have a lot of resources, we just created created our own. Dominguez said one of the families that uses the community school services lives about 45 minutes away. Often the familys grandma will come to pick up food or clothes for the 23 people living in that one house and breaks down crying due to gratitude. Building that trust with the community is key to providing resources, Dominguez said. (Were) letting people know that were in this together, were gonna get through this together, were here to support you, she said. Dominguez said there are many families that dont have electricity or running water in the area. She said some have generators, but they are loud and expensive to sustain. The week of Aug. 30, Cuba community schools helped facilitate the installation of solar panels in the homes of seven families, a program paid for by the the New Mexico Senate and the Indigenous Education Department. You just let us know what you need from us, and if we dont have resources, were gonna find resources for you, she said. - Community schools in cities Community schools also are in cities wherein the schools can rely more on partnering with already existing organizations in the area. In Las Cruces Public Schools, the five community schools put a focus on outreach through after school programs. MacArthur Community Elementary offers child care services, tutoring, professional development courses for staff, technology classes for adults and after school programs for students that they voted on themselves. MacArthur has also provided food, haircuts, school supplies and COVID-19 vaccines to community members. LCPS community school families also receive free annual dental cleanings. Similarly, at Sierra Community Middle School in Roswell, community members receive free dental cleanings from local offices and free vision exams and glasses at Walmarts vision clinic. Sierra also has a brand new school-based health center that is open for general exams and behavioral health services. We are just now really kicking off community schools at Sierra, said Sierra Middle community schools coordinator Kristen Salyards. I tell our leadership team that here at the school, when we do this not if we do this, but when we do this we will change lives. This has the potential and the possibility to change the lives of our students and their siblings and their parents. - Where does this funding come from? Of the 80 community schools statewide, 33 are receiving state and federal funding, according to the New Mexico Public Education Departments most recent report on community schools. All 33 are funded through the New Mexico Community Schools Act, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed in April 2019. Community schools are often placed in areas of high poverty where services are most needed. Of the state-funded community schools, 16 are elementary schools, six are middle schools and six are high schools. The other five are charter schools serving K-8, K-12, K-2 and 6-12. Through the Community Schools Act, $2 million was set aside for community school initiatives in New Mexico. Schools that are accepted for the grant receive $150,000 each year for a period of three years to get them started. The thinking is after that three-year period, the community school would have sufficient roots and can rely on community partners and sponsors to continue its services. In May, the PED issued 50 grants totaling $6.6 million to schools across New Mexico to plan for or to implement the community school strategy in the 2021-22 school year. For the 2021-22 year, 21 new community schools were established and awarded planning grants ranging between $32,000 to $50,000. According to LCPS district community school coordinator Amanda Barela, there is a sixth community school on the way in the district that will either be Mesilla Park Elementary or University Hills Elementary. She said both will become community schools eventually, but the district are working to decide who will get the funding through a $600,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Other funding can come from partners like Kellogg or other state and federal grants. ___ What can we expect in the future? The potential for longevity of community schools is something New Mexico excels in, according to Jose Munoz, director of the Coalition for Community Schools, a national group that advocates for and supports the development of community schools. There are over 5,000 community schools in the U.S., with the majority being in New York and California. Munoz said New Mexico stands out because of the joint powers agreements that have been established between cities and districts in order to support community schools. Albuquerque Public Schools was the first to sign an agreement in 2007: the ABC Community Schools Partnership. The district now has 34 community schools. In 2018, the City of Las Cruces and Las Cruces Public Schools signed an agreement modeled after the one in Albuquerque. A superintendent changes, a mayor changes, a county manager changes or something like that, but when you take the time and effort it takes to get a joint powers agreement, it doesnt change because its recognized by the state and you are now an official entity, Munoz said. Were built for the long run if we can get some more joint partnership agreements that include tribal nations (and) how they work with their surrounding counties and cities. It can be expected that more community schools will be established in New Mexico in the coming years. In July, President Joe Biden proposed an increase of funding for community schools from $30 million to $443 million. Munoz said his organization has a goal for 25% of all public schools in the U.S. to be community schools by 2025. He said that would create a tipping point in education. Once we get to that 25%, itll withstand any position, or any politician, Munoz said. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham visited southern New Mexico on Friday to talk with fellow elected Democratic leaders and business groups about economic development and to tour a military base near the U.S.-Mexico border where Afghan refugees are being housed. The Democrats visit was not made public until late in the afternoon. Her office said she walked through the processing area at Fort Bliss Army base, spoke with volunteers about the need for winter coats and other items for those at the facility and saw how the refugees were screened for COVID-19. Whenever the federal government tells us they need our help, New Mexico is ready to help these families on their way, Lujan Grisham said in a statement after the tour. There was no indication that Lujan Grisham visited the U.S.-Mexico border while in the area. She has faced criticism in recent months for not doing more to address the concerns of residents along the border amid the latest influx of immigrants. Republicans in New Mexico were disappointed earlier this week that she wasn't among the more than two dozen governors who signed a letter to President Joe Biden seeking a meeting about the problems that border states are facing. Lujan Grisham, chair of the Democratic Governors Association and a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump's immigration policies, has said that those with concerns should direct them to the federal agencies working on the issue. Republican state Sen. Crystal Diamond said she and others had been asking for months that the governor visit with ranchers and others in the region. She said those pleas were ignored. She's not out there hearing the needs of constituents, Diamond said. So right now we don't need candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham on the border, we need Gov. Grisham on the border who will act in her capacity as governor to provide us help. Diamond noted that lawmakers held their legislative session earlier this year in a closed capitol with a fence around the building while the border remained open and immigrants arrived in the U.S. amid the pandemic. She said the health and safety of New Mexicans should be front and center. Border security isn't a partisan issue, but she has continued to make it so, Diamond said of the governor. The governor's visit to southern New Mexico was billed by her office as a strategy session with business leaders and elected officials to talk about their concerns and how her administration can meet community needs. Meetings were held in the border community of Santa Teresa and nearby Las Cruces. Lujan Grisham's administration has built on the work of former Republican Gov. Susana Martinez's administration to grow cross-border trade and attract more businesses to the area. According to the state, several Taiwanese businesses have announced plans in the last two years to develop manufacturing space in Santa Teresa and create a North American footprint. The state since 2019 has directed more than $10 million in local economic development funds to Dona Ana County businesses, resulting in over 1,000 jobs. About $11 million in state job training funds have supported more than 2,500 jobs. BRIGHTON, Colo. (AP) A man suspected of shooting and wounding a Littleton officer several days ago has been arrested following a standoff. The officer, David Snook, remained hospitalized Saturday. The Brighton Police Department wrote in a Facebook post that they received a tip Friday that the suspect was inside a home in the area, and when officers arrived, someone barricaded themselves inside. Officers negotiated with the man for seven hours until he was arrested without incident, authorities said. Rigoberto Valles Dominguez, 33, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of two Littleton police officers, Snook and Cpl. Jeff Farmer, authorities said in a statement. It wasn't immediately known if Dominguez has an attorney to comment on his behalf, and he could not be immediately reached for comment. The shooting happened in Littleton on Monday night, as Snook and Farmer responded to a report of shots fired. They were chasing a suspect when the man turned and shot several times toward the officers, according to the Littleton Police Department. Snook was hit three times in the chest, arm and leg before Farmer and another officer were able to move him to a police vehicle and get him to the hospital for treatment. GLEN BURNIE, Md. (AP) Police in Maryland say a man was shot in the torso during a late-night shooting that's now under investigation. The Anne Arundel County Police Department said in a news release that the shooting happened Friday night just before 10:30 p.m. in Glen Burnie. CHICAGO (AP) A Chicago police officer and a man riding a CTA bus were among at least 10 people wounded in shootings around the city late Friday and early Saturday. At least one man was killed. The police officer was responding to a call of shots fired in the South Shore neighborhood around 11 p.m. Friday, where officers saw a 25-year-old man lying on the ground who was later pronounced dead. A 15-year-old boy also was injured in the shooting. AP RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) Police shot a woman in the shoulder earlier this week in Southern California after they kicked in her door hearing noises inside following her 911 call to report an armed man in her apartment, authorities said Friday. The woman was treated for a non-life threatening gunshot wound after the shooting on Monday in the city of Riverside, east of Los Angeles. She had called 911 around 2:15 p.m. but initially said she did not know the armed man and was evasive with the dispatcher before the call was suddenly disconnected. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Authorities say a North Carolina bank robber was caught after they determined he had taken his getaway vehicle for a test drive from a car dealer. The Raleigh-based U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release that 68-year-old Glenn Alin Martinoff was sentenced to more than four years in prison on Thursday after previously pleading guilty to bank robbery. ELKHART, Ind. (AP) A northern Indiana hotel that closed in the 1970s is set to check in its first guests in a half-century following a $23 million, years-long renovation. The nearly century-old Hotel Elkhart is scheduled for a Tuesday grand reopening as part of Hiltons Tapestry Collection of hotels. The newly revamped nine-story building boasts 93 guest rooms, two restaurants, a ballroom, meeting space and a rooftop bar. TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Over a dozen B-1 bombers decommissioned by the Air Force have been flown to a so-called boneyard in Arizona. The last of the 13 bombers destined for storage or disposal at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson arrived Thursday after being flown from a base in California, an Air Force statement said. CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) Robert T. Herbert, a retired Nevada Army National Guard major general and a former longtime aide to ex-U.S. Sen. Harry Reid died Friday, the guard announced . He was 64. The guard's statement Saturday did not specify circumstances of Herbert's death but the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Herbert died in a car crash. RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) Seven members of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate tribe will have a paid opportunity to learn the Lakota language this spring. The Rosebud Economic Development Corporation is rolling out a new language preservation program, Lakolya Waoniya, which roughly translates to breathing life into the Lakota language in the coming months. REDCO garnered startup funding through an anonymous philanthropic contribution and is now in the process of hiring a project manager and Lakota language teacher to build up the program. REDCO will pay seven Sicangu Lakota citizens a full-time salary and full benefits to learn Lakota. While the salary amount is not yet set, REDCO CEO Wizipan Little Elk said the pay rate will be above minimum wage. The purpose of the language revitalization program is to bring Lakota back from being functionally extinct, meaning it is not spoken conversationally in a public setting. Language is an important component of cultural preservation and celebration as well, Little Elk said. The three-year programs goal is for participants to become conversationally fluent in Lakota through commitment, rigor and immersion, the Rapid City Journal reported. Lakota is a second language because of colonization. I want to get to the point where its functionally alive and being used in an everyday context, Little Elk said. Indigenous people are very practical. And in order for us to do what we do and to be who we are, especially when were practicing our spiritual and cultural traditions, its really important that were able to practice those traditions while using our language. Little Elk said of the 150,000 to 200,000 Lakota tribal members, there are a little less than 2,000 fluent Lakota speakers from all tribes. Most fluent speakers are older, with only two or three Rosebud Lakota speakers under the age of 30 and none under 18, Little Elk said. On the Rosebud reservation last year, 550 fluent Lakota speakers were identified. A few months ago, that number decreased to 460. As of Sept. 15, at least four more fluent speakers have died, a trend that is expected to continue as speakers age, Little Elk said. With those numbers in mind, Little Elk said there wont be an age limit to participate in the program, but it is intended for working-age adults. The potential to increase fluent speakers under the age of 30 from three to seven would be of massive importance, he said. We want to introduce commitment and rigor to learning the language, putting in the time and the effort, Little Elk said. Then people (who) have the heart and desire for this, after three years, they should have a good level of conversational fluency. Little Elk said Indigenous people need to launch an incredible effort to reintegrate cultural knowledge and resources back into society. One of the biggest structural barriers to doing this, however, is time. By paying people to learn Lakota, Little Elk said that barrier is removed by giving people time and resources to learn. I know very few Indigenous people that are not interested in learning their language Who has the luxury of just not working so that they can focus on and have the resources to pay for self-improvement? I know very few people in the world who have that kind of luxury, Little Elk said. So lets just remove all those barriers, and you can take that time and have the resources to learn the language and not have your kids starve. The idea for the program came as REDCO thought about redefining wealth and what it means to have a meaningful existence. Little Elk said a meaningful life is about contributing to ones community and doing good works for the world, and that Indigenous people need to be able to do those things while preserving their language and culture. Our real wealth is really our cultural perpetuity and our ability to pass that on to future generations. So thats how we really came to this idea that if were going to make an investment, yes we have to do standard economic development stuff, but lets also make a direct investment in our language and culture, Little Elk said. The program comes at a moment where there has been renewed attention on the United States and Canadas histories of establishing Indian boarding schools, forcing Native American people to assimilate to a new culture. Little Elk said he is a fourth-generation boarding school attendee. At the same time, we also have to be focused on whats happening now, and that the eradication of native languages is still something that is kind of being perpetuated through various systems. So lets focus on these revitalization efforts, Little Elk said. This is not just a story of something bad that happened to us. This is a story about re-emergence and rebirth and the incredible efforts being taken to move past that and move on. The language revitalization program for adults is a complement to the Wakanyeja Tokeyachi immersion school run by REDCOs sister organization Sicangu Community Development Corporation for elementary students on the Rosebud Reservation, both of which encompass a larger effort to reclaim Indigenous languages. Little Elk said it is important to have both programs working together because adults have to step up to support children in their language-learning efforts. We cant put all the pressure on the kids We as adults also have to step up and support our children. And a big part of it is creating an ecosystem of language revitalization. The kids go to school and they come home and they can talk to each other (in Lakota) but they need other people in the community to (speak Lakota) as well, Little Elk said. There are other, similar programs that REDCO used as guides, such as a Cherokee language program in Oklahoma. Little Elk said he hopes REDCOs program can also serve as a model for other groups to emulate. The program will begin in the spring after a manager and teacher have been hired, students accepted and curriculum developed. In informal conversations, Little Elk said people have been excited and enthusiastic about the opportunity one person even told him it was their dream job. Little Elk said the Rosebud program is a natural evolution of the larger movement for language and cultural revitalization. He encourages a multi-generational effort to bring Indigenous communities together. We just have to have everyone working together with one mind and one heart to move this forward and we have an obligation as people, as humanity, to address these problems that are still impacting people. For us, it isnt ancient history, Little Elk said. UNITED NATIONS (AP) Russia, China, Pakistan and the United States are working together to ensure that Afghanistans new Taliban rulers keep their promises, especially to form a genuinely representative government and prevent extremism from spreading, Russias foreign minister said Saturday. Sergey Lavrov said the four countries are in ongoing contact. He said representatives from Russia, China and Pakistan recently traveled to Qatar and then to Afghanistans capital, Kabul, to engage with both the Taliban and representatives of secular authorities former president Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, who headed the ousted governments negotiating council with the Taliban. Lavrov said the interim government announced by the Taliban does not reflect the whole gamut of Afghan society ethno-religious and political forces so we are engaging in contacts. They are ongoing. The Taliban have promised an inclusive government, a more moderate form of Islamic rule than when they last ruled the country from 1996 to 2001 including respecting womens rights, providing stability after 20 years of war, fighting terrorism and extremism and stopping militants from using their territory to launch attacks. But recent moves suggest they may be returning to more repressive policies, particularly toward women and girls. Whats most important ... is to ensure that the promises that they have proclaimed publicly to be kept, Lavrov said. And for us, that is the top priority. At a wide-ranging news conference and in his speech afterward at the U.N. General Assembly, Lavrov criticized the Biden administration including for its hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan. He said the U.S. and NATO pullout was carried out out without any consideration of the consequences ... that there are many weapons left in Afghanistan. It remains critical, he said, that such weapons arent used for destructive purposes. Later, in his assembly speech, Lavrov accused the United States and its Western allies of persistent attempts to diminish the U.N.s role in resolving the key problems of today or to sideline it or to make it a malleable tool for promoting someones selfish interests." As examples, Lavrov said Germany and France recently announced the creation of an Alliance For Multilateralism even though what kind of structure could be more multilateral than the United Nations? The United States is also sidestepping the U.N., he said, pointing to the recent U.S. announcement of a Summit for Democracy" despite, Lavrov said, U.S. President Joe Bidens pledge this week that the U.S. is not seeking a world divided into opposing blocs. It goes without saying that Washington is going to choose the participants by itself, thus hijacking the right to decide to what degree a country meets the standards of democracy, Lavrov said. Essentially, this initiative is quite in the spirit of a Cold War, as it declares a new ideological crusade against all dissenters. Lavrov was asked for Russias reaction to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning last week that the world could be plunged into a new Cold War potentially more dangerous than the lengthy one between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union unless the United States and China repair their totally dysfunctional relationship. He replied: Of course, we see the tension tightening in relations between China and the United States." He expressed great concern" at the rising tensions, pointing to the Biden administrations recently proclaimed Indo-Pacific strategy whose objectives, he said, include deterring Chinas development, disputes over the South China Sea, and the recent U.S.-Britain deal to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. More broadly, Lavrov said, relations among the big powers must be respectful." He emphasized that Russia was keen to ensure that never will these relations morph into nuclear war. The major powers have a great responsibility, he said, to negotiate and make compromises on the critical issues facing the world and that Russia is now revitalizing its proposal for a summit of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council Russia, China, U.S., UK and France. He said discussions are under way on specific questions for an agenda, and we may perhaps begin with an online meeting. On other global issues, the United States has been pressing for Iran to resume nuclear negotiations, but Lavrov said it was then-President Donald Trump who pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear agreement, so to declare that time is running out, anybody could say this but not Washington. In his first speech to the General Assembly earlier this week, new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi criticized the United States but appeared not to rule out a return to the negotiating table for the nuclear accord, saying Iran considers talks useful if their ultimate outcome is the lifting of all sanctions. Still, he stated: We dont trust the promises made by the U.S. government. Lavrov said Russia would like to see the resumption of negotiations to restore the original agreement as soon as possible. We have a very serious hope -- and I think this is well-founded optimism -- that we will achieve results," he said, because this is something everybody wants." ___ 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 CHESTER, Pa. (AP) Eyre Park was a tight and vibrant Chester development where the alumni rhapsodically recall summers of hide-and-seek, water-balloon fights, imprisoning lightning bugs in jars, and frantically chasing down the ice cream trucks in a neighborhood they had never wanted to leave. It was a great place to be raised, said Jim Liounis, who lived there for 12 years and is organizing a neighborhood reunion. You couldnt ask for anything more. Save for a less dangerous setting, that is. Eyre Park was situated in a peninsula ensnared by an opaque creek, which dutifully ferried filthy water to a river that was the color of factory smoke, was unfit for swimming, and was inhabited by homely whiskered catfish that looked as if they swam out of prehistory, fit only for throwing back into the stream. Fifty years ago, the stream turned killer. A 16-foot tidal wave of water more ferocious than the worst of Idas flooding in the Philadelphia region erupted from Chester Creek, killed 10 people in Chester, rampaged through the downtown, devastating businesses, and effectively erased Eyre Park, displacing 216 households, among 450 citywide. For Chester, the 1971 flood was a horrific attack at a most vulnerable time in a city that already was leaking population, jobs, and riverfront industry, and recovering from the racial strife of the tumultuous 1960s. The aftermath was a disaster unto itself. It left Eyre Park owners begging the city to condemn the mud-filled homes in the neighborhood they once loved. It became a case study in the hazards of risky building in an era that marked a watershed in the nations Sisyphean and ever-costly struggles with flooding that climate and development patterns suggest could only worsen. And it became a case study of how a disaster can affect a neighborhood, and in this instance an entire city, now home to 34,000 residents down more than 25,000 from 1970 nearly a third of whom live in poverty. At the site of the erstwhile development, a monument to the flood victims marks the entrance of the Eyre Park Levee Trail, dedicated in March, part of what Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland called the areas transformation. But reviving the economy has been a 50-year struggle for Delaware Countys only city, said Stefan Roots, who was 10 when his father had made a deposit on an Eyre Park house right before the flood hit. I call it our Katrina, he said. A foot-plus of rain Precisely what incited the deadly waves to crash through a levee remains unclear. The mayor at the time blamed faulty dike construction and a closed railroad bridge. The U.S. Geological Survey blamed the 12-plus inches of rain better than a seasons worth that had fallen in a three-day period atop grounds saturated from tropical storm remnant rains in late August. A whole lot of that came on the 13th. It said the flooding was exacerbated by various structures in the creek. What is clear is that the neighborhood had a robust flooding history. Chester Creek flooding was observed by the early European settlers in 1693. But proving that sometimes even the obvious is true, a federal report said it did not become a problem until development in the floodplain took place, a reality that still is having relentless rippling effects across the country. Some residents later said they never would have bought a house in Eyre Park if they knew about the hazards. Lenton Warren, Roots father, said no one had told him about them when he made his deposit. All he knew was that the house and neighborhood were what he wanted for his wife, son, and daughter, and that he was eager to join Eyre Parks handful of Black families. All about Chester If you work in Chester, why not live in Chester? That was the sales pitch in the Chester Times ad for the three-bedroom Eyre Park Homes in 1939. The brick houses were selling for about $95,000 in todays dollars, and, yes, a whole lot of people were working in Chester. The riverfront factories were on fire during World War I and another wartime boom was imminent. At the height of World War II, 34,000 people were employed at the Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. The downtown department stores Speare Brothers, Weinbergs, Sears & Roebuck, Stotters prospered, as did the supermarkets, and the sandwich shops that were feeding the people who were making the ships, anchors, and automobiles. By 1950, more than 66,000 people were living in a city that was bustling. Eyre Park was in the thick of it all a short walk away from the core downtown, schools, and a spacious park. Back then it was OK for kids to play outside well into the night, said Lisa Sibley, whose parents bought a house there in 1966. Relatives lived two blocks away. She recalled playing dodge ball with her uncle against the walls of the new YMCA building near the creek banks Families were close, their kids went to school together and likely did other things that wouldnt appear in the average Norman Rockwell painting. But the postwar years brought floods of trouble to the towns factory base and radical changes in demographics. From 1960 to 1980, the population plummeted almost 30%, as surrounding towns with their attractive newer housing grew rapidly. The out-migration of white families from Chester is well-documented, and today the citys population is about 80% people of color. Trees as lifelines Nature fired warning shots at Eyre Park with serious floods in 1950, after which the Army Corp of Engineers built a levee and made recommendations that appeared to gather dust, and in 1955. Jim Liounis, whose family had moved several years later, well-remembered that one. He still had friends in Eyre Park, and feared for their lives on that rainy Monday in 1971. He went to the home of Jim Cowan to help him salvage what he could and evacuate. Cowan and Liounis wisely gave up on the salvage operation and decided to make an escape. With Liounis leading and making look-backs at Cowan, they walked single file on the highest ground they could find. But that water was streaming through. I could barely keep my footing, the current was so strong. I was scared to death. To his horror, at one point Cowan had disappeared, carried away by the floodwaters, and presumed drowned. To his relief, Liounis later learned that Cowan somehow managed to grab onto a tree. He was just about to give it up when a rescue boat came by. Several other stories surface of people saving their lives by using trees as lifelines. Some of the rescue tales were horrifying. Rescue boats tried to save a crowd of evacuees huddled in the rear of a dump truck stranded in high water. In a harrowing tale recounted in the Daily Times, after a pickup, one of those boats struck a partially submerged traffic light and took on water, spilling an elderly couple who were swept away and drowned by the floodwaters. The past and future of flooding These days flood insurance is a mortgage requirement in floodplains. That was not the case in 1971. None of the Eyre Park homes had flood insurance, which had just become available under the brand-new National Flood Insurance Program, in which Chester along with most communities wasnt yet participating. The government got into the business because private insurers wanted no parts of flood coverage because flooding was so pervasive. The program has been swamped in red ink because payouts have far exceeded premiums, especially since 2005, the year of Katrina. NFIP has been a drain on taxpayers, because the Treasury must cover the shortfalls. As of August 2020, NFIP was $20.5 billion in debt, according to the Government Accounting Office. Thats atop $16 billion forgiven in October 2017. Eyre Park likely would have been in a high-risk zone, but the government didnt publish its first set of Flood Insurance Rate Maps until the late 1970s. Had the homes survived, its possible that FEMA, which runs the insurance program, might have purchased and demolished them. That saves payout costs on flood-prone properties, but the Government Accountability Office points out that although that strategy works, the number of such properties keeps growing. A punch in the gut We could literally be standing in somebodys living room right now, said Stefan Roots, standing in the parking lot of the Levee Trail park. He works for Delcora, the wastewater management company, and he now is active in politics, running for City Council. He recalled that a fire had closed the town skating rink, three years before the flood. He expected it to reopen in a few months. It never did, and that was a punch in the gut to a lot of us. But he said nothing prepared him for the permanent loss of businesses in the years after the flood. To see that our downtown hasnt revived is really heartbreaking, he said. Look, were standing on something that never came back as a neighborhood. This is the city of not coming back. Roots recited a refrain of the citys assets familiar to those who have puzzled over Chesters economic profile a riverfront, railway, proximity to Philadelphia International Airport that most Philadelphians would envy, ready highway access, a major university with a sprawling campus. Chester, he said, is in a perfect location. It has the bones to support twice as many people. We have so much space to bring stuff here. ___ Online: https://bit.ly/3hsJs2q NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A third federal judge has blocked Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's order allowing families to opt out of school mask mandates. The decision, handed down by U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw late Friday, is the latest development in the ongoing legal battle over Lee's order launched by parents and advocates alarmed over the spike in coronavirus cases in Tennessee's schools. Lee issued the order in August after a handful of Republican lawmakers demanded the governor call a special session so the GOP-dominant General Assembly could halt mask mandates in schools and other COVID-19 safety measures. Many students have been attending classes without masks ever since as pediatric hospitalizations reached record highs. Crenshaw's order only applies to Williamson County, an affluent region just south of Nashville. Earlier that day, a separate judge halted Lee's executive order in Knox County. A week prior, another judge indefinitely banned Lees order after families argued the governors executive order endangered their children. All three lawsuits claimed that Lees order violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits the exclusion of students with disabilities from public educational programs and activities. Children with certain disabilities are more vulnerable to serious illness or death if they get COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said. Based on the record before the court, due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Williamson County, including at plaintiffs schools, along with a significant number of students who have opted out, plaintiffs have likewise been denied access to a safe, in-person education experience, Crenshaw wrote in his 18-page decision. Gov. Lee has offered no affidavits, declarations, or any other factual predicate to support his assertion that universal mask mandates would require significant resources, the judge added. Lee told reporters Friday that he couldnt talk about the specific litigation but pointed out that there had been multiple lawsuits against mask mandates. There are very strong opinions on both sides of this. I think thats why the strategy we took, which allowed districts to provide a requirement but gave parents an opt-out, was a good way forward, Lee said. And we still believe thats the right direction. Crenshaw's ruling is in effect until Oct. 5, the same day Lee's order is set to expire. The governor has not said if he'll extend it. Public health agencies say indoor mask-wearing is a key coronavirus-prevention tool. The CDC says masks dont pose health risks for children older than toddlers, and recommends them for schools since vaccines still arent authorized for children younger than 12. COVID-19 cases in children have risen significantly during the surge that coincided with the start of the current school year, making it difficult for some Tennessee school districts to provide in-person education. Some schools have closed classrooms, while others have temporarily switched to virtual learning as students are forced to quarantine or isolate. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) A woman on a porch was shot by four Indianapolis police officers and killed Friday after refusing orders to not touch her gun, authorities said. The shooting occurred while police were towing a car that might have been involved in an earlier incident. The woman revealed a gun at her waist when police tried to speak to her, Officer Genae Cook said. PG&E CEO Patti Poppe said she disagrees with the criminal charges filed Friday by Shasta County prosecutors against the San Francisco-based company for last year's Zogg Fire. The fire killed 4 civilians, destroyed 204 structures, and burned 56,338 acres, according to Cal Fire. A Cal Fire investigation found that the fire started when a pine tree came in contact with a PG&E distribution line north of unincorporated Igo. "Let me be clear, my coworkers are not criminals," Poppe said in a statement Friday. "We welcome our day in court so people can learn just that." PG&E has been under intense scrutiny since at least 2010 when a gas line exploded in San Bruno, killing eight and destroying dozens of homes. The scrutiny has become more intense since PG&E has been blamed for wildfires in the last few years and began shutting off power to prevent such wildfires. "We are all devastated by the effects of wildfire here in California," Poppe said. "My heart aches. I have seen firsthand how devastating it is and have spoken with many of those most harmed. These communities are the hometowns where my coworkers live and work, too." Hundreds of young people shut down San Francisco's Market Street as they rallied through the city's downtown on Friday morning during a Climate Strike, bringing awareness to climate change. Elementary, middle, and high school students came together at the 10 a.m. rally at Embarcadero Plaza, organized by the group Youth vs Apocalypse, along with other organizations. The activists wore red and orange and held large images of flames and signs with slogans including, "No nature, no future," and "Stop climate chaos." "Our world is literally on fire. Every day we have smoke days. That didn't used to be a thing," Youth vs Apocalypse Education and Organizing Coordinator Hannah Estrada, 18, said. "We as young people shouldn't have to march in the streets for this. But we're letting that fire fuel the movement because we will literally burn if we don't do something about this," she said. Santa Clara County public health officials will temporarily offer free drop-in vaccination events in the coming weeks for students who need the requisite tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough vaccine. The vaccine clinics will be open to seventh and eighth grade students who may have fallen behind during the pandemic on the vaccines required to attend school. The Tdap vaccine is required for all students entering seventh grade. Vaccination events will be held Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at San Ysidro Park in Gilroy and Thursday at the county Public Health Department's Story Road Hub in San Jose from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tdap vaccines are also available on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Public Health Department's Travel and Immunization Clinic at 976 Lenzen Ave. in San Jose. Starting Oct. 7, the clinic will also have temporary evening hours from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Thursday. "Vaccination is the best protection against serious illnesses such as tetanus or whooping cough, and unfortunately, some families have experienced challenges in accessing routine medical care during the pandemic." Assistant Public Health Officer Dr. Monika Roy said in a statement. Rohnert Park city officials confirmed Friday that Providence Health and Services does not plan to build temporary housing units for the city's homeless residents, but the nonprofit is still considering a permanent housing complex with supportive services. City officials are considering a pair of locations as possible sites for permanent supportive housing after the city closed an encampment area of homeless residents earlier this month at the Roberts Lake Park and Ride lot. The city got rid of the encampment because nearby Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit train tracks posed a hazard to the homeless residents who had taken shelter there. The two potential locations include a site near the Rohnert Park Expressway on the west side of the city and one at the corner of Labath and Martin avenues, according to the city. Meanwhile, Providence Health is considering building a 74-unit apartment complex on a property adjacent to its urgent care facility. Newark city officials are trying to figure out what's killed hundreds of fish at a local lake over the past week or so. Several hundred fish, mostly carp, have died in the lake at Lakeshore Park and the leading theory is that low oxygen levels are the likely culprit, said Newark Director of Public Works Soren Fajeau. The city has hired a water quality specialist to take samples and help evaluate exactly what's gone wrong, Fajeau said. "We're waiting for some lab results to come back that can hopefully shine a light on what the problem is," he said. The lack of oxygen might be related to the recent high temperatures or a seasonal die-off of aquatic plants, Fajeau said, adding that increased algae levels could be to blame. Drivers are urged to avoid the area near the intersection of Valley Oaks Drive and Stone Valley Road in unincorporated Alamo Friday evening due to a sinkhole, Contra Costa County emergency officials said. The officials announced the sinkhole on Twitter at 6:51 p.m. Friday. Water service has been affected for residents of Valley Oaks Drive and surrounding streets and will not be restored until Saturday, the officials said. Work is being done to reopen one lane on Valley Oaks Drive at Stone Valley Road to allow drivers to get in and out of the area. Copyright 2021 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. Copyright 2021 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay Area favorite Elephant Sushi is expanding. The sushi restaurant, which has two outposts in San Francisco and another in Oakland, will take up the space at 400 Grove St., the former home of Little Gem that permanently closed. San Francisco resident Sebastian Luke tipped off SFGATE about the forthcoming opening. Weve always wanted to be in Hayes Valley, Elena Neustadt, owner of Elephant Sushi, told SFGATE. The location is perfect for us. Neustadt said she anticipates Elephant Sushi to open by the end of October, though she had initially hoped for a September opening. Delays in the project lumped with a search for staff pushed the date further than she wished, Neustadt explained. Sebastian Luke She added that some of her current staff from the Russian Hill outpost at 1916 Hyde St. will move to the new location once the restaurant opens. Neustadt kept mum on the details for the menu but shared that she expects to keep many of the same sushi options available while adding new items on rotation. According to public records, the Hayes Valley location currently has an active Type 41 beer and wine license. Were staying who we are, so the new dishes are going to be innovative and grounded in tradition, Neustadt said. In 2019, Elephant Sushi opened its Oakland store at 352 14th St. followed by another opening in the Mission at 564 South Van Ness Ave. that same year. The popular sushi restaurant first opened in San Francisco back in 2012 in Russian Hill. In this weeks air travel developments, United Airlines introduces new flexibility and transparency for customers holding travel credits; the Biden administration will reopen the country to vaccinated international travelers in November, with new entry rules that also affect U.S. citizens; United says its ready to check vaccine certificates if a mandate is extended to domestic flights; the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reports that 10,000 of its workers have tested positive for COVID; the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defends its efforts to curb unruly behavior from passengers, as Congress holds a hearing on the issue; American Airlines and JetBlue say theyll fight a new Justice Department lawsuit aimed at blocking their Northeast Alliance; low-cost Avelo Airlines adds another Northern California route; international route news from United and Turkish Airlines; and San Francisco International Airport will require all airport workers to be vaccinated. Are you holding travel credits on United Airlines for flights you paid for, but didnt take during the COVID pandemic? The airline said this week that it is changing its rules and procedures to make those credits easier to use. Most significantly, United said that when customers booking new flights get to the checkout process, they will automatically see their travel credits displayed as a payment option. This functionality will be available for MileagePlus members first, and the airline is working to roll it out to all customers in the near future, the company said. United is also making the travel credits more flexible, allowing customers to use them for flights on partner airlines, and to apply the value of the credits toward extra-legroom seats and prepaid checked baggage. Credits can also be combined for future bookings. Customers can now combine multiple Future Flight Credits (FFCs) or Electronic Travel Certificates (ETCs) and will soon be able to combine ETCs and FFCs together, United said. In addition, the carrier is allowing customers to share credits issued before Aug. 31 of this year with friends and family. For more information on how to use travel credits, visit the airline's site. The federal governments decision this week to end its 18-month ban on visitors from Europe, the U.K. and other nations like India, Brazil and China will also include some new requirements for U.S. citizens returning from travels abroad. The reopening expected to begin in November after federal agencies and airlines have had time to prepare will require international visitors to show proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination before boarding a flight to this country. The U.S. will continue to require both international visitors and returning vaccinated Americans to show a negative result from a COVID test taken within three days of departure from foreign airports. But under the new rules, they will also have to undergo a rapid or PCR test within a few days after arrival. Unvaccinated Americans returning to the U.S. will have to get a negative result on a test taken one day before departure, instead of three days, from a foreign airport, and prove that they have purchased a viral test to take after they return home as well. In addition, airlines will have to collect contact-tracing information from all inbound passengers. Jeffrey Zients, the White Houses point person on COVID policy announced the general outlines of the new policy this week, with specific details to be released in the coming days. The announcement removes a major point of contention between the U.S. and its transatlantic partners, especially since those countries reopened to American tourists earlier this year. With the U.S. reopening, demand is likely to surge, so U.S. and European airlines are expected to add more flights on existing routes this fall and resume service in markets that were suspended due to the pandemic. For example, Lufthansa said this week that its bookings jumped by 40% this week after the U.S. announced lifting its travel ban. The carrier currently operates 200 weekly flights to 17 U.S. cities, and it plans to add more. From November, travelers will have a full range of flights at their disposal that can easily be expanded as the situation demands, Lufthansa said. British Airways plans to resume service to London Heathrow from Austin and San Diego on Oct. 13. The U.K.-based airline data analyst OAG commented: In every major market that has reopened, we have seen very strong immediate demand and the transatlantic will be no different to that for all airlines. The new U.S. policy is in line with other nations entry rule revisions weve seen in recent weeks; changes that generally make it easier for vaccinated individuals to travel internationally, but more difficult if not impossible for the unvaccinated. With the Biden Administration now planning to require vaccinations for international arrivals, there is continuing pressure from some quarters to do the same for domestic flyers. A former Biden health advisor and an immunologist noted in their Washington Post op-ed this week that after domestic air travel increased during 2020s year-end holidays, infections did as well. The outcome was huge surges in infections, reaching 3,500 deaths per day by January, they wrote. To prevent a similar surge among the 80 million unvaccinated Americans in the months ahead, they recommended that the Biden administration announce a travel (vaccination) mandate now so that more Americans are protected by Thanksgiving. If individuals face a choice between getting the shots or staying home over the holidays, they reason, a large number would probably choose the former. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby suggested last weekend in a CBS News interview that his company will be ready if a domestic mandate does come down. Theyve got great data and science, he said of the Biden administration, and if they tell us that they want us to check everyone (for a vaccination certificate), were prepared to do that as well. Elaine Thompson/Associated Press TSA screeners would probably welcome a vaccination requirement for domestic travelers. The agency revealed last week that since the pandemic started in early 2020, more than 10,000 of its employees have tested positive for the disease mostly airport security screeners. That number includes 571 currently active cases. The agency said 26 of its employees have died of COVID. About 72% of TSA workers are reportedly vaccinated against COVID a number that is sure to increase with the Biden administrations plan to make such vaccinations mandatory for all federal workers. On the eve of a House subcommittee hearing this week on unruly airline passengers, the Federal Aviation Administration defended its efforts on the issue, while admitting that more needs to be done. In January, the FAA initiated its zero tolerance campaign against misbehaving travelers, and the agency said it is now having an impact. Last week, the FAA noted, the rate of unruly passenger incidents was six per every 10,000 flights. Thats an approximately 50 percent drop from early 2021, but its more than twice as high as the end of 2020. Since the FAA launched its public awareness campaign with memes and two public service announcements, the rate has fallen approximately 30 percent, the agency said. The FAA has also created a web page at www.faa.gov/unruly, with details on the programs. The House subcommittee hearing on Thursday included graphic testimony from flight attendants on passenger abuse, and committee members debated ways the federal government could help solve the problem through new legislation or increased enforcement. FAA officials also met with airline industry groups this week, asking them to commit to take more action against disruptive passengers, according to a Reuters report; it also plans to hold similar meetings with representatives of airports and labor groups. The FAA said that additional action by the airlines and all aviation stakeholders is necessary to stop the unsafe behavior. Both the FAA and the Justice Department this week received a letter from Senators Maria Cantwell (D.-Wash.) and Dick Durbin (D.-Ill.) chairs of the Senates Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and Judiciary Committee, respectively urging the agencies to work together more closely on the unruly passenger problem. The senators said that civil penalties like FAA fines are failing to deter criminal activity by airline passengers, and noted that only the Justice Department has the authority to launch criminal prosecutions of violators. It is critical that DOJ direct federal law enforcement agents and prosecutors to use these authorities to fully investigate reported incidents on aircraft, they wrote, and, when supported by the evidence, prosecute those who are criminally responsible. United Airlines United CEO Scott Kirby said in a CNN interview that incidents of passengers refusing to wear masks have declined by 50% since the beginning of the year; the airline has banned almost 1,000 customers from flying United because of those refusals. Kirby said United flight attendants are supplied with warning cards to give uncooperative passengers, telling them that theyll be banned from future United flights. That usually keeps the attendants out of danger from angry flyers, he said. Meanwhile, American Airlines has changed its contract of carriage which details the rights and responsibilities of the airline and its passengers adding language that says any customer who displays abusive or harassing behavior towards any AA employee could be temporarily, or permanently, banned from the airline. And Delta said in a memo this week to flight attendants that it has asked all major carriers to share their internal no-fly lists with other airlines. A list of banned customers doesnt work that well if that customer can fly with another airline, the memo said. Delta has banned more than 1,600 individuals since the FAAs mask mandate took effect. American Airlines and JetBlue are vowing to fight a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Dept. of Justice and several state attorneys general that seeks to block the two airlines Northeast Alliance (NEA) on the grounds that it will hurt competition and thus injure consumers. The alliance, announced last year, created a broad program of code-sharing and coordinated route planning centered at Boston and the three New York-area airports: JFK, LaGuardia and Newark. In announcing the DOJ lawsuit, Attorney General Merrick Garland called the American/JetBlue alliance an unprecedented maneuver to further consolidate the industry. It would result in higher fares, fewer choices, and lower quality of service if allowed to continue. And DOJ antitrust attorney Richard Powers said the sweeping partnership between the two carriers is unprecedented among domestic airlines and amounts to a de facto merger between American and JetBlue in Boston and New York City. The impact on consumers extends far beyond Massachusetts and New York, as evidenced by the participation and our ongoing cooperation with Attorneys General from across the country, including Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia, in this lawsuit. He said that if the alliance is allowed to proceed, JetBlue and American are less likely to compete vigorously against each other in other parts of the country. JetBlue In response, American said the alliance has already brought increased opportunities for consumers since it has led to 58 new routes, more flights on existing routes, and code-sharing on 175 routes. According to AA CEO Doug Parker, Before the alliance, Delta and United dominated the New York City market. The NEA has created a third, full-scale competitor in New York and is empowering more growth in Boston. Ironically, the Department of Justices lawsuit seeks to take away consumer choice and inhibit competition, not encourage it. This is not a merger: American and JetBlue are and will remain independent airlines. JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said the alliance is helping his carrier grow in markets where it has been denied access previously. In New Yorks airports, there has been quite literally no room for us to add flights. There are no slots available at LGA and JFK, and it remains extremely difficult to grow in Newark given gate and space constraints, Hayes said. Delta and United with large international networks, ample financial resources, and significant airport gate and slot holdings have a lock on the market and make it impossible for an airline like JetBlue to grow and introduce sorely needed low-fare competition. Ironically, the Justice Department lawsuit seeking to untraveled the partnership was filed shortly after the two airlines launched a new post-security bus service for connecting passengers, linking their two terminals at New York's JFK airport. Low-cost start-up carrier Avelo Airlines, based at Hollywood Burbank Airport, is adding another new Northern California route. Earlier this month, Avelo started flying between Santa Rosas Charles M. Schulz Airport and Las Vegas. Now it plans to add twice-weekly flights to Las Vegas from Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport serving Eureka and Arcata beginning Nov. 18. In international route news, Uniteds plan to begin the first non-stop service between Washington Dulles and Lagos, Nigeria on Nov. 29 will be followed on Dec. 1 with the airlines resumption of flights between Newark and Cape Town, South Africa. Meanwhile, the Points Guy reports that United will be bringing back three new 2021 transatlantic routes again in 2022, including Newark-Dubrovnik service starting May 27, Washington Dulles-Athens launching June 3, and Chicago-Reykjavik beginning May 26. MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images Representatives of San Francisco International and the Vietnamese carrier Bamboo Airways just signed a memorandum of understanding for SFO to be the first U.S. airport served by Bamboo with regular scheduled service. Although no start-up date was mentioned, Bamboo said it plans to begin operating four non-stop flights a week between SFO and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) using a 787-900 Dreamliner, increasing to daily service based on market demand. The size of the U.S.-Vietnam market is estimated at 800,000 passengers annually. There are currently no direct flights between the U.S. and Vietnam. When Bamboo starts service, The nonstop flights connecting Vietnam and the U.S. will help reduce the travel time from about 20 hours to 15-16 hours compared to transit flights, officials said. Bamboo is also working to establish a second U.S. route to Los Angeles International. Turkish Airlines has filed for U.S. permission to expand its seven-year-old code-sharing agreement with JetBlue, which thus far has been limited to putting the Turkish carriers code on JetBlue domestic flights. Now the airlines want to make that reciprocal by putting JetBlues code on Turkish Airlines flights from the U.S. to Istanbul, and on connecting flights beyond the Turkish airport. That would permit 43 JetBlue-coded international routes like New York to Bangkok and Boston to Bahrain. Skyhobo/Getty Images/iStockphoto San Francisco International became the nations first major airport to require COVID vaccinations for all its workers this week. Effective immediately, SFO said, all tenants and contractors at the airport must require on-site employees to be fully vaccinated, with free shots readily available at the airports medical clinic. Employers can grant exemptions for medical or religious reasons, but any employee that is exempted must undergo weekly testing. Tenants and contractors will also be required to submit reports on the status of their respective workforce until all on-site personnel are fully vaccinated. Failure to comply could result in fines under the Airports Rule and Regulations, SFO said. Page Content As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change the way we work, some employers in India have updated their employee benefits and allowances to make them more relevant to current times. A top priority has been medical benefits, given that the pandemic is far from over and medical treatment can be costly in India's private hospitals. A ferocious wave of COVID-19 cases over the summer affected millions of employees and their families across the country, and employers are still responding. "The safety and well-being of employees has been predominant in whatever actions we take," said Hema Mani, Chennai-based regional director of HR at Lennox India Technology Center, a manufacturer of heating, cooling and refrigeration systems. This year, Lennox added medical insurance coverage specifically for COVID-19 for its employees and their family members. It also created policies to support any other financial needs of employees that might not be covered by medical insurance, Mani said. NEC Corporation India Pvt, a provider of IT and network technology solutions, increased employees' medical coverage earlier this year when it renewed the company's insurance policy. In addition, employees now receive a subsidized top-up option to further raise the coverage for their dependents. "We are hearing that COVID has long-term impact, so health has become critical for us," said Kashish Kapoor, head of HR at NEC Corp., based in Delhi. Companies like NEC and others have offered to reimburse the cost of vaccinations for employees and their dependents. This reimbursement would extend to any booster shots that may be required in the future, Kapoor said. Some companies have organized vaccination drives for staff. At chocolate-maker Hershey India Pvt, 90 percent of its employees have received at least one jab and around 20 percent are now fully vaccinated. Hershey also extended health benefits to its third-party contractors who work on the company's factory floor. And in addition to helping these workers get vaccinated, the company has made medical counseling available in multiple languages for contractors, according to Abhishikta Das, Mumbai-based HR director for Hershey. Last year, the company also announced a medical fund of up to $100 per employee to cover the cost of sanitizers, masks and anything else employees felt they needed to protect themselves from COVID-19, Das said. This was in addition to medical insurance for all employees, according to the company. To provide financial security for its sales staff, Hershey decided early on not to cut the incentives that make up a large part of their income. Instead, "we changed the design of our incentives," Das said. Because sales executives could not visit clients in person, the company decided to assess the sales team based on the number of phone calls they were making to retailers and other clients. "That worked well," Das noted. More Downtime Companies across India also have taken measures to help employees manage the anxieties and psychological stress tied to the pandemic and related issues. Some employers have implemented employee assistance programs for the first time. At Hershey, the company contracted with two consultants to counsel employees on health, nutrition and other topics. Cognizant of the possibility that employees may experience burnout while working from home, Hershey made it a rule to keep one hour each day free of any calls and meetings, said Das, who added that they've also introduced an additional day off this year. NEC Corp. has introduced a "rejuvenation" leave, which provides five days off in addition to the company's regular holidays. "No documentation is needed, and no questions asked," Kapoor said. Employees can take these days off any time after discussing it with their manager, he said. Hershey also has sought to give more downtime to employees, including those on the factory floor. Das said they've reduced the number of shifts for factory workers from three to two, while adding hours to each shift. This provides additional time off over and above usual break periods. "It was basically a creative way of thinking how we can give them some time off," Das said. Work-from-Home Convenience For white-collar employees, most of whom have been working from home since the pandemic began, many companies have modified perks to suit the work-from-home lifestyle. Some employers introduced a one-time allowance for staff to buy a chair, desk or any other equipment needed to set up their home office. Lennox, for example, has been giving every employee 10,000 rupees ($137 USD) for this purpose since last year, Mani said, and the benefit extends to any new employees. At NEC Corp., where around 95 percent of staff is currently working from home, a long-standing broadband Internet connection policy has been revamped, Kapoor said. For employees who moved back to their native towns or villages in remote locations, the company bore the initial Internet connection charges. Company perks and festival gifts have also been made more relevant to a work-from-home arrangement. During the big festival of Diwali last year, Lennox gave its employees a smart speaker, Mani said. The company also tweaked its onboarding kit for new employees to include a workstation laptop stand, Mani said. One perk Lennox employees enjoyed pre-pandemic was access to free snacks and beverages in the office. The company has since stopped stocking the office pantry and instead pays for food and beverages that can be offered as part of a team-bonding activity, Mani said. If a manager wants to acknowledge team members for a successful project, the company provides food coupons. And to recognize exemplary work, managers have pizzas and cakes delivered to employees' homes. "In a way, we made food remote as well," Mani said. Shefali Anand is a New Delhi-based journalist and former correspondent for The Wall Street Journal. You can follow her on Twitter. These villages are meant to lure the Indian villagers towards a better Chinese life, are also supposed to serve as additional eyes and ears for Beijing. Gandhinagar, Sep 25 (IANS) In a shocking revelation, the Advisory Board of the Global Counter Terrorism Council has informed that China has built 680 'Xiaokang' (prosperous or thriving villages) along its border with India. "China has built around 680 Xiaokang, which they call as 'well off' villages on our borders with them, and Bhutan borders. These villages are inhabited by their people who come and live in and impress the local Indian population how well off they are with the Chinese government. "These are intelligence operations, security operations from their side. They try to 'turn people anti-India'. So we are training our police personnel, regarding these attempts and sensitize them on how to counter their moves," Krishan Varma, a member of the Advisory Board to the Global Counter Terrorism Council told the IANS. Varma, a former special secretary with the Government of India (GoI), was at the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in Gandhinagar on Friday in a program marking the end of a 12-day specialised training programme for 16 probationary Deputy Superintendents (DySP) of Arunachal Pradesh police at RRU. He's also the Emeritus Resource Faculty, School of International Cooperation, Security and Strategic Languages with Media at RRU. "So the RRU has designed a special tailor-made course for the Arunachal Pradesh police, so as to counter the Chinese attempts of infiltration. The RRU designed program is specific to the needs of the northeastern state and was created in consultation with Arunachal Pradesh DGP RP Upadhyaya, who had visited Gujarat two months ago," said Varma. The RRU sessions trained the personnel not only in forensics and investigation techniques but also provided an introduction to the dark web, cybercrime and crime scene management, internet banking, fraud, fake news detection, Chinese and internal security challenges for police officers in the northeast. "They (Chinese) are very advanced in the field of technology, especially the internet and social media. They are using social networking sites to mislead the people of India, to spread false narratives. So we taught them these. The northeastern border areas are very sensitive and it's absolutely necessary for them to know about such attempts of subversion," added Varma. "We are also teaching them the Mandarin (Chinese language) as the persons infiltrating speak it. The university has designed a one0year course which gives a basic knowledge of the language. In future the RRU has also plans, under the able guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of coming up with five years course of Masters, where they'll understand their culture, history, their needs, habits, their policies," added Varma. --IANS amc/in "Pakistan nurtures terrorists in their backyard in the hope that they will only harm their neighbours. Our region, in fact, the entire world has suffered because of their policies. "This is the country which is an arsonist disguising itself as a firefighter," Sneha Dubey, a First Secretary in India's UN Mission, said on Friday. "Today, the minorities in Pakistan, the Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, live in constant fear and state-sponsored suppression of their rights. This is a regime where anti-Semitism is normalised by its leadership and even justified," she said. Responding to Khan's claims about treatment of minorities in India, Dubey said: "Pluralism is a concept which is very difficult to understand for Pakistan which constitutionally prohibits its minorities from aspiring for high offices of the State. The least they could do is introspect before exposing themselves to ridicule on the world stage. "Unlike Pakistan, India is a pluralistic democracy with a substantial population of minorities who have gone on to hold highest offices in the country including as President, Prime Minister, Chief Justices and Chiefs of Army staff. India is also a country with a free media and an independent judiciary that keeps a watch and protects our Constitution." As for Khan's allegations of "war crimes" by India, Dubey recalled the genocide perpetrated in Bangladesh in 1971 during and before the War of Independence in which more than 300,000 people were killed by Pakistan and hundreds of thousand women raped. Pakistan "still holds the despicable record in our region of having executed a religious and cultural genocide against the people of what is now Bangladesh. As we mark the 50th anniversary this year of that horrid event in history, there is not even an acknowledgement, much less accountability", she said. Khan in his speech said that after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, "terrorism has been associated with Islam by some quarters" and "increased the tendency of right-wing, xenophobic and violent nationalists, extremists and terrorist groups to target Muslims". He then went on to link this to the BJP and the RSS. Dubey said: "We marked the solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks a few days back. The world has not forgotten that the mastermind behind that dastardly event, Osama Bin Laden, got shelter in Pakistan. Even today, Pakistan leadership glorify him as a 'martyr'. "Regrettably, even today we heard the leader of Pakistan trying to justify acts of terror. Such defence of terrorism is unacceptable in the modern world." Pakistan has made an annual ritual of using up most it time at the high-level General Assembly session to attack India, which it also does at all meetings, regardless of the topic. Dubey said: "This is not the first time the leader of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country, and seeking in vain to divert the world's attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities, are turned upside down. "This is a country which has been globally recognized as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of State policy. It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council." Khan said that Pakistan "desires peace with India" but it is "contingent upon resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and the wishes of the Kashmiri people". Pakistan, however, is in violation of Security Council Resolution 47 adopted in 1948 that requires it to withdraw all its personnel from Kashmir. Dubey declared: "Let me reiterate here that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation." On the conditions for peace, she said: "We desire normal relations with all our neighbours, including Pakistan. However, it is for Pakistan to work sincerely towards creating a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible actions to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross border terrorism against India in any manner." Khan blamed the US for the developments in Afghanistan, recalling the support Washington under President Ronald Reagan gave mujahidin fighting the Soviet Union in the 1980s. "We were left with sectarian militant groups which were never existed before," he said. After 9/11, the US needed Pakistan's help to invade Afghanistan, he said. As a result, the same Mujahidin also turned against Pakistan and the Taliban attacked his country, he claimed. After Dubey gave the right of reply speech, a Counsellor in Pakistan's UN Mission, Saima Saleem, replied to the right of reply. Saleem repeated many elements of Khan's speech, in addition to quoting Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and UN human rights bodies, ignoring their scorching criticism of her country. --IANS al/ksk/ The presence of certain Roman materials and coins with Roman engravings as also some other materials similar to the Gangetic and Indus valley artifacts support the theory that the community that lived in these areas had entered into trade with people in North India as well as Western Europe. The archeological evidence unearthed show that those living during that period possessed good graffiti skills in Tamil, which they might have used for communication. The carbon dating report provided by the Miami-based Beta Analytic Testing Laboratory on August 27 has thrown up some startling findings about the Thamirabarani Civilisation that dates back to 3,200 years. The Beta Analytic had done carbon dating analysis of rice with soil found in a burial urn at Sivakasi in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. Immediately after the resulte were obtained, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced in the Assembly that a 'Pourunai Museum' would be set up in Tirunelveli at a cost of Rs 15 crore. The findings also emboldened the Chief Minister to state on the floor of the House that the task of the state government is to scientifically prove that the history of the Indian subcontinent must begin from the Tamil landscape. The state government also announced the carrying out of excavations in other states and countries in search of Tamil roots and Tamil culture. The Chief Minister announced that as a first step, research will be done with Kerala archeologists to establish the ancientness and culture of the Chera empire. The joint excavations are scheduled to be conducted at Pattanaam in Kerala, which was the ancient port of Muziris. Stalin is keen that similar studies are undertaken at Vengi in Andhra Pradesh, Thalaikadu in Karnataka, and Palur in Odisha. The state archeology department would also undertake joint studies and research at Quseir al-Quadim and Pernica Anekka in Egypt. These were part of the Roman Empire. Stalin has also ordered to conduct excavation and research work at Khor Rori in Oman. These, according to the experts in Tamil archeological studies, is to establish that the state had trade relations with the Roman Empire as well as with Oman. Interestingly, potsherds with Tamil scripts have been found in Egypt and Oman and the Tamil Nadu government wants to establish that there was a rich Tamil culture with proper scripts as well as highly sophisticated utensils with artworks and that the Tamil landscape had a major role in the civilization of the Indian subcontinent. According to Tamil historical and naval studies, King Rajendra Chola had established supremacy in Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, and the state government would conduct studies and research in these countries to find a Tamil connection. Other than the Thamaraibarani Civilisation, the six-phase excavations in Keeladi or Keezhadi have also thrown up several information that a rich and vibrant culture was present in ancient time and Tamil was a supreme culture with rich knowledge of artifacts, literature and science. The Chief Minister had said, "The Keezhadi excavations have proved that the Tamil society had achieved rich literacy even in 6th century BC, and Keezhadi had united Tamils across the world." The seventh phase of the excavations in Keezhadi commenced on February 13, 2021, when AIADMK leader E.K Palaniswami was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. It may be noted that during the sixth phase of excavations, the archeologists had found human skeletons, precious stones, weighing measures, and ring well structures. The materials obtained from the site have revealed that people who had lived in the region 3,200 years ago had advanced knowledge and skills. Interestingly, the excavations and archeological evidence during the first six phases of Keezhadi excavations have shown that the Tamil culture can be traced back to 6th century BC, as against the earlier held view that it dates back to 5th century BC. This shows that the second urbanisation that had taken place in the Gangetic valley did occur in Tamil Nadu in 6th century BC against the popular view that the second urbanisation had not taken place in the southern state. Interestingly, the recovery of graffiti from several vessels found during the Keeladi excavations has given the impression that the civilisation that existed in these areas had the knowledge of script and had used this for communication. The presence of skeletons of large animals like cow/ox and small animals like goats reveal that the society was predominantly agrarian. Archeologists also deciphered that the presence of graffiti pointed at the high level of literacy that existed in this part of the world during the 6th century BC. The six rounds of excavations that were conducted in Keeladi, the seventh is in progress, have so far yielded 5,820 antiquities with cultural traits in the form of structural activities, ornaments, popular ceramic ware utensils, graffiti shreds of both pre and post-firing nature. This clearly indicates the cultural richness of the ancient civilisation of the Tamils of this region and proves beyond doubt that the people who lived in those days communicatied between themselves and used graffitis to express themselves. With the state government announcing a museum at Thamaribarani, and the seventh round of excavations underway in Keeladi, the Tamil Nadu government is keen to establish the rich cultural heritage of the Tamils. --IANS aal/arm Nigel George Rowan from Waikato also faces permanent restrictions on the number of animals he can own, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday citing the statement as saying. Wellington, Sep 25 (IANS) A New Zealand farmer who underfed nearly 300 cows has been fined NZ$9,000 ($6,300) and ordered to pay vet costs of NZ$1,763 ($1,234), according to a statement by the Ministry For Primary Industries. Rowan pleaded guilty to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act at the Hamilton District Court for under-feeding 178 milking cows, 50 dry cows and a mob of 60 heifers. In addition, the farmer has been disqualified from having more than 250 cattle over the age of six months and 60 calves under the age of six months on the farm. The court heard that the situation could have been managed, but Rowan allowed conditions on his farm to deteriorate. Between 2018 and 2020, he received advice and a plan to improve the body condition of his animals from a number of parties, including his industry bodies and a farm consultant. Ministry For Primary Industries' Animal Welfare and NAIT Compliance Regional Manager Brendon Mikkelsen said people in charge of animals have responsibility for their welfare. "Rowan failed his animals by not taking opportunities to address the issues. Our Animal Welfare Inspectors, backed by a veterinarian, inspected all 288 cattle at the property and found the farm low on pasture," Mikkelsen said. "Supplementary feed was available but it wasn't being fed out at a level that would improve the situation for his animals. "The body weight of many of the milking mob was too low for milking and some of these animals had become emaciated, while others showed signs of stunted growth," Mikkelsen added. --IANS ksk/ Rome, Sep 25 (IANS) Over 50 mafia members were arrested in a police swoop in Italy's Sicily, authorities have confirmed. Those arrested on Friday are alleged members of the Sanfilippo clan of Mazzarino near Caltanissetta, Xinhua news agency quoted the police as saying. According to the police, the clan said to take its orders from the Gela branch of the second largest Sicilian crime organisation, the Stidda (Sicilian for 'Star'), which is much less famous than Cosa Nostra. A joint statement adopted by Primes Ministers Narendra Modi of India, Scott Morrison of Australia and Yoshihide Suga of Japan and US President Joe Biden after their summit on Friday, said: "We denounce the use of terrorist proxies and emphasise the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks, including cross-border attacks." That segment of the statement applies to Pakistan, even though it was not named, and another, without mentioning China directed attention to its aggressive actions in the region, from the Himalayas to the Pacific Ocean. "Together, we recommit to promoting the free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. We stand for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity of states," the leaders said. Their joint statement did not, however, put forward any specific joint defence or security measures. It instead said: "We also recognise that our shared futures will be written in the Indo-Pacific, and we will redouble our efforts to ensure that the Quad is a force for regional peace, stability, security, and prosperity." To bring a measure of permanence to what has been an informal group, the four agreed to hold annual summits and meetings of Foreign Ministers in addition to regular sessions of senior officials. The leaders said that they would coordinate diplomatic, economic, and human-rights policies towards Afghanistan and deepen counter-terrorism and humanitarian cooperation. Most of the defined actions proposed by the Quad leaders are about cooperation and helping themselves and others in the region. Taking on the current challenge of the pandemic foremost, the declaration said: "Our partnership on Covid-19 response and relief marks an historic new focus for the Quad." They welcomed New Delhi's resumption of vaccine exports and the Indian company Biological E producing at least one billion safe and effective Covid jabs by the end of 2022, financed in part through Quad investments. India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that the vaccine would be the Johnson & Johnson type, which requires only one shot. Japan will provide finance for the distribution of the vaccines and Australia will buy jabs for distribution in the Southeast Asia region and also pay for their delivery, according to the declaration. The leaders said that they "will also strengthen our Science and Technology cooperation" in clinical trials and genomic surveillance to bring a quick end to the pandemic and also "conduct a joint pandemic-preparedness tabletop or exercise" next year. They committed themselves to fight climate change by working towards zero net emissions by 2050 and increase their commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The leaders also agreed to pursue the deployment of clean-hydrogen technology, which is one of Modi's initiatives. Several of the new initiatives are in technology, which had risks posed by China in the background. "We are mapping the supply chain of critical technologies and materials, including semiconductors, and affirm our positive commitment to resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains of critical technologies," the leader said in the joint statement. "We are monitoring trends in the critical and emerging technologies of the future, beginning with biotechnology, and identifying related opportunities for cooperation." They said that they have established cooperation on critical and emerging technologies "to ensure the way in which technology is designed, developed, governed, and used is shaped by our shared values and respect for universal human rights". With the co-sponsorship of the major companies, they announced 100 Quad Fellowships in STEM subjects for graduate students, the declaration said. The Quad was also launching programmes in cybersecurity and in space. They also said that they were launching a new Quad infrastructure partnership that will map the region's infrastructure needs, and coordinate on regional needs and opportunities, the declaration added. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) --IANS al/ksk/ On Friday, Teshome Gemechu Aderie, Chairperson of the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), said that the recent splinter within the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A-IO) under First Vice President Riek Machar has disrupted the ongoing plans to pass out the first batch of the 83,000 unified forces, reports Xinhua news agency. Juba, Sep 25 (IANS) South Sudan's ceasefire monitoring body said that recent and past defections of military officers from the opposition are derailing the implementation of the security arrangement that includes the graduation of the unified forces. "Such changes of allegiances are damaging the peace process. Therefore, we are seriously monitoring it in order to get any timely updates," Gemechu told journalists in Juba. On August 4, SPLM/A-IO breakaway faction led by Machar's former chief of staff Simon Gatwech Dual announced that it had deposed the latter from the chairmanship of the party. Several senior militaries once allied to Machar have since defected to join Dual's group and the South Sudan People's Defense Force (SSPDF) violating the 2018 revitalised peace deal which abhors defections and splits. The two SPLM/A-IO factions have clashed twice since August in Upper Nile, leaving more than 60 soldiers killed. "CTSAMVM has been made aware of several changes of allegiance from the SPLM/A-IO to the SSPDF in Upper Nile state which has reportedly resulted in skirmishes in the Mathiang area," said Gemechu. He disclosed that four senior SPLA-IO commanders have crossed over to the SSPDF in the past few weeks. Gemechu called upon the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) that mediated the 2018 revitalised peace deal, and the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) that monitors the peace deal to engage the parties to stop military defections. "CTSAMVM has been monitoring the situation in the Magenis area as closely as possible, and calls on both factions of the SPLM/A-IO to refrain from any further violence," he said. Defections have been persistent throughout the more than six years of conflict that broke out in December 2013. Graduation of the 83,000 unified forces is critical for security during the ongoing transitional period. President Salva Kiir during his independence address in July this year promised the graduation of the first batch of 53,000 unified forces but this is yet to take place. --IANS ksk/ Massoud was speaking on September 18 at The Open Forum webinar titled, "What does Taliban rule mean for the region and the West". Other speakers at the event included Jonathan Goodhand, Professor in Conflict and Development Studies from the Department of Development Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and Ayesha Ijaz Khan, a lawyer and columnist for the Dawn and Arab News. New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS) "Taliban can rule Afghanistan, but they can never govern it," said Massoud Hossaini, a Pulitzer Prize and WPP winner photojournalist who managed to escape the Taliban and is now forced to be "stateless". The webinar was moderated by Mandy Clark, an Emmy-nominated journalist and former CBS News war correspondent and the winner of the Richard R. Snell Award for investigative journalism. Usurping the 20 years set-up of the US in a matter of 10 days took the world by surprise and turned the world of those living in the country up-side-down.Calling it "one of the most horrible in the history of the world", Massoud said, adding that "a country being invaded by one of its neighbours and the world is only watch it". Pakistan was quick to recognise Taliban government post the Kabul take-over. By virtue of Pakistan's geopolitical positioning it has always played a pivotal role in dealings with Afghanistan. Recalling former US President Barack Obama's term for war against Taliban in Afghanistan "a good war", Ijaz Khan believed the US retreat was "unplanned and odd" and more a response to their own "domestic war weariness". "The lessons learnt from this is that democracy and enlightenment must be home grown, and one cannot really rely on foreign powers to deliver these goodies." On the other the hand Pakistan's support to the Taliban regime has huge implications for Pakistan itself. "I have a lot of trepidations particularly as a woman of the region because what happens in Afghanistan will inevitably spill over to Pakistan. Our fate is tied... I am not very optimistic for the future," she further added. Responding to a viewer question, Ijaz Khan pointed out how she disagrees with Pakistan's stance to support the Taliban and so does a lot of Pakistan. Pakistan to some though is the root cause of the problem. Speaking from experience having covered the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Massoud said: "I have witnessed Taliban were coming close to the border with the help of the Pakistani army. They had lot of support from Pakistan's ISI. How someway US did not find a way to bomb them there? "If the West wanted to solve everything for Afghanistan the first option is to sanction Pakistan and not Afghanistan. If the West could secure the Pakistan border, none of those groups trained in safe havens can come inside Afghanistan and destabilise Afghanistan." By not doing so, Massoud added the West, "have lost Pakistan and lost Afghanistan and now they are replaced with China, what can I say". Pakistan piggy-backing on China has its own implications. "Going from reliance on one foreign power to another means that Afghanistan remains a rentier state and unfortunately when a state is war torn and it is weak then other countries take advantage of it. I think Pakistan has been one actor which has not played a positive role in Afghanistan,but other countries have taken advantage of Afghanistan that has had to undergo 40 years of war," opined Ijaz Khan. China replacing the US in the region has ramifications on the West as well. "Western retreat from Afghanistan is the kind of decline of western interventionism," believes Goodhand. It is also a decline of "western activism" to change the world, barring in mind the spill over effect of intervention in Iraq. The whole "rhetoric" of the West fixing failing state and of exporting democracy through these large multi-mandate operations led by the NATO or the UN, Goodhand believed "have really punctured these hubristic kinds of goals which are being shown to be extremely unrealistic and have failed in their own terms and I suppose what we see now is a swing back to realism". Apart from "rupture expectation from the Western countries", the impact of a Taliban take-over has yet another implication. This could be an, "inspiration to jihadis internationally," and "whether the Taliban have the where with all to deal with IS, in some way sworn enemy of the Taliban but there are some multiple other groups including IMU, TDP which could have the blow back effect on the region", Goodhand said. Economic instability in Afghanistan also might lead to, "expansion of drug economy for the region, Europe and the Western Economy", he added. The big question now is: what next and is there hope? For Ijaz Khan, the real inspiration and hope comes from the Afghan women, "who have tried to stand up to the Taliban. For her "an ideal outcome would be a trans-national movement of women in Afghanistan with Pakistan and Iran joining in". "I don't think what Afghan people need now are sanctions and turn Afghanistan into International Pharaoh. We have this massive financial crisis, a development crisis, humanitarian crisis there has to be some kind of engagement and that will have to be with the Taliban. That does not mean to say naively recognising them, legitimising them but there has to be some engagement. Sanction regimes do not work," said Goodhand. Massoud believes "everything will be solved, women issue will be solved, security issue will be solved economy issue will be solved, if Westerners wanted to be honest and do it for Afghanistan and not keeping their allies, their friends close to Pakistan". --IANS ksk/ "The Houthi rebel group stormed three key districts in Shabwa and deployed its fighters there but faced tough resistance from the government forces," the official told Xinhua news agency on Friday. Sanaa, Sep 25 (IANS) Battles over the control of Yemen's oil-rich province of Shabwa have continued to intensify between the Houthi rebels and government forces, a military official said. "Heavy forces loyal to Yemen's government were mobilized from different areas in the country's southern part and succeeded in confronting the Houthi offensive against Shabwa," he said. In Shabwa's western part, particularly the oil-rich district of Usaylan, the government forces have expelled the Houthis from a number of areas following days of fighting, the official added. During the past 48 hours, 98 Houthi rebels were killed by the government forces backed by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Shabwa, according to the Yemeni official. Another local official said that the fighting is still going on as the Houthis apparently aim at capturing Usaylan district with a large oil field. "The Houthi militia received reinforcements and began preparations for raiding Usaylan and other areas in Shabwa again," he said. In 2017, the Yemen government forces backed by Saudi Arabia-led coalition launched a large military campaign and expelled the Houthi rebels out of all the strategic areas in Shabwa. The Houthi militia recently intensified their military operations against the government-controlled areas in different parts of the war-ravaged Arab country, and succeeded in capturing key areas from the government forces. --IANS ksk/ MedPlus Health Services, Pharmacy retail chain has filed preliminary papers with SEBI to secure 1,639 crore through an initial share sale. The initial public offering (IPO) comprises fresh issuance of equity shares worth 600 crore. According to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP), the companys offer for sale (OFS) includes equity shares by promoter and existing shareholders, aggregating up to 1,038.71 crore. The OFS comprises equity shares aggregating up to 450 crore by Lone Furrow Investments, equity shares of up to 500 crore by PI Opportunities Fund - I and Rs 88.71 crore of equity shares by other shareholders. Proceeds of the fresh issue would be used for funding working capital requirements of the company's subsidiary, Optival. Axis Capital, Credit Suisse Securities (India), Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India) and Edelweiss Financial Services have been named as merchant bankers to suggest the company on the IPO. MedPlus was founded in 2006 by Gangadi Madhukar Reddy. From operating 48 stores in Hyderabad, MedPlus has become the countrys second-largest pharmacy retail network with 2,000 stores. It offers a wide range of products that includes pharmaceutical and wellness products such as medicines, vitamins, medical devices and test kits, and FMCG products such as home and personal care products, including toiletries, baby care products, soaps and detergents and sanitizers. Kettlebell Kings recently added Battle Ropes Education to its exercise catalog, as part of its extensive kettlebell equipment and related training. The Battle Ropes virtual training will eventually be housed at Living.Fit, where Kettlebell Kings hosts all of its training and exercise material. Along with this Kettlebell also introduced a new trainer & manager Aaron Guyett to its team to help develop the unique Battle Ropes Certification Program. Guyett is an Equinox Fitness Training Institute Educator, founder of Battle Ropes Education and Leaders of Leaders, in addition to being a Marine Corps Staff Sergeant and Iraq War veteran. He will run both the virtual and in-person training programs related to battle ropes and other modalities of fitness. Many of the tutorial videos subsequently developed will be offered at Kettlebell King's training and community website: Living.Fit "We are excited to be adding a leader like Aaron Guyett to our team. This marks a big step for our company: entering the digital subscription and certification space, as well as expanding our offering to service customers with new products. We are now able to teach people how to achieve optimal workouts, safely and effectively," said co-founder of Kettlebell Kings, Jay Perkins. Battle Ropes are widely considered to be an effective upper-body workout tool, but with Guyett's expertise, he will be creating even more versatility and effectiveness with the fitness ropes seen in every gym in America. Battle Ropes can be used to remove strength imbalances while sculpting muscle. The variability will be showcased throughout Living.Fit's expansive exercise and workout program pages. The ropes provide power, strength and aerobic exercises to the entire body. With tutorials on how to best set up and use the battle ropes, it will be easy to work your arms, back, legs, chest and core with a series of exercises grouped into specific categories. Battle ropes come in various lengths and thicknesses depending on the desired workout, with each set requiring specific, developed routines. The online library of kettlebell and battle ropes training materials located at Living.Fit was originally intended to supplement kettlebell and other equipment sold by Kettlebell Kings. It has since grown into a vibrant community that fosters learning and fitness training. Kettlebell Kings is the only exercise company currently creating such digital content and subscriptions to pair with their equipment. Founded in August of 2013, Kettlebell Kings sells high quality kettlebells, battle ropes and other exercise equipment as well as producing training programs to match. Kettlebell Kings is noted for its extraordinary customer service as well as being the first to offer a unique "No Shipping Costs" policy on its kettlebells. Regardless of weight or size of the order, Kettlebell Kings never charges a shipping cost to its customers. Kettlebell Kings currently has more five-star reviews than any other kettlebell company on the web and is the official kettlebell provider to the largest lifting organizations in the U.S.: The Orange Kettlebell Club and the American Kettlebell Alliance. Read More news: LG joins Microsoft to accelerate autonomous vehicles business 'AI in activity trackers, smartwatches threatening privacy of health data' To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Cranbrook School is one of Sydneys most elite institutions and has educated some of the Harbour Citys biggest names including casino magnate and publishing heir James Packer (and his father Kerry), former Nine boss David Gyngell and Caledonia chief investment officer Will Vicars. Mike and Annie Cannon-Brookes are fast becoming property tycoons with rumours theyre moving to the Southern Highlands. But Emerald City is told billionaire software boss and Cranbrook old boy Mike Cannon-Brookes and his wife Annie plan to remove their sons from Cranbrook in Bellevue Hill and enrol all four children at Tudor House in Moss Vale, part of The Kings School. Given the couples extensive property portfolio in the Southern Highlands - which includes six homes totalling about $50 million - the move could be a wise escape from Sydney after two years of COVID restrictions. Just last month the couple purchased one of the areas most prominent properties, Wattle Ridge, for an estimated $13 million. Miranda Otto was in Vancouver filming Netflix supernatural horror series, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, when bushfires sparked in Queensland in September, 2019. By the time she was headed home to Sydney for Christmas, the east coast was engulfed in flames. Like most city dwellers, Australias Black Summer touched her indirectly, but she recalls a sad and dark time that made seasonal celebrations feel wrong. Accepting the role of a Victorian dairy farmer reeling from devastating loss in Tony Ayres and Belinda Chaykos six-part anthology series, Fires seemed an appropriate response to the disaster. I was amazed by the speed with which (the creators) were able to bring a show about the situation, says Otto from California, where she is due to embark on an unnamed film project. It was an incredibly fast turnaround and I was impressed that they managed to write it and fund it and put so much detail into the production, so soon after something that was so at the front of peoples minds. Shock and grief for Miranda Otto and Richard Roxburgh in Fires. Credit:ABC As do the creators, who have stated the series is intended to honour the experiences and the losses suffered, Otto doesnt believe its too soon to dramatise the horrific events of just two years ago, that have left many still without homes. With a lot of these things, people say, Oh, we need to put it off. But the fact is that so many of these events are calling for change in the way that we live, and I dont think you can put that conversation off. I think you have to have that conversation now. When Ray and Elma Kearney took their children for a nature walk in Lane Cove Bushland Park, they told them to see what they could find and they would photograph it together. That was 20 years ago and what resulted was the discovery of nine new species of fungi called waxcaps, one of which was named after Ray and Elma. Ray and Elma Kearney, citizen scientists and fungi hunters in Lane Cove. Credit:Nick Moir To date, 36 species of waxcaps have been identified in Lane Cove, including 15 new species. Six have not been described and named, Mr Kearney says, because there is nobody left qualified to do the nomenclature. But the discovery of more new species and research about how fungi are affected by climate change and bushfires has been left in the dark, he says. The former head of infectious diseases at Sydney University and chair of the Sydney Fungal Studies Group issued a blast in the organisations latest newsletter, warning mycology was in a crisis. Reverend Phil Colgan accepts the gift of vaccination and encourages others to do the same (The word from a double-jabbed preacher, September 19). This does unto others as you would have them do unto you, to protect himself, his congregation, and the community all unquestionably good works. More questionable, however, is the implication that freedom of religion is under threat. Freedom of association is restricted temporarily (mainly by COVID-19), but not freedom of thought. Similarly, freedom of choice remains, but not freedom from consequences. We choose whether to be vaccinated, but free choice does not mean free to infect. Those who decline a vaccine and hence decline to protect their neighbours cannot expect equal freedom of association with them. Finally, I am sure that Rev Colgans church bans smoking indoors on health grounds: smokers must go outside. This sensible rule does not limit freedom. COVID is a far greater health hazard and being in church offers no immunity: sensible health measures should apply there too. James Nielsen, Concord Scrappy affair More than 150,000 students at Sydneys major universities would face mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in order to return to campus under reviews being considered by the states higher education sector. Monash University became the second university in Australia to make the jab compulsory last week, with all staff, students and visitors required to be fully vaccinated by November 5, following La Trobes decision to enforce compulsory vaccination by early December. It comes as the University of NSW and University of Sydney undertake mass surveys of faculty and students to gauge levels of vaccination uptake and attitudes to jab mandates. NSW Vice-Chancellors committee convenor Professor Barney Glover said all large universities in metropolitan Sydney are considering making vaccination mandatory for students. Credit:Louise Kennerley NSW Vice-Chancellors committee convenor Professor Barney Glover said all large universities in metropolitan Sydney were considering making vaccination mandatory for students and the committee was talking to the government about its view. In 1968, when his father was charge daffaires at the embassy in Prague, Roger witnessed the Soviet takeover of Czechoslovakia. He later reflected that his interest in acting stemmed from watching my parents perform at close quarters, watching them have to be other people. My family is a bit like that, in private anyway, he said. But to see my mother quivering with nerves and then opening the door and becoming a different person for the benefit of the Greek Foreign Secretary By eight he was making up short plays about ghosts, and at assembly at Clifton College, where he was educated, he directed some sketches by Harold Pinter. The playwrights fascination with the codes of language with people not saying what they meant resonated with Michell and he went on to study English at Queens College, Cambridge. Contemporaries included Jimmy Mulville and Griff Rhys Jones. Michell directed many student plays, winning an award at the Edinburgh Fringe. He also won a drink with Trevor Nunn, who strongly advised him against a career as a director because of its emotional toll. So of course I ignored him, Michell confessed. In 1978 he began as an assistant director at the Royal Court Theatre, London. Danny Boyle was his stage manager and it was there he began to collaborate with Hanif Kureishi. He also worked with Samuel Beckett, John Osborne and Max Stafford-Clark. After a year, however, Michell left to stage his production of Private Dick, his play about Raymond Chandler. It was seen in the West End with Robert Powell as Philip Marlowe. Thereafter, he spent six years as a director with the Royal Shakespeare Company. When Adrian Noble became its artistic director in 1991, Michell left and took the BBCs course for prospective television directors. He and Kureishi then adapted the latters novel The Buddha of Suburbia as a drama series. Starring Naveen Andrews, and with a soundtrack commissioned from David Bowie, this was broadcast to acclaim on BBC Two in 1993. Notting Hills soundtrack featured Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant on the cover. Credit: It was followed by Michells first film (also for the BBC), his notably naturalistic rendition of Persuasion (1995). Made at the height of Austenmania its production coincided with Pride and Prejudice, featuring Colin Firth, and there was competition between the two for costumes it starred Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds and won praise for Michells faithfulness to the subtleties of the text. It was Michells feel for the comedy in his film version of My Night with Reg (1996), Kevin Elyots play about the advent of AIDS, that led to his being chosen to direct Notting Hill. Before that, he worked for several years at the National Theatre, notably with Bill Nighy, Andrew Lincoln and Chiwetel Ejiofor on Blue/Orange, Joe Penhalls award-winning play about mental health and racism. An in-joke was inserted into the final scene of Notting Hill, with Hugh Grant shown reading what was slated to be Michells next film for Working Title: Captain Corellis Mandolin. But at the age of 43, Michell so keen a smoker that he would snap the filters off his cigarettes then had a heart attack while on a train to Paris. The taxing shoot in Greece of Louis de Bernieres novel was entrusted instead to Michells fellow Old Cliftonian John Madden, though with results widely considered disappointing. Michell himself, having recovered, then made a rare venture to Hollywood for the anger management thriller Changing Lanes (2002), with Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson (whom the director found rather gauche and shy beneath a superabundance of front). Thereafter, as he embarked on a second marriage, Michell chose to work almost entirely in Britain, and so inevitably on smaller productions. These included The Mother (2003), about a reverse May-December relationship, with Daniel Craig, who with Rhys Ifans also appeared in Enduring Love (2004), the adaptation of Ian McEwans psychological thriller. Michell then agreed to direct Craig as James Bond in Quantum of Solace (2008). Yet his preference for thorough preparation was at odds with a timetable that envisioned much improvisation. He eventually walked away over concerns about the readiness of the script. After another May-December film, Venus (2006), which brought Peter OToole his final Oscar nomination as a dying pensioner infatuated with a young Jodie Whittaker, Michell returned to the theatre. He directed several more plays by Joe Penhall, including Mood Music at the Old Vic and Birthday at the Royal Court. Later films included Morning Glory (2010), with Harrison Ford as a TV news anchor, and Le Week-End (2013), another collaboration with Kureishi, starring Lindsay Duncan and Jim Broadbent. The next year he made the television drama The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, starring Jason Watkins as Michells former teacher, vilified in the press during the hunt for the murderer of Joanna Yeates in 2010. My Cousin Rachel (2017), with Rachel Weisz as Daphne Du Mauriers ambiguous protagonist, ushered in a highly productive late spell. This included a much-watched documentary about four great contemporary actresses, Nothing Like a Dame (2018), and Blackbird (2019), a drama about euthanasia starring Kate Winslet. Le Weekend, directed by Roger Michell, starred Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan. Credit: Michells final feature film, The Duke, starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren and based on the theft from the National Gallery in 1961 of the portrait of the Duke of Wellington, is due for release shortly. He was also at work on Elizabeth, an archive-based documentary on the Queen for release late this year or early next. Professor Catherine Bennett, chair of epidemiology at Deakin University. Credit:Jason South She said Melbourne was at less risk of rising case numbers than Singapore, which is heading into the wet season and has more high-density living, but our public health response would need to remain flexible after reaching the vaccine target. "If you can do that you can contain it, and we can keep going into work and the kids can keep going to school," she said. "But it's not going to be like 2019." Mr Foley said Victoria's road map wasn't a "set and forget" plan. "It was always on the basis we would continue to review where cases were at. As the next stages of the road map are introduced and people start moving and things open up, [there is] the potential for a further increases [in cases]. There are currently more than 600 exposure sites across Victoria, including in the regional towns of Wodonga, Warrnambool, Bendigo and Shepparton. Mr Weimar said while contact tracers in regional Victoria are still focusing on rings of containment, contact tracers in city areas are focusing on the highest-risk settings. We are increasingly focusing on shorter interviews, getting to the heart of the matter more quickly, focusing on those high-risk primary close contacts and focusing on those high-risk exposure sites, he said. In good news, the Surf Coast Shire can look forward to eased restrictions from Monday, but Mr Foley said authorities were closely monitoring the steady increase in cases in regional Victoria. Victoria is still three or four weeks away from a predicted peak in case numbers, and 321 people are in hospital with COVID-19, representing a 55 per cent rise in the past week and a 124 per cent increase in the past fortnight. Health authorities said the majority of recent cases were being passed on in homes and social settings, with 55 per cent of Saturdays caseload passed to household contacts of positive cases, while the vast majority of the remaining 45 per cent were the result of illegal social interactions between households. Ever since the numbers started to take off we have seen a growing number of household-to- household transmission, Mr Weimar said. We are not seeing big workplace outbreaks. As we see case numbers rise inexorably, we also see hospitalisations rise behind it, and this is why it is so critical for all of us to do everything we can to minimise that household-to-household transmission, and to minimise community transmission were continuing to see in key parts of Melbourne, Mr Weimar said. Mr Weimar said he was concerned about Victorians potentially breaking the rules to watch Saturday nights grand final which could lead to a surge in case numbers next week. Im extremely worried that large numbers of Victorians will say tonight: Well, just for tonight, well all get together and have a good night out, and well take our masks off, and well scream, and well shout and have a good drink, he said. And as a result of that in six, seven days down the road weve got another big cluster of cases." "If we let it all go now...we will have hundreds of people in hospital in the next few weeks." Loading Almost 77 per cent of Victorians have received at least one COVID-19 jab and about 47 per cent are fully vaccinated. But Victorians will have to wait until next week for a minor easing of restrictions which will allow for low-risk sports such as golf and tennis to resume once 80 per cent of Victorians have received a single vaccine dose. The state government has announced vaccine mandates for the construction sector as well as all staff at schools and in early childcare. General practitioners are reporting the vaccine mandates, which will also trigger increased freedoms for Victorians later in the year, are driving an uptick in vaccinations from tradespeople but also older Victorians who have been eligible for the jab since March but had been holding out for a Pfizer vaccine. Loading Melbourne GP and infectious diseases epidemiologist Paul Van Buynder said hed noticed a shift in attitudes from over 70s, who were realising that if they wanted to see their family more they may have to be vaccinated. In an effort to drive up vaccination rates in Melbourne's west, Footscrays Whitten Oval will be transformed into a pop-up vaccination clinic on October 2 and 3 with 2000 Pfizer vaccines available to Victorians. Both WA and Queensland make up more than half the countrys landmass, but host only 30 per cent of the population. In Queensland, unlike all other Australian jurisdictions barring the small island state of Tasmania, less than half live in the capital. Both have also drawn much of the Commonwealth ire for their last-place duel in the race to protect their populations from all-but-inevitable Delta variant outbreaks, as the country angles to begin reopening this year at targets of 70 and 80 per cent of the eligible population fully vaccinated under the national plan. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (front, first from left) and WA Premier Mark McGowan (front, first from right) among other national cabinet leaders during a press conference in December. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen In NSW, Victoria and the ACT, weeks and months into their toughest outbreaks of the pandemic, the pace of vaccination has upped gears. All three are well ahead of the national average on both first and second dose figures and are now looking to vaccinate their way out of lockdowns, having given up on suppressing or eliminating the virus. The ACT is much smaller and largely metropolitan, too. Tasmania also sits slightly further ahead of the pack. At the bottom, there are Queensland and WA. But they are among the remaining essentially COVID-free jurisdictions within about six percentage points of each other on second doses between 43.9 per cent and 50 per cent. On first doses, the field narrows to 2.7 percentage points. Based on the current speed, all are widely tipped to reach 80 per cent by mid December at the latest. Loading The two Labor premiers hesitancy to open borders to hotspot states once vaccination targets are reached has also been a point of significant contention, and vocal criticism, among elements of the Coalition and business community. Though officials in the NT and Tasmania have also, more quietly, flagged closed borders at Christmas and an aim to stay closed until 90 per cent is double-dosed. Queenslands Annastacia Palaszczuk declared on Thursday the freedoms being aimed for in NSW and Victoria at 80 per cent would be a backwards step from those already available in her state, and has consistently heaped blame on the federal governments for lacking supply. Western Australias Mark McGowan has blamed an unfair vaccine share from the Commonwealth, as the reason vaccine uptake is low, despite nearly 20,000 unbooked Pfizer appointments being available at state-run clinics at the time he made the comments. Both of the largest states have now opened Pfizer doses to over-60s, in an effort to encourage remaining people only previously eligible for the much misaligned AstraZeneca to get the jab. NSW and Victoria are among the few remaining jurisdictions to have not. The stated population-share basis of the national rollout has swayed slightly to states facing outbreaks, along with greater portions of priority groups. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says her state already enjoys more freedoms than will be available to NSW and Victorian residents when 80 per cent of people aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated. Credit:Matt Dennien Experts say lifting vaccination rates boils down motivation and access. The latter has largely been an issue Australia-wide until recent weeks. The former is also a more uphill push for largely COVID-free jurisdictions already home to the freedoms others are now trying to vaccinate their way to. Immunologist and Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, patron of the Doherty Institute, believed this had been a driving factor behind the national progress. Former Queensland chief health officer and emergency medicine expert Gerard FitzGerald, now at Queensland University of Technology, said distribution across the two largest and most decentralised states also played a part when mass hubs in capital cities could theoretically manage more than three-quarters of some other state populations. Loading But the relatively small coverage gaps among most states was largely moot, Professor FitzGerald said. And it was better to think of targets in behavioural terms rather than freedom-day trigger points: once enough supply had arrived and time had passed for every eligible person who wanted the jab to have had a reasonable chance to access their two doses. After this, there needed to be a shift in approach nationwide. We cant continue to hold back the rest of the community, he said. Hermione Parsons, director of Deakin Universitys Centre for Supply Chain and Logistics, believes the fundamental issue was an early Commonwealth failure to procure enough vaccine doses fast enough from enough types and sources for the entire population, pointing to early approaches from Pfizer to federal Health Minister Greg Hunt. She said glib early messaging from the federal government that it was not a race and as concerns around the extremely rare AstraZeneca clotting side effect that there would be enough mRNA vaccines for everyone later in the year, also did not help. (Others, including Ms Palaszczuk, have also been criticised for muddying the waters on the safe and effective jab). Did they have the urgency in the procurement of, and the purchasing of vaccines, did they have the volumes worked out, and did they mitigate risk? Dr Parsons said. I would say no. A federal Health Department spokeswoman said the Commonwealth was working with all parties, including the Royal Flying Doctors Service and Defence Force in remote settings, to ensure all Australians had access to a COVID-19 vaccine. Targeted work was also being done with states and territories in local government areas falling behind. As the pandemic has stretched on and on, so has the queue of people desperate to return to an Australia that has remained obstinately closed to the outside world. Towards the back of the queue, out of public sight and mind, are thousands of recently graduated international students who returned home in the early months of the pandemic, only to wait for more than 18 months with increasing despair as the clock has run down on their visas to live and work in Australia. Vivek Bhargava is one of more than 14,450 graduates whose 485 temporary visa has expired while outside Australia since February 2020. Credit:Ashima Raizada Vivek Bhargava, who studied IT at Swinburne University and Melbourne Polytechnic TAFE, is one of more than 14,450 graduates whose 485 temporary visa has expired while outside Australia since February 2020. Stuck in India and unable to return to an IT job he had in Melbourne before the pandemic hit, Mr Bhargava has co-ordinated a WhatsApp group of other 485 visa holders in the same position as him all over the world. Former Nationals leader Michael McCormack and senior Victorian MP Darren Chester are urging party colleagues to back greater climate action to ensure Australia can remain relevant on the international stage. Their comments on Saturday came after Australia and its Quad partners said they would announce ambitious emission reductions ahead of the UN Climate talks in Glasgow in November. Nationals MP Michael McCormack says Australia should go to the Glasgow summit with a position locked in on net zero emissions. Credit:Photo: Alex Ellinghausen In a joint communique released after the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue meetings wrapped up on Saturday, Australia and its partners - the US, India and Japan - said they intend to update or communicate ambitious NDCs by COP26 . Nationally determined contributions are a countrys pledge through the United Nations on how fast and by much they will reduce emissions. Mr McCormack said Australia should go to the Glasgow summit with a position locked in on net zero emissions to prove it was a serious player and deserved to be around the table. Federal Trade Minister Dan Tehan says he has extended an open invitation to meet with his French counterpart after his offer was formally rejected amid the diplomatic fallout over Australias decision to tear up its submarine deal with France. In another sign of the French governments white hot fury over Australias action, Trade Minister Franck Riester has refused to meet with Mr Tehan when he travels to Paris next week for an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development meeting and the 12th round of negotiations of the EU-Australia trade agreement. Trade Minister Dan Tehan has been subbed by his French counterpart, whoi has refused to meet with him when he travels to Paris for an OCED meeting next week. Credit:Sarah Baker Mr Tehan said that he learned of the rejection on Friday night and contacted Australias ambassador in Paris, Gillian Bird, to pass on the message that the invitation remained an open one. I said to her, please reassure the French that I am very keen to sit down with them and have a discussion about the decision that was taken with regards to submarines and that remains an argument, Mr Tehan said on Saturday. Amid a sea of marketing messages on TV, radio and the internet, the direct text message or robocall is a powerful way to fish for potential supporters - as well as annoy millions of people trying to get on with their daily lives without being bothered by politicians. Mr Kellys texting frenzy has had the useful if unintended effect of rekindling an important debate about the limits of political campaigning in Australia. Our political parties currently enjoy a large degree of latitude when it comes to communicating with voters. Registered political parties are, for example, exempt from the Privacy Act, which allows them to collect and store data on voters. The Spam Act allows them to send unsolicited messages to voters if they want to. They can even side-step the Do Not Call Register and contact people who have otherwise chosen not to be contacted by companies and marketing agencies. In some ways this makes sense because political communication is important, especially in the lead up to an election, and people who seek Australians votes need to be able to inform the public about what they stand for - and why. Thank you for tuning into all the live action from this evenings preliminary final between Penrith and Melbourne. What a tense match it was and it will be a great grand final week with the Panthers to face the Rabbitohs in the decider next week in Brisbane. Stay tuned for all the fall-out from tonights match online, including analysis and match reports. Thank you and have a great night. Washington: As Scott Morrison wined and dined with Donald Trump in the White House Rose Garden two years ago, a troubling question hung in the early autumn air. Yes, it was a coup that Trump had invited Morrison to just his second state dinner since being inaugurated. But would Morrisons efforts to cozy up to Trump come back to haunt him if the American public booted out the erratic billionaire businessman after a single term and sent a Democrat to the White House? These questions only intensified as Morrison appeared besides Trump at what was essentially a campaign rally in Ohio. Now we have the answer and its a definitive no. Following a hectic week of meetings and summits in New York and Washington, its clear that Morrison has skilfully handled the transition from Trump to Joe Biden, taking the Australia-US alliance to a new level in the process. Washington: Scott Morrison and the fellow Quad leaders have presented a united front against Chinese economic pressure and military aggression in the Indo-Pacific at a historic White House summit, with the Prime Minister declaring the four nations believe in a world order that favours freedom. US President Joe Biden hosted Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Suga in Washington for the first in-person leaders meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue on Saturday (AEST). President Joe Biden speaks during the Quad summit in the East Room of the White House Credit:AP The four leaders unveiled a suite of initiatives to work together on delivering vaccines to needy countries in Asia, creating a reliable supply chain for critical minerals and partnering on low-emissions technologies to tackle climate change. Although the leaders deliberately avoided mentioning China by name, the mission to counter the growing influence of the rising superpower dominated every aspect of the summit. Rio de Janeiro: Dyane Rodrigues used to enjoy strolling along Rio de Janeiros iconic Ipanema beach after a hot summers day. Daylight saving time meant her workday went by faster and ended early enough for her to take in the golden sunset, the 28-year-old said from her fruit stand, a stones throw from the seashore. That changed in 2019, when Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro did away with the practice of changing clocks. The idea behind daylight saving time had been to make most of long summer days natural light, delaying by one hour the time at which households switch on their lamps. But the President said daylight saving no longer made sense, as it yielded little in energy savings and forced Brazilians to commute in the dark, and many experts agreed. Catharina Michel seeks relief from the heat on Arpoador Beach, Rio de Janeiro Credit:AP But once again, daylight saving known here as summer schedule has surged to the fore. Brazil is in the throes of its worst drought in 91 years, which has returned the spectre of power rationing. The operator of the hydroelectric-reliant grid is reviewing the scope of benefits sacrificed by the 2019 change and federal politicians discussed its return this week. Associations linked to the tourism and service industries, sensing opportunity to boost evening business, are chiming in with their support. SPOILERS AHEAD! What If... Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark? Well, this episode of What If...? surprised me a lot. As the title says, the pivotal moment that changed this universe is related to Tony, who doesn't become the Iron Man after being saved by Erik Killmonger. This idea by itself is very, very interesting, and intrigued me a lot after all, Tony was a key character to the MCU until Avengers: Endgame. What would have happened if he never became a hero? Would the world be doomed? Would he become a villain? Maybe he could get a happy ending with Pepper, after all. But soon I discovered that this episode wasn't really about Tony or a universe without the Iron Man. Instead, it focuses on Killmonger, who wants the same things his canon counterpart wanted in Black Panther with a different plan to conquer them this time. First, he gains Tony's trust by saving him, exposing the man who ambushed him and helping him to create a combat machine. Then, to produce an army of combat drones, Killmonger and James Rhodes negotiate with Ulysses Klaue, but they are interrupted by T'Challa. Plot twist: it's been Killmonger all along! He kills Rhodes and T'Challa, making it look like they murdered each other. Later, after Stark confronts him about the murders, Killmonger also kills Tony. This is part of his plan to start a war between Wakanda and the USA, and it works. Killmonger goes to Wakanda with an army of drones controlled by General Ross, supposedly planning to attack them. In the end, however, he betrays Ross and helps his people, stopping the machines and gaining his family's trust. Finally, Killmonger becomes the new Black Panther. Betrayed by Erik, the USA thinks Wakanda is behind Tony's and Rhodes's deaths. Wakandans think Rhodes killed T'Challa, plus Americans tried to invade and destroy their country. A war is about to begin. However, at the last minute, Shuri goes to Pepper Potts, suspicious of Killmonger. Their bond seems likely, as well as their alliance to stop the new Black Panther. That's how it ends, with no conclusion at all, which is quite a letdown for me. But first things first, what makes this episode my least favorite until now is how it blends two interesting plots without developing or finishing them. What would happen if Stark never became a hero is the ignored scenario and I don't say this as a big fan of Iron Man, but it would be really neat to see how things would unfold if that happened. A missed opportunity, in my opinion. Also, the episode ends in a very abrupt and weird way, just like the zombie episode. While I am not opposed to open endings, I think that conclusions for episodes 5 and 6 are incomplete. They end in random moments, which is a choice that doesn't work for me. Finally, positive things: I think the episode improved a lot after Killmonger arrived in Wakanda. His relationship with T'Chaka is interesting to watch. Also, the Dora Milaje fighting was such an emotional scene. Wishful thinking: Angela Bassett's Queen Ramonda as the main star in a future episode about her I'd also love to watch an episode focused on the Dora Milaje. And the final scene between Killmonger and T'Challa was also strong and symbolic it's always a blast to watch these two interacting with each other. These moments also left me with a bitter excitement for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever I'm intrigued to watch what comes next. What If... Thor Were an Only Child? In this universe, Loki was raised by his biological family. Without his mischievous brother, Thor grows to be a stormy party god. You know, extraterrestrial princes just wanna have fun. The episode takes place during the first Thor movie when Odin sleeps. In this timeline, however, Thor wasn't exiled, and things are peaceful, which means Frigga earns herself some time out with her friends. Without his parents by his side, Thor escapes to Earth and hosts an enormous party, inviting aliens from everywhere. This means we get to see many characters from the intergalactic side of MCU: Mantis, Drax, Nebula, Surtur, Howard the Duck, and others. Just like in the original timeline, Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis are interested in understanding what's happening, so they end up joining the party. Like it's meant to be, Jane and Thor have fun and fall in love with each other. However, when the morning after the party rises, Maria Hill, replacing a hurt Fury, knocks on Jane's door with a plan to end the destruction caused by Thor and his friends. The plan, of course, involves Carol Danvers. She's called to stop Thor, the biggest menace threatening the world. They fight, but Danvers lose because she is afraid to use her full power and kill innocent people. Then, Darcy, Hill, and Danvers make a new plan: Carol will take Thor to an isolated place where she will get to destroy him for good. But Jane is in love, so she has a plan as well. Using some science stuff, she travels to Asgard and meets Heimdall, who helps her contact Frigga. Before Hill starts a nuclear attack, Frigga interrupts Danvers and Thor's fight with a magical holographic call, telling her son she's coming to Earth. Scared, Thor and his friends clean up the mess they made just in time for Frigga's arrival. The episode ends when an army led by Ultron appears, just after Thor asks Jane out on a date. Plus: this Ultron is with all Infinity Stones. This episode was enjoyable. I feel it's not meant to be taken seriously, so I had some fun watching it. I also don't think the ending ruined it for me, as everything about the main story was solved. So Ultron's appearance is more like a cliffhanger, though I don't know when we're going to discover the outcome of it all. Maybe the finale will tie up all loose ends left; imagine how crazy it would be to have both Zombie Thanos and Ultron with Infinity Stones as the final villains. However, I think that if this show wants to continue the Killmonger/Shuri/Pepper plot, it'll be only possible in season two. Finally, my favorite thing about episode seven was Loki as a Frost Giant being friends with Thor. Also, Howard the Duck and Darcy are fun to watch as much as Darcy and Jimmy Woo in WandaVision; I liked to see Captain Marvel in the spotlight, and I'm intrigued to watch Thor: Love & Thunder after all these interactions between Jane, Thor, and aliens. It might be a wild ride. What about you? Did you like these episodes? Excited about the final ones? Thanks for reading, and see you soon. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reveals that Thiago Alcantara is likely to be out until after the international break with a calf injury. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Thiago Alcantara is expected to be out until after the international break with a calf injury. The Spaniard pulled up with the problem during last weekend's victory over Crystal Palace and was already ruled out of the upcoming Premier League clash with Brentford. It was initially unclear how long Thiago's issue would have kept him out for, but Klopp has not been able to provide a positive update on the midfielder's condition. Speaking to the media during his pre-match press conference, Klopp said: "It's a muscle in the calf. It is not 100% clear when he will back. After the international break probably. I don't think it will be any earlier." The Reds are also without Harvey Elliott for several months following his serious ankle injury, while Naby Keita is also confirmed to be missing the clash with Thomas Frank's men. New York (United Nations), 25 September 2021 (SPS) - The president of Namibia, Hage G. Geingob, defended on Thursday in New York for the inalienable right of the Sahrawi people to freedom and independence, welcoming the appointment of Alexander Ivanko, the new special representative of the UN Secretary General in Western Sahara. "It is now almost 50 years that the people of Western Sahara are still waiting to exercise their inalienable right to freedom and independence," the Namibian president lamented during his speech at the UN. He expressed his hope that the new Special Representative of the UN SG for Western Sahara will devote his full attention to the issue to enable the people of Western Sahara to exercise their right to self-determination. 062/T New York (United Nations), 25 September 2021 (SPS) - Lesotho regretted Thursday that the inalienable right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination is still not guaranteed. It is regrettable that the persistent denial of the inalienable right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination has still not been resolved, Prime Minister of Lusotho, Moeketsi Majoro, said on Thursday at the 76th session of the Assembly. General (GA) of the UN. The people of Western Sahara aspire to peace, freedom and the right to determine their own destiny, he added. For many years, the efforts of the UN to facilitate the transition to independence (of Western Sahara) have not yielded any concrete results, he lamented. He also recalled that Lesotho looks forward to the conclusion of the Western Sahara process so that the people of that country can freely determine their own future. 062/T Officials released new information that provides a more comprehensive look into the ongoing investigation of a California family found dead in the Sierra National Forest south of Yosemite. John Gerrish, 45, Ellen Chung, 30, and their 1-year-old daughter Miju as well as their family dog Oski were found dead in the Devil's Gulch area in the south fork of the Merced River in the Sierra National Forest, the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office said. Responding agencies treated the scene as a hazmat situation due to their uncertainty about the cause of the fatalities. In an update provided by the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, investigators substantively ruled out another cause of death chemical hazards on Hites Cove. The update also sheds further insight into the timeline of events leading up to and following their death, including a witness sighting on the day of their disappearance. Craig Kohlruss/Associated Press The timeline also reveals that a cell phone was delivered to the FBI for further investigation Tuesday, and a search warrant was issued for access to Chung's and Gerrish's social media accounts Wednesday. Toxicology reports from any of the family members have yet to be released, and water samples from around the scene and with the family were sent Monday to the California State Water Resources Control Board and to independent labs, said the sheriff's office. The Fresno Bee reported at the time their deaths were announced that "exposure to toxic algae" could have been a possibility. Craig Kohlruss/Associated Press Toxicology results are expected in two to three weeks. Autopsy data revealed this weekend was only able to rule out acute trauma, such as stabbing, gunshot wounds or blunt-force trauma. The family relocated to Mariposa from San Francisco during the COVID-19 pandemic when Gerrish was presented an opportunity to work remotely for good, the Bee reported. Gerrish was a software engineer at Snapchat; Chung was in graduate school studying to become a family and marriage therapist. The two wanted to raise Miju in a "quiet, slow-paced environment" surrounded by nature, in a setting unlike the hustle and bustle of San Francisco. Craig Kohlruss/Associated Press Before moving to Mariposa, both were avid concert and festival-goers; social media posts dating back to 2017 show Gerrish and Chung at shows with large groups of friends. The family's Sunday hike was intended to be just a daylong hike, which prompted concern from multiple family friends when they didn't come back home. The temperature at the time, according to the sheriff's office, ranged from 103 to 109 degrees. The California Department of Justice and sheriff's office workers are investigating their deaths. Their death is being handled as a hazmat and coroner investigation. We know the family and friends of John and Ellen are desperate for answers, our team of Detectives are working round the clock," said Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese in a statement. "Cases like this require us to be methodical and thorough while also reaching out to every resource we can find to help us bring those answers to them as quickly as we can. SFGATE managing editor Katie Dowd contributed to this report. The number of evictions in Connecticut has started to climb from lows earlier in the pandemic and threatens to increase further following the end of a federal moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent, experts said. Housing specialists fear this is just the beginning of a wave of renters losing their homes in the coming months and likely facing an uphill battle to find a new place to live. Homelessness service providers are getting more calls and bracing for an influx of people who need shelter. Its very frightening, said Carla Miklos, executive director at Operation Hope, a Fairfield-based homelessness service provider. We definitely have seen an uptick and I feel like thats just the beginning. Its an unprecedented time. In late August, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions ban on certain evictions for nonpayment of rent. Since then, eviction filings, which begin the eviction process in court, and eviction executions, which end the process and force people from their homes, have started to rise, data show. In July, there were 395 eviction cases filed in Connecticut. Filings were up to 658 for September as of Wednesday and on pace to be one of the highest single-month totals since the pandemic began, according to data from the Connecticut Fair Housing Center. In July, there were 286 eviction executions issued. In September, with just over a week left in the month, there were 252, according to the data. Attorneys say theyre getting more calls about executions. An execution is issued after initial eviction hearings conclude. If the tenant hasnt left by the date a judge sets, the landlord can request an execution. During that process, the state marshal typically gives tenants 24 hours to leave the unit before removing them from the premises and putting their personal belongings in city storage. Youre going to see an uptick in marshals coming in to put people out, said Pamela Heller, a staff attorney with the Connecticut Fair Housing Center. Many of the cases reaching the execution stage are old cases; the federal moratorium was the only thing keeping the tenant from being evicted, attorneys said. The CDC issued that moratorium in September 2020 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by keeping people who had suffered financial losses due to the pandemic from having to go into congregate living conditions such as homeless shelters or moving in with friends and family. Connecticut had a statewide moratorium from April 2020 to June 2021. During much of the pandemic, a gubernatorial executive order required another hearing before the executions were issued. That has since expired, meaning tenants have less time to find another place to live or work things out with their landlords. Theres just not a lot of notice before the execution, said Kelsey Bannon, a staff attorney on the housing unit at Greater Hartford Legal Aid. The organization provides legal services to people with low incomes. For those who have an eviction filing on their record, finding new housing can be difficult -- even if the case was dismissed or they worked out a mediation with their landlord. The problem is a landlord can still see an eviction, regardless of whether its dismissed or not, Heller said. Once its filed, it can show up. In a housing case Tuesday, Judge John Cirello told a tenant that although a dismissal might be possible, credit companies that mine the data would still have the information. She asked the court to help her because the eviction record had thwarted her efforts to find a new place to live. Shed paid off her debt and worked things out with her old landlord, the New Haven tenant explained, but she couldnt find any other landlords who would take her. Its kind of hard to put the toothpaste back in the tube, Cirello said. Over the past year, Connecticut United Ways 211 program had received 294,362 requests for services related to housing and shelter, according to data available Friday afternoon. Of those, about 24% were about rent assistance. Theres assistance available through the states UniteCT program. Tenants who earn up to 80% of the area median income can receive up to $15,000 in rent assistance and $1,500 in utility assistance. The program is funded with $235.9 million from the federal government. The most common call to the 211 system regarding housing was for shelter needs. At Operation Hope, staff are preparing for an influx of need caused by evictions. In the end what Im really worried about is really kind of threefold: its the number of people who may be in need of assistance, the lack of affordable housing to begin with and the damage to their credit, Miklos said. Miklos said the nonprofit has gotten more calls from people who say theyre about to be homeless since the federal moratorium was lifted. She plans to hire additional staff and ramp up fundraising in the hopes of creating an additional eviction and foreclosure prevention fund at Operation Hope. Were sort of preparing as were being hit with it, she said. She fears many people will be looking for a new place to live in a market thats already over-saturated. Rents are rising nationwide, and many people may not be able to afford higher costs, she said. Bannon said shes seen an incredible slow down in the ability to rent. Many of her organizations clients have looked for apartments for months. Miklos added that people most affected have been senior citizens and people with low incomes who lost jobs during the pandemic. In her experience, most landlords want to work with tenants, but its difficult now that some have gone a year and a half without collecting rent, she said. These [tenants] are people that have been victimized by a pandemic and an economic system that hasnt protected them, she said. And how do landlords recover? Will they stay in business, will they be able to keep their properties? SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) James H. Lockwood says there are plenty of challenges to being the only blind lawyer in St. Joseph County. It takes me longer to do things, sometimes, he said. Most lawyers can just open up their mail and read it at the mailbox, but I have to scan it. Lockwood has a program that will audibly read typewritten documents once they are scanned into his computer. That allows him to hear aloud letters, legal briefs and the other types of forms that attorneys have to read and understand. Lockwood, who does not read braille, said The biggest challenge is often the stuff you dont think about, like an introductory handshake or a ride to the courthouse or to a clients home. I met Lockwood, his wife Sarah, and their newborn daughter at the Starbucks on Indiana 933 recently. I stood at the front of the table when I introduced myself, but then moved to sit. Lockwood stuck out his hand in the direction that he heard my voice come from seconds earlier. That kind of stuff, the every day stuff, is challenging, he said. Blindness prevents Lockwood from driving, and he depends on his father and occasionally his wife to take him to the courthouse or other appointments. The 36-year-old attended school in the Penn-Harris-Madison district and overcame big and small challenges to earn a law degree from the University of Notre Dame and work several years for the Ohio Attorney Generals office. Lockwood said he learned how to overcome adversity from his father, also named James H. Lockwood, who suffers from muscular dystrophy. Hes in a wheelchair and he was a mechanical engineer who drives a handicapped-accessible van ... He does what anyone else can do other than run or walk. And it was his fathers actions and words that gave Lockwood the strength to meet and overcome the challenges that come with being blind. Well, I told him that you have to accept the life you are given, do the best you can and not let it defeat you, the elder Lockwood said. You may not be able to walk or see, but dont let that get you down. Lockwood admits that wasnt always easy. He was born in Houston in a neighborhood, ironically known as the South Bend subdivision, that is now the site of the Brio Superfund. Brio Refinery Inc. was located there until the company ceased operations in 1982. A lot of kids were born with congenital illnesses or were stillborn, Lockwood said. I had cataract surgery not long after I was born. While the family cant be sure that living in the superfund site caused Lockwoods blindness, they believe living there had an impact. Lockwood said that hes never been able to see out of his right eye, but had 20/50 vision in his left eye, which made it difficult for him to read the print found in textbooks or to see the chalkboard. In high school, at Penn, he had to listen to his assignments on audio programs. Still, Lockwood said that he wanted to remain in the area rather than attend the Indiana School for the Blind in Indianapolis. I didnt want to have to go to a different place because I had a condition, and I never believed that I cant do anything, he said. In fact, when I cant do something, it makes me irritated and I try to find a way to do it. That includes going to college, and then moving hundreds of miles away from home to work in Columbus, Ohio, for the state attorney generals office. Lockwood knows that some people might be amazed at what hes been able to accomplish. But I didnt have any choice, and I think there is a mindset in this country that you can do whatever you want to do, he said. Dont get me wrong. Its not easy to lose the ability to see or walk. My dad is in a wheelchair and some of the determination I have is observing him with his disability. Lockwood said he had one of those no-choice moments when he graduated from law school in 2011. The country was still struggling to regain footing from the great recession of 2008-09 and law school grads had a hard time finding jobs. He applied to some law firms and didnt have luck. Taking a job out of state seemed like a good opportunity. Lockwood said it was time for him to strike out on his own. You are alone when you are living at Notre Dame in a dorm, but then again you are not five hours away from home, he said. Lockwood worked in Ohio for several years. He met Sarah, who was a student at Ohio State University, there. The couple has been married for seven years and they moved back to this area five years ago. Lockwood said the he had a desire to return home and to work as a litigator in his own practice. Hes always wanted to be a lawyer because of his desire to help the underdog that is inspired by his situation. I want to help the little guy and the person who is trying to overcome adversity, he said. Its easy for the powerful and corporations to get what they want... Lockwood gets to be near his family, and there are no shortage of clients seeking his services. He said he doesnt think being blind has negatively affected his career. Most of them are curious, but Ive never had a client say I dont want a blind attorney, he said. If I ever did have a client who said they didnt want a blind attorney, I would not get angry ... For every client I dont have there are others that I will get. - Source: South Bend Tribune UNITED NATIONS (AP) Its almost certain that Afghanistans Taliban rulers won't get to speak at this year's U.N. General Assembly meeting of world leaders. The Taliban challenged the credentials of the ambassador from Afghanistans former government, which they ousted on Aug. 15, and asked to represent the country at the assemblys high-level General Debate. It began Tuesday and ends Monday, with Afghanistans representative as the final speaker. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that as of Friday, Afghanistans currently recognized U.N. ambassador, Ghulam Isaczai, who represents former president Ashraf Ghanis now ousted government, is listed as speaking for the country. The key reason is that the General Assembly committee which decides on credentials challenges has not met, and is highly unlikely to meet over the weekend. Assembly spokeswoman Monica Grayley said Wednesday the nine-member committee generally meets in November and will issue a ruling in due course. The Taliban, who overran most of Afghanistan last month as U.S. and NATO forces were in the final stages of their chaotic withdrawal from the country after 20 years, argue that they are now in charge and have the right to appoint ambassadors. In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Talibans newly appointed foreign minister, Ameer Khan Muttaqi, said Ghani was ousted as of Aug. 15 and that countries across the world no longer recognize him as president. Therefore, Muttaqi said, Isaczai no longer represents Afghanistan and the Taliban was nominating a new U.N. permanent representative, Mohammad Suhail Shaheen. He was a spokesman for the Taliban during peace negotiations in Qatar. We have all the requirements needed for recognition of a government, Shaheen told The Associated Press on Wednesday. So we hope the U.N., as a neutral world body, recognize the current government of Afghanistan. When the Taliban last ruled from 1996 to 2001, the U.N. refused to recognize their government and instead gave Afghanistans seat to the previous, warlord-dominated government of President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was killed by a suicide bomber in 2011. It was Rabbanis government that brought Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of 9/11, to Afghanistan from Sudan in 1996. The Taliban have said they want international recognition and financial help to rebuild the war-battered country. But the makeup of the new Taliban government poses a dilemma for the United Nations. Several of the interim ministers -- including Muttaqi -- are on the U.N.s so-called blacklist of international terrorists and funders of terrorism. Credentials committee members could also use Taliban recognition as leverage to press for a more inclusive government that guarantees human rights, especially for girls who were barred from going to school during their previous rule, and women who werent able to work. The committees members are the United States, Russia, China, Bahama, Bhutan, Chile, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Sweden. A U.S. State Department official said earlier this week that the committee, would take some time to deliberate. So it appears the Taliban are going to have to wait, and Isaczai will speak about a country where the government he represented fled without its army putting up a fight. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Fatima Alzahra Shon thinks neighbors attacked her and her son in their Istanbul apartment building because she is Syrian. The 32-year-old refugee from Aleppo was confronted on Sept. 1 by a Turkish woman who asked her what she was doing in our country. Shon replied, Who are you to say that to me? The situation quickly escalated. A man came out of the Turkish woman's apartment half-dressed, threatening to cut Shon and her family into pieces, she recalled. Another neighbor, a woman, joined in, shouting and hitting Shon. The group then pushed her down a flight of stairs. Shon said that when her 10-year-old son, Amr, tried to intervene, he was beaten as well. Shon said she has no doubt about the motivation for the aggression: Racism. Refugees fleeing the long conflict in Syria once were welcomed in neighboring Turkey with open arms, sympathy and compassion for fellow Muslims. But attitudes gradually hardened as the number of newcomers swelled over the past decade. Anti-immigrant sentiment is now nearing a boiling point, fueled by Turkeys economic woes. With unemployment high and the prices of food and housing skyrocketing, many Turks have turned their frustration toward the countrys roughly 5 million foreign residents, particularly the 3.7 million who fled the civil war in Syria. In August, violence erupted in Ankara, the Turkish capital, as an angry mob vandalized Syrian businesses and homes in response to a the deadly stabbing of a Turkish teenager. Turkey hosts the world's largest refugee population, and many experts say that has come at a cost. Selim Sazak, a visiting international security researcher at Bilkent University in Ankara and an advisor to officials from the opposition IYI Party, compared the arrival of so many refugees to absorbing a foreign state thats ethnically, culturally, linguistically dissimilar. Everyone thought that it would be temporary, Sazak said. I think its only recently that the Turkish population understood that these people are not going back. They are only recently understanding that they have to become neighbors, economic competitors, colleagues with this foreign population. On a recent visit to Turkey, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi acknowledged that the high number of refugees had created social tensions, especially in the country's big cities. He urged donor countries and international organizations to do more to help Turkey. The prospect of a new influx of refugees following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has reinforced the unreceptive public mood. Videos purporting to show young Afghan men being smuggled into Turkey from Iran caused public outrage and led to calls for the government to safeguard the countrys borders. The government says there are about 300,000 Afghans in Turkey, some of whom hope to continue their journeys to reach Europe. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who long defended an open-door policy toward refugees, recently recognized the publics unease and vowed not to allow the country to become a warehouse for refugees. Erdogans government sent soldiers to Turkey's eastern frontier with Iran to stem the expected flow of Afghans and is speeding up the construction of a border wall. Immigration is expected to become a top campaign topic even though Turkeys next general election is two years away. Both Turkeys main opposition party, the Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, and the nationalist IYI Party have promised to work on creating conditions that would allow the Syrian refugees return. Following the anti-Syrian violence in the Altindag district of Ankara last month, Umit Ozdag, a right-wing politician who recently formed his own anti-immigrant party, visited the area wheeling an empty suitcase and saying the time has come for the refugees to start packing. The riots broke out on Aug. 11, a day after a Turkish teenager was stabbed to death in a fight with a group of young Syrians. Hundreds of people chanting anti-immigrant slogans took to the streets, vandalized Syrian-run shops and hurled rocks at refugees homes. A 30-year-old Syrian woman with four children who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals said her family locked themselves in their bathroom as an attacker climbed onto their balcony and tried to force the door open. The woman said the episode traumatized her 5-year-old daughter and the girl has trouble sleeping at night. Some shops in the area remain closed, with traces of the disturbance still visible on their dented, metal shutters. Police have deployed multiple vehicles and a water cannon on the streets to prevent a repeat of the turmoil. Syrians are often accused of failing to assimilate in Turkey, a country that has a complex relationship with the Arab world dating back to the Ottoman Empire. While majority Muslim like neighboring Arab countries, Turks trace their origins to nomadic warriors from central Asia and Turkish belongs to a different language group than Arabic. Kerem Pasaoglu, a pastry shop owner in Istanbul, said he wants Syrians to go back to their country and is bothered that some shops a street over have signs written in Arabic instead of Turkish. Just when we said we are getting used to Syrians or they will leave, now the Afghans coming is unfortunately very difficult for us, he said. Turkeys foreign minister this month said Turkey is working with the United Nations' refugee agency to safely return Syrians to their home country. While the security situation has stabilized in many parts of Syria after a decade of war, forced conscription, indiscriminate detentions and forced disappearances continue to be reported. Earlier this month, Amnesty International said some Syrian refugees who returned home were subjected to detention, disappearance and torture at the hands of Syrian security forces, proving that going back to any part of the country is unsafe. Shon said police in Istanbul showed little sympathy when she reported the attack by her neighbors. She said officers kept her at the station for hours, while the male neighbor who threatened and beat her was able to leave after giving a brief statement. Shon fled Aleppo in 2012, when the city became a battleground between Syrian government forces and rebel fighters. She said the father of her children drowned while trying to make it to Europe. Now, she wonders whether Turkey is the right place for her and her children. I think of my childrens future. I try to support them in any way I can, but they have a lot of psychological issues now and I dont know how to help them overcome it, she said. I dont have the power anymore. Im very tired. ___ Wieting reported from Istanbul. Mehmet Guzel in Istanbul and Zeynep Bilginsoy in Bodrum, Turkey, contributed to this report. ___ Follow AP's coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration MADISON, Wis. (AP) The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Senate on Friday scheduled confirmation votes next week for four of Gov. Tony Evers' Cabinet secretaries. Confirming the governor's pick for top-level administration posts had been a pro forma courtesy that morphed into a yearslong partisan battle waged by Republicans after the Democratic Evers was elected in 2018. Scheduled for approval on Tuesday are Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson; Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski; Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary Missy Hughes; and Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary Dawn Crim. All of them won unanimous, bipartisan support in committee votes. Not on the list is Sandra Naas, Evers' pick to replace Fred Prehn on the Natural Resources Board. Prehn, who was appointed by former Republican Gov. Scott Walker, has refused to step down until Naas is confirmed, even though his term is over. Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit trying to force Prehn off the board, but a judge dismissed it. Kaul is appealing. Also not scheduled for a vote are Karen Timberlake, who is leading the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic as secretary of the Department of Health Services and Anne Pechacek, secretary of the Department of Workforce Development. All of them have been serving in their roles. But until they are confirmed, the Senate has the power to fire them by voting against confirmation. That's what Republicans did to former agriculture Secretary Brad Pfaff, who was elected to the Senate last year after he was fired in 2019. Evers, who made a highly unusual personal appearance in the Senate the day of that vote, later called the Senate's action political B.S." and amoral and stupid. Evers spokeswoman Britt Cudaback said the governor was grateful the Senate was taking action on the governor's Cabinet secretaries and dozens of other appointees to a variety of lower-level boards, committees and commissions. A couple of the more prominent positions up for confirmation include Wisconsin Ethics Commission administrator Daniel Carlton and Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority executive director Joaquin Altoro. Florin Citu has won, on September 25, 2021, the mandate as chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL), with 2,878 votes for, while his opponent, Ludovic Orban - 1,898 votes for. *** Florin-Vasile Citu was born on April 1, 1972, according to the Senate's webpage, senat.ro. He graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa (1992-1996), with a specialization in Economy-Maths, and holds a master's degree from the Iowa State University (1997-1999). In the 1999-2002 period he was a doctoral student Iowa State University, studying monetary policy, macroeconomic, and econometrics, however he did not defend his thesis. He obtained a diploma, in 2003, in Empiric methods to construct macroeconomic models from the Center for Financial Studies in Frankfurt, according to https://www.mfinante.gov.ro. He was an economist with the National Bank of New Zealand (January 2002 - October 2003) and with the European Investment Bank (November 2003 - December 2004). With ING Bank, he held the positions of head economist (January 2006 - January 2007) and head of the department for financial markets (January 2007 - March 2011), later becoming an economic consultant and analyst (April 2011 - October 2016). He was elected a senator in the no. 42 Bucharest electoral circumscription in the parliamentary elections of December 11, 2016. He was a member of the Committee for labor, family and social protection (December 22-26, 2016), deputy chair of the Committee for budget, finances, banking activity and capital market (December 22, 2016 - January 31, 2018), a member (December 27, 2016 - September 23, 2018) and later chair (February 1, 2018 - September 16, 2018) of the Economic, industries and services committee, according to senat.ro He was a member of the Committee for budget, finances, banking activity and capital market (since February 1, 2018) and of the European Affairs Committee (since September 24, 2018). Since October 2017 he was the leader of the PNL group in the Senate. Since November 4, 2019, he held the portfolio of Public Finance in the cabinets led by Ludovic Orban. In the December 6, 2020 general election, he was elected a senator for Bucharest on the lists of the National Liberal Party. On December 22, 2020, President Klaus Iohannis designated Florin Citu as candidate for the position of Prime Minister. Florin Citu is the proposal for Prime Minister of the coalition formed by the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Save Romania Union - Party of Liberty, Unity and Solidarity (USR PLUS), and the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), Agerpres informs. Former Minister for European Investments and Projects, Cristian Ghinea (Save Romania Union - Party of Liberty, Unity and Solidarity, USR PLUS) announced that he will attend, on Monday, the meeting with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who is visiting Bucharest. "I will attend on Monday the meeting with the President of the European Commission, upon the invitation of the Prime Minister and after consultations with the two co-chairs of USR PLUS. Because the PNRR is Romania's," wrote Ghinea, on his Facebook page. He recalled that Prime Minister Florin Citu proposed he remain a minister but he refused. "Prime Minister Citu proposed I remain minister and I refused, fact confirmed by him. All rumors relating to supposed negotiations or the possibility of a return to government without the restoration of the coalition of which USR PLUS would be a part of are fake news. I worked well with the Prime Minister and all ministers of the Government, it's no secret. The objective sought fiercely was to have a viable PNRR, supported by the entire coalition. We achieved this objective. It's no secret, we've said it before: I worked effectively on the PNRR and managed to agree it with the European Commission up to the last moment. More specifically, up to a few hours before our resignations, of the USR PLUS ministers, reach the Official Journal. Because the PNRR is a country plan which will change Romania for generations. After we've built highways and reforested Romania, we can say we were there. And USR PLUS was there," Ghinea also wrote, Agerpres informs. President Klaus Iohannis emphasized, on Saturday, the necessity for the current government crisis to be overcome, pointing out that governing must continue as there is no reason for Prime Minister Florin Citu to resign or be dismissed, Agerpres informs. "It's imperative we overcome the current crisis as soon as possible. This government must continue, as there is no real reason for the Prime Minister to be dismissed or resign, moreover as the Prime Minister and Liberal Ministers are attacked from all sides, the entirety of the PNL [National Liberal Party] should have proven solidarity and supported them with all their forces," said Iohannis, at the PNL Congress. He stated that "sabotage from within the party" is not understandable. "Not only must the PNL remain in Government, but I believe that Romania can have a decade of right-wing government. For this to be possible there is need for actions, for concrete activities, not only discourses and promises," the head of state also said. Future PNL chair must prove party is most important in Romania President Klaus Iohannis stated, on Saturday, that the future leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL) will have a very hard mission, namely to prove that the PNL is still the most important party in Romania. "The future chair of the PNL will have a very, very hard mission - to prove, firstly, that PNL is still the most important party in Romania," said the head of state, in the speech held at the start of the Liberals' Congress. He criticized the fact that, during the internal competition, there weren't many debates, but many personal attacks. Klaus Iohannis is attending on Saturday the PNL Congress. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, had, on Friday, in New York, at the General Assembly of the UN, a meeting with his counterpart from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, with which he discussed about Afghanistan and the necessity of joint efforts of the EU and the neighbors of this country to manage the negative effects of the situation, informs a release sent by MAE. "The meeting took place as a continuation of the phone call between the two heads of diplomacies, on September 7, 2021, which had as a main topic the situation in Afghanistan and the support granted by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the evacuation of Romanian citizens in Afghanistan, together with Afghan citizens in imminent risk situations. On the occasion of the meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the two ministers reviewed the very good stage of the political-diplomatic bilateral dialogue and discussed about the perspectives of developing relations between the two states, the reciprocal commitment to capitalizing the potential for development of them, on the basis of existing dialogue mechanisms, but also through the identification and consolidation of new sectors of cooperation," the MAE release mentions. Furthermore, the two ministers had "an deepened exchange of opinions regarding the perspectives for the development of the situation in Afghanistan, agreeing that a collective approach of the international community is necessary, including joint efforts of the EU and the neighbors of Afghanistan, in order to manage the negative effects of the situation," the quoted source mentions, informeaza Agerpres. Minister Bogdan Aurescu reiterated thanks "for the valuable support granted by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the evacuation of Romanian citizens in Afghanistan and for the recent evacuation, through Pakistan, of Afghan citizens essential to Romania - collaborators of Romanian troops in Afghanistan, students with scholarships in Romania and other vulnerable categories." The Romanian Minister also expressed, at the same time, interest for the consolidation of the dynamic of relations between the EU and Pakistan, in the context of the implementation of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan, signed during the Romanian mandate as President of the Council of the EU. The Romanian Minister reiterated, in this context, the firm support of Romania for the development of relations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the EU, including for the maintaining and capitalization of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences PLUS of the EU for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. "In his turn, the Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs, Makhdoom Qureshi, appreciated the solid traditional relations of friendship between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Romania and emphasized that our country is an important partner of Pakistan in the EU and at the international level. He expressed, at the same time, the commitment of the Pakistani side to consolidate the bilateral relation, on all levels, and thanked for the support offered by Romania within the European Union," the mentioned release underlines. The two officials also had an exchange of opinions on the last developments in the Indo-Pacific region, including the recently concluded AUKUS partnership and its effects. Both sides expressed appreciation for the good cooperation in the international forums and underlined the perspectives for the future of collaboration at the multilateral level, the MAE release concludes. The Minister of Education, Sorin Cimpeanu, was elected President of the Francophone University Agency (AUF), on the occasion of the first edition of the World Scientific Francophonie Week, hosted between September 21-24 in Bucharest, occasion on which the General Assembly of the AUF was also organized. "The first edition of the World Scientific Francophonie Week took place in the September 21-24, 2021 period, in Bucharest, under the High Patronage of the President of Romania, during which several major events of the Francophone University Agency (AUF) were hosted. The Polytechnics University in Bucharest has hosted the 18th General Assembly of the AUF, reunion which, after the Sommet of La Francophonie organized in Bucharest (2006), is the most ample Francophone event taking place in Romania. On this occasion, Sorin Mihai Cimpeanu, the Romanian Minister of Education, was elected President of the AUF," informs a release sent on Friday to AGERPRES, by the Education Minister. According to the quoted source, at the same time, the new Administration Council of the AUF was also elected, formed of 32 members. The rector of the Polytechnics University in Bucharest, Mihnea Costoiu, was elected to represent the entire region of Central and Oriental Europe, and among the 13 representatives elected of states/governments is also that of Romania - Ruxandra Mangu, Agerpres informs. "Thus Romania is enjoying an important presence in AUF offices, having three representatives: the President of the AUF, the representative of the Romanian Government and the representative of the universities in Central and Oriental Europe," emphasizes the mentioned release. The General Assembly of the 1,005 member institutions of the AUF (coming from 119 states) was also an opportunity to organize the conference of education/higher education and research ministers in Francophone countries. 40 ministers participated, recording thus the most extended ministerial representation in all the 18 editions of the AUF General Assembly in its 60 years of existence. In his intervention, Minister Sorin Mihai Cimpeanu, thanked all the delegations of the AUF member institutions for the confidence granted (by secret vote), emphasizing the importance of continuity which can facilitate transition between the major objectives of the 2017-2021 AUF Stategy and the 2021-2025 AUF Strategy. AUF will continue to support quality in education and research, the employability of young graduates by encouraging partnerships between the university medium and the socio-economic medium, as well as through the consolidation of the role of universities as engines for local and regional development, the mentioned release shows. According to the quoted source, several Romanian higher education institutions, among which the Polytechnics University of Bucharest, the University for Agronomical Studies and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, and the Transylvania University of Brasov announced, during the General Assembly of the AUF, the granting of complementary doctoral scholarships, in addition to the 980 doctoral and post-doctoral scholarships granted by Romania through the Eugen Ionescu Programme. Prime Minister Florin Citu told the delegates in the Congress of the National Liberal Party (PNL) that as long as he will be chairman of the party he will never wear "a jacket saying 'Vote PSD [Social Democrat Party]'", and the Liberals will never make and alliance with the Social Democrats. "I will never wear a jacket saying 'Vote PSD'. Never! How could I? When the PSD is and will remain the greatest enemy of the National Liberal Party? I am honest and direct, regardless of the political costs, so I will draw a very clear line. As long as I'm chairman of the National Liberal Party, we will not ally with the PSD. We delineate ourselves from that toxic party, which harmed Romanians. We are keeping them in opposition now, but also after 2024. And again I want you to be very careful: you won't see me in the position of forcing a censure motion against my own government. I am a Liberal, we're not doing it like [Liviu] Dragnea! These things you see in the PSD, not at the Liberals. I tell you very clearly: we're not making compromises, we are against anything related to the PSD," said Florin Citu, on Saturday, at the PNL Congress. He added that those who make compromises of the sort mentioned are hypocritical, Agerpres informs. "They forgot they're in government, with a Liberal Prime Minister, because the National Liberal Party has a strong partnership with President Klaus Iohannis. This partnership is the guarantee of Liberal government continuity up to 2024 and I tell you very clearly: my partnership with President Iohannis is an honest one. Regardless of the challenges we've had, PNL and Klaus Iohannis, together, represent the solution for Romania," Florin Citu mentioned. The Prime Minister mentioned that beside the PSD, he is accused "nowadays, by former coalition colleagues, together with some colleagues in the PNL of several things: that I'm crashing the economy, that I'm not funding healthcare, education, defence, that we don't have vaccines, that we have too much vaccine, that we don't have restrictions or that we're shutting down the economy. Each time I've proven the opposite, I did what I promised and did it well. And it's not just me saying it, it's the official figures. I was accused that this year we will not have the PNRR [National Plan for Recovery and Resilience] approved. On Monday we will have the PNRR approved, at the end of the year we will have the first money for investment. I was accused of not being interested in Romanians' development, but I approved the PNI [National Investment Plan], regardless of the risks for me. Dear Liberal colleagues, these elections (...) are about the future of the PNL on the political stage, now and after 2024, when we will have four rounds of elections against the PSD. And I'm the greatest enemy of the PSD, I'm the only one who can ensure PNL vicotry in 2024," said Citu. The National Liberal Party (PNL) is meeting in congress, on Saturday, to choose the new chairman of party, between incumbent Ludovic Orban, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, and Prime Minister Florin Citu. In the Liberals reunion, which will take place at Romexpo starting 11:00 hrs, 5,000 delegates from throughout the country are expected to participate. President Klaus Iohannis also announced his presence in the PNL Congress, Agerpres informs. *** Prime Minister Florin Citu rejected all accusations according to which this congress was illegally organized, with so many participants, given the legal norms approved for the red scenario of the pandemic which entered into force in Bucharest on Saturday, after the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections exceeded 3 per thousand persons. "The PNL Congress will have a mask mandate. It's legal because it's a congress where there is a space of 3 square meters per person. There's 15,000 square meters, so, if there will be 5,000 persons, it will be legally held. After all we should move to normality, we have a vaccine, we have a certificate, we can't stop every time," said Citu. He said, in this sense, that a point of view was requested from the National Committee for Emergency Situations (CNSU). *** The start of the PNL Congress will see speeches from the guests: President Klaus Iohannis, as well as representatives of political parties. The current chair of the party, Ludovic Orban, will present the activity report of his mandate afterwards. The two candidates for the position of chair of the PNL will have at their disposal 20 minutes to present their motions, followed by the speeches of five supporters for five minutes each. The vote for the candidates in the running for chairman could start around 14:00, according to information sent by the organizers. *** Ludovic Orban is running, in the congress, with the motion titled "Right's Force," while Florin Citu's run is under the motion titled "Liberal Romania." On May 30, Prime Minister Florin Citu announced his candidacy for the PNL's chair, stating at the time that the party needs a "new breath of air." Ludovic Orban, who previously announced he will run for a new mandate, hailed Citu's decision at the time, showing it will be a fair play competition, "a festival of democracy." However, during the internal electoral campaign, the two brought several critiques and accusations to each other. On September 4, the current leader of the PNL claimed this is "the ugliest campaign" he has faced in his 31 years in politics and said several times that his supporters are threatened with dismissal from public positions. "I will tell you honestly that I have lived, since the moment of the candidacy announcement, the worst period in my life in the PNL and it is practically the ugliest campaign I have faced in 31 years in politics. You cannot campaign with 'I have the bread and the knife,' 'if you don't vote for me, you get nothing, no positions, moreover we'll fire your people," said Orban. He also claimed the fact that even though the vote in the congress is secret, a series of county branches are trying to impose on delegates who to vote for and to be checked if they respect indications. On September 21, the supporters of Ludovic Orban for PNL chair, among which Ionel Danca, Violeta Alexandru, Antonel Tanase, Ioan Cupsa, Adrian Oros, launched an appeal, signed by 69 Liberal deputies, senators, mayors, deputy mayors to solve the political and government crisis, in which they expressed their full conviction that the current chair of the party is the one that can remake the parliamentary majority and who can guarantee the cohesion of the party. His opponent, Florin Citu, stated, in August, that Orban chose "a very ugly way" to exit politics. Later, Citu and his supporters accused Ludovic Orban of doing all that is possible, as chair of the Chamber of Deputies, for the censure motion submitted by the Save Romania Union - Party of Liberty, Unity and Solidarity (USR PLUS) and the Alliance for the Union of Romanians against the Government. Moreover, Florin Citu said that his impression is that, in the recent period, the PNL chair, Ludovic Orban, seems to be the "biggest supporter" of the censure motion. In the context of the notice made by him to the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) regarding the existence of a legal conflict of constitutional between Parliament and the Executive on the topic of the motion, Citu announced that he will request the resignation of the chairs of the Chamber of Deputies and Senate if the decision of the Court will be in his favour. "If the Constitutional Court says we're right, the chairs of the two Chambers should go," said Florin Citu. On September 8, the Prime Minister claimed he will never negotiate "personal interests", only "those of the PNL and Romanians". Both Ludovic Orban and Florin Citu claimed, throughout the internal campaign, that they will win in the congress and will lead the party after September 25. *** Just days before the Liberals' reunion, President Klaus Iohannis expressed his support for Florin Citu in Government, announcing he will participate in the PNL Congress. "I encourage Florin to continue and not fear and the Liberals to stay in Government. (...) Florin Citu has no reasons to resign or be dismissed," said Iohannis, in a discussion with the journalists that accompanied him to New York for the General Assembly of the United Nations. *** The day after the Congress, on Sunday, the National Council of the PNL will take place, with 2,000 delegates, to choose the other leadership positions in the party. In the month of September, the PNL's statute was modified, one of the changes being the increase in the number of specialty vicepresident positions to 17. The former chair of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Ludovic Orban, announced on Saturday that his resignation from the position of Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies will be on Monday on the table of the new chairman of the Liberals', Florin Citu. "My resignation as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies will be on Monday on the table of the elected chairman, Florin Citu," announced Ludovic Orban, after the announcement of the results of the PNL congress. After congratulating the winner, Ludovic Orban spoke, in his speech, about the attachment he has towards Liberal values. "Over my career of 31 years I defended Liberal plans and acted constantly to put into practice Liberal policies, to achieve a leap that Romania needs. I will remain consistent, I will keep my conviction and political action to defend democracy, to defend Liberal rights and freedoms, to defend Liberal values and I will continue to act as I have until now, together with my colleagues," said the former chair of the PNL. On Saturday, Florin Citu won the mandate of chairman of the PNL. He obtained 2,878 for to his opponent's 1,898, Agerpres informs. The Save Romania Union - Party of Liberty, Unity and Solidarity (USR PLUS) has reiterated on Saturday that it has already made an unanimous decision - it cannot govern with Florin Citu as Prime Minister. "This decision won't change, regardless how many lies the 'winning team' tries to spread. We want reforms for real, not participation in government for the sake of power, accepting any sort of conditions," the USR PLUS mentions, on its Facebook page, on the day the Congress of the National Liberal Party (PNL) is taking place where Citu is running for chair of the party. Former Justice Minister Stelian Ion also wrote, on his social media that "Florin Citu has only one chance of remaining head of the Government: USL 2.0" (e.n. - Social Liberal Union, major, at rule 2011-2014, main parties: Social Democrat Party - PSD and PNL), Agerpres informs. "The 'winning team' doesn't let up! Those who threw the entire country in chaos in order to ensure the position of PNL chair for Florin Citu are launching rumors according to which, after their congress, USR PLUS will return to the Citu Government. That's excluded! We've burnt ourselves once with this gambler of Romanians' destinies, there won't be a second time. Florin Citu has only one chance of remaining head of the Government: USL 2.0. Only brotherhood with [PSD chair] Ciolacu can save and maintain him in position," said Stelian Ion. Mark Gooch appears virtually for a hearing in Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. (Coconino County Superior Court) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. A U.S. airman on trial on charges of kidnapping a Mennonite woman in New Mexico, fatally shooting her and dumping her body in northern Arizona, had tried unsuccessfully to cover his tracks after the January 2020 killing, a prosecutor told jurors Friday in opening statements. Prosecutor Ammon Barker said Mark Gooch got his car professionally detailed, asked someone to hold onto his rifle and, two days after the killing, returned to the forest clearing outside Flagstaff, Arizona, where the body of 27-year-old Sasha Krause had been dumped and would be discovered several weeks later. Though Gooch's cell data showed he drove from metro Phoenix to a Mennonite community in Farmington, New Mexico, and then to the Flagstaff area, the prosecutor said Gooch initially deleted his location history from a different digital account a Google account during the time of the killing. "In that sense, the defendant didn't cover his tracks he highlighted them," Barker said, adding that Gooch later deleted all location history information from his Google account. Gooch's attorney Bruce Griffen told jurors that his client had no connection to Krause, had cooperated with investigators and wasn't trying to hide anything. "The state has really no motive whatsoever to try to suggest that a peaceful, nonviolent person who didn't know this individual would had have any reason whatsoever to abduct, let along harm," Griffen said. Gooch, 22, was stationed at Luke Air Force Base in metropolitan Phoenix at the time. He told investigators he was near Farmington about a seven-hour drive when Krause went missing because he had been seeking out Mennonite churches for the fellowship. Gooch grew up in the Mennonite faith in Wisconsin but never officially joined the church, he told investigators. Gooch maintains that he did not kidnap or kill Krause and has pleaded not guilty to murder, kidnapping and theft charges. Krause disappeared while going to get reading materials to prepare for an upcoming Sunday school course. Authorities say her body was found with head injuries and in the same clothing she was wearing when she disappeared. On the day Krause went missing, Griffen said Gooch went to Flagstaff to ski at a resort, but it was closed because of the pandemic. He then decided to drive to Farmington, realized there wasn't going to be a church service that day and headed back to to the Phoenix area, Griffen said. Griffen emphasized to jurors that there were no witnesses to the crimes. Authorities said a state crime lab report showed a bullet taken from Krause's skull was fired from a .22-caliber rifle Gooch owned. Griffen told jurors that ballistics evidence gathered in the case can't be conclusively linked to his client's rifle. Gooch's cellphone was the only one communicating with the same cell towers as Krause's phone before hers dropped off west of Farmington, authorities said. Prosecutors aren't sure why he targeted Krause. Other evidence from prosecutors will include text message exchanges between Gooch and his brothers where he talked about surveilling Mennonite churches in metropolitan Phoenix and praising one for ticketing a Mennonite during a traffic stop. HARTFORD, Conn. More than 70 members of the Connecticut National Guard were honored Saturday for their service after completing nearly one-year tours of duty. A welcome home ceremony was held for members of the Middletown-based 143rd Regional Support Group and several members of Detachment 2, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment at the state armory in Hartford. The Middletown-based soldiers supported Operation Spartan Shield in Jordan from October 2020 to July 2021, overseeing base operations and contracts at various facilities. The Windsor Locks-based aviation regiment conducted 166 C-12 air movement missions throughout eastern Africa in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa from September 2020 to July 2021. "These soldiers left their homes and families during a very difficult time in this country to answer the nation's call and support U.S. security interests abroad," Maj. Gen. Francis Evon said in a written statement. "We thank them for their sacrifice and their families who took care of the home front for almost a year. It's always a great feeling when we get to welcome our people back home after completion of a successful mission." A gate section is shown on South Post near Highway 16 on Aug. 1, 2021, at Fort McCoy, Wis. (Scott T. Sturkol/U.S. Army) MADISON, Wis. Wisconsin Republicans on Thursday reiterated their concerns about the vetting of Afghan refugees being housed at an Army post in the state, after two Afghan men were charged with crimes there. The criticism from U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and others in Wisconsin comes as Republicans nationally, including aides to former President Donald Trump, are becoming increasingly hostile toward the refugees and are trying to turn the collapse of Afghanistan into another opportunity to push a hardline immigration agenda. Trump, in a statement in August, wondered, "How many terrorists are among them?" Wisconsin's Fort McCoy is housing about 12,700 Afghan refugees. When they first arrived in late August, Republicans repeatedly raised concerns about vetting and identification. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers called their concerns "dog whistle crap." The charges against the two men announced Wednesday by the U.S. attorney in Wisconsin are unrelated to terrorism. One of them, a 20-year-old man, was charged in federal court with three counts of engaging in sexual acts with a minor. The other, a 32-year-old man, was charged with assaulting his wife. Johnson called the charges "the latest consequence of the Biden administration's incompetence." "This is precisely why I have asked, and continue to ask, the administration about their vetting process and repeatedly raised the issue regarding Ft. McCoy," Johnson tweeted Thursday. U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald lodged similar complaints. "Gov. Evers thinks concerns about the refugees are 'dog whistle crap,'" Fitzgerald tweeted. "These are precisely the concerns many have about the vetting process. Evers should get his head out of the sand & pay attention." Britt Cudaback, a spokeswoman for the governor, called the allegations against the two men "disturbing." "The governor believes, and Wisconsinites would agree, there should be no tolerance for domestic abuse or sexual assault against anyone at Fort McCoy or otherwise and these individuals should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Cudaback said. Cheryl Phillips, a spokeswoman for the task force handling the refugees, referred questions about the number of Afghans arrested at McCoy to the Department of Justice. Phillips noted that the post currently has about 12,700 Afghans, which is close to its capacity of 13,000. "We went from 0 to 13,000, the size of a small city, in just a few weeks," she said. A Department of Justice spokeswoman said she was prohibited by law from talking about any ongoing investigation. The evacuees from Afghanistan began arriving at Fort McCoy in western Wisconsin four weeks ago and a large number of them will soon be leaving for resettlement, Wisconsin Public Radio reported. "The exact amount of time that a family will spend at Fort McCoy will vary from family to family. But we are now at a point at Fort McCoy where we anticipate that larger numbers of people will begin leaving the fort," said Skye Justice, the U.S. State Department's task force leader at the base. Associated Press writer Doug Glass contributed from Minneapolis. Capt. Todd Moore in February 2019. (Tristan Lotz/U.S. Navy) GROTON, Conn. (Tribune News Service) Capt. Todd D. Moore turned over command of Naval Submarine Base New London to Capt. Kenneth M. Curtin Jr., the installations 53rd commanding officer, in a ceremony at the base Friday. After becoming commanding officer in May 2019, Moore will now be on the staff of the Undersea Warfighting Development Center, headquartered on the base. Moore, 48, lives in Stonington with his wife and two kids, ages 15 and 13. No one is better at leading by example than Todd, said Rear Adm. Charles W. Chip Rock, commander of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. He called Moore the most engaging, intelligent and effective commanding officer with whom I have ever served. Rock recognized Moores relentless public affairs campaigns for leading to one of the highest vaccination rates in the Navy, as well as for focusing on families and for leading a team countering unmanned aerial operations. Moore gave a humorous, heartfelt and often self-deprecating speech of lengthy thanks, theming it around Richard Scarrys 1968 picture book What Do People Do All Day? but pertaining to the roles of base personnel from Child Development Center caretakers, to command duty officers, to firefighters, to workers in port operations. He said that Executive Officer Cmdr. Reg Preston only leaves me enough busywork to convince myself Im still in charge, and that he only got his job because people knew how good his wife, Carrie, would be. Curtin said as commanding officer, his main lines of effort will be providing for safety and security, supporting tenant commands in their mission and pursing quality-of-life improvements for sailors, families, veterans and the community. Curtin, 54, said he first walked through the gates of the Naval Submarine Base in 1986 as an 18-year-old enlisted petty officer reporting for basic submarine school. He served on two fast-attack submarines here: the USS City of Corpus Christi and USS Dallas. My family and I truly call Submarine Base New London, and all of southeastern Connecticut, home, he said. He lives in Gales Ferry with his wife, Donna. His most recent assignment was as the Submarine Force Atlantic prospecting commanding officer instructor. A communicator through the pandemic Moore, who has been living and working in southeastern Connecticut since 2013, reflected on his two and a half years as commanding officer in an interview Wednesday. When he took on the role, he couldnt have predicted how the world would turn upside down less than a year later, and his main goals were to be completely engaged with the surrounding communities and to make sure the base was continually improving its readiness for combat operations. Lo and behold, he said, we were tested by the pandemic, not enemy action of a human sort. The base had to quarantine new people arriving and provide them three meals a day, and Moore called emergency management officer John Varone a hero for standing up contact tracing efforts. Moore turned to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit Groton for guidance and orders. There was a lot of learning on the fly, Moore said, but he noted that people in the Navy are used to being put in new jobs, many of which we dont know how to do when we show up. Moore thinks his role was to be a communicator and tell people what was going on, which included doing weekly videos. He also said he spent a lot of time focused on child care operations. While dealing with the pandemic, the base continued training sailors and focusing on its mission. There was a simulation this past summer that the base was under attack and facilities were destroyed, and fire chiefs from surrounding municipalities came to the base this week to review lessons learned from major shipboard fires. In Moores time as commanding officer, work began on construction of a new Pier 32, the base worked with Thames River Heritage Park to get final approval for a dock at the Nautilus pier, and a USO center opened on base. Moore said his next role will involve determining future investment priorities for the submarine force, working with businesses, academia and national labs. I will certainly miss the people here and the connections, he said, calling people at the base a family. Working here feels like home. (c)2021 The Day (New London, Conn.) Visit The Day (New London, Conn.) at www.theday.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Out of the 74 total COVID-19 infections at Pinewood Terrace Nursing Center in Colville, Wash., 33 were fully vaccinated. Of the five residents who died, one was fully vaccinated. (Facebook) (Tribune News Service) A nursing center is trying to battle a COVID-19 outbreak that started in August, when the first new case was confirmed. The Pinewood Terrace Nursing Center in Colville, Washington has seen 22 staff and 52 residents test positive for the coronavirus and five deaths. The first case was reported on Aug. 25, according to the Northeast Tri-County Health District. Out of the 74 total infected, 33 were fully vaccinated and of the five residents who died, one was fully vaccinated. This speaks to the seriousness and danger the delta variant poses for all individuals, a spokesperson for the county said in a statement. It also shows the ability of the vaccine to protect against severe illness in those who have been vaccinated. Over half, 64.5%, of the residents at the nursing center are vaccinated, but only 37.1% of staff members are also vaccinated as of Sept. 5, according to Medicare.gov. Tri-County Health, which covers Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens County, currently has 5,965 positive COVID-19 cases. Pinewood Terrace is located in Stevens County which has the highest number of positive cases out of the three counties and has experienced 35 COVID related deaths since Sept. 1, the health district said. We are seeing firsthand that your age, gender, health status and demographics do not shield you from the severity of this virus, they said in a statement. Around 2,500 miles away, another nursing home is battling the same fight. The Care Center of Honolulu in Nuuanu, Hawaii currently has 54 patients and two dozen employees infected, leaving nurses strained to take care of all 182 licensed beds at the center, the Star Advertiser reports. The Care Center of Honolulu told the Star Advertiser that 91% of its staff and, on average, more than 80% of its patients are vaccinated against COVID-19 and that six people were hospitalized, two of whom have been released from isolation. During the beginning of the pandemic, nursing homes were ravaged by COVID-19. A nursing home in Washington was the first major outbreak in the country. Now, a recent study show that there were 592,629 cases and 118,335 deaths in nursing homes by the end of 2020 alone. ___ (c)2021 USA Today Visit USA Today at www.usatoday.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Buy Photo (Jim Schulz/Stars and Stripes) SHUAIBAH PORT, Kuwait, January 2004: Soldiers from the Giebelstadt, Germany-based 159th Aviation Regiment, known as Big Windy, wrap plastic around a Chinook helicopter in preparation for their return to Germany. The unit had spent a year in Iraq. A general view of the Mai Aini Refugee camp, in Ethiopia, on January 30, 2021. The worsening conflict in Ethiopia is raising alarms in the White House and on Capitol Hill over humanitarian fallout. (Eduardo Soteras/AFP/Getty Images/TNS) WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) The worsening conflict in Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous country, is raising alarms in the White House and on Capitol Hill over humanitarian fallout, including the growing risk of mass starvation and even a full-fledged civil war that could destabilize an entire region. Some 1 million people in Ethiopia's northern Tigray area are experiencing famine-like conditions, and an estimated 5.2 million of the region's 6 million people need some form of humanitarian aid, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development. But the delivery of food, medicine and fuel supplies is being blocked by the government of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who last month exhorted civilians to join the army's mass recruitment drive in the fight against Tigrayan rebel forces. President Joe Biden on Friday signed an executive order establishing, but not yet imposing, a new sanctions regime specific to Ethiopia. The order opens the door to the imposition of travel bans and asset freezes on individuals and entities that are prolonging the fighting, blocking efforts to reach a ceasefire or obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid. The order covers members of the central Ethiopian government and army; the neighboring Eritrean government, which has allied with Abiy; the Tigray People's Liberation Front; and the regional government of Amhara, where fighting has spread to. Biden's executive order is supported by Democrats and Republicans alike in Congress. "More reports are emerging detailing heinous accounts of rape, sexual violence, extra judicial killings, torture and discoveries of detention camps and mass graves," House Foreign Affairs ranking member Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said in a statement. "There must be accountability for these egregious acts and I support the Biden administration's new executive order." Administration officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, last week told reporters their hope is the threat of sanctions will be enough to prod the warring parties to lay down their arms and begin peace talks. But the clashing factions have "weeks, not months" before the threatened sanctions are made real, one of the officials said. "The actions of those involved in the conflict will determine whether the U.S. government imposes sanctions," Biden said in a statement accompanying his order. "The United States is prepared to impose sanctions if there is not progress toward a resolution of the conflict. If there is progress, the United States is prepared to work with the international community to mobilize critical assistance for Ethiopia to recover from this conflict." In order to avoid putting the sanctions in place, Biden administration officials want to see the opposing factions accept African Union-led mediation efforts, designate negotiators to those peace talks and enter negotiations without preconditions. Additionally, daily convoys of humanitarian aid trucks must be allowed into Tigray and basic services restored there. That includes electricity, telecommunications and banking services. But, so far, the threat of sanctions has showed no signs of coercing a change from Abiy's government. The Ethiopian prime minister, who won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for his resolution of a long-running border conflict with Eritrea, categorically rejected any criticism and accused Biden of treating his government more "sternly" than the Tigray People's Liberation Front, which he called a terrorist organization. "Ethiopia will not succumb to consequences of pressure engineered by disgruntled individuals for whom consolidating power is more important than the well-being of millions," Abiy said in an open letter to Biden that was posted on his official Facebook page Friday. "Our identity as Ethiopians and our identity as Africans will not let this come to pass. The humiliation our ancestors have faced throughout the continent for centuries will not be resuscitated in these lands." 'Long overdue' Meanwhile, the TPLF largely welcomed Biden's executive order, calling it "long overdue" and a "step in the right direction." The Saturday statement from the Liberation Front, which was shared on Twitter by a verified account belonging to the adviser to the president of Tigray State, did not acknowledge any role in the atrocities committed over the past year in northern Ethiopia. "The government of Tigray is ready to support and abide by the core tenets of the executive order," reads the statement. "We are ready to play our role in bringing about a negotiated ceasefire and ultimately a negotiated peace settlement that affirms and protects the rights and interests of the people of Tigray and other Ethiopians." While Biden has said all participants in the conflict "have committed human rights abuses against civilians," the State Department has yet to conclude what it has described as a "law and fact-based review" on "whether atrocity crimes have been committed in Tigray," a department spokesperson said Tuesday. Over the last month, less than 10 percent of needed humanitarian assistance has been able to reach Tigray because of obstruction, according to Biden administration officials. Abiy's hard line on refusing to enter into negotiations with the TPLF is largely backed up by the Ethiopian diaspora, many of whom live in the greater Washington region and are loyal to the prime minister. "The Ethiopian government, in my view, has very stupidly set up the administration as an adversary engaged in a conspiracy against it, which is frankly stupid," said Alex de Waal, a research professor at Tufts University and expert on the Horn of Africa. Behind the scenes, other African governments welcomed the executive order even as they feel too inhibited by Ethiopia's prominent diplomatic and historical leadership role on the continent to admit so publicly, de Waal said in an interview. "Privately, every African leader I know they are terrified of Abiy. They basically see him as a reckless demagogue." With a population of roughly 110 million, Ethiopia is the oldest independent African country. Though democracy has been scant in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, its capital, has earned regional and international respect for its focus on economic development and its ability to deliver real improvements to citizens' quality of life. Ethiopia also has been a bulwark for African multilateralism. The African Union's headquarters are located in Addis Ababa, and the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry's diplomatic corps until very recently was the envy of the continent, according to de Waal. 'Militarily capable' If a ceasefire is not reached soon, de Waal said he fears a point of no return that could lead to the splintering of Ethiopia, which is home to more than 90 ethnic groups with their own distinct languages, cultures and territories. "The Tigrayan sentiment is becoming very separatist. If Tigray fights a separatist war, it may win. It's pretty militarily capable, particularly if they are convinced that there is a genocidal intent against them," said de Waal, who leads the World Peace Foundation, which is affiliated with The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts. "Tigrayans abused the federalist system when they were in power but maintained the principles of it, including cultural and linguistic [rights] for minorities." Ethnic minority groups in Ethiopia prize that federalist system. Even as there is little affection for the TPLF among non-Tigrayans, "they see Abiy now as the greater of the two evils and his Amhara backers," said de Waal. "They see the ethnic animosity aimed against the Tigrayans as Amhara ethnic nationalism that will be directed against them in due course." Leading foreign policy-minded Senate Democrats say they are planning to announce a new bill in a matter of weeks that would "drastically bolster U.S. efforts to pursue accountability for the carnage in the Tigray region." "The scale and nature of the abuses in Tigray and neighboring regions is staggering," said a joint statement from Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Senate Appropriations State-Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Chris Coons, D-Del., that also welcomed Biden's threat of sanctions. "Continuing human rights abuses by the parties to the conflict in Ethiopia," the duo said, "warrant an unequivocal response: We will not tolerate war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic violence." ___ 2021 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Michael Kovrig embraces his wife Vina Nadjibulla, right, after arriving at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. China, the U.S. and Canada completed a high-stakes prisoner swap Saturday with joyous homecomings for Kovrig and Michael Spavor, two Canadians held by China and for an executive of Chinese global communications giant Huawei Technologies charged with fraud. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) (Frank Gunn) TORONTO China, the U.S. and Canada completed a high-stakes prisoner swap with joyous homecomings for two Canadians held by China and for an executive of Chinese global communications giant Huawei Technologies charged with fraud, potentially bringing closure to a 3-year feud that embroiled the three countries. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hugged diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor on the tarmac after they landed in Calgary, Alberta early Saturday. The men were detained in China in Dec. 2018, shortly after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, Huawei Technologies' chief financial officer and the daughter of the company's founder, on a U.S. extradition request. Many countries labeled China's action "hostage politics," while China accused Ottawa of arbitrary detention. The two Canadians were jailed for more than 1,000 days. "It's fantastic to be back home in Canada and I am immensely grateful to everybody who worked hard to bring both of us back home," a noticeably thinner Kovrig said after a Canadian government plane landed in Toronto and he was greeted by his wife and sister. Michael Kovrig embraces his wife Vina Nadjibulla, left, after arriving at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. China, the U.S. and Canada completed a high-stakes prisoner swap Saturday with joyous homecomings for Kovrig and Michael Spavor, two Canadians held by China and for an executive of Chinese global communications giant Huawei Technologies charged with fraud. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) "I'm feeling fantastic," Kovrig said. Meng's return to China later Saturday was carried live on state TV, underscoring the degree to which Beijing has linked her case with Chinese nationalism and its rise as a global economic and political power. Wearing a red dress matching the color of China's flag, Meng thanked the ruling Communist Party and its leader Xi Jinping for supporting her through more than 1,000 days in house arrest in Vancouver, where she owns two multimillion dollar mansions. "I have finally returned to the warm embrace of the motherland," Meng said. "As an ordinary Chinese citizen going through this difficult time, I always felt the warmth and concern of the party, the nation and the people." The chain of events involving the global powers brought an abrupt end to legal and geopolitical wrangling that has roiled relations between Washington, Beijing and Ottawa. The three-way deal enabled China and Canada to each bring home their own detained citizens while the U.S. wrapped up a criminal case against Meng that for months had been mired in an extradition fight. "These two men have been through an unbelievably difficult ordeal. For the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance and grace and we are all inspired by that," Trudeau said of the two Canadians. The first activity came Friday afternoon when Meng, 49, reached an agreement with federal prosecutors that called for fraud charges against her to be dismissed next year and allowed for her to return to China immediately. As part of the deal, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, she accepted responsibility for misrepresenting the company's business dealings in Iran. The deal was reached as President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have sought to tamp down signs of public tension even as the world's two dominant economies are at odds on issues as diverse as cybersecurity, climate change, human rights and trade and tariffs. Biden said in an address before the U.N. General Assembly earlier this week that he had no intention of starting a "new Cold War," while Xi told world leaders that disputes among countries "need to be handled through dialogue and cooperation." "The U.S. Government stands with the international community in welcoming the decision by People's Republic of China authorities to release Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig after more than two-and-a-half years of arbitrary detention. We are pleased that they are returning home to Canada," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. As part of the deal with Meng, the Justice Department agreed to dismiss the fraud charges against her in December 2022 exactly four years after her arrest provided that she complies with certain conditions, including not contesting any of the government's factual allegations. The Justice Department also agreed to drop its request that Meng be extradited to the U.S., which she had vigorously challenged. After appearing via videoconference for her New York hearing, Meng made a brief court appearance in Vancouver, where she'd been out on bail living in a multimillion-dollar mansion while the two Canadians were held in Chinese prison cells where the lights were kept on 24 hours a day. Outside the courtroom, Meng thanked the Canadian government for upholding the rule of law, expressed gratitude to the Canadian people and apologized "for the inconvenience I caused." "Over the last three years my life has been turned upside down," she said. "It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and as a company executive. But I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life. I will never forget all the good wishes I received." Shortly afterward, Meng left on an Air China flight for Shenzhen, China, the location of Huawei's headquarters. In this photo released by Chinas Xinhua News Agency, Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou waves as she steps out of an airplane after arriving at Shenzhen Baoan International Airport in Shenzhen in southern Chinas Guangdong Province, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. A top executive from global communications giant Huawei Technologies returned to China on Saturday following what amounted to a high-stakes prisoner swap with Canada and the U.S. (Jin Liwang/Xinhua via AP) Huawei is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone and internet companies. It has been a symbol of China's progress in becoming a technological world power and a subject of U.S. security and law enforcement concerns. Some analysts say Chinese companies have flouted international rules and norms and stolen technology. The case against Meng stems from a January 2019 indictment from the Trump administration Justice Department that accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets and using a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The indictment also charged Meng herself with committing fraud by misleading the HSBC bank about the company's business dealings in Iran. The indictment came amid a broader Trump administration crackdown against Huawei over U.S. government concerns that the company's products could facilitate Chinese spying. The administration cut off Huawei's access to U.S. components and technology, including Google's music and other smartphone services, and later barred vendors worldwide from using U.S. technology to produce components for Huawei. The Biden White House, meanwhile, has kept up a hard line on Huawei and other Chinese corporations whose technology is thought to pose national security risks. Huawei has repeatedly denied the U.S. government's allegations and security concerns about its products. Former Canadian ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques, Kovrig's former boss, said he was elated the two Canadians are home. "Clearly, the Chinese were so eager to get Meng back that they jettisoned all pretensions that the two Michaels had been arrested for good reasons. They must acknowledge that their reputation has been severely tarnished," Saint-Jacques said. "There is grumbling in the Communist party of China, people saying, 'In which direction are we going, Xi Jinping? We are creating too many enemies. Why are we enemies with countries like Canada and Australia?'" Saint-Jacques said he thinks China will think twice before using "hostage diplomacy" again. Eric Tucker in Washington, Jim Mustian in New York and Jim Morris in Vancouver, Canada, contributed to this report. Haitian immigrants cross the Rio Grande back into Mexico from Del Rio, Texas on September 20, 2021 to Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. (John Moore/Getty Images/TNS) VERACRUZ, Mexico (Tribune News Service) For weeks, deeply upsetting images have dominated the Mexican news of Haitian families clutching sobbing babies in diapers as they attempt to make their way to the U.S. to apply for asylum. Haitians in Chiapas live in migrant chaos, said one article a month ago in the Mexican national newspaper El Universal. Earthquake, storms and floods: the constant battle facing Haitians, read a headline in El Sol de Mexico, also a month ago. Over 200 Haitian migrants refuse to leave bus in Veracruz read a headline in the national publication, Proceso. That tens of thousands of people were en route to the U.S. to apply for asylum was no secret. Yet, the U.S. government was not prepared to receive them. On a migrant route In Veracruz, on the Gulf of Mexico, the sight of desperate migrants, often on foot, heading north from central America toward what they believe to be a better life and asylum in the United States is not uncommon. For the past two years, the number of Haitian migrants looking for work, refuge and sustenance have been few dotting the roadsides of the most frequently traveled immigration routes in the country: Starting at the Guatemala-Mexico border in the state of Chiapas, up through Veracruz, onto the railways of La Bestia, up into the northern regions of the country, and on to the U.S. After the last major earthquake in western Haiti in August, and Tropical Storm Grace just days later, many Haitians who had been migrating to South and Central America since the 2010 quake now saw their home country as even less safe to return to. After coordinating on social media, they started traveling bus loads teeming with exhausted, sweating children and parents through Mexico, toward the U.S. to apply for asylum. In the past 2-3 weeks weve seen a surge of migrants, mostly Haitian nationals, said Alba Valdez Aleman, a Veracruz based journalist with Notiver who collaborates with the Mesoamerican Migrant Movement. Entire families have had to leave countries they immigrated to: Chile and Brazil, because of [the lack of] quality of life. Now we are seeing a lot of operations [in Mexico]: migrants stopped at checkpoints. Women have been particularly affected. Aleman, writing for Meso American Migrant Movement about maternity and migration, recounted the plight of female Haitian migrants passing through Veracruz: Thousands of Haitian men and women have overflowed into Mexican territory, but according to UN Women, 51 percent of the people who migrate in the last decade are women. I think we will continue to see more migrants, Aleman said Friday. I was speaking with a colleague, a photographer, hed been in camps in Colombia recently. He said its overflowing with migrants... In one camp, he said, there was easily 40,000 people. ___ Carli Pierson is an Opinion writer at USA TODAY. (c)2021 USA Today Visit USA Today at www.usatoday.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. In this photo taken from video, Ariel Henry, Prime Minister of Haiti, remotely addresses the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in a pre-recorded message, Saturday Sept. 25, 2021 at UN headquarters. (UN Web TV via AP) UNITED NATIONS Amid an outcry over the U.S. treatment of Haitian asylum-seekers, the beleaguered island country's embattled prime minister pointedly said Saturday that inequalities and conflict drive migration. But he stopped short of directly criticizing Washington over the issue. "We do not wish to challenge the right of a sovereign state to control the entry borders into its territory, or to send back to the country of origin those who enter a country illegally," Prime Minister Ariel Henry said in a video speech to the U.N. General Assembly's annual meeting of world leaders. But "human beings, fathers and mothers who have children, are always going to flee poverty and conflict," he added, urging the international community to move fast to improve living conditions in the countries that refugees are leaving for political or economic reasons. "Migration will continue as long as the planet has both wealthy areas, whilst most of the world's population lives in poverty, even extreme poverty, without any prospects of a better life," he said. Henry spoke as his country reels from its president's assassination, an earthquake and the migration crisis all in the last three months. His government is facing increasing turmoil with presidential and legislative elections set for Nov. 7. Confusion about U.S. immigration policies and misinformation on social media propelled thousands of Haitians to the U.S. southern border in recent months. A massive migrant camp largely made up of Haitians, many of whom had been in Mexico or other Latin American countries for years sprouted in the town of Del Rio, Texas, peaking last week at over 14,000 people hoping to gain entry to the U.S. Images of U.S. border patrol agents using horses to block and move migrants sparked outrage, the resignation of the U.S. special envoy to Haiti, and an ongoing investigation. President Joe Biden called the agents' tactics "horrible," "dangerous" and "wrong." The camp has now been cleared. Some people have been deported; about 12,400 migrants have been allowed into the U.S., at least temporarily, to pursue their claims to stay, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said. This photo combination shows an area where migrants, many from Haiti, were encamped along the Del Rio International Bridge on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, and a photo showing the area after it was cleared off by authorities, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Del Rio, Texas. (Julio Cortez/AP ) Henry noted that the images "shocked many people," but he didn't specifically say more about how the United States handled the situation. He noted, however, that "many countries which are prosperous today have been built through successive waves of migrants and refugees." Haiti, the Western Hemisphere's poorest country, has long struggled with political instability, violence, natural disasters and environmental crisis. But this summer's series of blows has been especially difficult for the Caribbean island nation as it also contends with the coronavirus pandemic. Fewer than 1 in 100 of its people have had at least one dose of a vaccine. President Jovenel Moise was assassinated July 7. Little over a month later, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake killed over 2,200 people, injured more than 12,000 and destroyed nearly 53,000 homes, according to Haiti's Civil Protection Agency. Nearly 350 people are still missing, Henry said. This month, Haiti's now-former chief prosecutor asked a judge to charge Henry in Moise's assassination. The prosecutor said the prime minister spoke to a key suspect twice in the hours after the killing; Henry's office says he got lots of calls and didn't take them all. Henry fired the prosecutor and the justice minister last week. Another top official resigned, accusing the prime minister of trying to obstruct justice. Henry told the General Assembly he is striving to bring the culprits to justice, and he asked for "mutual legal assistance" to do so. More than 40 suspects have been arrested, including 18 Colombian ex-soldiers. Bogota has said most of them were duped, unaware of the actual nature of an operation devised in Florida and Haiti. Moise had faced protests over his leadership and tenure. He and opposition leaders disputed whether his term had legally ended this past February. He tapped Henry to become prime minister, but Henry didn't assume the office until shortly after the president's killing. Henry said Saturday that he had set out to return the country "to normal functioning of democratic institutions" and hold "credible, transparent and inclusive general elections" as soon as possible. Ahead of the vote, some politicians are aligning themselves with Henry, while others are breaking away. Violene Marseille, 36, from Haiti, poses for a portrait in Monterrey, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, after traveling from Chile where she and her family have lived for years. Marseille, her husband and two children were on a bus north through central Mexico when they received messages warning that their destination on the U.S.-Mexico border was no longer a safe place to cross. (Marcos Martinez Chacon/AP) MONTERREY, Mexico Violene Marseille, her husband and two children were on a bus heading north through central Mexico when they received messages warning them their destination on the U.S.-Mexico border was no longer a safe place to cross. Other Haitians already in Ciudad Acuna and Del Rio, Texas were telling them the U.S. was flying people back to Haiti. That Sunday, more than 320 people were sent Port-au-Prince on three flights. Stepping off their bus in the bustling station of the northern industrial and transportation hub of Monterrey, Marseille spotted Mexican immigration agents and hurried to the Casa INDI migrant shelter. A trip they had started more than two months earlier in Santiago, Chile was over for now, less than 140 miles from the U.S. border. As U.S. authorities moved out the last of the more than 14,000 migrants gathered beside a border bridge in Del Rio, thousands of other Haitians who were en route to the border from South America were realizing their time window to make it to the United States had closed. So now, as they have done before, they are looking to legalize their status in the countries they find themselves in, get work and wait until the next opportunity to once again head north. "We spent $4,000, our entire savings, to make it to the United States, but now with what is happening in the United States, it's better we stay here in Monterrey" in Mexico, Marseille said. "We want to work." Marseille arrived in Santiago, Chile, in 2016 looking for better opportunities than she found in Haiti. Haiti has experienced a massive outward migration for more than a decade, set off initially by the devastating 2010 earthquake and followed by successive natural disasters, political turmoil and economic stagnation. Marseille legalized her status in Chile she still has legal residency and found a job with a cleaning company that worked in hospitals. She had been a hair stylist in Haiti and her husband John Telisma is a mason. In Chile, they settled in to work, save and raise their family, but eventually making it to the United States was the goal. A conservative government in Chile made them feel less secure and Marseille saw policy changes she thought could negatively impact them down the road even with their legal status. So in July, she decided it was time to resume the journey to the U.S. They set out on a voyage by plane, bus and foot that took them through 10 countries, following instructions shared by others via WhatsApp and Facebook. Like tens of thousands of other migrants this year, they hiked through the treacherous Darien Gap, a dense, lawless jungle that divides Colombia and Panama. "On the trip they stole my wedding ring," Marseille said. "I saw how they assaulted girls and women, it was horrible." The family Marseille, Telisma, a 3-year-old son born in Chile and an 8-year-old daughter born in Haiti was already well into Mexico, headed north from the capital, when the news from Del Rio forced a change of plans. "We don't want to return to Haiti, there's no government there," Telisma said. He fills his days volunteering at the shelter, helping to unload food and other donations. "We want papers, documents to be able to get a place to live here." Those papers could be long in coming. Mexico's refugee agency has been overwhelmed and is backlogged. So far this year, about 19,000 Haitian migrants have requested asylum in Mexico. The agency's director, Andres Ramirez said this week via Twitter that the number of Haitian applications through August this year was 56% above all those received from 2013 to 2020. He said hundreds had arrived this week to all of the agency's offices across Mexico. Mexico has been sending migrants from Ciudad Acuna to the southern city of Tapachula near the Guatemala border this week. The government has maintained what is a essentially a containment policy that seeks to keep asylum seekers in southern Mexico and away from the U.S. border. But it is Mexico's poorest region, there is little work and migrants have grown tired of waiting there. There were long lines of mostly Haitian migrants outside the refugee agency's offices in Mexico City this week. Marseille's family was among some 1,500 Haitians who have arrived at the shelter since Sunday. They have been told officials from the refugee agency will come to the shelter Monday to photograph applicants. Ana Estache, 43, who was travelling with her husband and two children, said she had even considered returning to Chile. "I could go back if they don't give us papers here, my son is Chilean," she said. Still she said she had not let go of the dream of getting to the U.S. for a chance at a better life. Selomourd Menrrivil, 43, of Cap-Haitien, has continued receiving daily updates all week from other Haitians in Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna. He too arrived Sunday with his wife and two teen daughters. The bottom line: don't come now. So he too wants to legalize his status in Mexico. After living and working in Chile he managed to save $10,000, but he has spent it all to make it to Monterrey. "Now we don't have hardly anything, we sold everything to make it here," Menrrivil said. "The greatest wish I have to be able to be legally in a country with my family, find a job to survive." Daniel Foote testifies during a hearing on Capitol Hill on May 26, 2016, in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images/TNS) WASHINGTON Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman pushed back Thursday against scathing criticism from Daniel Foote, the administration's special envoy for Haiti who resigned this week, saying she disagreed with his proposal to send U.S. troops to the country. Foote resigned after two months on the job and in his resignation letter cited "inhumane" treatment of Haitian migrants at the U.S. southern border. His appointment in mid-July came on the heels of an active debate within the administration over whether to send U.S. troops into the country. Amid the fallout from the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, Haitian government officials asked Washington to send security assistance to help protect critical infrastructure a request that was reviewed by the Pentagon and senior national security officials. Sherman, the second-highest official at the State Department, said in an interview with McClatchy that policy disagreements with Foote persisted throughout his tenure and whether to send U.S. military troops into Haiti was a central dispute. Foote was appointed special envoy to Haiti in the weeks after Moise's murder, and before the Aug. 14 earthquake that further devastated the Caribbean nation. Sherman rejected Foote's assertion that his recommendations were ignored. "There have been multiple senior-level policy conversations on Haiti where all proposals, including those led by Special Envoy Foote, were fully considered in a rigorous and transparent policy process. Quite frankly, some of those proposals were harmful to our commitment to the promotion of democracy in Haiti. For him to say the proposals were ignored were, I'm sad to say, simply false," she said. "You know, one of the ideas that Mr. Foote had was to send the U.S. military back to Haiti," she continued. "I have followed Haiti since the Clinton administration, and I can tell you that sending the U.S. military into Haiti is not the answer that will solve the terrible situation that the Haitian people are currently facing. It just was a bad idea." Foote said earlier this month that gang violence and kidnappings were issues that needed to be addressed before the country can hold elections. Some leaders in the region, including Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, have warned that Haiti could become a factor of insecurity across Latin America if other countries don't step in to provide security assistance there. "Haitians alone will not be able to bring peace to their country, much less will they be able to guarantee the conditions to establish a minimum of order," Abinader told the U.N. General Assembly. "The most important and immediate issue in Haiti is security. Only after this is achieved can free, fair and reliable elections be held." Days before Foote's appointment, President Joe Biden said he had no immediate plans to send U.S. troops in, other than to bolster security at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. Sherman said that the administration has no current plans to replace Foote. "I don't know that we need a replacement," she said. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemispheric Affairs Brian Nichols will travel to Haiti next week with Juan Gonzalez, senior director for Western Hemispheric affairs at the National Security Council, she said. A surge of Haitian migrants to the U.S. border with Mexico has overwhelmed the Department of Homeland Security in recent days. Images of border patrol agents on horseback corralling migrants shocked the public and members of the Biden administration. Sherman said that the administration is "looking at whatever facility we need to help the Haitian people. We are totally committed to that objective." Disagreements between Foote and Michele Sison, the U.S. ambassador to Haiti, were well known within Port-au-Prince. Sherman expressed support for Sison, calling her "an excellent ambassador." "We have tremendous faith in her and in her leadership," she said. Sison and Nichols will assess in the coming weeks whether it is feasible for Haiti to hold free and fair elections this year. Biden administration officials had been calling for elections this calendar year until just recently, after the August earthquake put additional strains on the interim government. "I think that Assistant Secretary Nichols will work with Ambassador Sison, and listening to civil society to see what we can do to help make the judgments to get to a free and fair election as soon as possible for the Haitian people," Sherman said. "Again, there is nobody who doesn't look at what is happening in Haiti it is gut-wrenching. And we want to do everything we can to help the Haitian people." Foote had said that addressing Haiti's security challenges with armed gangs controlling large swaths of the territory was key to helping the country be able to hold elections that are acceptable to Haitians. The country's interim leadership that took control after the death of Moise had requested that the Biden administration send U.S. troops, but the White House did not support the idea. "I resign from my position as Special Envoy for Haiti, effective immediately," Foote wrote in his resignation letter. "I will not be associated with the United States inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs in control of daily life. Our policy approach to Haiti remains deeply flawed." White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Thursday that Foote had not raised concerns about the treatment of Haitian migrants at the border while in his job, and said that his criticisms were unspecific. 2021 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Roughly 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, most of them at Camp Humphreys, the largest U.S. military bases overseas and headquarters for U.S. Forces Korea. (Ken Scar/U.S. Army) CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea A bipartisan pair of U.S. lawmakers said Thursday the alliance with South Korea remains strong, despite fears that the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan signals weakened resolve on the Korean Peninsula. Reps. Ami Bera, D-Calif., and Young Kim, R-Calif., gave their assessment of the alliance with South Korea during a virtual panel discussion hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. Bera, a co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Study Group on Korea, advised policy watchers not to read too deeply into President Joe Bidens decision to withdraw from Afghanistan. Korea is a totally different country its one of the most developed democracies in the world, he said. Its certainly a developed economy. We have a long geopolitical, strategic relationship and our security commitments are extremely important to members of Congress in a bilateral way. Kim, one of the first Korean American women elected to Congress and a study group member, said the abrupt U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan raises valid questions, but the nations long-term commitment to South Korea is stronger and friendlier than ever. We are there as a deterrence to any potential conflict in the Korean Peninsula, she said. We will be there to lend our voice and be your advocate. And please, trust us. The United States can lead, and we will lead once again, and show that we can come out of those difficult challenges. Roughly 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, most of them at Camp Humphreys, the largest U.S. military bases overseas and headquarters for U.S. Forces Korea. The USFK mission is to deter aggression and if necessary, defend [South Korea] to maintain stability in Northeast Asia, according to the command's website. South Korea is technically still at war with North Korea despite the lapse in armed conflict. The Korean War ended with an armistice agreement in 1953, not a peace treaty. Former President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw U.S. troops from South Korea during his tenure, saying Seouls share of the cost to station American forces in the country was not enough. Trump reportedly demanded South Korea spend $5 billion for the U.S. military presence, an offer Seoul rebuffed. Bidens administration recently agreed to a new Special Measures Agreement in which South Korea contributes roughly $1 billion for U.S. troops and South Korean civilian workers on military bases. Kim described South Korea as one of our most important allies and said the U.S. must treat them like the strong partner that they are. South Korea was the United States sixth-largest trading partner in 2020, after $127 billion in products flowed between the two nations, according to the U.S. Trade Representative. The Department of Commerce estimates the allies trade relationship generated around 256,000 jobs in 2019. Members of Nationalist Party, or KMT, line up to cast their ballot for election of their party chairman at a polling station in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Chiang Ying-ying/AP) TAIPEI, Taiwan Fraught relations with neighboring China are dominating Saturday's election for the leader of Taiwans main opposition Nationalist Party. Four candidates, including incumbent Chairman Johnny Chiang, are competing for the leadership of the party that has advocated closer relations with Beijing. That means agreeing to Beijings demand that it regard Taiwan as a part of China, something Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party has refused to do. China has threatened to use force to bring Taiwan under its control and has increasingly used military, diplomatic and economic pressure in an attempt to undermine the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen and sway opinion among the Taiwanese people, who strongly favor the status quo of de-facto independence. Mindful of public opinion, the Nationalists have advocated a less acrimonious relationship with China, rather than direct moves toward unification between the sides, which are bound by close economic, linguistic and cultural ties. Others running are former party chairman and presidential candidate Eric Chu, ex-county head Cho Po-yuan, and academic Chang Ya-chung. The result is expected to be announced early Saturday evening. The winner may emerge as the party's candidate in the next presidential election in 2024, although that selection has yet to begin. Tsai is constitutionally barred from running for a third term. Under Chiang Kai-shek, the party rose to power in China during the 1920s and led the struggle against Japanese invaders until the end of World War II. Chiang relocated the government, still officially known as the Republic of China, to Taiwan in 1949 as Mao Zedong's Communists swept to power on mainland China. Taiwan began transitioning from martial law rule to multiparty democracy in the later 1980s and held its first direct presidential election in 1996. Since then, power has shifted between the Nationalists, also known as the KMT, and the DPP, although Tsai has won twice by healthy margins and her party has control of the national legislature. China refuses to recognize Taiwan's government and ensures it is excluded from the United Nations and other international organizations. Beijing says the island's participation in such roles as an observer to the World Health Assembly is dependent on it endorsing the one-China principle" and '92 consensus," named after an agreement reached that year between representatives of the Nationalists and Communists stating that the sides were part of single Chinese nation. Following Tsai's first election victory in 2016, China cut off all formal contacts between the governments, banned Chinese tour groups from visiting the island and mounted a campaign to poach away Taiwan's dwindling number of diplomatic allies. With increasing frequency, China has also sent military aircraft into airspace near Taiwan and staged threatening military exercises. Partly in response, the U.S. has stepped up political and military support for the island, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between them. The USS Montpelier, similar to the nuclear-propelled fast-attack subs to be acquired by Australia from the United States, arrives at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., Sept. 19, 2021. (Joshua Karsten/U.S. Navy) Defense experts were stunned when the United States and United Kingdom announced last week they would deliver a fleet of nuclear-propelled submarines to Australia under a newly formed security partnership dubbed AUKUS. Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison was quick to point out during the announcement at the White House on Sept. 15 that AUKUS would enhance already established partnerships, such as the Quad, a loose strategic grouping of U.S., Australia, Japan and India intended to balance against Chinas growing military and economic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. But the sharing of closely guarded nuclear-propulsion technology among the three nations left some wondering whether the move will suck all the oxygen out of the room for the parallel grouping of the Quad. Arun Prakash, once the highest-ranking Indian military officer, wrote in an op-ed Wednesday that AUKUS places a question mark over the continuing relevance of this forum and its long-overdue actualization. While uncharitable comments about Anglo-Saxon solidarity must be ignored, there may be substance in the belief that the Anglosphere nations which share common cultural and historical ties to the UK do inspire more confidence in each other, Prakash wrote. Whether AUKUS will reinforce or hobble the Quad will likely become clearer after a Quad summit at the White House on Friday. India has urged the U.S. in recent years to share more defense-related technology, and the submarine deal could embolden India to press for such transfers under the auspices of the Quad grouping. India commissioned its first nuclear-propelled submarine, the INS Arihant, in 2016, but it is a ballistic-missile sub that is relatively slow moving compared to the general purpose fast-attack submarines that Australia is getting. India has in the past asked the U.S. to help it acquire such attack subs but has gotten nowhere with the requests. India is not a formal ally of the US, which casts into question whether Washington is willing to transfer such sensitive tech as nuclear sub propulsion to New Delhi, Collin Koh, an expert on Pacific naval affairs at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said in an email Wednesday. Richard Rossow, an India expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., said he does not expect the AUKUS deal will raise unrealistic expectations in India. Narrowly, India understands that our defense relationships with Australia and the United Kingdom remains well ahead of our defense relationship with India, he wrote in an email Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Defense has already carved out novel spaces to jump-start advanced defense technology sharing with India, he said. This includes the creation of the U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative, as well as the India Rapid Reaction Force in the Pentagon, which accelerates technology sharing with India. The U.S. has also been more liberal in offering drone technology to India than any nation outside our security treaty partners. India could turn to France for help in acquiring nuke-propelled attack subs, and in the wake of the AUKUS announcement, the French might be inclined to do so. French officials were enraged that Australia terminated a $66-billion deal inked in 2016 to buy 12 conventionally powered submarines from France and would instead acquire nuke-propelled subs from the U.S. and U.K. France called home ambassadors from Australia and the U.S. in the wake of the AUKUS announcement. President Joe Biden has taken steps to soothe tensions with Paris, including a call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday. But France could be a wild card in the Quads future. The only way I see [AUKUS] interfering with U.S. and Australian cooperation with India is if France doubles down its moves to win important new defense deals with India, Rossow said. In particular, France is pushing to sell its Rafale [fighter jet] platform to the Indian Navy in its pending acquisition of 57 carrier-launched fighter jets. Winning defense deals is not America's primary main purpose in expanding defense ties with India, but it definitely helps shore up broad-based support in Washington, D.C. Japan, on the other hand, is unlikely to be looking for a sub deal similar to what Australia got for a couple reasons, said Zack Cooper, an Asia defense policy expert at the American Enterprise Institute. Nuclear power is increasingly out of favor in Japan, to say nothing of nuclear weapons, he said during a phone interview on Tuesday. Even civilian nuclear power is a hot-button issue, so I think the idea that a Japanese government might pursue military nuclear power is something that is politically just hard to swallow. But more to the heart of the matter, Japan does not need nuke-propelled subs, Cooper said. Japan has a very effective diesel-electric submarine program, one of the most advanced in the world, he said. I think they feel quite happy with what they've got. The AUKUS deal, however, likely raised expectations in Japan, Cooper said. I think theyre a little envious that Australia got such a deep technology-sharing arrangement, so I do think that Tokyo will look to ink something similar just not anything nuclear powered. Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, reads a statement outside B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP) NEW YORK Two Canadians detained in China on spying charges were released from prison and flown out of the country on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, just after a top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies reached a deal with the U.S. Justice Department over fraud charges and flew to China. The frenetic chain of events involving the global powers brought an abrupt end to legal and geopolitical wrangling that for the past three years has roiled relations between Washington, Beijing and Ottawa. The three-way deal enabled China and Canada to each bring home their own detained citizens while the U.S. wrapped up a criminal case against a prominent tech executive that for months had been mired in an extradition fight. Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies, leaves her home in Vancouver, on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Wanzhou has resolved criminal charges against her as part of a deal with the U.S. Justice Department that could pave the way for her to return to China and that concludes a case that roiled relations between Washington and Beijing. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP) The first activity came Friday afternoon when Meng Wanzhou, 49, Huawei's chief finance officer and the daughter of the company's founder, reached an agreement with federal prosecutors that called for fraud charges against her to be dismissed next year and allowed for her to return to China immediately. As part of the deal, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, she accepted responsibility for misrepresenting the company's business dealings in Iran. About an hour after Meng's plane left Canada for China, Trudeau revealed that Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were also on their way home. The men were arrested in China in December 2018, shortly after Canada arrested Meng on a U.S. extradition request. Many countries labeled China's action "hostage politics." "These two men have been through an unbelievably difficult ordeal. For the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance and grace and we are all inspired by that," Trudeau said. News of Meng's pending return was a top item on the Chinese internet and on state broadcaster CCTV's midday news report, with no mention made of the release of Kovrig and Spavor. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reposted on social media a report on Meng having left Canada, adding "Welcome home." Video was also circulated online of Meng speaking at Vancouver International Airport, saying; "Thank you motherland, thank you to the people of the motherland. You have been my greatest pillar of support." The deal was reached as President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have sought to tamp down signs of public tension even as the world's two dominant economies are at odds on issues as diverse as cybersecurity, climate change, human rights and trade and tariffs. Biden said in an address before the U.N. General Assembly earlier this week that he had no intention of starting a "new Cold War," while Xi told world leaders that disputes among countries "need to be handled through dialogue and cooperation." "The U.S. Government stands with the international community in welcoming the decision by People's Republic of China authorities to release Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig after more than two-and-a-half years of arbitrary detention. We are pleased that they are returning home to Canada," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. As part of the deal with Meng, which was disclosed in federal court in Brooklyn, the Justice Department agreed to dismiss the fraud charges against her in December 2022 exactly four years after her arrest provided that she complies with certain conditions, including not contesting any of the government's factual allegations. The Justice Department also agreed to drop its request that Meng be extradited to the U.S., which she had vigorously challenged, ending a process that prosecutors said could have persisted for months. After appearing via videoconference for her New York hearing, Meng made a brief court appearance in Vancouver, where she'd been out on bail living in a multimillion-dollar mansion while the two Canadians were held in Chinese prison cells where the lights were kept on 24 hours a day. Outside the courtroom, Meng thanked the Canadian government for upholding the rule of law, expressed gratitude to the Canadian people and apologized "for the inconvenience I caused." "Over the last three years my life has been turned upside down," she said. "It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and as a company executive. But I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life. I will never forget all the good wishes I received." Shortly afterward, Meng left on an Air China flight for Shenzhen, China, the location of Huawei's headquarters. Huawei is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone and internet companies. It has been a symbol of China's progress in becoming a technological world power and a subject of U.S. security and law enforcement concerns. Some analysts say Chinese companies have flouted international rules and norms and stolen technology. The case against Meng stems from a January 2019 indictment from the Trump administration Justice Department that accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets and using a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The indictment also charged Meng herself with committing fraud by misleading the HSBC bank about the company's business dealings in Iran. The indictment came amid a broader Trump administration crackdown against Huawei over U.S. government concerns that the company's products could facilitate Chinese spying. The administration cut off Huawei's access to U.S. components and technology, including Google's music and other smartphone services, and later barred vendors worldwide from using U.S. technology to produce components for Huawei. The Biden White House, meanwhile, has kept up a hard line on Huawei and other Chinese corporations whose technology is thought to pose national security risks. Huawei has repeatedly denied the U.S. government's allegations and security concerns about its products. Meng had long fought the Justice Department's extradition request, with her lawyers calling the case against her flawed and alleging that she was being used as a "bargaining chip" in political gamesmanship. They cited a 2018 interview in which then-President Donald Trump said he'd be willing to intervene in the case if it would help secure a trade deal with China or aid U.S. security interests. Last month, a Canadian judge held off on ruling whether Meng should be extradited to the U.S. after a Canadian Justice Department lawyer wrapped up his case saying there was enough evidence to show she was dishonest and deserved to stand trial in the U.S. Comfort Ero, the interim Vice President of the International Crisis Group, Kovrig's employer, said they have been waiting for more than 1,000 days for the news. "Michael Kovrig is free. To Beijing: We welcome this most just decision. To Ottawa: Thank you for your steadfast support for our colleague. To the United States: Thank you for your willingness to support an ally and our colleague. To the inimitable, indefatigable, and inspiring Michael Kovrig, welcome home!" Ero said in a statement. Tucker reported from Washington and Gillies from Toronto. Associated Press writer Jim Morris in Vancouver, Canada, contributed to this report. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York, on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Eduardo Munoz /Pool Photo via AP) NEW YORK Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn't directly mention Pakistan or China in his Saturday speech to the United Nations General Assembly, but the targets of his address were clear. In a roughly 20-minute speech delivered in-person and in Hindi, he called upon the international community to help the women, children and minorities of Afghanistan and said that it was imperative the country not be used as a base from which to spread terror. "We also need to be alert and ensure that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation there, and use it as a tool for its own selfish interests," he said in an apparent reference to Pakistan, wedged between Afghanistan and India. India has charged that the Taliban is Pakistan's "proxy terrorist" group and expressed concerns that Afghanistan could be used as a training ground for anti-India militant groups. The government in New Delhi also worries that the Taliban takeover could strengthen insurgency in the disputed region of Kashmir, which both India and Pakistan claim in full. Modi did not mention Kashmir or the long-simmering conflict there, in contrast to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's speech the previous evening. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to address the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York, on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Eduardo Munoz /Pool Photo via AP) Modi also highlighted what he called the need to protect oceans from "the race for expansion and exclusion." India and China have long competed for influence in the Indian Ocean. Modi's speech came a day after the prime minister met one-on-one with President Joe Biden and participated in a summit of "the Quad": the U.S., Japan, India and Australia. The members of the informal Indo-Pacific alliance have been uneasy as China's power grows in the region. On the heels of waves of coronavirus surges that have ravaged India, Modi made no mention of his own country's death toll one that experts believe numbers in the millions. But he reaffirmed last week's announcement that India would restart exporting vaccines next month. India paused its export of vaccines in April after donating or selling 66 million doses to nearly 100 countries. The halt, amid an overwhelming virus surge, left many developing countries without adequate supply as India was expected to be a key supplier. "Deeply conscious of its responsibility towards mankind, India has resumed the process of providing vaccines to those who need it in the world," Modi said, inviting vaccine manufacturers to come to India and touting Indian scientists' advances. Modi's elision of direct references to China, Pakistan or Indian coronavirus casualties isn't exactly new. It was the same story at last year's U.N. General Assembly, when amid border tensions with Pakistan and China and an already high death toll, he opted to instead paint India as a country that treats "the whole world as one family" and promoted domestic initiatives. Modi also reiterated last year's criticism of the United Nations, saying it was incumbent on the international body to strengthen its own effectiveness and boost its credibility. "Today, all kinds of questions have been raised about the U.N.," he said. "We have seen such questions being raised related to the climate crisis. And we also saw that during COVID, the proxy war going on in many parts of the world, terrorism, and the recent Afghan crisis have further highlighted the seriousness of these questions." India has long pushed for a permanent seat on the Security Council, the most powerful organ of the United Nations. Earlier in his speech, Modi referenced India's global influence by underscoring that "every sixth person in the world is Indian." "When India grows, the world grows. When India reforms, the world transforms," he said. While Modi struck a high-minded tone in his speech, India and Pakistan verbally sparred during Friday night's "right of reply" period. Following Khan's speech in which he accused India of human rights abuses and fomenting terrorism, an Indian diplomat essentially flung those same accusations back. Khan had also accused Modi's hard-line, Hindu nationalist government of propagating Islamophobia. Modi did not respond to that charge Saturday morning, but broadly proclaimed India's pluralism. "Our diversity is the identity of our strong democracy," he said. "It is a country that has dozens of languages. Hundreds of dialects, different lifestyles and cuisines. This is the best example of a vibrant democracy." Less than an hour after Modi's speech concluded, a coalition of groups outside the United Nations building protested what organizers described as "the Modi government's assault on human rights, secular democracy, and persecution of religious minorities, Dalits, and farmers in India." ___ Associated Press reporter Krutika Pathi contributed from New Delhi. Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un, said Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, North Korea is willing to resume talks with South Korea if it lifts hostility on her country. (Jorge Silva, pool/AP) SEOUL, South Korea South Korea on Sunday urged North Korea to restore dormant communication hotlines, a day after the North repeated an offer to open conditional talks. The North might be seeking to extract concessions about two weeks after it raised tensions by carrying out its first missile tests in six months. North Korea has twice reached out to South Korea saying it's open to talks if conditions are met. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said Saturday the two Koreas can take steps toward reconciliation if South Korea abandons "hostile polices" and "double-dealing standards." She didn't elaborate on what specific steps she wants South Korea to take. But some experts say North Korea wants South Korea to play a role in winning relief from U.S.-led sanctions, getting aid, or receiving other concessions such as international recognition as a nuclear weapons state. On Sunday, South Korea's Unification Ministry said it highly values Kim Yo Jong's statement as the South has been consistently pushing to achieve denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue. A banner and ribbons wishing reunification of the two Koreas are displayed on the wire fence at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, near the border with North Korea, South Korea, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, said Friday, North Korea is willing to resume talks with South Korea if it doesnt provoke the North with hostile policies and double standards.The banner reads: We Are One. (Ahn Young-joon/AP) To hold talks on beginning steps toward reconciliation, a South Korea ministry statement said that suspended cross-border communication lines must be reactivated quickly to promote stable communications between the divided countries. It said Seoul hopes the two Koreas can resume talks on many pending issues. The South Korean statement refers to a set of phone- and fax-like communication channels between the rivals, which have been largely dormant for more than a year. The two Koreas briefly resumed communications over the channels for about two weeks this summer, but North Korea later refused to exchange messages again after Seoul staged annual military drills with Washington. Earlier this month, North Korea carried out tests of ballistic and cruise missiles in its first such launches since March, displaying an ability to attack South Korea and Japan, both key U.S. allies. North Korea still maintains a moratorium on testing longer-range missiles capable of reaching the American homeland, a suggestion that it wants to keep alive the chances for future diplomacy with the U.S. Relations between the Koreas flourished in 2018, when Seoul helped arrange high-profile nuclear diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang, including a summit between Kim Jong Un and then-U.S. President Donald Trump. But Pyongyang cut off ties with Seoul after the Kim-Trump diplomacy broke down in 2019 due to disputes over the U.S.-led sanctions. The recent North Korean outreach came as a response to South Korean President Moon Jae-in's renewed calls for a political declaration to officially end the 1950-53 Korean War as a way to promote peace. The Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula still technically at war. As possible reconciliation steps, Kim Yo Jong floated the idea of announcing the war's end as Moon wished, rebuilding a joint liaison office that North Korea destroyed last year and holding an inter-Korean summit. North Korea's already devastated economy has suffered further recent setbacks from the coronavirus pandemic, which has decimated its external trade, mostly with its last major ally, China. Kim Jong Un has said his country faces the "worst-ever" crisis due to a combination of the pandemic, the sanctions, and a series of natural disasters. It's unclear if the Norths' outreach would provide it with badly needed sanctions relief and other rewards. U.S. officials have repeatedly expressed hopes to sit down for talks with North Korea, but have also made it clear they will continue sanctions until the North takes concrete steps toward denuclearization. The logo of Bennett, Coleman and Company Limited, an Indian media conglomerate, is seen on The Times of India, one of their newspapers, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. A U.S.-based private cybersecurity company said Wednesday, it has uncovered evidence that the Indian media conglomerate, a police department and the agency responsible for the countrys national identification database have been hacked, likely by a state-sponsored Chinese group. (Manish Swarup/AP) BANGKOK A U.S.-based private cybersecurity company said Wednesday it has uncovered evidence that an Indian media conglomerate, a police department and the agency responsible for the country's national identification database have been hacked, likely by a state-sponsored Chinese group. The Insikt Group, the threat research division of Massachusetts-based Recorded Future, said the hacking group, given the temporary name TAG-28, made use of Winnti malware, which it said is exclusively shared among several Chinese state-sponsored activity groups. Chinese authorities have consistently denied any form of state-sponsored hacking and said China itself is a major target of cyberattacks. An Indian man gets his retina scanned to register for Aadhar, Indias unique identification project, in Kolkata, India. A U.S.-based private cybersecurity company said Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, it has uncovered evidence that an Indian media conglomerate, a police department and the agency responsible for the countrys national identification database have been hacked, likely by a state-sponsored Chinese group. (Bikas Das/AP) The allegation has the possibility of increasing friction between the two regional giants, whose relations have already been seriously strained by a border dispute that has led to clashes this year and last year. In its report, the Insikt Group suggested the cyberattack could be related to those border tensions. "As of early August 2021, Recorded Future data shows a 261% increase in the number of suspected state-sponsored Chinese cyber operations targeting Indian organizations and companies already in 2021 compared to 2020," the organization said in a report. The Insikt Group said it detected four IP addresses assigned to the Bennett Coleman And Co. Ltd. media company in "sustained and substantial network communications" with two Winnti servers between February and August. It said is observed approximately 500 megabytes of data being extracted from the network of the privately owned Mumbai company, whose publications include The Times of India. Insikt said it could not identify the content of that data, but noted that the company frequently publishes reports on China-India tensions, and that the hack was likely motivated by "wanting access to journalists and their sources as well as pre-publication content of potentially damaging articles." Rajeev Batra, chief information officer for Bennett Coleman, said the company also received information on the suspected hack from CERT-In, the government agency that deals with cybersecurity threats, and responded to it several weeks ago. Most of the data was in the "DNS queries category, which got blocked/dropped at our defense infrastructure," he said in an emailed comment. The company's own investigation of the hack classified the incident as "non-serious alerts and false alarms," he said. The Insikt Group said it also observed about 5 megabytes of data transferred in a similar fashion from the police department of Madhya Pradesh state, whose chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, called for a boycott of Chinese products after June 2020 border clashes with India. The police department did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. As the group was investigating the Bennett Coleman hack, it said it also identified a compromise in June and July of the Unique Identification Authority of India, or UIDAI, the government agency that oversees the national identification database. In that case, it detected about 10 megabytes of data downloaded from the network and almost 30 megabytes uploaded, "possibly indicating the deployment of additional malicious tooling from the attacker infrastructure." It suggested such a database could be used by hackers to identify "high-value targets, such as government officials, enabling social engineering attacks or enriching other data sources." UIDAI told The Associated Press that it had no knowledge of a "breach of the nature described." "UIDAI has a well-designed, multi-layered robust security system in place and the same is being constantly upgraded to maintain the highest level of data security and integrity," the agency said. Recorded Future said all victims of the hacks were notified ahead of the publication of the report and provided with its full findings. ___ Associated Press writers Krutika Pathi and Chonchui Ngashangva in New Delhi contributed to this report. Ella Pamfilova, head of Russian Central Election Commission, gestures while speaking after the Parliamentary elections at the Russian Central Election commission in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Politicians and activists who lost to Kremlin-backed candidates in Russias parliamentary election last weekend have formed a coalition to contest the results from online voting in Moscow, which they believe was rigged and blame for their defeat. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP) MOSCOW Russian election authorities on Friday officially announced the final results of last week's parliamentary vote, in which the Kremlin's party retained its supermajority amid widespread reports of violations and incidents of voter fraud. Russia's Central Election Commission has declared the election of the new parliament, or the State Duma, "conclusive and valid," commission chair Ella Pamfilova said. The results gave United Russia 49.8% of the vote for the 225 seats apportioned by parties. Another 225 lawmakers are chosen directly by voters, and United Russia candidates won 198 of those races. In all, the Kremlin-backed party, which has dominated the parliament for years, will get 324 out of 450 seats. Three other parties that usually toe the Kremlin line will take most of the remaining seats, along with the New People party, which was formed last year and is regarded by many as a Kremlin-sponsored project. Individual candidates from three more parties each won a seat, along with five independents. According to Pamfilova, voter turnout at the election which this year lasted three days due to the coronavirus pandemic stood at 51.7%, and a total of 40,605 ballots have been invalidated. "We did everything we could, based on our understanding of honor and conscience, everything we could, and it's up to you to judge," Pamfilova said. The vote, which was largely seen as part of President Vladimir Putin's effort to cement his grip on power ahead of the 2024 presidential election, excluded most opposition politicians and was marred by numerous reports of ballot-stuffing and other incidents of voter fraud. The opposition has denounced the results. Kremlin critics pointed to a number of individual Moscow races as evidence of alleged tampering. In those races, Kremlin-backed candidates were losing until the results of online voting, which was an option in Moscow and several other regions, came in Monday and they suddenly shot ahead. Candidates that lost in these races including those from the Communist Party, the second biggest political force in the Duma with 57 seats announced joining forces on Thursday to contest the results of online balloting in the Russian capital, in which nearly 2 million votes had been cast. Ella Pamfilova, head of Russian Central Election Commission, gestures while speaking after the Parliamentary elections at the Russian Central Election commission in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Politicians and activists who lost to Kremlin-backed candidates in Russias parliamentary election last weekend have formed a coalition to contest the results from online voting in Moscow, which they believe was rigged and blame for their defeat. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP ) The Communist Party has called for a rally in Moscow on Saturday and was urged by the authorities Friday to remove the announcements from its website, otherwise it would be blocked pressure that a party with seats in the parliament and which backs many of the Kremlin's policies has rarely faced before. Several party members have been detained this week after a small rally it staged on Monday over the election results. Kosovo police officers patrol the bridge over Gazivode lake near the northern Kosovo border crossing of Brnjak on the fifth day of protest on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Ethnic Serbs in Kosovo have been blocking the border for a fifth straight day to protest a decision by Kosovo authorities to start removing Serbian license plates from cars entering the country, raising fears such incidents could unleash much deeper tensions between the two Balkan foes. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu) PRISTINA, Kosovo A public building in Kosovo was set on fire and another was hit by grenades that did not explode in what government officials described Saturday as criminal acts related to ethnic Serbs protesting the decision to remove Serbian license plates from cars entering the country. Serbian media quoted the head of the Zubin Potok fire department, Sasa Bozovic, as saying a fire that broke out overnight at the town's municipal building engulfed two offices. Bozovic did not identify the cause of the fire. The Kosovo Interior Ministry said the blaze burned down a vehicle registration office. Ethnic Serbs angry over the removal of Serbian license plates have blocked the Kosovo-Serbia border with trucks since Monday. Kosovo police officers patrol the bridge over Gazivode lake near the northern Kosovo border crossing of Brnjak on the fifth day of protest on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Ethnic Serbs in Kosovo have been blocking the border for a fifth straight day to protest a decision by Kosovo authorities to start removing Serbian license plates from cars entering the country, raising fears such incidents could unleash much deeper tensions between the two Balkan foes. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu) "The Center of Vehicle Registration at the Zubin Potok commune has been burned by suspects in a criminal act with terrorist elements," Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla wrote on Facebook. In Zvecan, a town about 10 miles away, two hand grenades were thrown into a public office but did not explode, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said. Kurti accused Serbia's government of "inciting and supporting" such behavior and "exploiting Kosovo citizens to provoke a serious international conflict." Both communes are in the north close to Serbia's border, which is mainly populated by members of Kosovo's ethnic Serb minority. Tensions soared Monday when Kosovo special police with armored vehicles were sent to the border to temporarily replace Serb license plates from cars driven in Kosovo. It's a minor annoyance for drivers with a big symbolic impact. Serbia doesn't recognize its former province of Kosovo as a separate nation and considers their mutual border only as a temporary "administrative" boundary. Serbian police have for years taken the plates off Kosovo-registered cars entering Serbia. Drivers then need to pay 5 euros for a 60-day temporary license plate. temporary registration. Kosovo authorities say they are only copying Serbia's program. Kosovo police officers secure the area at the barricades placed by local Serbs near the northern Kosovo border crossing of Brnjak on the fifth day of protest on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Ethnic Serbs in Kosovo have been blocking the border for a fifth straight day to protest a decision by Kosovo authorities to start removing Serbian license plates from cars entering the country, raising fears such incidents could unleash much deeper tensions between the two Balkan foes.(AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu) (Visar Kryeziu) Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has described Kosovo's move as a "criminal action," and he made the withdrawal of all Kosovar troops a condition of European Union-mediated negotiations to resolve the dispute. After the grenade and fire incidents, Kosovo's government did not sound ready Saturday to pull the special police back any time soon. "These criminal acts best show what would have occurred with the border crossings in Jarinje and Brnjak unless special (police) forces were sent there to guarantee public order and security," Svecla wrote. The European Union and the United States urged Kosovo and Serbia to "immediately, without any delay" exercise restraint and refrain from unilateral actions. A bloody 1998-1999 crackdown by Serbian troops against Kosovo Albanian separatists ended after NATO intervention, and Kosovo declared independence in 2008. It has been recognized by the U.S. and other Western nations, but not by Serbia and allies Russia and China. Thousands of NATO-led peacekeepers, including U.S. troops, are still deployed in Kosovo, trying to stave off lingering ethnic tensions between majority Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs. Llazar Semini reported from Tirana, Albania; Jovana Gec from Belgrade, Serbia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel deliberates with US president Donald Trump on the sidelines of the official agenda on the second day of the G7 summit on June 9, 2018 in Charlevoix, Canada. (Jesco Denzel /Bundesregierung via Getty Images/TNS) BERLIN (Tribune News Service) Angela Merkel, that most pragmatic of world leaders, is perhaps the last person one would associate with things mystical. But the German chancellor, now in the waning days of a titanic 16 years in power, veered away from her trademark empiricism two years ago when she spoke to an American graduating class. "'In all beginnings dwells a magic force,'" Merkel told a Harvard commencement, quoting the German-Swiss poet Hermann Hesse. Merkel's own beginnings were so unassuming that they lend almost fairy-tale overtones to her rise as an obscure scientist who emerged from behind the fallen Berlin Wall to become not just Germany's first female chancellor, but also one of the world's most famous women, and one of its most influential and widely admired politicians. Many now worry what lies ahead without the leader often seen as the glue holding the European Union together. "The European project has always had its fault lines, but they have rarely caused earthquakes," Ana Palacio, a former foreign minister of Spain, wrote last month on the global affairs website Project Syndicate, musing about potential ruptures within the bloc over defense, economy and foreign policy. In a post-Merkel era, she wrote, "is the EU in for a tremor or worse?" For younger Germans, Merkel has been the only head of government in memory. That simple fact a confident woman comfortable at the heart of power will probably prove a lasting legacy. "My daughters have only known one leader, and it's been a woman," said Julius van de Laar, a political consultant in Berlin. "That in itself is substantial." Her matter-of-fact mien, unfussy personal style and calmly rational discourse sometimes lent themselves to satire, but Merkel in many ways embodied the self-image Germans aspired to: unadorned, smart, purposeful. "I've got some of the same characteristics as camels have," she once said, lightly mocking her own somewhat plodding political persona. "I've got quite a lot of capacity in my reserve tanks, but there always comes a point when I need to fill them up again." Merkel's landmark tenure saw her hailed for a time as the chief custodian of the liberal Western democratic order leader of the free world, some went so far as to say especially after Donald Trump captured the Oval Office. At the head of Europe's most powerful economy, her leadership was crucial in guiding the continent through the 2008 financial crash and an unprecedented crush of migration in 2015. But she leaves a distinctly mixed legacy at home, including a checkered environmental record, an over-reliance on China as a trade partner and a failure to implement badly needed economic and technological reforms. At 67, Merkel is the first postwar German leader to voluntarily step aside, rather than being voted out of office like her eight male predecessors. But the immense popularity she long enjoyed may not save her center-right party from stinging defeat in Sunday's election. Many observers attribute both the successes for which she is lionized, as well as the lapses for which she has been vilified, to a combination of her temperament and a political climate shaped by Germany's dark 20th century history. "Germans appreciate her humility and lack of vanity," said Joern Leonhard, a German author and professor of history at the University of Freiburg. "They like the way she dealt with so many crises over the years, and her incremental way of approaching problems." When Merkel became chancellor, sexism was commonplace and constant. In her early days in politics, Merkel was slightingly referred to as "das Madchen" the girl or sometimes "Kohl's girl," after her then-mentor, Chancellor Helmut Kohl, with whom she eventually broke. The nickname "Mutti" Mommy was first bestowed in derision by political rivals, though it was one she later came to tacitly accept, especially when invoked by grateful refugees. Throughout Merkel's tenure, imperturbability was a signature trait, and it served her well in face-to-face encounters with self-styled alpha-male leaders such as Russia's Vladimir Putin and President Trump. An iconic photo of her at a Group of 7 summit in Canada in 2018 captured her leaning forward intently, appearing to admonish a seated, truculent-looking Trump, chin jutting and arms folded across his chest. Trump's election victory may have prolonged Merkel's time in office. Germany has no term limits, and political lore has it that then-President Obama, on a visit to Berlin weeks after the 2016 vote, persuaded a reluctant Merkel to run for one more term. During Trump's tumultuous tenure, she "continued to stand up for Western ideals," said Stefan Kornelius, a biographer of the chancellor and senior editor at the newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung. "She kept alive the idea that democracies are still alive," he said. Raised in East Germany, the Lutheran pastor's daughter with a doctorate in quantum chemistry entered politics at the relatively advanced age of 35, shortly after the Berlin Wall came down in 1989. Merkel's scientific training was credited with helping the country navigate a fearsome once-in-a-century public health emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic. And a moral compass that tilted toward compassion led her to welcome more than a million mainly Syrian refugees in 2015, accompanied by the brisk admonition that "we'll manage," though the migrant wave helped galvanize Germany's far right. She adroitly managed other crises, including the 2010 near-meltdown of the Eurozone economy that threatened the global financial system, though her insistence on severe austerity measures in Greece prompted some to call her coldhearted. Over the years, her stolid, reassuring qualities proved a balm to a country still haunted by the horrors of the Holocaust, postwar repression in East Germany under communist rule, and reunification more than three decades ago that carried overtones of both liberation and lasting trauma for "Ossies" East Germans like her. Merkel was a master of the German style of "leading from behind" on a continent still wary of strongman-style political figures even more than six decades after the end of World War II. Seen as the quintessential "safe pair of hands," she often summed up her no-drama political style with a favorite maxim. "There's no point banging your head into a wall," she was fond of saying, "because the wall will always win." Never one for public displays of temper, the chancellor in 16 years fired only one of her 55 rotating Cabinet ministers, for insubordination. Longtime Merkel watchers describe a political acumen that helps her instantly read a room and size up an audience. "Germans don't like loudmouths; they like those who can lead quietly and from behind," said Van de Laar. "Merkel has been an incredibly savvy leader in her party who has read shifts in public sentiment exceptionally well." Still, critics point to missteps and blind spots: failing to rein in undemocratic practices in EU member states such as Hungary and Poland, progressive rhetoric on climate change that was not always matched by decisive action, an at-times excessively accommodating stance toward China, colored by economic dependence. Merkel's tenure overlapped with a disquieting consolidation of far-right forces in German politics, with the hard-line nationalist-populist Alternative for Germany for the first time gaining a foothold in Parliament, in 2017. Questions also persist about Germany's role in the Western military mission in Afghanistan, whose final unraveling occurred on her watch, and government blunders that exacerbated deadly flooding in the Rhine region in the summer. And as elsewhere, the pandemic stubbornly refuses to fully recede. "She mismanaged her exit," said Leonhard, the history professor. "My judgment is that she's leaving about four too years late." Days before Sunday's vote, opinion polls indicated Merkel's conservative Christian Democratic Union, the country's dominant postwar party, was trailing the center-left Social Democrats and their likely allies, and could end up out of power. During her four terms, Merkel pushed her party into the political center by ending military conscription, mothballing nuclear power plants, expanding renewable energy, agreeing to shut down coal-burning power plants over the next 15 years, and introducing extensive new government-funded assistance to families. Those measures, applauded by progressives, siphoned millions of voters away from rival parties on the left. But it also opened space on the far right for the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, which attracted millions of conservative voters as it morphed into a vociferously anti-immigrant party. Some political observers describe Merkel as a skilled tactician, but one who has proven less agile in anticipating longer-term policy ramifications. "She was good at fixing things at critical junctures, but hasn't developed any strategic vision," said Leonhard. He and others pointed out that Merkel leaves office without developing a blueprint for the EU's future, or for dealings with Russia and China, or for handling the next refugee crisis. She failed to champion much-needed economic reforms, which could eventually dent Germany's standing as Europe's financial powerhouse. The physical demands of Merkel's long tenure have been increasingly evident in recent years. She is sometimes visibly fatigued, and in 2019, she suffered public episodes of uncontrolled trembling. "Merkel has been worn out over the last half-year," said Kornelius, the biographer and editor. "The pandemic has absorbed any energy she had left, while the floods in July only made things worse." Even so, he predicted that history would see the departing chancellor in a favorable light. "For her legacy, the overall picture should be considered," said Kornelius. "Germany has gone through some really serious crises, and the overall view is that she has done a good job. She'll be remembered for 16 years of stability and predictability." ____ Special correspondent Kirschbaum reported from Berlin and Times staff writer King from from Washington. 2021 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Israel's Iron Dome aerial defense system is activated to intercept a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip, controlled by the Palestinian Hamas movement, above the southern Israeli city of Ashdod, on May 12, 2021. (Emmanuel Dunand, AFP via Getty Images/TNS) WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) Democratic leaders agreed to strike aid for Israel's missile defense program that had been delaying House consideration of stopgap funding legislation Tuesday, after progressive Democrats who've opposed Israel's military operations in the Palestinian territories lodged objections to including the money in the must-pass spending bill. The earlier version of stopgap funding legislation would have provided the Israeli government with $1 billion for its Iron Dome missile defense system "to counter short-range rocket threats," a response to attacks on Jerusalem by Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip over a 12-day period in May. Sources familiar with the discussions later said the Iron Dome funds, included in response to a June request from the Israeli government that the Biden administration endorsed, would have to come out of the continuing resolution. "A group of progressives communicated to leadership that they wouldn't be able to support the CR if the $1 billion in additional funding for the Iron Dome wasn't taken out," said a House Democratic aide who wasn't authorized to speak publicly. House Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., later released a revised stopgap bill with the Iron Dome funding dropped, plus a few other technical changes. An Appropriations Committee spokesperson said the money would instead be added to the final fiscal 2022 Defense spending bill, once that's finalized later this year. Attempts to reach several progressive lawmakers weren't immediately successful Tuesday. But problems become evident earlier in the day when House Rules Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., recessed his panel's meeting to consider parameters for floor debate due to what he dubbed a "glitch" in the stopgap bill, which he didn't elaborate on. Sources familiar with the discussions confirmed Iron Dome funds were in fact the glitch. The temporary funding measure would keep federal agencies' lights on through Dec. 3, suspend the statutory debt ceiling until after the midterm elections, and provide nearly $35 billion to address natural disasters and help relocate Afghans who fled their country after the Taliban takeover. The continuing resolution would provide a range of program extensions and "anomalies" for certain agencies to spend additional funds. Examples include a Medicaid boost for the territories, more money for former President Donald Trump's office and staff and a renewal of lapsing authority to write national flood insurance program claims. An extension of expiring surface transportation programs was left out due to a push from House Democratic moderates to vote on a bipartisan five-year package that passed the Senate last month. The most contentious add-on is likely to be the debt ceiling suspension, which Republicans in both chambers have pledged to oppose. The House is expected to vote on the measure later Tuesday, but with about nine days remaining until the end of the fiscal year, the path to averting a partial government shutdown starting Oct. 1 wasn't yet clear. "This one decision could force us into an unnecessary and costly government shutdown and other critical programs in this bill could be left behind," House Appropriations Committee ranking member Kay Granger, R-Texas, told the Rules Committee on Tuesday. If lawmakers can't reach agreement on the debt limit before the Treasury Department runs out of borrowing authority, the federal government would only be able to pay its bills each day using existing cash. That could put Social Security checks, pay for federal employees and dozens of other financial obligations at risk. Treasury has said Congress needs to act sometime next month; Wrightson ICAP, a private investment advisory firm, said this week the drop-dead deadline was likely Oct. 25 or 26. Speaking on CNBC on Tuesday morning, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, cited estimates that lawmakers have until near the end of October before they need to act. "We're not up against" the deadline, Portman said. "It's not necessary to do it now." Portman said Republicans need to see some sort of action to deal with the nation's fiscal problems in order to support a debt ceiling suspension. "I suspect in a week or so we'll be back here again with a bill I can support," Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole, the Rules Committee's top Republican, said at the outset of Tuesday morning's meeting to set parameters for floor debate. "I don't think we should kid ourselves. I think, with all due respect to my friends, you're being used as a battering ram to try to beat down Republicans in the Senate, where they do have a 60-vote rule." DeLauro on Tuesday morning didn't sound worried about potential delays. "I think let's just wait to see where we're going," she said after a caucus meeting. "You know the nature of this institution changes on the dime." House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, however, acknowledged changes may need to be made. "We want to send it over to the Senate and give the Senate an opportunity to consider it and figure out what they're going to do," the Maryland Democrat told reporters Tuesday. "And then they may send it back to us, at which point in time we will have to make a determination." At least one Senate Republican, John Kennedy from hurricane-battered Louisiana, said Monday he might be inclined to support a package that contains disaster aid. The stopgap funding bill would provide $28.6 billion to help state and local governments recover from natural disasters, including $10 billion to cover agricultural losses from 2020 and 2021 weather events, nearly $6 billion for Army Corps of Engineers flood control projects, $5 billion for housing and economic development projects and $2.6 billion for highway repairs, among other items. The measure would separately put more cash into the Federal Emergency Management's disaster relief fund on Oct.1. As of Aug. 31, the agency estimated an end-of-September balance of $36.4 billion; the CR would increase that figure to more than $55 billion. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, pointed out the FEMA funds in a notice to fellow Republicans that nonetheless urged them to vote "no" on the combined package. The measure would provide $6.3 billion to help relocate Afghans who helped the U.S government during two decades of war in Afghanistan, including language making refugees eligible for federal benefit programs and resettlement assistance if they complete security and background checks. They'd also be eligible for expedited asylum processing. The bill includes language to temporarily extend how fentanyl a highly potent opioid is classified. Fentanyl is responsible for a lion's share of drug overdose deaths, which have been on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would extend fentanyl's status as a so-called "Schedule 1" drug until Jan. 28, 2022. Under current law, the drug would lose its status as a drug with a high risk for abuse on Oct. 22. The Office for National Drug Control Policy issued recommendations for how to classify fentanyl long term earlier this month. The CR would temporarily provide additional funding for the U.S. island territories' Medicaid programs. Unlike states, whose Medicaid funding is mandatory under statute, the territories are subject to additional restrictions. Territory funding is capped and funded at a lower match percentage. That match is also subject to reauthorization. The current match rate expires at the end of the fiscal year, and the CR would extend it until Dec. 3, 2021. Territory officials and advocates have been pushing for a long-term solution. The territory funding would be offset by drawing from $96 million from the Medicare Improvement Fund. This fund was made redundant by the 2010 health care law when it created the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Innovation Center. ____ David Lerman, Rachel Oswald, Sandhya Raman, Lindsey McPherson and Paul M. Krawzak contributed to this report. 2021 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. Visit at rollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Andrew Ericson is seen inside the U.S. Capitol with his feet propped up on a table during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. (U.S. Department of Justice) (Tribune News Service) During the U.S. Capitol riot Jan. 6, Andrew Craig Ericson plopped his feet up on a table inside House Speaker Nancy Pelosis conference room and posed for a photo. He then took a selfie and posted both on Snapchat. That was his undoing. The photos led to an investigation and a criminal case against him in federal court in Washington, D.C. On Thursday, Ericson, 24, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of illegally demonstrating inside the Capitol Building. He is the second Oklahoman to plead guilty over participating in the riot that caused more than $1.4 million in damage. He faces up to six months in federal prison and a $5,000 fine at sentencing. His case attracted more attention nationwide than others early on after the FBI reported a witness watching his livestream on Snapchat saw him take a beer out of a refrigerator. In a written statement of his offense, Ericson acknowledged taking a beer out of the mini-refrigerator while inside the Speakers Conference Room or other office space. He also acknowledged he took a photograph of himself in the conference room and had someone photograph him seated with his feet on a conference table. He further acknowledged he made cheering sounds while in the U.S. Capitol and knew he did not have permission to enter there. His plea was the result of a deal with prosecutors. He agreed to pay $500 in restitution. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to ask the judge to dismiss three other counts against him at sentencing. The sentencing is set for Dec. 10 at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C. The hearing Thursday was by videoconference. He must appear in person at his sentencing. Ericson was caught because someone sent his Snapchat photos to Trent Shores, then the U.S. attorney in Tulsa, the FBI revealed in an affidavit in January. Shores turned them over to the FBI on Jan. 8. Later, the FBI also obtained some of Ericsons Snapchat videos, according to the affidavit. An acquaintance who had known Ericson since high school had captured the videos and tipped off the FBI on Jan. 11. Ericson lives in Muskogee and is the son of a former state representative. A former Oklahoma City Thunder worker pleaded guilty in July to a misdemeanor for her involvement in the riot. Danielle Nicole Doyle, 37, went inside the U.S. Capitol through a broken window on Jan. 6. Her sentencing is set for Oct. 1 in federal court in Washington, D.C. Thousands of people stormed the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6 as Congress met to formally count the Electoral College votes that had Joe Biden winning the presidential election. There, rioters overwhelmed Capitol police to breach the building. Ericsons Snapchat photo at the conference table shows him wearing a red, white and blue Trump 45 stocking cap. Each rioters actions from the most mundane to the most violent contributed, directly and indirectly, to the violence and destruction of that day, prosecutors told a judge in a sentencing memo in Doyles case. Each individual person who entered the Capitol on January 6 did so under the most extreme of circumstances, prosecutors wrote in the memo. They would at a minimum have crossed through numerous barriers and barricades and heard the throes of a mob. Depending on the timing and location of their approach, they also may have observed extensive fighting with law enforcement and likely would have smelled chemical irritants in the air. No rioter was a mere tourist that day. ___ (c)2021 The Oklahoman Visit The Oklahoman at www.newsok.com Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark Milley, left, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin attend a briefing held at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Sept. 1, 2021. (Brittany Chase/U.S. Air Force) WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley are gearing up for a grilling next week, as the Pentagon leaders prepare to testify before Congress. Representatives and senators are planning to question them about last month's bloody exit from Afghanistan and a new book that says Milley called China to calm tensions surrounding the 2020 election. Republicans and many Democrats have criticized President Joe Biden for his handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, while the parties have split on Milley's reported call to China, in which Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Robert Costa wrote that Milley told Chinese Gen. Li Zuocheng that the United States did not intend to attack. A number of Republicans, including Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, have said they believe Milley's calls were "treasonous" if the book is accurate. Rubio has called on him to resign. But Biden responded that he remains confident in the general, who has also told reporters his calls went according to protocol. U.S. Central Commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, who oversaw U.S. forces in Afghanistan, will join them when they appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday and the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday. In a Sept. 23 letter to Austin, Oklahoma's James M. Inhofe, the ranking Republican on the Senate panel, requested a long list of records, intelligence reports and summaries of Pentagon documents relating to Afghanistan, the rushed withdrawal of which last month left behind U.S. citizens and Afghan allies and exposed U.S. servicemembers and Afghans to a terrorist bombing that killed 13 Americans and scores of Afghans. Inhofe wants an accounting of how many people the military evacuated from the country and of all military equipment left behind. He set an Oct. 8 deadline for the information. On Sept. 22, five Republican senators on the committee, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Rick Scott of Florida and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, wrote to the chairman, Democrat Jack Reed of Rhode Island, to ask him to allow them extra time to question the Pentagon witnesses. "The American people want to know how the Administration including the Department of Defense failed to prepare for the collapse of the Afghan forces and allowed itself to be blindsided by the Taliban's final advance," they wrote, referencing the quick takeover of the country, as Islamist militants overran a U.S.-backed government. Republicans have sought to balance how much they criticize the U.S. military, however, as compared to Biden. Inhofe, for one, has cast blame mainly at Biden, accusing him of ignoring the Pentagon's concerns about a quick withdrawal from Afghanistan. "Let's make one thing clear now," he tweeted on Sept. 23. "What happened in Afghanistan over the past few months was not a failure of our military It was a failure of our commander-in-chief." While the questioning from Republicans will surely be more caustic, Democrats will also have pointed queries for Austin and Milley about Afghanistan. The House version of the fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act contained bipartisan provisions requesting an explanation for the botched withdrawal, indicating that both parties are displeased with how the administration handled it. ___ 2021 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Afghanistan in the East Room of The White House in Washington, DC on August 16, 2021. The Afghanistan issue is front and center in the latest impeachment filing against the president. (Oliver Contreras/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM/TNS) WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) Four House Republicans have filed articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden, accusing him of failures in Afghanistan and at the border and of abusing his power by extending a pandemic-related freeze on evictions. Texas Reps. Brian Babin and Randy Weber joined the effort, led by Rep. Bob Gibbs of Ohio. Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona also signed on. Their resolution closely mirrors impeachment resolutions pushed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, the Georgia Republican whose peddling of QAnon and other conspiracy theories prompted the GOP caucus to shun her. "Since January 20, 2021, Joe Biden has done nothing but launch our nation into a state of retrograde and increased vulnerability while thwarting the rule of law at every turn," Babin said Thursday, announcing his support for impeachment. "He has failed miserably at his duties as Commander-in-Chief and violated his oath of office to defend the U.S. Constitution." Democrats control the House, albeit by a narrow majority. Just a handful of Republicans have expressed support for impeaching Biden. So there is no chance the effort will come to a floor vote, let alone result in a Senate trial. Like all but 10 House Republicans, those pushing for Biden's impeachment voted against impeaching Donald Trump for inciting the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. It's the sixth resolution seeking Biden's impeachment filed since he took office. All were referred to the Judiciary Committee and have not been heard from since. At this point in Donald Trump's presidency only one impeachment resolution had been filed, attracting support from just two lawmakers, both Democrats: Reps. Al Green of Houston and Brad Sherman of California. That related to Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey, who was leading an investigation into whether Trump's 2016 campaign had colluded with Russia. "While Texas Republicans waste time and taxpayer money playing political games, House Democrats are busy doing the hard work of governing," Monica Robinson, spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Friday. "Stunts like this one, from the party that inspired the deadly insurrection on our Capitol, are a pointless distraction from the real work Democrats are doing to support middle-class families and rebuild our nation's infrastructure." The impeachment resolution filed this week includes three articles alleging that Biden: was derelict in his duty to protect against invasion "by halting construction of a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border, leaving Border Patrol agents to fend for themselves in the effort to secure our borders," and because he "knowingly released migrants having tested positive for COVID19 from Border Patrol custody and into the United States." overreached his authority when he extended by 60 days a moratorium on evictions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "abandoned thousands of Americans" in Afghanistan and even "aided and abetted the enemy by failing to secure or destroy American-donated military equipment as Taliban forces overtook territory in Afghanistan, leaving billions of dollars' worth of military hardware in the hands of enemy soldiers. "I could not stand by while Biden commits flagrant and deliberate violations of his oath of office," Gibbs tweeted. On Sept. 10, Weber filed his own resolution of impeachment asserting that Biden, "by perpetuating a false perception that the Afghan security forces were winning the war against the Taliban," had manipulated public opinion ahead of the U.S. withdrawal and "demonstrated that he is a threat to national security." Two Republicans from Georgia and Maryland signed on. "While in the past I had been loath to invoke impeachment in the absence of a clear demonstration of `high crimes and misdemeanors,' the standard established in the U.S. Constitution, I considered this act to have overstepped that line. The Democrat majority, in the previous Congress, impeached then-President Trump on far less substantive grounds," Weber said. Green, the conspiracy theorist from Georgia, filed the first impeachment resolution against Biden on Jan. 21 the day after his inauguration. The resolution has drawn no co-sponsors. It accused Biden of "blatant nepotism" and bribery related to his son Hunter Biden's service on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company. Green tried again on Aug. 23, with three separate resolutions on the same topics wrapped into this week's resolution filed by the Texans and their allies. One Green resolution, which drew five co-sponsors, asserts that Biden "endangered the people of the United States by allowing illegal aliens who had tested positive for COVID-19 to enter the country and infect American citizens" and "willfully refused to maintain operational control of the border," and that It also addresses Afghanistan, with allegations tracked closely by this week's: "By carelessly withdrawing the American military from Afghanistan and leaving billions of dollars of military assets in the hands of terrorists to be used against us. President Biden has empowered the Taliban, ISIS, Al Qaeda, and the Muslim Brotherhood, among others, to threaten America, American citizens, and her security interests." A second Aug. 23 resolution from Green focuses only on those Afghanistan allegations; that drew seven co-sponsors. The third Green resolution from Aug. 23 drew two Republican co-sponsors. It focused on the Biden administration's order extending the moratorium on evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic through Oct. 3. The resolution asserted, inaccurately, that the U.S. Supreme Court had already ruled June 29 that only Congress could extend the moratorium. In fact, that was not part of the ruling, only part of a concurring opinion from one justice, Brett Kavanaugh. The new impeachment resolution levels the same assertion, that Biden "violated the separation of powers by extending the moratorium despite the clear warning from the U.S. Supreme Court." Gibbs wrote GOP colleagues in early August trying to drum up support for impeachment based on Biden's "blatant dereliction" on border security, and for the extension of the eviction moratorium. The US withdrawal from Afghanistan had not yet played out. He differentiated the effort to remove Biden from Trump's two impeachment trials, casting those as baseless and "politically motivated." "As conservatives and Republicans, I believe we understand impeachment is a serious constitutional mechanism, meant to be used only in the rarest and most grave circumstances," Gibbs wrote his colleagues. "Sadly, we saw our Democrat colleagues debase it and use it as a talking point for electoral gain." Weber, explaining his vote against Trump's impeachment in January, said it would "antagonize half of the electorate and recklessly embolden the other half." Babin called the Trump impeachment "reckless and futile" when he voted against it. He accused Democrats of peddling a "flat-out lie" that Trump incited the Jan. 6 attack, while asserting that Trump's victory had been stolen through "blatant election irregularities." "Never have I witnessed our Constitution be so trampled on for the sole purpose of the maintenance of political power," he said. 2021 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer unveils a new wax figure of First Lady Melania Trump, on display next to a wax figure of President Trump at Madame Tussauds New York on April 25, 2018. (James Keivom/TNS) WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer sued President Joe Biden over the administration's efforts to oust him from the board of the U.S. Naval Academy. Earlier this month, the Biden administration asked Spicer and several other appointees of President Donald Trump to resign from U.S. service academy and other military advisory boards. Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway was similarly asked to step down from the Air Force Academy's board of visitors. Now a host on the conservative Newsmax channel, Spicer filed suit in federal court in Washington on Thursday along with Russell Vought, Trump's former Office of Management and Budget director, who was also told to step down from the Naval Academy board. In their complaint, Spicer and Vought said Biden did not have the legal authority to remove them from the board. They asked the court for a restraining order blocking the administration from doing so. "The statute governing the Board provides for staggered three-year terms," the lawsuit said, "and it makes no provision or allowance for at-will presidential removal based on political affiliation or otherwise." Earlier this month, Biden press secretary Jen Psaki said the purge was designed to ensure the board members were qualified and aligned with the administration's values. "I will let others evaluate whether they think Kellyanne Conway and Sean Spicer and others were qualified," she said at a Sept. 8 news conference. The White House had no immediate comment on Spicer's suit. Spicer held Psaki's job for the first six months of the Trump administration, during which he memorably but falsely boasted that Trump's swearing-in drew "the largest audience ever to witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe." He later said he regretted the widely parodied comment. ___ 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Update, 3.40pm: Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a woman in Kawerau. Emergency services were called to an address on Hall Street, Kawerau around 12.41pm where a woman was located with critical injuries and sadly died a short time later. "One person is assisting Police with our enquiries, we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this death," says a Police spokesperson. A scene guard is in place at the property while Police investigate. As Auckland begins its first weekend under Alert Level 3 restrictions, Police are pleased with an overall high level of compliance. "Checkpoint staff reported no significant incidents or issues overnight and there were no further COVID prosecutions in the 24 hours ending 5pm yesterday," says a Police spokesperson. Police in Auckland will carry out visibility patrols to help ensure everyone continues to adhere to Alert Level 3 restrictions this weekend. "That means staying local, keeping bubbles tight and maintaining physical distance from others when exercising outdoors, accessing essential services or collecting takeaways. "Now is not the time to lose sight of why these restrictions are in place and jeopardise everyones efforts to date." Since Alert Level 3 came into place, in Auckland and Upper Hauraki three people have been charged with a total of three offences as at 5pm yesterday, Friday September 24. Of these, one is for Failing to Comply with Order (COVID-19), one is for Failure to Comply with Direction/Prohibition/Restriction, and one is a Health Act Breach. In the same time period, one person was formally warned. Police have received a total of 402 105-online breach notifications relating to businesses, mass gatherings or people in Auckland and Upper Hauraki. Updated checkpoint data will be available on Monday. The dragon boating team Bay Dragons are looking for new members, so if youre keen to try a new sport and meet some great people, then now is the time to give it a go. Dragon boating is a sport that combines teamwork, technique, timing and power to paddle a boat in unison. Bay of Plenty Dragon Boat Club president Brooke Hargreaves says dragon boating improves all over body fitness, but its relatively low impact and helps with mental health as well. Its hard to explain the sensation that you get when youre on the water, says Brooke. You might have had a really rough day or a rough week, and you get out on that water for an hour and your whole mental state just changes. They are looking for people aged 12 and up of any fitness level to join the fun. Dragon boating has all those aspects that people are looking for when they do team sports - fun and comraderie, fitness and socialising on-and-off the water, says Brooke. We have social and competitive aspects to our team, so its entirely up to the individual whether or not they want to compete. For those that are interested in competing, the club has a great record, taking out 11 medals at the 2021 New Zealand Dragon Boating National Championships. The club sent three teams to the regatta at Lake Hood in Ashburton and the Womens, Mixed and Boobops Breast Cancer Survivors brought back nine golds, one silver and a bronze medal. The sport runs from September until the end of March and they will meet for training at Covid alert level two. Meetings are on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings at Sulphur Point in Tauranga. The majority of us love getting out on the water on a Saturday morning, adds Brooke. Nine times out of ten, its really glassy and flat and the sunshines coming out. Its just really good relief from a hectic week. Brook encourages anyone that wants to increase their fitness - and have fun while doing it - to join the team. For more information or to join, email: baydragons_recruitment@yahoo.co.nz 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. (Photo : Pexels/Pixabay) Facebook sites Neo-Nazis are still active online, and they are taking a different form. In Europe, the right-wing extremists are part of a premier martial arts group. Neo-Nazis are Making Money Online The German authorities have banned the tournament of the martial arts group twice. However, the Kampf der Nibelungen, or Battle of the Nibelungs, is still active on Facebook, according to GlobalNews. The organizers of the martial arts group maintain multiple pages, including on YouTube and Instagram, which they use to spread their ideology, recruit new members, and make money by selling merchandise and tickets. The Battle of the Nibelungs is one of the dozens of right-wingers that continue to use social media sites for profit despite the platforms' repeated promise to remove them from their respective websites. Currently, 54 Facebook profiles belong to 39 groups. According to The Associated Press, these groups have been flagged as extremist by the German government and civil society groups. The extremist groups have nearly 268,000 friends on Facebook. Also Read: Search For 'California Republicans' On Google And 'Nazism' Is Listed As An Ideology The civil society groups also discovered 39 Instagram profiles related to the group, 16 Twitter accounts, and 34 YouTube channels. The channels have more than 9.5 million views. Almost 60% of the social media profiles were aimed at making money. They display links to online shops or pictures that promote their products. The shops of the right-wingers include T-shirts with tags that say, "My favorite color is white" and "Refugees not welcome." The t-shirts cost $23. There are also stickers available for $3 and skull faces for $7. Meanwhile, the Facebook feed of One People One Struggle or OPOS Records is filled with new music and merchandise promotion, including "Pride & Dignity," "True Aggression," and "One Family" shirts. They also have their own Twitter and Instagram accounts. CEP's Investigation Counter Extremism Project or CEP, a group that combats extremists, has created a dataset that shows the groups in Germany considered far-right, according to Reuters. According to Alexander Ritzmann, the researcher of CEP, extremist groups create an infrastructure where they can meet people, recruit them, and make money. The leaders of these groups are not the ones who commit violent crimes. Instead, they build the narratives and foster the activities where the violence happens. CEP stated that it is focused on groups that want to overthrow democratic institutions like protecting minorities and freedom of the press. These groups are the ones who believe that the white race is "under siege" and needs to be "protected." So far, no one has been banned, but almost all of the groups have been described in intelligence reports as extremist. On Facebook, the groups avoid blatant violations of the platform's rules, like using hate speed or posting Nazi symbols as they are illegal in Germany. By working its way around the rules of the social media platforms, Germany's far-right groups use the power of social media to promote their group, their merchandise, festivals, events, music labels, and tournaments that can generate millions in sales. These groups can also connect people who have the same mindset. However, cutting off these groups online could have damaging consequences. The CEP is careful not to ban people based on who they are, as they must only be banned on what they do online because otherwise, they are tampering with the group's freedom of speech. In the United States, Neo-Nazis used Steam to manage far-right communities, leading to the arrest of a member from Virginia. Other social media sites, like Discord, have been doing cleanups by removing Neo-Nazi communities. Related Article: 25,000 Email Addresses and Passwords from the CDC, WHO, Gates Foundation Were Dumped Online This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sophie Webster 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. State police called on the public for help finding 2-year-old Nevaeh Allen, who was last seen the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, after her stepfather set her down for a nap at their Baton Rouge home, police said. As if Louisiana's heat and humidity weren't enough for migrant workers on a sugar cane farm, a Rosedale farmer withheld food and water from them for a time in June, even telling them to "drink from the ditch" if they needed relief in 90-degree temperatures, a federal court complaint says. The U.S. Department of Labor filed allegations against the Rivet and Sons LLC sugarcane and soybean farm and its owners, Clinton Rivet and Brent Rivet, along with their father, the companys former owner Glynn Rivet. The elder Rivet brandished a pistol in each hand at four of his employees after they asked for food and water before shooting the ground near them and once into the air on June 8, according to Labor officials. Glynn Rivet was arrested that day by Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriffs Office deputies and charged with four felony counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and one count of illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, according to PCPSO booking documents. Farmer accused of firing shots after denying water, food to workers: 'They deserve better' A Rosedale farmer accused of firing gunshots and shouting obscenities at workers after they asked for food and water was ordered by federal re Glynn Rivet was the owner of the company at the time, but he gifted all of his ownership interest to his sons nine days after the incident, according to the Labor Department complaint. The property transfer came a day after complaints made it to the Fraud Protection Unit of the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey, Mexico, the complaint says. On top of the criminal charges, the Labor Department wants a restraining order and injunction against Glynn Rivet, along with his former company. The agency says Clinton Rivet threatened to fire all the migrant workers at the farm if the complaints against his father werent dropped. One of the four men recanted his statement to the sheriffs department and returned to work at the farm amid the pressure from the two sons, while the other three men were forced to leave the farm out of fear for their safety, according to the complaint. Rivet and Sons LLC is a 6,000-acre farming business with nine fields in Iberville and Pointe Coupee parishes. It hires H-2A employees, foreign agricultural workers on special visas who plant by hand, manage water systems and remove weeds. The Labor Department investigation found that the migrant workers on the farm often worked 10 or more hours a day, seven days a week in fields that lacked potable drinking water and toilet and handwashing facilities, according to the complaint. The farm is still operating under Clint and Brent Rivet, and 11 H-2A workers are still employed there. We believe were currently in compliance with the Department of Labor and that well hopefully continue to do so and hopefully work with the government to resolve this, said Walt Green, a Baton Rouge attorney who is representing the younger Rivets and the company. The June 8 shooting stemmed from a request for water that the four workers made the day before after working for three hours in a field. You dont need water, drink from the ditch, Glynn Rivet responded, according to a statement from one of the four workers taken by a Pointe Coupee Parish sheriff's deputy. The high temperature in Baton Rouge was 91 degrees on June 7 and 8. Glynn Rivet hovered over the men to discourage them from taking breaks or look for water following their request. Clint Rivet eventually brought the four men water, but it was an inefficient amount for the heat and the type of work the men were doing, according to the complaint. 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 The next day, things continued to escalate. Glynn Rivet dropped the four men off in a field to work alone without their food or water and yelled I am the one with the power here as he drove away, according to the complaint. After working for several hours in two separate fields away from their food and water, and calling Brent Rivet to request he bring them water, the four men opted to walk 1 miles to a bus where the food and water was stored, according to the complaint. While approaching the bus, the men heard shouting between Glynn and Brent Rivet, followed by a gunshot. Glynn Rivet then sped toward the men in his truck and one of the men had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. The elder Rivet then emerged from the truck with a pistol in each hand, threatened the men with the guns, then fired the two shots, according to the complaint. The incident was filmed by the workers, according to booking documents and the Department of Labor complaint. The Department of Labor did not respond to a Friday afternoon request to review the video. The attorney listed as representing Glynn Rivet did not return a request for comment Friday afternoon. The Labor Department case is before Judge John W. deGravelles in the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, and the criminal charges against Glynn Rivet are pending. A status conference is set for the Labor Department case on Tuesday, and Green said he expects the case to move quickly. The department called Rivets behavior egregious and threatening and asked the court to forbid Rivet from carrying a firearm within 5,000 feet of any current, former or prospective agricultural worker. The order would stop him from communicating to workers within 1,500 feet and entering the property where they live. The Labor Department also asked for a preliminary injunction to stop the farm and its associates from retaliating against current and former employees and their families. It asserted that food and water are essential benefits. Federal regulators asked that the farm install new locks and deadbolts or re-key locks on the doors of workers homes. The farm must pay the three discharged workers back pay and expenses from when those workers were unemployed due to Rivets retaliation, the DOL went on to say. Additionally, the DOL is demanding that Rivet and Sons provide water, toilets and sinks to workers and inform them of their rights under the Labor Department program that allows for their employment. A one-time Ascension Parish couple convicted in the attempted robbery and slaying of a Gonzales man each faces 35 years in state prison after convictions this week. Prosecutors had accused Kirkpatrick Morrison of shooting Christopher Goudeau in June 2018 after an alleged sex-for-drugs-and-cash scam between Morrison's girlfriend, Lauren Donaldson, and Goudeau had gone awry. Under the plea deals, Morrison and Donaldson admitted that they had no intention of following through on Donaldson trading sex for drugs and cash. Instead, they said they planned to rob Goudeau when they arrived at his trailer home in the Gonzales area. When Donaldson took too long inside Goudeau's trailer on Black Bayou Road, Donaldson's boyfriend, Morrison, went inside with a gun, the pleas say. +3 Investigation into Tuesday's fatal shooting in Ascension Parish continues, sheriff says The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the fatal shooting of Christopher Goudeau in his home near Gonzales early Tuesd A fight ensued. During the struggle, Morrison, 27, formerly of Prairieville and now of Baton Rouge, wound up shooting Goudeau three times. The 23-year-old was taken to a hospital where he later died. "At the end of the day, I think it was a good result based upon the facts of the case," said Kenneth Dupaty, a 23rd Judicial District assistant district attorney who prosecuted the two. Morrison and Donaldson pleaded guilty to the reduced charges of manslaughter the morning after the jury for their second-degree murder trial had been seated. Prosecution and defense attorneys never got to opening arguments at the Parish Courthouse in Gonzales on Thursday, attorneys said. Donaldson, the girlfriend, a 25-year-old from Prairieville, was convicted as a principal to manslaughter. In addition to corresponding with Goudeau through online messaging to set up the alleged exchange, two witnesses heard her telling her boyfriend to "shoot him, shoot him, shoot him" during his struggle with Goudeau inside a bedroom, prosecution and defense attorneys 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 Judge Alvin Turner Jr. of the 23rd Judicial District Court handed down the sentences the same day as the two took their guilty pleas. Morrison and Donaldson avoided potential mandatory life sentences from second-degree murder convictions. As part of Morrison's defense, he claimed the plan was not to rob Goudeau but to have Donaldson get the cash and drugs and quickly leave without having had sex. +4 Two arrested in Baton Rouge after slaying in Gonzales area early Tuesday GONZALES A Prairieville man shot and killed a Gonzales-area man early Tuesday after an argument broke out in the 23-year-old victim's home a After Donaldson didn't leave quickly enough from Goudeau's trailer, Morrison, Donaldson's boyfriend, entered the home out of jealousy, said Jeff Heggelund, Morrison's defense attorney. What was happening in the trailer, Heggelund said, was that Goudeau and others with him were stalling about giving Donaldson the drugs and cash first. Attorneys couldn't say definitively what Goudeau's ultimate intentions were. Heggelund asserted the series of events fits a manslaughter, or a slaying in sudden passion caused by provocation. He noted his client and Donaldson had left the trailer about 5:50 a.m. June 12, 2018, after the shooting. Twenty minutes later, Morrison called 911 trying to explain what happened. Later, he got in a traffic crash in East Baton Rouge, where a panicked Morrison told an arriving officer that he had shot someone, Heggelund added. "It's one of those classic-type things where drugs and guns proliferate (in) our society and this kind of thing happens around drugs and guns," Heggelund said. Blaine Hebert, a defense attorney for Donaldson, couldn't be immediately reached Friday. By this time next year, the East Baton Rouge Metro Council expects to have adopted new single-member district boundaries to reflect population shifts in the 2020 U.S. Census. With minorities, particularly Black people, now slightly overshadowing Whites in East Baton Rouge, it stands to reason that White conservatives will likely lose the strong majority they've held on the Metro Council for decades. Constitutionally mandated redistricting throughout the state will likely ignite spirited debate, given the number of people watching how city-parish leaders carve out the next decade's boundaries for the council's 12 seats. "Ideally, it's about getting more competitive districts," Together Baton Rouge spokesman Khalid Hudson said. "Right now within different districts things become so polarized. If you have 70% of the people thinking one way, a candidate doesn't have to listen to the other 30%." +5 Baton Rouge, suburbs grow in population while rural parishes decline, Census data shows East Baton Rouge remained Louisiana's largest parish in 2020 and grew slightly faster than the state over the past decade. But it also fell in "We have to create space where democracy can really happen within districts," he added. Hudson said the faith-based community organization will engage the public in the reapportionment processes for both the Metro Council and East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, which has already began its redistricting work. Another group watching closely from the sidelines is the Baton Rouge NAACP. Eugene Collins, the branch's president, says that if the new Metro Council districts fail to mirror the racial shifts within the parish, they'll file legal challenges to stop them. "We know for a fact this town is swinging minority," he said. "When you look at political representation, it's supposed to be about people who represent what the city looks like. We've had extreme gerrymandered districts in the past. We're hoping this process can be figured out in an equitable manner." The population counts from the U.S. Census Bureau, released last month, showed a nearly 4% growth over the past decade in East Baton Rouge. That growth spurt was largely concentrated in the southern half and within pockets of the northern ends of the parish. Of the 456,781 who live in the parish, 42.9% identified as White and 45.2% as Black. People identifying as Indian, Asian, Pacific Islander or "some other race" collectively comprise 6.8% of the city-parish, according to census data. Those identifying as two or more races made up the remaining demographic percentage. 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 Baton Rouge attorney Dannie Garrett, who specializes in reapportionment, cautions folks from concentrating solely on racial demographics when thinking of redistricting. Garrett, who is working on the parish School Board's reapportionment this year, said other factors in remapping districts include making them contiguous to avoid splitting up neighborhoods and communities while protecting minority voting strength. Mark Ballard: Redistricting fight this time to include voters as well as legislators Several hundred seniors, mostly African American, gathered in Baton Rouge back in 2014 to visit with their elected officials. "You have to be able to put the puzzle together," he said. "Based on what I'm seeing with the School Board, I think the Metro Council will face some of the same situations where you'll have more areas that have become 50/50 when it comes to Black and White residents." "And if they're 50/50, what is the voting-age population? Then if you go further, what is the voter registration numbers for that district," Garrett added. Having said all that, Garrett also noted that race can't be the predominate factor in reapportionment. "The most important thing in any redistricting is to try and get the population of each district close to ideal," he said. "Ideal is the total population divided by the number of districts. It's impossible to get every district perfect evenly. You have a leeway plus or minus 5%." Among other quirky things that can pop up during reapportionment are times when incumbents try to keep themselves and their family members in their respective districts, Garrett said. Also, plans can be drawn up that lean heavily toward either Republicans or Democratic representation. The Metro Council at its Oct. 13 meeting will consider adopting the proposed reapportionment plan the Council Administration office has presented to them. That plan outlines the next year for redistricting work that will include representatives from the city-parish's Planning Commission, Parish Attorney's Office and GIS department. The parish, like the School Board, will also hire an outside expert to help with that work. The target date for completion is September 2022. The effective date of the new council districts will be Jan. 2024. Candidates will have to run for seats in the newly drawn districts in the fall 2023 elections. As of yet, there's no indication about how and when proposed district maps will be presented for public review. Six years after the strangled bodies of a Baton Rouge couple in their 70s were found in the backseat of their pickup at a Hammond gas station, jury selection is set to begin Monday in the trial of one of two men accused in their shocking deaths. Frank Garcia, 53, of Hollywood, Florida, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the October 2015 slaying of Denis "Bubbie" Duplantier, 71, and Suzanne "Suzy" Duplantier, 70. Authorities have said the Duplantiers were robbed and beaten in their Highland Road home, where they lived almost all of their 48 years of marriage, before they were kidnapped and killed. Garcia's cousin, Ernesto Llerena Alonso, 48, who did landscaping work for the couple and lived on other property owned by them, faces the same murder counts and will later be tried separately. +4 In 2015 killing of Highland Road couple in 70s, defendants to be tried separately A prosecutor disclosed Tuesday which of two men will be tried first in the 2015 robbery, beating, kidnapping and strangling of a Highland Road East Baton Rouge Parish prosecutors announced in 2016 they would not seek the death penalty against either man after discussions with the victims' families. They face mandatory sentences of life in prison if convicted as charged. The Duplantiers were reported missing by worried family members who hadnt had contact with them for more than a day. Baton Rouge police officers conducted a welfare check and found the door open to the couples home at 5020 Highland. The couple and their red pickup were missing. A safe inside the Duplantier home was found open, with cash missing, authorities have said. Blood was located in several rooms. Authorities believe Garcia and Alonso entered the couple's home and beat them to get the information needed to open the safe. +6 Two cousins accused in abductions, murders of high-profile Duplantier couple plead not guilty in 1st Baton Rouge court appearance With a large group of family and friends of the victims looking on, two men accused in the robbery, abduction and strangling of an elderly Hig A large amount of cash and a number of unspecified items believed stolen from the home were found at Garcias residence in Florida, authorities had said previously. In a new court filing Thursday, prosecutor Dana Cummings disclosed that the Duplantiers' jewelry was found at Garcia's home. 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 "Nicole Nembhard with the Hollywood Police Dept. stated that the victims' jewelry was already out on the patio table when she arrived at Frank Garcia's residence," Cummings wrote in a document regarding the state's pretrial disclosures. The document also revealed that the residence of another man was searched by authorities. The document says Baton Rouge police detective Zac Woodring could not remember the circumstances surrounding the search of that residence, "but thinks that (the man's) name may have come up in the investigation in connection with the report that he may have been reported to have had missing coins from the safe in his possession." The document filed by Cummings further states that the victims' daughter, Terri Duplantier, told Baton Rouge police that her father "previously hid cocaine in his house." The couple's bodies were found after OnStar tracked their missing pickup to the Petro truck stop near Interstate 12 in Hammond. Baton Rouge police notified Hammond police, who found the truck with the bodies in the backseat on Oct. 19, 2015, in a corner of the truck stop where it would not be easily noticed. Alonso's white pickup was captured on surveillance video as it followed the couples vehicle into the truck stop, authorities have said. Alonsos truck was later discovered at Garcia's home in Florida. Garcia's attorneys have claimed in previously filed documents that he and Alonso have antagonistic defenses, and the lawyers said they anticipate that Alonso will try to "shift blame from himself to Garcia" at trial. Issues with lawyers, evidence and appeals have scuttled numerous previous trial dates in the case. A state appeals court ruled last year that the two men can receive a fair trial in East Baton Rouge Parish. The appellate court reversed state District Judge Trudy White, who had decided in 2019 that East Baton Rouge jurors should not hear the case. +2 Duo accused of double killing can get fair trial in East Baton Rouge Parish, appeals court says The two men charged with the high-profile killing of a Highland Road couple can receive a fair trial in East Baton Rouge Parish, an appeals co State District Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts is now presiding. All we know is that someone or a group of someones hacked into a public Zoom meeting to throw up explicit scenes of people having sex when Louisiana Public Service Commission members tried to discuss what happened to utility and telecommunications companies during Hurricane Ida and how services were restored. Whether prank or protest remains unknown as the PSCs only comments were that it happened, the perpetrators were depraved and the media reporting the incident were only interested in online clicks. The five-elected PSC commissioners and the executives with the utilities they regulate lately have been the target of lawsuits and withering criticism. The cause is widespread anger over the catastrophic damage caused by Ida, leaving hundreds of thousands in deadly heat without power or communications again. I cant tell you how many people who are Cox customers were basically ready to light brooms on fire and get pitchforks if they could find out where you are, PSC Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, R-Metairie, told Cox Communications executives during the hearing. He and other commissioners said something similar to the other utility company executives when it was their turn to report. Pornographic videos interrupted Louisiana utility regulators discussing Hurricane Ida Graphic scenes of people having sex interrupted utility regulators at the Louisiana Public Service Commission meeting on Wednesday, held virtu Utility regulation is the intersection of complex engineering and high finance discussed in a language understandable to 200 or so regulators, lawyers, lobbyists, and company executives, many of whom are loath to translate what is happening into simple terms. But utility-speak doesnt cut it with the residential, business and industrial customers who pay for restoration after a storm. Entergy's preliminary restoration estimates are between $2 billion and $2.4 billion for Ida, said Phillip May, Entergy Louisianas president and chief executive. Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans provide electricity to more than half the states homes and businesses. Mays restoration estimates will fluctuate, a lot, between now and several years hence when the amount finally appears on customers monthly bills. The costs for last years Hurricane Laura are still being calculated and probably wont be added to customer bills for at least another six months, perhaps a year. Ida destroyed 212 structures, such as transmission towers, and damaged another 296, disrupting the flow of high voltage electricity from generating plants to distribution facilities that step down voltage before sending power to customers. More than 36,000 distribution poles and 50,000 spans of wire went down. The result was 1,098,433 customers lost electricity, second only to the 1.3 million taken out by Hurricane Gustav in 2009. During the past year, Louisiana and its utility systems have been hit with four named hurricanes two of which, Laura and Ida, came ashore as among the strongest in history. Undeniably the utility companies, Entergy in particular, were able to restore power quicker than ever before. But customers are frustrated by the repeated outages. Power back in Baton Rouge by Wednesday, surrounding parishes to see it back sooner The vast majority of the greater Baton Rouge area should be back in air conditioning and light by Wednesday, Sept. 8, said the head of Entergy Its impractical to rebuild the system every time, said PSC Commissioner Lambert Boissiere III, D-New Orleans. We need to have a very serious conversation about hardening transmission and distribution systems to reduce outages in the future. Under the unique legal system set up to handle privately owned companies that operate as monopolies in specific areas, regulators can review costs to balance what customers pay against what utility companies expend to provide service. Not to pick on Entergy, but during the past six years, the utility spent about $4.2 billion on its transmission system also paid for by customers. In April, Entergy officials testified before the PSC that hardening the entire system would be too expensive. So the utility targeted specific parts of its network to cost effectively reduce the risks to reliability. The new equipment throughout the grid fared well during Ida, according to a report released last week by McCullough Research. The Oregon-based company that advises power companies and government agencies reviewed Entergys regulatory filings and investor reports. In the report that focused on Entergy, McCullough also noted that many utilities wait until older equipment is destroyed rather than preemptively replacing equipment. There are understandable regulatory reasons for doing so: It is easier to recover the cost of storm damage than it is to argue for early retirement of existing assets." PSC Chairman Craig Greene, a Republican doctor from Baton Rouge, says a post mortem is necessary with pointed questions: What weak areas did Entergy work? And what exactly did the company do? Regulators cant order the utilities to pay, but commissioners can determine what expenses were prudent. If prudent, customers will pay. If not, those expenses are subtracted from the overall amount customers owe. Melburnians will be allowed to enjoy new freedoms including playing golf or tennis and roaming up to 15 kilometres from home as Victoria takes another step to reopening large areas of public life. On Sunday, Industry Recovery Minister Martin Pakula said COVID-19 vaccine passports might be trialled at the Melbourne Cup to allow crowds to return to the spring carnival, as well as other ticketed events in country Victoria and metropolitan suburbs. Regional hospitality, hairdressing and tourism businesses in six local government areas will be part of a two-week trial in October to determine how vaccine passports could be rolled out across the state, with the Premier indicating COVID-19 jabs would probably be mandated for those sectors. Click here to read the story. Hundreds of police have swarmed the St Kilda foreshore forcing protesters to scatter and curbing an anti-lockdown, anti-vaccination demonstration that sprung up in the bayside suburb. Victoria Police members arrest a protester along the St Kilda foreshore. Credit:Justin McManus Shortly before 1pm, protesters started chanting slogans like together, united, well never be divided while a police helicopter hovered overhead and a police boat floated offshore. Almost 100 arrests were made, among them an apparent protest leader, after police descended on the group. Protesters then scattered into smaller groups. A number of buses carrying police members left the foreshore barely an hour after the rally began, while protesters were also seen departing the area just before 2pm. Phoenix: The Wire and Boardwalk Empire actor died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl-laced heroin and cocaine, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY. The Emmy-nominated actor was found dead on September 6 in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment, according to the New York City Police Department. He was 54. Michael K Williams had been open about his struggles with drug addiction. Credit:AP Williams was laid to rest in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on September 16 during a service at St. Stephens Episcopal Cathedral. He was remembered as one of televisions most respected and acclaimed actors who brought characters to life, often with surprising tenderness. He was well known for his portrayal of Omar Little in The Wire, which ran from 2002 to 2008. He also appeared on many more HBO series, including Boardwalk Empire, The Night Of and most recently, Lovecraft Country, in which he was nominated for an Emmy for his role as Montrose Freeman. Batavia, NY (14020) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Kosovo police officers patrol the bridge over Gazivode Lake near the northern Kosovo border crossing of Brnjak on the fifth day of protest on Sept. 24, 2021. Ethnic Serbs in Kosovo have been blocking the border for a fifth straight day to protest a decision by Kosovo authorities to start removing Serbian license plates from cars entering the country, raising fears such incidents could unleash much deeper tensions between the two Balkan foes. (Visar Kryeziu /AP Photo) 2 Public Offices in Kosovo Targeted as Serbia Tensions Soar PRISTINA, KosovoA public building in Kosovo was set on fire and another was hit by grenades that did not explode in what government officials described Saturday as criminal acts related to ethnic Serbs protesting the decision to remove Serbian license plates from cars entering the country. Serbian media quoted the head of the Zubin Potok fire department, Sasa Bozovic, as saying a fire that broke out overnight at the towns municipal building engulfed two offices. Bozovic did not identify the cause of the fire. The Kosovo Interior Ministry said the blaze burned down a vehicle registration office. Ethnic Serbs angry over the removal of Serbian license plates have blocked the Kosovo-Serbia border with trucks since Monday. The Center of Vehicle Registration at the Zubin Potok commune has been burned by suspects in a criminal act with terrorist elements, Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla wrote on Facebook. In Zvecan, a town about 10 miles away, two hand grenades were thrown into a public office but did not explode, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said. Kurti accused Serbias government of inciting and supporting such behavior and exploiting Kosovo citizens to provoke a serious international conflict. Both communes are in the north close to Serbias border, which is mainly populated by members of Kosovos ethnic Serb minority. Tensions soared Monday when Kosovo special police with armored vehicles were sent to the border to temporarily replace Serb license plates from cars driven in Kosovo. Its a minor annoyance for drivers with a big symbolic impact. Serbia doesnt recognize its former province of Kosovo as a separate nation and considers their mutual border only as a temporary administrative boundary. Serbian police have for years taken the plates off Kosovo-registered cars entering Serbia. Drivers then need to pay 5 euros for a 60-day temporary license plate. Kosovo authorities say they are only copying Serbias program. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has described Kosovos move as a criminal action, and he made the withdrawal of all Kosovar troops a condition of European Union-mediated negotiations to resolve the dispute. After the grenade and fire incidents, Kosovos government did not sound ready Saturday to pull the special police back any time soon. These criminal acts best show what would have occurred with the border crossings in Jarinje and Brnjak unless special (police) forces were sent there to guarantee public order and security, Svecla wrote. The European Union and the United States urged Kosovo and Serbia to immediately, without any delay exercise restraint and refrain from unilateral actions. A bloody 1998-1999 crackdown by Serbian troops against Kosovo Albanian separatists ended after NATO intervention, and Kosovo declared independence in 2008. It has been recognized by the U.S. and other Western nations, but not by Serbia and allies Russia and China. Thousands of NATO-led peacekeepers, including U.S. troops, are still deployed in Kosovo, trying to stave off lingering ethnic tensions between majority Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs. By Zenel Zhinipotoku and Llazar Semini 3 Children Killed in Croatia, Suspect Thought to Be Father ZAGREB, CroatiaA 56-year-old man is suspected of killing three young children in Croatias capital Saturday, authorities said, while local media identified the man as the childrens father. The state prosecutor in Zagreb said the suspect, an Austrian citizen, was suspected of grave murder at the harm of three underage children. Police said earlier that officers found the childrens bodies and a man in poor condition in a Zagreb apartment around 2 a.m. after they had been informed of an attempted suicide. The children had been killed, and the adult was taken to a local hospital, a police statement said. The news outlet Index said the children were 7-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, and a 4-year-old boy. The killing shocked Croatia, triggering questions about potential previous violence within the family. Social care service official Margareta Maderic said this was not the case. Family should be a place where children are protected and loved, while here we have a completely opposite, most horrific situation, she said, according to state HRT television. Maderic said the family went through a standard procedure during the parents divorce in 2018, when they agreed to joint custody over the children. Croatian media reported that the man had posted a note on Facebook saying he could not go on because of financial and emotional problems. The media reported that the man was a financial expert who had owned his own businesses or worked as a consultant for other companies. A protester holds a sign and a flag as he takes part in a rally against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, in Santa Monica, Calif., on Aug. 29, 2021. (Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images) Alabama House Bill Proposes Vaccine Injury Protection for Employees If an individual was injured by an employer-mandated COVID-19 vaccine, a proposed Alabama bill will give the employee the right to take legal action against their employer. Though House Bill 16 was drafted earlier in the year, Alabama state Rep. Tommy Hanes, a Republican sponsor of the bill, told The Epoch Times that it has garnered media attention following President Joe Bidens Sept. 10 speech that announced new federal vaccine requirements. Part of Bidens requirements is mandating private companies with 100 or more employees to have staff vaccinated or tested weekly for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, the pathogen that causes COVID-19. After Bidens speech, Hanes said he now plans to revise the bill or draft a new version with a clause that protects the employer as well. If the current bill were to pass, it would put the employer in the position of consequentially violating federal law by adhering to state law. The bill states that an employee and his or her dependents have private right-of-action against an employer for any adverse reaction, injury, temporary or permanent disability, or death as a result of the COVID-19 vaccine mandated by the employer. What prompted the idea for the bill, Hanes said, was hearing a legal opinion claiming that, because Alabama is an at-will state, the employer can mandate vaccines for the employee. An at-will state means an employer can fire an employee at any time. This bill is about individual liberties, Hanes said. Even though we are an at-will state, that only goes so far. It doesnt mean the employer owns you. The premise of a vaccine mandate, Hanes said, is based on a notion of ownership. Its like my dog: if my dog could talk and say, no, I dont want the rabies vaccine, well, she doesnt have anything to say about that because I own her, Hanes said. An employee, Hanes said, is an individual business. Employees sell their time and labor to that employer because they need to purchase that from them, Hanes said. Employees really work for themselves. Once a man or a woman gives a fair days work for a fair days wage, then they have fulfilled their end of the bargain. On Bidens vaccine mandate speech, Hanes referred to the balance of power between the federal government and the states. The federal government was created by the states, with limited power, Hanes said. Federal law doesnt always supersede state law. He added that the Tenth Amendment and the Anti-Commandeering Doctrine were established to limit federal overreach, which has been the winning argument in several cases in the U.S. Supreme Court that have overturned federal law on numerous occasions. Im sure if this bill were to pass, the federal government would take the state of Alabama to court, but some things are just worth fighting for, Hanes said. Individual liberties are worth fighting for. Alabama is one of 27 states with Republican governors or attorney generals who have stated that they will fight Bidens executive order. In a statement on the mandate, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said the state of Alabama will sue to block the order. The vaccine mandate is unprecedented in its audacity and unlawful in its application, Marshall said. The Biden administration knows this full and well. Anticipation: The Slow-Pour Pilsner Thirsty drinkers expect quick service, and a fast and efficient bartender keeps customers happy. But if youve ever watched a Guinness pour, you know that some beers cannot, and should not, be rushed into the glass. Germans think so, too, and it may come as a surprise to some that theyve long applied this approach to our most common beer: the pilsner. In the United States, some craft breweries are taking up the technique. With all the variations of styles and ingredients that have been paraded before us by this golden age of craft beer, its nice to see some respect for the tried and true beer of beers. But the variation here is not in the style of beer itself, but rather the method of delivery: the slow pour. The name says it all: Your beer is poured in several intervals, creating a dense head that climbs out of the glass and stays there. Is this taproom theater, or is there a point to all of this? Proof in the Pour In regards to theater, beer and food do benefit from presentationthink plating gourmet meals versus throwing a burger and fries into a greasy paper bag. But there is more to this than show. The slow pour changes the flavor. In Germany, the beer is served chilled but not ice-forming-on-the-taps cold. The bit of warming from this longer process allows your taste buds to taste more flavors; ice-cold beer hides flavors (and flaws). The foaming process reduces the bite of carbonation as well, making the beer smoother while also rounding the edge off the hoppy bitterness, allowing more brightness through. The stable, lingering head also traps more of the hop aromatics that would have otherwise drifted off sooner in a typical pour. I paid a visit to Working Draft Beer Co. in Madison, Wisconsin, where I had a chance to chat and drink with head brewer Clinton Lohman. As we sat down, he ordered me A Pils Is a Pils Is a Pils Is a Pils (an American pilsner, in case you were wondering) with a slow pour. I first heard of it from Bierstadt Lagerhaus, said Lohman. The Denver-based brewer is faithful to producing traditional lagers according to Reinheitsgebot, the German beer purity law. They are in my mind the pioneers of it in the United States. Working Draft Beer does frequent collaboration brews, and each year they brew one specifically for the Great Taste of the Midwest, Madisons esteemed beer festival. This year they worked with Minneapolis Fair State Brewing Cooperative, whose head brewer, Niko Tonks, had collaborated with Bierstadt on a beer recently. Fair State brews a lot of lager beer, and we thought, Lets do a pilsner and go the extra mile and serve it slow pour-style. The actual brewing process demands nothing unusual, other than perhaps focusing on having good head retention, which as Lohman points out is something every brewer making Euro lager should be focusing on anyway. Head retention and foam is very important to the presentation of beer, specifically [in] Germany, he said. If your beer doesnt have good foam, thats seen as an indicator of poor beer. The slow pour process is a way of showing off the head. The whole idea is to have this muffin top of foam. The tricky part of it, said Lohman, is you have to manage customer expectations with it, and let people know theyre not going to get this beer for five, 10 minutes after they order it. In a world full of people who want things fast, that can be tricky and cumbersome. By the end of this interview, my beer was nearly ready. Bierstadt Lagerhaus, of course, brews a pilsner. Its absolutely exceptional, perfect. Probably the best stateside example of a German pils, said Lohman. Its name? Slow-Pour Pils. And this is an important point: A slow pour is merely a style of serving, rather than a style of beer. So if were being technical, and we are, a Slow-Pour Pils is the brand name of a beer made by Bierstadt that is also served as a slow pour. If youre not in Denver or Madison, worry not. Coppertail Brewing in Tampa, Florida, has promoted the slow pour for their Independent Pilsner, and Victory Brewing of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, has encouraged the same for their highly regarded Prima Pils. But you can just as well do it at home, or ask a friendly bartender if they have the time. Go It Alone Before you even get started, be sure to use the proper glassware: A tall, narrow glass is best suited for a pilsner, especially in this particular instance. Unlike the common tilt-the-glass approach to avoid an overflow of foam, a slow-poured pilsner goes straight into the bottom of the glass to encourage it to foam up. Fill the glass without letting the head go over the lip. Give it a few minutes for the foam to dissipate, then repeat that straight pour so that the foam rises again to the top of the glass. Again, let it settle. Depending on the size of your glass, you might even do this a third time. Then top off the beer carefully, allowing the head, which is now quite condensed, like cappuccino foam or almost meringue, to rise above the lip of the glass. This whole process is going to take a few minutes. Worth the wait? I say yes. Whats the rush? Slow down and enjoy the beer. U.S. President Joe Biden (C) hosts a Quad Leaders Summit along with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide in the East Room of the White House on Sept. 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. The four leaders are expected to discuss a range of topics including climate change, Covid-19 vaccines and a free and open Indo-Pacific ocean region. (Pool/Getty Images) Australia to Host 2022 Regional Energy Summit Australia will host a clean energy summit next year under the Quad umbrella and take a bigger role in the supply of critical minerals in the Indo-Pacific region, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said. Morrison was speaking outside the White House at the end of the first in-person meeting of the leaders of Australia, the United States, India, and Japan which make up the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. The gathering of the four major democracies was being closely observed by China, which earlier this week said it was doomed to fail. Morrison said he and U.S. President Joe Biden were on the same page on China, which has been steadily increasing its military and political influence in the Indo-Pacific region to the alarm of the United States and others. What we talked about today is how we achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific and the way you do that is that countries like Australia and India and the United States and Japan, we stand up for the values that we believe in, Morrison told reporters in Washington. We resist any suggestion or any pressure that would come on any of us to be anything different to what we are, and we want that opportunity for all countries in the Indo-Pacific. On the planned climate summit to be held in Australia in 2022, Morrison said it would be an applied summit focusing on expert research and technology. It aims to deliver a roadmap to transfer scientific knowledge on clean energy to countries in the Indo-Pacific. This is about pulling together a very clear work program as to how clean energy supply chains can be built up, Morrison said, without giving more details. In tandem, the Quad leaders recognised the role a resource-rich Australia can play in the supply of critical minerals to support energy and other technologies. We are really good at digging stuff up in Australia and making sure it can fuel the rest of the world when it comes to the new energy economy, Morrison said. According to Geoscience Australia, critical minerals are metals and non-metals that are considered vital for the economic well-being of the worlds major and emerging economies, yet their supply is deemed at risk due to geological scarcity, geopolitical issues, trade policy or other factors. They are used in the manufacture of semiconductors, mobile phones, flat-screen monitors, wind turbines, electric cars, solar panels, and many other high-tech products, including defence equipment. Morrison was speaking ahead of the release of the official Quad communique, and before he leaves the United States to head back to Australia. Morrison, Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also discussed the supply and delivery of more than one billion COVID-19 vaccine doses for developing Indo-Pacific countries. This builds on talks at the last meeting of Quad leaders in March, which was held online. As part of their discussions on regional security issues, the leaders underlined their support for people trying to leave Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country and the departure of U.S. troops after 20 years. Morrison said the Quad, including Australia, wanted to help as many people as possible under their humanitarian programs. We want to be able to facilitate that, he said without giving further details. Epoch Times reporter Caden Pearson contributed to this report. Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia Scott Morrison addresses via prerecorded video the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 24, 2021,. (Peter Foley/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) Australian PM Repeats Call to Investigate Origins of CCP Virus at UN Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday repeated calls for an independent investigation into the origins of the CCP virus to the United National General Assembly in a pre-recorded address in New York. Morrison said efforts to prevent future pandemics remain, and pushed for accelerated efforts to identify how the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, first emerged from Wuhan, China. Australia called for an independent review, and sees understanding the cause of this pandemic not as a political issue, but as being essential, simply, to prevent the next one, Morrison said. We need to know so we can prevent this death and this calamity being visited upon the world again. That can be our only motivation, he said. The CCP virus is commonly understood to have first spread from China in March 2020 culminating in a global pandemic thats still wreaking havoc on the health and economies of countries. Since Australia first called for the independent inquiry in April 2020, Beijing has targeted the nations agricultural and resources sector, with measures affecting export products including wine, seafood, barley and coal, federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said earlier this month. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned Beijings trade actions, saying it is blatant economic coercion against Australia and that it was one of the most urgent threats facing the world. Despite those trade actions having seen total exports to China fall over the year to the June quarter, Frydenberg said most of the $5.4 billion that normally goes to China was successfully redirected elsewhere. In his speech to the U.N. General Assembly, Morrison also called for a stronger and more independent World Health Organization, with enhanced surveillance and pandemic-response powers. He also called on the U.N. to maintain a rules-based global order, and stood by the recent decision to develop nuclear-powered submarines as part of a new AUKUS security pact with the United States and the United Kingdom, which has drawn pushback from France and China. Despite Beijings claims to the contrary, and the bleating of its mouthpiece tabloid The Global Times, which sounded dire warnings, Morrison said the AUKUS alliance was designed to further the cause of peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. It is essential that countries pursue these interests in ways that are mutually respectful and support stability and security, he said. Because we want to maintain an open, rules-based international system that supports peace, prosperity, human dignity, and the aspirations of all sovereign nations. A global order where sovereign nations can flourish, free from coercion, because of collaborative and purposeful action, he said. The new AUKUS resulted in Australia tearing up a $90 billion contract with France for diesel submarines, and will instead see the United States and the UK share sensitive technology to allow the development of Australias first nuclear-powered submarines. Meanwhile, France recalled its ambassadors to the United Sates and Australia for consultations in protest of the deal. Actor Michael K. Williams poses for a portrait at the Beverly Hilton during the 2016 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, Calif., on July 30, 2016. (Chris Pizzello/AP Photo) Autopsy: Actor Michael K. Williams Died of Drug Intoxication NEW YORKActor Michael K. Williams died of acute drug intoxication in what New York Citys medical examiner said Friday was an accidental death. Williams had fentanyl, parafluorofentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in his system when he died Sept. 6 in Brooklyn. Williams, 54, was found dead by family members in his penthouse apartment. Police said at the time that they suspected a drug overdose. The citys Office of Chief Medical Examiner said it would not comment further. A message seeking comment was left with Williams representative. Williams had spoken frankly in interviews in recent years about his struggle with drug addiction, which he said persisted after he gained fame on The Wire in the early 2000s. I was playing with fire, he told the Newark Star-Ledger in 2012. It was just a matter of time before I got caught and my business ended up on the cover of a tabloid or I went to jail or, worse, I ended up dead. When I look back on it now, I dont know how I didnt end up in a body bag. New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said in an interview shortly after Williams death that he had spoken with the actor earlier this year about collaborating with the department on community outreach. Williams had been working with a New Jersey charity to smooth the journey for former prison inmates seeking to reenter society, and was working on a documentary on the subject. Another project involved reaching out directly to at-risk youth. Williams was nominated this year for an Emmy for supporting actor in a drama series for HBOs Lovecraft Country, but lost Sunday to a star of The Crown. Williams was remembered in the ceremonys In Memoriam segment. Beijing Silences Global Media on Chinas Forced Organ Harvesting Part 2 of the 4-part series 'World Summit on Forced Organ Harvesting' News Analysis The World Summit on Combating and Preventing Forced Organ Harvesting is highlighting media silence on one of the greatest atrocities of our time: a billion-dollar forced organ harvesting industry in China. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has used its gatekeeper role over the immense economic power of China, as well as its political influence campaigns abroad, to silence global media and influence nations and international organizations globally on the human rights atrocity of forced organ harvesting. The summit, held between Sept. 17 and Sept. 26, sheds light not only on this, but on what one participant has called a diplomacy of silence. Despite incontrovertible evidence, Beijing denies that its currently conducting forced organ harvesting and has gotten the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the CCPs denials. But the WHOs assessment is faulty. According to Lord Hunt in the UK, It was revealed by the UK government in 2019 that the World Health Organizations assessment is based on Chinas own self-assessment and that the WHO has not carried out its own assessment of [the] Chinese organ transplant system. Organizers of the summit have demonstrated that CCP pressure has decreased media coverage of forced organ harvesting in China, leaving nations and international organizations with little incentive to take the costly steps necessary to address the problem. Many members of the news media have failed to report truthfully on this atrocity but bowed to CCP pressure and published paid propaganda instead, the organizers wrote on the summit website. Societies around the world are kept ignorant of the dangers of becoming complicit with forced organ harvesting crimes. Dr. Torsten Trey, founder of the nonprofit group Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH) and host of the summit, stated on Sept. 17 that the summit looks into the role of the news media and the issue of censorship. By default, the first task of the news media is to report facts and truths, Trey said. However, another important aspect of the media is to connect people. Over the past 15 years [since The New York Times broke the story of forced organ harvesting in China], the mainstream media has failed to connect the people in the free world with the victims of forced organ harvesting in China. This separation between the readers and the victims is another, often neglected aspect of censorship. Torsten Trey, the executive director of Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting, speaks at an event in Taipei, Taiwan, on Feb. 27, 2013. (Chen Po-chou/Epoch Times) Trey noted that the summit is an attempt to bridge the divide between citizens and the victims of forced organ harvesting. Dr. G. Weldon Gilcrease, director of Oncology at the University of Utah School of Medicine, told the summit that the extensive evidence of forced organ harvesting has gone unrecognized by most of the medical community and, indeed, most of the world. Gilcrease attempted to stop training Chinese doctors how to perform transplants at his own university, arguing that they would likely use the knowledge to murder unwilling donors. His administration opposed him, saying that theres no doubt that forced organ harvesting is happening, but that taking a stance against a large, strong country such as China could be dangerous both to our institution, as well as the undergraduate and graduate schools that we serve at our university. He was told that if we said anything [about these atrocities], China would simply send all of its students to Texas. Several other summit participants called for an end to the international training of doctors from China in transplant techniques. Dr. Andre Gattolin, a senator from France and co-chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), criticized developed countries, which, in the name of sacrosanct medical and health cooperation, have proceeded without precaution to the transfer of skills and technologies which have led to the shameful abuses observed today in China. Gattolin said France has widely taken part in the training of numerous Chinese surgeons in the very delicate technique of organ transplantation. Our trustgranted too naivelyhas been betrayed, he said. We failed to demand a right of supervision over what might have resulted, and those who were tricked in the name of sharing knowledge and a certain scientific humanitarianism still refuse to acknowledge their share of responsibility. Also speaking at the summit, Carlos Iglesias Jimenez, an international human rights lawyer from Spain, said that Western governments and international organizations havent been tough enough to confront the CCP and condemn forced organ harvesting. We have many examples of this. The CCP has infiltrated so many international organizations: the United Nations Human Rights Council, the World Health Organization, the United Nations itself, managing to ensure that everything goes unnoticed, that everything is concealed, that these events can never be generally and publicly known by society and the whole world, Jimenez said. And they are succeeding with the complicit silence of Western governments and international institutions and international organizations. According to retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert Spalding, the CCPs use of carrots and sticks against international democratic processes and deliberations on forced organ harvesting amounts to political warfare. He told the conference on Sept. 19 that political warfare, in the form of influence through economic elites, is used to immobilize democracies to these atrocities. Political warfare is used to desensitize, to deflect any criticism on understanding of things like the genocide of the Uyghur population, the lockdown and control of the people of Hong Kong, the mass incarceration and organ harvesting of the Falun Gong, and the outright oppression of certain elements of the Chinese population, particularly those that the Chinese Communist Party fears, Spalding said. Retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general Robert Spalding in Washington on May 29, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times) Francoise Hostalier, a member of the French Parliament, said that the failure to acknowledge that Chinese leaders are operating on discrepant moral and ethical principles is due to the countrys global influence. China is an unavoidable economic partner, which is increasingly successful in many scientific fields, and which is bringing more and more territories and countries under its domination, Hostalier said. There is a great risk that our researchers, doctors, laboratories, industrialists, and students, through scientific or economic exchanges, will find themselves complicit in the inhuman and criminal practices of their Chinese counterparts, which are contrary to all ethics, but without being aware of it. Hermann Tertsch, a member of the European Parliament from Spain, criticized the mainstream media for failing in its duty to cover the crimes of the CCP. The criteria of the media world, which has hegemony over the worlds communication, are criteria that have been increasingly defined in one direction over the last 50 years, and it is in this direction that the crimes committed by the Chinese dictatorship are treated in such a benevolent way, Tertsch said. [Images critical of the CCP] have been disappearing from the networks, not only in the Chinese networks, where nothing can be found about that tragedy of 32 years ago [the Tiananmen Square massacre], [but] also in the Western media, by Chinese desire or by the desire of so many of Chinas partners, as we have among those who applaud in Davos, with those who applaud Xi Jinping, the great giants of the big takers of the big technology companies, of the big networks, we all know their names. He said were indulgent of CCP crimes because they manufacture a lot there, because they have many economic relations, because they admire the model, because they want to apply a similar model. Democracies in the West could hold the CCP accountable, Tertsch said, but they prefer a big globalist regime where every person is anonymous and interchangeable and we can take organs from one person and give them to a higher bidder or to someone who suits us for some reason. Economic interests, he said, lead these Western elites to be complicit with the Chinese Communist Party to hide the monstrosity of the transplants, which are taking away, we do not know how many thousands of political prisoners, of common prisoners, of people from the Falun Gong movement, of dissidents. The world has a responsibility to face squarely the atrocity that is forced organ harvesting. That its mostly imposed on highly vulnerable populations in China, namely Falun Gong practitioners and potentially the Uyghurs as well, and that these populations have been targeted for cultural eradication, brings forced organ harvesting to the level of a means of genocide, per the U.N. definition. As forced organ harvesting is also a commercial medical procedure, those who support human rights face an entirely new type of crime against humanity: medical genocide for profit. The mainstream media must do a better job of covering this issue, or it loses any claim to be an unbiased conscience of the community. Read part 1, part 3, and part 4. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Calgary Police Investigating Newly Elected Liberal MP Over Alleged Flyer Swap on Doorstep Newly elected Liberal MP George Chahal is under investigation for allegedly swapping an opponents campaign ads with his own, Calgary police said. Chahal, a former Calgary city councillor, won as a Liberal candidate in the Calgary Skyview riding in the federal election, defeating Conservative incumbent Jag Sahota by roughly 3,300 votes. But the night before the vote on Sept. 20, Chahal was caught on a doorbell camera appearing to remove Sahotas campaign flyer and leaving one of his own, as seen in video footage posted to social media. The Calgary Police Service said in a statement that theyve received a complaint and an investigation is underway. The report has been directed to our anti-corruption unit that handles investigations of a sensitive nature or involving a public official, the statement said. We are in the very early stages of the investigation and at this point we have not yet determined if the investigation will remain with CPS or be transitioned to another investigative body, such as Elections Canada. A Chahal campaign spokesperson told CBC News that Chahal took Sahotas campaign flyer because it included incorrect polling location information. The homeowner, Glenn Pennett, said that wasnt the case, and it was the flyer that Sahal left at his door that had the wrong information. Chahal, one of only two Liberals elected in Alberta, is also an elected councillor in the Calgary Police Commission, a civilian body that oversees the Calgary Police Service. The commission said Chahal had asked to be excused from his duties during the campaign period, CBC News reported. According to a section of the Canada Elections Act, No person shall prevent or impair the transmission to the public of an election advertising message without the consent of a person with authority to authorize its transmission. Elections Canada told CBC News that the Commissioner of Canada Elections would launch an investigation if there was a contravention of the act. The commissioners office did not say whether it had received a complaint about the Chahal incident. The Epoch Times reached out to both Chahals and Sahota campaign teams and Elections Canada for comment, but didnt immediately hear back. China Diverting Attention From Its Wrongdoings in Hong Kong: US State Department The U.S. Department of State said China is attempting to divert attention from its own bad conduct in Hong Kong by accusing the United States of interfering in the citys affairs. The statement comes after China published a list of people responsible for the alleged interference. U.S. policy toward Hong Kong has been consistent and will not waver, a State Department spokesperson told The Epoch Times. The United States statements and actions on the former British colony are aimed at preserving the autonomy that Hong Kong was promised in the Joint Declaration and promoting accountability for those who erode the human rights and freedoms enjoyed by people in Hong Kong, the department said in an email on Sept. 24. The United States will always stand up for fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, the statement reads, adding that the two are the fundamental rights the regime promised. In a Sept. 24 post on Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, the regime detailed a list of more than 100 cases accusing the United States of meddling in Hong Kong affairs and undermining the citys prosperity and stability. Beijing has repeatedly used the words to denounce Western countries criticism over issues including the suppression of dissidents in Hong Kong. The department said articulating policy, engaging with local counterparts, and representing national interests were the practice of diplomacy and fully consistent with international law. Suggesting otherwise is simply an attempt by the PRC to divert attention from its own bad conduct and only undermines Hong Kongs longstanding appeal as a hub of openness and free exchange, according to the statement. The regimes ministry criticized Washingtons responses to Hong Kongs sweeping national security law and other measures the communist rubber-stamp legislature has imposed on the international financial hub since early 2019. The citys police have arrested over 10,000 people for their roles in mass protests in mid-2019 against plans allowing extradition to mainland China. Unlike other mainland cities, Hong Kong once enjoyed democracy after it reverted from British to Chinese communist rule in 1997. Beijing pledged to allow the city to retain its civil liberties for 50 years in the SinoBritish Joint Declaration. After the regime ushered in a series of measures in recent years, the city has experienced a rollback of its autonomy and democracy, especially following the national security legislation. Since it took effect, Hong Kong police have arrested 100 dissidents, leading to more than 60 charges, mostly against democratic politicians, activists, journalists, and students. Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai is led to a police van as he heads to court to be charged under the Beijing-imposed controversial new national security law, on Dec. 12, 2020. (Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images) The List Beijings accusations range from the signing of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act in 2020 by former President Donald Trump, to President Joe Bidens show of support for the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. Trump ordered an end to Hong Kongs special status under U.S. law to punish the communist regimes oppressive actions against the financial hub. The regime also criticized Biden for calling the closure of the Apple Daily newspaper a sad day for media freedom and a sign of intensified repression by Beijing. The popular tabloid Apple Daily, which was frequently critical of the citys government and Chinese Communist Party, closed in June after 500 police raided its headquarters and froze its key assets. Authorities say dozens of the papers articles may have violated the national security law. Apple Dailys founder, tycoon Jimmy Lai, is currently serving a 20-month sentence and waiting for trials on three national security charges. Under the law, Lai could face up to life in prison. The vaguely worded legislation punishes speech or acts deemed secessionist, subversive, terrorist, or perceived as colluding with hostile foreign political groups or individuals against Chinas ruling one-party state. Other U.S. officials named on Chinas list include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and his successor Antony Blinken. The foreign ministry didnt explain why the list was released now or whether it would take punitive action against those named on the list. Attendees from various forces march next to a banner supporting the new national security law at the end of a flag-raising ceremony to mark the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kongs handover from Britain in Hong Kong on July 1, 2020. (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images) The ministrys commissioners office spokesperson in Hong Kong labeled Washingtons policy and actions toward Hong Kong as criminal records in another Sept. 24 statement. On July 16, Washington issued warnings about the deteriorating business conditions in the city after the enactment of the national security law. A week later, Washington imposed sanctions on Chinese officials over their roles in stifling democracy in the city. In response, the regime issued another sanction list targeting former U.S. politicians and institutions. China has required all individuals and companies in the mainland to follow sanctions set by the communist regime in an anti-foreign sanctions law passed in June. Those who are involved in implementing foreign sanction measures against the regime could face punishments that include denying visas, deportation, and freezing or seizing assets. Reuters and Cathy He contributed to this report. China's ambassador to Sweden Gui Congyou speaks to the media in Stockholm on Nov. 15, 2019. (Jonas Ekstromer/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images) China Is Its Own Biggest Enemy: French Report Gives Panoramic View of Beijings Push for Global Influence Despite the Chinese regimes sweeping efforts to impose its own authoritarian model onto the free world, its biggest enemy is itself, according to a French government-affiliated think tank. The findings came from a nearly 650-page French-language report, Chinese Influence Operations, from the Institute for Strategic Studies of Military Schools (IRSEM), an independent agency affiliated with the French Ministry of Armed Forces. Beijing is isolating itself on the world stage after taking an aggressive turn on the diplomatic front in recent years, according to the report, which was released earlier this week. That behavior has sparked rising blowback, even from countries traditionally on friendly terms with the regime. China is its own biggest enemy when it comes to influence, the report reads. The authors found that Chinas relations with the West have markedly deteriorated since around 2017. One notable example is Sweden, which had been the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the regime after the Chinese Communist Party took control of China. While Beijing had enjoyed relatively a favorable public opinion in Sweden, the turning point began with the 2017 appointment of a new Chinese ambassador to the country, Gui Congyou, according to the report. Guis provocative rhetoricthreatening Swedish officials not to attend an award ceremony for a detained Chinese dissident, criticizing local media that reported critically on China, and pressuring a Stockholm hotel to cancel a Taiwanese National Day celebrationhas been disastrous, the report said. Swedens foreign ministry has summoned Gui around 40 times since his arrival in 2017. The countrys parliamentarians have twice requested his expulsion from the country. Chinas public rating has also plummeted, with 80 percent of Swedes now holding a negative view of China, compared to less than half of the countrys population four years ago. Gui is set to leave his post and has recently made a farewell visit to the Swedish deputy minister for foreign affairs, a Sept. 25 post on the Embassy of China in Sweden website shows. Protesters hold up placards and banners as they attend a demonstration in Sydney to call on the Australian government to boycott the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics over Chinas human rights record, on June 23, 2021. (Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images) In Australia, where China accounts for nearly a third of its export earnings, the mood has also been shifting against the communist regime. Beijings retaliatory trade sanctions on Canberra for calling for an independent virus origins probe in 2020 have only been met with increased resistance against Chinese influence, including in academia. Australia passed a law in December 2020 to place extra hurdles for Chinese-linked firms attempting to acquire Australian assets. Similar scenes have unfolded elsewhere: Africa has pushed back against Chinas massive Belt and Road Initiative, criticizing the infrastructure building initiative for depleting natural resources, polluting lands, and abusing workers. A Chinese worker carries materials for the first rail line linking China to Laos, a key part of Beijings Belt and Road Initiative across the Mekong in Luang Prabang, Laos, on Feb. 8, 2020. (Aidan Jones/AFP via Getty Images) Canada has decried Beijings arbitrary detention of its citizens following the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, a move critics have described as hostage diplomacy. The regimes stifling of Hong Kong freedoms has angered the UK, and its severe human rights abuses in Xinjiang have caused Beijings image to sink even lower among Western democracies. According to the report, in February, six Central and Eastern European states in the long-delayed 17+1 summit with China chose to send a lower-level representative, rather than their usual head of state, indicating a loss of appetite in engagement with Beijing, likely having to do with the regimes tarnished image. The beleaguered bloc further shrank in May, after Lithuania pulled out from the grouping. The authors said they hoped that the report could send a warning shot to Beijings leaders about the consequences of their actions. The counterproductive behavior Beijing has adopted in recent years poses an unpopularity problem for China in such proportions that it could ultimately indirectly weaken the Party, including vis-a-vis its own population, the report reads. The HNA Group logo is seen on the building of HNA Plaza in Beijing, China, on Feb. 9, 2018. (Jason Lee/Reuters) Chinese Police Take Away HNA Chairman, CEO on Suspicion of Crimes SHANGHAIChinas HNA Group, once one of the countrys most acquisitive conglomerates, said on Friday that its chairman and its chief executive had been taken away by police due to suspected criminal offenses. The company, which was placed in bankruptcy administration in February, said in a statement on its official WeChat account it had been notified by police in its home province of Hainan, southern China, that Chairman Chen Feng and CEO Tan Xiangdong had been taken. The operations of HNA Group and its member companies are stable and orderly, and the bankruptcy and restructuring work is progressing smoothly according to the law, the company said. A separate HNA statement on Friday said the companys Communist Party members were informed in a meeting that police had taken away Chen and Tan. Attendees were urged to strengthen the partys leadership in HNA. In the 2010s HNA Group, whose flagship business is carrier Hainan Airlines, used a $50 billion global acquisition spree, mainly fueled by debt, to build an empire with stakes in businesses from Deutsche Bank to Hilton Worldwide. But its spending drew scrutiny from the Chinese communist regime and overseas regulators. As concerns grew over its mounting debts, it sold assets such as airport services company Swissport and electronics distributors Ingram Micro to focus on its airline and tourism businesses. In early 2020, after the COVID-19 pandemic paralyzed travel demand, the Hainan authorities sent in a work group to HNA to help resolve its liquidity problems. Last week HNA said it would be reorganized into four independently operated sections, including ones for aviation and financial, and that all equity held by its old shareholders would be wiped out after the reorganisation. Chen, 68, became HNAs sole chairman in 2018 when his co-founder and then co-chairman Wang Jian died in France in what local police said appeared to be an accidental fall from a wall while posing for a photograph. 54-year-old Tan Xiangdong, also known as Adam Tan, became HNA Groups CEO in 2016. He stepped down as chairman of Dublin-based aircraft leasing giant Avolon, in which HNA affiliate Bohai Leasing owns a majority stake, in February this year. Hainan Airlines said in a filing to the Shanghai Stock Exchange earlier on Friday that trading in its shares would be halted on Monday, as participants in its restructuring meet for discussions, and would resume on Tuesday. The stock is up 48 percent year-to-date. Chinese stocks have been rattled in recent weeks by concerns over the financial health of property developer China Evergrande Group, a collapse of which could send shockwaves through Chinas economy and beyond. By Brenda Goh Colorado is putting $275 million in funds received under the federal American Rescue Plan toward child care expenses for families, Gov. Jared Polis administration announced on Monday. The federal money will also go toward raises and bonuses for more than 24,000 early childhood educators, as well as offsetting operational expenses for the states 4,700 child care centers, the governors office said. More than $267 million of the funds will be spent on stabilization grants, workforce retention grants, and helping cover the cost of child care, according to the Office of Early Childhood (OEC). The remaining funds will go toward early education programs and training opportunities for early childhood educators. As families work to build back stronger from this pandemic, its critical that quality childcare is accessible and affordable to all Colorado families, Polis said in a statement. This investment will save families money and help get parents back to work while giving our children opportunities to learn, grow and succeed. Mary Alice Cohen, who leads OEC, said the funds reflect both the immediate and long term needs of our early childhood community. OEC previously received $161 million in federal relief funds and an additional $45 million from state legislation in support of the programs. According to a study by Move.org, Colorado is the 11th-most expensive state for child care with an average cost of $13,858 per year. For comparison, the states median income is just over $72,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This means the average cost of child care can represent more than 19 percent of an individuals income. Passengers check in at a counter of Delta Air Lines in Mexico City, Mexico, on Aug. 8, 2016. (Ginnette Riquelme/Reuters) Delta Sees Place for Boeings 737 MAX Jet in Its Fleet: Airline Weekly CHICAGODelta Air Lines sees a place for Boeings 737 MAX airplane at the carrier as it looks to reshape its fleet over the next decade, Airline Weekly reported on Thursday, citing comments by Deltas chief executive. No news to report [but] were constantly talking to [Boeing], Airline Weekly quoted Delta Chief Executive Ed Bastian as saying in a webinar on Sept. 20. Theres certainly a place for [the MAX] if we can figure out how to bring them in. Any Boeing 737 MAX order would be the first for Delta, which did not have the aircraft in its fleet when the plane was grounded in March 2019 following two fatal crashes. It would also be the first major Boeing order for Delta in a decade. The story, however, did not say if there were any purchase orders on the horizon. A Delta spokesperson declined to confirm Bastians comments and said the airline has no fleet announcements to make. Boeing did not respond to a request for comment. Reuters reported last October that Boeing had discussions with Delta to take 40 of the 737 MAX jets. In the webinar, Bastian said Delta was also looking to acquire more Airbus A220 and A350 aircraft, Airline Weekly reported. Airbus did not respond to Reuters request for comments. Distinguished US Professors Participated in Controversial Chinese Recruitment Plan: Leaked Documents Several prominent professors at U.S. colleges have participated in Chinas talent acquisition program, according to leaked documents from a Chinese regional authority. The professors worked with the Thousand Talents Program (TTP), a controversial state-backed recruitment plan criticized by U.S. officials for its role in transferring Western research and technology to China. Two of the professors work at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and another at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley. All three are experts in biomedical research and development. Their names will not be included in this report. The leaked documents, obtained from multiple municipal government agencies in Xian city, Shaanxi Province, further listed names of other recruited experts from abroad, funding details, and objectives for the local TTP. Chinese talent programs, including the TTP, have recruited thousands of experts from around the world since 2008, when the program was introduced by Beijing. The programs offer up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in incentives for overseas professionals to research and work in China for a period of time each year. Xians program specifically targets biomedical engineering experts, while other programs have focused on other technological fields, including advanced manufacturing, aerospace engineering, and new materials. These state-run programs have drawn intensifying scrutiny in recent years amid growing alarm among U.S. officials that the plans could facilitate the flow of U.S. intellectual property and know-how to China. A number of U.S. and Chinese researchers have also been prosecuted in the United States for allegedly hiding their links to such programs while receiving federal grant money. Accomplished Professors One of the three TTP participants is a professor and associate department chair at UC Berkeley. That professor is the recipient of numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Since 2007, he has received at least $5.9 million in research funding, according to online records. According to the leaked document, the professor is also the technical director of a biotech firm in Xian and an editor at Molecular Plant, a journal run by the Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Chinese Society of Plant Biology. A Chinese-media report dated Feb. 13, 2015, mentions a research article co-authored by this professor that was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America in January 2015. In the article, the academics affiliation was listed as both UC Berkeley and Nanjing University in China. The Chinese report also provides some background information on the professor, in which the keywords related to his connection to the TTP were redacted. Screenshot of a Chinese language report on the internet dated Feb. 13, 2015, with background information related to the Thousand Talents Plan redacted. (The Epoch Times) The professors bio on UC Berkeleys website doesnt list his affiliations with the TTP or Nanjing University. The Nanjing University website also doesnt include records of the academic. The leaked documents classified the two CMU professors as category A talents, the top-tier of the citys internal ranking system. One is a distinguished professor of chemical engineering at CMU, who also holds the top position at a research institution at the university. The other professor holds a top position in a macromolecular research center, which is funded in part by the NSF. Hes one of the most cited chemists in the world. A Chinese report dated Sept. 7, 2017, by Xian News states that the two professors were awarded honorary professors at Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xian, and that they would lead the efforts to establish the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBME). The report also states that according to the Policies for One Belt One Road Talents Development, a policy developed by Xian authorities, biomedical engineering is the second most desired field of development for the region. However, local expertise and research and development capabilities are both lacking. Therefore, overseas top-tier researchers are crucial in transforming Xian into a world-class biomedical center in a short time, according to the report. The regional government would provide exceptional support for the professors and provide them with sufficient research funding and facilities. The same report quoted one of the CMU professors saying it would take five to 10 years for IBME to become the worlds leading institution in chemistry, biology, and material research. Both professors said they were very impressed with the Xian municipal governments recruiting commitments and believed that it is possible to create a future in Xian. Carnegie Mellon declined to comment. The three professors and UC Berkeley didnt respond to requests for comment by press time. TTP Incentives Every year, Chinese regime agencies solicit applications domestically and internationally. For overseas talents, they arent required to quit their jobs overseas, but are asked to spend some amount of time in China to perform similar types of work, which brings them financial gains and recognition. One leaked document (Chinese pdf), Xian talent recruiting status, states that by 2020, the city of Xian alone had attracted 243 national-level, 1,325 provincial-level, and 961 municipal-level TTP talents. In addition, it recruited 515 top-tier professionals in key technological areas and converted 303 scientific research projects into industrial products. In the set of leaked documents, there are several documents about recruiting policy and incentives. One document, Policies for One Belt One Road Talents Development (Chinese pdf), states that expertise in high-tech industries, advanced manufacturing, biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering, green energy, and new materials are highly desired. Screenshot of leaked Chinese regime document titled 2018 Background Information on Thousand Talents Plan Experts Business Park in Gaoxin District of Xian City (The Epoch Times) Another document describes the budgets allocated for the talents who will work in the Gaoxin district in Xian. The budgets are for sign-on bonuses, which are deposited into recruits personal bank accounts, and range from $155,000 to $700,000, as well as project bonuses, which range from $466,000 to $776,000. In addition, top-tier talents enjoy a variety of extra perks, including free housing, priority school admissions for their children, employment assistance for their spouses, exclusive access to health care services, and expenses-paid annual vacations. In addition, local businesses and institutions are rewarded $155,000 for hosting top-tier talent and $77,600 or $31,000 for hosting lower-tier talent. One document, 2017 Incentives for Entrepreneurs and Awards for Research to Industry Conversion, states that if a talent starts up a business in Xian, the start-up will receive a one-time bonus between $155,000 and $776,000. If a scientific research project is converted to a profitable business, the bonus ranges from $77,600 to $1.24 million. US Response In recent years, the United States has moved to stem the flow of U.S. research and technology to China and push back against Beijings efforts to target academia through recruitment plants. FBI Director Christopher Wray, in a 2020 speech, described the operation of talent programs. China pays scientists at American universities to secretly bring our knowledge and innovation back to Chinaincluding valuable, federally funded research, he said. To put it bluntly, this means American taxpayers are effectively footing the bill for Chinas own technological development. A growing number of U.S. academics have been prosecuted for allegedly concealing their ties to Chinese institutions and talent plans while receiving federal funding. In a high-profile case, the former chair of Harvards chemistry department, Charles Lieber, was indicted in June 2020 on charges of making false statements relating to funding from China. Prosecutors alleged that Chinese authorities had paid him $50,000 per month, in addition to more than $150,000 in living expenses and more than $1.5 million to establish a laboratory in China. In March 2020, a TTP member and tenured professor at West Virginia University pleaded guilty to fraud. In May 2020, the Department of Justice announced that a former Emory University Professor and TTP participant was convicted and sentenced for filing a false tax return. In June, the U.S. Senate passed the Endless Frontier Act, which includes a provision barring any U.S. scientist who participates in a Chinese-sponsored talent recruitment program from receiving or making use of federal funding. In response to these crackdowns in the United States, the Chinese regime has been deleting information related to TTP and names of TTP participants from the internet. But the recruitment continues. Daniel Holl China reporter Follow Daniel Holl is a Sacramento, California-based reporter, specializing in China-related topics. He moved to China alone and stayed there for almost seven years, learning the language and culture. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. A COVID warning sign is seen at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on July 10, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) Family Harmony Tested During Lockdown Experts in Australia are increasingly concerned by the harmful psychological impacts of lockdown and the way healthy family dynamics are disrupted. An exhausted mum tries to work from home as her kids play up because they feel shes ignoring them. Screen time and TV restrictions are out the window and the familys natural harmony is up-ended. Its a pandemic scenario being played out in homes across the country. While no doubt unsettling, a lack of domestic structure and routine is also having a harmful psychological impact, experts say. A major report compiled by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has pinpointed increased levels of emotional distress during lockdown, particularly in younger people. According to The First Year of COVID-19 in Australia, the prevalence of painful psychological symptoms associated with fluctuations in mood has been measurably higher. By April this year, the effects of stress across the population had essentially returned to pre-pandemic levels for most adults yet they continued to be higher for the young. Professionals are also reporting that parents are seeing and speaking with children less despite them being in the same house each day, psychologist Dr. Stefanie Lui Ten said. The counselling platform she works for, ParentalEQ, has experienced almost a doubling in the number of parents reaching out for help in the past three months. Ten said young children are often unable to comprehend why parents are working from home while teenagers revert to holing themselves up in their rooms. At the start of the pandemic children were considered low risk in regards to medical concerns from COVID-19 but now they are emerging as the invisible casualties, ParentelEQ founder Francisco Fleming said. The lack of structure is having a major impact on relationships between parents and children as both are not going to work or school so there is no routine. Fleming, who has more than a decade of clinical research experience, said sleep patterns are usually the first casualty when routines go by the wayside. Exercise is next, healthy eating patterns and then the line between study and relaxation becomes blurred. Parents are telling us they feel their child is less communicative as they spend more time on screens or in their bedroom and often not even sitting down to a meal together as children are grazing throughout the day, he said. With half of all mental health issues thought to begin before the age of 14, Mr Fleming says healthy communication with young people is vital. Communication styles can push people away or bring families closer so its important throughout the day to regularly communicate, even if only for 10 minutes while at other times it might be a lot longer, he said. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 FBI Probes Allegation of Assault on Female Soldier at Afghan Refugee Camp in New Mexico The FBI has confirmed that its investigating an alleged assault on a female U.S. military service member at a facility in New Mexico that houses Afghan refugees. In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, the agency said its El Paso office is investigating the incident after receiving a referral from officials at Fort Bliss, Texas. The alleged assault took place at a camp on the New Mexico side of the Fort Bliss facility known as the Dona Ana Complex, which is being used to house Afghan evacuees. A spokesperson for the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss told The Hill in a statement that a female service member reported being assaulted by a small group of male evacuees while at the Dona Ana facility on Sept. 26. The safety and well-being of our service members, as well as all of those on our installations, is paramount. We immediately provided appropriate care, counseling, and support to the service member, the spokesperson said, according to the report. Additional safety measures have also been implemented, including more lighting and additional health and safety patrols, according to the report. The Dona Ana Complex was converted into a camp for refugees evacuated from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country. Evacuees walk to be processed during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 25, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Isaiah Campbell/Handout via Reuters) Earlier in September, Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-N.M.) led over 40 of her congressional colleagues in penning a letter to President Joe Biden (pdf) expressing grave concern about the rushed and incomplete vetting of Afghan evacuees being brought to the United States. In a tweet reacting to the incident, Herrell offered her sympathies to the female service member. My prayers are with the courageous soldier and her family. This is yet another tragic failure in the vetting process for Afghan nationals. The American people deserve answers, Herrell said in the tweet. In the earlier letter to Biden, Herrell called on him to provide details about the vetting process used to screen Afghan refugees coming into the United States. To be abundantly clear, the United States should honor its promises to help Afghan nationals and their families who have risked their lives to support U.S. and Coalition forces, applied for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, and are now fleeing the Taliban, the letter states. Nonetheless, there are substantial and concrete concerns that in the course of your calamitous withdrawal of troops and evacuation efforts in Afghanistan, some individuals may have made their way into the country who are terrorists or have terrorist intent, are convicted violent criminals, or are otherwise dangerous persons. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told CBS News earlier in September that Afghan nationals were vetted before arriving in the United States. We screen and vet individuals before they board a plane to the United States. An individual who does not satisfy our screening and vetting protocols is not admitted to the United States. And, if in fact, we learn information subsequently, we place those individuals in removal proceedings so that they are set to leave the United States as swiftly as possible, Mayorkas said. Asked if he can guarantee that the Taliban and those on terror watch lists were not making their way into the United States, Mayorkas said, I can guarantee you that we are doing everything possible to make sure that they dont. And we have no evidence that they have. News of the FBI investigation into the alleged assault at the Dona Ana Complex follows the recent arrests of two Afghan evacuees at Fort McCoy, a military base in Wisconsin. A federal grand jury in Wisconsin indicted the pair in unrelated cases. Bahrullah Noori, 20, faces charges that include three counts of engaging in a sex act with a minor, with one count alleging the use of force. Mohammad Haroon Imaad, 32, is charged with assaulting his spouse by strangling and suffocating her. Masooma Haq contributed to this report. Federal Prosecutors Unveil Murder Evidence at Chicago Four Corner Hustlers Gang Trial CHICAGODuring the first week of a months-long Chicago gang trial, federal prosecutors laid before jurors evidence of what they call brazen violent murders committed by the notorious Four Corner Hustlers, a street gang that had terrorized the West Side of Chicago for decades. Pictures of lifeless bodies were shown on the screen, blood-stained shirts and pants were brought to the courtroom, and bullets that ended lives were displayed at the witness stand. The federal judge presiding over the case, Thomas Durkin, time and again reminded the jurors not to be swayed by the horrific pictures, nor to forget the defendant is presumed innocent throughout the trial. The burden is always on the prosecutors, he said, to prove charges beyond a reasonable doubt through evidence. Scores of eyewitnesses, detectives, forensic investigators, medical examiners, and a former state attorney spoke of what they knew about the murders of Carlos Caldwell, Maximillion McDaniel, and Levar Smith. Evidence for three more murders will be introduced in coming weeks. Labar Spann, the lone defender, listened on in a wheelchair in the courtroom behind the defense table, occasionally covering his face with a white blanket. Spann, an alleged leader of the Four Corner Hustlers, is accused of orchestrating more than six murders and aiding in other crimes, such as extortions and drug dealing, as part of a sweeping racketeering conspiracy charge. He could face a life sentence if found guilty by the jury. One witness, Ezekiel McDaniel, told jurors that Spann was responsible for the murder of his brother Maximillion; Spann told him about it himself about 20 years ago, McDaniel said at the witness stand. In 2001, when Ezekiel was incarcerated in Cook County, he met Spann during a jail visit. Spann allegedly said to him, Who do you think killed your brother? We did it. Dont work with the state and end up dead like your brother. His brother, Maximillion, was killed by a single bullet to the head in July 2000, after cooperating with prosecutors and testifying against Spanns father, Willie Jones, in a murder case. The credibility of Ezekiels testimony, along with those of other witnesses, is left to the jurors to decide. Judge Durkin, at the outset of the trial, handed jurors a few tools to aid their determinations, including examining a witnesss intelligence, access to evidence, memory, and consistency. Government prosecutors, in most cases, do best to boost the credibility of their witnesses; the defense attorneys, on the other hand, do best to chip away at the credibility of the prosecutors witnesses. In the case of Ezekiel, a defense attorney pointed out that Ezekiel had something to gain (reduced sentences) when he first testified against Spann; Ezekiel had reached out to state attorneys about Spanns alleged involvement in his brothers murder in the early 2000s. In response, a federal prosecutor tried to repair Ezekiels credibility by reminding the jurors that he is now out of prison and has nothing to gain from his testimony. Prior to presenting the murder evidence, the federal prosecutors laid before the jurors the origins of the Four Corner Hustlers through their expert witness, Jason Brown. Brown, a 24-year veteran at Chicago Police Department, had worked years on long-term investigations into gangs on the West Side of Chicago. The Four Corner Hustlers were founded by Walter Wheat and Freddy Gauge in the late 1960s as an offshoot from one of the largest and oldest Chicago street gangs called Vice Lords. The initial purpose of the Four Corner Hustlers was to protect the safety of residents within four corners of a small territory in the West Garfield Park neighborhood on the West Side. However, as the crack cocaine epidemic engulfed black communities in the early 1980s, the gang was gradually repurposed into a money-making enterprise that acquired and distributed illegal drugs, often resorting to violence to protect its turf and other interests. Today, the Four Corner Hustlers has about 100 subsets, stretching to Chicago suburbs and territories out of Illinois. Brown estimates that there are about 10,000 Four Corner Hustlers gang members. Since the 1970s, federal prosecutors have used the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act to go after behind-the-scenes gang bosses and squash the mafia and street gangs. The last major federal RICO trial in Chicago dates back to 2016 when a jury convicted six Hobo gang leaders, four of whom were sentenced to life in prison. The federal prosecutors are expected to present about 140 witnesses during the Spann trial along with other evidence. The trial takes place four days a week and is expected to last until late November. Five People Rushed to Hospital After Shooting on Metro Train in Willowbrook WILLOWBROOK, Calif.Paramedics rushed five people to area trauma centers after a shooting that may have occurred aboard a Metro train on its way to the Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station, authorities said Sept. 25. Four people with gunshot wounds were listed in stable condition and were expected to survive their injuries, said Ramon Montenegro, a public information officer with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments Transit Services Bureau. It was later discovered that the suspect brandished a firearm to a fifth victim, Montenegro said. It was unclear if that person was injured. The ages and genders of the injured people were not immediately known, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Detectives were searching for suspects, Deputy Armando Viera Jr. of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department told City News Service. A suspect description was not released. The investigation is in its early stages and is still evolving, Viera said. Our detectives are reviewing train platform video and video from inside the train, Montenegro added. Were not 100 percent [sure if] it [the shooting] happened on the train. The shooting was reported at about 7:40 p.m. Friday. An argument broke out as the eastbound C (Green) Line train left the Avalon Station in South Los Angeles, a passenger told ABC7, and the shooting occurred before the train reached the Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station. There was a big argument and I saw the gun come out and he started firing into a bunch of people, witness Andrew Maynard told Fox11. He started shooting again. I dont know if there was another gun or he reloaded it. I crouched down and as the guy ran towards me they shot him but it only shot him in the leg. Maynard told Fox11 there was probably 20 people in a 10-foot area. It was pandemonium, complete pandemonium, he said. Maynard identified himself to Fox11 as a Vietnam veteran who was shaken up by the shooting, including having a victim falling at his feet. The suspects ran out of the train after the doors opened at the Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station, Fox11 reported. A Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) patrol car rushing to the station to provide backup for sheriffs deputies was involved in a collision at approximately 8 p.m. in the 10600 block of South Central Avenue, an LAPD spokesman confirmed. Two LAPD officers, two other adults, three juveniles, and a toddler suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash, police said. Service on the Green Line was interrupted overnight for the investigation, with bus shuttles providing bridge service. Full service was restored at about 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Metro tweeted. French President Macron and UK PM Boris Johnson Spoke on Friday PARISFrench President Emmanuel Macron spoke over the phone on Friday with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said Macrons office, during which Johnson had told Macron that Britain wanted to restore its cooperation with France. The leaders agreed to keep talking about issues such as the Northern Ireland Protocol, a statement from Johnsons office said. The phone conversation between the two leaders came just days after Johnson had told France to get a grip and give allies in the United States and Australia a break over a row about a trilateral nuclear submarine deal that tore up a separate French contract. Macron replied to Johnson that he would wait to see the British Prime Ministers proposals, added Macrons office. Earlier in September, France recalled its ambassadors from the United States and Australia, after the United States and Britain signed a nuclear submarines deal with Australia, causing Australia to scrap a previous $40 billion French-designed submarine deal. Frances ambassador is set to return to Washington, after Macron spoke to U.S. President Joe Biden this week. Franck Riester, France's minister delegate for foreign trade and economic attractiveness, speaks at a joint news conference with the French finance minister and WTO's director-general at WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 1, 2021 (Denis Balibouse/Reuters) French Trade Minister Declines to Meet With Australian Counterpart PARISFrench Trade Minister Franck Riester has declined an offer to meet his Australian counterpart next month in Paris, suggesting tensions will not quickly subside after Canberras recent decision to scrap a $40 billion submarine deal with France. Dan Tehan had told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio on Monday he would be very keen to meet Riester when he is in Paris in October for an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development meeting. But an official from Riesters office said on Friday that the minister had rejected the offer. We wont follow up the Australian ministers request for a meeting. We cant go on as if it was business as usual, the French official said. Australia last week cancelled its order of a fleet of conventional submarines from France and said it would instead build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British technology under the new AUKUS security partnership. Paris recalled its ambassadors in Australia and the United States following the announcement. While France has since said it would send its U.S. ambassador back after the French and U.S. presidents moved to mend ties in a phone call, it remains furious with Canberra. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday he had unsuccessfully tried to arrange a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. Switzerland's national flag flies above the logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse at its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, on April 18, 2021. (Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters) German Millionaires Rush Assets to Switzerland Ahead of Election ZURICHA potential lurch to the left in Germanys election on Sunday is scaring millionaires into moving assets into Switzerland, bankers and tax lawyers say. If the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), hard-left Linke, and environmentalist Greens come to power, the reintroduction of a wealth tax and a tightening of inheritance tax could be on the political agenda. For the super-rich, this is red hot, said a German-based tax lawyer with extensive Swiss operations. Entrepreneurial families are highly alarmed. The move shows how many rich people still see Switzerland as an attractive place to park wealth, despite its efforts to abolish its image as a billionaires safe haven. No country has more offshore assets than Switzerland and inflows accelerated in 2020, to the benefit of big banks such as UBS, Credit Suisse, and Julius Baer. Geopolitical tensions and fears of the COVID-19 pandemics economic fallout made Switzerlands political stability attractive. Bank for International Settlements data show deposits of German households and companies at banks in Switzerland climbed almost $5 billion to $37.5 billion in the first quarter of 2021, and this does not include shares, bonds, or financial products. More recent figures are not available, but insiders say the inflows have continued. I have booked an above-average amount of new money as in the past three months, said a veteran client adviser at a large Swiss bank who deals mainly with Germans. Many wealthy people, especially entrepreneurs, fear that there will be a lurch to the left in Germanyno matter how the elections turn out, says Florian Durselen, head of Europe at wealth manager LGT Switzerland. One top Swiss banker said: I know a number of German entrepreneurs who want to have a foothold outside Germany if things get too red (leftist) there. A poll on Thursday showed the SPD, on 25 percent, leading outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkels conservatives by four points. The SPD wants to reintroduce a wealth tax and increase inheritance tax, while the Greensa likely potential coalition partnerplan to tax fortunes more heavily. Although both envision raising income tax for top earners, a tax on assets would raise much more money, the tax lawyer said. He was seeing increased demand for advice from clients, he said, noting some entrepreneurs had sought to protect themselves by making new investments through a company in Switzerland or transferring assets to a foundation in Liechtenstein. Simply transferring cash to a Swiss bank account, on the other hand, no longer helps. Under immense international pressure, the Swiss now share such account data with tax authorities in clients home countries. Switzerland as a financial center is characterized by stability, legal security, and a high level of financial competence. However, it does not offer any protection against tax evasion, said a spokesperson for the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF). LGTs Durselen said he recently spoke with a German entrepreneur who feared Germany could soon tax foreign assets or transactions harshly, which fostered the view of Switzerland as a safe haven for capital. Personally, I assume that considerable assets will continue to be moved to Switzerland, he said. One local politician said dozens of wealthy German entrepreneurs have inquired in recent months about residing in one of the low-tax suburbs along Lake Zurich. By Oliver Hirt How Beijing Supports Anti-US Terrorists: Report Twenty years ago, the terrorist attacks on 9/11 caused two former foes, the United States and China, to become friends in order to fight the war on terror. But just how sincere was the Chinese regime in its motivation? And what cost did the United States pay after taking the Chinese regimes word? In a new special report, we look at the Chinese regimes history of supporting terrorist groupsdespite vocally condemning them in front of the Westand what the regime is ultimately working toward. 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 Judge Denies Motion to Block Cincinnati Health Systems Vaccine Mandate A federal judge on Sept. 24 denied a motion to block a COVID-19 vaccine mandate imposed by a Cincinnati-area health system. A group of past and present health care workers from St. Elizabeth Physicians sought a preliminary injunction from the court to block the employers vaccine mandate. The plaintiffs argued that the mandate violated their constitutional rights and that the employer failed to accommodate religious and medical exemptions in line with federal statutes. If an employee believes his or her individual liberties are more important than legally permissible conditions on his or her employment, that employee can and should choose to exercise another individual liberty, no less significantthe right to seek other employment, U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning wrote in a 20-page opinion (pdf). Bunning noted, as has a judge in a similar case in Texas, that people routinely give up individual liberties in exchange for employment. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs expressed concerns about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. They have also presented the opinions of medical professionals who share the same suspicions. But unfortunately, suspicions cannot override the law, which recognizes Defendants right to set conditions of employment, Bunning wrote. According to Bunnings order, St. Elizabeth Physicians granted 425 religious and 31 medical exemptions, accounting for 57 percent and 13 percent, respectively, of the total requests submitted. Bunning cited a 1905 court decision that found that a smallpox vaccine mandate imposed by the state of Massachusetts was legal. Actual liberty for all of us cannot exist where individual liberties override potential injury done to others, Bunning wrote. For that reason, the state of Massachusetts was permitted to impose a vaccine mandate without exception, and with a penalty of imprisonment, during the smallpox pandemic. The plaintiffs wrote in the complaint (pdf) filed on Sept. 3 that the issues of both COVID-19 and the vaccines against it are a fraud upon the public from government, pharmaceutical, social media, mainstream media, corporate America, healthcare and political parties. The lawsuit also said that Americans are not receiving an FDA approved vaccine. As of the date of the filing of the lawsuit, the FDA had granted emergency authorization for three vaccines and full authorization for one. In June, a federal judge in Texas dismissed a lawsuit brought by more than 100 Houston Methodist hospital employees. The plaintiffs in the case appealed the decision. Judge Denies Police Unions Effort to Delay Vaccine Mandate in Massachusetts A Massachusetts judge has denied a bid by the state police union to delay mandatory vaccinations for all state employees. The State Police Association of Massachusetts, a union representing about 1,800 state police officers, filed a lawsuit (pdf) last week asking the judge to put the mandate on hold to give the union time to negotiate the terms and conditions of their employment before a deadline of Oct. 17. The public interest is, unquestionably, best served by stopping the spread of the virus, in order to protect people from becoming ill, ensure adequate supply of medical services, and curtail the emergence of new, deadlier variants of the virus, Judge Jackie Cowin said in the decision, reported The Associated Press. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, issued an executive order last month that would require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all executive department employees by Oct. 17. Executive Department employees who are not vaccinated or approved for an exemption as of October 17, 2021 will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination Management employees not in compliance as of October 17, 2021 will also be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Bakers office said in a statement. His office also stated, The Administration will continue to work with its union partners regarding this policy, and specific ramifications of non-compliance for staff represented by unions will be discussed well in advance of October 17 with each employee union. The union had asked that troopers who dont get the vaccine be allowed to wear a mask and undergo weekly COVID-19 testing instead. We are disappointed in the judges ruling; however, we respect her decision, Michael Cherven, the unions president, said in a statement. It is unfortunate that the Governor and his team have chosen to mandate one of the most stringent vaccine mandates in the country with no reasonable alternatives. Throughout COVID, we have been on the front lines protecting the citizens of Massachusetts and beyond. Simply put, all we are asking for are the same basic accommodations that countless other departments have provided to their first responders, and to treat a COVID related illness as a line of duty injury. To date, dozens of troopers have already submitted their resignation paperwork, some of whom plan to return to other departments offering reasonable alternatives such as mask wearing and regular testing, he added. The State Police are already critically short staffed and acknowledged this by the unprecedented moves which took troopers from specialty units that investigate homicides, terrorism, computer crimes, arsons, gangs, narcotics, and human trafficking, and returned them to uniformed patrol. Lawmaker Pushes US to Investigate UFOs The latest defense funding bill, passed by the House of Representatives this week, includes a provision that would establish a new office to investigate sightings in the sky of objects that are unable to be identified. If the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act is passed by the Senate and signed by President Joe Biden, it would require the creation of a new office no later than 180 days after the bill is enacted. The office would be charged with laying out procedures for the Department of Defense to collect and analyze reports on unidentified aerial phenomena, or unidentified flying objects (UFOs). It would also evaluate links between such phenomena and foreign governments, try to figure out whether the sightings serve as a threat to the United States, and report on the phenomena each year to Congress, with the first report due no later than Dec. 31, 2022. The office would replace a task force that was established last year by the Pentagon. The provision was put together by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), who feels the current system is insufficient. It is in the national security interest of the United States to know what is flying in our skies. Whether emerging tech from strategic competitors and adversaries or aerial phenomena from unknown origins, our military must have a full intelligence picture and the tools to respond quickly to these potential threats, Gallego said in a statement this month. The people inside the Pentagon currently working on UFOs and similar phenomena are typically invested in other duties as well, Gallego told Politico this week. Theres been a total lack of focus across the national security apparatus to actually get at whats happening here, he said. I think there has been kind of a partial pastime of curiosity seekers that are within the Department of Defense, but there has not been any professional initiative across the defense enterprise so that we can actually make some deliberate and knowledgeable decisions. The U.S. government released a report on unidentified aerial phenomena in June. The nine-page report reviewed 144 observations that dated back to 2004. Government officials said the phenomena clearly pose a safety of flight issue and may pose a challenge to U.S. national security. But they also said theres a limited amount of high-quality reporting on the unidentified objects and called for improving how collection and analysis are done by the government. I decided to actually put action to words, Gallego said. We had a briefing on this phenomenon. One of the things that came out of that briefing, without breaking too many walls here, was that there just needed to be better data collection. There needs to be standardized data collection across the services. Gallegos provision is not currently part of the Senates version of the defense funding bill. S.2610, an intelligence funding bill being considered by the upper chamber, would keep the task force established by the Pentagon in place but require it to disclose more data on UFOs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection mounted officers attempt to contain migrants as they cross the Rio Grande from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, into Del Rio, Texas, on Sept. 19, 2021. (Felix Marquez/AP Photo) Mayorkas Vows to Make Public Results of Probe Into Border Patrol Agents on Horseback Confronting Illegal Immigrants Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that a probe into the actions of mounted Border Patrol agents confronting mostly Haitian asylum-seekers who crossed the southern border illegally would conclude quickly and be made public. Mayorkas made the comments at a Sept. 24 White House press briefing, in which he said the agents involved in the incident had been reassigned to administrative duties and horse patrols have been suspended in the area. Photographs and video surfaced earlier in the week showing Border Patrol officers on horseback riding close to and grabbing at illegal immigrants in the Del Rio, Texas, region. Commenting on the incident, Mayorkas said the entire nation saw horrifying images that do not reflect who we are, who we aspire to be, or the integrity and values of our truly heroic personnel in the Department of Homeland Security, adding that the department does not tolerate any mistreatment of any migrant and will not tolerate any violation of its values, principles, and ethics. At the same time, Mayorkas said he would not prejudge the facts nor impair the integrity of the investigative process, which will take its course and produce results that would be made public. A top Border Patrol union official, Brandon Judd, told The Epoch Times this week that agents were not whipping their reins at the illegal immigrants, a claim made by some of those commenting on the images. Agents have to keep the migrants away from the horses for their own protection. And so they will use the reins, to twirl the reins, so that they will stay away from the horses. But they do not use those reins to lash out, to try to strike people. Those agents did not use those reins in any way, shape, or form to try to strike anybody, he said, adding that horses are used as a deterrent technique to prevent people from entering the country illegally. A photographer who captured images of Border Patrol agents on horseback near an influx of Haitians who illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border said he didnt see the agents whip anyone. Some of the Haitian men started running, trying to go around the horses, photographer Paul Ratje told local station KTSM, explaining the situation. Ive never seen them whip anyone, he said. He was swinging it, but it can be misconstrued when youre looking at the picture. A United States Border Patrol agent on horseback tries to stop a Haitian illegal alien from entering an encampment on the banks of the Rio Grande near the Acuna Del Rio International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas, on Sept. 19, 2021. (Paul Ratje/AFP via Getty Images) Nearly 30,000 illegal immigrants have been encountered in the Del Rio area since Sept. 9, with the highest number at one time reaching around 15,000, with many camping out under an international bridge near the border, Mayorkas said. The DHS chief said that the camp has now been cleared and officials continue to expel individuals who entered the United States illegally under Title 42 authority. So far, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has carried out 17 expulsion flights to Haiti, involving around 2,000 individuals, according to Mayorkas. Asked about what happened to the 15,000 or so individuals camped out under the bridge, Mayorkas said some have been returned to Haiti, others have been moved to processing facilities along the border, where many will be returned to Haiti. While he did not provide detailed figures, Mayorkas said some of the individuals who qualify for asylum on grounds of fleeing persecution from their home country would not be returned to Haiti but would be placed in immigration enforcement proceedings. President Joe Biden said Friday he takes full responsibility for the chaos at the U.S. southern border and vowed the border patrol officers photographed dispersing illegal immigrants while on horseback will pay. Of course, I take responsibility, Im president, said Biden while taking questions from reporters Friday. It was horrible what you saw, to see people treated like they did, horses nearly running them over, people being strapped. Its outrageous. I promise you those people will pay. They will bean investigation underway now and there will be consequences. Regarding comments made by White House officials, Judd told The Epoch Times that Border Patrol officials feel abandoned in the wake of a burgeoning crisis. Charlotte Cuthbertson, Katabella Roberts, and Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. Pandemic Slowdown Spurs the Biggest Hiring Push for Airline Pilots in Decades By Kyle Arnold From The Dallas Morning News U.S. airlines will need to hire at least 7,000 new pilots next year to fill the gaps created by retiring baby boomers and pandemic buyouts. The airline industry is in its biggest hiring push in decades, not only for front-line employees such as gate and ramp agents but for high-skilled workers such as pilots that need years of expensive training before they can start work, said Louis Smith, CEO of FAPA, a pilot training and recruiting consulting group. Airlines already struggled over the summer with a lack of pilots and other crew members after weather and technical issues resulted in thousands of delays and cancellations. And that was with most airlines flying at schedules that were only about 80 percent as large as what they operated in 2019. The stop-and-go nature of this pandemic has created a whipsaw in the pilot training world, Smith said, with students quitting flight school and then rushing back in recent months. Airlines, including the regional airlines owned by Fort Worth-based American, have started offering bonus packages of up to $150,000. The cargo business is growing, too, although they dont have the attrition that big airlines had because they never furloughed or asked for buyouts, Smith said. COVID made cargo take off, and thats just a growth business. St. Louis-based FAPA is hosting a job fair for pilots in Irving on Saturday that will include recruiters from most of the large regional airlines. Major airlines such as American Airlines are also sending executives, hoping to give a push to future pilots. Regional pilots are the main source of pilots for the largest airlines such as American and Southwest. FAPA (Future and Active Pilot Advisors) is requiring prospective pilots to register in advance for the event. American Airlines said it plans to hire 1,000 aviators next year after recruiting 350 by the end of this year. Airlines are in desperate need of pilots because of a glut of coming retirees. American Airlines alone is expecting 585 pilots to hit the required retirement age of 65 next year, and retirements should peak in 2025 with 908 pilots. Airlines have pushed harder to get new pilots because the high cost of training, which is usually more than $100,000 for private schools, has created problems for prospective students. Regional airlines have pushed up pay and created pipeline programs to help cover the cost of some school. Starting pilots at regionals owned by American Airlnes now make more than $50 an hour, three times as much as they did a decade ago. 2021 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Parents Gift Freshman Daughter Prank Comforter-Pillow Set With Family Printed on Them While one Arkansas couples daughter pursues a nursing degree in college, her parents want her to think of home, and they gave her a hilarious going-away gift to remember them by. They might have gone too far. David and Whitney Scott gifted daughter Emma a comforter and a pillowcasethe blanket emblazoned with a larger-than-life fabric printout of mom and dad, the pillowcase sporting her brother and dogs head on it. It was part housewarming for her college dorm at Harding University, and part prankobviously. She knew full well it was an embarrassing joke, but she also knows it was a gift of endearment that will become more meaningful (while still embarrassing) over time, David told The Epoch Times. The parents, who operate Whitney Scott Photography in Bentonville, started their venture to spend more quality time with their kids, and looked forward to moments when they could embarrass them. We knew the blanket and pillowcase would end up in her closet immediately after we left from drop-off at college, David said. We also anticipate it coming back out around midterms. Despite Emmas dubious look, though, her parents suspect shes just holding back pleasure. She was taken aback at first because it is quite garish, but we could see little smiles try to break through her otherwise stoic face because I think she didnt want us to know she really liked it, the dad said. The couple took some priceless photos after Emma found her gift (they made a game of hide-and-seek out of it), and then shared pictures of the fun prank with their friends on Facebook. We were surprised at just how many reacted to it, David said. Other sites picked up on it, as it demonstrated the fun family was doing [it] to help balance out the emotions of sending their daughter off to college. Prior to opening their studio, David worked in a youth ministry while Whitney was a career counselor. Of course, the parents gave their daughter a few other things, but they knew this gag gift was one she would appreciate and enjoy, while they got to check off one of those embarrassing moments on their parenting bucket list. Thats part of the joy of parenting! David added. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter Pink River Dolphins: Bolivian Scientists, Fishermen Team up to Unravel Mysteries LA PAZFishermen who once angled for rare pink river dolphins are working with researchers in Bolivias Amazon jungle in a high-tech bid to assure the species survival and better understand their needs. Scientists with global environmental group WWF and Bolivian NGO Faunagua recently tagged four freshwater dolphins in the Ichilo river using satellite technology that allows fishermen to use a mobile phone app to report their locations. They (the fishermen) hunted the dolphins to use them as bait for fishing, said Paul Van Damme, of Faunagua. (Now) we are raising their awareness and including them as researchers and scientists. Despite the iconic status of river dolphins, little is known about their populations and habitats, according to WWF. Fishermen who still frequent the rivers will report what dolphins eat, how far they migrate, and give scientists clues about the threats they face. It gives fishermen a new perspective on a species that has long been their prey, said Lila Sainz, head of Bolivias WWF. Everything that affects dolphins affects the humans that use those resources, said Sainz. So, if dolphins are doing well, people are doing well. Bolivias vast Amazon rainforest is critical habitat for a wide range of species, from dolphins to toucans and jaguars, whose existence is being threatened by deforestation, upriver dams, forest fires and development. By Monica Machicao Workers of grid operator China Southern Power Grid inspect power cables connecting transmission towers in Dongguan of Guangdong Province, China, on May 29, 2018. (Stringer/Reuters) Power Cuts Hit Foreign Trade Businesses of Chinese SME From late September, China has been facing another round of major electricity shortfalls since last winter. At least a dozen provinces have issued power curbing or rationing orders. Foreign trade SMEssmall- and medium-sized enterprises, which are engaged in foreign tradeare severely impacted by the orders. Textile dyeing and printing industries in Chinas eastern Zhejiang Province are among the hardest hit in this new wave of power shortage. The local authorities of Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, ordered emergency power cuts on Sept. 21, 2021, according to a local businessman. The notice came very abruptly. It came at 3 a.m., informing the 161 businesses on the list that steam supply would be cut from 6 a.m. and electricity would be cut from 8 a.m., Mr. Lin (pseudonym), owner of a dyeing business in Shaoxing, told the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times in an interview on Sept. 23. These businesses are listed as energy-intensive businesses by the local authorities. According to the emergency power cut notice, all the businesses in Shaoxing must close for three days from Sept. 19 to 21, and all the energy-intensive textile printing and dyeing businesses must halt their production from Sept. 19 to the end of the month. Lin said that the power cut delays their delivery and results in serious consequences to the local businesses. It is very serious for usthat means all our orders will be delayed, we cannot deliver on time, Lin said, our clients may ask us for compensation. He said that the sudden power cut hit foreign trade businesses really hard. Some business owners went to the local government for help, which was just useless, Lin said. The printing and dyeing industries in Shaoxing account for about one-third of the production capacity in China and will have an impact on the global printing and dyeing markets, according to a report of RFA (Radio Free Asia) in September. Workers wearing masks move fabric rolls at a textile printing and dyeing plant in Hangzhou in eastern Chinas Zhejiang province on Feb. 20, 2020. (Chinatopix Via AP) In Guangdong Province, Chinas major manufacturing hub, local governments adopt power rationing policies and fine enterprises that dont follow them. Mr. Bai (pseudonym), the owner of a socks company in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, said in the interview with the Chinese-languge edition of The Epoch Times on Sept. 23 that power curbing is becoming more severe. At first we were allowed production for five days in the week, but now the local authorities only allow us two days, Mr. Bai said. He has no idea when the power curb will be lifted, and his company is suffering huge losses every day. I am not able to fulfill my daily order, Mr. Bai said. Mr. Liao (pseudonym), the owner of a silicon products company in Zhongshan City, Guangdong, told The Epoch Times a similar situation on Sept. 23. He said the local power curbing policy is open for three days and close for four days every week. We cant deliver our products on time, this is one thing. Our employees pay is affected because they dont have any work to do for four days every week. As to the company, the production, revenues, and profit, everything is suffering from huge losses, Liao said. He is worried that the company might go bankrupt if the situation continues for two more months, yet he has no idea when the curbing will stop, said Liao. Other cities in Guangdong are taking similar power rationing policies, forcing local manufacturers to stop production up to six days a week. This wave of power curbing is expanding to over ten provinces in China, according to a report by Guancha, a CCPs official mouthpiece, in September 2021. Possible Reasons for the Power Cuts One of the possible reasons is that the Chinese regime has been pushing local governments to achieve targets of energy intensity and emissions. In August, the CCPs economic regulator issued a notice of warning to nine provinces that missed the targets in the first half of the year. Zhejiang and Guangdong are among the nine provinces. Mr. Lin from Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, told The Epoch Times that the power curb orders might have originated from the provincial government, which fails to control energy intensity and consumption and has been warned by the central government. Wang He, China affairs commentator and columnist, told the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times in an interview on Sept. 23 that the large-scale power crunch was due to the regimes systematic pricing conflicts. About 70 percent of Chinas electricity comes from coal-fired electricity, Wang said, Chinas electricity price is determined by the state, while the coal prices are determined by the market. With coal prices increasing in the market, the more electricity the power plants generate, the more losses they suffer. This conflict has long existed in the CCPs pricing system, and the power curbs reveal the conflicts, Wang said. An anonymous insider of Guangdong power grid told Chinas business publisher Yicai in September that for every feed-in kilowatt-hour, the company pays $0.09 as generation cost but receives only $0.06. Shortage of Coal Supplies: Local Thermal Electricity Plants Two local thermal electricity plants in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, both declare very low coal stockpile inventories in their notices. Shaoxing Yuandong Thermoelectricity Co., Ltd. (Yuandong Thermal) said in its Sept. 16 notice that coal prices have been soaring since last November. Coal in northern ports costs approximately $224 per ton, and there is no coal available despite the high price. It is difficult to purchase coal, the notice says. According to the notice, the companys stockpile of coal can only suffice seven days of power generation, which hits a historical low. Zhejiang Longde Environmental Thermoelectricity Co., Ltd. (Longde Thermal) published a notice on Sept. 17, saying that due to coal supply shortage and rocketing prices of coal, its coal inventory has been very low, which can only satisfy two- to four-day power generation. It informs its clients to prepare for electricity shortfall. The Epoch Times reached out to Longde Thermal, and a staffer declined to comment and replied that the company is implementing government policies. The Epoch Times called the local government departments of Shaoxing, and the calls were not answered. The Epoch Timess call to Yuandong Thermal was not answered either. Fang Xiao contributed to the article. Gu Xiaohua Follow Psaki Responds to Calls for Biden to Visit Southern Border White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Friday challenged the notion that a visit to the southern border by President Joe Biden would be productive or have a meaningful impact on policy. Psaki made the remarks at a Sept. 24 White House press briefing, where she was asked by a reporter why Biden hadnt visited the southern border in light of the surge in illegal immigration under his watch. What would you like him to do at the southern border? And what impact do you think that would have on the policies? Psaki replied. Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy, who posed the original question, pressed the issue, asking, Why doesnt he want to go? I dont think its an issue of wanting to go, Psaki replied. I think its an issue of whats most constructive to address what we see as a challenging situation at the border and a broken immigration system. Psaki added that Bidens view is that the most constructive role he can play is to help push immigration reform forward and listening to his team of advisers, who have been to the border multiple times, about what the path forward should look like. Thousands of illegal immigrants, mostly Haitians, live in a primitive, makeshift camp under the international bridge that spans the Rio Grande between the U.S. and Mexico while waiting to be detained and processed by Border Patrol, in Del Rio, Texas, on Sept. 21, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) The issue of top Biden administration officials personally visiting the southern border has been raised on prior occasions, including at White House briefings, with Psaki taking the position that its sufficient for delegated officials, such as Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, to visit the border, rather than the president or vice president. In June, Vice President Kamala Harris faced pressure to visit the border and landed in hot water for calling such a move a grand gesture that would have little substantive impact. At a briefing, Psaki was asked to comment on Harris grand gesture remark, with the press secretary saying the VP was tasked with working with leaders in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to address the root causes of migration and related matters. She added that the Biden administration didnt want advice from Republicans on the border crisis. Were not taking our guidance and advice from them, Psaki said. But if it is constructive and it moves the ball forward for her to visit the border, she certainly may do that. Harris did end up visiting the southern border in late June. Calls for Biden to visit the border come in the context of a recent swell of illegal immigrants in Del Rio, Texas. Mayorkas told reporters at a briefing Friday that nearly 30,000 illegal immigrants have been encountered in the Del Rio area since Sept. 9, with the highest number at one time reaching around 15,000, many of whom camped out under an international bridge near the border. The DHS chief said that camp has now been cleared and officials continue to expel individuals who entered the United States illegally under Title 42 authority. So far, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has carried out 17 expulsion flights to Haiti, involving around 2,000 individuals, according to Mayorkas. Asked about what happened to the 15,000 or so individuals camped out under the bridge, Mayorkas said some have been returned to Haiti, others have been moved to processing facilities along the border, where many will be returned to Haiti. While he did not provide detailed figures, Mayorkas said some of the individuals qualify for asylum on grounds of fleeing persecution from their home country would not be returned to Haiti but would be placed in immigration enforcement proceedings. Rewind, Review, and Re-Rate: G.I. Jane: Can Women Be Navy SEALs? August 22, 1997 | R | 2h 5min Navy SEALs (starring Charlie Sheen) came out in 1990 and kicked off Americas current SEAL infatuation. Active-duty SEALs apparently enjoy quoting Navy SEALs dialogue while on operations. When rescued local noncombatants (in, say, Afghanistan) thank them, SEALs like to say, Theres no reason to thank us because we dont exist. You never saw us. This never happened. When G.I. Jane, starring Demi Moore came out in 1997, none of the scads of literature about SEALs and SEAL training was out there yet. SEAL warriors like Chris Kyle, Jocko Willink, and David Goggins werent yet household names, and so I thought G.I. Jane was big fun. There was cool stuff happening, even though everybody at the time was pretty sure no woman could ever pass SEAL bootcamp (BUD/S, Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL), notoriously the most brutal military training in the world. Now, after having read pretty much every last book about SEALs, watched all the SEAL movies, and followed Willink and Goggins on Instagramand then rewatched G.I. Jane, it was like a camera lens finally coming into focus: Its one of the most ridiculous military movies ever made. Topographical analyst Lt. Jordan ONeil (Demi Moore), in G.I. Jane. (Buena Vista Pictures) And Yet! Apparently, a woman has now passed BUD/S. According to SOAA (Special Operations Association of America): Has there ever been a female Navy SEAL? While the U.S. Navy has yet to have a female join their ranks as a Navy SEAL, they did recently have the first female to ever pass the grueling and demanding U.S. Navy SEAL officer training course. Originally, Navy SEALs were just one of two communities that were required by law to not allow women to join. The other is Navy SWCC (Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen). However, that is not the case today. BUD/S candidate Jordan ONeil (Demi Moore), in G.I. Jane. (Buena Vista Pictures) Im not surprised. Women who are on the cutting edge, involved in things that were previously considered male-only endeavors, can pretty much do everything men do. Lynn Hill free-climbing The Nose, solo, on El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, before any man could do it, comes to mind (along with her tongue-in-cheek exclamation after exiting the 3,000-foot climb: It goes, boys!) And have you seen those top-level CrossFit women? Arnold Schwarzenegger didnt have abs to rival theirs at the height of his bodybuilding career. I jest, of course. But only slightly. It is, however, safe to say that no woman on earth can compete with 6-foot-9-inch, 400-pound Hafthor Julius Bjornsson, the worlds strongest man, who recently broke a 1,000-year-old Viking record by carrying a 1,433-pound log on his back for five steps. In the legend that the record comes from, the Viking Orm Storolfsson broke his back on the fourth step. You know why no woman can compete with that? Because no man can either. And very few elephants. The Story G.I. Jane mostly comes off as a 1997 recruitment advertisement made by Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise) for the Navy, with the intent to show exactly just how tough U.S. Navy SEAL training is. The Scott boys must have had some kind of deal with the Navy because Ridleys brother Tony made Top Gun. U.S. Navy SEAL Master Chief John James Urgayle (Viggo Mortensen), in G.I. Jane. (Buena Vista Pictures) Moores character, Jordan, is supposed to be the first woman ever to undergo BUD/S. Shes singled out for abuse by D.H. Lawrence-quoting Master Chief John James Urgayle (Viggo Mortensen). The question is never whether Jordan will make it; its how, and what kinds of fetishized punishment audiences can watch her endure on the wet, sandy beach-run to self-actualization. Its basically an essay in eroticized brutality and masochism, and if not for its faux feminist credentials, it would have probably been roundly denounced as misogynist. BUD/S candidate Jordan ONeil (Demi Moore) in SERE training (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape), in G.I. Jane. (Buena Vista Pictures) Predictably, Moores character not only finishes her training but also earns the respect and trust of her prejudiced male compatriots. The Main Issue The age-old question is, should women serve in the military in combatant roles? They definitely already do in Israel and in war-torn African countries, the latter of which I dismiss because they employ child soldiers, and because women and children traditionally really ought not to be fighting in wars, which was always a mans job. But there are highly competent female fighter-jet pilots. And even hardcore Navy SEALs say they cannot understand the moxie and cool-headedness needed to pull off an insane, pitch-black, nighttime, flying-by-instruments-only, aircraft carrier landing, in 30-foot waves, in a thunderstorm, which pilots call a night in the barrel. But women can do that now. What I also find convincing about the topic is that there are two former Delta Force operators who have become action-thriller authors. Both of them have a female character written into the story whos every bit as good as the men on the team, with the added specialty that in operations that call for more spy than warrior, the women can do their hair, put on lipstick, wear little black dresses, catch the enemy off guard, and put them in compromising situations. If these guys didnt think women can operate at the level men can, their books wouldnt be as believable as they are. On the other hand, people tend to be attracted to the outrageous; maybe these guys are just selling books. Texas Senator Lillian DeHaven (Anne Bancroft) criticizes the Navy for not being gender-neutral and rigs a deal whereby if women compare favorably with men in a series of test cases, the military will integrate women fully into all occupations of the Navy (which is really all about her career advancement), in G.I. Jane. (Buena Vista Pictures) Lets say for a minute that combat is a good thing for women to do. At one point, Demi Moore famously snarls a certain anatomical curse beloved of men. Wellll but, you know, Jordanyou dont actually have one of those. Its one thing when a woman is able to compete in the macho, male-dominated world of spec ops military, but when aping the worst of male behavior is seen as empowering, then you know that the well-intended aspects of feminism got discombobulated somewhere along the way. Heres the real problem: Men fighting in wars might get PTSD from seeing their male comrades heads getting blown off in a fire fight, but the sight of a woman getting similarly killed automatically adds, for all alphas with a chivalrous gene, the burden of not having defended her well enough. In fact, Mortensens character in the movie, has the following quote: The Israelis tried itwomen in combat. Seems men couldnt get used to the sight of women getting blown open. Theyd linger over the wounded females, obviously trying to save those who couldnt be saved, often to the detriment of the mission. BUD/S candidate Jordan ONeil (Demi Moore), in G.I. Jane. (Buena Vista Pictures) What it boils down to is this: Rape and pillage happen in war. If a SEAL gets caught by the Taliban, hes going to get his head chopped off. If a female SEAL were to get caught by the Taliban, all sorts of unspeakable evils would immediately occurand be videotapedand then shed get her head chopped off. And all of it would go on the internet. Ultimately, its this undefendable vulnerability that shouldnt be allowed to go downrange, in military vernacular. A video like that could give an entire country PTSD. Socan women be SEALs? Yes. Should they be SEALs? Its still up for debate. According to former SEAL Rorke Denver, there are seven different types of Navy SEAL: 1) Smurf SEAL, 2) Rough-Upbringing SEAL, 3) Brawler SEAL, 4) Proto SEAL, 5) Gamer SEAL, 6) Ivy League SEAL, 7) Legacy SEAL. Maybe Female SEAL will be the eighth type. G.I. Jane Director: Ridley Scott Starring: Demi Moore, Viggo Mortensen, Anne Bancroft, Jason Beghe, Jim Caviezel Running Time: 2 hours, 5 minutes MPAA Rating: R Release Date: Aug. 22, 1997 Rating: 2 out of 5 stars Soaring Gas Prices Ripple Through Heavy Industry, Supply Chains LONDONGlobal record high natural gas prices are pushing some energy-intensive companies to curtail production in a trend that is adding to disruptions to global supply chains in some sectors such as food and could result in higher costs being passed on to their customers. Some companies, including steel producers, fertilizer manufacturers, and glass makers, have had to suspend or reduce production in Europe and Asia as a result of spiking energy prices. That includes two of the worlds largest fertilizer makers, which said they would cut production in Europe. The UK on Tuesday said it agreed to provide state support to one of the companies to restart production of by-product carbon dioxide, which is used in food production, to avert a supply crunch. Natural gas prices have risen sharply around the globe in recent months. That has been due to a combination of factors: including increased demand particularly from Asia due to a post-pandemic recovery; low gas inventories; and tighter-than-usual gas supplies from Russia. Gas prices in Europe have risen more than 250 percent this year, while Asia has seen about a 175 percent increase since late January. In the United States, prices have surged to multi-year highs and are about double where they were at the start of the year. Electricity prices have also risen sharply as many power plants are gas-fired. Industrial Energy Consumers of America, a trade group representing chemical, food and materials manufacturers, has in recent days called on the U.S. Department of Energy to stop the countrys liquefied natural gas producers from exporting gas to help keep the energy costs down for industry. Additional supplies of gas could alleviate pressure. Norway has allowed increased gas exports. More supply could flow from Russia by the end of the year with the countrys new Nord Stream 2 pipeline awaiting approval from Germanys energy regulator. The pipeline project has drawn criticism from the United States, which says it will increase Europes reliance on Russian energy supplies. The logo of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project is seen on a pipe at the Chelyabinsk pipe rolling plant in Chelyabinsk, Russia, on Feb. 26, 2020. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters) Production Disruptions The pressures so far have been particularly acute in Europe, where gas stocks are much lower than usual heading into winter. Norways Yara International ASA, one of the worlds largest fertilizer makers, on Friday said it would cut about 40 percent of its European ammonia production due to high gas prices. That came after U.S.-based CF Industries Holdings Inc. said gas prices were prompting it to halt operations at two of its British plants. Natural gas is the most important cost input for nitrogen-based chemicals and fertilizers. Yaras chief executive, Svein Tore Holsether, told Reuters in an interview Monday that the company was bringing ammonia to Europe from production facilities elsewhere, including the United States and Australia. Instead of using European gas, we are essentially using gas from other parts of the world to make that product and bring it into Europe, he said. CF Industries didnt respond to requests for comment. Some industries are calling on governments to intervene on their behalf. These pleas come as some countries have acted to protect consumers from soaring energy bills, such as Spain, which last week approved a package of measures including price caps. Among those asking for help is the food industry following a shortage of carbon dioxide (CO2) caused by the suspension of production in some fertilizer plants. CO2 is used in the vacuum packing of food products to extend their shelf life, to stun animals before slaughter and to put the fizz in soft drinks and beer. In the UK, meat processors had warned they will run out of CO2 within five days, forcing them to halt production. Soft drink manufacturers, who rely on the gas to make carbonated drinks, said supplies were running low. On Tuesday, the British government said it struck a three-week deal with CF Industries for the American company to restart the production of carbon dioxide in the UK. Britains environment minister, who said the state support could run into tens of millions of pounds, also warned the food industry that carbon dioxide prices would rise sharply. CF Industries said in a statement it is immediately restarting ammonia production at its Billingham plant following the agreement. Weathering the Storm Other energy-intensive sectors such as steel and cement are also feeling the pinch. Soaring gas prices have in the past couple of weeks forced some steelmakers to suspend operations during those periods of the night and day when the cost of energy rockets, said Gareth Stace, director general at industry group UK Steel. He declined to identify which companies. British Steel, the countrys second-largest steel producer, said it was maintaining normal levels of production but that the colossal energy-price increases made it impossible to profitably make steel at certain times of the day. Some manufacturers say they are able to cope, so far. Germanys Thyssenkrupp AG, Europes second-largest steelmaker, said hedging mechanisms it had in place against energy price increases, especially gas, meant it was not curbing production. But it said it was indirectly affected because the industrial gases it used are linked to electricity prices. HeidelbergCement AG of Germany, the worlds second-largest cement maker, said higher energy prices were driving up production costs but that operations had not been halted as a result. In China, several steel, ceramic, and glass makers have reduced production to avoid losses, according to Li Ruipeng, a local supplier of liquefied natural gas in the northern province of Hebei. And, Chinas southwestern province of Yunnan this month imposed limits on production of some heavy industries, including producers of fertilizers, cement, chemicals, and aluminium smelters due to energy shortages, a move that analysts said could reduce exports. To weather the storm, some energy-intensive industries and utility firms in Asia and the Middle East have temporarily switched from gas to fuel oil, crude, naphtha or coal, analysts and traders said. That trend is expected to continue for the rest of the year and into the beginning of next, according to the International Energy Agency, the Paris-based energy watchdog. In Europe, demand for coal as an alternative power source has also risen significantly. But options for switching to alternative sources of energy are limited in the region largely due to government policies aimed at encouraging the use of gas over more polluting fuels such as coal. The glass industry was historically run on fuel oil, but almost all sites in the UK have now transitioned to natural gas, according to Paul Pearcy, federation coordinator at British Glass, a UK trade association. Only a few sites have fuel oil tanks that enable them to switch energy source if prices skyrocket, he added. By Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, Susanna Twidale, and Roslan Khasawneh The New York Police Department released images of a suspect in a stabbing incident that was sparked over a spat over sugar in coffee at a Midtown McDonalds. (New York Police Department/TNS) Stabbing Sparked by Dispute Over Amount of Sugar in McDonalds Coffee, NYPD Says NEW YORKAn irate McDonalds customer stabbed another customer in Midtown Manhattan following a dispute over the amount of sweetener in his morning coffee, police said Wednesday. The 57-year-old victim was eating inside the McDonalds on Eighth Avenue near W. 35th Street about 8:20 a.m. Tuesday when the suspect complained his coffee was too sweet, authorities said. An argument erupted between the two customers and spilled outside the fast-food joint, where the suspect pulled a blade and stabbed the victim in the chest, officials said. EMS took the victim to an area hospital where he was treated for a minor injury. It was not immediately clear why the victim was targeted by the accused stabber. Police were uncertain if the victim gave the suspect his coffee, or if the victim tried to intervene after the suspect began complaining. The suspected stabber, described as a bearded man with glasses carrying several tote bags, ran off and was still being sought Wednesday. Police released surveillance images of the suspect in the hopes that someone recognizes him. Midtown has seen a 151 percent jump in assaults this year, NYPD data shows. As of Sunday, 329 attacks have been reported to police in Midtown South. Last year, only 131 assaults had been reported during the same period. Shootings in the area have also jumped, from just one last year to eight this year. 2021 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. State Seeks Death Penalty for Former Marine in Familys Deaths LAKELAND, Fla.Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a 33-year-old former Marine accused of massacring a Florida family under the delusion that they were child sex traffickers. In a news release sent Friday, the state attorneys office said the killings of a Lakeland man, his girlfriend, their baby, and the childs grandmother were committed on a cold, calculated and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification. Bryan Riley is accused fatally shooting Justice Gleason, 40; his 33-year-old girlfriend, Theresa Lanham; their baby boy, Jody, who was born in May; and Catherine Delgado, 62, who was Lanhams mother in their homes on Sept. 5. Gleasons 11-year-old daughter survived despite several gunshot wounds, officials said. A grand jurys 22-count indictment was filed Tuesday in Polk County Circuit Court against Riley. Other charges included attempted murder of the 11-year-old girl, along with kidnapping, arson, burglary, and animal cruelty for killing the family dog. Riley is being held without bail and has not yet entered a plea to the charges. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd previously said Riley falsely believed the family was involved in child sex trafficking and that he had been told by God to rescue a purported child victim named Amber. There was no child by that name at the home. Riley chanced upon the family after seeing a man mowing his lawn with a young girl in the yard he thought might be the trafficking victim, Judd said. Officials say Riley, wearing body armor, had three weapons with him and fired at least 100 shots in the main home and a smaller one in back where Catherine Delgado, 62, was the first to be killed. Law enforcement officers fired about 60 shots in a gun battle that left Riley with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Riley surrendered after that. Riley served as a Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan and was working as a security guard in the Lakeland area, including at a church. Stones of All Kinds Make Visits Sparkle Vacationing in Arkansas, Nancy Meyers and Kathy Smith stop at a museum to admire a 5-foot-tall quartz crystal called the Holy Grail. Bill and Betty Price and their two young daughters sift through a pile of dirt in western Maine looking for gemstones. During a visit to Kentucky to celebrate his wife Evelyns 40th birthday, Tom McAllister buys her jewelry fashioned from locally gathered pearls. Several states throughout the country have deposits of minerals, rock, and stone that are mined and often made available for people to find, keep or buy. Some designate an official state gemstone or other material, hoping to promote interest in their natural resources, history, and tourism. Gemstones especially serve as magnets for visitors interested in purchasing something of value to wear and display when they return home. Other minerals and substances also have their fans. An internet search can provide information about official state gemstones and other natural treasures around the country. Some locations might be close to where you live. Quartz crystals are mined in Arkansas by Avant Mining. (Courtesy of Avant Mining LLC) Arkansas goes all out with an official state mineral (quartz), gem (diamond), and rock (bauxite). In the 16th century, a Spanish explorer reported observing Native Americans chipping tools from quartz. Later, the fame of the areas quartz crystals was spread by health-seekers taking the waters at Hot Springs. Pieces produced by Avant Mining are displayed at a number of museums, and visitors may dig for treasures at several commercial operations. Paying customers also can hunt for specimens at mines, and both public and private lands are open to rockhoundsamateurs who search for rocks, gemstones, and minerals as a hobby. The dirt that the Price family was searching through in Maine, called tailings, was excavated from a tourmaline mine. Tourmaline has been found at more than 60 locations in the state and is a feature of the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. Lesser known is that thars gold in them thar hills of Maine. One place where would-be prospectors can pan for that precious substance is Coos Canyon, a deep gorge in western Maine. Gold was discovered in the state in the mid-1800s, but most get-rich-quick dreamers soon headed for more productive destinations. Coos Canyon is among places where panners can try their skilland luckand equipment and instructions are available. Those who think tourmaline is terrific may sift through tailings at Dig Maine Gems in West Paris or take field trips to nearby mines. People who live in Camden, Tennessee, and near Kentucky Lake as well as those who visit those states have opportunities to learn about their official gems. Freshwater pearls are formed when a grain of sand or other small irritant enters the shell of a mollusk, which secretes a substance that coats the invader. The layers of the material that build up produce what we call pearls. While natural pearls were plucked from mussels in local streams from the 1880s to 1914, the damming of rivers and increased water toxicity brought an end to that heyday. Today, visitors can admire and perhaps find the pearls at the Gemstone Freshwater Pearl farm overlooking Kentucky Lake. At the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum, they can also watch a diver emerge from the water with his catch. Natural pearls are farmed in Tennessee. (Courtesy of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development) Even though the smoky quartz is its gemstone, New Hampshire is known as the Granite State. Granite, which was formed when lava cooled and solidified, comprises much of the underlying bedrock. People who travel to New Hampshire to buy a granite countertop at discount often are surprised and pleased to learn that its also turned into items ranging from fence posts to fire pits and buildings to bridges. Granite outcroppings are visible in fields and along some roads. but that which is intended for commercial use is cut from underground deposits. Turquoise, which has captivated peoples imaginations for millennia, is the official gemstone of Arizona. Bracelets made of the blue-green stone were found on the mummified arm of an Egyptian queen who lived around 5500 B.C., and it long has been featured in Native American jewelry. Mines in Arizona are best known for producing blue turquoise and for yielding green and blue-green specimens. Even more costly substances also attract visitors and buyers to some states. Not surprisingly, given their history, gold is the official mineral of both Alaska and California, as well as North Carolina. Emeralds, rubies, and sapphires also have been unearthed in North Carolina. People can look for gemstones in about a dozen locations throughout the state and keep anything they find. There also are surprises among the honors bestowed by states on materials that lie beneath their ground. Petrified wood is the designated gemstone of Washington and is the rock/stone of Mississippi. Trees that grew in what now is Washington state millions of years ago when the area was swampy died, fell, and became waterlogged. They were fossilized and took on a variety of colors. The best places to view those preserved specimens are the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park and Yakima Canyon. The Mississippi Petrified Forest near Flora has been declared a National Natural Landmark. A museum displays examples of petrified wood found in every state and other countries. When You Go Arkansas.com VisitMaine.com TNVvacation.com KentuckyTourism.com VisitNH.gov VisitArizona.com TravelAlaska.com VisitCalifornia.com ExperienceWA.com VisitMississippi.org Victor Block is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at Creators.com. Copyright 2021 Creators.com Suspected Tennessee Grocery Store Mass Shooter Identified A man accused of fatally shooting one person and wounding 14 others at a Kroger grocery store in Tennessee on Thursday was identified by police and reportedly had no history of violence, authorities said on Friday. Police identified the alleged shooter as UK Thang, a 29-year-old man who was a third-party vendor for the supermarket chain where he worked daily. He suddenly opened fire, hitting 15 individuals. Thang died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene shortly after officers arrived, police in Coillerville confirmed to local media. He was the son of Burmese refugees who had settled in Nashville, according to a family friend. The victims included 10 employees and five customers, police said. On Friday, some of the wounded were still in critical condition and fighting for their lives, Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said at a morning news conference. Thankfully, our prayers were answered, Lane said. We didnt lose anyone overnight. Theres still some people battling. Olivia King, a widowed mother of three grown sons, was killed at the scene. A friend of the victim described her as a kind of quiet, or kind of shy person. She was a very generous person and would always do what she could to help people. Kings friend, Maureen Fraser said. Lane said that officers were dispatched to the Kroger supermarket in Collierville at around 1:30 p.m. local time on Thursday. Collierville, located in Shelby County, is a suburb of Memphis. Police officers and Kroger employees exit a Kroger grocery store in Collierville, Tenn., on Sept. 24, 2021. (Mark Humphrey/AP Photo) Thang did not appear to target anyone specifically as he rampaged through the building, police said. The entire shooting was over within minutes as first responders swarmed the scene. The shooters motive for the was not disclosed or what type of gun was used in the shooting. We all want to know the why, Lane said of the shooters motive. But today were not ready to tell you that. A search warrant was executed on Thangs home on Thursday, and authorities removed electronic devices from the house. In a statement issued on Friday, Kroger Co., based in Ohio, confirmed that Thang was a third-party vendor, but the company declined to provide additional details. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News Talented Egyptian Artists 3D Drawings Look So Real They Will Make You Do a Double-Take As technology is capable of rendering believable realities in three dimensions, it is no easy feat for an artist with a pen and paper in his hands to do so. Yet one man from Egypt is doing just that. Born and raised in Alexandria, Mustafa Mohamed Samir Ragheb has loved drawing since he was a child. He now works in the field of interior design and decoration, but the incredible 3D drawings he paints in his free time have drawn a worldwide fan base. I always draw on top of anything or on anything, Ragheb, 36, told The Epoch Times. I always hold a pen in my hand, and that was what happened when I started thinking: straight away, my hand started drawing. Already in love with realism, Reghebs passion increased when he discovered 3-dimensional drawing. It feels good, he says, to experience a real image breathing in front of you. Ragheb shares his work on Facebook and Instagram. Collating 80 drawings into one postincluding unclockable renderings of a bottle of water, a glass marble, a kettle, and sunglassesthe artist amassed hundreds of supportive comments and compliments from viewers who could barely believe their eyes. As for what Ragheb chooses to draw, he claims he will put pen to paper for anything that excites him artistically in terms of dimension, light, and shadow, or reflections. He is particularly fond of the moon and one rendering of Earths natural satellite, which he says took him 33 days to complete. As time passed and his passion intensified, Ragheb developed new ways to augment the 3D quality of his work. I came up with many techniques, he explained to The Epoch Times, including folding the paper on one side and drawing on each part individually. When we put the paper in some way, and at a certain angle, we see a real hologram. He also doesnt stick to just one paint. Sometimes, he uses acrylic paint to add color; while at other times, he uses aquarelle or gouache. Additionally, Ragheb experiments with different pens and pastels, claiming the diversity of his mediums is what distinguishes his work from others and helps people recognize his work at first sight. Some of Raghebs paintings are symbolic or exemplify strong feelings. One such painting, of a horse whose tail appears to hang out of the frame, conveys a powerful message, says the artist. The story of the painting is an abbreviation of the concepts of pride, dignity, and sincerity, he explained. In it, the horse left one place for another after being subjected to some injustice. He too, despite his pride, left his tail outside the frame and is still looking back; he was not able to leave them, but he is also loyal to himself, leaving his friends who wronged him. The artist admitted he was initially annoyed when some netizens claimed his work was too real and couldnt possibly be drawn by hand. But he eventually realized that their incredulity was a sign of his success as a 3D artist. Ragheb is famous in Egypt for his unique talent. He has been featured in the national press and in interviews for television. He is happy that modern technology allows him, and others, to share art with the world at the click of a button. As for what the future holds, he hopes to have exhibitions internationally. Most of my fans are from all over the world, he said, adding, I would like to thank everyone who encourages the arts and supports art in general, as it is the truest thing you can express. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter Tasmania to Reopen Border to Most States in Mid-October Australias smallest state has announced its plan to welcome travellers from states and territories with a low risk of COVID-19 from mid-October. Within a month, people coming from across the country, except from the state of Victoria, will be allowed to enter Tasmania, Premier Peter Gutwein said on Friday. We wont open up to the high-risk areas until we are confident that all eligible Tasmanians over the age of 12 have had the opportunity to be vaccinated, he added. The island state continues to shut its door to Victoria, while it will keep an eye on the COVID-19 situation in NSW over the next week. Gutwein wants Tasmania to hit 90 percent of vaccination rate by December to open with confidence for summer and Christmas, although the state has only recorded one COVID-19 case this year. That single case was a NSW traveller who tested positive while in hotel quarantine more than 50 days ago. I said last week its a race, and it is a race, Gutwein said. Over 54 percent of Tasmanians aged over 16 have had two doses of vaccines and 73 percent have had their first dose. From Friday, Tasmanians returning from regional NSW are required to return a negative COVID-19 test before travelling and live alone in a suitable house while quarantining at home as part of a 30-day home quarantine trial. However, the reopening plan could be canceled anytime if public health orders changed. I want to stress if at any time the situation changes in these jurisdictions and the advice is that the risk is increasing or too high then we wont hesitate to change this decision, he said. As of Friday, half of Australias population aged 16 and above has been vaccinated, with almost three-quarters having received at least one dose. The Australia Capital Territorywhich like NSW and Victoria remains in lockdownhas the highest double-dose coverage at 59.5 percent. In NSW, 57.8 percent of the population have been fully vaccinated, while Victoria and South Australia are about 46.5 percent. Queensland and WA are hovering at 44 percent. Outbreaks in NSW and Victoria continue to rage with more than 1,700 new cases in Australias most populous states on Friday. Australias four-stage pathway to reopen the country indicates that once the country achieves an 80 percent vaccination rate, the lockdowns are likely to end almost entirely, while state borders will drop and international travel is set to resume. Vaccine rollout co-ordinator John Frewen on Friday said Australia would receive its full allocation of 11 million Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines in October despite concerns of a shortfall. This photo combination shows an area where migrants, many from Haiti, were encamped along the Del Rio International Bridge on Sept. 21, 2021, and a photo showing the area after it was cleared off by authorities in Del Rio, Texas, on Sept. 25, 2021. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo) Texas Border Crossing Where Migrants Made Camp to Reopen DEL RIO, TexasThe Texas border crossing where thousands of Haitian migrants converged in recent weeks will be partially reopened late Saturday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. Federal and local officials said no migrants remained at the makeshift encampment as of Friday, after some of the nearly 15,000 people were expelled from the country and many others were allowed to remain in the U.S., at least temporarily, as they try to seek asylum. In a statement, officials said trade and travel operations would resume at the Del Rio Port of Entry for passenger traffic at 4 p.m. Saturday. It will be reopened for cargo traffic on Monday morning. CBP temporarily closed the border crossing between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, on Sept. 17 after the migrants suddenly crossed into Del Rio and made camp around the U.S. side of the border bridge. CBP agents on Saturday searched the brush along the Rio Grande to ensure that no one was hiding near the site. Bruno Lozano, the mayor of Del Rio, said officials also wanted to be sure no other large groups of migrants were making their way to the Del Rio area to try to set up a similar camp. The Department of Homeland Security planned to continue flights to Haiti throughout the weekend, ignoring criticism from Democratic lawmakers and human rights groups who say Haitian migrants are being sent back to a troubled country that some left more than a decade ago. The number of people at the Del Rio encampment peaked last Saturday as migrants driven by confusion over the Biden administrations policies and misinformation on social media converged at the border crossing. The U.S. and Mexico worked swiftly, appearing eager to end the humanitarian situation that prompted the resignation of the U.S. special envoy to Haiti and widespread outrage after images emerged of border agents maneuvering their horses to forcibly block and move migrants. Many migrants face expulsion because they are not covered by protections recently extended by the Biden administration to the more than 100,000 Haitian migrants already in the U.S., citing security concerns and social unrest in the Western Hemispheres poorest country. A devastating 2010 earthquake forced many from their homeland. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Friday about 2,000 Haitians had been rapidly expelled on 17 flights since Sunday and more could be expelled in coming days under pandemic powers that deny people the chance to seek asylum. The Trump administration enacted the policy, called Title 42, in March 2020 to enact restrictive immigration policies in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Biden administration has used it to justify the deportation of Haitian migrants. A federal judge late last week ruled that the rule was improper and gave the government two weeks to halt it, but the Biden administration appealed. Officials said the U.S. State Department is in talks with Brazil and Chile to allow some Haitians who previously resided in those countries to return, but its complicated because some of them no longer have legal status there. Mayorkas said the U.S. has allowed about 12,400 migrants to enter the country, at least temporarily, while they make claims before an immigration judge to stay in the country under the asylum laws or for some other legal reason. They could ultimately be denied and would be subject to removal. Mayorkas said about 5,000 are in DHS custody and being processed to determine whether they will be expelled or allowed to press their claim for legal residency. Some returned to Mexico. A U.S. official with direct knowledge of the situation said seven flights were scheduled to Haiti on Saturday and six on Sunday, though that was subject to change. The official was not authorized to speak publicly. No migrants were left Saturday morning in the camp on the Mexico side of the border. Local authorities had moved the last migrants to a walled, roof-less facility in downtown Ciudad Acuna where the Mexican immigration agency put some tents. That shelter had 240 people as of Saturday morning, according to Felipe Basulto, the secretary of the municipality. The Mexican government has been moving migrants by land and air to the south of the country and was planning to begin flying some to Haiti in the coming days. The Mexico office of the U.N.s International Organization for Migration released a statement late Friday saying it is looking for countries where some Haitians have residency or where their children have citizenship as an alternative to allowing them to be deported to Haiti. Luxon, a 31-year-old Haitian migrant who withheld his last name out of fear, said he was leaving with his wife and son for Mexicali, about 900 miles west along Mexicos border with California. The option was to go to a place where there arent a lot of people and there request documents to be legal in Mexico, he said. At the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition in Del Rio, migrants stepped off a white Border Patrol van on Friday, many smiling and looking relieved to have been released into the U.S. Some carried sleeping babies. A toddler walked behind her mother wrapped in a silver heat blanket. A man who drove nearly 1,300 miles from Toledo, Ohio, hoping to pick up a friend and her family, scanned the line of Haitian migrants but didnt see them. By Maria Verza And Juan Lozano The 401(k): A Closer Look If you just started a new job, and youre looking at the 401(k) options that are available, you probably have questions about how it all works. Your golden years depend on the investment choices you make today. And if youre counting on your 401(k) to be a big part of your financial picture, its important to get your questions answered. What Is a 401(k) Plan? A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored plan for retirement savings. It allows employees the benefit of having retirement savings taken out of their paychecks before taxes. If your workplace offers a 401(k), youll fill out an enrollment packet that includes information about vesting, beneficiaries, and investing options. How Many Types of 401(k)s Are There? There are two basic types of 401(k)straditional and Roth. Both are employer-sponsored retirement savings plans, but theyre taxed in different ways. A traditional 401(k) offers tax benefits on the front end. Your money goes in tax-free, but you pay taxes on the employer match (if you have one) and the withdrawals you take out in retirementthat includes all growth on your contributions, too. A Roth 401(k) offers tax-free growth. Your contributions are taxed upfront with after-tax dollars, but then you dont pay taxes on your contributions or their growth when you retire. You will still owe taxes on employer contributions. There are also a few other types of 401(k)s available for folks who are self-employed or own small businesses: Solo 401(k): Also known as a one-participant 401(k), the solo 401(k) was created for business owners who work for themselves and dont have any employees. It allows you to make contributions as both an employee and as an employer. SIMPLE 401(k): If youre a small business owner with no more than 100 employees, the SIMPLE 401(k) is for you (its very similar to a SIMPLE IRA). As an employer with this plan, you must offer a matching contribution of up to 3 percent of each employees pay or put in 2 percent of each employees pay (even if they dont make contributions). How Much Should You Invest in Your 401(k)? If your employer offers a match, you should at least invest enough to take full advantage of that perk. Most companies (86 percent) with a 401(k) plan provide a match on employee contributions. The average employer match is around 4.5 percent of your salary. Even if your employer match is less, that extra money can make a big difference over time in your nest egg. After you take advantage of the match, then what? Overall, we recommend that you save 15 percent of your income for retirement. Does all that need to be in your 401(k)? Not necessarily. Here are a couple of options: Option No. 1: You have a Roth 401(k) with great mutual fund choices. You can invest your whole 15 percent in your Roth 401(k) if you like your plans investment options. Option No. 2: You have a traditional 401(k). Invest up to the match, then contribute whats left of your 15 percent to a Roth IRA. If you contribute the maximum to a Roth IRA and still have money left over, you can go back to your traditional 401(k). Whats the Current Contribution Limit for Your 401(k)? The current yearly contribution limit for a 401(k) in 2021 is $19,500. If you are 50 or older, you can make catch-up contributions, increasing your annual limit to $26,000. What Should Your 401(k) Be Invested In? We recommend diversifying your portfolio by including an equal percentage of funds from four different families of mutual funds: growth, growth and income, aggressive growth, and international. Work with your financial advisor to choose mutual funds with a long history of above-average performance. When Should You Invest in Your 401(k)? Dont start investing until youre out of debt (everything except your mortgage) and have a fully funded emergency fund of three to six months of expenses set aside. If youre currently investing, but still have debt besides your mortgage, its time to hit the pause button. Temporarily stop putting money into your 401(k), and focus on taking care of those two steps first. Your income is your greatest wealth-building tool. If your income is tied up in debt payments, youre robbing yourself of a chance to build wealth. Debt equals risk, so get it out of your life as fast as you can. If you start investing without an emergency fund in place, where do you think youll look for money when the air conditioner in your home dies? Thats right, your 401(k). If you take money out of your 401(k), youre not just putting your retirement future at risk. Youre also going to get hit with taxes and early withdrawal penalties. Thats why having an emergency fund with three to six months of expenses is so important. How Do Fees Impact Your Investing? Its important to understand the full picture of how fees affect your investing portfolio. Your 401(k) can seem like an expensive way to invest, but if youre getting a company match on your contributions, the gain is almost always worth it. If youre choosing funds based solely on fees, youre missing an important part of the picture. While some funds may seem appealing because they offer low fees, its worth a second look to make sure youre not sacrificing performance. Youre looking for a combination of low fees and strong returns. What Does It Mean to Be Vested? Vested is a term used to talk about how much of your 401(k) belongs to you if you leave your job. The money you contribute is yours, but some employers have guidelines about how much of their matching contribution you can take with you. For example: If your company increases the amount you are vested in by 25 percent every year, leaving your job after two years would mean you could only take 50 percent of the employer contributions with you. Once youre fully vested, you keep 100 percent of the employer contributions. What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Leave Your Job? You basically have four options when you leave your job: Do nothing and leave the money in your old 401(k), roll it over into an IRA, roll it into your new employers 401(k) plan, or cash out your 401(k). Do not cash out your 401(k) plan! When you cash out your 401(k), you dont get to keep all the money. Youll owe taxes on the total amount, as well as a 10 percent withdrawal penalty. Your best option is to roll over your 401(k) funds into an IRA, because it gives you the most control over your investments and what mutual funds to choose from. What Are the Rules for 401(k) Withdrawals, 401(k) Loans? When life happens, its easy to turn to the savings stashed in your 401(k). The money is just sitting there, right? Turns out, withdrawing money from your 401(k) early is kind of complicated. According to the IRS, you cant withdraw money out of your 401(k) before you reach the age of 59 1/2 without paying income taxes and a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. But theres a loophole: 401(k) loans allow you to use your retirement savings without paying penalties or taxes if you pay the money back. Of course, doing this comes with a bunch of rules, and things can go wrong fast. Heres why 401(k) loans are a bad idea: You must pay back the amount you withdraw with interest. Your investments into your workplace 401(k) account are pre-tax, but youll pay back the loan with after-tax dollars. That means it will take longer to build up the same amount. Youll have to pay additional taxes and penalties if you dont pay back the loan within a certain time frame. If you leave your job, for whatever reason, and still have an outstanding 401(k) loan balance, you must pay it back in full by the tax filing deadline the following year, including extensions (thanks to the Tax Jobs and Cuts Act of 2017). Under previous law, you had 60 to 90 days to pay off the balance completely. Should You Work With a Financial Advisor? You need the experience and knowledge of a financial advisor or investment professional to help you make well-informed decisions about your investments. Work with a true professionalone with the heart of a teacherto create a long-term strategy for your investments. You want a pro who is smarter than you, but one who understands that you call the shots! Provided by and used with permission from Ramsey Solutions Opposition lawmakers argue with the first deputy parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk during a parliament session to vote for a law that order "oligarchs" to register and stay out of politics, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sept. 23, 2021. (Ruslan Kaniuka/Reuters) Ukrainian Lawmakers Pass Law on Oligarchs After Assassination Attempt KYIVUkraines parliament passed a law on Thursday to order oligarchs to register and stay out of politics, a day after an attempt to kill a top aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, which officials said could have been a response to the reform. The law provides a definition for an oligarch and gives a body headed by the president, the National Security and Defense Council, the power to determine who meets the criteria. Oligarchs would be forbidden from financing political parties or taking part in privatizations. Top officials, including the president, prime minister and head of the central bank, would be required to declare dealings they had with them. Zelenskiy says it is necessary to protect the country from powerful businessmen who have corrupted its political system for decades. His opponents say they fear it will be applied selectively to concentrate more power in the presidents hands. Thanks to the anti-oligarch law, Ukraine gets a historic chance to build a civilized and clean relationship between big business and the state, Zelenskiy said in a statement. Yes, many politicians do not like it. Yes, they want to live as before, working for the oligarchs. Yes, there was a lot of pressure on our deputies, a lot of intrigue and even blackmail. But the law was passed. The law passed a first reading in July. Thursdays second reading, which passed with 279 votes in the 450-seat parliament, means it now goes to Zelenskiy for approval. Zelenskiys team has suggested anger at the law could be behind an attempt to assassinate Serhiy Shefir, a top aide and close friend of the president. Shefirs car was sprayed with gunfire on Wednesday by unidentified attackers as he travelled between two villages outside the capital. Shefir was unharmed though his driver was wounded. Police are searching for the weapon and interviewing possible witnesses who were picking mushrooms nearby, Interior Ministry spokesperson Artem Shevchenko said on Thursday. Zelenskiy, a former TV comic, won a landslide election in 2019 promising to tackle corruption and curb the influence of tycoons who have dominated business, the media, and politics since the end of the Soviet era. Opposition lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko, from former President Petro Poroshenkos party, said by giving a presidential body the authority to determine who is an oligarch, the law creates huge scope for corruption. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a 'Quad nations' meeting at the Leaders' Summit of the Quadrilateral Framework hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden with Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in the East Room at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2021. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters) Quad Leaders Commit to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific Amid Concerns Over China Influence Leaders of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan, released a lengthy joint statement on Friday, in part declaring their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific that is undaunted by coercion amid continued efforts from communist China to wrestle influence over the globe. The statement from leaders of the Quad, or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, was released shortly after their first-ever in-person meeting, which lasted two hours at the White House in Washington, D.C. The Quad was originally established in 2007 and has periodically met since. The strategic dialogue between the democratic countries is widely viewed as a response to communist Chinas rising economic and military power. On this historic occasion we recommit to our partnership, and to a region that is a bedrock of our shared security and prosperitya free and open Indo-Pacific, which is also inclusive and resilient, reads the statement from President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. President Joe Biden walks to the Quad summit with, from left, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, in the East Room of the White House, in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2021. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo) Together, we recommit to promoting the free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, they said. We stand for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity of states. We commit to work together and with a range of partners. While China was not directly mentioned in the latest joint statement, it plays a big part in the private talks, reported The Associated Press. Suga told reporters after the meeting that the leaders frankly discussed issues ranging from the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, new technology and other regional issues affecting the Indo-Pacific region. He said the Quad meeting was a very meaningful meeting for the four countries and our cooperation in order to achieve the free and open Indo-Pacific. The four nations are carrying out [coronavirus] vaccine policies at an incomparable scale and we also agreed to further promote cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, space, clean energy, and people exchanges, Suga also said, adding that the countries agreed to hold a summit meeting every year. Securing the Indo-Pacific The leaders pledged in the joint statement that they would continue to champion adherence to international law to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas. They voiced support for small island states, especially those in the Pacific, to enhance their economic and environmental resilience. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has in recent years increased its military presence in the South China Sea and claimed sovereignty over some areas in the East China Sea over which Japan is administering. Suga raised concerns over the CCPs intentions in the region, reported the AP. He furthermore expressed concerns over Chinas actions toward Taiwan, Japans foreign press secretary Tomoyuki Yoshida said, according to the news agency. The CCP had sent 24 jets into Taiwans airspace on Sept. 23, just a day after Taiwan applied to join a trans-Pacific trade pact. The Quad leaders also urged for the complete denuclearization of North Korea and called for the country to engage in substantive dialogue over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. North Korea has refused to consider denuclearization unless sanctions are lifted. A U.N. Atomic Watchdog said in late August that Pyongyang appears to have restarted a nuclear reactor. Last week, North Korea announced that it launched ballistic missiles from a train for the first time that accurately struck a target 497 miles (800 kilometers) in the sea off North Koreas east coast. The move comes after it had tested new cruise missiles capable of hitting targets 930 miles (1,500 kilometers) away, putting all of Japan and U.S. military installations there within reach. The leaders also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and emphasized in their joint statement the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks, including cross-border attacks. Critical Materials Separately, Quad leaders said that their respective nations are mapping the supply chain of critical technologies and materials, including for semiconductors. They also recognized the importance of government support measures and policies in this field. Leaders launched a statement of principles titled Quad Principles on Technology Design, Development, Governance, and Use, which appears to be a list of principles that aspires to responsible, open, high-standards innovation. One point from the guide reads, Technology should not be misused or abused for malicious activities such as authoritarian surveillance and oppression, for terrorist purposes, or to disseminate disinformation. The joint statement also said leaders are beginning new cooperation in cyber space and pledge to work together to combat cyber threats, promote resilience, and secure our critical infrastructure. COVID-19 pandemic The Quad had met virtually earlier this year in March and formed the Quad Vaccine Partnership, pledging to donate at least 1 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine globally by the end of 2022 in efforts to combat the pandemic. The joint statement said that efforts to that end continue and that to date, nearly 79 million doses of COVID-19 have been delivered to Indo-Pacific nations under those commitments. Quad leaders said they welcome Indias announcement to resume export of COVID-19 vaccines, including to the worldwide COVAX program, starting in October 2021. India had banned exports in April amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country. Modi said that it is prepared to export some 8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, Indias foreign secretary said. Japan is set to work with India on a $100 million investment in COVID-19 vaccine and treatment drugs, according to a White House fact sheet. Quad leaders said the four countries plan to have a joint pandemic-preparedness tabletop exercise in 2022. The International Bridge is seen from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, on Sept. 24, 2021. (Felix Marquez/AP Photo)) US Reopens Border Crossing in Texas After Clearing Immigrant Camp The United States reopened a border crossing in Texas on Sept. 25 after shutting it down because thousands of illegal aliens had streamed into the area. The illegal immigrants crossed the Rio Grande River and entered Del Rio, a small Texas border city. About 30,000 were encountered between Sept. 9 and Sept. 24, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The high number overwhelmed local resources, including health care facilities, officials told The Epoch Times. In response to the crisis, DHS closed the Del Rio Port of Entry, which provides access to the international bridge that crosses the Rio Grande into Mexico. A camp under the bridge that held many of the illegal aliens was cleared out on Sept. 24. Customs and Border Protection said the reopening was due to the immigrants being processed, moved elsewhere, or deported. The agency said in a statement that public safety has been restored and the immigrant flow has been reduced to manageable levels. Traffic was allowed over the bridge beginning at 4 p.m. local time. Cargo traffic will resume effective the morning of Sept. 27, Customs and Border Protection said in a statement. The port of entry, which is typically open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, was closed on Sept. 17. Traffic was rerouted to Eagle Pass Port of Entry, nearly 60 miles to the southeast. About $17,000 per day was lost on missed tolls alone, Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano, a Democrat, told reporters on Sept. 24. Another $35 million per day was lost in cross-border trade. This combination of photographs shows the Del Rio International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas. On the left, a camp of illegal immigrants is seen on Sept. 21, 2021; on the right, the same area after it was cleared, on Sept. 25, 2021. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo) Del Rio officials are still assessing the losses, but its certain that it has been a big toll on businesses, Lozano said, stating that some workers were forced to add hours to their commute because of the closure. Roughly 12,400 illegal immigrants encountered by U.S. agents since Sept. 9 were released into the U.S. interior with notices to appear in court or at a federal government office, according to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, with just 2,000 having been deported. The others are being processed at different U.S. border areas or have already returned to Mexico voluntarily. Under President Joe Biden, illegal immigration has exploded, with some immigration experts saying that the administrations dramatic change in policy has led to the jump. Biden administration officials have defended the overhaul, alleging that the Trump-era system was cruel and that the shift will take time to implement. We have a three-part plan: We invest in the root causes to address the needto address the reason why people leave the homes in which they live and take a perilous journey that they should not take. Second, the building of safe, orderly, and humane pathways. And third, rebuilding an asylum system and a refugee program that were dismantled in the prior administration, Mayorkas said. This takes time, and we are executing our plans. White House Prods Companies on Chips Information Request WASHINGTONThe White House pressed automakers, chip companies and others on Thursday to provide information on the ongoing semiconductor crisis that has forced cuts to U.S. auto production, and to take the lead in helping solve it. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, who along with Brian Deese, director of the National Economic Council, met on Thursday with semiconductor industry participants, told Reuters that strong action was needed. Its time to get more aggressive, she said. The situation is not getting better; in some ways it is getting worse. Participants in Thursdays meeting, which followed meetings in April and May, included Detroits Big Three automakers, plus Apple, Daimler, BMW, GlobalFoundries, Micron, Microsoft, Samsung, TSMC, Intel, and Ampere Computing. The White House said the administration reaffirmed that industry needs to be in the lead in resolving the supply chain bottlenecks that are occurring due to the global chip shortage. Raimondo said a voluntary request on Thursday for information within 45 days on the chips crisis would boost supply chain transparency and get more granular into the bottlenecks and then ultimately predict challenges before they happen. She warned that if companies did not answer the voluntary request then we have other tools in our tool box that require them to give us data. I hope we dont get there. But if we have to we will. Automakers from General Motors Co. to Toyota Motor Corp. to Chrysler parent Stellantis NV have slashed output and sales forecasts due to scarce chip supplies, made worse by a COVID-19 resurgence in key Asian semiconductor production hubs. Stellantis Chief Executive Carlos Tavares, who participated in the White House virtual meeting, said the automaker will cooperate with the information request, but added in a statement that broad participation from the entire semiconductor supply chain will be critical for these efforts to be successful. TSMC said in a statement after the meeting that the company was supporting and working with all stakeholders to overcome the shortages, and that the it had taken unprecedented actions to address this challenge. We are confident that our capacity expansion plan including the advanced 5nm semiconductor fab in Phoenix, Arizonaone of the largest foreign direct investments in U.S. historywill enable us to support the industry in driving long-term stability in semiconductor supplies, it said. TSMC has pledged to spend $100 billion over the next three years to expand chip capacity amid the global shortage. Some attendees told Reuters privately they were concerned the transparency measures could require disclosing pricing information that many companies regard as corporate secrets. Raimondo also delivered the message to the companies privately that the government would mandate information sharing if necessary. The White House also said several U.S. agencies would manage a new early alert system to proactively manage potential semiconductor supply chain disruptions linked to public health developments in key trading partners. Participants were concerned about how to disclose such information while still complying with reporting requirements of publicly traded companies, a participant said. By David Shepardson, Stephen Nellis, and Alexandra Alper Branding signage for WPP, the largest global advertising and public relations agency, at their offices in London, Britain, on July 17, 2019. (Toby Melville/Reuters) WPP Pays $19 Million in Bribery Settlement With US SEC WASHINGTONBritains WPP has agreed to pay more than $19 million in a settlement with U.S. authorities relating to bribery allegations and accounting controls for its subsidiaries, including in India and China. The worlds largest advertising firm did not admit or deny allegations that it violated provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act but agreed to pay the penalty, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said. The SEC order found that WPP failed to ensure that subsidiaries it acquired implemented its internal accounting controls and compliance policies. WPP implemented an aggressive business growth strategy that included acquiring majority interests in many localized advertising agencies in high-risk markets, it said, citing potential conflicts in India, China, Brazil and Peru during a period between 2013 and 2018. WPP said it had changed its business practices since then. As the Commissions Order recognises, WPPs new leadership has put in place robust new compliance measures and controls, fundamentally changed its approach to acquisitions, cooperated fully with the Commission and terminated those involved in misconduct, the company said in a statement. WPP founder Martin Sorrell, who declined to comment to Reuters on the settlement, led the company for more than 30 years before he quit in April 2018. He was replaced as chief executive by Mark Read, another company veteran. WPP failed to promptly or adequately respond to repeated warning signs of corruption or control failures at certain subsidiaries, the SEC said. In one example cited by the commission, a subsidiary in India continued to bribe Indian government officials in return for advertising contracts even though WPP had received seven anonymous complaints relating to the conduct. A company cannot allow a focus on profitability or market share to come at the expense of appropriate controls, said SEC FCPA Unit Chief Charles Cain. Fridays move comes as the nations top securities watchdog seeks to stamp out abuses in U.S. markets due to a lack of required controls by companies. By Katanga Johnson Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen answers questions during the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in Washington on June 23, 2021. (Greg Nash/Reuters) Yellen Cites Need for Compromise on Digital Service Taxes in Call With French Counterpart WASHINGTONU.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, in a call on Friday with French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, stressed the importance of reaching a compromise on the withdrawal of digital services taxes, the Treasury Department said in a statement. Yellen also conveyed appreciation for Le Maires dedication to the effort of reforming the global tax system, the statement said. Stumpy's Spirits Distillery in Columbia, Illinois was founded about six years ago by husband and wife team Adam and Laura Stumpf at a family farm, now in its eighth generation. In fact, Stumpy's gin, "Eighth," is named after the eight generations of farmers in the Stumpf family. Stumpy's is working on two expansions right now. Rezoning for one of the expansion was unanimously recommended to Monroe County commissioners at a recent Monroe County Board of Appeals meeting, as Stumpy's attempts a large expansion north of Waterloo. "We have a couple of expansions happening right now," Adam Stumpf, co-owner and founder of Stumpy's, said. "We have an expansion at our existing facility, which is solely capacity related, as we're expanding distillery capacity. We're trying to become a slightly larger player in the whiskey market and the only way to make older whiskey is to make more whisky and for that, we need more space. Between that and working on contract distilling and private labels for quite a few customers, as those brands grow, that also drives distillery capacity. "At the same time were really trying to beef up visitor experience," Stumpf continued. "We're uncertain what that looks like, we're working through zoning procedure." Stumpy's is also still dealing with effects from the pandemic, as the national supply chain problems cause problems for distilleries across the nation. "(The pandemic) was a challenge and it continues to be an ongoing challenge," Stumpf said. "We managed to get through it by selling hand sanitizer, made just enough to keep everybody employed. Once we got through that, alcohol sales picked back up and it was a nice transition back to whiskey. "The pandemic really plagues distillers and brewers still, glass is almost impossible to get right now, there are lead times of six to eight months with supply chain constraints," Stumpf continued. "There's been a pandemic trickle-down effect back to smaller distillers. It used to be we could place an order for glass and get it almost immediately, now we're placing orders for eight months out." Stumpy's transitioned to making hand sanitizer early on in the pandemic and that included a 55-gallon size sold for $1,250, according to KSDK. The team behind Stumpy's realized they couldn't make alcohol fast enough to bottle it by World Health Organization standards, according to Stumpf, so they brought in alcohol from outside sources and donated thousands of gallons. "The driving mechanism to push us over the ledge for hand sanitizer was when we saw a need for it," Stumpf said. "One of the folks on staff is a local firefighter, the first we heard of a shortage was that they had no alcohol wipes to clean off their equipment, then we had an ambulance service, who also needed alcohol wipes to wipe down their machines and couldn't get alcohol. We realized we have something here we can help people with. Then the state said distilleries can do sanitizer and after that, it was a no-brainer, as we had the ability." Stumpy's was started six years ago and Stumpf said a lot of little things led to the desire to establish the distillery. "Ive had an affinity for making alcohol for a while," Stumpf said. "I learned how to do it in college and lived with a few other guys who were like-minded and being engineering kids we nerded out on the making of alcohol and we'd drink batches of our own beer while we made more batches. Then I went to work for Anheuser-Busch and had the entrepreneurial itch, went back to Washington University in St. Louis and got my MBA and had a focus on entrepreneurship. "There was a combination of love for making alcohol, and I bought my own moonshine still, first drop of liquor came off of there and I was in love, and that combined with an entrepreneurial spirit that got the wheel turning," Stumpf continued. Stumpf said he and his wife own the company 50/50 and that the brand's marketing comes from Laura, as she manages everything front of house and in terms of the brand identity. Stumpf also said the name Stumpy's comes from the eight generations of Stumpf family farmers, each of whom has at some point been called Stumpy. That embrace of family legacy and a tie-in to family heritage was important for the Stumpfs, who are one of very few distillers growing 100% of their input, Stumpf said. In terms of what is actually being distilled, Stumpf said they do everything by taste. "As our inventory is getting older, well go through and taste barrels, decide based on that tasting history whether it would be a candidate for an upcoming batch or be used as something to sell," Stumpf said. "Whiskey doesnt get better infinitely, it rolls from better to worse to better to worse. We need to taste to see whats going on in that barrel and then what side of the hill were on. That's a fun part of the job." Stumpy's has multiple flavors of both its whiskey and vodka lines. Its vodka line, named "Unbroken," includes both a peach and a green apple flavor, in addition to the unflavored iteration. The whiskey line includes a pecan pie flavored version, lemon drop flavor and a honey-flavored whiskey. "That's when you put on your creative hat," Stumpf said. "We sit down with our sales team and theyre in the market every day experiencing those trends, their input is incredible, we also use nationally aggregated data to determine where it makes sense to invest, at the end of the day the goal is to provide value to the consumer. Our peach flavor vodka tends to be our best-selling vodka and flavored item, we seek to provide a nice experience to the customer. Instead of the big guy approach, where they experiment with chemicals and come out with birthday cake flavored vodka, we worked with another local farmer, Eckerts, on our flavors. Whenever we get into development pieces we try and bring as much value as possible." Stumpy's is now found in both Schnucks and Dierbergs grocery stores. Stumpf said the company sells through a three-tier system, including to a distributor who sells to Schnucks. In addition, Stumpy's has a team that goes out and introduces the product to retailers and then introduces retailers to their distributors. That's a byproduct of relationships that Stumpy's team has worked hard to develop, and both grocery stores work differently but both are "fantastic customers," Stumpf said. "I feel like were still trying to become successful," Stumpf said. "We started this on a shoestring budget everything, including our wedding rings, was collateral. There was a financial need for success and weve pretty well tried to do everything possible ourselves along the way. "Thats educated us," Stumpf continued. "We didnt start off with a lawyer, we got our alcohol permit ourselves, installed our own equipment, use our own recipes without a consultant. Being involved the entire time has educated our entire staff. The other thing and this is the most important is relationships. Its not that difficult to make alcohol; its difficult to sell alcohol. Especially talking to wholesalers who sell a lot, we have to be competitive with larger brands in vodkas and whiskeys and really making those relationships along the way, treating those as an asset. Just as much of an asset as the whiskey really, seeing those relationships through." Stumpf said the biggest thing the Metro East community can do to support Stumpy's is to come out to the distillery. He said he loves showing people the process of distilling, from mashing and fermenting to distilling the liquor. "We appreciate any support because all of those dollars, it's not like it's going to a corporation, giving us a shot helps foster this whole community aspect," Stumpf said. Going forward, Stumpy's hopes to continue building up its distillery space and to continue to allow its whiskey to age. "As long as were still having fun, thats the main thing," Stumpf said. "We're putting more focus on the whiskey lineup, especially as our inventory ages. Were installing a still right now that was built in 1922 and shipped over from Belgium and we're updating it. That allows us to be able to produce the inventory to support a regional and maybe even nationally distributed brand. We have all of the building blocks to increase distribution once we get that aged whiskey up." NEW YORK (AP) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn't directly mention Pakistan or China in his Saturday speech to the United Nations General Assembly, but the targets of his address were clear. In a roughly 20-minute speech delivered in-person and in Hindi, he called upon the international community to help the women, children and minorities of Afghanistan and said that it was imperative the country not be used as a base from which to spread terror. We also need to be alert and ensure that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation there, and use it as a tool for its own selfish interests, he said in an apparent reference to Pakistan, wedged between Afghanistan and India. India has charged that the Taliban is Pakistan's proxy terrorist group and expressed concerns that Afghanistan could be used as a training ground for anti-India militant groups. The government in New Delhi also worries that the Taliban takeover could strengthen insurgency in the disputed region of Kashmir, which both India and Pakistan claim in full. Modi did not mention Kashmir or the long-simmering conflict there, in contrast to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's speech the previous evening. Modi also highlighted what he called the need to protect oceans from the race for expansion and exclusion. India and China have long competed for influence in the Indian Ocean. Modi's speech came a day after the prime minister met one-on-one with President Joe Biden and participated in a summit of the Quad: the U.S., Japan, India and Australia. The members of the informal Indo-Pacific alliance have been uneasy as China's power grows in the region. On the heels of waves of coronavirus surges that have ravaged India, Modi made no mention of his own country's death toll one that experts believe numbers in the millions. But he reaffirmed last week's announcement that India would restart exporting vaccines next month. India paused its export of vaccines in April after donating or selling 66 million doses to nearly 100 countries. The halt, amid an overwhelming virus surge, left many developing countries without adequate supply as India was expected to be a key supplier. Deeply conscious of its responsibility towards mankind, India has resumed the process of providing vaccines to those who need it in the world, Modi said, inviting vaccine manufacturers to come to India and touting Indian scientists' advances. Modi's elision of direct references to China, Pakistan or Indian coronavirus casualties isn't exactly new. It was the same story at last year's U.N. General Assembly, when amid border tensions with Pakistan and China and an already high death toll, he opted to instead paint India as a country that treats "the whole world as one family" and promoted domestic initiatives. Modi also reiterated last year's criticism of the United Nations, saying it was incumbent on the international body to strengthen its own effectiveness and boost its credibility. Today, all kinds of questions have been raised about the U.N.," he said. "We have seen such questions being raised related to the climate crisis. And we also saw that during COVID, the proxy war going on in many parts of the world, terrorism, and the recent Afghan crisis have further highlighted the seriousness of these questions. India has long pushed for a permanent seat on the Security Council, the most powerful organ of the United Nations. Earlier in his speech, Modi referenced India's global influence by underscoring that every sixth person in the world is Indian. When India grows, the world grows. When India reforms, the world transforms, he said. While Modi struck a high-minded tone in his speech, India and Pakistan verbally sparred during Friday night's right of reply period. Following Khan's speech in which he accused India of human rights abuses and fomenting terrorism, an Indian diplomat essentially flung those same accusations back. Khan had also accused Modi's hard-line, Hindu nationalist government of propagating Islamophobia. Modi did not respond to that charge Saturday morning, but broadly proclaimed India's pluralism. Our diversity is the identity of our strong democracy, he said. It is a country that has dozens of languages. Hundreds of dialects, different lifestyles and cuisines. This is the best example of a vibrant democracy. Less than an hour after Modi's speech concluded, a coalition of groups outside the United Nations building protested what organizers described as the Modi governments assault on human rights, secular democracy, and persecution of religious minorities, Dalits, and farmers in India. ___ Associated Press reporter Krutika Pathi contributed from New Delhi. ___ Follow Sen on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mallikavsen Pattaya turns to domestic tourists BANGKOK: Pattaya City and tour operators will target Thai tourists instead of foreigners during the approaching traditional high season, with the countrys reopening to international travellers again delayed. Saturday 25 September 2021, 01:01PM Thai tourists relax on Pattaya beach in Chon Buri province. They have become Pattayas only target group of visitors this high season, with the reopening to foreign travellers again delayed. Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong / Bangkok Post Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunplome said on Friday (Sept 24) that the planned reopening of five tourist provinces, including Chon Buri, could be postponed from Oct 1 to Nov 1. Most vaccinated people in those provinces had received only their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and the Public Health Ministry was concerned about public safety. He said Pattaya City had already allocated budgets for events from October to the end of the year and he hoped they could attract Thai tourists. Boon-anant Patanasin, president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, said there had been a clear policy to reopen more tourist provinces on Oct1, but the government was likely to postpone it. That really confused tourists, who could not make plans for a vacation in Thailand, he said. Tourism-based businesses in Pattaya were already prepared for the reopening. Without a clear schedule they would have to concentrate on attracting Thai tourists during the annual high season, instead of foreign visitors, just to keep their operations afloat, Mr Boon-anant said. On a monthly basis, there would be small events to draw domestic tourists to Pattaya. Many Thais visited Pattaya on weekends, he said. Events would include fireworks shows, a food festival and the Loy Krathong and New Year festivals, Mr Boon-anant said. Now under the helm of Jimmy Blais, this 41st season is a special one, as it is the last one programmed by Mike Payette, who is now the new Artistic Director of Tarragon Theatre in Toronto. Media Content Creator Ian Ostroff is a writer/reporter who resides in Montreal. He is passionate about getting to know the people and places that make his hometown so great. In his spare time, you can find him at the gym, eating ice cream, or working on his novel(s). PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) A public building in Kosovo was set on fire and another was hit by grenades that did not explode in what government officials described Saturday as criminal acts related to ethnic Serbs protesting a symbolic move on license plates. Serbian media quoted the head of the Zubin Potok fire department, Sasa Bozovic, as saying a fire that broke out overnight at the town's municipal building engulfed two offices. The Kosovo Interior Ministry said the blaze burned down a vehicle registration office. It was done by suspects in a criminal act with terrorist elements, Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla wrote on Facebook. Ethnic Kosovo Serbs have blocked the Kosovo-Serbia border with trucks since Monday, angry that Kosovo sent in special police to match Serbia in a license plate move that heightens tensions in the Balkans. Kosovo now removes license plates from cars entering the country from Serbia, as Serbia does with Kosovo plates. They both force drivers to buy temporary plates. Serbia doesnt recognize its former province of Kosovo as a separate nation and considers their mutual border only as a temporary boundary. In Zvecan, a town 10 miles away, two hand grenades were thrown into a public office but did not explode, said Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who was convening a meeting Saturday of the country's National Security Council. Kurti accused Serbia's government of inciting and supporting such behavior and exploiting Kosovo citizens to provoke a serious international conflict. Serbia has put its army troops in regions near Kosovo on higher alert. The state RTS television reported Saturday that Serbian military jets flew in the border area twice during the day, prompting cheers from the protesting Serbs. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has described Kosovos recent license plate move as a criminal action, and he made the withdrawal of all Kosovar special police a condition of European Union-mediated negotiations to resolve the dispute. But after the grenades and the fire, Kosovo's government did not sound ready Saturday to pull the special police back. These criminal acts best show what would have occurred with the border crossings in Jarinje and Brnjak unless special forces were sent there to guarantee public order and security, Svecla wrote. The European Union and the United States have urged Kosovo and Serbia to immediately exercise restraint and refrain from unilateral actions. Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani called on the world not to ignore what is clearly (being) seen a Russian-Serbian tendency to damage the European Union and NATO" by increasing tensions in the Balkans. It is time that the international community, and first of all the EU and NATO member countries, see such a danger and prevent the Vucic regime from realizing its goal of creating the Serb world,' she wrote in Facebook, while in New York at the U.N. General Assembly. A bloody 1998-1999 crackdown by Serbian troops against Kosovo Albanian separatists ended after NATO intervention, and Kosovo declared independence in 2008. It has been recognized by the U.S. and other Western nations, but not by Serbia and allies Russia and China. Thousands of NATO-led peacekeepers, including U.S. troops, are still deployed in Kosovo, trying to stave off lingering ethnic tensions between majority Kosovo Albanians and minority Kosovo Serbs. ___ Llazar Semini reported from Tirana, Albania; Jovana Gec from Belgrade, Serbia. LIMA, Peru (AP) The body of Abimael Guzman, the leader of Peru's brutal Shining Path insurgency who died on Sept. 11, was cremated Friday. The cremation took place after Congress in the South American nation expedited a debate on a law to dispose of Guzman's remains. His ashes will be scattered at an undisclosed date and place. BERLIN (AP) Germany's closely fought election on Sunday will set the direction of the European Union's most populous country after 16 years under Angela Merkel, whose party is scrambling to avoid defeat by its center-left rivals after a rollercoaster campaign. The environmentalist Greens also are eyeing at least a share of power. About 60.4 million people in the nation of 83 million are eligible to elect the new parliament, which decides who will be the next head of government. Recent polls point to a neck-and-neck race between Merkel's center-right Union bloc and the Social Democrats, with the latter marginally ahead. The polls show the Greens, making their first bid for the chancellorship, in third place after a campaign in which all three have held the lead. The Social Democrats' candidate, current finance minister and Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has seen his personal ratings climb amid error-strewn campaigns by his rivals, the Union's Armin Laschet and the Greens' Annalena Baerbock. Merkel, who remains personally popular after steering Germany through a string of crises, announced in 2018 that she wouldn't go for a fifth term. That set up the first election since West Germany's initial vote in 1949 in which there is no incumbent chancellor seeking re-election. Voters appear underwhelmed by the choices. Whoever finishes first is expected to get a historically low share of the vote, with polls showing no party expected to get 30% support. The lowest score so far for a winning party is the Union's 31% in 1949, which also is the bloc's worst showing to date. Such an outcome would likely trigger lengthy haggling on a new governing coalition, with whichever party finishes first best-placed but not guaranteed to have its candidate succeed Merkel. A first-place finish for the Social Democrats, who provided three of Germany's eight post-World War II chancellors but have been Merkel's junior governing partners for 12 of the past 16 years, would be remarkable after a long poll slump for the party. When the Union and the Greens chose their candidates this spring, the election was widely expected to be a race between the two. The Union was prepared for a Laschet-Baerbock battle and Laschet wanted practically to act as the incumbent, with all his leadership expertise" from his current job as governor of Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, political science professor Andrea Roemmele of the Hertie School in Berlin said this week. But now the duel isn't Laschet against Baerbock, it's Laschet against Scholz, and in this combination Mr. Laschet has been forced into the role of challenger, she said. Scholz is deploying all the power of his vice chancellorship, of the finance minister, and is enjoying campaigning this way; he has simply managed to build up trust. Scholz also has had the smoothest campaign, although opponents sought to capitalize on a recent police search at his ministry. Baerbock suffered from early gaffes, notably having to correct details in a resume and facing allegations of plagiarism in a new book. Laschet, the governor of North Rhine-Westphalia, was nominated after a divisive internal battle with a rival, then suffered from perceptions that he poorly handled deadly floods that hit his state in July. A scene in which he was seen laughing in the background as Germany's president delivered solemn remarks about the disaster did not help his campaign image. Those woes have often distracted from policy issues. The leading parties have significant differences in their proposals for tackling climate change. Laschet's Union is pinning its hopes on technological solutions and a market-driven approach, while the Greens want to ramp up carbon prices and end the use of coal earlier than planned. Scholz has emphasized the need to protect jobs as Europe's biggest economy transitions to greener energy. Laschet insists there should be no tax increases as Germany pulls out of the coronavirus pandemic, which the country weathered well economically thanks to large rescue packages that have incurred new debt. Scholz and Baerbock favor tax hikes for the richest Germans, and also back an increase in the country's minimum wage. Foreign policy hasn't played much of a role in the campaign, though the Greens favor a tougher stance toward China and Russia. As their poll ratings have sagged, Laschet and other Union leaders have issued constant warnings that Scholz and the Greens would form a coalition with the opposition Left Party, which opposes NATO and German military deployments abroad. Whether such a partnership is realistic is questionable, given foreign policy and other differences. Scholz's first choice would likely be an alliance with the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats and a coalition with those two parties is also Laschet's likeliest route to power. The Greens favor an alliance with the Social Democrats, and the Free Democrats prefer one with the Union. The election's result may also allow for a repeat of the outgoing grand coalition of the traditional big parties, under either Scholz or Laschet, though there's unlikely to be much appetite for that on either side. But no party wants to bring the far-right Alternative for Germany into government. ___ Follow APs coverage of Germanys election at https://apnews.com/hub/germany-election ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) U.S. prosecutors have charged three men with a leaving special viewing platform and getting too close to bears in Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve. The U.S. attorney's office filed charges this week in the August 2018 incident. Spokesperson Lisa Houghton said the office doesn't discuss the timing of cases. SPRINGFIELD Despite opposition from reform groups and Republicans, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed into law the revised state legislative district maps that lawmakers passed in August, opening the door to almost certain court challenges. These legislative maps align with the landmark Voting Rights Act and will help ensure Illinois diversity is reflected in the halls of government, Pritzker said in a statement. Not everyone agrees the maps do reflect the states diversity. The political action arm of the reform group CHANGE Illinois issued a statement arguing the maps actually dilute minority voting power. Many major groups agree the new maps reduce the numbers of majority Black voting age population districts and majority Latino voting age population districts, the group said in a statement. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Funds lawyers have said they believe the state representative and Senate maps dilute Latino voting power. The Latino Policy Forum asked Pritzker to veto the maps for the same reason. Illinois African Americans for Equitable Redistricting also said the maps do not create enough Black majority voting age districts. Lawmakers initially adopted maps during the spring legislative session in order to meet the state constitutions June 30 deadline, despite not having the official, detailed U.S. Census data needed to draw districts with nearly equal population. Republican leaders, as well as the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, or MALDEF, quickly filed a federal lawsuit in Chicago arguing that they were unconstitutional because they were based on population estimates from survey data rather than official census numbers. When the official Census numbers came out in mid-August, they did in fact show population variances between districts were far outside what is allowed under U.S. constitutional law, prompting Democratic leaders to call a special session to adjust the new maps. Republicans argue those maps were passed well after the state constitutions June 30 deadline and, therefore, the task should be given to a bipartisan commission, a process in which Republicans would have a 50-50 chance of gaining a partisan advantage. That decision will ultimately be up to the courts. There have been efforts in the past in Illinois to establish a permanent nonpartisan commission to redraw maps every 10 years, an idea that Pritzker and many Democratic lawmakers have said they support. But no such plan has gotten through the General Assembly. Governor Pritzkers signing of the legislative maps sends a clear picture of the severity of his retrograde amnesia and efforts to deceive Illinois citizens, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, said in a statement. The governor now joins the multitude of Democratic legislators who lied to voters by campaigning for and promising fair maps. Rarely do politicians get the chance to break a campaign promise twice, said Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie, of Hawthorn Woods. I am deeply disappointed that Gov. Pritzker has turned his back on the many minority organizations that have asked him to protect their voting rights outlined in the constitution and Voting Rights Act by vetoing this gerrymandered map. FALLS CHURCH. Va. (AP) A northern Virginia school system said it is removing two books from school libraries, including an illustrated memoir that contains explicit illustrations of sexual encounters involving children, after a parent expressed concern about them at a school board meeting. Stacy Langton, a parent in the Fairfax County school system, questioned the school board at a public meeting Thursday about the books' availability in high school libraries. As she quoted from explicit passages in the book, a school board member interrupted her and chastised her for using explicit language. Another school board member defended the books by saying they are available only in high school libraries, not in grade schools. On Friday, the school system initially said it was conducting a review. Later in the day, it said it was pulling Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison from circulation pending a more detailed review. Two committees made up of staff, students and parents will assess both books and make recommendations to the assistant superintendent of instructional services who will make a final decision as to whether FCPS continues to provide access to these books in our high school libraries, the school system said. Gender Queer" publisher Oni Press issued a statement Friday saying that limiting the book's availability is short-sighted and reactionary. Oni Press supports Maia Kobabe for the truth and strength in sharing eir story, and hope to be a home for others who want to share their own stories with the world. The fact is, GENDER QUEER is an important, timely piece of work that serves as an invaluable resource for not only those that identity as nonbinary or genderqueer, but for people looking to understand what that means. Online inventory systems showed both books were widely available throughout high school libraries in the Fairfax County system. One school, Robinson Secondary, serves grades 7-12. Indeed, one or both books are available in school systems throughout the region, including Loudoun County, Arlington County, Alexandria and Montgomery County, Maryland, schools, according to online catalogs. Langton, in an interview Friday, said she had never spoken up at a school board meeting before, but the books were so obscene that she had to speak up. She said she heard about the books earlier this month at a school board meeting in Texas, and became curious whether they were available. Sure enough, the books her in her son's school library. The books are actually so much worse than I ever would have imagined. So much worse, she said. Gender Queer," an illustrated memoir, contains explicit illustrations of oral sex and masturbation. The novel Lawn Boy contains graphic descriptions of sex between men and children. Both books were previous winners of the American Library Associations Alex Awards, which each year recognize ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults ages 12 through 18. Langton said the fact that school board members felt compelled to interrupt her when she read graphic passages aloud illustrates her point about the books' inappropriate nature. I was very angry that they cut me off, she said. The controversy is the latest to befuddle Fairfax County's school board, and other across Virginia and the country as conservative parents object to masks in schools, anti-racism curriculum, and policy changes requiring transgender students be referred to by their preferred pronouns. Asra Nomani, who attended Thursday's meeting and serves as vice president of strategy and investigations at Parents Defending Education, a recently formed advocacy group, said the high-handed response from the school board to Langton's concerns reflects the divide between activist school board members and parents. "It's very unfair to demonize and marginalize parents, because they have serious concerns," Nomani said. One school board member, Karl Frisch, offered a defense of sorts on Twitter, saying Thursday night that nothing will disrupt our Board's commitment to LGBTQIA+ students, families and staff. Nothing. But he was not explicit about whether his tweet was in response to Langton's comments. He declined comment Friday. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to brighten a room. A joyous occasion like an eighth-grade graduation can make the room even brighter. St. Patrick's Parish Center has been getting a face-lift over the past four years and the finishing touches were put on just in time for All Saints Catholic School's graduation dinner to be held in the hall Thursday night. "We couldn't ask for a better occasion for an inaugural event," All Saints Principal Kimberly Fetter said Thursday. As part of the renovations, the building was made handicap-accessible and a new roof was installed. Inside, the major renovation was an extension of the kitchen as well as paint, better lighting and new floor tiles. "The center will be even more useful now because of the renovations," Fetter said. Monsignor Edward J. O'Connor, pastor of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, said money for the project came from the Diocese of Allentown's capital campaign, Strengthening Our Future In Faith, that offered a portion of the campaign funds to each parish in the diocese for use within the parish. According to Fetter, the center was closed for about a year while work was done in the hall, and events were held in St. John's and St. Joseph's centers. "The project has been ongoing for about four years," O'Connor said Thursday. "This building has been a gathering spot for our parish since it was the Elks Club years ago. Three years ago, we decided to keep the building since it is an ample size for our stated goal as a parish center." O'Connor said the parish's portion of the diocese funding was about $100,000 for the repairs and renovations over several years. "The kitchen extension last fall was a major accomplishment," O'Connor said. "We do a lot of cooking for our food sales and parish picnic and the bigger kitchen is a godsend for our fundraising folks." The roof and kitchen may have been the majority of the work, but the cosmetic repairs and enhancements caught the eyes of those attending the graduation dinner Thursday. "Wow, it's just beautiful," All Saints first-grade teacher and parishioner Terry Keating said Thursday. "It enhances what St. Patrick parish can do here for adults as well as the children." Anne Liptok, a parishioner, was also impressed with the upgrade. "It's so nice and bright in here," Liptok said. "It was kind of dark and dreary in here before. It needed an update." 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 Small businesses may struggle to pay their energy bills this winter as they do not benefit from the price cap safety net like households. Those companies whose supplier goes bust may also not get back any of the credit they have built up with their provider, due to different set of rules. This is just one of the problems to emerge from the energy crisis after rising wholesale costs have left to the collapse of multiple suppliers in recent times. Small firms may struggle to pay energy bills this winter as they do not benefit from a price cap Whilst consumers are left worried about whether their provider will cease trading, small firms may be concerned they will be unable to keep up with soaring bills. This is Money, with help from Citizens Advice, reveals what you need to know if you are a small business concerned about your energy bills. What is the energy crisis? The energy crisis has been sparked by a number of factors but ultimately is due to the lack of natural gas being produced as well as an increase in demand. As a result, wholesale gas costs are soaring which means suppliers are having to fork out more for supply. These costs are then passed on to consumers but if they can't be, the supplier then loses money and many are ceasing to trade. This is affecting normal consumers as well as small businesses. Should businesses be concerned? Ofgem and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) are urging customers, including small businesses, not to worry about their energy supply. However, many are still concerned about how much their bills could rise by in the coming weeks. BEIS told This is Money small businesses struggling to pay their energy bills should contact their supplier as soon as possible. Providers might be able to pause or reduce their repayments or stop them from getting disconnected. A Government spokesperson said: 'The Business Secretary is in regular contact with the energy industry and Ofgem to manage the impact of high global gas prices and will continue to monitor the situation incredibly closely, including the impacts for small businesses. 'All energy customers, no matter who their supplier is, can rest assured that even if their supplier fails, there is a robust and well-rehearsed process in place to ensure continuity of supply.' The energy crisis has left millions concerned about whether their supplier will go bust soon What if a small business' can't pay their energy bill? If your energy bills are becoming much higher than normal and you cannot afford it, ask your supplier if you can arrange a payment plan. Work out a budget before you call so you know you can afford the payments. It is also important to ensure you are being billed accurately so take regular meter readings and send them to your supplier. However, if you become in debt to your supplier, it is important to act quickly as your energy supply could be disconnected within 30 days if you don't make arrangements to deal with the money owed. If you're disconnected, you will normally have a disconnection fee added to the money you owe and will often need to pay another fee to be reconnected. What happens if a supplier goes bust and a small business is in credit? Unlike normal consumers, if you are a small business in credit when your supplier goes bust, you may not get all your money back. Whilst Ofgem will try to choose a supplier that can refund some or all of your credit, this is not guaranteed. As with other consumers, you will be assigned a new supplier under the supplier of last resort process. Wait for your new supplier to contact you and they will tell you what will happen to your credit. If your new supplier can't refund your credit, contact your old supplier's administrator which will take control of your old supplier and handle their debts. You should be able to find their details on your old supplier's website. Contact the administrator to register as a creditor - this is someone who is owed money - when you will need to prove your account with the old supplier was in credit. You can do this with past bills or statements. If you have an online account, it's also a good idea to log into it to check your balance and download any bills or statements. The administrator may be able to repay some of your credit but this can take a long time - sometimes more than a year. The amount you get will depend on how much the old supplier owes to all of its creditors. One of BT's biggest shareholders has thrown its weight behind the embattled telecoms operator after its shares slumped over the summer. German firm Deutsche Telekom which owns 12 per cent of the former UK state monopoly backed BT chief Philip Jansen and his plan to bring full-fibre broadband to up to 25million homes by late 2026. BT shares have fallen from more than 2 in June to 1.58 after the company revealed lower-than-expected revenues and said it was taking on more debt to fund the rollout of super-fast 5G internet. Tough times: BT shares have fallen from more than 2 in June to 1.58 after the company revealed lower-than-expected revenues But Deutsche Telekom chief Timotheus Hottges said: 'We believe BT has solved a lot of issues going forward when it comes to the fibre roll-out and Ofcom relations, solved most of their pensions now, and have a clear path in the market. 'They are solving one problem after another. This will definitely help the company succeed. We see value in that company.' BT's shares shot up earlier this year when Altice a telecoms firm owned by Franco-Israeli tycoon Patrick Drahi took a 12.1 per cent stake. They slipped back after City analysts voiced fears around BT's trading update in July. Drahi is seen as a potential buyer for the stake held by Deutsche Telekom, which kept its BT holding after the 12.5billion takeover of EE in 2016. His arrival stoked rumours he may push for a shake-up at BT, possibly forcing a sale of all or part of its Openreach infrastructure arm. It has also been suggested he could move to buy BT, although politicians may try to block any deal and he has committed to City takeover rules preventing him from making a bid until December when new chairman Adam Crozier takes over. But at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia conference, also attended by Jansen, Hottges said of its BT stake: 'We are not a seller at this point in time. That is very clear.' Jefferies analyst Jerry Dellis said the statement sounded 'particularly confident' in the face of expansion by rival Virgin Media O2. Virgin has laid out plans to bring full-fibre broadband to 15.5million premises by 2028 after merging with O2. Deutsche Telekom wrote down 3.3billion on investment in BT and has moved the stake into its pension fund. Its stake is estimated to have lost 9.1billion in value. Drahi has seen the value of his stake fall by 300million. Sources said his next move could be determined by the outcome of a sale of Altice's 6billion Portuguese arm. Bankers at Lazard have sounded out prospective bidders for his Portuguese division including Spain's MasMovil. Sotheby's owner Drahi has earned a fearsome reputation after heavy cost cuts at operations in Portugal and France, where even toilet paper was rationed. One telecoms executive said: 'BT is a sleeping giant. If Patrick wants to buy more it probably depends on selling the Portuguese business at a good price.' Separately, Sir Leonard Blavatnik's DAZN is in advanced talks to buy BT's TV sport business. Are you sitting comfortably? If not, you will be. Forecasts for top autumn and winter interiors trends are appearing and they are full of words like 'inspirational', 'welcoming' and 'cosy'. Look forward to the return of patterns and warmer colours (amber, burgundy and tobacco) that will enliven the greys and beiges that have dominated for the past decade. Pastel shades are also in resurgence. Prepare to consider pink as a new neutral, and mid-blue, too. The hard-edged looks of industrial chic are on their way out, having proven off-putting during lockdowns. Another reason is the style's ubiquity, with exposed bricks and piping cropping up seemingly everywhere. Elegant: Artenis corner sofa in warm green velvet, from 4,215 Barker & Stonehouse Kate Watson-Smyth, interiors expert and tutor on a Create Academy online course, says: 'After ten years of this look in every trendy pizzeria, there is a shift to something softer.' So what are the new 'rules' for autumn? Here's our guide... Old and new A layered mix of antique and new is gaining sway. Barker & Stonehouse calls this style Town & Country and illustrates it with a sage green Artenis corner velvet sofa (4,215), a Victorian cabinet (569) and a contemporary console table with driftwood legs (449). A large leaner mirror with an ornate silver frame from Next (198) would be a nod to this trend. A velvet buttoned cushion, from Velvet Linen (85 to 110), a range by Liz Poole, one of Bridgerton's costume designers, is another option. Scandi sheepskin The preoccupation with comfort is set to fuel another trend sheepskin as Scandi chic becomes less associated with minimalism and more with cosiness. No Scandi chic setting is complete without at least one sheepskin throw and now this material will be put to other uses. The White Company has two sheepskin-covered chairs; the first, pictured, (1,100) has clean Scandinavian lines, the other is tub shaped (1,600). The White Company also has a sheepskin draft excluder (75). At Habitat you can find a (fake) sheepskin chair for 170. Sheepskin's expanded role comes as retailers focus more on sustainability. At present thousands of tonnes of wool goes to waste, prompting John Lewis even to launch a mattress stuffed with wool from its farming suppliers. Warming paints Dulux has declared that the colour of 2022 will be Bright Skies a chalky blue, described as 'good for the soul'. Since Dulux is the UK's largest paints brand, this forecast is set to be influential. Already furniture and furnishing companies are backing mid-blue as a top shade for next year. Bright Skies works well with greys and beiges as well as yellows and oranges. Marianne Shillingford, Dulux UK's creative director, expects that many of us will be carrying out minor makeovers for new lifestyles featuring these colours. Another mid-blue option is Graham & Brown's Breathe, described as being 'dark enough to add colour and depth but light enough to remain refreshing'. This company's wallpaper of the year is Restore Midnight, a pattern of exotic botanicals against a moody blue background. If blue of any hue seems chilly to you, green is also forecast to remain in vogue. Glidden has announced that Guacamole is the shade of 2022. The Smashed Avocado shade from Graham & Brown has the same soothing quality. Farrow & Ball, which is proposing not one, but five colours of the year, is placing its bets on Stone Blue, a deeper shade, and the cheerful Breakfast Room Green. It also recommends 'Babouche' (a yellow), Incarnadine (delightful crimson), and School House White (muted white). This last selection could be an excuse to ignore trends and paint everything white. But this is not a quick-fix. Shillingford says it is wise to test out all white paints before buying: 'The same white will look different in different rooms and so you may have to choose more than one.' Sitting pretty : Sheepskin chair, 1,100, The White Company Formality returns One word you will be hearing frequently is 'tablescaping', which means setting a table properly with candles, flowers and (artfully mismatched) crockery. During lockdown, families dined together more and found it was fun to make supper an occasion. John Lewis is reporting sales of dinnerware sets are 74 per cent higher than a year ago. Tablecloths are up 37 per cent. How far will this move towards formality go? Could the Regency decor of Henry's Townhouse become the rage? This is the boutique hotel that has opened in the Marylebone house once occupied by Henry, Jane Austen's brother. At the beginning of this year, it was widely predicted that 'Regencycore' (who makes up these words?) would develop a fan base, thanks to the success of the Netflix series Bridgerton. Look out for more gilt mirrors and tea sets. Lay on the lighting The shift away from the industrial aesthetic is also happening in lighting. A lantern hung from the ceiling is a way to light up a hallway or staircase that is gloomy on short winter days. But the smart choice is now a piece with a Victorian feel such as the Dorma Purity Nickson Globe from Dunelm (100) or a geometric piece like the Norton from Wayfair (76.99) rather than a fitting reminiscent of the lamps in a 1940s' factory. Also expect a further rise in the popularity of softer, more natural materials. Kate Watson-Smyth predicts that raffia and rattan will gain even more sway. Rohan Blacker of Pooky, the lighting company known for its chic gathered plain and patterned lampshades, attributes these changes to a greater readiness to be more daring in one part of a home. He says: 'Lighting is an area where you can be brave, opting for something colourful even if you prefer the rest of your home to be more neutral. 'The organic, rustic look, as exemplified by rattan, is gaining momentum. But there is also demand for more decorative pieces, like marbled lampshades and bases.' The Pooky articulated reading floor lamp with a marble base and a gathered shade in a Matthew Williamson floral pattern (455) exemplifies the new lighting tendency of cosy but elegant. And highly effective which will come in handy as those nights draw in. Libyas best chance of peace in years is at risk of unravelling as factions tussle over looming national elections that were envisaged as a way to end a decade of chaotic division. As a cast of factional leaders position themselves for a presidential run, many Libyans are bracing for a return to violence whether the vote goes ahead as planned on Dec. 24 or not. Already, the eastern commander Khalifa Haftar has paved the way for a campaign by handing his duties to an acolyte, while Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the former dictator, has indicated he may run too. The election process is heading towards disaster however things turn out, said Wolfram Lacher, a Libya researcher at SWP in Berlin. Even in the best case in which there isnt a widespread boycott or violence, theres a big risk that the losers wont recognise the results, he said. Not everybody agrees with that assessment. Many believe that whatever the risks, elections are the only way to turn the page on endless disputes among the established powers and confer legitimacy on rulers. The United Nations and major foreign powers are all pushing for the elections to go ahead, saying most Libyans want the vote, and inside Libya all major factions are publicly demanding it takes place, whatever their private stance. But as the Dec. 24 date set by a U.N. peace process last year approaches, the dangers appear to be mounting. Libya has enjoyed little stability since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, and was split after 2014 between warring eastern and western factions. The U.N. process has installed a transitional unity government as well as demanding elections for a new president and parliament to resolve the crisis. However the legal basis for the elections is bitterly disputed, meaning that if it goes ahead without consensus on the rules, large parts of the country may refuse to take part or will reject any results they dislike. CONTROVERSY Particular controversy has hung over the role of the parliament, which was elected seven years ago and mostly backed the eastern side in the war. Its speaker Aguila Saleh said this month it had passed a presidential election law that his critics said was tailored to allow him to run without risking his role as speaker, and was rammed through without a proper vote. This week he went further, withdrawing confidence from the unity government of Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, a move that seemed aimed at clipping its wings by undermining its legitimacy, in a vote that also drew accusations of chicanery. Its a way of creating more urgency for the elections as these announcements make it harder for anyone to bank on the survival of Dbeibahs government, said Libya researcher Jalel Harchaoui of the Global Initiative thinktank. Dbeibah has won support with populist programmes and though he has pledged not to run in the election, some Libyans hope he will, or regard his unity government as a fallback if elections do not happen. Meanwhile parliament has not yet passed a law for a parliamentary election as mandated by the U.N. process though it has said it is working on one. Any election would take place in towns and cities controlled by armed forces whose own leaders may be candidates opening the way for losing opponents to cry fraud. Obviously in territories held by Haftar the level of control makes it possible for him to organise the vote to ensure his victory, said Harchaoui. Haftars potential candidacy could be especially divisive after his 14-month assault on Tripoli that laid waste to whole city districts before it was repelled last year. Sometimes when (military men) come into power they stay there forever he will pressure people. When they vote, they will do so under fear, said Tripoli resident Yousef Mohamed. The last war dragged in powerful foreign forces including Turkey, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and an international array of mercenaries. That raises the stakes in any new bout of fighting, but with powerful forces well entrenched, it may also mean that nobody will risk another all-out war and would instead revert to the chaotic partition that has carved Libya into pieces for years. WASHINGTON (AP) The House voted late Tuesday to keep the government funded, suspend the federal debt limit and provide disaster and refugee aid, setting up a high-stakes showdown with Republicans who oppose the package despite the risk of triggering a fiscal crisis. The federal government faces a shutdown if funding stops on Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year midnight next Thursday. Additionally, at some point in October the U.S. risks defaulting on its accumulated debt load if its borrowing limits are not waived or adjusted. Rushing to prevent that dire outcome, the Democratic-led House passed the measure by a party-line vote of 220-211. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is likely to falter because of overwhelming GOP opposition. Our country will suffer greatly if we do not act now to stave off this unnecessary and preventable crisis, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said shortly before the vote. Backed by the White House, the Democratic leaders pushed the package to approval at a time of great uncertainty in Congress. With lawmakers already chiseling away at the $3.5 trillion price tag of President Joe Bidens broad build back better agenda, immediate attention focused on the upcoming deadlines to avert deeper problems if votes to shore up government funding fail. The package approved Tuesday would provide stopgap money to keep the government funded to Dec. 3 and extend borrowing authority through the end of 2022. It includes $28.6 billion in disaster relief for the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and other extreme weather events, and $6.3 billion to support Afghanistan evacuees in the fallout from the end of the 20-year war. While suspending the debt ceiling allows the government to meet financial obligations already incurred, Republicans argued it would also facilitate a spending binge in the months ahead. I will not support signing a blank check as this majority is advancing the most reckless expansion of government in generations," said Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., during the debate. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said since Democrats control the White House and Congress, it's their problem to find the votes even though he had relied on bipartisan cooperation to approve the debt limits when Republicans were in charge. The debt ceiling will be raised as it always should be, but it will be raised by the Democrats, McConnell said. In the 50-50 Senate, Democrats will be hard-pressed to find 10 Republicans to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster. This is playing with fire," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. The Treasury Department has been using extraordinary measures to fund the government since the last debt limit suspension expired July 31, and projects that at some point next month will run out cash reserves. Then, it will have to rely on incoming receipts to pay its obligations, now at $28.4 trillion. That could force the Treasury to delay or miss payments, a devastating situation. Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody's Analytics, warned if lawmakers allow a federal debt default this economic scenario is cataclysmic. In a report being circulated by Democrats, Zandi warned that a potential downturn from government funding cutbacks would cost 6 million jobs and stock market losses would wipe out $15 trillion of household wealth. Once a routine matter, raising the debt ceiling has become a political weapon of choice for Republicans in Washington ever since the 2011 arrival of tea party lawmakers who refused to allow the increase. At the time, they argued against more spending and the standoff triggered a fiscal crisis. Echoing that strategy, McConnell is setting the tone for his party, but some GOP senators might have a tough time voting no. Republican John Kennedy of Louisiana, whose state was battered by the hurricane and who is up for election next year, said he will likely vote for the increase. My people desperately need the help, he said. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that in our view, this should not be a controversial vote. Psaki said Congress has raised the debt ceiling numerous times on a bipartisan basis, including three times under President Donald Trump. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the Democratic chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, was forced to introduce another version of the bill Tuesday after some within the Democratic caucus objected to the inclusion of $1 billion for Israels Iron Dome defense system, which uses missiles to intercept short-range rockets fired into the country. The Israel defense issue splits Democrats, but DeLauro assured colleagues that money for the weapons system would be included in the annual defense spending bill. Hoyer went a step further and said he would bring a bill to the floor this week to replenish the Iron Dome system. Republicans were highly critical of the change and vowed to stand as allies with Israel. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Democrats were negotiating over Biden's big build back better package as the price tag likely slips to win over skeptical centrist lawmakers who view it as too much. Publicly, the White House has remained confident the legislation will pass soon, despite sharp differences among progressives and moderates in the party over the eventual size of the package and a companion $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. There has been a flurry of outreach from the White House to Democrats on Capitol Hill, and Biden himself was given a call sheet of lawmakers to cajole. The president has been talking to a wide number of lawmakers beyond his recent meetings with key centrist Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., according to a White House official familiar with the calls and granted anonymity to discuss them. Biden's big initiative touches almost all aspects of Americans' lives. It would impose tax hikes on corporations and wealthy Americans earning beyond $400,000 a year and plow that money back into federal programs for young and old, including government health, education and family support and environmental efforts to fight climate change. With Republicans opposed to Biden's vision, Democrats have no votes to spare in the Senate, and just a few votes' margin in the House. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has promised a Sept. 27 vote on the companion $1 trillion bill of public works projects that has already passed the Senate. Even though that bipartisan bill should be an easy legislative lift, it too faces a political obstacle course. Dozens of lawmakers in the Congressional Progressive Caucus are expected to vote against it if it comes ahead of the broader Biden package. And centrists wont vote for the broader package unless they are assured the bipartisan bill will also be included. ___ Associated Press writers Darlene Superville and Jonathan Lemire contributed to this report. BOISE, Idaho (AP) The U.S. Department of Defense is taking input on its plan to build an advanced mobile nuclear microreactor prototype at the Idaho National Laboratory in eastern Idaho. The department began a 45-day comment period on Friday with the release of a draft environmental impact study evaluating alternatives for building and operating the microreactor that could produce 1 to 5 megawatts of power. The department's energy needs are expected to increase, it said. A safe, small, transportable nuclear reactor would address this growing demand with a resilient, carbon-free energy source that would not add to the DoDs fuel needs, while supporting mission-critical operations in remote and austere environments, the Defense Department said. The draft environmental impact statement cites President Joe Biden's Jan. 27 executive order prioritizing climate change considerations in national security as another reason for pursuing microreactors. The draft document said alternative energy sources such as wind and solar were problematic because they are limited by location, weather and available land area, and would require redundant power supplies. The department said it uses 30 terawatt-hours of electricity per year and more than 10 million gallons (37.9 million liters) of fuel per day. Powering bases using diesel generators strains operations and planning, the department said, and need is expected to grow during a transition to an electrical, non-tactical vehicle fleet. Thirty terawatt-hours is more energy than many small countries use in a year. The department in the 314-page draft environmental impact statement said it wants to reduce reliance on local electric grids, which are highly vulnerable to prolonged outages from natural disasters, cyberattacks, domestic terrorism and failure from lack of maintenance. The department also said new technologies such as drones and radar systems increase energy demands. But critics say such microreactors could become targets themselves, including during transportation. Edwin Lyman, director of Nuclear Power Safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit, said he questioned using microreactors at military bases either at home or abroad. In my view, these reactors could cause more logistical problems and risks to troops and property than they would solve problems, he said. And unless the Army is willing to spend what it would take to make them safe for use, especially in potential combat situations or foreign operating bases, then I think its probably unwise to deploy nuclear reactors in theaters of war without providing the protection they would need. He said the reactors would likely be vulnerable during transport. There is always going to be a way that an adversary can damage a nuclear reactor and cause dispersal of its nuclear content, he said. The Idaho National Laboratory is on the U.S. Department of Energys 890-square-mile (2,305-square-kilometer) site in high desert sagebrush steppe, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of Idaho Falls. All prototype reactor testing would take place on the Energy Department site. The lab is considered the nations leading nuclear research lab, and has multiple facilities to aid in building and testing the microreactor. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The Defense Department said a final environmental impact statement and decision about how or whether to move forward is expected in early 2022. If approved, preparing testing sites at the Idaho National Lab and then building and testing of the microreactor would take about three years. Two mobile microreactor designs are being considered, but the department said detailed descriptions are unavailable as both are in early stages of development. The department said both designs are high-temperature gas-cooled reactors using enriched uranium for fuel. The type of enriched uranium to be used can withstand high temperatures, allowing for a reactor design that relies primarily on simple passive features and inherent physics to ensure safety, the draft environmental impact statement states. Building the mobile reactor and fuel fabrication would be done outside Idaho, and then shipped to the Idaho National Laboratory where the final assembly, fuel loading and a demonstration of the reactor's ability to operate would occur. That demonstration would include startup testing, moving the reactor to a new site, and testing at the second location. The second location would mimic a real-world situation by testing the reactor's ability to respond to energy demands. The department said the microreactor would be able to produce power within three days of delivery and can be safely removed in as few as seven days. Some mothers are so full of grace and love that they move slowly through their world offering unconditional compassion to all, but rarely seeing the crisis forming in their own lives. I am afraid that the Roman Catholic Church is one example of a mother that appears unwary and blind to the seeds of self-destruction, inert, seemingly paralyzed. The crisis I speak of is the shortage of priests, and what they offer in terms of traditional church guidance. In the past 50 years, the number of priests in the U.S. has been cut almost in half, from 60,000 to about 30,000 today. And of the remaining active priests, 50 percent are over 70 years old. We are rapidly becoming a truncated religious body with a disappearing leadership. Of course, the unspeakable sex scandal within our clergy has contributed to these declining numbers, but so has the perplexing insistence on celibacy. Life without sex or marriage was never the rule in the early church: St. Peter was married, (Luke 4:38) and St. Paul advised his priests to limit their wives to one (Tim. 3:2,12). The Eastern Catholic Church has always permitted their priests to marry, and they always have been in communion with Rome. (See the Nicene Creed and its devotion to one holy catholic and apostolic church.) In fact, the mandate of celibacy did not become the rule until the First Lateran Council in 1123, and that was more motivated by a concern for the property rights of the offspring of priests than holiness. In fact, the church seemed to have recognized the practical absurdity of its position in 1980, when Pope John Paul II permitted special dispensation for priests in the Episcopalian and Lutheran faiths to convert to Catholicism even though they were married with children. The first such convert permitted by Pope John Paul II was a Jew, converted to Episcopalianism, who was married with 11 children. Since then, about 100 married men have become priests in this country. To me, it seems intellectually disingenuous that the church permits married priests today, but only if they are converts. This became a reality for me this summer when my wife and I vacationed in Maine. I saw a man with a priest collar on a hot day. We started speaking and it turns out he is a Catholic priest, who was a convert and married and had six children. Two things really stood out in my mind: first, he was incredibly joyful. A smile never left his face, and he just beamed. Secondly, he couldnt help himself and bragged about how great his wife was, and how happily married they were. I was thrilled by his joyful vocation and equally by his beautiful marriage, but I was also saddened by the thought of my many friends that have left the priesthood, because their love of marriage equaled their love of Christ. Both loves became their essence, but in the church today, these loves were irreconcilable. This does not seem to be a point lost on Pope Francis. After all, his namesake Saint Francis, in a period of corruption, was commanded to rebuild the church, and perhaps this pope took that admonition to heart. During St. Francis feast day in 2019, the Pope convened the Pan-Amazon Synod to explore remedies for the priest shortage. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. One of the topics for discussion was ordination of married men to the priesthood, where the shortages in Brazil leave many to wait for literally years to see a priest. Acrimony followed but at least it made the agenda. (Editors note: Last year, Pope Francis released a public letter addressing the Amazon-area churches concerns. Before his letter was published, retired Pope Benedict publicly and vehemently opposed releasing priests from their vows of celibacy. Pope Francis declined to lift the ban on marriage for priests, instead focusing on how vital it is to preserve the Amazonian rainforest and treat indigenous peoples justly.) If the Roman Catholic Church were serious about dealing with our crisis of priest shortages, many things could change. We could allow married men to become priests, and welcome woman into the seminary. (Incidentally, I know of one priest in Buffalo that wears an ordain woman button to every Mass.) We could also consider elevating deacons who are married to the station of our priests, or we could permit our former clerics to resume their priestly roles. Many of those former clerics remain spiritual giants and would fill gaping holes in our deteriorating church. But the reality is that as our world becomes increasingly secular and materialistic, our society is crying out for more spiritual guidance and direction. In my opinion, the Catholic Church must become more proactive, and owes us more comfort and healing as we fast approach a time where priests only rarely occupy the altar on Sunday. That could become be a lonely journey for my children and grandchildren. Stephen Bowman is president of Peregrine Senior Living, which has long-term care communities in Clifton Park, Colonie and Syracuse. MIDFIELD, Ala. (AP) A police officer in an Alabama town near Birmingham is free on bond after being arrested on charges of animal cruelty. Midfield Police Officer Cameroun Tremble, 46, surrendered at the Jefferson County Jail on Thursday to face two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. He was released after posting $3,000 bond. ALBANY Capital Region hospitals are scrambling to find new ways to recruit and retain staff amid a staffing shortage they say has reached crisis levels and as Mondays deadline looms for health care workers in New York to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Area hospital leaders say the vaccine mandate is not responsible for the current staffing shortage. But they expect it will exacerbate the issue and could potentially impact care as thousands of unvaccinated health care workers statewide risk losing their jobs if they have not received at least one dose of vaccine or applied for an exemption by Monday. Ive been in this business for nearly 40 years, said Saratoga Hospital President and CEO Angelo Calbone. This is the most alarming potential staffing crisis shortage Ive seen in my career. Calbone and other area hospital leaders say that while they support the vaccine mandate and believe its right to require vaccination as a condition of employment in care settings, it comes as hospitals are already faced with severe staffing shortages due to longstanding factors such as demographic trends, burnout and stress. The pandemic intensified many of those issues, especially for health care workers who were on the front lines during multiple waves of COVID-19 admissions. Some decided to retire early. Some chose to switch careers altogether. During the height of the pandemic our staff did everything they had to do every day all day to get us through, Calbone said. But after that subsided, coming into this spring and summer there was a bit of an exhale and that was the moment I think a lot of people reevaluated things. So we did lose a lot of people during that process. Saratoga Hospital now has about 200 open positions across nearly every job title, he said. Call it burnout, call it whatever you want to call it, he said. It happened to us and it happened to every institution in the region. Albany Medical Center President and CEO Dr. Dennis McKenna said hospital leaders across the region and state have begun focusing almost exclusively on the staffing crisis during weekly calls. Everywhere in the state, every hospital is facing the exact same issue, he said. "And its not just nurses. Its people who can work in labs. Its people who can work in radiology departments. Its nonclinical people. Its transporters and environmental services and people who work in food delivery all those areas. The vaccine mandate takes a very challenging situation and makes it more challenging. The staffing crisis is not just impacting the region but the state and nation as millions of Americans reevaluate their careers amid a pandemic that is now in its second year. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Saturday released a plan to reverse a potentially worsening shortage that includes deploying out-of-state professionals and federal workforce assistance. Frankly, Im not sure theres anything that can happen between now and Monday other than a material number of staff workers deciding to get vaccinated to be honest with you, Calbone said Friday. Saratoga Hospital could lose 60 to 70 employees on Monday if they opt not to get vaccinated, he said, adding that he hopes that number shrinks over the weekend. Employees would be placed on unpaid leave and be given 90 days to comply or face termination, he said. The numbers of unvaccinated workers are even higher at other area hospitals. Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville had 73 unvaccinated workers who had not been approved for a medical or religious exemption as of Friday. Albany Med reported 253 unvaccinated employees who had not been approved for exemptions as of Wednesday. St. Peters Health Partners, which operates four hospitals in the region, reported roughly 400 as of Friday. Hospitals are working to address the issue through a variety of methods, including surge-and-flex plans that are similar to those instituted during previous COVID-19 surges. At Albany Med, nonclinical workers are being trained to fill duties such as monitoring patients who are at risk of falling so patient care associates and others are freed up to do more urgent bedside work, McKenna said. The hospital also recently instituted a new pay enhancement program that rewards employees who show up for every shift during a given pay period with up to an extra $250. The hospital is committing $1 million per pay period to the program. Its also offering sign-on and referral bonuses, and has raised the wages of workers across various job titles. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. We think it will be well worth it because these are essential workers, McKenna said. Theyre showing up to work every day and we wouldnt be able to deliver the care without them. St. Peters Health Partners said its offering $5,000 sign-on bonuses for experienced registered nurses with a background in acute care. If they are referred by an employee, the employee and the new person both get $5,000, spokesperson Courtney Weisberg said. Calbone said Saratoga Hospital is offering similar incentives to recruit and retain staff as well. Were honestly throwing everything we can think of at it, he said. Hospitals are also developing contingency plans in the event that vacancies continue to rise. Elective surgeries may need to be postponed again (they were postponed last winter due to the COVID-19 surge). St. Peters said it plans to hire agency nurses if need be. Further complicating matters is an ongoing legal dispute between the state of New York and groups opposed to the states lack of any religious exemption from the vaccine mandate. A federal judge earlier this month ordered the state to offer them while the case is under review, and a decision is expected soon as to whether workers have a right to request them. Area hospital leaders said the number of staff requesting religious exemptions has not been high, though they are curious to see if any remaining unvaccinated workers seek them over the weekend. Hospital associations have called on the state to recognize out-of-state health care worker licenses something a growing number of states nationwide have chosen to do to address worker shortages in the short-term and Hochul on Saturday announced she intended to do so as part of her administration's plan to thwart the crisis. Recent graduates, retired and formerly practicing health care professionals would also be allowed to practice if need be, she said. But the situation has become dire enough that some area hospital leaders believe theres no way the loss of workers from the vaccine mandate wont affect patient care. Its unlikely that the regional institutions and Im including us all in this because I know were all communicating about this will be able to sustain all services accessible all the time with this kind of loss, said Calbone. I just think its going to be impossible. Albany Med, which is the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center, has seen transfer requests rise considerably in recent weeks and months, with requests coming from outside the 25 counties the hospital typically takes them from, McKenna said. Some have had to be turned away because the hospital must prioritize cases that other area hospitals lack the resources to care for, he said. "Solving this particular issue is more complex than dealing with COVID admissions in that I think its gonna last for a while," he said. "There are mechanisms that we can do internally. There are regulatory things that can be done at a state level that can work to fix a lot of this. But I think the fact of the matter is this is going to take a while." NEW YORK (AP) Actor Michael K. Williams died of acute drug intoxication in what New York City's medical examiner said Friday was an accidental death. Williams, known for playing Omar Little on The Wire and an Emmy Award nominee this year, had fentanyl, parafluorofentanyl, heroin and cocaine in his system when he died Sept. 6 in Brooklyn. Williams, 54, was found dead by family members in his penthouse apartment. Police said at the time that they suspected a drug overdose. The city's Office of Chief Medical Examiner said it would not comment further. A message seeking comment was left with Williams' representative. Williams had spoken frankly in interviews in recent years about his struggle with drug addiction, which he said persisted after he gained fame on The Wire" in the early 2000s. I was playing with fire, he told the Newark Star-Ledger in 2012. It was just a matter of time before I got caught and my business ended up on the cover of a tabloid or I went to jail or, worse, I ended up dead. When I look back on it now, I dont know how I didnt end up in a body bag. New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said in an interview shortly after Williams death that he had spoken with the actor earlier this year about collaborating with the department on community outreach. Williams had been working with a New Jersey charity to smooth the journey for former prison inmates seeking to reenter society, and was working on a documentary on the subject. Another project involved reaching out directly to at-risk youth. This Hollywood thing that you see me in, Im passing through, Williams told the Associated Press last year. Because I believe this is where my passion, my purpose is supposed to be. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Omar, a rogue robber of drug dealers based on real figures from Baltimore, was hugely popular among fans of The Wire, which ran on HBO from 2002 to 2008. Williams also starred as Chalky White in HBOs Boardwalk Empire from 2010 to 2014 and had roles in the films 12 Years a Slave and Assassins Creed. Williams was nominated this year for an Emmy for supporting actor in a drama series for HBO's Lovecraft Country, but lost Sunday to a star of The Crown. Williams was remembered in the ceremony's In Memoriam segment. WASHINGTON (AP) Meeting with the leaders of India, Australia and Japan, President Joe Biden declared Friday that the U.S. and other members of the Indo-Pacific alliance known as the Quad" are showing they know how to get things done" in an increasingly complicated corner of the globe. Biden and his fellow leaders Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga are all grappling with a rising China that Biden has accused of coercive economic practices and unsettling military maneuvering. They made no direct mention of China as they opened the group's first ever in-person meeting, but the Pacific power played a big part in the private talks. Suga raised concerns about China intentions in the South China Sea, where it's stepped up its military presence in recent years, and the East China Sea, where a long-running dispute about a group of uninhabited islets administered by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing is a point of concern. Suga also raised concerns about Chinese action towards Taiwan, said Japans foreign press secretary Tomoyuki Yoshida. On Thursday, Beijing dispatched 24 jets toward Taiwanese airspace after it submitted its application to join a trans-Pacific trade pact. The prime minister emphasized the importance of the peace and stability in the Taiwan strait, according to Yoshida. Following the summit, the leaders issued a joint statement pledging to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas. The Quad leaders also announced Japan would work with India on a $100 million investment in COVID-19 vaccine and treatment drugs. They launched an initiative to bolster semiconductor supply chains. And they unveiled a new fellowship for graduate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to study at top U.S. universities. Biden has repeatedly made a case that the U.S. and likeminded allies need to deliver results on the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and other fundamental matters in what he's deemed a race between democracies and autocracies. Morrison and the others seemed to pick up that message at Friday's summit. We are liberal democracies, believe in a world order that favors freedom, Morrison said. "And we believe in a free and open Indo-Pacific, because we know thats what delivers a strong, stable and prosperous region. Biden and Modi also met prior to the summit for a one-on-one meeting. The president played up ties to India referencing Vice President Kamala Harris' Indian heritage and even his own family ties to the subcontinent. Biden also made clear he saw tightening relations with the world's biggest democracy one that shares a neighborhood with China and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan as vital for both sides. Ive long believed the U.S.-India relationship can help us solve an awful lot of global challenges," Biden said.. The Quad is an informal alliance formed during the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people. Biden has sought to reinvigorate the alliance, putting a spotlight on a chief foreign policy goal: greater attention to the Pacific and a rising China. The alliance met earlier this year, virtually, and announced plans to boost vaccination manufacturing in India. The Japanese and Indian governments welcomed a recent announcement that the U.S., as part of a new alliance with Britain and Australia, would equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. That will allow Australia to conduct longer patrols and give it an edge on the Chinese navy. But the announcement infuriated France, which accused the Biden administration of stabbing it in the back by squelching its own $66 billion deal to provide diesel-powered submarines. Tensions between Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron eased after the two leaders spoke Wednesday and agreed to take steps to coordinate more closely in the Indo-Pacific. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Michael Green, who served as senior director for Asia at the National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration, said Japan and India welcome the United States-United Kingdom-Australian alliance because it will really for the next 50 years reset the trajectories in naval power in the Pacific and from the perspective of those countries stabilize things as China massively builds up its naval forces. But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian has called it a reflection of outdated Cold War, zero-sum mentality and narrow-minded geopolitical perception that will intensify a regional arms race. The meeting concluded a busy week of wider diplomacy for Biden, who addressed the U.N. General Assembly in which he stressed that the U.S. does not seek a Cold War with China. He also hosted a virtual global summit on COVID-19. Despite Australia and the U.S. taking multiple measures to counter Chinas economic and military power, Morrison left the White House meeting Friday determined to not publicly confront the Chinese. Were there to make the region stronger, more prosperous, stable. Its a positive initiative designed to lift the well being of the people," he said. The leaders also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and emphasized in their joint statement the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks, including cross-border attacks. The issue is of particular concern to the Modi government, which is concerned about elements of the Taliban government who have supported attacks on India in the past. Modi was expected to bring up Afghanistan during his meeting with Biden and to raise objections to the Talibans effort to get recognition at the United Nations. The Indian government also has concerns about the influence it believes Pakistans intelligence service exerted in how factions of the Taliban divvied up government offices in Kabul. Suga also raised concerns about North Korea. Pyongyang last week said it successfully launched ballistic missiles from a train for the first time, striking a target in the sea some 800 kilometers (500 miles) away. That test came after the North this month said it tested new cruise missiles, which it intends to make nuclear-capable, that can strike targets 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away, a distance putting all of Japan and U.S. military installations there within reach. ___ Associated Press writer Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed reporting. BOSTON (AP) Scores of Haitians and their supporters rallied Friday in downtown Boston, venting their frustrations at the treatment of Haitian migrants at the Mexican border and demanding President Joe Biden's administration stop deporting them back to their unstable homeland. A crowd of more than 100 people in front of the John F. Kennedy Federal Building held signs saying Haitian Lives Matter and End Anti-Blackness as they loudly chanted Stop the flights and We deserve better. State lawmakers and city officials, nearly all of them Democrats, gave fiery speeches criticizing Biden's handling of the migrants. State Rep. Brandy Fluker, a Boston Democrat who represents one of the largest Haitian enclaves in the state, was among those calling for Biden to grant temporary protective status to Haitian migrants. She said it would be disrespectful to send Haitians back to the Caribbean nation while it's still reeling from July's assassination of President Jovenel Moise and a devastating earthquake in August. Haitian community leaders said migrants from the latest wave are beginning to make their way to the Boston-area, which is home to the third largest Haitian diaspora community in the country. Geralde Gabeau, a native of Haiti who heads Immigrant Family Services Institute, said after the rally that her Boston nonprofit is assisting some 20 Haitians mostly mothers with young children who arrived on a flight earlier this week after being released by authorities at the border. Their journey has been long and difficult, she said. They are feeling a sense of relief because now we can show them that we care about them. On Friday, officials said a Texas border encampment that had swelled to almost 15,000 people had been emptied. Droves of Haitians and other migrants converged at the the border crossing connecting Del Rio, Texas, and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, in recent weeks, driven by confusion over the Biden administrations policies and misinformation on social media. Andrea Henry, a 61-year-old Stoughton, Massachusetts, resident who is originally from Haiti, said the images of the harsh treatment of Haitians and other migrants by U.S. border patrol agents were infuriating and upsetting. How can you do this to human beings? she said. Humans on horses jumping on other humans? That cant happen in 2021. Its because theyre Black. Theres no other reason. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Henry, who has lived in the U.S. for 40 years, said shed discouraged her family from making the risky journey but understands the desperation and frustration of those that did. She applied to have her father come to the U.S. some 15 years ago, but is still awaiting approval for his visa. Now, theyre stuck there, Henry said. They cant even survive. Clara Raymond, a 56-year-old Boston resident who is also originally from Haiti, said she attended Friday's rally in part because she was worried about her young cousin, who had been making the perilous journey across the southern border. The 25-year-old was living in Chile the last four years and was hoping to reunite with family in Florida, but no one has heard from him in the two weeks since hes reached Mexico, she said. Im worried theyve deported him back to Haiti, Raymond said. Its terrible back there. She was equally appalled at the scene at the border. Its so sad. It reminded me of what I learned about slavery in the U.S., Raymond said. Theyre not animals. Theyre human beings like everyone else. SAN DIEGO (AP) California Republicans are undeterred after a failed effort to unseat Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in a recall election and are taking aim at seats in Congress and the Legislature in the 2022 elections, Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson said Friday. Speaking at a sparsely attended lunch at the start of a three-day convention, the party's top official acknowledged the recall results were disappointing but argued the GOP ranks remained motivated going into midterm elections when the party that controls the presidency typically loses seats in Congress. Also Republicans hope to install House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy as speaker, if the party can capture just a handful of seats. Democrats hold 220 House seats, Republicans 212, with three vacancies. We are mobilized and we are energized, she said. We are going to continue to take the fight to Democrats. Still, the weekend will see its share of soul-searching and finger-pointing over the recall loss, and the party faces the harsh reality that Republicans haven't won a statewide race in California since 2006. Millan Patterson pointed to victories in 2020, when Republicans regained four California House seats. While the GOP remains predominantly white, the party won those seats last year with diverse candidates two female South Korean immigrants and two men who are sons of immigrant parents from Mexico and Portugal and by tapping into voter discontent over high taxes, spiking crime rates and homelessness. We are hard at work recruiting another class of great GOP candidates that reflect your district in Californias rich diversity, she said. California is losing one House seat because of once-a-decade reapportionment, when districts are redrawn to reflect population shifts. That will cut Californias representation to 52 House seats, still the largest of any state. Its difficult to make predictions about specific districts until new boundaries are announced later this year, which could shade some districts more Democratic, others more Republican. But the scuffle already is underway. The American Action Network, a conservative group with ties to House GOP leadership, has been running TV ads in Democratic Rep. Josh Harders district in the Central Valley. They fault congressional liberals for runaway spending and taxes and seek to link Harder to Pelosis socialist agenda. Inevitably, the recall failure will set off a fresh round of introspection over how the party can become more competitive. Newsom beat back the attempt to remove him with a landslide margin. It has become routine California Republicans lose big, statewide races, debate change, then lose again. In the last two U.S. Senate races, a Republican couldn't even finish among the top two vote-getters in the primary, meaning the candidates facing off in the general election were both Democrats. With the recall loss, What did we learn? What can we change? asked Matt Shupe, who heads the Contra Costa County Republican Party and advised GOP gubernatorial candidate Kevin Faulconer during the recall. Six months ago, I thought the recall was ours to lose. Then we lost it. Shupe said unsupported claims of a rigged election circulated by former President Donald Trump and some other Republicans might have depressed turnout. Another disappointment in his home county was a lack of volunteer enthusiasm those campaign foot soldiers who knock on doors and make phone calls to drive up turnout. While 400 people signed up to help, only about 30 participated, he said. A generation ago, California was a reliable win for the GOP in presidential elections. The Republican-rich suburbs of Orange County, south of Los Angeles, were a foundation block in the modern conservative movement that led to the rise of the Reagan revolution. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Over time, a changing economy and growing diversity reshaped the states politics, giving California its prominent Democratic tilt. Election losses have led to friction over whether the party needs to adjust its political compass. Then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a GOP centrist elected in a 2003 recall election, once recommended distilling the state partys platform into as little as a single page focusing on lower taxes, limited government and a strong national defense, while avoiding national schisms over gay rights, gun control and abortion. It didnt happen. The latest round of self-examination comes as the national GOP continues to search for a way forward after Trumps tumultuous presidency. The state party has long been unsettled by rivalries between moderate and conservative factions. Turnout in the recall fell well below expectations Trump earned 6 million votes in his losing effort in California against Joe Biden in 2020, but only about 4.5 million voted to recall Newsom. And even in the midst of a heated campaign the state GOP continued to shed voters a drop of nearly 50,000 between February and August, leaving the party with about 24% of registered voters statewide. Democrats account for nearly 47%. Among possible replacement candidates in the recall, the centrist Faulconer was trounced by Larry Elder, a conservative radio talk show host who supported Trump. Elder got nearly 50% of the votes among 46 candidates. But the contest was rendered irrelevant when voters chose to keep Newsom. Longtime conservative activist and blogger Steve Frank, who unsuccessfully sought the party's top job in 2019, said frustration within the GOP ranks could lead some activists to start operating outside the umbrella of the state party. They didnt see the state party being a factor in the recall, Frank said. Lacking a meaningful voter-registration effort you expect to lose. NEW YORK (AP) New York City faced mounting pressure Friday to solve its spiraling jail crisis, with members of Congress calling for a federal civil rights investigation and a court-appointed monitor blasting the city for a failure of leadership amid staggering violence, self-harm and the deaths this year of at least 12 inmates. U.S. District Judge Laura Swain, overseeing a jail consent decree, said on an emergency conference call Friday that the city's notorious Rikers Island jail complex is clearly in a state of danger and crisis." On the call, lawyers for inmates and city government debated the monitor's latest recommendations for reversing deteriorating conditions and debilitating staff absences. They include requiring new inmates be processed within 24 hours, instead of lingering in intake for days, keeping inmates involved in violent altercations locked in their cells, reiterating to guards their duty to stop self-harm, and bringing new perspectives by allowing the city to hire wardens and fill management positions from outside the city's system. This is an urgent matter of life and death and it needs relief today," said lawyer Mary Lynne Werlwas, the director of the Prisoners Rights Project at the Legal Aid Society, noting the deaths of two inmates since Sunday. As that was happening, Mayor Bill de Blasio said hell go to Rikers Island next week to see problems first hand his first time there since 2017. His announcement followed recent tours of the facilities by elected officials and advocates whove highlighted a humanitarian crisis of squalor and suffering behind bars. City Councilman Joe Borelli said he visited Rikers Island Thursday night and that conditions there were worse than Ive seen before, and worse than you imagine. Borelli, a Staten Island Republican, said that prior to visiting he thought colleagues who'd gone to Rikers were being hyperbolic, but I can report to you it is not hyperbole. More city jail inmates have died this year than in any of the past three years. There were seven deaths in 2020, three in 2019 and eight in 2018, according to the city's Department of Correction. At least five deaths this year were suicides, the most since 2005. A city report last week showed sharply higher rates of violence, serious injuries to inmates and assaults on staff compared with previous years. In a letter Friday to President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland, Democratic members of the citys Congressional delegation called for a federal civil rights investigation of the city's jails. They said that the federal government had a duty to step in and provide much needed oversight and accountability for the staff, officers, and detainees that reside on Rikers Island. We cannot continue to allow Rikers Island to deteriorate to the point that it is no longer a safe place for those in custody or those who work in the jails, the representatives said. A message seeking comment was left with the Justice Department, whose intervention in a decade-old inmate lawsuit over jail conditions spurred a settlement leading to a consent decree and the jail system's federal monitor. The government is, of course, alarmed at the extraordinary level of violence and disorder in the jails, and the city's ongoing failure to comply with the core provisions of the consent judgment," Justice Department lawyer Jeffrey Powell said on Friday's emergency conference call. Four New York Congressional Democrats sent a letter Tuesday to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio demanding that inmates be released and Rikers be closed immediately. The city had said it plans to close the facility by 2027. The federal monitor, Steve J. Martin, said on the emergency conference call Friday that the city's jail system needs a back to basics overhaul he dubbed Corrections 101" while overworked guards continue to leave doors unsecured, abandon posts and ignore signs of distress. He excoriated city officials for failing to present not one concrete solution to lingering security concerns. In one recent incident, Martin said, officers failed to immediately respond as an inmate attempted to hang himself in their sight line some 6 feet away, and an officer walking directly in front of the cell did nothing. Eventually, the guards did notice the man, got him down and he survived, Martin said. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Swain called the guards' behavior absolutely unacceptable. It is unacceptable to be willfully ignorant of self-harm behavior, to ignore self-harm behavior or signs of it. It needs to be communicated immediately, Swain said during the three-hour call. There is no good reason for anybody to think that thats acceptable. And to the extent anybody misunderstands, that has to be communicated immediately. Uniformed personnel at the city's jails has plummeted, from a staff of 10,862 in the 2017 fiscal year to 8,388 in 2021. The guards union says 7,600 of staff are correctional officers and the rest are in supervisory roles. At one point in the summer, one-third of guards were out sick or medically unfit to work with inmates, the city said. Additionally, an untold number of guards went AWOL. The city, struggling to fill jail posts, said it is offering incentives, including extra overtime pay, and bringing in food trucks and providing late-night rides home for jail guards who work extra shifts. Since last week, it's been cracking down on officers who don't show up for work. City lawyer Kimberly Joyce said Friday that 55 jail guards have been suspended 30 days without pay for failing to report for duty. ___ Associated Press reporters Michelle L. Price and Michael Balsamo contributed to this report. ___ On Twitter, follow Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak Attorneys for the federal government have opposed Dylann Roof's request for a new appellate hearing, arguing that the South Carolina man was properly convicted and sentenced for the 2015 racist slayings of nine members of a Black congregation. In court documents filed Thursday, federal prosecutors argued that a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals correctly ruled last month that the government had proven its case against Roof, despite his protestations on several points. The Courts rulings were correct, and there is no reason to revisit them, federal prosecutors wrote. In 2017, Roof became the first person in the U.S. sentenced to death for a federal hate crime. Authorities have said Roof opened fire during the closing prayer of a Bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, raining down dozens of bullets on those assembled. He was 21 at the time. In his appeal, Roofs attorneys argued that he was wrongly allowed to represent himself during sentencing, a critical phase of his trial. Roof successfully prevented jurors from hearing evidence about his mental health, under the delusion, his attorneys wrote, that he would be rescued from prison by white-nationalists but only, bizarrely, if he kept his mental-impairments out of the public record. The 4th Circuit panel initially found that the trial judge did not commit an error when he found Roof was competent, unanimously upholding his conviction in August and issuing a scathing rebuke of Roofs crimes. No cold record or careful parsing of statutes and precedents can capture the full horror of what Roof did, the judges wrote. His crimes qualify him for the harshest penalty that a just society can impose. Earlier this month, Roof filed a request that the full court consider his appeal, arguing that the judges' decision interpreted too broadly the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which authorizes Congress to regulate commerce among the states. By accepting the governments argument that a combination of factors including Roofs use of the internet to post his views and research the church constituted interstate commerce, Roofs lawyers wrote, the panels decision amounted to an amorphous, unprecedented, and all-encompassing standard for federal Commerce Clause jurisdiction over local crime, effectively nullifying states traditional police power in that arena. In their response, government attorneys wrote that the appellate court issued a fact-bound ruling that Roofs use of the internet both to select Mother Emanuel as his target and magnify his offense by posting his racist, violent call to action only hours before the attack fulfilled the Commerce Clause connection. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Should the court grant Roof a full hearing, it remains to be seen who exactly would hear the case. All of the judges in the 4th Circuit, which covers South Carolina, have recused themselves; one of their own, Judge Jay Richardson, prosecuted Roofs case as an assistant U.S. attorney. The panel that heard arguments in May and issued Augusts ruling was composed of judges from several other appellate circuits. Along with his request for a full-court hearing, Roof also asked that either U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts designate a panel to consider the rehearing petition or the 4th Circuits chief judge designate other judges from within that district to make up such a panel. If unsuccessful in his direct appeal, Roof could file whats known as a 2255 appeal, or a request that the trial court review the constitutionality of his conviction and sentence. He could also petition the U.S. Supreme Court or seek a presidential pardon. ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP. 3 1 of 3 Westend61/Getty Images/Westend61 Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Times Union file photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3 ALBANY Gov. Kathy Hochul said Saturday she will enlist the help of health care professionals from other states or countries, deploy medically trained National Guard members and seek federal disaster medical assistance teams if staffing shortages in hospitals and other health care facilities surge after a vaccination mandate begins Monday for those workforces. "We are still in a battle against COVID to protect our loved ones, and we need to fight with every tool at our disposal," Hochul said in a statement Saturday morning. "I am monitoring the staffing situation closely, and we have a plan. ... I commend all of the health care workers who have stepped up to get themselves vaccinated, and I urge all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care." Hochul said she would be ready to sign an executive order if necessary to declare a state of emergency to increase the workforce and allow qualified health care professionals licensed in other states or countries, recent graduates, retired and formerly practicing health care professionals to practice in New York. Other options include deployment of medically-trained National Guard members, and partnering with the federal government to deploy Disaster Medical Assistance Teams to assist local health and medical systems. Additionally, Hochul plans to work with the federal government and other state leaders to explore ways to expedite visa requests for medical professionals. As of Sept. 22, 84 percent of all hospital employees in the state were fully vaccinated. As of Sept. 23, 81 percent of staff at all adult care facilities and 77 percent of all staff at nursing home facilities statewide were fully vaccinated. Hochul noted that the state Department of Labor has clarified that workers fired for refusing to be vaccinated aren't eligible for unemployment insurance unless they have a doctor-approved reason. All health care workers in the state at hospitals and nursing homes, are to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the first dose received by Monday, and staff at other sites including home care, hospice, and adult care facilities are to be vaccinated by Oct. 7. The regulation also applies to all out of state and contract medical staff who practice in New York. "As nurses, we are committed to providing the best care for our patients and working with the Governor on these efforts. We need adequate staffing to protect our patients and our colleagues, and we want to do everything we can to avoid returning to crisis levels during the pandemic," said Pat Kane, executive director of New York State Nurses Association, in a comment accompanying Hochul's press release. ALBANY - A 12-year-old student of Hackett Middle School in Albany was arrested Friday afternoon, accused of encouraging a third party to call in a bomb threat to the school, city police said. Police responded to a call at about 1 p.m. from the Delaware Avenue school about a bomb threat. On arrival, they learned that a male had called the school, reporting a bomb inside. LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a 33-year-old former Marine accused of massacring a Florida family under the delusion that they were child sex traffickers. In a news release sent Friday, the state attorney's office said the killings of a Lakeland man, his girlfriend, their baby and the child's grandmother were committed on a cold, calculated and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification." Bryan Riley is accused fatally shooting Justice Gleason, 40; his 33-year-old girlfriend, Theresa Lanham; their baby boy, Jody, who was born in May; and Catherine Delgado, 62, who was Lanhams mother in their homes on Sept. 5. Gleasons 11-year-old daughter survived despite several gunshot wounds, officials said. A grand jurys 22-count indictment was filed Tuesday in Polk County Circuit Court against Riley. Other charges included attempted murder of the 11-year-old girl, along with kidnapping, arson, burglary and animal cruelty for killing the family dog. Riley is being held without bail and has not yet entered a plea to the charges. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd previously said Riley falsely believed the family was involved in child sex trafficking and that he had been told by God to rescue a purported child victim named Amber. There was no child by that name at the home. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Riley chanced upon the family after seeing a man mowing his lawn with a young girl in the yard he thought might be the trafficking victim, Judd said. Officials say Riley, wearing body armor, had three weapons with him and fired at least 100 shots in the main home and a smaller one in back where Catherine Delgado, 62, was the first to be killed. Law enforcement officers fired about 60 shots in a gun battle that left Riley with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Riley surrendered after that. Riley served as a Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan and was working as a security guard in the Lakeland area, including at a church. After that recent job, his girlfriend of four years told investigators Riley began talking about communication with God but not about violence. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Aid to Afghanistan should be made conditional to ensure the protection of womens rights and access to education under the rule of the Taliban government, a panel of high-level speakers said at the United Nations on Friday. Since taking control of the country last month when the U.S.-backed government collapsed, the Taliban have allowed younger girls and boys back to school. But in grades six to 12, they have allowed only boys back to school along with their male teachers. The United Nations says 4.2 million children are not enrolled in school in Afghanistan, and 60% of them girls. The Taliban have also said female university students will face restrictions, such as a compulsory dress code, and will not be allowed in the same classrooms as their male counterparts. Additionally, the subjects being taught will be reviewed, the new government said. U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said that by and large, were very concerned about measures restricting girls access to education since the Taliban took control of the country following the U.S. withdrawal and collapse of the Afghan government in August. I think the international community here, first and foremost, has to draw on the expertise, on the leadership of Afghan women... to stop the reversal, to remain in school, she said in the U.N. panel that focused on ways to support girls' education in Afghanistan. The virtual discussion took place on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, where the Taliban have requested to speak as representatives of Afghanistan. Mohammed said aid to Afghanistan can absolutely be made conditional on education for girls and women. She said the United Nations and the international community can help ensure Afghanistans economy does not collapse and that educators and health care workers continue to be paid. This is where we have to really have resolve that recognition comes with your ability to be part of a global family that has a certain set of values and rights that must be adhered to," she said. Education is up front and center, especially for girls and for women. Afghanistan, which relies heavily on foreign aid, faces near total poverty resulting from political instability, frozen foreign reserves and a collapsed public finance system. This month, U.N. donors pledged more than $1.2 billion in emergency assistance to help provide a lifeline to Afghanistan. The executive director of UNICEF, Henrietta Fore, said such aid gives the United Nations some leverage in tackling both the humanitarian emergency and the emerging human rights emergency in Afghanistan. UNICEF is responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children. The Taliban, while promising inclusivity and an open government, have excluded women from their all-male Cabinet and set up a ministry for the propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice in the building that once housed the Womens Affairs Ministry. During the previous era of Taliban rule in the 1990s, before they were ousted by a U.S.-led coalition, girls and women were denied an education and were excluded from public life. More than 100,000 people have fled Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban takeover last month, including thousands of female activists, students and intellectuals. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The first revelation of the Quran that came to the Prophet Muhammad was iqra," which means read", said Fawzia Koofi, first woman deputy speaker of parliament in Afghanistan. She spoke on the panel from Qatar. To the international community... my message would be to emphasize on girls' return to school, Koofi said. She asked participants to realize that an Afghanistan that is oppressing more than half its population cannot be a reliable partner in the world. Activist Malala Yousafzai, who serves as a U.N. messenger of peace, said the world cannot make compromises on the protection of womens rights. Yousafzai was shot in the head on her way home from school as a teenager in 2012 by a Taliban gunman in Pakistan's Swat Valley for her campaigning for girls' education. The Taliban's atrocities are countless," she said. My worry is that this will continue in Afghanistan. My worry is that the same situation will repeat all over again." Mohammed, the U.N. deputy secretary-general, noted the Prophet Muhammads wife, Khadija, was a successful businesswoman whom he supported in her business an observation she said can be used by countries in the region to show that youre not outside of Islam, youre not outside of the preachings of the Quran, when we promote the rights of women and girls. ___ Dubai-based Associated Press correspondent Aya Batrawy has covered the annual U.N. General Assembly since 2019. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ayaelb The editorial "How soon is now?" Sept. 8, which ends, "The time for change is now, if not sooner," calls to mind a Republican-led Congress in 2003 rejecting the Climate Stewardship Act put forth by their own icon, Sen. John McCain, and the most conservative Democrat in the Senate, Joe Lieberman. That legislation (a cap-and-trade bill) would have begun reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power generation, manufacturing, commerce and transportation more than 15 years ago, possibly heading off some of the devastating droughts, wildfires, hurricanes and flash floods of recent years. Ten years later, something close to what this editorial calls for (a carbon tax of $20 per ton to be paid by coal, gas, and oil producers) was put forward by Senators Bernie Sanders and Barbara Boxer. But, while Democrats controlled the Senate and the White House, Republicans held the House, and President Barack Obama did not support the measure. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Naples (Fla.) Daily News. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, The Sun News. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.). [September 25, 2021] Cogeco Employees Hold a Community Involvement Day in 46 Communities Across Canada and the U.S. in Support of the Environment MONTREAL, Sept. 25, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, 740 Cogeco employees are building deeper connections with their communities as the company holds its first 1Cogeco Community Involvement Day. This annual company-wide employee initiative involves Cogeco employees supporting 46 local communities where they live and work. This year's theme, Planting Roots in Our Communities, includes tree-planting events across regions in Ontario and Quebec that are served by Cogeco, and multiple states in the U.S. that are served by its business unit, Atlantic Broadband. These events support several local non-profit organizations, which include Conservation Halton , Grimo Nut Nursery , Trees for Nipissing , Nature-Action Quebec , Association du mont Rougemont , 3R Durable and Arbor Day Foundation that work to protect, restore and manage natural resources. This is in perfect alignment with Cogeco's commitment to provide strong environmental stewardship. Highlights of this year's initiative include: 740 participants across Cogeco; In 46 communities; Who are planting 1,879 trees or seeds (that will, over the next 10 years, absorb approximately 109 tons of greenhouse gas emissions); To support 16 non-profit organizations; In 2 countries, 2 provinces and 7 states. The tree-planting activities highlight two key pillars of Cogeco's Corporate Social Responsibility program to take part in developing its communities and to manage its environmental footprint. It also further demonstrates Cogeco's commitment to reduce climate change impacts. The 1Cogeco Community Involvement Day aligns with the company's signature of the Business Ambition for 1.5C commitment, an initiative by a global coalition of United Nations agencies and business leaders to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. "We are proud to see our employees mobilizing as one, all over North America, for a common cause that makes a difference. This first 1Cogeco Community Involvement Day demonstrates once again our commitment to give back to the communities we serve, and to conduct our business in a responsible and sustainable manner," said Philippe Jette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cogeco. "At Cogeco, our corporate social responsibility and social engagement practices are a critical aspect of our business, and central to our commitment to support our communities. Good corporate citizenship is one of our guiding principles and remains front and centre for all of our employees." Social engagement is part of Cogeco's DNA, as demonstrated by its strong philanthropic commitment through the support of more than 700 local organizations. Strong communities are the foundation of a dynamic and inclusive society. To support them, Cogeco not only strives to connect people, it also invests in their social and cultural lives. Last year, Cogeco devoted more than $13 million in cash donations and over 100 hours of airtime on its radio stations. Since 2018, Cogeco has ranked among Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada annually. Not only did the organization receive a Caring Company certification from Imagine Canada in 2020 in recognition of its exemplary leadership in community investment and social responsibility, it was also ranked 68th among the world's 100 Most Sustainable Corporations by Corporate Knights. Cogeco's social leadership continues. To learn more about 1Cogeco Community Involvement Day and our other initiatives, visit our website . ABOUT COGECO INC. Cogeco Inc. is a holding corporation which operates in the communications and media sectors. Its Cogeco Communications Inc. subsidiary provides residential and business customers with Internet, video and telephony services through its two-way broadband fibre networks, operating in Quebec and Ontario, Canada, under the Cogeco Connexion name, and in the United States under the Atlantic Broadband brand in 12 states. Its Cogeco Media subsidiary owns and operates 23 radio stations with complementary radio formats and extensive coverage serving a wide range of audiences mainly across the province of Quebec, as well as Cogeco News, a news agency. Cogeco's subordinate voting shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CGO). The subordinate voting shares of Cogeco Communications Inc. are also listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CCA). SOURCE Cogeco Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 25, 2021] CCTV+: Xi calls for global sci-tech innovation cooperation at opening of 2021 Zhongguancun (ZGC) Forum BEIJING, Sept. 25, 2021 /CNW/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for global cooperation in scientific and technological innovation at the Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing on Friday. Addressing the forum's opening ceremony via video link, Xi said countries in the world should ramp up sci-tech opening-up and cooperation, and explore approaches and means to tackle pivotal global issues through concerted efforts in sci-tech innovation. "It is more imperative than ever for all countries to ramp up sci-tech opening-up and cooperation, and explore approaches and means to tackle pivotal global issues through concerted efforts in sci-tech innovation. All countries should stand in solidarity to confront the common challenges of the times and jointly push forward the lofty cause of human peace and development," he said. "China attaches great importance to sci-tech innovation and has been committed to global cooperation in this regad. Looking ahead, we will strengthen international sci-tech exchanges with a more open attitude, actively engage in the global innovation network, and join hands with other countries to promote basic research. We will promote the commercialization of research results, cultivate new impetus for economic development, enhance the protection of intellectual property rights, create a first-class innovation ecosystem, and foster the concept of 'science and technology for good' so as to serve the ultimate purposes of improving global sci-tech governance and bettering the wellbeing of mankind," said Xi. "Zhongguancun is China's first national pilot zone for independent innovation. The Zhongguancun Forum is a national-level platform for international sci-tech exchanges and cooperation. China supports Zhongguancun to start a new round of reforms, accelerate the building of a world-class sci-tech park, and make new contributions to global sci-tech innovation and cooperation. I hope the forum participants will have in-depth exchanges and pool wisdoms to offer insights on how to advance global sci-tech innovation and cooperation and how to build a community of shared future for mankind," said Xi. This year's forum is scheduled to be held from Sept 24 to 28. Themed "intelligence, health and carbon neutrality", it aims to demonstrate China's resolve in promoting development through science and technology, building ecological civilization and enhancing international cooperation in climate change. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftSujLjG0sc View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cctv-xi-calls-for-global-sci-tech-innovation-cooperation-at-opening-of-2021-zhongguancun-zgc-forum-301385078.html SOURCE CCTV+ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [September 25, 2021] Atlantic Broadband Employees Plant Trees in Seven States in Support of the Environment and Its Local Communities More than 250 Atlantic Broadband employees, family members and school partners volunteered their time on Saturday morning to plant trees at 19 locations in seven states where Atlantic Broadband provides internet, TV & phone services. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210925005004/en/ More than 250 Atlantic Broadband employees, family members and school partners volunteered their time to plant trees at 19 locations in seven states where Atlantic Broadband provides internet, TV & phone services. (Photo: Business Wire) Inspired by the theme "Planting Roots in Our Communities," Atlantic Broadband employees planted five- to seven-gallon trees at elementary, middle and high schools in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina and Florida (see list here). The tree planting activities further the company's commitment to the environment, while helping to beautify local communities with all of the environmental benefits trees provide. "We are committed to supporting and giving back to our communities, while also being responsible environmental stewards," said Frank van der Post, President of Atlantic Broadband. "This initiative, which would not have been possible without the commitment and enthusiasm of our employees here in the U.S. and our colleagues in Canada, is one step among many initiatives now underway in our company to build up our communities and support our environmental goals." Atlantic Broadband partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation, the largest global non-profit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, which sourced the trees. Following the tree plantings, the Foundation will help participating schools incorporate care for the environment into their classroom experience through its "Tree Campus K-12" initiative. Each school will form a campus team made up of staff, students and community members, which will develop an education plan and conduct activities that connect students through hands-on experiences inside and outside the classroom. Schools that wish to earn certification from the Arbor Day Foundation will also hold Arbor Day observances next spring as part of the initiative. The tree planting events took place today both in the U.S. where the company does business as Atlantic Broadband, and in Canada, where its parent company and business units operate as Cogeco. The tree planting events were part of the company's first "1Cogeco Community Involvement Day," an annual day on which employees across the entire company unite to support their local communities. In total, more than 700 participants across the U.S. and Canada planted trees in 44 communities in support of the company's environmental goals. The company has set science-based emissions reduction targets to limit the impacts of climate change. This commitment includes emissions from direct operations through fleet electrification and a commitment to reduce emissions from employee commuting. It also includes investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across the company's fiber-broadband network. ABOUT ATLANTIC BROADBAND Atlantic Broadband, a subsidiary of Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX: CCA), is the eighth-largest cable operator in the United States. The company provides its residential and business customers with Internet, TV and Phone (News - Alert) services in 12 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. ABOUT COGECO INC. Cogeco Inc. is a holding corporation that operates in the communications and media sectors. Its Cogeco Communications Inc. subsidiary provides residential and business customers with Internet, video and telephony services through its two-way broadband fiber networks, operating in Quebec and Ontario, Canada, under the Cogeco Connexion name, and in the United States under the Atlantic Broadband brand in 12 states. Its Cogeco Media subsidiary owns and operates 23 radio stations with complementary radio formats and extensive coverage serving a wide range of audiences mainly across the province of Quebec, as well as Cogeco News, a news agency. Cogeco's subordinate voting shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CGO). The subordinate voting shares of Cogeco Communications Inc. also are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CCA). ABOUT THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION Founded in 1972 - the centennial of the first Arbor Day observance - the Arbor Day Foundation is the largest 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. More than 1 million members, supporters, and valued partners have helped the Foundation plant more than 350 million trees in neighborhoods, communities, cities, and forests throughout the world to ensure a greener and healthier future for everyone. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210925005004/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Overall the COVID plague still rules the discourse of this nation and remains the dominant force in American and global politics. Nevertheless, as we drill down and examine cowtown events . . . We share an even closer look at those who rule the local discourse. Take a peek . . . Refugees Win Kansas City This Week This week the first Afghans arrived in Kansas City and, as reported FIRST on TKC, Mayor Q welcomed Haitians. More rapidly than most locals expected, Kansas City is quickly change and becoming a more diverse and 'inclusive' community . . . Which is cool given that we'll have more help and new perspective to work on our longstanding crime problems. Justice Horn Led Fight Against Chick-Fil-A Chicken was choked out of the new Kansas City airport with help from LGBT activists across the metro. One of the leaders of this movement was Jackson County activist Justice Horn. He was at the forefront of the campaign and deserves credit for focusing on local policy over the petty historical exhibits which preoccupy lesser LGBT leaders. COVID MASKS RULE KANSAS CITY METRO The American face covering dress code endures and scores victories across the Kansas City metro. Kansas City extended its mask orders for another two weeks. Blue Springs School District will require masks through December. Rae's Cafe mask defiance was DEFEATED soundly in Jackson County court. And even in Overland Park, students who disobey mask orders are required to tape COVID coverings to their face. Agree or disagree with the health precautions, there's no denying their power. And so . . . As always, this list has been compiled according to scientific TKC polling and market research data and it's a weekly comprehensive guide to local powerful people. We offer this note only as a public service as we were tempted to ignore the issue altogether . . . Citizen media and access to the spotlight might be great advancements in tech but they also come with a modicum of danger. Not all amateur reporters are created equal. Accordingly . . . While racism and displays of hatered are deplorable at every level . . . It's also troubling that so many online activists and part-time "journalists" are targeting a youngster and his family. TKC made this rule long ago . . . We don't talk really want to talk about high school or grade school students. It's just a preference that's tough to keep on slow news days and given that MSM will often delve into student drama every now and then. Of course school board issues and education trends are fair game because those issues involve adults and policy decisions that impact families. Sadly, school shootings and deadly circumstances for youngsters also merit community interest. But as far as "controversy" goes . . . There are enough grown up issues to consider without involving students. For any blogger or social media influencer reading this . . . Consider excluding students from in-depth coverage in order to serve as a resource rather than a detriment to your community. That being said and given a great many requests about this story . . . We're only linking the stuff MSM offers because the social media chatter is downright brutal and unfair to youngsters who should be allowed to make mistakes and learn from them. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . . Olathe School District says it's investigating racist social media post OLATHE, KS (KCTV) -The Olathe School District says it is investigating a racist photo that surfaced on social media Friday evening. The photo includes two students and it says, "If I was black I would be picking cotton, but I'm white so I'm picking you for HOCO?" Dear community, Following my father in laws recent death, we will be travelling to Egypt shortly. We are looking for a English speaking lawyer to advise on practical issues relating to process of registering the death and inheritance, and are a bit lost in how to start this. I get the impression it can be a bit of a mine field, but know there is probably a lot of experience in the group here. If anyone could advise us, or share their experience or any recommendations that would be a huge help. Thanks very much, Chris Ample storage space, Bath tub and friendly staff made our quarantine stay awesome! + Ample storage & huge wardrobe where you can push your luggage It was a necessity for us since we have too many luggage as we moved back to Singapore from Myanmar. + Bathtub Daily soaking in the tub was a luxury we couldnt enjoy at home. Plus, it was a relaxing way to end each day. + Window counter We could enjoy our meals and work while looking out the huge window! It definitely helped with cabin fever. + Food There was fruit with every breakfast and cake with every lunch and dinner! + Staff Since the airport bus dropped us off at the hotel on day 0, till our taxi left the hotel on day 14, all the staff have been extremely friendly and helpful. Whenever we called the reception for shower gel refill or water bottle or ordered food delivery, staff were so prompt in dropping off our items outside the door. They didnt complain once of the many bags we have and they helped us with the luggage with smiling eyes! Especially shout out to Mr Santhanam and Mr Quam (: Overall, Orchard Hotel has exceeded our expectations and we had an extremely comfortable stay during our 14-day quarantine. We were actually really sad to leave and to be released back into the wild after our lovely stay. 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. Certain places might have a different schedule for greeting you or might be closed. We have traveled by train in several directions for satisfying similar tastes. We have traveled to Ottawa and took time to see Kingston while remaining in Ottawa. Train journey there is worth your time. Peterborough is a good destination to reach by train. Going westward we know about London for seeing the Pioneer Villag as well as the Iroquoian village as excursions.. A car is needed for reaching the McMichael collection of Canadian Art that has become our favorite destination . But the journey is worth it. Northwest or so from Toronto is the McMichael Canadian Art Collection presented as a wilderness museum containing art work on display and established for people to enjoy the entire setting in the wilderness. Go there. West of Toronto is a large chunk of stunning landscape worth your time. Niagara Escarpment is one name that we associate with efforts to identify it. Visit the Edwards Park. Would the Toronto Zoo appeal to you The Thousand Islands area might appeal to you for various reasons but there is train transportation in places. For travelers not accustomed for traveling south to Niagara Falls there are reason to go there. We go there for serious reasons dealing with the forces of earth science and geography and the flow of water. Gatineau Park near Ottawa is one reason why we return there. You should do the same. Harbor front has some places worth exploring on foot with peregrinations The Toronto Music garden. Walk the entire length of Yonge Street north to Bloor for fun Follow the flow of the water along the canal out of central Ottawa on foot. Walk the entire length of Bank Street In Ottawa. Stop in Kingston for viewing the environment with the water, Get lost in Queen's Way central park in Toronto. Edward's park in Toronto is worth two visits for hiking..We use the entire city of Toronto as a wide open field for choosing routes for peregrination territory. Do the same. Would the Toronto islands serve your needs? Black Creek Pioneer Village or the Ontario Science Center. Distillery District. We have used the interior of the ROM and AGO as reason for walking extensively there. My wife and I will be staying in Agios Nikolaos from September 28 to Oct 3. We have booked a villa just west of Chania for 5 days, checking in on October 5th. I am interested in opinions on an interesting route to take on the way there. We will have already driven from the airport in Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos, so no need to back track that way. While we like historical sites, I am mainly looking for a pleasant route that will allow us to see interesting countryside, villages, etc. in the southeast. We will be making 2, one night stops along the way. Thanks Note: I had originally posted this on the Greece site, and received this helpful info from SteveSitia. His response follows: "Lots of options for you. One would be to go South to Myrtos then along the main road (you can't get all the way along the coast) to Ano Viannos, Skinias, to Agia Dekka. In this area you could stay overnight in Lentas or Matala if you favour beach places. Or Zaros for an interesting, authentic village. If the timing allows, a visit to Gortys is reccommended. The next day, you could go on to Agia Galini, then if you like small roads that are very slow, but take you through some of Crete's most traditional rural areas, drive around the Amari valley. The Eastern side is more interesting, with Thronos at the head of the valley. If you have time, Arkadi Monastery is a great place for a visit, , but if you want to be faster, you could go via Spili, a quicker road back North. Then you will arrive back on the North coast near Rethymno, less than an hour to Chania." Some online classes for forms four to six have ceased in Tobago. This, as a directive has co The leading aviation companies of Ukraine and Turkey - Motor Sich and Baykar Makina - have signed a cooperation agreement. The signing ceremony took place during the Teknofest Aerospace and Technology Festival in Istanbul on September 24, according to Ukrinform. "Today is an important moment for our companies - Bayraktar and Motor Sich. As you know, Akinci - our strategic-level unmanned system is already being supplied to the Turkish Armed Forces. This is a product of the highest technological level. We effectively cooperate with Ukraine in terms of engines, in particular with Ivchenko-Progress and Motor Sich. It is critical for our countries to support each other," said Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Baykar. He stressed that cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey has been growing in recent years and is being implemented on the principle of a mutually beneficial win-win partnership. Details of the agreement have not been disclosed. op Poland's successful experience in implementing a plan to phase out Russian gas and diversify natural gas supply sources opens up new opportunities for Ukraine. CEO of the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU) Sergiy Makogon said this at a meeting with the Polish Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure, Piotr Naimski, the GTSOU's press service reported. During the meeting held as part of the participation of the Ukrainian delegation led by Minister of Energy German Galushchenko in the P-TECC Business Forum in Poland, both parties discussed opportunities for further cooperation. According to Makogon, today Poland can store natural gas in Ukrainian underground storage facilities so as to balance the power system during peak loads. In addition, the diversification of supply sources will contribute to the demonopolization of the EU gas market and, consequently, to the establishment of a true market price for gas in Europe. One LNG terminal has already been built in Poland today, and two more are to be constructed. In the final stage is the Baltic Pipe, which will help receive gas from Norway. The construction of interconnectors with the Baltic States and Slovakia has also been completed. Poland's state oil and gas company PGNiG announced plans to completely stop buying gas from Russia's Gazprom after the so-called Yamal contract between the two parties expires on December 31, 2022. op Lithuania is a reliable and committed partner of Ukraine, there is no common border between the countries, but there are common values, interests and aspirations, President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated in his speech at the celebrations on the occasion of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Lithuania in Vilnius The event was broadcast live on the Facebook page of the President's Office, Ukrinform reports. "Today, Ukraine is defending its own statehood, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and all this time Lithuania has been our reliable, committed partner on this difficult path. Lithuania was one of the first to condemn the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, and Lithuania was the first to officially declare its readiness to support Ukraine's accession to the EU. We will always remember this, we will always be grateful for this, Zelensky said. At the same time, Zelensky reminded that Ukraine and Lithuania have a common past, in particular, in the times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, one of the leading states in Europe, where Lithuanians and Ukrainians coexisted freely. In addition, the President mentioned the Lithuanian statutes, the sources of which were, in particular, Lithuanian and Ukrainian customary law. Zelensky stressed the importance of a common future between the two countries. "Ukraine and Lithuania do not have a common border, but we have the most important thing - we have common values, we have common interests, we have common aspirations, and therefore - a common path to a successful common tomorrow," he said. Zelensky congratulated the Lithuanian people on the Statehood Day and assured that Ukrainians fully share the joy of this date and can understand its importance. As Ukrinform reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky is on an official visit to the Republic of Lithuania on July 6-7, where he will meet with the President of Lithuania, the President of the European Council and participate in the Ukraine Reform Conference. iy Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko says yet another disinformation spin by the Russian FSB security service, this time about World War 2-era "Ukrainian hit squads is a hasty response to the recent discovery of a mass shooting site near Odesa where NKVD victims are buried. Tkachenko took to Telegram to decry Russian allegations, Ukrinform reports. "The FSB declassified some data on the executions of civilians by alleged Ukrainian hit squads during World War 2. The IC (Investigative Committee ed.) of the Russian Federation immediately hopped on a bandwagon," Tkachenko wrote. According to the minister, a group of former Red Army soldiers and civilians collaborating with the Nazis were allegedly killing civilians in Orel region during WW2. "But if you read the aggressive headline, which already sounds like a verdict, you can see that the Russians were killing their own people living in Orel region. At least 80% of the hit squad, including its three commanders, are residents of Kaluga region, Siberia, Ivanovo, and Bryansk suburbs, while only two persons were said to be from Ukraine, while origin of two other persons. Still, this was enough for them to brand a predominantly Russian group of collaborators Ukrainian hitmen. What was that thing their leader said? He who calls others names is called those names themselves, said Tkachenko, referring to Vladimir Putins response to accusations of being responsible for a number of assassinations. The spin was in fact a lame job by its masterminds, Tkachenko said, noting that it was merely "a hasty response to the terrifying discovery of Ukrainian researchers near Odesa." He reminded that works are now underway to research the site of what once used to be a Soviet security service (NKVD) facility outside Odesa where, according to various estimates, between 5,000 and 20,000 civilians have been tortured and killed by the Bolsheviks before being buried at the premises during the period of Great Terror in 1937-1939. "This is a crime, the evidence of which, besides archival materials, includes execution ditches filled with the bodies of innocent victims Ukrainians, Odesa residents. This is a real mass crime committed by the communist totalitarian system, whose successor is modern Russia," Tkachenko said. Obviously, Ukraine's intention to investigate the site of mass burials and executions is in sharp contrast to the "Russias greatness" and "a good man Stalin" narratives. Weve grown used to this," Tkachenko declared. The minister said that, even in the face of a grueling defensive war, constant blackmail and disregard for international norms by the aggressor power, Ukraine will still find the resources to let the world learn the truth about all crimes committed by the NKVD-KGB-FSB. "As for filling Russia's information field with lies and manipulative information, this content is for domestic consumption only. It's just spam aimed to not let an average Russian never even have a chance to think, analyze, and see where the truth is and wheres half-truth and outright lies," Tkachenko remarked. As reported earlier, on September 1, Russias Investigative Committee, based on the allegedly declassified materials provided by the FSB, opened a criminal case into the killings during WW2 of civilians in Russias Orel region by the Nazis and their accomplices. These materials contain information about a punitive detachment led by a POW, former Red Army officer nomme de guerre "Hetman," set up by the Germans during the occupation of Orel region in 1941-1943. As per the FSB, this man, whose call sign hints at his Ukrainian origins, orchestrated the executions of civilians in the villages across Orel regions Znamyansky district in 1942. im President Volodymyr Zelensky considers it incorrect to compare Ukraine with Afghanistan in terms of dependence on U.S. aid. The comment came as Zelensky spoke with CNNs Farid Zakaria, Ukrinform reports. Asked by the host whether Ukraine was worried amid the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan that the United States could potentially abandon Ukraine, Zelensky said that "its not an accurate comparison. Ukraine is not so dependent on the U.S. like Afghanistan was," the Ukrainian president stressed. "I really believe that in four, five, or seven days you cant take such a big country geographically as Ukraine, with such a quite big population, said Zelensky. The president of Ukraine reminded that in 2014, when Russia occupied Crimea and hostilities broke out in eastern Ukraine, "no one was hand in hand with us, there was no military equipment other than what we had available at that time." "[W]e had the wave of volunteers, volunteer battalions, people who came together as a citizen effort to protect their own country. There was no one else. So in four days, even in eight years, Russia didnt manage to take over. Russia its not the Taliban army. This is one of the most powerful armies in the world. Thats why we think we stood for our statehood, and this is why I think we are as independent as possible from any economy," Zelensky stressed. According to the president, he told Biden: what does it mean to leave Ukraine? Zelensky said its the other way around. The United States should enhance their presence in Ukraine. Zelensky also noted he had had a "powerful" meeting with Biden. "The fact that we were in the priority list of countries that President Biden has met with it means that we are a priority for the U.S. And were thankful for that. Thats a big signal. But behind this signal were also expecting actions," Zelensky said. A joint statement following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden said that the United States supported Ukraine's right to choose its own foreign policy course free from outside interference, including Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine im Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has emphasized the importance of bilateral talks held by President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York with the leaders of Britain and Turkey, as well as with the European Commission president and the NATO secretary general. He wrote this in his blog for Ukrinform. "An important result of the Ukrainian delegation's visit to New York was the meetings held by Volodymyr Zelensky with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. As envisaged by our foreign policy strategy, Ukraine is strengthening strategic partnerships with powerful players and forms a system of global and regional security with them," Kuleba said. He recalled that last year, Kyiv and London launched a new stage of strategic partnership, as part of which Ukraine and the United Kingdom are strengthening the Ukrainian Navy. And recently an agreement has been reached to build missile boats for Ukraine - two will be built in the UK and six more at Ukrainian enterprises. "Zelensky and Johnson discussed concrete steps to further increase cooperation in trade, defense, finance and energy. Turkey is a key player in NATO and the Black Sea region," Kuleba wrote, recalling joint projects on strike drones and warships. The construction of the first corvette for Ukraine is currently underway in Turkey. "I am convinced that we will establish the production of Bayraktar drones in Ukraine. These formidable combat vehicles, some of which already have Ukrainian engines, are currently one of the most effective types of weapons in the world," the minister said. He also commented on the Ukrainian president's meetings in New York with the leaders of two key international organizations - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Zelensky and von der Leyen discussed preparations for the Ukraine-EU summit on October 12, emphasizing that integration into the EU internal market and a clear prospect of EU membership are key priorities for Ukraine. Accession to NATO is one of the main priorities of Ukraine's foreign policy strategy. The country has received the status of one of the six closest partners of the Alliance in the world, Kuleba said, noting: "I am convinced that joining NATO is a matter of time." On September 22, Zelensky in his speech at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly called for a "revival" of the UN and its charter, noting that the organization had shown weakness in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic, ignored participation in the Crimea Platform summit, and failed to respond properly to Russia's issuing passports to residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and the involvement of Ukrainian citizens in the State Duma election. op Key points about the Ukrainian presidents visit to the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York The world must wake up, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said from the rostrum of the UN General Assembly. Ukraine did it a long time ago, since then it hasnt fallen asleep," President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said the next day. We support the Secretary General's call, especially considering that the UN itself "slept through" the inaugural summit of the Crimea Platform in Kyiv, where 47 states and international organizations defended the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and call on Russia to give the occupied Crimea back to Ukraine. To "wake up," one needs to open their eyes, take a sober look at the current state of affairs, and start solving problems that have been back-shelved for years. Ukraine woke up a long time ago. Perhaps some are irked about what we say? But someone has to speak about the problems honestly`. Who can do it better than one of the founding members of the United Nations thats been making a significant contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations? Only by realizing our flaws are we able to fix them and become better. President Zelensky's speech at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York testified that Ukraine speaks directly about things that many countries around the world think about. Photo from the President's Office WHY UKRAINE'S RHETORIC HAS BECOME HARSHER Todays level of global challenges leaves no time for procrastination, leaves no right to softness, and leaves no opportunity to "sit back." We in Ukraine have faced many modern challenges earlier than others. Take, for example, the issue of misinformation. We had warned the world about this threat back in 2014, when we found ourselves in the grinder of Russian propaganda. But no one seemed to be willing to hear us out. And in a few years, it was they who faced what Kyiv had long been talking about. Ukraine is ready to share the experience we have gained in countering hybrid threats over more than seven years of repelling Russian aggression. But now we know for sure: simply appealing and warning is futile. Today we need to be pro-active and show others the way. That is why Ukraines rhetoric has changed. Volodymyr Zelensky's address made many reflect on problems everyone understands and is aware of but for various reasons is silent or reluctant to discuss. The climate crisis is one of the global challenges, overcoming which requires consolidated efforts of the whole world, which Ukraine is already actively joining. But tackling climate change is in some ways easier than taking a clear stand on forcible altering of borders. It is convenient to fight climate change because they dont fight back. However, to voice a clear position on Crimea, one needs to have the courage to challenge a very specific permanent member of the UN Security Council. And the UN still lacks such courage to do so. But we are working to encourage it to this end. On our side, we have almost fifty states that are not afraid to call the Crimea issues by their names. The UN, just like international politics in general, needs change. The president's speech testified that Ukraine is not just ready to become a driver of these changes it already is one. The Crimea Platform Summit proved that these are no empty words. The president's "harsh" rhetoric only reinforces the accomplished fact: Ukraine has moved to a proactive international policy, the parameters of which are defined by the Foreign Policy Strategy. We have nowhere to retreat and no one to wait for. We have learned the lesson history gave us: enlist partners support but rely solely on yourself. THE CRIMEA PLATFORM IS STANDING STRONG The speech that the president of Ukraine delivered at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly differed from the previous ones. And it wasnt just about a "harsher" rhetoric that everyone noted. This year, Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at the highest international rostrum after successfully hosting in Kyiv the inaugural summit of the Crimea Platform and sealing strong support of 46 powers and international organizations toward the deoccupation of the Ukrainian peninsula. The head of state raised the issue of Crimea to a new level and called on the remaining 193 UN member states to join the Crimea Platform, whose declaration remains open for signing. Photo from the President's Office The occupation of Crimea is a global problem, not exclusively a Ukrainian one. It threatens principles fundamental for the UN and the whole world, such as international peace and security, inviolability of borders, freedom of navigation, protection of human rights and those of indigenous peoples, and environmental security. As the Ukrainian president said, instead of fauna and flora, there is a fleet and soldiers in Crimea today. The Crimea issue clearly demonstrates that the UN needs change. It must be an effective, principled, and effective organization, a tool for maintaining international stability and order. The task of the United Nations is to actively resist attempts to destroy international law and to use military force to realize imperial ambitions. Half a century ago, Russian poet Stanislav Kunyaev said: "Good must have fists." This is exactly what the president called for: the UN must wake up and become this good with fists. We believe the UN can indeed be an effective organization, but it must revisit its principles and stand up for them. Today, new challenges require significant internal reform, not only on the part of Member States, but also from the organizations themselves. LIST OF 450: RELEASING UKRAINIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS The Russian Federation systematically violates rights and freedoms of people living in the occupied territories of Crimea and Donbas. In New York, at all meetings without exception, President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about 450 Ukrainians whom Moscow unlawfully holds in the occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea, as well as in Russia. We have handed a complete list of Ukrainian political prisoners to all our partners, and I am sure this will help push the process of having our citizens released. Russia may pretend as much as it wants that its indifferent to the internaitonal opinion, but many times we saw proof that consolidated pressure and active diplomacy do work. The UN must respond more actively to Russia's criminal activity. As a result of Russian aggression launched against Ukraine more than seven years ago, about 15,000 people have already died. This is the price Ukraine has paid for its freedom and independence, but also for the peace of Europe. KYIV, LONDON, ANKARA: TRADE, WARSHIPS, AND DRONES An important result of the Ukrainian delegation's visit to New York was the meetings Volodymyr Zelensky held with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. As envisaged by our Foreign Policy Strategy, Ukraine is strengthening strategic partnerships with powerful players, forming jointly with them a system of global and regional security. Photo from the President's Office Last year, Kyiv and London launched a new phase of strategic partnership, where Ukraine and the United Kingdom, in particular, are strengthening the Ukrainian Navy. We recently agreed to have missile boats built for Ukraine two will be built in the UK, and six more by Ukrainian companies. Since the signing of the new strategic agreement in October 2020 and the launch of the free trade zone in 2021, Ukrainian-British trade has grown by 70%. Volodymyr Zelensky and Boris Johnson discussed in New York concrete steps to further increase the pace of cooperation in trade, defense, finance, and energy. Turkey is a key player in NATO and the Black Sea region. Today, Ankara is one of our key allies. Not only does Ukraine buy equipment from Turkey, it also develops joint projects, including strike drones and warships. The construction of the first corvette for Ukraine is currently underway in Turkey. I am convinced that we will establish in Ukraine production of Bayraktar drones. These formidable combat unmanned aerial vehicles, some of which are already powered by Ukrainian engines, are today one of the worlds most effective types of weapons. We also deeply appreciate the principled, unwavering stance of Turkey and President Erdogan personally on Crimea and Ankara's active support for the Crimea Platform. Meetings with strategic partners prove that Ukraine is creating a space of security, freedom, and prosperity for itself and the region, as well as keeps strengthening its position in the Black Sea region. UKRAINE WILL MAKE THE EU AND NATO STRONGER The president met in New York with the leaders of two key organizations: the EU and NATO. At a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the president discussed preparations for the EU-Ukraine Summit, scheduled for October 12. He stressed the key priorities for our country, such as integration into the EU internal market and a clear prospect of our membership in the European Union. For both Kyiv and Brussels, this is a matter of common interest. After all, if the European Union wants to fight and win global competition for influence, it needs to attract new countries, expand and pump up economic muscles. In this regard, further economic integration of such a large country as Ukraine and our further membership in the EU are historically inevitable. Photo from the President's Office Also, Volodymyr Zelensky had a very friendly and informative meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Accession to NATO is one of the main priorities of Ukraine's Foreign Policy Strategy. Last year, we had Ukraine join NATO's Enhanced Opportunities Partnership program. Our country has gained the status of one of the six closest partners of the Alliance. I am convinced that joining NATO is also a matter of time. The president is convinced that it is time to provide Ukraine with a clear roadmap for integration. Together with the Alliance, we are already strengthening each other and enhancing the security of the region. However, Ukraine's accession would make NATO even stronger because the Alliance needs Ukraine. We have a unique seven-year experience of successfully countering Russian aggression, Russian hybrid threats, cyber threats, and misinformation. We have strong and motivated Armed Forces, thousands of servicemen with actual combat experience that other Allies dont have. We are ready to defend ourselves and the region, to form new security architecture, to defend the values of a free and democratic world that lie at NATOs core. UKRAINE BEEFING UP AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY The high-end results of the UN General Assemblys 76th session have proved Ukraine's role as a strong European state that is not afraid to call a spade a spade, offering solutions to global problems and being ready to defend international law and work to strengthen own security and that of the entire region. Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN Bob Rae has best summarized the Ukrainian presidents speech at the General Assembly: Amidst a torrent of words at UNGA this speech stands out. I salute President Zelensky for his blunt, heartfelt honesty. I am convinced that this Ukrainian energy of sincerity and change, which originated in the winter of 2013-2014 during the Revolution of Dignity, brings the world hope for a better future. Our proactive foreign policy is designed to make it a reality and change Ukraine and the world for the better. Dmytro Kuleba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine im The United States will continue to work to hold Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine, according to U.S. Charge d'Affaires Kristina Kvien. She said this in her address to participants in the first youth meeting of the Kyiv Security Forum "West-East, North-South," founded by Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation, the foundation's press service told Ukrinform. "As Ukraine works towards Euro-Atlantic integration, we must remain clear-eyed about the challenges Ukraine faces, both from within and from outside its borders. Russia seeks to destabilize Ukraine and block its path to greater Euro-Atlantic integration," she said. "The United States stands with Ukraine and will continue to work to hold Russia accountable for its aggression. We have made this clear that further aggression from Russia will have costs and consequences," Kvien added. She said one of the most effective ways for Ukraine to defend itself from Russia's aggression is to forge ahead on crucial reforms and defeat corruption. "Ukraine has made progress in building institutions with integrity, which should not be overlooked. The country has created mechanisms to increase accountability for public officials through its asset declaration system, developed a transparent public procurement process and established independent anti-corruption institutions," she said. However, Kvien noted that some of the reforms in Ukraine are under threat, and Ukrainians should urge progress on these issues. "This summer, for example, the Rada passed and President Zelensky signed a reform of the High Council of Justice -- a major achievement. We have seen this week, though, attempts to obstruct the implementation of this reform by the Council of Judges," she said. "I know that the Ukrainian government, civil society and international partners strongly support moving forward with this critically important step in reforming Ukraine's judiciary," Kvien said. op Ukraine and Thailand have discussed mutual recognition of COVID certificates, Ukrinform reports, referring to Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Public Health, Medical Assistance and Medical Insurance, MP from the Servant of the People faction, Mykhailo Radutsky. On his Telegram channel, he wrote that Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Poland and Ukraine (concurrently) Chettaphan Maksamphan arrived in Ukraine on his first official visit after the appointment. He was accompanied by the first secretary of the embassy and representatives of the consular department. Yesterday, as the chairman of the Verkhovna Radas group for inter-parliamentary relations with the Kingdom of Thailand, I was invited to a solemn dinner on the occasion of the arrival of the Thai delegation in Kyiv. Also, the Ukrainian delegation included Yuriy Kisel, MP and deputy head of the group, Mykola Stefanchuk, a member of the group, and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Radutsky wrote. According to him, the parties discussed issues of relations between the countries and reached the following agreements: mutual recognition of vaccination certificates, strengthening cooperation in the defense complex, agreed on the issue of the purchase of Ukrainian weapons by Thailand and cooperation in the aircraft industry. As Ukrinform reported, the Thai Ministry of Public Health approved a decision to mix Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccine doses. iy | By Mary Therese Phelan As the latest cohort of students enrolled in the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP)s Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program sat before him in the large multipurpose room, Andrew Coop, PhD, professor and associate dean of academic affairs, UMSOP, provided a warm welcome while also posing an important question. Program Director Leah Sera welcomes the Class of 2023 to the MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics Fall Symposium. Now, we give you the science background, Coop said, speaking to the new cohort of students. Youre going to get the clinical background. Youre going to get the negative outcomes background. Youre going to get the law background. Youre going to get the analytical background, and youre going to get all this. It's going to be a long journey. What are you going to do with it? Students in UMSOPs MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics, the only one of its kind in the nation, were eager to answer that question as they gathered Sept. 17 for the programs Fall Symposium, launching their education in the burgeoning industry. More than 200 students attended the event at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville, Md. Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, program director and associate professor, UMSOP, welcomed the Class of 2023, made up of students from ages 20 to 73, from across the United States, Washington, D.C., Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Costa Rica. There are many uncertainties in the world right now, and I know that many of you are taking on the challenge of this program in addition to increased professional and personal responsibilities, Sera said. Thank you for choosing to be a part of this program and participating in the advancement of cannabis medicine. Launched in August 2019, the program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to support patients and the medical cannabis industry, add to existing research in the field, and develop well-informed medical cannabis policy. Based at USG, the two-year program is designed for any individual who has completed an undergraduate degree and is interested in pursuing a career in the medical cannabis industry. Sera said reading the students introductions on a class message board prior to the gathering at USG made her excited about the groups diversity. We have students with backgrounds in science and medicine, students who have studied law, public health, business, political science, communication, and students with backgrounds in many other fields, she said. I believe that this diversity will make this experience all the richer for you, and for those of us teaching in and supporting the program. The morning session also featured remarks from Anne Khademian, PhD, executive director, USG, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, University System of Maryland; Carrie Hempel-Sanderoff, DO, an osteopathic physician and owner of Hempel-Sanderoff Wellness, and an adjunct in the MS program; Jon B. Gettman, PhD, associate professor in criminology and criminal justice, Shenandoah University; and Michelle Wright, MS 21, president of Certus Consulting, and an alumna of the programs first graduating class, who shared her story about the benefits medical cannabis has had for her 29-year-old autistic son. The MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics is the first graduate program in the country dedicated to the study of medical cannabis. It aims to meet the needs of all individuals interested in advancing their knowledge about medical cannabis, including health care professionals such as physicians, nurses, and pharmacists; scientists and regulators; growers and dispensary owners; and policy and industry professionals. Online coursework is designed to accommodate students with or without a background in science or medicine. In-person symposia are typically held once each semester to provide students with opportunities to network with peers, as well as meet and interact with experts in the science, therapeutics, and policy of medical cannabis. The program graduated its first class of 132 students in May 2021. For Alexandra Harris, a field application scientist from California who works in cancer biology, enrolling in UMSOPs program is a vehicle to eliminate the stigma around cannabis in order to promote cannabis research. Harris was raised by cannabis advocates, who used cannabis to treat her Lymes disease and shingles. I appreciate cannabis for its medicinal value, she said. She now serves as vice president of the Medical Cannabis Student Association, the programs student organization. Classmate James Schwartz, a former critical care nurse and a medical cannabis cultivator for more than two decades in Oregon, has lobbied in Washington, D.C., for what he calls reasonable cannabis policy. He enrolled in the program to stay at the forefront of the cannabis revolution. I personally found my life kind of changed and healed through cannabis, he said. My best friend died when I was in college. It set me down a path of uncomfortable alcohol and other drug use, and put me into a pretty deep depression. And when I finally got those other harmful toxic substances out of my body and found cannabis again, after using it for pleasurable reasons, during college, I really began to understand the therapeutic potential of cannabis. And it was at that time that I started to really dive into whatever research that was out there at the time, which 22 years ago was relatively small. As I look to the future of where I want to be, the credibility of an accredited masters program in cannabinoid science and therapeutics will be useful to continuing to remain at the forefront of cannabis science, which has become my lifes passion, he said. Carlos Hernandez, MD, traveled from Costa Rica to attend the symposium. It was a very long journey. I had to get vaccinated, because in my country, vaccines are not that available, and I had to get vaccinated like a month ago in Miami and then have all that information sent to the University, he said. A general practitioner, Hernandez, known as the Cannabis Doctor in his country, has been prescribing cannabinoids to patients for four years. With his MS degree, I hope to bring all this information to advocacy and policy creation in my country, because we are on the verge to actually produce and regulate cannabis in my country, he said. Megan Arnold, an elementary music teacher from New Hampshire, was inspired by her husband, a nurse, who has seen the benefit of medical cannabis in his work with veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. His experience with veterans and PTSD, and his own personal experience with PTSD and treatment with cannabis inspired me to kind of do some more research and figure out what was going on, Arnold said. And the more I researched, the more intrigued I was with what I was learning as compared to what I had been taught. After teaching music for 22 years, she took a leave of absence to plunge into the MS in medical cannabis program. The advocacy drove me to this program, she said. To me, it seems like a way that I can learn and then continue to teach, even if it's not music. As a teacher, she has seen many children with ADHD being treated with Ritalin and Adderall with terrible outcomes. Im seeing kids that have trauma and all sorts of things that could benefit in the future from cannabis, if we knew enough about it. So, I'm here to do something about it. With extra time on her hands during the pandemic, she began researching academic programs about the science of medical cannabis. UMSOPs program came up in a Google search. I was like, oh, this doesn't make any sense at all. But it makes all the sense in the world, she said. In afternoon breakout sessions, students met clinical professionals, entrepreneurs, scientists, and those working in advocacy to learn about the variety of professional paths in the industry. You are the trailblazers. And you are the ones that can decide what you'd like to do. But if any of you are interested in advocacy at all, please reach out. Because that is an area that if we want to professionalize this area, we need to educate others. So, you guys are getting this education, you're going on this journey, so you can educate others, Coop said. Washington, Sept 24 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Sep, 2021 ) :President Joe Biden on Friday deepened his bid to cement US leadership of a "stable" Indo-Pacific in the face of a rising China with the first in-person summit of the regional Quad group. Meeting in the White House, Biden and the leaders of Australia, India and Japan were to discuss their Covid vaccines drive, regional infrastructure, climate change and securing supply chains for the vital semiconductors used in computer technology. "We're going to be talking today about what more we can do to fight Covid-19, take on the climate challenges that we all face, and ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific, including with our Quad partners," Biden said at a separate Oval Office meeting with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi just ahead of the Quad summit. While China is not officially on the agenda, the Quad will stress that backing for a "free and open" Asia, a senior US official told reporters -- a phrase often standing in for containing communist China before it dominates the region, including vital international sea lanes. For Washington, the Quad meeting also marks another step to reviving a US focus on diplomatic efforts, following its dramatic exit from the 20-year Afghanistan war. And "the Biden administration understands that the challenges of the 21st century will largely play out in the Indo-Pacific," the senior administration official, who asked not to be named, said. "We are doubling down on our efforts." Of three regional groupings that Washington leads in its strategic chess game to manage China's ascent, the Quad is deliberately the most open. The other two are the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, and the newest arrival on the block -- AUKUS. AUKUS was unveiled only last week and centers so far on a project for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines using US and British technology. Although it will take years for Australia's navy to actually get the vessels, the announcement sent waves around the world, angering China and separately causing a furious row with France which saw its previously negotiated contract for selling Australia conventional submarines thrown out. - No military component - The White House meeting was expected to be one of the final international summits for Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who is not seeking re-election. Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia was also attending. With the uproar over the Australian nuclear submarines plan only just dying down, US officials were keen to stress there is no military component to the Quad. They also said the Quad is not meant to rival or undermine the preeminent regional grouping ASEAN, which includes China. "This is not a military alliance. It's an informal grouping of democratic states," the administration official said. "I think concerns have been dispelled and I believe at a general level this initiative is welcome across the region." However, competition with China is at least as strong outside the military domain, including in the effort to supply poorer countries with vaccines -- where the United States is by far the world's top donor -- and in stimulating pandemic-battered economies. Among the "substantial engagements" expected at the talks, the Quad will make announcements on its vaccine delivery plans, the administration official said. Just ahead of the Quad summit, China made a major play of its own by applying to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership -- a huge regional free trade pact. The United States had joined the pact's previous version, the TPP, until Donald Trump pulled out in 2017. With Japan already a member of the new pact, Biden will ask Suga to brief him on "where he thinks Japan is going and his recommendations for the United States' continuing engagement," the official said. London, Sept 24 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Sep, 2021 ) :British police arrested 39 people Friday after dozens of climate protesters temporarily blocked access to the port of Dover, Europe's busiest ferry hub, demanding the government step up home insulation. The civil disobedience demonstration is the latest by Insulate Britain, a new group whose activists have repeatedly blocked traffic on London's busy M25 orbital motorway. Police in Kent, southeast England, said the 39 people were detained on suspicion of causing a public nuisance and obstructing a highway, after officers were alerted to people blocking roads near the port on Friday morning. Insulate Britain said that more than 40 activists had obstructed the approaches to the eastern and western docks at Dover. The port, which sits on the Channel coast less than 30 miles (50 kilometres) from France, handles around 17 percent of Britain's goods trade. Traffic was brought to a standstill, but officials said the port itself remained open. Kent police chief superintendent Simon Thompson said his officers were working with other forces, prosecutors and partner agencies "to gather evidence and ensure there are consequences for those who break the law". Insulate Britain earlier apologised for the disruption but said it was "the only way to keep the issue of insulation on the agenda". "We are blocking Dover this morning to highlight that fuel poverty is killing people in Dover and across the UK," a spokesperson said. "We must tell the truth about the urgent horror of the Climate Emergency. Change at the necessary speed and scale requires economic disruption. We wish it wasn't true, but it is." Mirroring the disruptive tactics adopted by the global Extinction Rebellion grouping in recent years, Insulate Britain has blocked motorway traffic five times since mid-September. Following a government victory over a court injunction on the M25 protests on Wednesday, the Department for Transport on Friday announced a further injunction against protesters on roads linked to Dover meaning further disruption could lead to activists being imprisoned or fined. "The British public are rightly furious that the behaviours of a selfish minority have been putting lives at risk and causing untold disruption on our roads and now at Dover," Home Secretary Priti Patel said. "We will not tolerate the recklessness of these few activists and the police continue to have our full support in cracking down on their dangerous behaviour," she added. The protests come as Britain prepares to host the UN climate change conference COP26 in Glasgow in November, with hopes of firmer international commitments to prevent runaway global warming. Berlin, Sept 25 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Sep, 2021 ) :Chancellor Angela Merkel travels Saturday to Aachen, hometown of her would-be successor Armin Laschet, in a last-ditch push to shore up his beleaguered campaign 24 hours before Germans vote. Laschet, 60, has been trailing his Social Democrat challenger Olaf Scholz in the race for the chancellery, although final polls put the gap between them within the margin of error, making the vote one of the most unpredictable in recent years. Merkel had planned to keep a low profile in the election battle as she prepares to bow out of politics after 16 years in power. But she has found herself dragged into the frantic campaign schedule of the unpopular chairman of her party, Laschet. In the last week of the campaign, Merkel took Laschet to her constituency by the Baltic coast and on Friday headlined the closing rally gathering the conservatives' bigwigs in Munich. Merkel tugged at the heartstrings of Germany's predominantly older electorate on Friday, calling them to keep her conservatives in power for the sake of stability -- a trademark of Germany. "To keep Germany stable, Armin Laschet must become chancellor, and the CDU and CSU must be the strongest force," she said. A day before the vote, she will accompany Laschet to his constituency Aachen, a spa city near Germany's western border with Belgium and the Netherlands, where he was born and still lives. At the other end of the country, Scholz will be holding "dialogues on the future" with voters in his constituency of Potsdam -- a city on the outskirts of Berlin famous for its palaces that once housed Prussian kings. - 'Could backfire' - Scholz, currently finance minister from Merkel's junior coalition partners SPD, has avoided making mistakes on the campaign trail, and largely won backing as he sold himself as the "continuity candidate" after Merkel in place of Laschet. Also on the campaign trail on Friday, Scholz demanded a "fresh start for Germany" and "a change of government" after 16 years under Merkel. Described as capable but boring, Scholz has consistently beat Laschet by wide margins when it comes to popularity. But with the clock ticking down to election day, Laschet's conservatives were closing the gap, with one poll even putting them just one percentage point behind the SPD's 26 percent. Laschet had gone into the race for the chancellery badly bruised by a tough battle for the conservatives' chancellor candidate nomination. Nevertheless, his party had enjoyed a substantial lead ahead of the SPD heading into the summer. But Laschet was seen chuckling behind President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as he paid tribute to victims of deadly floods in July, an image that would drastically turn the mood against him and his party. With the conservatives running scared as polls showed the race widening for the SPD, they have turned to their greatest asset -- the still widely popular Merkel. Yet roping in the chancellor is not without risks, said political analyst Oskar Niedermayer of Berlin's Free University. "Merkel is still the most well-liked politician. But the joint appearances can become a problem for Laschet because they are then immediately being compared to each other," he said. "And it could therefore backfire because people could then think that Merkel is more suitable than Laschet." UNITED NATIOS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Sep, 2021 ) :Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with the President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid of Maldives, at the United Nations headquarters in New York Friday. FM Qureshi congratulated the President of the General Assembly on his election and expressed the hope that his presence in this important office would help make progress on important issues on the agenda of the United Nations. The Foreign Minister briefed the UN Secretary General on the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), and shared with him a comprehensive dossier containing evidence of gross, systematic, and widespread human rights violations, war crimes, crime against humanity and genocide being perpetrated by Indian occupation forces there, according to a press release issued by Pakistan Mission to the UN. He expressed the hope that the United Nations would play its role in ensuring that the Kashmiris exercise their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in the relevant UN resolutions. On Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Qureshi underscored the need for urgent action to address the prevailing dire humanitarian situation in country, calling for the continued political and economic engagement of the international community to end decades-long conflict. He highlighted Pakistan's ongoing efforts in addressing the humanitarian efforts as well as its efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. FM Qureshi called for making the UN Security Council more representative, democratic, transparent, effective and accountable to address the multiple challenges facing the world. He emphasized that the reform of the Council must be decided by consensus, and the Member states must be allowed the necessary time and space to evolve a solution acceptable to the entire UN membership. He also called for stemming the rising tide of Islamophobia; ending vaccine inequity; and for ensuring adequate financing for developing countries to respond to the pandemic and the resulting economic crisis. United Nations, United States, Sept 24 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Sep, 2021 ) :The United Nations chief called Friday for the world to redouble its renewable energy efforts to avert a climate emergency and address global energy poverty. "Today, we face a moment of truth," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who described the mandate as a "double imperative -- to end energy poverty and to limit climate change. "And we have an answer that will fulfil both imperatives," Guterres said. "Affordable, renewable and sustainable energy for all." The comments came as governments and the private sector pledged to spend more than $400 billion at a high-level summit that called for an acceleration of efforts to avert catastrophic climate change and simultaneously bring electricity to more of the 760 million people around the world who currently lack it. The "energy compact" lists commitments from more than 35 governments and several large companies, including TotalEnergies, Schneider Electric and Google. The aim is to revamp the global energy system, which accounts for about 75 percent of total greenhouse gases, according to the United Nations. Jennifer Layke, global energy director at the World Resources Institute, said the pledges serve "transparency purposes" and enable NGOs to hold companies and governments accountable. But "to deliver on climate, we still have a long way to go to get to the level of transformation on the energy transition that is required," she said. - Ending fossil fuel subsidies - The spending pledges, many of which have been announced previously, include projects to expand electricity access in developing countries, boost clean cooking technologies and improve energy efficiency as part of a drive to decarbonize the energy system. Guterres noted there has been some progress, with renewable energy now comprising 29 percent of global electricity generation. "But it's not nearly fast enough," Guterres said. "We are still a long way from being able to provide affordable and clean energy for all." He said the world must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent in 2030 from 2010 levels to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. He called for a quadrupling of solar and wind capacity by that time, part of a push to triple investments on renewable energy and energy efficiency to $5 trillion per-year. And Guterres called on authorities to phase out subsidies on fossil fuel production and "put a price on carbon." An IMF study published Friday estimated that direct and indirect subsidies of fossil fuels added up to $5.9 trillion, about 6.8 percent of global GDP in 2020. "Underpricing fossil fuel undermines domestic and global environmental objectives, hurting people and hurting the planet," said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. "It is also a badly targeted policy that predominantly benefits higher-income households and deprives governments of precious fiscal resources.""Raising fuel prices is, of course, very challenging," Georgieva said, adding, "but doing nothing will pose far greater challenges." (@imziishan) Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Saturday said that Pakistan valued Belgium as an important partner and stressed the need for further enhancing of political, investment and trade relations between the two countries ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Sep, 2021 ) :Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Saturday said that Pakistan valued Belgium as an important partner and stressed the need for further enhancing of political, investment and trade relations between the two countries. The foreign minister met Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmes on the sidelines of the 76th UN General Assembly session in New York. The foreign minister noted that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was of crucial importance for Pakistan and the region. He underscored that the international community must engage with positive messaging and constructive steps to avert humanitarian and economic crisis in Afghanistan, a press release said. Foreign minister Wilmes appreciated Pakistan's support in the evacuation of the Belgian nationals from Afghanistan. She reiterated her invitation to foreign minister Qureshi to visit Belgium. Both the foreign ministers agreed to remain engaged on the situation in Afghanistan and to work together for promoting Pakistan-Belgium relations. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi on Saturday said Pakistan and China had agreed to include Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone (KCCDZ) in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) hoping that it would prove to be a game changer for Pakistan KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Sep, 2021 ) :Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi on Saturday said Pakistan and China had agreed to include Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone (KCCDZ) in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) hoping that it would prove to be a game changer for Pakistan. He said KCCDZ was an initiative of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs focused on providing Karachi with an ultra-modern urban infrastructure zone, which would place the city among top port cities of the world, said a press release here on Saturday. Ali Zaidi said the historic decision had been made during the 10th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) on CPEC held at Islamabad and Beijing. He said the two countries agreed to include Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone (KCCDZ) under the CPEC framework. He said the planned multi-billion Dollars mega KCCDZ project would be built with direct Chinese investment in partnership with Karachi Port Trust (KPT). The quantum of expected investment was approximately US $ 3.5 billion. KCCDZ would be a flagship project for not only Pakistan but also the entire region. He said KCCDZ would also provide residential resettlement to more than 20,000 families living in the surrounding slums. The environment friendly mega KCCDZ envisaged four new berths for KPT. It would also house a state-of-the-art fishing port with a world class fisheries export processing zone to boost Pakistan's trade potential. It would also improve marine ecosystem and reduce pollution. KCCDZ would connect rest of Karachi through a majestic harbour bridge rising from behind Pakistan's Deepwater Port with exit ramps for Manora Island and Sandspit Beach. KCCDZ had also enormous potential for global investors. It would unlock Pakistan's unexplored Blue Economy and significantly enhance development and industrial cooperation between the two countries. (@fidahassanain) General Nadeem Raza expressed the confidence that they will develop meaningful and long term strategic relationship through enhanced cooperation. RAWALPINDI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Sept 25th, 2021) Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Nadeem Raza has said that Pakistan attaches great importance to furthering bilateral defence cooperation with Russia and China. He was talking to Chief of General Staff of Russian Federation, General Valery Gerasimov and Chief of Joint Staff of People's Liberation Army of China on the sidelines of Exercise Peace Mission-2021 in Russia. General Nadeem Raza expressed the confidence that they will develop meaningful and long term strategic relationship through enhanced cooperation. The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee also attended meeting of the Chiefs of General Staff of the Armed Forces of SCO-member states and discussed international and regional geo political environment with emphasis on Afghan situation. General Nadeem Raza, while addressing the forum, stated that Pakistan will continue to work the SCO to advance the shared objectives of peace, progress and stability in the region and beyond. He also highlighted the unparalleled contributions of Pakistan Armed Forces towards global peace and immense sacrifices in war against terrorism. The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee said peace in Afghanistan is a collective responsibility, and the entire region will be its biggest beneficiary. (@imziishan) In a successful Intelligence Based Operation, Pakistan Navy and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate Gwadar on Saturday apprehended liquor comprising of approximately 5,400 bottles at sea of Kund Malir near Ormara KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Sep, 2021 ) :In a successful Intelligence Based Operation, Pakistan Navy and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate Gwadar on Saturday apprehended liquor comprising of approximately 5,400 bottles at sea of Kund Malir near Ormara. The confiscated liquor was valued around Rs70. 5 Million, said a Pakistan Navy media release here received. The successful execution of joint Anti-Narcotics Operation was a demonstration of Pakistan Navy resolve to deter, dissuade and disrupt all illegal activities in the Maritime Zones of Pakistan. Pakistan Navy remained fully vigilant to thwart any unlawful act along our coastline and sea, contributing effectively to ensure maritime security in the region, it added. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib on Saturday said Prime Minister Imran Khan exposed 'callous' RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) ideology of Narendra Modi at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Sep, 2021 ) :Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib on Saturday said Prime Minister Imran Khan exposed 'callous' RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) ideology of Narendra Modi at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). His strong arguments in support of Kashmiris at the UN showed that the prime minister was their 'true advocate' and 'fearless ambassador', Farrukh Habib said in a series of tweets. At the UNGA, he said, PM Imran demanded burial of iconic Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani at 'Cemetery of Martyrs' (in Srinagar) under Islamic rituals. Farrukh said the prime minister elucidated the world in the best possible way that it was Pakistan which incurred highest loss of life and economy due to the war in Afghanistan. Now, the world should not repeat mistake of past, but make efforts for lasting peace in Afghanistan, he added. The minister said PM Imran did not only present the facts before the world in a rational and confident manner, but also hold a mirror upto the face of many (at the UNGA). "Alhamdulilah (thanks to the Almighty), now there is a Prime Minister in Pakistan who puts the national interest and future of the next generations first," he remarked. (@FahadShabbir) Sheharyar Afridi, chairman of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, briefed Lawrence Moss, Senior Advocate, United Nations at Amnesty International (AI), a leading human rights organization, on the worsening human rights violations in the Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) NEW YORK , (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Sep, 2021 ) :Sheharyar Afridi, chairman of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, briefed Lawrence Moss, Senior Advocate, United Nations at Amnesty International (AI), a leading human rights organization, on the worsening human rights violations in the Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He briefed the member of the human rights body in a meeting which took place on the margins of 76th session of the UN General Assembly, Afterwards, Afridi, in a statement that the meeting, termed the meeting "productive." "I underlined that India has imposed an 'iron curtain' on IIOJK since 05 Aug 2019 and was relentlessly pursuing its nefarious design to introduce demographic changes in the occupied territory," he said. Muzzling of civil society voices in India, including its refusal to allow Amnesty International and other independent observers to operate in the country particularly in IIOJK, was a matter of deep concern, he added. H e said he had invited Amnesty International to have a more in depth and detailed interaction with members of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir in future. Afridi also presented to Moss a dossier on human rights violations in IIOJK which was recently released by the government of Pakistan. The Master Green 50MW Wind Power project executed by HydroChina International Engineering Company, a member company of PowerChina, will deliver 168 million kWh per year clean energy for Pakistan, said Project Manager, Lv Guanghua BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Sep, 2021 ) :The Master Green 50MW Wind Power project executed by HydroChina International Engineering Company, a member company of PowerChina, will deliver 168 million kWh per year clean energy for Pakistan, said Project Manager, Lv Guanghua. The project located in Jamshoro District, Sindh, has achieved COD on August 20 and its availability during reliability running test reaches 99.86 percent, which is much higher than the 85 percent level required by the local power purchase agreement. Started on September 3, 2019, Master Green Project used a total of 25 Siemens Gamesa 2MW double-fed wind turbines. It is the first wind power project that constructed under Pakistan's new round of electricity price policy and the first one completed its construction, Lv told China Economic Net in an interview. Lv underlined that during the 168-hour reliability running test of the wind farm, the availability rate of wind turbines and BOP equipment created a new record for the availability of HydroChina's wind power project in Pakistan during the trial operation period. The success is reached primarily because of the strict quality control of the project. "All of our grid equipment must meet the stringent standards of the National Transmission & Dispatch Company (NTDC), Pakistan," Lv stated that the technological level and fulfilling capability of HydroChina left a deep impression on the local owners. Since 2014, HydroChina has completed a total of 8 private-owned wind power projects in Pakistan. "Currently, HydroChina has hired more than 300 Pakistani engineers, including technical positions like QA and QC, HSE, planning, civil engineering, electric and mechanic, etc. Given all other staffs, all these projects created around 3000 jobs," Lv added. Meanwhile, during the entire construction period, the Pakistani partners demonstrated a very outstanding level in construction schedule planning, which also impressed the Chinese counterparts. Through the close cooperation of personnel from both sides, HydroChina successfully overcome the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic and completed the task on time. After completion, these projects can provide 1.32 billion kilowatt-hours of green power per year. A number of series wind power projects are also under construction. It is expected that these projects will be combined to the grid from the end of 2021 to March 2022, highlighted by Mr. Cheng Qiang, Chief Representative of HydroChina in Pakistan. He said that HydroChina totally provide investment and construction service to wind farm project with total capacity 1139.5MW, and after the completion of all projects, 3.67 billion kWh of green electricity can be delivered to Pakistan's power grid every year, making great contributions to Pakistan's energy conservation, emission reduction and economic and social development. Having made a series of cooperation with Pakistan, Cheng acknowledged that Pakistan expects more utilization of nature and local resource, "nowaday through the construction of new energy and hydro power projects, the Pakistani government realized that the full use of local green energy can reduce its dependence on imported coal and natural gas, and develop its own independent energy system at the same time. In the future, HydroChina will continue to make full use of the abundant wind energy resources in Sindh, and fully communicate with Pakistani partners, paralleling energy transition and job enlargement. Talking about future cooperation between China and Pakistan in clean energy, Cheng holds optimistic attitude, knowing that both China and Pakistan have abundant clean energy resources, like water, solar and wind, also many clean energy projects have been developed under CPEC. With development of CPEC, more and more benefit and success will be achieved. UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th September, 2021) Caracas would like to strengthen agricultural production, heavy industry and energy collaboration with Moscow, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia told Sputnik. When asked where Venezuela would like to expand cooperation with Russia, Plasencia said "in all areas. " "Energy, technology and agricultural production, in heavy industry because you have long experience, you have resources, mining expertise, oil and petrol expertise, natural gas, that's all-important for us," he said. "Venezuela and Russia are hubs of energy and we are working on that." The Venezuelan diplomat underscored the deep ties in areas such as investment, trade and their staunch defense of international laws and norms. As the Council of European Bishops Conferences holds a golden jubilee celebration in Rome, English Cardinal Vincent Nichols explains the organization's mission and how it can help rebuild Europe's Christian roots. By Lisa Zengarini Following the opening Mass presided over by Pope Francis in St Peters Basilica on Thursday afternoon, the presidents of the Council of European Bishops Conferences (CCEE), started their Jubilee General Assembly in Rome on Friday. Themed CCEE: 50 years serving Europe, memory and perspectives in the context of Fratelli tutti, the session runs until 26 September. During their discussions the CCEE Presidents are reflecting on the primary task of the CCEE, namely "to promote the exercise of collegiality in hierarchical communion cum et sub the Roman pontiff; to foster closer cooperation between bishops and episcopal conferences to inspire the new evangelization; contribute to ecumenical dialogue for Christian unity; offer an ecclesial witness in European society. The focus of the assembly is on a number issues and challenges facing Europe today. These include migrants, family, life issues, climate change and the care for the environment, peace, and the rejection of war as a method for resolving conflicts. Pope's call to "rebuild" Europe Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, serves as the vice president of the CCEE. Speaking to Vatican News, the Cardinal reflected on how the Church "is always going back to its foundation, which is Jesus, in her effort for renewal and to do better each day." Pope Francis, in his homily at the assembly's opening Mass on Thursday, said Europe must "leave behind short-term expedience and return to the farsighted vision of the founding fathers." He added that all Christians are called to rebuild Europe following the examples of its great saints and patrons. In order to help a fatigued continent rediscover "the ever-youthful face" of Jesus and the Church, Pope Francis said European bishops need to "reflect, rebuild and see", keeping the Churchs doors open to all. Listen to the full interview Going back to the Church's foundation Commenting on the Pope's invitation, Cardinal Nichols said the Church can only be renewed in Jesus. We will always be renewed but from that source, he said. It is therefore a call for the Church, for everybody, to return to that source of Christ; and he will give us life." The English Catholic Primate further pointed out that one of the main challenges of the Church in Europe is the depth of its history that has given rise to so much diversity across the Continent. Existential questions of life However, noted Cardinal Nichols, European bishops share the truth of what it means to be a human person, and their mission remains that of answering to the existential questions of every man and woman, and of all time: i.e. who we are, what we do, where we come from, what is our destiny, how we manage together the path of life. These existential questions, he added, need to be put in the context of the Trinity. Cardinal Nichols also recalled an ancient story about the evangelization of England, which might offer an example for how European bishops can help revitalize Europe. In 627, King Edwin had just escaped an assasination attempt and witnessed the birth of his daughter. As the king faced death and new life, and sought answers for its meaning, one of his counselors gave a Christian-inspired answer, which Cardinal Nichols offered as an example. "Our life is a little bit like a sparrow which flies in from the dark into the banquet hall and sees all the noise, excitement, and sadness of everything that is going on. But he then flies back out again into the dark." Cardinal Nichols said the Christian counselor to King Edwin offered him an explanation about "from where we come and where we are going to". The king then became a Christian and "set off one of the great waves of conversion in the north of England." CCEE celebrating 50th anniversary The Council of European Bishops Conferences was established in 1971 and approved by Pope Paul VI. Following the Holy Mass with the Pope on Thursday, and after gathering together at Peters tomb, the participants in the Plenary Assembly visited and prayed at the tombs of Pope St Paul VI and of all the popes who have accompanied the CCEE over the past 50 years. A nun holds her rosary during Pope Francis' visit to the Iraqi city of Erbil The Archbishop of Erbil expresses his concern over the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan, saying the upcoming withdrawal of remaining US troops from Iraq could have a negative impact on Christians and other minorities in Iraq. By Lisa Zengarini Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil is concerned that the return to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan could have serious implications for Iraq and its religious minorities. ISIS can still cause trouble in Iraq In a conversation with the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Iraqi bishop says that, although Afghanistan and Iraq are very different countries, the Taliban's takeover could give a boost to the so-called Islamic State (ISIS or Daesh) extremists in the country and in neighbouring Syria. Indeed, ISIS militias have not disappeared since its territorial defeat in 2019 and, according to Archbishop Warda, can still cause trouble in Iraq. Most importantly, the mentality that created ISIS still lingers in the region, he says. Withdrawal of US troops could lead to insecurity for Christians The archbishop also commented on the Biden Administration's decision to withdraw the remaining US troops in Iraq by the end of 2021, warning that this could result in increased insecurity especially for Christians and other minorities. Since US-led military intervention in 2003, Iraqi Christians have being living in constant fear of sectarian violence and attacks forcing many of them to flee the country. Between 2003 and March 2015, approximately 1,200 Christians were killed, including Archbishop Paulos Rahho of Mosul of the Chaldeans, who was murdered in 2008. Additionally, 5 priests and other 48 people died in a jihadist attack against the Syrian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Help in Baghdad on 31 October 2010. At least 62 churches have been damaged or destroyed. Between 2014 and 2017, Christians and other minorities were not spared the persecutions imposed by the self-proclaimed Islamic State in the north of Iraq. On the eve of the second Gulf War, Christians in Iraq were estimated between 1 and 1.4 million (approximately 6% of the population). Since then, their numbers have plunged to barely 300-400,000. Minorities suffer most in moments of instability and conflict Archbishop Warda fears that the change announced by President Biden could lead to more persecutions. "Our history, especially our recent history, has taught us is that in every moment of instability and conflict it is the minorities who suffer the most, he explains. Positive impact of Pope Francis visit to Iraq Despite these concerns, the Iraqi archbishop remains confident on the future of Christianity in Iraq, especially after Pope Francis' historic visit in March this year. We are a small number now, but we hold on and do our best to show that we are a vital part of the Iraqi fabric. According to Archbisop Warda, the Holy Father's visit has shown to Iraq the positive impact of the Christian community in the country and enhanced its image abroad. These things bring us hope and we will continue to do our best to build on them. We hope that, over time, this will allow our community not only to survive but to thrive and, hopefully, grow," Archbishop Warda concluded. Pope Francis looks ahead to his upcoming visit to Budapest for the conclusion of the International Eucharistic Congress and to a 3-day pilgrimage to Slovakia. By Linda Bordoni Pope Francis told those present in St. Peters Square for the Sunday Angelus that he is preparing to go to Budapest next Sunday for the wrap-up of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress where he will celebrate the final Mass. After Mass, he continued, my pilgrimage will continue for a few days in Slovakia and will conclude the following Wednesday with the great popular celebration of Our Lady of Sorrows, Patron saint of that country. Adoration and prayer in the heart of Europe The Pope said, these will be days marked by adoration and prayer in the heart of Europe. He extended his greetings and thanks to those who have prepared the journey scheduled to take place from 12 to 15 September, as well as to those who await him and whom he says he wholeheartedly wishes to meet. Some of the highlights of the apostolic visit that begins with the conclusion of the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest include a divine liturgy in memory of Greek Catholic martyrs and a meeting with Roma community leaders. 34th Apostolic Visit abroad The theme of the Popes 34th apostolic visit abroad is With Mary and Joseph on the way to Jesus. During his stay in Slovakia where he will be based in the capital Bratislava, he will travel to Kosice, Slovakias second-largest city, on the eastern border, near Poland, Ukraine, and Hungary, and he will go to Presov, the countrys third-largest city. On his last day in the country, Pope Francis will be in Sastin, Trnava region, where a moment of prayer will be held with the bishops at the National Shrine, dedicated 250 years ago to Our Lady, known as "Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows". I ask everyone to accompany me in prayer, and I entrust my visits to the intercession of so many heroic confessors of the faith, who in those places bore witness to the Gospel amid hostility and persecution. May they help Europe to bear witness today too, not so much in words but above all in deeds, with works of mercy and hospitality, to the good news of the Lord who loves us and saves us, the Pope said. As the Pope prepares to greet the youth of Slovakia, there are great expectations following a pandemic which has seen many young people impacted by COVID-19. By Lydia OKane - Bratislava Over the course of his Pontificate, Pope Francis has made it one of his priorities to engage with young people. Whether it be the 2018 Youth Synod, World Youth Days, or meeting with the younger generation during Apostolic Visits, the Pope has been a steadfast father figure. Pope Francis visit to Slovakia will be no exception, as the youth of the country get ready to give him a rousing reception at Kosices Lokomotiva Stadium. There are great expectations for this visit and many young people want to be able to participate in the event at Lokomotiva Stadium, says Pavol Hiznay, communications co-ordinator for the youth event. For the young people, the Holy Father is a spiritual authority who the youth of Slovakia can relate to because he is charismatic and very open. He can get close to young people, and I think young people like listening to him. Effects of the pandemic Like much of Europe and beyond, Slovakia was forced to implement strict measures to deal with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many young people, this meant being away from schools and universities and switching to remote learning. The pandemic made the last year probably the worst year for the young people. Almost half of all pupils had to stay at home and study remotely, Mr Hiznay says, which limited their possibilities for the future and their ability to receive a proper education. Also many young people seek work and studies abroad, so the situation for young people at the moment is not the best. We hope for a better school year starting from September; also there are expectations for the third wave of this pandemic, he notes. Listen to the interview Preparation Hiznay describes being involved in the organization of the youth event as a great honour," but very demanding and requires focus. He goes on to say that they have had only three months to organize events surrounding this visit, which would usually take one year to prepare. With COVID-19 curbs still in place, he explains that the basic rule for taking part in any event with the Holy Father is that every person must be vaccinated. So what can the Pope expect when he arrives at the Lokomotiva stadium on Tuesday afternoon? Giving a sneak preview, Mr Hiznay says, There will be a very extensive programme comprising many artists, music groups and many spiritual activities. The programme starts before the arrival of the Holy Father, and there will be testimonies from young people talking about their own faith experiences, and questions from young people which Pope Francis is expected to respond to. Many young people, says the communications co-ordinator, are looking forward to the Popes words to them. In his 2020 diocesan World Youth Day message, Pope Francis invited young people to take a risk and change the world, giving their passions and dreams free rein. As the youth in Slovakia await the Pope, perhaps this may provide a hint of what they can expect at Lokomotiva Stadium. As Germans prepare to go to the polls in a national election on Sunday, political parties are using the last two days of this campaign to win over undecided voters. By Vatican News staff reporter Germany goes to the polls on Sunday, and for the first time in sixteen years the name of the current Chancellor, Angela Merkel will not be on the ballot paper. Undecided voters As the hours tick by ahead of this national election, political parties were doing their best on Friday to sway undecided voters. The leader of Merkel's centre-right Christian Democrat party, Armin Laschet, has made some headway but he still lags behind the centre-left Social Democrats, headed by Finance Minister Olaf Scholz. In third place is the Green party whose candidate, Annalena Baerbock, is the only woman in this election aiming to succeed Angela Merkel. Face to the finish All in all, this is a tight race, and according to experts the reason for this is that candidates are relatively unknown to most voters. This weekend, all three parties are racing to the finish line with large gatherings. The Christian Democrats or CDU party will have its last big rally in Munich, while the Social Democrats are staging an event in the western city of Cologne. Meanwhile, the Greens will hold their rally in Duesseldorf. Key issues So what are the key issues in this election? Certainly, the economy and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic have played an important role during this campaign. Climate change is also a concern for voters, especially among the younger generation, while the issue of migration has been largely absent. Foreign policy came to the fore during the final television debate on Thursday, with the Greens calling for a tougher stance on China. Voting and pandemic Election officials say many people will vote by mail this year, due to the pandemic, but this is not expected to significantly affect the turnout. About 60.4 million Germans are eligible to vote for a new parliament on September 26. Young climate activists from Greta Thunberg's Friday for Future movement resumed mass street protests on Friday for the first time since the pandemic began, demanding drastic action from global leaders ahead of U.N. climate talks in November. From Nairobi to Washington, marchers -- including Thunberg, who joined protests in Berlin -- carried placards and homemade banners during the demonstrations, which drew fewer protesters than before COVID-19 in most cities. "It's slightly disappointing there are less people than there used to be, but people will come back. The problem is not going away," said Erin Brodrick, 17, one of about 250 protesters in London's Parliament Square. Before the pandemic, the square often overflowed with activists during larger Friday marches. Brodrick said young people "feel really scared about the future of the planet" as they see climate change impacts strengthen and emissions continue to rise, despite a raft of political promises to slash them. But because underage protesters cannot vote, "what else can I do but come out here?" she said, wielding a green "Planet Over Politics" sign. In Barcelona, about 200 youth activists, children and parents joined a protest around a cloth depicting the Earth, showing their support for a court action launched in June aimed at forcing the Spanish government to boost its climate policy. Gathered in the Catalan capital's main square, they also demanded a stop to a planned expansion of Barcelona's airport. Filip Frey, a 23-year-old Polish activist studying engineering in Barcelona, said younger people will be the ones who pay for the selfish actions of politicians who "only care about their publicity, their money, their power." "We are just furious and angry," he said, urging society as a whole to join the youth protests. "If we don't do anything, nothing will change and we will just burn or drown." 'Not being heard' In Nairobi, where about 30 activists in green-and-white T-shirts gathered in a central park, many said there was little evidence politicians were listening to their pleas to work faster to cut emissions and curb climate risks. "Young people have been speaking up for years now and there is a lot of impatience ... We want to begin seeing governments taking rapid action," said Elizabeth Wathuti, head of campaigns for the Wangari Maathai Foundation, a local environmental group. "We've been speaking out about this, but our voices are not being heard," she said, adding that "we're the ones that have to live with the consequences of the inaction." Patricia Kombo, another activist, said one aim of the protest was to push politicians to commit to more aggressive action on climate change ahead of the upcoming international COP26 U.N. climate negotiations in Glasgow, starting Oct. 31. "We've had a lot of climate talks but what we get is empty promises. We want real climate action at COP26 because we can't wait any longer," she said as activists waved signs saying, "Stand up for climate justice" and "Later is too late." Protesters gathered in Washington said they were pushing for a comprehensive $3.5 trillion national U.S. climate bill and an immediate transition to green energy, said Magnolia Mead, one of the organizers. Jamie Minden, 18, a student at Washington's American University, said the movement's return to large-scale protests was crucial to keeping up pressure for climate action. "It is so critical to get back out in the streets - it's not the same online," she said. Street protests "get a lot more attention." Activist Shelby Grace Tucker, 14, who had come to the protest from Baltimore, said getting back on the streets felt "really empowering" and was a way for younger people - who might not otherwise be able to garner attention, to "still make a difference." Merging movements To weather the pandemic, Fridays for Future largely moved online, with education programs and other events, though small groups continued to protest on the streets. But the group also used the time to try to broaden the movement and coordinate its work with social pushes on other issues including race. Sasha Langeveldt, 24, a Black Fridays for Future activist now working for the Friends of the Earth nonprofit, said that as activists grew older the movement needed to focus more on turning protesters into voters. Langeveldt said young people were increasingly taking climate action into their own hands as well, citing an online green jobs summit in London she is helping organize in October. "We want to show politicians things can actually change," she said. Rowan Riley, 29, a London architect at the protest, agreed, saying he was now part of the London Energy Transformation Initiative, working on changing building design and regulation with climate change and renewable energy in mind. "We have to find other ways to influence things. It's not always about the numbers at protests," he said. Carrying a "Grandparents and Elders" flag at the London march, Pat Farrington, 78, said she wanted to see governments "take everything more seriously." That should include training more young people for green jobs like installing insulation or solar panels, and doing more to help the public understand the potential economic benefits of a climate-smart transition. "Right now, people say, 'I can't afford a posh electric car,' and they feel their pockets are being picked," she said. New Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema took office on Tuesday, 12 days after defeating incumbent Edgar Lungu in a general election. VOA's Peter Clottey sat down with Hichilema before Tuesday's inauguration to discuss goals for his five-year term. Hichilema covered a wide range of topics and promised to improve a poor economy, defend human rights, and have better relations regionally and with Washington. Excerpts from the 55-minute interview: VOA: What would you want to have achieved within the first 100 days? Hichilema: One, we want to reunite this country. This country has been divided for so many years and the divisions are visible. You just have to look anywhere, you see them in the workplaces, in the market areas, divisions all over. We can then do the second anchor of what we are selling... reconstruction, rebuilding our country. So that's rebuilding the country economically to bring back economic prosperity, to bring back investment, to bring back jobs, to expand jobs, to expand food for people. VOA: What do you plan to do about the crackdown on press freedom and civil liberties? Hichilema: Before this new dawn, citizens ran away from the police because the police tear gassed them, the police discharged live ammunition on them. Not anymore. The police who operate law and order keep law and order, but in a humane way, in a civilized way. And what does that mean to the population? It means that they can go about their business. And so we have called for the police to be professional in their conduct and that we will not inject political underhand methods. VOA: What are your plans to address the debt situation? Hichilema: Well put an eagle eye on it because we don't want to lay more debt on already overburdened economics... We know that the debt was overpriced in many cases, especially project related debt Well look at those issues with a keen eye and see what opportunities we have to dismantle this debt. VOA: What is you plan to deal with public corruption following news that the state coffers are empty due to financial malpractices? Hichilema: Our policy is very clear: zero tolerance to corruption. Zero and I mean zero. You come to protect public assets, you've come to grow these public assets, not to deplete them. I think it's important that that message goes to my colleagues in the European Union, the allies, and the people in the civil service... We are going to strengthen the institutions that help us to fight corruption. VOA: What is your message to the people who suffered under the previous administration and who are demanding a pound of flesh? Hichilema: There was a perception that if you use force, then you stay in power. We have proved that wrong. I'm sure you remember at one point I couldn't enter my own town and I asked the question: 'Why should I not enter this town? Since when did I need a passport to enter this town?' I don't want to continue articulating those issues. But I want to say that, that's over. So, the first thing we do is clearing that, that no one needs a permit. No one needs a license from anyone to hold a meeting... We will not allow other people to go through the pain we have gone through. VOA: How do you want the already warm relations between Washington and Lusaka to be under your leadership? Hichilema: Our values are very clear. We espouse clear values: constitutionalism, democracy, and democratic space to all, in accordance [with] our constitution, in accordance to subsidiarity laws. We ascribe the rule of law, order in society, respecting fundamental human rights, liberties, and freedoms. VOA: What role do you think Zambia can play in promoting democracy within the SADCs region and by extension Africa? Hichilema: We think that we have already sent a signal that we are a child of democracy. We are a product of democracy and we got elected against all odds. Honestly, we are a good example of how democracy must evolve even under brutal conditions. So we are willing on the SADCs platforms, African Union platforms to, in a small way, because we're the new kids on the block, offer our own experiences so that others can either emulate or do even better. VOA: What is your message to the people of Zambia after your success at the recent polls? Hichilema: We have not overpromised anything. We have answered what people's cries are. And with the people, with the difficult financial situation, with the support of those who believe in what we are doing, and democracy and rule of law, we think all of these factors brought together will begin to dismantle a very difficult situation and deliver for the people of Zambia over a five-year period. At sunset, a buffalo calf's distressed grunts reverberate through the bush. But it's a trick. The grunts are blaring from a loudspeaker, designed to lure lions to a tree and let a South African wildlife reserve carry out a census of its apex predator. As an added enticement, the carcasses of two impalas are affixed to a tree. The scent promises a fresh meal. In the headlights of a 4x4, armed rangers with night binoculars and torches watch over the scene. "We know our lions, but with this process, we verify them," says Ian Nowak, head warden at the Balule Nature Reserve. A wildlife researcher next to him listens intently, her ears tuned to clues from the nocturnal sounds. That's how she knows a rumbling is from elephants grazing in the tall grass. And that's how she knows when to raise her camera to photograph lions, looking for distinctive scars or peculiar ears -- anything that identifies them for the count. This job requires patience. The team once spotted 23 lions ripping into the bait. "They growl and they fight. Then they lie down and eat," Nowak whispers. "It can be quite a frenzy on the bait. They smack each other and then settle down." Don't fence them in At 55,000 hectares (136,000 acres), Balule is huge -- yet it connects with an even bigger ecosystem that, all told, is almost the size of Belgium. Balule and other nearby game farms have transitioned into nature reserves, joining up with the Kruger National Park to create a vast territory without internal fences, covering 2.5 million hectares, that extends to Mozambique. To create such enormous space for wildlife is a rare success story these days. Conservationists meeting in Marseille, southern France, are deeply worried for Africa's "big cats", facing loss of habitat and human encroachment as well as poaching. Balule is so big that its census-takers have to criss-cross the terrain to make the count as thorough as possible. "Sometimes they've eaten. If they're full, they don't come," Nowak said. "Especially the males, they're lazy as hell." Twenty years ago, Balule was mostly farmland and lions were few. Last year, the census found 156 of the lordly beasts. "Lions are doing incredibly well, mainly because there's a large enough space to operate," Nowak says. Overall, the news is good for lions in South Africa, thanks to government conservation efforts -- helped by the inducement of tourists who are willing pay to see the animals. Private investors have also stepped in. A years-long drought has also been a boost. Antelopes and buffalo did not have enough to eat, making them easier prey for large carnivores. 'Lions don't share' The loudspeaker rumbles again with the recording of the injured buffalo calf. This time, a small jackal appears, hoping for a nibble. At the slightest sound, it dashes away. The wildlife researcher detects another movement in her thermal binoculars. The headlights flash back on, illuminating the majestic mane of a lion approaching stealthily, careful but calm. "He's initially cautious," says Nick Leuenberger, one of the regional wardens. "He doesn't know if he'll be walking in on another pride." "Lions defend their food, they don't share," he adds. "Here the lion tolerates the jackal. He knows he's not a major threat to his food source." Suddenly, the lion leaps up to one of the suspended impalas, biting into its belly. After his meal, he lies at the foot of the tree. Now the team can move on. No other animals will dare approach. The next night, seven hyenas take turns snipping at the fresh impala, without a lion in sight. But on the way back, the 4x4 slams the brakes. To the left, a hippo roars furiously, its mouth wide open. To the right, seven lionesses raise their heads above the grassline. A magical sight, but no danger to the hippo. Nowak says it would take at least twice as many lions to threaten the hippo. The tension eases. A lion emerges from the brush and walks along the trail. A lioness joins him, and the 4x4 follows them slowly until they disappear into the night. Sudanese authorities have seized a shipment of weapons at Khartoum airport arriving from neighboring Ethiopia, state media said Sunday. The shipment, which was confiscated late Saturday, arrived on an Ethiopian Airlines passenger flight, prompting an immediate launch of investigations, the SUNA news agency reported. Authorities were informed of "the arrival of a weapons shipment from Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airlines flight" into Sudan, SUNA said. "It was immediately confiscated by customs authorities." SUNA quoted officials as saying that the weapons had originally been sent from Russia to Ethiopia in May 2019 and were held by authorities there for two years. "Without prior warning, authorities in Addis Ababa allowed for its shipping into Khartoum on a passenger flight," the report added. The shipment of 72 boxes reportedly contained weapons and night-vision binoculars. "There are suspicions that they were meant to be used in anti-state crime, to impede the democratic transition, and prevent transition to civilian rule," SUNA reported. Ethiopian Airlines said in a statement that the shipment was "a legal and commercial transportation of hunting guns with all proper documents of the shipper and the consignee." The airline said it has documents to prove the legality of the shipment, "including a letter from Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs." Sudan has been undergoing a rocky transition since the April 2019 ouster of Islamist president Omar al-Bashir following mass protests against his rule. The country is currently led by a joint civilian-military ruling council. The development comes at a time of souring relations between Khartoum and Addis Ababa over Ethiopian farmers' use of a fertile border region claimed by Sudan. The two countries have also been at odds over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), in a regional dispute that involves Egypt. Addis Ababa broke ground on the project in 2011. Late last month, Ethiopian officials said they had thwarted an attack on the GERD by armed groups "who have been trained and armed by Sudan." Sudan flatly denied the allegations, saying they were "baseless". Ethiopia has been grappling with a grinding conflict in its northern Tigray region since last November. The fighting has sent tens of thousands of refugees into Sudan. Since the war in Syria broke out a decade ago, refugees have fled to countries in the Middle East and Europe as well as to countries in Africa that face instability, like Somalia. But now Somali officials say Syrian refugees are enriching the host nation culturally and economically. Zakariye Azerkan is a Syrian refugee who fled civil war in his homeland two years ago to seek opportunities in Somalia, a country that is still recovering from internal conflict. Now he is chef and manager of Alwarda Alshamia, a popular Syrian restaurant in Mogadishu. He says he expects other Syrians will find opportunities here and open new projects, even though Somalia is still emerging from war. There are Syrian dentists who have already opened clinics, he says, and other doctors with various specializations who operate medical centers in Mogadishu. Azerkans restaurant serves as a meeting place for Mogadishus Syrian community. Recent arrivals to the city come here for orientation. Thirteen-year-old Mohamed Musa and his family arrived in Mogadishu just a few days ago. They dine with Somali locals, who are now accustomed to Syrian cuisine. Musa says that he urges all Syrian immigrants or even Somalis to come to this restaurant because the food here is irresistible. He says it feels as if he was back in his home country. Dr. Mohamud Salih is among the Syrian refugee medical professionals offering their skills to a country that lost most of its skilled workers to civil war, poverty and years of lawlessness. Salih has been in Somalia for the past four years and has fully integrated with the local community. The dental surgeon runs one of the best-equipped clinics in Mogadishu and is credited for performing safe, successful operations. Salih says he has settled here with his family. Since he has been in Mogadishu for four years with his wife and children, he says he considers himself a Somali citizen. He said his children are now attending Somali schools. Salih says his family also consider themselves as Somali. Syrians who chose to find refuge in Somalia away from their war-torn country may have been driven by the good historical relations between the two countries. In their peace times, both countries shared similar political ideologies. Abdulwahab Sheikh is a Somali scholar and an expert on international relations and culture. He says there has been a long-standing relationship between the two nations that begun during the military regime that ruled Somalia and the Baath-led government in Syria. These strong bilateral relations remained and after Syria became engulfed in civil war, some opted to come to Somalia, where there are no visa restrictions for Syrian citizens. There is no official data on the number of Syrian refugees living in Mogadishu, and not all are as successful as Azerkan and Salih. What is clear is that many of these refugees are making a positive contribution to the local economy and culture. Conflict between Cameroonians and local wildlife has led to street protests Saturday in the western village of Bakingili. Farmers and villagers say elephants are destroying their plantations and scores of houses, reportedly leading to the killing of two elephants this month. Authorities blame locals for occupying elephant habitats and caution against killing the endangered animals. More than 200 villagers marched, demanding help in Bakingilli, a farming village in Cameroon's English-speaking South-West region. The villagers say elephants have destroyed more than 250 banana, plantain, corn and bean plantations. They say several dozen homes also have been destroyed by elephants in the past two months. Vincent Njie, who says he is the spokesperson for the villagers, said Saturday's protest is the third in two months. Njie said villagers do not understand why the government is reluctant to help kill or chase the animals out of Bakingili. "The elephants come out even at daytime, scaring even school children. The principals (teachers) are even afraid to go to school because they think that if they go there they will meet elephants. Elephants should be evicted so that we continue our normal lives. Most of the people living in Bakinggili rely on farming. Please, we need help," Nije said. Bakingili lies at the foot of Mount Cameroon, known locally as Mount Fako. In 2009, Cameroons government created the 58,000-hectare Mount Cameroon National Park to protect biodiversity. The government said that between 2009 to 2019, the elephant population in the park increased from less than 170 to about 300. Delphine Ikome, the highest-ranking government wildlife official in Cameroon's South-West region, says most of the forest where elephants live has been turned into plantations and villages, provoking conflicts between the gigantic animals and humans. "These elephants that we are protecting have become a threat to the community around this protected area, the Mount Cameroon National Park. We have come here to appeal to the population of Bakingili, to tell them to conserve our protected areas to improve the livelihoods of our local communities," Ikome said. She said elephants are critically endangered because of habitat loss and fragmentation. She said elephants roam over long distances and play a key role in spreading tree seedlings to balance natural ecosystems and reduce climate change. The villagers said they killed two elephants in the park this month. Wildlife officials have yet to confirm the deaths. A conservation group, The Last Great Ape, or LAGA, has been protecting elephants in Cameroon. The groups vice president, Eric Kabah Tah, says the government has a responsibility to protect both its citizens and its wildlife. "The government should learn lessons from other areas where such conflicts have been successfully resolved through the use of some conservation methods to send away the animals and ensure that both parties live in peace. Certain sounds are played in such a way that it could scare off the wildlife. But there should be long-term solutions such that humans should be able to understand where the limits of their area is so that they dont encroach into wildlife habitat to avoid such conflicts," Tah said. Cameroon has an estimated 6,500 elephants. Conservation groups such as LAGA say the country still has one of the largest elephant populations left in Africa. Catholic bishops in Canada apologized Friday "unequivocally" to the nations Indigenous peoples for the suffering they endured in residential schools, just as Pope Francis prepares to meet with Indigenous leaders at the Vatican later this fall. The institutions held children taken from families across Canada. From the 19th century until the 1970s, more than 150,000 First Nations children were required to attend state-funded Christian schools as part of a program to assimilate them into Canadian society. They were forced to convert to Christianity and not allowed to speak their Native languages. Many were beaten and verbally abused, and up to 6,000 are said to have died. The Catholic bishops in Canada are promising to provide documents that may help "memorialize" students buried in unmarked graves, to persuade the Pope to visit Canada, and raise money to help fund initiatives recommended by local Indigenous partners. The church has been heavily criticized for refusing to provide all of the documents requested by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and for raising less than one-sixth of a $25 million Canadian (U.S. $19.8 million) fund promised for reconciliation and healing as part of the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. The bishops' apology is the latest expression of remorse from the Canadian arms of the Catholic Church but still falls short of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission call for the pope himself to apologize in Canada. National Indigenous leaders, elders, youths and survivors of residential schools are to travel to Rome in mid-December for four days of meetings, which some hope will be the final precursor to that apology. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appealed directly to the pope for the apology during a visit to the Vatican in 2017, but months later Francis sent word through Canadian bishops that he could not personally respond to the call. The Canadian government apologized in Parliament in 2008 and admitted that physical and sexual abuse in the schools was rampant. Many students recalled being beaten for speaking their Native languages. They also lost touch with their parents and customs. 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. 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. Germany is preparing to bid farewell to Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is stepping down after elections scheduled for Sunday. She has led Europes biggest economy for the past 16 years and has played a major role in Europe and on the global stage. Merkel was Germanys first female chancellor and its first leader to have been raised in the former East Germany. Her political career began as the Iron Curtain was falling in Europe. After German reunification in 1990, she was appointed minister for women and youth by her mentor, former Chancellor Helmut Kohl. German media dubbed her Kohls girl but she quickly emerged from his shadow and became leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU) in 2000. She narrowly won the 2005 election and led a coalition government of the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats. She faced her first major crisis just three years later with the 2008 global financial crash. Amid a run on German banks, Merkel sought to steady nerves. Standing beside her finance minister in October 2008, she told Germans that the state would protect them: We say to savers that their deposits are safe, and the German government stands behind that. The banking crisis turned into a euro debt crisis. Merkel was reluctant to underwrite the Eurozone. She became a figure of hate in Greece, which implemented deep spending cuts to stay in the single currency. Europe teetered on the brink, but the euro survived. "Europe fails when the euro fails, Merkel said in 2012. Europe wins when the euro wins. The euro wins if we create a stability union that actually deserves the name because it is supported by a strong foundation of solidity, growth and solidarity. Merkel is known as a crisis chancellor, Nico Friedl, parliamentary correspondent for Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, who has charted Merkels career across two decades, said. She has had to overcome several global crises during her time in office, not only for Germany, but also within the European Union, and with transatlantic partners as well as China and Russia, he said. Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2014 brought conflict to Europes borders. Merkel kept up dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, taking part in the Normandy format talks between Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France to try to end the conflict. Angela Merkels style is to talk and talk and talk and talk, and even with China, even with Russia, said Ursula Weidenfeld, author of the Merkel biography "Die Kanzlerin" (The Chancellor). She is the one who tries to stay talking, to stay negotiating. She's the last woman standing even in the European negotiations, and she doesn't call it a day before the night comes. So that is the thing which she did with Vladimir Putin too, Weidenfeld told VOA. Merkels biggest challenge came with the 2015 migrant crisis. She refused to close Germanys borders as refugees and migrants poured into Europe. More than 1 million migrants arrived in Germany, many escaping the war in Syria. It prompted a fierce backlash from many in her own party and drove support for the far right. Merkel was unapologetic. If we have to start excusing ourselves for showing a friendly face in times of crisis, then this is not my country, she said. Six years on, Merkel has said she has no regrets about her actions in 2015. She believed that these people should be treated properly, that they shouldnt be stuck behind borders, Friedl said. But that did more to divide Europe rather than to unify it. The question of how the bloc should handle migration is still not solved today, she added. Weidenfeld agreed. It was successful in making Germany open to immigration and coming to anything like an immigration law, which had been impossible for years before. But on the other hand, it was one of her big mistakes because she wasnt successful in negotiating this on the European level. So, it has been something like unfinished work. she said. In 2016 came Brexit and the threat of the breakup of the European Union. Months later, Donald Trump was elected U.S. president. Transatlantic relations were visibly strained. Once she recognized there will be no way to find a relationship to that president which could be constructive, she just turned around and made friends with his daughter, Weidenfeld said. Merkel shared the stage with Trumps oldest daughter, Ivanka, and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, at the Women 20 Summit in Berlin in 2017. Asked directly whether she was a feminist, Merkel was ambivalent. The history of feminism is one where there are things that apply to me and then there are things that dont. And I dont want to decorate myself with a title I dont actually have, she said. By this year, her view had changed. Today I have thought my answer through more and so I can say yes: we should all be feminists, Merkel told an audience in Dusseldorf September 10. Merkel was often the only woman among powerful men but she did not seek to capitalize on that position, Friedl said. In fact, it was the opposite. She also took a lot of criticism that she didnt use her role and position to further the emancipation of women and equal rights, Friedl said. Merkel has changed Germany during her 16 years in power, biographer Weidenfeld said. Angela Merkel from the start tried to find a new role for Germany in the 21st century. [She] always tried to be the moderator, to be the facilitator, and even to be the one who pays the bill at the end, Weidenfeld said. However, Weidenfeld said the crisis chancellor failed to look to the future. She always solved the problems and the issues which were on the table. But in terms of investing in resilience and investing in political lines which are longer than two or three or four years, like climate change, she didnt do enough, Weidenfeld said. Merkel was born in Hamburg in West Germany, but moved to what was then East Germany when she was three months old after her father became pastor at a church near Templin, a quiet town in the countryside 90 kilometers north of Berlin. Merkels family still lives in the town and she has a house there, which she frequently visits. Templin Mayor Detlef Tabbert knows the family well and has met the chancellor on several occasions. I am sure that the chancellor herself has many of the characteristics that make the people of Templin and of northeastern Germany unique: her quiet composure, her down-to-earth nature and what you also see in her is this Prussian tenacity that when you start something, you stick with it to the end, Tabbert told VOA. People in Templin the majority of them are very proud that a woman from Templin became the chancellor as well as the most powerful woman in the world, he said. The end of Merkels leadership is imminent. So, what comes next? Nobody knows, and she says she doesnt know it either, Weidenfeld said. You could expect her to appear again in the public, probably in an American university. She loves America, he said. In an August poll by YouGov, Angela Merkels approval ratings were higher than those of any other current world leader in five major European countries and the United States. Meanwhile a survey by Pew Research published Wednesday showed that Merkel has all-time high ratings in most of the 16 advanced economies it surveyed in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Overall, some 77% of almost 18,000 respondents said they had confidence in Merkel to do the right thing in world affairs. Greece was the only country where a majority of respondents lacked confidence in the German leader. There is palpable concern among some in Germany over who will fill Merkels role on the global stage. Jurgen Hardt, a long-time MP in Merkels Christian Democrats, said Germans should be confident in the future. Its always difficult for people to imagine how a new candidate, a future chancellor might act compared to the 16-year successful term of Angela Merkel. In 2005 I had a long talk to businesspeople and they asked me who might be the next chancellor candidate of the Christian Democrats. And my answer was Angela Merkel. And they were all laughing at me because they cannot imagine that this lady might become chancellor. This is what I always tell those people that now have question marks on looking for example to Armin Laschet [the current Christian Democrats candidate], or others on the campaign trail, Hardt told VOA. For Germany, for Europe, and for the West, Merkels departure marks the end of a political era. For over 50 years the Hong Kong Journalists Association has promoted and protected media rights, but now the organization says it is under a thunderstorm of pressure. Members of Hong Kongs government and police, and at least one pro-Beijing newspaper, have accused the HKJA this month of being biased toward pro-democracy papers, recruiting students as journalists, and failing to acknowledge claims that its members obstructed police during protests. Ronson Chan, chair of HKJA, believes the criticism is part of an effort to force the association to close. I would say they are trying to add some pressure to us, maybe they hope to see we may disband as well as other community groups. We wont, Chan said. Run by working journalists in the city and with more than 500 members, the HKJA acts as a trade union for media workers with a mission to enhance press freedom and improve professional standards. The independent group is an affiliate of the International Federation of Journalists. But since Hong Kongs national security law was passed in 2020, the citys media freedom has come into question. In its annual report, published in July, the association found that freedoms have seriously deteriorated and risks for journalists have increased. The report cited media arrests and the closure of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, as well as changes at public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong that prompted the cancellation of shows amid allegations of bias, and the nonrenewal of some contracts. Now, says Chan, the HKJA is in a thunderstorm of pressure itself. In an interview with the pro-Beijing Chinese-language outlet Ta Kung Pao this month, Hong Kongs Secretary for Security Chris Tang accused the journalists association of having biased views and favoring pro-democracy news organizations. Tang said the associations membership includes a large number of student journalists. He accused HKJA of influencing young reporters and promoting the concept that everybody can be a journalist, even 13-year-olds. His comments appeared to be in reference to a case in May 2020 when a 13-year-old, who was volunteering with a news outlet, was detained during anti-government protests in Hong Kong. HKJAs Chan told VOA the accusations arent new, and called Tangs comments illogical. He denied that the detained teenager was a member of the association and said journalism students account for less than 60 of its members. Media concerns Tang was not the only official to make claims against the group this month. During an event at a police college, Hong Kongs police commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee echoed accusations that HKJA is biased toward certain sectors of the media, and Wen Wei Po, a pro-Beijing paper based in the city, criticized the group for being anti-government. In an interview with VOA, pro-Beijing lawmaker Holden Chow said the HKJA turned a blind eye to accusations that its members obstructed police during the 2019 anti-government protests. There were so-called journalists on the spot assisting the illegal protests, blocking police operations, and some even harassed female police officers, Chow said. We wonder whether HKJA is still a professional body, Chow added in a text message to VOA. Accusations that journalists blocked or obstructed police during operations in 2019 are unsubstantiated, said Chan, who is also a senior editor at pro-democracy news site Stand News. Such accusations are being repeated and repeated. They dont have any real evidence the accusations are valid, he said. Under Hong Kongs Basic Law, freedom of the press is guaranteed. But with the national security law able to override the citys local laws, the HKJA has concerns as to whether this can be maintained. Lawmaker Chow downplayed those concerns. As long as media don't cross the line to endanger national security, I dont think they need to worry about any loss of freedom of press, as falsely accused by some people, Chow said. Hong Kong currently sits in 80th place in the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom ranking, with the media watchdog saying the new law is especially dangerous for journalists. International group Human Rights Watch has said the national security law is erasing Hong Kong's freedoms. Media analysts told VOA earlier this year that the climate for journalism overall has chilled since the law was introduced. As fear of retaliation under the new law grows, more people are becoming wary of speaking with international media. But speaking at an event at Hong Kongs Foreign Correspondents Club this week, pro-Beijing lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee echoed Chows statement, saying that freedom of speech is alive and well. The former secretary of security pointed to pro-democracy news websites such as Stand News as an example that freedom of expression exists. But when asked whether the Hong Kong Journalists Association would be able to carry on, Ips answer was less clear, saying only that it depends on evidence. Chan insists the HKJA is not acting unlawfully. It is important for Hong Kong that we have (the association); we protect journalists who are willing to tell the truth, Chan said. We are just doing the job, safeguarding the free press and safeguarding the rights of the journalists, he said, adding that media freedom and rights are not a crime under either the national security law or local Hong Kong law. Chan acknowledged that there have been some unofficial discussions about what to do if the pressure increases but said the association is committed to its mission. I still have confidence we will remain within safety and the (HKJA) will still exist, he said. Editors Note: The author of this report is a member of the Hong Kong Journalists Association. Icelanders were voting Saturday in a general election dominated by climate change, with an unprecedented number of political parties likely to win parliamentary seats. Polls suggested there wouldn't be an outright winner, triggering complex negotiations to build a coalition government. A record nine parties could cross the 5% threshold needed to qualify for seats in Iceland's parliament, the Althing. Upstart parties include the Socialist Party, which is promising to shorten the workweek and nationalize Iceland's fishing industry. High turnout was expected, as one-fifth of eligible voters have already cast absentee ballots. Climate change is high among voters' concerns in Iceland, a glacier-studded volcanic island nation of about 350,000 people in the North Atlantic. An exceptionally warm summer by Icelandic standards 59 days of temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius (68 F) and shrinking glaciers have helped drive global warming up the political agenda. Polls showed strong support for left-leaning parties promising to cut carbon emissions by more than Iceland is already committed to under the Paris climate agreement. The country has pledged to become carbon-neutral by 2040, a decade ahead of most other European nations. The current government is a coalition of three parties spanning the political spectrum from left to center-right, and led by Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir of the Left Green Party. It was formed in 2017 after years of political instability. Jakobsdottir remains a popular prime minister, but polls suggest her party could fare poorly, ending the ongoing coalition. ``The country is facing big decisions as we turn from the pandemic,'' Jakobsdottir said during televised debates on Friday night in which party leaders vowed to end Iceland's reliance on oil and many wanted to raise taxes on the rich. Top Iraqi government officials are rejecting calls by a group of 300 prominent tribal leaders and other dignitaries to normalize ties with Israel. Iraqi TV reported Saturday afternoon that Prime Minister Mustafa Khadhimi's office issued a statement calling the dignitaries' meeting Friday in the Kurdish capital of Irbil "illegal." Arab media indicated that parliament Speaker Mohammed Halbousi and one of his deputies also rejected the call, along with Iraqi President Barham Salih. The meeting was sponsored by the Center for Peace Communications, a U.S. peace advocacy and research group led by Joseph Braude, a Jewish American whose family fled Baghdad during the 1940s. Braude told the conference that those gathered in Irbil had made a "courageous decision." He said he supported the efforts of leaders from six Iraqi provinces Baghdad, Anbar, Mosul, Salahedin, Babil and Diyala who their desire to enter into the framework of the Abrahamic accords (between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco). 'Sign of things to come' Wissam Hardan, a Sunni tribal leader, told the conference that Iraq's federal system permitted different regions to express their support for normalizing ties with Israel. He said that given Iraq's federal system of government, various parties were expressing their desire to normalize ties with Israel and tighten relations with the Israeli people. Paul Sullivan, a Washington-based Middle East analyst, told VOA that "the meeting in Irbil to discuss Iraq improving ties with Israel caused an uproar in Baghdad," but that it "could be a sign of things to come. It could be an indication that the views on Israel are changing in some quarters of Iraq." Sullivan added that the Kurds, who hosted the Friday conference, "have always been more open to Israel than other populations in Iraq." Several Kurdish leaders backtracked on the conference after hearing of opposition from Baghdad, however, claiming that they weren't aware of the nature of the conference and that its organizers had misled attendees about its intent. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV, which covered the meeting, suggested that it might have been intended "to test the waters inside Iraq for public reaction to normalizing ties with Israel." More than 6 billion COVID-19 shots have been administered worldwide since the coronavirus pandemic began, according to Johns Hopkins Universitys Coronavirus Resource Center. Some 6.6 billion people had received at least one dose of a vaccine as of early Saturday afternoon, the center reported. The milestone was reached one day after U.S. President Joe Biden said about 60 million Americans were eligible for booster shots against the coronavirus. Biden urged eligible Americans to get the boosters and said he would get his own as soon as possible. In comments Friday from the White House, Biden said, "Like your first and second shot, the booster shot is free and easily accessible." The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday approved the Pfizer boosters for Americans 65 or older; frontline workers such as teachers, health care workers and others whose jobs place them at risk of contracting COVID-19; and those ages 50 to 64 with underlying conditions. The booster shot will be available for those who received the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago. The White House said Friday that 20 million Americans were eligible for the shot immediately, while a total of 60 million Pfizer-shot recipients would be eligible for boosters once they reached the six-month mark. The European Unions drug watchdog said Thursday that it planned to decide in early October whether to approve a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for those over age 16. In related news: In the Netherlands on Saturday, hundreds of people protested a new pass required as proof of vaccination. The corona pass is required for entry into bars, eating establishments, theaters and other venues. The introduction of the pass came after the lifting of nearly all social distancing measures in the country, where 72% of the population has received at least one dose. Hours after the pass requirement was imposed, caretaker Prime Minister Mark Ruttes government fired a cabinet minister who had publicly questioned it. Travelers arriving in Ireland are no longer subjected to a mandatory two-week quarantine in a hotel. The government ended the requirement Saturday. Irelands health ministry said in a statement the decision was based on the latest advice received from the chief medical officer. The requirement was imposed in late March. Two hosts of the popular U.S. ABC-TV daytime show The View were abruptly asked to leave the set Friday during a live broadcast, ahead of a much-anticipated interview with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. Show hosts Sunny Hostin and Ana Navarro had tested positive for COVID-19. Joy Behar, another host, said, No matter how hard we try, these things happen. They probably have a breakthrough case. Theyll be OK, Im sure, because they are both vaccinated up the wazoo. Harris had been scheduled to do an interview on the set with the four hosts, but after the positive tests, the first U.S. female vice president did a remote interview with the shows remaining two hosts, Behar and Sara Haines. Whoopi Goldberg, also a show host, was not on the set Friday. The Guardian reported that schools in England were struggling to stay open in the face of student COVID-19 outbreaks. Some schools have resorted to reinstating restrictions imposed last school year, such as social distancing and mask-wearing. Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, told The Guardian, We have seen a significant increase in the number of calls to our advice lines from school leaders asking for support and guidance about how best to manage COVID outbreaks. Norways government said Friday that it would end all remaining coronavirus restrictions on Saturday. "It is 561 days since we introduced the toughest measures in Norway in peacetime. ... Now the time has come to return to a normal daily life," Prime Minister Erna Solberg told a news conference. In Australia, health officials announced Friday that more than half the population had been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. A wave of coronavirus infections has led to lockdowns in Australias two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, as well as the capital, Canberra. Health officials in South Korea said Saturday that the number of new COVID-19 cases in the previous 24-hour period had passed 3,000. Authorities said they thought a three-day holiday this week might have been the source of the recent surge in cases. Officials said that although cases were spiking, the mortality rate and the number of severe cases remained relatively low. They attributed that in large part to a vaccination campaign that prioritized older people and those who were at high risk for disease. In Singapore, the health ministry announced it was tightening restrictions to fight a wave of coronavirus infections. The new policies included limiting social gatherings to two people, down from five. The ministry also reported 1,650 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic. Earlier this week, Singapore said 92% of the population had been fully vaccinated. Officials said about 98% of the confirmed coronavirus cases in the past four weeks were in people who had mild or no symptoms. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. Lengthy queues of vehicles snaked their way to gas stations in Britain on Saturday where an acute shortage of truck drivers has led to fuel rationing, some empty pumps, and government consideration of issuing temporary work visas. Across the country, motorists waited in long lines to fill up their vehicles. One big distributor said it was rationing sales, and a number of operators said they were having to close some pump sites, provoking panic-buying. Government ministers and oil companies said there were ample stocks of petrol or diesel and there was no cause for alarm, but the lack of truck drivers was hampering transport of fuel from refineries to gas stations. With retailers also warning of significant disruption to their supplies in the run-up to Christmas, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office has said it is looking at a short-term fix to address the shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers. "We're looking at temporary measures to avoid any immediate problems, but any measures we introduce will be very strictly time-limited," a spokeswoman for Johnson's Downing Street office said in a statement. "Like countries around the world we are suffering from a temporary COVID-related shortage of drivers needed to move supplies around the country." The UK's Road Haulage Association says Britain is facing a shortage of 100,000 drivers, a result of workers leaving the industry, Brexit and COVID-19, which stopped driver training and testing for about a year. Newspapers have reported that the government would allow up to 5,000 foreign drivers into Britain on short-term visas, a measure that logistics companies and retailers have demanded for months but that the government had previously ruled out. Business leaders and the haulage industry have welcomed the reported plan, but there are also doubts about whether it will go far enough, or if drivers will come to Britain from Europe, where countries are also facing labor shortages. "We'll have to see if we can attract people for a short period of time," Huw Merriman, chairman of parliament's transport committee, told BBC-TV. Brian Madderson, the chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association, which represents independent fuel retailers, said he expected the problem to continue for a "while longer." "I think this situation is going to get worse before it gets better," he told Sky News. Unprecedented demand The issue came to the fore after BP said it had to close some of its outlets because of the driver shortages, with Shell and ExxonMobil's Esso also reporting problems with supplies to gas stations. EG Group, which runs 341 petrol outlets across Britain, said on Friday it would impose a purchase limit of 30 pounds ($41) per customer for fuel because of the "unprecedented customer demand." From early on Saturday, motorists began lining up outside filling stations, and some closed as fuel ran out. "I was out on my bike ... and came past my BP garage and it was chaos," Merriman said. "As soon as the message gets out there might be a fuel shortage, people understandably react." Police across the country reported congestion caused by motorists waiting in line and urged people not to contact them about the problems the traffic was causing. Britain, the world's fifth-largest economy, is also grappling with a spike in European natural gas costs that has caused soaring energy prices and could lead to a food supply crunch. Britain says the long-term solution for the haulage industry is for more British drivers to be hired and for them to be paid better. As Haitian migrants stepped off a white U.S. Border Patrol van in the Texas border city of Del Rio after learning they'd be allowed to stay in the country for now, a man in a neon yellow vest stood nearby and quietly surveyed them. Some carried sleeping babies, and one toddler walked behind her mother wrapped in a silver heat blanket. As they passed by to be processed by a local nonprofit that provides migrants with basic essentials and helps them reach family in the U.S., many smiled happy to be starting a new leg of their journey after a chaotic spell in a crowded camp near a border bridge that links Del Rio with Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. Dave, who didn't want to share his last name because he feared a backlash for trying to help people who entered the U.S. illegally, didn't see his friend Ruth in this group. But he wore the bright safety vest so she would be able to spot him in the crowd when she arrived with her husband and 3-year-old daughter. "I feel like my friend is worth my time to come down and help," he told The Associated Press on Friday. On Tuesday, Dave set out from his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, and made the nearly 1,300-mile (2,092-kilometer) drive to Del Rio, where up to 15,000 migrants suddenly crossed in from Mexico this month, most of them Haitian and many seeking asylum. The 64-year-old met Ruth over a decade ago during a Christian mission to Haiti. Over the years, Dave would send Ruth money for a little girl he met in an orphanage whom he'd promised himself he'd support. Ruth always made sure the girl had what she needed. Last month, Ruth and her family left South America, where they briefly lived after leaving their impoverished Caribbean homeland, to try to make it to the United States. Dave told her he'd be there when they arrived to drive them to her sister's house in Ohio. "I just see it as an opportunity to serve somebody," he said. "We have so much." The nonprofit, the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition, has received dozens of drop-offs from U.S. Border Patrol agents since the sudden influx of migrants to Del Rio became the country's most pressing immigration challenge. Its director, Tiffany Burrow, said the group processed more than 1,600 Haitian migrants from Monday through when the camp was completely cleared Friday, assisting them with travel and resettlement necessities. This is nothing new for Burrow, who has watched Haitian migrants cross into Del Rio in smaller numbers since January. But this recent wave overwhelmed her small group. "It's a different volume. And the eyes of the world are on us this time," Burrow told the AP. As Dave waited Friday for the next bus to arrive, he shimmied a child seat into place in the back seat of his vehicle. It was for Ruth's toddler and was the first thing he spotted when he stopped at a thrift store on his way out of Toledo. He viewed it as a little sign he was doing the right thing. Ruth and her family had spent the past week at the bridge camp and Dave had been communicating with her through WhatsApp. But all communication stopped Thursday around noon, and he said Ruth's sister in Ohio also hadn't heard from her. Still, Dave waited, scrolling through a list of "what ifs." He wondered aloud if her phone died or if she was in a Border Patrol facility with strict rules about electronic devices. "I'm putting a lot of faith in my phone," he said, laughing. Like Dave, Dr. Pierre Moreau made the trip to Del Rio from Miami to help. A Haitian immigrant himself and U.S. Navy veteran, he saw the images unfolding from the camp and booked a flight. "That was devastating. My heart was crying," Moreau said. "And I told my wife I'm coming. And she said go." Moreau didn't have a plan, just a rental car full of toiletries and supplies he hoped to pass out to any migrants he came across. "I'm concerned about my brothers and sisters. And I was concerned with the way they were treated," he said. Dave said he hates how politicized the border issue has become. He considers himself a supporter of former President Donald Trump but said he's more complicated than a single label. As he waited in his car, Dave gushed over how hard Ruth had worked as a nurse to get to the United States a dream she's held for over a decade. He said he knows she'll do the same in the U.S. and that all he's doing is giving her and her small family a leg up. "I help them with their first step," Dave said. "And like a little child, next time you see them, they'll be running." Every time a Border Patrol bus or van pulled up to the coalition, Dave and his yellow vest would cross the street. He waited as each migrant climbed out, hoping to see Ruth, and he even darted over to one woman, thinking it was her. "That sounded just like Ruth's voice," he said. As news broke Friday that the camp had been cleared, Dave still held out hope that she'd arrive. But 10 hours after he pulled up, the coalition announced it had received its last busload and that no more migrants would be arriving from the camp. This wave, at least for now, was over for Del Rio. But Burrow said there will likely be others. "Right now, we're in a cycle," she said. "We're learning to work with it." Dave stood up from his folding chair and started walking back to his car. He still hadn't heard anything from Ruth and he again speculated as to where she and her family might be, including that they could have been sent on a deportation flight back to Haiti. He looked defeated but said he didn't plan to drive back to Ohio until he heard from Ruth not until he knew his friend was OK. "I cringe when I hear the beep that it's going to be the wrong message," Dave said. "But I try to keep hoping. I don't know what else I can do." U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley has indicated that recent attacks by Iranian proxies on U.S. forces in Iraq are making it tougher for the Biden administration to build domestic support for its new diplomatic initiative to resolve U.S.-Iran tensions. U.S. troops and bases in Iraq have come under rocket attack several times since last month, causing multiple casualties, including the death of an American civilian contractor and wounding of a U.S. military service member. U.S. forces responded to the first of the attacks, on an airbase housing U.S. troops in the city of Irbil on Feb. 15, by striking Iran-backed militants in eastern Syria 10 days later. U.S. news site Politico cited unnamed U.S. defense officials as saying they suspected an Iranian proxy militia also was responsible for a March 3 rocket attack on western Iraqs Al-Asad airbase that also houses American forces. In a Wednesday interview with VOA Persian at the State Department, his first with VOA since taking office in January, Malley was asked whether he thought the attacks were part of an Iranian campaign to pressure President Joe Biden into easing sanctions imposed on Tehran by the previous administration of Donald Trump. It's not really helping the climate in the U.S. to have Iranian allies take shots at Americans in Iraq or elsewhere, and the U.S. will respond as it has responded and it will continue to respond, Malley said. Biden campaigned on a pledge to revive diplomacy with Iran and ease Trumps sanctions if it resumes full compliance with a 2015 deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Under the deal, Tehran promised world powers to curb its nuclear activities that could be weaponized in return for relief from international sanctions. Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, saying it did not do enough to stop objectionable Iranian behavior, and unilaterally tightened U.S. sanctions aimed at achieving that goal. Iran retaliated a year later by starting to violate the deals nuclear curbs, reducing the amount of time it would need to develop nuclear weapons to what U.S. officials have said is several months. Tehran has long denied seeking to weaponize what it calls a civilian nuclear program. Biden, who was inaugurated in January, faced calls last week from both opposition Republicans and his fellow Democrats in the U.S. Congress to take a tougher approach toward Iran. Referring to what they said were escalating attacks on U.S. and coalition personnel in Iraq and Irans recent JCPOA violations, the 12 Democrat and 12 Republican members of the House of Representatives wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, saying the Biden administration should make use of existing leverage to sharpen the choices available to Tehran. Speaking to VOA, Malley reiterated the administrations desire for talks with Iran about returning the U.S. to compliance with the JCPOA if Iran does the same and expressed hope that would happen soon. He suggested recent actions by Iran and its proxies are not helping the U.S. diplomatic initiative to move faster. If ... these are [Iranian] tactics aimed at speeding things up, it's hard to see how that is going to work, Malley said. In a separate interview with BBC Persian on Wednesday, Malley said that if Iran does not want to enter into direct talks with the U.S., the two sides could negotiate through a third party. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in an interview with Politico published Wednesday, reiterated Tehrans promise to resume compliance with the JCPOA immediately only if the U.S. first takes steps to ease the sanctions. He also warned that if Washington continues to demand that Tehran make the first move, Iran will take unspecified new steps away from the nuclear deal. The Biden administration has said any U.S. return to the JCPOA would be followed by negotiations aimed at strengthening the nuclear deal to resolve U.S. concerns about Irans other activities, including its missile program and support for Islamist militants engaged in long-running conflicts with the U.S. and its regional allies. U.S. officials have not specified how they would persuade Iran to enter such negotiations and what kind of new deal would be produced. The JCPOA has shown that it is fragile, and we believe it can be strengthened with a follow-on deal. And we will press Iran and try to convince Iran that it's in their interest as well to get a follow-on deal, Malley said. Of course, Iran will have issues that it will want to bring to the table, he acknowledged. Zarif, speaking to Politico, said Iran will consider discussing nonnuclear issues if the U.S. passes the test of JCPOA compliance. But the United States miserably failed, not only during the Trump administration but even during the past two months of the Biden administration, he said. The top Iranian diplomat also expressed doubt that the U.S. would be prepared to discuss issues such as U.S. arms sales to Irans regional rivals. Are the U.S. and its Western allies prepared to stop that? Thats a very lucrative market and I dont think President Biden wants to do that, Zarif said. In January, the Biden administration announced a freeze on Trump-approved U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and a review of those the former president approved for the United Arab Emirates. U.S. officials told national media that the arms sales reviews were not unusual for a new administration and said many of the transactions are likely to go forward eventually. This article originated in VOAs Persian Service. Click here for the original Persian version of the story. Rwandan forces will help secure and rebuild areas of northern Mozambique destroyed by an Islamist insurgency, Rwanda's President Paul Kagame said Friday, as Mozambican officials began encouraging civilians to return to the gas-rich region. The United Nations has warned of a continuing militant threat in Cabo Delgado, where Rwandan forces are patrolling burnt-out streets once besieged by the militants. Kagame told a joint news conference in Maputo with his Mozambican counterpart Filipe Nyusi that Rwandan troops would help secure and rebuild the areas destroyed by the insurgency. "The mission of Rwandan troops in Mozambique continues," he said. "The new action should be to guarantee security in the liberated areas until the reconstruction is finished." Kagame said the troops would stay as long as Mozambique requests. Nyusi thanked Rwanda for helping fix what had been destroyed by "terrorists." Allied Rwandan-Mozambican troops moved in to recapture parts of northern Cabo Delgado -- an area hosting $60 billion worth of gas projects that the militants have been attacking since 2017 -- in July. A day earlier, soldiers had laid out rifles and rocket launchers seized from the Islamist fighters, who Mozambique's government has said are on the run. Some local officials have encouraged civilians to return, according to media reports, and the Rwandan military's spokesperson said 25,000 people had been brought home. "It is very safe for them to go back," Ronald Rwivanga told Reuters on Thursday. But United Nations officials are not so sure. A document compiled in September for U.N. agencies and other aid groups, seen by Reuters, said it was not clear whether militant capabilities had been much reduced. "Fighting continues in certain locations and civilian authorities have not been re-established," it added. Children played in the streets of the town of Palma on Thursday and vendors sold goods from kiosks, six months after the militants attacked the settlement, killing dozens and forcing tens of thousands to flee. But 60 kilometers south in the port of Mocimboa da Praia -- a hub needed for cargo deliveries for the gas projects -- the streets were largely deserted, flanked by windowless, rubble-strewn buildings and overturned military vehicles. Graffiti, using a local name for the militant group, read: "If you want to make Al-Shabaab laugh, threaten them with death." The war that remains is hunger Aside from the Rwandans, a contingent of forces from the regional bloc, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is also patrolling northern Cabo Delgado. Rwivanga said the Rwandans had been moving civilians back into the area they control around a $20 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project run by oil major TotalEnergies, which was forced to a halt by the Palma attack. Yet security analysts say the Mozambican military deficiencies that allowed the insurgency to take hold in the north -- including soldiers who are ill equipped, undisciplined and poorly paid -- will not be easily reversed. Even with other forces there, they say, security is uncertain outside of small, heavily guarded areas. Returnees, meanwhile, are more preoccupied with where the next meal is coming from. The World Food Program said this week that the first shipment of aid had reached Palma since the March attack. "Now the situation is calm, the war that remains is hunger and lack of jobs," Ibrahimo Suleman, 60, a resident who works for a kitchen-fitting company said. Many others remain too afraid or unwilling to return, with almost 750,000 people still displaced as of this month, according to the International Organization of Migration. At least eight Nigerian soldiers were killed and several others were missing Friday after being ambushed by IS-affiliated jihadists in violence-wracked northeast Borno state, two military sources told AFP. A military convoy came under rocket fire by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants as it made its way between the towns of Dikwa and Marte in the Lake Chad region, the sources said. Eight other soldiers and an anti-jihadist militiaman were injured in the attack, a military officer said. According to a second military source, who lacked authorization to speak about the incident and asked not to be identified, the jihadists took away two military vehicles and burned three others. It was the second high-profile attack in less than two weeks by ISWAP jihadists, who are waging a 12-year Islamist insurgency in Nigeria's northeast. ISWAP has been consolidating territory in the Lake Chad area since rival Boko Haram commander Abubakar Shekau was killed in fighting between the two jihadist forces earlier this year. Earlier this month, 16 Nigerian soldiers and two anti-jihadist militia were killed in another ambush by IS-allied fighters on their patrol on a highway in northeast Borno state. ISWAP has recently intensified attacks on civilians along the 135-kilometer (84-mile) Maiduguri-Monguno highway where they set up checkpoints, robbing and killing motorists, according to accounts of local residents. The near-daily attacks prompted military patrols along the highway, the military sources said. Since 2019, soldiers have shut down some smaller army bases and moved into larger, fortified garrisons known as "super camps" in an attempt to better resist militant attacks. But critics say the "super camp" strategy has also allowed militants liberty to move freely in rural areas and left travelers more vulnerable to kidnapping. The conflict has spilled into neighboring Niger, Chad and Cameroon. A regional military coalition is fighting the Islamist groups to end their violence. Pakistan's prime minister is urging the international community to support the new Taliban leaders in Afghanistan instead of isolating them. In a prerecorded message to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Imran Khan said the world community should stabilize the current leaders "for the sake of the people of Afghanistan." "If we neglect Afghanistan right now, according to the U.N., half the people of Afghanistan are already vulnerable, and by next year almost 90% of the people in Afghanistan will go below the poverty line," Khan said. He noted that the Taliban have promised to respect human rights, form an inclusive government and not allow their country to be used by terrorists. "If the world community incentivizes them, encourages them to walk this talk, it will be a win-win situation for everyone," he said. On Thursday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi conveyed to the United States that while Afghanistan's Taliban rulers should be held to their commitments, the world has "a moral obligation" to collectively work to help the Afghan people deal with a severe humanitarian and economic crisis in the war-ravaged country. Qureshi delivered the message Thursday in his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during which they discussed the way forward in Afghanistan, according to an official statement issued in Islamabad. The discussions took place in New York, on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Qureshi "hoped that the world would not repeat the mistake of disengaging with Afghanistan," according to the statement. The U.S. State Department said Blinken stressed "the importance of coordinating our diplomatic engagement and facilitating the departure of those wishing to leave Afghanistan" in his talks with Qureshi. The Taliban swept through Afghanistan in August, after Washington and Western allies withdrew their troops in line with U.S. President Joe Biden's orders that there was no point in extending America's longest war beyond 20 years. The Islamist movement's return to power prompted the Biden administration to swiftly block billions of dollars held in U.S. reserves for Kabul, while the World Bank and International Monetary Fund both halted Afghanistan's access to crucial funding amid worries about the fate of Afghan basic human rights under Taliban rule. Blinken told reporters Thursday the Afghan issue was the focus of his multilateral and bilateral meetings, including with counterparts from Russia and China. He said that the Taliban continue to seek legitimacy and international support for their rule in Kabul, and that the world is united on how to deal with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. "I think there is very strong unity of approach and unity of purpose. ... Again, the Taliban says that it seeks legitimacy, that it seeks support from the international community. The relationship that it has with the international community is going to be defined by the actions it takes. That's what we're looking for," Blinken stressed. He reiterated U.S. priorities for the Islamist group, including allowing Afghans and foreign nationals to leave the country; respecting human rights, particularly for women, girls and minorities; preventing terrorist groups from using Afghanistan to threaten other countries; and forming a "genuinely inclusive government" that can reflect aspirations of the Afghan people. The Taliban have dismissed criticism of their male-only interim Cabinet, saying it represents all Afghan ethnicities, and it promised to "very soon" bring women on board. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Taliban) has writ all over the country and enjoy grassroots support. We truly represent the aspirations of the people of Afghanistan and are ready to engage with the world," Suhail Shaheen, whom the Taliban have nominated as their permanent representative to the U.N., said Friday. "The U.N. should listen to us to hear our side of the story. It is proved, policy of isolation is in the interest of none," insisted Shaheen, who is based in Doha, Qatar, where the Taliban run their political office. Pakistan, China and Russia have all moved to engage with the Taliban and have been urging the global community to engage with and help the new rulers in Kabul meet urgent humanitarian needs of Afghans. They have demanded the unfreezing of Afghan assets and the removal of other economic sanctions on Kabul, but they also have linked recognition of the new Taliban government until it delivers on its stated commitments. "Just as an overwhelming majority of countries around the world, we prefer to most closely watch what the Taliban have been doing in Afghanistan, what final shape the structure of power in that country will take, and how the given promises will be fulfilled. We are monitoring this very closely," Russian media quoted presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying Friday. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, while addressing a virtual conference of G-20 foreign ministers on Thursday, also underscored the importance of the Taliban ensuring a broad and inclusive governance system in Kabul but slammed the freezing of Afghan assets by the U.S. and international lending institutions. "Afghanistan's foreign exchange reserves are its national assets and should be owned by and used for the people rather than being used as a bargaining chip to exert political pressure on Afghanistan," he said. Pakistan was among the only three countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, that recognized the Taliban government from 1996-2001, after the movement emerged the winner from the then-Afghan civil war. The rest of the global community isolated Afghanistan, citing human rights abuses by the Taliban, including, among other things, its ban on women and girls from work and receiving an education. However, Qureshi has recently stated Islamabad was not in a rush to extend diplomatic recognition to the Taliban's new government, but it would keep sending humanitarian assistance to the neighboring country, with which Pakistan shares a nearly 2,600-kilometer border. On Monday, the U.N. secretary-general received a letter from the Taliban notifying him that they want to replace Afghanistan Ambassador Ghulam Isaczai, who was appointed in July by the ousted Kabul government, with their own envoy. Acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, in his letter, said they want to participate in the current UNGA debate. Afghanistan is slated to speak last, on Sept. 27. Presumably that would be Isaczai, who is still the accredited representative. A U.N. spokesperson said it will be up to a nine-member General Assembly credentials committee to decide who will represent Afghanistan at the United Nations. It is unlikely to meet before October, however, making it doubtful the Taliban could address the annual debate. Peruvian authorities said Friday they had cremated the body of Shining Path guerrilla leader Abimael Guzman, a symbolic end to a violent chapter of history that claimed tens of thousands of lives over two decades. Guzman, dubbed the "Pol Pot of the Andes for his embrace of the Cambodian leader's genocidal methods, died at age 86 on September 11 at a high security prison where he was serving a life sentence. He was arrested in 1992. Guzman's remains had been the subject of a tug-of-war between his also-imprisoned widow, Elena Iparraguirre a former Shining Path second-in-command, and the state. She had wanted the body turned over to her for burial. But officials were concerned that Guzman's gravesite could become a rallying point for any remaining followers, and there was widespread support for his body to instead be cremated and the ashes spread in the Pacific Ocean. Last Friday, Congress approved a bill giving authorities the final word over the remains of prisoners convicted of "terrorism" in case of a public security threat. And on Thursday, Peru's prosecution service ordered the remains be cremated within 24 hours, signaling the closure of the official investigation into his death. The cremation took place Friday at a Naval hospital outside Lima, the interior ministry said. Present were Interior Minister Juan Carrasco and Justice Minister Anibal Torres. 'Remember the victims' "Today, more than ever, we remember the thousands of Peruvians killed by terror," Carrasco tweeted on the occasion. The body was transferred from the morgue to the crematorium under strong police protection. The interior ministry released images of a corpse wrapped in plastic being transferred to a black bag before being placed in the furnace. A former philosophy professor, Guzman was the architect of the Maoist guerrilla group's brutal 20-year attempt to overthrow the Peruvian government from 1980 to 2000. Among his cruelest crimes was ordering the massacre of 117 residents of an Andean village in 1984. Guzman and Iparraguirre were captured together in September 1992 and married in 2010, despite being held in different prisons. He was reported to have died from double pneumonia an infection that inflames both lungs and has been associated with COVID-19. Since his death, rightwing lawmakers have been clamoring to see the body amid suspicions that the country's leftist President Pedro Castillo sympathizes with the Shining Path an assertion he flatly denies. The authorities did not reveal what would be done with his ashes. Show more Show less U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday hosted the leaders of India, Japan and Australia for a meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad, part of his foreign policy push to focus on the Indo-Pacific region and counter a rising China. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report. Fatima Alzahra Shon thinks neighbors attacked her and her son in their Istanbul apartment building because she is Syrian. The 32-year-old refugee from Aleppo was confronted on Sept. 1 by a Turkish woman who asked her what she was doing in our country. Shon replied, Who are you to say that to me? The situation quickly escalated. A man came out of the Turkish womans apartment half-dressed, threatening to cut Shon and her family into pieces, she recalled. Another neighbor, a woman, joined in, shouting and hitting Shon. The group then pushed her down a flight of stairs. Shon said that when her 10-year-old son, Amr, tried to intervene, he was beaten as well. Shon said she has no doubt about the motivation for the aggression: Racism. Refugees fleeing the long conflict in Syria once were welcomed in neighboring Turkey with open arms, sympathy and compassion for fellow Muslims. But attitudes gradually hardened as the number of newcomers swelled over the past decade. Anti-immigrant sentiment is now nearing a boiling point, fueled by Turkeys economic woes. With unemployment high and the prices of food and housing skyrocketing, many Turks have turned their frustration toward the countrys roughly 5 million foreign residents, particularly the 3.7 million who fled the civil war in Syria. In August, violence erupted in Ankara, the Turkish capital, as an angry mob vandalized Syrian businesses and homes in response to the deadly stabbing of a Turkish teenager. Turkey hosts the worlds largest refugee population, and many experts say that has come at a cost. Selim Sazak, a visiting international security researcher at Bilkent University in Ankara and an advisor to officials from the opposition IYI Party, compared the arrival of so many refugees to absorbing a foreign state thats ethnically, culturally, linguistically dissimilar. Everyone thought that it would be temporary, Sazak said. I think its only recently that the Turkish population understood that these people are not going back. They are only recently understanding that they have to become neighbors, economic competitors, colleagues with this foreign population. On a recent visit to Turkey, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi acknowledged that the high number of refugees had created social tensions, especially in the countrys big cities. He urged donor countries and international organizations to do more to help Turkey. The prospect of a new influx of refugees following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has reinforced the unreceptive public mood. Videos purporting to show young Afghan men being smuggled into Turkey from Iran caused public outrage and led to calls for the government to safeguard the countrys borders. The government says there are about 300,000 Afghans in Turkey, some of whom hope to continue their journeys to reach Europe. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who long defended an open-door policy toward refugees, recently recognized the publics unease and vowed not to allow the country to become a warehouse for refugees. Erdogans government sent soldiers to Turkeys eastern frontier with Iran to stem the expected flow of Afghans and is speeding up the construction of a border wall. Immigration is expected to become a top campaign topic even though Turkeys next general election is two years away. Both Turkeys main opposition party, the Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, and the nationalist IYI Party have promised to work on creating conditions that would allow the Syrian refugees return. waste collection fees foreigners there to propel them to leave. Following the anti-Syrian violence in the Altindag district of Ankara last month, Umit Ozdag, a right-wing politician who recently formed his own anti-immigrant party, visited the area wheeling an empty suitcase and saying the time has come for the refugees to start packing. The riots broke out on Aug. 11, a day after a Turkish teenager was stabbed to death in a fight with a group of young Syrians. Hundreds of people chanting anti-immigrant slogans took to the streets, vandalized Syrian-run shops and hurled rocks at refugees homes. A 30-year-old Syrian woman with four children who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals said her family locked themselves in their bathroom as an attacker climbed onto their balcony and tried to force the door open. The woman said the episode traumatized her 5-year-old daughter and the girl has trouble sleeping at night. Some shops in the area remain closed, with traces of the disturbance still visible on their dented, metal shutters. Police have deployed multiple vehicles and a water cannon on the streets to prevent a repeat of the turmoil. Syrians are often accused of failing to assimilate in Turkey, a country that has a complex relationship with the Arab world dating back to the Ottoman empire. While majority Muslim like neighboring Arab countries, Turks trace their origins to nomadic warriors from central Asia and Turkish belongs to a different language group than Arabic. Kerem Pasaoglu, a pastry shop owner in Istanbul, said he wants Syrians to go back to their country and is bothered that some shops a street over have signs written in Arabic instead of Turkish. Just when we said we are getting used to Syrians or they will leave, now the Afghans coming is unfortunately very difficult for us, he said. Turkeys foreign minister this month said Turkey is working with the United Nations refugee agency to safely return Syrians to their home country. While the security situation has stabilized in many parts of Syria after a decade of war, forced conscription, indiscriminate detentions and forced disappearances continue to be reported. Earlier this month, Amnesty International said some Syrian refugees who returned home were subjected to detention, disappearance and torture at the hands of Syrian security forces, proving that going back to any part of the country is unsafe. Shon said police in Istanbul showed little sympathy when she reported the attack by her neighbors. She said officers kept her at the station for hours, while the male neighbor who threatened and beat her was able to leave after giving a brief statement. Shon fled Aleppo in 2012, when the city became a battleground between Syrian government forces and rebel fighters. She said the father of her children drowned while trying to make it to Europe. Now, she wonders whether Turkey is the right place for her and her children. I think of my childrens future. I try to support them in any way I can, but they have a lot of psychological issues now and I dont know how to help them overcome it, she said. I dont have the power anymore. Im very tired. A United Nations investigation has found the Venezuelan justice system complicit in propping up President Nicolas Maduros repressive rule. The allegation comes in a report by the Independent International Fact-finding Mission on Venezuela that has been submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council. As in the past, the Venezuelan government refused all contact with the three U.N. investigators and would not allow them entry into the country to conduct their probe. Consequently, the fact-finding mission remotely investigated the role played by Venezuelas justice system in the prosecution of the governments perceived opponents. Chair of the mission Marta Valinas says the panel based its conclusions on an analysis of hundreds of interviews and case studies of people detained since 2014, as well as a review of thousands of pages of judicial files. Based on the investigation carried out, the mission has reasonable grounds to believe that the justice system in Venezuela has played a significant role in state repression of opponents to the government instead of providing them with protection when they were victims of human rights violations, Valinas said, speaking through an interpreter. The mission says documentary evidence indicates judges have supported the arbitrary detention and arrests of political opponents and preventive detention orders have been routinely approved. Valinas says an examination of 113 of the 183 cases of detention finds detainees were subjected to torture, sexual violence or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. In 67 of these cases, she says detainees appeared in court with marks of mistreatment, noting the accused in many instances were ordered to remain in the same preventive detention facilities where they allegedly had been tortured. We are concerned at the fact that in some cases analyzed, the mission has reasonable grounds to believe that the prosecutors office used information extracted under torture or coercion and that judicial authorities admitted this information as evidence without questioning its origin although the victims and their representatives made allegations in this regard, Valinas said. Venezuelan ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva Hector Constant Rosales rejected the report, saying it was politicized and full of false information and allegations that could not be taken seriously. He also questioned the legitimacy of the fact-finding mission and said the report undermined the credibility of the council. Most states expressed their support for the mission and its mandate. They urged Venezuela to restore the independence of its judiciary. However, several countries, including Cuba, North Korea, Russia, China, and Eritrea opposed the debate, saying it was aimed at destabilizing Venezuela. One of Hong Kongs biggest civil society groups, responsible for the annual Tiananmen Square vigil, has passed a resolution to disband after months of intensified political pressure. The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China is the latest civil society group in the city that has decided to fold, with several of its leaders currently in jail. On Saturday, members held an emergency general meeting that saw dozens vote for the group to end its 32-year existence. Group secretary Richard Tsoi said it was sad to announce the alliance has come to an end, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) reported. The alliance was known for assembling Hong Kongs annual candlelight vigil commemoration following the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing. Tens of thousands attended the memorial that usually took place in Hong Kongs Victoria Park. But for the past two years, authorities have banned the memorial, citing the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairman Lee Cheuk Yan and Vice Chairman Albert Ho, who reportedly had withdrawn from the group earlier, had sent letters from jail calling for the group to disband. Lee and Ho are both serving jail sentences following offenses and outstanding charges. Both pleaded guilty in May of participating in an illegal assembly during 2019 anti-government protests. Fading light Lee spoke with VOA earlier this year prior to going to jail and predicted the national security law would make it very difficult for the annual vigil to be legally approved again. Its not [just] the Tiananmen Square vigils, its everything that has an attraction for the masses, he said at the time. Vice Chairwoman Hang Tung Chow admitted in August that the group had been debating whether to disband, and said that if the time would come to dissolve, it would be a huge blow. The alliance, she said, "has been occupying such a key position within the civil society in Hong Kong. We have a long tradition of organizing one of the biggest assemblies each year. It is the biggest sign of opposition to the Chinese Communist Party. Chow is facing charges in relation to promoting unauthorized assembly for this years June 4 candlelight vigil. But she was arrested again earlier in September after rejecting a police demand to surrender information in response to allegations that the alliance was an agent of foreign forces a crime under the security law. She told VOA before her arrest that the allegations were absurd and that authorities were fishing. There is no proper information linking us with any so-called foreign agents. They just label us as a foreign agent, such as they can use that power to demand information, she added. National security law Following the police demands, Chow, Lee and Ho were charged under the national security law for allegedly inciting subversion to state power. The group later deleted all online messages and closed its website after a demand by police. Several other prominent groups in Hong Kong have recently ceased operations. The Civil Human Rights Front, also responsible for some of Hong Kongs largest protests, disbanded last month after Hong Kong police said the group might have violated the national security law. The Global Times, a state-affiliated newspaper, had previously written that the ending of the Hong Kong alliance was long-awaited, saying it was an anti-China organization that was doomed to end. But political analyst Joseph Cheng, formerly of Hong Kong, told VOA by email the disbandment of the group was a loss to the city in several ways. The continued organization of the June 4 candlelight vigil every year had been most important," he wrote. "It generated a significant impression on people in China and Chinese tourists in Hong Kong. It had good money-raising power, which revealed its support. It even managed to establish a museum. It symbolized the connection between the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong and that in China. Model is gone But Cheng, now in New Zealand, said there was no room for survival for pro-democracy organizations. This is part of the campaign to crack down on the territorys civil society," he wrote. "The alliance has probably more symbolic value in that its formation in 1989 led to the formation of pro-democracy parties immediately afterwards. Its continued operation after [Hong Kongs handover from Britain to China in] 1997 was perceived to be the symbol of tolerance of the 'one country, two systems' model. That model is gone, he added. Eric Yan-ho Lai, an analyst in law, politics and social movement, and a fellow at Georgetown University Law School, told VOA that the alliance would be remembered for upholding righteousness" and its search for the truth. The disbandment of HKA is a loss for people in Hong Kong and the mainland, as well as the international community that still dont forget the tragedy in 1989, he said. The Hong Kong alliance was founded weeks before the events of June 4 1989, in Beijings Tiananmen Square, where Chinas Peoples Liberation Army violently cracked down on pro-democracy demonstrators, leaving unknown numbers killed. One of its symbolic stances was calling for an end to one-party rule in China. Hong Kong saw months of anti-government protests in 2019 that sometimes turned violent. The unrest prompted Beijing to implement the national security law in June 2020. The legislation is being used by Hong Kong authorities to crack down on political dissidents, and it criminalizes acts deemed as subversion, secessionism, or a form of foreign collusion and terrorism. Since the law became active, dozens of pro-democracy activists and lawmakers have been charged, and one has been jailed. Turkey is voicing caution over Afghanistan's interim government as it continues talks with the Taliban on restarting air traffic at the Kabul airport. Turkey was among the first countries calling for talks and engagement with the Taliban after it swept to power last month. But the Taliban's announcement of an interim government this week saw Turkish President Recep Tayyip calling for a cautious approach. "As you know, right now, it's hard to call it permanent, but an interim cabinet has been announced," Erdogan said Tuesday. He said, "We don't know how long this interim cabinet will last. All we have to do is to follow this process carefully." But Erdogan said talks between the Taliban and Qatar on restarting full operations at the Kabul airport were making progress although he warned key issues remained unresolved. On Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Taliban's insistence on being the one to provide the airport's security remains a key obstacle. Cavusoglu said, "the Taliban or Afghan forces could ensure security outside the airport. But inside, he said, there should be a security company trusted by the international community". He added that "Otherwise, even if airlines, including Turkish Airlines, are keen to fly there, insurance companies would not allow it." Despite Turkeys participation in NATO's twenty-year-long military presence in Afghanistan, the Taliban reached out to Ankara with calls to put the airport back into operation. Turkey is NATO's only Muslim member, and it shares historical ties with Afghanistan. Asli Aydintasbas, a senior fellow of the European Council, says Ankara says believes hese factors could help Turkey play a key role in Afghanistan. "They will want to see as if they can position Turkey as a diplomatic conduit, as a diplomatic sort of go-between, between western countries and the Taliban," said Aydintasbas. The reopening of the Kabul airport is key for European countries and the United States in efforts to evacuate their citizens who are still in Afghanistan as well as Afghan nationals who once worked for NATO and western embassies. After meeting his Turkish counterpart, German foreign minister Heiko Maas underlined Turkey's importance in efforts to reopen the airport, offering to help finance the operation. But retired Turkish ambassador Selim Kuneralp says Ankara must deal delicately with the Taliban. "It seems to me they would be a risk in appearing to be too close to the Taliban to be their protectors, so to speak, in the eyes of the West, not just the United States but the European Union too," said Kuneralp. "If you appear to be close to them, then you would be painted with the same brush. Ankara's cautious approach to the new Afghan government and Turkish calls calling for scrutiny of the Talibans treatment of women and ethnic minorities could be signs of a growing awareness of Turkeys need to remain aligned with its Western allies over Afghanistan. A United Nations analysis of documented killings in Syrias decade-long war finds that roughly 350,000 civilians have been killed between March 2011, when the conflict erupted, and March 2021. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights commissioned the analysis and has submitted the results to the U.N. Human Rights Council. The High Commissioners Office suspended counting of civilian war deaths in 2014. It was stopped because gathering verifiable information had become more complex and dangerous. In its last update, the office reported more than 191,000 individuals had been killed. U.N. rights chief Michele Bachelet says the current number of more than 350,000 conflict-related deaths is based on her agencys data, information gathered by civil society organizations and from the Syrian government. Our numbers include only those people identifiable by full name, with an established date of death, and who died in an identified governorate. But it is notand should not be seen asa complete number of conflict-related killings in Syria during this period. It indicates a minimum verifiable number and is certainly an under-count of the actual number of killings, Bachelet said. The greatest number of documented killings was recorded in Aleppo, followed by rural Damascus, Homs, Idlib, Hama, and Tartus. The report finds more than one in 13 victims was a woman, and nearly one in 13 was a child. Bachelet said it is important to recognize that each number represents a person, not just an anonymous statistic in a brutal war. Tragically, she said many other victims have left behind no witnesses or documentation as to their deaths and the lives they led. Behind each recorded death was a human being, born free and equal, in dignity and rights. We must always make victims stories visible, both individually and collectively, because the injustice and horror of each of those deaths should compel us to action, she said. Bachelet said her office has begun to apply established statistical estimation techniques to account for the numbers of missing people. That, she noted, will provide a more complete picture of the scale of the conflict and its impact on Syrians. The Syrian conflict has sparked the worlds biggest refugee crisis, with an estimated 6.8 million refugees and asylum seekers, most in neighboring countries. Another 6.7 million people are displaced inside Syria. The combined total of more than 13.5 million forcibly displaced people amounts to more than half of Syrias population. The Texas border crossing where thousands of Haitian migrants converged in recent weeks was set to partly reopen Saturday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. Federal and local officials said no migrants remained at the makeshift encampment as of Friday, after some of the nearly 15,000 people were expelled from the country and many others were allowed to remain in the U.S., at least temporarily, as they try to seek asylum. In a statement, officials said trade and travel operations were to resume at the Del Rio Port of Entry for passenger traffic at 4 p.m. Saturday. It will be reopened for cargo traffic on Monday morning. CBP temporarily closed the border crossing between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, on September 17 after the migrants suddenly crossed into Del Rio and made camp around the U.S. side of the border bridge. CBP agents on Saturday searched the brush along the Rio Grande to ensure that no one was hiding near the site. Bruno Lozano, the mayor of Del Rio, said officials also wanted to be sure no other large groups of migrants were making their way to the Del Rio area to try to set up a similar camp. The Department of Homeland Security planned to continue flights to Haiti throughout the weekend, ignoring criticism from Democratic lawmakers and human rights groups who say Haitian migrants are being sent back to a troubled country that some left more than a decade ago. The number of people at the Del Rio encampment peaked last Saturday as migrants driven by confusion over the Biden administration's policies and misinformation on social media converged at the border crossing. The U.S. and Mexico worked swiftly, appearing eager to end the humanitarian situation that prompted the resignation of the U.S. special envoy to Haiti and widespread outrage after images emerged of border agents maneuvering their horses to forcibly block and move migrants. Many migrants face expulsion because they are not covered by protections recently extended by the Biden administration to the more than 100,000 Haitian migrants already in the U.S., citing security concerns and social unrest in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country. A devastating 2010 earthquake forced many from their homeland. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Friday that about 2,000 Haitians had been rapidly expelled on 17 flights since Sunday and more could be expelled in coming days under pandemic powers that deny people the chance to seek asylum. The Trump administration enacted the policy, called Title 42, in March 2020 to justify restrictive immigration policies in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Biden administration has used it to justify the deportation of Haitian migrants. A federal judge late last week ruled that the rule was improper and gave the government two weeks to halt it, but the Biden administration appealed. Officials said the U.S. State Department was in talks with Brazil and Chile to allow some Haitians who had previously resided in those countries to return, but it's complicated because some of them no longer have legal status there. Mayorkas said the U.S. had allowed about 12,400 migrants to enter the country, at least temporarily, while they make claims before an immigration judge to stay in the country under the asylum laws or for some other legal reason. They could ultimately be denied and would be subject to removal. Mayorkas said about 5,000 were in DHS custody and being processed to determine whether they will be expelled or allowed to press their claim for legal residency. Some returned to Mexico. A U.S. official with direct knowledge of the situation said seven flights were scheduled to Haiti on Saturday and six on Sunday, though that was subject to change. The official was not authorized to speak publicly. The Biden administration is stepping up its work to figure about what to do about the thawing Arctic, which is warming three times faster than the rest of the world. The White House said Friday it is reactivating the Arctic Executive Steering Committee, which coordinates domestic regulations and works with other Arctic nations. It also is adding six new members to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, including two Indigenous Alaskans. The steering committee had been moribund for the past four years, not meeting at a high level, said David Balton, appointed to direct it. He said it will step up and do more in the Arctic. The revamped committee will try to figure out what needs to be done to get a better handle on addressing the changes in the Arctic, Balton said. University of Colorado scientist Twila Moon, who is not involved with the committee or commission, praised the developments. She said that because the Arctic is changing so quickly, "serious issues like national security, stability of buildings and roads, food availability, and much more must be considered and acted on promptly, Moon said. The U.S. cannot afford to sit back on Arctic issues. Balton, in an interview, said the Arctic is opening up in a number of ways. Most of this is bad news. But theres also increased tourism and increased shipping, potentially other industries coming up into the Arctic that need regulation," he said. "And right now the nations and the peoples of the Arctic are scrambling to keep up with this change. The new efforts emphasize working with Indigenous people. Its really important to achieve these goals, so it has to be done in partnership with people who live in the area, said committee deputy director Raychelle Alauq Daniel, a climate policy analyst and Yupik who grew up in Tuntuliak, Alaska. Superpower tensions are likely to increase in the region as it becomes more ice-free in parts of the year, allowing not just more shipping but the temptation for going after resources such as oil, Balton said. People who live in the Lower 48 states should still care about what happens in the polar region, Balton said. The Arctic is kind of a bellwether for what happens to the planet as a whole. The fate of places like Miami are tied very closely to the fate of Greenland ice sheet, Balton said. If you live in Topeka, Kansas, or if you live in California, if you live in Nigeria, your life is going to be affected. ... The Arctic matters on all sorts of levels. U.S. President Joe Biden said Friday that around 60 million Americans are eligible for a booster shot against the coronavirus. His announcement came after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved a third Pfizer shot for those 65 and older, frontline workers and adults with underlying medical conditions. Biden urged eligible Americans to get COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, and he said he would get his own shot as soon as possible. In comments from the White House Friday, Biden said, "Like your first and second shot, the booster shot is free and easily accessible." The CDC approved the boosters for Americans 65 or older; frontline workers such as teachers, health care workers and others whose jobs place them at risk of contracting COVID-19; and those ages 50 to 64 with underlying conditions. The booster shot will be available for those who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months ago. The White House said Friday 20 million Americans are eligible for the shot immediately, while a total of 60 million Pfizer-shot recipients will be eligible for boosters once they reach the six-month mark. The European Unions drug watchdog said Thursday it plans to decide in early October whether to approve a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for those over age 16. Elsewhere, Norways government said Friday it would end all remaining coronavirus restrictions on Saturday. "It is 561 days since we introduced the toughest measures in Norway in peacetime. ... Now the time has come to return to a normal daily life," Prime Minister Erna Solberg told a news conference. In Australia, health officials announced Friday that more than half the population had been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. A wave of coronavirus infections has led to lockdowns in Australias two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, as well as the capital, Canberra. Health officials in South Korea said Friday the country set a record for daily cases with 2,434 in the past 24 hours, surpassing a record set last month. Officials said that although cases were spiking, the mortality rate and the number of severe cases remain relatively low. They attributed that in large part to a vaccination campaign that prioritized older people and those who were at high risk for disease. In Singapore, the health ministry announced it was tightening restrictions to fight a wave of coronavirus infections. The new policies include limiting social gatherings to two people, down from five. The ministry also reported 1,650 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic. Earlier this week, Singapore said 92% of the population had been fully vaccinated. Officials said about 98% of the confirmed coronavirus cases in the past four weeks were in people who had mild or no symptoms. Russia reported 828 deaths from COVID-19 in past 24 hours on Friday, the country's highest daily number of the pandemic. The toll breaks the record set a day earlier. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Thursday in a video address to the United Nations General Assembly, "It is an indictment on humanity that more than 82% of the world's vaccine doses have been acquired by wealthy countries, while less than 1% has gone to low-income countries," The African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 4% of Africa's population is fully vaccinated. "The hoarding and inequitable distribution with the resultant uneven vaccination patterns across the globe is not acceptable," Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said in a prerecorded message to the assembly on Thursday. "Vaccine nationalism is self-defeating and contrary to the mantra that 'no one is safe until everyone is safe.' Whether in the global North or South, rich or poor, old or young, all people of the world deserve access to vaccines." Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, says the political and security landscape in Africa is on a path of adversity following a couple of coups and other security activities. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, Mekonnen said, Forcible overthrow of governments, joint military exercises, aggression, renewed appetite for intervention in sovereign countries, subversion and mercenaryism, normalized and renewed scramble for natural resources, secret military pacts, geo-political competitions and others are becoming pervasive. Unless we swiftly change course, this will be yet another round to destabilize Africa and disenfranchise Africans in the determination of our destiny. We hope there will be more countries to lift the banner of multilateralism rather than the vagaries of unilateralism. Mekonnen, who is also the countrys Foreign Affairs Minister, said, accordingly, Ethiopia stands ready to avail bilateral mechanisms and diplomatic solutions to resolve the border dispute with Sudan. It is incumbent upon our two governments to work for peace for the sake of our people that have the strongest bond of fraternity. He said the past year has also seen a milestone for the people of Ethiopia as the nations experiment with democracy ascended one level with a free, fair, peaceful, and credible election with an unprecedented level of voter turnout. Mekonnen further noted that his country has been threatened for harnessing water from its abundant natural resources. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) a hydroelectric dam project we fully financed underwent a second-year filling. Hopefully, we inspired others to develop local capability to plan, finance, and complete renewable energy projects. However, our humble attempt to light the houses of millions of Ethiopians and create hope for our youth is politicized before global bodies. This peoples' project also received unending threats. Ironically, we are accused and threatened for drinking from our water. On the matter of the Nile and the GERD, Mekonnen said the nations confidence is in the might of the truth, wisdom and justice that has always defined our path for cooperation. The generational desire to use our natural resources will not be stopped by a colonial legacy and monopolistic cause. We hope our negotiating partners are prepared for a win-win outcome under the African Union led process. He said Ethiopias political reform agenda has been facing some challenges even if there were some successes in the past three years. The changes we introduced, ushered-in democracy, human rights, human development, and regional stability. It also opened avenues for dialogue and unity among divergent political and interest groups. Tapping into Ethiopias rich history and enormous potential, the reform charted our inevitable and bright future - placing Ethiopia as a new horizon of hope. It overturned a complex network of corruption, illegitimate political power, and illicit financial flows -- installed at the cost of national interest and the detriment of regional peace. The reform, however, was not without challenges. As any other democracy, our democratic process is an attempt to find a balance between stability and disruption. In Ethiopia, groups that consider equality as subjugation are making their best effort to create and prolong anarchy. At the hands of these lords of instability, we went through unimaginably inhumane attacks against citizens, instigation of violence, and destruction of property, that culminated in an attack against the Ethiopian army. He said on the night of November four last year, in a scheme orchestrated by a criminal group, the Ethiopian National Defense Force was attacked from within. The unsuspecting men and women in uniform were slain. The Government of Ethiopia, took the necessary measures to avert the grave danger imposed on us. While the government was addressing humanitarian needs, the disruptors applied their cruel design to aggravate human suffering. We were also caught by surprise, and to-be-honest, unprepared for the twisted propaganda campaign. Little did we know the power of privatized politics and foreign policy that clouds the truth from policy decisions. The criminal enterprise and its enablers created and advertised horrific imagery of faked incidents. Mekinnon claimed that as if the real misery of Ethiopians was not enough, story lines were created to match not the facts but preconceived stereotypical attitudes. The Government of Ethiopia meeting-out its obligation to fulfil humanitarian needs, the declaration of humanitarian ceasefire, the commissioning of investigations, and accountability measures have not mitigated the propaganda campaigns. At this stage, we are nearly convinced humanitarian assistance is a pretext for advancing political considerations. Accused by agenda-and-revenue driven media, convicted by misguided politics, we are now facing a unilateral coercive measure. Ethiopia opposed coercive measures, when it was applied against others, we advise against its application on Ethiopia. Prescriptions and punitive measures never helped improve situations or relations. He said the prudent measures we will continue to take are commensurate with the existential challenge we face. Despite the undue pressure, we shall live up to the solemn obligation to preserve the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the political independence of Ethiopia. While cooperation and concern from our friends is welcome, we underline the need to employ constructive approach, cultivate trust and ensure understanding. Mekinnon said the entire region is facing the destructive path paved for it by this group. Supporting Ethiopia overcome this criminal group is helping sustain regional peace. Dialogue has always been our preferred course of action. Accordingly, Ethiopia is open to candid initiatives for peace. The Ethiopian government has been accused of killing people following a civil war in Tigray. Show more Show less U.S. authorities continue to deport Haitian migrants who have arrived by the thousands at the U.S.-Mexico border and are camping out under the International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas.Migrants from other countries also face deportation. For VOA, Alejandro Saldivar filed this report from Del Rio, narrated by Cristina Caicedo Smits. Camera: Cesar Contreras The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Spain's La Palma experienced intensified volcanic explosions, Friday, September 24, which forced firefighters to retreat and authorities to evacuate three more towns, while airlines canceled flights because of a huge cloud of gas and ash. (Reuters) Namibian activists and opposition members stormed parliament this week over a deal with Germany to atone for a colonial genocide more than a century ago. Opposition lawmakers also called for a renegotiation of the deal, in which Germany has agreed to fund about $1.3 billion in development projects over 30 years to redress land taken and tens of thousands killed from 1904 to 1908. Critics said the amount was insufficient. Activist Sima Luipert vowed legal action if the Namibian parliament approved a bill accepting the deal. She said the deal, which the Namibian and German governments reached in May, violated the participation and informed consent rights of the ethnic Ovaherero and Nama peoples. Hundreds gather Luipert was one of about 300 protesters at the Namibian parliament Tuesday objecting to the bill. Some in the group jumped over gates to voice their opposition. The Landless Peoples Movement, which led the protest, said it wanted to ensure opposition to the bill was heard. Group spokesman Eneas Emvula said, "Part of the people that walked this long journey to parliament, from Katutura, alongside Independence Avenue, are actually members of parliament and leaders of the opposition political parties within parliament. Namibian Vice President Nangolo Mbumba said everyone has a right to protest. But he also underscored that opponents of the deal who wanted direct compensation would not get it. People thought because this is a genocide negotiation issue, the descendants of those communities, the victims, they would now be compensated individually," Mbumba said. "The Jewish people were being compensated as survivors; so are the Mau Maus. We are talking after 117 years, if you count from 1904. It is four generations already. Supporters say the agreement, which took years to negotiate, is acceptable for an atrocity committed by a Germany that existed before World War I. A potential deal to bring as many as 1,000 Russian mercenaries to Mali is likely to further destabilize the country, according to senior U.S. officials who are urging the interim government to instead focus on elections. Word of the not-yet-finalized deal, with Russias Wagner Group, has already rankled some French and European officials. And it now appears to be drawing increased attention from the United States, itself wary of Russian efforts across Africa. "We continue to be concerned about the rise of malign influences on the continent, a senior administration official said Friday in response to a question from VOA about the potential deal with Moscow. "We don't think looking to outside forces to provide security is the way forward," the official said. That is not how to best start down the road to true stability, the official added, stressing the need to move ahead with a transition to a fully elected, democratic government. The comments came just days after Mali celebrated its independence, with an estimated 3,000 people taking to the streets of Bamako to protest Western anger over the deal with Russia, some of them calling concerns about the tentative agreement foreign meddling. The deal, first reported by Reuters, would pay Wagner $10.8 million a month to train Malis military and provide security for senior officials. Malian authorities have also been increasingly vocal in expressing displeasure with the U.S. and France, which announced in June that it would bring home about 2,000 counterterrorism forces it had in Mali and neighboring countries. "If partners have decided to leave certain areas, if they decide to leave tomorrow what do we do?" Prime Minister Choguel Maiga asked in remarks posted on the countrys Le Jalon news site. "Should we not have a plan B?" In a possible effort to ease such concerns, the U.S. sent the commander of U.S. forces for Africa, General Stephen Townsend, to Mali on Thursday, where he and other U.S. officials met with Malian transitional President Assimi Goita and Defense Minister Sadio Camara. Malian and international partner forces have shed blood together while fighting against the terrorists that threaten innocent civilians in Mali and the Sahel, Townsend said in a statement Friday, following the visit. We want to continue this long-standing partnership, he added. Following Frances announcement that it would be reducing its counterterrorism forces in Mali and the Sahel, the Pentagon said it would continue to assist building partner capacity in the region. And recent meetings of the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS have focused on stopping the spread of the Islamic State and other terror groups in Africa, and in Mali in particular. However, while U.S. AFRICOM is working with a number of partners in West Africa and the Sahel, security assistance to Mali itself has been limited, under U.S. law, because of the coup. Much of the concern focuses on IS-Greater Sahara, which is thought to have at least several hundred fighters in the region, and on the al-Qaida-affiliated Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, also known as JNIM. U.S. and European military officials have also long expressed concerns about Russian involvement in Africa, warning of the corrosive influence of mercenaries with the Wagner Group, who are often perceived to be doing the Kremlins dirty work. They are everywhere, Vice Admiral Herve Blejean, director-general of the European Union Military Staff, told a forum this past June. They bring nothing to the country except immediate security answers, maybe, at the price of committing a lot of ... violations of human rights and atrocities." On Friday, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters the presence of Wagner Group mercenaries in Mali would be a red line for us. It would have immediate consequences on our cooperation [with Russia] on many other issues, he added. VOAs Bambara Service and Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. 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Translate Tallarook (3236.7 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Shaking | One user found this interesting. near Eltham, South Taranaki District, Taranaki (988.6 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / 5-10 s : Moderate shaking. near Kinglake, Murrindindi, Victoria (3221.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s The Pocket NSW (2574 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt : I didnt feel it Melton Victoria 3337 (3282.9 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Melbourne / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / very short Carlton (3246.2 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s Melbourne (3243.7 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s : Ggf Hampton Park victors / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s : things fell of shelves Mill Park (3239.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s : The intensity was somewhat weak as I did not know it was an earthquake at first (I thought we had strong winds). The windows rattled and the floor vibrated for around 20 seconds, so we hid under the table until it stopped. Nothing fell off the shelves and Traralgon (3111.8 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s 1a Vaughan road thurgoona nsw Australia (3239.2 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Melbourne / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s Newcastle, Australia (2644.9 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s Townsville, Queensland (3614.6 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt Melbourne Victoria / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s : Everything shook Geelong / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s Mentone (3233.6 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : Whole building shook for 15-20 seconds Melbourne / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Melbourne (3248.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Just a bit of shaking not to sure if this is the same one or a different one cause its a bit old but there was a tremor across Victoria Vermont (3226.9 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s 3925 (3216.9 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Bendigo / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s 3850 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Carrum Downs / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Medium shaking Rowville / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 10-15 s Melton Victoria 3337 (3282.9 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s taylors lakes / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s Photo: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images Gird your loins! Per Deadline, master mixologist Stanley Tucci will be playing Clive Davis in the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody. Davis, known for signing hit artists (see: Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and more), spotted Houstons potential early on and collaborated with her throughout her journey to becoming the most awarded female artist of all time. The veteran music producer previously told Rolling Stone that he had personally requested Tucci take on the role of his character in the film. (Looks like that went well.) The musical biopic from Sony and TriStar Pictures will feature British actress Naomi Ackie (Small Axe, The End of the F***ing World) starring as Houston. Ashton Sanders (Moonlight) will also appear as Bobby Brown, the late icons ex-husband. Bohemian Rhapsody writer Anthony McCarten will pen the screenplay, while Kasi Lemmons is set to direct. The films co-producers include Davis, as well as Houstons sister-in-law and former manager, Pat Houston, who is involved on behalf of the Houston Estate. I Wanna Dance With Somebody is set to release in theaters on December 23, 2022. The CDC announced its recommendations for the third Pfizer COVID-19 shot. Even Alabama state leaders admit, it is not black and white. "This is a very confusing situation," State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said. Nonetheless, certain groups like those 65 and older can walk into a clinic and receive the third dose. Harris admitted the final recommendation that came down early Friday morning from the CDC was not entirely what the state expected, but he stands by it. It only applies to those who received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine six months ago. Within that group, people 65 and older and those living in long-term care settings should receive the third dose. In addition, people 50 and older with underlying medical conditions are also recommended for the third shot. Those conditions can include heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, HIV, any condition that affects the immune system, persons with body mass index over 30, persons with liver disease, persons who live in long-term care. However, the CDC does include groups it believes may receive the third dose. Harris said this means it is more fluid whether or not just because you fall under these next categories, you need the booster shot. This group includes anyone 18 to 49 with underlying conditions or anyone 18 and older who are at an increased risk based on where they work. He said this includes people like health care workers, first responders, or educators. "If you have a job where you are face-to-face, you know within six feet, with lots of different people with lots of different households, especially if you don't know their vaccination status, then you're someone who has had significant risk and I think you can imagine a lot of situations that that applies to," Harris said. Harris said if you are unsure whether or not to get the third shot, have a discussion with your doctor. He said Pfizer's two-dose vaccine is authorized for people 16 and older. However, none of these recommendations include anyone younger than 18. He said he expects more clarity on that decision in the future. Three-quarters of eligible Americans have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and some are now able to receive an additional booster shot. But the virus still poses a great threat to more than 70 million eligible people who remain unvaccinated. "The most vulnerable are those unvaccinated," Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Friday. The CDC on Friday approved a third shot of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine to an expanded group of Americans. "Starting today, if you are six months out from your last dose of the Pfizer vaccine, you are eligible for a booster if you fall into one of three high-risk groups," US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said during a briefing. "Number one: You are 65 or older. Number two: You have a medical condition that puts you at high risk of severe illness with Covid and these conditions include obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and others. And Number three: You work or live in a setting where you are at high risk of exposure to Covid. This includes health care workers, teachers, those living in shelters or prisons and grocery store workers," Murthy said. Boosters have not yet been endorsed for the two other vaccines offered in the US -- those from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Health officials are working to determine next steps for recipients of those vaccines. The Food and Drug Administration "is working with Moderna and J&J to get and process their data as quickly as possible with the goal of making booster recommendations for Moderna and J&J recipients in the coming weeks," Murthy said. Walensky acknowledged that even with more Americans becoming eligible for Pfizer boosters, the country must ramp up initial vaccination numbers for the pandemic to subside. "I want to be clear: We will not boost our way out of this pandemic," she said Friday. The US has fully vaccinated more than 55% of all residents as of Friday, CDC data shows, while 75% of the vaccine-eligible received at least one dose of inoculation. A recent CNN analysis showed the average rate of Covid-19 deaths in the 10 least vaccinated states was more than four times higher over the past week than the rate in the 10 most vaccinated states. CDC vaccine advisers had recommended that Pfizer booster shots should be made available for people over 65 and those with health risks -- stopping short of expanding that threshold to include those who may be disproportionally exposed to the virus at their jobs. But Walensky moved to account for the occupational exposure group in her guidance. "Some people really voted ... with enthusiasm to say our health care workers, our frontline workers, people who were vaccinated early, people who work in congregate settings, in correctional facilities, grocery workers, really do merit the vaccine," Walensky told CNN's Erin Burnett on Friday. "The question wasn't 'yes or no,' the question was 'wait or do now,'" she added. Ultimately, the decision for boosters was about "providing rather than withholding access" and the need to protect society as a whole, Walensky said. Pfizer boosters are ready now The boosters are already available, with CVS Health announcing Friday that nearly 6,000 of its locations started offering appointments for a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Those who choose to go for the booster shot will be asked to "self-attest to their eligibility" outlined by public health officials, CVS said. They also must be recipients of Pfizer's initial two doses. In California, Los Angeles County on Friday also began offering the booster shots to its residents who show proof of vaccination and affirm their eligibility, the county's public health department said in a news release. Many schools closed due to Covid-19 outbreaks, study finds The headaches facing school officials and parents were underlined in a study released Friday on the impact so far of the pandemic on in-person learning. About 1,800 schools closed between August 1 and September 17 because Covid-19 cases were detected, which affected the education and well-being of 933,000 students, according to the CDC study. Nearly 60,000 teachers in 44 states were also affected by closures, and the number of closures was highest in the South, the study found. Examining data from 8,700 districts nationwide, the CDC study found that "the largest number of districts with full remote learning (14) were in the West Census Region, followed by the South (11). Seven Midwest and two Northeast districts offered full remote learning." The study noted that the timing of return to school may be a factor in school closures because the schools in the South returned earlier in August than other parts of the country-- which typically start in late August or early September. Covid-19 outbreaks forced 300 Tennessee schools to close, the study shows, noting that was the most in the nation-- followed by Georgia, Kentucky, Texas and South Carolina. The CDC recommends that people in schools wear masks even if they're vaccinated as well as screen testing and physical distancing to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. New York prepares for hospital staffing shortages ahead of Monday vaccine deadline New York state is bracing for potential staffing shortages at hospitals and long-term care facilities ahead of a Monday deadline for workers there to get at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. The state health department issued the deadline in mid-August. As of Wednesday, 84% of all hospital employees in the state had been fully vaccinated, along with 81% of staff at all adult care facilities and 77% of all staff at nursing home facilities. Percentages for those who had at least one dose were not immediately available. On Saturday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a plan to address any staffing shortages that result from the deadline. She said she was prepared to sign an executive order, if necessary, that would allow health care professionals licensed in other states or countries, recent graduates, and retired professionals to practice in the state. Other options, Hochul said, include deployment of medically trained National Guard members and partnering with the federal government to deploy disaster medical assistance teams to assist. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. New prisons in Alabama: That's the topic of Governor Ivey's special legislative session next week in Montgomery. Legislators are focusing all of their energy on the state prison problem because they are under a deadline from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Alabama Department of Corrections is named in a lawsuit filed by the DOJ, calling conditions in the state prison system "unconstitutional" citing overcrowded, unsafe, and basically unlivable conditions for the inmates. Some prisons are falling apart after years of neglect. The Limestone Correctional Facility is one of the newest prisons in all of Alabama, but even it is almost 40 years old. "We've got some crumbling infrastructure when it comes to our larger prisons, and we've got to replace them," says state senator Arthur Orr. That's the goal of the upcoming special legislative session, replacing and building new prisons. It's a narrow topic for a complex issue. "We're disappointed that Governor Ivey is limiting the upcoming special session to prison infrastructure instead of focusing on more substantive solutions to Alabama's broken criminal justice system," says Dillon Nettles, the policy and advocacy director for ACLU of Alabama. Nettles says building new prisons is only throwing money at the problem, instead of coming up with solutions. "New prisons are a band-aid fix and what we really need is for leaders to come up and lead, and come up with creative, robust solutions," says Nettles. Orr agrees that state prisons should include more rehabilitation programs, but that's not the point of the special session. "It's a fair point, but the point is our prisons date back to the 30's and 40's and 50's that we have that we'll be replacing," says Orr. The goal of the focused session is to pass the new prison bill through both the House and the Senate. "Governor Ivey is very focused on trying to get this prison bill through, and that's the focus and intent of this whole special session and not to deviate too much from that," explains Orr. The ACLU argues new prisons won't solve the problem, and the special session would be better spent discussing prison reform and rehabilitation. "We do not need new prisons in order to do any of those things and it's important that Alabamians know that their tax dollars are what will fund these facilities," says Nettles. Orr says even though taxpayer dollars would be spent towards building new prisons, it would still cost much less than if the federal government took control of the prison system. He expects all of the bills discussed at next week's legislative session to pass both the House and the Senate. More parents are relying on child care centers during the pandemic. Finding staff to work at them has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for child care centers across the nation, and Apple Tree Child Development Center said the ride has been no different for them. They haven't had to close early or change scheduled days, but teachers have had to work overtime to keep the doors open. "If were short one teacher, that could possibly take away a classroom, so that limits how many children we are allowed to take," said Courtney Hammonds, a teacher at Apple Tree Child Development Center. Hammonds said it all causes a "trickle effect." "There are either extra calls coming in or we just don't have the appropriate staff for it because we have to stay within certain ratios," said Hammonds. "Theres a lot of people that you meet that are scared of the virus; they dont want to risk being exposed and of course children can carry quite a few germs." Hannah McAllister is a proud mom. She said she's grateful the day care center has been able to keep up with the demand. "Of course there's a waiting list because it was all during Covid, so we waited and waited, for a few months," said McAllister. Child care is something her family is leaning on to get through this pandemic. "Im a part-time nurse, so I do work three days a week. Having a part-time flexible schedule, I still do need the day care," said McAllister. She's a busy mom, ensuring her kids get the developmental skills they need during this important time in their young lives. "Its only been several months, and weve noticed a big developmental curve in him. He was hardly even talking; now, hes like full-blown sentences," said McAllister. The Alabama Department of Human Resources is offering child care assistance to first responders. Those parents are eligible for free child care until the end of this year. Find out more, here. Italy is on track to meet its vaccination target by end of September. More than 80 per cent of the Italian population over the age of 12 has had at least one dose of the covid-19 vaccine, Italy's coronavirus emergency commissioner General Francesco Figliuolo said on Tuesday. "It is an important milestone" - said Figliuolo - "as it tells us that we will reach the level of 80 per cent completely vaccinated by the end of September." Figliuolo said that means that "43.2 million citizens over 12 will have completed the vaccination cycle" by 30 September, meeting the target set by Italy earlier this year. Speaking during a visit to the Amazon vaccination hub in Passo Corese in the Rieti province north of Rome, Figliuolo said Italy was having "excellent results" with regard to young people getting vaccinated. "Out of 100,000 first vaccinations yesterday, 30 per cent concerned the 12-19 year old group" - said Figliuolo, however he warned: "There is concern about the 1.8 million citizens between 50-59 years who are not yet vaccinated." The general also confirmed that Italy would begin giving a third dose of the covid-19 vaccine to groups of people considered most at risk, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients, later this month. For official information about the covid-19 situation in Italy - in English - see the health ministry website while for details about the Green Pass - in Italian - see the Certificazione Verde website. Cover image: General Figliuolo. Photo: Open Online. Italy's school teachers and parents required to have Green Pass. Almost four million children in 10 regions of Italy will return to school on Monday 13 September, with new covid Green Pass rules in place for teachers and parents. This year Italy will have a total of 7.4 million schoolchildren, 3.8 million of whom are back to the classroom today in schools and kindergartens in the regions of Abruzzo, Basilicata, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Lombardia, Piemonte, Umbria and Veneto, as well as in Valle dAosta and the province of Trento. Schools in the other Italian regions will reopen over the coming days. As the new academic year begins, Italy retains its anti-covid rules from last year: staggered entry and exit times, social distancing, masks for children over the age of six, and reduced capacity on school buses. The main difference this year is that teachers, school employees, external staff and parents entering school property are required to carry the Green Pass - a digital or paper certificate showing that people have been vaccinated, tested negative or recovered from covid-19. The pass, which is not required by schoolchildren, is also mandatory for university staff and students. The Green Pass obligation for parents has been criticised by the president of the national association of school principals, Antonello Gianelli, who said that checking for passes could lead to queues and crowds. Details about the Green Pass can be found - in Italian - on the Certificazione Verde website while for official information about the covid-19 situation in Italy - in English - see the health ministry website. Photo credit: MikeDotta / Shutterstock.com. Rome's Via Veneto has been filled with large-scale artworks by the Austrian artist Erwin Wurm in an open-air exhibition that opens on 25 September. The elegant street, synonymous with Rome's dolce vita era of in the 1960s, is currently home to 14 installations thanks to the Via Veneto Contemporanea project, curated by Catherine Lowe. Wurm's semi-abstract sculptures, which present mundane objects in a surprising new light, are dotted along Via Veneto and in front of the Aurelian Walls. Framed by the ancient arch of the Porta Pinciana is Big Mutter, a large hot water bottle with legs, while other pieces include Fat House and sculptures of walking suitcases. The exhibition, which runs until 14 November, is Wurms first urban installation in Rome. 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. The European Union has unveiled plans to make USB-C connectors the standard charging port for all smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices sold across the region. The initiative aimed at reducing environmental waste is likely to hit Apple the hardest. The move would represent a long-awaited, yet aggressive step into product-making decisions by the European Commission, the blocs executive arm. Apple, whose iPhones are equipped with a different port, has long opposed the plan, arguing that it would stifle innovation and lead to more electronic waste as all current chargers that are not USB-C would become obsolete. The European Unions move will hit Apple the hardest as its iPhones have Lightning charging ports. Credit:Bloomberg The new legislation is likely to come into effect in 2024 because it first needs to be approved by the European Parliament and then adopted by manufacturers. Besides phones, it would apply to cameras, headphones, portable speakers and video game consoles. Wireless chargers would not be affected, but the main change would come for iPhones, which currently have a proprietary Lightning charging port. Now that they have their beautiful three-month-old baby Adeline, Laura and Jon say the physical ordeal and cost of IVF were more than worth it. But Laura adds that the financial burden they experienced added a layer of pressure that made the process more difficult and threatened its success. Loading A lot of people think IVF is just a case of going to the doctor, who puts a baby in you, she says. They dont realise that IVF is physically and emotionally uncomfortable and the financial stress on top is so extreme. For three years, our money was spent only on bills and IVF. Jon paid for the house and the bills, and I paid for the IVF, and that was it. Jon, a paramedic, picked up as many shifts as needed to cover household expenses, but the financial pressure they were under spiked to new heights last year when Laura, who works in the theatre industry, was furloughed due to COVID-19 restrictions. We closely monitored our spending and kept our expenses to a minimum in an effort to stay out of financial dire straits, says Laura. But there was suddenly far less money for IVF. Its hard when a medical and personal decision can be dictated by your finances. I really believe that should not be the case. Adnan Catakovic, CEO and scientific director of City Fertility, says that despite the eye-watering cost of IVF, Australia is still well placed. The problem, he says, is that the financial burden of assisted reproduction is not equally shared. Currently, Australia has a high level of subsidy for IVF compared to other countries around the world, he says. We also have no limit on the number of cycles a patient can undergo and receive rebates for. However, Medicare rebates in Australia continue to only apply to those diagnosed with medical infertility. They are currently not extended to what is considered social infertility patients, like same-sex couples or singles. Tracey Pinto and Rebecca Felsch said it eventually became too hard to keep a log of their costs. Sydney chef Tracey Pinto and partner Rebecca Felsch know this only too well. The couple had dated for a short time in their 20s, and then, when they rekindled their relationship in their late 30s, immediately started investigating IVF. Being a same-sex couple, and because of their financial circumstances, their best option to conceive was to draw on their superannuation. Their son is now two and they estimate their IVF treatment set them back between $40,000 and $50,000. In Australia, singles or couples using donated sperm, eggs or embryos are required to undergo counselling with a specialist psychologist. Tracey and Rebecca had the additional costs of paying for donor sperm. It wasnt long before the bills began to mount. We had to decide whether to refinance our house or draw on our super, and in the end we decided on taking from our super. But even that cost money. There were all the other additional expenses, too, like pathology and medications, says Tracey. We had to decide whether to refinance our house or draw on our super, and in the end we decided on taking from our super. But even that cost money. The couple engaged a financial specialist to navigate the paperwork and regulation around early access of superannuation, which cost them an additional $1000. Then they discovered that they were required to pay tax on the super they withdrew. So we were taking it out in dribs and drabs, says Tracey. I started working two jobs. Tracey says she initially recorded all costs in a book but had to abandon it. I wanted to keep track of what was going on financially, but eventually it became too hard for me. Many in the industry and the wider community want to see changes to the regulation surrounding assisted reproduction, as theyre uncomfortable with the notion that having children is restricted to those who are wealthy. In this day and age, wed like to see this legislation change to provide these people with equal opportunities to access Medicare subsidies for IVF treatment, says City Fertilitys Catakovic. We understand that when patients experience trouble falling pregnant, it can be extremely stressful for them, let alone worrying about how to fund extra services like IVF. Margaret Ambrose has decided to become a mum via IVF and using a donor. Increasingly, clinics such as City Fertility are offering a range of payment options, including no-upfront-fee plans, so treatment can commence without delay. And earlier this year, the Victorian government announced it was launching a program to establish public fertility care services designed to make IVF more affordable for low-income families. It is estimated the program will help up to 4000 Victorians every year while saving them, on average, $10,000 each. The public IVF program will provide up to 2700 free treatment cycles, as well as a range of other fertility-care services. It will also establish the states first public sperm and egg bank. A bank balance should never decide who gets to have a family of their own, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said at the time. While Victorias public fertility program is being hailed by those who think income shouldnt determine whether a woman is able to have a baby, as well as single parents-to-be on one income, not everyone is happy. Opponents of the program question whether taxpayers should be forking out for the treatment required because of lifestyle decisions, with women starting families later in life still being the leading cause of fertility issues. Many are asking the uncomfortable question: If you cant afford IVF, how are you going to afford a child? Equality is not about giving everybody the same amount; its about giving everybody what they need to have the same thing. Laura and Jon are quick to point out that there are many reasons why people turn to IVF, including sexual orientation, illness, disability, and as was the case with their situation, male infertility. Publicly funded IVF isnt a handout, Laura says, its about equality. Melbourne Catholic Archbishop Peter Comensoli is lobbying the state government to allow unvaccinated people to worship in person when the state reopens, warning that a double-dose COVID-19 vaccine requirement in exchange for certain freedoms could lead to a two-class society. With Victoria expected to emerge from lockdown within weeks, religious groups have called on the government to allow them to open up to their entire communities amid growing fears they will be forced to shut out those who have refused to be vaccinated. Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli at St Patricks Cathedral on Easter Sunday. Credit:Luis Ascui Under the governments reopening strategy, religious services of up to 50 people will be allowed outdoors with social-distancing requirements, once 70 per cent of Victorians over 16 are fully vaccinated. When 80 per cent of eligible Victorians have had both doses, weddings, funerals, and religious services will return for 150 fully vaccinated people indoors and 500 outdoors. However, Archbishop Comensoli told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald that while Catholics were being strongly encouraged to get vaccinated, the notion of a vaccine passport system in which church services or events are offered only to those who can prove they are fully inoculated against COVID-19 could risk creating social division. It is hard to find anyone in Australias political and foreign policy establishments with a kind word to say about Scott Morrisons handling of the French submarine fiasco. The consensus from both those who wish him well and his long-term critics is that the Prime Minister picked a needless fight with Paris, annoyed Jakarta, our most important neighbour, and even undermined Washingtons strategic interests in the region. Morrison, they say, made the rookie diplomatic error of addressing the world with his partisan domestic voice when he ditched the $90 billion contract with the French. He promoted an Anglo alliance at the very moment when Australia needs both Europe and Asia in its corner against Beijings economic coercion, and when the United States is trying to reassure all its allies that the days of Trumpian surprises are behind them. Further, Morrison alienated the French at the very moment when Macron assumes the status of senior leader in the European Union following the retirement of German president Angela Merkel. The EU, as Morrison would know, has a combined economic might that is the equal of Chinas. But our trade with the EU is only a third of our trade with China after you remove the British from the equation. One senior Liberal says the deceit towards France was off the charts . The contract to build conventionally powered submarines for Australia was Frances largest arms sale in its history. We were to be the cornerstone of Emmanuel Macrons Indo-Pacific strategy, the senior Liberal says. Morrison should have had an honest conversation with the French President. Put simply, we changed our minds and now wanted nuclear propulsion, which the Americans were best-placed to provide. Perhaps he could have given the French the option to put in a new tender. In the fortnight leading up to the grand final, diehard Bulldogs fan Mat Lyons never stopped believing his team could overcome the highly fancied Demons. Although that faith was not rewarded with a premiership on Saturday night, the Elsternwick secondary school English teacher still has high hopes for the Bulldogs in the coming season. We will be back stronger than ever in 2022, he said. Beware the vengeful Bulldog. Mat Lyons with his daughters Roby (front) and Holly Marland-Lyons. Credit:Jason South By half-time he was shaking like a leaf, his nerves jangled after a slow first quarter followed by an explosive second term as the Dogs finished in front at half-time. When Melbourne year 9 students Jack, Darcy and Wesley set up CovidBaseAU earlier this year, they wanted to keep the fact they were children secret. They felt it wasnt necessary to be identified right away the coronavirus data and their smarts should speak for themselves and they wanted their tracking site to be taken seriously. Jack, Wesley and Darcy, the brains behind the highly regarded CovidBaseAU database. Credit:Simon Schluter But with more than 17,000 followers on Twitter and a whole lot of people holding them in high regard, they decided on Thursday the time was right to make the big reveal. The group unveiled their identities with a photo on Twitter after receiving their first shots of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Singapore: Singapore made work-from-home the default and tightened rules to allow a maximum of two people to meet in restaurants or other social settings, as it seeks to rein in mostly mild cases that could otherwise quadruple in two weeks and overburden hospitals. Primary school students will have to shift to learning from home, while booster shots get extended beyond seniors to a younger age group, the government said on Friday. Singapore has strengthened rules to curb a COVID-19 outbreak despite the fact most of its population is vaccinated. Credit:Bloomberg The moves, which take effect from September 27 for about a month, appear to shift away from the countrys stated transition toward living with the virus. About 80 per cent of the Singapores population is fully vaccinated. With health officials expecting daily cases to jump to around 6000 from about 1500 currently, the government wants to curb that increase and avoid a hard lockdown. This resolve may soon get severely tested even though four in five people are already vaccinated in Singapore. Paris: France has no immediate plans to restore diplomatic relations with Australia, as Emmanuel Macron and Boris Johnson move to heal a damaging rift triggered by the Morrison governments new pact to counter China. The French President and British Prime Minister spoke over the phone on Friday, local time two days after an angry Macron held a similar bridge-building call with United States President Joe Biden. French President Emmanuel Macron has been angered by Australias decision to axe a major submarine contract. Credit:AFP A high-level French government official told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that it was far too soon to even consider when its ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thebault, would return to Canberra after being recalled amid the fallout from a shock deal for the US and UK to help Australia build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. While Morrison alerted Macron to the deal via a text shortly before the deal was announced, he told a press conference in Washington DC that he had spoken with the leaders of both India and Japan in advance about Australias new submarine defence strategy. Angela Merkels final act will be to see off populism in Germany. By exiting the political arena, Germanys secret populist is plunging her nation back into the messy process of democracy. For the past 16 years, Merkel has captained Germany and the European Union through challenging times with dependable and unostentatious certainty. She has striven for the centre ground and, in occupying it so definitively, defended it against encroachment by political rivals. She has held the opposition close, forming grand coalitions that nearly smothered the German social democratic movement entirely. She is hailed everywhere as a leader, yet Merkel followed as much as she led, relentlessly pursuing the will of the Volk, even when das Volk had no inkling where what it wanted would take it. Angela Merkels time as Chancellor is coming to an end. Credit:Getty These are treacherous thoughts. Like many Germans, I have immense admiration for Merkel. Her intelligence and courage are her brand. When the puny men who feared her sought to diminish her by dubbing her Mutti, the disparagement glanced off Mummy Merkels Boadicean hide. She refused to be intimidated or diminished. There are many legends of Merkel. And yet her greatest legacy will be a void. Through an internal email, Apple CEO Tim Cook scolded employees for leaking confidential information about the company and its products. However, they responded in the most ironic way possible: leaking the content of the document to the media. In the email sent to Apple workers , released by the site The Verge , Cook notes that the company is doing everything possible to identify those responsible and stop the leaks of secrets that often ruin large launches of the company. firm. #AppleEvent promises to have the best quality in video and photography with ProMotion and ProRes Video. * iPhone 13 Pro will cost $ 999 * iPhone 13 Pro Max from $ 1099 pic.twitter.com/BxfRZq0Ld4 - Entrepreneur in Spanish (@SoyEntrepreneur) September 14, 2021 Tim Cook begins by celebrating the launch of the new product line and the company's efforts around climate change, racial fairness and privacy. Then the Apple CEO went straight to the reprimand: I am writing to you today because I have heard from many of you who were incredibly frustrated to see that the content of the meeting was leaked to journalists () This comes after a product launch, in which most of the details of our Ads were also leaked to the company , Cook said . I want you to know that I share your frustration. These opportunities to connect as a team are really important. But they only work if we can trust that the content will remain within Apple, the letter continues. I want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to identify those who leaked. As you know, we do not tolerate the disclosure of confidential information , be it the intellectual property of the product or the details of a confidential meeting. We know that leakers make up a small number of people. We also know that people who leak confidential information do not belong here, " added Apple's CEO. Last Friday, during an internal company-wide meeting, Cook announced that Apple would request frequent testing for unvaccinated employees. He also said he was "eager to move on" after a ruling was entered in the antitrust case between Epic Games and Apple. Shortly after the meeting, both pieces of news were also leaked to The Verge site. Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved MEXICO CITY (AP) Investigators in northern Mexico said Wednesday they have found six sets of skeletal remains and are performing forensic tests to see if they are some of the 10 men from Mexicos most persecuted Indigenous group who were abducted in mid-July. The crime scene in the desert of the northern state of Sonora is likely to be a major embarrassment for President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has made it his special project to bring justice to the Yaqui Indigenous community. The Mexican leader had invited U.S. President Joe Biden to attend a Sept. 28 ceremony to ask forgiveness of the Yaquis for a government campaign to exterminate or exile them around 1900; some Yaquis live in the United States. The U.S. is reportedly sending Secretary of State Antony Blinken instead. There was no information on the other four missing Yaqui men, who have not been seen since July 15. It may be the largest killing of Indigenous people in Mexico since 15 people were bludgeoned to death in a village dispute in Oaxaca state in 2020. Sonora state prosecutor Claudia Contreras said relatives had already identified some of the belongings found with the skeletons as those of the missing Yaqui men. Prosecutors have said there is evidence that drug cartels are preying on the Yaquis. Conteras said that investigators searching for the missing Yaqui men came under fire earlier this week from automatic rifles on the remote hillside near where the skeletons were found. The investigators returned fire, killing two of the assailants. They then found what appeared to be an encampment of the kind often used by drug cartels, with guns, maps and tactical gear. The skeletons were found almost at surface level nearby. Prosecutors said one such criminal gang killed a Yaqui rights leader in May. They said the gang killed Yaqui leader Tomas Rojo Valencia because they wanted money his Indigenous group had raised at highway blockades. Rojo Valencia disappeared May 27 amid tensions over months of periodic blockades the Yaqui put up to protest gas ducts, water pipelines and railway lines that have been run across their territory without consulting them or giving them much benefit. The Yaquis have seen much of the water from their territory piped away by the government to supply nearby cities. Sonora state prosecutor Claudia Contreras said Rojo Valencia had been trying to install a toll booth on a main highway that runs through Yaqui territory to raise money for his Indigenous community. It was apparently the money that was behind the killing of Rojo Valencia. But some activists are not convinced. Alberto Vizcarra, a leader of the Citizen's Movement for Water, said the fight over scarce water may ultimately be behind the killings. What they did to Tomas (Rojo Valencia) was a political crime, Vizcarra said. Lopez Obrador has described as Mexicos most persecuted Indigenous group, and has started some programs for them. The Yaquis are perhaps best known abroad for the mystical and visionary powers ascribed to them by American writer Carlos Castaneda. The Yaquis stubbornly fought the Mexican governments brutal campaign to eliminate the tribe in the late 1800s and early 1900s. But they were largely defeated by 1900, and dictator Porfirio Diaz began moving them off their fertile farmland to less valuable territory or to virtual enslavement on haciendas as far away as the far eastern state of Yucatan. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) The most closely watched attempt by Republicans to examine the 2020 presidential election in a battleground state lost by former President Donald Trump is coming to an embarrassing end in Arizona, but their efforts are cranking up elsewhere. The most recent is in Republican-controlled Texas, where the secretary of state's office announced Thursday it would conduct a "full and comprehensive forensic audit" of the 2020 election in four heavily populated counties. These reviews go by various names: audits or investigations, sometimes with the word forensic attached. But their scope is not always well-defined or understood, even by those pushing them, and critics say they really have one goal: to validate Trump's baseless claims that widespread fraud cost him the election, regardless of what the reviews might find. None of the reviews can change the fact that Joe Biden won the presidency. His victory was certified by officials in each of the swing states he won and by Congress on Jan. 6 after Trumps supporters, fueled by the same false charges that generated the audits, stormed the Capitol to try to prevent the electoral certification. Here's a closer look at the Republican election reviews: WHERE IS THE GOP PURSUING THESE ELECTION REVIEWS AND WHY? Republicans have sought the reviews in Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin all battlegrounds lost by Trump. The latest is Texas, where Trump had a 5.5 percentage point margin of victory. Auditing efforts have occasionally played out on a smaller scale, such as in Fulton County, Georgia, which includes Atlanta, individual counties in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and in a state legislative race in New Hampshire. In practically every case, the reviews were launched under pressure from Trump and his allies to carry out an Arizona-style investigation into ballots, voting machines and voter rolls for evidence of fraud to legitimize claims that have universally been debunked. In Wisconsin, one review is being conducted by the highly respected, nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau. The other, ordered by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, is being led by a retired Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, a conservative who told Trump supporters in November the election had been stolen. In Pennsylvania, Republicans are retrenching after counties in July rebuffed a sweeping demand for voting machines, ballots, computer logs and more. A Republican-controlled Senate committee last week sent a subpoena for a wide array of election-related records to state election officials. Democrats are suing to block it. The latest, in Texas, was abruptly announced just a few hours after Trump released a statement telling Republican Gov. Greg Abbott that Texans demand a real audit to completely address their concerns. The secretary of states office where a top deputy has previously said the 2020 elections were smooth and secure said it would audit four of the states most populous counties: three voted for Biden and the other is where Republicans are quickly losing ground in the booming Dallas suburbs. ___ WHY DO DEMOCRATS AND OTHER CRITICS SAY THE REVIEWS ARE BOGUS? For starters, Trumps false claims of an election stolen by widespread fraud have been debunked by both Republican and Democratic judges, his own Justice Department and numerous recounts and audits. The quests to unearth election fraud have not, so far, even remotely resembled the kind of audits that are widely recognized as legitimate by the professional auditing community. In Arizona, election experts have cited numerous flaws with the review, from biased and inexperienced contractors to conspiracy-chasing funders and bizarre, unreliable methods. Nearly every allegation made by the review team so far has crumbled under scrutiny. Democrats say Republicans are simply perpetuating Trumps big lie of baseless claims about election fraud. They say those claims have eroded confidence in elections and that Republicans are on a mission to seize power by taking away voting rights and undermining both democracy and elections. ___ SHOULD THEY EVEN BE CALLED "AUDITS"? Experienced auditors say no. That's because actual election audits follow standard procedures and are conducted by experienced professionals. In Arizona, the lead contractor, Cyber Ninjas, had no prior election auditing experience. Proponents like to use the term forensic in conjunction with audit or investigation. But the term forensic describes techniques used to investigate a crime. Theres no evidence to support any of the claims made by Trump and his allies, let alone evidence of a crime. Audits also must be viewed as independent. But in these cases, they are being pushed by one political party and, in Arizona, the effort was funded almost entirely by donations from Trump supporters who have promoted conspiracy theories surrounding the election. There also are security concerns about granting access to election equipment. Voting systems that pass anti-tampering tests are certified by states, which have chain-of-custody laws that dictate voting machine security and access. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission accredits labs to test voting machines and provides guidance to states on how to maintain a chain of custody over voting systems. ___ WHAT HAVE THE COMPLETED ONES SAID? The audit in Arizona's Maricopa County, pushed by Republicans in the state Senate, ended Friday with a whimper. The six-month process concluded with a report that presented no evidence to support Trump's claim of a stolen election and ended up validating Biden's win in the state's most populous county. The review had been widely criticized even by some Republicans as being riddled with bias and incompetence. In New Hampshire, where auditors investigated discrepancies in a state legislative race at the behest of lawmakers from both parties, the audit found no evidence of fraud or bias. It concluded that miscounts in a legislative race were primarily caused by the way absentee ballots were folded. Nevertheless, it drew the attention of Trump and his allies who were grasping for ways to support their false claims about the 2020 election. In Michigan, Republican legislative leaders resisted calls for an Arizona-style audit. They instead empaneled a GOP-led Senate committee that held hearings on allegations, reviewed thousands of pages of subpoenaed documents and produced a report that found no evidence of widespread or systematic fraud. Our clear finding is that citizens should be confident the results represent the true results of the ballots cast by the people of Michigan," the report concluded. "The Committee strongly recommends citizens use a critical eye and ear toward those who have pushed demonstrably false theories for their own personal gain. It didn't mollify Trump. The former president continues to pressure lawmakers for another review. ___ HOW MUCH IS IT COSTING TAXPAYERS? In Arizona, the Republican-controlled Senate which commissioned the "audit" and hired the lead contractor kicked in $150,000 in taxpayer money. But that was dwarfed by the $5.7 million disclosed in July that prominent supporters of Trump had raised to fund the effort. Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, will spend $3 million to replace its vote-counting machines after determining they had been compromised by the Republican audit. In Wisconsin, the budget for the audit commissioned by the Republican Assembly speaker is $680,000 in taxpayer money. New Hampshire's audit cost more than $123,000, though the law authorizing it didnt include any money to pay for it. Officials in Pennsylvania and Texas have not said how much it will cost or who will conduct the audits. ___ Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Madison, Wis., Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta, David Eggert in Lansing, Mich., Holly Ramer in Concord, N.H., and Paul J. Weber in Austin, Texas contributed to this report. The Indiana Senate is reconvening next week to discuss redistricting. The vote will approve or deny maps for legislative and congressional districts in Indiana. Maps being voted on were created following statewide public hearings. These allowed the public to share their opinions on redistricting with members of the General Assembly. Redistricting is constitutionally required to take place every 10 years following the US census. For more information on this session, visit the Indiana General Assembly website. Residents have gathered in a Tennessee town to pray for healing as details emerged about a gunman who went on a rampage Thursday at the grocery store where he worked NOTE: Facebook is currently experiencing technical issues which are preventing us from displaying comments at this time Williamson, WV (25661) Today Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Billions more in profits are at stake for some vaccine makers as the U.S. moves toward dispensing COVID-19 booster shots to shore up Americans' protection against the virus. FILE - In this May 3, 2021 file photo, a man holds his vaccination reminder card after having received his first shot at a pop-up vaccination site in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami. Billions more in profits are at stake for some vaccine makers as the U.S. moves toward dispensing COVID-19 booster shots to shore up Americans' protection against the virus. Drugstore chains CVS Health and Walgreens could bring in more than $800 million each in revenue, according to Jeff Jonas, a portfolio manager with Gabelli Funds. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Billions more in profits are at stake for some vaccine makers as the U.S. moves toward dispensing COVID-19 booster shots to shore up Americans' protection against the virus. How much the manufacturers stand to gain depends on how big the rollout proves to be. U.S. health officials late on Thursday endorsed booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine for all Americans 65 and older along with tens of millions of younger people who are at higher risk from the coronavirus because of health conditions or their jobs. Officials described the move as a first step. Boosters will likely be offered even more broadly in the coming weeks or months, including boosters of vaccines made by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. That, plus continued growth in initial vaccinations, could mean a huge gain in sales and profits for Pfizer and Moderna in particular. The opportunity quite frankly is reflective of the billions of people around the world who would need a vaccination and a boost, Jefferies analyst Michael Yee said. Wall Street is taking notice. The average forecast among analysts for Modernas 2022 revenue has jumped 35% since President Joe Biden laid out his booster plan in mid-August. Most of the vaccinations so far in the U.S. have come from Pfizer, which developed its shot with Germanys BioNTech, and Moderna. They have inoculated about 99 million and 68 million people, respectively. Johnson & Johnson is third with about 14 million people. No one knows yet how many people will get the extra shots. But Morningstar analyst Karen Andersen expects boosters alone to bring in about $26 billion in global sales next year for Pfizer and BioNTech and around $14 billion for Moderna if they are endorsed for nearly all Americans. FILE - This Sept. 21, 2021 file photo shows vials of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in Jackson, Miss. Billions more in profits are at stake for some vaccine makers as the U.S. moves toward dispensing COVID-19 booster shots to shore up Americans' protection against the virus. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Those companies also may gain business from people who got other vaccines initially. In Britain, which plans to offer boosters to everyone over 50 and other vulnerable people, an expert panel has recommended that Pfizers shot be the primary choice, with Moderna as the alternative. Andersen expects Moderna, which has no other products on the market, to generate a roughly $13 billion profit next year from all COVID-19 vaccine sales if boosters are broadly authorized. Potential vaccine profits are harder to estimate for Pfizer, but company executives have said they expect their pre-tax adjusted profit margin from the vaccine to be in the high 20s as a percentage of revenue. That would translate to a profit of around $7 billion next year just from boosters, based on Andersens sales prediction. J&J and Europes AstraZeneca have said they dont intend to profit from their COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. For Pfizer and Moderna, the boosters could be more profitable than the original doses because they wont come with the research and development costs the companies incurred to get the vaccines on the market in the first place. WBB Securities CEO Steve Brozak said the booster shots will represent almost pure profit compared with the initial doses. Drugmakers arent the only businesses that could see a windfall from delivering boosters. Drugstore chains CVS Health and Walgreens could bring in more than $800 million each in revenue, according to Jeff Jonas, a portfolio manager with Gabelli Funds. Jonas noted that the drugstores may not face competition from mass vaccination clinics this time around, and the chains are diligent about collecting customer contact information. That makes it easy to invite people back for boosters. Drugmakers are also developing COVID-19 shots that target certain variants of the virus, and say people might need annual shots like the ones they receive for the flu. All of that could make the vaccines a major recurring source of revenue. The COVID-19 vaccines have already done much better than their predecessors. Pfizer said in July it expects revenue from its COVID-19 vaccine to reach $33.5 billion this year, an estimate that could change depending on the impact of boosters or the possible expansion of shots to elementary school children. That would be more than five times the $5.8 billion racked up last year by the worlds most lucrative vaccine Pfizers Prevnar13, which protects against pneumococcal disease. It also would dwarf the $19.8 billion brought in last year by AbbVies rheumatoid arthritis treatment Humira, widely regarded as the worlds top-selling drug. This bodes well for future vaccine development, noted Erik Gordon, a business professor at the University of Michigan. 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. Vaccines normally are nowhere near as profitable as treatments, Gordon said. But the success of the COVID-19 shots could draw more drugmakers and venture capitalists into the field. The vaccine business is more attractive, which, for those of us who are going to need vaccines, is good," Gordon said. ___ Follow Tom Murphy on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thpmurphy ___ 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. NEW YORK (AP) Two Canadians detained in China on spying charges were released from prison and flown out of the country on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, just after a top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies reached a deal with the U.S. Justice Department over fraud charges and flew to China. FILE - In this Thursday, May 16, 2019 file photo, a man is silhouetted near the Huawei logo in Beijing. Lithuanian cybersecurity authorities are urging the countrys governmental agencies to abandon the use of Chinese smartphone brands. Lithuanias National Cyber Security Center said Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 it found four major cybersecurity risks for devices made by Huawei and Xiaomi. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, file) NEW YORK (AP) Two Canadians detained in China on spying charges were released from prison and flown out of the country on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, just after a top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies reached a deal with the U.S. Justice Department over fraud charges and flew to China. The frenetic chain of events involving the global powers brought an abrupt end to legal and geopolitical wrangling that for the past three years has roiled relations between Washington, Beijing and Ottawa. The three-way deal enabled China and Canada to each bring home their own detained citizens while the U.S. wrapped up a criminal case against a prominent tech executive that for months had been mired in an extradition fight. The first activity came Friday afternoon when Meng Wanzhou, 49, Huawei's chief finance officer and the daughter of the company's founder, reached an agreement with federal prosecutors that called for fraud charges against her to be dismissed next year and allowed for her to return to China immediately. As part of the deal, known as a deferred prosecution agreement, she accepted responsibility for misrepresenting the company's business dealings in Iran. About an hour after Meng's plane left Canada for China, Trudeau revealed that Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were also on their way home. The men were arrested in China in December 2018, shortly after Canada arrested Meng on a U.S. extradition request. Many countries labeled China's action "hostage politics." "These two men have been through an unbelievably difficult ordeal. For the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance and grace and we are all inspired by that," Trudeau said. Meng Wanzhou, centre, chief financial officer of Huawei, leaves her home in Vancouver, on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. U.S. prosecutors are prepared to resolve criminal charges against the chief financial officer of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies, the Justice Department disclosed Friday in a letter to a federal judge in New York. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP) News of Meng's pending return was a top item on the Chinese internet and on state broadcaster CCTV's midday news report, with no mention made of the release of Kovrig and Spavor. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reposted on social media a report on Meng having left Canada, adding "Welcome home." Video was also circulated online of Meng speaking at Vancouver International Airport, saying; "Thank you motherland, thank you to the people of the motherland. You have been my greatest pillar of support." In this courtroom sketch drawn from a video feed, Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies, breaks down and cries as she appears via video prior to her hearing in Brooklyn Federal Court. Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in New York. The top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies has resolved criminal charges against her as part of a deal with the U.S. Justice Department that could pave the way for her to return to China and that concludes a case that roiled relations between Washington and Beijing. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Williams) The deal was reached as President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have sought to tamp down signs of public tension even as the worlds two dominant economies are at odds on issues as diverse as cybersecurity, climate change, human rights and trade and tariffs. Biden said in an address before the U.N. General Assembly earlier this week that he had no intention of starting a "new Cold War," while Xi told world leaders that disputes among countries "need to be handled through dialogue and cooperation." "The U.S. Government stands with the international community in welcoming the decision by Peoples Republic of China authorities to release Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig after more than two-and-a-half years of arbitrary detention. We are pleased that they are returning home to Canada," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. As part of the deal with Meng, which was disclosed in federal court in Brooklyn, the Justice Department agreed to dismiss the fraud charges against her in December 2022 exactly four years after her arrest provided that she complies with certain conditions, including not contesting any of the government's factual allegations. The Justice Department also agreed to drop its request that Meng be extradited to the U.S., which she had vigorously challenged, ending a process that prosecutors said could have persisted for months. Drawn from a video feed from the defendant's attorneys office in Canada, Wanzhou Meng is sworn in before Judge Ann Donnelly, inset at right, during the proceeding in Brooklyn federal court, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in New York. The top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies has resolved criminal charges against her as part of a deal with the U.S. Justice Department that could pave the way for her to return to China and that concludes a case that roiled relations between Washington and Beijing. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Williams) After appearing via videoconference for her New York hearing, Meng made a brief court appearance in Vancouver, where she'd been out on bail living in a multimillion-dollar mansion while the two Canadians were held in Chinese prison cells where the lights were kept on 24 hours a day. Outside the courtroom, Meng thanked the Canadian government for upholding the rule of law, expressed gratitude to the Canadian people and apologized "for the inconvenience I caused." "Over the last three years my life has been turned upside down," she said. "It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and as a company executive. But I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life. I will never forget all the good wishes I received." Huawei Technologies lawyers walk outside of the Brooklyn Federal Court House on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in New York. Meng Wanzhou, a top executive of the Chinese communications giant, has resolved criminal charges against her as part of a deal with the U.S. Justice Department that could pave the way for her to return to China and that concludes a case that roiled relations between Washington and Beijing. The deal was disclosed in federal court in Brooklyn on Friday. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman) Shortly afterward, Meng left on an Air China flight for Shenzhen, China, the location of Huawei's headquarters. Huawei is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone and internet companies. It has been a symbol of Chinas progress in becoming a technological world power and a subject of U.S. security and law enforcement concerns. Some analysts say Chinese companies have flouted international rules and norms and stolen technology. The case against Meng stems from a January 2019 indictment from the Trump administration Justice Department that accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets and using a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The indictment also charged Meng herself with committing fraud by misleading the HSBC bank about the company's business dealings in Iran. People walk across an intersection near the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Two Canadians detained in China on spying charges were released from prison and flown out of the country on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday, hours after a top executive of Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies resolved criminal charges against her in a deal with the U.S. Justice Department. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The indictment came amid a broader Trump administration crackdown against Huawei over U.S. government concerns that the company's products could facilitate Chinese spying. The administration cut off Huaweis access to U.S. components and technology, including Googles music and other smartphone services, and later barred vendors worldwide from using U.S. technology to produce components for Huawei. The Biden White House, meanwhile, has kept up a hard line on Huawei and other Chinese corporations whose technology is thought to pose national security risks. Huawei has repeatedly denied the U.S. governments allegations and security concerns about its products. 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. Meng had long fought the Justice Department's extradition request, with her lawyers calling the case against her flawed and alleging that she was being used as a "bargaining chip" in political gamesmanship. They cited a 2018 interview in which then-President Donald Trump said he'd be willing to intervene in the case if it would help secure a trade deal with China or aid U.S. security interests. Last month, a Canadian judge held off on ruling whether Meng should be extradited to the U.S. after a Canadian Justice Department lawyer wrapped up his case saying there was enough evidence to show she was dishonest and deserved to stand trial in the U.S. Comfort Ero, the interim Vice President of the International Crisis Group, Kovrig's employer, said they have been waiting for more than 1,000 days for the news. "Michael Kovrig is free. To Beijing: We welcome this most just decision. To Ottawa: Thank you for your steadfast support for our colleague. To the United States: Thank you for your willingness to support an ally and our colleague. To the inimitable, indefatigable, and inspiring Michael Kovrig, welcome home!" Ero said in a statement. ____ Tucker reported from Washington and Gillies from Toronto. Associated Press writer Jim Morris in Vancouver, Canada, contributed to this report. The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company which celebrates its 125th anniversary on Saturday is serious about maintaining its small-town roots even as it continues to grow as one of the largest property and casualty insurance companies in the country. The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company which celebrates its 125th anniversary on Saturday is serious about maintaining its small-town roots even as it continues to grow as one of the largest property and casualty insurance companies in the country. Its purpose written into its mission statement "We are here to look after one another" harkens back to its roots in the village of Wawanesa where 125 years ago 20 farmers each put in $20 to share the risk on their wooden threshers that had a propensity to catch fire because the eastern-based insurance company rates at the time were unaffordable. SUPPLIED Rendering of the new North American Headquarters of Wawanesa Insurance, opening in Winnipeg in 2023. Those old-timey sentiments still resonate with the company that now has two million policyholder/owners. CEO Jeff Goy, who has worked at the company for 32 years, relishes the chance to utter the companys operating principle -- small town service in a big city industry every chance he gets. The company also remains steadfast and committed to its structure as a mutual insurance company where the policyholders own the company. Its the fifth largest property & casualty (P&C) company in the country and of the 10 largest, its the only one based west of Ontario. Goy believes its mutual ownership structure gives the company an advantage over more conventional private sector ownership in that it only has one group of stakeholders to focus on its customers, who also own the company. "What we have always strived to do with respect to that sole focus on our customer is to still give that sense of small town service big city industry," he said. With assets of more than $10 billion, last year it earned revenue of about $4 billion. It took the company 122 years to get to $3 billion. It does not issue corporate debt or equity offerings and its last substantial acquisition it paid $800 million for Western Financial Group in 2017 was done with cash. SUPPLIED Wawanesas first office on 4th Street in Wawanesa circa 1903. Today, the building has been preserved as a museum. To celebrate its 125th anniversary the company is giving every employee 6,000 of them in Canada and the U.S. including about 1,500 in Manitoba $125 to donate to their own charity of choice. Although the current social distancing and public health regulations would restrain any company from large gatherings to celebrate such a milestone, its not hard to imagine that Wawanesa might have done the same thing regardless of the pandemic. Goy, who has been CEO for more than seven years, may very well affect the most humble persona of any leader of a multi-billion entity. He speaks with sincere regard about the companys heritage explaining with pride how they were able to maintain its annual tradition of holding the annual meeting in the village of Wawanesa, about 230 kilometres west of Winnipeg, despite the restrictions of the public health order. Typically that involves its board of directors meeting for a day in Winnipeg, then driving out to Wawanesa, stopping for cinnamon buns in Saint Claude on the way, where they conduct the official order of business of the annual meeting with some policyholders in attendance. Then local church volunteers put on a lunch for the insurance company officials. JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Co. CEO Jeff Goy. In 2020 when public health regulations were slightly relaxed Goy went out with one associate and a few policyholders. This year, when the fourth wave required more restrictions it was just Goy and the corporate secretary and they held the meeting each in their own cars, over the phone. "We drove out in separate cars and we did get our cinnamon buns," he said. "We did not want to break the tradition." But as quaint as that may sound, this is an ultra-efficient, modern company that has been successful in the highly competitive auto, home, and commercial insurance markets across the country. (It also has a life insurance company but its a small piece of business that serves to support the P&C business). As well, since 1975 it has been operating in California where its staff of 800 in San Diego made its Winnipeg headquarters proud by winning the J.D. Power award for the past two years, in customer satisfaction among auto insurers in California. As a multi-billion player in a highly regulated business, Wawanesa does not issue corporate bonds or equity offerings to raise money. Instead it has maintained prudent fiscal management so that it always has reserves that exceed the required levels of capital retention and has enough left over to pay cash for occasional acquisitions. SUPPLIED In the early years, Wawanesa Insurance purchased a fire engine to help protect the Village of Wawanesa this photo of the truck in action is from 1936. And while Goy admits that Wawanesas "emphasis on growth is not as strong" as its share-owned competitors, its commitment to operational excellence is no less. The company is just finishing off a $300 million investment that was accelerated over that past five years to digitize its legacy system that delivers insurance policy claims and billing systems. Just prior to the pandemic it had completed a project that expanded its corporate Internet bandwidth and deployed additional laptops across its system. 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. "It was a bit fortuitous that some of our technology advances took place in the period right before COVID, not knowing it was coming," Goy said. "I have been with the company for 32 years and Ive seen a lot of attempts at that. Having that modern system as the foundation really helped." For the past 18 months about 98 per cent of its staff have been working from home. Goy said that the reality of a year and a half of almost total remote workforce has not dampened the companys excitement over the prospects of moving into a new corporate headquarters that is still on track for occupancy in 2023. The new 19-storey, 300,000-square-foot building being built on the southwest corner of Carlton Street and Graham Avenue is a major undertaking for the company which has offices in seven different locations in the city. "Were all very excited about the new building," he said. "We cant wait. We spent years deciding what we were going to do with our people in Winnipeg and what the real estate solution would be. Were very proud to be partnering with companies like True North and Richardson. It gives me even more Manitoba pride if you know what I am saying." martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada has kept alive the CBC's efforts to unseal evidence pertaining to a now-quashed murder conviction from more than 30 years ago. Frank Ostrowski talks to reporters in Winnipeg on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Lambert OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada has kept alive the CBC's efforts to unseal evidence pertaining to a now-quashed murder conviction from more than 30 years ago. The top court ruled Friday that the Manitoba Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to reconsider a publication ban on an affidavit in the case of a Manitoba man who spent 23 years in prison for first-degree murder before the decision was overturned. The question of access to records remains open for the appeal court to weigh, even though the merits of the murder case have been decided, Justice Nicholas Kasirer wrote on behalf of the top court in an 8-1 decision. In 2018, the Manitoba Court of Appeal ruled that Frank Ostrowski was denied important information that could have helped his defence when he was convicted in 1987. Ostrowski, now in his early 70s, had been found guilty of ordering the fatal shooting of a drug dealer based largely on the testimony of a key witness Matthew Lovelace who had separate charges of cocaine possession stayed in exchange. Ostrowskis lawyers and the jury were never told about the deal and Lovelace had told the trial he did not receive any favours in exchange for his testimony. "This decision is an important victory as it removes some very technical barriers that would otherwise get in the way of knowing what goes on in Canadian courts," CBC head of public affairs Chuck Thompson in an email Friday. Ostrowski maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration. In 2009, a Court of Queens Bench judge cited serious concerns with the conviction and released him on bail. In 2014, then-federal justice minister Peter MacKay ruled the case a likely miscarriage of justice and ordered the Manitoba Court of Appeal to review it, with live testimony from 12 witnesses entered as fresh evidence. Six months before the appeal court's ruling in 2018, Ostrowski unsuccessfully sought to introduce more new evidence in the form of an affidavit sworn by his lawyer, Richard Posner, containing details of events that occurred after one of the witnesses had testified before the judicial panel. The appeal court dismissed the motion in November 2018 and ordered that the publication ban on it remain in effect indefinitely. In May 2019, the CBC asked the court to lift the ban, arguing that access to the affidavit would shed light on the criminal matter and the judges' conclusion that a miscarriage of justice had occurred. James Lockyer, a lawyer for Ostrowski, said Friday he'd hoped along with CBC that the Supreme Court would set aside the publication ban, calling the punt back down to an appellate court "unfortunate." "The reason we want it out in the public domain is because we think it will help the public decide on whether Mr. Ostrowski is innocent or not. And we think it will tend to show that he is," Lockyer said in an interview. "It's a wrongful conviction. We don't think that potential evidence in the case of a man who was imprisoned for 23 years should be kept from the public." The court had decided in 2018 it had no authority to hear the motion under the legal doctrine of "functus officio," which holds that a court loses jurisdiction once it has ruled on the substance of the case Ostrowski's conviction, in this instance. "This rule serves goals of finality and of an orderly appellate procedure. If lower courts could continuously reconsider their own decisions, litigants would be denied a reliable basis from which to launch an appeal to a higher court," Kasirer wrote Friday. However, courts retain control over their records on proceedings that are "ancillary but independent" from the ruling itself. That authority is "anchored in the vital public policy favouring public access to the workings of the courts," he stated. The Manitoba appeal court will now have to determine whether the CBC has standing to challenge the publication ban and whether its motion was "timely." Any continuation of the sealing order would also be justified only if unlocking it poses a "serious risk to an important public interest," Kasirer wrote. Weighing the punctuality of the public broadcaster's request could hinge on whether the sealing order was made "without notice to an affected party." The court heard no requests to keep the affidavit sealed and "provided no prior notice to anyone, including the media, notably the CBC who learned of the impugned ban shortly after the reasons were released," Kasirer noted. "The media should generally have standing to challenge an order that threatens the open court principle where they are able to show they will make submissions that were not considered and that could have affected the result," he added. Justice Rosalie Abella was the sole dissenting voice, saying the CBC's appeal should be dismissed. 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. She agreed with her colleagues that the appeal court had jurisdiction to reconsider the ban, but said the broadcaster was too late in its request and that dragging out proceedings "causes acute harm to the family." "Finality matters. The parties are entitled to move on with their lives and to be protected from the psychological and financial costs of being dragged back into the justice system when a case is over," Abella wrote. Abella retired from the Supreme Court earlier this year but for another few months she still has a say on rulings in cases on which she sat. In its November 2018 ruling, the Manitoba appeal court decided to quash the murder conviction, order a new trial and enter a judicial stay of proceedings which halted any potential retrial. Ostrowskis lawyer had wanted the court to go a step further and formally acquit Ostrowski. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2021. A new development proposal is seeking approval to demolish the Cambridge Hotel and replace it with an apartment complex. A new development proposal is seeking approval to demolish the Cambridge Hotel and replace it with an apartment complex. Public consultations are underway for a plan to replace the hotel at 1022 Pembina Hwy. with a six-storey, mixed-use building that would include 87 residential suites. The redevelopment could prove bittersweet for some, since the Cambridge beverage room proved a popular hangout for decades, said Jino Distasio, a professor of urban geography at the University of Winnipeg. Distasio noted a separate proposal seeks to replace the beverage room of the Pembina Hotel across the street, another longtime watering hole. "Each of these projects are just taking a little bit of history with (them)," he said. "Im not necessarily surprised but, in some ways, a little bit saddened that it is the end of an era on that part of Pembina." However, Distasio expects the latest potential investment would help the local economy recover from the pandemic, while also revitalizing a mature neighbourhood. "Higher-density projects can add some vitality to some of our more stable, older neighbourhoods," he said. "Youre doing a pretty major infill in a much older part of Winnipeg but in a part that has greater accessibility, great connections to schools and great connections to all kinds of amenities." Coun. Sherri Rollins said she cant speak to the merits of the proposal, since the project is expected to eventually require city hall approvals. A formal application for the redevelopment has not yet been submitted to the city. Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) said it is encouraging to see interest in the redevelopment projects. "(For) both buildings, there is no question their time is done and its time for something new," she said. "I dont think anyone driving by these buildings would think that they havent served their best life years and years and years ago." On Wednesday, council is scheduled to cast a final vote on a separate proposal that aims to demolish "the Pemby," and replace it with a mixed-use apartment building. Rollins credits the Southwest Rapid Transitway for helping spark interest in the area. 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 thinking was always that development would follow (the transitway and active transportation route). (The fact) were seeing it in such short order is really great for Winnipeg," she said. Details of the Cambridge Hotel plan were shared in public consultation documents during a virtual open house Thursday. The building is expected to supply 78 parking spaces for residents, at least some of whom are expected to rely on the transitway and active transportation. Details of the proposal could change following the public consultation. Officials at the planning and development firm Richard and Wintrup, who hosted the open house, declined comment Friday. Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca Twitter:@ joyanne_pursaga Before he lets the reporter leave his office on the second floor of the legislature, Premier Kelvin Goertzen has one more thing he insists on revealing. Before he lets the reporter leave his office on the second floor of the legislature, Premier Kelvin Goertzen has one more thing he insists on revealing. For more than an hour, Goertzen has shared huge tracts of his origin story as a politician. But now, at the conclusion of that conversation, he walks over to the mammoth wooden desk that has served premiers for decades and points to a wooden pullout tray concealed above a row of drawers. Goertzen eagerly calls the reporter over, pulls out the tray to reveal a yellowed, dog-eared photocopy. It's a 1996 Progressive Conservative caucus staff list that was no doubt placed there by then-premier Gary Filmon. Among the people on it is a young intern named Kelvin Goertzen. "I couldn't believe it when I found this," Goertzen says with a big smile. "What are the odds?" JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Almost every major decision Manitoba Premier Kelvin Goertzen has made in his political life has been indelibly connected to the needs of his family: wife Kim and 14-year-old son Malachi. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) About as long as those on the Steinbach MLA becoming Manitoba's premier. To put that observation into context, Goertzen's ascension to the first minister's office was unlikely not because he's ill-suited for the job. In fact, just a few weeks in the position, more than a few people remarked that it's too bad he decided to sit out the current Tory leadership race, a decision that made him eligible to serve as interim premier following Brian Pallister's sudden retirement last month. His quiet and articulate manner, conciliatory tone and tendency to answer direct questions with direct answers certainly created a stark contrast with Pallister's bellicose style. The odds were long because Goertzen has made conscious and deliberate efforts to contain his personal ambition when political fate provided him with opportunities to compete for other, more powerful and high-profile jobs. Almost every major decision he has made in his political life has been indelibly connected to the needs of his family: wife Kim and 14-year-old son Malachi. Goertzen has been courted several times for other jobs in politics, including the leadership of the provincial party and as a candidate in the federal riding of Provencher. In both instances, he says, "the timing just wasn't right for my family." Shortly after being sworn in as premier, Goertzen told reporters about how he and his mother were forced to live in provincial housing after his alcoholic father's death. It was an experience that prompted him to reassess his aspirations for much of his time in public office. "My dad died when I was 11, and some might say that Im too much of a doting father," he says. "But Id rather be accused of having spent too much time investing in my family than too little." Goertzen was first elected to the legislature in 2003, just four years after the Tories' devastating loss in the 1999 election. The once-dominant party was left fractured and would languish for the next decade-and-a-half with three different leaders. His quiet and articulate manner, conciliatory tone and tendency to answer direct questions with direct answers certainly created a stark contrast with Pallister's bellicose style. Goertzen says he strongly considered taking a shot at the leadership in 2012, after Hugh McFadyen left and before Pallister was acclaimed. But when it came to family, it still wasn't the right time; Malachi was just four years old, and the thought of taking on all the additional duties of a party leader did not seem feasible. "Its not that I wasnt interested in leadership, but I wasnt interested enough to pay the price," he says. "And there is a price to be paid." Opportunity would come knocking again a year later when longtime Provencher MP and cabinet minister Vic Toews decided to resign his post in prime minister Stephen Harper's government. Provencher was one of the safest federal Tory seats in the country and winning the nomination there was tantamount to winning the seat in an election. After conversations with Toews, Goertzen says he and Kim talked it over and decided to make the jump to federal politics. But there were doubts about the personal costs to come. "We were going to run federally. We had basically decided we were going to do it. And then we started to go through it we just realized the price was more than we were willing to pay," he says. "So, we made the decision to stay here. Do I regret sometimes not being able to serve in Ottawa? Sure, because I would have loved it. But I would have missed this opportunity, too." JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Manitoba Premier Kelvin Goertzen acknowledges that when he entered the legislature in 2003, he was as partisan as they come. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) He'd have missed the provincial party's triumphant return to power in 2016, an electoral win that suddenly made Goertzen one of the most important people in Pallister's new government. After 13 years in opposition, and having taken on the role of opposition house leader, Goertzen said he was ready for the challenge of government, even if his political sensibilities had changed. He acknowledges that when he entered the legislature in 2003, he was as partisan as they come. But the more he worked with MLAs from other parties to navigate the often-arcane rules of parliamentary procedure, his edges softened and he began to think the best role for him in the new government was Speaker of the Legislature. True partisans think of the Speaker's chair as a B-level, perfunctory role. But for Goertzen it would have been a chance to immerse himself in the rules and procedures of the legislature, something he had come to love. It was not to be. In a truly ironic twist, Pallister tapped Tory MLA Myrna Driedger, who had been opposition health critic, for Speaker and Goertzen, the house leader, was asked to serve as health minister. "In 2016, when we formed government, I didnt lobby for Speaker. I didnt lobby for anything. And when I became health minister, there is a certain legend or lore that I didnt enjoy it, which wasnt the truth at all," he says, adding he and Driedger met for coffee at Assiniboine Park after their appointments. "We did remark a bit on the irony that I was in health and she was the Speaker. But I actually think it was good for both of us." Goertzen says the relentless pace and constant pressure of his 2 1/2 years as health minister were real eye-openers. When Pallister transferred him to education in 2018, many interpreted the move as a demotion, or evidence that he didn't like the job. In fact, he loved the job but needed the move. Dan Lett | Not for Attribution A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world that is sent every Tuesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "I found it exhilarating, and I found it incredibly challenging," he says. "But it is also exhausting. Theres no question that after 2 1/2 years of that kind of constant, seven days a week, always dealing with crises and its a very emotional department health ministers get tired. And I think I had some of that." Now, as he serves out his brief stint as first minister he will be replaced by a new Tory leader sometime in early November following the Oct. 30 leadership convention he said he often thinks back to when he was in his late 20s and had to decide between law, his first choice of professions, and politics, which he had been around most of his adult life. "I was just starting in law, and I loved the law," he says. "I was talking to one of the folks I know in the legal field and he said something that has stuck with me: 'Youre gonna regret whatever you do because youre choosing between two things that you love. You love the law and you love politics. So, if you go into politics, youre going to miss the law. And if you go into law, youre going to miss politics." Goertzen pauses, reclining in a leather armchair perched in front of a grand fireplace in the most powerful office in the province. "And he was absolutely right." dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca Searchers have traversed Winnipeg, Steinbach and Powerview looking for a missing 22-year-old woman. It's been 20 days with no advances and her family is calling for help. Searchers have traversed Winnipeg, Steinbach and Powerview looking for a missing 22-year-old woman. It's been 20 days with no advances and her family is calling for help. Jessie McKay's father dropped her off near Redwood Avenue and Main Street for a birthday party Sept. 5. She contacted her sister later that night, saying she'd bring home cake. It was the last her family heard from her. "(Her father), he goes from early morning to late at night," said Christopher Ross, McKay's uncle. "Sometimes he gets home at one o'clock, two o'clock at night." Family and community members from Pimicikamak Cree Nation (also known as Cross Lake) have travelled to Winnipeg to search. They've partnered with the volunteer Bear Clan Patrol and follow every tip. There have been more than 20 such leads, but each has lead them no closer. "It's very exhausting, frustrating, and it gets emotional at times," Ross said Friday, adding the unfamiliar territory brings difficulty. Crews began looking in the North End and have continued to other areas of Winnipeg. 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. "It's a tough go," said Kevin Walker, Bear Clan Patrol interim executive director and the search co-ordinator. "Until we've exhausted all the leads, I think that we should continue to search (and) continue to be vigilant." More Pimicikamak members are coming to the city this week. McKay's family is hopeful she's alive and healthy, and they're asking for tips to aid the search. Police also continue to investigate. McKay is described as 4-11, about 150 pounds, with dyed blonde hair and wearing glasses. She was wearing a multicoloured shirt, ripped jeans and black Nike shoes, carrying a black Nike-brand bag. People with information can call the Winnipeg Police Service missing persons unit at 204-986-6250 or the Bear Clan at 204-794-3568. Tips can be anonymous. gabrielle.piche@freepress.mb.ca After a decades-long career helping young families, seniors and low-income earners reclaim their health and social autonomy, Bernice Marmels profound commitment to community only deepened as she championed the well-being of neighbours. After a decades-long career helping young families, seniors and low-income earners reclaim their health and social autonomy, Bernice Marmels profound commitment to community only deepened as she championed the well-being of neighbours. On April 28, 2021, the longtime Winnipeg resident, advocate, mother, friend and Order of Manitoba recipient died at 94, at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre. supplied Marmel and her son Lawrence, his wife Tam and her grandchildren, Allison Marmel and Shane Marmel in 1998. Lynda Metcalfe recalled working with her friend at the NorWest Co-op Health and Social Services Centre in the Gilbert Park neighbourhood in the mid-1970s, as the pair shared notes and concerns from community members, many of whom were young parents, single moms, minimum-wage earners, settling into city life after moving from a reserve, and pensioners. In her role as a health educator, Marmel was responsible for creating programs and partnerships to support residents with nutrition, finances, social and community recreation, fitness, mental health, and more. "As a nurse practitioner, I would see quite a few young moms in the area with children at home and being very stressed," Metcalfe recalled. "And I remember going down the hall from my office to her office, and saying, Bernice Im seeing a lot of moms who are isolated and having challenging times. supplied Marmel during a trip to Mexico. "Before Id even got the words out, shed organized for a mom-and-tots group at Shaughnessy Park School." Marmel swiftly booked an auditorium for parents and children to attend, guest speakers and collected donated toys for the kids. "She just made wonderful things happen. She would see a need that many of us would miss and then create unique solutions." supplied Marmel received her Masters degree from the University of Manitoba in 1986. For three decades, Marmel worked at the health centre in the heart of the social housing development in northwest Winnipeg. Her programs were lauded by colleagues, including University of Manitoba Prof. Dexter Harvey, who was co-ordinator of health education studies in 1980. A letter penned by Harvey to Marmel in December of that year described her programs as being at the "forefront in contemporary health education thinking" and as the "ideal example toward which most of us are striving." Marmel received her masters degree in education from the U of M in 1986. Following graduation, she continued to contribute to academic discussions on health promotion and gerontology, with numerous papers and conference presentations in her name. Carol Sanders / Winnipeg Free Press Marmel (centre) with her neighbour, Sheldon Toews, his wife, Maureen Polischuk, and their son, Luke, in front of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in 2014. Her volunteer contributions to various boards and committees were also numerous, as she took on roles with the Manitoba Council on Aging, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, North End Womens Centre, Winnipeg Public Library, Carriage House, and Mount Carmel Clinic. Her efforts led to the founding of two senior centres just off of north Main Street: Bleak House and McBeth House. Despite her open and welcoming personality, curiosity and penchant for conversation, friends say Marmel seldom discussed her career motivation. supplied Bernice Marmel and her ex-husband Max Marmel. "She chose to be a health educator because she wanted to help people," said Julie Blouin. "It couldnt have been a better job for her. She was able to, in her line of work, meet so many needs." Blouin met Marmel while volunteering for the Manitoba Council on Aging about 10 years ago, and the two became fast friends. "Its just a self-continuing legacy: you just love what you do, and you keep doing it and it keeps affecting more and more people," Blouin said. "She has a good heart. She was very kind." supplied Bernice Marmel and her ex-husband Max Marmel on New Year's Eve in 1948. However, Blouin said Marmels childhood was defined by her time in the Winnipeg Jewish Orphanage, which friends also agreed likely influenced her career and volunteer pursuits. Marmel was born to Sam Machlin and Rose Hechter-Machlin in the rural village of Arran, Sask., about 10 kilometres west of the Manitoba border, on June 13, 1927. While the exact circumstances of Marmels arrival at the city orphanage are unclear, family members say she was one of many Jewish children whose parents either couldnt afford to care for them or wanted them to have a Jewish education. supplied Bernice Marmel By all accounts, Marmel made lasting friendships at the home on Matheson Avenue, which also operated as a boarding school, and excelled in the environment. In her teenage years, Marmel lived with an aunt and uncle in the River Heights area. "She experienced the benefit and love of other people trying to make her life better," Blouin said of Marmels time at the orphanage. "I think that must have touched her deeply because her life was all about devotion to others, really and truly." supplied photos Health educator and seniors housing and wellness advocate Bernice Marmel, seen here in 1996, died in April at the age of 94. Friend and colleague Pete Sanderson said seniors housing was also of great importance to Marmel over their years working together in the Lord Selkirk and Gilbert Park communities, and throughout retirement. Sanderson was managing the nearby Willow Park Housing Co-operative at the same time Marmel was working for NorWest. "I can tell you without hesitation, anything that I might have done or leaned towards that she wasnt comfortable with, she was very quick to let me know, and she was usually right," he said. "I absolutely knew she was sincere in everything she did and consistent in promoting health and wellness for everyone, but particularly seniors and I knew any issue that I wanted to raise with her I could, and Id get a frank answer." Sanderson said he was encouraged by Marmel to think of how housing can improve health and welfare, and to create environments that encourage independence as opposed to dependence through small changes such as levers instead of door knobs and by fostering community support systems. In her retirement, Marmel also served on the boards of three housing complexes, Sanderson said, and was instrumental in the development of Widlake Properties, a not-for-profit, 95-unit, 55-plus affordable housing project. "She was out to serve the community, she was an example of how to do it," he said. Marmel was exceptionally proud of her family, including her two children, Lawrence and Rosalind, and their father Max Marmel, grandchildren Shane and Allison, as well as being a devoted sister to her three brothers, Metcalfe said. To friends, she will be remembered as a woman who made time to visit over a meal at the Salisbury House on Main Street, radiated happiness with her "megawatt" smile, enjoyed simple pleasures, and always saw her glass as half-full. "Her friendship was really a gift to me," Metcalfe said. danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca Manitobas Progressive Conservatives have wasted no time trying to undo the political damage caused by their former leader, even before they choose a new one next month. Manitobas Progressive Conservatives have wasted no time trying to undo the political damage caused by their former leader, even before they choose a new one next month. Former premier Brian Pallister resigned abruptly on Sept. 1, following months of political gaffes and spectacularly poor judgment that dragged his party's support to a rock-bottom level. Since then, the Tories have unleashed a flurry of announcements to repair their governments battered reputation, including many aimed at healing the fractured relationship Pallister caused between the province and the Indigenous community. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Kelvin Goertzen wasted no time on his first day on the job, killing five controversial bills. Premier Kelvin Goertzen, who took over as "caretaker premier" until a new leader is selected, wasted no time on his first day on the job, killing five controversial bills including Bill 64, which among other changes would have eliminated English language school boards. Two days later, the Tories announced the province would recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 as a day of observance. Its hard to imagine Pallister making that declaration. Equally unlikely was the prospect of Pallister approving a treaty land acknowledgement to open daily sittings of the legislative assembly. The opposition and others have been calling for a land acknowledgment since at least 2017, to recognize that the Manitoba legislature sits on Treaty 1 territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis. It was never pursued under Pallister. The Tories changed that days after he resigned. Goertzen announced a land acknowledgment could be instituted as early as next month. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Education Minister Cliff Cullen pledged an additional $1 million for student mental health services, the first of three announcements this month in response to fallout from Bill 64 The province recently announced funding for residential school healing centres and additional resources for Truth and Reconciliation Week events. Meanwhile, Education Minister Cliff Cullen pledged an additional $1 million for student mental health services, the first of three announcements this month in response to fallout from Bill 64. The minister also unveiled a new advisory panel made up of students, parents, educators and stakeholders to create an updated K-12 school curriculum. Both initiatives were recommendations in the provinces Better Education Starts Today blueprint, but were not acted on under Pallister. One of the main criticisms of Bill 64 is that it failed to address poverty in schools, including its effect on learning. Two weeks after Pallister resigned, the province announced a new task force to study the correlation between poverty and education. DAVID LIPNOWSKI / FREE PRESS FILES Since former premier Brian Pallister resigned abruptly on Sept. 1, the Tories have unleashed a flurry of announcements to repair their governments battered reputation. Post-Pallister repairs were evident in health care, too. After several years of cuts to medical services, including clawing back out-patient physiotherapy coverage, Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced last week $6 million in new services for Manitobans with Type 1 diabetes. The province is expanding age eligibility for pharmacare coverage of insulin pumps and improving access to glucose monitors. The Tories continued to distance themselves this week from Pallister's Bill 35 (one of the five bills on the chopping block) which would have allowed cabinet to set Manitoba Hydro rates and bypass the Public Utilities Board. Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton directed Hydro to make an interim rate application to the PUB, taking it out of the hands of cabinet. MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS FILES PC party leadership candidate Heather Stefanson agreed to sign a pledge with the Manitoba Nurses Union to repair the broken relationship between the provincial government and nurses. Perhaps the most significant example of Tory fence-mending came this week when PC party leadership candidate Heather Stefanson agreed to sign a pledge with the Manitoba Nurses Union to "repair the broken relationship between the provincial government and nurses." The move would have been unheard of under Pallister's watchful eye. The pledge was especially telling since Stefanson, a former health minister and deputy premier, would have contributed to the "broken relationship" she now acknowledges exists. Manitoba Tories have a lot of repenting to do between now and the next election, scheduled for October 2023. Whether they choose Stefanson or former MP Shelly Glover as their next leader, the road before them to regain the trust of Manitobans is a long and bumpy one. Judging by their actions over the past few weeks, it appears they are well aware of that. tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca Picture this: four unfamiliar and diverse faces each person dressed in clothes considered typical for their race, ethnicity, gender or religion stare out from the screen. Users are asked a series of questions such as which person is secretly royalty? and are expected to answer on instinct alone. Picture this: four unfamiliar and diverse faces each person dressed in clothes considered "typical" for their race, ethnicity, gender or religion stare out from the screen. Users are asked a series of questions such as which person is secretly royalty? and are expected to answer on instinct alone. The answer may not seem obvious and thats the point. In a new online tool dubbed "Bias outside the box," Winnipeg psychologist Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman hopes to push participants to examine their unconscious biases in an effort to shift the culture and peoples perspectives. The online tool has been adapted into an art exhibit for Nuit Blanche in Winnipeg this month. "Being mindful of our biases is critically important to systemic change because we understand our role and our impact in those systems, and how our biases sustain those systems," Abdulrehman said. As a clinical and consulting psychologist, Abdulrehman said he works to illicit change in individuals, companies and organizations. He has spent the better part of the past year preparing an anonymous online tool with a range of portraits and questions designed to prompt users to discover their own biases. "The issue of diversity, equity and inclusion is important to me very personally. As a former immigrant, as a person of colour, as a religious minority and a Muslim, particularly I face a great deal of discrimination," Abdulrehman explained. In his practice, he has noticed many people tackle diversity, equity and inclusion with a "tick-box" approach, where hiring choices and small issues become the central focus. While those measures can be temporarily helpful, Abdulrehman said sustainable change takes greater insight. Racist behaviour can come in several forms. While some people may be overtly racist, he explained the subtle actions of "very well-meaning individuals" can be "much more psychologically impactful" to marginalized people. "Those well-meaning people are perpetuating a lot of racist systems and ideologies," he noted. "Trauma is not just about the large burning crosses but theres an insidious element of bias that really causes people of colour and marginalized people to consistently doubt themselves. Thats what this is really about." Abdulrehman explained the first iteration of the diversity bias tool was presented to people of colour, who felt "uncomfortable" faced with their own biases and "internalized racism." JESSE BOILY / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Psychologist Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman says understanding biases is a critical ingredient in systemic change. Feedback from white people who have used the bias tool (participants are given the option to identify their ethnicity and race before starting the test) has taken a different tone, Abdulrehman said. Some said the tool "does not apply" to them because they are not racist. Some respondents have directed "ignorant" rhetoric at Abdulrehman. "I get it theres a lot of tension. Theres a great fear of being labelled as a racist," said Abdulrehman. "But what they dont recognize is that when they stay quiet, people assume that the quietness means that theyre complicit." The test is directed at people who are willing to confront their biases and is unlikely to work for those who try to "beat" the test, or assert they have no bias. "The hope is that this tool allows people to have a very private journey, and to come face to face with their biases," he said. In an ad campaign focused primarily on LinkedIn, the bias test had more than 1,800 views in 36 hours, with responses from around the world, said Abdulrehman. The project will remain up permanently as a teaching and anonymous data-collection tool. During Nuit Blanche, which runs from Sept. 24 to Oct. 24, four displays across the city will portray at least one of the projects portraits with the tagline How do you see me? Abdulrehman explained. 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. Two banners will be featured at the downtown Robertson College, one will hang long-term at St. Boniface Hospital, the largest exhibit will be displayed at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, and two will be displayed at Abdulrehmans parents business: the Halal Meat Centre in West Broadway. "It made sense to have a venue that reflected me," he said, adding the store has been the target of systemic racism. The photos will have a link to the online tool. "Art is meant to change the way we think," said Abdulrehman. "Part of my goal is to move Winnipeg from the most racist city to the most inclusive one." He was referring to a Macleans magazine article in January 2015 that labelled the city the most racist in Canada. julia-simone.rutgers@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @jsrutgers As a girl, I learned about voting by watching my father fill out an absentee ballot mailed from the Iowa county hed pulled up our familys American roots from two decades before. We sat cross-legged on the living-room floor, hands tracing lists of candidates, not only for president, but also for sheriff and coroner and judges. As a girl, I learned about voting by watching my father fill out an absentee ballot mailed from the Iowa county hed pulled up our familys American roots from two decades before. We sat cross-legged on the living-room floor, hands tracing lists of candidates, not only for president, but also for sheriff and coroner and judges. My father, who had long purged the internalized shame of having once participated in a Richard Nixon club in high school, was proud of the fact he had never voted for a Republican; he showed me the box he checked to pledge a straight Democrat ticket. And he talked about voting, and about democracy, and about politics. "The thing about a president," he explained, "is that its not like a king. Anyone can become president." My eyes widened. "Are you going to run for president?" He laughed and shook his head. Still, for many years I imagined a ballot with my fathers name at the top; already, I was transfixed. Explained to me this way, the act of democracy seemed so close. I could touch it and hold it, feeling in the ballot something of the sacred, eager to grow up and undertake the same rite of passage. ...I know how I vote: reluctantly, sometimes a little resentfully, in protest or fatigue, or just disappointment. Its a sense of obligation that drives me to the polls more than any sense of meaning. Maybe that memory is why, since turning 18, I have voted in every election for which I am eligible. There is some debate on whether journalists should vote, the idea being that by casting a ballot you are, in some way, attaching yourself to a desired outcome. I know some who dont, and some who do proudly, believing also with merit that journalists should at least aim to represent the best ideals of civic engagement. Me, I vote. Partly, its that I cover politics as little as I can plausibly manage, having realized long ago that its a sport Im not fit to play. Mostly, its that I know how I vote: reluctantly, sometimes a little resentfully, in protest or fatigue, or just disappointment. Its a sense of obligation that drives me to the polls more than any sense of meaning. I vote because I was once a little girl sitting on the floor with her dad, finding in the act a certain sort of magic. Its not there for me anymore or, at least, not in the ballot. The process, the poll workers, the fact that we have access to the vote in safety all of that leaves me misty-eyed thankful. But when marking the X, I mostly feel numb. Still, I am told there are Canadians people who arent members of any of the parties, I mean who are excited to vote, excited about the candidates, excited about who they hope to be the next prime minister. I am told they exist, but Im not sure Ive ever met them; the friends I talk to about voting sound a lot more like me. "Did you vote?" one of us might ask, and then comes the rest: a sigh, a shrug, a few words of resignation. "Figured I may as well," perhaps. Or, "Yeah, I just cant stand the idea of so-and-so winning" or, "The candidate I voted for wont win, but at least I can sleep at night," which is a particularly depressing summary of the status quo. Forty per cent of eligible voters did not cast a ballot in Mondays federal election, making Canadians most broadly popular choice to be "none." What I am certain of is that this malaise is not confined to my friends. Forty per cent of eligible voters did not cast a ballot in Mondays federal election, making Canadians most broadly popular choice to be "none." Since the 1960s, turnout in Canada has taken a jagged path of overall decline; this years is the second-lowest on record. There are many reasons people dont cast a ballot. Not all are related to ambivalence. The pandemic likely played a role this year, and there are still barriers that we must aim to reduce. Three northwestern Ontario First Nations didnt even get election-day polling stations, and voting card mix-ups directed residents hundreds of kilometres away. Then there is the fact that, this year, there was likely a higher-than-normal level of frustration at the fact the election was called at all. It was a nakedly strategic bid by the Liberals, which is to be expected from a minority government, but rankled in the midst of a pandemic; Canadians were clearly unimpressed by the fact it happened. But overall, the largest factor in Canadian turnout is apathy. Plain and simple. This is not the fault of the apathetic; its the fault of a political climate in which many people, not without merit, feel that voting doesnt produce a material change to their conditions. Why vote, if no one asking for yours earns neither your hope or your trust? After Mondays election, Canadian political commentary captured some of this feeling; Humber College professor (and former Winnipegger) Tyler Shipley called it a "passive boycott of the electoral circus." This disconnection is a looming crisis in Canadian politics, and neither the system or culture suggests an easy answer. Will electoral reform help, to make results more proportional to votes? Are there changes that could be made within parties to encourage more inspirational leaders? Then again, maybe that wont help. For the last two elections, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has polled as the most likable leader; in neither did it mean much at the ballot box. Its a resounding statement that our politics, from the campaigns through to the governance, is failing to convince too many Canadians that their voice and their needs actually matter. Its best I leave the finer points of the debate to the experts. What I do know is this: if we want to claim a democracy that works for its people, then we must aspire to one where more Canadians feel an investment in the process, and where voters can imagine potentials more inspiring than affirming one or another colour of status quo. One final note. Over the years, Ive heard many people repeat the maxim that if you dont vote, then you forfeit your right to complain about the outcome. With respect, I do not agree. Elected officials are bound to represent all of their constituents, not only those who voted for them, and not only those who voted. Or, to put it simply: if someone claims to speak for you, you have every right to criticize what they do and say. And when 40 per cent of eligible Canadians choose to stay home, that is a criticism spoken in unison in the loudest possible way. Its a resounding statement that our politics, from the campaigns through to the governance, is failing to convince too many Canadians that their voice and their needs actually matter. Once, I was a little girl for whom the act of voting made politics feel so close, it was as if I could touch it. And maybe the actual grind of it all can never recapture that magic. Still, one can dream of a Canada in which voters are lifted to the polls on a sense of empowerment, and few turn away for feeling disillusioned. melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca 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. Instead of cars, priests and congregants occupied a TD Bank's parking lot Saturday, protesting the institution's funding of an oil pipeline. Instead of cars, priests and congregants occupied a TD Bank's parking lot Saturday, protesting the institution's funding of an oil pipeline. Anglican priests Gwen McAllister and Jane Barter led a short service outside the bank's St. Anne's Road location. Over 30 people listened to the service, holding signs like "You can't drink oil! Stop Line 3." "What I would like is for TD to become embarrassed enough about their participation in this awful project to choose to withdraw their funding from it," McAllister said post-service. "(Then) other banks would see that as well." Line 3 is a 1,097-mile crude oil pipeline that extends from Edmonton, Alta., to Superior, Wis., It cuts through part of southwestern Manitoba. Enbridge, a Calgary-based energy company, has been replacing and expanding the pipeline. Protesters have gathered in Minnesota, citing the climate crisis and intrusion of Indigenous lands as reasons to stop the project. "I believe there is a lot of people in the churches who care deeply about the earth, care deeply about Indigenous issues and aren't really sure what we can do," McAllister said. "If we can do something, even symbolic... I think it gives people hope and courage." Saturday's event was the group's third peaceful protest. Many religious groups have banded together over the issue: Mennonites held a protest outside TD Bank on Sherbrook Street in August, and Quakers conducted a silent service outside the bank on Corydon Avenue. "The recent finding of the graves of residential schools helps bring to light how important it is for the church, if we want to be on the side of life in any way, to not only be able to repent of what's happened in the past, but (notice) what we are complicit of in the present," McAllister said. The church needs to adjust its actions to meet its goals for the future, she said. Anglican priest Jane Barter talks to supporters as they take part in communion during the protest. (Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press) "(We're) against what is happening when land is being taken from Anishinaabe territory," she said. The proposed pipeline threatens wild rice areas important to the Anishinaabe, according to the Sierra Club North Star Chapter, a Minnesota environmental group. The line crosses more than 200 water bodies and 75 miles of wetlands, it said. Saturday's attendees stayed masked and socially distanced. Many accepted communion, bread that symbolizes Jesus Christ's body, from tongs. A golden cross stood nearby. "When people are profiting off the loss of others... the witness of communion stands against that," McAllister said. Chris Regehr said he attended because he's watched people in Minnesota put their bodies on the line to protest the pipeline, and he wanted to show his solidarity. "To be continuing to fund fossil fuels just doesn't seem like the right choice at this time," he said. "I think these (protests) are called for." 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. Oliver Capko, who's Catholic, said attending is putting his faith into action. "(It's) to invest in people," he said. The original Line 3 pipeline was built in the 1960s. The new version seeks to move about 370,000 barrels of crude oil per day to the United States, according to CBC. Hundreds connected to pipeline protests have been arrested in the United States. gabrielle.piche@freepress.mb.ca On the surface, it might not seem like a high school student and a transport company have much in common. However, this year, both are among the six honourees of the 23rd annual Manitoba Philanthropy Awards. On the surface, it might not seem like a high school student and a transport company have much in common. However, this year, both are among the six honourees of the 23rd annual Manitoba Philanthropy Awards. The winners of the awards were announced earlier this month, and this upcoming November on National Philanthropy Day, theyll be honoured in person by the Manitoba chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals. "Winnipegs an incredibly community-minded city," said Kelly Johnston, co-chair of National Philanthropy Day. "So many people and organizations really do give back." For co-chair Crystal Leochko Johnston, the event is a way "to acknowledge and honour the people who have really given amazing contributions to the community, and to showcase philanthropy as a whole." Most of all, Johnston and Leochko Johnston are excited to finally bring the event back in-person after having to quickly pivot to a virtual celebration last year, but even amid a global pandemic, Manitobans continued to give. This years awards event is also a celebration of the Association of Fundraising Professionals 25th anniversary and its founders. Each year, the categories of the awards presented can be different based on the nominees. The 2021 Manitoba Philanthropy Awards are Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser, Outstanding Philanthropist, Emerging Leader in Philanthropy, Outstanding Philanthropic Group and Outstanding Corporation. Divya Sharma, the recipient of the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award, is "an unstoppable force for good in Manitoba," said the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Sharma, a high school student in the city, collaborated with several organizations in the city including Youth in Philanthropy and Rising Youth, and under her leadership as a youth representative for Youth in Philanthropy, she and the rest of the group were able to make $7,500 of grant recommendations to charities in the city. The Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award will be presented to Garth Manness, the CEO of Credit Union Central of Manitoba. Supporting Siloam Mission for 14 years, Manness was the chair of the missions "Make Room" campaign that raised $19 million to fund the Buhler Centre, an expansion that added new shelter beds and programming space, including an expanded health centre, employment readiness programs and spiritual care supports for those experiencing homelessness. Manness also led a team of committee members that surpassed their $3.2 million goal for a Recovery Centre campaign last fall during the pandemic. The Outstanding Philanthropist award recipient is Larry McIntosh, former president and CEO of local non-profit vegetable supplier Peak of the Market. For 27 of the companys 75 years, McIntosh showed the province that Peak of the Market is much more than just its quality produce. Under his leadership, the company won several awards, and demonstrated its commitment to the community through partnerships like the Farm to School fundraiser. Through that, Peak promoted healthy eating by sponsoring and hosting fundraising events, along with donating produce to Manitoba schools and daycares. Michelle Gazze, the winner of the Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award, believes "even minor improvements can lead to large results." Gazze, with over 10 years of experience leading community engagement, lives up to that statement by empowering others around her to do good as well, and leads with the belief that doing so can take many forms, whatever a person is able to give, from time and money to empathy, or even a shout out on social media. By sticking to her philosophies, she was able to help others give their time and talent to raise money and other resources for the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitobas after school and community resource programs. 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 St. Boniface-St. Vital branch of the Kiwanis Club of Winnipeg has been presented with the award for Outstanding Philanthropic Group, for donating more than $1.1 million to the St. Amant Research Centre over 50 years. Kiwanis, dedicated to "serving the children of the world," has multiplied theirs and their fundraising partners efforts each year to give back to the local community, and in particular, to give to the community by supporting people living with developmental disabilities with St. Amant. The final award being presented on Nov. 15 is the Outstanding Corporation award, which this year has been awarded to Bison Transport. In all of the corporations levels, Bison Transport has made a dedication to community leadership and giving, and has worked to become an industry leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and recognizes diversity and inclusion within the workplace as critical to their business. Bison Transport made a public declaration that those living with intellectual disabilities are valued and deserve the same opportunities and dignities that are granted to all. This commitment to human rights is also evident through the corporations donations to United Way, Habitat for Humanity and Missing Children Society of Canada among many others. Tickets to the Manitoba Philanthropy Awards and the National Philanthropy day celebration at the RBC Convention Centre are available to the public, and are priced at $85. It was a hot and sticky summer, one of the warmest on record in decades, with a drought that brought ruin to farmers in the countryside and apocalyptic, smoky skies that made Winnipeg feel downright dystopian. There was a pattern: a man approached a woman alone along the river trail, always late in the week (Thursday through Sunday) during the evening or early morning hours before light pierced the sky. But among those who took to the trails this summer was no ordinary citizen in search of exercise and sunshine. There was also a serial sexual predator at work, armed with a knife, stalking the pathways evening and night, looking for women and girls to attack. Walkers and joggers took to the river trails, which snake through the heart of the city alongside the muddy waterways that give Winnipeg its name. Some ran, while others sought a relaxing stroll with family and friends. Patios and newly minted outdoor bars filled up, bringing relief to cash-strapped business owners. Live music could be heard reverberating through the air. Daily case counts and deaths dropped to lows not seen since the start of the first plague year. The first of five river trail attacks on women this spring and summer occurred just east of the legislature on April 8. With the smoke came temporary refuge from the pandemic, a brief interlude between the third and fourth waves; at times, it almost felt as if life were returning to normal. People, sick and tired of being cooped up at home, ventured back out into the world. The sun burned a pale red; the sky was pallid and jaundiced, as if gauze had been draped over the horizon. Haze descended upon the Prairies from the hundreds of wildfires raging out west. It was a hot and sticky summer, one of the warmest on record in decades, with a drought that brought ruin to farmers in the countryside and apocalyptic, smoky skies that made Winnipeg feel downright dystopian. The first attack came on April 8, sometime around 8 p.m., when a woman in her 30s was walking east of the Legislative Building, where lush trees rise from the embankment, providing a canopy above the bending gravel path. Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind by a man. The man had a knife. The woman screamed and struggled with her attacker, managing to squirm away and run to safety. She reported the assault to police, suffering only a minor injury. The Winnipeg Police Service did not notify the public of the attack. There was no news conference, nor was a press release issued. The predator struck again less than two months later, at about 4:30 a.m. on June 4, when a woman in her 20s was walking along the 300 block of Assiniboine Avenue, which runs parallel to the river trail. She passed a man and asked if she could borrow his cellphone. The man said yes, but told her to follow him along Donald Street towards the Midtown Bridge where they could get better reception. He then turned on her, grabbing her from behind and dragging her under the bridge at knifepoint. He sexually assaulted her and ran away. The woman reported the attack to police and was treated for injuries. Again, the WPS did not notify the public of the attack. There was no news conference, nor was a media release issued. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Investigators have been urging information on organized crime not be released, says Const. Rob Carver. Eight days later, at about 5:30 p.m. on June 12, a woman in her 20s was walking along the river trail near the 200 block of Churchill Drive. Like the others, she was attacked from behind and pulled to the ground. The woman struggled and screamed. Eventually, the attacker let go, and she ran to safety and contacted police. This time, the WPS issued a news release: four paragraphs, 129-words. "The suspect is described as male, 35-40 years old, 5-11, average build. Black hair buzz cut style, wearing a grey t-shirt, black cargo pants, a black mask, and black sunglasses," it read, pointing readers to "personal safety tips" available on the WPS website. There was no mention of the two previous attacks along the river trail. At about 3:45 a.m. on Aug. 8, a 15-year-old girl walking along the trail behind Churchill High School was grabbed by a man and raped; she reported the attack to police when it was over. Hours later, at about 6 p.m., a woman in her 20s was jogging along the trail near Stradbrook and Harkness avenues when a man grabbed her from behind, pulled her to the ground and attacked her. It was only the following day, on Aug. 9 four months, or 123 days after the first attack that police told the public there had been a string of assaults against women along the river trail. The WPS issued a written public advisory. There was no news conference. "Detectives are investigating several incidents between April and August 2021, involving females being physically accosted at various points along the Red River trail system. The victims were grabbed from behind, pulled to the ground, and threatened with a weapon," the advisory reads. "The incidents varied from the early evening hours when it was still light out into the early morning hours when it was dark outside. All the incidents occurred along the west Red River trail from the Osborne Bridge south along Churchill Drive, to the Elm Park footbridge at Jubilee Avenue." Weeks later, on Aug. 24, police released surveillance footage of a suspect. And then on Aug. 27, police held their first news conference in the case, announcing that following tips from the public, an arrest warrant had been issued for 29-year-old Jordan Andrew Bruyere. "If we knew it was a stranger-on-stranger attack, a sexual attack with a weapon if we knew that, we would release on that. Guaranteed that would pass all of the critera." Const. Rob Carver Bruyere was arrested and charged with three sexual offences related to the attack on the 15-year-old girl behind Churchill High School. After being released on bail, he was re-arrested on Sept. 9 and charged in the other cases. "Investigators did some fantastic police work and were able to make arrests in all five incidents," said Const. Dani McKinnon, a newly minted member of the WPS public information office, during a news conference following Bruyeres second arrest. "(They) cast a very wide net and eventually their investigation became more pinpointed and we learned (a single suspect) was responsible." While the charges against Bruyere have not been proven in court, there is little doubt the investigation was complex and challenging for sex crime detectives, who connected the string of attacks to a single suspect. But questions remain: why did police not notify the public of the first two attacks that appeared similar and took place in an area that has seen multiple high-profile sex crimes in recent years? And if they had, would things have been different for the other victims? "Man dies after medical incident during police interaction." That was the headline on the news release issued by the Minneapolis Police Department in the hours after a then-unknown George Floyd, 46, died on May 25, 2020 16 months ago today. The nearly 200-word statement, written by the head of the MPD public information office, made no mention of the fact officers restrained Floyd on the ground, that a knee was placed on his neck and how long the confrontation with police lasted. "(The suspect) physically resisted officers. Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress. Officers called an ambulance. He was transported to (hospital) by ambulance where he died a short time later," the statement read. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Const. Jay Murray: the office is trying to find ways where it is easier to communicate with the public. All of the details included in the now-infamous press release were, technically speaking, true. But they were also profoundly deceiving, employing all the hallmarks of passive language and vague euphemism that often characterize police communications. When a police officer shoots and kills someone, it is called an "officer-involved shooting." And when Derek Chauvin murdered Floyd by placing a knee on his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds as the dying man repeatedly gasped, "I cant breathe," it was labelled a suspect death from a medical incident following a police interaction. The public knows what truly happened that day only because of a cellphone video recorded by a 17-year-old bystander. The video went viral, shocking people around the world and leading to the prosecution of Chauvin and other officers on the call. When it comes to police press releases, its clear that from the standpoint of law enforcement the more euphemistic and passive the language the better. It is what the English journalist George Orwell called "political language." Phraseology such as "officer-involved shooting" is needed, Orwell noted, "if one wants to name things without calling up mental pictures of them." For police departments across North America, there is Before George Floyd and After George Floyd. Nothing has been the same since, or ever will be again. His murder ushered in a new era of policing, where calls for defunding and even abolition have gone mainstream. Winnipeg has been no exception. But aside from the initial scrutiny of the George Floyd press release, less attention has been paid to the operations of public information offices the media liaison units employed by police departments compared to issues of funding, oversight and accountability. And given that PIOs often determine what the public does and does not hear, and colours its perception of incidents through carefully chosen language, more scrutiny is needed, say multiple academics who spoke to the Free Press. In Winnipeg, prior to 1985, the police did not have a formalized media policy, and information was released to news outlets on a sporadic, ad-hoc basis. There was no official spokesperson for the department, aside from the police chief, who rarely spoke to reporters. The main contact for the media was the Winnipeg Police Service duty inspectors office, which was staffed by a single individual 24 hours a day. Journalists could also walk into the Public Safety Building or go to crime scenes to get information and quotes from officers. In 1985, the WPS created a formalized media relations position. Daily news conferences were held so reporters could be updated on overnight crime and information was released to the public as directed by the police chief. By 1989, the WPS decided the role would be better handled by a civilian, and Eric Turner was hired. He held the post until 1995, when the force reverted back to staffing the position with an officer. The WPS public information office is currently a six-person unit, staffed with three officers constables Rob Carver, Jay Murray and Dani McKinnon an office assistant, a communications co-ordinator and public affairs manager Kelly Dehn, a former CTV reporter and editor. Despite the expansion of the PIO unit, a Free Press analysis of WPS communications, in the form of releases and news conferences, shows the level of proactive engagement from the department in recent years has been on the decline. And those long-term trends of disappearing news conferences and diminishing press releases came to a head during the summer with the river trail sex attacks. Crime rates in Winnipeg have risen steadily after sinking to historic lows nearly a decade ago; public police communications have declined at the same time. From Jan. 1, 2018 to Aug. 31, 2021, there was a 69 per cent decrease in the number of Winnipeg police news conferences. The most precipitous drop came in 2020, when media events were nearly halved, falling by 43.8 per cent from the previous year. In 2018 and 2019, the WPS averaged a news conference once every 4.3 days; by early 2020 (prior to Floyds murder) that figure had fallen to once every seven days. After Floyds death, it fell further, averaging a news conference every 10 days. The service is on track to reach a new low in news conferences this year, with just 26 so far in 2021 an average of one every 10.5 days. The WPS is currently averaging about 36 annual news conferences, or roughly three a month. By comparison, the Vancouver Police Department the only police service in Canada the Free Press could find comparable data for has held 42 news conferences in 2021, or an average of six per month, which is roughly double the WPS rate. Meanwhile, the number of press releases issued by the WPS has also been on the decline. The police service wipes its public communications from its website on a rolling 36-month basis, but provided the Free Press with data going back to 2016. From 2016 to 2018, the number of press releases from the department remained relatively flat, but has dropped every year since. In 2016, the WPS issued 625, compared to 439 in 2020 a decrease of roughly 30 per cent. A review of communications from other Prairie police departments shows that from 2018 to present, Winnipeg (1,993) issued fewer press releases than Saskatoon (3,264) and Regina (2,171), despite having a larger population and higher crime rates. Meanwhile, a review of communications from the Toronto Police Service from Aug. 10 to Sept. 10 found it issued 276 press releases ranging from homicides to sexual assaults to missing persons which is close to what the WPS has issued thus far in 2021 (343). Since the third quarter of 2018, there have been 17 "officer-involved shootings" reported by the WPS. Only one of those police shootings appeared as a single-subject release, and in seven cases it was listed below other crime items of the day. In addition to reviewing WPS public communications, the Free Press also spent two weeks at the Law Courts in Winnipeg on a daily basis, charting new overnight criminal charges in the city among people seeking bail to get out of the remand centre. That resulted in identifying dozens of cases, including serious offences ranging from robberies and shootings to drug trafficking and weapons charges, that were not announced by police. When the Free Press presented its findings to the WPS, the department agreed to an in-person interview with all three of its public information officers, as well as Dehn, the public affairs manager. The interview was on the record, wide-ranging and lasted about an hour. Const. Rob Carver, the longest-serving member of the PIO, said the numbers from other police departments in Canada in terms of press releases and news conferences are irrelevant here; he said the WPS has its own criteria on what information to release to the public. "We wouldnt look at (other police departments) numbers and decide were doing too many or too less," Carver said. The members of the PIO said news conferences and press releases do not capture the full scope of their communications with the public, pointing to social media, public-safety announcements, radio and TV hits and statistical reports as other examples of their work. The WPS also recently released a slickly produced video, featuring Chief Danny Smyth and community activist Sel Burrows walking around the Point Douglas neighbourhood discussing an investigation that took down a drug house in the area, another pivot in their efforts at public engagement. "Weve really tried to build this office in a way that its easier to communicate with the public," said Const. Jay Murray, pointing out the WPS has been a leader among Canadas police in livestreaming news conferences on Facebook. And members of the unit feel local media have devoted fewer resources to crime reporting in recent years, resulting in much less interest and engagement from reporters when they do issue releases or hold news conferences. The members of the PIO explained their process for determining whether a crime will be reported at all and, if so, whether its in a release or a news conference. Factors include the expected level of media inquiries or public interest, issues of community safety, whether the incident is gang-related or part of an ongoing criminal investigation and the nature and complexity of the crime. Often, particularly in cases involving organized crime or the use of confidential informants, investigators are hesitant if not opposed to the PIO releasing information. "Were seeing that a lot more. Were now running into an issue where investigators are saying, We dont want anything out on this Ive been around a long time. Were seeing more than ever that investigators dont want something out," Carver said. The unit has also undergone staffing changes that impacted operations, and the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it technical challenges that may help explain some of the recent downward trends in communications. Const. Tammy Skrabek, a longtime member of the PIO, retired in early 2020. Her replacement, Const. Rachel Vertone, decided the position wasnt a good fit after six months on the job. Const. Dani McKinnon, who joined the office last November, said there is a "steep learning curve." "I dont think scrutiny of police spending has ever been as high as (it is now). Its not that easy to just add positions to units within the service... There is a lot of different things, I think, that have contributed to maybe I hope its a temporary downturn in communications," Murray said. The members of the unit stressed that nothing in its metric has changed as to what information is released and how its communicated. "If anything, theres a bigger push I see it as were trying to be more engaging," Carver said. There were different explanations provided for the failure to release details on the first two river trail assaults. It is noteworthy that it was not the first time a woman had been attacked in that area in recent years, which has served as a hot spot for high-profile sex crimes in Winnipeg. In November 2014, it was the site of the brutal beating and sexual assault of a teen girl, whose bruised and battered body was dumped in the near-freezing Assiniboine River. The case gained widespread national attention. And in August 2018, an 18-year-old woman was walking along the river trail near Bonnycastle Park when she was assaulted and raped by two men in a brazen daylight attack. In both cases, the WPS promptly issued notifications to the public. But in the April 8 attack, the incident was presented to investigators as an assault with a weapon and, perhaps, an attempted robbery, according to members of the public information team. At the time, it did not seem sexual in nature, and did not rise to a level of severity where they felt a press release was warranted. "Police communications is really about communications policing. Its about framing, including some information and not including other information. Police communication specialists are very good at framing. Theyre selective of the information they include and keep out." Kevin Walby, criminologist at the University of Winnipeg In the second attack, on June 4 when a woman was sexually assaulted at knifepoint along the trail two possible explanations for the lack of public notice were advanced. "If you look at June 4 on its own and again, not to be disrespectful at all it didnt present much differently than a number of sexual offences that the unit deals with. It wasnt unique and it didnt appear to be in the pattern," McKinnon said. When pressed further, Carver said he was involved in discussions around whether to release details on the June 4 attack, which looped in investigators from the sex crime unit. "There were certainly variables about (June 4) that investigators were looking at saying, Does this fit any others? And Im going to add, Did it even happen the way it was presented? Part of an investigators job is to confirm that, in fact, it is an accurate representation," Carver said. "We need to check everything was there drugs or alcohol involved? Is her recollection accurate? Is she shielding someone? Did she know the guy? All of those things add complexities. There are often question marks and sometimes they take longer (to get answered)." Carver said that unanswered questions led to the decision not to notify the public, in part due to concerns related to the forces inability to "pull something back" once its released. "If we knew it was a stranger-on-stranger attack, a sexual attack with a weapon if we knew that, we would release on that. Guaranteed that would pass all of the criteria," he said. "Unless an investigator says, Weve got stuff to figure out here, and we cannot pull it back, so youre going to have to wait." Eight days after the June 4 attack, the suspect struck again. The Free Press spoke to three criminologists and a gender-based violence expert, asking for thoughts on how Winnipeg police communicated with the public on the river trail sex attacks and, more broadly, the changing role of public information offices. All four were critical of the lack of public information after the first two attacks. "The way these things get communicated is very important. In Toronto, there has been more than one case, famous cases, about communicating sexual assaults and why its important to be super-transparent," said Andrea Gunraj, vice-president of public engagement for the Canadian Womens Foundation. Marian Valverde, a criminologist and activist who has served in a civilian capacity on police-community liaison boards, was more cutting in her response. "Why am I not surprised?" Valverde said. Both women pointed to the Jane Doe case also known as the Balcony Rapist case in Toronto in the mid-1980s. Beginning in 1985, a serial rapist named Paul Callow stalked the citys Church and Wellesley neighbourhood, repeatedly victimizing women who lived alone in second- and third-floor apartments with balconies that could be reached by climbing. Police chose not to publicize the crimes, concerned the unidentified perpetrator would be tipped off and evade capture if they issued a warning. On Aug. 14, 1986, long after police realized they had a serial rapist on their hands, Callow struck again, raping a woman later known as Jane Doe in her second-floor apartment on Wellesley Street East. Callow was later arrested and sentenced to a 20-year prison term. Jane Doe was his fifth confirmed victim. When she learned police had chosen not to warn the public about the previous rapes, she sued the department for failing to protect her and violating her right to safety. Justice Jean MacFarland of the Ontario Superior Court ruled in her favour, arguing Toronto police "failed utterly in their duty to protect" Callows victims, denying them the "opportunity to take steps to protect themselves." Jane Doe was awarded $220,000 in damages. "The way these things get communicated is very important. In Toronto, there has been more than one case, famous cases, about communicating sexual assaults and why its important to be super-transparent." Andrea Gunraj, vice-president of public engagement for the Canadian Womens Foundation It wasnt the last time a lawsuit of that nature was filed in Canada. In 2016, a Newfoundland woman sued the province after being victimized by Sofyan Boalag, a convicted rapist who targeted six women in downtown St. Johns in 2012. Boalags sexual assault spree lasted from September to December 2012. The plaintiff in the lawsuit was the last of his victims. Police only notified the public of the crimes on Dec. 7, three days before Boalag was arrested. "The defendant failed to take reasonable steps, or any steps, to perform its duties of care to the plaintiff, including the duty to warn the plaintiff as a member of an identifiable group at risk," the lawsuit alleged. Gunraj said the necessity of timely, transparent police communications when it comes to public acts of sexual violence were first established in the Jane Doe case, and events in the decades since have only underscored their importance. "The Jane Doe case is a classic, historical case about why its really important for the police to be reporting these things from the start and be very transparent about it so people can be fully aware and take appropriate precautions," she said. "I think we learned that lesson back in the 1980s." On the broader trends in Winnipeg with declining police communications, University of Toronto criminologist Jamie Duncan said its "important to know what public institutions are doing with their resources." "Its really important not to forget there are interests at stake in what (police departments) choose to release. Its often about conveying a perception that police protect us from a violent and disordered world," Duncan said. "Im always interested in more transparency, especially when its transparency thats being eroded, as opposed to never having existed in the first place." Another example of eroding transparency, he said, is the move by police across Canada to encrypt radio communications long used by media outlets to monitor crime crime and law enforcement operations. The WPS encrypted its scanners in 2010. "More transparency, especially with an institution like policing, is always better. The move to encrypt scanners is a move to reduce accountability," Duncan said. Kevin Walby, a criminologist at the University of Winnipeg and a leading scholar on police transparency in Canada, said he believes law enforcement agencies across the country take a "risk-management approach to communications," and the WPS is no exception. "A lot of times there is no depth to the communication. They dont release many details, even if it ends up creating more obfuscations. They carefully manage the information flow, and what theyre really doing is managing the risk to the police," Walby said. 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. "Police communications is really about communications policing. Its about framing, including some information and not including other information. Police communication specialists are very good at framing. Theyre selective of the information they include and keep out." For Duncan, the issue boils down to a single question he believes journalists, academics and concerned citizens alike must grapple with: "Are police communications in Winnipeg serving the interests of the police or the public?" ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @rk_thorpe michael.pereira@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @__m_pereira Michael Pereira Data journalist Michael Pereira is a data journalist and developer who spends his days pulling data from (sometimes unwilling) sources, extracting meaning for readers and producing graphics that tell a story. Read full biography Sixteen years is an eternity in politics. It is difficult to remember a time when Angela Merkel wasnt Germanys chancellor, when she wasnt the worlds leading female politician or when her pragmatism wasnt a bulwark against the right wings worst impulses. Ms. Merkel, who took office in 2005 and will step down shortly after Sundays federal elections in Germany, became known for being a moderate-minded foil to former U.S. president Donald Trump and for leading the way for migrants fleeing war in the Middle East to find new homes in Germany and other European countries. Her popularity suffered as the number of migrants entering Europe rose sharply in 2015, but she refused to back down from her decision despite opposition to her immigration policies, some of which came from within her own party. Other leaders praised Ms. Merkels handling of the crisis, with another former U.S. president, Barack Obama, once saying "She is on the right side of history on this." German Chancellor Angela Merkel (Matthias Schrader / The Associated Pres files) But its her abilities to form a consensus that ought to be a key lesson politicians around the world including in Canada ought to take heed. Majority governments are rare in Germany, owing to its multi-party political system and an electoral process that favours proportional representation. For anything to get done, coalitions must be formed, creating consensus-driven governments. During her 16 years in power, Ms. Merkel proved to be sufficiently shrewd to become Germanys first female chancellor despite only having a plurality of seats in her countrys parliament. The key: being wily enough to maintain the top job while negotiating favourable terms with different coalition partners. In doing so, she turned rivals into allies and positioned her government to benefit whichever way the political winds blew. Early in her tenure, Germany was the vanguard within the European Union when austerity measures were demanded by small-government partners. Later, when paired in a "grand coalition" with Germanys top opposition party, the centre-left Social Democrats, Ms. Merkel tacked to the left. That meant ushering in policies to lower carbon emissions in Germany, and announcing the country would close its nuclear reactors by 2022 in the wake of the 2011 nuclear-reactor disaster in Fukushima, Japan. These political arrangements meant compromises, such as welcoming rivals into top positions in the cabinet, but also provided opportunities for Ms. Merkel to take credit for popular programs while allowing the blame for unpopular ones to stick to her coalition partners. Canadas recent federal election puts our countrys leaders in a similar situation. Justin Trudeau will lead another minority government and, if history is any indicator, any talks about forming a coalition government will come to nothing. Previous attempts at "governing like a majority," whether by Mr. Trudeaus Liberals or by previous Conservative minority governments, have usually led to political deadlock, cynical parliamentary manoeuvring and snap elections, all of which have proven to be unpopular with Canadians. The COVID-19 pandemic has put Canada in a crisis. Soaring deficit figures reported by the Manitoba government and rising prices faced by consumers are red flags that further difficulty lies ahead for Canadians, and there is no vaccine for tough economic times. Political discord and electoral stalemates havent worked. Our leaders should consider throwing out the old political playbook and exchanging it for a few of Ms. Merkels lessons about compromise and forming consensus. They might create some history of their own. The Manitoba government is expanding Indigenous-run COVID-19 vaccine clinics in cities, paving the way for more health services run by those groups. The Manitoba government is expanding Indigenous-run COVID-19 vaccine clinics in cities, paving the way for more health services run by those groups. "The partnerships we've established, and the services that we can deliver, are better when we can deliver them together," Premier Kelvin Goertzen said Friday, during an announcement at Thunderbird House in Winnipeg. The province plans to spend just under $2.8 million across Manitoba, the bulk of which will extend Winnipeg vaccine clinics run by Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre and Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, until the end of 2021. Those groups are planning a mobile clinic that will try to inch up the Point Douglas neighbourhood current first-dose vaccination rate of 77 per cent to match the rest of the city, with most areas sitting 10 points higher. The idea is to offer culturally appropriate care off of First Nations reserves, and also serve Metis and Inuit living in cities. On reserves, similar programs in Manitoba have had a widespread COVID-19 vaccine uptake, particularly compared with the provinces own rollout of H1N1 swine flu shots a decade ago, and the current Indigenous uptake of COVID-19 shots in places such as Saskatchewan. "This is a remarkable success of First Nation leadership and First Nations health," said Dr. Marcia Anderson, an Indigenous doctor who oversaw the pandemic response team. Manitoba could go even further in improving health outcomes by including Indigenous leaders and revisiting old policies and top-down governance models, she said. Indigenous Reconciliation Minister Alan Lagimodiere agreed, commending the work currently being done by Winnipeg groups, such as Dr. Barry Lavallee getting the most vulnerable in Winnipeg vaccinated against COVID-19. Provincial, municipal and Indigenous dignitaries pose for a group photo after an announcement on urban Indigenous COVID-19 vaccine clinics at Thunderbird House on Friday. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files) "You're actually going into these encampments, to try and encourage people to get vaccinated, and get people into the centres that provide culturally important supports they need, to ensure this is the right thing to do," Lagimodiere said. The groups plan to help not only get people vaccinated, but supply them the proof-of-immunization cards Manitobans need to access certain services. Cross Lake First Nation Chief David Monias urged people living in cities to roll up their sleeves to protect their neighbours. His community, also known as Pimicikamak, has the highest vaccination rate in all of Manitoba, and said the novel coronavirus has preyed on unvaccinated people and the most vulnerable, including those with weak immune systems. "A few months ago, I said that COVID does not discriminate. I'm here to tell you Ive learned a lot from society it does discriminate," said Monias, speaking as vice-chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. 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 funding announced Friday will also support clinics in Portage la Prairie, Thompson and Brandon. Some of the funding will help Ongomiizwin Health Services, run by the University of Manitoba, to co-ordinate these clinics with provincial and Indigenous leaders. "Your leadership and partnership has been a cornerstone of success, and has truly kept your people and your communities safe," said Health Minister Audrey Gordon. She said the Manitoba Metis Federation was invited to Friday's event, and could not speak to why no one from the federation attended. For months, the governing PCs and the MMF have accused each other of not being in touch to prevent COVID-19 and roll out vaccines. On Friday, Metis leadership was investigating metals in lakes near Flin Flon relied on by Metis communities. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca WESTMORELAND, NY An Oneida County man is facing charges after police say he damaged a vehicle during an alleged road rage incident. The Oneida County Sheriffs Office says on Friday 23-year-old Michael Pritchard of Blossvale was arrested on a charge of felony criminal mischief. Deputies say on September 15 he was involved in an argument with another driver in Rome, which continued southbound down Route 233 to the intersection with West Main Street in Westmoreland. Pritchard is accused of getting out of his vehicle at that intersection and throwing an object at the other car, causing damage to the rear window. Pritchard has been issued an appearance ticket and will return to Westmoreland Town Court at a later date. On Monday, hundreds of local healthcare jobs could be lost, further stressing an industry that's already hurting from a shortage of applicants. Monday is the state-imposed deadline for healthcare workers to be vaccinated...or terminated. Some have already left on their own. Still others have requested religious exemptions. "Monday we know the individuals who have not been vaccinated. We have employee forms ready for them to have so they can be with HR and work through the employment process," says Rome Health Chief Operating Officer, Ryan Thompson. Rome Health as late as Friday reached out to employees, to get the most accurate vaccination rates. They say they've held four recent employee forums with their physicians, to answer any questions employees might have about the vaccine. Rome Health declined to share their vaccination numbers. According to the New York State Department of Health, 80% of Rome Health and Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare are fully vaccinated, 79% of St. Elizabeth staff, in Utica, and 66% of A.O. Fox Hospital staff, in Oneonta. For MVHS, 20% unvaccinated staff could translate to up to 800 employees lost, come Monday. The hospital system will release updated numbers on Tuesday. Rome Hospital says they don't expect any changes in their deliver of services after Monday. "Right now, we have no changes in our plans of operations. We'll be operating as we've always been operating and we will still continue to evaluate that every single day," says Katie Friot, Director of Infection Prevention and Employee Health and Well Being. NEW HARTFORD, NY - New Hartford Police are asking for the public's help locating a missing teen. Police say 15-year-old Malique Crudup was last seen at the House of the Good Shepherd on Champlin Ave on the night of September 17. He was wearing a white tank top and black jeans. If you have any information on Crudup's location you are asked to call the New Hartford Police Department at (315) 733-6666. UTICA, NY A Utica man is under arrest after police say he broke into a home earlier this week. Utica Police say around 8:20 Wednesday morning officers responded to the 1400 block of Conking Ave for a report of a burglary. The homeowner told police a man pushed an air conditioning unit through a window and entered the home. The man then started damaging the interior of the home, then jumped through a window to leave. Outside, the suspect, identified as 20-year-old Yasir Hamid, was confronted on the street after throwing rocks and bricks at the house. Hamid is alleged to have threatened those who confronted him with a knife before leaving the scene. Police say they were able to find and arrest him a short time later. Hamid is charged with second degree burglary and two counts of criminal mischief. Police say he may face additional charges based on the amount of damage he is accused of causing. Here's some background information about the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence's report on the CIA and its detention and interrogation program. Facts The report, completed in 2014, is the result of an investigation into six years of detention and "enhanced interrogation techniques" used by the CIA against suspected terrorists in secret sites around the world. The 525-page report is a summary of a classified, 6,700-page review. The Senate Select Intelligence Committee spent more than five years analyzing approximately 6.3 million pages of documents, at a cost of $40 million. Among the report's conclusions: "The use of the CIA's enhanced interrogation techniques was not an effective means of obtaining accurate information or gaining detainee cooperation." "The interrogations of CIA detainees were brutal and far worse than the CIA represented to policymakers and others." Republican senators on the committee did not participate in the study. Six of the seven GOP committee members issued a dissent, "We have no doubt that the CIA's detention program saved lives and played a vital role in weakening (al Qaeda) while the program was in operation." The Report By the Numbers One hundred nineteen detainees were held at CIA sites between 2002 and 2008. This is 20 more than previously reported by the CIA. One hundred thirteen were captured between 2002 and 2004. Thirty-nine detainees were subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques, which included sleep deprivation, waterboarding, prolonged standing, and exposure to cold. All but one of these interrogations took place before April 2006. At least 26 detainees were found to be held "wrongfully." Fifteen Guantanamo Bay detainees were held at CIA sites. At least five detainees were subjected to rectal rehydration. At least three detainees were waterboarded. (Abu Zubaydah, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri) At least one detainee died in custody, possibly due to hypothermia. Timeline September 11, 2001 - In an attack orchestrated by al Qaeda, 2,977 people are killed in New York City, Washington, DC and outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in the worst terrorist attack in US history. September 17, 2001 - President George W. Bush signs a secret memo authorizing the CIA to detain suspected terrorists. February 7, 2002 - Bush issues an executive order that declares "members of al Qaeda, the Taliban, and associated forces [as] unlawful enemy combatants who are not entitled to the protections that the Third Geneva Convention provides to prisoners of war." March 2002 - Alleged al Qaeda operative Zubaydah is captured in Pakistan. He is the first detainee held by the CIA. Over the next four and a half years, he is transferred to secret prisons around the world and subjected to numerous rounds of enhanced interrogation, including at least 83 instances of waterboarding. He also loses an eye while in custody. The CIA records 90 videotapes of Zubaydah in 2002, including some showing enhanced interrogation. August 1, 2002 - Assistant Attorney General Jay Bybee signs a memo written by John Yoo that states that interrogation tactics such as waterboarding, sleep deprivation and slapping do not violate laws against torture when there is no intent to cause severe pain. September 4, 2002 - The CIA briefs House Intelligence Committee Chairman Porter Goss and US Representative Nancy Pelosi, the ranking Democrat on the committee, on the CIA's detention and interrogation program. It is the first of 40 CIA briefings before Congress that take place from 2002 to 2009. January 28, 2003 - CIA Director George Tenet issues a memo ordering that recordings be made of interrogations using enhanced techniques. March 1, 2003 - Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks, is captured in Pakistan. Over the next month he is waterboarded a reported 183 times. July 29, 2003 - At a meeting with national security officers and Vice President Dick Cheney, the CIA tells the White House that the use of enhanced "techniques has produced significant results." The agency also says during the meeting, "termination of this program will result in loss of life, possibly extensive." Others at the meeting are Tenet; CIA General Counsel Scott Muller; National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice; White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales; Attorney General John Ashcroft; Acting Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel Patrick Philbin; and counsel to the National Security Council, John Bellinger. September 16, 2003 - Secretary of State Colin Powell and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld are briefed on the CIA program for the first time. June 2004 - Tenet issues a memo suspending the use of both standard and enhanced interrogation techniques, pending review. May 10, 2005 - Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Steven G. Bradbury gives reapproval to a number of enhanced interrogation techniques and says in a memo, "Several of the techniques used by the CIA may involve a degree of physical pain, as we have previously noted, including facial and abdominal slaps, walling, stress positions and water dousing...Nevertheless, none of these techniques would cause anything approaching severe physical pain." November 2, 2005 - The Washington Post reports on the existence of secret CIA prisons in Thailand, Afghanistan and Eastern Europe. November 2005 - Jose Rodriguez, director of the CIA's National Clandestine Service, orders that 92 tapes of terror suspect interrogations be destroyed. The tapes were made in 2002 and showed the interrogations of Zubaydah and al-Nashiri, including waterboarding. April 2006 - Bush is briefed for the first time on the specific enhanced interrogation techniques used by the CIA. June 29, 2006 - The Supreme Court rules that Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions applies to detainees in US custody. September 6, 2006 - Bush publicly acknowledges the existence of secret CIA prisons overseas. He also announces the transfer of 14 captured al Qaeda operatives, including Mohammed, Ramzi bin al Shibh, and Zubaydah, to Guantanamo Bay. October 17, 2006 - Bush signs into law the Military Commissions Act of 2006, creating new rules for interrogations. "This bill will allow the Central Intelligence Agency to continue its program for questioning key terrorist leaders and operatives like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the man believed to be the mastermind of the September the 11th, 2001 attacks on our country. This program has been one of the most successful intelligence efforts in American history. It has helped prevent attacks on our country. And the bill I sign today will ensure that we can continue using this vital tool to protect the American people for years to come. The Military Commissions Act will also allow us to prosecute captured terrorists for war crimes through a full and fair trial." July 20, 2007 - Bush signs an executive order specifying that the CIA is forbidden to use cruel or inhuman treatment - including insulting a person's religion or religious practices - when interrogating detainees, specifically suspected terrorists. November 8, 2007 - This is reportedly the last time the CIA uses enhanced interrogation techniques on a detainee. December 2007 - The New York Times reports that CIA terror interrogations were recorded in 2002 and the tapes were destroyed in 2005. April 2008 - The CIA ends its detention of terror suspects. January 20, 2009 - Barack Obama is sworn in as president. Soon after, he signs executive orders to close secret CIA prisons, ban coercive interrogations and close the Guantanamo Bay detention center within one year. March 5, 2009 - The Senate Intelligence Committee launches a review of the CIA's interrogation and detention program. August 2009 - Attorney General Eric Holder asks federal prosecutor John Durham to examine whether CIA interrogations of suspected terrorists were illegal. November 9, 2010 - The Justice Department announces that no criminal charges will be brought in the investigation of the destruction of CIA videotapes of terrorism detainee interrogations. Durham had been investigating the matter since 2008. June 28, 2011 - Durham recommends a criminal probe into the deaths of two prisoners in CIA custody but clears US interrogators of wrongdoing in all other cases. August 30, 2012 - The investigation into two deaths of CIA detainees ends with no prosecutions. December 13, 2012 - The Senate Intelligence Committee approves the study on the CIA's detention and interrogation program, by a 9-6 vote. April 3, 2014 - The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence votes to send the report to the president for declassification. December 9, 2014 - The Senate committee releases the report. December 10, 2014 - The Justice Department announces that it does not plan to initiate any new criminal investigations as a result of the torture report. Law enforcement sources say if another country files an arrest warrant for a US official related to the CIA program, the Justice Department will not enforce it. June 2, 2017 - A Senate aide confirms to CNN that the CIA, CIA inspector general and director of national intelligence will return their copies of the 6,700-page Senate report to Congress. The decision means it's highly unlikely the report - which concluded that interrogation techniques such as waterboarding did not elicit useful intelligence from detainees - will be made public so long as Republicans control the Senate and the White House. Reaction Former CIA Director John Brennan - "It is our considered view that the detainees who were subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques provided information that was useful and was used in the ultimate operation to go against [Osama] bin Laden." Former Vice President Dick Cheney - "What I keep hearing out there is they portray this as a rogue operation, and the agency was way out of bounds and then they lied about it...I think that's all a bunch of hooey. The program was authorized. The agency did not want to proceed without authorization, and it was also reviewed legally by the Justice Department before they undertook the program." Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales - "My initial reaction was disappointment, disappointment about the report generally because I don't know how much of it is true. Since it was signed only by Democrats, I don't know whether information that was in the report was placed out of context. I don't know what omissions of fact and evidence exists. And obviously, we know key participants, key witnesses, key players in this weren't even interviewed and for that reason, I think the report is terribly flawed." Former CIA Director Michael Hayden - "I think the conclusions they drew were analytically offensive and almost street-like in their simplistic language and conclusions." Former Secretary of State John Kerry - "It was right to end these practices for a simple but powerful reason: they were at odds with our values. They are not who we are, and they're not who or what we had to become, because the most powerful country on earth doesn't have to choose between protecting our security and promoting our values." Former Senator John McCain - "It is a thorough and thoughtful study of practices that I believe not only failed their purpose -- to secure actionable intelligence to prevent further attacks on the US and our allies -- but actually damaged our security interests, as well as our reputation as a force for good in the world." Former President Barack Obama - "These techniques did significant damage to America's standing in the world and made it harder to pursue our interests with allies and partners." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. In the week that world leaders gathered in New York City for the UN General Assembly, one person's absence cast a long shadow over what was already set to be a tense few days. French President Emmanuel Macron was never going to be at UNGA in person. It was, however, impossible to detach his non-attendance -- even in virtual form -- from the spat that broke out following the submarine deal between Australia, the UK and US (AUKUS), which subsequently saw the Australian government ditch a multi-billion-dollar agreement with France. French officials have been, justifiably, furious. Three of its supposed allies struck a deal behind its back with one reneging on a contract agreed years ago. For a man who has spent his presidency presenting himself as Europe's most serious leader both internally and on the world stage, it was a major embarrassment. Conversely, for Boris Johnson, the man who led the Brexit campaign and has been accused of making his country insular and a global insignificance, this was a hat-trick. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with US President Joe Biden; agreeing a deal with two nations on opposite sides of the world; poking France in the eye in the process. It's the final point that best explains both the hostile rhetoric that has come out of France and goading language from British over the past week. When France withdrew its ambassadors from Washington DC and Canberra, it elected not to do the same in Britain, which was seen as a snub, of sorts. France's Europe minister called the UK a "junior partner" that had accepted its vassalization by the US. Johnson responded to the hostility by saying, tellingly in broken French, that some people need to get a grip and give him a break. "I just think it's time for some of our dearest friends around the world to 'prenez un grip' about all this, 'donnez-moi un break'," he said to reporters during his US trip. As childish as all this seems, it could be consequential. France and the UK have long been neighbors who love to hate one another. "Politics is often as simple as: People like being on one side of a rivalry and love it when they get one over their rival," says Rob Ford, professor of politics at the University of Manchester. The past week must have been incredibly difficult for Macron to swallow. Not only did the AUKUS deal undermine France's claim to be Europe's most serious geopolitical player, but Johnson went on to score a series of wins in America -- a meeting in the White House; global leaders supporting his climate goals; an end to the US travel ban. All the while, Macron was absent and scorned. Ford points out that this plays into a particular strength of Johnson's: using undiplomatic language -- "get a grip" -- that is likely to cause offense while amusing his domestic audience. But why would he, or any world leader, want to even risk causing such offense? Bluntly, engaging in a bitter spat politically suits Macron and Johnson rather well right now. First, Macron. Aurelien Mondon, senior lecturer at the University of Bath, explains that this is a "good opportunity for him to appear statesmanlike" while France is "only a few months away from the presidential election. This sets him apart from many other candidates who have very little experience in such matters." It also helps Macron underscore one of his key objectives: bringing the European Union together on matters such as defense, something that would have been impossible had the UK not voted to leave. "It's no secret that Macron wants to build up an EU pillar within NATO and the EU to have greater defense capabilities," says Emmanuelle Schon Quinlivan, lecturer in European politics at the University of Cork. "He's now able to use the AUKUS row to say the EU cannot rely on the US or the UK." She also points out that during the Brexit negotiation process, it was Macron who consistently took the hardest line with the UK and was at times the biggest risk to a Brexit deal. Which brings us to Johnson. "He is a leader who is arguably at his best when he is fighting an enemy," says Ford. "Post-Brexit, the incentive to play up minor conflicts with France is greater because it can no longer punish us inside the structures of the EU." However, Ford points out that this could go wrong "if Macron looks for revenge and wants to make Johnson look stupid." The most obvious area where he could seek to punish Johnson is by pushing the EU to take legal action over the UK's failure to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol in full. "If France presses the EU to take Britain to court and Britain retaliates by triggering Article 16 of the protocol -- allowing the UK to take unilateral action -- it would represent a serious escalation in tension," says Anand Menon, professor of European politics at King's College London. How likely are things to get out of hand? There is limited good faith between Paris and London right now. And a poor relationship affects lots of important issues between neighbors. The UK government has been working with France to stem the flow of irregular migrants traveling across the English Channel. Julian King, Britain's former ambassador to France, says that without the French incentivized to "enthusiastically patrol those beaches," crossing the Channel becomes "much easier for those wanting to smuggle people into the UK." This would be a problem for a government that has taken such a hard stance on migration. He adds that beyond intergovernmental bilateral issues like defense, political rows can spill into a toxic atmosphere in wider society, which in turn could cause spats that are out of either government's hands -- for example fishing boats ramming each other at sea. "It's not just the UK where some in the media are ready to whip up bad feeling. Politicians, on both sides, should focus on lowering the temperature, not fanning the flames," King says. One consequence of the tumultuous past five years in world politics is a bizarre dynamic of diplomatic competition in Europe. The UK, outside the EU, wants desperately to be the best friend of English-speaking democracies like the US, Australia, Canada and others. Simultaneously, the EU is trying to build its own power base that, while independent of the US, will force Washington and other global players to take it seriously. Despite its best efforts, the 27 member states cannot agree on some of the most basic principles of what this EU Mark Two will be. In this environment, artificial rows are inevitable and, in some cases, useful. What leaders must be careful of, however, is not letting them boil over from performative fluff into policies that are damaging to themselves and others. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Since being informed a week ago by Brian Laundrie's parents that they had not seen him for days, dozens of local and federal officers have searched high and low in a swampy Florida nature reserve for the 23-year-old following the disappearance and then the discovery of the body of his fiancee Gabby Petito in Wyoming. The search of the Carlton Reserve will resume Saturday, officials said. Laundrie, who his parents say departed their home with his backpack on September 14 and told them he was headed to reserve, left his cell phone and wallet behind, a source close to the family told CNN on Thursday. The police were told of Laundrie's departure by his parents on September 17, officials said. A multitude of personnel scoured the area this week, using drones and bloodhounds as part of the search, North Port Police Department spokesperson Josh Taylor said. An underwater dive team from the Sarasota Sheriff's Office who are "called upon to search for evidence of crimes and victims of drowning, water accidents and foul play" was also brought in midweek, according to the sheriff's office. "We're looking through wooded areas, we're looking through bodies of water, we're looking through swampy areas," North Point Police Commander Joe Fussell said in a video shared online Friday. "And we're deploying the resources to be able to do that. We have air units, we have drones, we have the swamp buggies, air boats, multiple law enforcement agencies, we have ATVs, we have UTVs and we have officers on foot as well." Petito, 22, and Laundrie embarked on a cross-country trip in June and were visiting national parks. They posted online regularly about their travels with the hashtag #VanLife, but those posts abruptly stopped in late August. Laundrie returned home with their van on September 1. Petito was reported missing September 11 after her family had not been able to get in touch with her. She was found dead eight days later near a campground in Wyoming's Bridger-Teton National Forest. According to an arrest warrant issued Thursday, Laundrie is wanted for the alleged use of "unauthorized devices" in the period following Petito's death. The warrant "doesn't change anything for us," Fussell said. "We're working as hard to find him now as we did on day one." The conditions are challenging with murky water, muddy roads and thick vegetation, according to videos shared by North Port police. "Rough is an understatement," Taylor said Thursday of the conditions in the reserve. He said Saturday's and Sunday's efforts will be focusing on "areas of more likelihood." Another person says she gave hitchhiking Laundrie a ride in August With law enforcement combing through the reserve, more stories are emerging of interactions involving Laundrie before his return to Florida. Norma Jean Jalovec, a seasonal Wyoming resident, told CNN that she picked up Laundrie not far from Jackson Lake Dam on August 29, around 6:15 p.m. and gave him a ride to the Spread Creek dispersed campground where Gabby Petito's remains were later found. Laundrie was hitchhiking, Jalovec said, and got in the passenger seat of her Toyota SUV 4-Runner. According to Jalovec, Laundrie told her he and his fiancee had a travel blog, that she was in their van at the camping area working on the blog, and that he had been hiking along the Snake River embankment for a few days. Jalovec said when they arrived at Spread Creek, she dropped Laundrie off before the gate at the entrance of the camping area. She said she offered once or twice to take him farther, but he was insistent that he be dropped off at the entrance. Laundrie then offered her gas money, but she declined, she said. Jalovec said as soon as she saw a series of videos posted on TikTok by Miranda Baker, who said she picked up Laundrie hitchhiking and dropped him at Jackson Lake Dam, she called the FBI and shared all the information she had. Baker had said she dropped Laundrie near the dam at 6:09 p.m. and Jalovec says she picked him up just a few minutes later. "I'm glad I was able to help in the investigation that placed him at Spread Creek at a definite time on August 29," Jalovec told CNN. CNN has not been able to independently verify Baker's claims. North Port police confirmed to CNN that Baker spoke with the department before posting the videos on TikTok. $30,000 in rewards offered for tips As the search for Laundrie stretches into its second week, two separate rewards totaling $30,000 have been offered to anyone who provides law enforcement officials with Laundrie's whereabouts. Boohoff Law, a personal injury law firm, said in a release on its website it is offering a $20,000 reward to be "paid once the investigating law enforcement agency supplies" the firm with "written verification that a tip helped lead to locating" Laundrie. The law firm, which has multiple offices across Florida, including North Port, said its reward "will remain open for two months starting from the receipt of the tip" by law enforcement. Meanwhile, a second reward has been offered by Jerry Torres, who said in a tweet Wednesday he was a neighbor of the Petito family. Torres wrote that he and his daughter "offer our deepest condolences to the family of Gabby Petito," adding, "We are offering a reward of $5,000 for tips leading to an arrest." Torres said Friday the reward he's offering had been raised to $10,000, thanks in part to help by people like Steve Moyer, the former deputy chief of police for Sarasota, Florida. "Money gets people to talk," Moyer told CNN affiliate WZVN Friday. Remembering Gabby The disappearance of Petito, and subsequent search for Laundrie, has received a wave of national interest as well as brought heightened attention to others who have gone missing in the US. Since the discovery of Petito, vigils have been held from Salt Lake City to the East Coast. On Friday, residents of Blue Point, New York -- Petito's hometown on Long Island -- lit candles in a memorial to show support for her family. The organizers of "Light the Night For Gabby Petito" hope that similar demonstrations would stretch beyond Long Island, according to CNN affiliate WABC. Candles were provided along with a request for a $20 donation with proceeds going to the Petito family, WABC said. A candle lighting and butterfly release memorial is slated for Saturday evening in North Port in front of its city hall, according to The Daily Sun. A memorial visitation for Petito is planned for Sunday afternoon in Holbrook on Long Island, according to Moloney's Holbrook Funeral Home. It will be open to the public. Richard Stafford, an attorney for Petito's family, confirmed in a statement Friday her funeral would be held Sunday, adding that the family has asked for donations to be made to the future Gabby Petito Foundation in lieu of flowers. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Thirty-two overseas students and teachers from China West Normal University in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, spent two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival to visit institutions to learn about traditional Chinese culture. [For China Daily] Thirty-two overseas students and teachers from China West Normal University in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, spent two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival visiting Langzhong Wang Family's Museum of Shadow Puppets, the Paper-cutting Museum in Deyuan Scenic Spot of Yilong and Gaoping Mottled Bamboo Weaving Exhibition Center. Shadow-puppet play, paper-cutting and bamboo weaving have been listed as the city's intangible cultural heritage. It was an activity co-organized by Nanchong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the International College of CWNU. Through making and playing shadow puppets, paper-cutting and weaving bamboo slices, the visitors from countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia got to know the local culture better. Huang Xuemei, vice-chairman of Nanchong Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said such an activity was to let overseas students in Nanchong better know about the city's culture and experience the local life. While working hard at university, the students can also become ambassadors of friendship, who can build cultural bridges for more people to know a friendly, safe, open, and harmonious Nanchong with rich culture, and can promote the communication and mutual learning between people from home and abroad, especially youths, Huang said. Thirty-two overseas students and teachers from China West Normal University in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, spent two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival to visit institutions to learn about traditional Chinese culture. [For China Daily] Thirty-two overseas students and teachers from China West Normal University in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, spent two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival to visit institutions to learn about traditional Chinese culture. [For China Daily] Thirty-two overseas students and teachers from China West Normal University in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, spent two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival to visit institutions to learn about traditional Chinese culture. [For China Daily] Thirty-two overseas students and teachers from China West Normal University in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, spent two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival to visit institutions to learn about traditional Chinese culture. [For China Daily] Thirty-two overseas students and teachers from China West Normal University in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, spent two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival to visit institutions to learn about traditional Chinese culture. [For China Daily] Thirty-two overseas students and teachers from China West Normal University in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, spent two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival to visit institutions to learn about traditional Chinese culture. [For China Daily] Thirty-two overseas students and teachers from China West Normal University in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, spent two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival to visit institutions to learn about traditional Chinese culture. [For China Daily] Thirty-two overseas students and teachers from China West Normal University in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, spent two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival to visit institutions to learn about traditional Chinese culture. [For China Daily] (Source: chinadaily.com.cn) Margarita Lasalle (R), the budget keeper, and Joellen Berman, Guidance Data Specialist, look on at the memorial in front of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 23, 2018, in Parkland, Florida. This week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that on September 7 the UK passed the grim total of more than 160,000 deaths due to COVID-19. A screenshot of the Public Health England report [Credit: Public Health England] These deaths have been the main factor in a massive fall in life expectancy. Deaths in England were 1.4 times higher than expected between March 21, 2020, and July 2, 2021, according to data published by Public Health England (PHE). The increase is largely driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, find PHE, and has resulted in a staggering overall decrease in life expectancy of 1.3 years for males, to 78.7, and 0.9 years for females, to 82.7 years. Life expectancy is now at its lowest in 10 years. Evidence indicates the growth in life expectancy began slowing in 2010-11. Analysts at the time strongly suggested a link between decreased life expectancy and the age of austerity beginning in 2008, including savage cuts to the National Health Service (NHS) and local government services. Longitudinal data tracking life expectancy in England shows this most recent fall in life expectancy is the sharpest outside those experienced in wartime. The Kings Fund think tank recently stated: There have been two turning points in trends in life expectancy in England in the past decade. From 2011 increases in life expectancy slowed after decades of steady improvement, prompting much debate about the causes. Then in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic was a more significant turning point, causing a sharp fall in life expectancy the magnitude of which has not been seen since World War II. This health crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic, is a class issue. The explosive growth of social inequality over recent decades is the key factor in understanding the disproportionate and devastating impact of reduced life expectancy in working class communities. The PHE report found that inequality in life expectancy between the richest and poorest residential areas of England is at its highest level since PHE began recording data on deprivation-linked life expectancy over 20 years ago. For men the gap was 10.3 years in 2020, a year longer than in 2019; for women it was 8.3 years0.6 years more than in 2019. This demonstrates that the pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities in life expectancy by deprivation. Covid-19 was the cause of death that contributed most to the gap in 2020, states the PHE report, noting that higher mortality from heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic lower respiratory diseases in deprived areas remained important contributors. These pre-existing conditions, often the product of inequality, have themselves been made worse by the pandemic. Many of the most vulnerable sections of society have missed crucial hospital treatment due to COVID-19 overwhelming the NHS. PHE found evidence that people with worsening health conditions between May 2020 and January 2021, did not seek treatment. The most common reason given was to avoid putting pressure on the NHS, followed by fears of the pandemic. Elsewhere, PHE reports an unprecedented increase in alcohol-related deaths, with alcohol-specific deaths increasing by 20 percent in 2020 compared to 2019. In the United States, the economists Case and Deaton have tracked over recent years the surge in what they term deaths of despair, i.e., deaths from alcoholism, drug addiction and suicides, among workers. PHE conclude, The report has highlighted how the direct impact of Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected people from ethnic minority groups, people living in deprived areas, older people and those with pre-existing health conditions. PHEs research is only the latest to demonstrate the close links between social class, deprivation and COVID-19 mortality rates and to raise the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on working-class communities. This summer, The Lancet medical journal, reporting on the impact of cuts to local government funding on life expectancy in England, explained, Funding reductions were greater in more deprived areas and these areas had the worst changes in life expectancy. The Institute of Health Equity in their February 2020 report, Health Equity in England: The Marmot Review 10 Years On, revealed that, since 2011, life expectancy in England has stalled for the first time since at least the turn of the last century. This stagnation and fall in life expectancy in the working class is a direct result of the hammer blows of austerity, with cuts in budgets from central government then faithfully imposed by mainly Labour Party-run local authorities. A report released in July by University College London (UCL) reported how the coronavirus death rate in Greater Manchester was a quarter higher than anywhere else in England. Life expectancy dropped 1.6 years for men and 1.2 years for women in the region last year compared to 1.3 years and 0.9 years in England as a whole. Professor Michael Marmot, an expert on health inequalities who led the research, described the figures as jaw dropping. He found that the more impoverished a local authority, the higher its mortality rate was. The COVID death rate in the North West of England was 307 per 100,000 for men and 195 for womencompared to England's overall rate of 233 per 100,000 for men and 142 for women. In some parts of Greater Manchestera conurbation with a population of around 3 millionthe rates were even higher at 350 per 100,000 for men in Salford and over 200 for women in Tameside. The UCL report did not look at regions beyond the North West, but data released by the ONS in May show that the wealthiest parts of the country have recorded five times lower COVID death rates. The loss of life detailed in the latest research is the result of monumental crimes carried out by the ruling elite, who have put the health of the economy before public health and lives. The overall impact on human life has been enormous. In March, the Health Foundation found that a staggering 1.5 million years of life were lost in the UK in the first year of the pandemic. On average, each person killed by COVID-19 lost 10.2 years of life. In the poorest 20 percent of areas in England, there were 35 percent more deaths and 45 percent more years of life lost than in the richest 20 percent. At that point, the Health Foundation charity calculated that 146,000 deaths had been lost due to COVID-19 in Britain. Many thousands more deaths have been tragically lost since then and the ruling elites let it rip policy is taking the lives of hundreds more each week. A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) into the funding of UK schools confirms the devastating consequences of a decade of government underfunding, despite claims of spending boosts during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Mary Bousted (top left) speaking at an NEU Zoom meeting, Kevin Courtney (bottom left) In real terms, the report found that spending per pupil has fallen for the first time since the 1990s, by 9% or about 600 per pupil between 200910 and 201920. This is the largest effective cut in over 40 years. An extra 7.1 billion of funding for schools in England, promised by the government for 202223, is being trumpeted as a reversal of the 9 percent fall. However, the IFS report found that If we account for expected increases in teacher pay, the real terms increase in spending per pupil will be lower, at 6%. Therefore, school spending per pupil in 202223 would be no higher in real terms than in 200910. The impact has been especially hard on the poorest and most vulnerable children. Since 2011, schools have received a pupil premium payment, introduced by the Conservatives/Liberal Democrats coalition, which grants extra funds to schools for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. These payments have not increased as need has grown. According to the IFS, Since 2014-15, spending per pupil has fallen by 4% amongst the most deprived primary schools as compared with a rise of 3% amongst the least deprived primary schools. Amongst secondary schools, the most deprived schools saw a 13% real-terms fall in spending per pupil between 201415 and 201819, which compares with a 7% fall amongst the least deprived schools. Factoring in smaller rises between 2010 and 2015, the most deprived schools have suffered the highest overall fall in spending per pupil since 200910. The total funding premium was found to have fallen by about 25% by 201819, taking it back to mid-2000 levels. A separate survey this September of 1,500 head teachers by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) union found that 97 percent of all schools had received insufficient funding to support pupils who had special needs. Nearly a third of schools have cut higher-level needs services in the last year. These figures totally expose the lying propaganda from the Conservative government, Labour Party opposition, trade unions and the media that they are keeping schools open during the pandemic for the sake of childrens learning. The ruling class clearly could not care less about providing working-class children with the resources needed for a good education. By comparison, in the last four years, as pupils have seen their funding fall, UK defence spending has risen by 5.3 billion in real terms. The truth is that schools have been reopened purely as holding pens so that parents can return to work making profits for the corporations, paying back the costs of the pandemic. Now that children are back in the classrooms, the poorest are immediately confronted with more cuts, giving the lie to Prime Minister Boris Johnsons fraudulent levelling up agenda. Data sourced under the Freedom of Information Act by the Observer shows that a government change to how pupil premium funding is calculatedfrom October 2020 rather than January 2021will lead to substantial shortfalls in the poorest areas. Schools in the most deprived 10% of areas in England each enrolled an average of seven extra FSM [free school meals] pupils between October 2020 and January 2021, compared with 2.6 extra FSM pupils at each school in the least deprived locations, the paper reports. These pupils will not be awarded funding. Councils have yet to calculate the cost of the changes, but there is no doubt that they will exacerbate the desperate financial situation for thousands of schools. Education website Schools Week estimates the total loss of funding to be around 125 million. The IFS report was met with oppositional rhetoric from the teaching unions and the Labour Party. Labours shadow education secretary Kate Green said, Conservative cuts have hammered school budgets over the last decade. Childrens opportunities have been stripped away as class sizes have soared to record levels and enriching extracurricular activities have been cut back. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, commented, This is at a time when demands on schools have been increasing. There is no escaping the fact that the schools have had and will continue to have to make cuts to provision until this is properly addressed. But what Labour and the unions describe are the consequences of their own betrayals of school workers struggles and refusal to seriously oppose government cuts. The unions have bent over backwards to accommodate the cost-cutting agenda of Tory-led governments, waved through by the Labour Party, and have deepened their criminal partnership over the course of the pandemic by supporting the governments reopening of COVID-infested schools. Token campaigns for more funding run by NASWUT and the NEU have been allowed to fall on deaf ears for decades. The leaders of the education unions made clear in their criticisms of the funding figures that nothing will change in this approach, limiting themselves to offering advice to Johnsons viciously right-wing government. NAHT leader Whiteman counselled, A far more ambitious programme of investment is required from the government if schools are going to be able to deliver the education that the current generation of pupils need and deserve. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said in the same vein, The government must invest more in our schools and colleges and it has to ensure that funding is put on a more sustainable footing in the future. Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), the largest teachers union in Europe, stated, If the Government is serious about making sure no child is left behind, they will show far more urgency and ambition to support and resource schools with their efforts to deliver education recovery. In fact, the NEU, sitting on enormous anger in its membership, has gone out of its way to offer ongoing support to the Tory government. Last week, the widely despised education secretary Gavin Williamson was replaced in a government reshuffle by Nadhim Zahawi. This was a transparent manoeuvre by Johnson to use Williamson as a scapegoat for his governments schools policy during the pandemic, presenting the new minister as a fresh start. Bousteds counterpart as NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney duly played his part in this fiction, appearing on the BBC to welcome Zahawi into his office. The NEU Twitter account said that Courtney was Looking forward to working with Nadhim Zahawi and all at DfE to ensure schools and colleges get funding needed to support education recovery for pupils. The multi-millionaire Zahawi then began his tenure as education secretary by refusing calls to extend free school meals over the holiday period and claiming parents actually prefer to pay a modest amount for the scheme. Defending the social right to high-quality education and social provision, like the fight for safe workplaces through the eradication of COVID-19, requires a political confrontation with Johnson government and its Labour party and trade union aides. The Socialist Equality Party calls for the formation of rank-and-file committees of educators and all other sections of the working class to organise this struggle. Sign up to the Educators Newsletter and join the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee today. Chelsea Manning speaks to the media, Friday, May 11, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Once again, US whistleblower Chelsea Manning is standing up to defend basic democratic principles under attack by a capitalist government determined to conceal its actions from the public. The Canadian government plans to argue that Manning should be permanently barred from entering the country at a hearing of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), scheduled for October 7. The government claims Manning is inadmissible to Canada on grounds of serious criminality, citing Section 16(2) of the Security of Information Act of 1985, which makes it a crime to communicate to a foreign entity or terrorist group information that the Government of Canada or a province is taking measures to safeguard... if harm to Canadian interests results. Manning plans to mount a constitutional challenge to the Act, whatever the outcome of the IRB hearing. In the upside-down world inhabited by Canadian government lawyers, serious criminality refers to Mannings use of a computer to expose the crimes of Canadian and US imperialism in Afghanistan, crimes which the Canadian state would prefer to keep hidden in the aftermath of the humiliating retreat from Kabul last month. In 2010, Manning, who was working as a US military analyst, released hundreds of thousands of US military records and diplomatic cables from the Afghan and Iraq wars to the media organization WikiLeaks. These revelations include the infamous Collateral Murder video, recording the crew of a US helicopter gunship as it massacred a group of Iraqis while expressing their unrestrained bloodlust. More than 250,000 diplomatic cables leaked by Manning exposed the inner workings of US and also Canadian imperialism. The material she shared, including reports of the murderous rampages of US soldiers, torture and massive corruption, exposed the Canadian governments claims that it was in Afghanistan to defend human rights and democracy to be a pack of lies. Mannings revelations, together with those of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, also laid bare the global spying operations of the imperialist powers in which Canada, as a member of the US-led Five Eyes alliance, plays a key role. For her crimes, Manning was sentenced to 35 years in the maximum-security US military prison at Fort Leavenworth and subjected to conditions akin to torture for seven years, including solitary confinement. Her sentence was commuted by outgoing US President Barack Obama in 2017. Manning was subsequently twice re-imprisoned for more than a year as US authorities attempted to force her to testify in a secret Grand Jury case against the imprisoned WikiLeaks founder and journalist Julian Assange. Fines of $1000 per day were imposed on Manning to extort her compliance. Manning steadfastly refused to succumb to the pressure, stating, Nothing will convince me to testify before this or any other Grand Jury. The torturous experience drove Manning to several suicide attempts, and she was released shortly thereafter. In her constitutional challenge to Canadas Security of Information Act, Manning, a person of astounding political and personal courage, is once again acting on principle, defending fundamental democratic rights. Her case has implications not only for her own freedom of movement, which she is entirely justified in defending, but also for the practice of investigative journalism in Canada and around the world. Mannings lawyers write, Much of what the public knows today about the reality of the U.S. War on Terror and the crimes perpetrated in Iraq and Afghanistan would have remained entirely secret were it not for Ms. Mannings act of whistleblowing. The respondents actions are part of a long tradition of public interest whistleblowing, without which many crimes and abuses carried out by states and other powerful actors would never see the light of day. The changing approach of the Canadian government to Mannings admissibility is, in contrast, of an entirely unprincipled and reactionary character. Manning first attempted to enter Canada in 2017, and was refused after she told Canadian border officials about her conviction. They equated the crimes she was charged with under US law with treason under Canadian law, and refused her entry. In 2018, Manning entered the country for a few days on a personal visit and to speak at a conference. A government assessment of Manning at the time stated that her revelations were of a time and place, little real harm resulted. Following her return to the US, Canadian Border Services declared her inadmissible again after unnamed government officials intervened. The upcoming October 7 immigration hearing was demanded by Manning herself. Canadian Border Services has held her file since 2018, refusing to send it on to the IRB for the legally mandated admissibility hearing. The agency also secretly changed its legal rationale for barring her from the country from treason to breach of the Security of Information Act. This change of rationale was only exposed by an Access to Information Act request filed by her lawyers. The attempt of Canadas Justin Trudeau-led Liberal government to paint Manning as some sort of nefarious criminal are both absurd and hypocritical. To billions of working people across the world, she is a hero. She is now employed by the tech start-up Nym Technologies, where she designs un-hackable software for private communications, using blockchain technology. Manning is not the kind of immigrant for which Ottawa has made security exceptions in the past, or which it prioritizes in the present. In the aftermath of WWII, the Canadian state granted waivers at the Cabinet level permitting former Nazi scientists to enter Canada, and also former members of the Ukrainian Galicia Division of the Waffen SS. One of the principal architects of the Rwandan genocide, Leon Mugesera, was living at large in Canada for years before being deported. In August, the Canadian state scrambled to evacuate its thousands of Afghan war collaborators and yes-men from Kabul. This crowd no doubt included a number of professional fingernail pullers, along with the interpreters, secretaries and assistants with first-hand knowledge of Canadas actions in Afghanistan. The Canadian state is desperately trying to cover up its own crimes, so that new ones may be prepared. Further, by using an extremely broad interpretation of the Security of Information Act, its ultimate target is not Manning, but the working class and the democratic rights won over centuries. As the crisis of world capitalism intensifies due to the social, economic and political consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian ruling class grows ever more hostile to the very bourgeois democratic norms which served as a basis of its rule in an earlier period. Like every other capitalist government, in order to defend the profit system, its policies take on an ever more openly criminal and authoritarian character. The governments new interpretation of the Security of Information Act is so broad that the reporting of virtually any fact could be criminalized if it embarrassed the government, or harmed some Canadian business or strategic interest. What would occur if some Ottawa official were to reveal embarrassing or incriminating statements made by Cabinet ministers about the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic? For example, the Canadian equivalent of Boris Johnsons let the bodies pile high in their thousands! admission. The Canadian federal and provincial governments are responsible for a criminal policy of social murder in the form of the back-to-work and back-to-school campaigns, which have claimed up to 50,000 lives thus far. And as the Canadian military pulls out of Afghanistan, the Canadian state and its American and British allies are openly preparing for a global war against Russia and China. The political sponsors of such policies are criminals. As the scale of their crimes grows, the criminals will be compelled more and more to keep their decisions and their actions a secret. In challenging the constitutionality of the Security of Information Act which the government is using to keep her from visiting Canada, Manning is defending the right of Canadian workers to know the truth about what the government is doing. That basic democratic principle, which is critical for developing a mass working class movement against imperialist war, is now seen as simply intolerable in ruling class circles. There is not one public figure among the 338 politicians elected to parliament last Monday who comes close to comparing in political principles, personal bravery or integrity with Manning. The New Democratic Party (NDP), which postures as a left party, has been silent on Mannings decade-long persecution, just as it has on that of Assange, who is being slowly tortured to death in Belmarsh Prison in England while the British and American governments attempt to concoct a phony pretext for his extradition to the United States. The NDP, which waged an utterly fraudulent election campaign with appeals to tax the rich, has supported every single Liberal government measure which enriches and empowers them. On questions of war and peace, the NDP has facilitated every Liberal government military spending increase, and calls on the Canadian state to get tough on China. This political pillar of capitalism and imperialism will never lead a principled challenge to its increasingly criminal imperatives. The Socialist Equality Party (Canada) condemns the Canadian governments use of the Security of Information Act to bar Manning. We demand she be freely allowed to travel and speak as she pleases. Workers and students who agree should contact us today and join in the fight for a socialist society, which requires the abolition of the artificial borders of the nation state system, and the free movement of working people and information. On September 23, Chairman of the House Select Committee investigating January 6 and Mississippi Democrat Bennie G. Thompson released a statement announcing the first round of subpoenas against high-level Republican officials and Trump advisers who were intimately involved in Donald Trumps attempted coup on January 6. In a press release announcing the subpoenas, Thompson said the committee would be seeking documents and testimony to four individuals with close ties to the former President who were working in or had communications with the White House on or in the days leading up to the January 6th insurrection. In this Jan. 6, 2021 photo, insurrections loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the US Capitol in Washington [Credit: AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File] Subpoenas are to be issued to two top officials within the Trump White House, former chief of staff Mark Meadows and former deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino. The committee also subpoenaed Kashyap Kash Patel, chief of staff of former acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller and former White House Special Adviser and host of the fascistic War Room podcast Stephen Bannon. The four are expected to provide documentation to the committee by October 7 and appear for testimony on October 14 (Patel and Bannon) and October 15 (Meadows and Scavino). In response to the subpoenas, Trump vowed to fight the Subpoenas on Executive Privilege and other grounds... The same day the statement was released, the committee published the letters sent to each individual subpoenaed briefly outlining the reasons the committee is compelling their testimony. In the letter to Meadows, Thompson notes that he was in the vicinity of President Trump on January 6, had communications with the President and others on January 6 regarding events at the Capitol, and are a witness regarding activities of that day. Moreover, it has been reported that you were engaged in multiple elements of the planning and preparation of efforts to contest the presidential election and delay the counting of electoral votes. Thompson noted Meadows leading role in attempting to coerce election officials into requesting investigations into election fraud matters in several states and Meadows communications with Amy Kremer of Women for America First, the Trump-aligned political committee which organized the Save America Rally outside the White House on January 6. Writing to Patel, Thompson stated: At the time of the attack, you served as chief of staff to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller...there is substantial reason to believe that you have additional documents and information relevant to understanding the role played by the Department of Defense and the White House in preparing for and responding to the attack on the US Capitol, as well as documents and information related to your personal involvement in planning for events on January 6 and the peaceful transfer of power. Thompson citing a Vanity Fair report noted that Patel claimed to be in contact with Meadows nonstop that day (January 6.) The World Socialist Web Site wrote last November that the appointment of Patel, along with Christopher Miller and Ezra Cohen-Watnick at the Pentagon following Trumps firing of Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, were Among the most ominous actions taken by the Trump White House as it seeks to nullify the results of the 2020 presidential election In his letter to Bannon, Thompson cited Bannons presence at the Willard Hotel on January 5, during which Bannon, Trump family members, Republican Senators, and Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of the fascistic president of Brazil, attempted to persuade Members of Congress to block the certification of the election the next day. Thompson noted that Bannon was communicating with Trump in December and early January urging Trump to plan for and focus his efforts on January 6. Thompson also referenced reporting in the new book Peril, from Robert Costa and Bob Woodward. Costa and Woodward wrote that Bannon spoke to Trump prior to the 6th, telling him People are going to go, What the fuck is going on here? Were going to bury Biden on January 6th, fucking bury him. Bannon also told Trump, Were going to kill it in the crib, kill the Biden presidency in the crib. Seemingly confirming the reporting by Woodward and Costa, Bannon told his podcast listeners this past Wednesday, Yeah, because his legitimacy. Forty-two percent of the American people4-2think that Biden did not win the presidency legitimately. It killed itself. Just let this go with what this illegitimate regime is doing. It killed itself. We told you from the very beginning. Just expose it. Just expose it. Never back down. Never give up. This thing will implode. In his letter to Scavino, Thompson wrote that the committee believes Trumps White House communications director had knowledge regarding the communications strategy of the former President and his supporters leading up to the events of January 6, and cited Scavinos tweets prior to January 6 in which he encouraged people to be part of history. The subpoenas come nearly a month after the committee announced it was seeking White House electronic records and telephone communications from the National Archives and Records Administration, along with communications from seven different federal agencies. The New York Times reported that the committee has also sent demands to 35 technology companies to preserve electronic records. In addition to social media companies such as Twitter, Facebook and Parler, one of the companies likely asked to preserve their records is the far-right web-hosting company Epik. On September 13, journalist Steven Monacelli revealed that the hacker group Anonymous had gained access to more than 180 gigabytes of the companys data. A preliminary analysis of the data by Daily Dot has revealed that Republican operative and lead Stop the Steal organizer, Ali Alexander, used the companys services to propagate Trumps election lies by registering 122 separate domains with Epik. Daily Dot reported that 57 domains, or nearly half of the domains registered by Alexander, were related to Stop the Steal. These included stopthestealmovement.com, stopthestealnews.com, stopthestealactiong.org, stopethestealfilm.com and stopthestealupdates.com. The date leak also showed that in days following Trumps attempted coup, Alexander sought to anonymize his data and hide his central role in inciting the attack on the Capitol online through the Stop the Steal movement. The issuing of the subpoenas represents the first real attempt by the Democrats, nearly 10 months after the Capitol was overrun by Trump supporters and fascist militia members, to bring to light the role of high-level Republican officials in facilitating Trumps attempt to overturn the election of President Joe Biden and install himself as president-dictator. The fact that none of these people have been charged yet speaks to the ongoing cover-up within the state, that is being overseen by the Democrats and Republicans alike. In the months following Trumps coup, the Democrats have bent over backwards to cover up the integral role that Republican officials and Trump loyalists within the White House, legislature and Pentagon had played in the lead-up to and day of the coup. This includes issuing a joint bipartisan Senate report this past June which, per Republican demands, completely omitted the word insurrection, Trumps leading role in planning the coup, along with his and the Republican Partys promotion of the stolen election conspiracy theory, which continues to this day. However, fierce divisions within the ruling class, sections of which are not prepared to discard all forms of democratic rule, and fearful of provoking massive social opposition from below, are seeking to provide the veneer of accountability. During a press conference this Friday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the Biden administration will not invoke executive privilege on Trumps behalf in order to shield any White House communications from the Select Committee. I would say that we take this matter incredibly seriously. The president already concluded that it would not be appropriate to assert executive privilege, Psaki said. And so, we will respond promptly to these questions as they arise. And certainly, as they come up from Congress, and certainly we have been working closely with congressional committees and others as they work to get to the bottom of what happened on Jan. 6. Minamata, the latest film by director, producer and artist Andrew Levitas, was released this week in Japan, following successful screenings in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Russia and at several European film festivals in recent months. Levitass 115-minute film is an authoritative and sensitive dramatisation of the decades-long industrial poisoning of the Minamata community in Japan by the Chiosso Corporation and the struggle by photo-essayist W. Eugene Smith and his wife Aileen Moiko Smith from 1971 to 1973 to expose this crime. Johnny Depp, one of the films producers, is compelling as Smith, backed by strong performances from a primarily British and Japanese cast, with cinematography by Benoit Delhomme and music by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Minami Hinase and Johnny Depp in Minamata [Photograph: Larry D. Horricks] While tens of thousands of people have so far watched Minamata, and reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, MGM has not yet released the film in North America. In July, Andrew Levitas published an open letter revealing that MGM had decided to bury the film because it was concerned about the possibility that the personal issues of an actor in the film [Depp] could reflect negatively upon them. The popular actor, who has been subjected to a poisonous #MeToo allegation in the Murdoch media and elsewhere, has recently accused Hollywood studios of boycotting him. During a September 22 press conference at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain, according to the Associated Press, Depp denounced the cancel culture, which he described as this instant rush to judgment based on essentially what amounts to polluted air. The actor, who received the prestigious Donastia Award at the festival, warned that the situation has got so far out of hand that I can assure you, no one is safe. Not one of you, so long as someone is willing to say one thing. MGM owns Minamatas distribution rights for North America, which includes the US, Canada, Mexico, Central America and most of the Caribbean, with a population of nearly 600 million people. The studios censorious actions are being opposed in social media campaigns, by a petition and through hundreds of letters to MGM management. Photojournalists and documentary photographers who have been inspired by Eugene Smith (19181978) are also speaking out over MGMs actions. The following interview was conducted with Australian photographer and filmmaker Stephen Dupont who bluntly denounces MGMs failure to release Minamata in North America. Duponts work has been featured in the New Yorker, Aperture, Newsweek, Time, GQ, Esquire, GEO, Le Figaro, Liberation, Sunday Times Magazine, Independent, Guardian, New York Times Magazine, Stern, Australian Financial Review Magazine and Vanity Fair and exhibited in Paris, London, New York and other major cities. He currently has a major exhibition in Canberra, Are We Dead Yet on the recent bushfires in Australia and the long-term impact of climate change. Stephen Dupont Dupont has been a war photographer for three decades, reporting from Afghanistan in the 1990s, prior to and during the US-led invasion in 2001. In 2005, while embedded with US Marines outside Kandahar, he photographed and then released, images of troops burning the bodies of Taliban fighters. The horrifying images of this war crime further fuelled popular anger inside Afghanistan and internationally against the ongoing US-led occupation. Duponts striking images have been rewarded with numerous international prizes, too many to list here. His most cherished award, however, was winning a W. Eugene Smith Grant for Humanistic Photography in 2007. Wounded Afghan child, Gonbad Village, 2005 [Copyright Stephen Dupont] We began the conversation by discussing his impressions of Minamata and Smiths influence on his work. Stephen Dupont: I really liked Minamata, which I saw in a cinema and found it quite powerful and sad. It was quite personal because I won the W. Eugene Smith Grant in 2007, which was an incredible honour. This was one award that Id always dreamed of winning and it was for my work in Afghanistan. It was announced at the time my daughter was born and I still remember the phone call from David Friend, one of the judges. He was the creative director of Vanity Fair and an important person in the photography world. It was an incredible feeling and a great honour. Gene Smith was someone whose work Id grown up with and, more than anyone else in my late teens and early 20s, inspired me to become a photographer. I was carrying that connection to Smith with me as I watched Minamata. I didnt want to be too critical of the dramatisationits not a documentarybut I felt Johnny Depp captured the personality of Smith really wellhis movements, approach to photography, the darkroom work. I can imagine Smith being that kind of dark, broody, at times arrogant kind of personality, and Depp was believable and convincing. I also learnt a lot more about Minamata and what happened and hadnt realised that it kind of killed Smith in the end. I was quite shocked about some of these revelations. The film was an honest depiction. Richard Phillips: Could you speak about the scenes where Smith was grappling with post-traumatic stress? SD: This was completely convincing and I can vouch for that personally. Ive had my own dealings with PTSD, trauma and struggling with things that Ive photographed and experienced, much like he did. This part of the movie was certainly confronting enough to be convincing. I also thought about the Jazz Loft documentary, which captured the essence of Smith in New York. It revealed the chaos and shambolic way in which he lived very well. Smith was dealing with the trauma of what hed seen and the psychological blowback of that iconic scene of the mercury-poisoned Minamata girl in the bathTomoko and Mother in Her Baththat everyone knows, or should know. Gene Smith struggled a lot with that entire body of work and a lifetime of work. He brought a lot of PTSD from World War II and in addition how he was treated by Life magazine. This is portrayed in the film and it wont necessarily be picked up by many viewers, but photographers understand it. He was really angry that Life was becoming a sort of tabloidy lifestyle magazine and not taking his approach and the sort of work he was doing seriously enough. W. Eugene Smith in New York loft [Source: International Centre for Photography] Having said all that, there was also the matter of his own self-destruction, with the drinking and drugs. He was obviously a complicated figure, but he was self-medicating to the point where no matter how bad the trauma you begin to blame everyone else for your situation. He was carrying a lifetime of damage and he couldnt see a way out anymore. It was a very sad ending for the most important documentary photographer to have ever set foot on the planet [see: W. Eugene Smiths Warning to the World]. Theres no question in my mind about his impact and influence on generations of photographers, which still endure today. So many photographersyoung and oldhave been inspired by his vision and his philosophy. He was the master of the photo essay, of the documentary and of black-and-white photography. There were so many great and wonderful things that Smith contributed to the world of photography. RP: At one point in Minamata, SmithDeppsays, The cover up [by Chiosso Corporation] is going to be as much of the story, as the story itself. There are some parallels here. We have a situation where MGM has decided to bury the film in North America because of so-called reputational issues with Johnny Depp. Whats your response to this? SD: Its complete bullshit and shouldnt be used to stop the film being released in the US. Regardless of what Depp is alleged to have done in his personal lifeand there are just allegations about what happened during a marriage breakdownhes just an actor. The big picture here is the film, its story and the victims of the mercury poisoning. MGM shouldnt be crossing that boundary. Dont shoot the messenger is what Id say. MGMs response reflects the world we are living right now, which in my opinion, uses things like #MeToo and blows all sorts of allegations out of proportion. Any kind of negativities in peoples lives are seized on. MGM is not just punishing Depp but everyone else, the other actors, the director, the cinematographer, writers, all those involved. Even if the allegations were true, I wouldnt change my opinion. With Depp what were talking about is a marriage breakdown, something that lots of people go through all around the world, the only difference is that theyre not celebrities. Its a sad state of censorship in a far too critical world where, god forbid, if you say or do anything the wrong way, or make a mistake, and youre crucified every which way. Lets get these things into perspective. RP: The film makes clear that Minamata was not a one-off and ends with an unstated challenge to audience. Its not a happy ending. SD: Big business corporations have always gotten away with this sort of thing and will continue to do so unless theyre stopped. That this film highlights this once again is important. It resonates with audiences and compels them to sayWe cant let this happen again, we have to stand up, protest and get our voices heardwhich is good. W. Eugene Smith photographing fishing village in Minamata, 1973 [Source: Takeshi Ishikawa Copyright 2019] We need to stop the big corporations from getting away with the industrial destruction and murder of communities, which is happening all over the worldin the Amazon, Papua New Guinea, with gold mining and the poisoning of rivers. Its disgraceful and criminal. Once again, its the power of that one percent who seem to rule the world and are usually not held accountable for the atrocities they commit. Everyone, not just photographers, should see Minamata because its dealing with big issues even bigger than photography. Its a film that highlights the mercury poisoning of a whole community, which continued for many, many years and whose effects are still present today. Everyone needs to acknowledge and never forget this and similar tragedies and fight to prevent them happening again. New layers of workers, students and young people are applying to become electoral members of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), voicing their concerns about the anti-democratic laws rushed through parliament last month, by the federal Liberal-National government and the Labor Party. Cheryl Crisp addressing SEP public meeting in Sydney, 2015 [Credit: WSWS Media] The comments below are from some of those who participated in the SEPs recent online public meeting, which explained the reactionary character of the new measures, why they were introduced, and how to fight them. The laws, requiring parties without parliamentary representation to treble their membership, in less than three months, in order to remain registered, are a blatant attempt to clear the ballot in the lead-up to an election and amid immense social and political opposition in the working class. The SEP urges all supporters and World Socialist Web Site readers to study the partys socialist and internationalist programagainst war, inequality and in defence of all democratic rightsand apply to become electoral members. Jessica, a 22-year-old law student from Western Sydney University, found out about the laws, and the SEPs campaign against them, whilst doing research for her law course and decided to become an electoral member. I read about what the party stands for and I agreed with it, she said. I think its important to achieve social equality and give a voice to the working class, especially considering the fact that it doesnt have a voice in modern society. These laws go against the Australian democratic system. They prevent people from making informed decisions about political parties, and prevent freedom of expression, she added. Shortly after last Sundays meeting she sent a tightly-argued legal explanation of how Australias new laws violate fundamental rights. An extract from her email is below: I object to the enactment of the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Party Registration Integrity) Bill 2021. The Bill infringes upon fundamental democratic values, such as the right to freedom of expression, the right to association with others, and the right to political participation. As opposed to liberal-democratic principles, ingrained within Australian society, there exist other principles, which are fascinated by the institutions of the free market, as Gleeson and Low, 2000 provide. This neoliberal tenet is offensive to Parliamentary democracy, as it provides that members of Parliament are bound to the sectional interests that help in empowering the government as Heywood 2003 and Robinson 2006 provide The Bill alleges to have been considered against human rights implications, including the right to freedom of expression under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 22 in regard to freedom of association and Article 25 in relation to political participation. The conclusion, which the explanatory memorandum provides, is that the Bill is compatible with human rights because, to the extent it may limit human rights, those limitations are reasonable, necessary and proportionate. People should have the right to choose who they wish to vote for, to make free and informed decisions on which political parties they wish to associate themselves with, and freedom of expression must be upheld. This Bill, if passed as legislation, would infringe upon Australian democracy by limiting certain rights of citizens, which they should be able to continue enjoying, which should be safeguarded within an alleged democratic system such as Australias. The way in which the Bill was introduced was with a total lack of transparency, rushed, and without any care for those affected. It is hard to believe that a Bill, which was rushed such as this one, was carefully measured against competing human rights. Our system of democracy is slipping from our hands, and that is why we must continue to speak up against such attempts by the government to limit or constrain our rights, rights that provide the foundation of our democratic system. Millicent, a 22-year-old first-year fine arts student at the University of Melbourne also attended the SEP meeting. She became an SEP electoral member after participating in online meetings held by the partys youth movement, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE). Millicent Speakers at Sundays meeting used stats showing how the major parties were losing votes. Theyre not getting the votes they want, and especially now, when younger people want to vote for a socialist candidate. I imagine the major parties are not fans of having a socialist party on the ballot, she said. Millicent said the new laws were not very democratic at all, and a ploy to keep the two-party system going by relinquishing any kind of power from smaller parties Something mentioned in the meeting that I didnt know about was how the SEPs registration can be blocked for using the word socialist, if theres already a registered party which calls itself socialist and they object... Thats really bizarre. I dont know whether most people in Australia really consider the dynamic between Liberal and Labor as just being between right and left but its not true. After all, Labor and Liberal often work together in a sort of coalition. We have to get rid of that power, which the two parties control, because honestly, theyre so similar, she said. Kobra, a 22-year-old student of Afghan descent at Sydneys Macquarie University, said last Sundays public meeting was really insightful. She became an electoral member earlier this year. Kobra These laws are really anti-democratic and were passed by the government behind our backs. Nothing was really discussed in the public. We didnt know anything about it because it wasnt reported in the media, Kobra said, and added, We cant rely on the media to tell us anything truthful about whats going on in the government, and you cant trust the government anymore. The only thing that makes sense is that the government must be doing this deliberately, so that the public doesnt find out. Kobra said the laws were linked to a range of issues: The meeting discussed the fact that this legislation was passed at this specific point in time, with the pandemic causing so much distrust and death. The Australian government is trying to take advantage of this. One thing I didnt consider, but its so plain and obvious, is that theyre expecting smaller parties to find another 1,000 members, when were in a pandemic. You cant hold meetings or gatherings. This all ties together. Referring to the new AUKUS alliance, Kobra said, With the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the reason the government has signed this treaty with the UK and America is to make preparations for war. Thats where the governments focus is; thats what they prioritise over peoples health and our opinions; thats what benefits them, thats what serves their interests. Yesterday, more than 2,000 people died from COVID-19 in America. This brings the cumulative total of COVID-19 deaths to more than 705,000. With the return to school in full swing, September has been particularly horrific. Death tolls are averaging more than 1,635 deaths per day or over 11,450 per week. By the end of this month, more than 45,000 will have perished, exceeding the combined totals of August and July, which reached 43,000. In other words, close to 90,000 people across the US have needlessly died this summer. Florida seniors have their temperatures taken before receiving the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Jackson Health System in Miami [Credit: AP Photo/Marta Lavandier] To put this into perspective, this would make COVID-19 related fatalities once more one of the leading causes of death in the US, on par with cardiovascular and cancer deaths. Yet, such figures receive barely a mention in the media who have gown callous to such statistics. Throughout the pandemic, the deadly Delta summer has catapulted Florida into the top ten position in this macabre category on a fatality per capita basis. If these statistics are further broken down for the most recent period, the number of deaths over the last seven days places Florida, with 328 deaths per day, in second place, just behind Alabama. For the pandemic, there have been more than 53,000 COVID-related deaths in Florida. However, an astounding 14,843 have died over the summer, accounting for 28 percent of all COVID deaths. This translates to a rate of 165 people per day in the last three months. The deadly track set upon Floridians has been instigated by the irresponsible measures taken by Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration. They have entirely dismantled the COVID tracking dashboards that provide critical public health information to the population. He has resisted the most meager of measures to keep people safe from infections, all the while using the states juridical systems to ensure schools and businesses remain open. In this regard, the appointment of Dr. Joseph Ladapo, a graduate of Harvards medical school and a UCLA researcher, as Floridas new surgeon general this week is a cunningly criminal strategy in promoting the policy of herd immunity which has morphed into the edict of learning to live with the virus at whatever cost. Like Dr. Scott Atlas, a senior fellow at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution, appointed as Trumps advisor on the coronavirus task force, Ladapo brings a modicum of institutional credibility for DeSantis nefarious efforts to keep Florida open despite the ravages of the pandemic. Despite Dr. Ladapos public health credentials, he has promoted principles advocated in the bankrupt Great Barrington Declaration, such as herd immunity through natural infection. He has also touted quack treatments like hydroxychloroquine and has been associated with ultra-right-wing Americas Frontline Doctors. Dr. Ladapo, like the governor, is opposed to mask mandates and believes vaccinations should remain a personal choice. There is nothing special about them [vaccines] compared to any other preventive measures. Its been treated almost like a religion, and thats just senseless. We support measures for good health. Thats vaccination, losing weight, exercising more, eating more fruits and vegetables, everything. Such a characterization of the role of vaccines in mitigating infections and protecting lives from the infections deadly consequences is both insulting to the victims of COVID and dangerous in its pseudoscientific construction. In an opinion piece published in the Wall Street Journal, Dr. Ladapo called the initial life-saving lockdowns and measures employed in the first weeks as ineffective, perpetuating a condition within society he called COVID mania. His fallacious comments that COVID hardly poses a threat to most people are not borne by the devastation it has wrought as ICUs are filled with young people barely clinging to life. He can only resent the impact that COVID mania has had on policymakers social and economic reasoning. He added, Liberty has played a special role in US history, fueling advances from independence to emancipation to the fight for equal rights for women and racial minorities. Unfortunately, COVID mania led many policymakers to treat liberty as a nuisance rather than a core American principle. In this sense, the core American principle is the unfettered right to make as much profit off the back of the working class at whatever cost. In this regard, Dr. Ladapo is certainly DeSantis go-to doctor. On Wednesday, Ladapo issued a new emergency rule that only parents should decide when their children needed to quarantine if exposed to someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. Endorsing his Surgeon Generals decision, DeSantis echoed, Quarantining healthy students is incredibly damaging its also incredibly disruptive. Centuries of public health experience were cast aside in this asinine exchange of remarks. Ann Fusco, Broward Teachers Union President, remarked, The spread of the virus among children has gone up by triple digits, yet our governor and his newly appointed surgeon general continue to bury their heads in the sand. This is clearly politically, not public health, motivated. Robyn McCarthy, a parent of children attending schools in Florida, told the local news, I feel like were in the twilight zone. Were already playing Russian roulette, and Im already throwing my kids in the lions den, so how much more to the breaking point are you going to put parents in? Close to 500 children have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Over 100 children have lost their lives in the last five weeks, with 20 just in the previous week. As Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding noted, this is on par with cancer death rates. He tweeted, We dont accept pediatric cancer deaths. We dont accept even eight total infant pillow deaths. We should NOT accept COVID-19 deaths in kids either, dammit! Such fears are being shared by working families everywhere. Each day, as their children return home, the nagging worry that they have contracted COVID remains heavy on their minds. Anecdotal tragedies are legion. The story of the recent death of a Cincinnati woman, Amber Feltner, 37, a mother of eight, including three-year-old twins, from COVID, ricochet through communities, further fueling these constant concerns. The developments in Florida are but the tip of the spear. The Delta surge has wrought havoc in states like Alabama, West Virginia, and Idaho as their hospital systems have become inundated with COVID patients. In contrast, their local and state officials defend their inaction as promoting personal freedoms and choice. They have also led to an exponential rise in deaths far beyond any previous time during the pandemic. The diktats of the financial markets have guided the entire response to the pandemic across the political spectrum. It is precisely this cost-based risk-benefit approach to the pandemic that DeSantis and Ladapo have alluded to, which has exposed the ruling elites and their political functionaries' true aim. The working class must wrest political power from their hands and make the right public health policies urgently needed. The encampment along the Texas border town of Del Rio was reportedly cleared Friday of the last of more than 15,000 migrants, most of them of Haitian descent. The closure of the makeshift camp under a bridge connecting the US and Mexico came just a week after President Joe Biden and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the summary expulsion of the desperate refugees. DHS officials told reporters Friday that Haitians had been rapidly expelled on 17 flights since Sunday, with potentially thousands more expected to be deported in the coming days. Young Haitian migrants rest at an improvised refugee shelter in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, across the Rio Grande river from Del Rio, Texas [Credit: AP Photo/Fernando Llano] An unnamed US official revealed to CTV News that seven flights were being scheduled to Haiti on Friday, six on Saturday and seven on Sunday. Thus far, nearly 2,000 refugees have been sent to the Caribbean nation while 4,000 remain trapped within the prison-like conditions of immigrant facilities. Thousands of others have either been forced to return to Mexico or released into the US with notices to appear in court or to report to immigration authorities at a later date. Many of those released will eventually be hunted down by immigration officials and can expect to have their asylum claims denied in court. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said about 8,000 of the migrants have decided to return to Mexico voluntarily, and 5,000 are currently in DHS custody and having their status processed to determine whether they will be expelled outright or allowed to press their claims for legal residency. In justifying the deportations, Biden has invoked the Title 42 pandemic restrictions instituted by former President Donald Trump, who utilized the pandemic as a pretext for denying immigrants the right to asylum. Although a federal judge ruled last week that Trumps Title 42 order was improper and gave the federal government two weeks to end the procedure, the Biden administration has appealed the decision, revealing that the Democrats will not adopt an approach towards migrants and asylum seekers significantly different from the xenophobic policies of Trump. The Biden administration has also stated it has no plans to stop expelling migrants on public health grounds. The rapid deportations have triggered a wave of condemnation of both the violent brutality the migrants have faced at the hands of fascistic border patrol agents along with the inhumane treatment meted out by the Biden administration. In a demonstration of the callous disregard for the rights of the refugees across the political establishment, Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano, a Democrat, called the removal of the migrants phenomenal news. This comes after searing images circulated online of Border Patrol agents on horseback whipping and herding migrants as they sought to cross the Rio Grande River along the Mexico-US border, scenes which recalled some of the most racist periods of American history. President Joe Biden reacted to the widespread outcry produced by the brutal repression of the migrants with feigned anger towards the border agents, calling their behavior horrible and issuing a number of platitudes aimed at hiding his administrations rubber stamping of the illegal and ferocious crackdown at the border. Despite Bidens warnings of consequences and that people will pay, the agents responsible for the attack have so far not been fired or faced any repercussions, with all of them being assigned to administrative duties. The effort of the Biden White House to deport thousands to a country engulfed in extreme poverty and widespread gang violence, along with political and social institutions that are in shambles following a presidential assassination and a catastrophic earthquake, is a massive crime. It also shatters the illusions promoted by the pseudo-left and promoters of identity politics that electing Biden would result in a progressive shift from the fascistic and xenophobic attacks that were launched by Trump against immigrants throughout the latters presidency. The Haitian migrants had crossed through the Rio Grande River from Mexico, arriving from several other countries in Latin America where many had sought refuge following Haitis devastating 2010 earthquake, which laid waste to most of the countrys infrastructure and profoundly exacerbated conditions of mass poverty, hunger and political repression. Most of them were forced to flee their residences in South America for the United States this year after unemployment soared due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with many hoping that the Biden White House would provide safe passage for their entry into the US as asylum seekers. Numerous testimonials from migrants in recent days testify to the harrowing circumstances they faced along their trips through South and Central America. In an interview with BBC News, Fiterson Janvier described how he left Haiti in 2014 and spent several years in Brazil, where he and his family endured conditions of poverty and social desperation before they decided to travel to the US. Janvier recounted an immensely difficult journey, ultimately passing through 11 different countries while moving on both foot and by bus. He spent seven days traversing through the dense jungles of Colombia and Panama, where he saw dead bodies of other Haitian and Cuban migrants who fell victim to the dangerous trek. Many migrants like Janvier have been robbed of the scant amount of cash they had on hand by violent drug organizations and people-smuggling gangs. He said migrant women also constantly faced the threat of rape, with his wife and three-year-old son narrowly managing to hide from the gangs. Migrant rights groups estimate that in Mexico alone as many as 80 percent of migrants have been either victimized, extorted or abused on their journey through the Americas. Janvier said his mother was among the 2,200 people who died in the second earthquake that hit the country earlier this summer. The earthquake followed the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July, who has been replaced with an even more corrupt regime barely holding onto power and containing leading officials that are implicated in the presidents murder. This is combined with armed gangs that control much of the countrys territory, mass starvation, little to no basic resources, and a COVID-19 pandemic for which the countrys dilapidated hospitals and shantytowns are totally unprepared for. For many migrants their main fear has not been dying at the hands of gangs or under the sweltering heat of the US-Mexico border region but being placed right back into Haitis impoverished and menacing slums. Haiti is like hell for me now, Janvier noted. There is nothing for me there. If theyre going to send me back, they may as well just kill me. Kelly Overton, executive director of charity organization Border Kindness, pointed to the deportations as being almost like a death sentence. There seems to be a level of desperation from Haitian families Overton told the BBC. They say theres no option to go back, no safe place to go back to, no possibility of a life thats worth living. The past few days has in fact seen massive opposition and resistance from Haitians in Haiti and others inside the US against the deportations, sparked by awareness of the conditions which await them and outrage over the anti-democratic nature of the expulsions. Migrants who arrived at the airport of Haitis capital of Port-au-Prince erupted in anger once they discovered they were back in the same poverty-stricken country they had fled. Returnees reacted furiously as they stepped off their flight, with some rushing back toward the plane and attempting to get back on board. Videos on social media showed deportees at the airport rummaging on the ground searching for their unlabeled belongings that had been scattered by ICE agents. Civil rights groups have also highlighted the callous mistreatment of child deportees. Dozens of children with non-Haitian passports have been sent to Haiti as part of the deportation operation, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Although their parents may be Haitian nationals, at least 30 children have Chilean passports, nine have Brazilian passports and two have Venezuelan passports, according to Giuseppe Loprete, the IOMs chief of mission in Haiti. On Tuesday, around 200 Haitian Americans shut down a major thoroughfare in Miami as they demonstrated in front of a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office. Demonstrators held signs that read End Racism at the Border and Treat All the People the Same, while chanting Let them breathe, connecting the horrific conditions migrants are facing to George Floyds infamous final words before he was killed by a Minneapolis police officer last year. Marleine Bastien, an executive director of the Miami-based, immigrant rights Family Action Network Movement, told the Washington Post, This is cruel. I am getting so many calls from people asking why? What have Haitians ever done to America? All we have done is try to help America, and we are treated like this? The fight to defend the democratic rights of Haitian migrants and all immigrants victimized by imperialism cannot be entrusted in any section of the political establishment, which defends the profit interests of the capitalist system above all else. This applies in particular to the Democratic Party, whose endless promotion of racial politics serves to divide the working class amongst each other while violence and brutality against immigrants goes uninterrupted. The fight against xenophobia and repression must be taken up by the working class on a global scale, committed to an international struggle against capitalism and its replacement with a socialist society which will tear down national boundaries and uphold the right of workers to live and work where they please with full citizenship rights. Stock image. Licensed through Envato. A homeless Pennsylvania man faces up to seven years in prison after being arrested last month for underpaying on a 20-ounce bottle of Mountain Dew. Joseph Sobolewski stopped at a gas station convenience store outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where he saw a sign advertising two 20-ounce Mountain Dew bottles for $3. Sobolewski picked up a bottle, laid $2 on the counter and walked out. What he did not know is that the store charged $2.29 for a single bottle, and with tax he had shorted the store 43 cents total. The clerk called the police, who arrested Sobolewski, who is now being held in jail on a $50,000 cash bond and faces three to seven years in prison. Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline Leister told PennLive she could not remember specifically why she set Sobolewskis bond at the exorbitant $50,000, claiming that she handles too many cases. However, she did tell PennLive it was most likely because of repeated offenses and an outstanding warrant. Court records show that Sobolewski was arrested more than 10 years ago, when he drove off without paying after filling his gas tank. In 2011 he was arrested for stealing a pair of shoes that cost less than $40. Sobolewski also owes $1,500 in child support and was arrested a few months ago, but has yet to go to trial, for stealing craft supplies from a hobby store. Under Pennsylvanias three-strikes law, no matter how small the third theft is, the charge is an automatic felony and carries a 3- to 7-year sentence. Sobolewski remains in jail as he awaits trial, since he cannot afford to pay the cash bond. Thousands of people have posted comments on social media expressing their outrage at his treatment, the draconian US criminal justice system, and the mistreatment of homeless: Incredibly dumb. Thats all the U.S. does is jail people for ludicrous small-time crimes. Send them to prison for being a drug addict, send them to prison for petty thefts, because incarceration always worksdumb This is plain stupid. And if prosecutors take him to court, they are rotten, as would be any judge or jury that would convict him. Where is Charles Dickens common decency when you need it? Does the store have a penny collector tray? Does the clerk hold a grudge? Are the police there that obtuse? Is a Judge going to say its frivolous, heres 43 cents? Shame! Hes already homeless, why not lend a hand? It's seriously time to defund whatever police department that was if they have so much resources and spare time that they follow up on calls like this and track people down and arrest them over an honest mistake that didnt harm anyone at all in any way. Youre arresting ppl over 40 cents? You are a giant waste of public funds. In 2019, the prison and jail population in Pennsylvania averaged over 82,000. Nearly another 300,000 people are on probation or parole. Pennsylvania ranks 25th in the nation in the percentage of its population in jail. Throughout the country, 2,850,000 people are incarcerated and more than another 4.5 million people are on probation or parole. This figure is higher, in number and percentage-wise, than any other country in the world. The United States is also the only country which jails people for life without the possibility of parole for crimes committed as a juvenile. Known as Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP), there are over 2,600 throughout the country, and 414 listed in Pennsylvania prisons. While poor laws have been ruled unconstitutional, on any given day one-quarter of those in jail are there because they cannot pay bail or have outstanding jail fees. Typically, within 48 hours after arrest, a defendant sees a judge, who can release the person, keep them in prison, or most often set bail. If the person can pay the bail, they are released until trial, getting the bail money back if they appear for trial, convicted or not. However, most defendants cannot pay bail, which places them at the mercy of the for-profit bail bonds industry. A bail bond company will charge an upfront fee and post the bond. The typical bond fee is 10 percent but often can be higher. In Sobolewskis case that would be $5,000. The company does not return the fee when the defendant shows for trial, and bondsmen are granted great powers to go after defendants who do not show, including the employment of bounty hunters. The arrest of Sobolewski also underscores the depth of the social crisis in general and the lack of social services for the homeless in particular. More than one-quarter of the population of Harrisburg lives below the poverty line, and the median household income is less than two-thirds the state average. While trillions have been funneled to the banks, financial houses and the wealthy since the 2008 financial crash and during the pandemic, social programs for the poor and homeless have been slashed. The Socialist Equality Party and the World Socialist Web Site calls for maximum support by workers for the proposal by British parent Lisa Diaz for a school strike on Friday October 1. Lisa, a member of the Safe Education for All (SafeEdForAll) group, first made a call for action by parents to take place on October 22. But the extent and pace at which children are being infected, the criminal response of Prime Minister Boris Johnsons government and the mounting concern expressed by other parents convinced her to move the protest forward. Lisa Diza calling for the school strike in one of her Twitter videos [Credit: Lisa Diaz @Sandyboots2020] On September 16, just two weeks after state schools in England formally reopened, it was announced that over 100,000 children were absent with a confirmed or suspected COVID infection. Some 59,000 had a confirmed COVID-19 infection and another 45,000 had suspected cases. One in every 100 secondary school pupils is ill with the disease. On Wednesday, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England Chris Whitty and his deputy Jonathan Van-Tam told parliament that roughly half of all schoolchildren aged between 12 and 15 have already been infected with COVID and that the infection of the rest was inevitable. Children of secondary school age have the highest rate of COVID infections, followed by primary school children. Close to 90 children in the UK have already been killed by COVID-19 and an estimated 38,000 aged 216 are currently living with Long COVID. Lisa is asking parents to keep their child at home on October 1 and to post a picture of their school uniform on social media. Yesterday she posted two videos here and here in which she urged parents to send letters to head teachers, local authorities, councillors and MPs saying I do not consent to my child being used in a herd immunity experiment, in a brutal experiment in which they will inevitably, in Chris Whitty and Van-Tams own words, be exposed and catch a novel virus which has killed 88 children already, and which leaves one in seven with debilitating long term effects. The videos were viewed over 15,000 times in a matter of hours. Lisa spoke of the acute dangers facing children due to the utter lack of mitigations in schools. Because theyve not been vaccinated, because theyre like sitting ducks waiting to catch a disease that is completely preventable I was just looking yesterday [September 23]: 14,534 naught to nineteen-year-olds caught COVID in one single day And I dont accept it when Whitty and Van-Tam say its inevitable. Its not inevitable, theres so much that we could do. Weve already missed the opportunity to vaccinate our kids over the summer. She asked, Why are the Department for Education turning it around and trying to blame it on parents? Why are they saying mitigations are robust? Theres nothing robust. Why are you trying to say its all down to parents doing lateral flow [tests] two days a week? Were sick of the lies. Were sick of the gaslighting. Were sick of you getting scientists to say ridiculous things like children dont catch it at school, they catch it on the bus! Its not good enough. We wont take it anymore. Lisa told the World Socialist Web Site, I put out a tweet for a school strike, initially for October 22 because something has to be done. People were coming back to me and saying they agreed but it wasnt soon enough. And they are right. It wasnt soon enough. In fact, the date Ive suggested now, October 1, isnt soon enough. By this time next week, another 100,000 children will be off school from COVID. Thats what has happened in the last week. Thats the tragedy of all this. We need collective action and we need to keep raising awareness. Because the politicians have failed us. The unions are failing children. The claim that children are not so affected by this is a lie. In the US, Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, has said that no child should just be left to catch COVID. We are out of step with Fauci. We are out of step with Independent SAGEs Dr. Anthony Costello, and Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding. He sent out a tweet pointing out When 8 infants die, 3 million pillows are recalled. Nobody says But, but, but... We need to learn to live with pillows that suffocate babies! Meanwhile, 480 kids have died of COVID-19 [in the US] an astounding 20 died last week alone! Absolutely right. I always say, if there was a disease that made noses drop off, you wouldnt expose children to it. But because we cant see the impact of this disease, the damage it causes to the cortex, to organs, its supposed to be OK. Well, its not. Because its not only the deaths of children. Its the long-term damage that is being caused. So for Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty and his deputy Jonathan Van-Tam to say that it is inevitable children will catch it is outrageous. It makes me furious. When did we become a country that stopped protecting children? Ordinarily, we would do everything to protect a child but not in the case of Covid? How can that be? How can deaths be minimised on the grounds that those who lost their lives may have had underlying health conditions? What kind of society is this? It shouldnt be a point of indifference because a child or adult has autism, diabetes, asthma, Downs Syndrome, etc. All lives are precious. Yet the media say those who want this to save lives and protect health are extremists. Well, those willing to let people die and children suffer are the real extremists. There is nothing inevitable about the damage being caused by letting this virus rip. It can be stopped. It has to be stopped and I hope this school strike is taken up, makes people aware and contributes to that. The SEP urges our supporters and readers of the WSWS to send messages of support to Lisas twitter account (@sandyboots2020) and when applicable to take part in the protest. The October 1 school strike protest must become a spearhead for popular opposition to children being infected with COVID to appalling and even deadly effect. Millions of parents and working people feel the same way as Lisa. Supportive statements posted on her Twitter page included, Many already are taking matters into their own hands. We as parents have to protect them. We have to show our kids what we're made of. What matters, and We can affect change, we can take a stand, we can say NO! The extent of opposition was expressed in the popular take-up of the hashtags #ParentStrike2021 and #SchoolStrike2021, which between them have had a global reach of over 1 million people over the last seven days. The #parentstrike2021 hashtag has been shared over 37,000 times. This sentiment finds no organised expression because the policy of sacrificing human health and lives for corporate profit is shared by all the major partiesthe Labour Party includedwhile the education unions play the key role in enabling the opening of schools, colleges and universities. The SEP urges teachers and other educators to take a stand alongside parents and pupils on October 1, as a demonstration of opposition to this grotesque betrayal. The same situation exists in every single country and must be met with a unified international response. As WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North tweeted, This is a powerful statement by Lisa. Her call for action deserves the widest support, not only from parents in the UK but throughout the world. The massive scale of infection and death is the outcome of govt-corporate policies. The working class must take action. To discuss these vital issues, please contact the WSWS or the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee. Dozens of workers walked off the job Thursday at the El Milagro tortilla factory in Chicagos Little Village neighborhood and were subsequently locked out by management when they attempted to return. The workers are protesting dangerous working conditions in the pandemic along with low wages. El Milagro tortilla factory workers in Chicago [Credit: Twitter/Laura N. Rodriguez Presa] The workers were seeking a meeting to discuss grievances and demands with management by September 29 or protests will continue, according to organizers Arise Chicago, a Democratic Party-aligned community organization. Arise has called the lockout of the workers by management illegal. According to a statement by Laura Garza, a former organizer for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1, at least 85 El Milagro workers have been exposed to COVID-19 since the pandemic began and five workers died. El Milagro has more than 400 workers in the Chicago area. El Milagro workers who walked out Thursday were threatened by security when they returned from their walkout. I was able to go to work today, said Martin, an El Milagro worker, at a press conference in Little Village. First shift workers wanted to walk out to support the locked out second shift. We were greeted by a security officer with a gun intimidating us. Management has hired Illinois Security Services armed security guards to police the El Milagro facility and prevent locked-out workers from entering. Irma, a locked out worker, said, Im pregnant and had medication and my purse in the plant and couldnt get in. We had to call the police to get inside. El Milagro only let us in one at a time with a police escort. El Milagro workers who walked out also encouraged the night shift workers to walk out, gearing up for a fight against management, as they have received wide support among Chicago workers and across the country. Night shift workers put out a note saying that they too would join the walkout Thursday night. Across the United States and internationally workers are reaching a breaking point after having been forced to work in dangerous sweatshop conditions in factories, schools and workplaces during the pandemic as more than 700,000 have died of the virus in the US alone. The walkout by El Milagro workers is part of a growing resurgence of the class struggle and follows the recent sellout of the Nabisco workers strike in Chicago and across five states, where many workers had to work 16-hour days during the pandemic. The struggle of the El Milagro workers also takes place at the same time as ongoing strikes of Chicago mechanics and western Illinois Kone escalator workers, as well as contract battles heating up among John Deere workers and Dana auto parts workers, who have had to work up to 84 hours a week in dangerous conditions. Teachers and educators in Chicago and across the country face similarly dangerous conditions with policies that have forced a deadly return to work and in-person education as 2,000 people die every single day and thousands of working class children are exposed to the Delta variant of the coronavirus. In April last year, the El Milagro facility in Chicago closed temporarily after the virus spread and one worker died from COVID-19, as Chicagos Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot did nothing to protect essential workers. Many essential workers in Chicago demanded the city offer more testing in the spring and pay for staying home to protect their lives, which the city largely failed to do as it sought to reopen schools and businesses in the region. We work in temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, said 51-year-old Pedro Manzanares to Univision, speaking of the intense heat in the factory. We have a thermometer that measures temperature and measures humidity. The device shows a temperature of 92 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit every day, he added. Many El Milagro workers have described the brutal conditions they faced as labor shortages during the pandemic hit the facility and management imposed grueling speedups. The packages arrive faster and I have a few seconds to accommodate them, put them on the packaging line and grab another one. Imagine that before 50 boxes came out every 30 minutes, now 60 boxes come out and it is a greater pressure, Manzanares said. A list of demands drawn up in a document to management also notes, To this day, they have not resolved some of our demands such as sick days, our concerns about the food hall, and partially the salary issues, however, many other issues remain unresolved. Workers at the facility are angry that the plant has been paying more to new hires to make up for labor shortages without increasing the wages of those that worked there for 20 to 30 years. Conditions for El Milagro workers across the country are just as dangerous. The US Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined the companys San Marcos, Texas, facility $218,839 in June. The OSHA report notes: Previous inspections by the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration have given the operators of a family owned tortilla factory south of Austin every opportunity to resolve its safety issues. Yet, OSHA has found the company still exposing workers to the risks of amputation and other serious injuries. Worker complaints of dangerous amputation hazards led OSHA to again investigate conditions at El Milagro of Texas Inc. and the agencys inspectors determined that the company once again failed to follow hazardous energy control procedures to prevent sudden machine start-up or movement during maintenance and servicing. As a result, inspectors cited El Milagro for three repeat violations related to energy control and four serious violations for failing to follow lockout/tagout procedures. The conditions El Milagro workers face are felt by workers across the region. But figures like Jorge Mujica, a strategic organizer for Arise and a former Democratic Party aldermanic candidate, along with Democratic Socialists of America alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez, who spoke at the protests, are seeking to prevent a broader struggle from developing. The struggle of the El Milagro workers deserves wide support and must be expanded, but it must decisively oppose any attempt by organizations such as Arise to subordinate this struggle to the Democratic Party. Workers should review the lessons of the struggle of the Republic Window and Doors factory occupation in 2008, which was strangled and channeled into the Democratic Party. They should instead formulate their own demands through the formation of a rank-and-file workers committee, independent of the Democratic Party, to mobilize support among Chicago educators, Ford autoworkers, Kone workers, John Deere workers and Dana workers as part of a broader struggle against the entire capitalist profit system. Germanys September 26 federal election takes place amid the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, which has vastly exacerbated the global class struggle and international tensions between the major powers. The election campaign is dominated by the same issues that are coming to a head all over the world. While all capitalist parties, regardless of the election results, are preparing a government of militarism, mass infection and enormous social polarization, resistance is growing among workers. The Socialist Equality Party (Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, SGP) gives voice and a socialist perspective to this opposition. Demonstration with SGP placards [Credit: WSWS] Germany has had only three chancellors in the last four decades: Helmut Kohl, Gerhard Schroder and Angela Merkel. Beneath the surface of this deeply ossified system, explosive contradictions have developed to which none of the established parties has an answer. What characterizes the election is the deep gulf that separates all parties represented in the Bundestag (German parliament) from the mass of the population. Not one of them is able to address, let alone provide an answer to, the concerns and needs that are preoccupying millions of voters. That was underscored during Thursdays final debate of all the leading candidates from the parties represented in parliament. In the 90-minute broadcast, not a single politician uttered a word about the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed over one million lives in Europe alone, including more than 93,000 in Germany. All parties support the policy of open workplaces and open schools, which sacrifices human lives every day to corporate profits. They also barely touched on all the other burning social issues: growing poverty, precarious employment, dilapidated schools, understaffed hospitals, mass layoffs in industry, and ailing infrastructure. This is because all parties have committed themselves to squeezing the hundreds of billions of euros that they handed over to the banks and corporations during the pandemic, with virtually no strings attached, out of the working population. Thirty years ago, German unity was celebrated as a triumph of democracy and freedom. But what has become of it? In the interests of the financial oligarchy, children are being infected, hundreds of thousands of jobs destroyed and the last remaining social rights smashed. For the vast majority of the population, it is impossible to influence politics by casting a ballot. The election polls and their sharp fluctuations also reflect the deep alienation of official politics from the population. No party has achieved more than 25 percent support, and none is able to inspire voters or retain their loyalty. One-third of voters remain undecided, even on the eve of the election. In Germany, the contradictions of world capitalism, which the ruling class tried to solve in the last century by means of war and fascism, are once again erupting in explosive fashion. Escalating trade wars and great power conflicts are undermining the German export industry. The attempt to dominate Europe with the help of the European Union is rekindling old enmities. The established parties are responding by moving closer together and outdoing each other with great power fantasies and demands for military buildup, for which there is no popular support at all. In his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced that the next federal government would accelerate and escalate Germanys return to an aggressive foreign and great power policy. At this time of political transition in my country, I want to assure you: Germany will remain, even after this election, a country that is aware of and assumes its international responsibilities, the head of state said. Germany and Europe must become strongeralso in military terms. Thats why Berlin is investing more in its defense capabilities in these unstable times, continued Steinmeier. The drive to war is supported by all parties in parliament. Christian Democrat chancellor candidate Armin Laschet, for example, promised more money for the German army during Thursdays debate. To live up to Germanys status internationally, he demanded, it must be given armed drones and the best technology in every respect. Social Democrat chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz also declared his support for a massive increase in military spending and called for a strong, sovereign Europe. The Greens Annalena Baerbock also appealed for our own strategic sovereignty and joined the call for rearmament and armed drones. Because Germany has been too friendly and too silent, Europe has left a foreign policy void that Russia and China are now filling, the Green Party candidate complained. Janine Wissler of the Left Party offered herself as a coalition partner to the SPD and the Greens, assuring them that her partys occasional criticism of NATO in no way meant that she was in favor of its dissolution or even Germanys withdrawal from the worlds largest military alliance. Aggressive domestic and foreign policies in the interests of the financial oligarchy are accompanied by fierce attacks on democratic rights. Just as in the 1930s, the ruling class is reacting to the capitalist crisis with authoritarian and ultimately fascist forms of rule. Official policy increasingly takes the form of a conspiracy against the population. Even when the Grand Coalition was voted out of office four years ago, the parties spent four months behind closed doors negotiating the continuation of the hated government constellation. In so doing, they made the fascist Alternative for Germany (AfD) the official opposition party in parliament, integrated the far right into the political system and systematically pursued its agenda. Right-wing terrorist networks in the army, police and intelligence services were able to operate unhindered. Hans-Georg Maaen, an AfD sympathizer, headed the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Germanys domestic intelligence agency. The Socialist Equality Party was placed on the intelligence services watch list. Right-wing extremist professors, such as historian Jorg Baberowski, were promoted and protected by the political establishment and the media. But the resistance to this shift to the right is enormous. The rejection of fascism and war is deeply rooted in the population after the crimes of German imperialism in the 20th century. This makes the plans of all parties to continue and intensify right-wing policies all the more explosive. As in 2017, it is already becoming clear that the maneuvering and intrigue to form a government will last for months. The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP) opposes this right-wing conspiracy and gives a voice and a socialist perspective to the opposition to the lurch to the right, the policy of mass infection and inequality. In six election broadcasts and countless position statements and pamphlets, wetogether with our comrades from the US, France, the UK, Turkey and other countriestook a stand on all major political issues and articulated a clear perspective. At the heart of our election campaign has been opposition to the profits before life policy. Together with our sister parties in the Fourth International, we are fighting for a globally coordinated strategy to eradicate COVID-19. This includes comprehensive lockdowns and school closures until the pandemic is under control, a vast international vaccination program and compensation for workers for all lost earnings. We are fighting for an international socialist response to the climate question. Only a global plan based on scientific knowledge can stop climate change. The economy must be reorganised to serve the needs of the people and the environment, not profit interests. We are the only party uncompromisingly opposed to German militarism. We demand the immediate withdrawal of all troops from foreign countries and the dissolution of the German army. Instead of armaments and war, billions must be invested in health and education. And we oppose the right-wing extremists. The fascist brown swamp must be drained, and the secret services must be disbanded. We have initiated action committees for safe workplaces at important companies and created a network of action committees for safe education in schools. In all these initiatives we have worked closely with our international comrades to link them globally. Class struggles are developing around the world. The WISAG airport workers, who resisted wage theft and layoffs, the Berlin nurses and train drivers who have gone on strike against low wages and unbearable work stress, and the strikers at IKEA and in the construction industry are part of this international movement. To be successful, these struggles must become the starting point of an international offensive against the capitalist system. This is the only way to prevent a renewed relapse into barbarism. The struggle for this socialist perspective does not end on September 26. We are fighting for every vote because a strong result for the SGP is an important sign of growing opposition to mass infection, inequality and war. But the crucial task is to prepare workers for the class struggles ahead and to build the SGP and the Fourth International as the new socialist leadership in the working class. Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, leaves the jail of Sassari, in Sardinia, Italy, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Gloria Calvi) Yesterday, an Italian judge ordered the release of former Catalan regional Premier Carles Puigdemont after his sudden arrest on Thursday evening, as he arrived at the airport at Alghero on the Italian island of Sardinia. Puigdemont faces an extradition hearing on October 4, although Italian press reports say charges will not be pressed if he leaves Italy before then. In 2017 he fled to Belgium after Madrids brutal police crackdown against the Catalan independence referendum he had organised. The crackdown left over 1,000 peaceful voters injured. This was followed by threats to impose a state of emergency on Catalonia, the detention of top officials of Puigdemonts regional government, and a show trial which condemned a dozen of them to a decade in jail for sedition. If extradited, Puigdemont faces decades in jail on trumped-up charges of sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds. The current leader of the right-wing Popular Party (PP), Pablo Casado, who was in government at the time, vowed that Puigdemont would end up like Companys. Lluis Companys was the Catalan regional premier who declared independence in 1934. Exiled at the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939, Companys was captured by the Nazi Gestapo in occupied Paris in 1940 and handed over to the Spanish fascist regime of Francisco Franco, who had him in tortured, beaten and shot. The arrest, flowing from the most reactionary political interests, was a flagrantly anti-democratic operation of Europes police-state machine, apparently carried out behind the back of the Italian government, and was rapidly exposed as having no legal basis. Puigdemont was arrested by Italian Carabinieri police as he stepped off the aircraft as he arrived in Sardinia to attend Adifolk, a Catalan cultural festival in Alghero. The Barcelona daily La Vanguardia wrote: Members of the Puigdemont team who were in Alghero waiting at the airport saw an unusual deployment of Carabinieri and already warned of what could happen. Two plainclothes officers proceeded to ask for his identification and took him first to the airport police station and then as a detainee to [Alghero's] police station. Italian police sources explained that the arrest was carried out by the Sardinian Border Police. He then spent the night at Bancari prison, before being released by the Court of Appeal of Sassari yesterday. Italian police reportedly detected Puigdemonts arrival via the integrated Passenger Name Registration (PNR) system and the Schengen Information System (SIS). The first collects passenger information, which is transferred to police authorities of EU Member States to screen for criminals. The second, the SIS, is a large-scale information system to facilitate cooperation between national border control authorities, customs and police in Europe to deny entry to a person or search and arrest a person for whom a European Detention Order has been issued. Puigdemont reportedly has a data sheet in the SIS registering the arrest and surrender order issued in October 2019 by Spains Supreme Court Judge Pablo Llarena. This order was suspended, however, though Llarena told the Sardinian judge the order had never been de-activated. Llarenas argument does not hold water, however, having been explicitly rejected even by Spanish authorities themselves. Puigdemonts immunity as a Member of the European parliament was stripped last March in a vote sponsored by the Spanish fascist Vox partys European Conservatives and Reformists group and supported by liberals, conservatives and social democrats. He appealed the decision, but in a ruling at the end of July, the EUs general court said there was no immediate risk of arrest, as the detention order was suspended. The state attorney representing Spain at the European Court, Sonsoles Centeno, said last July, There is no procedure for executing the aforementioned arrest warrants. Arguing that Puigdemont was not subject to imminent arrest, the European Court of Justice denied his appeal. Since July, he has travelled freely in Europeto Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and France. In France, he rented a summer house and went to the National Assembly in Paris, where he gave a press conference and met publicly with various deputies of the French National Assembly. He was never arrested, let alone questioned. Moreover, attempts of Spains Supreme Court to secure the extradition of Puigdemont and two of his former regional councillors, Antoni Comin and Carla Ponsatiwho also fled Spain, and are also MEPshave previously failed. Belgian, German and Scottish courts, and the Court of Justice of the European Union have all rejected extraditing Comin, Ponsati and Puigdemont. After the Carabinieri arrested Puigdemont, the Italian governments ruling parties denounced the decision, making clear they had not been consulted. Former far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini of the Lega opposed the arrest, saying, Italy does not lend itself to the vendettas of others. Democratic Party Senator Tatjana Rojc said, The arrest on Italian soil of a Euro-deputy who should be able to travel freely is shocking: handcuffs on Puigdemont are a serious act and an image unbecoming to a country with the rule of law. This underscores that Puigdemonts arrest appears to have been an operation of unelected forces in the police-state machine. According to the far-right news site OKDiario, the arrest took place because Spains National Intelligence Center (CNI) was alerted to Puigdemonts travel by the SIS, after which Spanish authorities contacted Italian police. A security source told OKDiario: what a country that detects [a fugitive] has to do is to notify the police of the country that ordered his capture and alert the police of the country that is the fugitives destination. This fascistic arrest of Puigdemont provoked mass anger in Catalonia. In Barcelona, thousands of protesters gathered outside the Italian consulate to demand his release. Catalan regional Premier Pere Aragones issued an official statement calling for freedom for President Puigdemont and all those facing repression. Significantly, however, Spains Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government endorsed the police-state operation against Puigdemont. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez appeared on Friday at a press conference, stating that Puigdemont must be brought to justice, and stand trial. Sanchez added that the Spanish government respects all judicial proceedings whether opened in Spain, in Europe or in this case in Italy, and will comply with any judicial decisions that may be taken. Puigdemonts arrest is a reactionary attack on democratic rights, revealing the vast police-state machine that the ruling class is building up across Europe as it shifts rapidly to the right. His Catalan nationalist politics themselves are bankrupt and reactionary, working to divide workers inside Spain along national and linguistic lines. However, the principal target of the fascistic forces pursuing Puigdemont is the working class. Vox, the army, and the rest of the Spanish political establishment including the PSOE-Podemos government have all supported the EUs herd immunity policy of allowing the virus to spread during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to over 1.2 million confirmed COVID-19 deaths across Europe, and over 100,000 excess deaths in Spain during the pandemic. Over 10 percent of Spains population is confirmed to have been infected with the coronavirus. After mass strikes broke out across Europe in March 2020, as workers demanded the right to shelter at home to stop the contagion and mass deaths in the early weeks of the pandemic in Europe, the far-right forces leading the anti-Catalan campaign were appalled. Broad sections of the officer corps and of the Vox party leadership began agitating for a coup to crush domestic opposition. In December, WhatsApp chats were leaked to the press in which Spanish Air Force officers declared they were good fascists and wanted to kill 26 million people in Spain. It is critical to mobilize the working class across Europe in defence of democratic rights and against the ruling elites fascistic and anti-scientific policies on the pandemic. This requires advancing the call for Puigdemonts immediate release and his freedom to go where he pleases. The first face-to-face leaders summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad took place in Washington yesterday, hosted by US President Biden with the prime ministers of Australia, Japan and IndiaScott Morrison, Yoshihide Suga and Narendra Modi respectively. President Joe Biden walks to the Quad summit with, from left, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Washington [Credit: AP Photo/Evan Vucci] The summit, following the first online leaders meeting of the Quad in March, is part of an escalating US-led drive to confront, undermine and subordinate China, by military means if ultimately necessary, to the international rules-based order dominated by Washington. White House press secretary Jen Psaki insisted that the Quad summit was not about securitythat is, the military build-up against Chinabut was about COVID, climate, emerging technology and infrastructure. She emphasised to reporters that the focus is not [on] a security meeting or security apparatus. To deny that the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue has anything to do with security obviously flies in the face of reality. The Quad summit followed immediately the declaration by the US, Britain and Australia of a new AUKUS military pact, which includes the provision of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. That announcement has fuelled further tensions with China and threatens to fracture US relations with Francean American ally that regards itself as a Pacific powerand more broadly with the European Union. By announcing AUKUS just a week before the Quad meeting, the Biden administration put both Japan and India on the spot as to their commitment to the escalating US confrontation with China. Suga, however, is standing down as Japanese prime minister amid public anger over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and was in no position to make categorical statements. Moreover, Tokyo is still hampered by widespread public opposition to abandoning the so-called pacifist clause in its constitution that bars it from waging war. For its part, Indias reaction to the AUKUS announcement has been muted. While New Delhi has developed close strategic relations with Washington over the past decade, it was in the past a close partner with the former Soviet Union and is not a formal US ally. It is an observer member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, initiated by China and Russia to counter US influence in Central Asia. Nevertheless, the Quad has all the hallmarks of a quadrilateral military alliance in the makingAustralia and Japan are already formal US allies and host American military forces, while India, particularly under Modi, has been strengthening its strategic partnership with the US. India has signed agreements not only with the US but also Japan and Australia to provide military logistics support and all four militaries now participate in Indias annual Malabar naval war games with the US. The initial comments of the Indian, Japanese and Australian prime ministers prior to the summit copied Bidens catch-phrase of promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific. Even as all four governments make deep inroads into democratic rights, the leaders posture as defenders of democracy. While China was not mentioned by name, despite being routinely and hypocritically denounced by the US over human rights, it was clearly the target. Morrison was the most explicit, declaring that we are liberal democracies that believe in a world order that favours freedom. He continued: [W]e wish to be always free from coercion, where the sovereign rights of all nations are respected and where disputes are settled peacefully in accordance with international law. In fact, the US has been engaged in waging one predatory war after another in the Middle East and Central Asia over the past three decades in a bid to shore up its global dominance. Australian governments have backed Washington to the hilt and committed military forces to the illegal invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Despite its debacle in Afghanistan, the US is building alliances in preparation for what is potentially an even more disastrous conflict with nuclear-armed China, which Washington regards as the chief threat to its global hegemony. Biden, who was vice president when Obama launched the pivot to Asia in 2011 against China, has continued all the Trump administrations anti-China policies. Behind closed doors, the four leaders undoubtedly focussed on countering China. All the topics listed for discussion contained an element of rivalry and confrontation with Beijing: whether it was the provision of COVID-19 vaccines to the region, a new fellowship for students from the four countries or the more overtly strategic issues of addressing cyber security, collaborating on critical technologies and securing supply chains. China has reacted to the AUKUS announcement by condemning it as a return to Cold War mentality. The danger, however, is not that the world is returning to the decades of standoff between the US and the Soviet Union. Rather it is facing the threat of a military conflict between the largest and second largest economies, both nuclear armed. An opinion article by Edward Luce in the Financial Times was headlined A US-China clash is not unthinkable. It reflected fears in sections of the ruling class in Britain and internationally of the danger of war. Luce pointed out that for all of Bidens talk about diplomacy and working with China on common issues, the strongest winds, however, are towards confrontation amid a hawkish domestic US consensus on China. Luce warned that unlike the Cold War confrontation with the Soviet Union, Cold war 2.0 offers a different spectreescalating geopolitical rivalry between the worlds two largest powers with no clear exit ramp. Behind Washingtons escalating tensions with Beijing is the historic decline of US imperialism. Unlike the Soviet Union, China, by virtue of its sheer economic weight and requirements for raw materials, energy, parts and technologies, presents a challenge to continuing US global dominance. No longer able to rely on an unchallenged economic superiority, the US ruling class is determined to use all means, including its residual military might, to subordinate China to its interests. Luce concluded his comment with a half-hearted appeal to Biden to reduce the risks by acknowledging the possibility of a US-China collisionby accident or ignorance. In reality, the Biden administration is actively preparing for such a conflict on all frontsincluding the consolidation of military alliances and partnerships such as AUKUS and the Quad. The danger of war will not be averted by appealing to the likes of Biden, Morrison, Suga and Modi, but by building a powerful unified movement of the international working class, based on a socialist perspective to abolish the profit system that is the source of the war drive. Autoworkers leaving Sterling Heights assembly in 2019 Workers at Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) north of Detroit begin 90 consecutive days of work today, under a critical plant status invoked by management. The status is provocatively set to end on December 24, Christmas Eve. The right by management to invoke critical status was part of the 2019 sellout contract negotiated by the United Auto Workers with Stellantis, then known as Fiat Chrysler. Buried in a 500 page supplemental volume of side agreements and memoranda of understanding is contract language which allows the company, without even needing the fig leaf of the union's approval, to invoke critical status for any reason at any of its facilities, allowing them to ignore restrictions on overtime and force plant workers to work seven days a week. Outrage continues to grow among SHAP workers towards the UAW and Local 1700, who are conspiring with management to enforce working conditions which increasingly resemble those from a century ago, before the industrial unions were founded. Under the critical status, I think you may get one day off after 30 days, one skilled tradesman told the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter. Other than that, you can't take PTO or vacation, you can only get out of work by using FMLA (Family Medical Leave). The tradesman said they have not yet been informed by the union how the critical status will affect skilled trades, who were already working 84 hour workweeks, with seven days on followed by seven days off, for most of the year. This is the first time that a so-called Alternative Work Schedule has been imposed upon skilled tradesmen at a major assembly plant in the United States. The tradesman, however, believed critical status will impact them as well in some form. At the same time, plant management has already been forced to cancel two out of three shifts this Sunday due to the chronic global parts shortage. One worker reports that the company has been stockpiling thousands of uncompleted vehicles missing instrument panels, radios and other components. Another production worker reported, A and B shift have been sent home every day after one hour of working this week. This also means that Saturday is straight time for them. I think the company deliberately set this up to not pay them time and half. However, the difficulty in procuring parts shows that Stellantis is extremely vulnerable to any interruption in production, showing that SHAP workers are in a powerful position. Throughout the pandemic and the global parts shortage, Stellantis has determined to maintain production at all costs at SHAP, which makes the bestselling and highly profitable Ram 1500. It has idled production at other plants throughout the year in order to shift not only microchips, but even temporary workers to the plant, in order to maintain production at as high of a level as possible. The prioritization of the most profitable plants has been key to Stellantis massive earnings, totaling $8 billion in the first half of this year alone, in spite of an industry-wide collapse in new vehicle sales. SHAP workers demonstrated their courage and determination last year when they defied a union-brokered agreement to keep the plant running during the initial surge of the pandemic, carrying out a wildcat strike which quickly spread to other facilities and forced the industry to shut down for two months. Today, there is great potential for a renewed struggle uniting SHAP and other Big 3 workers, along with John Deere workers whose contract expires next month, with Dana auto parts workers, who occupy a critical choke point in the global supply chain. Dana workers voted down a sellout contract brought forward by the UAW and the United Steelworkers earlier this month by a nine-to-one margin and are determined to fight against sweatshop conditions, such as endless seven-day workweeks, which are now being brought into the assembly plants. This requires a struggle not only against management but the corrupt trade unions, which are deliberately keeping Dana workers on the job for at least the next three weeks by drawing out bogus negotiations at a time when Dana workers are in the strongest position as the company struggles to complete its critical changeover to producing parts for next years models. To fight this sabotage and to appeal for support from other auto workers, Dana workers have formed the Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee. SHAP workers and workers at the other assembly plants have an obligation to support the Dana workers and appeal for the broadest possible unity. I was in the plant during the walkouts last March, one production worker at SHAP told the WSWS. At the time, we didn't know much about what this thing was (COVID), and they weren't taking it seriously. And we were mad. People were just sitting down along the line refusing to work. I got COVID later on. They were pressuring me to say that I hadn't been in close contact enough with anyone to expose them. They didn't even tell anyone on my team that I had COVID, I had to tell them myself. Earlier in the year they had hundreds out on quarantine, but should have been even more, because they were covering a lot of it up.' The critical status is really 95 days, since critical status starts on Saturday, he continued. That means we'll have already worked 5 days that week before the 90 days starts. People with kids are going to have to scramble to find people to watch them over the weekend. How are they going to figure this out? The atmosphere in the plant is horrible. They don't even have enough parts, but they are going to work us seven days a week. Everything is stretched to the limit. Since they're running 24/7 now, I don't know how they do maintenance. Maybe they don't. They had the AGVs (automated guided vehicles) break down in one side of the plant the other day, and supervisors were swarming there to move them by hand. They aren't even supposed to be doing that work. In another indication of the increasing disrepair of the plant, workers report that the main walkway into the building has been flooded. Instead of fixing it, management has set up a steel gate in front of the walkway and are making workers walk around the yard to get inside instead. To be honest, I haven't even seen [Local 1700 president] Louis Pahl since he entered office,' the production worker continued. He doesn't show up in the plant...They had a four-and-a-half hour Zoom session last week for the local meeting. I wasn't there, but people were saying it was just them beating around the bush and lying. The UAW are all criminals. They don't represent the workers, the skilled trades worker said. Our plant is only 15 miles or so away from Solidarity House. Yet during the 2019 contract vote, Cindy Estrada [UAW Vice President for Stellantis] refused to even come up to us to talk to us about the contract. FCA/Stellantis admitted to bribing the union in court, they were fined, and yet we are still beholden to the contract... They claim the contract was negotiated in about week. Now, you can't even read the entire contract in a week, much less negotiate all of the points in it. This shows they were not bargaining in good faith. We got nothing out of it but a pay cut and worse working conditions. And they offered a signing bonus during the vote, which took place around Christmas time, in order to deceive us. There is an unsigned letter to Cindy Estrada and the UAW which is being circulated, written by the wife of one of the tradesmen here, who explains what a terrible impact the new 12/7 schedule for skilled trades has had on their family. Their only response was, find out who wrote this. She obviously didn't sign her name because she was afraid of retaliation. Open letter written by the spouse of a SHAP skilled trades worker Everything that letter spelled out was true. But one thing it doesn't go into, which is also important, is the loss of overtime pay. Some people are losing tens of thousands of dollars in overtime due to the new schedule. My wife has had to pick up extra work to make ends meet. It's been a struggle. The new schedule has been detrimental. Some younger, single guys get along okay with it, but if you have a wife, a family, even a dog, it becomes impossible. But there has also been a real influx here of new tradesmen, people for whom this the first taste of working in a union shop. There is a lot of frustration among them, they think the union is useless. There's a whole coverup going on. Even sympathetic reporters in the local press don't report on us, because the auto companies are big advertisers for the media. Even the UAW's own website hasn't posted anything about John Deere, or Dana, or anything. We have the hottest product on the market at our plant right now, the Ram 1500. This is the time to fight for better conditions. I watched one of the Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee statements which the WSWS had read out in a video. That was very good, it is getting around in SHAP. It prompted me to do more research into this. It's incredible how they're dragging their heels at Dana. We need to reach to people at Dana, at John Deere. During the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions this month, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet, UK envoy to the UN Simon Manley and the EU delegation insisted on the implementation of a human rights resolution on Sri Lanka previously adopted at its meeting in March. Backed by the US, the resolution was presented by the Core Group on Sri Lanka, which includes the UK, Canada, Germany, North Macedonia, Malawi and Montenegro. It called for the devolution of power to the Tamil elite, protection of human rights, a review of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), accountability, respect of religious freedoms and protection of human rights defenders. Sri Lankan governments have a grave record of human rights violations and attacks on democratic rights, which has intensified under President Gotabhaya Rajapakse. The real purpose of the resolution, however, is to pressure Sri Lanka to break from Beijing and fully align itself with Washingtons military-strategic build up in the Indo-Pacific against China. In a speech on September 13, Bachelet said that militarisation and the lack of accountability in Sri Lanka continues to have a corrosive effect on fundamental rights. She referred to the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Sri Lanka, draft regulations on civil society groups, numerous examples of arbitrary arrests and detention, and ongoing government interference in judicial processes. Her office, Bachelet continued, had developed an information and evidence repository with nearly 120,000 individual items on Sri Lanka and urged UNHRC member states to provide the necessary funds to fully implement the March resolution. It would collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence for future accountability processes in Sri Lanka, to help victims and survivors and investigations by UNHRC judicial proceedings, she said. It was the first time a UN body outlined specific measures for an international intervention into Sri Lanka. Manley and the EU delegation called on Sri Lanka to cooperate fully with the High Commissioner. The UNHRC previously focused on crimes committed by Sri Lankan armed forces during the final months of Sri Lankas communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). This has now been expanded to include the anti-democratic measures implemented by the current Rajapakse government. Tamil families fleeing war in January 2009 [Source: Wikimedia] Since coming to power in November 2019, President Gotabhaya Rajapakse has militarised key parts of his administration by plugging in-service and retired senior military officers into key state posts. Repressive legislation, such as the PTA has been invoked to arbitrarily arrest and detain Muslim political leaders, activists, artists and writers. So-called de-radicalisation regulations were also added to the PTA in March. The laws proscribe 300 Tamil and Muslim groups and individuals allegedly linked to terrorism. On August 30, Rajapakse declared a wartime-style state of emergency, under the guise of ensuring food security. Government intrusions into the judicial process have become rampant, with legal proceeding against war crime perpetrators called off. This includes the indictment of former navy commander Wasantha Karannagoda for the disappearances of 11 young men during 20082009. Concerns about the unrelenting erosion of democracy and basic rights in Sri Lanka, however, is not the driving force behind the human rights campaigns of the US and other Western powers. These powers all backed the bloody communal war which ended in May 2009 with the military defeat of the LTTE. The UN has estimated that over 40,000 civilians were killed during the final months of the conflict. Hundreds of young persons who surrendered to the army simply disappeared and several LTTE leaders were killed. The human rights posturing of the US, UK and other imperialist powers, given their horrific war crimes record in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places over the last three decades alone, is completely bogus. Great power pressure on Sri Lanka is aimed at forcing Colombo to break with Beijing and for the Rajapakse regime to fully commit to Washingtons escalating war preparations against China. In the last years of the war, President Mahinda Rajapakse, the current presidents brother, developed close economic ties with China in order to obtain financial assistance and military hardware. Washington, which at that time was developing its pivot to Asia to diplomatically isolate Beijing and encircle it militarily, was thoroughly hostile to Colombos relations with China. It sponsored several UNHRC war crimes resolutions to pressure Colombo to fully endorse the US geo-strategic agenda. Finally, in 2015, Washington orchestrated a regime-change operation to oust President Mahinda Rajapakse and replace him with the pro-US Maithripala Sirisena. Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe shifted the countrys foreign policy in favour of Washington and closely integrated the military with the US Indo-Pacific Command. Since coming to power in November 2019, however, current President Rajapakse and his cash-strapped government has increasingly turned to Beijing for financial assistance. Battered by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Sri Lankan economy confronts an unprecedented crisis. Colombos inauguration of the Beijing-funded Colombo Port City (CPC), built on reclaimed seafront land, has particularly angered the US, and its strategic ally India. China regards the CPC as a important component in its strategic Belt and Road Initiative to counter US threats, defend its investments and protect its vital trade routes through the Indian Ocean. Deep trepidation now grips Sri Lankan ruling circles over the UNHRC human rights resolution. Addressing the current UNHRC session on September 14, Sri Lankas foreign minister G. L. Peiris desperately tried to convince attendees that Sri Lanka was well on the way to meet its human rights commitments. He claimed that the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) was smoothly functioning and the reconciliation process proceeding. The OMP, a toothless body established by the previous government in 2018, is supposed to be collecting information about persons who went missing during the war. Nothing has come out of its so-called investigations. The reconciliation process is code for power-sharing arrangements with Tamil elite. The Sri Lankan ruling elite and its Sinhala-Buddhist constituency are averse to any such devolution of powers. During his speech, Peiris also questioned the need for external initiatives on human rights investigations. The Rajapakse government, which depends on military support, opposes war crime investigations. Any such probe would rapidly implicate the president, who was defence secretary during the final stages of the war. In fact, every faction of the Sri Lankan ruling elite depends on the militarys support. Sri Lankan ruling class concerns are also reflected in media coverage of the UNHRC session. An editorial in the Sunday Times entitled Paying a heavy price in Geneva, for example, slammed the government for abysmally failing in Preventive Diplomacy. Translated into plain English, the newspapers main concern is the Rajapakse government is not doing enough to appease Washington. Prior to the UNHRC session, US diplomats in Colombo sought the support of the bourgeois Tamil parties, and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in particular. Its leaders held several talks with the US ambassador in July and August. The Tamil elites back the US geopolitical moves against China in the hope that Washington will force Colombo to grant them some increased power and privileges. Notwithstanding his rabidly nationalist rhetoric, Rajapakse has been desperately scrambling to accommodate Washingtons pressure while maintaining his balancing act with Beijing. He has not ended Sri Lankan military ties with the Indo-Pacific Command and this week signed an agreement to sell 40 percent of the state-owned Kerawalapitiya West Coast Power Plant to the US-owned New Fortress Energy Company. The company has also obtained rights to develop a new offshore liquefied natural gas terminal that will supply Sri Lanka. Land has also reportedly been provided for US investments. Rajapakses attempts to balance between Beijing and Washington will be shattered as US imperialism steps up war plans against China. The room for manoeuvre was further undermined last week with the AUKUS military agreement between the US, UK and Australia and directed against China. The deal includes the provision of nuclear submarines to Australia to more efficiently patrol off the coast of China. Within days of last weeks announcement of a new US-UK-Australia (AUKUS) military alliance against China, the Australian government accelerated its plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US and UK. HMAS Sheean in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia [Credit: Royal Australian Navy] These moves indicate that preparations for war against China, potentially within years, not decades, are intensifying. When the AUKUS pact was unveiled, concerns were expressed within Australias military and media that the delivery of the new submarines would not begin until at least the late 2030s, if not the 2040s. Earlier this year, both the outgoing and incoming heads of the US Indo-Pacific Command spoke of a war against China within six years, possibly triggered by a confrontation over Taiwan, which the US has de facto recognised since 1979 as being part of China. The AUKUS agreement includes a deal for Australia to effectively become a nuclear state. Regardless of public denials that it will seek nuclear weapons and lip service to nuclear non-proliferation treaties, Australia would obtain submarines with the capacity to launch nuclear missiles. These vessels would be capable of long-range deployment within striking distance of China. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government had yet to enter into any contracts for such submarines and would be negotiating agreements over the next 12 to 18 months. Speaking from Washington last weekend, however, Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said he had spoken to Biden administration officials about leasing Virginia class nuclear-powered, attack submarines and Australia would hold similar talks with Britain. Such arrangements have clearly been under discussion for months, as was the AUKUS pact itself, behind the backs of the population in the three countries. Evidently, Australian naval personnel will work on US and UK nuclear submarines, including in Australian ports and across the Indo-Pacific region. Finance Minister Simon Birmingham told a media conference in Adelaide he expected lease arrangements or greater joint operations with the US and UK that sees our sailors working more closely and potentially on UK and US vessels to get that skills and training and knowledge. Further light was shed on these preparations by an op-ed column in the Australian Financial Review last Monday by Ross Babbage, a Canberra-based non-resident senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a US military-backed think tank. We need to get the new submarines quickly, Babbage insisted. He proposed as the most attractive American submarines to buy or leasethe standard Virginia and the stretched Virginia with the Vertical Payload Module (VPM). The stretched VPM design is particularly attractive because for a 15 percent price premium it triples each boats firepower to 40 missiles and also accommodates other payloads. This version has the flexibility to serve as a mother ship for robot mini-submarines. Babbage gave some idea of the scale of military expansion that would be involved. He said the program would require a tripling of the number of submariners and support personnel. A new submarine base would need to be built on Australias east coast, probably at Port Kembla, just south of Sydney, and the Stirling naval base near Perth would have to be expanded. Submarine manufacturing capabilities centred on Adelaide would need to be strengthened. Babbage also indicated the vast sums of money to be spent, on top of the billions of dollars to be paid to the French Naval company for pulling out of the Australian governments 2015 contract for it to build a fleet of diesel-powered submarines. The best option will probably be the Virginia with VPM, possibly with a small number of British systems fitted. Modest customisation and domestic construction will incur additional expense but should result in a unit price of $11 billion to $14 billion per boat. The submarine plan is part of a deeper integration of Australia into US war plans. Australia is to become a continent-wide US base of operations, with thousands of American troops, warplanes, nuclear-armed warships and other essential war-fighting facilities, in addition to the existing key bases like the Pine Gap satellite communications and weapons guidance station, near Alice Springs in the centre of Australia. At a meeting in Washington the day after the AUKUS announcement, the US and Australian defence and foreign ministers issued a communique that expanded the Force Posture basing agreement initially signed by the Gillard Labor government with the Obama administration in 2011, which included hosting US marines near the northern strategic city of Darwin. The opposition Labor Party, in line with its decades-long commitment to the US alliance, immediately backed the AUKUS pact, having been consulted about it in advance. Its only difference, echoing pro-US military and strategic think tanks, was to criticise the Liberal-National government for delaying the planned arrival of new submarines. Labors shadow foreign affairs minister Penny Wong said: This new plan will not be on line until 204015 years later than what future subs were originally planned for. The Morrison-Joyce government must ensure there is not a capability gap as a result of this governments chopping and changing. Senator Wong used a speech to the government-backed United States Studies Centre on Thursday to reiterate that Labor supported the governments embrace of nuclear propulsion for the submarines, while again raising concern about the delay in acquiring them. Wong offered Labors services to the government to help jointly stifle popular opposition to the submarine pact and the underlying war preparations. She urged the government to bring Labor into the tent and adopt Labor leader Anthony Albaneses proposal for a bipartisan consultation mechanism on the submarine program. Successive Australian governments, including the Labor governments of Hawke and Keating from 1983 to 1996 and of Rudd and Gillard from 2007 to 2013, have increasingly integrated the countrys armed forces into the US military, as part of the Australian imperialisms strategic dependence on Washington since World War II. On September 16, Keaira Marsenburg, a Dana worker at Toledo Driveline, was fired from her job at the plant in a company- and union-backed conspiracy to remove the most class-conscious and militant workers from the shop floor amid ongoing negotiations between the UAW, USW and Dana Inc. Keaira has worked at the plant since 2018. Due to high turnover rates as a result of unbearable working conditions, she is one of just a handful of workers who have been there since the plant opened that year. Keaira M, fired Dana Toledo worker Workers at all Dana plants and at workplaces everywhere need to take this firing as a warning and demand the immediate reinstatement of her job with full backpay for time lost. Send your statement in support of Keaira to the Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee (DWRFC) at danawrfc@gmail.com. Starting out at Dana Keaira described what it was like when she got hired in. When I first started at Dana, it was pretty rough. I started in 2018. We were working 12 hours, seven days a week. Then we went to three shifts. That made it a little better, but we were still working every day, it just made it less hours a day, so it was eight hours instead of 12. At the time we werent union, so it was everything the company says, goes. The company was writing everyone up over anything. If they didnt like you, they would find ways to write you up. It wasnt legitimate. They worked us a lot, and we didnt do nothing but work. I would come home, take a nap, get back up and do it all over again. I did it for two and a half months. Declining working conditions Working at Dana has not at all been what I would have expected. My grandfather, he retired from Ford. I actually have family members at Chrysler who have been there for 30 years. Compared to me, they actually get treated pretty well. Im not saying that it hasnt been without issue or difficulty, theyve been there years and theyve been through some stuff but not like this. I really thought things would be different, especially when you give so much to a company like Dana. I gave so much of my time and my life and my body that I definitely would have expected a little bit better treatment. Company harassment In spite of the fact that Keaira worked 12-hour days, seven days a week, Dana Inc. has harassed and written her up for petty and illegitimate infractions since the beginning, including but not limited to bathroom breaks and taking time off work. She has fought back against each write-up and, until this summer, won all of her grievances against the company. I am one of the more vocal employees there, so Im pretty much educated when it comes to the policies in the contract. I read up on a lot of it. I read up on other companies too, so I know how things are supposed to go. Im an older employee, meaning Ive been there since 2018 when it opened. So Im more informed with how things go. Dana was writing me up all the time, and I would go back and say that I wasnt violating any policy or contract. Dana tries to pull the wool over your eyes, make you feel like you dont know what youre talking about. But I know my rights, and I know how to handle things. I got a write-up from a supervisor once which made me feel like I had to know my rights. They wrote me up and said I was in the bathroom too long. I asked them to pull up the cameras to show when I went in the bathroom and when I left, because they had said I was in there for an hour, but they wouldnt do it. They refused to show the footage. I had to basically turn into my own investigator and once I saw that they wouldnt pull up those cameras I started keeping all my own records in line because I know they were waiting for all these write-ups to pile up on me to get me out of there. Dana Toledo is unionized She explained how the UAW became involved at the plant. It was a lot of whispering, we didnt know too much that was going on. It was my first time in a union shop. The UAW wasnt really verbal or communicating. Pretty much everybody just came to the unionization vote to get it out the way and get a raise. A lot of people were fresh and didnt know much about the union. Dana's Toledo Driveline plant in Toledo, Ohio (WSWS photo) And honestly, I didnt know. I just thought we might get a little bit of protection. I was on my last write-up at the time. Dana was trying to pile write-ups on me even before we were union. So I was on my last one. At the beginning it was okay because we had a certain committee who was trying to prove they were trustworthy. But now? They dont care. If you arent their friend, theyll throw you under the bus. They dont help you, they dont communicate, its really bad. Keaira decided to run for vice chair at her plant earlier this year in an attempt to improve the conditions inside the plant for her coworkers and herself but was quickly disillusioned. Its just how they handled everything about the whole voteit was suspicious. A lot of people talked to me afterward and said they were confused because they voted for me and didnt understand how it turned out that way. These people who are on the UAW committee right now are the exact same ones who were on it and have been around since the UAW first came in. This election, they told us at the last minute. We dont have any bylaws so they pretty much did what they wanted to do. They set up an election time and date that was convenient to them. A lot of people were out on COVID leave, and we had people sign up for Dry Ridge, Kentucky to go work down there, so at least 30 people who went down to Dry Ridge couldnt even vote. The union rushed it when they knew people wouldnt be around, so we had to hurry up and vote, and had no time, so we kind of knew it was setup. The setup Before the contract negotiations, Keaira won every dispute she had filed over petty write-ups from the company, including against the notoriously faulty call-in system. Her fight against the company took a turn for the worse when the UAW got involved. I had just run for vice chair. I had no legitimate write-ups before I ran. Everything was good. For the last two or three months they had been piling up write-ups on me. The first write-up they were trying to suspend me. But they took it away because it got thrown out, and then gave me another one. Theres a policy on the call-off line to call off 30 minutes before our shift. Its an ongoing problem Ive been having with Danathey know their call-off line is horrible [with technical issues]. The company admitted to the problems with the call-in line, which is why they were forced to throw that first one out. In order to dispute the write-up, youre supposed to be able to prove that you called, like sending a screenshot of the call attempt or your call log. But they just stopped accepting my proof for call-off, saying they cant prove it any more. It put me at a risk warning. Keaira explained that many of her coworkers have experienced the same problem with the faulty call-in line, that it is common knowledge in the plant that it is broken, and that call logs are widely accepted as proof. She knew she was being set up for a firing attempt. Since the first write-up from this summer was thrown out due to overwhelming evidence that the call-in line does not work, they had to come up with another way to write her up. My second write-up came about a week after that. This time it was my own union steward who went to HR, lied and said I walked passed her line and made her feel threatened. So they automatically pulled me in the office. They pulled up two old screenshots from my Facebook page and said my posts and me walking past her line was a threat to Dana. So my union steward had someone go to my personal Facebook page, get screenshots of two posts I made while I was out on quarantine, and then used those posts against me like a month later to help get me fired. These posts had nothing to do at all with Dana. Absolutely nothing. Not only that, it was my union committee person who actually sent the screenshots to HR! I cannot make this upthis is all facts. This is my own UAW committee, the people who are supposed to be protecting my job, they are the ones who are going to HR to help get me fired. They suspended me for five days because of this accusation from the union steward. Her intention was to get me fired. They suspended me, took my badge, then called me back and said I could come back. I asked what was the conclusion to the investigation, and I never received a clear answer. My next write-up would have been a termination. Fired by the UAW Keaira continues: My union knew I had two write-ups in grievance mode. This whole time I got the union sitting on my grievances, and Im one away from getting fired. I had a problem with the call-in line again, provided my proofwhich they didnt acceptand that put me in termination mode. Basically, all the things in the last three months is them trying to pile these write-ups on me before a contract because I am one of about 60 people who has been there since 2017-18, since the beginning. Ive been there since 2018, Ive been written up probably over 10 times, and I fought every last oneand won. My first time not beating a write-up is with this UAW committee, and I feel like its only because Im not their favorite person. I just ran against these people in the election, and not only that, I was speaking my mind and speaking facts when we just had our discussion before this contract was up. Removed from union page without notice They just kicked me out of the UAW Facebook group too. No notice, no nothing. The UAW has no intention on fighting for my job at all. In all of this Im reaching out to them, theyre not reaching out to me. They just kicked me out the group, kicked me out of the building, and told me to figure it out. One of my other coworkers also got kicked out of the UAW Dana page, along with a few other people. Anytime you voice your opinion, anytime you say something that goes against what the UAW wants, they do what they can to silence you and they kick you out of the group. This UAW page is supposed to be a page where the committee shares information with its members. So why are they just deciding to pick who gets to be in it or not? Why are they kicking people out for asking questions or disagreeing? If you dont kiss the chairpersons ass, its like, Forget you. And it isnt just meits a lot of workers who have been getting treated nasty by the UAW, people getting kicked out of the UAW group, and getting intimidation or threats. Dana workers need to defend Keairas job Them firing me, this is the best move that they could have done. They knew that if they fired me, then it meant that everyone in the whole building would have to bow down to them. Its like chess. They think: We gotta get rid of the queen so the rest will fold. If we knock the head off this giant, then the rest of the body will fall. Thats basically what their concept or motto is. They knew they had to get this girl fired. I do everything Im supposed to do, and I know my rights. Ive been there since the beginning and I speak up, I dont bite my tongue, and I talk to people. So a lot of people will follow what I do, and the last thing they want is 10 of me running around in that building or at other Dana plants. If I get my job back, it will be due to you all helping me; it will be due to my efforts and to the efforts of the Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee and the Autoworker Newsletter. The UAW is not going to put in any effort to get my job back. Getting my story out, this is just the first step. The next one has to be getting out there and talking to people. I feel connected with mostly everyone in the building. And I think we have a lot of good people on our team. Building this rank-and-file committee should be a top priority for everyone right now because the UAW is trying to make it look like you all [at the Autoworker Newsletter ] are the criminals, like its the Newsletter who doesnt want to help us the workers, when its really the other way around. The Newsletter is the one keeping us informed about everything, and the UAW dont keep us informed about anything. A lot of people need to get more involved with the DWRFC. The UAW is misinforming the workers about the Newsletter, and it needs to stop. Its very important that people should join this wave because Dana is just going to keep getting more hours worked from us. Send your statement in support of Keaira to the Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee (DWRFC) at danawrfc@gmail.com or text 248-602-0936. An outbreak of the highly-infectious Delta variant in Victoria has surpassed the states daily infection records, with cases today rising above 800 amid indications that the virus is spreading out of control. With New South Wales (NSW) continuing to register more than 1,000 infections per day, the healthcare systems in the countrys two most populous states are threatened with collapse. Official modelling from the Victorian and NSW governments predicts that the hospitals are likely to be overwhelmed in coming weeks, as admissions and intensive care unit (ICU) cases exceed capacity. Todays tally of 847 infections in Victoria is far above the peak of a second wave that struck the state from June to August last year. The highest daily total registered in that surge was 725. Pedestrians walk away from the central business district in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020 [Credit: AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake] The divergent responses to the two outbreaks, last year and this, underscore the extent to which the ruling elite and all its political representatives have openly embraced the homicidal theories of herd immunity. Labor and Liberal-National governments, at the state and federal levels, insist that the population must live with the virus for the indefinite future, as the necessary cost of shoring up corporate profit-making activities. In August 2020, the Victorian Labor government instituted a relatively stringent stage four lockdown, including some workplace closures, as infections rose above 700. The belated measures were a response to widespread anger among health staff and other sections of the working class over the previous failures of the government to introduce necessary safety measures, as well as fears of a hospital system crash. A year on, the new record level of infections has been met with plans for the lifting of inadequate lockdown measures currently in place, and a reopening of the economy dictated by big business. Last Sunday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews unveiled a roadmap to terminate the current lockdown next month, based on an arbitrary measure of 70 percent adult vaccination, and lift most safety restrictions once that figure reaches 80 percent. Modelling commissioned by the government indicates that this will result in soaring infection rates, a 63 percent probability of hospital capacity being exceeded and more than 2,000 deaths by the end of the year. Andrews insisted that while these figures were sobering, they would have to be accepted by the population. We have to normalise this; we have to pass through this pandemic. We cannot have a perpetual suppression of this virus. There will be pain, it will be challenging, Andrews said. In line with Andrews repudiation of any attempt to eliminate transmission in the current outbreak, the existing restrictions are allowing the spread of the virus. Most factories and industrial workplaces have remained open throughout a partial lockdown. This has led to infections being centred in the working-class suburbs of northern, western and southeastern Melbourne, which frequently account for 90 percent or more of daily cases. Construction sites remained open until last week, when the government hurriedly shut them after mass infections in the sector were confirmed. A single site in Box Hill has been linked to more than 130 cases, while the industry has accounted for up to 13 percent of all infections. The reproduction rate of the virus is up to 1.33, indicating that on average, each person is transmitting the disease to more than one other individual. This signifies that infection numbers will continue to grow. Experts have warned that the real rate of infections is likely far higher. Testing rates in the state have been abysmally low. Even with an increase over the past week, the 7-day average of daily tests only stands at 57,106. In comments to the Financial Review, Australian National University infectious diseases expert Peter Collignon estimated that Victoria would identify around 10 to 20 percent more cases per day if testing numbers were doubled. What worries me is that if you look at testing in Victoria, its population is similar to NSW but [testing] is at least half, if not one-third, of what its been in NSW, he said. The implication of that is that youre missing more cases. Even before the substantial case numbers of recent days translate into serious illness, Victorias hospitals are under intense pressure. As in all states, chronic underfunding means that health facilities operate at or near capacity levels, even outside of COVID surges. There are currently 321 people in hospital with COVID-19, 65 in ICU and 45 on ventilators. With a population of almost seven million, Victoria has just 403 staffed and open ICU beds, so COVID patients already account for almost 17 percent of capacity. Burnet Institute modelling, underpinning the governments reopening plan, predicts that in December there will be between 462 and 953 COVID patients requiring ICU treatment, far above existing capacity. This week, Andrews walked back months-long claims that his government could establish an additional 4,000 ICU beds, a spurious claim that was used to justify the reopening plan. Hospitals will need to scramble to establish makeshift ICU wards. Medical professionals have told the Age that the state could treat a maximum of 700 COVID ICU patients, and this would have a flow-on effect on other hospital services. The same situation exists in NSW, where the state Liberal-National government is pressing ahead with its own roadmap to end inadequate lockdown measures. Government ministers have said the 70 percent vaccination threshold will likely be reached early next month, with the termination of the lockdown scheduled for October 11. While daily infection growth has slowed over the past fortnight, cases still sit at over one thousand and the government has declared that its lifting of restrictions will result in a dramatic increase. Health workers in the state are continuing to speak out and refute government assertions that the hospital system is coping. One told the Guardian this week: Wards are needing to be opened to admit COVID-19 positive or close contact patients and there are inadequate staff to care for them. The worker continued: We are completely overwhelmed. To be honest, we were overwhelmed before this current wave of the pandemic hit. Staff are past breaking point The pressure has never been so intense. Patient care is being rushed/hurried/compromised to meet targets or to avoid us ending up in the media again. Another health worker explained that rising hospitalisations had already resulted in a major crisis. Other wards are being forgotten. Acute wards are not being staffed, our nursing colleagues are being deployed to the COVID-19 wards and the staff to patient ratios are breaking down. The NSW government has predicted that hospitals will enter into a code black in late October, signifying that demand is greater than system-wide capacity. This would activate triage protocols. Some critically-ill patients could be denied treatment or have their care withdrawn, because of insufficient resources. Independent modelling, conducted by the OzSAGE group of epidemiologists, predicts that the code black could last for five weeks over the Christmas and New Year period. A new report, jointly issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) on work-related deaths for the year 2016, shows that workplace-related diseases and injuries led to the deaths of 1.9 million people in that year. The WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-Related Burden of Disease and Injury, 2000-2016, conducted before the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, gives a glimpse of the terrible toll taken on the international working class by the insatiable profit drive of the corporations. Globally, 34.3 out of every 100,000 people over age 15 die each year from work-related causes. The WHO/ILO study was compiled using strict statistical standards with the collaboration of more than 220 experts from 35 countries. It considers risk factors, including exposure to carcinogens, air pollution, workplace injuries and long working hours. It concluded that long work hours, 55 or more per week, was the largest single contributor to worker mortality, accounting for 750,000 deaths annually. Workplace exposure to air pollution was responsible for 450,000 deaths. Occupational injuries killed 360,000 annually. The WHO/ILO study examined 41 selected pairs of occupational risk factors and health outcomes. In 2016, 1.88 million deaths and 89.72 million disability-adjusted life years (DALY) were estimated to be caused by 41 occupational risk pairs. Non-communicable disease accounted for 81 percent of occupational deaths. This included 450,000 deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (400,000 deaths) and ischemic heart disease (350,000 deaths), mostly related to long work hours. In addition to overwork, huge numbers of workers fall victim to numerous other hazards. The next leading cause of workplace deaths are occupational exposure to particulate matter, gases and fumes, and occupational injuries. These categories account for 450,381 and 363,283 deaths each year, respectively. Of the 363,283 deaths due to occupational injuries, the largest number involved traffic and transport-related causes. Motor vehicle road injuries killed 76,946 annually and pedestrian road injuries 72,157. The report notes that the actual number of deaths from disease are undercounted, since some categories are not considered in the survey. While overall occupation-related deaths fell 14 percent between 2000 and 2016, deaths from stroke and heart disease related to overwork rose 19 percent and 41 percent respectively. A disproportionate number of work-related deaths impacted workers in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific, as well as males and people over the age of 54. Several major industrial countries registered particularly heavy death rates, such as the United Kingdom, with 41.5 deaths per 100,000, and Italy, at 38.2 per 100,000. Mexican workers work the most hours per year, 2,225 hours, followed by South Korea at 2,113. (World Atlas) However, the United States is the most overworked developed nation in the world, according to many others studies. It is one of the few countries in the world that does not have a maximum workweek, and the only country in the Americas without a national paid parental leave benefit. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, full-time workers worked an average of 43 hours a week in the US, but in many industries like manufacturing six- or seven-day weeks are common, with workers clocking 60, 70 or even 80 hours. All of these deaths are preventable, International Labour Organization chief Guy Ryder correctly noted in a video message on the report. We can and we must ensure safe and healthy workplaces for all workers. In issuing the report, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated, Its shocking to see so many people literally being killed by their jobs. Our report is a wake-up call to countries and businesses to improve and protect the health and safety of workers by honouring their commitments to provide universal coverage of occupational health and safety services. However, such pleas are sure to fall on deaf ears. Indeed, The WHO/ILO report was barely noted by the corporate media, who are systematically downplaying the impact of a pandemic that continues to kill over 10,000 people each day worldwide. This annual toll of premature death and terrible suffering has been raised to a new level by the COVID-19 pandemic. The spread of the deadly virus, in which workplaces, including schools, are a deadly vector of transmission, adds a whole new dimension to future surveys. The pressure by the banks and finance houses to further ramp up the exploitation of workers has only grown under the impact of the global pandemic. Vast amounts have been handed over to the corporations, money that must be repaid by imposing even higher levels of exploitation. Official estimates place the global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic at 4.7 million, well over twice the annual death toll from work-related causes. However, the official toll from COVID is also likely a vast undercount. The Economist published an estimate, based on an examination of death records, that placed the real toll at more than three times the official figure, or over 15 million. The WHO/ILO report makes clear that the expansion of the workweek is a form of social murder whose impact is quantifiable. Historically, the fight for the shortening of the workday and the workweek has been the focus of bitter struggles by the working class for more than two centuries. The report demonstrates the inability of the capitalist system, despite vast technological advances, to provide the basic minimum standards for a healthy work environment. The barbaric conditions laid bare in this report point to the necessity of a global struggle against the source of the problem, capitalism. The return of diplomats and politicians to midtown Manhattan for the annual September UN General Assembly meeting has been good news for the hotels. But will it justify the journeys? Last year's General Assembly was not just virtual in attendance. It was also virtual in substance. It showcased the world's problems with beggar-thy-neighbor politics and evidence-light policymaking -- even in the face of Covid-19's historic, and shared, thread. Then-President Donald Trump was not the only guilty party. The results of this failure to cooperate -- through the UN, other institutions, and in general -- have been clear: Since the start of the pandemic, the number of people globally in need of assistance rose by about 40% -- up to 235 million -- with financial instability, hunger, out-of-school children and gender inequity all on the rise worldwide. At the 2021 UN General Assembly, there is no excuse for inaction. Eighteen months since the pandemic brought the world to a standstill, the world's three major challenges -- Covid-19, the climate crisis and conflict -- call out for much stronger global leadership. Afghanistan shows the human impact of these three interconnected crises. Even before the Taliban's takeover of Kabul, the pandemic, climate-related drought and decades of conflict drove the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance to more than 18 million -- nearly double in just a year. Afghans need more of the right kind of help. Nearly 90% of humanitarian need is concentrated in just 20 countries. Here is what they need to hear from world leaders. Most pressing on the agenda is joining forces to halt the current wave of global Covid-19 cases, as the Delta variant in particular poses challenges to global defenses. It's clear that vaccines are the most effective line of defense against serious illness and death. They have, however, become the privilege of the rich -- with the global vaccine partnership COVAX cutting its expected access to doses through the year's end from 1.9 billion to 1.4 billion. In a race to defeat variants, the US, UK, and other countries are starting to offer booster shots to their citizens, while less than 2% of people in many of the countries the IRC deems most fragile from a humanitarian perspective have received even a single dose of any vaccine. President Joe Biden made a bold commitment Wednesday to donate an additional 500 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines globally. But scaling up the supply of shots won't solve the problem unless those shots get into the arms of people in need. The weakness of national health systems means that in some fragile states, vaccine delivery costs more than four times as much as these countries spend on health care per person each year. Lack of capacity also makes it difficult to detect and respond to threats like new variants and clusters. For this General Assembly to be successful, the UN must recognize critical gaps in health systems -- and channel funding to the frontline NGOs best placed to reach the most vulnerable. President Biden also announced Wednesday new funding commitments toward vaccine distribution, but for distribution efforts to be successful, the international community must recognize critical gaps in health systems -- and channel funding to the frontline NGOs best placed to reach the most vulnerable. Currently, just over 20% of humanitarian funding goes to NGOs, according to UN statistics, and that funding can take months to reach them. The climate crisis is second on the docket. Just last month, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report on irreversible changes to our climate that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called a "code red for humanity." Yet, national commitments remain too small or nonexistent. The world cannot afford to have the US, China and others point fingers; top greenhouse-gas emitters need to step up, in support of both adaptation to the climate crisis and limiting emissions to mitigate it. Resources must be directed to programs that build "climate resilience," preparing communities to confront the impacts of climate change. Needless to say, steps must also be taken to lessen greenhouse gas emissions, prevent environmental degradation and rebuild biodiversity. Communities need financial support and decision-making power to address their own unique challenges. But these two crises -- Covid-19 and climate -- are only part of what the world faces. The true test of the UN's continued relevance is whether it can make a dent in the endemic conflict and violence driving humanitarian need, from Afghanistan to Yemen to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Conflict is the single biggest driver of hunger globally, according to the World Food Program. Likewise, the World Bank has warned that conflict is responsible for 80% of all humanitarian need. Because of these three crises, progress toward the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals has stalled dramatically. Even before the pandemic, the IRC sounded the alarm that four out of five fragile and conflict-affected states were off track to meet the SDGs; that risk has only deepened as Covid-19 has fueled further insecurity. Aside from the tragic backsliding in global development gains, this toxic mix of Covid, climate and conflict will make responding to future threats all the more difficult. Nearly 60 years ago, US President John F. Kennedy proclaimed a "declaration of interdependence," a recognition that the great challenges of the modern era could not be addressed through "the individual liberty of one," but instead required common cause to protect "the indivisible liberty of all." This month's gathering at the UN should be a recommitment to that declaration of interdependence -- to meeting shared challenges with collective action, not go-it-alone attitudes to the detriment of all. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. (CNN) -- An international group of 13 scientists has released a statement calling for the health care community to carefully consider the use of acetaminophen (APAP) during pregnancy until the painkiller is thoroughly investigated for any potential impact on fetal development in the womb. Outside the United States, acetaminophen is known as paracetamol. According to the statement published Thursday in the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology, a growing body of research shows that "prenatal exposure to APAP might alter fetal development, which could increase the risks of some neurodevelopmental, reproductive and urogenital disorders." The statement is not health guidance, but urges health care providers and regulators to take action. "The authors are not recommending anything counter to what is already done by obstetrician-gynecologists when prescribing acetaminophen for a given clinical condition," said Dr. Christopher Zahn, vice president of practice activities for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, who was not involved in the statement. "However, as always, any medication taken during pregnancy should be used only as needed, in moderation, and after the pregnant patient has consulted with their doctor," he added. 'Medically indicated' Signed by 91 scientists from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, Israel, Scotland, the UK and US, the consensus statement calls for pregnant women to be cautioned to "forgo use" of acetaminophen during pregnancy "unless its use is medically indicated." Even after getting approval from a physician, the statement said, women should "minimize exposure by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time." "There are good medical reasons for pregnant women to use APAP, after consulting physicians or pharmacists, and that is for fever and severe pain," said David Kristensen, an associate professor of cell biology and physiology at the University of Copenhagen and one of the 13 co-authors of the statement. High fever is a known risk for multiple fetal disorders, "including neural tube defects and later life cardiovascular disorders," the statement noted. However, studies show only a third of pregnant women use acetaminophen to treat fever, the statement added. Instead, "headache, muscle pain, back pain and infection" were the most common reasons for use. "Data suggests more than 50% of women worldwide are using APAP during their pregnancies," Kristensen said. "Many of these women do not consider APAP as a true medication that can have potential side effects. "It is those women who do not consider it as a true medication that we are trying to reach and want them to reflect a moment on their use," he added. Limited options Acetaminophen has been the only pain reliever generally considered safe for use throughout pregnancy, which leaves mothers-to-be with few medical options if it is shown to be harmful to a fetus. "Ibuprofen has already been linked with birth defects and damage to the baby's heart and blood vessels," while high doses of aspirin have been linked to "bleeding in the brain and congenital defects," said pediatrician Dr. Leonardo Trasande, director of environmental pediatrics at NYU Langone Health, who was not involved with the creation of the statement. "Research on acetaminophen shows this is an emerging field of concern," Trasande said. "I'm always going to say that further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and to control for other exposures. But the fact is there is substantial evidence to suggest that at the very least, this is a hazard for the fetus." Melissa Munoz, the media relations director for Johnson & Johnson, told CNN in an email that "the label on our adult TYLENOL products, in which acetaminophen is the active ingredient, states, "If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. "The current evidence does not support a causal link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and the risk of adverse neurological, urogenital and reproductive outcomes. Consumers who have medical concerns or questions about acetaminophen should contact their health care professional." In their analysis of existing research on acetaminophen, the authors of the statement found that short term use -- two weeks or less -- carried the least risk. "It is among the women reporting use for a longer duration -- about two weeks or over two weeks during pregnancy -- that's where the strongest associations are," Kristensen said. Those results suggest that "short-term use may be less of a risk, which gives healthcare providers and pregnant women some reassuring leeway for the occasional use of APAP," said Jane Houlihan, research director for Healthy Babies Bright Futures, an alliance of non-profit organizations which tracks babies' exposures to toxic chemicals that harm brain development. Reproductive and neurological impact Scientists have been studying the potential impact of acetaminophen on the developing fetus for some time. One reason is a similarity between APAP and a group of synthetic chemicals called phthalates, which are found in hundreds of auto, home, food and personal care items. "Acetaminophen's chemical structure and the way it breaks down seems to have a similar backbone to phthalates," said NYU's Trasande, who researches the impact of chemicals on babies. In their analysis of the studies. Lab studies, animal research and 29 studies of acetaminophen use in 220,000 mother and child pairs have been done, the statement said, including two studies that found acetaminophen in cord blood and meconium, the baby's first stool. "There is now a significant body of evidence that suggests that APAP disrupts the reproductive development of animals and humans," said co-author Shanna Swan, a professor of environmental medicine and public health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. "There's enough evidence to find increased risk of undescended testicles and a shortening of the ano-genital distance, which is a predictive of later decreased sperm count and decreased fertility," Swan said. "We also see impaired ovarian function which has consequences for later fertility, although females have been less studied." Twenty-six of the mother and child studies found a link between acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes, the statement noted. "The identified disorders were primarily attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and related ADHD behavior abnormalities that also include autism spectrum disorder, language delays, decreased IQ and conduct disorders," said co-author Ann Bauer, a postdoctoral fellow and researcher at the Center for Autism Research & Education at UMass Lowell. Research needed ACOG's Zahn disagreed with the statement's conclusions. "This consensus statement, and studies that have been conducted in the past, show no clear evidence that proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during any trimester and fetal developmental issues," ACOG's Zahn said. "Neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular, are multifactorial and very difficult to associate with a singular cause," Zahn continued. "The brain does not stop developing until at least 15 months of age, which leaves room for children to be exposed to a number of factors that could potentially lead to these issues." There are many areas that need further study, according to the statement, which is why the group is calling for a massive research effort -- while at the same time cautioning pregnant women against using acetaminophen without medical supervision. "The ideal human study has not been done," Swan said, adding that more objective measures of when during pregnancy and how long a baby was exposed are needed. "And then we have to follow these children, and look not only at their general development at birth and 1 year of age, but also how was their neurodevelopment over time. Then I think we'd clear up a lot of these uncertainties." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. DAVIESS COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - There is a lot of farmland in DaviessCounty. Lots of wide-open spaces. It's the type of area folks looking to move away from big city life would be looking for. Bryant Niehoff with the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation says, "As someone who chose to move to this community, you don't know what this community is about until you're here." Niehoff moved to Daviess County to take charge of the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation. For the last 3 years, he's been working to bring folks to the community. Now thanks to Radius Indiana he and Daviess County have a little extra help. Jeff Quyle with Radius Indiana explains, "It's exciting when we have a project like this that lets us peek behind a different curtain and look at something like population attraction as a new field for us to explore." Radius Indiana is attracting people to move to three different counties. The way they're doing that is simple...pay them. Quyle says, "Taking communities like Daviess county, or Orange county, or Dubois county and offering a population incentive. We didn't know what the right amount was to offer." After talking it over Radius settled on five thousand dollars. Each county has different criteria for who can get the five-grand check. Daviess county has two different criteria. Money is offered to people who are moving to the county from out of state. Niehoff says, "Or a recent college graduate that is getting into the workforce for the first time." Both criteria attack two key areas that Daviess county struggles with. Bringing out-of-state folks in and retaining those high skilled students. Both groups hope giving an incentive will help to grow southern Indiana. Niehoff explains, "Once you're here you truly realize how wonderful of a community that this is to work in. We just need that extra nudge to get them here." For more information: Click Here PARIS, Ill. (WTHI) - The Edgar County, Illinois square is bustling with activity this weekend. That's because it's time for the annual Honeybee Festival! Organizers told News 10 the event is even bigger this year after taking a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vendors and food stands are spread out across and around the courthouse lawn, ready to welcome visitors on Friday and Saturday. Joy Turner is one of those vendors. She co-owns Larkfield Glass with her husband, Randy, who hand-crafts the glass they sell. Turner said they always enjoy taking part in the weekend event. "We've been to quite a series of festivals with our glass over the last month, and we look forward to this one, and this is the one where, when our business was just starting up and we were just beginning to sell glass, we did well," she said. Turner said business slowed last year at the start of the pandemic, but it has since picked up throughout the year. "I think the feeling of people supporting local businesses was only intensified by the pandemic. I think people realized if we don't support our local business, we'll lose them," she explained. Local business seems to be the heart of the Honeybee Festival. Organizer Brian Blair hopes the festival's location benefits local store owners, as they are open for customers. "The goal is to grow this, and with all the new businesses downtown, bring business to them and give them exposure to the products they're selling," Blair said. When News 10 asked Blair and Turner about favorites at the festival, the verdict seemed clear. "The favorite is probably the parade, just because families bring out their kids and the kids love getting candy and seeing all the floats. The next favorite is probably pancakes," Blair said. Turner agreed, saying "We really like the Kiwanis tent with the pancakes and sausage first thing in the morning, and the parade is kind of the heart of the festival and is wonderful to watch." Activities continue Saturday on the square, including the parade through downtown Paris at 11 a.m., Central time. For a list of other activities happening during the Honeybee Festival, click here. MOUNT VERNON, Ind. (AP) A former town marshal has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting a southwest Indiana sheriffs deputy in the head last weekend, critically wounding him. Paul Wiltshire, who was also shot when officers returned fire, was formally charged following his release Wednesday from a hospital, said Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Todd Ringle. Wiltshire, 70, was being held without bond at the Warrick County Jail, the Evansville Courier & Press reported. Online court records show Wiltshire is scheduled for an initial hearing on Monday, but they do not list an attorney who could speak on his behalf. The former New Harmony town marshal allegedly opened fire from inside his home on Sept. 18, striking Posey County Sheriffs Deputy Bryan Hicks in the head after the deputy and other officers responded to a call at Wiltshires New Harmony home. A probable cause affidavit states that the shooting began when Wiltshire allegedly threatened to kill his wife and shoot anyone who came to (the) residence. Hicks, 41, remains in critical but stable condition at an Evansville hospital, police have said. Ringle told the Courier & Press on Monday that he would not release any updates on the deputys condition unless something bad happens or something really good happens. His shooting was the first officer-involved shooting since at least 1994 in New Harmony, a historic Wabash River town about 180 miles (289.7 kilometers) southwest of Indianapolis. The shooting occurred as New Harmony was hosting an annual German festival called Kunstfest. (CNN) -- With children returning to school, there's a massive effort underway within many districts around the country to keep Covid-19 at bay. But additional issues -- stress and anxiety -- are finding their way in. Doctors and psychiatrists want parents to take note -- children may be bringing last year's pandemic stress into the classroom. Anxiety, together with depression and isolation, contributed to more parents reporting mental health problems with their kids last in 2020 compared to the year prior and 31% more visits to the emergency room for mental health problems in adolescents, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Carol Weitzman, a developmental behavioral pediatrician, said pandemic-related mental health problems won't go away now that kids are back in school and hanging out with friends again. "There's a very big chunk of kids who will be ready to go (back to school), but we've got to pay attention to those kids who aren't and think about what you need to re-enter school safely and with confidence," said Weitzman, co-director of the Autism Spectrum Center at Boston Children's Hospital and attending physician at the hospital's division of developmental medicine. Your child's silence doesn't always mean "stay away," said Weitzman, who also sees patients in Connecticut at the CT Center for Developmental Pediatrics and serves as president of the Society for Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics. As someone who spent the year talking to kids with all sorts of mental health issues, she sees this moment as an opportunity for families to strengthen their relationships and for caregivers to get better at recognizing when kids need help. Here's her advice. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. CNN: Kids and parents are eager to return to school, but you say there's a lot that we've lost. What do we still need to address with our kids? Dr. Carol Weitzman: I think we have had a year and a half of unusual and atypical experiences and a lot of loss: loss of normal day-to-day routine, loss of social relationships, loss of learning, loss of new experiences, loss of milestone events. Now we're going back -- there's an adjustment that has to happen to get back into a rhythm. There are also a lot of really disturbing, upsetting and tragic things that have happened in this period, and we could go back to school with enthusiasm, but those things still happened. We have to figure out how to make sense of that and we can have co-occurring and even conflicting feelings. You can be enthusiastic. You can look forward to going back to new things and still carry with you a lot of the loss and sorrow and anxiety from things that happened. You can feel both of those things. It's not one or the other. CNN: The National Institutes of Health says 1.5 million children lost a close caregiver, and they are grieving. How can that show up in their behavior? Weitzman: When it looks like grief, we are familiar with it. We're better at recognizing it. We're not even great at that sometimes, but we're better at recognizing it when kids are sad, tearful or talk about their loss. Grief can look like a lot of other things, too. It can look like loss of pleasure in things. It can look like changes in our day-to-day habits, in our eating and our sleeping habits. It can look like anger. It can look like irritability. It can look like inattention. It can look like poor school performance. When we see significant changes in functioning, getting a trauma history is just really essential, because trauma may be there. We don't always think about it when we see angry or argumentative or oppositional and non-compliant kids. But when we see change in function, we've got to ask about it. If you don't ask, we make the mistake of thinking it's one thing, when it can really be something else. CNN: What can parents say to start a conversation when they see a change in their kids? Weitzman: The biggest thing is in our mindset and in how we approach kids. We need to maintain a curious, interested and nonjudgmental stance toward kids, so that we really convey we are interested in just learning -- not fixing or judging We have to think about how we phrase things to kids. Asking kids, "Why are you fighting with everyone so much?", "What happened to you?" or Why are you doing so poorly in school?" are not invitations to talk. Children and adolescents tend to shut down when asked questions that sound like accusations. Negative language focuses on an undesirable behavior as opposed to understanding the problem that underlies the behavior. Curiosity and interest need to be paired with concern and an empathic stance. Try this instead: "It seems like it's harder for you to start doing your homework, and it didn't always used to be that way. I am concerned that something has changed, and I would like to understand that a bit better." Other examples of good places to start the conversation include the following: "This pandemic has been tough in so many ways and everyone has experienced this differently. It seems like you are not completely yourself, and I am here to listen. We can get through all this together" One can be direct, too: "I am worried that you may be thinking of hurting yourself. Would you be willing to talk about it and what's been bothering you?" These types of questions invite more dialogue and give a child or teen a chance to open up. CNN: Sometimes adults think kids don't want to talk when that's not necessarily true. Can you explain? Weitzman: In fact, oftentimes kids want to be asked. They want to know people care about them. They don't want to feel, as no human does, feelings of shame or embarrassment or that there's something wrong with them for having certain types of feelings. When we ask questions, we need to extend a helping hand in ways that don't kind of stir up feelings of shame or embarrassment. I saw a young teen the other day, and over this past year, he had a shocking number of absences that nobody in the school had drawn attention to. When I asked about it, he said to me, "I just hate asking for help. I'd like to be left alone." It turned out that he felt that if he asks for help, it makes him look weak or incompetent, like he's no good at anything. CNN: Is some level of stress and anxiety normal for kids? Weitzman: Some level of stress and anxiety is not just normal but can even be healthy and drive development, and we call this positive stress. When we study for tests, if we had no stress or anxiety, we'd feel like, "Eh... I don't really need to study." And small increases in our heart rate and elevations in our stress hormones can activate us toward needed action. The time we get into trouble is when children experience "toxic stress." That's when stress is chronic and unremitting. And importantly for a child, when there is no adult to help provide a protective bubble around them through supportive relationships, stress can become toxic, and unbuffered. CNN: When should a parent realize they need to call a mental health professional for help? Weitzman: When kids are not functioning well, when the moods are extreme and unremitting, when kids are not going to school, when they're not taking pleasure in things, when they're not eating, when they're not sleeping, when they're not engaging in the activities that they enjoyed in the past. Or when the kid is telling parents, "I'm overwhelmed. I can't manage." The parent can be a supportive person in their life, but they don't need to be a therapist. When symptoms are severe, or a parent or child is overwhelmed and in distress, it's time to bring in professionals. Keep the bar low in opting to get help. You don't have to be going under for the third time to get help. And we need to continue to lift any stigma about seeking help and convey that seeking mental health treatment is not a sign of being weak. CNN: Many parents are stressed out about Covid-19. Should they keep that from their kids? Weitzman: You do not want your children to own your stress. So, if you're talking to your kids about these things as a way to kind of unload your stress, that's probably not helpful. On the other hand, talking to children and teens at their level about safety in schools and sharing opinions and information is an important thing to do. It's important to be able to say, "You know, this is what I'm concerned about. Here's information I think you should know. Here's why I'm asking you to keep that mask on all the time." It also helps kids manage the tons of misinformation that is out there that can lead to distorted ideas and create unnecessary fear. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Many of you have called or emailed our newsroom asking about what appeared to be military helicopters flying over Terre Haute. News 10 has been working to gather information - and while we haven't been able to learn much, we have a little we can pass along. We first started hearing (and seeing) reports of the helicopters that appeared to be Black Hawks circling over the city. We started by reaching out to the Terre Haute Regional Airport. They told us they weren't aware of any flights like that. After that, News 10 tried the 181st Air Intelligence Wing with the Air National Guard, based out of Terre Haute. Officials there said they didn't have any information. Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse also didn't have anything to share. On Friday, we contacted the Indiana National Guard. Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry, with the Indiana National Guard, sent News 10 a response saying: "Army National Guard aviation assets were conducting operation in support of law enforcement agencies. The altitude, flight patterns and loiter time were in accordance with the operations they were supporting." Indiana State Police told News 10 it was part of their marijuana eradication team. STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - Its been up for debate since school started: mask or no mask. Friday morning, the CDC released a study showing the impacts of wearing a mask in school in three different studies. File Image | Photo Date: 3/24/2021 | Credit: City of Las Vegas File Image | Photo Date: 3/24/2021 | Credit: City of Las Vegas Masks played a major part in keeping students safe while in the classroom, per the studies. The CDC reported that nationwide, counties without masking requirements saw the number of pediatric Covid-19 cases increase nearly twice as quickly. One report from Arizona revealed that schools in two of the states most populous counties were 3.5 times more likely to have Covid outbreaks if masks werent required to start the school year. Locally, the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District is one of many that started the year with a mask requirement, and so far, has stayed in person. Folks in the community surrounding the school district seem to feel positive about masks and their impact. WTVA reporter Rhea Thornton spoke Friday with some community members. Watch the interviews in the video above. The CDC also highlighted that 96% of public schools have been able to remain open for full in-person learning. The search for Brian Laundrie, who according to a source left behind his wallet and cell phone when last seen departing his parents' home 10 days ago, ended on Friday at a nature reserve in southwestern Florida and will resume on Saturday, as new details emerged about the case. Laundrie is now the subject of a federal arrest warrant for events following the death of fiancee Gabby Petito, whose remains were found Sunday in Wyoming. The US District Court of Wyoming issued a warrant for Laundrie, according to the FBI's Denver field office, after a grand jury indicted him for his "use of unauthorized devices" after Petito died. Laundrie used a debit card and PIN number for accounts that did not belong to him for charges totaling more than $1,000 between the dates of August 30 and September 1, according to the indictment. An attorney for Laundrie's family emphasized that the warrant was not for Petito's death but related to activities that took place afterward. "It is my understanding that the arrest warrant for Brian Laundrie is related to activities occurring after the death of Gabby Petito and not related to her actual demise," Steve Bertolino said in a statement. "The FBI is focusing on locating Brian and when that occurs the specifics of the charges covered under the indictment will be addressed in the proper forum." FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider said, "While this warrant allows law enforcement to arrest Mr. Laundrie, the FBI and our partners across the country continue to investigate the facts and circumstances of Ms. Petito's homicide. We urge individuals with knowledge of Mr. Laundrie's role in this matter or his current whereabouts to contact the FBI." Local and federal officials searched again Friday for any signs of Laundrie in the Carlton Reserve, a roughly 25,000-acre nature preserve near his parents' home in North Port. Law enforcement began their search of the area after Laundrie's family told police last Friday that he had not been seen for days and that Laundrie told them he was headed to the reserve before not being heard from again. "We're looking through wooded areas, we're looking through bodies of water, we're looking through swampy areas," Commander Joe Fussell of the North Port Police Department said in a video shared online Friday. "And we're deploying the resources to be able to do that. We have air units, we have drones, we have the swamp buggies, air boats, multiple law enforcement agencies, we have ATVs, we have UTVs and we have officers on foot as well." The arrest warrant announced Thursday "doesn't change anything for us," Fussell said. "We're working as hard to find him now as we did on day one." The conditions investigators have been working in is seen in videos shared Friday by the North Port Police Department, which show murky water, muddy roads and thick vegetation. "Rough is an understatement," North Port police spokesperson Josh Taylor said Thursday of the conditions in the reserve. As the "major" part of the search ended Friday, Taylor said Saturday's and Sunday's efforts will be focusing on "areas of more likelihood." Law enforcement won't be providing regular updates unless something of note is found over the weekend, Taylor said. On Thursday, a source close to the Laundrie family told CNN's Chris Cuomo that Laundrie left his parents' home without his cell phone and wallet on the last day they reported seeing him. Laundrie's parents were concerned that he might hurt himself, the source said. Taylor declined to comment to CNN on the report, saying, "I cannot give any statement to a timeline at this time. That investigation is being conducted by the FBI." The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Tensions between the couple may have mounted, others say Witnesses are providing additional details about Petito and Laundrie in the lead up to their disappearances. A couple from Louisiana vacationing in Jackson, Wyoming, says they saw an incident last month in a restaurant involving Petito and Laundrie. Nina Angelo and her boyfriend, Matt England, saw a "commotion" as Petito and Laundrie were leaving The Merry Piglets Tex-Mex restaurant, Angelo told CNN on Wednesday. Petito was in tears and Laundrie was visibly angry, going into and out of the restaurant several times and continuing to show anger toward the staff around the hostess stand, Angelo said. The couples' waitress was also visibly shaken by the incident, according to Angelo, who told CNN she did not see any violence or physical altercation between Petito and Laundrie. A manager at Merry Piglets, who declined to give her name, did see "an incident" at the restaurant on August 27 and called the FBI on Wednesday, she told CNN. The manager declined to describe what happened and said the restaurant did not have surveillance video of the incident. Earlier in August, police in Moab, Utah, had an encounter with the couple, where officers describe them as having "engaged in some sort of altercation." Although the two are described as getting into a physical fight following an argument, "both the male and female reported they are in love and engaged to be married and desperately didn't wish to see anyone charged with a crime," a report from officer Eric Pratt says. Petito's memorial visitation set for Sunday Petito and Laundrie had posted online regularly about their travels with the hashtag #VanLife as they ventured out west, but those posts abruptly stopped in late August. Petito's family told police they were last in contact with her during the last week of August, North Port police say. Laundrie returned to the couple's home, where his parents also live, on September 1, according to police. Petito was reported missing September 11 after her family had not been able to get in touch with her. Her remains were discovered on September 19 in Wyoming's Bridger-Teton National Forest and were identified by a coroner two days later, according to the FBI. "The cause of death remains pending final autopsy results," the FBI said. A memorial visitation for Petito is planned for Sunday afternoon in Holbrook on Long Island in New York, according to Moloney's Holbrook Funeral Home. It will be open to the public. Richard Stafford, an attorney for Petito's family, confirmed in a statement Friday her funeral would be held Sunday, adding that the family has asked for donations to be made to the future Gabby Petito Foundation in lieu of flowers. On Wednesday, a small crowd gathered in Salt Lake City to mourn the death of Petito. "We won't forget about you. We won't let your light dim," vigil organizer Serena Chavez said before the group. "We will remember other women or children who are missing," Chavez continued. "Their families are devastated, and I can only imagine what Gabby's family is going through." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Afghan Refugees (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The FBI is investigating an alleged assault against a female US service member by a small number of male refugees near the Fort Bliss camp where they are being housed, officials said. The incident occurred on 19 September at Dona Ana Village, a short distance across the border in New Mexico, where Fort Bliss is overseeing temporary accommodations for thousands of evacuees from Afghanistan, base officials told the El Paso Times. Fort Bliss is located in Texas. We take the allegation seriously and appropriately referred the matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Bliss officials told the newspaper in an emailed statement. The safety and well-being of our service members, as well as all of those on our installations, is paramount. Special Agent Jeanette Harper of the FBIs El Paso division told local ABC affiliate KVIA that her office was investigating the allegation. Sources told the station that the woman had received medical care after the assault, which was not sexual in nature, but did not require hospitalization. Additional security and safety measures are being put into place at the complex, officials told the El Paso Times. Task Force-Bliss is also implementing additional security measures to include increased health and safety patrols, additional lighting, and enforcement of the buddy system at the Dona Ana Complex, officials said. We will cooperate fully with the FBI and will continue to ensure the service member reporting this assault is fully supported. An Afghan refugee went viral earlier this months and later received death threats after tweeting a photo of a paltry meal at Fort Bliss, where he was being housed following his evacuation and relocation. Hamed Ahmadi, a 28-year-old journalist and translator, told The Independent that conditions were cramped and minimalistic but he and his fellow refugees appreciated the US support in getting out of their home country which most did not want to leave but were forced to flee for their own safety. He said he and others were looking forward to being able to settle and get jobs to contribute to American society but had mixed feelings. I felt that sometimes, I had the privilege of fleeing Kabul ... and then I feel guilty about leaving everyone behind who are really in danger, he told The Independent. The Day family is mourning the death of 25-year-old Jelani Day. On Thursday, Sept. 23, the LaSalle County Coroner confirmed that a body found in the Illinois River on Sept. 4 belongs to the 25-year-old speech pathology student whose August disappearance was met with renewed interest in light of mainstream media's coverage of the Gabby Petito case. According to the press release, the coroner was able to match the remains to Jelani through dental records and DNA testing. A cause of death has not yet been determined. According to NBC News, Jelani was last seen on the Illinois State University campus on Aug. 24. Additionally, the Bloomington Police Department shared that security cameras recorded him visiting a cannabis dispensary earlier that morning. Then, two days later, investigators located his white Chrysler in Peru, Illinois, about an hour north of Bloomington. NBC News reports that Jelani's clothes were left in the vehicle. Police later conducted an extensive search of the area, using dogs, drones and officers to comb for any lead to Jelani's whereabouts. Craziest True Crime TV Moments However, the Day family believed that authorities weren't doing enough to find the 25-year-old, who was getting his master's degree with the hope of becoming a speech pathologist. D'Andre Day told NBC News, "Police can do a lot more." Jelani's mother, Carmen Day, said that she began to suspect something was amiss when she hadn't heard from her son in several days. She told NBC's Dateline, "I call him my bill collector child.' Because he just calls me and calls me, nonstop, several times a day. So to not hear from him in a week is very unlike him. Something's not right." Jelani Day Day's family has criticized authorities' handling of the case, citing the FBI involvement and nationwide attention surrounding Petito's case. The 22-year-old YouTuber, who was white, was found dead on Sunday, Sept. 19 in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. Her fiance, Brian Laundrie, is a person of interest in the case. Story continues D'Andre told NBC News, "The same manpower they gave her, I want the same manpower for my brother." "I understand what [Petito's] family is going through because we are going through that right now. Jelani just didn't disappear. Somebody knows what happened. Somebody needs to report what happened," D'Andre continued. "We need everybody involved, the same way they were involved with Gabby." After learning of Jelani's death, the family issued a statement to NBC Chicago, saying, "There are no words to clearly communicate our devastation." "Throughout these 30 days, our very first concern was finding Jelani, and now we need to find out #WhatHappenedToJelaniDay," they continued in part. "At this moment there are more questions than answers surrounding Jelani's disappearance and death, and that is where we will focus our energy. As of this moment, we do not know what happened to Jelani and we will not stop until we do." For more true crime updates on your need-to-know cases, head to Oxygen.com. Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Rob Morgan and Jonah Hill are facing the threat of a comet hitting Earth in a new clip from the Netflix movie Dont Look Up. The clip was shown during Netflixs Tudum event to showcase its upcoming TV series and movies. The dark sci-fi comedy, directed by Adam McKay, stars Lawrence and DiCaprio as two low-level astronomers who try to warn politicians and others that the Earth is in danger as a giant asteroid approaches, only to be met with apathy and skepticism. (The comparison to reactions to climate change are not a coincidence.) More from Variety Lawrence plays astronomy grad student Kate Dibiasky, who along with her professor, Dr. Randall Mindy, are not widely recognized in the astronomy world. But when theyre the first to realize the danger that could be heading straight toward Earth, they embark on a media tour to spread the word. Meryl Streep co-stars as the President of the United States, who seems dubious about their finding. Do you know how many the world is ending meetings weve had over the last two years? she asks in the first trailer. The star-studded cast also includes Tyler Perry, Timothee Chalamet, Ariana Grande and Cate Blanchett. Its set to have a limited run in theaters before landing on Netflix on Dec. 24. McKay, the director of Vice and The Big Short, told the New York Times in April that climate change was the original spark for the screenplay, but the pandemic enlarged the idea. That is kind of how it started. But then the pandemic hit. What that did was bring out what the movie is really about, which is how we communicate with each other. We cant even talk to each other anymore. We cant even agree. So its about climate change, but at its root its about what has the internet, what have cellphones, what has the modern world done to the way we communicate, he said. Story continues Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. As an emergency medicine and critical care doctor at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, I've lost count of the number of COVID-19 surges since the U.S. pandemic began in Seattle in February 2020. But this one feels different. The patients are younger. They have fewer preexisting medical conditions. And at my hospital, over 95% of these hospitalized patients share one common feature: They're unvaccinated. Read on to find out moreand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You May Have Already Had COVID. 1 The Vaccines are the Most Effective Tool We Have Doctor holding syringe in hospital. While I'm grateful to see news of the FDA's recent full approval of one of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, the science has been clear in my mind for quite some time. mRNA vaccines, first developed over nearly 50 years, are nothing short of a miracle of science designed for situations just like a respiratory virus pandemic. The vaccines are the most effective tool we have to prevent severe illness and hospitalization and protect our precious health care resources. Some of my colleagues just published a study showing exactly this. Of course, every medical treatment has risks and potential side effects, but we've witnessed the world's largest vaccine trial, with more than 200 million people in the U.S. receiving at least one dose. Doctors can confidently say that vaccine side effects are rare and generally mild, and rumors about vaccines altering DNA or causing infertility are completely unfounded, with no scientific basis. RELATED: I'm a Virus Expert and Beg You Don't Go Here Now 2 It's Profoundly Sad Knowing That it Could be Prevented unrecognizable doctor trying to vaccinate its patient while she is refusing it. But I also have sympathy for those who fell victim to disinformation. Too many times I've been asked by a family member of a dying patient with COVID-19 if it was too late for the vaccine. Too many times, I've had to say yes. The next question is often, "Is there anything else that can be done?" Too often, the answer is no. Story continues Having this conversation over and over again, often over teleconferencing software or the phone, is exhausting and profoundly sad, especially knowing that, in the case of unvaccinated patients, it likely could have been prevented. RELATED: 6 Places You Should Never Enter Right Now, Say Virus Experts 3 Everyday I See The Severity of COVID-19 Infection Covid-19 patient with oxygen mask in bed in hospital I realize that not everybody sees what I see every day. While stories about vaccine reactions abound, few hear about the realities of severe COVID-19 infection. However, when I close my eyes at night, I see the healthy 27-year-old man who died after four weeks hooked up to machines that tried to keep him alive, and the young family he left behind. I see the 41-year-old woman now weak and permanently disabled after a long hospital stay. I see the 53-year-old farmworker who now requires dialysis after developing renal failure, a common complication of severe COVID-19. And countless more. I often hear claims of "99% survival" from COVID-19 with or without the vaccine, but in reality, the facts are much more staggering. Nearly 1 in 500 Americans has died from this disease, and for those who survive, the devastation is like nothing I've ever seen. Holes in lungs, muscle wasted, organs failing one by one millions of people will suffer physical, psychological and financial consequences that will last months or years, a toll difficult to quantify. RELATED: These 6 States Predicted to Have Next COVID Surge 4 The Burdening Impact on Our Health Care Workers The impact on our health care system is also difficult to quantify. Staffing, even more than beds or ventilators, is critically low. In Washington state, Texas and across the country, experienced health care workers are leaving the profession in droves, exasperated by the continuous onslaught of sick COVID-19 patients and a demanding work environment. People nurses, respiratory therapists, doctors, physical therapists, sanitation workers do the work in hospitals; a hospital bed is worthless without staff to provide care. Because of these staffing shortages, hospitals are closing, and the inequities and weaknesses in an already-stretched health care system are being exposed. Revered as "health care heroes" just a year ago, doctors are being heckled and even assaulted after speaking out about science at school board meetings. RELATED: Most People Catch COVID This Way, Experts Warn 5 Masks Work Female Wearing Face Mask and Social Distancing I'm frustrated that more Americans have not chosen to get vaccinated, to wear masks, to take this pandemic seriously. I often wonder what 2021 would look like if they had. For example, we've worn masks in the hospital for years for procedures and to protect us from other respiratory viruses. We know that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be spread by aerosols that remain suspended in the air, and that some masks can't entirely block these droplets. But we also know that COVID-19 and most other respiratory viruses also spread from coughing and sneezing via larger respiratory droplets, which most masks do block. Masks are not perfect, but there is strong evidence that they reduce transmission. RELATED: Signs Delta is in Your Brain, Warn Doctors 5 We Do Our Best For Everyone Who Needs Us. But We Need Help doctor man taking a break, looking tired, exhausted or sad With many hospitals at capacity, there have been questions in the media and elsewhere about whether hospitals or health care workers should prioritize the care of the vaccinated, or even refuse to care for unvaccinated individuals who develop severe COVID-19, but that's not how we think. In medicine, especially in emergency and critical care medicine, we often care for people who make poor choices about their health. We counsel, we provide information, we hope and we press on, providing the exact same care regardless of choices or beliefs. Although stretched thin and imperfect, we do our best for everyone who needs us. But many places have reached a point at which the demand for health care has outstripped the ability to provide it. And we need help. Nicholas Johnson, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, UW School of Medicine, University of Washington This article is republished from The Conversation. The FBI confirmed Friday it is investigating an allegation from a U.S. soldier who reported being assaulted by a group of Afghan male evacuees at Fort Bliss' Dona Ana Complex in New Mexico. "The safety and well-being of our service members, as well as all of those on our installations, is paramount. We immediately provided appropriate care, counseling and support to the service member," Lieutenant Colonel Allie M. Payne, the director of Public Affairs at Fort Bliss, said in a statement. The FBI has not disclosed details of the alleged assault. The task force for evacuees at Fort Bliss is implementing additional security measures following the allegation, including additional lighting and the enforcement of the buddy system at the complex where the assault allegedly took place, the statement said. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice separately charged two Afghan males housed at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin with assault and sexual abuse. Bahrullah Noori, 20, was charged with attempted aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse. He knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a minor boy and attempted to engage in a sexual act with a separate minor boy, according to charging documents from the Department of Justice. Separately, Mohammad Imaad was charged with assaulting his spouse by strangling her at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin on September 7, according to the charging documents. The alleged victim survived the incident. The charging documents and the statement from the FBI concerning the soldier's allegations mark the first reported incidents of crime in what has been a largely secure process. The United States' Operation Allies Welcome has received over 50,000 Special Immigrant Applicants and vulnerable Afghans and is housing most of them at eight U.S. military installations. The Department of Homeland Security runs the screening process for the evacuees with some help from the Department of Defense, which is also housing evacuees at bases overseas. Story continues Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said earlier this month the standard is to make sure everyone who enters the U.S. has been vetted and has been biometrically and biographically screened. "No process is ever perfect, and so if there's a blip in the screen or there's something that somehow gets through, I think the system will very quickly follow up to make sure that that's addressed," Austin said. The Department of Defense helped evacuate over 120,000 people in 17 days from Afghanistan in the largest noncombatant evacuation ever conducted by the U.S. military. The head of Operation Allies Welcome, Jack Markell, told reporters Friday another 12,000-13,000 people currently housed at bases in Europe will arrive in the U.S. in early October. Arizona 2020 election review affirms President Biden's victory Daniel Robinson's father searches for son for three months CDC green lights coronavirus booster shots for millions of vulnerable Americans A female U.S. military service member was assaulted by male evacuees at the Dona Ana County Range Complex where Afghan refugees are being housed, Fort Bliss officials said. The woman, whose name and age were not released, was assaulted Sept. 19 by a small group of male evacuees at the complex in New Mexico, Fort Bliss officials said. The incident is being investigated by the FBI. We take the allegation seriously and appropriately referred the matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Bliss officials said in an emailed statement. The safety and well-being of our service members, as well as all of those on our installations, is paramount. An aerial view of Fort Bliss' Dona Ana Village in New Mexico is seen Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. The Biden administration provided the first public look inside the U.S. military base where Afghans airlifted out of Afghanistan are screened, amid questions about how the government is caring for the refugees and vetting them. (AP Photo/Farnoush Amiri) No details on the assault or the suspects have been released. The victim was immediately provided appropriate care, counseling and support, officials said. The victim is among 1,000 service members who are part of Operation Allies Welcome. The U.S. operation is to support vulnerable Afghans, including those who worked alongside us in Afghanistan for the past two decades, as they safely resettle in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. More: Southern New Mexico Muslim community, resettlement agency prepare to help Afghan refugees The number of refugees at the Dona Ana County Range Complex was not immediately available. Thousands of refugees have come to the U.S. after fleeing Afghanistan as the U.S. ended its 20-year presence there in late August. Officials said additional security and safety measures are being put into place at the complex. Task Force-Bliss is also implementing additional security measures to include increased health and safety patrols, additional lighting, and enforcement of the buddy system at the Dona Ana Complex, officials said. We will cooperate fully with the FBI and will continue to ensure the service member reporting this assault is fully supported. Aaron Martinez may be reached at 915-546-6249; aamartinez@lpasotimes.com; @AMartinezEPT on Twitter. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Fort Bliss: Afghan evacuees assault female military service member Kid traveling must haves Amazon, Maisonette, Target Why should we care whether the baby products, kids' clothing, and toys we buy come from Latinx-owned companies? There may be too many reasons for me to list in this space. For one, we want all kids to grow up knowing that neither their race nor their family's country of origin should stop them from being entrepreneursand they can't do that if they don't see examples of it happening around them. For another, as immigration debates rage on in this country, many adults need a little reminding of what immigrants and the children of immigrants can accomplish. So it's time once again to vote with our wallets. That said, during this Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), even as a proud Dominican American myself, I find it difficult to practice what I preach. Because while we can often see where our favorite onesies, plush toys, and puzzles are made, it's a little harder to know who's behind them. Fortunately, retailers like Target, Amazon, and Etsy have started to wake up to this challenge, and they've created pages on their websites to promote their Latinx-owned brands. It took the conversations spurred by Hispanic Heritage Month for me to realize that there are also Latinas behind some of the brands we already love. Of course, there's Jessica Alba's Honest Company gradually infiltrating every cabinet in our house with baby, beauty, and cleaning supplies. But I never knew that Maisonette, the chic online source for well-crafted toys, baby gear, and kids' clothing, was co-founded by Venezuelan American Luisana Mendoza de Roccia. And though it's easy enough to find food companies founded by Latin immigrants (obviously, our food is the most delicious), Fresh Bellies, founded by Ecuador-born Saskia Sorrosa, is breaking new ground in the field of adventurous baby and toddler snacks. Story continues Below, we highlight some great Latinx-owned baby, kid, and toy brands, but it's just a start. Let's see this list grow in the weeks and years to come! Lil' Libros Latina moms Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein were disappointed by the dearth of bilingual books available for their kids, so they founded Lil' Libros. The publisher is especially well known for colorful biographical board books about important figures in history, such as Dolores Huerta, but they also offer fictional books, and stories for readers up to age 8. To buy: The Life of Dolores, $9.99; amazon.com. Kid traveling must haves Fresh Bellies Launched by Saskia Sorrosa (who once pitched her company on Shark Tank), Fresh Bellies makes freeze-dried fruit and vegetable snacks that don't shy away from inventive seasoning, all in the hopes of training kids' palates to like adventurous foods. To buy: Fresh Bellies Strawberry Feels Forever, $3.89; target.com. Kid traveling must haves Maisonette In its few years of existence, Maisonette has become one of our go-to spots to shop for beautiful, ethically sourced toys and baby gifts from small companies. We love how everything on the site, like this Skwish toy, includes a story about the company that makes it. To buy: Manhattan Toys Skwish Classic, $19; maisonette.com. Kid traveling must haves Maison Me Maisonette is also an excellent source for stylish baby and kids clothing. In-house label Maison Me manages to make clothing that's both beautiful and playful, and it even has a few options for mom to wear, too. To buy: Maison Me Lexi Dress in Marigold Ditsy Floral, $62; maisonette.com. Kid traveling must haves Jen Zeano Designs Brownsville, Texas-based designer Jen Zeano spreads her empowering, humorous messages through T-shirts, totes, and jewelry on Etsy. Get this "strong" bracelet for a young Latina in your life. To buy: Jen Zeano Designs Fuerte Bracelet, $16; etsy.com. Kid traveling must haves Honest Company To be, um, honest, Jessica Alba's company doesn't need a publicity boost from the likes of me. But I just have to tell everyone that Honest Conditioning Detangler leave-in spray has saved my mornings with my long-haired kiddo. He says it "smells like cake," too. To buy: The Honest Company Sweet Orange Vanilla Conditioning Detangler, $5.49 (originally $5.99); amazon.com. Kid traveling must haves Rhoost Rhoost has a few very clever products that make raising babies just a little safer and easier. The Deluxe Baby Nail Clipper, for example, has a soft silicone handle, so it won't fly out of your hands when your squirmy little doesn't want a manicure. To buy: Rhoost Deluxe Baby Nail Clipper, $6.99; amazon.com. Kid traveling must haves Bazzle Baby The bibs from Bazzle Baby (founded by Puerto Rican-Floridian marketing exec Michaelene Cadiz) are so adorable, you may find yourself disappointed when your kid no longer needs them. To buy: Bazzle Baby Infant Bandana Drool Bibs (4-pack); $17.99; walmart.com. Kid traveling must haves Altus Didactical Strange brand name aside, this Mexico-based toy company has a brilliant concept: plush toys kids can customize themselves with just a set of washable markers. Yes, the bunny may wind up wearing scribbles, but can't you picture how proud your kid will be with their own work of textile art? To buy: Altus Bunny with Three Washable Coloring Dresses and Markers, $29.99; amazon.com. Kid traveling must haves Fidelina Colombian lingerie company Fidelina also makes some very cute underwear for girls in sizes ranging from 2-3 to 16-17. Customers praise the quality of these cotton panties even more than their unique prints. To buy: Fidelina Girls' Underwear (5-pack), $15.80; amazon.com. Kid traveling must haves Totte Mexican company Totte makes educational bilingual toys and puzzles available on Amazon. These toys encourage kids to speak Spanish and English, even as they're learning math or playing dominoes. To buy: Totte Sumando y Restando, $19.99; amazon.com. Karen Olivo Paul Marotta/Getty Karen Olivo Karen Olivo is revealing what caused them to leave Broadway's Moulin Rouge! after speaking up about abuse allegations involving theater and film producer Scott Rudin. Olivo, 45, spoke to the Los Angeles Times in a story published on Friday about leaving their starring role as Satine in the musical after what they felt was the theater community's lack of meaningful response about the Rudin allegations. "There was the complete and utter silence from my industry. I'm a survivor of assault and sexual abuse, and I was like, I'm not going to say yes to an industry that can't stand up for survivors," Olivo told the newspaper. "These are people from inside our industry, who were courageous enough to speak up! Something really shifted in me." In April, Rudin was accused by several former employees of having violent outbursts while working for him and his production company, Scott Rudin Productions. At the time, Rudin's rep did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. No charges are known to have been filed against him. Another lead-up to them quitting the Broadway show, Olivo said, was when they "went to a building, I did something in good faith, and there was no one checking up on us" during the pandemic. RELATED: Karen Olivo Won't Return to Moulin Rouge! Due to 'Unacceptable' Silence amid Scott Rudin Allegations Aaron Tveit and Karen Olivo in Moulin Rogue. Matthew Murphy 2019 Karen Olivo and Aaron Tveit in Moulin Rouge! "It's another instance of how the industry doesn't take care of its own, even though we're "family," they continued. "It only shows up when the cameras are on or when it's time to fundraise. In the year of community organizing during the shutdown, I realized I can actually help my industry in a different way, by caring about the people who are suffering in silence, because we can't go back to the way it was." Olivo said that when it came time to reopen Broadway and "make offers to go back" they were "offered the same amount of money and the same amount of rehearsal time." Story continues RELATED: All the Broadway Shows Opening or Returning as N.Y.C. Theaters Reopen Their Doors "This is the hardest show I've ever done," said Olivo, who has previously starred in Hamilton, In the Heights and West Side Story. "I was like, who's gonna remount it in six weeks? This robot that you built to look like me? I can't. I was like, you don't really mean you want to take care of us. You want to get us to the stage so that you can keep making money or start to make some of the money that you lost. I was like, I'm good. I'm out." They added, "There's no malice at all toward the cast or crew, and Natalie Mendoza, who is taking over for Satine, is a gorgeous light of a human being. But the commercial theater system itself is something I can't endorse." Nicole Kidman and Karen Olivo Bruce Glikas/WireImage (L-R) Nicole Kidman and Karen Olivo Olivo said they would not be attending or watching the 74th Tony Awards, airing this Sunday, saying, "What can it do for me? I think it'll just be a source of pain." "I'm sure there are plenty of great performances and especially for people who were just nominated and really want to believe in that, this is gonna be the pinnacle of everything," they added. "But I think I'm going to be nice to myself and let it go and give myself some peace." Also opening this weekend is Moulin Rouge! an even that has made this week "really hard" for Olivo. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "My husband said, "You broke up with your boyfriend, and now he's dating someone else. And you just you have to kind of watch them and now they're engaged, and they're gonna get married." It's harder than I thought," they admitted. "Because at my core, it is the medium that I love. I'm trying to be really graceful with myself this week." As for whether they will ever return to performing in commercial theater or Broadway, Olivo is keeping an open mind. "I can't say that I won't work in New York or in commercial theater ever again," they told the Times. "If I do, you'll know I've vetted it properly and I'm working with people that I trust. If I'm stepping onstage, it's going to be for a much bigger picture." A book about Martin Luther King criticised by the activists (Stephen Marchesi / Grosset & Dunlap) Books about Martin Luther King Jr, civil rights pioneer Ruby Bridges, native American history, African legends and the mating habits of seahorses have been branded not appropriate for young children by a right-wing parents group in Tennessee. Moms for Liberty (MfL), a national conservative campaign founded in January to oppose left-wing ideas in education, is fighting to ban a curriculum that teaches children aged seven and eight about Americas history of racism under Tennessees new law against critical race theory. Robin Steenman, head of MfLs chapter in Williamson County, a suburb of Nashville, wrote to the state education department in June claiming that the dark and divisive curriculum "makes children hate their country, each other, and/or themselves". Yet the campaign has become a grab bag of parental objections to everything from the history of the Plains Indians (paints white people in a negative light) through cannibalism in Greek myths to a book about animals that focuses too much on poisonous ones. A spreadsheet of parents reviews circulated by MfLs Williamson County chapter, first reported by the Daily Beast, names 31 books as not appropriate for their age grades. One parent objected that too much detail was given about seahorse sex (John Lawrence / Candlewick) It raps Francis Ruffins Martin Luther King Jr and the March to Washington for including photos of political violence, marks down Ruby Bridges autobiography for including the N-word, and criticises an article about Alabama police chief Bull Connors infamous brutality towards civil rights protesters for giving a negative view of firemen and police. Why do Mosquitoes Buzz in Peoples Ears, a storybook recounting a West African folk legend, is marked inappropriate because an animal dies. Seahorse: The Shyest Fish in the Sea gets a fail for giving too much detail about seahorse reproduction, which involves female seahorses depositing eggs into a males pouch, where they gestate and hatch. Other books are marked as appropriate but criticised on ideological grounds. One book about the astronomer Galileo Galilei is accused of being too negative towards the Catholic Church, which convicted him of heresy and placed him under house arrest for the rest of his life. Story continues Tennessees Republican government has banned schools from teaching children that anyone is privileged due to their skin colour or from making students feel discomfort, guilt [or] anguish because of their race or sex. The law specifically targets critical race theory, a school of legal philosophy that has been repurposed by conservative activists as a catch-all term for teachings about race that are divisive or hateful towards white people. MfL has asked state officials to retire a curriculum called Wit and Wisdom, which was created by the Washington DC non-profit Great Minds and focuses on texts about race, civil rights and colonisation. The Galileo Affair, as depicted by Peter Sis in Starry Messenger (Peter Sis / Square Fish) On its website, M4As Williamson County chapter claims that the spreadsheet represents only the views of individual parents who submitted reviews of each book. But Ms Steenman, who does not have any children in the countys public schools, has touted the parents reviews in a presentation and replicates some of the same points in her letter. In a statement posted on her chapters website, Ms Steenman said she was not seeking to ban any of the books from schools but to change the age at which they tare taught. She said her group did not object to the books in isolation but to the curriculum and lesson plans instructing teachers how to incorporate them into class exercises and discussions. She said: The books by themselves are heavy enough. Marry that up with the teachers manual, and you have nine weeks (34 lessons) on injustice... If only the bad and none of the good is presented, no wonder we have kids that are suddenly ashamed of their skin colour, feel oppressed due to their skin colour, and want nothing to do with their country. The ideology and agenda of Wit and Wisdom is unmistakeable. Read More China issues dominate election of Taiwan opposition leader Imran Khan paints Pakistan as victim of US ungratefulness Hundreds protest against no-confidence vote in Libya govt Mayorkas contradicts ex-Biden envoy and says it is safe to send migrants to Haiti Marjorie Taylor Greene sparks abortion fight on Capitol steps after House passes bill Parents of 303 children separated at US-Mexico border under Trump still not found Washington State Patrol Missing Indigenous Persons The Washington State Patrol has a Missing Indigenous Persons section within its Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit. Every two weeks, State Patrol publishes an updated list of active missing Indigenous person cases at www.wsp.wa.gov/crime/alerts-missing-persons/missing-indigenous-persons/ A new list was published Monday: https://www.wsp.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/071221-for-Public-Release.pdf. It includes 86 active missing Indigenous persons cases. Of those, 21 are in Yakima County and within the Yakama Nation. Five of those cases are teenagers who have been reported missing in April and May of this year, with the rest of the cases a few years old or older. The oldest missing person case on the entire list is that of Janice Marie Hannigan, a White Swan High School student who disappeared in late December 1971 after being discharged from the hospital. To get in touch with the Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit of State Patrol, email mupu@wsp.wa.gov or call 1-800-543-5678. To contact the WSP tribal liaisons: Reach Dawn Pullin (Eastern Washington) at 360-890-0150 or Dawn.Pullin@wsp.wa.gov. Reach Patti Gosch (Western Washington) at 360-280-0567 or Patti.Gosch@wsp.wa.gov. 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. New Delhi: Gold October futures on Multi Commodity Exchange fell by 0.13% to Rs 45,955 on Friday, September 24, for the third day in a row, signalling weak demand in international markets. However, the massive drop in the prices in the past few months could be a wonderful opportunity for Indians because the rates are expected to surge again in the coming weeks. Increased demand for gold amid the festive and wedding season could drive the gold prices uphill in the coming weeks. Gold movements this week (September 20 - September 24) Day Gold (MCX rates) Monday Rs 46282/10 grams Tuesday Rs 46513/10 grams Wednesday Rs 46826 /10 grams Thursday Rs 46694 /10 grams Friday Rs 45995/10 grams Gold trading cheaper by more than Rs 10,000 from record highs In 2020, gold prices surged to record highs after the demand for yellow metal surged on the back of the pandemic-driven stock market crash. Investors had flocked to bullion exchanges and invested heavily in gold. The sudden increase in the demand for gold fueled its rally, and in August 2020, the precious metal was selling at its record high price of Rs 56,191 per 10 grams, which is Rs 10,000 more than the current rates on MCX. Also Read: Vivo X70 Pro, X70 Pro+ to launch in India on September 30: Check features and more According to experts, gold prices could fall further in the coming days, only to jump ahead of the festive season. At present, the current gold prices are at six-month lows and offer an impressive option for investors to make quick money. Also Read: Google introduces new search filter in Gmail to make finding emails simpler Live TV #mute New Delhi: In a major relief to Supertech, the Delhi High Court, on Friday (September 25), stayed National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (NCDRC) order sentencing Supertech's MD Mohit Arora to 3-year imprisonment. The order had also issued an arrest warrant against the head of the realty firm for failing to offer a Rs 1.75 crore refund to a homebuyer. In the recent order, Justice Amit Bansal has ordered Supertech to deposit Rs 50 lakh in the home buyer's account within a week out of the outstanding Rs 1.75 crore. Meanwhile, the NCDRC order to sentence the company's MD for three years has been stayed till the next day of the hearing which is on October 4. Supertech had filed a plea in the High Court to challenge NCDRCs September 20 order that was to issue an arrest warrant against the companys MD if it fails to pay the home buyer in full within one week. The case is related to a house which is located in UP's Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Area (YEIDA). The home was jointly bought by Brigadier (retired) Kanwal Batra with his daughter Ruhi in 2013 for approximately Rs 1.03 crore. The real estate had promised to provide the possession by August 2014. However, the real estate company failed to deliver on time. Arguing on behalf of Supertech, Senior advocate Sandeep Sethi said that the NCDRC order was beyond the provisions of section 27 of the Consumer Protection Act and there was no provision it which casts vicarious liability on the MD to make him liable in criminal or civil matters in case of default by the company. Also Read: JEE Advanced Admit Card 2021 to be released today on jeeadv.ac.in, heres how to download He added that the MD was sentenced without even conducting a trial. So the man goes to jail if the company does not comply with the order in seven days, he argued. In response, Batra's counsel said that the company was in repeated default of the NCDRC order and has gone back on its undertaking to the forum. Advocate Shailesh Madiyal appeared on behalf of Batra. Also Read: RRC Railway Recruitment 2021: Apply for 3093 Apprentice posts in Northern Railway on rrcnr.org, details here Live TV #mute New Delhi: Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra is currently chilling with her family in the Maldives. The stunning beauty shared her post-card worthy pictures on Instagram and fans are drooling over it. In one of the pictures, Parineeti can be seen flaunting her beach bod in a perfect cherry red monokini. Check out the photos here: On the work front, Parineeti Chopra had back-to-back three film releases this year. The actress featured in the Hindi adaptation of The Girl on the Train that was released on Netflix in February. She was later seen in Sundeep Aur Pinky Faraar and Saina, which are available on Amazon Prime Videos. She will be next seen in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 'Animal' alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, and Bobby Deol in the film. New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the shared experience of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic has taught the people that they are "stronger and better" when they are together. Addressing Global Citizen Live', Modi also warned that the threat of climate change is looming large before the world. "For almost two years now, humanity is battling a once in a lifetime global pandemic. Our shared experience of fighting the pandemic has taught us - we are stronger and better when we are together," he said in a video message. He said the world saw glimpses of this collective spirit when the COVID-19 warriors, doctors, nurses, medical staff gave their best to defeat the pandemic. "We saw this spirit in our scientists and innovators who created new vaccines in record time, he said, adding that generations will remember the manner in which human resilience prevailed over everything else. Warning that the threat of climate change is looming large before the world, Prime Minister Modi told the global audience that the simplest and most successful ways to mitigate climate change is to lead lifestyles that are in harmony with nature. "The threat of climate change is looming large before us. The world will have to accept that any change in the global environment first begins with the self, Modi said. "The great Mahatma Gandhi is widely known for his thoughts on peace and non-violence but do you know that he is also among the greatest environmentalists of the world, Modi said. He added that Gandhi led a zero-carbon footprints lifestyle. "In whatever he did, he put the welfare of our planet above everything else," Modi said emphasising that Gandhi highlighted the doctrine of trusteeship "where we all are trustees of the planet with a duty of caring for it." Modi told the global festival that today India is the only G-20 nation that is on track with its Paris commitments. "India is also proud to have brought the world together under the banner of the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure," he said, underscoring that "we believe in the development of India for the development of the humankind." Modi also said that poverty cannot be fought by making the poor more dependent on governments. "Poverty can be fought when the poor start seeing governments as trusted partners. Trusted partners who will give them the enabling infrastructure to forever break the vicious circle of poverty, he added. Live TV New York (US): In a few hours from now today (September 25), Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Pressing global challenges - the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change - are some of the issues the prime minister is likely to focus on during the address. 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.' "Landed in New York City. Will be addressing the UNGA at 6:30 PM (IST) on the 25th," PM Modi tweeted soon after he landed in New York. Landed in New York City. Will be addressing the UNGA at 6:30 PM (IST) on the 25th. pic.twitter.com/CUtlNZ83JT Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 25, 2021 The high-level segment of the 76th UNGA began in New York on Tuesday (September 21). The UNGA meeting this year is in a hybrid format but a large number of leaders have arrived in New York. Prime Minister Modi will speak on various important issues including cross-border terrorism, regional situation and United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had said earlier. Regarding India's permanent membership at the UNSC, Shringla said PM Modi will lay emphasis upon the UNSC reforms during his address."India`s Amrit Mahotsav and the 75th-anniversary of the UN are coinciding. And on this occasion, Prime Minister Modi during his address will definitely speak on UN reforms, about why it is needed and how it can be achieved," he said. Modi had arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day visit to the country on Wednesday (September 22), his first beyond neighbourhood since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris here. He also met his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison and Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga. PM Modi also participated in the first in-person Quad Summit in Washington after COVID-19. He also held meetings with five global CEOs for potential investment in India on Thursday (September 23). (With ANI inputs) Live TV Nuh: A 42-feet-high statue of late Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal was unveiled by the BJP partner Jannayak Janata Party on his 108th birth anniversary here on Delhi-Mumbai Highway on Saturday. The function was attended by JJP national president Dr Ajay Singh Chautala, Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala and other senior leaders, who participated in ?havan and yagya? and offered flowers to the statue of Devi Lal. Addressing the gathering on this occasion, Ajay Singh Chautala said the JJP in alliance with the BJP is working today for the benefit of farmers, labourers and youths. He said the coalition government has reserved 75 per cent of jobs for local youths in the private sector. The government has also decided to provide examination centres to applicants in his home district for their benefit. Women too have been provided 50 per cent reservation in the panchayat elections in Haryana by the BJP-JJP government, he said. While paying tributes to Late Devi Lal, Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala said the highest statue of "Jannayak" is a symbol of unity. He said for the development of Haryana, all of us need to work together. He said the rural areas are developing fast today under the BJP-JJP government. Dushyant Chautala said the JJP is walking on the path forged by Devi Lal and is dedicated to strengthening farmers and workmen financially and that the Haryana government has bought every single grain from the farmers on MSP. Deputy CM said in the last 10 months, some people associated with some political parties, have been trying to mislead the farmers. He said such people have been saying that the mandis will be closed, MSP will be stopped and that farmers' lands will be usurped. He said I guarantee you that neither the lands will be usurped nor the mandis and MSP will be stopped. He said if anything like that happens, he and all the JJP MLAs will pull out of the alliance and resign in a minute. He said protecting farmers rights are the JJP's highest priority. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (September 25) addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York emphasised that Afghanistan should not be used to spread terrorism and for terrorist activities. Speaking at the 76th session of UNGA, PM Modi said that it should be ensured that no country takes advantage of the delicate situation in the war-torn Afghan nation and urged the world community to provide help to the women, children and minorities there. It is absolutely essential to ensure that Afghanistan's territory is not used to spread terrorism and for terrorist activities, ANI quoted the PM Modi as saying. He added, We also need to ensure that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation in Afghanistan and use it for its own selfish interests. At this time, people of Afghanistan, women & children, minorities need help. We must fulfill our duties by providing them with help. We also need to ensure that no country tries to take advantage of delicate situation in Afghanistan & use it for its own selfish interests. At this time, people of Afghanistan, women & children, minorities need help. We must fulfill our duties by providing them with help: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/uuRUv6b9rb ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 Without naming Pakistan, Modi said that there are countries with regressive thinking that are using terrorism as a political tool. He warned, Countries with regressive thinking that are using terrorism as a political tool need to understand that terrorism is an equally big threat for them. It has to be ensured that Afghanistan isn't used to spread terrorism or launch terror attacks. The Indian PM, who was on a 3-day visit to the US, also paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In the last 1.5 years, the entire world has been facing the worst pandemic in 100 years, I pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives in this deadly pandemic and I express my condolences to their families, he said at the UNGA. Further, PM Modi invited vaccine manufacturers across the globe to make vaccines in India. He also informed the UNGA about Zydus Cadila's Covid vaccine ZyCoV-D, the worlds first DNA-based vaccine. I would like to inform the UNGA that India has developed the world's first DNA vaccine. This can be administered to anyone above the age of 12. An mRNA vaccine is in the final stages of development. Indian scientists are also developing a nasal vaccine against COVID19, the PM said. He asserted, Development should be all-inclusive, universal and one that nurtures all. (With agency inputs) Live TV It is easy to blame fate and circumstances for things happening in your life, but only a few come out of it and achieve success. Life has never been easy for anyone. Each of us has a part to fulfil and a role to play. Gulam Ashraf is one of the youngest businessmen in the country who has made it big at such a young age. He is the managing director of Phonex Traders Private Ltd. Phonex Traders Private Ltd. aims to be the best logistics providing company in the country. Under Gulams leadership, there are over 3000 employees and ten sister companies. Despite his young age, he has contributed a lot to the growth of his company. After the demise of his father, he took over the business and has done justice to the company by taking it to heights. Till now, they have expanded their business to Vizag, Bengal, and the north-eastern states. They have also collaborated with companies from Bangladesh, Singapore, etc. Gulam is very empathetic to people's needs and is well-aware of his surroundings. His compassionate and helping nature sets him apart from other young entrepreneurs in the business sector. He runs the One Unity Social Welfare Association for the betterment of society and its people. He values his principles and works hard to achieve success. Gulam Ashraf says that he used to spend time with drivers and crane workers to know the ins and outs of every operation carried by them. He believes that one should be aware of every aspect his/her business. Also, this helped him understand the living conditions of the poorer section of society. The need to help people is an inbuilt action since his childhood days. He recalls that his father used to give only 50% of his earnings to the house, and the rest he would use to help the people in need. To date, he is carrying forward the legacy of his father. His company has donated about ten crores worth of ration to the underprivileged and the poor. In today's time, when many help others for fame and promote themselves, social working is second nature to Gulam. Carrying forward a legacy is already difficult and doing it better than people's expectations is not everyones cup of tea. Gulam Ashraf has proved his excellence and loyalty to himself, his family, and the country through his impeccable contributions. (Disclaimer- Brand Desk Content) New Delhi: Hours after Imran Khan raked up the Kashmir issue during his address to the UN General Assembly's annual high-level debate, India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister and called upon the country to 'immediately' vacate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In its 'Right of Reply' in response to Imran Khan's references to Kashmir, Sneha Dubey, India's First Secretary at the UN, slammed Pakistan on Saturday (September 25, 2021) and said that Islamabad has an 'established history' of actively supporting terrorists. The development comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the 76th session of UNGA. She also said that 'regrettably', this was not the first time the leader of Pakistan has 'misused' platforms provided by the UN to propagate 'false and malicious' propaganda against India. "Regrettably, this is not the first time the leader of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country, and seeking in vain to divert the world`s attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities, are turned upside down," Dubey said. India's First Secretary at the UN added that the Member States are aware that Pakistan has a 'policy of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists'. WATCH: "This is a country that has been globally recognized as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of State policy. It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council," she said. "We exercise our Right of Reply to one more attempt by the leader of Pakistan to tarnish the image of this august forum by bringing in matters internal to my country, and going so far as to spew falsehoods on the world stage," Dubey said. Khan, in a pre-recorded address, had described Islamophobia as a 'pernicious phenomenon' and had said that 'the worst and most pervasive form' of Islamophobia 'now rules India'. He also said that the 'Hindutva ideology' being propagated by the current Indian Government was unleashing 'a reign of fear and violence' against Indian Muslims. ALSO READ | Pakistan's role in Afghanistan, its involvement in terror discussed at Quad summit Khan stated that 'Pakistan desires peace with India, as with all its neighbours', but sustainable peace is 'contingent upon resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute'. He noted that Pakistan had 'unveiled a detailed dossier on gross and systematic violations of human rights by the Indian Security Forces' in the region. The onus, Imran Khan said, remains on India to create a conducive environment for meaningful and result-oriented engagement with Pakistan and added that it requires that Delhi reverse its 'unilateral and illegal measures' instituted since August 5, 2019, and ends its 'oppression and human rights violations' against the people of Kashmir. He had also asked for 'reversing the demographic changes in the occupied territory'. WATCH: ALSO READ | Indian Army stopping Jammu and Kashmir from resembling Taliban-occupied Afghanistan: UK MP In reply, Sneha Dubey reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh 'were, are and will' always be an integral and inalienable part of India. "This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation," she said. She slammed Pakistan for suppressing its minority communities and said, "Today, the minorities in Pakistan - the Sikhs, Hindus, Christians - live in constant fear and state-sponsored suppression of their rights. This is a regime where anti-Semitism is normalized by its leadership and even justified." She added, "Dissenting voices are muzzled daily and enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings are well documented." Dubey also drew a parallel between India and Pakistan and said that India is a pluralistic democracy with a substantial population of minorities who have gone on to hold the highest offices in the country including as President, Prime Minister, Chief Justices and Chiefs of the Army Staff. She also said that, unlike Pakistan, India is a country with free media and an independent judiciary that keeps a watch and protects our Constitution. "Pluralism is a concept which is very difficult to understand for Pakistan which constitutionally prohibits its minorities from aspiring for high offices of the State. The least they could do is introspect before exposing themselves to ridicule on the world stage," she said. She also said that India desires normal relations with all its neighbours, including Pakistan. "However, it is for Pakistan to work sincerely towards creating a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible actions to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross border terrorism against India in any manner," she added. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on Friday (September 24, 2021) held their first bilateral meeting at the White House and discussed a wide range of priority issues, including fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and economic cooperation. PM Modi, who is visiting America for the 7th time since assuming office in 2014, redefined the contours of India-US ties and highlighted five Ts namely tradition, talent, technology, trade and trusteeship. During an hour-long meeting, Prime Minister Modi also shared his vision for the India-US relationship in the coming decade. Had an outstanding meeting with @POTUS @JoeBiden. His leadership on critical global issues is commendable. We discussed how India and USA will further scale-up cooperation in different spheres and work together to overcome key challenges like COVID-19 and climate change. pic.twitter.com/nnSVE5OSdL Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 24, 2021 Tradition: PM Narendra Modi told US President that this is the first year of the third decade and when he looks at the entire decade, he finds that under Biden's leadership, the seeds have been sown for the Indo-US relations to expand and for all democratic countries in the world. "This is when I see that this transformative period is in Indo-US relations, and when I talk about traditions, I am talking about the democratic traditions, democratic values, traditions to which both our countries are committed and I find that importance of these traditions will only increase further," PM Modi said. Talent: Prime Minister Modi also mentioned the talent of four million Indian-Americans and said, "When I look at the importance of this decade and the role that is going to be played by this talent of Indian-Americans, I find that this people to people talent will play a greater role and Indian talent will be a co-partner in this relationship." "I see that your contribution is going to be very important in this," he told Biden. Trade: Prime Minister Modi told Biden that between India and the United States, the trade will continue to assume importance. "We find that the trade between our two countries is actually complementary," he said. "There are things that you have and there are things that we have and then we in fact complement each other. And I find that in the area of trade during this decade, that is also going to be tremendously important. I find that in the area of trade during this decade, that is also going to be tremendously important," he stated. Trusteeship: Like US President, PM Modi also mentioned October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He said that Mahatma Gandhi always used to talk about the principle of trusteeship of the planet and this decade is also going to be important as this entire principle of trusteeship. "It means that the planet that we have, we have to bequeath it to the following generations and this sentiment of trusteeship is going to assume more and more importance globally but also between the relations between India and the United States and it is these ideals that Mahatma Gandhi espoused when he talked about trusteeship of the planet and where the responsibility of the global citizens is only going to go up," the Indian Prime Minister said. Technology: PM Modi told President Biden that the most important driving force in the world today would be that of technology and the technology that is going to be for the service and for the use of humanity. "I find that opportunities for this are going to be tremendous," he noted. This morning, I hosted Prime Minister Modi at the White House as we launch a new chapter in the history of U.S.-India ties. Our two nations are the largest democracies in the world, and were committed to taking on the toughest challenges we face together. pic.twitter.com/uO97X1upFn President Biden (@POTUS) September 24, 2021 Live TV New Delhi: India recorded 29,616 new COVID-19 cases and 290 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the overall caseload to 3,35,24,479 and the total death toll to 4,46,658, as per data released by the Ministry of Health on Saturday (September 25, 2021). Out of these, Kerala contributed 17,983 fresh cases and 127 deaths. Over 28,046 recoveries were also recorded in the country in the last 24 hours, taking total recoveries to 3,28,76,319 and the active caseload now stands at 3,01,442. India reports 29,616 new COVID cases, 28,046 recoveries, and 290 deaths in the past 24 hours. Recovery Rate currently at 97.78% Active cases: 3,01,442 Total recoveries: 3,28,76,319 Death toll: 4,46,658 Vaccination: 84,89,29,160 (71,04,051 in the last 24 hours) pic.twitter.com/Jnlqu4UbyB ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 An increase of 1,280 cases was recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate stands at 1.86 percent, while the recovery rate is currently at 97.78 percent. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 56,16,61,383 samples have been tested up to September 24th for COVID-19. Of these 15,92,421 samples were tested yesterday. Meanwhile, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Friday informed that even if the third wave comes in the country, its intensity will be low. Dr Shekhar C Mande, Director-General, CSIR, said, "We have been able to get a large population vaccinated with the first dose and even with the second dose. Our vaccines do prevent the disease to a large extent. If tested positive after being jabbed, the severity of COVID-19 is also reduced. Even if the third wave comes, then the intensity will be low and much less than compared to the second wave." Live TV New Delhi: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah batted for dialogue with the Taliban on Saturday (September 25). The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said that India has invested billions in Afghanistan so there is no harm in engaging with the new Taliban regime in the war-torn country. Abdullah told ANI, "Taliban is in power in Afghanistan now. India spent billions on different projects during the last regime in Afghanistan. We should talk to the current Afghan regime. When weve invested so much in the country so what`s the harm in keeping relations with them?` Taliban is in power in Afghanistan now. India spent billions on different projects during the last regime in Afghanistan. We should talk to the current Afghan regime. When we've invested so much in the country so what's the harm in keeping relations with them?: Farooq Abdullah,NC pic.twitter.com/nwluRb4Uso ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 Further, the National Conference chief also urged the Centre to initiate dialogue with farmers who have been protesting against the three farm laws since November last year at the borders of the national capital. He asserted that the central government should form new laws for the agriculture sector with inputs from farmers. Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modis current US visit, Abdullah told the news agency, "I am sure that PM Modi must be talking to all leaders, including the US President Joe Biden. There is no doubt that terrorism is eating the whole world. But who started terrorism? Who attacked Iraq?... Who bombed Libya despite the UN`s warning? Which is the terrorist nation that destabilised the other nations." He stressed that terrorism is a global menance and said it should be ensured that all the countries are safe. "All the powerful nations have to collectively make sure that no nation is weak, the NC chief said. Earlier in September, Farooq Abdullah, speaking on the Taliban, had said, I hope Afghans run their country peacefully and respect the basic human rights values. The Taliban captured Afghanistans capital Kabul on August 15, resulting in a total collapse of the then President Ashraf Ghani government. The Taliban formed an interim government on September 7 and announced Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund as their head and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar as the deputy PM. (With agency inputs) Live TV London: It is only the Indian Army and the sound footing of the Indian military democracy that has stopped the region of Jammu and Kashmir from resembling Taliban-occupied Afghanistan, a UK Parliamentarian said on Friday. Bob Blackman, a Conservative MP for Harrow East, said in the House of Commons, "It is only the Indian Army and the sound footing of the Indian military democracy that has stopped the region of Jammu and Kashmir from resembling Taliban-occupied Afghanistan." ALSO READ | Indian Army foils infiltration bid near LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla, 3 terrorists killed Blackman was speaking during a discussion in the House over the human rights situation in the region. "Islamist forces will eliminate democracy in Jammu and Kashmir as we saw in Afghanistan if Indian troops are withdrawn," he added. Emphasising that the Kashmir Valley is a beautiful area to see, Blackman also said that the region is an opportunity for tourism, culture, trade, hydroelectric power and many other aspects. Last month, the Taliban after its aggressive advance against the government took control of Afghanistan and recently announced that Sharia law would be in force in the country. After the announcement of the interim government by the Taliban earlier this month, its supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada said in a statement, "In the future, all issues of governance and life in Afghanistan will be governed by the laws of holy Sharia." ALSO READ | 40 Pak-backed Afghan terrorists plotting to infiltrate India, terror alert sounded in J&K: Intelligence official Live TV New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party's National Secretary Pankaj Gupta said that several important people are joining the Aam Aadmi Party after being inspired by the policies of the Delhi Government. He said it is due to the work done by the AAP Government in various sectors including education, health, electricity, water that people are getting inspired. MCD Councilor Gurjit Kaur Bath and her husband Kulwant Singh Bath along with many of their BJP colleagues joined the Aam Aadmi Party on Friday (September 24, 2021). National Secretary Pankaj Gupta and AAP Chief spokesperson and MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj welcomed all the dignitaries to the Aam Aadmi Party. Adil Khan, an Aam Aadmi Party member from Azadpur Mandi was also present at the induction. Aam Aadmi Party's National Secretary Pankaj Gupta addressed a press conference at the party headquarters and said, Today some new people are joining the Aam Aadmi Party family. It feels very joyous when people from different parties get influenced by the development model of Aam Aadmi Party and the way Arvind Kejriwal's government is continuously making historic changes in Delhi, awakening their desire to be a part of the AAP government. He continued, In the same sequence, today the MCD councilor of Bhajanpura Ward 44E Gurjit Kaur Bath and her husband Kulwant Singh Bath are joining the Aam Aadmi Party from the BJP. Gurjit Kaur ji has been a BJP Delhi Pradesh executive member. This standing committee has also been vice-chairman and member of East Delhi Municipal Corporation twice. Gurjit Ji is the President of Women Welfare Committee, Chaudhary Ramphal is a member of Memorial Education Committee Bhajanpura and Navbharat Adarsh Shiksha Samiti Khajuri Khas. And now he has decided to leave the BJP and become a member of Arvind Kejriwal's family. Her husband Kulwant Singh Bath is the executive member of BJP Delhi Pradesh, former General Secretary of BJP Kisan Morcha Delhi State and has also been the convener of BJP Delhi State. Apart from being the National Vice President of Akali Dal, he has also held many other posts in the BJP. It is a matter of great happiness that many of his other friends from BJP are also joining the Aam Aadmi Party today. A warm welcome to everyone in the Aam Aadmi Party." Explaining her reason behind joining the Aam Aadmi Party, Gurjit Kaur Bath said, "For a long time, I was sorry that I was not able to help the farmers even though I was the daughter of a farmer. My farmer brothers have suffered a lot but BJP has not helped one of them. I am the daughter of Punjab, my father is a farmer, but while in BJP, I am facing the displeasure of farmers. Which is very sad for me and even more sad that I am not able to help them. But I was very impressed by the policies of the Aam Aadmi Party and the work being done by them. I felt that by being in this party, I would be able to openly help not only the people of Delhi but also the farmers." Taking forward Gurjit Kaur's point, Kulwant Singh Bath said, As Gurjit Ji said, we were not able to help the farmers even though we wanted to stay in the BJP. Due to the 3 black laws imposed by the BJP, the farmers are on dharna for the last one year and are facing many problems. But the BJP does not care about the annadata of the country. We have many times wanted the farmers' point of view to be accepted. I spoke to BJP National President JP Nadda about this. There are still messages lying on my WhatsApp. Talked to the leaders of my state but BJP does not want to take back its black laws. On the other hand, there is the Delhi government which has consistently stood with the farmers. Seeing the welfare works of Arvind Kejriwal, I am taking the membership of Aam Aadmi Party today." Among the senior people who joined the Aam Aadmi Party, mainly the following people took the membership of the party: 1) Pradeep Singh, Secretary, Delhi Taxi Cooperative Society 2) Nirmal Singh, Treasurer, Delhi Taxi Cooperative Society 3) Charanjit Singh, Head, Gurdwara Committee, Rajendra Nagar 4) Avtar Singh, Social Activist 5) Pratipal Singh, BJP worker 6) Phumman Singh, BJP worker 7) Vijay Singh, BJP worker 8) Pradeep Kumar, BJP worker 9) Jinder Singh, Social Activist 10) Kulbir Singh, Social Activist New Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur will be releasing JEE Advanced Admit Card 2021 today (September 25, 2021). The candidates will be able to download their IIT JEE examination hall tickets on the official site of IIT JEE on jeeadv.ac.in. It may be noted that the admit card will remain available till October 3, 2021. To access their hall tickets students will be required to fill in the required details like application number and date of birth. JEE Advanced Admit Card 2021: How to download Step 1. Visit the official site of IIT JEE- jeeadv.ac.in Step 2. On the homepage, click on JEE Advanced Admit Card 2021 link Step 3. Enter the required login details and click on submit Step 4. Your admit card will be displayed on the screen, download it Step 5. Check the admit card for errors Step 6. Take a printout of the same future reference It may be noted that the JEE Advanced is scheduled to be conducted on October 3, 2021, while the JEE Advanced result will be announced on October 15. The JEE Advanced examination consists of two papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2) of three hours duration each. The JEE Advanced exam is held for admission to some of the top engineering colleges in India, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Live TV New Delhi: The Kerala government on Saturday (September 25) issued new coronavirus guidelines allowing hotels, restaurants and bars to reopen with certain riders. Here are the SOPs announced by the Kerala government: 1. The restriction on movement of people who have not taken at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine has been withdrawn. 2. In-house dining for hotels, restaurants and bars has been allowed with 50% seating capacity. Staff should be fully vaccinated. Air conditioning in hotels will not be allowed. 3. Indoor stadiums and swimming pools can be opened for persons who are vaccinated with both doses of COVID vaccine. Those who are below 18 years of age are not applicable for entry into the establishments. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said as the rate of infection has come down, more relaxations are being allowed. Air-conditioning in hotels will not be allowed. Indoor stadiums and swimming pools can be opened for persons who are vaccinated with both doses of COVID vaccine. Those who are below 18 years of age are not applicable for entry into the establishments: Kerala govt ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 "It's been now 21 months since we have been going through lockdown norms. But with 91 per cent of the above aged 18 years having taken the first dose and over 39 per cent taken the second dose, only 22 lakh are left now who have not had taken the vaccine and this includes those who turned Covid positive and for such people they will have to wait for three months. We have now decided to open educational institutions also and it will function through strict guidelines," IANS quoted the CM as saying. Commenting on the reopening of cinema halls, the CM said a decision will be taken once seating issues are resolved. Kerala logged 16,671 new COVID-19 cases and 120 fatalities, which pushed the caseload to 46,13,964 and the death toll to 24,248, as per official data on Saturday. "Currently, there are 1,65,154 active COVID-19 cases in the state of which only 12.2 per cent are admitted to the hospitals," Vijayan told reporters. (With agency inputs) Live TV New York (US): India's first secretary at the United Nations, Sneha Dubey, has created a flutter with her powerful speech as she took on Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly. India slammed Imran Khan in its Right of Reply in response against Pakistan Prime Prime Minister's references to Kashmir in his United Nations General Assembly virtual speech and stated that Islamabad has an established history of actively supporting terrorists. Who is Sneha Dubey? A 2012 batch IFS officer who completed her education after achieving her MPhil from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, Sneha's first appointment was in the Ministry of External Affairs. She is reportedly India's third secretary at Madrid before she was posted to the United Nations in 2014. According to media reports, from a very young age, Sneha had dreams of joining the Indian Foreign Services, and she passed the civil services examination in her very first attempt in the year 2011. First in her family to join the government services, media reports mention that the reason why she was attracted towards joining the foreign lay in the her in her interest in learning about international affairs, the excitement of discovering new cultures, being part of important policy decisions and helping people. Her father reportedly works in a multinational company while her mother is a school teacher. Netizens from India have hailed Sneha's fiery speech and her incredible clarity with comparisons being also made with Eenam Gambhir and Vidisha Maitra, India's women diplomats to the UN. Also read: QUAD leaders denounce use of 'terrorist proxies' Sneha's seven fiery quotes on behalf of India at the UNGA session: 1) Pakistan has an established history and policy of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists. This is a country that has been globally recognized as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of State policy. 2) Pakistan holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council. 3) We marked the solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks a few days back. The world has not forgotten that the mastermind behind that dastardly event, Osama Bin Laden, got shelter in Pakistan. Even today, Pakistan leadership glorify him as a martyr. 4) We keep hearing that Pakistan is a victim of terrorism. This is the country which is an arsonist disguising itself as a fire-fighter. Pakistan nurtures terrorists in their backyard in the hope that they will only harm their neighbours. 5) This is also the country that still holds the despicable record in our region of having executed a religious and cultural genocide against the people of what is now Bangladesh. As we mark the 50th anniversary this year of that horrid event in history, there is not even an acknowledgement, much less accountability. 6) Today, the minorities in Pakistan - the Sikhs, Hindus, Christians - live in constant fear and state-sponsored suppression of their rights. This is a regime where anti-Semitism is normalized by its leadership and even justified. 7) Pluralism is a concept which is very difficult to understand for Pakistan which constitutionally prohibits its minorities from aspiring for high offices of the State. Watch her speech here: "Regrettably, this is not the first time the leader of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against my country," Sneha said at the beginning of the speech. (With Agency inputs) Live TV New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday evening (local time) arrived in New York, where he is scheduled to address the 76th session of UNGA tomorrow. PM Modi left from Washington earlier in the day after holding a meeting with President Joe Biden and attending the Quad Summit. Landed in New York City. Will be addressing the UNGA at 6:30 PM (IST) on the 25th. pic.twitter.com/CUtlNZ83JT Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 25, 2021 #WATCH | United States: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the airport in New York. He is scheduled to address at the 76th session of UNGA. pic.twitter.com/YEn0nflfOx ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 "Thank you, Washington! Onward bound for New York. After a historic Quad Leaders` Summit and bilateral engagements with USA, Australia and Japan, PM Narendra Modi departs for the New York leg of his visit," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. PM Modi arrived in Washington for a three-day visit to the country on Wednesday, his first beyond neighbourhood since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris here. He also met his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison and Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga. PM Modi also participated in the first in-person Quad meeting after COVID-19. He also held meetings with five global CEOs for potential investment in India on Thursday. PM Modi`s US visit will conclude on September 25 with an address at the United Nations General Assembly focusing on the pressing global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change and other important issues. 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`. Live TV New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday (September 24, 2021) said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited US President Joe Biden to visit India. The ministry also added that New Delhi looks forward to the visit of the US leader at the "earliest and mutual convenience". In a special briefing, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, "PM Modi invited President Joe Biden to visit India. President Biden noted with thanks and appreciation. We certainly look forward to the visit of the US President at the earliest and mutual convenience." PM Modi invited President Joe Biden to visit India. President Biden noted with thanks & appreciation. We certainly look forward to the visit of the US President at the earliest & mutual convenience: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla pic.twitter.com/tgXMLEt0tv ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2021 The Prime Minister is currently on a three-day visit to the United States and held his maiden bilateral meeting with US President Biden and attended the Quad leaders Summit. Meanwhile, on Thursday, PM Modi praised US Vice President Kamala Harris as a "source of inspiration" while extending an invitation to her to visit the country. "Your election as Vice President of USA has been an important and historic event. You are a source of inspiration for many across the world. I am confident that under President Biden and your leadership our bilateral relations will touch new heights," PM Modi said in a joint press conference with US VP Harris after the two leaders met. "Continuing on this journey of victory, Indians would also want you to continue that in India and therefore they are waiting to welcome you. I extend you an invitation to visit India," he added. (With ANI inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 76th United Nations General Assembly on Saturday in New York, he spoke on a host of issues including COVID-19 pandemic, terrorism, Afghanistan and climate change. PM Modi's address fourth at the UNGA comes straight from the Quad summit on Friday when he also held a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House. PM made an emphatic case that Democracy can deliver, democracy has delivered. A child who sold tea at the age of 4, has got the opportunity to lead India - the mother of democracy, and address the UN 4 times. (This empowerment is one among the many miracles of Indian democracy) India is one sixth of the world. Therefore when India grows the world grows. When India reforms the world transforms. Through various transformational development programmes, it is contributing to global development and ensuring that no one is left behind. India's tech innovations are helping the world whether it be ensuring financial inclusion through UPI or improving vaccination drive in the fight against covid through cowin app. Through seva parmo dharm, India has successfully overcome various constraints and innovated vaccines including the worlds first DNA vaccine. Also working on nasal vaccine and MNRA vaccine. This is possible through the hardwork of various stakeholders including scientists, doctors, front line workers etc. Invited all to come to India and partner in this noble mission. Aatmanirbhar Bharat is aimed at expanding global value chains. India is a trustworthy and democratic partner for global industrial diversification India is ensuring a balance between economy and ecology, and the world can take pride in Indias efforts to combat climate change. PM Modi addresses the UN General debate. Here are the Key takeaways: 1. 'India is known to be the mother of democracy' 2. 'When India grows, the world grows' 3. 'When India reforms, the world transforms' 4. 'World has been grappling with worst pandemic' 5. PM Modi pays tribute to lives lost due to COVID-19 6. 'Development should be all-pervasive, inclusive' 7. 'India has brought 430 million to banking systems' 8. 'India has built 30 million homes for homeless families' 9. 'Every 6th person in the world is Indian' 10. 'Oceans should not be used for expansion & exclusion' 11. 'India is on a journey to provide clean & portable water' 12. 'India developed world's first DNA vaccine' 13. 'India's mRNA vaccine is in development stages' 14. 'India has struck a balance between economy & ecology' 15. 'India outperformed developed world on climate action' 16. 'Emphasis on science bases approach to development' 17. 'World faces a rising threat of extremism' 18. 'No country should take advantage of Afghan crisis' 19. 'Terrorism is an equal threat to nations using them' Live TV New Delhi: After the first-ever in-person Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) Summit, leaders of the Quad nations in a joint statement said they will closely coordinate diplomatic, economic, and human-rights policies towards Afghanistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday (September 24, 2021) held the Quad leaders meeting. Quad to closely coordinate diplomatic, human-rights policies towards Afghanistan Quad in its statement said, "In South Asia, we will closely coordinate our diplomatic, economic, and human-rights policies towards Afghanistan and will deepen our counter-terrorism and humanitarian cooperation in the months ahead in accordance with UNSCR 2593." "We reaffirm that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts, and reiterate the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan...We stand together in support of Afghan nationals and call on the Taliban to provide safe passage to any person wishing to leave Afghanistan, and to ensure that the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and minorities are respected," read the joint statement. Quad leaders renew commitment to promote free Indo-Pacific "The occasion of the Quad summit is an opportunity to refocus ourselves and the world on the Indo-Pacific and on our vision for what we hope to achieve. Together, we recommit to promoting the free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond," said the joint statement of the Quad leaders. "We stand for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity of states. We commit to working together and with a range of partners," added the joint statement. Quad countries pledge to donate 120 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses globally Quad has pledged to donate more than 120 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses globally, in addition to the vaccines financed through Covax. In a joint statement, the leaders of Quad said, In addition to doses financed through COVAX, Australia, India, Japan, and the United States have pledged to donate more than 1.2 billion doses globally of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. And to date, we have delivered nearly 79 million safe, effective, and quality-assured vaccine doses to countries in the Indo-Pacific as part of those commitments." "The leaders are fully committed to strengthening vaccine confidence and trust. To that end, Quad countries will host an event at the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA) dedicated to combatting hesitancy, the statement added. Quad to enhance climate adaptation, resilience and preparedness Quad rolled out a 5G partnership and plans to track climate change. We have joined forces to tackle the climate crisis, which must be addressed with the urgency it demands. Quad countries will work together to keep the Paris-aligned temperature limits within reach and will pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels," the statement read. "Our work is organized across three thematic areas: climate ambition, clean-energy innovation and deployment, and climate adaptation, resilience and preparedness, with the intent to pursue enhanced actions during the 2020s, contributing to the aim of achieving global net-zero emissions preferably by 2050, and taking into account national circumstances, said Quad leaders in the joint statement. Quad urges North Korea to engage in dialogue The leaders of the Quad nations called on North Korea to engage in dialogue and abide by the UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit its ballistic missile tests. "We reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, and also confirm the necessity of immediate resolution of the issue of Japanese abductees," the leaders said in a joint statement. "We urge North Korea to abide by its UN obligations, refrain from provocations. We also call on North Korea to engage in substantive dialogue," they added. US President Biden announces 'Quad fellowship' Noting the excellent progress made by the Quad, US President Joe Biden on Friday announced a new "fellowship" for the students of the member countries to pursue advanced degrees in "stem programs" here in the United States. The statement read, We are proud to begin a new chapter of educational and people-to-people cooperation as we inaugurate the Quad Fellowship. Stewarded by Schmidt Futures, a philanthropic initiative, and with generous support from Accenture, Blackstone, Boeing, Google, Mastercard, and Western Digital this pilot fellowship program will provide 100 graduate fellowships to leading science, technology, engineering, and mathematics graduate students across our four countries. Through the Quad Fellowship, our next generation of STEM talent will be prepared to lead the Quad and other like-minded partners towards the innovations that will shape our shared future. Quad calls for end to violence in Myanmar Quad leaders on Friday called for an end to violence in Myanmar. "We continue to call for the end to violence in Myanmar, the release of all political detainees, including foreigners, engagement in constructive dialogue, and for the early restoration of democracy," the joint statement said. The leaders also called for the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus. The ASEAN five-point consensus states that there shall be an immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties shall exercise utmost restraint; constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people. (With Agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: In the first in-person meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) Summit, India, Australia, Japan and the US on Friday (September 24, 2021) pledged to work together for ensuring peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and the world. The Quad leaders also announced a slew of new initiatives to take on common challenges, amidst muscle-flexing by an assertive China in the strategic region. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Quad would play the role as Force for Global Good. PM Modi, in his short address on Friday, exuded confidence that this cooperation by the four democracies will ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world. Meanwhile, PM Modi was the first leader invited by host President Joe Biden to address the first in-person Quad gathering in the East Room of the White House. At the meet, President Biden, who earlier in the day had a more than an hour-long meeting with PM Modi, described the prime minister as My Friend." US President Biden, while opening the summit, said the four democracies have come together to take on common challenges from COVID-19 to climate. This group has democratic partners who share world views and have a common vision for the future, he said. "When we met six months ago, we made a concrete commitment to advance our shared positive agenda for free and open up the session. Today we are proud to say that we're making progress, Biden said. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Japanese counterpart Suga were the two other leaders in the historic East Room. The Quad leaders also asserted that the vaccine initiative is on track. US President Biden said that the Quad is taking action on climate change with a new partnership for zero-emission shipping. "Today, we're also launching a new quad fellowship for students from each of our five countries to pursue advanced degrees in leading Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programmes through the United States, Biden said. The four countries have a long history of cooperation. We know how to get things done. And we are up to the challenge, Biden said. While thanking Joe Biden for his initiative to organize this historic first-ever in-person Quad Summit, PM Modi said the four nations have come together for the first time in 2004 to extend support to the Indo-Pacific Region. "Today, when the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are meeting once again as Quad and working in the interest of humanity, he said. The Quad vaccine initiative is going to provide great help to the nations in the Indo-Pacific region, he said. "Based on our common democratic values, Quad has decided to move forward with positive thinking," he added. Be it supply chain or security, be it climate action or COVID response, or cooperation in the field of technology, PM Modi said he would be very happy to talk to the leaders at the meeting. Additionally, Australian Prime Minister Morrison, while addressing the leaders at the summit, said that the Indo-Pacific region should be free from coercion and disputes should be solved in accordance with international law, in a veiled reference to China. "We believe in a free and open Indo Pacific because we know that the limits are strong, stable, and prosperous freedom to realise their hopes and dreams to live in a liberal free society, he said. Quad, he said, is about demonstrating how democracy such as these get things done, they can handle the big challenges in a very complex and changing world. Observing that there is no part of the world that is more dynamic than the Indo-Pacific at this time, a region that has the extraordinary opportunity, Morrison said that there are many challenges that must be overcome. Prime Minister Suga of Japan, like the other three leaders, stressed the importance of the first-ever in-person Quad Summit, saying this event demonstrates strong solidarity between our four nations and an unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. PM Modi also asserted that he is certain that Quads cooperation will ensure prosperity and peace in the Indo Pacific and in the world. "It gives me great pleasure to discuss with my friends wide ranging topics from supply chains to global security, from climate action to COVID response, to cooperation in the field of technology. A Quad, in a sense, will play the role of a force for global good. I'm confident that our cooperation, under Quad, will ensure prosperity and peace in the Indo Pacific and in the world, Modi said. The leaders shared perspectives on the situation in Afghanistan, the emerging challenges in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific, he said. They reaffirmed their commitment to work together to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and work towards preventing the other pandemics that would come in the future, he said. Prime Minister Modi announced that India would make available 8 million doses of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, manufactured in India by October end, Shringla said. The leaders also discussed evolving a common approach to emerging technologies, cyber security and addressing the challenge of climate change and space cooperation, he added. He said the joint statement has a strong language with regard to terrorism. India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military maneuvering in the region. China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. Ahead of the Quad summit, Prime Minister Modi separately met his Australian and Japanese counterparts on Thursday and they reaffirmed the importance of maritime security towards the realisation of a "free and open" Indo-Pacific. In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence, amidst China's growing military presence in the strategic region. (With PTI inputs) Live TV New Delhi: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana on Friday (September 24, 2021) expressed deep concern over the shootout incident inside the crowded Rohini courtroom in New Delhi. CJI Ramana also spoke to the Delhi High Court Chief Justice in this regard. CJI Ramana also advised Delhi High Court Chief Justice D N Patel to talk to both police and the Bar to ensure that the functioning of the court is not affected. A top court official said that the issue of safety and security of court complexes and judicial personnel is already under the consideration of the Supreme Court and the matter may get a priority hearing next week. The officials said that jailed gangster Jitendra Gogi and his two assailants posing as lawyers were killed inside a crowded Rohini courtroom on Friday in a dramatic shootout. The incident also witnessed the police firing bullets in retaliation. Indian Express quoted Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana as saying, Two men dressed as lawyers opened fire at undertrial prisoner Jitender Gogi inside the Rohini court. Our police personnel were present there and they acted very swiftly. There was a security lapse and we will definitely look into it. JCP (Northern range) will enquire into the incident and submit a report. We will take appropriate action. The case has been transferred to the Crime Branch for further investigation. Additionally, video footage of the incident showed policemen and lawyers rushing out in panic as gunshots rang out inside courtroom number 207. The two gunmen dressed as lawyers are suspected to be members of rival Tillu gang, an official said, adding that over 30 shots were fired. Witnesses said a law intern has also sustained bullet injury in her leg and some also claimed that the gang members pumped 10 bullets into Gogi, one of Delhi's most wanted criminals. Sources said that Gogi received about seven bullet injuries, even as there was no official confirmation from police on this. (With Agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the Centre on Saturday (September 25) for denying her permission to attend the World Peace Conference in Italy scheduled to be held in October this year. She challenged the BJP and said Khela will end only after her TMC wins the entire nation. Referring to the ruling saffron party as Talibani, Banerjee said TMC is enough to defeat the BJP at the Centre. We have to protect our freedom. 'Talibani' BJP cannot run in India... TMC alone is enough to defeat BJP. 'Khela' will start from Bhabanipur and will finish after we win in the entire nation. We have to protect our freedom. 'Talibani' BJP cannot run in India... TMC alone is enough to defeat BJP. 'Khela' will start from Bhabanipur and will finish after we win in the entire nation: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/b37gLscZS6 ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denied clearance to Banerjees Rome visit to participate in World Peace Forum citing the event is not commensurate in status for participation by Chief Minister of a State. The TMC supremo was the only Indian invited this year. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi are among those who will attend the event scheduled to be held on October 6 and 7. Creating a political furore over MEAs denial, Banerjee said, There was a meeting on world peace in Rome, where I was invited. German Chancellor, Pope (Francis) are also supposed to attend. Italy had given special permission for me to attend, yet Centre denied clearance, saying it wasn't right for CM. Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the controversy, the TMC chief added, You will not be able to stop me. I am not eager to visit foreign countries, but this was about the respect of the nation. You (PM Modi) keep talking about Hindus, I am also a Hindu woman, why did you not allow me? You are totally jealous. Meanwhile, TMC spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya Dev also condemned the Centre for denying permission to Banerjee. Central government denied permission for Didi's Rome trip! Previously they've cancelled the permission of China trip too. We accepted that decision with keeping international relations and India's interests in mind. Now why Italy Modi ji? What is your problem with Bengal? Chi! Debangshu Bhattacharya Dev (@ItsYourDev) September 25, 2021 He tweeted, "Central government denied permission for Didi's Rome trip! Previously they've cancelled the permission of China trip too. We accepted that decision keeping international relations and India's interests in mind. Now why Italy Modi ji? What is your problem with Bengal? Chi!" (With agency inputs) Live TV Tirupati: The special drive to improve the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) online booking website environment has given good dividends, stated TTD Additional EO AV Dharma Reddy. The Additional EO explained in detail the technical snags encountered and the efforts of the TTD IT wing along with TCS and JIO to overcome these issues. Several technical hiccups have surfaced since lakhs of devotees are making simultaneous logins to book the limited number of SED tickets released online during the COVID-19 environment. The October month special entry 300 quota was released exactly at 9 AM on Friday (September 24). Because of the newly developed application and the fresh environment and due to the sudden increase in the load to 5.5 Lakhs users from 1.06 lakh users observed during the last release, the application experienced some technical issues till 10:30 AM. The Jio team, TCS and TTD IT Team together addressed the technical issue within one and a half hours and the services resumed by 10:30 AM. About 5.5 lakh users tried to book the tickets at any point of time and more than one crore hits were received on the TTD Booking portal. Even then the application has served with good performance by the team efforts and quality infrastructure provided by the Jio. The bookings were smooth and users experienced the best booking process. Within one hour 2.4 lakh tickets were booked successfully and the total hits touched one crore mark on Friday (September 24). TTD APPEAL TO PILGRIMS : TTD is appealing to devotees not to be carried away by any malicious campaign by vested elements. Since 2016 the technical support is offered to TTD by private firms only. Control S systems offered us technical support on payment of Rs60 lakhs per year. Later TCS has come forward to offer technical support. But due to heavy pilgrim hits on a limited number of tickets, the servers offered by these companies have no capacity to tackle. There are only a few companies that own Cloud Management systems that have huge data control networks. Jio is one among them which has offered us technical and Infrastructure free of cost. Creating unnecessary confusion among devotees and playing with their sentiments with baseless rumors by some vested interests is seriously condemned. "We are repeatedly appealing to devotees not to fall in the trap of such rumors and continue to book tickets on the TTD official website only", the Additional EO reiterated. The app developed is thoroughly tested to ensure Security and Performance. New Payment gateways were introduced. Required physical cloud infrastructure provided by Jio at no cost to TTD includes software development worth around Rs.3crore along with necessary infrastructure support. FREE DARSHAN TICKETS ONLINE FOR FIRST TIME EVER TTD will be releasing Sarva Darshan tokens (free darshan) through online mode on its official website: tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in at 9 AM on 25th September, 2021. This is the first time in the history of the TTD that the Sarva Darshan tokens are being released online for the convenience of the common devotees in view of avoiding mass gathering on trail base TTD released 8000 free darshan tickets offline due to pilgrims crowd. For the first time in the history of the world, online transactions will be carried in a free and transparent model without a payment gateway. Since this is the first time that the devotees will be booking Sarva Darshan tokens online. TTD appeals to the devotees to follow the following procedures for hassle free booking experience: Login to TTD official online booking website: tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in It will redirect to the below sub domain link. Login to the portal using your mobile and OTP sent to your mobile. On the next page, select the available dates marked in GREEN color and then select the slot, then select the no. of persons. On the next page, fill all the pilgrims details in the fields and submit. It will generate the ticket. However, TTD is redirecting pilgrims to the Jiomart sub-domain from the tirupatibalaiji.ap.gov.in website. The sub-domain under the TTD name could not be created due to time and technical constraints. From next month's release onwards, jiomart will not appear and the domain name will be tirupaitbalaji.ap.gov.in. ALSO READ: Large number of Chardham pilgrims returning without 'darshan' after registration made mandatory Live TV New York (US): While he didn't name any country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at Pakistan for "using terrorism as a political tool" as he addressed the 76th UN General Assembly in New York. Modi said, "The danger of regressive thinking and extremism is rising in the world." He added, "Those who use terrorism as a political tool should know that terrorism is dangerous for them too." PM Modi statement is seen as a strong response to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan for bringing up the Kashmir issue at the UNGA. Here's his speech: He also said that countries should stop taking advantage of Afghanistan. "We also need to ensure that no country tries to take advantage of delicate situation in Afghanistan & use it for its own selfish interests. At this time, people of Afghanistan, women & children, minorities need help. We must fulfill our duties by providing them with help," the Prime Minister said. "Today, the danger of regressive thinking and extremism is increasing in front of the world," Modi added. The Indian prime minister called for a broader global response against terrorism. He asked nations to work towards keeping the world's shipping lanes free from "expansionism". Live TV Ghaziabad: Ghaziabad police are searching for the body of a young boy, who was allegedly abducted and killed by his uncle over a property dispute, officials said. On August 15, Brijesh Tyagi had lodged a complaint that his son Reshu could not be traced for a week. A week later on August 22, an FIR was lodged by him that his son was kidnapped 14 days ago by some close relatives due to an old property dispute. Relying on circumstantial evidence and electronic surveillance, police teams arrested Leelu (Tyagi's younger brother) of Basantpur village in Muradnagar, Rahul of Sambhal district and Surendra of Hapur district on Thursday from Muradnagar, Superintendent of Police (Rural) Iraj Raja said. During interrogation, the prime accused confessed to abducting and killing Reshu and thereafter throwing his body in a canal near Bulandshahar with the help of his accomplices Surendra, Vikrant, Mukesh and Rahul. "Twenty years ago in 2001, I had killed my elder brother Sudhir Tyagi and a few months later killed his eight-year-old daughter Payal by serving her poison. After three years, I killed his elder daughter Parul (16) and threw her body in Hindon river. Eight years ago, I killed my elder brother Brijesh's son Nishu and threw his body in Hindon river," Leelu told the police. All the family members were killed by Leelu (45) for ancestral land so that nobody could claim his share of the property. The prime accused wanted to grab the whole land worth Rs 5 crore. Now, police are trying to recover the body of Reshu from a canal near Bulandshahr district. Police have obtained some audio recordings and would produce it in the court during prosecution, the SP said. New Delhi: Shubham Kumar, a 24-year old from Bihar, topped the Civil services exam on Friday and said that his dream to become an IAS officer and to serve the underprivileged has been realised. He said that the development of villages, employment generation and poverty alleviation in rural areas of the country would be his focus areas. Kumar topped the civil services examination in his third attempt. Earlier, he was selected in the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) after qualifying the civil services examination in 2019. Kumar could not make it in his first attempt in the 2018 examination. A Bachelor of Technology (civil engineering) graduate from IIT Bombay, he has qualified the 2020 examination with anthropology as his optional subject. Kumar, who hails from Katihar in Bihar, is currently undergoing training at the National Academy of Defence Financial Management (NADFM), Pune. UPSC , Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) September 24, 2021 "My dream was to get into the IAS as it gives a wider platform to work for the betterment of the people. It has been realised and I would like to work for the underprivileged people, especially in rural areas," he said. Kumar said areas like poverty alleviation and the development of villages and its people would be his focus area while in the service. "There are lots of areas in which we all can work to uplift the underprivileged and bring positive changes," he said. Kumar said he got a lot of support from his father and the academy, especially its director, in preparing for the examination. Younger of the two siblings, his elder sister work as a scientist in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). "My father used to motivate me a lot and helped me in maintaining a positive attitude that helped me in clearing the exam,? said Kumar, adding that his father works as a bank manager in Bihar. Second rank holder Jagrati Awasthi, who hails from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, said she would also like to join the IAS and work for rural development, besides women and child development. "I have opted for IAS. I got motivated from people around me. I would like to work for the development of rural areas besides women and child development," she said. Awasthi, aged 24 years, believes skilling women, especially from rural areas, in handicrafts can make India a world leader in the sector. She completed her schooling from Maharishi Vidya Mandir and graduated in electrical engineering from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal. Awasthi qualified the examination with sociology as her optional subject. Awasthi said she had left her job at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Bhopal to prepare for the examination. "I worked with BHEL for two years after completing my graduation in 2017. I could not clear the examination in first attempt. This was my second exam," said Awasthi, who is also the overall topper among women candidates. She said her brother, who is pursuing medical studies in Bhopal, was the biggest source of inspiration for her. Awasthi's father is a professor and mother is homemaker. A total of 761 candidates -- 545 men and 216 women -- have cleared the civil services examination 2020, results of which were declared on Friday by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The civil services examination is conducted annually by the UPSC in three stages -- preliminary, main and interview -- to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. The UPSC said that the top 25 candidates comprise 13 men and 12 women. Ria Dabi, who is the sister of 2015 civil services exam topper Tina Dabi, has secured 15th rank in the examination. Tina Dabi, an IAS officer, is currently posted in her cadre state Rajasthan. Live TV Washington: The Emmy-nominated actor Michael K Williams who was found dead in his New York penthouse on September 6, died of a fatal drug overdose. Variety confirmed the news with a spokesperson for New York City`s chief medical examiner`s office who determined that `The Wire` actor`s official cause of death is acute intoxication by the combined effects of fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, heroin and cocaine. His manner of death has been ruled accidental. For the unversed, Michael was found dead in the living room of his Brooklyn apartment on September 6, and drug paraphernalia was on a table nearby. As per Variety, the late actor in his earlier interviews has already revealed scary stories of the double life he was living as he rose to stardom on `The Wire`, doing drugs "in scary places with scary people.""I was playing with fire. It was just a matter of time before I got caught and my business ended up on the cover of a tabloid or I went to jail or, worse, I ended up dead," Williams said then. The actor died at the age of 54. His demise came as a shock for the whole Hollywood industry. Fans and his fellow celebrity friends flooded social media with heartfelt tributes for the actor. Best known for his role as Baltimore stick-up man Omar Little on HBO`s `The Wire`, Williams was a critically acclaimed actor.He starred in several other hit HBO series like `Boardwalk Empire`, `The Night Of` and more recently `Lovecraft Country`- as well as movies like `12 Years a Slave` and `Assassin`s Creed`. He excelled in street dancing and danced on tours fronted by the likes of George Michael and Madonna before pursuing acting with the National Black Theatre in New York City, and he made his onscreen debut in 1996 neo-noir action thriller film `Bullet`, starring Mickey Rourke and Tupac Shakur. Michael guest-starred on episodes of such shows as `The Sopranos`, `Alias` and `Boston Legal` before landing on David Simon`s `The Wire` in 2002. He would appear on 42 episodes before Omar met his end in the fifth and final season. He is survived by his son, Elijah Williams. The late actor Michael K. Williams was recently nominated for the best supporting actor in a drama award at Sunday`s Primetime Emmys, which he lost to `The Crown` actor Tobias Menzies. New Delhi: Businessman Raj Kundra was granted bail by a magistrate court on September 20, 2021, and he walked out of Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail the next day in a pornographic films case. After his release from jail, wife Shilpa Shetty dropped a cryptic post on Instagram story. She wrote on 'recovering from difficult times', sharing a book's quote by Christiaan Barnard. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate SB Bhajipale on Monday allowed Kundra's bail application on furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000, as per a report in PTI. Raj Kundra's associate and co-accused Ryan Thorpe, who was arrested along with him on July 19, was also granted bail by the court in the case pertaining to the alleged creation of pornographic films and publishing them through some apps. Actress Shilpa Shetty's husband was lodged in Arthur Road Jail in central Mumbai under judicial custody. As he walked out of the jail after 2 months, the businessman was surrounded by paparazzi and reporters. He was arrested by the Mumbai police's crime branch after being booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Information Technology Act and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. New Delhi: Bollywood actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood spoke in detail about the Income Tax raids that took place on his properties for four days from September 16 to September 19, 2021. In an interview with a leading daily, he opened up on the day he was visited by the I-T department, the allegations levelled against him and how he plans to use the money raised by his foundation. Speaking about the incident in detail, he told Bombay Times, "It was a surprise when one day they came in early in the morning. While my elder son was travelling, my younger son got stuck in the house for many days as you cant leave the house till the officials are done with their duties. I am a very good host. I welcomed them home and made sure they were comfortable and were taken care of." He further said, "I told them that since they were going to be our guests for the next three-four days, I would like to make this a special experience for them. I told them, You might be doing so many raids through the year, but at the time of leaving my place, you will say that this was the best experience so far. So, after four days, I asked them the question, and they admitted to this being their best experience so far. And I said that it will remain the best ever. When they left, I said, I am going to miss you, and we all had a good laugh. They acknowledged the kind of work that I have been doing. They appreciated my work and said, We know the kind of work that you have been doing. It is phenomenal." He also opened up on how he plans to spend the money raised by charity and the upcoming projects which will be funded by the money. The 'Dabangg' actor explained, "I am planning to open a hospital in Hyderabad. A large number of patients that came to us, were treated at hospitals there. The medical infrastructure at some hospitals in Hyderabad is on a different level. The idea is that in the next 50 years, whether Sonu Sood remains or not, the free treatment of patients should continue with this charitable hospital. My dreams are big and I am on a mission. In the last couple of days, I have already spent Rs 2 crores on the hospital project. It will be a state-of-the-art, free of cost, medical facility of the best of quality for the needy. We are already working on an orphanage and school, too. Every project is in place." The I-T department accused the actor of Rs 20 crore tax evasion and violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) while raising funds for his charitable trust from abroad. Responding to this, he said, "We have presented every single document, in fact, more documents than they wanted. I dont have an inch of land in Jaipur or Lucknow as alleged and we have already provided the documents for that. As far as the violation of the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) norms go, any company or a foundation thats listed for more than three years is eligible for an FCRA registration to receive funds. My foundation is not registered, so I cant receive these funds." Many people have linked raids carried out by the I-T department on the actors property as politically motivated as it took place after he joined hands with the AAP. Sonu, however, reiterated that he doesnt have any ambition to join politics right now as he is not ready. The actor further revealed that he has been offered Rajya Sabha membership by two political parties in recent times which he has declined. New Delhi: In good news, the Uttarakhand Cabinet on Friday (September 25) approved to increase the dearness allowance for state government employees. Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal said that the state government employees and pensioners will get the revised DA with retrospective effect from July 1. The decision to increase the DA for Uttrakhand government employees was approved by the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The chief minister had decided to lift the freeze on payment of DA to the state government employees on August 25. With the recent increase, the DA will now be paid at a 28 per cent rate. All the state government employees and pensioners will receive revised DA along with the arrears of the past two months - July and August. The decision will benefit 1,60,000 government employees and 1,50,000 pensioners. The step has been taken at a time when the Central government has recently increased the dearness allowance of Central government employees and pensioners. The DA of central government employees has been increased by 11% to 28% from the 17%. Moreover, the Central government is now looking to increase the DA by 3% more to 31% of the basic salary of Central government employees. Following the decision of the Central government, several state governments have also approved an increase in the dearness allowance for employees in their respective states. Also Read: Delhi HC stays 3-year jail to Supertech MD, directs firm to pay Rs 50 lakh to homebuyer Some of the states which have recently increased the dearness allowance for their employees include Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Haryana, Karnataka, and Rajasthan. Also Read: JEE Advanced Admit Card 2021 to be released today on jeeadv.ac.in, heres how to download Live TV #mute New Delhi: Tech giant Apple has released new support documents detailing fixes and widgets for two minor bugs in the company's new lineup of devices, including the iPhone 13. Both bugs affect iPhone 13, ninth-generation iPad and iPad mini 6 models that have been restored from an iCloud backup. On Friday, the devices officially started arriving on customer doorsteps and store shelves, reports AppleInsider. (Also Read: Elon Musk, Grimes break up after three years together, will continue to co-parent their one-year-old son) The first bug affects widgets, the report said. According to Apple, it has discovered an issue that causes widgets to revert to their default settings after an iPhone or iPad is restored from a backup. Apple said the bug has only affected a "limited number" of iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPad 9 and iPad mini 6 models. The company said there isn't a quick fix for the problem and users will need to manually edit their widgets. (Also Read: WhatsApp to offer cashback coupons on UPI payments ) In a second support document, Apple said that some iPhone 13 and new iPad users may be unable to access Apple Music on devices restored from an iCloud backup. More specifically, the bug prevents users from accessing "the Apple Music catalog, Apple Music settings, or (the) Sync Library". To fix this issue, Apple has released a minor update for iPhone 13, ninth-generation iPad, and iPad mini 6 users running iOS 15. New Delhi: If youre planning to bag a job at HCL Technologies, then this could be your chance. The IT services company has started inviting applications for HCL First Careers Program - the companys in-house training program for freshers planning to build their career in IT services. The paid programme trains fresh engineering graduates in key skills that are in demand in the IT industry. Freshers get to master technical, practical and personality development skills essential for a job in the IT industry. HCL First Careers Program Candidates need to pay Rs 1.5 lakh plus applicable taxes as a fee for the HCL First Careers Program. HCL provides bank loan assistance to candidates aspiring to pursue the course. Applicants are selected for the six-month-long programme on the basis of a four-stage interview process. Candidates are required to register for the exam, followed by counselling sessions, post which they have to write an online aptitude test. Students clearing the test are invited for the final interview round. Upon successfully compelling the training programme, candidates are offered guaranteed jobs at one of the campuses of HCL Technologies. Candidates can apply for the programme online on HCLs official website. Who can join HCL First Careers Program? Candidates with an IT or computer science background can apply for the HCL First Careers Program. They should hold a degree in BE / B.Tech / MCA / M.Tech / M.Sc (IT/ Computer Science) to meet the essential qualification criteria for the exam. Also Read: 7th Pay Commission: Uttarakhand hikes dearness allowance for government employees by 11% Moreover, candidates must have scored 65% or more in their 10+2 and graduation or post-graduation exams to qualify for the HCL First Careers Program. Passouts of the year 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 will be eligible to apply for the programme. Also Read: Delhi HC stays 3-year jail to Supertech MD, directs firm to pay Rs 50 lakh to homebuyer New Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not just making headlines for his victory in the elections, but a video of him fumbling while pronouncing the LGBTQ2+ has also gone viral on the Internet. In a 16-second clip, the leader of the Liberal Party is seen being embarrassed as he struggles to pronounce the acronym while talking about the rights of the community. Watch: how is this not a scene from a sitcom pic.twitter.com/6SZWh7Rpu5 dominique (@DomiVino) September 20, 2021 While some users said that how is this not a scene from a sitcom, some expressed that Trudeau knew he is going to get 'cancelled' on Twitter now. Lgbtq people in the crowd like pic.twitter.com/E7vxqIVihy Alee (@AASwitch) September 21, 2021 The amount of times he said it pic.twitter.com/Hg0tP18Pxf jane (@jane31459380) September 20, 2021 Mans knew hes gonna get cancelled on Twitter now pic.twitter.com/1Hga9kR5ej Oshaz (@ThisIsOshaz) September 21, 2021 he fighting for his life rn yeri! (@yereniuh) September 21, 2021 The video has so far got over 2.5 million views and has garnered more than 65k likes. Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau on Friday (September 24) has said that two Canadian citizens who were detained by Beijing for more than 1,000 days have left Chinese airspace. Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were picked up in December 2018, shortly after Vancouver police arrested Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou on a US warrant. "These two men have been through an unbelievably difficult situation, but it is inspiring and it is good news for all of us that they are on their way home to their families," Trudeau said. Live TV Washington: Pakistan`s role in Afghanistan and its involvement in terrorism were among the issues discussed in the Quad summit and Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s bilateral discussions, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Friday. Responding to a question on Pakistan`s support to terrorism during a press briefing here, Shringla said that Pakistan has really been in many senses instigator of some of the problems India is dealing with in our neighbourhood and beyond. "Both in bilateral discussions and in Quad summit, there was a clear sense that more careful look, examination and monitoring Pakistan`s role in Afghanistan, Pakistan`s role on the issue of terrorism had to be kept and certainly whether it is Quad or other partners had to keep track to that factor, an important factor that sometimes gets overlooked when you see Pakistan projecting itself as a facilitator whether it has really been in many sense instigator of some of the problems we are dealing with in our neighbourhood and beyond," he said. India and the United States have expressed concern over Islamabad`s role in Afghanistan, said Shringla adding that the two sides underscored the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan. "I think there was clear concern in that regard on Pakistan`s role in Afghanistan and their continuing for a certain approach that did not seem to be conducive to the international community expectations of what Afghanistan should be like," he said. During a press conference on Thursday (September 23), Shringla informed that US Vice President Kamala Harris has `suo moto`, referred to Pakistan`s role in terrorism, and asked the country to stop supporting terror groups during the first-ever meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi. Harris acknowledged the presence of terror groups in Pakistan, said Shringla when asked whether the issue of Pakistan emboldening Taliban came up during the discussion between PM Modi and the US Vice President. PM Modi arrived in Washington on Wednesday (September 22) for a three-day visit to the US. Live TV Washington DC: Noting the excellent progress made by the Quad, US President Joe Biden on Friday (September 24, 2021) announced a new "fellowship" for the students of the member countries to pursue advanced degrees in "stem programs" here in the United States. In his opening remarks at Quad Leaders` Summit, Biden said this is a grouping of democratic partners who share a world view and have a common view for the future, "coming together to take on key challenges of our age." "When we met six months ago, we made concrete commitments to shared and positive agenda for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Today I am proud to say that we are making excellent progress," he added. ALSO READ | QUAD leaders denounce use of 'terrorist proxies', call for free and open Indo-Pacific, check key points from joint statement Biden said that the Quad vaccine initiative is on track to produce 1 billion COVID doses vaccines in India to boost global supplies. "Today, we are also launching a new Quad fellowship for students from each of our Quad countries to pursue advanced degrees in leading stem programs here in the United States, representing an investment in the leaders, innovators and pioneers of tomorrow," said US President. The much-anticipated first in-person meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (or Quad, of India, the United States, Australia and Japan), began on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is participating in the Quad leaders meeting along with leaders of the US, Japan, and Australia in Washington. US President Joe Biden is hosting all the leaders at the White House. According to sources and official announcements, today`s summit will touch upon a variety of subjects like 5G technology, climate change, critical infrastructure, supply chains and regional security. ALSO READ | QUAD leaders pledge to work together for peace, prosperity in Indo-Pacific region Earlier today, PM Modi and US President Biden held their first bilateral meeting since the latter assumed office and discussed bilateral relations including trade, COVID-19, climate challenges, and stability in the Indo-Pacific. PM Modi, who met Biden at the White House, said in his opening remarks that the bilateral summit was important and seeds have been sown for an even stronger friendship between India and the US. Live TV